Halfway through, Qin Yuesheng suddenly stopped walking.
Thinking it over carefully, he felt that he should talk to Qin Feng about the strange incidents he encountered today and ask about the situation.
Many young people, once they have a bit of perspective, instinctively look down on their parents, always feeling that their parents don't know as much as they do, and don't have as much experience.
But they overlook that although their parents' knowledge may not be as high, the decades of accumulated life experiences and common sense do provide some wisdom they can benefit from—perhaps their parents know a bit about things they think they don't.
Thus, Qin Yuesheng immediately turned around and said, "Dad, I've got something to tell you."
"Oh, go ahead."
He narrated the incidents of the white human faces possessing people on the street and in Nanyan Treasure Studio, while keeping the matter about the Buddha statue concealed. Qin Yuesheng noticed that Qin Feng's expression had noticeably changed, becoming more serious.
"Is this true?" Qin Feng asked.
Qin Yuesheng nodded, "Yes, I saw it with my own eyes. Dad, do you know what those white faces are?"
"I'm not sure, but it's not the first time I've heard of such a thing. Over a decade ago, there was a Penglai Inn in Cyan Yang City. One night, the inn's assistant, chef, and thirty-six guests were all killed. According to the county office, the innkeeper went insane and took a butcher's knife from the kitchen, killing everyone, and then slit his own throat. The constable found him with a hideously contorted face, crazed expression, similar to what you're describing now."
"How was it dealt with? Did the officials investigate thoroughly?"
"There was no way to investigate—all those in the inn were dead, no witnesses for evidence."
"Did they bring in Daoists or monks for rituals?"
"Of course, with almost fifty dead, rituals were essential for peace, or who would dare take over that inn?"
Qin Yuesheng was intrigued, "Dad, do you know anyone in that field? Maybe invite some skilled Daoists and monks to our mansion?"
"What for?"
"Hehe, maybe I can learn something from them. If I encounter such situations again, at least I'll have some means to protect myself."
Normally, if a child asked to invite Daoists and monks home, parents wouldn't agree.
But Qin Feng was different; he wasn't a typical father. He straightforwardly agreed to Qin Yuesheng's request.
Wanting to learn from Daoists and monks is no big deal. Expanding capabilities and increasing knowledge is good—it's rare for children to have this learning spirit. Satisfaction and fulfillment must be ensured, and arrangements made quickly.
After bidding farewell to Qin Feng, Qin Yuesheng left the Qin Mansion with several hospital guards and headed to the blacksmith's shop in the Qin family's business.
...
The incident that day caused quite a stir in Cyan Yang City. Inns, teahouses, and brothels were buzzing with discussions about it; no one believed the officials' explanation of "madness."
Madness alone might be understandable, but several instances at once, all wielding knives—such organized and premeditated acts aren't plausible for someone with madness.
It's become another of Cyan Yang City's sensational anecdotes, causing people to cautiously watch those around them when walking out on the streets—quite a comical scene.
Qin Yuesheng wasn't overly focused on this; after handing over ten pieces of evil-suppressing iron and three relics to the blacksmith in his family's shop to craft a weapon, he stayed at home in the Qin Mansion.
Previously, Qin Yue said that if Qin Yuesheng could master the Tiger Crane Double Form Fist to the beginner level, he would teach him a stance. Although Qin Yuesheng quickly advanced to the beginner level using a super auxiliary tool, he waited patiently for two more days before going to the martial arts field to report to Qin Yue.
In his usual casual manner, carrying a pouch filled with herbal chunks had become an essential part of Qin Yuesheng's outings. As long as his body could tolerate the medicinal potency, he was either consuming herbs or on his way to cut them into pieces.
"Qin Yue," he shouted before approaching the other side.
Qin Yue, supervising the hospital guards' training, turned his head and scratched it puzzled, "Young Master, are you here to train again?"
"Didn't you say if I mastered the Tiger Crane Double Form Fist to the beginner level, you'd teach me a stance? Hurry up and teach me then," said Qin Yuesheng.
"Young Master, your Tiger Crane Double Form Fist has reached the beginner level?" Qin Yue was slightly surprised. While not an exceedingly difficult martial art, the Tiger Crane Double Form Fist couldn't be easily mastered by someone with no martial arts background.
"What? You don't believe it? Let me show you a set."
Qin Yue didn't refuse; practicing the Tiger Crane Double Form Fist could strengthen the body. If mastered to the beginner level, the body would be adequately strengthened to learn stances.
So it wasn't that Qin Yue was being troublesome or stingy by not teaching Qin Yuesheng the stance, but rather because Qin Yuesheng first needed to ensure his physical condition was up to par before practicing the stance.
As the martial arts instructor for the Qin family's Hospital Guard, Qin Yue naturally knew what kind of person Qin Yuesheng was in everyday life. Given his physique from that lifestyle, it would be a miracle if he could reach the level required to practice the stance.
Therefore, Qin Yue first taught Qin Yuesheng the Tiger Crane Double Form Fist to let him practice slowly. If Qin Yuesheng truly had an interest and patience for martial arts, he could use the practice of Tiger Crane Double Form Fist to train his body.
In front of Qin Yue, Qin Yuesheng walked to an unmanned wooden dummy nearby and directly started practicing the Tiger Crane Double Form Fist against it.
It could be seen that his movements were very standard and skilled, as if he had practiced thousands of times. Although he had not reached the level of an old hand, he was no longer at a beginner's level; this was entry-level.
Qin Yue secretly marveled: "Master has quite the talent, otherwise, even without eating or drinking while practicing diligently for three days, it would be impossible to reach entry-level. When I first started, it took me half a month to barely reach entry-level."
After Qin Yuesheng finished a complete set of fist techniques, Qin Yue immediately walked over.
"How was it?"
"Very good, please come over here, Master. I'll teach you the stance now."
Originally, Qin Yue thought Qin Yuesheng was just learning for fun and did not take it to heart, but now that Qin Yuesheng came seeking him again, it proved he had a considerable interest in martial arts.
Qin Yue no longer taught Qin Yuesheng with a perfunctory attitude and began to apply himself seriously as the martial arts instructor of the Qin Mansion's Hospital Guard.
"Master, the stance is the foundation for martial artists. If you truly intend to learn martial arts, the stance requires dedicated practice and perseverance, with several hours of practice each day to enhance the manipulation of internal force."
Having said that, Qin Yue stood in front of Qin Yuesheng and demonstrated a squatting position with both legs, hips sinking backward, and arms raised high.
It could be seen that Qin Yue's legs were constantly swaying back and forth, not because his leg strength was inadequate, but intentionally.
"Master, this is the most commonly used Bear Stance among the populace. By alternately using the five toes and heel to stand on the ground—if the toes touch down, the heel must be suspended, and vice versa—while using leg force to maintain waist balance, simultaneously swaying the thighs back and forth so the waist's swinging direction matches the changes in the footwork, like a bear just learning to stand."
Qin Yuesheng imitated Qin Yue's posture in the Bear Stance, but his body couldn't handle it after just a few breaths.
Alternating the footwork and thigh movement puts tremendous pressure on the lower body's meridians. Qin Yuesheng could barely hold on for a moment before feeling his calves were about to cramp.
"This stance is really hard," Qin Yuesheng couldn't help but say.
"If you practice martial arts without working on fundamentals, it all amounts to nothing in old age. Master, if you want to achieve anything in martial arts, no matter how hard the stance is, you must persist. After long-term persistence, it will become easier."
"I understand," Qin Yuesheng nodded, "but will practicing this stance really help me gather force at the point of striking?"
"Of course, force originates from bones, transmitted through meridians, and released by muscles and skin, with the backbone serving as the source of force. Practicing the stance is a process of familiarizing yourself with the backbone to control the full force. Once mastered, the whole body's force will twist together like countless scraps into a strand of rope. The effect is imaginable."
"Additionally, this Bear Stance requires coordination with a breathing technique during practice. Let me teach you; you should carefully perceive it."
Under Qin Yue's guidance, Qin Yuesheng worked on it for a while, finally extending his maintenance time in the Bear Stance from a few breaths to more than a dozen. However, when he activated the super assistant tool, he found no mention of the Bear Stance in the skill section, which meant he hadn't truly mastered it.
He hadn't even reached the beginner's level, and even the super assistant tool wasn't helpful, as there was nothing to improve.
A helpless smile appeared on Qin Yuesheng's face.
This is truly frustrating as hell.
Filled with a determination not to be defeated, Qin Yuesheng stubbornly stayed on the martial arts field, practicing from morning till afternoon. During this time, Qin Feng, Duan Hongjin, and a group of old matrons, upon hearing of Qin Yuesheng's intense dedication, came over to bring tea and water, and shade him from the sun, fanning him.
The martial arts field turned into a big shaded canopy, filled with tables, chairs, and various fruits, snacks, and teas, much to Qin Yuesheng's annoyance.
Already frustrated from being unable to master the Bear Stance, the interference from these people added to his agitation. How could he continue practicing martial arts like this?
"Silence! Everyone, be quiet!"
With a loud shout from Qin Yuesheng, everyone, including Qin Feng, immediately fell silent.
"I'm very frustrated right now. Having just Qin Yue here to guide me is enough. The rest of you who aren't practicing martial arts, please leave, okay?"
Under Qin Yuesheng's strong insistence, unrelated people finally withdrew completely.
Standing by, Qin Yue couldn't help but nod secretly, thinking: "If Master can maintain this eagerness to learn, his achievements in martial arts in the future won't be small."