Chapter 3

Yuan Chengzhi entered from the door at this moment, seeing the two of them in the courtyard, he was just about to greet them.

Feng Xiaoxiao, however, darted over with a sidestep.

"Little brother, what's wrong?" Yuan Chengzhi clenched his right hand into a fist, secretly gathering his strength in preparation.

Feng Xiaoxiao, however, had an expression as if he had seen the Buddha, and clasped his hands, saying, "Good morning, Great Hero Yuan."

"Little brother, hello!" Yuan Chengzhi frowned slightly, a bit puzzled, but still nodded and said, "You look much better today."

"Hehe, just look at how lively he is, you can tell he's in great spirits," He Tishou said with a coquettish laugh as she walked over, then pressed her face close and said, "Isn't that right, Feng Daidai?"

Feng Xiaoxiao's face turned slightly red, and he couldn't help but move closer to Yuan Chengzhi.

Seeing this, Yuan Chengzhi understood why he looked like this. His eyebrows arched, and he scolded, "Tishou, your little brother is just recovering, don't tease him anymore." Then he clasped his hands at Feng Xiaoxiao and said, "This is my disciple, He Tishou, the most mischievous one. She hasn't changed her nature in all these years. It's my fault as a master, please don't take it to heart... Tishou, come over and apologize to the little brother."

Feng Xiaoxiao suddenly realized that she was He Tieshou, a ruthless and cruel person. Thinking of He Tishou's character, he suppressed a fleeting thought and waved his hands, saying, "I was just taken aback by how beautiful this young lady is, it has nothing to do with her."

"Hehe! Feng Daidai, your words are so sweet!" He Tishou smiled at him happily, then pouted and shot a glance at Yuan Chengzhi.

"There's no need to flatter women so directly. Tishou really hasn't changed," Yuan Chengzhi shook his head and thought with a bitter smile, then gestured and said, "Let's go inside and sit down. Yesterday, Tishou brought back some Longjing tea from West Lake, which is quite rare here. I haven't had it for a long time."

As he spoke, he led the two of them into the hall.

"Big Brother Yuan, you're back. The tea is almost ready, come and taste it," Wen Qingqing lifted the kettle and poured the tea, skillfully arranging it, and the tea fragrance immediately filled the entire hall. She said, "Tishou, didn't I ask you to help with the tea? Where did you go? Feng Daidai, you're here too!"

"Madam Yuan, I will never forget your kindness in saving my life," Feng Xiaoxiao hurriedly straightened up and clasped his hands, then said somewhat dejectedly, "Unfortunately, Great Hero Yuan is so skilled, the best in the world, this kindness of saving my life, I... I fear I can never repay it."

Wen Qingqing smiled gently, casting a shy glance at Yuan Chengzhi, and said, "Sit down quickly, I don't know why you ended up here."

Feng Xiaoxiao then recounted the fabricated story of his background: his family was originally from the capital, and when the rebels attacked, his grandfather led the family to escape to Hanyang Prefecture. During the escape, most of his family died in the chaos. Only his grandmother, mother, and he survived. In Hanyang Prefecture, they were betrayed by a neighbor for not shaving their heads, and his grandmother decided to flee overseas. However, the weather suddenly changed, and the ship was destroyed by huge waves. His grandmother and mother, being weak, probably...

Thinking of his grandmother and mother whom he never saw again, Feng Xiaoxiao couldn't help but burst into tears.

Yuan Chengzhi comforted him with gentle words, then asked, "When you first woke up and heard my name, you seemed very surprised. Why was that?"

Feng Xiaoxiao stopped his tears and said, "Back then, Great Hero Yuan was the leader of the martial arts world and the commander of the Golden Snake Camp, doing many great deeds. My grandfather taught me to take Great Hero Yuan as a role model from a young age, and I have never forgotten it."

"I have lost all ambition and retired from the martial world. I am no longer worthy of the title 'great hero'," Yuan Chengzhi said with a mix of pride and shame, gently stroking the armrest and looking out at the sky, reminiscing, "I wonder how my elder and second brothers are doing, and how the second brother's son is. Is he any better?" He sighed and glanced at Wen Qingqing.

Wen Qingqing shot him a coquettish look and said, "Yes, I wonder how Ajiu is doing, she is all alone and destitute..."

"Qingqing?" Yuan Chengzhi was surprised.

Wen Qingqing said gently, "So many years have passed, I'm not the jealous girl I used to be. Ajiu is really pitiful."

Yuan Chengzhi stared at Wen Qingqing in a daze, then shook his head and sighed, "We were truly meant to be together but not to be."

Feng Xiaoxiao was somewhat restless, muttering to himself, "What kind of situation is this?"

He Tishou, being the most perceptive, and unable to bear the boredom of the small island, quickly stood up and said, "Master, Madam, I am willing to go to the Central Plains to gather information about the elder and second uncles..." She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to mention Ajiu.

"I have another task for you," Yuan Chengzhi said, then turned to Feng Xiaoxiao and asked, "It seems you have learned martial arts, haven't you?"

Feng Xiaoxiao hurriedly stood up and said, "I have learned some, but it's external martial arts, passed down in my family."

"Let's go outside and practice a few moves," Yuan Chengzhi said, then got up and went out.

"Please, Great Hero Yuan, guide me. My martial arts are extremely powerful and target vital points, so please don't take offense," Feng Xiaoxiao clasped his hands and said.

"No problem," Yuan Chengzhi nodded but remained standing still.

Feng Xiaoxiao got into position, left palm and right fist, one in front and one behind, swaying slightly.

Yuan Chengzhi couldn't help but exclaim, "Hmm."

Feng Xiaoxiao bent his body slightly, took a half-step forward, and suddenly shouted, thrusting his right fist toward Yuan Chengzhi's temple.

Yuan Chengzhi was even more surprised, raising his left hand to block. His right hand came up, palm facing outward, guarding his chest.

Sure enough, Feng Xiaoxiao's left palm extended forward, aiming for the膻中 (Zhong) point on his chest.

Yuan Chengzhi pushed forward with his left hand, grabbing Feng Xiaoxiao's shoulder, twisted his left hand, and with a side step, threw him backward...

Feng Xiaoxiao was very dejected, not expecting that his five years of hard training in the three consecutive strikes, which he had already mastered, would be defeated after only two moves.

Yuan Chengzhi, however, was pleasantly surprised and said, "You are using the Huashan Sect's martial arts, aren't you? These are three moves from the Jade-Breaking Fist. The third punch should have aimed at my throat, right?"

Feng Xiaoxiao thought to himself, "So these are the moves from the Jade-Breaking Fist. Master is indeed from the Huashan Sect." But he said, "My martial arts were taught to me by my grandfather. I don't know the sect, but it's called 'Wing Chun Half-Step Collapse.' The third punch does aim at the throat, but I was knocked down before I could use it."

"What is your grandfather's name?" Yuan Chengzhi asked.

"Feng Wubian!" Feng Xiaoxiao scratched his head, thinking, "If you've heard of him, that would be strange."

"I haven't heard of him!" Yuan Chengzhi shook his head and said, "But these are indeed moves from the Jade-Breaking Fist, a Huashan Sect secret technique that is never taught outside. Your moves are powerful, fast, and accurate, truly authentic Huashan boxing. Without special techniques, they can't be performed." He thought for a moment, puzzled, and said, "Could it be from my master's generation? Yes!" He suddenly clapped his hands and said, "I once heard my master mention that he had a younger brother. They had a falling out and he left Huashan, never to return. Could he be your grandfather?"

"I really don't know," Feng Xiaoxiao was stunned, thinking, "That's impossible, but what a coincidence. I can't just claim an ancestor. I'll stick to not knowing."

He Tishou then stepped forward, looking serious and said, "Master, I also remember. When I went to Huashan, I heard the grandmaster mention that he had a younger brother surnamed Feng."

Feng Xiaoxiao was even more stunned, thinking, "When did He Tishou become so serious? Something is off here."

"Who would have thought that after so many years, I would still meet a descendant of my uncle," Yuan Chengzhi sighed, then thought, "If I take Feng Xiaoxiao as a disciple, it would be like the uncle's lineage returning to Huashan. And I need someone to go to the Central Plains to handle two tasks. He Tishou alone can't manage it, and my two elder brothers don't like her. If..."

Yuan Chengzhi thought this over and found it a good idea. He cleared his throat and asked, "Little brother Feng, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Hearing this, Feng Xiaoxiao was hesitant, thinking, "I am already a Huashan Sect descendant, so becoming Yuan Chengzhi's disciple wouldn't be considered betraying my master. But how do I handle the generation issue? Am I my master's master's ancestor? This is confusing!"

Wen Qingqing smiled and nodded at Feng Xiaoxiao.

The kindness of saving his life immediately outweighed his concerns. Feng Xiaoxiao thought, "It doesn't matter, my master is already dead."

Having made up his mind, he immediately performed the disciple ceremony to Yuan Chengzhi, calling him, "Master!"

That day, Yuan Chengzhi officially took Feng Xiaoxiao as his disciple. He Tishou was the eldest disciple, and Feng Xiaoxiao was the second. To officially join the Huashan Sect, they would need the current Huashan Sect leader's approval.

After teaching him the sect rules, Yuan Chengzhi told him to rest well that day and start learning martial arts the next day.

For a while, Feng Xiaoxiao felt like he was back to his days on Mount Lu, but here he had a gentle and lovely master's wife and a seemingly charming but ruthless elder sister. His days were not boring.

Since he was originally trained in external martial arts, Yuan Chengzhi taught him the Mixed Yuan Palm and the Mixed Yuan Skill.

The Mixed Yuan Palm is not an offensive martial art but a body-strengthening technique used in conjunction with the Mixed Yuan Skill.

The Mixed Yuan Skill is one of the highest internal techniques of the Huashan Sect. While other sects focus on breathing and meditation to cultivate internal energy, the Mixed Yuan Skill takes a different approach, cultivating internal energy through external techniques. This method, though time-consuming and slow, is free from the risk of going astray and, when mastered, is extremely powerful. It enhances both internal and external strength, making each move naturally powerful and effective in combat. When fully mastered, it is invincible and can break through any obstacle.

Feng Xiaoxiao used the Mixed Yuan Palm to strengthen his body and the Mixed Yuan Skill to control and convert his internal energy.

In just one year, he had mastered the internal energy that would normally take ten years of hard practice, and could use it in combat, not just for show. By then, the Mixed Yuan Skill was already fully mastered.

After gaining internal energy, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the "Wing Chun Half-Step Collapse" not only greatly increased his physical strength but also allowed him to accumulate internal energy five times and release it all at once. Although it consumed twice the internal energy, it increased the power by fifty percent, which he found very satisfying.

But wasn't the "Wing Chun Half-Step Collapse" derived from the Jade-Breaking Fist? Could the Jade-Breaking Fist have such an effect? What would it be like to learn the complete Jade-Breaking Fist?