Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

In the woodshed in the backyard of the Xingyi Martial Arts School, Lin was mending an old garment by the morning light filtering through the window.

Her stitches were fine and even, a skill she had honed over decades. But today, as she worked on the needlework, she seemed a little distracted, pricking her fingertips twice.

Ever since Chen Jianghe went to work as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), her heart has been hanging in suspense.

"daughter."

A familiar voice sounded at the door.

Lin's hand trembled, and the needle pierced her fingertip again, but she ignored the pain and suddenly looked up.

"Jiang He!" Madam Lin dropped her needlework, stood up, and hurried over to her son, looking him up and down. "You're back? Are you hurt?"

"It's alright, Mother." Chen Jianghe grasped his mother's slightly trembling hand. "It was just a minor injury, it's all healed. See, we're back safe and sound."

Lin didn't believe him and insisted on lifting his sleeve to check. Chen Jianghe had no choice but to let her have her way.

There are indeed a few shallow scars on my arm, which have scabbed over and look scary, but they haven't actually damaged any bones or muscles.

Lin ran her fingers over the scars, her eyes reddening. "You said it was nothing... If it were any deeper..."

"Mom, it's really alright." Chen Jianghe helped her sit down on the edge of the bed, took out the house deed from his pocket, and handed it to his mother with both hands. "We have a home now."

Lin was stunned.

She stared at the yellowed paper, on which the words "property deed" were neatly written. Below were the location of the house, its boundaries, and the signatures and seals of both the buyer and seller. She recognized every single word, but when put together, it felt like a dream.

"This...this is..." Lin's voice began to tremble.

"A small courtyard in the alley west of the martial arts school. Three main rooms, east and west wing rooms, a separate entrance. I just bought it for forty taels of silver."

Lin's gaze fell on the house deed, then slowly moved to her son's face.

Her lips trembled; she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

Tears welled up without warning, sliding down her aged cheeks, one drop, two drops, landing on her half-patched clothes on her knees, spreading dark water stains.

"Jianghe... my son..." She reached out, her rough fingers trembling as she stroked Chen Jianghe's cheek. "If only your father could see... could see you like this... how wonderful that would be..."

Chen Jianghe held his mother's hand.

His father, Chen Yuanshan, was a blur in his memory. He only remembered him as a taciturn man who spent the entire night squatting on the bow of the boat the night before leaving home.

As dawn approached, he patted Chen Jianghe on the head and said, "In this world, those without ability even have their lives taken by others."

Then he left and never came back.

The faces in the main hall of the Chen family were either indifferent or mocking; the grandfather, Chen Qingyi, sat regally in his armchair; the eldest aunt, Madam Wang, sipped her tea with disdain; and Madam Han's sharp and sarcastic mockery...

He remembered this debt.

"Mother," Chen Jianghe said slowly, "We'll just remember what happened to Father. From now on, we'll live our own lives, relying on no one and owing no one anything."

Madam Lin nodded vigorously, wiped away her tears, and suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, I should go and tell Master Li. These past few days, we've been so grateful for his shelter..."

......

Li Chengyue remained slumped in a bamboo recliner under the locust tree in the backyard, a wine gourd resting on his stomach, rising and falling slightly with his snoring.

Chen Jianghe stepped forward and bowed: "Master."

Li Chengyue's snoring paused for a moment, and he opened his eyelids a crack: "Hmm?"

Chen Jianghe bowed and said, "Master, I have purchased a small courtyard near the martial arts school. Today, I will bring my mother there to settle down."

"Bought the yard?" He smirked. "Looks like this delivery trip wasn't a waste of time."

"Thanks to Master's great blessings," Chen Jianghe said respectfully.

"Don't give me that." Li Chengyue waved his hand, lay back down, and said in a lazy tone, but with a hint of seriousness, "Now that you've settled down, just stay put. Things aren't peaceful outside lately. The Green Dragon Gang, the Sun Moon Sect, and those other families in the inner city are all secretly vying for power. Now that you've bought a house, just stay put and practice your skills. Don't go out too much. Focusing on your training is the most important thing."

"Your disciple will remember this."

"Go. Come find me when you reach the Dark Force level." Li Chengyue waved his hand, turned over, and started snoring again.

Chen Jianghe bowed deeply to the bamboo recliner, then turned and left the backyard.

......

The newly purchased courtyard is only a hundred steps away from the martial arts school, just a short walk through two narrow alleys.

When Lin stepped into the courtyard, her steps were still a little unsteady.

She stood on the blue brick ground, looking around, her gaze sweeping over the main house, side rooms, kitchen, and woodshed, finally settling on the old locust tree.

"It's so nice..." she murmured, tears welling up again, but she forcefully held them back. "Jiang He, this courtyard... is so nice."

Chen Jianghe put down his bundle, walked over, and gently put his arm around his mother's thin shoulders: "This is just the beginning, Mother. Things will get better from here on out."

After settling down, Chen Jianghe's life suddenly became regular, and he lived a life of going back and forth between home and martial arts school.

After half a month of this focused effort, my progress was even faster than before.

That morning, Chen Jianghe stopped his stance and slowly exhaled a breath of white air.

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

[Current Skill: Three-Body Stance (Minor Success)]

Progress: 95%

Current skill: Five Elements Fist (Minor Mastery)

Progress: 40%

[Effect: None]

His stance training has reached the peak of minor mastery, just one step away from a breakthrough. His Five Elements Fist is also progressing steadily; at this rate, breaking through the barrier of hidden strength should not be slow.

But Chen Jianghe was not at all relaxed.

The oppressive feeling he experienced from the bloody battle at Black Wind Ridge that night, with its two masters of internal energy, remains vivid in his memory.

If Su Derong hadn't fought desperately despite his serious injuries, and if I hadn't seized the initiative using underhanded tactics like lime powder and brass knuckles, the outcome would have been uncertain.

In the business of escorting goods, you can't always be lucky, even if you get lucky once.

Strength is the foundation.

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

"Jiang He! Open the door!" It was Su Derong's voice, full of energy, indicating that his injuries had almost healed.

Chen Jianghe opened the door and saw Su Derong standing outside, fanning himself. He was dressed in a spotless moon-white silk robe, with a jade pendant at his waist and his hair was neatly combed and shiny.

"Third Senior Brother," Chen Jianghe clasped his hands in greeting, "Is your injury any better?"

"I won't die." Su Derong waved his hand, fanning himself as he strolled into the courtyard, looking it over. "Tsk tsk, this little courtyard is quite well-maintained! It looks quite presentable!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Su Derong took out an oil paper package from his pocket and spread it on the stone table.

"Here, the ingredients for the Bone Tempering Soup, three portions, all ready."

He then pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Chen Jianghe: "This is how to use it. Memorize it and then give it to me."

Chen Jianghe took it and examined it closely.

The paper was written in neat handwriting, detailing the proportions of medicinal herbs, the time for decocting, the control of the heat, as well as the breathing techniques and key points for coordinating with standing meditation during the medicinal bath.

"Have you written it all down?" Su Derong asked.

Chen Jianghe nodded and then handed the paper to Su Derong.

"Alright." Su Derong patted his shoulder with satisfaction. "If you use this method, you'll have a better chance of breaking through to internal strength."

"Thank you, senior brother," Chen Jianghe said solemnly.

Su Derong patted his shoulder with satisfaction, a mischievous smile returning to his face: "Now that we've finished with the business, let's talk about something casual—a friend invited me to the inner city tonight. Want to broaden your horizons? Plus, there will be beautiful women accompanying you, and their looks are...tsk tsk. How about it, come along and open your eyes?"

Chen Jianghe paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I appreciate your kind offer, senior brother. However... right now is a crucial time to solidify my foundation, and I want to focus on practicing my boxing and break through to the Dark Force realm as soon as possible."

Su Derong glared at him: "You brat, you're so boring! What's the point of practicing martial arts if you become a block of wood? In life, you have to be strong when you need to be strong, and you also have to relax when you need to relax! If you keep toiling away like this, you'll age prematurely!"

Chen Jianghe twitched the corner of his mouth: "My senior brother said the other day that he should practice martial arts properly and go out less for leisurely strolls."

Su Derong rubbed his nose and chuckled awkwardly, "Well... practicing martial arts is practicing martial arts, and listening to music is listening to music, they can do both! Besides, my injury has just healed, so I just wanted to go out for a walk to clear my head..."

Chen Jianghe didn't expose him, only saying, "Then Senior Brother, you may go. I'll stay in the courtyard to brew the medicine and test the effects of this Bone Tempering Soup."

He patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder: "Alright, then practice hard. I'll go and see for you, and I'll tell you about it later!"

Having said that, he turned around, fanning himself with his fan, and humming a little tune as he walked away.

Chen Jianghe saw Su Derong to the door, watched him walk away with an air of nonchalance, and shook his head.