Chapter 80: The Pure Heart Palm

Chapter 80: The Gentle Heart Palm

Chapter 11: Hidden in the Capital’s Woods, Where Ambition Lies; The Seven States in Tumult, the Spring and Autumn in Chaos (Part Ten)

Zhang Ke and the others had been quietly waiting. Suddenly, Grandmaster Qingling glanced in their direction and, without pause, spoke these words. The group exchanged puzzled looks, bewildered at the master’s meaning.

Then, a rather slender young man in the assembly stood up. All eyes turned to him: he wore clothing of somber brown, and though his figure was slightly frail, his eyes shone with an indescribable brilliance. Not handsome in the usual sense, yet his smile was curiously pleasant to behold. Bowing to Grandmaster Qingling, he smiled and said, “Yes, Master. Your disciple Tian Liang obeys.”

Having spoken, he looked toward their side. The disciples all stood, then sat down once more, leaving a wide ring about five or six yards from the young man. In a few moments, a space of about thirty feet in diameter had cleared around him. Zhang Ke surveyed the crowd and whispered, “What shall we do? Who among us will go and spar with him?”

Everyone shook their heads, thinking to themselves, “Tian Liang’s progress in cultivation has been so swift, rising above hundreds of others—he must be extraordinary. If I go up, I fear I’ll be no match for him!”

Seeing the silence drag on, Zhang Ke stepped forward. “If that is the case, then let me set the example. If I am defeated, my fellow brothers can take their turn.”

With that, Zhang Ke strode into the open ground. The slender youth saw a handsome young man approach, and at once cupped his fists. “Brother, I am Tian Liang. At my master’s command, I will spar with you in the Gentle Heart Palm. I ask you to go easy on me. Should my conduct be improper, I hope for your guidance.”

Zhang Ke returned the salute. “Brother, you are too modest. I am no match for you; I must ask you to go easy on me.” With that, he steadied his breath and stood ready, saying no more.

Seeing that Zhang Ke was focused and prepared, Tian Liang smiled slightly, then suddenly launched a punch. Halfway through, it changed into a finger thrust, then a grabbing motion, and as he neared, it became a palm strike. A surge of inner power emanated, and a fierce wind rushed at Zhang Ke’s face. Startled, Zhang Ke thought, “His techniques are truly uncanny!”

He gathered his own inner strength and met the attack, his right hand flashing out to block, then hooking at Tian Liang’s wrist. But Tian Liang’s other fist swung out with a whoosh, trailing streaks of white light, striking straight for Zhang Ke’s right shoulder.

Zhang Ke dodged lightly, but Tian Liang’s second move followed instantly, leaving no gap. Zhang Ke tried to parry, but found that every move Tian Liang made seemed only half-formed, each transforming abruptly midway. His palm techniques were strange and unpredictable—now striking, now grabbing, now blazing with fire, now slicing with wind, even rumbling with thunder, leaving Zhang Ke unsure where the next blow would land. Daring not to be careless, he guarded his vital points closely, waiting for an opening.

Suddenly, Tian Liang called out, “Careful, brother!” Zhang Ke’s vision blurred, and to his astonishment, he saw Tian Liang’s figures all around—kicks from the left, punches from the right, palm strikes from the front, finger jabs from behind. Attacks flew from every direction. Zhang Ke, finding no way to counter, could only whirl his arms and gather his inner strength, defending himself, his own fists seeming to strike only at shadows.

Abruptly, Tian Liang shouted. Zhang Ke felt sharp pain at his waist and abdomen—at his “spinal center” and “shangqu” points—both struck at once. His limbs went numb and he was left paralyzed on the spot.

Tian Liang’s shadows vanished, and he stood before Zhang Ke with a smile. “My apologies! Thank you, brother, for letting me win.”

He stepped forward and tapped a finger, a white light flashing as it touched Zhang Ke, who suddenly regained his movement, his face flushed. “Brother Tian, your Gentle Heart Palm is truly formidable. I am no match. I concede defeat!”

With a slight smile, Tian Liang turned to Grandmaster Qingling. “Master.”

Qingling nodded. “Nephew Zhang Ke, what do you think of the Gentle Heart Palm?”

Zhang Ke bowed respectfully. “Grandmaster Qingling, this Gentle Heart Palm is truly remarkable. But my own attainments are shallow, and I’m sure Brother Tian has not yet shown its full wonders. Its true power has yet to be revealed.”

A glint flashed in Qingling’s eyes. “Oh? You mean to say that if someone else were to try, my disciple Tian Liang’s Gentle Heart Palm might not necessarily prevail?”

Zhang Ke smiled. “I dare not presume, but unless we try, how can we know? My friends here may find it hard to accept otherwise. Though the Gentle Heart Palm is powerful, I fear it has not yet reached the level of awe and astonishment.”

Qingling laughed. “If you are still unconvinced, let your friends come forward. My disciple Tian Liang is at the peak of the Seven Treasures Realm. If anyone can defeat him, I will personally teach that one a supreme art!”

With these words, Zhang Ke and his companions were shaken. Qingling was famed as an adept who had surpassed the Grand Unity realm—if one were to receive even a minor art from him, it would be a treasured skill for anyone at the Seven Treasures level.

Exchanging glances, Cai Shufeng stepped forward. “Let me try my hand at the Gentle Heart Palm!” As he spoke, a flash of light revealed a folding fan in his hand. He cupped his fists to Tian Liang. “Brother Tian, please!”

Tian Liang bowed. “Brother, after you.” Without warning, he closed in, palms whirling in a style entirely different from before, raining dozens of palm strikes in an instant.

Cai Shufeng’s fan snapped open, revealing a painted goshawk. He fanned forward and retreated swiftly, and at once a fierce gale erupted. The forceful wind halted Tian Liang’s barrage, causing him to frown slightly. He took a step forward, his palms curving into a sphere, fingers flexed, right leg sweeping up.

Cai Shufeng dodged right, evading the kick, then reversed his fan and jabbed at Tian Liang’s right shoulder. Tian Liang sank his shoulder slightly, spun his arms in an arc, and Cai Shufeng felt a powerful force numb his hands, nearly wrenching the fan from his grasp. Alarmed, he drove his inner energy into the fan, which glowed bright white, seeming to sprout wings that beat furiously and broke free.

Cai Shufeng used the momentum to retreat swiftly, not daring to let his opponent get close!