Chapter 001: Blindness

Is he just a piece of wood? I truly cannot understand what Chen Chao is thinking; does he still have a trace of manly spirit within him

"Hey, are you being disrespectful? I asked you to go out for drinks, are you deaf or what?" Zhou Liang shouted at Chen Chao

Since that incident, I have become much more restrained. Because of that event, I have also become a prominent figure in our middle school community. Even the local delinquents show me great respect when they see me, calling me Brother Yun.

As they were beating Chen Chao, I happened to pass by them. Zhou Liang quickly had a change of mind, extending his arms to block my path. Ma Feng and Tian Zhongwu coordinated seamlessly with Zhou Liang; after Zhou Liang blocked me, the two of them immediately surrounded me, one on the left and one on the right.

As my right hand moved, it sliced through the air, producing a crisp sound.

Grandfather is quite open-minded; he did not blame me and even praised me, saying that I have finally seen blood. For a martial artist, if one does not see blood or kill, no matter how skilled one becomes, it is all in vain, lacking that spirit.

In the class, only Chen Chao and I have not completed the procedures for staying in the dormitory. I do not wish to live on campus because I have other matters to attend to, while Chen Chao is afraid to stay at school, even though his home is far away and he has to transfer once by bus to get home

In high school, I originally wanted to continue studying in the county, but my mother contacted my uncle, used some connections, and managed to get me into the city, where I enrolled in Qingcheng No. 1 High School

With a swift motion, I delivered two elbow strikes, which, in conjunction with my body's movement, collided with the abdomen of both individuals

Why don't you resist! One day, I could no longer hold back and shouted at Chen Chao.

However, this evening, the three of them wanted to go out for skewers and beer, but they did not have enough money. They originally planned to get some from Chen Chao, but unexpectedly, Chen Chao did not bring any money today, which greatly angered the three of them

At that moment, as I swayed my body left and right, I heard two loud thuds, and their bodies collapsed to the ground, both clutching their stomachs and groaning.

This is what my grandfather asked me to do; he said that walking is also a form of exercise

I glanced at Zhou Liang, who was lying in front of me, then lifted my leg and stepped over him. After that, I calmed my emotions and continued to walk through the muddy path.

Indeed, since then, I have felt a surge of energy and spirit. At the same time, while practicing martial arts, I have developed a fierce intensity. Occasionally, my gaze unconsciously reveals a hint of coldness, which can instill fear in others

I, I, I, if I resist, they will beat me even harder!" Chen Chao replied, lowering his head

Indeed, the way I walk is not just an ordinary walk, but rather a practice of walking through mud.

Bang

This footwork is called "Tangni Step" and is a fundamental technique in Xingyi Quan. It signifies walking through mud and water, achieving the state of lifting heavy objects as if they were light, and ensuring that mud and water do not splash onto oneself.

At this moment, by the back door of the classroom, Zhou Liang, Ma Feng, and Tian Zhongwu were surrounding Chen Chao, who looked utterly panicked

In the eyes of Zhou Liang and the other two, I am the second target of their bullying. The reason they have not taken action for a month is that the occasional cold glint in my gaze gives them the feeling of being watched by a fierce beast, which has made them hesitant to act against me.

In front of me, everyone is respectful and greets me with smiles

Even if my punch cannot kill him, the power of the tip of the Gao family’s Iron Sand Palm, which I have immersed myself in for two and a half years, can instantly injure his brain and lead to his death

A large portion of the daily meal and pocket money that Chen Chao receives at home is effectively taken away by Zhou Liang and his two companions

This is a symbol of the peak of strength and vigor.

However, we are all classmates and there are no deep-seated grudges, so I retracted my efforts at the last moment

If the punch just landed on Zhou Liang's face at www.hetushu.com had truly been delivered with all one's strength, Zhou Liang would undoubtedly be dead

Because I do not live on campus, I walk home to the county town every day. I wake up at 4:00 AM, stand in the Three-body posture for an hour, and then hurry to school

Fortunately, this group of delinquents has a criminal record; they have been criminally detained by the police station, and three of them have even been sent to a juvenile reformatory for education. Each of them was armed with a machete, and they gathered to attack middle school students, causing a severe negative social impact. Furthermore, my grandfather sought assistance from his disciples in the public security and judicial system, which led to some maneuvering. Ultimately, the court ruled it as justifiable self-defense, not excessive defense, so I did not face legal repercussions

At this moment, the students leaving the evening study session all looked at Chen Chao with expressions of indifference or familiarity, myself included

I looked at the red fingerprints on Chen Chao's face and sighed inwardly. Then, he was grabbed by Zhou Liang, who clamped his head under his armpit and dragged him out of the classroom. Ma Feng and Tian Zhongwu were still behind, kicking his butt and cursing.

Ma Feng and Tian Zhongwu, who were standing on either side of me, were momentarily stunned. They could never have imagined that I, who usually did not like to speak, would actually take action so decisively and with such ferocity

Wednesday, the evening study session finally came to an end. I took my backpack out from under the desk, stuffed two books inside, and then headed towards the back door of the classroom

The abdominal fat is abundant, soft, and resilient. Although it is painful when struck, it is not easily injured

He stood there motionless, neither resisting nor dodging

One day without practice leads to three days of emptiness, and three days without practice leads to a hundred days of emptiness

There is a saying that those who are pitiable must also have their faults

I sighed once more and then walked out of the classroom with my backpack

My mother has always hoped that I would be an ordinary person and not spend all day playing with weapons. Qingcheng No. 1 High School is a key high school in our province, with a strong academic atmosphere. My mother's intention is clear; she wants the environment of Qingcheng No. 1 High School to gradually change my mindset, encouraging me to study diligently and no longer practice martial arts

During my junior high school years, there was an occasion when I took down a group of the most formidable delinquents from the nearby vocational high school in just a few seconds. For the following month, I confronted them every time I saw them. Eventually, they resorted to using knives, and I retaliated with lethal force, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and serious injuries to four others

I was truly at a loss for words regarding him, and from that moment on, I also began to become indifferent

I began standing meditation to cultivate my internal strength at the age of seven. After my bones hardened at twelve, I officially started training in Xingyi Quan under my grandfather. By the age of fifteen, once my skeletal structure had largely stabilized, my grandfather passed on to me the Iron Sand Palm of the Gao family. Now at seventeen, I have been practicing martial arts for ten years, and I have finally refined my entire body's strength, reaching the pinnacle of Ming Jin.

Li Xiaoyun, lend some money for us to spend! Zhou Liang tilted his head, held a cigarette at an angle, and blew a puff of smoke towards my face.

After a month of getting to know each other, Zhou Liang, Ma Feng, and Tian Zhongwu have seemingly become the leaders of our Class 6 in the first year of high school

Bang

However, this time, the action depleted all the savings that the parents had accumulated over five years

In my youth, I was reckless and skilled, and now I look back with a hint of fear, yet I do not regret it. With six machetes held to my neck, if I did not act decisively, perhaps it would have been my own life at stake

It was originally supposed to be an elbow strike like a gunshot, aimed at the solar plexus, but that could lead to fatalities. Even if I held back most of my strength, they would still be at risk of injury to their heart and lungs, making it difficult to avoid hospitalization. Therefore, I slightly bent my body and struck their stomachs instead.

However, during that time, my parents had strong objections to my grandfather teaching me martial arts since I was young

I later learned that Zhou Liang and Chen Chao came from the same junior high school and were also classmates. This year, they both entered Qingcheng No. 1 High School and were assigned to the same class, Class 6 of the first year.

It turns out that Chen Chao and - Tu - were the targets of bullying throughout their three years in junior high school; honest, timid, cowardly, and fearful of trouble, these traits encapsulate his entire character

It has been a month since starting high school, and during this month, Chen Chao has been slapped countless times in front of the entire class by Zhou Liang and his two companions. At first, when Zhou Liang and the others were hitting Chen Chao, I furrowed my brows, thinking that Chen Chao would rise up in resistance, but I was wrong. Chen Chao actually allowed himself to be beaten so obediently, not daring to retaliate.

But before the smoke ring could reach my face, my body moved; my right foot stepped forward half a pace, and at the same time, my right hand swung down in a chopping motion towards Zhou Liang's face.

As soon as I stepped out of the school gate, I heard a series of slapping sounds, along with Zhou Liang's incessant cursing. Then, illuminated by the light, I saw Chen Chao standing numbly beneath the school wall, being slapped in turn by Zhou Liang, Ma Feng, and Tian Zhongwu.

The county town is located fifteen li away from the city, and I can basically return home in less than an hour

Zhou Liang, who was beside him, saw that Chen Chao did not get up, and thus slapped him across the face.

A man who lacks a bit of courage cannot truly be considered a man; when a person dies, they face the sky, so what is there to fear!

In principle, Zhou Liang and Chen Chao should have become good friends, as they both came from the same junior high school and were former classmates. However, quite the opposite occurred; on the very first day of school, Zhou Liang exposed Chen Chao's past in front of the entire class.

The three of them claimed they were taking Chen Chao out for drinks, but all the classmates in the class knew that Zhou Liang and the others were actually engaging in a form of robbery.

I was walking under the streetlights, and then I exited the gate of Qingcheng No. 1 High School

I feel a deep pity for Chen Chao, but I am also very angry

However, at the moment my right palm made contact with Zhou Liang's face, I retracted my strength, transforming the strike into a press, directly pressing Zhou Liang's face down, slamming it onto the ground.

Dignity cannot be trampled upon by others at will and * illustrations * books

Although it was a slap, five distinct blood welts immediately appeared on Zhou Liang's face, swelling up in the blink of an eye, blood-red and shiny, clearly visible under the streetlight

Before long, my mother realized that her plan had failed

I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Li Xiaoyun, a freshman in Class 6 of Qincheng No. 1 High School.

I halted my body, staring expressionlessly at the obstructing Zhou Liang.

For those who practice martial arts, every action—be it standing, sitting, or lying down—should embody the essence of boxing. One must constantly carve out every moment to practice boxing techniques and to comprehend the meaning behind them

I shook my head slightly; although I had become accustomed to it, there was still a slight discomfort in my heart

In the county town, I live in a private courtyard house. Every day when I return home, I must practice the Five Elements Fist along with the Bear and Eagle forms. Most importantly, my grandfather can teach me techniques.

Damn it, Chen Chao, you actually didn't bring any money today. Is it because you haven't been around these past few days that you're feeling restless again

Zhou Liang and the other two truly lack discernment. Back in middle school, the delinquents at school would all call me Brother Yun upon seeing me, and even the delinquents from the vocational high school next to our middle school were no exception

I usually do not speak much in class, and my personality appears quite introverted, giving off a very honest impression

I no longer look at him, but instead walk through the mud beneath my feet, passing by the four of them.

The classic of boxing states: A single sound is worth more than a thousand gold pieces

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Sigh

However, this would be enough for the two of them to lie on the ground for half a day

Li Xiaoyun, stop!" Zhou Liang saw me passing by them and suddenly stretched out his arms to block my way

Chen Chao, we are taking you out for drinks!" Ma Feng looked at Chen Chao with a sly grin, while Chen Chao sat in his seat with a face full of fear, unwilling to get up

After leaving the classroom, my toes curled tightly against the ground, my knees slightly bent, as I adjusted my breathing. With the soles of my feet pressed against the ground, I moved forward, my ankles rubbing against each other.