Chapter 19: Red Thread Fist

The sound drifted through the main hall and into the backyard.

Shi Lei, who was currently holding a stone ball to temper his strength, felt a jolt of surprise. He hurriedly dropped the stone ball and rushed to Zhang Lingshan's side, saying, "You've mastered it? Perform it once so I can see."

"Alright."

Zhang Lingshan immediately performed a set of the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance.

The registered disciples watched with unblinking eyes. They saw that Zhang Lingshan's Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance was elegant and flowing; every movement connected with seamless smoothness, forming a perfect whole.

It was as if the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance was meant to be performed exactly this way, and everyone else had been doing it wrong.

There was even an indescribable charm embedded within it.

Shi Lei watched, dazed.

He realized that Zhang Lingshan's attainment of the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance was even higher than his own, but how long had the other man been practicing?

"I'll go call Master right now."

Shi Lei turned and ran in a hurry, dashing out through the back door of the backyard.

He crossed the street.

On the opposite side was another residence.

Shi Lei knocked on the door and called out, "Disciple Shi Lei requests an audience with Master."

"Wait a moment."

A servant immediately went to report.

A moment later, the courtyard gate opened, and Shi Lei was invited inside.

Shi Lei walked briskly into the courtyard and saw his Master sipping tea. He hurriedly bowed and said, "Master, Zhang Lingshan has mastered the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance!"

"Hmm?"

Hong Zhengdao leaned forward in surprise. "Mastered it? It hasn't even been a month, and he's mastered it already? Could my luck be so good that I've inexplicably picked up a genius?"

With that, he drained his tea in one gulp and strode toward Zhang Lingshan.

"Perform it once," Hong Zhengdao commanded.

Zhang Lingshan cupped his hands in agreement.

A moment later.

Hong Zhengdao laughed heartily. "Good, good! It is natural and effortless, with Yang energy arising spontaneously. You have indeed mastered the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance. Congratulations, you have officially entered my fold."

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhang Lingshan bowed hurriedly.

Hong Zhengdao smiled. "Come, next I shall personally pass on martial arts to you."

With that, he led Zhang Lingshan to the courtyard where he previously resided.

Shi Lei and the other disciples watched their two retreating figures, all wearing expressions of envy and jealousy.

The Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall was divided into two large residences.

To the public, there was the residence where they constantly practiced martial arts and stances, which bore the sign of the Hong Clan Martial Arts Hall.

Internally, there was the main residence.

Only the disciples most trusted by Hong Zhengdao could enter the main residence at will; others had to report before entering.

Right now, Zhang Lingshan had only just mastered the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance, yet he was already able to follow his Master to the main residence to receive instruction.

What extraordinary treatment this was.

To gain the Master's favor immediately upon entry—how could people not feel envy, jealousy, and resentment?

Zhang Lingshan was unaware of this rule. He simply followed obediently behind Hong Zhengdao into the courtyard where he lived.

"This is my private residence; it is just the two of us, so do not feel constrained."

Hong Zhengdao sat down with a smile and motioned for Zhang Lingshan to sit as well. He asked, "What are your expectations for learning martial arts? Why do you insist on learning it?"

Countless thoughts immediately flooded Zhang Lingshan's mind.

Learning martial arts was certainly for self-protection, to protect his family, to become stronger, and to live a better life.

But he did not want to answer that way right now.

He wanted to know something more specific, so he said, "This disciple has once encountered evil spirits and was deeply shaken, his soul trembling. I have heard that martial artists possess abundant blood and qi, making them immune to a hundred diseases, and the strong can even drive away evil and suppress spirits. This disciple also wishes to become a powerhouse capable of driving away evil and suppressing spirits."

"Driving away evil and suppressing spirits?"

Hong Zhengdao was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "Xiao Shan, you are still young and lack experience. If you want to drive away evil and suppress spirits, there are thousands of paths, and learning martial arts is the least efficient and most difficult of them all."

"But this disciple only knows this one path. I hope Master will fulfill my wish!"

Zhang Lingshan said heavily.

Hong Zhengdao nodded. "You are right. Given our background, martial arts is the only path available to us. Other paths may be good, but they are not meant for mud-legged peasants like us."

Zhang Lingshan's heart tightened.

Hong Zhengdao was the strongest person he currently knew, and he was famous throughout the outer city of Jincheng.

Even he called himself a "mud-legged peasant."

Then he was even more of a peasant than a peasant.

Just how vast was the gap between people like them and the upper classes? It was likely a chasm as wide as the heavens!

"Xiao Shan."

Hong Zhengdao suddenly spoke with a serious expression. "If you want to drive away evil and suppress spirits, then I can only tell you regretfully that learning my martial arts will not achieve that. Unless you can comprehend the Realm of the Unknown."

"What is the Realm of the Unknown?" Zhang Lingshan asked in confusion.

Hong Zhengdao said, "Take the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance you have mastered, for example. Although it is mastered and flows like moving water, it still leaves a trace."

"The Realm of the Unknown is a realm where no traces can be found. Once achieved, every movement and action possesses an unpredictable momentum."

"This realm is also called 'Momentum,' and it is also called the Realm of Perfection."

As Hong Zhengdao spoke, a look of longing appeared in his eyes. "Regrettably, even after practicing for over fifty years, I have not been able to cultivate the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance to perfection. To manifest 'Momentum' is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Therefore, this path is essentially a dead end. I am telling you this in advance to give you a warning. Are you certain you still want to learn?"

"I do!"

"Good. Then I shall now pass on the ultimate technique of our sect to you: the Red Line Fist."

As Hong Zhengdao spoke, he extended his palm in front of Zhang Lingshan. "Watch closely."

He secretly circulated his qi.

Zhang Lingshan saw red lines flowing from the man's wrists, rapidly spreading to Hong Zhengdao's five fingers.

In the blink of an eye, Hong Zhengdao's fingertips turned so red they looked as if they were about to drip blood.

*Swish!*

Hong Zhengdao suddenly reached out and grabbed the cup on the table.

With a light squeeze.

The cup instantly shattered into pieces.

With a slight twist of his fingers, the cup turned into white powder.

"How is it?"

Hong Zhengdao smiled. "Once our Red Line Fist is mastered, blood and qi are released from the fingertips. You can split mountains and break stones as easily as taking something from a bag. With a single finger hook, you can snap an enemy's bones. If you strike with the fist, the force can penetrate their heart and spleen, making the enemy wish they were dead."

"So powerful."

Zhang Lingshan marveled. "Just now, when Master gathered his strength and condensed his blood, I felt a surge of heat rush toward me, making all the hair on my body stand on end. It felt as if life and death rested upon a single thought of Master."

"Your perception is quite keen."

Hong Zhengdao was immensely surprised. He thought to himself that perhaps Zhang Lingshan was particularly compatible with the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance, which served as the foundation for the Red Line Fist.

It was understandable that he had such perception regarding the Red Line Fist.

Since that was the case, there was no need for further idle talk.

Hong Zhengdao stood up, walked to the open space in the courtyard, and said, "All martial arts are divided into training methods and combat methods. I will now teach you the training method of the Red Line Fist."

With that.

He removed his outer garment, planted his legs firmly in the starting stance of the Hunyuan Zhengyang Stance, and raised his palms to cross above his head with a *whoosh*.

"Watch the red lines on my arms and body clearly; those are the points of force application. Remember them well, and you will achieve twice the result with half the effort. If you practice it incorrectly, not only will you be inefficient, but you will also get injured."

Hong Zhengdao reminded him as he demonstrated the movements.

"Yes!"

Zhang Lingshan hurriedly agreed, watching with meticulous, unblinking attention.