Chapter 39: Secret Transmission
After Young Master Tong and the others left, Zhou Ming looked at the three digits on his phone—9, 9, 9.
Deleting the three numbers, Zhou Ming once again walked toward his residence.
As for what had just happened, Zhou Ming knew that solving the small trouble in front of him would soon bring forth a bigger one—and it was the kind of big trouble he currently could not deal with.
Since he could not solve the small trouble directly, Zhou Ming chose another method.
By making a phone call, he revealed both his and Xiao Yun’s identities, while diverting the other party’s attention elsewhere—preferably toward a target that could ignite his anger.
Along with the threatening call Zhou Ming made to Xiao Yun, the aggressive Young Master Tong was finally fooled into leaving.
Though it was still a way of handling trouble, this time Zhou Ming actually chose to use his brain. However, this wasn’t his preferred way—being straightforward was more his style.
Unfortunately, he lacked the strength to back that up, so he could only endure it.
The only fortunate part was that the opponent seemed to have a rather low IQ.
Then again, if the man weren’t lacking in intelligence, he wouldn’t have allowed himself to be used as someone’s pawn. Zhou Ming had merely thrown out a few guesses, and the truth had become crystal clear.
However, such people did have one advantage—once they realized they had been outwitted, their attention would no longer be on Zhou Ming, but rather on the person who had manipulated them from behind the scenes.
After Xiao Yun’s birthday banquet, perhaps because everyone now knew of Zhou Ming’s connection to her, no one came looking to trouble him again.
Zhou Ming was thus able to focus on his own affairs in peace.
A month later, with the medicinal tonics from the Mad Python Martial Hall and his own efforts in training, his physical fitness had finally improved significantly.
Of course, during this process, Liu Shihu’s ruthless drilling also played a vital role.
At the Mad Python Martial Hall, Liu Shihu was currently teaching Zhou Ming the secret killing techniques of the Mad Python Martial Art—its very core essence.
“The Mad Python Martial Art has three secret killing techniques—Venom Fang, Constriction, and Shadow Tail.”
“I’ll demonstrate these three first so that you can have a direct understanding.”
After a brief introduction, Liu Shihu signaled Zhou Ming to step aside and observe carefully.
Wearing a white training uniform, Zhou Ming immediately moved to one side and watched Liu Shihu’s every move intently.
“Venom Fang.”
As soon as Liu Shihu’s voice fell, he struck the ironwood stake before him with what appeared to be a normal move. But just as Zhou Ming thought it was nothing special, Liu Shihu’s right hand suddenly changed position.
His index and middle fingers extended forward and bent slightly, while the other three fingers curled tightly into his palm.
Crack!
Before Zhou Ming could react, the two fingers pierced the ironwood stake like venomous fangs, sinking in to the depth of a joint.
Then, with a sharp twist of his fingers, Liu Shihu pulled out a chunk of ironwood between them.
“Constriction.”
After completing Venom Fang, Liu Shihu immediately demonstrated the next technique.
He stepped forward and wrapped himself around the ironwood stake, his arms and legs coiling tightly around it. Then, his waist erupted with power—several wooden rods attached to the stake snapped in an instant.
“Shadow Tail.”
Descending from the stake, Liu Shihu turned to face Zhou Ming.
He bent forward, supporting himself with one hand on the ground, and his right leg lashed backward like the tail of a python.
Bang!
The ironwood—far harder and tougher than normal wood—instantly cracked from the explosive impact.
After the three secret moves were demonstrated, beads of sweat had already formed on Liu Shihu’s forehead. Clearly, even for him, these techniques demanded much energy.
“Did you understand?”
After steadying his breathing and calming the surging blood in his body, Liu Shihu approached Zhou Ming and asked.
“I understood a bit… not sure if I got it right.”
Zhou Ming replied somewhat uncertainly.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Hmm…” Zhou Ming pondered for a moment, organizing his thoughts before speaking.
“Venom Fang focuses on surprise attacks, concentrating all of one’s power into a single point for a fatal blow.”
“Constriction is about close combat—seizing the moment to attack the opponent’s joints comprehensively.”
“Shadow Tail is a counterattack following an evasion, delivering a heavy strike while the enemy can’t react.”
Zhou Ming voiced his interpretation based on his understanding.
“Not bad.”
“But…”
The moment he heard “but,” Zhou Ming already knew what would come next.
“But you haven’t grasped the core.”
“The core?”
Zhou Ming ignored the word “but” and instead asked about the “core” Liu Shihu mentioned.
“The true core of these three techniques is—Venom Fang’s power concentration, Constriction’s power release, and Shadow Tail’s control.”
“Concentration, release, and control.”
Hearing Liu Shihu’s words, Zhou Ming softly repeated them.
“Exactly. For Venom Fang, besides tempering your fingers with a special potion, the key lies in gathering all the power of your body into one point for a lethal strike.”
“You must also seize the moment when your opponent exposes an opening—strike suddenly, just like a viper ambushing its prey.”
“As for Constriction, it’s about utilizing the strength of your entire body, locking down your opponent’s movements, and completely breaking their resistance.”
“Shadow Tail requires not only flexibility in your arms but also in your legs—they must move as freely as your hands. Your whole body should be under perfect control.”
“In truth, the essence of these three secret techniques is also the essence of martial arts itself. These techniques merely provide a tangible path for a practitioner to comprehend that essence.”
Listening to Liu Shihu’s explanation, Zhou Ming frowned in concentration, quietly reflecting upon what he had heard.
Seeing Zhou Ming’s contemplative state, Liu Shihu didn’t disturb him and instead stood silently to the side.
“Transforming into a python? No, the python is only a form.”
“Power, control.”
“Control over one’s own strength.”
Zhou Ming murmured under his breath as though he had realized something.
“Yes, it’s about controlling your own strength. The techniques, styles, and characteristics of martial arts are all expressions of that strength.”
“The Mad Python Martial Art is about mastering your own power, then learning from a python’s ways of hunting, muscle force, and combat—expressing that power through various forms.”
Clap, clap…
Hearing Zhou Ming’s realization, Liu Shihu clapped his hands, smiling with satisfaction.
“Good. That’s the true essence of martial arts.”
“Seems you’re not stupid—just lazy to think.”
Through this session, Liu Shihu realized that Zhou Ming’s problem wasn’t poor comprehension, but simply a reluctance to think.
After being patiently guided, Zhou Ming gradually immersed himself and unearthed the true nature of martial arts on his own.
“It’s all thanks to your teaching, Master Liu.”
Hearing Liu Shihu’s words, Zhou Ming replied a bit sheepishly.
He didn’t like overcomplicating things unless something genuinely caught his interest.
For instance—the path of the Beast Tamer.
“Alright, since you’ve understood the essence of martial arts, teaching you from here on will be much easier.”
“Once you master these three secret techniques, you can practice independently. If you encounter difficulties, come to me.”
“Understood. Please instruct me, Master Liu.”
“Then let’s start with Venom Fang.”
In the training room, with no outsiders present, Zhou Ming began following Liu Shihu to learn the secret killing techniques of the Mad Python Martial Art—its core essence.
To control his own body and strength.