Master Chen had instructed that once he could synchronize his punches and steps even with ten pounds of lead tied to his feet, he should return to learn more forms of Xingyi Boxing from him.
Before achieving this goal, Wang Longhu naturally felt it was inappropriate to approach Master Chen.
Thus, for two consecutive days, Wang Longhu practiced his punches along the mountain roads. At the end of the road was the path downhill, which would eventually lead back to the city, completing a loop to Wang Longhu's home.
After two days of practice, Wang Longhu gained more insights into the Beng Fist. Initially, his steps were large when taking the first step.
But as his punches became faster, Wang Longhu began to shorten his stride, from a full step to a third of a step, and eventually to half a step.
That day, after learning some information about Xingyi Boxing from the monk, Wang Longhu went home and searched online for knowledge about Xingyi Boxing.
For instance, during the Tongzhi era, Grandmaster Guo Yunshen used Beng Fist in Shen County to kill a tyrant and was captured and imprisoned in a death row cell.
Even as a prisoner, Guo Yunshen continued to practice the stepping Beng Fist taught by his master, Li Longneng, in that confined environment.
However, with heavy shackles on his feet and the small space in the death cell, practicing Beng Fist was quite difficult. Guo Yunshen, therefore, devised the half-step Beng Fist based on taking a full step with the front foot and a half step with the back foot while walking with shackles.
Understanding the context of Beng Fist, Wang Longhu realized why Master Chen wanted him to practice with ten pounds of lead tied to his feet.
On the same day he finished his research, Wang Longhu ordered a pair of ten-pound lead sandbags online, ready to use as soon as they arrived.
Over the past two days, Wang Longhu encountered the monk coming down the mountain to feed the stray dogs at the same time and place each day. Although they never exchanged names, they got along quite well.
Though the monk couldn't provide Wang Longhu any guidance on Xingyi Boxing, he told him many things about martial arts, sparking Wang Longhu's interest in it even more.
"Your Beng Fist stance is getting better and better, and your force generation is correct. However, your footwork is still lacking and needs to be supplemented with heavy objects for training. I suggest you wear a weighted vest and bind sandbags to your arms and legs.
In 'Dragon Ball's' first part, young Goku and Bulma visit the Turtle Hermit to get stronger, carrying that turtle shell on their backs. You know that, right? Once you get used to heavy weights during training, your punches and kicks will become much faster when you return to lighter weights."
By the roadside, the monk observed Wang Longhu's punches and nodded with satisfaction.
Wang Longhu steadied himself and finished his workout without letting his internal heat dissipate.
After two days of practicing Beng Fist, the qi inside him was growing stronger, and his ability to keep his pores tightly shut improved, allowing him to maintain the containment of his qi for extended periods.
"Thank you, Master, I didn't expect you to read comics too." Wang Longhu clasped his fist in courtesy and smiled.
This was the gesture of thanks the monk had taught him yesterday, saying that martial artists preferred it that way.
"You're too kind. These past few days, I've observed your character. You're a person of great perseverance and patience, and with remarkable talent too. Given time, you'll surely achieve a lot in Xingyi Boxing.
Recently, the temple organized a tour to Mount Putuo in Zhou City for the pilgrims and asked me to accompany them. These dogs will have no one to feed them, and since you practice here every morning, I'd like to ask you to feed them for a few days.
This is a piece of wild ginseng over ten years old. You need to greatly replenish your qi and blood since you haven't been practicing for long. Consider it my reward for troubling you."
Seeing the monk take out a piece of ginseng wrapped in cloth from his robe's inner pocket, Wang Longhu was surprised and quickly waved his hand: "No need, no need, it's too precious. Feeding dogs isn't worth such a reward."
The monk laughed heartily and placed the ginseng in Wang Longhu's hand: "Take it; you might have to deal with the hassle of feeding the dogs more than once in the future."
Wang Longhu accepted the ginseng, somewhat suspiciously asked: "Are you leaving?"
"Perhaps, but not necessarily."
Wang Longhu scratched his head: "So if I come to feed the dogs, can I feed them meat?"
The monk shook his head: "Better not."
"Why?"
"Because I can't afford it."
With a smile, the monk lifted two wooden buckets, bid farewell to Wang Longhu, and headed back to Yingszhou Zen Temple down the slope.
[Name: Wang Longhu]
[Strength: 1.13]
[Constitution: 1.34]
[Spirit: 0.90]
[Skills: Basic Fitness Lv2 (57/200), Three-Body Pose Lv2 (80/200), Xingyi Boxing (Beng Fist) Lv1 (90/100)]
[Potential Points: 0]
The potential points gained from two days of fitness, punch practice, stance training, along with dietary supplements, had rapidly improved Wang Longhu's attributes.
Although he wasn't sure what a normal person's constitution would be, he was definitely much healthier than he was a few days ago.
"I'll visit Wen City Hospital at noon and return after the afternoon check-up." Looking at the panel, Wang Longhu added a temporary new plan.
No matter how much his constitution improved, he needed medical tests to determine if there were any improvements in his lung cancer.
...
At noon, Wang Longhu made a dish called "The Overlord Departs the Chicken" for lunch at home. He had a big appetite, devoured two bowls of rice, then tidied up before calling a ride via Dudu, directly to Wen City Hospital.
The bus from Dong County's passenger terminal could go to Wen City, but the Wen City terminal was too far from the hospital, requiring a taxi from there. It was more convenient to take a direct ride, and Wang Longhu didn't want to switch vehicles, preferring a direct route.
Sitting in the front passenger seat, Wang Longhu wore Bluetooth headphones and leisurely gazed at the blue sea beneath the cross-sea bridge outside the window, his demeanor very relaxed.
Compared to the day he returned, Wang Longhu's mindset had changed tremendously. Lung cancer was no longer an inevitable death sentence for him; having hope in one's heart relieved a lot of psychological pressure.
"Hey, stop crying. Daddy will buy you a new one. It's not a big deal."
"Crying won't help. What's lost is lost. Tomorrow, I'll ask Uncle Zheng to pick a new one for you. Do you want a teddy or chihuahua, or maybe a golden retriever or a Chevrolet?"
"What? What's a Chevrolet? Oh, that silly dog online, the black and white one."
"Oh, it's called a husky, not a Chevrolet."
…
On the road, the driver uncle was on the phone the entire time.
Wang Longhu turned his head, puzzled, and looked at the driver. After the driver hung up the call, he couldn't help but ask: "Did your family's dog get lost?"
The driver sighed: "Yes, a native dog we've raised for three years is missing. The camera at the door showed it was taken by a van, probably by a dog thief."
Wang Longhu was quite surprised: "Are there still dog thieves in Dong County? I've never heard of anyone eating dog meat here."
The driver shrugged nonchalantly: "It's probably people from outside the island. In rural areas outside, dog thieves often take other people's dogs to sell, it's very unscrupulous."
Wang Longhu rubbed his chin and leaned back in his seat, lost in thought. Dong County had been too peaceful for too long, and the island's residents lacked a sense of vigilance.
Seems like I should mention this to the monk. There are quite a few stray dogs he feeds.
If they were caught by dog thieves, it would probably be quite distressing.