SWDnovel Chapter 9 Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, Marrow Cleansing and Feather Removal
Chapter 9 Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, Marrow Cleansing and Feather Removal
Back in the house, Lu Cheng sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed).
He held one of the remaining two Tiger Bone Pills in his hand.
As soon as the wax seal was removed, that strange, fishy, and pungent smell instantly filled my nostrils.
This stuff is the essence of a tiger.
Tigers, when their fur rots, become dirt; when their flesh rots, they become mud.
Only its bones, buried in the earth for decades, remain undecayed; that is where its essence and spirit reside.
Lu Cheng didn't hesitate, tilted his head back, and swallowed.
The pill entered my stomach, but unlike last time, it was not as sluggish.
boom!
It felt like swallowing a piece of bright red charcoal.
The heat surged down the esophagus and exploded in the stomach.
Immediately afterwards, the heat seemed to have eyes; instead of going to the skin and flesh, it went straight into the crevices of the bones.
pain!
An excruciating itch and pain.
It felt as if thousands of ants were gnawing at his bone marrow, or as if countless tiny hammers were pounding on his spine.
Lu Cheng gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, but he didn't utter a sound.
This is called "bone replacement".
The ten years of external martial arts skills given by the system were skin, flesh, fascia, and the "whole-body strength" developed through physical training.
But it's like building a house. No matter how tall the building is, if the foundation is made of mud, it will collapse sooner or later.
Human bones are the foundation.
Only when the bones are strong and the bone marrow is full can the new blood produced be sufficient, the strength be long enough, and the domineering "tiger's might" be truly borne.
"breathe--"
Lu Cheng began to adjust his breathing.
It wasn't the usual breathing, but rather the [Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound Refinement Method] rewarded by the system.
When inhaling, the abdomen sinks deeply, as if swallowing water from a deep abyss.
When exhaling, focus your breath on your lower abdomen (Dantian) and let it resonate in your chest.
Slowly, a strange sound emanated from his body.
"Buzz...buzz..."
The sound wasn't loud, not even as loud as a cat's purring.
However, due to its extremely low frequency and deep vibration, the lids of the teacups on the table in the room trembled slightly, and the paper windows rattled loudly.
This is the resonance of the internal organs.
The Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound Technique doesn't train your voice, it trains your internal organs.
Through this shock, the medicinal power of the elixir is forcibly forced into the depths of the bone marrow.
It shakes out all the cold, dampness, and impurities that have accumulated in the body over the years!
Sweat streamed down Lu Cheng's back.
The sweat wasn't transparent; instead, it had a greasy, grayish-black odor and a foul smell.
This is a complete overhaul!
Lu Cheng is now like a piece of raw iron thrown into a blast furnace, undergoing a transformative forging process.
No matter how well you master external martial arts, it's all just a waste of time.
When I was young, I was so energetic that I could kill an ox.
Once they pass forty, their vital energy declines, and a host of ailments and injuries begin to plague them, leading to a bleak old age.
Internal martial arts, on the other hand, focus on "nurturing".
Practice your breath, nourish your blood.
He sat there for a full two hours.
As dawn broke and the sound of pigeons whistling rang out again, Lu Cheng suddenly opened his eyes.
Swish!
In the dimly lit room, it was as if a sharp flash of light had streaked across the room.
Those eyes, which were originally bright but slightly cloudy, were now crystal clear, their black pupils as black as ink, faintly carrying a captivating glint.
Lu Cheng looked down at his hands.
The skin is firmer, and beneath the layer of dark, oily grime, it shines with a warm, jade-like luster.
A light clench of the fist.
Click!
The knuckles crackled, crisp and clear like beans.
This is internal training.
Those ten years of external martial arts training have finally found their true roots.
If he used to be a clumsy bear who only knew brute force, now he is a true tiger who knows how to restrain his claws and prepare to strike.
Lu Cheng got off the kang (heated brick bed) and felt as light as a swallow.
Even if I haven't slept all night, I feel more energetic than if I had slept for three days and three nights.
This means your "vitality and spirit" are full.
……
Pushing open the door and stepping out of the house, a cold wind rushed towards him, but Lu Cheng felt warm all over.
In the courtyard, Old Man Lu Laogen was squatting in that corner, holding a tattered rag in his hand, carefully wiping the rickshaw.
This car doesn't belong to us; it's rented from a dealership.
But for Lu Laogen, this was his lifeline, the source of his family's livelihood.
Before setting off each day, the vehicle must be polished to a shine; it's a rule, and it's also about maintaining appearances.
"Father, so early?"
Lu Cheng walked over and casually picked up the half-bucket of water leaning against the wall.
Lu Laogen was removing the two headlight covers, which were blackened by coal smoke, and was breathing on them to wipe them clean with his sleeve.
"It's getting late, Chengzi."
The old man didn't turn his head, his voice revealing a humble caution.
"The weather's nice today, no wind, so we can make a few more trips. I missed half a day of work yesterday because I was taking care of your mother, so I have to make up for it today."
"The car rental fee can't be reduced even for a day. If you don't pay it, the car rental company will start cursing and withholding your deposit."
Lu Laogen muttered to himself, his anxiety etched into his very bones.
For low-level rickshaw pullers like Camel Xiangzi, the moment they open their eyes, they are in debt to the rickshaw company... the rickshaw fee.
Whether you're sick, tired, or even if knives are falling from the sky, you still have to pay this money.
Unable to pay?
Then get lost. There are plenty of poor rickshaw pullers in Beiping. We don't need another one like you.
"father."
Lu Cheng reached out and pressed his father's hands, which were covered in chilblains and were wiping the car.
Those hands were as rough as old tree bark, with swollen and deformed joints—marks left from years of gripping the handlebars.
"Don't go today."
Lu Cheng said calmly.
Lu Laogen was taken aback, looked up at his son, and his eyes were somewhat flustered.
"No, how can we not go?"
"Chengzi, I know you've become successful and can earn money now. But... but you can't just sit around and do nothing."
"That's the money from the opera troupe; it's unstable. What if one day there are no more performances, or Master Jin stops supporting you?"
"Your old bones can still move, and you can still pull things along. Every extra one I save is a good thing, so I can help you find a wife in the future. That's my job."
The older generation's ideas are deeply ingrained.
That's because they were terrified of poverty.
Even after seeing so many oceans last night, the feeling of insecurity still surges up like a tide when I wake up after a good night's sleep.
I don't feel at ease unless I'm holding the handlebars.
"Dad, we're not going to haul this load anymore."
Lu Cheng grabbed the rag and threw it into the bucket, splashing water everywhere.
"This old, broken-down cart is heavy and worn out. The bearings are all worn out. Pulling it is like pulling a dead pig. It's a lot of effort for no reward."
"And that car dealership owner, Master Liu, is too greedy. He charges you over ten yuan a month just for the 'charity fee' for this beat-up car. Over a year, that's enough to buy a new one."
Lu Laogen got anxious and stood up to grab the rag.
"Oh my god, keep your voice down!"
He nervously looked around, afraid that someone might be listening.
"Master Liu has connections; we can't afford to offend him. This cart may be a bit old, but it's still a means of making a living. If we don't haul this, what will Dad do?"
"Are you really going to let Dad stay at home and act like an old man? My body will definitely fall apart from all that idleness."
Lu Laogen was so anxious that his face turned red and his neck bulged.
He was genuinely afraid his son would get arrogant.
Young people are often arrogant and extravagant, spending money recklessly without understanding the importance of sustainable spending.
Looking at his father's anxious expression, Lu Cheng felt a pang of sadness mixed with warmth in his heart.
He knew that this wasn't because his father was shameless; it was because his father cared about the family.