Chapter 4, Mistaken Punch

On that day, Wen Tunhai was squatting in the yard, slurping hot corn porridge from the edge of a bowl. Seeing Wen Leyang looking so dejected, he laughed and scolded, "Where are you at? You look so pleased with yourself already."

Uncle casually picked up a piece of stone and turned over the soil; wherever the green energy passed, the earthworms beneath transformed into dry, black, and hard flesh-like sticks

After a moment, Wen Leyang finished his work and anxiously looked at the four elders

The incense cauldron is a familiar item to the disciples of Wen Jia. After igniting specially prepared herbs within the cauldron, it attracts surrounding poisonous insects. Following a fierce battle, the most toxic insects tend to linger inside the cauldron, making it an effective tool for trapping them. However, the incense cauldrons used by ordinary disciples are mostly made of stone or bronze, which limits the potency of the evaporating herbs and makes it difficult to attract uniquely toxic creatures. Even if such strange insects are occasionally drawn in, they do not linger long within the cauldron, merely circling around before departing. However, the incense cauldrons used by ordinary disciples are mostly made of stone or bronze, which limits the potency of the evaporating herbs and makes it difficult to attract uniquely toxic creatures. Even if such strange insects are occasionally drawn in, they do not linger long within the cauldron, merely circling around before departing.

Wen Leyang pointed at his abdomen and exclaimed in surprise to Wen Tunhai, "Uncle, there is a cold lump in my dantian, is it... true qi?" At that moment, he felt both astonished and delighted. The past two days had been excruciating; every inch of his body felt as if it had been trampled by a herd of elephants. However, to actually accumulate a chunk of innate and acquired true essence as large as a brick was simply too rapid a progression. Wen Leyang couldn't help but praise from the bottom of his heart the celestial techniques of his ancestors, which truly lived up to their reputation. The past two days had been excruciating; every inch of his body felt as if it had been trampled by a herd of elephants. However, to actually accumulate a chunk of innate and acquired true essence as large as a brick was simply too rapid a progression. Wen Leyang couldn't help but praise from the bottom of his heart the celestial techniques of his ancestors, which truly lived up to their reputation.

Wen Leyang clutched his stomach, groaning as he ran towards there, shouting loudly: "Uncle, please send me some paper..."

What is that cold lump in the stomach

Wen Leyang watched as his body became stronger day by day, filled with joy. After each practice session, he would stand in the courtyard and indulge in self-admiration for a while

Old Master Wen did not respond directly, but chuckled and instructed Wen Tunhai: "Take him into the mountains tomorrow!" As he spoke, he stood up and ran to the bedside, rummaging under the bed for a long time, and finally pulled out a square redwood box. He smiled and asked Wen Leyang: "Do you know what is inside?"

This fall lasted a full two days. By the time the dull pain in his body had completely dissipated, Wen Leyang was covered in bruises, his face swollen to a size larger than a basin. If it weren't for his solid foundation built since childhood, he would have long since succumbed to the fall.

Old Master Wen handed the wooden box and the book box to Wen Leyang, saying: "As members of the Tuo Xie sect, we cannot avoid dealing with these venomous creatures throughout our lives. This incense burner is entrusted to you; you will surely find it useful sooner or later"

As that lump of coldness poured out, Wen Leyang felt a chilling sensation in his heart. Over the past two days, he had essentially exhausted the latter half of the lives of all the villagers, young and old, in a series of tumbles. In retrospect, it indeed seemed to have been in vain.

Observing Wen Leyang scratching his head and looking overly pleased with himself, Lord Wen burst into laughter and said: "Silly boy, what is there to be happy about after practicing the boxing manual for two years? The martial arts and physical training that our Wen family disciples undergo from a young age are precisely to lay the foundation for this set of boxing techniques. Why don't you ask your uncle how long it took him to learn this set of boxing techniques?"

Wen Leyang's eyes lit up, exclaiming in surprise: "Mo Yu Xiang Ding!"

Wen Leyang frowned and said, "This tree has been here for over 400 years..."

Wen Tunhai laughed and scolded: "How could I have chosen such a fool as my disciple! Sometimes you are incredibly foolish, occasionally you show a hint of cleverness, but in the end, you are still overwhelmingly foolish!"

Wen Leyang suppressed the answer regarding the "urn" and shook his head. Upon seeing the box, Wen Shenghai was overjoyed and slapped his own nephew down to his knees, saying: "Why aren't you quickly thanking your great-uncle!"

The two of them squatted in the yard, crunching on carrots: "Brewing medicinal wine now is merely to lay a foundation for your body. When you have mastered all thirteen forms of the Wrong Fist, your meridians will have reached their limit in carrying toxins"

Wen Leyang joyfully bowed his head, while Wen Tunhai, standing nearby, remarked with a hint of displeasure: "Grandfather, this tripod of his is even better than mine!"

Soaking in medicinal wine and practicing the Erroneous Fist is merely to lay a solid foundation for the future cultivation of profound toxic skills. When the Erroneous Fist is perfected, the human meridians will have reached their limit in withstanding the toxins in the medicinal wine. To achieve any breakthroughs in the future, practitioners must formulate their own toxic recipes according to their physical constitution, seeking out toxins that are suitable for themselves. By introducing toxins into the body and gradually resolving them, they can further strengthen their meridians. This form of cultivation can only be tested through personal experience with toxins, continuously experimenting to find the toxicity that their body can best adapt to. Others cannot provide assistance in this matter. Throughout history, many disciples of the Wen family have spent their entire lives, until old age, without being able to identify the five elemental toxins and the corresponding * diagrams * that their bodies can adapt to, ultimately failing to make any further progress.

Wen Leyang shook his head in pure despair

As Wen Leyang exerted force, he was immediately subjected to the twisting of his joints as dictated by the boxing techniques, resulting in a combination of entangled and opposing forces. This was followed by the direct contact of his body with the ground. However, after each forceful fall, it felt as though the myriad of small knives within his body diminished somewhat, replaced instead by a cold sensation that settled in his lower abdomen

On one occasion, Wen Leyang had the fortune of witnessing Old Master Wen and Da Bowen engaging in a fierce sparring session, demonstrating their extraordinary martial prowess. They were like two crazed individuals fueled by adrenaline, using their fists and feet to counter each other's moves. Every part of their bodies—hands, feet, elbows, knees, and even their backsides, backs, and teeth—became instruments of attack against one another. Each fighter unleashed a torrential storm of strikes, with every blow infused with immense power capable of splitting gold and shattering stone. Their exchange of techniques was more lively than a brawl involving ten or eight skilled martial artists.

This means that the efforts you have made in the past two days, aside from detoxification, have essentially been in vain

Old Master Wen shot him a sidelong glance and said, "Then you can ask Leyang; if he is willing to trade with you, I won't interfere either"

In addition, the boxing manual emphasizes training in two aspects: the first is balance, and the second is the ability to distribute focus. To execute the techniques, one must disperse their attention to all joints of the limbs and body. The hands, feet, shoulders, and elbows must each be directed independently, and one must not rely on the body's coordination to allow it to move on its own; otherwise, one will suffer severe falls.

Wen Leyang swallowed hard.

Wen Leyang let out a sigh, filled with disappointment as the dream of becoming a devil muscle man fell through, and soon he felt a bit more worried: "It won't explode ahead of time, will it?"

Wen Tun Hai ignored him until he slurped down a bowl of thin porridge, then he let out a long sigh of relief: "The meridians are like a rubber bag, with a limited capacity for ordinary toxins. A wrong move can both store the toxin in the meridians and stretch this bag a bit larger, but there will always be a limit. Once that limit is exceeded, the meridians will break, and the potent poison will corrode your internal organs. At that point, you might as well wrap yourself in cloth and go exhibit in Egypt! Who knows, you might even fetch a good price... Bring me a carrot."

In the gaze of Wen Tunhai, there was a hint of pride, clearly satisfied with his own strike: "Our Wen family's ancestral technique, the Erroneous Fist, merges the toxicity of medicinal wine with the meridians. Not only does it strengthen the muscles and bones, but wherever the fist lands, the accumulated toxic force within the meridians also erupts! Whether you are refining poison or fighting in the future, you cannot do without this Erroneous Fist!"

In addition to practicing the wrong fist, Wen Leyang began to systematically learn the methods of concocting and deploying poisons under the guidance of his uncle or granduncle. The Wen family categorizes poisons into five elements, with interactions of mutual generation and mutual restraint. Each type of highly toxic concoction and its application follows only a vague pattern, lacking a unified and strict procedure. To maximize the potency of the poison, one must follow the principles of the five elements in conflict and gradually practice through personal exploration.

The three old men exchanged a rather satisfactory glance.

Just do it when asked, no need for so much nonsense

Wen Leyang stuck out his tongue in surprise

Wen Tunhai was overjoyed and took him to meet the three elders of the Wen family

It was only then that Wen Leyang realized that by setting everything else aside, this set of martial arts alone could turn one person into a multitude, a standard technique for single-handedly overwhelming a group.

Wen Leyang then realized that this set of martial arts, which teaches one to strike the body down towards the ground, is called the Erroneous Fist.

twenty months

Wen Tun Hai remained silent and pointed to the outhouse in the backyard

After the age of twelve, disciples of Wen Jiapu began to refine poisons using the Poison Scripture, akin to cooking from a recipe; as long as the proportions are correct, the taste will not differ significantly. Currently, Wen Leyang's studies resemble a systematic approach to learning physics, and whether he will eventually be able to create an atomic bomb will depend on his understanding and opportunities.

Inside the wooden box, there is a perfectly arranged black jade tripod.

The Thirteen Techniques of the Erroneous Fist emphasize a gradual progression. If you cannot master the first technique, you should not expect to practice the second. Your physical condition will also change accordingly. By the time you have perfected the final technique, your foundation will be just right! Among the many disciples of the Wen family throughout the generations, I have yet to hear of anyone who failed to master the thirteenth technique and subsequently perished from medicinal wine or poison.

The three elderly gentlemen of the Wen family occasionally come over to check in, and then they invite the great master to join them. The four gentlemen set up a table in the courtyard to play Mahjong.

A layer of clear emerald green color immediately rippled across the ground, flashing and then vanishing.

Wen Leyang held up half a carrot and performed a display of sheer silliness

Wen Leyang shook his head with a smile: "Of course, it is not possible now, but by soaking in medicinal wine and practicing martial arts every day, my body is becoming stronger. A few days or months won't suffice, but after a few years or decades, my body will eventually be as strong as steel."

When dealing with enemies, a punch will simultaneously release a deadly poison into the air

Old Master Wen San, with a calm expression, snorted and pointed to a large locust tree in the courtyard: "Go and punch it a few times for me to see"

Wen Leyang gradually understood the secrets of the boxing techniques. This set of martial arts twists the strength within the body, circulating the invading poison through the meridians, ultimately accumulating and settling.

Wen Tunhai interrupted him with a smile before he could finish speaking: "Kid, the poison of the Wen family is not only meant to harm others, but also to harm ourselves!" As he spoke, he suddenly performed a strange maneuver, flipping over and landing with his head down, his right palm lightly pressing against the ground.

Every day thereafter, Wen Leyang, just like before the age of twelve, would immerse himself naked in the large vat of medicinal wine every morning. He no longer sought to show off; as soon as his body could no longer withstand the corrosive effects of the potent poison, he would climb out. Under the guidance of his uncle, he diligently practiced the boxing techniques. With the tenacity and resilience characteristic of his youth, Wen Leyang gritted his teeth and worked hard in his uncle's courtyard.

A layer of withered yellow leaves fell to the ground after a moment, carried by the gentle breeze. Wen Leyang's current clumsy punches could only knock down these dead leaves; he was still far from being able to wither such a thick tree with just a few blows.

Or it can be said that balance is meant for distraction

Before Wenthunhai could speak, Wen Leyang let out a strange cry, tightly clutching the ink jade incense burner and sprinting away, repeatedly shouting: "No exchange, no exchange, no exchange!"

Wen Leyang suddenly realized, chuckling and revealing a set of neat teeth

Two years later, Wen Leyang finally mastered the last move of the boxing manual. By this time, he was already eighteen years old, not particularly tall, roughly a bit under 1.8 meters, and his build was not overly robust, but quite solid. The sincerity reflected on his face remained unchanged; at first glance, he appeared to be a simple young man raised in the mountains

The black jade incense burner is different; once herbs are burned, ordinary insects do not dare to approach it at all. Only those aggressive and uniquely toxic insects will be attracted to it. Compared to ordinary incense burners, the former is a trap for bears, while the latter can only be considered a mouse trap

Wen Leyang struggled like a person with cerebral palsy, throwing himself around with great effort. Under the guidance of Wenting Hai, he focused solely on practicing the first move, pouring all his strength into each action, fundamentally ensuring that every tumble was incredibly tragic.

The former, while convenient and practical, lacks significant prospects for development; the latter applies theory to practice, and once one gains insight and enters the field, they step into an entirely new level

Wen Tun Hai chuckled a few times and said: "Nephew, the situation is as follows: originally, after soaking in the medicinal wine, by practicing the boxing techniques, one could not only develop the skills necessary for later concocting advanced poison formulas but also refine the toxicity of the medicinal wine for one's own use. However, you soaked for too long, and I applied needles and medicine to neutralize the most lethal part of the poison. Therefore, the efficacy of the medicinal wine, which would have been refined into your body through the boxing practice, is no longer present. Do you understand what I mean?"

Wen Leyang emerged from the toilet, holding his stomach, feeling a chill from his throat down to his navel. With a bitter smile, he asked, "Uncle, this set of martial arts..."

As his boxing skills became increasingly refined, the frequency of falls diminished. After consuming the medicinal wine, the effects of detoxification gradually became apparent. Wen Leyang appeared vibrant and full of energy every day, and his body became exceptionally strong. When struck with a mop handle, not even a white mark was left behind.

Wen Tunhai explained to him: "When the secret technique of poison refining from the Wen family reaches a profound level, both hands and body must be employed, with hundreds of medicinal substances being refined simultaneously. Just the number of pots required can exceed ten. Without mastering this set of boxing techniques, no matter how skilled you are, even with three heads and six arms, you will not be able to achieve it!"

Wen Leyang was busy responding, concentrating and holding his breath for a moment, when he suddenly shouted in anger and leaped high into the air. Every joint in his body was twitching strangely, his fists and feet moving like the wind, circling rapidly around a tree that was as thick as two embraces. The sounds of their strikes echoed like exploding beans, and with each blow, a layer of blackness spread out, seeping into the giant tree after a moment. Before refining the poison suitable for his own five elements into his body, the toxic force unleashed from his misdirected punches was merely ordinary black. He circled around that tree, which was as thick as two embraces, moving rapidly, with the sounds of their strikes echoing like exploding beans, and with each blow, a layer of blackness spread out, seeping into the giant tree after a moment. Before refining the poison suitable for his own five elements into his body, the toxic force unleashed from his misdirected punches was merely ordinary black. Wen Tunhai practiced the poison of the wood element, hence it was a seductive green.