Chapter 58: Pictographic Boxing Isn't Practiced Like This

The previous section's timeframe of two hours was changed to one day

The Immortal Sect, one of the four great demonic cults.

"The Immortal Sect... I recall they worship the Immortal Cultivator, claiming he exists through the ages, deathless and unperishing. They say becoming a faithful believer grants immunity to the three disasters and five tribulations of cultivation, extending one's lifespan." Meng Jingzhou recalled the intelligence regarding the Immortal Sect.

These were the most foundational elements, discoverable with a modicum of effort, though how much truth they contained remained uncertain.

"The Immortal Sect intends to recruit, which presents a fine opportunity. When the time comes, a mixed throng will gather, the threshold will be lowered considerably, and identity checks will not be overly strict." Lu Yang rejoiced, finding this truly welcome news.

He had been worrying that since none of the three had practiced orthodox demonic techniques, they might fail to pass scrutiny using only the method of driving ghost servants. Qin Yuanhao had brought such timely tidings; he was a veritable star of good fortune.

"Shall we still kill Qin Yuanhao then?" Mangu inquired, as if the necessity for slaughter had vanished.

"He remains a bane regardless, so we kill him if we can, though we must not use his bone plaque." Lu Yang stated. Whether they could infiltrate the demonic sect or not, Qin Yuanhao had to die.

For a demonic cultivator to reach the middle or late stages of Foundation Establishment, it was impossible not to have several lives upon their hands.

Though Qin Yuanhao had not slain his subordinates, it was not out of mercy, but rather because they remained useful.

Should any subordinate lose a limb or become incapacitated, rendering them useless to Qin Yuanhao, they would inevitably perish.

"Why can we not use the bone plaque?"

Lu Yang motioned for the two chang-ghosts to bring some skewered meat, explaining as he ate, "The relations among demonic cultists are not as harmonious as we imagine. We framed Qin Yuanhao, and after his investigation, his conclusion will be that someone within the sect dislikes him."

"If we use Qin Yuanhao's bone plaque to enter the demonic sect, we will be branded with his label. They might make things difficult for us at every turn, which outweighs the benefit."

Mangu suddenly understood.

"Yet the demonic sect is prudent enough. To prevent the stronghold's location from leaking, they only announce it on the final day. Are they afraid our righteous path will discover the location and eradicate them?" Lu Yang chuckled softly.

"Continue tracking Qin Yuanhao to see if we can locate the Yanjiang Branch based on him, the better to prepare."

"The hour grows late. Those who must cultivate, cultivate; those who must rest, rest. Let us disperse."

...

The following morning, Lu Yang yawned, dressed, rose from bed, and shared breakfast with the others—a beef offal soup prepared by Mangu.

By then, Mangu had already returned from the vegetable market, pushing a small cart laden with whole carcasses of pig, cattle, and sheep.

Beef marrow bones hung in the broth with a pinch of salt as a base, supplemented by other seasonings. The beef offal simmered for a time, and a steaming bowl of offal soup emerged from the pot.

"Add more honeycomb tripe," Lu Yang called out.

"Right away."

After enjoying a splendid breakfast, everyone attended to their own affairs.

Today was Mangu's turn to supervise. After eating, Mangu hurried to the second floor, intending to sit there the entire day.

Meng Jingzhou was a restless soul, like a frolicking rabbit, disappearing to cause mischief somewhere unknown.

The two chang-ghosts butchered the pork, beef, and mutton, slicing vegetables and threading skewers. Four days having passed, the two had become familiar with the process, skewering from morning until evening, just in time to open for customers, whereupon they went to the backyard to light the charcoal and stoke the furnace, roasting through the night.

Working from dawn till dusk, their lives could be called thoroughly fulfilling.

Lu Yang also had his own tasks. He produced the Pictographic Boxing, intending to see if he could achieve basic mastery. Having never practiced martial arts before, he lacked confidence.

"There is a first time for everything."

Lu Yang set up a simple sound-isolating array in the backyard, blocking external noises so his own voice would not travel outside.

He sat cross-legged, earnestly turning the pages of the book: "Pictographic Boxing, a style that simulates the specialties and forms of various animals, as well as expressing the combat and life images of characters. It includes Tiger Boxing, Monkey Boxing, Eagle Claw Boxing, Snake Boxing, and so forth. This volume contains only Tiger Boxing."

"Tiger Boxing emphasizes imitating the tiger's form, adopting the tiger's skills, permeating them with principles, and fusing them into the fist's intent."

"The routines of Tiger Boxing are short, concise, and compact. The footwork and stances are on the smaller side, predominantly the thirty-seventy stance."

"To master Tiger Boxing, the most perilous step lies in observing a tiger. Ideally, one should possess experience fighting a tiger, so as to profoundly experience its combat image for better imitation."

The most difficult step of Tiger Boxing was ironically simple for Lu Yang; he had fought a tiger demon and emerged victorious.

Lu Yang slowly closed his eyes.

Roaring, pouncing, tearing... the various movements of the tiger demon during its assault surfaced in Lu Yang's mind, its voice and expression as vivid as life.

Though the tiger demon had been slain by his own hand, he had to admit it was a formidable foe with aspects worthy of study.

Of course, calling upon one's wife for assistance need not be learned, nor could it be learned for the time being.

The silhouette of the tiger demon and his own silhouette gradually overlapped, merging into one, the human form acquiring the tiger's skill.

Lu Yang simulated the movements of executing Tiger Boxing in his mind time and again. The originally awkward motions grew increasingly agile, as if he were possessed by a fierce tiger roaring within his brain.

This was an achievement possible only at the Foundation Establishment stage, demanding an extremely high level of divine sense, something mortal martial artists could never accomplish.

Lu Yang opened his eyes, a fierce light fully revealed, a hidden tiger within his pupils.

He leaped up, standing firmly upon the ground, assumed the stance, gave voice to his breath, gathered force with breadth, and stamped his foot to boost his power, fierce and violently rigid.

The two chang-ghosts skewering meat inside the house shivered upon hearing the sound of Lu Yang's fists, thinking the tiger demon had returned to life.

They stealthily peered around the doorframe at Lu Yang, and seeing it was not the tiger demon, they relaxed and continued skewering.

Completing one set, Lu Yang felt his entire body unblocked, with boundless strength waiting to be vented.

Taking advantage of the sensation in his body, he executed several more sets in succession, each more fluid than the last, every move and stance rigid and powerful.

Regardless of how much could be utilized against an enemy, presently, even a grandmaster of Tiger Boxing could find no flaw in Lu Yang.

"No, there is still room for improvement."

Lu Yang's movements grew faster, yet his heart remained like an undisturbed lake, flat as a bronze mirror.

This state was wondrous, every action revealing an understanding of the fist technique.

Punching, kicking... as his comprehension deepened, a phantom of the tiger demon faintly appeared behind Lu Yang.

"Roar—"

Lu Yang's comprehension reached its zenith, all contained within this single tiger roar, bellowed with absolute gratification.

"Hmm? Why am I sprawling on the ground?" Lu Yang returned to his senses, finding himself inexplicably prone upon the earth. Intending to stand, he felt his legs devoid of strength, swaying and failing to stand after several attempts.

"What is the situation?" Lu Yang could not fathom it. Could practicing boxing result in a mishap?

He felt his talent for fist techniques was quite high, so how could there be a problem?

A sinister premonition arose within Lu Yang. Using both hands and legs together, he crawled to the edge of the water vat.

Lu Yang finally beheld his current appearance.

He had transformed into a tiger.

The Tiger Boxing was fully mastered, a matter for congratulations.

"Lu Yang, guess what I saw on the street? A tofu shop has a very interesting mascot."

Meng Jingzhou returned from his stroll, and hearing that Lu Yang was practicing boxing in the backyard, he wished to see how the practice fared.

Then he beheld a tiger demon prone at the edge of the water vat, looking into the mirror.

"Holy crap, a monster!"