piratefiction Chapter 28 Fishing for the Toad
Chapter 28 Fishing for the Toad
Lu Cheng's pupils suddenly contracted.
At that moment, the spine inside the body emitted a series of crisp cracking sounds like firecrackers.
Clap clap clap.
Breakthrough.
Under the pressure of life and death, the barrier that had blocked the initial entry into the Ming Jin realm was forcibly broken through by that courageous spirit of "I will go even if there are thousands of people against me".
A surge of new life force welled up from the depths of my bones and instantly filled my entire body.
"ah!!!"
Lu Cheng did not retreat but advanced.
He actually took a step forward to face the scooter.
The power of a minor mastery of Ming Jin was concentrated in this single spear thrust.
The big gun didn't go under the car.
Instead, it was like an angry dragon emerging from the sea, plunging headlong into the front of the sled.
"Killing Technique: A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix!"
This shot carried all of Lu Cheng's energy and spirit, and all his anger towards this messed-up world.
"Bang--!!!"
A loud bang caused the eardrums of the audience in the front row to bleed.
What happened next made everyone wonder if they were dreaming.
That large white waxwood spear exploded.
It exploded into a shower of sawdust.
But the iron sled, weighing over a hundred pounds, was brought to a complete stop by the terrifying force of that shot!
It not only stopped.
The thick wooden car body, under the force of the gunshot, was shattered into pieces and exploded with a bang.
Parts flew everywhere.
The steel plates inside fell to the ground with a clatter.
"Clang—"
The last lead disc rolled to the edge of the stage and came to rest at the feet of the stunned Master Tan.
On the stage.
The smoke and dust cleared.
Lu Cheng was left with only half of the shattered gun barrel.
He remained in the same assassination pose, covered in blood, like a demon god descending to earth.
In the play, Gao Chong dies from exhaustion.
But today.
Lu Cheng has completely exposed this "destiny"!
"..."
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
Inside Guanghe Tower, there was complete silence.
Everyone was shocked by this mythical scene, their worldviews shattered.
Shot the iron chariot to pieces?
Is this kung fu? This looks like magic!
Sudden.
"Master Lu!!"
I don't know who shouted that.
boom--
It's like pouring a ladle of cold water into a pot of boiling oil.
The entire Guanghe Building was blown up.
"good!!!!"
"Grandmaster, this is a martial arts grandmaster."
"I'll reward him! I'll sell my house and give him the reward!"
Countless silver dollars, gold rings, pocket watches, and some people even took off their fox fur coats and threw them wildly onto the stage.
The silver dollar fell on the stage like a torrential rain.
The crackling and popping sounds created a continuous cacophony.
That's what a star is like.
This is the glory earned with one's life!
In a private room on the second floor.
Bai Feng slumped in the chair, her face deathly pale and her whole body trembling.
Looking at the man on the stage with his piercing gaze, she felt fear for the first time.
Real fear.
"Um?"
Beside him, the previously indifferent gaze of Division Commander Zhang had changed.
He slowly sat up straight, and his warlord-like ferocity subsided somewhat.
Instead, there is a look that is used to look at "the same kind".
That is recognition of the strong.
"That's interesting."
Commander Zhang stroked the stubble on his chin, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.
"This isn't just an actor; he's a fierce general! In my guard battalion, he'd be a battalion commander!"
"Feng'er, don't make things difficult for him in the future. I have a great use for him."
……
Backstage.
The curtain had just fallen.
Lu Cheng's grip loosened, and he fell backward.
"Master!"
"Master Cheng!"
Shunzi, Xiaodouzi, and Zhou Daikui rushed forward like madmen and caught Lu Cheng with all their might.
"Don't move..."
Lu Cheng's voice was weak, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.
"I'm fine, I'm just exhausted."
His arms were swollen like steamed buns; the terrifying recoil had ruptured all the capillaries in his arms, leaving his skin covered in bruises—a truly shocking sight.
But he had a smile on his face.
Won.
This time, he won his gamble against fate.
In the void before them, a line of familiar, ancient characters slowly emerged, carrying an aura of war and conquest.
[Current Performance: The Chariot Challenge]
[Character: Gao Chong]
[Comment: "Defying fate and shattering a hundred pounds with a spear. With a mortal body, he rivals gods. After this battle, there will be no more sled races in the capital, only Lu Cheng, the true overlord!"]
[Overall Rating: Top-Tier (A Master of His Time)]
[Reward: Toad-Catching Skill!]
Fishing for the toad!
Lu Cheng's heart jolted, even more excited than when he had just launched the sled into the air.
The saying goes, "Practicing boxing without internal strength training is a waste of time in old age."
This "merit" refers to this innate energy.
The previously awarded [Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound] is for refining bones and filth, using vibrations to temper the body's "frame" into steel and iron.
But having a framework alone isn't enough; you also need an "engine."
This "Toad-Catching Strength" is the ultimate secret of internal martial arts for cultivating internal energy!
Legend has it that the golden toad swallows air, and its belly rumbles like a drum.
Those who master this skill can use a special breathing method to instantly compress their lungs to their limits and exhale an astonishing amount of oxygen.
Qi precedes blood!
Only when the Qi is sufficient can the blood circulate quickly.
When blood flows quickly, damaged fascia and muscles can receive a large amount of nutrients for repair in a short period of time.
Tigers and leopards train bones, while golden toads train qi.
A vibration and a breath, a balance of strength and gentleness.
With this skill, Lu Cheng's body was no longer just a simple flesh and blood body, but a tireless furnace.
"Quickly, carry it inside and get the best medicinal wine!"
Zhou Daikui shouted until his voice was hoarse, and tears streamed down his face.
The Qingyun Class has ascended to immortality from this day forward.
……
That night, the closing performance at Guanghelou became a legend in Beiping.
The story of Lu Cheng "smashing the iron trolley with his spear" was spread like wildfire by those opera enthusiasts.
Some say he is the reincarnation of Xiang Yu, while others say he is the descent of the Martial Star.
Even more extreme claims are made that they personally witnessed a three-foot-long red light above his head, which they believe was a true dragon protecting him.
Early the next morning.
The entrance to the courtyard where the Qingyun troupe was temporarily staying was completely surrounded by people.
We're not here to cause trouble.
They were all there to give gifts, to become apprentices, or to invite people to meals.
Reporters from major newspapers squatted at the entrance with their cameras, just to take a picture of Lu Cheng.
Even the once arrogant Qinghe Troupe had its leader come in person early in the morning.
They are not here to provoke us, but to apologize and repent.
Behind him followed Xiao Shengyun, who was being supported by others, and Manager Liu.
The two men, their faces bruised and swollen, knelt at the entrance of the Qingyun Class, trembling with fear, the "Master Lu, spare our lives" sign on their heads.
Lu Cheng did not see them.
He was lying on the heated kang bed in the room, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Shunzi was kneeling by the kang (a heated brick bed), carefully applying a dark ointment to Lu Cheng's swollen arms.
This ointment is a secret imperial formula personally delivered by Master Tan. He said it was originally used by the imperial guards and was specifically for treating bruises and sprains.
"Master Cheng, does it hurt?"
Shunzi looked at the purplish-black arm, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"It doesn't hurt."
"Shunzi, stop. Don't apply the medicine yet."
"Huh?" Shunzi was taken aback.
"Watch closely, your master is going to teach you a lesson today."
Lu Cheng took a deep breath.
This inhalation was extremely long, as if it were not a single breath, but rather the swallowing of a river's water.
"hiss----"
With that breath, Shunzi was horrified to discover that his master's lower abdomen was bulging out like an inflated balloon, round and swollen, looking rather frightening.
Followed by.
A movement came from inside Lu Cheng's body.
It used to be called "Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound," which was a fine "buzzing" sound coming from the gaps in the bones, like a cat guarding its food.
But now, this "buzzing" sound has gained a highly explosive rhythm.
"Croak—!!"
A muffled thud exploded from the depths of Lu Cheng's dantian.
That's the sound of a toad!
With that muffled thud, Lu Cheng's swollen abdomen suddenly contracted, as if the bellows in a blacksmith's shop had been forcefully pressed down.
That burst of "qi" compressed to its limit exploded instantly within the body, propelling the blood to surge wildly through the limbs and bones like a raging flood.
The force of the toad-fishing technique is so strong it makes one's lungs explode with rage, and one's blood turns as red as mercury!
"Look at your arm," Lu Cheng said softly.
Shunzi subconsciously looked down, and what he saw almost made his eyes pop out.
Lu Cheng's arms, which were originally purplish-black, swollen, stiff, and motionless, were now visibly red and burning hot.
That's a large amount of blood and qi being forcibly pumped into the damaged area, clearing the blood stasis and repairing the broken fibers.
"Gugua... Buzz..."
"Gugua... Buzz..."
One breath in, one exhale; one exhale, one tremor.
The powerful blood vessels and bones, enhanced by the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, perfectly withstood the high-pressure blood flow brought about by the Toad-Fishing Force.
The two complement each other perfectly.
Without the support of the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, this violent surge of energy could have directly ruptured his blood vessels.
Without the force of the toad-catching technique, these internal injuries would have taken at least three months to heal.
Only a quarter of an hour had passed.
Lu Cheng let out a long breath.
The breath he exhaled carried a faint, metallic taste of blood—the stagnant blood and waste gas released from the body's internal turmoil.
Then look at his arms.
The frightening purplish-black color had faded by more than half, the swelling had subsided, and the skin had regained its elasticity, leaving only faint bluish marks.
This is traditional Chinese martial arts.
This is a miracle of life that pushes human function to its limits!
"Amazing, truly amazing..."
Shunzi opened her mouth wide, forgetting to apply the ointment to her hand.
Lu Cheng opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and bright, even more energetic than before he was injured.
This is the principle of destruction before construction.
"Chengzi".
Zhou Daikui lifted the curtain and walked in, holding a mahogany box in his hands, his face beaming with an uncontrollable rosy glow.
"This was just delivered by someone sent by Master Jin."
"They said it was the profit sharing from last night, and... that 'comfort money' that Aunt Bai sent over."
Lu Cheng opened his eyes.
"How many?"
"The share is three thousand silver dollars."
Zhou Daikui swallowed hard, his voice trembling.
"The compensation for calming your nerves... is a house deed."
"Right on Qianmen Street, a large three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house), complete with shops and furniture. They say it used to be the outer residence of General Zhang, worth a fortune!"
Three thousand silver dollars!
Plus a three-courtyard siheyuan!
What did this mean in Beiping in 1931?
This means that Lu Cheng directly transcended social class, transforming from a traveling actor into a true "wealthy man".
Nowadays, a bag of flour costs only two yuan, and a pound of pork costs only two mao (0.2 yuan).
Three thousand dollars is enough to buy a whole street of shops!
Lu Cheng smiled, but his expression remained calm.
He risked his life for this.
"Tanker."
Lu Cheng sat up. Although he still couldn't move his arm, his masterful demeanor made Zhou Daikui subconsciously bend over.
"Take out a thousand yuan and distribute it among the brothers in the team."
"From now on, our Qingyun Troupe will not eat mixed noodles; every meal will consist of white flour steamed buns with meat."
"Get yourself a few decent outfits, so people don't look down on you."
"Hey! Hey!" Zhou Daikui could only nod excitedly.
"Give Master Bing another five hundred dollars."
Lu Cheng looked at the figure holding the erhu at the door.
"Let him go to Tongrentang to have his eyes checked. Although he has been blind for many years, if there is a good doctor, he might be able to see some light again."
Ah Bing, standing at the door, suddenly jolted.
He turned around, said nothing, but bowed deeply towards the house.
This bow was a deep and sincere one.
"The remaining 1,500..."
Lu Cheng looked out the window.
"Shunzi, go and fetch your advisor."
"Tell him he doesn't need to suffer in that tenement anymore."
"Let's move."
"Let's go to Qianmen Street and stay in a big courtyard!"
"Okay!!"
Shunzi jumped three feet high and ran out happily.
……
It was afternoon.
The Lu family has moved.
There was no fanfare, but that "Speedy" rickshaw became the most eye-catching symbol at that moment.
Lu Laogen was wearing a brand-new silk cotton robe, which Zhou Daikui had specially ordered from Ruifuxiang for an urgent order.
The old man sat in the car, unsure of what to do with his hands, his face beaming like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Lu Cheng had an arm injury and couldn't pull the cart.
This time, Shunzi and Xiaodouzi were both eager to pull it.
The neighbors of the tenement all rushed out.
Seeing this scene, everyone's eyes were filled with extremely complex emotions.
Envy, jealousy, awe, and regret.
"Old Lu, are you going to enjoy your retirement?"
Aunt Zhang held the half-eaten pickled vegetable in her hand, looking at the silk on Lu Laogen's body, and felt so sour that her teeth ached.
"After you move into a big compound, don't forget about us poor neighbors."
Lu Laogen sat in the car, looking at the dilapidated courtyard where he had lived for most of his life.
Looking at those faces that once rolled their eyes at him for not being able to pay the rent, and spat at him for his son's opera performance.
He suddenly felt that it was meaningless.
It's really boring.
He and these people are now from two different worlds.
"Goodbye, neighbors."
Lu Laogen waved his hand, his tone indifferent.
"As Chengzi said, people should strive for better things."
"The past is past, let it go."
"Let's go!"
With a shout, Shunzi pulled his cart and walked out of the alley without looking back.
The wheels rolled on, crushing the remaining snow.
Leaving behind a trail of envious sighs.
……
Qianmen Street, new houses.
This courtyard is truly magnificent.
The vermilion gate, the screen wall with perfectly aligned brickwork, the rear building, the hanging flower gate, and the covered corridor are all complete.
The courtyard is also planted with crabapple and pomegranate trees, symbolizing "abundance of wealth and prosperity".
The furniture in the room was all made of rosewood, and various porcelain pieces were displayed on the antique shelves. Although Lu Cheng couldn't tell if they were real or fake, they looked very luxurious.
As Wang was helped into the main room, she touched the thick mahogany armchair and couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
"Old man, is this our home?"
"It's our home, it's our home."
Lu Laogen paced around the yard, touching the pillars and looking at the paving stones, muttering to himself.
"These floor tiles are covered in gold bricks; this used to be where the prince lived..."
Standing under the veranda, looking at the genuine smiles on the two elders' faces, Lu Cheng finally let go of the last vestige of his obsession.
He did it.
From a despised actor to a renowned master in Beijing.
From a family struggling to get enough to eat to a large, secluded mansion today.
All of this happened in just one month.
"call……"
Lu Cheng exhaled a breath of stale air, and the [Toad-Catching Strength] within his body circulated more and more smoothly.
His arms are swelling down at an astonishing rate.
"Master Lu."
Just then, Shunzi jogged over, holding a gold-embossed invitation in his hand.
"A man came to the door and said he was the steward of the Lin family in Tianjin."
"They said they came to visit an old friend."
Tianjin? The Lin family?
Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly.
Why not come earlier or later?
It just so happened that he was famous throughout the capital and making a fortune every day.
"That's interesting."
Lu Cheng shook his head and smiled.
"Let him in."
"I'd like to see if the Lin family, who have been wealthy for over a decade, can still recognize a poor relative like me."