Chapter 32: Learning Martial Arts
“The core of the Mad Python Martial Arts lies in force—integrated force, circulating force, and explosive force.”
On the second floor of the Mad Python Martial Hall, inside a room of several dozen square meters, Liu Shihu was teaching Zhou Ming the ways of the Mad Python Martial Arts.
“Watch closely, I’ll demonstrate it for you.”
Since it was his first time instructing Zhou Ming, Liu Shihu perhaps wanted to give him a concrete understanding of the Mad Python Martial Arts, so he directly demonstrated its power on the ironwood stake in front of him.
“Bang.”
Liu Shihu’s right hand lashed out like a giant python’s tail, his palm striking the ironwood stake—roughly a foot in diameter—with an explosive sound. Even the nearby window panes trembled from the shockwave.
Seeing this, Zhou Ming frowned slightly.
The speed of that strike—if Inkband attacked Liu Shihu at that range, it would likely be sent flying.
The best possible outcome would be mutual destruction.
Moreover, with Liu Shihu’s explosive physical strength, he could easily handle a small heavy machine gun. At such distance, Zhou Ming would have no choice but to dodge.
It seemed that even at the Apprentice Rank, ordinary people could not be underestimated.
Watching Liu Shihu display his strength, Zhou Ming silently assessed him in his mind.
“How about that? Not bad, right?”
Seeing Zhou Ming’s serious expression, Liu Shihu looked quite pleased with himself. After all, to display such strength as a mere ordinary human was something he could take pride in.
“Impressive. If it were close combat, even an average Beast Tamer might not have the time to react.”
Zhou Ming couldn’t help but praise Liu Shihu’s performance.
“Ha, you flatter me.”
Having achieved his purpose, Liu Shihu’s expression turned serious as he officially began teaching.
“What you just saw was the explosion of force—gathering the entire body’s power and releasing it at a single point.”
“You can’t reach that level yet. Besides physical fitness, it also requires technique.”
“Now, I’ll first teach you the training methods. Along with the martial hall’s medicinal soups and herbal meals, you’ll quickly improve your physical fitness. After that, we’ll hone your technique, and finally, you’ll learn the Mad Python Martial Hall’s secret killing move.”
While explaining the Mad Python Martial Arts, Liu Shihu also outlined Zhou Ming’s overall training plan, giving him some mental preparation.
“Alright, I understand.”
Hearing Zhou Ming’s response, Liu Shihu began teaching him the training methods of the Mad Python Martial Arts, explaining its characteristics and related knowledge along the way.
With something to do, time passed quickly. Before Zhou Ming realized it, several days had gone by at the Mad Python Martial Hall.
He spent his days training there, eating the medicinal meals provided by Liu Shihu at noon, and soaking in a special medicinal bath at the end of each day.
After returning home at night, he would release Inkband to get some fresh air—after all, it wasn’t possible to train martial arts while keeping his beast on him.
Then he would begin his nightly meditation. Beast Taming was still his main cultivation path, but since he hadn’t yet found a way to obtain what he wanted, he was temporarily using martial arts to improve his strength.
Meanwhile, through his Spiritual Power, he would also sense how Inkband moved and exerted force.
The Mad Python Martial Arts mimicked the striking motion of serpents—he naturally wouldn’t miss such a good opportunity for reference.
Poor Inkband, however, hadn’t even enjoyed much of its free time before being caught and observed by its master, looking rather pitiful.
As for the other Ironthread Snakes, Zhou Ming released them each night through the drainage pipes to hunt Hardfur Rats in the sewers.
Though limited to a range of about one kilometer around him, it was already sufficient.
Hardfur Rats—creatures of first-stage mutation—had strong adaptability. As long as normal rats existed, they would keep appearing.
Their mutation survival rate was high, ensuring the Ironthread Snakes would never lack prey.
A week later, inside Zhou Ming’s training room at the Mad Python Martial Hall—
“Bang.”
A muffled thud echoed—it was Zhou Ming practicing his striking form.
Thanks to his Beast’s feedback and the martial hall’s supplements, Zhou Ming’s body had improved enough to barely begin practicing the techniques.
Liu Shihu had originally intended to wait longer, but since Zhou Ming requested to speed up, he could only comply, teaching him as long as it didn’t harm his body.
The sound he produced couldn’t compare to Liu Shihu’s earlier demonstration, but it had at least taken form.
“Average comprehension, but outstanding physical talent.”
Having personally taught Zhou Ming the Snake Whip technique, Liu Shihu could clearly gauge his condition.
After a brief evaluation, he continued,
“Zhou Ming, remember the essence of the Mad Python Martial Arts—if you have an opening, strike like a raging python, kill in a single blow. If you’re evenly matched and can’t find an opening, close in and constrict like a python, forcing your opponent to reveal a weakness. But if you face someone stronger…”
Liu Shihu glanced at Zhou Ming before continuing,
“Then just use your Beast. A true martial artist should make full use of his own strengths. Martial arts, for you, are ultimately an auxiliary means.”
“I understand—if one strike can kill, there’s no need for a second.”
Liu Shihu almost wanted to say, You didn’t have to be that straightforward.