72: Chapter 72 The Road to Fighting Monsters

Chapter 72: The Path to Opposing Monsters

During the welcome party.

Everyone toasted one another, and laughter echoed continuously.

Around dusk, everyone was somewhat tipsy, and they successively bid farewell and left.

Walking out of the courtyard gate, a group of bodyguards and drivers hurried forward to greet them.

Several elderly men didn't get into the cars immediately, the alcohol flush on their faces instantly dissipated by the cold wind.

"Do you think Fang Cheng, this kid, having such a natural brute strength, could be of that kind of origin?"

"No, Senior Brother Ma has a very discerning eye, not to mention Wu Datong has also investigated him..."

"Right, I forgot to tell you something. When I was practicing Boxing at Jiangbin Park, I often saw him coming over to exercise..."

Putting aside the old men secretly speculating about a certain youngster.

Inside the courtyard house, some people left, and some stayed behind.

The remaining Fang Cheng and Wu Datong sat in a quiet room in the inner house.

Opposite them were Ma Jianguo, and another elderly man with a rather refined appearance, who was Wu Dewang of the White Crane School.

Both of them looked at Fang Cheng with subtle gazes.

"I know you have a lot of questions you want to ask."

Ma Jianguo took a sip of post-meal clear tea and spoke at a leisurely pace:

"But before that, let me ask you a question first, and I hope you can answer truthfully."

"You previously learned so many combat techniques like Boxing, Sanda, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai, and your strength is already enough to crush professional athletes, yet you don't go to fight in matches. What exactly is your purpose?"

Hearing this, Fang Cheng was slightly stunned.

Could he possibly say he just purely wanted to grind experience and level up his skills?

Seeing Fang Cheng hesitate and remain silent, Ma Jianguo's gaze suddenly flashed brightly, fixing on him:

"Because of your father's death, are you also striving to explore a path that transcends the physical limits of Mortals and find a method to oppose those monsters?"

Fang Cheng suddenly raised his head and locked gazes with him.

Feeling the sharp intent within, Ma Jianguo couldn't help but look away, feigning calmness as he took another sip of tea.

"Regarding your father's matter, I am very sorry. When I sent people to investigate earlier, I discovered that there were indeed many dubious points in it."

Hearing this, Fang Cheng glanced at Wu Datong beside him.

Ten to one, it was this fellow who had been investigating his family background.

Wu Datong scratched his head and smiled at him rather sheepishly.

"Fang Cheng."

Ma Jianguo continued: "My judgment is about the same as yours. Seventeen years ago, there is a high probability that the real serial killer was hidden among those monsters."

Fang Cheng asked noncommittally: "Have you guys also seen monsters?"

"Seen them?"

Before Ma Jianguo could reply, Wu Dewang, who was sitting next to him, suddenly gave a wry smile and took over the conversation:

"Among the members of our Martial Arts Research Association, which one of us is not a victim of those monsters?"

As the two spoke, Wu Datong couldn't help clenching his fists until they popped and crackled, flames of hatred seemingly wanting to spew out from his eyes.

"No, it should more accurately be said survivors, the lucky ones."

Wu Dewang glanced at Wu Datong, then let out a long sigh:

"This world looks prosperous and peaceful. We can choose to be a Mortal and live a plain and dull life until the end."

"During this period, if we encounter natural disasters or man-made misfortunes, we would merely be some unlucky ghosts who perished in a traffic accident or an explosion in news reports."

"However, when you accidentally catch a glimpse of the corner hidden beneath the dark iceberg and see that bloody and cruel world, it becomes very difficult to continue living with peace of mind like a Mortal."

"You will think at all times whether danger will descend upon your head one day, and whether those monsters that take pleasure in killing or even eat people will suddenly come looking for you?"

"Don't look at how each of us has achieved success, wealth, and power in society. In the eyes of those monsters, there is not much difference between us and lambs waiting to be slaughtered."

"Sigh..."

The lighting in the room was dim and yellowish. For a moment, no one spoke, and only sighs rang out.

Fang Cheng was silent for a moment before slowly opening his mouth to ask:

"Where exactly are they stronger than ordinary humans, and where do their abilities come from?"

Ma Jianguo answered in a deep voice:

"It can be said to be an innate talent, or perhaps due to some special encounter, instantly gaining abilities that surpass Mortals."

"Anyway, it's definitely not like us who rely on daily diligent exercise to gradually enhance physical strength."

"The various abilities they use are close to magic or miracles, and the gap between them is like a natural chasm, which simply cannot be made up for through bitter practice."

Innate strength, huh?

Fang Cheng couldn't help recalling the explanation about 'Aptitude' on the panel.

"You should have heard of the Xishan explosion incident, right?"

Wu Dewang continued to explain:

"Although the truth of this event was covered up by officials, anyone with discerning eyes can tell at a glance that it was destruction caused by those monsters, and the aftermath is feared to have far-reaching effects."

"Don't the government and police have countermeasures?"

No mistakes, first release, internal content, take a look one by one!

Fang Cheng's heart tightened slightly, carrying a trace of hope.

"There are, but perhaps there are certain reasons unknown to us Mortals that make it impossible to completely eradicate those monsters hiding in the dark."

"Depending on others is not as good as depending on oneself; only when one becomes strong oneself is it the right path."

"The tenet of our Martial Arts Research Association is to find ways to oppose monsters from the experiences passed down by sages of past dynasties, using health-preservation methods combined with exercise methods to break through human physical limits and achieve the metamorphosis of body and mind."

"Now this path has made preliminary progress, and you have also witnessed it with your own eyes."

These were the explanations given successively by Ma Jianguo and Wu Dewang in their capacities as president and vice-president.

"Qigong?"

Fang Cheng's eyes narrowed.

"Yes."

Seeing that he still had some doubts, Wu Dewang said patiently:

"Actually, Qigong is not rare; it has existed from ancient times to the present. At the very least, it can be traced back to the Neolithic era, and ancient murals already had scenes of cultivating Qigong, which should have been called health-preservation guiding arts back then."

"Later, the internal elixir techniques cultivated by Daoist figures, as well as the Internal Skill Mind-Cultivation Techniques derived and passed down within Martial Forest Schools, actually all belong to the category of Qigong."

Besides being a White Crane Fist master, he was also a history and paleoanthropology professor at Dongdu University.

"When Qigong is mentioned, many people will instinctively reject it. If we change it to a fashionable term like 'human life science'—studying how to use consciousness to actively regulate human physiological functions—wouldn't it be much more reasonable?"

"Previously, I held an academic seminar at Dongdu University regarding human super self-healing power and health-preservation exercises, but unfortunately, there were very few listeners."

At this time, Wu Datong, who had been silent all along, also spoke:

"Back then, I was likewise skeptical about such things, and only after meeting Senior Brother Ma did I change my perspective."

Ma Jianguo let out a slightly reserved soft hum, picked up his teacup, and looked at Fang Cheng:

"Qigong is a gradual, grinding effort; it's unlike external martial arts like Boxing and Sanda that can be mastered quickly."

"Not only does it require extremely high Aptitude, but it also takes years of persistence. You cannot rush it, and it might even delay your work and life because of this."

"Your Junior Martial Uncles spent at least ten-odd years of effort to make just a little bit of progress."

"So, are you sure you want to practice this Cultivation Technique?"

Fang Cheng didn't hesitate and immediately nodded:

"I want to learn."

Although Ma Donghe had warned him about the drawbacks of practicing Qigong, he was a man with a panel after all.

"As long as it can allow me to step across the threshold, I will definitely level you up to max!"

Fang Cheng said silently in his heart.