Chapter 49: Mental Cultivation

“That was the eve of my departure for the world championships.”

“My family held a farewell banquet for me. Everyone was happy and proud of me.”

“My cousin had simply had too much to drink and said something fueled by jealousy.”

“I don't know why, but I suddenly became furious, as if my entire being had been ignited by rage.”

“My heart raced faster and faster, my blood pressure soared, and my temples throbbed violently. It felt as if a monster hidden deep within my body was about to burst out!”

“And then, I truly became one with that monster...”

Fang Cheng sat on the stool with a solemn expression, listening to Goro Majima recount his past.

This was also the first time Goro Majima had demonstrated his so-called "transformation."

The berserk state caused a person to lose all reason, leaving nothing but a primal urge for destruction, much like a wild beast.

During this incident, he had accidentally struck his cousin, leaving him critically injured and near death, and had also harmed several relatives and friends who tried to intervene.

Fang Cheng could imagine how chaotic and tragic the scene must have been.

He himself had to engage in a grueling battle lasting over an hour, slowly draining the stamina of the "Berserk Goro Majima."

Only by using a strangulation technique to render him unconscious through asphyxiation was he able to successfully subdue him.

“How did you eventually regain your senses?”

Thinking of this, Fang Cheng couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

“A distinguished guest invited by my grandfather stepped in to help,” Goro Majima replied.

“At the time, my mind was a complete blur. I can't remember exactly how I was taken down.”

“By the time I woke up, I was like this—lying in a hospital bed, unable to move...”

As he spoke, Goro Majima let out a self-deprecating, bitter laugh.

“Being a cripple for over two months has actually granted me a long-awaited peace, and it led me to think of a way to alleviate the symptoms.”

“As long as I am forcibly restrained or lose consciousness from exhaustion during a transformation, that monster will lie dormant for a long time.”

“That way, I can catch my breath and temporarily return to being a normal person...”

Listening to Goro Majima's words of finding solace in hardship, Fang Cheng's eyes flickered slightly. He then asked

“Did you not seek out people from pharmaceutical companies?”

“Them?”

Goro Majima paused at the question, then explained

“I can't even be sure if that company actually exists. The medication is sent to me periodically from different addresses.”

His expression grew complex as he spoke.

Did it contain regret, hatred, fear, or perhaps cowardice?

After finishing the translation for her fiancé, Cui Xiuying added

“Mr. Fang, those people are mysterious. They do not belong to the same social strata as us. Being too inquisitive about certain matters might only invite more trouble.”

Fang Cheng nodded, suppressing his doubts.

Unable to stay in Japan, Goro Majima had followed his grandfather's advice and decided to travel to the Xia Kingdom to find a way to completely cure his chronic ailment.

This was because, compared to other combat styles, the martial arts philosophy of the Xia Kingdom placed more emphasis on self-cultivation and longevity, pursuing spiritual peace and tranquility.

Unfortunately, despite traveling far and wide to seek out famous masters, he had found no true experts.

On the contrary, as time passed, his condition began to relapse and gradually worsen.

Goro Majima could feel that the monster had returned.

Seeing that he could no longer hold out, he had sought out the Global Elite Combat Club.

He came here to vent his manic emotions and release the pressure in his heart by beating sparring partners, while simultaneously waiting for Zheng Haokang to arrive. He hoped to use the fists of this world-class boxing champion to beat himself senseless, thereby driving the monster back once again.

Later, after seeing Fang Cheng's extraordinary performance, he shifted his target onto him.

“Mr. Fang, I am sorry. It is my fault for putting you in danger.”

Goro Majima struggled, attempting to push himself up.

Seeing this, Cui Xiuying quickly pressed him down with both hands.

Seeing that his opponent's mental state seemed to have returned to normal and hearing his sincere apology, Fang Cheng hesitated for a moment. After weighing his words, he responded

“Mr. Majima, in truth, if you want to suppress the monster in your heart, you don't necessarily need to seek an external opponent. Perhaps you could try viewing yourself as your true opponent.”

“I once had a heart filled with all sorts of negative emotions as well. However, every time I challenged my physical limits, those negative emotions actually became the nourishment that helped me overcome difficulties and ascend to another peak...”

“That is the wonder of humanity. When your mental willpower is sufficient, you can often unleash potential that you yourself cannot imagine. But when you surrender in your mind first, you might not even be able to exert 10% of your usual strength...”

Fang Cheng spoke slowly, attempting to articulate the spiritual insights he had gained while performing pull-ups in the heavy rain.

Hearing this, Goro Majima furrowed his brows in deep thought, appearing to have an epiphany

“My grandfather also told me that practicing martial arts is not just for tempering the bones and strengthening the body, but is also a form of spiritual self-shaping.”

“The mental state you entered—explained through the lens of the Xia Kingdom martial arts philosophy I know—should be an accidental brush with the realm of 'Unity of Heaven and Man.'”

Fang Cheng smiled. Recalling the wuxia novels he had read in his past life, he played along

“If you were to use the Xia Kingdom term for your state of frenzy, it would actually be called 'Qi Deviation.' It requires even more effort to temper your willpower.”

The two shared a smile.

As former opponents, once they began discussing martial arts, they found common ground, and their relationship became much more harmonious.

Goro Majima then had Cui Xiuying take out a photo hidden in his wallet and handed it to Fang Cheng.

It was a photo of a young man with delicate features and a slender build.

According to Goro Majima, this was a photo of him when he first participated in a competition at the age of fifteen.

Fang Cheng offered his critique: aside from not being handsome enough, he looked quite normal in every other respect.

Hearing this, the bitter smile on Goro Majima's face grew even more unsightly.

Although the two had only recently met and required a translator to communicate, their shared interests allowed them to talk for nearly an hour without realizing it.

Cui Xiuying eventually could not take it anymore and forcibly ordered her fiancé to rest, ending the conversation.

Fang Cheng looked out the window; it was getting late, so he rose to take his leave.

He wished Goro Majima a speedy recovery and promised to visit him in a few days to continue their discussion on martial arts.

Walking out of the hospital gates.

Fang Cheng's mind raced as he reflected on the secrets Goro Majima had revealed.

He had managed to faintly part the mists shrouding this world, yet he was still unable to fully peer into the landscape within.

Gazing at the slightly hazy sky, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

If he could learn Japanese, communication would be much smoother and more convenient, and he might be able to obtain more useful information.

Perhaps, he could even master a new skill because of it.

With that thought, Fang Cheng opened his panel.

He looked at the enhancement reward for the "Culinary Arts" skill he had just upgraded this morning.

[Knife Flower: Increases finger dexterity; specializes in the use of various fine knife techniques.]

If he were to exchange this for a foreign language skill, what kind of special enhancement effect would it have?

As he was lost in thought, Fang Cheng was suddenly struck by an inexplicable sensation.

It felt as if, at this very moment, a pair of eyes was watching him from the shadows.

He couldn't help but look back.

In the corner of his eye, he caught only a fleeting glimpse of a figure passing by a window in the hospital building.

(End of Chapter)