I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 114: Vow, Ming Yu Gong!

Although Xie An had never met Old Master Tang, he knew that he was over a hundred years old. Among the four people in the pavilion, the old man who fished was the oldest.

The other three people were all between thirty and fifty years old.

What's more, these three people had previously disguised themselves as farmers, fishermen and blacksmiths...definitely not in line with the style of a master like Old Master Tang.

With an estimate in mind, Xie An slowly walked to the outside of the pavilion. He did not enter the pavilion, but bowed to the old man from a distance, "Junior Xie An, greetings to Old Master Tang!"

The white-haired old man sat upright on a low stool, concentrating on fishing, and did not answer.

Xie An also maintained a slightly bowed posture.

The atmosphere was awkward for a while.

At this moment, the farmer came over and helped Xie An up. "Big brother likes fishing. He doesn't talk to you while he's fishing. Even if I come to him, he won't pay attention to me. Don't worry about it, little Xie. Come in and sit down."

Xie An thanked him and followed the farmer into the pavilion, where they sat down at the stone table. The farmer went to the nearby woodshed and brought back a stove, saying, "Qiutang, Donghai, don't just stand there. Little Xie is new here, so we should be more welcoming. Go get some snacks and tea. Make Xiao Xie a cup of tea."

"I listen to my second brother."

"Second brother is always so particular."

Then, the three men started to get busy in the yard.

Soon, a stove was lit in the pavilion, along with a kettle, tea leaves, and snacks. It wasn't a particularly sumptuous feast, but it was certainly simple. Xie An looked at it in a daze.

The main thing is... Xie An has seen these three people before.

A farmer blows a puff of smoke and it turns into a strong wind.

A fisherman used an oar to stir up the water and rushed out dozens of meters, causing the carriage to shake continuously.

It's understandable that a blacksmith's hammer would make a harsh sound, but it's terrifying if it causes a strong wind shock wave.

With Xie An's current knowledge, he naturally knew that these three people were all extraordinary people, or people with profound martial arts skills. At least they were much better than Yu He, and they might have broken through the five basic levels and entered the realm of internal force martial artists.

Internal force martial artist!

Xie An dared not even think about this existence. It was said that it could release its internal energy and kill people from ten steps away. Such miraculous means were beyond the comprehension of ghosts and gods. It was definitely not something Xie An could imagine today.

Recalling the previous skills of these three people, Xie An felt that... they might be martial artists.

Just as Xie An was pondering this, the three of them had already gathered around him. The farmer poured Xie An a cup of tea and said with a smile, "Don't be alarmed, little Xie. We're not strangers. Let me introduce myself to you. My name is Longxia. Because I'm a few years older than you, everyone gives me face and calls me Second Brother."

Farmer...midsummer.

Xie An matched the information together in his mind to strengthen his memory.

At this time, Long Xia pointed to the blacksmith next to him and said, "This is Yi Qiutang, sixty years old, a famous blacksmith. In his early years, he helped the Tai'a Taoist Temple in Nanyang Prefecture forge swords. He is younger than me and is the third brother."

The blacksmith, Yi Qiutang, forged swords for the Tai'a Taoist Temple...

It feels like it’s from a very important background.

Tai'a Daoyuan was the Daoist temple of Nanyang Prefecture. If the Nanyang Prefecture Yamen was compared to the highest government institution, then Tai'a Daoyuan was the leader of the martial arts world in Nanyang Prefecture, cultivating talents for the imperial court while suppressing local martial artists to prevent them from causing chaos.

The so-called knights used force to break the law, and the imperial court respected Taoism as the state religion. Naturally, they also took precautions against this.

Finally, Longqing pointed at the fisherman and said, "This is Chen Donghai, fifty-three years old. Born into fishing, he's good at swimming and has practiced water-based martial arts. He once served as a captain in the Nanyang Prefecture's navy. He's the youngest, the fourth in command."

Xie An felt his scalp tingling when he heard this.

Each of them comes from a prominent background.

Xie An stood up and greeted them one by one, "My name is Xie An, nice to meet you, Brother Long, Brother Yi, and Brother Chen."

He had originally thought that this visit to Tangjiabao would be a one-on-one meeting between Xie An and Old Master Tang, to test his aura or something. Unexpectedly… this situation greatly exceeded Xie An's expectations.

Suddenly, there were three more brothers...all of them were quite old. The fourth oldest, Chen Donghai, was already fifty-three...two years older than me.

Old Man Head Club?
Although the three old men were quite old, they didn't look very young. Their skin wasn't noticeably wrinkled, and they looked to be in their forties. Even the oldest, Long Xia, looked no older than fifty.

Needless to say, I know... health-preserving exercises!

Maybe he is not just an ordinary health-preserving master, but a master!

Far surpassing Tang Qingfeng's existence.

This made Xie An very uneasy for a while.

Fortunately, the three old men were not too arrogant and returned the greetings with smiles. Long Xia, in particular, was even more cheerful. "Xiao Xie, do you think it's a bit rude of us to intercept you in broad daylight?"

Xie An said: "I dare not."

Ha ha.

Long Xia laughed and said, "Actually, this was all the fourth brother's bad idea. As early as around Laba, we received a letter from the eldest brother, saying that he had found a promising young man who could cultivate qi. The three of us rushed back from other places without stopping, just to see the promising young man that the eldest brother mentioned. The fourth brother was anxious, saying that there was no way such a young man could be found in Qingwu County. He was afraid that the eldest brother would make a mistake, so he shouted and asked us to intercept him on the road..."

At this point, Long Xia smiled awkwardly, then glared at Chen Donghai, "Fourth brother, I've long told you that this is unnecessary. Xiao Xie is a very handsome man."

Chen Donghai coughed twice to hide his embarrassment, "Second brother, how could you reveal such a small piece of private information? You don't even know how to save face for others. It's so boring."

This made Yi Qiutang and Longxia burst into laughter. Xie An was also infected and couldn't help laughing.

The unfamiliarity between each other has also been eliminated a lot.

Seeing that Old Master Tang was still immersed in fishing and guessing that he would need to fish for a long time, Xie An asked his three brothers whether they had ever practiced health-preserving exercises.

Hahaha.

Long Xia laughed and said, "Xiao Xie, look at my appearance. How old do I look like?"

Xie An said truthfully, "Forty-seven or forty-eight."

Long Xia's smile grew even brighter. "I won't hide it from you. I'm already ninety years old. It's all because I met my elder brother when I was twenty. I inherited his health-preserving skills, and after seventy years of perseverance, I have achieved this appearance. Otherwise, if I had only practiced martial arts, I'm afraid I would have been very old, or even dead."

Persisting in practicing health-preserving exercises for seventy years!

Xie An was really shocked.

What a great endurance and willpower.

Long Xia then introduced, "My third brother, Yi Qiutang, also met my eldest brother when he was young and has been practicing the Yangsheng Qigong for over forty years. My fourth brother, Chen Donghai, has also been practicing the Yangsheng Qigong for over thirty years."

Xie An was silent.

Health-preserving exercises are different from martial arts. They may not bring great achievements, but they can prolong life and are a more profound way. Although Xie An knew that in this chaotic world, he would not be able to protect himself if he did not practice martial arts.

But what Xie An was more interested in was actually health-preserving exercises, which were methods to prolong life and achieve longevity.

Practicing martial arts is somewhat forced, or it is for self-defense.

Looking at the three old men in front of him, Xie An felt as if he had found a resonance.

These days, it's very rare to find people who persist in practicing health-preserving exercises!
Most people are eager to learn martial arts, striving for fame, wealth, or even killing people and building great achievements. However, very few people can calm down and practice the peaceful and tranquil health-preserving exercises.

If Xie An were decades younger and had not experienced the fear of dying of old age, he would probably have followed the crowd, practiced martial arts, and become famous throughout the world.

Thinking of this, Xie An admired the three people in front of him very much.

"The three brothers have devoted their lives to maintaining good health. This is truly admirable."

Long Xia waved his hand and said, "When I was young, I didn't think much of health-preserving exercises. It was only thanks to my elder brother's strict discipline that I persevered. Later, as I got older, I gradually felt the benefits of health-preserving exercises. On the contrary, I am more grateful for my elder brother's strict guidance back then. Otherwise, I am afraid I would not be alive anymore."

However, health-preserving exercises can only prolong life, but ultimately cannot change fate. Therefore, martial arts cannot be neglected. How many years has Xiao Xie been practicing health-preserving exercises?

Xie An was afraid that telling the truth would scare people, so he concealed it. "It has been going on for twenty or thirty years."

Long Xia nodded and said, "It's really amazing that you have developed a sense of Qi in just twenty or thirty years."

Yi Qiutang and Chen Donghai on the side also nodded in approval. At this moment, a clear and bright voice came from outside the pavilion -

"Haha, the fish is hooked."

I saw Old Master Tang suddenly pick up the fishing rod, and a big red koi was hanging on the hook. After raising the hook, Old Master Tang held the koi in one hand with a smile on his face.

At this moment, Long Xia and the other two stood up and went to meet them.

"Congratulations, big brother, the carp has been caught, which is a good omen."

"It's still a big red koi, the meaning is doubled."

"The person has arrived, the koi has come, double happiness has arrived."

"Hahaha, what you three brothers said is right." Tang Zhengyang threw the koi into the fish basket, and Long Xia handed Tang Zhengyang a towel to wipe his hands.

"Brother Xie An, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I haven't gone fishing for several years, and today I wanted to catch a koi. And it turned out to be my wish. Brother Xie is really my lucky star." Tang Zhengyang strode into the pavilion and spoke kindly.

Xie An hurriedly bowed and said, "It's okay for me to wait a little longer. The koi caught by the old man is a first-class happy event."

"Hahaha, sit down and talk."

Tang Zhengyang took the lead and sat down, and the others dared to follow suit.

Long Xia took the initiative to offer Tang Zhengyang some hot tea. Tang Zhengyang took a sip and after exchanging pleasantries with Xie An, he said, "Xie Xiaoxiong, I'm sorry to bother you to come over during the New Year. Besides the fact that you have cultivated your Qi sense, I also want you to meet some of my brothers. We can get to know each other better..."

Tang Zhengyang treated Xie An with openness and a broad mind. He also treated Xie An as a stranger, and solemnly introduced the other three to him.

Finally, Tang Zhengyang said, "There are few people practicing health-preserving exercises in this world, and... ever since Master passed away and Senior Brother left, I, a lone man, have encountered many doubts on the path of health-preserving exercises that I can't resolve on my own. Fortunately, I met three virtuous brothers. We are all dedicated to health and longevity, and each of us is a genius in health-preserving exercises. The four of us became sworn brothers, and together we will delve into the art of health and longevity, verifying each other's knowledge and sharing it with each other. It has actually made us more enjoyable and has led to greater progress."

Only then did Xie An understand.

Suddenly, I felt that the path to longevity and health was too lonely. It's hard to make progress if you're just tinkering with it alone, and it's also lonely. If I had more friends... that would be much better.

Xie An felt somewhat envious.

"Although my three brothers and I have studied health-preserving exercises for many years, we still can't change our fate. Therefore, we can't neglect martial arts. Some seek longevity through health-preserving exercises, while others seek longevity through martial arts. Each has its own benefits, and there is no definitive conclusion yet." Tang Zhengyang recounted, "Everyone is still groping in the dark, but Master was originally the expert in this area... What a pity. Never mind, let's not talk about the past... Come, have some tea."

Then, everyone drank tea and chatted.

Although they were talking and laughing... Xie An felt the situation was awkward.

Everyone obviously had something to say, but seemed hesitant.

Having lived for most of his life, Xie An still has some vision.

Xie An felt that someone was needed to break the deadlock.

Sure enough, the youngest, Chen Donghai, suddenly coughed twice and said, "Brother, I've already had my fifth cup of tea. Let's get down to business. I'm in a hurry to have the New Year's Eve dinner."

hiss……

The scene was suffocating.

Then, Tang Zhengyang laughed heartily, "Hahaha, fine, fine, fourth brother is still direct. Then I'll do as you say."

After saying this, Tang Zhengyang's expression turned serious, and he looked Xie An up and down. "Brother Xie, could I take your pulse and check for heat in your body?"

Xie An knew it was coming, and suppressed his excitement and said, "I am willing to listen to the old master's orders."

Tang Zhengyang nodded; "Extend your right hand."

Xie An extended his right hand, while Tang Zhengyang placed one hand on Xie An's wrist, checking his pulse. Suddenly, he felt an extremely strong heat penetrate Xie An's body through his skin pores, flowing through his limbs and bones, and heading straight for the middle dantian in his chest.

Crimson Palace!

Immediately, Tang Zhengyang's heat met Xie An's Crimson Palace Qi, and a violent collision ensued, causing Xie An to feel extremely uncomfortable, as if he were about to explode. Tang Zhengyang's face also turned somewhat pale, beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and his eyes widened.

This expression caused the other three to be extremely surprised, and they all looked at Xie An intently.

hum.

When Tang Zhengyang withdrew his hand, the stone table exploded and turned into powder.

Xie An quickly felt the heat flow in his body and found nothing was wrong. It seemed that Old Master Tang was just checking.

"it is good!"

Tang Zhengyang was extremely surprised. "The last time I saw you, your Qi was only just beginning to mature. I didn't expect that in just less than a month, you've already refined the Qi of the Crimson Palace. This is truly comparable to what others have achieved in ten years. Thank you, brother. You are truly a genius at practicing health-preserving exercises."

The other three brothers were also shocked when they heard this.

"What? You've already cultivated the Crimson Palace Qi in just one month?"

"After I developed the sense of Qi, it took me a full twelve years to develop the Qi of the Crimson Palace."

"Turtle...Brother, you found a treasure."

Xie An had long known the power of the longevity character and was not surprised.

Tang Zhengyang no longer had the cheerful expression he had before, instead he became extremely serious, "Xie An, my Tang Family Fort has a unique martial art, and I have always wanted to find a successor in Qingwu County. On the one hand, it is to continue my master's unique skills, and on the other hand, I also want someone to protect my Tang Family descendants after a hundred years.

Your talent in health-preserving exercises exceeds my expectations. Perhaps you can give it a try. But I need you to swear an oath."

Xie An bowed and said, "Please tell me clearly, old master."

Tang Zhengyang said, "You must swear: First, regardless of whether you succeed in your cultivation or not, a hundred years after I die, you must protect the descendants of the Tang family to the best of your ability. Second, if you succeed in your cultivation and any of the descendants of the Tang family develop a sense of Qi, you must selflessly pass this skill on to them."

Xie An thought it would be a difficult oath to make, but he didn't expect... it would be so simple.

This is so easy.

Suddenly, Xie An's eyes looked different when he looked at Tang Zhengyang.

A good horse meets a good horse trainer.

brush.

Xie An bowed and said, "Even if Old Master Tang doesn't say it, this is my duty as Xie An."

"Okay. Come with me to the ancestral hall. Second brother, prepare incense, paper, pen, and ink."

……

Behind the main hall, there is a small courtyard, which is the Tang family's ancestral hall.

In the ancestral hall.

There were offerings and incense burners placed on the incense table, and the Tang family's spirit tablet was placed on top.

Tang Zhengyang was the first to burn incense, followed by Longxia, Yi Qiutang, and Chen Donghai. Longxia then wrote a handwritten oath and handed it to Xie An for his signature.

After signing, Old Master Tang lit three incense sticks and solemnly handed them to Xie An. "Xie An, you have cultivated the energy of the Crimson Palace. I am not fortunate enough to shoulder your fate, so I will not accept you as my disciple. You can call me Big Brother. Burn incense to the ancestors of the Tang family and swear an oath in front of their spirit tablets. I will teach you everything I know."

"Yes."

Xie An took the three incense sticks, bowed down in front of the ancestral tablets of the Tang family, and said word by word: "Junior Xie An, today in front of the heroic spirits of the ancestors of the Tang family, I swear:
First, when Old Master Tang passes on the unique skills of the Tang family to me, regardless of whether I succeed in practicing them or not, I, Xie An, will do my utmost to protect the descendants of the Tang family.

Second, if I am lucky enough to master a unique skill, and if someone among the descendants of the Tang family develops the ability to sense qi, I will selflessly pass on the skills to the descendants of the Tang family and teach them everything I know.

If you break this oath, I, Xie An, will be struck by five thunderbolts and pierced by ten thousand arrows!"

After saying this, Xie An bowed three times before solemnly inserting the incense stick into the incense burner.

"it is good!"

Tang Zhengyang stepped forward to help Xie An up, then in front of everyone, he took out a yellowed ancient book from his bosom and handed it to Xie An with both hands. "This is the unique skills passed down to me by my master Li Changchun. Now, I will pass it on to you."

Xie An glanced sideways and saw three eye-catching words written on the cover:
Mingyu Gong!
(End of this chapter)