parentshiftbook Chapter 6 Transforming into a Dragon in the Water
Chapter 6 Transforming into a Dragon in the Water
Have you directly entered the beginner level of the Azure Wave Fishbone Kung Fu?
Su Yu's mind raced, and he quickly understood what was going on.
It seems that Fishbone Kung Fu is indeed an underwater martial art, directly encompassing swimming skills.
However, the progress level has changed to beginner, and the upper limit has also increased significantly.
"The Azure Wave Fishbone Kung Fu consists of five forms, these are all. Figure out the rest on your own." Qian Wenhu stopped his stance and stood still, his tone suddenly turning cold and hard.
Is this over?
The people in the courtyard looked at each other in bewilderment. The previous round of fighting had been extremely fast; it would be difficult for ordinary people to even remember the movements, let alone the techniques for generating power.
"Brother Qian~"
A soft, sweet call broke the silence.
Gao Xiaoshuang took two steps forward. She was in the prime of her youth, and although her appearance was ordinary, her long, slender legs stood out conspicuously among the group of rough men. She knew her advantage well; her eyes sparkled, and she adopted a pitiful, shy demeanor.
"I'm too slow; I've only learned the first move. Could you... teach me again?"
This trick had always worked on her when dealing with sleazy men.
Qian Wenhu's gaze remained calm, not even lingering on her for half a second. He simply said, "The team still has drills today, so there's no time to teach you. You can practice on your own."
After saying that, he turned and went to other courtyards.
Gao Xiaoshuang's charming smile froze instantly, and a hint of embarrassment and annoyance flashed in her eyes.
"Hehe, Shuang-meimei." Zhou Da rubbed his hands together and came over with a silly grin. "My brother and I have memorized the last few moves. Shall we practice together?"
Gao Xiaoshuang snorted coldly, about to refuse, but caught a glimpse of the two people in the corner.
Black Loach Bai Shun, and Su Yu from Qingxi Village, had actually started practicing, and their movements were fluid, clearly indicating that they had memorized everything.
"Damn it, I can't fall behind!"
In her anxiety, she lost all sense of criticism and could only coldly join the Zhou brothers.
……
The sun was high in the sky, and the training ground was filled with steam.
Su Yu was drenched in sweat. He had practiced this set of movements dozens of times. Although he had made progress, he still felt stiffness in his joints every time, and his spine felt as if it were locked, extremely awkward.
[Proficiency +1]
Seeing the numbers on the panel slowly increasing, Su Yu stopped what he was doing and gasped for breath.
Exhausted and with unbearable muscle soreness, the feeling that the effort and reward were completely disproportionate made him frown.
Is the cultivation method too difficult? Or is my physical constitution simply too poor?
He glanced around.
Gao Xiaoshuang and the Zhou brothers practiced like shamans, their movements terribly distorted. Only Bai Shun, though also covered in sweat, moved with power, clearly having a solid foundation.
Just as he was wondering, Qian Wenhu returned to the training ground.
Just as everyone was about to step forward to ask for the key to understanding, Qian Wenhu, as if he had expected it, waved his hand to interrupt: "Alright, that's enough for today. If you have any questions, we can discuss them when we return from the voyage next month."
In short, all the roads were blocked.
Although the crowd was unwilling, they dared not cause trouble on the Qian family's territory and could only leave dejectedly.
……
Back home, Su Yu collapsed onto the bed, her whole body aching so much she didn't want to move.
"The poor are scholars, the rich are warriors; the ancients were right."
Without medicinal baths to nourish the body, and without guidance from a renowned teacher, relying solely on grueling training will not be enough for this physique to withstand the strain.
As he reviewed the day's events, he felt increasingly that the Qian family's martial arts were strange.
Qian Wenhu's indifferent attitude, his lack of focus on teaching the essentials...
"They did it on purpose."
A flash of understanding crossed Su Yu's eyes.
The Qian family's approach to its peripheral members is to keep them hanging on, perhaps until they achieve more merit or become completely dependent on the Qian family, only then can they learn the true Azure Wave Fishbone Kung Fu!
Thus, anyone interested in the Azure Wave Fishbone Kung Fu will be inseparable from the Qian family.
What a brilliant way to manage people!
Su Yu frowned, his understanding of this world deepening.
"It seems I need to save up money quickly to go to a martial arts school and formally become an apprentice; that's the only way out!"
In the evening, there was a knock on the door.
"Xiaoyu, go to your grandpa's! It's a celebration for your little brother's success today!" Aunt Chen's loud voice blared with undisguised joy. "Your little brother has joined the Hongshan Martial Arts School!"
"Yes, Third Aunt!"
"You go first, I'll be there in a bit."
"Okay, hurry up!"
After Chen left, Su Yu thought for a moment, then took a Black River carp from his house and headed to the Su family's old residence.
In the Su family's courtyard, under the dim light of an oil lamp, several men sat around.
In the kitchen, my aunt and third aunt were busy cooking.
"Oh my, old man, Xiaoyu is carrying this Black River carp, it's so fat!"
From the kitchen came the sound of Third Aunt praising.
Ever since Su Yu paid those five taels of silver, his third aunt's attitude towards him has changed a lot in the past few days.
Grandpa Su also took a puff of his pipe, thinking that Su Yu had become sensible.
"Our Su family is counting on Xiao Can from now on. You brothers must work together, especially Xiao Can. If you become successful, don't forget to help your two older brothers."
"Don't worry, Grandpa!" Su Can nodded emphatically.
"And Xiao Hong," the old man said, looking at his eldest grandson, "you're not getting any younger, it's time to settle down and start a family."
Su Hong smiled wryly: "Grandpa, in this world, I can barely take care of myself."
At this point, the old man fell silent, his brows furrowing in deep wrinkles, clearly having heard something as well.
Su Hong lowered his voice and continued solemnly:
"Everyone should be careful lately. The Water Snake Gang has gone mad. They've raided several other gangs' markets and docks along the Blackwater River. They're extremely ruthless. Everyone should try to avoid those troublesome places."
Just then, Auntie San came out carrying fish. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly asked, "Xiao Hong, will there be any problem with Qingxi Market?"
"Don't worry too much, Third Aunt, the Water Snake Gang is still under control in Qingxi Town."
"Son, you must be careful," the aunt said with worry in her eyes.
Su Hong immediately put on a relaxed expression. "Mother, it's alright. Our Snow Wolf Gang's main base is in the city."
"Yes, Mother doesn't understand. Just remember to be careful."
Soon the food was ready, and the family began to eat. The men ate in silence.
Only the third aunt was chattering on and on, boasting about Su Can's above-average physical talent and the master's personal instruction, while the eldest aunt occasionally chimed in.
……
The morning sun awakens the wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys.
Su Yuqing counted his family's savings, which amounted to nearly seven taels of silver. It seemed that he was now within reach of saving up ten taels for the apprenticeship fee.
With fish baskets on their backs, they headed to the Blackwater River.
This time, he avoided the route where he would encounter the Water Snake Gang's temporary stronghold. After walking for more than two hours, he finally found a suitable fishing spot.
This is a shallow bay nestled beneath high cliffs, with gentle currents and dense reeds, making it an ideal fishing ground for gathering and retaining auspicious energy.
"start!"
Su Yu cast and retrieved the net with practiced ease.
His improved net-casting skills after breaking the limit allowed him to thrive. Before noon, his fish basket was full, indicating that the waters were quite good.
Now that I've joined the Qian family's fishing team, my catch is better. When people question it, I just say it's because of the improvement I got from learning the Azure Wave Fishbone Skill.
However, given the extremely low price of these ordinary catches, restaurants in the city have stopped buying them recently, charging at most 150 or 160 coins a day.
Although he was already much better than the average fisherman, he still wasn't good enough if he were to learn martial arts.
It would be great if we could catch a more valuable fish, like a white-scaled fish or a red oil fish.
Ideally, one would get a treasure fish; that would truly bring wealth and fortune.
However, the chances of catching these fish on the shore are too slim, Su Yu thought helplessly.
"Since we've practiced fishbone kung fu, why not... try it out in the water!"
Su Yu quickly stripped off his clothes and stood naked on the riverbank. The biting river wind blew, raising goosebumps on his skin.
"thump!"
He took a deep breath and plunged into the water.
"The fish wags its tail!"
Su Yu's spine suddenly jerked in the water, and he exerted force with both legs.
"collapse!"
It was as if a bowstring had snapped open inside him, and a powerful force pushed him back instantly! He was no longer a clumsy human, but had transformed into a black barracuda, leaping three or four zhang away in an instant!
Good heavens, it really is an underwater technique! I've been practicing it wrong all this time!
Su Yu was overjoyed.
They immediately started testing other techniques.
What used to be awkward movements on land became surprisingly smooth in the water, even giving the feeling of using the water for leverage.
This is the correct way to practice Fishbone Kung Fu!
Qian Wenhu hadn't taught this before!
Su Yu quickly became familiar with the five moves of Fishbone Kung Fu!
【Swimming Fish Tail】is an underwater spinal dragon's explosive burst, with its legs swinging like a fish tail, instantly leaping out at high speed, which can be used for both retreat and attack.
【Water Splitting Swimming】is characterized by swimming swiftly and nimbly in the water.
【Piercing Thrust】is a true attack skill, best used with the aid of a weapon to thrust and attack the enemy in the water.
【Black Eel Entanglement】is an underwater entanglement technique that uses the current to lock onto and restrict the enemy's movements.
【Fish Scale Tremor】is a defensive move that involves a burst of energy and a shockwave in the water, while the body moves nimbly to defend and escape.