"Petal showers hide the moonlight, just one cup to offer at the Phoenix Platform, the Princess’ tears accompany her incense..."
The radio sang with catchy operatic tunes.
In the morning, inside a four-walled courtyard with a dated look,
Ma Jianguo sat back in a rattan chair, legs crossed, listening to the opera with eyes half-closed, his hand rhythmically patting his thigh to the melody.
Upon hearing the faint sound of a door opening, he suddenly opened his eyes.
He fixed his gaze toward the front gate of the courtyard, at a sneakily loitering hefty figure.
He immediately shouted angrily:
The hefty figure flinched, turned around, and revealed an honest smile:
"I was just going out to buy some cigarettes to smoke, to relieve some boredom."
But Ma Jianguo was not about to listen to his explanation and scolded him fiercely:
"Ma Donghe, do you have a death wish?"
"Go mix with those fair-weather friends again, you might as well let someone break your legs, too."
"If you dare step half a pace out of this door today, I will disown you as my son!"
Having been scolded, Ma Donghe dejectedly turned back inside, plopped down on the steps, and remained silent.
His right hand was in a cast, hanging below his neck.
His face was scruffy with unevenly grown beard, his hair as disheveled as a bird’s nest, looking quite downcast.
Seeing his sulking son, Ma Jianguo spoke again:
"There’s an activity meeting today; some newcomers are planning to join, I need you to take charge."
"Once you’re a bit more healed from your injuries, I won’t stop you from hanging out, just stay away from the gangs."
Upon hearing this, Ma Donghe lifted his head and muttered:
"Just some other fool being swayed. I’ve never seen anyone stick with it since I was a kid."
"Those fellows can’t settle their minds, they’re unsuited for our sect’s cultivation techniques; if they run off, let them."
Ma Jianguo, however, seemed unconcerned and even held a glimmer of hope:
"Little Brother Wu mentioned that this young fellow is immensely talented, a rare prodigy that appears once in a hundred years, maybe there’s some hope..."
The old man loves to mess about.
He’d set up classes in a shopping center, teaching people Tai Chi Boxing for health, fooling old men and old ladies. That was one thing, but he insisted on dragging Qigong into it too.
But in less than half a month, someone’s mental state went awry practicing Qigong, and after a complaint, they had to close down the operation.
Even had someone’s adult children come over and give him a thrashing, leaving bruises on his face.
If it wasn’t for his old age, it’s uncertain if he would’ve been able to see his father again.
Ma Donghe inwardly shook his head.
As for the Qigong Heart Method, not even the old man himself had fully mastered it.
He had started learning from a young age and still hadn’t learned anything impressive.
When it comes to fighting, those fancy moves aren’t as effective as a simple, straight punch.
Thinking of this, Ma Donghe touched upon something deep, and sighed:
"What’s the use of learning Kung Fu so well? Still can’t beat those freaks!"
"Who says you can’t beat them?"
Ma Jianguo replied, his mustache bristling and his eyes glaring:
"Your great-grandfather truly mastered Qigong to a high degree, was appreciated by the President, became his personal bodyguard, and was appointed the first director of the National Martial Arts Hall."
"It’s just that our descendents have let things slide, and our family has declined..."
Hearing this, Ma Donghe realized his father was about to launch into another reprimand and quickly pleaded:
"Alright, alright, I get it."
Ma Jianguo still shot him a glare, persisting in his lecture:
"Besides, the way of martial arts focuses on cultivating one’s essence and nurturing the nature, not about you getting skills just to brawl and compete with those hoodlums..."
Ma Donghe was about to retort, but held back.
Although he had been learning some basic Cultivation Techniques since he was young, they weren’t much help in fights.
But his physical condition had improved a lot, and his recovery ability seemed different from ordinary people’s.
Without any supplements, his build has grown so large.
Thinking this, he looked at his old man with a softened gaze.
"Old man, you’ve been practicing martial arts for decades. Take it easy and I wager you could live to a hundred years old."
"Tsk, you’re already over thirty, find a wife quick and stop leeching off me, I can live to a hundred and twenty!"
For this son born when he was nearly fifty, Ma Jianguo was quite disappointed.
As the father and son were talking, the sound of car horns and people talking were gradually coming from outside.
Ma Jianguo immediately stood up, his face transforming with a genial and amiable smile.
"The guests have arrived!"
Jiangbei Suburb, Tianxin Village.
As the name suggests, this place used to have many cultivated farmlands.
However, as urbanization expanded, the number of farms in the village decreased, and factories increased.
The environment thus seemed not so great.
Wu Datong drove a small electric scooter, with Fang Cheng sitting on the back seat.
The cement road wasn’t very smooth, and the electric scooter bumped along.
Fang Cheng looked around at the scenery where the urban met the rural, somewhat doubtful about the identities of those fellow practitioners Wu Datong had mentioned.
"Senior Brother Ma is indeed a remarkable person; not only does he have a profound family heritage, he is also extremely amicable, without an ounce of pretense. This Martial Arts Research Association was organized under his leadership."
"I used to not believe in traditional martial arts, but after witnessing his capabilities, I was immediately convinced and deeply impressed..."
Wu Datong praised profusely while driving the electric scooter, explaining to Fang Cheng non-stop.
Soon they arrived, and the vehicle was parked by the roadside.
Fang Cheng dismounted, lifting his eyes toward a small courtyard with white walls in front.
It appeared to be a common residence, yet there were several luxury cars parked at the entrance.
Fang Cheng nodded slightly.
A renowned person indeed had an impressive circle.
Wu Datong, dragging his slightly lame left leg, stepped forward and knocked forcefully on the iron gate.
The courtyard door quickly opened, and a strong man with his arm in a cast greeted and let them in.
Fang Cheng followed behind into the yard, noticing a group of people already standing there waiting for them.
"I’ve brought someone, Senior Brother Ma, you can go ahead and vet him first."
Wu Datong shouted loudly.
Fang Cheng’s gaze quickly scanned the people present.
He discovered they were all quite old, with gray hair.
If you included Wu Datong and the strong man who had opened the gate, it was almost a full lineup of the old, weak, sick, and disabled.
Seeing this, Fang Cheng’s face darkened.
This wasn’t a Martial Arts Research Association, it was more like a senior home combined with a disabled association...
His eyes flashed, and he immediately recognized the strong man with a broken arm.
It was Ma Donghe, the debt collector he had once met in the hospital.
Ma Donghe also seemed to recognize Fang Cheng at the same time, revealing a hint of surprise in his eyes.
An elder standing by his side, with a rosy and serene demeanor, sized up Fang Cheng.
"Not bad, not bad. You look talented and elegant."
"This young brother, are you thinking of joining our Martial Arts Research Association? However, as per the rules, your abilities must be tested first."
He had just finished speaking when another old man sipping tea immediately cut in:
"Right, our Martial Arts Research Association only recruits martial arts talents; we do not accept mediocrity that merely fills the ranks."
Hearing their refined and old-fashioned way of speaking, as if they were martial arts masters, Fang Cheng couldn’t help but clasp his hands together in a respectful manner:
"May I ask who all of you are?"
Upon hearing this, the five elders present announced their impressive titles loudly.
"Baguazhang, Dong Yunchuan!"
"Xingyi Boxing, Zhang Haixiang!"
"Eagle Claw Skill, Chen Zizhen!"
"White Crane Sect, Wu Dewang!"
Finally, the serene-looking elder said with restraint:
"Current head of Ma’s Tai Chi, Ma Jianguo."
Hiss, is this a preparation for a grand martial arts convention?
Fang Cheng was slightly taken aback before saying:
"Testing my capabilities is fine."
"However, may I have the honor to witness the skills of my elders first?"