Chapter 96: A Fortuitous Opportunity
Chapter 96: A Fortuitous Opportunity
"Make a deal?"
Jiang Cheng's expression turned serious, sensing that the other party had more to say.
"That's right."
Shi Yan lowered his voice, his eyes bloodshot, "Every morning, you wear your training clothes and go to the Martial Arts Academy to practice. If I'm not mistaken, you must be eyeing that thing, right?"
"Let's talk inside."
Jiang Cheng's heart warmed.
He had a premonition.
Perhaps what he couldn't obtain at the Martial Arts Academy, he could find here.
Jiang Cheng opened the door, let the other party in, then glanced outside to ensure there was no one suspicious before closing the door.
"Brother Shi, are you referring to the Secret Art?"
After they sat down facing each other, Jiang Cheng got straight to the point.
"That's right."
Shi Yan replied without hesitation, "I have a Secret Art in my possession, to be precise, it's a Human Martial Art."
"What do you mean?"
Jiang Cheng asked, puzzled.
He had never heard Lin Quan Liang or the others mention these things.
Perhaps it was because they were in a private room, a public place, so it wasn't appropriate to say too much.
"Little Cheng, if you don't even know about this, it seems you haven't come across these things at the Martial Arts Academy."
Shi Yan smiled smugly.
The less Jiang Cheng knew, the more advantageous it was for him.
Seeing this, Jiang Cheng let out a cold snort.
Although he really wanted the Secret Art, right now, it was the other party who had taken the initiative to come to him.
"Ahem."
Shi Yan quickly coughed a couple of times to hide his embarrassment, then said, "Little Cheng, you know that the human body has 129,600 acupoints. By opening these acupoints, one can gain extraordinary power, and the more acupoints opened, the stronger one becomes. Therefore, the strength of a Secret Art is judged by the number of acupoints that can be opened through cultivation, which is the most crucial factor."
"We Flame Nation people have 12 main meridians and 2 extraordinary meridians, a total of 14 meridians. There are 361 acupoints, including 108 fatal acupoints and 36 deadly acupoints. Various cultivation techniques and secret methods, no matter how bizarre, all revolve around these meridians and acupoints.
In addition, there are extraordinary acupoints outside the meridians. Mainstream extraordinary acupoints total 48, with a combined total of 409 acupoints. However, in reality, there are far more. Many sects or families with deep roots often make discoveries during their cultivation, combat, and medical practices, but they mostly keep these secrets to themselves and do not include them in their records.
Each of these extraordinary acupoints outside the meridians is related to a certain human potential, mechanism, or vital point. Whether used for self-cultivation, attack, or medical treatment, they hold significant value. Many divine and exceptional skills can stand out and possess unique advantages that ordinary martial arts do not, often because they involve certain secret and extraordinary acupoints."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but ask, "So, there are over ten thousand extraordinary acupoints?"
Shi Yan couldn't help but laugh, "Not that many. In fact, including extraordinary acupoints, there are only 1,296 acupoints on the human body. But once you open all these 1,296 acupoints, you need to refine each acupoint, thereby connecting all acupoints.
After that, even moving mountains and filling seas, or making stars fall, is not a problem. In fact, this knowledge was common knowledge a hundred years ago, but a hundred years later, even these most basic things have become top secrets."
He sighed.
"I see."
Jiang Cheng took a deep breath.
"So, Brother Shi, you mentioned the Human Martial Art earlier.
"According to the number of acupoints that can be opened, Secret Arts can be categorized into Human Martial Arts, Earth Martial Arts, and Heaven Martial Arts. There's also the True Martial Arts, which involves extraordinary acupoints, and even higher levels beyond that. But even a hundred years ago, it was rare for ordinary people to come across Secret Arts above the True level. So, there's no point in me telling you about them, as you won't be able to remember them anyway."
Jiang Cheng nodded in agreement.
"Human Martial Arts can open up to 30 acupoints in the human body, mostly focusing on fist techniques. Earth Martial Arts can open between 30 to 60 acupoints, including some leg techniques and weapon skills. Heaven Martial Arts can open between 60 to 100 acupoints, with many focusing on the torso's meridians, resulting in significant improvements."
"As for True Martial Arts, not only can it open between 100 to 300 acupoints, but it also involves extraordinary acupoints. Even with the same number of opened acupoints, the improvement is far greater than those practicing Heaven Martial Arts."
Jiang Cheng's heart raced with excitement at this information.
"So, Brother Shi, you only have a Human Martial Art, and nothing more advanced?"
Shi Yan sighed upon hearing this and poured out his woes, "Little Cheng, you know how strict the investigations are out there. Last year, someone was discovered and taken away by the enforcement team, and there's been no news of them since. It's likely they met a terrible fate. Coming to you required a lot of determination on my part."
"You know about the Wild Wolf Gang's recent doubling of their fees. I could have afforded it, but unfortunately, my wife fell ill and was coughing severely. I had to take her to the doctor, and by the time we were done, all my money was spent. I thought the Wild Wolf Gang would hold out longer, but who would've thought they'd collect and then run? These past few days, rumors have been spreading that the Iron Fist Gang is coming, and not only are they not lowering prices, but they're also raising them. Where am I supposed to get that much money?"
"And if I don't have the money, those people won't show any mercy. What if they harm my wife? My daughter is still young; I can't let her end up homeless with us." Jiang Cheng sighed upon hearing this.
In truth, he also wanted to help others, but his current abilities were too weak; ensuring his own safety was already a challenge.
"So, Brother Shi, you came to me for this?"
"Yes."
Shi Yan looked up at Jiang Cheng. "I know your sweet potato roasting business is doing well, and you have the money to be a premium member of the martial arts club. I guess you became a premium member for two reasons: one, to avoid paying the gangs, and two, to access the Secret Arts."
Jiang Cheng smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed inside.
Indeed, he had just been rejected.
Thinking about how he had gone to great lengths and spent a significant amount just to meet that master, it was almost comical to think that he could have just stayed home and waited for an opportunity to come knocking.
As the old saying goes, 'Those who try to cultivate flowers often fail, while those who plant willows unintentionally create a shady grove.'
"It's nothing."
Shi Yan shrugged. "No one is a fool. Everyone knows that staying here without strength makes you a lamb to the slaughter. If there's a way, you'd definitely try it, but those in the martial arts club aren't fools either. To learn from them, you'd have to pay a high price."
After saying this, he glanced at Jiang Cheng.
"So, Brother Shi, are you hinting that to obtain the Secret Art in your possession, I'll also have to pay a high price?" Jiang Cheng asked.
"That's right."
Shi Yan extended a finger, "A fixed price, ten thousand, cash on delivery."
(End of Chapter)
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