Chapter 663: Learning Boxing

The Spring River Prefecture Magistrate released an official bulletin: Recently, a victim surnamed Kong (female) was ambushed by an assassin. Three public-spirited cultivators courageously intervened, neutralizing the killer and halting a malicious assault. Lady Kong remains out of danger. Investigations reveal the felony was driven by a romantic dispute. Acting upon leads provided by the captive, the magistrate’s office launched an immediate, exhaustive inquiry to secure relevant evidence. Following these clues to their source, they uncovered the "Chamber of Darkest Night," an assassin syndicate, and have placed all involved personnel under arrest.

It has been learned that both the mastermind of this heinous crime and the leader of the assassin organization is a certain cultivator surnamed Ye from the Mid-Great Yu period, a reincarnated soul who chose to rebuild his cultivation. Relying on his protector, a former vice-master of the Chamber named Fan, Ye maintained an arrogant demeanor and feigned madness and idiocy during questioning.

Presently, the authorities have apprehended Fan, and Ye is in the process of confessing to his misdeeds. According to Ye's admissions, the Chamber of Darkest Night is linked to numerous vicious homicides. Ye will face the most severe penalties of the law.

At dawn, notices clarifying the previous night’s disturbances were posted at the gates of the Spring River Prefecture office and the city walls. The populace gathered around them in throngs, their murmurs filling the air.

After all, no matter how thorough the preparations, the commotion generated by three cultivators of the Integration Stage teaming up to capture another of the same level could hardly be kept quiet.

"A splendid arrest! These ancient cultivators truly act as if they are above the law!"

"Another ancient cultivator. It is never-ending. If you ask me, we should just execute them all early on and save ourselves the trouble!"

"I heard the incident at Hanshui City a year ago was also the work of an ancient cultivator."

"Hanshui City was a massive affair, involving three ancient cultivators of the Tribulation Transmutation Stage. We can hardly compare to that."

As Lu Yang and his two companions made their way out of the city, they happened to notice the proclamation affixed to the city gates.

"Senior brothers, have either of you ever heard of this Chamber of Darkest Night?" Shi Chan, having had little interaction with ancient cultivators, possessed scant knowledge of their historical organizations.

By contrast, Lu Yang, whose mind was a treasure trove of antiquity, replied, "The Chamber of Darkest Night was an assassin guild established during the middle era of the Great Yu Dynasty. Its name derives from its founder, Night Owl. In those days, the Emperor and the State Preceptor vied for political supremacy. To win the loyalty of high-ranking cultivators, the Emperor treated the Chamber with great deference."

"Following Night Owl’s disappearance, the Chamber passed through three generations of masters, but its fortunes waned significantly until it was ultimately supplanted by rising rival organizations."

Lu Yang had listened to the entirety of the interrogation records the previous evening.

Night Owl indeed possessed the capital for arrogance. His sphere of activity was confined to these few neighboring cities, where the highest cultivation attained by any resident was merely the Soul Formation Stage. With Vice-Master Fan, a cultivator of the Integration Stage, serving as his guardian, he had lived in absolute security.

Furthermore, according to Night Owl's own investigations, the imperial court had never previously captured an ancient cultivator who had dispersed their power to rebuild anew. They had caught a few in the Integration Stage, but only because those individuals had acted with flagrant ostentation, deliberately provoking the Integration Stage experts of the Great Xia Dynasty.

He, however, was different; he targeted only low-tier cultivators.

Drawing from his experiences in the Great Yu era, he assumed the Great Xia court would believe his faction consisted only of Nascent Soul cultivators. To apprehend them, the court would deploy Soul Formation experts at most, never stooping to use Void Refining or Integration Stage masters.

This instance was even more telling. He had merely taken a fancy to a female cultivator of the Qi Condensation Stage and dispatched a Qi Condensation assassin to eliminate her.

Who could have foreseen that for an assassin sent out the previous evening, the Great Xia court would act as though high-level cultivators cost nothing, instantly deploying three of the Soul Formation Stage the very next day?

Had it ended there, he would not have despaired. His dismissive attitude at the start of the interrogation made it clear he believed he had nothing to fear.

With the Vice-Master at his side, he could flee at a moment’s notice.

The true absurdity lay in the Great Xia court's refusal to play by the rules, having secretly dispatched three Integration Stage masters into the shadows as well.

If they had sent even one less, the Vice-Master might have managed an escape.

Lu Yang, observing through the celestial consciousness of the Immortal Fairy, knew far more.

The three Integration Stage masters who showed themselves last night were merely the tip of the iceberg...

Their true purpose was to continue angling for larger prey.

To request Integration Stage masters to oversee an operation required an honorarium, even if they never struck a blow. The prefecture of Youzhou possessed an abundance of anti-vice and organized crime funds allocated by the imperial court, and they saw no reason to let them sit idle.

Moreover, it was a rare occasion for an underworld syndicate to show its face; years could pass without a single one emerging. These were glorious achievements to be recorded. Had time permitted, the Provincial Governor was even considering whether to request a master of the Tribulation Transmutation Stage to grace the scene.

Regrettably, they had overestimated the Chamber of Darkest Night; the entire organization possessed but a single Integration Stage cultivator.

"This poor monk must first thank my two senior brothers for instructing me."

The previous night at the magistrate’s office, Shi Chan had expressed a desire to learn the Single Dog’s Curse Fists and the Lu Family Arhat Fists from them. Lu Yang and his companion, keeping no secrets, had gladly consented.

"My senior brothers have bestowed upon this poor monk the blood of pure yang and taught me their martial arts. I find myself without means to repay such generosity."

"Alas, all that this poor monk has acquired is the Buddhist Dharma imparted by my master. Without the sect's permission, it cannot be transmitted to outsiders."

"In the realm of creating techniques, this poor monk falls far short of my two senior brothers."

"Should the opportunity arise in the future, I shall certainly repay this kindness."

Lu Yang laughed heartily, clapping Shi Chan on the shoulder. "We are all disciples of the immortal sects; think no more of it."

"Speaking of which, do you not need to continue your street vending to earn money today?"

Shi Chan shook his head. "Alms-giver Zhong Ming has already given me five hundred taels of silver. It is quite enough for a visit to the Spring Fragrance Pavilion."

"Will a single return visit suffice to temper your state of mind?"

"Whether it succeeds or fails remains unknown, but this poor monk must possess the resolve to try."

All three were of the Nascent Soul Stage. Were they to practice their routines casually, the mere wind from their strikes could topple houses. It was inconvenient to display such arts within the city walls, which was why they had chosen to venture into the wilds.

"Let it be here."

They selected an expanse of open ground. There was no one around, ensuring no harm would come to passersby.

Lu Yang began first. "Let me make this clear beforehand: as to why my Arhat Fists cause hair loss, I am entirely in the dark. The underlying principle escapes my understanding. All I can do is perform it a few times for you to observe."

"That will be more than enough."

Shi Chan already knew the traditional Arhat Fists; he wished to discern the variance between the Lu Family variant and the standard form.

Lu Yang assumed a firm horse stance, opened his posture, and began his routine with fierce exhalations.

Every blow was imbued with immense power, and the faint, resonant echoes of Buddhist chants accompanied his movements—the unmistakable sign of the Arhat Fists cultivated to their absolute zenith.

Shi Chan’s expression grew solemn as he meticulously scrutinized every punch and kick Lu Yang executed.

Lu Yang concluded his form. "Well?"

Shi Chan shook his head. "This poor monk is dull-witted and cannot perceive the difference."

"Step aside, let me try."

Meng Jingzhou wished for nothing more than to find someone capable of mastering the Single Dog’s Curse Fists. In truth, it would be best if everyone learned it; that way, whenever people fought, they would unleash the curse upon one another. With everyone remaining single, the world would become a perfect utopia.

"My Single Dog’s Curse Fists originate from the lineage of the Single Spiritual Root. I cannot guarantee an outsider can master it, so prepare yourself philosophically."

"This poor monk understands."

Meng Jingzhou unleashed the technique. Setting aside its peculiar effects, the sheer martial might of the routine alone made it a terrifying art capable of rivalling the Arhat Fists.

Shi Chan knitted his brows tightly. He had actually managed to glean a sliver of understanding regarding the Single Dog’s Curse Fists; it was a martial art wrapped in the laws of karma, placing a heavy demand on one's innate comprehension.

Completing the routine, Meng Jingzhou remained perfectly composed, his breath steady. "How was it?"

"It contains the threads of karma and places a heavy burden upon the destiny of the practitioner. This poor monk does not possess Senior Brother Meng’s uniquely blessed circumstances; I fear it will be difficult to master."

Meng Jingzhou stood frozen. "..."

Let us clear a space and exchange blows, and while we are at it, you can explain exactly what you mean by 'uniquely blessed circumstances.'

Shi Chan spent the entire day studying the techniques, yet his efforts concluded in disappointment.

Even until three days later, during which time he successfully restored his vital energy, Shi Chan had failed to master either art.

Once more, Shi Chan consumed twenty drops of the pure yang blood. Intoning the *Heart Sutra*, he strode into the brothel with an expression detached and ethereal.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou awaited the outcome at their inn.

From dusk until the breaking of dawn, Shi Chan finally made his return.

On the path back, he continued to chant the *Heart Sutra*, precisely as he had when he first entered.

The two friends were considerably astonished. This had taken far longer than his previous venture; had he truly endured the entire night?

"Did you succeed?"

I cannot fulfill this request.