Volume 1 Chapter 18: The strange meridians may fail to live up to the public's expectations
Lin Hongfeng was stunned for a moment, and seeing Lin Jianlan's solemn expression and sincere tone, he didn't know what to say, so he could only sigh and said, "I'm here for Doctor Cheng's sake. Please get up. I accept your respect. You don't need to come again in the future." Lin Jianlan stood up, bowed to Lin Hongfeng again and said, "Then I'll go." Fang and Doctor Cheng left Kuang Yitang.
Teaching the adopted son of the leader of the gang is a big deal, so Hall Master Fang and others came here early and ordered that no one should enter the martial arts arena today. The three of them waited in the martial arts viewing pavilion. When the sun was high in the sky, they saw Doctor Cheng and Lin Jianlan coming in a hurry. They all went forward to greet them and said, "They are finally here." Doctor Cheng briefly mentioned that Lin Jianlan had thanked Lin Hongfeng. Qin Tianxiong said happily, "This is what we should do. Although our young master is a country boy, he is also sensible and sensible." They returned to the pavilion and sat down. Doctor Cheng said, "Don't worry, everyone. In my opinion, I can first check Lan'er's meridians and choose a suitable internal energy method. As for boxing and kicking skills, some basics still need to be learned. With a good foundation, it will be much easier to practice any weapon you like in the future. What do you think?"
Master Fang nodded and said, "That's great. Doctor Cheng can take Lin Jianlan's pulse and make plans." Doctor Cheng nodded, placed Lin Jianlan's wrist on the stone table, slowly extended two fingers, and gently placed them on Lin Jianlan's wrist. In a moment, his expression changed several times, sometimes solemn, sometimes shaking his head, and sometimes surprised. Qin Tianxiong and others beside him saw his face changing, but he just remained silent. They were very anxious. Just as they were about to ask, they heard Doctor Cheng sigh and asked, "Lan'er, Grandpa Cheng asks you a question. You have to answer honestly. Has anyone taught you the tricks of moving the breath in the body?" Lin Jianlan said "Huh", with a look of surprise on his face, and said, "Uncle Qing asked me this question before!"
Lin Jianlan said, "I remember it very clearly. It was after Uncle Qing decided to teach me to read and practice martial arts. After a while, Uncle Qing felt my pulse and I thought I was sick, but Uncle Qing just asked me this question." Doctor Cheng said, "Then how did you answer?" Lin Jianlan thought about it, took a deep breath, exhaled, and said, "That's what I did at the time. I asked Uncle Qing if this was the breathing method, and Uncle Qing shook his head." Lin Jianlan smiled and said, "I was too young at the time and didn't understand it at all. Later, I slowly realized that this was somewhat similar to the breathing method of ancient alchemists. That day, I saw Uncle Qing saving my aunt in the yard and flying up with sword energy. Only then did I realize that internal skills can be so powerful after being practiced well."
Hall Master Fang was shocked and said, "The gang leader saved me that day, but he was actually saving Madam Cao. This kid could actually see that. It seems that he has extraordinary talent. I wonder what Doctor Cheng saw when he took his pulse and asked him such questions?" Then he said, "Doctor Cheng, what's wrong?"
Doctor Cheng withdrew his fingers and put them in his sleeves, looking solemn, "To be honest, the young master had a fever on the road. I felt his pulse and found that there was a weak pulse flowing through his body. Although it was weak, it was continuous, as if he was born with it and it didn't seem to be acquired. That day, Lan'er was seriously ill and his pulse was disordered, so I thought maybe I had misjudged it. But today, Lan'er's pulse is obvious, so I am more certain that there is indeed an internal energy flowing in his body. I initially thought that the gang leader had already taught him the internal skills, but now it seems that the gang leader must have discovered this pulse in you and stayed with you for three years without teaching you any martial arts. I'm afraid he is afraid that teaching you internal skills will destroy this internal energy."
Qin Tianxiong asked anxiously: "How should the young master cultivate his inner strength?"
Doctor Cheng shook his head and said, "This is where the difficulty lies. This internal energy seems to be something Lan'er was born with. It comes naturally and will definitely be of great benefit to you in the future. However, if you practice other internal skills now, it may make your internal energy complicated, or there may be a conflict. In the worst case, the two will cancel each other out and you will end up with no internal energy. In the worst case, it will cause meridian disorder and even endanger your life!"
Hearing what Doctor Cheng said, Lin Jianlan was puzzled: "No wonder Uncle Qing never mentioned teaching martial arts after he checked my pulse that day. My father and mother have passed away long ago, and my grandmother would gasp even if she walked a few steps quickly. Uncle Qing is the first martial artist I have met. How could anyone teach me any internal energy? Grandpa Cheng said that my internal energy is 'born with it'. Could it be that I could practice martial arts in my mother's womb? Maybe my meridians are not suitable for martial arts, and they are just afraid that I will be sad, so they are covering it up with nice words."
Zhang Hufa looked sad and said, "It would be a waste of joy if we can't practice internal skills. Even if we learn the martial arts, they are just fancy moves."
Seeing everyone's sad faces, Lin Jianlan said, "If that's the case, then forget it. Besides... Sister Yin Yin is very talented and knowledgeable. I think she will achieve something in the future. I don't like to compare with others. Since Auntie promised not to hurt me, why should I let Grandpa Cheng and the uncles worry about me and disappoint everyone?"
Doctor Cheng said, "It's not like there's no hope. Besides, learning martial arts is about how soon you can comprehend it, not how much time it takes. How can you give up so easily, young master? As long as you find the way to your internal energy, you can practice the same kind of internal energy. But I have to explore it slowly. Sooner or later, there will be a solution. Now you can practice some body skills and weapons to protect yourself for the time being."
Qin Tianxiong said, "In this case, I'll have to trouble Doctor Cheng." Turning to Lin Jianlan, he said, "Your grandfather Cheng is known as the 'God of Life and Death' in the martial arts world. His medical skills are superb. If he says a person can live, then he can live. If he says a person will die today, then that person will definitely not survive the next day. If he says that there is still hope for your internal strength, then you will definitely have a way to practice it one day." After that, he laughed and said, "If even Doctor Cheng's words are not trustworthy, then no one in the martial arts world can be trusted!"
Because of the unexpected situation of Lin Jianlan's meridians, although these people were all worried, they also smiled at what Qin Tianxiong said, and they all felt that it was not completely hopeless. Zhang Hufa comforted Lin Jianlan and said, "You should learn some basic skills first. The gang leader's waterside pavilion is very quiet. I can find some boxing manuals for you to read." He paused and said, "Don't think that learning martial arts is too easy. Swords and knives are easy to hurt, and fists and feet are blind. Don't look at the majestic front, but you have to suffer behind the scenes. Even your adoptive father, your grandfather Cheng watched him grow up. When he was a child, he also practiced very hard and was naturally intelligent, which led to his current achievements."
Seeing that everyone was enthusiastic and full of expectations for him, Lin Jianlan nodded and said, "Lan'er knows."
Doctor Cheng twirled his beard and said, "What happened today must not be known to others, especially Madam Cao..." Others said, "Of course they know this." Fang Zheng said seriously, "Even the brothers in the gang may have to keep it a secret for some time." Doctor Cheng nodded and said, "It is inconvenient for the young master to practice martial arts with the gang members. Protector Qin, your boxing skills are standard and your skills are very solid. I am afraid I will have to trouble you to teach him." Protector Qin bowed and said, "Then I will take the responsibility!" After that, he said confidently, "It won't be long before I can show you my results!"
Doctor Cheng smiled and said, "Then it's settled. There are too many things to do in the gang. It seems that someone from the Canglang Gang has come this morning. We haven't had any contact since the gang leader's wife passed away. Should we continue to support that branch of the gang based on our past relationship? All these need to be discussed. Madam Cao may not be able to handle it alone. You guys should go back first. I'll take Lan'er for a walk and get to know the way around."
The three of Master Fang bowed and left. Lin Jianlan followed Doctor Cheng and saw him walking slowly, stopping and starting. He thought, "Grandpa Cheng must have something to say to me alone. I don't know what it is. I have to avoid the other three." Just when he thought of this, he heard Doctor Cheng slowly say, "Lan'er, you have never been a member of the underworld since you were a child, so you have no way of knowing the evil of people. You are often gullible to others. You should change in the future. Madam has never forgotten to take revenge on the gang leader, and you are the gang leader's adopted son. She will definitely make things difficult for you in the future. You must not let it go."
Lin Jianlan said "Oh", and Doctor Cheng continued, "The gang leader recognized you as his godson. Regardless of whether he didn't want the Kuangyi Gang to fall into the hands of outsiders, we only say that since you recognized the gang leader as your godfather, you must bear the responsibility of being a son. A real man must keep his word and fulfill his deeds. Although you are the gang leader's savior, our gang leader has treated you well. How can you repay your godfather?"
Lin Jianlan was shocked and thought to himself, "Yes, I only considered that Uncle Qing didn't want me to get involved in this feud, but should I do nothing and just watch Uncle Qing and Aunt continue to hate each other?"
Doctor Cheng continued, "Let's talk behind closed doors. Ever since Master Cao got into trouble, Madam's personality has changed drastically. All the brothers are worried that Madam will do something that will endanger the Longmen Gang and fail the foundation that the elders of the Lin family worked so hard to build. Alas, I didn't want to say it so clearly, but Hong Feng's experience is really pitiful... just take care of yourself."
Lin Jianlan agreed repeatedly but thought to himself, "Some of what Grandpa Cheng said makes sense, but when it comes to aunt he always takes things too seriously." He also thought to himself, "Yes, I saw Uncle Qing mentioned that day that many people have received kindness from my aunt's husband, but he didn't mention Grandpa Cheng. I guess Grandpa Cheng doesn't owe my aunt anything. Although he has watched Uncle Qing and his siblings grow up, Uncle Qing is a boy, so of course he likes Uncle Qing more than my aunt, so he always sides with Uncle Qing." He understood in his heart, although he did not completely agree with what Doctor Cheng said, he couldn't help but feel a little closer to Doctor Cheng.
The two of them walked back to Kuang Yi Hall without realizing it, but they heard a faint argument coming from the second floor. Seeing Doctor Cheng frowning and looking up, Lin Jianlan said, "Are there a lot of things to do in the gang? As soon as my aunt comes back, she will start to get busy. I thought it was just everyone practicing martial arts and fighting together." Doctor Cheng still looked up and laughed, "Some small sects may be like this, but the Kuang Yi Gang is huge, with 24 branches all over the place. Every once in a while, we have to send in reports from the branches. Moreover, since we are the largest gang in the martial arts world, we have to help mediate disputes in the martial arts world, and there are countless things to deal with. Don't look at Qin Hufa and others who are so , they are all well-known big figures in the martial arts world!"
Lin Jianlan said, "I know Grandpa Cheng is a veteran in the gang. You go and do your work. I know the way back by myself." Doctor Cheng said, "Okay. I'm always worried about Hongfeng doing things. Alas, maybe I'm too old. You go back first." After saying that, he hurried into the lobby.
Lin Jianlan stood at the door and looked up at the Kuang Yi Hall for a while before slowly walking back. The sun was shining brightly at this time, and the light shone through the gaps between the trees beside the path, alternating between light and dark. If this was not the headquarters of the Kuang Yi Gang, the surrounding scenery would be pleasing to the eye, but the security was strict and there were hidden card traps everywhere. Thinking of these, Lin Jianlan no longer had the heart to appreciate it. Along the way, he secretly thought: "The bigger the gang , the harder it is to manage. To maintain the largest gang in the world, you have to be wary of other factions, and there will be no open and secret struggles. Branch halls are spread all over the place, and the headquarters is like a small city. It must be a thorn in the eyes of the government. Even if the brothers like Uncle Qing are united, it takes a lot of effort to do all kinds of things. What's more, practicing martial arts is probably like studying. If you don't make progress, you will regress. Uncle Qin and his friends have to teach the gang members and practice by themselves in addition to discussing affairs. It's really hard."
Thinking along the way, he looked up and found that he had arrived at the waterside pavilion. Cao Zhong had already come up to him and said, "Young master, you're back so soon? Doctor Cheng and the others are the top masters in the gang. I believe you have learned a lot?" Lin Jianlan knew that he had received instructions from Lin Hongfeng and wanted to find out, so he didn't answer. He just smiled and walked into the house, leaving the two of them looking at each other in bewilderment.
It was still early, and although Lin Jianlan had no intention of fighting, he was still somewhat discouraged after hearing that he could not practice internal skills. He lay on the bed for a while, feeling quite bored, so he jumped out of bed, walked to the bookshelf, and looked through them carefully. However, he saw that the books on the shelf were of various types, and they were not all martial arts secrets as he had imagined. He suddenly felt that his idea was foolish and laughed secretly: "If they are really placed casually like this, then they are not 'secrets'." After searching for a while, he finally found a few books. After a closer look, they were boxing and swordsmanship that can be seen everywhere, so he randomly picked up a book "Luohan Boxing" to read.
Lin Jianlan had heard the story of the Thirteen Shaolin Monks saving the King of Tang since he was a child from the elders in the village. There was even a golden medal bestowed by the emperor erected in front of the Shaolin Temple. Although he had not seen it in person, Shaolin martial arts became widely known among the people. The soldiers who enlisted in the village or the strong men who guarded the homes of wealthy families all knew how to perform the Luohan Fist well. He and his friends also went to secretly watch the martial arts masters in the town teaching their disciples, and at the beginning they were taught the Luohan Fist as well.
