Chapter 29: Taking the Medicine

Ou Peng looked at the Bone-Strengthening Pill on the table and said, "This medicine is only effective for those who practice external martial arts. I want to give it to Shi Niu from our gang. What do you think?"

After saying this, Ou Peng looked at Liu Laowu and Xu Laoliu, as only their disciples practiced external martial arts.

Liu Laowu said cheerfully, "Sure, I have no objections. Shi Niu is already very strong, even stronger than me. If he takes it, he will surely become a super warrior for our Piaomiao."

Xu Laoliu thought for a moment and said, "I have no objections either. My disciples have limited potential, so it's better to help Shi Niu. However, Shi Niu is too straightforward. You need to control him well."

Ou Peng nodded and said, "I have that under control."

Hu Laoda looked at the porcelain bottle containing the Qi-Enhancing Pills and said, "Please let our third junior brother handle the distribution of these Qi-Enhancing Pills. If any of our disciples have the potential to benefit, give them the pills. If not, don't give them."

Ou Peng smiled and said, "Brother, the herbs we collected from the secret place are limited, but I will distribute them based on each disciple's situation. According to Hai and Qing'er, there are still many herbs in the secret place. Moreover, since we control the secret place, we will have a steady supply of these herbs, and thus, many more Qi-Enhancing Pills. Rest assured, all our direct disciples will receive them."

Hu Laoda also smiled and said, "That's good. We must not let the distribution of these pills cause discord within the gang. Moreover, we must heavily reward Hai and Qing'er for their trip to the secret place."

Ou Peng said, "Yes, I agree with my senior brother. I will give each of them a Qi-Enhancing Pill later."

Hu Laoda said, "There's no rush. We have the Qi-Enhancing Pills and the Bone-Strengthening Pill. I'm afraid the potency might be lost, so let's take the pills first."

Ou Peng said, "Brother, that's a good point. According to the sect's records, it takes a day and a night to absorb the effects of the pill. Let's enter the secret chamber and practice to absorb the pills."

Hu Laoda said, "Good. You handle the gang's affairs and call Shi Niu over. We will all enter seclusion together."

Ou Peng called his senior disciple, Zhang Chengyue, over and gave him instructions. Zhang Chengyue accepted the task and left. Soon, the sleepy-eyed Shi Niu entered the meeting hall, seemingly unaware of the good fortune that was about to befall him.

Behind the meeting hall was a hidden small door, and behind the small door was a long tunnel. The walls of the tunnel were lined with countless torches, giving the impression that it stretched endlessly.

Ou Peng led everyone through the small door and down the tunnel. After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, they reached the end, which was a large hall with chairs, tables, and several small doors leading deeper inside. Looking up, the ceiling was vast, about four or five zhang high, and the rock texture was clearly visible. They were now inside the mountain.

Ou Peng handed the jade box containing the Bone-Strengthening Pill to Shi Niu and pointed to one of the small doors, saying, "Go in, find a small room, take the pill, and then practice your usual routine for eighty-one repetitions."

Shi Niu took the jade box without a word and turned to go.

The others went to different small doors, each finding a room to enter seclusion and practice.

Ou Peng found a secret chamber, sat cross-legged, and first ran through the Piaomiao Divine Skill to adjust his state of mind. Then, he took out the Qi-Enhancing Pill from the jade box. The pill had a fragrant aroma, was black, and felt hard. Unlike the Qi-Enhancing Pills from the pharmacy, Ou Peng calmed his emotions and placed the pill in his mouth. The pill dissolved into a liquid on his tongue, flowing down his throat into his body, then turning into a warm current that rushed to his dantian.

At this moment, Ou Peng dared not think too much, focusing his mind and fully running the Piaomiao Divine Skill to refine the warm current. The secret chamber became completely silent.

After an unknown amount of time, Ou Peng finished his practice, carefully checking his body. He was pleasantly surprised. The Qi-Enhancing Pill lived up to its reputation. His power had more than doubled, and the true qi flowed through his meridians like mercury, without any hindrance or hidden dangers. Ou Peng calculated that he had practiced for exactly eighty-one repetitions, no more, no less. He thought to himself, "Indeed, it is a divine pill."

Ou Peng sat quietly for a moment, then got up, opened the door, and went to the hall. Hu Laoda, Li Laoe, and Shangguan Laosi were already waiting there.

Ou Peng approached and asked Hu Laoda, "Brother, how did it go?"

Hu Laoda smiled and said, "It's truly a legendary divine pill, saving me ten years of practice."

Ou Peng congratulated him.

Then, he asked Li Laoe, who didn't respond but instead drew his sword and swung it with his qi. A one-inch-long sword aura appeared on the blade. Ou Peng was delighted and congratulated him again.

Shangguan Laosi, without waiting for Ou Peng to ask, said, "Brother, my power has nearly doubled. It's truly a divine pill. How about you?"

Hu Laoda and Li Laoe also looked at Ou Peng with concern.

Ou Peng smiled and said, "By luck, my Piaomiao Divine Skill has more than doubled and is nearing perfection."

Shangguan Laosi expressed his admiration.

After a while, Liu Laowu, Xu Laoliu, and Shi Niu still hadn't emerged. Shangguan Laosi was a bit worried, but Ou Peng said, "There's no need to worry. External martial arts practice is different from internal martial arts. Internal qi can be circulated, but external martial arts require changes to bones and muscles. Let's wait a bit longer."

The group waited in the hall for about two meals' time. Suddenly, they heard a burst of laughter from a nearby stone room. Liu Laowu emerged, his bulky figure seemingly slimmer, and his two axes felt lighter in his hands. He walked to the group with a light step, unlike his usual clumsiness, clearly indicating rapid progress in his skills.

Soon, another stone room door opened, and Xu Laoliu emerged. His figure hadn't changed much, but his temples were slightly protruding, and his large hands had become whiter and smoother, like jade. It seemed his external martial arts had progressed to an internal level.

The six brothers of Piaomiao, seeing each other's rapid improvement, congratulated each other repeatedly.

Only Shi Niu in the last stone room remained inside.

Everyone was puzzled.

Ou Peng walked quietly to the stone room where Shi Niu was in seclusion, listened carefully, and heard the sound of wind and Shi Niu's faint breathing. He was still practicing.

Ou Peng looked back at Liu Laowu, wondering, "Liu Laowu and Xu Laoliu have already emerged. Could Shi Niu be more powerful than them? Why hasn't he come out yet?"

After another while, Ou Peng listened again, but the situation remained the same.

Ou Peng was increasingly puzzled. Could Piaomiao Sect be about to produce a world-class expert?

After another meal's time, Ou Peng couldn't resist and gently pushed the door open a crack to look inside. He saw a large figure practicing the Great Strength Vajra Hand with precise movements. The wind from his strikes was so powerful that it even triggered a reaction in Ou Peng's Piaomiao Divine Skill. After practicing for a while, Shi Niu shouted, "Seventy-eight." Then, he started over from the first move. At that moment, Shi Niu noticed Ou Peng's head peeking in and shouted, "Boss, wait a moment. I'm just on the seventy-eighth repetition, and I'm close to eighty-one." His words were clear, and his breathing was steady, showing no signs of fatigue, indicating years of hard training.

Ou Peng was astonished. Could the true method of taking the Bone-Strengthening Pill be like this? He wondered how Liu Laowu and Xu Laoliu had practiced. He wanted to ask them but decided against it, thinking it was too late to change anything and that it would only cause unnecessary trouble.

Ou Peng returned to the group and chatted with them, waiting for Shi Niu to complete his eighty-first repetition.

The group stood there, their legs a bit sore, but they were happy about their recent good fortune. Just as they were getting impatient, the stone door finally opened.

Shi Niu emerged, his figure now even larger, his skin glowing faintly, and his aura overwhelming. He walked to the group, giving the impression of a giant spirit.

Shi Niu saw Ou Peng and exclaimed, "Boss, what did you give me? It's so fragrant, better than eating ten bowls of rice. Usually, I get tired and sweaty after practicing the Great Strength Vajra Hand three times, but after taking this pill, I practiced eighty-one times without feeling tired. I still feel strong and could practice more."

Everyone laughed inwardly.

Ou Peng asked, "Shi Niu, how does your power compare to before?"

Shi Niu scratched his head and said, "I don't know, but I feel stronger. I could kill a cow before, but now I could kill a bear."

Liu Laowu stepped forward and said, "Shi Niu, hit me with all your strength."

Shi Niu, without hesitation, took a deep breath and swung a punch. Liu Laowu met it with his own punch, using only eight-tenths of his strength. However, the wind from Shi Niu's punch was so fierce that Liu Laowu was startled and used his full strength.

The two large fists collided with a loud "bang." Shi Niu took a step back, leaving a deep footprint on the stone floor, while Liu Laowu retreated five steps, each leaving a footprint.

Liu Laowu, holding his slightly sore fist, walked to Shi Niu and said, "You've improved a lot. I might not be your match anymore."

Shi Niu grinned foolishly.

Xu Laoliu said, "Brother, don't be modest. Shi Niu excels in hand-to-hand combat, but you use weapons. He might not be a match for your battle-axes."

Liu Laowu patted Shi Niu's sculpted muscles and said, "I know that. Come on, Shi Niu, let's go drink."

Then, he grabbed Shi Niu and walked down the corridor.

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End of the chapter.