Free Web NovelChapter 26: Chapter 26: One Punch
[Iron Cloth Shirt · 2nd Layer: (1/800)]
’I broke through so quickly!’
After practicing the Nourishing Art, training the Iron Cloth Shirt felt much easier.
A look of satisfaction crossed Xie Yuan’s face.
Now that his Iron Cloth Shirt had broken through the 1st Layer, Xie Yuan felt the skin all over his body grow tough and resilient.
When he scratched it with a fingernail, he could feel a distinct resilience, as if it were the new bark of a tree in spring. It was no longer soft and pliable like an ordinary person’s.
The progress in Skin Training had strengthened the skin all over his body and also brought an increase in physical power. Xie Yuan could clearly feel he had grown much stronger.
He tried moving some firewood. Previously, he could only lift a stack of eight or nine thick logs at once. Now, he could stack twelve or thirteen and carry them away effortlessly.
’My strength has increased by over thirty percent...’
Xie Yuan silently estimated his newfound power. He picked up his axe and gave it a casual swing, which cut through the air with a WHOOSH.
’The power behind this axe is much greater than before.’
Feeling his own improvement, a slight smile touched Xie Yuan’s lips. freewёbnoνel.com
’It feels like I’ve evolved. No wonder so many people in my past life were obsessed with pumping iron, and now so many are devoted to the Martial Dao! It’s not all for external gain; the changes within oneself are a source of joy as well.’
The spirit of martial arts was extremely strong in this world, and there were countless tales of those who cast aside worldly possessions to dedicate themselves to the Martial Dao. Xie Yuan was finally beginning to understand why.
’Once my Iron Cloth Shirt reaches completion at the 3rd Layer and I develop ’copper skin,’ I’ll have truly advanced to the level of a Martial Artist. Then, I’ll no longer be at Brother Zhang’s mercy.’
’And I still have my Nourishing Art, so that day won’t be too far off.’
A few more days passed, during which Xie Yuan grew accustomed to his advancement and mastered his increased strength.
He used this time to hurry back into the mountains and finish felling the other half of the yellow nanmu tree, slowly hauling it out himself. After all, Boss Wan had already paid a deposit.
The trips to and from the mountain were time-consuming, but Xie Yuan didn’t feel they hindered his training.
For one, earning silver was the only way to accelerate his progress.
For another, whenever he grew tired from logging, he would rest and train in the clearing shaded by that large, verdant tree.
For some reason, Xie Yuan felt that when he trained under that tree, his energy levels were much higher, and he progressed faster. Even training there for just a short while each day yielded progress equivalent to several hours of training elsewhere.
’Maybe it’s the high concentration of negative ions? No wonder even the tigers like to lie here.’
Xie Yuan speculated.
Regardless, this arrangement more than made up for the training time he lost traveling to and from the mountain.
Once the other half of the yellow nanmu tree was completely felled, and he was ready to haul out the last of the wood, Xie Yuan glanced around, in high spirits.
’Look, a few more good trees over there! This place is practically my treasure trove. My medicinal soups and meat all depend on this spot!’
After processing all the lumber, Xie Yuan borrowed a pushcart and wheeled it all to Boss Wan’s home in Panlong Town.
Boss Wan was overjoyed at the sight.
"Hahaha, you’re a man of your word, young man! You’ve delivered so quickly! Excellent, excellent. Now the client will be satisfied!"
He immediately paid Xie Yuan four silver, settling the account, and even added an extra one as a bonus.
Xie Yuan cupped his fist in his palm.
"You’re too generous, Boss! It seems you’re about to strike it rich again."
"Hahaha, it’s all because you delivered the goods so quickly, my friend. The client is satisfied, which means he’ll let this old man earn a little extra. To be honest with you, the client this time is the owner of the Panlong Restaurant, Landlord Xu. He wants to have a set of furniture made from nanmu wood. I searched for a long time before I found you, Xiaoxie! If you find any more good wood in the future, you must bring it to me first. We can discuss a good price!"
’So it was Xu Yang’s father who wanted this wood.’
’It must be nice to be rich. A single one of his whims is enough to fund someone else’s martial arts training.’
Xie Yuan sighed to himself, then pocketed the silver he’d earned from his hard labor and headed to the martial arts school to check in.
「Inside the Ironcloth Sect.」
Hodar stood before Xie Yuan with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Junior Brother Xie, go ahead and practice for a bit. I’ll observe your form."
His face remained impassive, but inwardly, he felt a bit conflicted.
’Xie Yuan has been coming around less lately. He obviously listened to my advice and went to recuperate. How could he possibly have made any progress?’
’A disciple like Xie Yuan isn’t suited for martial arts. He never should have been accepted into the sect; it’s a disservice to both him and us.’
’But Master always says, ’Teach all without discrimination.’ Then again, the truth is that the school needs silver to grow...’
’So I just have to put on a show and check on him from time to time, to make it look like I’m teaching him seriously.’
’Times are tough for the school these days...’
Hodar’s mind began to wander, and he wasn’t really watching Xie Yuan’s movements at all.
Not until Xie Yuan began demonstrating the first set of moving stances.
CRACK! His fist made a sharp, crisp sound as it cut through the air.
Hodar snapped back to his senses. As he watched Xie Yuan, watched the sheer force of his movements stir the air, his eyes and mouth slowly widened.
"Junior Brother Xie, you... you’ve actually broken through the 1st Layer?"
Xie Yuan paused his movements slightly and replied.
"Yes."
Hodar’s face was a mask of utter disbelief.
’This... with his constitution, how is that possible?’
’Master himself doubted he’d even be able to begin his training, yet his progress is faster than most of the other disciples!’
"Junior Brother Xie... uhm, what happened to your physique?"
Hodar’s eyes narrowed; he could see at a glance that Xie Yuan’s Qi and Blood were much more abundant.
He could never tell anyone about his Inner Power, but he knew the changes in his body would be noticed eventually. Xie Yuan already had a story prepared.
"I recently found an old ginseng root in the mountains. After I ate it, my body felt warm all over. That, combined with the potent effects of the sect’s medicine, has made it so I no longer feel tired when I train."
It was a sudden moment of realization for Hodar. He knew Xie Yuan was a lumberjack, so this seemed like the only plausible explanation.
"You’re a lucky man, Junior Brother Xie! Excellent! You’re training very well—you have great comprehension, you’re progressing quickly, and now your body is much stronger. You’re a truly promising talent..."
His expression shifted. He patted Xie Yuan on the shoulder, offered a few words of encouragement, and then strode quickly into the Inner Courtyard.
’I have to tell Master about this.’
Xie Yuan had made his appearance at the school. He was just about to get another medicinal soup and head home to train when he suddenly saw a tall, burly figure leading a group of people toward him.
"Xie Yuan, I heard... you broke through?"
Xu Yang asked skeptically, his head held high.
Xie Yuan’s brow twitched. He nodded.
"A lucky break."
’How did this guy find out so fast?’
’He’s like a fly drawn to shit... Ahem, I shouldn’t think that.’
Xu Yang’s eyes widened.
’How is this Xie Yuan training so fast? Wasn’t he stagnating just a short while ago?’
’He doesn’t have access to all sorts of nourishing tonics to eat... Could his innate talent really be that amazing?’
Xu Yang pursed his lips, a thick wave of jealousy welling up inside him.
"In that case, this is perfect. I said I would give you some pointers once you broke through. Let’s do it right now."
Xu Yang said, his face cold.
Xie Yuan looked at him but didn’t bother to reply. He simply set his medicine aside and walked to the center of an open training area.
Xu Yang froze for a second.
’I’ve never seen anyone react so decisively to a challenge from me.’
’Is he not afraid of me?’
’Why does it feel like I’m the one being challenged?’
Xu Yang felt a nameless rage ignite in his chest.
"So arrogant! Senior Brother Xu, get him!"
Xu Yang’s lackeys started shouting as well.
The commotion drew the attention of other disciples, and a crowd quickly gathered. Tao Jelin and his friends were in the mix.
"This is bad! How did Brother Xie end up in a direct confrontation with that bastard Xu Yang?"
Worry was etched on Tao Jelin’s face. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
’Now that he’s been cornered by Xu Yang, is there any way Brother Xie can get out of this unscathed?’
’This won’t do. I have to find Senior Brother Huo, and quickly!’
But when he looked around, Hodar was nowhere in sight. He had already gone into the courtyard.
’It’s over. Brother Xie is going to be in for a world of pain today...’
Seeing the crowd grow, Xu Yang gritted his teeth and sneered.
"Junior brother, I’ve always felt you were a bit disrespectful to your seniors. Looks like today I’ll have to teach you a proper lesson."
"Don’t worry, I’ll cover your medical expenses."
He walked into the center of the clearing and stood opposite Xie Yuan. With a sharp cry, he shouted:
"I’ll let you have the first move! Today, I’ll beat you into submission!"
Hearing this, Xie Yuan wasted no motion. He took a single step forward and threw a vicious Charging Fist straight at his opponent’s chest.
Seeing this simple, unadorned punch, Xu Yang sneered and raised an arm to block.
The moment his arm made contact with the seemingly unremarkable fist, Xu Yang’s expression changed drastically.
He wanted to cry out, but it was too late.
BAM!
Xu Yang was sent flying backward, rolling across the ground.
