Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

When Chen Jianghe came out of the backyard, Su Derong was leaning against a pillar, casually fanning himself. When he saw Chen Jianghe come out, the corners of his mouth turned up with his usual nonchalant smile.

"You're out? Your master taught you the Five Elements Fist?"

Chen Jianghe clasped his hands and said, "I have passed on the knowledge. Thank you for your previous guidance, Senior Brother. Master told me to go back and figure it out on my own, and to come and ask you if I don't understand anything."

"Don't mention it, Master is always so lazy. Never mind." Su Derong waved his hand, strolled over, and lightly tapped him on the shoulder with his fan. "Now that you've entered the sect, you're a formal disciple. According to the rules of the martial arts school, new disciples can receive ten catties of meat from the storeroom every month as a stipend from the school. If you can master the Five Elements Fist to the Ming Jin level, you can get an extra five catties every month."

He paused, then added, "As for tonics... well, that will have to wait until you break through the barriers and enter the realm of internal strength. Only then will the academy provide you with some basic bone-strengthening powder and qi-blood pills as appropriate."

Chen Jianghe's heart stirred.

Ten pounds of meat, though not a large sum, can still replenish a significant amount of lost energy and blood. Given the martial arts school's circumstances, providing this much is already quite an achievement.

Chen Jianghe suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, Third Senior Brother, how exactly are the martial arts cultivation realms divided? Master only taught us the fist techniques earlier, without explaining in detail."

Su Derong was taken aback, his fan hovering in mid-air, his expression somewhat strange: "Master... dressed so formally, and he didn't even tell you this?"

Chen Jianghe shook his head.

"This old man..." Su Derong tapped his forehead with the rib of his fan in exasperation. "Alright, then I'll explain."

He suppressed his smile and said seriously, "In martial arts cultivation, the foundation is paramount. Your successful 'change of strength' means shifting from using muscles to using tendons and bones for power. After that, stance training will refine your qi and blood day and night; this process is called 'accumulation'."

"Once the accumulation is complete, you can proceed to the 'barrier knocking' stage. Our Xingyi Quan's 'Five Elements Fist,' when perfected, allows for three barrier knocking stages." Su Derong held up three fingers, "which are the Ming Jin, An Jin, and Hua Jin mentioned before."

Chen Jianghe listened attentively: "Please explain in detail, senior brother."

Su Derong paced back and forth, explaining in detail: "Those who possess Ming Jin (明劲) have outwardly manifested strength. When they exert force, their muscles and bones resonate together, producing a sound like tearing silk. Every punch and kick has the power to shatter stone tablets. Once you reach this level, seven or eight strong men cannot get close to you, and you are considered a formidable fighter in the outer city."

"The hidden strength is a step further." He paused slightly, "The power is contained within, not released. When it strikes a person, the power does not linger on the skin and flesh, but penetrates directly into the internal organs. This kind of skill cannot be countered by brute force."

"As for the Transformation Realm..." Su Derong paused, "Never mind, I'll tell you about it too."

"Transformation into Power is the state of perfect harmony of strength, where power can be generated from any part of the body. Not even a feather can be added, nor a fly can land. Reaching this level is the mark of a grandmaster. In our Yilin County, those who can openly reach the level of Transformation into Power number no more than five."

Chen Jianghe felt a chill run down his spine.

I never knew the path of martial arts was so profound; my anticipation grew even stronger.

Su Derong glanced at him, his tone turning serious: "But Jiang He, don't be complacent just because you've successfully 'changed your energy' in two months. This 'breakthrough' is the truly most difficult part."

Su Derong looked to the other side of the courtyard—He Shouzhou was practicing his boxing with great concentration, each move steady and solid.

"Shouzhuo has been at the martial arts school for almost three years," Su Derong sighed. "He practices diligently every day without ever slacking off, but he has only reached the Ming Jin level and has not yet broken through to the An Jin level. Martial arts cultivation becomes increasingly difficult as one progresses, especially the accumulation of Qi and blood. The older one gets, the harder it is to maintain vigorous Qi and blood. I wonder how much longer he can persevere."

Chen Jianghe followed his gaze.

"Brother He..." Chen Jianghe hesitated.

"He's an honest man." Su Derong withdrew his gaze, fanning himself. "But in this world, honest people often suffer. The martial arts school is dilapidated, resources are limited, and it's already remarkable that he managed to reach the Ming Jin level through hard work. If he doesn't have the right opportunity in the future, I'm afraid..."

Before he finished speaking, Chen Jianghe understood.

He paused for a moment, then solemnly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior brother. I will certainly remember it."

Remembering his mother's situation, he added, "Master has agreed to allow my mother to come to the inn to do some odd jobs and stay temporarily in the woodshed in the backyard. I'll go to Mudfish Bay to fetch her now."

Su Derong nodded, fanned himself again, and that lazy smile returned to his face: "Go on. Once you're settled, remember to come back and make some soup. Without your cooking, this place really won't be the same."

Chen Jianghe responded and turned to walk out of the martial arts hall.

As Su Derong watched his departing figure, his fanning motion gradually slowed down.

He knew very well that what was most precious about Chen Jianghe was not his skill in making soup, but his ability to calm down, endure hardship, and his filial piety.

Moreover, Su Derong already knew that Li Gouzi died shortly after Chen Jianghe left the martial arts school that day.

"This world is ultimately a cannibalistic world. Only those who are ruthless enough can survive, but those who are ruthless yet still retain some warmth and know how to be grateful are the ones who deserve it."

The fan closed with a "whoosh".

He turned around, humming an off-key tune, and sauntered into the house.

.......

After leaving the Xingyi Martial Arts School, Chen Jianghe continued walking straight towards Niqiu Bay.

After passing through two streets and alleys, a sudden commotion arose ahead.

A large crowd had gathered at the street corner, mostly poor people in tattered clothes, craning their necks and looking excitedly at a small earthen platform in the middle.

Several people dressed in gray-white robes stood on the stage. The leader was a tall, thin old man who was holding a whisk and talking animatedly.

"Believe in the sun and moon, and you will gain eternal life! Join our holy faith, and you will be spared from suffering!"

"Hand over your money and grain to worship the Holy Lord, and your whole family will be safe!"

Chen Jianghe's heart sank; it was the "Sun Moon Cult" again.

In the past few months, a sect has appeared out of nowhere in the outer city, targeting the poor and needy. Sometimes they distribute thin porridge, sometimes they give out talismanic water, under the guise of "saving the common people," but in reality they are deceiving people into joining the sect and extorting money from them.

A few days ago, two families in Mudskipper Bay believed the nonsense that "joining the religion will bring protection" and gave away their last savings. As a result, the so-called "great master" took the money and disappeared.

Even so, countless people still followed suit.

In chaotic times, people are filled with anxiety, and everyone wants to grasp at a straw.

Chen Jianghe quickened his pace, weaving through the chaotic crowd. Several believers dressed in gray robes and wearing headbands with sun and moon patterns were preaching their doctrines at the street corner, their voices rising and falling in rhythm:

"...The sun and moon shine together, illuminating all living beings! Entering our holy teachings will bring protection and protection from disasters and calamities! Today, the Dharma Master is opening the altar to perform rituals; all who sincerely worship will receive blessings!"

Some people knelt down and kowtowed, some squeezed forward to receive porridge, and many more looked around blankly, their eyes filled with numbness.

Chen Jianghe glanced at it only once, then lowered his head and hurried past.

This world truly offers no chance for survival.

He needed to bring his mother back to the martial arts school as soon as possible. Only when his mother was settled in the school could he focus on practicing martial arts without any distractions.