Martial Dao: Peace by Force

Chapter 202: Chapter 155: The Refining Force Invitation

"Who did you run into?"

"Liu Zhengming!"

Wan Ze was slightly taken aback.

"That old coot got transferred to the police department. He’s a deputy chief now." Zhai Jia sat up straight.

Wan Ze recalled the rumors he’d heard about Liu Zhengming and was clearly surprised. "Weren’t they saying he was forming a new squad?"

"It was rejected." Zhai Jia shrugged, a hint of pity in his voice. "The higher-ups thought his plan was too radical... too high-risk, so they didn’t approve it. Liu Zhengming fought for it for over two months, but it didn’t work out in the end."

Wan Ze fell silent.

But then Zhai Jia laughed. "Don’t underestimate him, though. That old coot is secretly scouting for good prospects everywhere. I reckon it won’t be long before he can’t hold himself back."

Wan Ze chuckled, at a loss for words.

’That does sound like him.’

Liu Zhengming didn’t seem like the type to sit still.

"Alright, enough about him." Zhai Jia leaped up from the sofa, flexing his wrists. "Ah Ze, how about a spar?"

Wan Ze’s eyes lit up. "Sure."

The two cleared a space in the courtyard and faced each other.

Zhai Jia assumed a ready stance and beckoned to Wan Ze with his finger. "Come on!"

The words had barely left his lips when Wan Ze’s fist arrived.

"BAM!"

Zhai Jia raised a hand to block, his eyes widening abruptly.

"Whoa!"

He shook his arm and sized up Wan Ze again, his expression changed. "Ah Ze, your Strength... it’s terrifyingly strong!"

Then he flexed his wrist, rolled his shoulders, and clicked his tongue in amazement. "Do you have Innate Divine Power or something? For a second there, I almost couldn’t block that."

Wan Ze smiled. "Be careful, Brother Jia. I’m getting serious."

"Bring it!"

Their vital energy flared, and they instantly became entangled in combat.

In the courtyard, the sounds of fists and feet tearing through the air exploded one after another.

Two figures moved rapidly within the limited space, their strikes as fast as lightning. Every collision produced a dull, heavy impact.

Zhai Yu leaned against a wall, a cup of water in his hand, his gaze following the two combatants.

’To be honest, I’m a little surprised.’

’Zhai Jia isn’t going all out yet, but Wan Ze has already lasted much longer than I expected.’

’His strikes are decisive, his Step Technique is agile, and most importantly... that sense of Power is nothing like what a newly advanced Refining Viscera Realm Martial Artist should have.’

He watched calmly. Ten seconds had passed.

Twenty seconds.

Thirty seconds.

’This junior brother of mine is incredible!’

Meanwhile, Zhai Jia’s expression grew progressively more serious.

The longer they fought, the more shocked he became.

’Wan Ze’s moves aren’t particularly refined, but every punch is absurdly heavy.’

’That Power feels like a unified force exploding from the depths of his muscles and bones. It comes punch after punch, as if it will never run out.’

’And the kid’s grasp of combat opportunities is getting more and more seasoned. Several times, I tried to use clever force to break his stance, but he predicted my moves and forcefully cut off my retreat.’

’What kind of talent is this?’

A thought flashed through Zhai Jia’s mind.

’What was I doing when I was his age?’

’I think I was still struggling to break through to the Refining Viscera Realm, wasn’t I?’

A sense of urgency suddenly welled up from the bottom of his heart.

He took a deep breath, and just as he was about to ramp things up, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.

Zhai Yu had appeared beside him at some point and gently pushed him back.

"Xiaojia, you’ve been at it for a while. Step back and let me have a try."

Zhai Jia paused, then shook his head with a smile and stepped aside.

Wan Ze stood his ground, his chest heaving slightly and his breathing heavier than usual. He looked at Zhai Yu with unconcealable excitement in his eyes.

’Brother Yu is at the Refining Force Realm!’

’He’s a genuine Refining Force Expert!’

He took a deep breath to steady himself, then cupped his fist in his palm. "Senior Brother, please enlighten me."

Zhai Yu smiled. "Come on. Hit me with everything you’ve got. I’ll only defend, I won’t attack."

Wan Ze nodded, his gaze turning sharp.

Then he moved.

He took a step, and the ground trembled slightly. He shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, closing the distance to Zhai Yu in an instant.

’Iron Mountain Fist, straight to the Central Palace!’

There was nothing fancy about this punch; it was the most direct frontal assault!

Zhai Yu raised his hand, his palm meeting Wan Ze’s fist.

BAM!!!

A muffled thud.

The moment Wan Ze’s fist slammed into Zhai Yu’s palm, a strange Power rebounded from the other man’s hand.

A trembling, collapsing force—a Beng Jin—surged back along his own fist!

Wan Ze’s entire arm went numb, and he nearly lost his footing.

’A rebound?’

’Wait... this isn’t an illusion!’

Wan Ze took half a step back, staring at his fist in astonishment.

Zhai Jia explained with a smile from the side, "That’s Refining Force. Once you pass the Refining Viscera stage and your Five Viscera and Six Bowels are tempered to the point of being indestructible, your vital energy can circulate through your entire body, and you can unleash your Power at will. Simply put..."

Wan Ze looked over as Zhai Jia made a pushing motion in the air. "Injuring someone from a distance is just the basics. The terrifying part about a Refining Force master is... they can return every punch you throw at them, exactly as it was. Shocking Force, Beng Jin, Penetrating Force... it all depends on which one they want you to taste."

Wan Ze’s pupils contracted slightly.

’Shocking Force...’

’Beng Jin...’

He suddenly thought of his Iron Mountain Fist.

’Isn’t the Beng Jin of Iron Mountain Fist the Effect of instantly exploding one’s full body Power?’

’And the special Effect of Horizontal Sword Technique... Burst Skill: Shock.’

It was as if something in his mind suddenly clicked into place.

’If that’s the case...’

’Theoretically, I can master many types of force!’

’The Beng Jin from Iron Mountain Fist is the first. The Shocking Force from Horizontal Sword Technique is the second. If I can deduce them to their ultimate forms, maybe I can develop even more...’

An irrepressible wave of ecstasy surged up from the bottom of his heart.

But he quickly suppressed it.

He lifted his head and looked at Zhai Yu.

’So this is Refining Force?’

’Precise control over every inch of muscle, meticulous regulation of every sliver of vital energy down to the subtle level... I’m still a long way off.’

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother." Wan Ze cupped his fist.

"Your foundation is excellent. Train hard, and you might be able to catch up to us soon." Zhai Yu nodded.

Wan Ze scratched his head.

Zhai Jia walked over with a smile. "It’s rare to see Brother Yu praise someone like that. Ah Ze, you really are absurdly strong... But I’ve got to say, now that you’ve reached Refining Viscera, do you want to go out and make a name for yourself with us? There are plenty of big jobs, and you can get your hands on a lot of good stuff."

Wan Ze’s heart skipped a beat.

He looked at Zhai Yu and Zhai Jia.

Zhai Yu had always been rational, and this time he also looked at Wan Ze with a smile. "You are indeed qualified now. You can consider it... Do a few missions with us first. That way, if Master really arranges some sort of identity for you in the future, you won’t be completely in the dark."

"Brother Yu, can I ask what you usually do?" Wan Ze pressed.

Zhai Jia looked at Zhai Yu. The two exchanged a glance, and the corners of Zhai Yu’s mouth lifted slightly as he gave a seemingly evasive answer. "In the world of Martial Artists, resource acquisition... often comes down to the most primitive form of combat. It both improves your strength and allows you to obtain resources... like High Tier Martial Skills, or some superior Weapons."

Wan Ze felt a stir of interest.

But before he could speak, Zhai Yu added with a smile, "No rush. First, get a handle on the Power you just gained from your breakthrough... In two weeks, a job will come up. I’ll have Xiaojia contact you then."

With that, he patted Wan Ze’s shoulder and turned to leave.

Zhai Jia didn’t leave right away. He stayed and said to Wan Ze with a laugh, "Don’t you like collecting Martial Skills? You can really hang with us now. Before, when you were only at Blood Tempering, Master wouldn’t allow it, but things are different now... Even Qin Jiu died at your hands, and you can withstand seventy percent of my power. You can venture out into the martial world... as long as you’re careful, it won’t be a problem. So, what do you say? You in?"

Wan Ze smiled. "You and Brother Yu both trust me this much, how could I refuse? Contact me when the time comes."

"Haha, I knew it! Originally, Brother Yu and I were thinking of bringing Xiaoming along and waiting a couple of years before taking you... but you, kid, you’re too much of a monster." Zhai Jia laughed and also clapped Wan Ze on the shoulder. "Wait two weeks. During that time, I’ll drop by whenever to spar with you and help you master this new Power sooner."

Wan Ze was actually a little shaken inside.

’It’s true that all my Attributes just increased because of my Martial Skill’s advancement, but Brother Yu and Brother Jia are a bit too perceptive to have sensed it.’

But then he remembered how Zhou Xianchuan and Sun Fan had also been completely exposed before him, and he relaxed.

「After Zhai Jia left.」

Wan Ze stayed cooped up in the martial hall, focused on his Cultivation.

The last glimmer of twilight sank below the horizon, and the light in the courtyard dimmed.

He maintained his Pile Skill stance, his feet shoulder-width apart, his hands held in a loose embrace before his chest, his breathing long and steady.

Footsteps sounded from the courtyard gate.

Without turning his head, Wan Ze said, "Shouldn’t you be in the hospital? What are you doing here?"

The footsteps paused, then continued to approach.

Sun Beixi walked to the center of the courtyard and stopped just behind and to the side of him, not speaking immediately.

Wan Ze felt a gaze fall upon him, linger for a moment, then shift away to look at the northern night sky.

The night deepened, and a few stars twinkled overhead.

"Brother Expert..."

Sun Beixi finally spoke, his voice slow as if he were brewing up something. "Tell me, what is a person really after in this life?"

Wan Ze didn’t even lift his eyelids.

"What are they after? To stay alive, of course."

Sun Beixi froze, the speech he had prepared stuck in his throat.

Wan Ze continued to hold his Pile Skill stance, his breathing rhythm unbroken. "There are only two things in this life... staying alive, and keeping your family alive. Thinking about all that other nonsense... you must be bored out of your mind."

Sun Beixi opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He had prepared a whole stomachful of words: about the great terror that lies between life and death, how a Martial Artist must face death to see their true heart, how everything besides life and death is trivial.

These were all things he had heard from various masters over the years, things he had pondered repeatedly. They would have been the perfect opening.

But the guy had shut him down with a single sentence.

’To stay alive, of course.’

’Have to admit, that damn saying is the epitome of profound simplicity!’

Sun Beixi stood where he was, looking at Wan Ze’s back, and suddenly felt a bit dazed.

This young man had killed Qin Jiu, killed Qin Jiu’s disciple, and faced two Veteran Martial Artists without batting an eye. And now, standing here in the night, he was telling him... people live just to live.

He wanted to say something, but when his lips moved, it pulled at his wounds.

"HISS!"

His lofty, master-like demeanor instantly crumbled.

Sun Beixi clutched his ribs, grimacing as he sucked in a sharp breath. "You..."

He took a moment to recover, his gaze complex as he looked at Wan Ze. "Brother Expert, I’m starting to find you quite interesting. You have a deep way of thinking."

Wan Ze didn’t reply.

Sun Beixi stood there and looked up at the northern night sky. This time, he was really looking, not just putting on an act.

After a long while, he let out a slow sigh.

"I’ve met a lot of people over the years. Some aren’t afraid of death, some are. Some talk tough but their legs turn to jelly when it’s their time, and some say they’re scared but fight more ferociously than anyone when their life is on the line. But I’ve never met anyone like you... so straightforward."

Wan Ze finally opened his eyes and glanced over at him.

"Just say it. What do you want from me?"

Sun Beixi smiled. "Just wanted to chat."

Wan Ze looked at him for two seconds, then looked away and resumed his Pile Skill practice.

Sun Beixi stood for a while longer, felt it was getting dull, and waved his hand as he turned to walk away.

His footsteps made soft sounds on the green bricks, growing more and more distant.

When he reached the courtyard gate, he suddenly stopped.

Wan Ze heard the footsteps cease. He didn’t turn around, just waited.

A few seconds later, Sun Beixi’s face peeked out from behind the doorframe. He scratched his head, looking a little awkward.

"Brother Expert."

"Hm?"

"If..." Sun Beixi paused. "If I wanted to ask you to make a move, to help me with something, what would it cost?"

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Wan Ze slowly relaxed from his Pile Skill stance and turned to look at the face peeking around the door.

In the darkness, he couldn’t make out the expression, only that pair of shining eyes, filled with a mix of probing, expectation, and a hint of bashfulness.

He was silent for two seconds before saying slowly, "My price for taking action isn’t cheap. If you’re not afraid of it, then come in and talk."

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