Chapter 47: Training with the Troupe

After a long day of busy work, Ma Jun’s dedication to his studies was perhaps even greater than during the days leading up to his college entrance examination. Upon returning to his residence that night, though he was strong and vigorous, he was so drowsy that he barely managed to smoke a cigarette before collapsing onto his bed without even washing up.

The next morning, Ma Jun rose in high spirits. After breakfast, he summoned Old Qian. Once inside the back hall of the residence, the two of them entered a secret chamber to study the internal cultivation techniques.

The method Chen Jinnan had imparted bore no particular name. Ma Jun, unfamiliar with other martial arts, could not judge its quality. Yet, according to the book’s descriptions, if one mastered it to perfection, its power was said to be extraordinary.

Seated on a prayer mat, Ma Jun said, “Xiaohua, help explain the martial arts to Old Qian for me. I want to try practicing on my own first!”

“Alright, you lazybones!” This time, Xiaohua didn’t make trouble. She transformed into an image, and, like a tape recorder, recited Chen Jinnan’s words from the previous day to Old Qian in full.

Ma Jun sat cross-legged, eyes half-closed, following his master’s instructions to slowly sense the internal energy within his body, adjusting his breathing and altering his heartbeat.

After an hour, he felt a faint warmth gathering in his lower abdomen. Delighted, he knew this must be his inner strength. Not daring to be careless, he cautiously tried to guide this surge of power through his meridians.

As the energy flowed through each meridian, the corresponding part of his body would feel a gentle warmth, sometimes even a subtle itch. Ma Jun, who had never experienced anything like this, found it quite amusing. As his body gradually grew warmer, he felt a comfort akin to soaking in a hot spring.

It took a full three hours to complete a single cycle. Ma Jun slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a mouthful of turbid air, stood up to wipe the fine sweat from his brow, and said with a smile, “Xiaohua, this internal cultivation is truly a delight! I feel completely refreshed, like stepping into an air-conditioned room on a sweltering day!”

Xiaohua’s image had lingered throughout. After explaining the martial arts to Qian Mode, she sat before Ma Jun, propping her chin in her hands, watching him practice with great interest. Wrinkling her nose, she scoffed, “Uncle, you’re so silly. What a poor comparison!”

Ma Jun chuckled, “Alright, let me try another. It’s like just having finished something wonderful with my dear Xiaohua!”

“Drop dead! I’ll kick you to the moon, you pervert!” Xiaohua leapt up, fuming, and vanished the next instant.

Teasing the little rascal made Ma Jun feel even better than practicing. He went over to Old Qian and observed him.

Before long, Old Qian opened his eyes, which gleamed with vitality. “Boss, this internal cultivation really is something. If we keep at it, not only will it strengthen our bodies and improve our combat abilities, but it could also prolong our lives!”

In the days that followed, Ma Jun secluded himself in the residence to practice, paying little heed to the affairs of the Green Wood Hall. He left matters to Guan Shiji and Li Shili’s discretion, instructing them to consult him only for urgent matters.

He also had Qian Mode procure all kinds of rare medicinal herbs—century-old and millennia-old ginseng, fo-ti root, and others—to aid in his training. It really worked: after taking them, his progress in internal strength increased rapidly!

What irked Ma Jun a bit was that Old Qian, despite using fewer herbs and training less, advanced even faster than he did! Xiaohua popped out to say it was because Ma Jun’s heart wasn’t pure, so his progress was slower. Ma Jun seized the chance to tease her thoroughly, leaving the child so vexed that she wouldn’t speak to him for a whole day!

Though absorbed in his training, Ma Jun did not forget his purpose. His arrangements in the capital proceeded quietly. Old Qian set up the props, lighting, and special effects, awaiting only the arrival of the main actors.

As the weather grew colder, Ma Jun’s inner strength became even more profound. With the help of various tonics, half a year’s effort had brought him results equivalent to two years of ordinary training. Thus, he still wore a thin robe and felt no chill whatsoever.

One day, Ma Jun was at his own restaurant, listening to a storyteller. This storyteller had been poached from a major establishment and was truly gifted—his tales were vivid and moving, and he could even perform sound imitations that bordered on magical.

Ma Jun was utterly absorbed when suddenly a man carrying a black plaster flag rushed in.

With a glance, Ma Jun recognized the flag as belonging to Brother Xu San from the Green Wood Hall, but the flag-bearer was a stranger. Sensing something amiss, he quickly deduced what had happened.

The man took a seat at the table and whispered, “I have a fine medicinal plaster to sell you, sir!”

“Is it the detoxifying and vision-restoring plaster?” Ma Jun asked, rising to his feet. “I just happen to be in need of some. Let’s go take a look together.”

The two exited the restaurant, turned down an alley, and, seeing no one around, Ma Jun intoned, “From the lofty heights, a stream flows with eternal grace.”

“Facing the great sea, three rivers merge and flow for ten thousand years!” the man replied.

Ma Jun frowned, “Which branch do you belong to by Red Flower Pavilion?”

“I’m with Green Wood Hall!”

“Why don’t I see Brother Xu San? Did something happen to him?” Ma Jun feigned ignorance.

“Master Ma, you’re truly perceptive!” the man flattered him. “My name is Gao Yanchao, at your service. I’ve just arrived in the capital and have long admired your reputation!”

“So it’s Brother Gao. Brother Guan has mentioned you before,” Ma Jun replied. “But why are you carrying Brother Xu’s flag? Has something happened to him?”

Gao Yanchao nodded. “Exactly so! Brother Xu usually sells medicines at Tianqiao, but today he was badly injured. I’ve come to inform you.”

“Who dares bully one of our Green Wood Hall men?” Ma Jun exclaimed in anger.

“It’s inconvenient to talk here. Please come with me, Master Ma,” Gao Yanchao said, leading the way.

They turned several street corners and entered a pharmacy, making their way to a secret room at the back.

Inside, the brothers of Green Wood Hall were gathered; Xu San lay on a low couch to one side.

After exchanging greetings, they explained what had happened.

In those days, the anti-Qing, pro-Ming factions were not limited to the Heaven and Earth Society; there were also groups like the House of Prince Mu, each supporting a different descendant of the Ming royal family. Each acted independently and none would yield to the others.

Xu San had gotten into a heated argument with two retainers of the House of Prince Mu, each claiming their own candidate as the true Son of Heaven. The quarrel escalated into a fight: Xu San was outnumbered and injured, but one of the brothers with the surname Bai was killed as well.

The men of Green Wood Hall spoke at length, laying all the blame on the other side, and never once mentioning the death on the part of the House of Prince Mu.

They rarely reported anything to Ma Jun, but now that a serious incident had occurred, they had summoned him—not so much for his help, as to have someone take the heat if the main headquarters started asking questions.

Although Ma Jun disliked these power struggles, he was far from inept at them. He had long prepared for just such an event, and now intended to use it as the setting for a grand drama.

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