PNB Chapter 34 Croak! The Mountain-Shaking Martial Arts School!
Chapter 34 Croak! The Mountain-Shaking Martial Arts School!
The first rays of dawn shone through the window and onto the table.
Lu Feng suddenly sat up in bed, his forehead still covered in cold sweat.
He dreamt of his father… the unseen father, and the blood jade that appeared out of nowhere.
He subconsciously glanced at the table in the next room.
empty.
The dark red blood jade had now turned into a pile of grayish-white powder, proving its existence.
"Dried up..."
Lu Feng muttered to himself, and the last glimmer of hope in his heart vanished.
Everything that happened last night was not an illusion.
Father really did return, and he really did leave the blood jade, which represented power, to the frog.
What does this mean?
Does this mean the father approves of the frog? Or does the unseen father know something they don't...?
……
"Second brother, you're up so early!"
Nan Nan rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked out of the inner room. Her small hair was a little messy. Fang Yuan was sitting steadily on her head, his bulging eyes full of energy.
Lu Feng took a deep breath, straightened up, and somewhat awkwardly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards the green shadow above his sister's head:
"Good morning. Now that everyone's awake, let's... set off."
"Where to?" Nan Nan blinked.
"Go find... find a cultivation technique for Little Frog," Lu Feng said through gritted teeth. "I promised last night."
croak.
You're smart to know your place.
Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction and patted Nan Nan's forehead.
go!
……
Lord Zhang's villa is located in the inner city of Yinyang City, a quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle.
As soon as the vermilion gate was pushed open, a crisp sound of armor plates colliding came from the entrance.
"Young Master Lu, Miss Lu, you're up so early?"
Zhou Shouzhen, dressed in military uniform with a long sword at his waist, had clearly been waiting for some time. When he saw Lu Feng lead his men out, a rather amiable smile appeared on his usually serious, dark face.
Especially when his gaze swept over Nan Nan, his smile deepened, even carrying a hint of... awe?
"Lord Zhou?" Lu Feng was taken aback. "What are you doing here...?"
"Oh, don't call me sir, just call me Old Zhou." Zhou Shouzhen waved his hand politely. "Lord Zhang instructed that the Lu family has suffered a great misfortune and is new to the city. He asked me to accompany you all around the city for the next few days so that we can look after each other."
It's called looking after someone, but it's actually a form of surveillance.
After all, the news that Lujiacheng had been completely wiped out overnight was too shocking. Although Lord Zhang took them in, he could not be completely at ease.
Lu Feng knew perfectly well what was going on, but he had no right to refuse.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Zhou." Lu Feng clasped his hands in a fist salute.
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all." Zhou Shouzhen smiled and turned to lead the way, but his gaze lingered on Nan Nan without making a sound.
That height...
Yes, just as Old He said, this is the perfect height to launch a hidden arrow. This little girl looks innocent and naive, but she's actually incredibly cunning.
……
Hidden Sun City is very large.
It was much bigger than Lu Jiacheng.
The streets were wide enough to accommodate four carriages side by side. Although it was still early in the morning, the streets were already bustling with activity. The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and the noise of carriages and horses mingled together, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
However, there were significantly more beggars on the street corners than in ordinary cities, and patrolling soldiers came in one group after another. Most passersby looked hurried, with few strolling leisurely.
"This area is the East Market; they sell all kinds of things here."
Zhou Shouzhen dutifully acted as a guide, pointing to a row of shops along the roadside, "That's a bookstore over there. The largest bookstore in Yinyang City, 'Moxiangzhai,' is right there. It has everything from classics and historical texts to folk tales and travelogues."
Quack? Bookstore?
Fang Yuan's green bean eyes lit up, and he straightened up slightly.
Books mean information, they mean knowledge. He still knows too little about this world. If he could find some books that record strange and unusual events, perhaps they could help him figure out what those bizarre things really are.
but……
Fang Yuan touched his stomach.
The most urgent task right now is to improve hard power. Knowledge is soft power; we can deal with that later when we have the ability to protect ourselves. Besides, he hasn't even learned to read yet!
Wait, why doesn't sixth-grade elementary school teach literacy in Chinese class?!
angry!
Fang Yuan silently memorized the location.
Meanwhile, Zhou Shouzhen had already begun to recount the other parts.
"See that tall tower over there? That's the tower of Dafosi Temple." Zhou Shouzhen pointed to the distance again. "There's also Qingfeng Temple in the west of the city. But... although their incense is very popular, most of the Taoist priests and monks close their doors to visitors when they have something to do, claiming it's for quiet cultivation, but everyone knows the truth."
At this point, Zhou Shouzhen curled his lip, clearly showing his disdain for this group of recluses.
They're just a bunch of liars. What skills could they possibly have?
If demons and monsters truly exist in this world, then these places might possess genuine methods for subduing them. Although Zhou Shouzhen seemed disdainful, these places might not all be incompetent; he should at least investigate.
"Of course," Zhou Shouzhen changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance, "In this chaotic world, praying to gods and Buddhas is ultimately not as good as relying on the sword in your own hand."
He pointed to a vast complex of buildings in front of him, from which shouts could be faintly heard.
"That's the martial arts street over there."
"The martial arts style in Yinyang City is fierce, with more than a dozen martial arts schools of all sizes. Iron Palm, Tongbei Fist, Broken Door Saber... as long as you are willing to spend money, you can learn any external martial art."
"External martial arts?" Lu Feng frowned, and subconsciously asked, "Then... are there any schools that teach internal martial arts?"
Zhou Shouzhen paused, turned around and glanced at Lu Feng, his eyes holding a meaningful look.
"Young Master Lu, you are also a martial artist, you should know the rules. Internal energy is the lifeblood of every family, how can you just teach it away like that?"
Lu Feng was somewhat disappointed.
"However—" Zhou Shouzhen smiled, "there really is one in Yinyang City."
"Oh?"
"Hanshan Martial Arts School." Zhou Shouzhen pointed to the deepest and most imposing vermilion gate in the martial arts street. "The owner there is surnamed Chen. He used to be an instructor in our Yingchuan Army. That's a martial arts school that truly has ties to the military, specializing in training promising talents for the army."
"As long as you have enough talent, or... if you pay enough, the Hanshan Martial Arts School does teach real skills."
"They are not on the same path as our army, but many of their apprentices have joined our army. The hard skills they passed down, when practiced to a high level, can also generate internal energy. Although the method is a bit too forceful, it is still a legitimate internal martial arts method."
Shaking Mountain Martial Arts School!
Military background!
Internal Qi Hard Skill!
Fang Yuan's eyes lit up when he heard this.
This is exactly what he's been looking for!
Military martial arts emphasize combat and practicality, which is definitely superior to those fancy techniques. And hard skills... they sound incredibly resilient!
Although he now possesses internal energy, his body is still like a frog's—too fragile. If he could master something like the Golden Bell Cover or Iron Shirt, wouldn't his survival rate increase dramatically?
He had just acquired a large amount of Daoist essence, and he was going to add to it vigorously!
"Hanshan Martial Arts School..." Lu Feng murmured to himself, clearly also tempted.
"So, is Young Master Lu interested?" Zhou Shouzhen observed Lu Feng's expression and probed, "If he is interested, with my and Lord Zhang's connections, getting him in shouldn't be difficult. But... I wonder what the Lu family's plans are for the future? Do they intend for the young master to learn martial arts, or..."
Zhou Shouzheng is testing the waters.
Although the Lu family is now reduced to a widow and her child, they still possess a large fortune and a mysterious young lady. Lord Zhang wants to know if the Lu family's power can be used by Yinyang City.
Lu Feng was stunned.
What are your plans for the future?
How could he possibly know what the plans were? He doesn't even know what he should do now.
Subconsciously, Lu Feng stopped and turned his head, his gaze passing over Zhou Shouzhen and looking at Nan Nan... the frog above her head.
He was asking for instructions.
He was waiting for the frog's decision.
This scene, however, took on a completely different meaning in Zhou Shouzhen's eyes.
Zhou Shouzhen followed Lu Feng's gaze and saw Lu Feng looking at Lu Nan with a respectful and questioning expression.
Yes, in his eyes, Lu Feng was looking at Lu Nan. After all, who would think a grown man was looking at a frog?
Zhou Shouzhen was startled.
really!
Although Lu Feng is the elder brother and in charge of external affairs, when it comes to making important decisions, he actually has to consult this six or seven-year-old girl?!
Just who is this little girl?
The true essence of the Nanlu family tradition is embodied in this little girl.
Zhou Shouzhen felt a chill run down his spine, and his gaze toward Nannan became even more cautious.
Fang Yuan did not notice Zhou Shouzhen's gaze.
He was engrossed in the bright future of the Hanshan Martial Arts School.
quack!
Military martial arts? That sounds incredibly impressive!
Although it's a transition from external to internal martial arts, and the approach might be a bit rough, as long as it involves internal energy, and as long as you can add some, it's not a problem!
Besides, it's all thanks to the contrast with its competitors. Of the dozen or so martial arts schools in Yinyang City, only this one has internal energy. If he didn't choose this one, who else would he choose?
Fang Yuan stretched out his paw and gently patted Nan Nan's forehead.
"Smack."
Nan Nan immediately understood.
She puffed out her small chest, mimicking Fang Yuan's usual arrogant demeanor, and spoke in a crisp voice:
"Uncle Zhou, let's go to that Mountain Shaking Martial Arts School!"
"We must learn the most powerful kung fu!"
Zhou Shouzhen's pupils contracted slightly.
As expected, it was she who made the decision!
And with such a boastful tone, always asking for the most powerful.
"Good! Miss is indeed ambitious!" Zhou Shouzhen dared not be negligent and immediately cupped his hands. "In that case, please follow me. Although Master Chen of the Hanshan Martial Arts School has a bad temper, he will surely not refuse you all for the sake of Lord Zhang."
Lu Feng breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed.
Fang Yuan lay on top of Nan Nan's head, watching the vermilion gate getting closer and closer, and sneered inwardly.
Bad temper?
croak.
He didn't care at all; with a little effort, he could use his Sharingan to replicate teeth and teeth!
Quack! Wind Spirit Moon Shadow is ready!
……
Hanshan Martial Arts School, training ground.
Before even entering the door, one could hear a series of thunderous shouts.
"Drink! Ha!"
Dozens of burly, shirtless men were putting in the effort. Some were lifting stone weights, others were ramming wooden stakes, and the air was thick with the smell of sweat.
In the center of the arena, a middle-aged man with a burly build resembling a black bear was surveying the scene with his hands behind his back. His face was full of menacing features, and a scar ran from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth, making him look more like a bandit than a bandit himself.
This is Master Chen, Chen Tieshan.
"Instructor Chen!" Zhou Shouzhen strode in and called out.
Chen Tieshan turned his head and saw that it was Zhou Shouzhen. The fat on his face relaxed slightly, but only slightly.
"Old Zhou? What a rare guest!" Chen Tieshan's voice was so loud it made everyone's eardrums buzz. "What brings you here today? And who are these gentlemen...?"
His gaze, like two knives, swept across Lu Feng and finally landed on the frog above Nan Nan's head.
Ok?
Why are you carrying a frog?