125: Chapter 124 Stealing the Xingyi Quan

After calling Qi Bin and confirming that Xiahou Anbang was not out, he drove the BMW X7 parked at the port directly toward the embassy.

Half an hour later, Cao Xiao and his two companions arrived at the embassy and met with Qi Bin and Xiahou Anbang in an office.

"What brings you here today? How is the progress with Dapu?" Qi Bin asked Cao Xiao with a puzzled look.

"Dapu hasn't contacted me, so it should be proceeding steadily. I specifically prepared gifts today to visit Big Brother Xiahou, and of course, I prepared one for Brother Qi as well!" Cao Xiao said, taking out two exquisite wooden boxes and placing them on the table.

"Hmph! Giving gifts without a reason—it's either deceit or theft! What business do you have with Xiahou? If I weren't here today, I wouldn't even have a share of these gifts! You actually dared to brazenly offer gifts at the embassy; have you lost your mind?" Qi Bin glanced at the boxes on the table and glared at Cao Xiao, speaking without mercy.

Cao Xiao had been prepared for this. He wasn't trying to bribe them or make them bend the law. If he weren't afraid of being rude, he wouldn't have bothered to cause himself trouble. Moreover, the gifts he brought didn't exceed regulations, and only he knew their true value.

He grinned and said, "Don't wrong me. I came here today to ask Big Brother Xiahou for advice on a private matter. Besides, these boxes only contain some ordinary medicinal powder, worth at most a few hundred yuan; it won't cause you to break any rules."

Qi Bin had heard things about Cao Xiao and knew he wasn't a stingy person; he was wealthy and wouldn't give shabby gifts. Suspicious, he looked closely at Cao Xiao. Seeing that Cao Xiao's eyes didn't waver, he picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a small porcelain bottle. He pulled out the stopper, saw the white medicinal powder inside, and sniffed it, but couldn't tell what it was. He handed the bottle to Xiahou Anbang and said, "Take a look and see what kind of powder this is. This kid is cunning; I won't feel at ease unless I know for sure."

Xiahou Anbang took the porcelain bottle, sniffed it, and after giving Cao Xiao a strange look, said to Qi Bin, "This is ginseng powder. It should be of a considerable age, but since it's been turned into powder, it's impossible to tell the exact age, and its value is hard to determine."

Qi Bin excitedly slapped the table and said with sudden realization, "I knew it! This thing is definitely not simple. I heard from my classmate that this kid got incredibly lucky a while ago. He went to Changbai Mountain for a trip and ended up wandering abroad. He spent a few days alone in the deep mountains and forests, came out completely fine, and even brought back a stash of aged ginseng. He didn't think much of it and just left it in his bedroom. As a result, a nearly thousand-year-old ginseng root was stolen. By the time it was recovered, more than half had already been eaten raw. Even the remaining half sold for 120 million! Later, he went on a crazy spree, giving away century-old ginseng to anyone he met. Good thing I was extra cautious, or I would have ruined my reputation! And he tried to pull a fast one on me, thinking I wouldn't know just because he turned it into powder? Honestly, how old is this stuff!"

Cao Xiao didn't expect Chen Huaiyu to have sold him out so thoroughly. This was a complete distortion of the facts. Was it wrong to have good luck? Was it wrong to share good things with friends and family? How did he end up with this image in their eyes? A deep sense of powerlessness welled up in his heart. Others' perceptions of him were already set, and they even cited examples to prove it; anything he said would be useless. He could only awkwardly say, "Ahem! Brother Qi, you're all overthinking this! It really is ginseng powder, but just some garden-grown ginseng a few years old. It's everywhere on the market; how much could it be worth?"

"Forget it, I can't be bothered to argue with you. Either way, I don't believe you. You take the stuff back later. If you have something to say, just say it directly; don't try any crooked schemes!" Qi Bin said impatiently.

"Old Qi, just accept the gifts. It's a kind gesture. It just so happens the cafeteria bought a few authentic domestic free-range chickens today. Let's send these two bottles of ginseng powder over to stew with them for everyone to get some nourishment. Since we can't figure out the exact value anyway, let's just consider it Cao Xiao sponsoring us. I'll report it to the Ambassador later," Xiahou Anbang said, persuading Qi Bin.

"Huh! Why didn't I think of that? You're right, the things this kid gives are rare. Since he won't admit it, we'll just treat it as 'striking the local tyrant'. The colleagues aren't very accustomed to the environment here; it's a good way to give everyone some nourishment. This isn't bribery." Qi Bin's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he slapped his forehead happily.

"Cao Xiao, what did you come to find me for? As long as it doesn't violate principles, I will certainly help if I can." Xiahou Anbang was very puzzled. He had only met Cao Xiao once, and they had no connection either professionally or personally. He didn't know why he had suddenly come specifically to see him.

Cao Xiao's body trembled; it was finally time to get to the point. His visit to Xiahou Anbang was abrupt, which was why he had brought the ginseng as a gift. The ginseng powder in the two boxes was of different ages; the one for Qi Bin was only thirty years old, while the one for Xiahou Anbang was a hundred years old. When asking for help, one must have the right attitude, especially with someone with whom one has no friendship. Without a generous gift, it wouldn't be appropriate to disturb him with empty words. He hadn't expected that after Qi Bin's commotion, Xiahou Anbang would be completely unaware of the gift's value, and he himself couldn't bring it up. But he didn't have much time left in Cape Town, and he didn't know when he would see Xiahou Anbang next, so he had to bite the bullet and ask carefully, "Big Brother Xiahou, you must be an Anjin Martial Artist, right?"

"Haha! It seems I wasn't wrong; you are also a martial arts practitioner. Judging by your complexion, you must have just started not long ago. If I'm not mistaken, you should be practicing the Eight Extremes Fist; there's a vague shadow of the 'Mountain-Leaning Strike' when you move. However, you have a master, and I don't practice Eight Extremes, so I can't instruct you." Xiahou Anbang guessed Cao Xiao's purpose immediately upon hearing the question. As a martial artist, he was very observant of people's physical movements. He had seen through Cao Xiao's foundation the first time they met, so he didn't find it strange. Since they were fellow practitioners with lineages, he didn't deny the fact that he was an Anjin Martial Artist.

There aren't many masters in the National Martial Arts world, but there are far too many who haven't even entered the gate. One doesn't necessarily have to practice traditional National Martial Arts to reach a certain level of power. The classification of levels—Obvious Power, Anjin, and Huajin—is actually about the degree of control over one's own strength. Ordinary people might be able to reach the level of Obvious Power if they perform effective training for a long time, but it's very difficult to do so without systematic training, which is why many people linger at the introductory stage. Anjin is different from Obvious Power because it not only requires subtle control over one's own strength but also requires meeting various conditions to be considered a true Anjin master. Not to mention those messy training methods, even those with complete lineage techniques might not be able to enter this realm, let alone Huajin. It's rare for one out of ten Anjin Martial Artists to break through to Huajin. Currently, the known Huajin masters in China can be counted on two hands, and they are all quite old.

"It's not a question of the boxing style. I want to ask how to master the strength of the whole body, and also how to reach the level of Obvious Power." Seeing that Xiahou Anbang was not displeased, Cao Xiao felt a surge of joy and said excitedly.

Xiahou Anbang pondered for a long while before speaking: "I practice Xing Yi Quan. Each style's method for training strength is different and is a closely guarded secret; I really can't guarantee I can instruct you on that. However, I can share some of my personal insights regarding strength. We martial artists practice boxing to possess greater power, to condense our own strength, and to skillfully use it to unleash its maximum potential. To condense strength, one must keep the body in a peak state and refine it through specialized techniques. 'Strength' refers to power, while 'Jin' is the control over that power. Training strength is easy, but training 'Jin' is difficult. Strength is the foundation, but this foundation isn't necessarily better the larger it is; the greater one's own strength, the harder it is to refine 'Jin'. It's also not the case that the smaller the strength, the easier it is, otherwise, what would be the point of practicing martial arts? Suppose a person's base strength is ten; the power they can unleash after refining 'Jin' might be fifteen, twenty, or even reach one hundred. This is several times more powerful than the attack power of those whose base strength is twenty or thirty but who haven't mastered 'Jin'. This is the meaning of practicing martial arts. Everyone's physical condition is different; as long as you find your own balance point of strength and the correct method, refining 'Jin' is just a matter of time. You must have only started practicing martial arts recently, and your body hasn't even been adjusted well yet. You still have a long way to go to refine 'Jin'. Since you have a master, there isn't much I can instruct you on. Regarding 'Jin', I will only tell you one sentence: 'Practice boxing to train strength, realize the Jin; Jin arises from the heart.' When you practice boxing yourself, try to perceive it more, and I believe you will gain something."

"Thank you, Big Brother Xiahou! Xing Yi Quan is renowned; it's rare to have the opportunity to meet an Anjin master like you. My master has limited mobility in his hands and feet, so I have never truly witnessed the power of National Martial Arts. Could Big Brother Xiahou demonstrate it for me so I can broaden my horizons and witness the unique style of Xing Yi Quan?" Cao Xiao pleaded, pushing his luck.

"I have nothing to do today, so it wouldn't hurt to show you. However, it is inconvenient for us martial artists to be exposed to the eyes of ordinary people. Only a few people in the embassy know that I am a martial artist; you must remember this in the future! It's not convenient to demonstrate here, let's go to the training room!" Xiahou Anbang was surprised to hear that Cao Xiao's master had limited mobility. For a martial artist, that could only mean a disability caused by injury. He felt some sympathy for Cao Xiao and did not refuse his request. It was just an observation, so it was harmless. Boxing styles require not only practicing the form but also focusing on intent and Qi. Without the techniques to circulate Qi and concentrate intent, one couldn't learn it even after watching it thousands of times.

Cao Xiao thanked him on the spot, and Xiahou Anbang led Cao Xiao toward the residential area behind the embassy, while Qi Bin tactfully left.

It was now approaching noon, and the training room was empty. After Xiahou Anbang locked the door, he stood still, calmed his Qi and focused his mind, then slowly opened his stance and said: "Xing Yi Quan is as famous as Tai Chi and Baguazhang, all belonging to the three major internal martial arts. Its fighting style is mostly straight-line advancement, which is significantly different from the horizontal movement of Bagua and the centering of Tai Chi. The short-range, straight-line strikes of Xing Yi Quan are most suitable for use in battle formations; it has no flashy moves, and its long-range strength is also the fastest. When two armies are engaged, in the midst of thousands of troops and horses, it is not easy to have room to dodge and maneuver. One can only advance straight ahead, striking while moving and moving while striking, like the bursting of the Yellow River."

"Xing Yi Quan uses the Five Elements Fists and the Twelve Shape Fists as its basic boxing styles. The Five Elements Fists are Splitting, Crushing, Drilling, Pounding, and Crossing. The Twelve Shape Fists are Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Rooster, Sparrow Hawk, Swallow, Snake, Alligator, Tai Bird, Eagle, and Bear. It uses the Three-Body Stance as the basic standing method. Xing Yi Quan requires 'Six Harmonies': the heart aligns with the intent, the intent aligns with the Qi, the Qi aligns with the strength, the shoulders align with the hips, the elbows align with the knees, and the hands align with the feet. The movements emphasize attacking as you advance, with hands and feet arriving simultaneously, striking as soon as launched, with 'one inch' being the priority. There is a saying: 'Rise like the wind, fall like an arrow; even hitting them down is considered too slow'."

"Striking like a steel file, landing like a hooked pole."

"The two elbows never leave the ribs; the two hands never leave the heart."

"Stepping like walking a plow, landing like taking root."

...

"Xing Yi Quan emphasizes the 'Ten Eyes' and 'Sixteen Practices': training the head, training the body, training the hands, training the steps, training the extremities, training the essence, training the intent, training the Qi, training the strength, and training the skill."

"The first step in practicing Xing Yi Quan is to build the foundation, strengthen the body, and make the bones as hard as iron and stone. This is the level of Obvious Power. The second step requires the whole body to be complete, combining hardness and softness, focusing the spirit, unifying form and spirit, guiding the body with intent, and unleashing power with Qi. This belongs to the levels of Anjin and Huajin. I haven't mastered it perfectly either. You can't see the intent behind it now, but I will leave you with an impression; it might be helpful when you break through to Anjin in the future. This is all I can help you with; the rest will depend on your own effort and fortune."

Xiahou Anbang slowly retracted his stance. After exhaling a breath of turbid air, his complexion remained normal and his breathing steady, not at all like someone who had just undergone strenuous exercise. Just now, Xiahou Anbang had demonstrated Xing Yi Quan starting from the most basic standing meditation, explaining relevant tips while demonstrating. He had meticulously demonstrated and explained everything—standing meditation, Qi circulation, boxing moves, body refining, and so on—far exceeding the scope of a simple demonstration. If one could fully memorize this knowledge, one could completely use it to reach the introductory level of Xing Yi Quan. This was a huge favor!

Although the boxing classic he obtained from Hou Jingsheng also incorporated some key points of Xing Yi Quan, it was not as direct as seeing the real Xing Yi Quan in person. Xiahou Anbang had just demonstrated all the Xing Yi Quan moves in one go. If one were not a martial artist, one might not be able to perceive the astonishing power brewing within his movements. Cao Xiao couldn't see much with his naked eye, as he was still shallow in his understanding of 'Jin', but his skin clearly perceived the changes in the air caused by Xiahou Anbang's moves. The air in the entire closed training room was violently shifting with his movements, his hair was being blown about by the chaotic wind, and waves of air vibration were coming from that direction, with the sound of bones cracking incessantly. Cao Xiao only felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest, which stopped abruptly when Xiahou Anbang retracted his fists. He understood that this was the power of Anjin; not only was the level of power higher than 'Jin', but it could also interfere with and cause changes in external objects.

Under the monitoring of the Detection Function, even changes in the magnetic field were detected, and the center of the change was Xiahou Anbang's body. This shocked him immensely; this was no longer the martial arts in the traditional sense that he knew, but already involved another mysterious realm of power. Unable to resist his curiosity, he performed a combat power scan on Xiahou Anbang.

Before the scan results were obtained, Xiahou Anbang suddenly turned his head, looking at Cao Xiao with eyes as sharp as a falcon's. His entire aura erupted. Cao Xiao felt as if his heart had been tightly gripped by someone; he immediately felt unable to breathe, his mind was suppressed, and it was as if he were facing a terrifying primordial beast, filled with fear.