371: Chapter 368 Old Zhou, why don't you become a King of Transformation!

The skill of the chefs on Boss Ma's boat was truly beyond reproach. Combined with top-tier ingredients, they perfectly showcased the freshness, fragrance, and tenderness of the seafood. It lacked the dry, fibrous texture of typical barbecues; the flavor was truly a cut above.

Li Changsheng took a small sip of wine. Watching the sea view, feeling the sea breeze, and basking in the sun was indeed a rare enjoyment.

However, the expressions of the others were somewhat complicated, especially Azure Dragon and Old Zhou.

"Cough, cough... Master Li, does your stomach... not hurt?"

"No, what I want to ask is, Master Li, what exactly is hidden in your stomach? Where did all that food go?"

Everyone was looking at Li Changsheng's flat stomach with great curiosity. It was hard to imagine how Li Changsheng could have eaten nearly eighty pounds of food—almost ninety percent of everything served.

"Master Li is truly... a... a bottomless pit!"

Boss Ma gave a thumbs up. Although his words were a bit stiff, he was excited from the bottom of his heart.

What did eating a lot signify?

Didn't this match up perfectly with the great heroes in Wuxia TV dramas and movies? Which of those heroes wasn't a big eater?

For example, Wu Song from Water Margin was a strongman weighing two hundred kilograms. A single meal for him was equivalent to nearly a week's worth of food for an ordinary person. It was only because he constantly met noble patrons that he was provided with such fine food and drink.

He was kicked out of Shaolin partly because he ate far too much, and partly because the guy insisted on eating meat. How could they keep him? It was only after being kicked out that he became the hero who slew the tiger.

Of course, novels are novels, but there are plenty of people in reality with immense strength.

Take Lian Po of old, for instance. Historical records state that at seventy years old, he could eat a dou of rice and ten jin of meat. That's equivalent to twelve jin of rice and ten jin of meat. This appetite is something even the tall, bulky, top-tier athletes of today couldn't compare to.

"Master Li, would you like to eat a bit more? There are still many top-tier ingredients in the kitchen. If you're not full, I'll have the chef prepare more for you?"

"No need. My Kung Fu has had a Breakthrough, and my appetite isn't what it used to be," Li Changsheng waved his hand. His melancholy words left everyone speechless.

Damn, 'appetite isn't what it used to be'? Seriously?

Azure Dragon opened his mouth, feeling as though his large Physique had grown for nothing.

He grew bigger based on how much he ate, but this guy could convert whatever he ate into immense strength.

This conversion rate was completely off!

"I see. Master Li, I have a presumptuous request." At this moment, Boss Ma was feeling a bit conflicted and nervous.

Seeing this, Li Changsheng understood, but still asked, "What is it?"

"It's just... Master Li, are you... still accepting Disciples?" Boss Ma asked nervously, his eyes full of anticipation.

Li Changsheng was amused and asked with a smile, "Accepting Disciples? Then what kind of Disciple do you want to be? Do you understand the standards for selecting Disciples in the martial world? Do you know what different Disciples are expected to do? And which kind do you want to become?"

"This... I understand a little. When I was practicing on Wudang Mountain, I once asked several local Daoist priests."

Boss Ma nodded. As a loyal martial arts enthusiast, he knew many of the rules.

"Disciples are divided into Closed-door, Inner-chamber, Lineage-successor, Registered, Way-studying, and Introductory.

Master Li, I am clear about my own situation. An expert like you surely wouldn't look twice at me. I don't dare hope for Closed-door, Inner-chamber, Lineage-successor, or even Introductory status.

I only ask that Master Li allows me to become your Way-studying Disciple!"

As he spoke, Boss Ma cupped his hands, his expression solemn and pleading.

Li Changsheng nodded inwardly, not expecting Boss Ma to actually know these terms, but he had no intention of taking Boss Ma as a Disciple.

"Boss Ma, the martial world has rules: a master observes a Disciple for three years, and a Disciple observes a master for three years. Given your status, let's forget about a formal apprenticeship. Although Way-studying Disciples can learn just by paying a fee, I don't have time to teach you, and you don't have time to seek me out for training. It's better to just drop it.

However, I can teach you a few moves of Health-preserving Qigong on this trip to help regulate your body better. How about that?"

Although Way-studying Disciples were the most relaxed category—strictly speaking, not even considered true Disciples—there was still a connection.

Furthermore, once money was accepted, one had to take responsibility. Li Changsheng didn't have the time to wander around the world with Boss Ma, and Boss Ma was too busy with affairs to accompany him in a secluded mountain life like a wild crane. So, it was best if this didn't happen.

"This... then I'll have to trouble Master Li. Even if the master-Disciple relationship didn't happen, Master Li is still putting in the effort. I cannot skimp on the gift money. When we part, I will have a small gift. I hope Master Li will not refuse!"

Boss Ma was a shrewd man; he knew it was mostly impossible for him to become a Disciple, and his own situation was quite special. He knew he couldn't force it.

After some conversation, the matter was settled.

"The gift Boss Ma sends later likely won't be simple, so I should do my part well. I'll teach him some health-preserving methods suitable for improving his current Physique."

Li Changsheng pondered. He had figured out people like Boss Ma.

He was sincerely interested in Traditional Martial Arts and held a special respect for talents in this field.

Befriending such a person wouldn't be bad; if he ever encountered trouble in the secular world, asking him for help would be a solid move.

Of course, Li Changsheng felt he shouldn't have any trouble. He was currently semi-reliant on the authorities; any real trouble would likely be of the non-official variety.

The few of them chatted. Boss Ma was likely tired; after talking for a while, he went inside to rest.

He was getting old, and after being repeatedly stirred up by Li Changsheng's displays of Kung Fu, his heart had been racing with excitement. Under such intense emotional fluctuations, elderly people tire easily.

Seeing Boss Ma depart, Li Changsheng's gaze couldn't help but fall on Zhou Sheng, who was also turning around.

"Old Zhou, Boss Ma is going back to his room to rest. Why are you sleepy too?"

Li Changsheng sneered. This Old Zhou actually wanted to run away.

"Right... exactly! You've seen this body of mine; it's weak." Old Zhou turned around with a dry laugh, putting on a tired face. Of course, he didn't even really need to pretend; he always looked like he had been hollowed out.

"Weak... then if you're weak, you need to practice even more. Come, today happens to be a good time to teach you a few moves of Qi-raising Kung Fu to make you full of spirit and restore your masculine vigor!"

"Forget it, forget it! My age can't take the strain. A weak body can't handle strong tonics! It can't handle it!"

As he spoke, Zhou Sheng turned around, intending to quicken his pace and flee the scene.

However, Li Changsheng arrived behind him with a light leap. With a gentle grab and pull, Zhou Sheng's bamboo-pole frame spun in place, facing Li Changsheng directly.

"Old Zhou, I heard that when you fight in the ring, you like to use Feng Shui and numerology to deduce your opponent's moves and judge your own fortune.

How does that saying you always use go... Oh, right: 'The Innate leads the Zhou Cycle, covering the changes of the universe, transforming me into the King.'

Why don't you transform into a King now for me to see? Or maybe calculate whether your current situation is auspicious or ominous?"

Looking at Li Changsheng's face full of mockery and playfulness, Zhou Sheng felt that if he were able, he would really want to plant a fist right on the other man's face.

Transform into a King? Against you, what kind of King can I even be?

You've already swept the whole deck!

As for fortune, he didn't even need to calculate. He felt as if he could see a giant character for 'Danger' hovering over Li Changsheng's head.