Chapter 97: Finding a Place to Live
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qinghuan was taken aback and said leisurely, "How dare a junior lay a hand on a senior!"
Fu Xiuming shouted, "If I tell you to hit, then hit! Stop with all this nonsense. Go all out and show me how much you can back out."
Seeing Fu Xiuming's words, Shangguan Qinghuan no longer stood on ceremony and arrogantly said, "Then I'll have to offend you, junior!" As he spoke, he forcefully channeled his inner energy, channeling it into his palms, and struck Fu Xiuming's chest with great force.
However, Fu Xiuming remained completely still despite the force exerted on him. It was as if Fu Xiuming was secretly channeling his true energy, transforming it into Shangguan Qinghuan's energy, and then releasing it, causing the energy to shake the surrounding area.
In the blink of an eye, Shangguan Qinghuan's palm strike had vanished into nothingness. Fu Xiuming said calmly, "Is this the maximum extent to which three years of arduous training has catalyzed internal energy?"
Shangguan Qinghuan was shocked. She thought to herself that although she was not very powerful, the force of her palms was enough to break sharp objects and shatter stones. But when she struck Fu Xiuming, it was as if her palms had struck the air and vanished into nothingness.
After a moment's thought, Shangguan Qinghuan replied, "It is because your internal strength is unparalleled, senior. The strength of a junior is like a leaf falling to the ground, not even causing a speck of dust."
Upon hearing this, Fu Xiuming shouted, "Sweet talk, impure thoughts, utterly laughable. It's not that my internal strength is profound, but that you are not worth mentioning." Fu Xiuming cursed irritably.
Shangguan Qinghuan was taken aback and said, "Yes, I will heed your teachings, senior."
Fu Xiuming flicked his sleeve and said coldly, "That's enough. The mental cultivation method is good, but you haven't practiced it diligently, which is why you are so weak. From now on, meditate and hold your breath morning and night to strengthen your inner energy, circulate it repeatedly, and improve your ability to absorb qi."
Shangguan Qinghuan bowed respectfully: "Yes, I will remember! From today onwards, I will practice diligently."
Fu Xiuming then said, "From now on, call me Master. Although I am your ancestor, I am a member of the Heavenly Gate, and I do not adhere to conventional etiquette; I am free to do as I please in the world."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qinghuan knelt down with a thud and said happily, "Master, please accept my three bows!" He then kowtowed three times and bowed respectfully.
Fu Xiuming said calmly, "Get up. Now that you have become my disciple, you are a member of the Heavenly Gate. You must remember the rules of the Heavenly Gate and never violate them."
Shangguan Qinghuan stood up and said, "Please explain, Master. I will certainly remember and obey."
Fu Xiuming said, “The martial arts of Tianmen must not be passed on to outsiders. Tianmen is a great benevolent sect, and one must not kill innocent people for personal gain. If Tianmen is in trouble, one must return immediately upon receiving an imperial edict. The above three points must never be violated.”
Shangguan Qinghuan immediately said, "I have memorized these three rules of the sect."
Fu Xiuming laughed and said, "Alright, now that you've become a member of the Heavenly Gate, I will teach you two sets of palm techniques." As he spoke, he took two bamboo slips from the table and handed them to Shangguan Qinghuan.
Shangguan Qinghuan took the bamboo slip and asked softly, "Master, what is this?"
Fu Xiuming said, "These are two ultimate techniques of the Heavenly Gate: Yangyun Palm and Taiyin Palm. Once you have mastered the mental techniques, I will teach you all the moves."
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Qinghuan held the bamboo slip and said happily, "Yes, disciple will definitely master the ultimate technique and mental cultivation method."
Fu Xiuming solemnly said, "You must remember that in all the fist and palm techniques in the world, if you want to reach the top, internal strength is the most important foundation. If your internal strength is shallow and your foundation is insufficient, even the best palm techniques will be soft fists and weak palms, unable to move mountains."
Shangguan Qinghuan declared boldly, "Disciple will remember this and practice morning and evening to strengthen your inner energy."
Fu Xiuming said, "Very good. Your guidance has reached this point. Your achievements depend entirely on your will." After saying that, he turned and left the pavilion.
Shangguan Qinghuan respectfully replied, "Your disciple will certainly not disappoint you."
...
In Longyang City, Ouyang Fanhuang seized control of the city. He entrusted Xiao He with the sole responsibility for the people's livelihood, but held all other powers in his own hands.
With peace restored in and around Longyang City, he actively targeted surrounding forces. The wealthy Ma Qian Gang was his primary target.
When Ouyang Fanhuang personally visited the Ma Qian Gang, Ma Kaitai opened the gates of the stronghold and personally came out to greet him.
When Ma Kaitai met Ouyang Fanhuang, he was young-looking with white hair, dressed in brocade, and exuded an aura of royalty.
Upon seeing him, Ma Kaitai bowed respectfully and said, "This must be the Brahma Emperor. I am Ma Kaitai, leading the Ma Qian Gang, to respectfully welcome the Brahma Emperor's arrival."
Ouyang Fanhuang laughed and said, "Ma Kaitai! The richest man in Longyang City, I wonder what kind of surprise you have prepared for me?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Kaitai respectfully said, "Please invite the Brahma Emperor into the stronghold. I, your humble servant, will listen attentively to your words!"
Ouyang Fanhuang: "Alright! Lead the way!"
Ma Kaitai bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please!"
Qiu Xia and Yi Mingzhao were standing nearby, and they were also surprised to see Ouyang Fanhuang. Despite being a hundred years old, his face was still ruddy and full of vitality, and his domineering aura was extraordinary.
Upon entering the hall, Ouyang Fanhuang strode in with an air of superiority, sat high in the hall, and said calmly to Ma Kaitai, "Chief Ma, you are very wise to open the door to welcome me."
Ma Kaitai respectfully said, "I am just a humble merchant, ignorant of both civil and military affairs. Born in a chaotic world, I only seek to live a peaceful and uneventful life."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Fanhuang smiled and said, "Since you are a merchant, you must have already made your plans. I am very curious to know what bargaining chips you can use to exchange for the chance to live a safe and secure life from me."
Upon hearing this, Ma Kaitai gestured to his subordinates, and four young men carried over a large box, placing it in the center of the hall. As the wooden box was opened, it was revealed to be filled with jewels, jade, incense beads, and jewelry, dazzling and radiant.
Ma Kaitai respectfully said, "All my savings are here; I beg Your Majesty for your grace."
Ouyang Fanhuang, however, was unimpressed and said coldly, "You think you can protect the entire Ma Qian Gang with just a box of jewels? Gang Leader Ma, you really know how to do business." After saying that, he looked coldly at Ma Kaitai.
Ma Kaitai then said, “Your Majesty, you may not know this, but I have been riding horses all over the country for many years. Although I have gained a lot, I have been able to keep very little. Nowadays, the world is not peaceful and there are constant conflicts in the martial arts world. When we are riding horses, they are often robbed. We have to pay a fee in every city and village we pass through, otherwise, not a single horse can live in peace.”
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Fanhuang closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before saying, "I will believe your words for now. But if you want to protect the Maqian Gang, you must agree to my conditions."
Ma Kaitai respectfully said, "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."
Ouyang Fanhuang said, "From today onwards, the horse money will be used to raise horses, but not to sell them. The annual payment is one thousand horses. If you pay even one less, I will no longer keep you! Any amount exceeding that will be your benefit."
Upon hearing this, Ma Kaitai exclaimed in alarm, "Your Majesty, a thousand horses a year is absolutely impossible. The Horse Money Gang has at least fifty pregnant horses; how could they possibly pay over a thousand?"
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Fanhuang rose and left the hall, turning his back to Ma Kaitai. He coldly said, "You have no room for negotiation. I believe you can do it." After saying this, he left the hall with his left hand behind his back.
Upon seeing this, the Grandmaster signaled his subordinates to carry away the jewels and led his men away.
Ma Pingchuan stepped forward and said, "Father, they are really going too far. If they can harvest a thousand fine horses every year, we will have no profit to make."
Ma Kaitai sneered, "Profit! In this situation, my son still wants to make a profit?" As he spoke, he looked at Ma Pingchuan.
Ma Pingchuan was stunned and said, "So, according to Father, we'll raise horses for free and serve them?"
Ma Kaitai sighed and said, "Yes, from now on, we can't raise too many horses. Just make sure we have a thousand by the end of the year to handle things. You don't need to run around anymore. Just stay home and train the horses." After saying that, he turned and left, his figure calm and steady as a mountain peak.
"This..." Ma Kaitai's composure left Ma Pingchuan speechless.
Qiu Xia asked worriedly, "Brother Ma, is it really not possible to pay a thousand bolts of horse feed per year?"
Ma Pingchuan immediately said, "That's not it. But horses gestate and give birth very slowly, producing a thousand horses a year. This year, the Maqianbang team can't sell a single horse."
Upon hearing this, Qiu Xia sighed and said, "It's all because my martial arts are weak. If the Palace Master were here, we would have a better chance of winning and wouldn't have to be bullied like this."
Ma Pingchuan laughed and said, "Qiuxia, you don't need to blame yourself. Given my father's personality and way of thinking, he wouldn't have acted so carelessly without absolute certainty!"
Qiu Xia smiled and said, "That's what makes Uncle Ma so special: he stays safe and secure while waiting for the right opportunity to make his mark."
Ma Pingchuan looked at Qiu Xia and said, "Alright, let's hurry home, otherwise Qingxue will worry!"
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