Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Shall we have dinner together tonight?” asked Wei Hai.
“No, thanks, I have to meet someone else. Shall we have dinner on another day?” said Wang Yao.
“Sure,” said Wei Hai.
…
Tong Wei was busy cooking dinner with her mother in her home.
“When will Wang Yao come?” asked Tong Wei’s mother.
“Soon, he needs to run some errands first,” said Tong Wei. “Mom, why do you want to invite him for dinner?”
“I just want to thank him!” said Tong Wei’s mother. “The decoction he brought for me the other day was very effective. I felt much better after taking it. I went to the hospital to get checked several days ago. The doctor there said I’m getting better. I believe it was because of the decoction. Your schoolmate is such as good doctor!”
“I think Wang Yao is a good young man,” Tong Wei’s mother added.
“Mom, your attitude towards him changed so fast!” said Tong Wei with a smile.
“What do you mean?” asked Tong Wei’s mother.
“I remember you didn’t like him very much the last time he was here,” said Tong Wei.
Tong Wei was telling the truth. Her parents didn’t treat Wang Yao well when Wang Yao brought her mother the decoction. Tong Wei was not home last time, but she could guess what had happened. After all, she was present during Wang Yao’s first visit to her home. Her mother showed obvious recognition and appreciation to Wang Yao this time.
“When did I say I didn’t like him? I thought you were dating Yang Ming last time,” said Tong Wei’s mother.
Tong Wei knew her mother was looking for an excuse, but she didn’t expose her. She just smiled.
After leaving Wei Hai’s place, Wang Yao went to buy some presents for Tong Wei’s parents before heading to her home.
“You just bought us some stuff in the morning, you don’t need to buy us things again,” said Tong Wei’s mother with a smile.
“Just some fresh fruits,” said Wang Yao.
“Please come in and take a seat. Tong Wei! Don’t worry about the food, come out and chat with Wang Yao.” Tong Wei’s mother shouted at Tong Wei, who was busying preparing food in the kitchen.
In a short while, dishes were taken to the dinner table. The banquet was sumptuous. Tong Wei’s father even opened some fine wine.
“Would you like some wine?” asked Tong Wei’s father.
“No, thanks, I need to drive later,” declined Wang Yao politely.
Tong Wei’s parents were much more talkative during dinner than the last time they met. They asked Wang Yao some questions. After dinner, Tong Wei’s parents cleared the table and looked for an excuse to go out so that they could leave some space for Tong Wei and Wang Yao.
“What are you going to do tomorrow?” asked Tong Wei.
“My auntie’s family came back. They will visit my grandma tomorrow. I want to go with them. Do you want to come with me?” asked Wang Yao.
“I can’t. I have to visit my auntie tomorrow,” said Tong Wei.
“How about tomorrow evening? Do you want to come to my home?” asked Wang Yao.
“Okay,” said Tong Wei.
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow,” said Wang Yao.
“Okay,” said Tong Wei.
The two of them then watched some TV, ate some fruits and talked a bit. Soon, it was 9 pm.
“I have to go now. Say goodbye to your parents for me. Ask them to come back early to rest,” said Wang Yao.
“Sure, drive safe. Call me when you are home,” said Tong Wei.
“Okay, see you,” said Wang Yao.
Wang Yao slowly drove off. Tong Wei didn’t go back until she couldn’t see the back of Wang Yao’s vehicle anymore. She then called her parents to let them know Wang Yao had left and they can come home to rest.
After Wang Yao had arrived at home, he parked his car outside and said goodbye to his parents. As soon as he was going to return to Nanshan hill, his mother stopped him and started asking questions.
“How is everything going between you and Tong Wei?” asked Zhang Xiuying. “When will she come here? Are you going to bring her to your grandma’s place tomorrow?”
“Mom, she’s got a lot to do during the holiday. She’s going to visit her auntie and other relatives tomorrow,” said Wang Yao. “Well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow. I need to go back to Nanshan hill.” Wang Yao turned around and walked out of his home.
“Hey, I haven’t finished!” shouted Zhang Xiuying.
After Wang Yao had returned to Nanshan hill, he started to prepare the herbs for the decoctions he was going to brew for Wei Hai. He would continue to make Deworming powder for Wei Hai. Miasma grass would be the dominating herb in the Deworming powder. But, Wang Yao was going to make a slight adjustment to the decoction as Wei Hai had been getting better. Still, he was not completely cured. It will take some time for him to completely recover. Wang Yao wanted to change the number of herbs accordingly to see whether it was going to work better.
I still need to think over how to kill all the poisonous insects inhabiting the organs, thought Wang Yao.
…
Inside a quiet house somewhere in the Dao City, something was happening.
A man was tied to a bed. He was skinny. His eyes were red, and his teeth were clenching. He looked like a demon.
Next, to the bed, there were three men. One of them was a middle-aged man with a serious look on his face. He looked miserable while looking at the young man tied to the bed. Another man was in his 30’s. He stood as straight as a javelin with a poker face. The last person was in his 70’s. His hair had turned white, and he looked tired.
“Mr. Sun, I’m so sorry. There is nothing I can do!” said the man in his 70’s.
“Thank you, Dr. Wu,” said the middle-aged man.
“Aye!” sighed Dr. Wu. Then he turned around and walked downstairs.
“Sir,” said the poker-faced man. His voice was cold and hoarse.
“Do you think Yunsheng was beyond cure?” asked Mr. Sun.
“God will help young master. He will be fine,” said the poker-faced man.
“Stop saying something like that. Look at him! How will God help him?” said Mr. Sun.
“I heard there is a very good doctor in Cangzhou whose name is Sang Guzi. He’s an extraordinary doctor, and a lot of people call him a miraculous doctor. Maybe we should ask him to see the young master. By the way, are you going to Beijing soon?” asked the poker-faced man.
“Yes, I will go to Beijing tomorrow. Ask about that Sang Guzi for me,” said the middle-aged man.
“Sure,” said the poker-faced man.
…
It was gloomy the next morning.
On top of Nanshan hill, sounds of something splitting the air went on and on, as if something was cracking. It was Wang Yao practicing the air splitting fist, which was documented in the book Zhou Xiong gave him, meaning splitting the air with one’s fist. Air splitting fist was quite fierce. One had to put all the strength into one’s fist when practicing.
When Wang Yao was practicing piercing punches, two men came to Nanshan hill. One was an adult, and the other was a child. It was Zhou Xiong and his son. They followed the path leading to Wang Yao’s cottage.
“Hello, Dr. Wang,” greeted Zhou Xiong.
“Hello, Uncle Wang,” greeted Zhou Wukang.
“Hello, please come in,” said Wang Yao.
Wang Yao invited Zhou Xiong and Zhou Wukang into the cottage. Zhou Xiong had called Wang Yao to make sure he was on the hill before bringing his son here.
“Come here, Wukang, let me take a look at you,” said Wang Yao.
Wang Yao sat down to check Zhou Wukang’s pulse. According to his pulse, the condition of his arm hadn’t changed, but his general well-being had improved.
“Let me massage your arm,” said Wang Yao.
Wang Yao used his mind and his Qi to transfer all his strength into his hands. Then, he followed the meridians in Zhou Wukang’s arm to massage it, using the method he learned from the system. He pressed or patted Zhou Wukang’s arm using his inner strength. After a while, Zhou Wukang’s skinny arm became very red, like it was beaten by a piece of wood.
“How do you feel?” asked Wang Yao.
“I feel a bit warm and a bit painful,” said Zhou Wukang honestly.
“Is the pain bad?” asked Wang Yao.
“Not really, just mild pain,” said Zhou Wukang
Wang Yao checked Zhou Wukang’s pulse again before putting twice more strength onto his arm.
“Shall we come to see you in a few days?” asked Zhou Xiong.
“Yes,” said Wang Yao.
After Wang Yao had finished massaging Zhou Wukang’s arm, he started to chat with Zhou Xiong.
“Are you available now?” Wang Yao asked Zhou Xiong out of the blue.
“Yes, why?” said Zhou Xiong.
“Can you practice Kung Fu with me?” asked Wang Yao. It was a sudden rise in interest.
“Sure!” said Zhou Xiong without hesitation. He used to practice Kung Fu all the time and liked to have a company while practicing. However, he hadn’t practiced Kung Fu for a long time due to his son’s illness. His Kung Fu skills were still intact, but he didn’t show it normally. One was supposed to use Kung Fu to fight or kill, not to perform.
Wang Yao and Zhou Xiong came to a vacant land on the hill.
“We can start now,” said Wang Yao.
“Sure,” said Zhou Xiong.
Wang Yao made a pose slowly, but Zhou Xiong ignored him and tried to punch him straight away. Zhou Xiong was so fast that his fist was like a machine gun. He was a master of Xingyi style, so his fists were very fierce and straightforward. There was nothing indirect in the way he attacked. Wang Yao used Tai Chi to respond. He used a technique to resolve Zhou Xiong’s attack.
Their movement gradually sped up. At the beginning, Zhou Xiong attacked Wang Yao with caution. Although Wang Yao was a genius in Kung Fu and extremely intelligent, he hadn’t practiced Kung Fu for a long time. He was lacking in the fighting department. Zhou Xiong didn’t want to hurt Wang Yao accidentally, so he didn’t try his best to attack and only used 60% of his strength and techniques. But after some time, he was really impressed by Wang Yao’s improvement.
This guy’s experience in fighting has improved so much! thought Zhou Xiong.
Tai Chi’s technique, Wang Yao’s extraordinary strength, and the running Qi inside his body made Wang Yao’s attacks extremely powerful. Even though Zhou Xiong had practiced Kung Fu for over 20 years, he could only just match Wang Yao after using up all his strength and techniques. In such circumstances, if he continued to withhold his skills, he would lose the fight in a very ugly way.
Air splitting fist!
Wang Yao suddenly changed his style of attack from sweetness and light into fierce and overwhelming.
He hit out extremely fast.
It was too late for Zhou Xiong to dodge. He had to resist Wang Yao’s fist with both of his hands.
However, Wang Yao’s fist was too fast and fierce for Zhou Xiong to resist. His body flew out and hit a tree, making the tree leaves rustle.
“Dad!” Zhou Wukang ran to Zhou Xiong immediately.
“Sorry, are you okay?” Wang Yao was also anxious. He went to check whether Zhou Xiong was injured immediately.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.” Zhou Xiong stood up and slapped the dust off his clothes.
“Well done!” said Zhou Xiong who moved his numb hands. If he hadn’t responded in time just now to weaken Wang Yao’s strength by half, he would end up with fractured arms.
“What technique did you use to attack me?” asked Zhou Xiong.
“Air splitting fist, I thought you knew it,” said Wang Yao.
“Air splitting fist? The one documented in Quanjing?” asked Zhou Xiong in surprise.
“Yes, don’t tell me you haven’t practiced it before,” replied Wang Yao.
“Of course, I’ve practiced it before, but not as fiercely as what you did,” said Zhou Xiong.
He was very familiar with the Kung Fu documented in Quanjing and remembered almost every single description. He had also practiced most of the techniques documented in Quanjing, so he was quite familiar with them. He knew about the air splitting fist which valued conception instead of formation.
“I learned it from Quanjing,” said Wang Yao.
