Fists can't cross Tianjin

Chapter 33 Work

"Bears may look clumsy, but they're actually incredibly agile. They rely on their arms. Their power originates from the ground, travels through their waist and hips, up their spine, and finally sways in those two arms. With each sway and impact, they unleash tremendous force."

"Sink your breath to your dantian and focus your mind on your spine. When you inhale, imagine carrying a mountain on your back; when you exhale, imagine that mountain collapsing and all your strength being released to your feet."

Chen Zhuo stared intently at every detail of the butcher's movements.

In his vision, the butcher seemed to have transformed into a black bear walking upright, with each breath resonating throughout his bones and muscles.

The cheat code is activated.

Although there was no physical contact, the butcher deliberately slowed down his demonstration, and with Chen Zhuo's own foundation in Xingyi Quan, the "ergonomic diagram" in his mind began to rapidly take shape.

The red lines are like bowstrings taut on the spine, while the blue lines are like tree roots sinking into the ground and flowing underfoot.

"Do you understand?"

The butcher demonstrated twice, then stopped and reverted to his greasy, fat self. "Bears usually look clumsy when they walk, but with a single lean, they can snap a tree in two. That's all they rely on—that 'relaxed, sinking strength.' That's exactly what you're lacking right now. Stop thinking about how to fight head-on; you need to learn to sink your strength, to hide it in your bones."

Chen Zhuo seemed to be deep in thought.

"Alright, just stand here for a bit."

The butcher pointed to the old willow tree, "Stand like I just did for fifteen minutes. Remember, be relaxed, like you're hanging from the tree."

Chen Zhuo followed his instructions and walked to the tree, standing in the same position as the butcher.

Relax your shoulders and drop your elbows, and start trying to stand in this "bear shoulder" position.

It was awkward at first.

Accustomed to the tension and strength of the Three-Body Stance, he suddenly felt completely relaxed and awkward all over, unable to exert any strength anywhere.

"Shoulders! I'm telling you to relax your shoulders, not to sag your back!"

The butcher grumbled from the side, "It's loose but not sturdy! Just like that pork hanging on the rack, the meat is loose, but the bones are holding it in!"

Snapped!

The butcher slapped Chen Zhuo on the back.

The slap wasn't forceful, but it was like a key that instantly unlocked a lock within Chen Zhuo's body.

Chen Zhuo felt a warmth on his back, and a warm current slid down his spine. The stuffiness that had been stuck in his chest slowly dissipated with this release and sinking.

That feeling was wonderful.

It was as if he had handed over all of his more than 100 pounds of flesh to the ground beneath his feet. And in this complete relaxation, he actually felt a subtle warm current flowing slowly down his spine.

The tightness in my chest actually dissipated a little with the warmth.

His shoulders relaxed.

With a slight turn of the waist and hips, the two shoulder blades, like two heavy iron doors, slowly open and close.

"Crunch—crunch—"

A faint creaking sound came from my bones inside my body.

With this vibration, Chen Zhuo felt the long-suppressed feeling in his chest being gradually squeezed and loosened as his shoulders swayed.

Fifteen minutes later.

"call--"

Chen Zhuo exhaled a long breath, twice as long as usual.

Comfortable!

It felt like a huge burden had been lifted, making me feel lighter and more agile.

"Alright."

The butcher's voice interrupted his musings, "You have good comprehension. It's just that your body is too weak. If you keep training like this, you'll ruin yourself in less than three months."

Chen Zhuo opened his eyes, stopped his movements, and respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute to the butcher.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

This is a heartfelt expression of gratitude. This "bear shoulder" technique, though not a deadly move, is a life-saving remedy for his current physical condition.

"Don't call me 'senior,' it sounds awkward. I'm just a pig butcher."

The butcher waved his hand, refusing the greeting. Instead, he looked the man up and down and suddenly asked, "Where are you making your fortune? Judging by your attire, you still have time to practice your skills?"

Chen Zhuo gave a bitter smile: "To be honest, senior, I used to drive a tricycle, but now I don't have the vehicle anymore, and I can't go back to the tricycle shop. Now I'm a homeless person, and I've rented a place in the shantytown over Xiguan Street."

"A drifter?"

The butcher frowned, his face contorting. "That place is too yin and damp; it's not suitable for healing. Besides..."

He paused, his eyes turning somewhat amused: "Your body right now is a bottomless pit. 'The poor study literature, the rich study martial arts.' Without a good family background to support you, you can't fill it. Practicing martial arts requires money, land, and good things to sustain you. If you continue practicing like this, either your potential will be limited, or you'll turn yourself into a dried-up corpse before you even become a grandmaster."

Chen Zhu remained silent.

The butcher was right. His appetite is growing bigger and bigger, and he's eating meat!

In those days, pork cost 80 cents a pound, and even then, it wasn't something you could buy with money; you needed meat coupons. An average family might only have enough meat coupons for half a pound a month, and the whole family would eagerly await holidays to see some meat.

In his previous life, Chen Zhuo came from a rural area. Even in the year 2000, his family only dared to eat meat freely during the Lunar New Year.

Not to mention it's the 1980s now.

Practicing martial arts is expensive. The saying "the poor study literature, the rich study martial arts" is not just a joke.

While they can temporarily supplement their nutrition by stealing meat from the meat factory guarded by rabid dogs, this is ultimately not a long-term solution. Moreover, as their kung fu improves, reaching the internal strength stage, and even further into the future, simply eating meat will probably not be enough; they will need real tonics.

"Would you like to find a proper job?" the butcher suddenly asked.

"A legitimate job?"

Chen Zhuo was taken aback.

"We'll provide food and lodging, and you can train in peace."

The butcher looked at him.

"Is this for real?"

Chen Zhuo was somewhat skeptical.

His current status is that of an unregistered resident, without a household registration or personnel file. What legitimate company would dare to hire him?

"Good things will definitely not come your way, but this... might be suitable for you."

Seeing his expression, the butcher didn't explain much. He took out a crumpled cigarette box from his pocket, tore off half of it, and then took out a pencil with only half a pencil tip from behind his ear. He scribbled a line on the paper.

"Go here. No. 53, Dali Road, Fifth Avenue, Zeng Family. An old customer of mine."

The butcher handed Chen Zhuo the note that smelled of lard, and said vaguely, seemingly unwilling to elaborate, "That old man is a connoisseur; he used to be a prominent figure in Tianjin. Although he's retired now, he's still a force to be reckoned with. He needs someone to guard his house, and he looked down on all the security guards who came before, thinking they weren't capable enough. You go and give it a try."

"Just say that Xie Laosan sent you. Besides... that place is quiet, no one dares to go and investigate casually."

Xie Laosan?

This must be the butcher's name, or his reputation in the martial arts world.

Chen Zhuo took the note and looked at the handwriting, which, though seemingly hasty, exuded a sharp edge, and a thought struck him.

The Five Great Avenues... that used to be the concession area of ​​Tianjin, where high-ranking officials and nobles lived. Although times have changed, that kind of place is still not a place that ordinary people can enter.

The Zeng family, who could live in that place and even "raise people," were definitely not simple.

Why did you help me, senior?

Chen Zhuo held the note, which smelled of lard and tobacco, and asked.

There is no hatred without a cause, nor is there love without a cause.

It's illogical that someone he met by chance would not only teach him martial arts but also offer him a way out.

"Help my ass. I only did this because I think you're a promising kid and I don't want you to ruin it like this."

The butcher dusted off his backside, picked up the pig-slaughtering knife, and tucked it back into his belt. "Besides," he said, "Old Zeng has been urging me several times to find a reliable person. He originally wanted me to go there, but I couldn't stand the smell... so you'll get the job."

After he finished speaking, he waved his hand, urging Chen Zhuo to leave quickly.

"Remember this, the rules there are strict. Once you're inside, keep your temper in check. The waters of that mansion run deeper than the Haihe River."