Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Su Jingming remained silent for a moment, then slowly put down his teacup and turned his gaze to Chen Jianghe.

"Chen Jianghe".

"This junior is here."

Chen Jianghe stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Su Jingming looked him over, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions—appreciation, relief, and a deep sense of melancholy.

"You've only recently joined the escort agency, and this is your first escort mission," Su Jingming said slowly. "This mission shouldn't have put a newcomer like you in such danger. But Derong strongly recommended you, and I also wanted to test you. Now it seems..."

He paused, his voice deepening, "You did very well. You remained calm in the face of danger, patient and decisive, daring to risk your life at crucial moments without losing your composure. Master Li, you have indeed taught your students well."

Chen Jianghe bowed: "Senior, you flatter me. We were able to repel the enemy that night entirely thanks to my senior brother and all my colleagues who fought to the death. I was merely there by chance."

"Just the right opportunity?" Su Jingming smiled. "Many so-called 'masters' in the martial arts world show their fear when faced with life-or-death situations. It's rare that you were able to calmly assess the situation and seize the right moment to strike."

He said no more, took out an account book from his pocket, picked up a pen, and dipped it in ink.

"The payment for this escort mission will be settled according to the rules of the escort agency," Su Jingming said, writing in the ledger. "The original payment for this escort mission will be made as scheduled. In addition, because you have performed meritorious service in protecting the goods, defeating the enemy, and saving the lives of your comrades, the escort agency will give you an extra reward."

He looked at Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, and Zhao Tieshan: "Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, and Zhao Tieshan will each be rewarded with fifteen taels of silver, and will also be credited with one merit. Their monthly allowance will be increased by two taels within the year."

Upon hearing this, all three men beamed with joy and rose to bow in gratitude: "Thank you, Second Master!"

Su Jingming nodded, then looked at Chen Jianghe and said slowly, "Chen Jianghe, you have rendered the greatest service this time, demonstrating a great sense of righteousness in rescuing those in distress for the escort agency. After discussing with Derong, we have decided to reward you as follows—"

He held up two fingers:

"First, the payment for this escort mission will be settled according to the highest standard for escorts, amounting to thirty taels of silver."

Chen Jianghe's heart skipped a beat. This was already far more than the income of an ordinary Ming Jin bodyguard on a single escort mission.

Su Jingming continued, "Secondly, for your merits in actual combat, you will be awarded an additional twenty taels of silver."

Su Jingming paused, then added, "In addition, meat and medicine will continue as usual. Starting next month, your monthly allowance will increase to fifteen taels."

Chen Jianghe silently calculated.

This is a real fortune for Chen Jianghe now. With this money, his mother no longer needs to live in the woodshed and can buy a decent little house near the martial arts school.

"Thank you very much, junior." Chen Jianghe bowed deeply.

Su Jingming waved his hand, signaling him to stand up, then looked at Su Derong: "Derong, how are your injuries?"

"He won't die." Su Derong smirked. "He'll just need to recuperate for a while."

"Then take good care of yourself." Su Jingming said seriously, "The escort agency doesn't have any long-distance escort missions for the time being, so you should stay home and rest. Also, practice your martial arts more and don't go out and wander around too much."

Su Derong chuckled twice: "Definitely, definitely."

Su Jingming: "Alright, everyone, you can all leave now."

"Brother Chen, let's have a drink sometime when you have time!" Zhou Yong grinned. "It'll be on me then."

Wang Gui nodded honestly, "I'll go too."

Zhao Tieshan patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder.

Chen Jianghe returned the greetings one by one, a warm feeling welling up in his heart.

These men, who have lived on the edge of death, may be rough or straightforward, but they are clear about their grudges and value loyalty and righteousness.

After bidding farewell to everyone, Chen Jianghe was about to leave the escort agency with a heavy bag of silver when Su Derong stopped him.

......

The tea room in the backyard smelled of herbs with a slightly bitter aroma.

Su Jingming personally changed Su Derong's dressing and re-bandaged him before sitting down in the armchair.

Su Jingming turned to Chen Jianghe, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Derong has already discussed it with me. There were too many people just now, so it was inconvenient to give this item to you. Now that you have achieved Ming Jin, the next step is to accumulate Qi and blood and break through to An Jin. This step will be too slow if you rely solely on meat and ordinary medicine."

Chen Jianghe's heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.

He said in a deep voice, "I have prepared three portions of the medicinal herbs, and I will have them delivered later. This soup is for external use. When combined with stance training, it can strengthen your muscles and bones, clear your meridians, and help you solidify your foundation in Ming Jin (manifest strength) more quickly, preparing you for the breakthrough in An Jin (hidden strength)."

"These three medicinal herbs are worth no less than a hundred taels of silver." Su Jingming looked at him with deep eyes. "I give you this for two reasons: first, to reward you for your service in protecting the goods, and second... in the hope that you will make progress soon."

He paused, lowering his voice slightly, "Outside the city, the Azure Dragon Gang is eyeing us covetously; inside the city, the Sun Moon Sect is stirring. There are also five major families in the inner city, and the Su family needs more experts to keep things in order. You and Derong are close brothers, and Master Li has saved our Su family's life. That's why I decided to bestow the medicinal herbs upon you."

Chen Jianghe said in a deep voice, "This junior will certainly live up to your expectations, senior."

"Alright." Su Jingming nodded, a genuine smile finally appearing on his face. "Go. Take a good rest for a few days and spend time with your mother. Don't spread the word about the medicinal herbs, lest it attract envy."

"I understand."

Su Derong put his arm around Chen Jianghe's shoulder and limped out.

"Fifty taels of silver in cash, the monthly allowance increased to fifteen taels, plus three servings of bone-tempering soup..." Su Derong clicked his tongue, shook his head and laughed, "Uncle has really gone all out this time. I've worked in the escort agency for so many years, and I've never received so much reward money at once."

Chen Jianghe helped Su Derong up and said in a low voice, "If it weren't for my senior brother's help, I wouldn't even be able to get into the escort agency."

"Don't give me that." Su Derong waved his hand, but his tone became serious. "Jiang He, you're perfectly comfortable taking this money."

He paused, then suddenly remembered something and lowered his voice: "By the way, about the bone-tempering soup, I'll come find you when I'm a bit better. There are some things I need to tell you in person. You should find a house near a martial arts school first. You should have enough money. Don't brew the medicine at the martial arts school; there are too many people watching."

Chen Jianghe solemnly agreed: "Okay, I'll remember that, Senior Brother."

Go ahead.

......

The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, and the scattered oil lamps along the street reflected his calm profile.

He thought of Mudloach Bay.

The two dilapidated boats tied together with hemp rope swayed with the river every night.

The cabin was always filled with the damp smell of wood mixed with the fishy odor; it was hot in summer and cold in winter, and you had to worry about leaks if it rained too heavily.

The image of Mother Lin, hunched over mending fishing nets, cast a thin shadow under the small oil lamp.

Chen Jianghe twitched the corner of his mouth.

Family.

It's time to have a real home.

Chen Jianghe immediately found an old broker at the alley entrance near the martial arts school.

The man named Sun was in his fifties, thin and shrewd. He had been making a living in this area for more than ten years and knew every household and property inside and out.

Seeing that Chen Jianghe was dressed in martial arts shorts but had a calm demeanor and clear eyes, they dared not be negligent.

"Are you renting or buying a house? A detached house or a single room? What are your location requirements?"

"When buying, it should be close to a Xingyi martial arts school, with its own entrance and a small yard. The yard doesn't need to be large, but it must be clean and sturdy. Ideally, it should be a brick and tile house, and it doesn't matter if it's a bit old."

Sun Ya's mind raced, and after a moment he slapped his thigh: "I've got it! There's a suitable place right now, sir. Shall we go take a look?"

"lead the way."

In an alley on the west side of the martial arts school, the courtyard is not large, but it is square, with blue bricks paving the ground, three main rooms, one east and one west wing room, and a complete kitchen and woodshed.

There was an old locust tree in the corner of the courtyard, its branches and leaves lush and casting a large patch of shade. The house had clearly been renovated, with neat doors and windows and clean, freshly painted walls.

"This courtyard originally belonged to an old scholar. He passed the imperial examination two years ago and moved away with his family. The house has been empty ever since," the broker explained. "The asking price is fifty-five taels, but the owner is in a hurry to sell. We should be able to negotiate down to fifty taels."

Chen Jianghe looked around inside and out, and was satisfied.

The house is sturdy, the yard is quiet, and it's just a few steps from the martial arts school. My mother lives here, so it's convenient for her to go help out at the school on weekdays.

"Forty taels," Chen Jianghe said.

The broker was taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "Sir, this price... I'm afraid the homeowner won't agree."

"This house has been empty for over a year. You know the state of the world these days. If it remains empty any longer, its value will likely decrease even further," Chen Jianghe said calmly. "Forty taels, cash. The transaction can be completed today."

The broker hesitated for a moment, then stamped his foot: "Fine! I'll go talk to the landlord!"

Half an hour later, the broker returned, sweating profusely, holding the deed and keys: "Sir, it's done! Forty taels, the landlord said it's just to make friends!"

After carefully examining the house deed and confirming that it was correct, Chen Jianghe counted out forty taels of silver from his pocket.

The broker beamed with joy and thanked him repeatedly.