Chapter 3: Stealing the Master (Part 2)

  "Qin Feng, you're really bold, even daring to sneak a peek while we're practicing martial arts?"

  At this time, the crowd in the courtyard also saw clearly that a 12 or 13-year-old boy jumped out and shouted: "Qin Feng, how did you run here to play? Don't you hurry up and kneel down to apologize to Master!"

  "Zi Mo, it's not right!"

  Although scolded by the boy, Qin Feng did not get angry. He had been here for five years and had always made a living by picking up scraps, so he was looked down upon by the local children. The speaker, Liu Zimo, was his only friend.

  The old man sitting in the middle of the courtyard was Li Shuwen's closed-door disciple, named Liu Yunjiao. He was also a legendary figure.

  Liu Yun's family had a long tradition of valuing education, but due to his poor health since childhood, he started learning the Mizong Fist from Zhang Yaoting, a servant in his household, at the age of five to strengthen his body.

  Due to the family's prosperity, at the age of eight, Liu Yunqiao's father invited the famous Baguazhang master "Divine Gun" Li Shouwen to teach boxing in the mansion. Li Shouwen taught boxing seriously and strictly, and Liu Yunqiao often got injured as a result, but also laid a solid foundation for his skills in Baguazhang and Bajiquan.

  At 20 years old, Liu Yunjiao's father originally wanted him to study law at Chaoyang University, but Liu Yunjiao took the tuition and followed Li Shuwen on adventures everywhere.

  After Li Shuwen's death, Liu Yunqiao returned to his hometown. In 1936, in Jinan, he defeated the Japanese martial artist Tanaka Tokichi (also known as "Tanaka Deishiro"), which made him famous in Jianghu.

  Later, the Japanese army invaded China on a large scale. Liu Yunjiao joined the army because of his bravery in battle and was repeatedly injured, and he rose rapidly through the ranks. In 1949, he followed the remnants of the Nationalist Party to Taiwan.

  It was also during this time that his second son, who had stayed at home, suffered a great shock in the ten years of turmoil.

  Until the late 1980s, when relations between the two sides eased somewhat, Liu Yunjiao returned to his hometown and lived in seclusion here for a long time, preparing to return to his roots.

  Liu Zimo, who just spoke, is the child of Liu Yunjiao's third son and his youngest grandson. He was brought by him from Taiwan to the mainland and has been following him all these years.

  Unlike other children, Liu Zimo didn't look down on Qin Feng because he made a living by picking up scraps. When there was nothing to do, he would often find Qin Feng and his sister to play with, and they were also their only friends.

  Qin Feng secretly learned the family's fist technique, and Liu Zimo also knew about it. He even secretly taught Qin Feng the practice mantra, otherwise, just by looking at the fist style, Qin Feng would never be able to master any skills in his lifetime.

  Before Liu Zimo could speak up to help Qin Feng, Old Man Liu Yunjiao suddenly spoke up and said: "Zimo, a martial artist must have an open mind. Ask this child if he really came here to play?"

  "Th...th..." Liu Zimo was left speechless by his grandfather's words, he naturally knew what Qin Feng had come for, and that hole in the wall over there was still dug out with his help.

  Seeing his good friend in trouble, Qin Feng took two steps forward, puffed out his chest and said: "Liu Grandfather, I...I didn't come here to play, but...but to practice martial arts!"

  "You little scamp, how dare you steal from your master?"

  After hearing Qin Feng's words, Liu Zimo's second brother Liu Jia Cheng's face couldn't help but turn ugly. He knew that Qin Feng secretly learning martial arts was one thing, but saying it out loud was another matter altogether. This was equivalent to slapping the Liu family in the face.

  "Second brother, stop it, little guy, come in!"

  Just as Liu Laotwo was about to grab Qin Feng, a voice came from the courtyard, "That's enough for today, you can all disperse! Zi Mo, you stay behind!"

  As soon as the old man's voice came out, a group of children immediately dispersed. However, there were several boys who didn't get along with Qin Feng, and when they walked out of the yard, their faces all showed a schadenfreude expression.

  Qin Feng knew that with Liu Cheng around, he couldn't even think about escaping. He was bold and walked straight into the courtyard, saying: "Grandfather Liu, I want to learn martial arts, but...but you won't teach me, so...so I've been secretly learning."

  It turns out that Qin Feng is also a bit wronged. Although there are many martial arts schools and famous boxing masters in the Cangzhou region, it is necessary to give the master a large sum of money as a gift when worshiping and learning from him.

  But Qin Feng goes out to collect scraps every day before dawn, and what he gets in a day is barely enough for him and his sister to fill their stomachs. Where does he have the money to apprentice with a master?

  Four years ago, Liu Yunqiao returned to his hometown and accepted disciples for free to teach Bajiquan. Of course, he aimed to popularize Bajiquan, but as for some of the essential skills in the traditional teaching method, they would not be taught to these disciples.

  Qin Feng heard the news and also came to pay respects, but was rejected by Old Man Liu, which is why Qin Feng's words carried a hint of grievance.

  "Robbing the argument with sheer rhetoric!"

  Liu Jiacheng glared fiercely at Qin Feng, then turned to face his father and said: "Dad, how do you think we should handle this? Should we take back the martial arts skills he has learned?"

  Bajiquan is a martial art that although appears to be an external style, is actually an internal style. After several years of practice, the dantian will produce inner power.

  Liu Jiacheng had practiced Bajiquan for a lifetime, and at a glance, he saw that Qin Feng's eyes contained a layer of luster, which was obviously the manifestation of internal energy. He couldn't help but secretly admire him, thinking that this young man was actually a martial arts prodigy who could cultivate internal energy in just four years of stealing techniques.

  At this point, Liu Jiacheng couldn't help but feel a love for talent, and he said to his old father again: "Dad, this kid's qualifications are not bad, why don't... take him in as my disciple?"

  If those bear kids who just went out heard Liu Jiacheng's words, they would probably add a few more points to their jealousy of Qin Feng.

  They knew that although they had practiced Bajiquan, what they learned were just some basic skills. To learn the essence of Bajiquan, one must be a true disciple under the Liu brothers. However, they did not have this good fortune.

  In the Jianghu, this master accepts apprentices, often having to examine them repeatedly. It's not that everyone is suitable for practicing martial arts; talent and temperament are extremely important. Otherwise, you can forget about becoming a master in your lifetime.

  However, it's not always the case that a good apprentice can be found. Many traditional skills have been lost in the past because apprentices were not up to par and failed to carry on their master's techniques.

  Qin Feng was able to cultivate internal energy just by stealing techniques, and his natural talent didn't need to be mentioned. What moved Liu Jia Cheng was the perseverance he showed in secretly learning from him for four years, regardless of the scorching heat or freezing cold, which finally moved him to take Qin Feng as his apprentice.

  "Master Liu, you...you want me to be your apprentice?"

  Qin Feng, although mature for his age, was still a child after all. Upon hearing Liu Jia Cheng's words, he couldn't help but reveal a joyful expression on his face. He knew that the Liu family's second son in front of him looked like an ordinary old farmer, but his martial arts skills were among the best in the Cangzhou region.

  "Home ah, if you can accept it, wouldn't I have let you take it a few years ago?"

  The old man in the courtyard sighed, looked at Qin Feng and said: "This child has a clear and elegant eyebrow bone, and his roots are even more rare martial arts talent that can be encountered once in a hundred years. Do you think I couldn't see it?"

  "Dad, why..." Liu Jiacheng was stunned by the words and looked at his father in confusion. He knew that his old father had a high vision and had never heard him give such a high evaluation to anyone before.

  "Are you saying I should have taken him in a few years ago?"

  Liu old man shook his head and said: "This child has a good foundation, but he has a broken brow and an early death sign on his face. If I'm not mistaken, he shouldn't live past this year..."

  At this point, Old Man Liu stopped and his eyes were filled with a look of regret. When people die, everything is gone. Even if Qin Feng's talent was exceptional, what could be done?

  Old Master Liu had met one of his master's close friends when he was traveling with his master, who was a scholar of the heavenly and human world, best at divination and fortune-telling, and had taught Liu some face-reading techniques.

  In the decades that followed, Liu Yunjiao used these physiognomy techniques to judge people and never made a mistake. Four years ago, he had already discerned Qin Feng's facial features and therefore refused him at the door.

  "Dad, when did you learn how to read faces? Can we really believe in that stuff?"

  After hearing his father's words, Liu Jiacheng couldn't help but roll his eyes. Although this physiognomy was not unfounded and had its reasons, giving up on a good candidate just because of this was somewhat rash.

  "You don't understand anything, even if he wasn't born with a short life span, I still can't accept him as an apprentice."

  The old man glared at his son with a bad temper, thought for a moment, and then said to Qin Feng: "You are young, but you have a strong aura, I suppose you have experienced great changes. As a martial artist, one should cultivate martial virtue, with the goal of strengthening the body and being healthy. Can you do that? If you can, I can take you in as a disciple of the Eight Extremes Sect!"

  "What did you say, Dad?" Although the old man's words were directed at Qin Feng, they made Liu Lao'er's jaw drop and he stared at his father in disbelief.

  It's known that Old Liu had been through years of gunfire and bloodshed, and the number of people who died at his hands is probably beyond his own count. Moreover, in the Jianghu before liberation, martial artists were all brave and fierce, and would engage in life-or-death battles at the slightest disagreement - how could it be as peaceful as Father described?

  So Liu Jiacheng couldn't believe that such words about cultivating martial arts and virtue actually came from his old father's mouth? This is simply like asking a tiger to eat grass, the biggest joke in the world.

  "Shut up, you little brat! Do you think you really understand martial ethics?" Old Master Liu was as fierce as a tiger, his eyes scanned his son and instantly intimidated him into tightly shutting his mouth.

  "Although Li Shiyin was undefeated in his life and was known for his ruthless moves, earning him the nickname 'Li Hènzi', injuring people during martial arts competitions was a characteristic of that era. Not yielding on the spot and showing no mercy were common practices. Li's kung fu skills were too great, and his moves were so powerful that it was inevitable that his opponents would be killed or injured."

  Liu Yunjiao turned his gaze to Qin Feng and continued, "However, Li Shixun abides by the rules of the martial arts world, never launching a sneak attack, never making a covert calculation, and never breaking a promise. This is the integrity of a warrior. Can you do it, Qin Feng?"

  "Grandpa Liu, I can't do it!"

  Looking at the old man's clear eyes, Qin Feng shook his head in pain. He had been secretly learning from him for four years, and it was all to avenge his parents' death in the future. Since it was revenge, he would naturally stop at nothing. Would he give up just because of the old man's words?

  "Never mind, I'm also powerless to change your fate, kid, just go!"

  Liu Lao Yezi sighed, the master who taught him face-reading skills back then didn't even dare to help people change their fate, and with his limited abilities, even if he wanted to help Qin Feng, it would be a case of having the heart but not the power.