Chapter 11: The One Hundred and Eight Dragon-Subduing Palms (Part Four)

(Fourth update posted!)
When the Martial Arts and Technique section was activated and upgraded, Xin Lang’s body underwent no visible change. The only difference was that the “Martial Arts and Technique Area” on the upgrader shifted from a grayed-out, disabled state to a bright, usable one, and the upgrade button beneath it became available as well.

As Xin Lang opened the upgrader’s “Martial Arts and Technique Area,” the martial arts class was already underway. Yet, within the classroom, the students remained engrossed in a heated discussion about the meaning behind Xin Lang’s use of the word “uncle.”

Standing at the podium was the martial arts instructor, a man in his thirties with a scruffy beard, his handsome yet cold face bearing traces of weariness.

“Class is starting! Quiet down, everyone!” Luo Hengxing stood at the podium, waving his hand to signal the students to settle.

But despite his words, the students continued their spirited debate, paying no attention to Luo Hengxing.

“Please quiet down, everyone! We’re about to begin.” Luo Hengxing repeated patiently, but the students still ignored his presence.

Black lines seemed to crawl across Luo Hengxing’s face in frustration. If not for his family—his wife and children—he would never have taught at this third-rate academy in this small city.

“Silence!”

He shouted, and the students glanced up at him, then dismissed him and resumed their discussion.

“I said silence!” Luo Hengxing slammed his palm hard onto the desk.

The students looked up again, but seeing nothing intimidating in him, began to lower their heads to continue their talk.

Just then, the desk on the podium suddenly exploded with a thunderous bang, wood chips scattering everywhere, sending the front-row students scrambling in fear.

“Penetrating Force? A Martial Artist!” Xin Lang exclaimed in surprise.

That palm strike had clearly employed hidden force. If it had been overt force, the desk would have shattered instantly upon impact, not exploded suddenly after the palm had passed. Moreover, it wasn’t just shattered—it was blasted apart. Hidden force had destroyed the desk from within, causing such a result.

Martial apprentices train in overt force, but only upon reaching the rank of Martial Artist can one wield hidden force.

Martial Artists, like apprentices, are divided into ten levels: Level One transforms overt force into hidden force; Level Two is Resonant Zen Force; Level Three is Penetrating Force; Level Four is Water-Slicing Force; Level Five is Stone-Cracking Force; Level Six is Iron-Shattering Force; Level Seven is Impact Force; Level Eight is Spiral Force; Level Nine is Heaven-Shaking Force; Level Ten is the realm where force moves at will.

Meng Chuchu, sitting beside Xin Lang, was startled as well. Her tongue, which had been busy savoring her lollipop, paused. “I never expected Luo Hengxing to be a Martial Artist, and his hidden force has reached Penetrating Force—at minimum, he’s a Level Three Martial Artist! I must inform my sister! Ever since she returned, the academy has been full of strange people!”

Now, the class fell silent, their attention focused on Luo Hengxing’s lecture.

Luo Hengxing spoke, “I am your martial arts instructor. Today, I will explain a technique unique to our Xuyang Academy, a low-level common martial skill—‘One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms.’ However, you all know the regulations of the major martial arts academies, so I will only introduce the features of ‘One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms.’ If you wish to learn it, please borrow it from the academy’s library. The price is one silver coin per hour!”

Martial arts techniques at the academies of the Grand Xia Dynasty are all registered and patented with the imperial court. For example, “One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms” can only be taught at Xuyang Academy throughout the entire dynasty. It is the academy’s exclusive technique. If any individual or other academy teaches it privately, that constitutes infringement and will be punished under imperial law.

Martial arts instructors at the academy are essentially salesmen, promoting various techniques to the students. Each time a student subscribes and pays to learn a skill, the instructor receives a commission. This is the business model of martial arts schools in the Grand Xia Dynasty.

It’s no wonder, then, that in previous classes, the students hadn’t taken Luo Hengxing seriously—after all, martial arts instructors were just salesmen for the academy’s skills.

The “One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms,” true to its name, is a palm technique comprising one hundred and eight strikes, its name suggesting that, when mastered, it possesses the power to subdue dragons.

Luo Hengxing explained the unique features of “One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms” in earnest to the students.

Xin Lang was captivated by this palm technique—it was his first encounter with martial arts skills. In his previous life, he had come across many advanced techniques, but their level was so high that even glimpsing them clearly had been difficult.

“Borrowing for an hour costs a silver coin. It’s a bit expensive, but I must learn it,” Xin Lang resolved.

Fatty Gu Ge sidled up to Xin Lang and said, “Boss, this ‘One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms’ is pretty cool. Tomorrow afternoon we have self-study time—let’s go learn it together. I’ll pay!”

“Ha, alright!” With someone footing the bill, Xin Lang was happy to accept.

Gu Ge was suddenly filled with bravado. “Damn it, once I master ‘One Hundred and Eight Dragon Subduing Palms,’ let’s see which bastard dares bully me again!”

“Tch, it’s just a low-level common martial skill—what’s so impressive about that?” Meng Chuchu, still licking her lollipop, mocked him.

Xin Lang paid her no mind; he had no interest in little girls like Meng Chuchu.

After class, Xin Lang returned directly to his dormitory. Fatty Gu Ge followed him, and since Meng Chuchu’s room was next door, she shamelessly tagged along as well.

“Xin Lang, since we’re neighbors, can I visit your room? Or you could come see mine!” Meng Chuchu blinked her big eyes pitifully.

Seeing her lollipop had been devoured, Xin Lang pulled another from his clothes and said, “Uncle is busy! Here, go play by yourself!”

PS: The fifth update will be posted at 11:58 PM! Brothers, please check promptly!