Physical enlightenment begins with Xingyi Quan

When Chen Jianghe rushed back to Mudfish Bay, the sun had already set.

A river breeze began to rise, making the dilapidated boat awnings in the boat area rattle loudly.

When he jumped onto the deck of his own boat, he deliberately put more weight on his feet—this was a secret signal to his mother.

Inside the cabin, a small oil lamp lit up.

Lin, wearing a patched-up cloth robe, peeked out. Seeing Chen Jianghe, she first breathed a sigh of relief, then tensed up again: "Jianghe? Why are you back today? Is the martial arts school closed today?"

Chen Jianghe closed the door behind him, sat down next to his mother, and said in a low voice, "It's not a day off. Mother, I came back because I have something to tell you."

Lin's fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of her apron: "What's wrong? Is it... that you don't have enough money? I still have some..."

"It's not about money." Chen Jianghe held his mother's hand, his voice steady. "Mother, I may not be coming back for a while."

Lin froze: "Not coming back? Why? Is someone at the martial arts school bullying you? Or... is the Black Tiger Gang causing trouble again?"

"Neither," Chen Jianghe shook his head, trying to keep his tone relaxed. "The senior brothers at the martial arts school have treated me very well. It's just that I've reached a crucial point in my training. My master said that the 'changing energy' stage is the most important thing to avoid when you're distracted. I want to concentrate on training at the martial arts school for a while, since I'll be eating and sleeping there, so my progress will be faster."

He paused, looking at the worry in his mother's eyes, and continued, "Once I've successfully 'changed my energy,' I'll be a formal disciple of the martial arts school. At that time, I'll ask my master to see if he can help you find a job there. Even if you don't get paid, it's better than living in fear here every day."

Madam Lin's lips trembled slightly, but she ultimately just nodded: "Alright, Mother will listen to you. Be careful out there. There are many people and suspicious eyes in the martial arts school, so don't stand out. Be patient when you should be patient."

"I know," Chen Jianghe replied.

Suddenly remembering something, Madam Lin instructed, "Oh, right, remember to visit your Uncle Liu when you have time. He's getting old, and it's not easy for him living alone in the Shen residence. He still often thinks of you and brings you food. We must remember this kindness."

Chen Jianghe felt a warmth in his heart and nodded emphatically: "Don't worry, Mother, I will definitely go to see Uncle Liu after I'm done with this."

The mother and son chatted for a while, mostly Lin's nagging instructions, which Chen Jianghe agreed to one by one.

......

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, a commotion broke out in Mudfish Bay.

"Have you heard? Li Gouzi is dead!" Aunt Wang from the next boat said in a low voice, but her voice couldn't hide her glee.

"Dead? How did he die?" someone asked, leaning closer.

"They said it happened yesterday at the abandoned dump, they were hacked to pieces! Their two henchmen were dead too, blood everywhere!" Aunt Wang gestured, her eyes gleaming. "All three had knife wounds on their necks and chests, a messy, clear case of a revenge killing!"

"Serves him right! He deserves it!" Old Zhao, squatting at the bow mending fishing nets, spat. "That Li Gouzi is even more vicious than Wang Biao! Last time, when the Sun family couldn't pay, he dragged their daughter away. Who knows where he's suffering in some shady place now!"

"Shh—keep your voice down!" Someone nervously looked around. "The Black Tiger Gang is still searching everywhere. They killed someone before they left. If we hear anything, we're all in trouble!"

Only then did the crowd lower their voices to discuss the matter, their eyes warily scanning the water and the shore. It was exhilarating, but in this world, no one dared to openly express their joy.

Chen Jianghe listened quietly in the cabin, his face expressionless, but he knew in his heart that he had to become stronger so that he could deal with any clues he might find.

He packed his belongings, wrapped up the two coarse grain cakes left over from last night, stuffed them into his pocket, and then pushed open the door to come out.

"Jianghe, wait a minute." Madam Lin caught up to the bow of the boat and stuffed a small cloth bag into his hand. "There are salted duck eggs that your mother cooked last night inside. Take them with you. Use your strength for training, don't neglect your health."

Chen Jianghe took the cloth bag, its warmth touching his hands: "Mother, I'm leaving. Take care."

"Go." Standing at the bow of the boat, Lin watched her son's figure disappear into the misty alleyway, and wiped her eyes.

......

Most of the pharmacies in Yilin County are located in the inner city, but this "Huichuntang" is located in the outer city. The storefront is small, and there are always some bottles and jars on the counter. The air is filled with the bitter smell of herbs.

Behind the counter stood an elderly gentleman wearing round glasses, head down, working on an abacus. Hearing footsteps, he didn't look up: "Prescription or consultation?"

"Buy some tonics."

The old man then looked up and sized him up in his martial arts school attire: "You practice martial arts?"

"Yes."

"What do you want?"

"Blood and Qi Dissipation".

The old gentleman adjusted his glasses, turned around, and took out a palm-sized celadon bottle from the back cabinet, placing it on the counter: "Three taels of silver a bottle."

Chen Jianghe's heart tightened. The silver he had taken from Li Gouzi totaled no more than ten taels.

The old man glanced at him: "You think it's too expensive? This is genuine 'Blood and Qi Powder,' made with top-quality ingredients like red ginseng, angelica, and astragalus. A martial arts student like you should take one dose every ten days, for three consecutive days, and your blood and qi will be abundant, and your standing meditation will be effective."

Chen Jianghe stared at the celadon bottle, its body cool and containing a pale red powder.

Nine taels of silver is enough for an ordinary family to live on for more than a year. I wonder how many impurities this 'Blood Qi Powder' contains? But there's nothing I can do. Entering the inner city requires a token, and it's even more expensive.

Furthermore, while those with a destiny that rewards diligence can continuously break through limitations through repeated and effective practice, the prerequisite is that their bodies can withstand it. If their Qi and blood are completely depleted, let alone standing meditation, they might even feel dizzy after walking a few steps.

He silently took out his money pouch, counted out nine taels of silver, and placed them one by one on the counter.

The old man took the money, pushed the porcelain bottle towards him, and added, "Take it with warm water, avoid raw or cold foods. The effect will be even better if you eat meat with it."

Chen Jianghe nodded, gripped the porcelain bottle tightly, and turned to leave the pharmacy.

As he walked out the door, he glanced back at the sign.

"It's truly... a gold mine," he murmured to himself.

......

A month has passed in the blink of an eye.

That morning, Chen Jianghe, as usual, practiced standing meditation in the courtyard.

The Qi and Blood Powder was finished yesterday, and the last packet's effect has worn off. My pockets are empty; I don't even have enough money for next month's rice.

But he couldn't care less about any of that.

At this moment, his entire mind was immersed in the Three-Body Stance.

After a month of arduous practice, his stance training has undergone a qualitative change.

His waist and hips move as nimbly as a dragon, his arms are heavy and firm like a bear, his center of gravity shifts freely between his feet, and his strength flows throughout his body.

He could even feel that the "expanding" force between his muscles and bones had accumulated to a critical point.

It's just one thread away.

Chen Jianghe closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing to its longest and deepest state.

With a single breath, the breath sinks to the dantian.

With one breath, the energy flows to the four extremities.

After repeating this nine times, he suddenly felt a loosening around his waist, as if something had snapped open with a "snap".

Immediately afterwards, a surge of heat rose from the coccyx, rushed up the spine to the top of the head, then descended along the Ren meridian and returned to the Dantian.

The entire universe is connected!

Chen Jianghe suddenly opened his eyes and slowly withdrew his stance.

He stood still, feeling the changes in his body. The previous feeling of weakness and powerlessness had completely disappeared, replaced by a sense of stability rooted to the earth.

The limbs and bones are full of power, but it is not the brute force of tense muscles, but the whole force of the tendons and bones stretched out and integrated.

He raised his hand and slowly clenched his fist.

The knuckles of the fist cracked softly, and the tendons moved beneath the skin like small snakes.

It became.

Chen Jianghe took a deep breath and looked at the panel in his mind:

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

[Current Skill: Three-Body Stance (Beginner)]

Progress: 1%

[Effect: None]

Although he was only at the beginner level and had only progressed to one percent, it meant that he had finally crossed the insurmountable barrier of "changing energy" and truly stepped into the threshold of Xingyi Quan.

"Hey, it's done!" Su Derong's voice came from under the corridor.

Chen Jianghe turned around, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your care and guidance over the past month."

Su Derong strode over and reached out to pinch and press Chen Jianghe's shoulders, arms, waist, and hips a few times with considerable force.

Chen Jianghe gritted his teeth and endured it, but he felt that the joint fascia that had been pinched so hard was now showing a bit of supple elasticity.

Su Derong withdrew his hand, looked Chen Jianghe up and down, and said with admiration, "You really are... ruthless. You got over this hurdle in just two months."

Chen Jianghe smiled bitterly: "It was just luck. If it weren't for my senior brother providing the meat, even if I had endured for several more months, I might not have succeeded."

"Good to know." Su Derong started fanning himself again, his tone returning to its lazy manner. "Entering the gate is just the beginning. From here on, Ming Jin, An Jin, and Hua Jin are all more difficult and expensive than the last.

He paused for a moment and then said, "But now that it's done, I'll tell my master. I should also arrange for you to be taught the 'Five Elements Fist' and some cultivation resources."

"Thank you, senior brother." Chen Jianghe bowed again.