Madman!

Chapter 86: Bones and Muscles Resonating

Zhou Qing had always possessed an unremarkable appearance. He looked to be a man in his fifties or sixties, with jet-black hair and smooth skin, standing only about five feet nine inches tall.

Yet, at this moment, his stature had exploded to over six and a half feet, resembling a small giant with muscles bulging high across his entire frame.

His features had regained a youthful vigor, appearing no older than thirty, while his expression had transformed completely, radiating the ferocity of a wrathful guardian deity.

Chen Wujun felt a wave of crushing pressure washing over him, leaving him inwardly astounded.

Zhou Qing clapped his hands together, producing a sharp sound like striking iron.

Looking down at Chen Wujun, he spoke in a deep voice: "This is the manifestation of mobilizing the body's entire qi and blood after mastering the Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover."

"Even if a blade were to slash across my skin, it would leave nothing but a white mark."

As he spoke, Zhou Qing's body gradually returned to its original state.

"Place your hand on mine. I'll let you feel it."

Chen Wujun placed his hand on the back of Zhou Qing's hand. It felt incredibly smooth, without even a single hair.As for his Listening Force, he couldn't detect a thing.

He could only sense the majestic thumping of Zhou Qing's heart, like a war drum, and the sound of blood flowing like a rushing river—a sound so powerful it was unparalleled.

This was no old man... Chen Wujun feared that even Harris couldn't take a single punch from Zhou Qing without being flattened into a pancake.

Zhou Qing took a sudden, deep breath, inhaling like a gale sweeping away scattered clouds.

Then, Chen Wujun heard a rumbling sound, akin to rolling thunder on the horizon.

'What is that sound?' Chen Wujun wondered, startled. He could sense every muscle and joint in Zhou Qing's body trembling rhythmically. The blood flow, previously like a river, now felt like a majestic torrent ceaselessly crashing against the shore.

The vibration of Zhou Qing's joints and muscles even transmitted through his palm into Chen Wujun's own body, causing his own bones to resonate in sympathy.

As the blood circulated, Zhou Qing's entire frame expanded, his skin tightening until it was as hard as steel.

Then, a roar erupted from Zhou Qing's throat, shaking Chen Wujun until his ears rang and his own blood vitality felt suppressed and sluggish.

Long after, Chen Wujun finally recovered.

Zhou Qing stood to the side, having already returned to his normal state.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand a little..." Chen Wujun replied after a moment of thought.

The rolling thunder he heard was the sound of Bones and Muscles Resonating as Zhou Qing moved his qi and blood.

And Zhou Qing had allowed him to feel that vibration directly.

"Master said before that gathering qi in the Dantian involves sinking the diaphragm and tightening the abdominal muscles to create immense pressure in the abdominal cavity... The vocalization of the Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover is similar. Take a breath, rapidly press down the diaphragm, vibrate it, and drive the bones and flesh of the whole body to move in unison..."

Chen Wujun suddenly thought of a description:

"It's a bit like hiccuping..."

Hearing Chen Wujun's whimsical description, a hint of a smile appeared on Zhou Qing's face.

Others only knew the majesty of the Tiger's Roar, unaware that the root of its power lay in such ordinary mechanics.

"But the Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover requires controlling this vibration to drive the whole body!" Chen Wujun continued, thinking aloud.

"If there's anything you don't understand, ask me again!" Zhou Qing said with a smile, knowing Chen Wujun had almost thoroughly grasped the concept.

What was true comprehension?

This was it.

He only needed to demonstrate it once, and Chen Wujun could deduce the mysteries based on his past learning.

Comparing him to Li Yaozu back at the martial arts hall, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Of course, his expectations for each disciple were different.

He had accepted Li Yaozu because that disciple was honest and steady, capable of passing down the skills.

It was simply to ensure the techniques wouldn't end with him.

"As for the medicinal bath prescription, go ask your Senior Brother for it later." Zhou Qing left after speaking.

Since Chen Wujun had figured it out, there was no need for him to stay.

After Zhou Qing left, Chen Wujun constantly tried to inhale and press down his diaphragm, making it vibrate like a drumhead.

All afternoon, after just two hours, Chen Wujun felt his diaphragm and entire skeletal structure oscillate, followed by a sharp pain in his chest and a metallic taste surging up his throat.

Chen Wujun coughed, looking at the traces of blood with surprise.

'This technique must be taught hand-in-hand. Even knowing the principle, if practiced incorrectly, the internal organs will be damaged, leaving one ridden with injuries alongside the five strains and seven impairments.'

'Internal organs are far more fragile than the rest of the body.'

'No wonder Master didn't teach me last time... It's best to practice this technique after reaching the Qi Refining realm.'

'After Qi Refining, one can activate and control internal bio-currents to stimulate and strengthen the organs, so minor injuries wouldn't be a concern. But right now, even though I've reached the upper levels of Body Forging, my internal organs aren't much stronger than an ordinary person's.'

Chen Wujun suddenly realized this.

'Fortunately, I felt the vibration Master transmitted. I just need to spend some time figuring it out.'

'Master mentioned needing to practice while being beaten and using a medicinal bath. The bath probably doesn't just strengthen bones and muscles, but also nurtures and recovers the internal organs.'

'I should practice in the medicinal bath first. Once familiar, I can practice under external force.'

Having thought it through, Chen Wujun stopped forcing the practice. He stood in stance for a while but quickly found that due to the internal injury, practicing Tiger Descending Mountain would only aggravate it.

He simply put on his clothes and went to the martial arts hall to find his Senior Brother and get the prescription.

Arriving at the hall, he pushed open the door to see Shu Fen sitting in a corner with a book, a pen clamped in her mouth.

Seeing Chen Wujun enter, Shu Fen greeted him obediently:

"Brother Jun."

She had learned this from Ah Fei and the others when Chen Wujun brought them to practice Listening Force.

"Where is my Senior Brother?" Chen Wujun asked.

"He left half an hour ago. He probably won't be back tonight," Shu Fen said.

"Understood. Lock the door well." Chen Wujun nodded. Since his Senior Brother wasn't there, he would return tomorrow.

It wouldn't make a difference to wait one night.

Back at Ah Yue's place, she was watching television out of boredom. Seeing Chen Wujun, she looked pleasantly surprised.

"Why are you back so early today?"

"We're going to buy you some clothes in a bit," Chen Wujun said, noting her cheap pajamas.

He had felt for a while that he should buy her some clothes; otherwise, people might think he couldn't afford it when she went out in cheap attire.

Besides, his own clothes were getting too tight and the sleeves too short. He needed a few new outfits himself.

Hearing this, Ah Yue looked expectant and chirped, "Okay!"

She went to the closet to find her best skirt.

Chen Wujun called Curry to arrange for a subordinate to pick them up.

Moments later, the two went downstairs and left the Walled City area, seeing a minion open a car door for them.

"Brother Jun, Sister Yue."

"Where to?"

"Festival Walk," Chen Wujun commanded after getting in. It was one of the best malls in Guanfuchang; he had heard Shark Jiu mention it.

"This car is so grand!" Ah Yue exclaimed like a country bumpkin upon entering; the space was much larger than other cars.

"Grand, isn't it?" Chen Wujun laughed heartily.

"Brother Jun, is this your car?"

"Would I have borrowed it?" Chen Wujun smiled.

"How much is it?" Ah Yue asked curiously.

"Just know it's very expensive." He didn't state the price, crossing his legs and watching the pedestrians outside the window with satisfaction.

He felt he finally looked a bit like a big shot.

A short while later, Chen Wujun and Ah Yue entered a mall to buy clothes, with the minion following behind to carry their bags.

Although Ah Yue's clothes were cheap and carried the faint scent of the Walled City, Chen Wujun's imposing physique ensured that everyone spoke to him calmly and politely.

After two hours, Chen Wujun had bought Ah Yue several decent outfits, spending nearly ten thousand. However, picking clothes for himself proved difficult.

He was currently five feet nine, but with his thick back and long arms, even shirts meant for someone six-foot-one felt too small.

They walked around for a long time before he finally bought a few pairs of trousers and shirts, along with two casual suits—one blue checkered and one red...

Chen Wujun didn't usually care for red clothes, but Ah Yue thought it suited him perfectly, making him look young, energetic, and high-spirited without appearing frivolous.

When he tried it on, it actually looked quite good.

"Looks like I'll need custom-tailored clothes from now on," Chen Wujun muttered as they walked out.

Ah Yue hugged Chen Wujun's arm, her face beaming with joy.

Since smuggling into East District 9, she had dived headfirst into the Walled City and rarely left; the farthest she had gone was the hotpot restaurant Chen Wujun took her to.

This was her first time experiencing the prosperity of North Port.

After eating dinner out, they returned to their accommodation. Ah Yue jumped onto Chen Wujun with a bright smile, giggling happily.

She was easily satisfied; the shopping and the glimpse of prosperity would keep her happy for several days.

...

"Senior Brother, Master sent me to fetch the prescription for the Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover." The next day, Chen Wujun found Senior Brother Li.

"I've already prepared it for you. Go to Anji Hall to get the herbs; their quality is better there." Senior Brother Li took a folded prescription from his pocket and handed it to Chen Wujun.

Chen Wujun unfolded it and saw the instruction at the top: Medicinal bath once every three days.

The first ingredient listed was Magnetic Field Crystal.

Scanning through the medicinal ingredients, Chen Wujun muttered, "No tiger bone? I thought there would be tiger bone. And isn't cinnamon a spice used in cooking? Why does it need fifty-year-old cassia bark?"

"The Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover relies entirely on a breath of fierce, sunny vitality. The cassia is the kindling to light that fire. Without it, the prescription's efficacy drops by thirty percent," Senior Brother Li explained casually.

"Be careful. If something feels wrong, don't force the practice," Senior Brother Li warned.

"This kind of technique using sound vibration to resonate the bones and muscles can damage you if performed poorly."

"I understand." Chen Wujun nodded. He turned to leave to get the medicine and ordered someone to buy a wooden bathtub for soaking.

...

That night, Chen Wujun sank into the medicinal bath. Before long, he felt a scorching heat burrowing into his body.

Knowing this was the effect of the medicinal bath, Chen Wujun focused his mind and calmed his spirit. After preparing for a long time, he began to inhale and press down on his diaphragm, causing it to vibrate and trigger the resonance of his bones and muscles.

A buzzing sound emitted from his body, and the surface of the water in the wooden barrel rippled continuously.

Half an hour later, Chen Wujun climbed out of the barrel, his face pale and his mouth tasting of blood.

However, his face showed no frustration; instead, his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Although he hadn't succeeded this time and had injured himself again, he felt he had grasped a crucial part of the technique.