Cangmang Asks the Way 1: Guardian of the Lamp

The noise in the training hall finally subsided. Cang Tianci returned to the storage room alone and gently closed the door. He didn't turn on the light, letting the twilight engulf the small space and his young figure.

He took out the Tao Te Ching and his medical and martial arts notes left by his master, Chen Jiren, and, in the last glimmer of light from the window, traced the words that gave him strength with his fingertips over and over again.

On one side is the national championship ticket, symbolizing the pinnacle of martial arts and capable of rapidly changing one's destiny; on the other side is the academic foundation that must never be abandoned.

Coach Zhou's words still echoed in his ears. The 50 bonus points that would determine his future and the call to the national team burned like a scorching flame, searing his ambition. He could almost vividly imagine the hellish training scenes that would follow for the next four months.

He thought of his eldest brother, Cang Lifeng, who earned his "heroic" reputation through blood and flesh; he thought of his second uncle, Cang Yuanzhi, with his empty trouser leg and shining military medals; he thought of his great-grandfather and grandfather's sense of responsibility and perseverance. Their "way" was fierce, resilient, and dazzling.

On the quiet summit of Eagle Cliff, his master, Chen Jiren, passed on to him the "sword of wisdom" that reveals the ways of the world and human nature, and the "needle of the heart" that protects life. The master's path is inclusive and resilient, emphasizing seeking breakthroughs within balance.

His path should not be a simple either/or choice, but rather a difficult process of embracing both. Abandoning either side would mean betraying the commitments and responsibilities of the other.

"What should I do?" A weak, anxious voice echoed in his mind. He tried to think hard, forcing himself to find an answer as he always did when facing difficult problems, but his thoughts only became more chaotic, like a trapped beast struggling in a cage. Exhaustion and a rare sense of helplessness welled up inside him.

Just then, his fingertips unconsciously turned the pages of the *Tao Te Ching*, and the eighth chapter, "The highest good is like water," came into view through his blurry vision: "Water benefits all things without striving, dwelling in places that others disdain, therefore it is close to the Tao..." His master's voice, as if explaining, echoed in his ears: "Water is the softest, yet indestructible; formless, yet omnipresent. It does not oppose you, yet it penetrates you, embraces you, and ultimately changes you..."

Almost simultaneously, the dormant energy of the Hidden Dragon Technique deep within the dantian stirred slightly, subtly echoing the physical sensations of "transforming energy" and "guiding energy" in the "Thirteen Postures of Tai Chi".

A flash of inspiration, like lightning in the dark night, suddenly cleaved through his chaotic mind!

Confrontation? Why must we confront each other? Can't we be like water? Can't we be like Tai Chi?

Coaches want results, schools want scores. These two forces seem contradictory, pulling him in opposite directions. But what if... what if I could find a way to transform them from two draining forces into a mutually transformable, even nourishing, balance of yin and yang? Could I transform the fatigue of training into the calm foundation needed for focused learning? Could I use the logic and orderliness learned from cultural studies to fuel the wisdom of analyzing tactics and controlling the pace of the game?

This is not compromise, but "transformation," which means guiding and transforming external pressures through one's own "structure" and "operation" into a driving force for progress.

An unprecedented resolve, mixed with clear pain and a hint of sudden enlightenment, rose in his heart.

He took out the old pocket watch and held it to his ear.

"Tick-tock...tick-tock...tick-tock..."

Stable, clear, and enduring. Before this absolute and impartial timeline, all turbulent emotions gradually calmed down, and the Hidden Dragon Technique within the body flowed slowly and steadily.

He put down his pocket watch, his gaze sharpening in the dim light. He spread out a new sheet of white paper and, by the rising moonlight from the window, began to sketch:

• 4 AM: Use the Hibernation Dragon Technique to dispel sleepiness and ignite the candle of culture. At this stage, the mind is clearest, so focus on challenging science problems and foreign languages, making the most of the concentration honed through training.

• Morning Training: Create flashcards for humanities knowledge points and foreign language vocabulary that need to be memorized, and repeatedly memorize and reinforce them during short breaks in warm-up runs and rest periods between sets. Subtly integrate the breathing rhythm and core power generation patterns of the Thirteen Postures of Tai Chi into basic physical training to improve efficiency and save unnecessary energy consumption.

• Ten-minute break between classes: Block out the noise, use the Hidden Dragon Technique for "micro-breathing" to quickly restore energy, or concentrate on a key unsolved problem and pursue "a moment of deep immersion".

• Afternoon Specialized Competition: Fully immerse yourself in the "calmness" and "reason" accumulated from the morning's cultural learning, transforming them into "calm observation" and "tactical execution" on the field. Be ruthless in your attacks and accurate in your judgments.

• In the stillness of the night: When the body is extremely exhausted, studying the Tao Te Ching or medical case notes is not only a higher level of learning, but also another form of "rest" and mental cultivation. Try to verify the "flow of energy" experienced in daytime training with the "circulation of qi and blood" in medical theory, and seek the common sublimation of body and mind.

This is not a simple timetable; it is an experimental plan for "transformation" and "symbiosis" based on his master's teachings. He cuts and grinds each day's time, trying to build a tightrope through the impossible. He knows that this will be a crazy, irrational race, the ultimate test of will, wisdom, and physical limits.

His fingers unconsciously tightened, and the pen in his hand could not withstand the sudden surge of determination and strength. With a "snap," it broke in half, and a sharp splinter instantly pierced his tiger's mouth, oozing tiny beads of blood.

He stared at the blood droplet, not wiping it away, but instead slowly pressing his injured palm against the newly created plan paper. Warm blood seeped onto the white paper, leaving a blurry yet resolute bloody handprint imprinted at the top of the timetable, like a silent vow he had made. Beneath the blood imprint were the eight characters, still wet with ink: "A balance of strength and gentleness, a harmonious blend of literature and martial arts."

The boy clutched the pocket watch, a symbol of 'trust' and 'constancy,' tightly in his other, undamaged hand. His gaze pierced through the dusty glass of the storage room's high window, looking towards the vast and boundless world beyond Ji County.

The choice to temper oneself is made, and blood will bear witness. The path has been chosen; though countless difficulties lie ahead, I will go forth.

He gently blew out the candle. Moonlight poured in like quicksilver, illuminating his calm, unfathomable profile and the bloodstain on the table. He showed no fervor, only a calm and resolute acceptance of the perilous road ahead, yet with no other choice. He was to forge his own path, a path of inquiry that was both firm and gentle, combining both literary and martial arts. The end of this path would lead not only to the arena and the examination hall, but also to protect the "lamp of the heart" that had been lit within him, now needing to be guarded amidst the storms of the world.

Meanwhile, in the living room of County Head Zheng Guofu's home, Zhou Zhenhua had just taken his leave. The generous New Year's gift he brought, along with his ambition for the national competition, pleased Zheng Guofu greatly—this was not only an achievement for the sports school, but also a shining highlight of his administration in Ji County in the fields of education and sports.

Zheng Tao, who had been waiting in the study, poured his father more hot tea, sat down on the sofa to the side, and casually mentioned, "Dad, the Cang Tianci that Principal Zhou mentioned earlier is my classmate from the gifted youth program."

The words "Cang Tianci" caused Zheng Guofu's hand, holding the teacup, to stiffen almost imperceptibly. A trace of apprehension and gloom quickly flashed across his eyes. After Liu Tietou was silenced, he appeared unscathed, but in reality, he was walking on thin ice. The Cang family was now a "family of heroes," riding high on their success, especially Cang Liuqing in the national security system and the now-heroic Cang Lifeng, who were like two thorns in his heart. He dared not openly target them, but his subconscious wariness and resentment towards this family grew increasingly deep.

Zheng Tao noticed his father's subtle change in expression, which reassured him, but he outwardly appeared worried, saying, "Dad, Cang Tianci is indeed an outstanding student. This time, his final score was more than ten points higher than mine, firmly placing him first in the grade. Teacher Xu has high hopes for him, believing he has the potential to get into a top university. But that's precisely why I'm worried. Now he's aiming for the national martial arts competition, and the intensity and time he invests in training will undoubtedly be astonishing. I'm worried that... what if his training affects his fundamental studies, causing his grades to plummet? Even if he wins a martial arts award, there will likely be gossip saying that we've sacrificed students' academic foundation for competitive results. If such gossip spreads, it will not only contradict our advocacy of 'all-round development,' but some people might also use this as an opportunity to question the county's educational philosophy and practices. This is ultimately a potential risk to your reputation and the county's educational work."

Zheng Guofu slowly set down his teacup, his fingertips tapping lightly on the smooth armrest. He could certainly hear the hint of resentment in his son's words, but more than that, he felt a surge of surprise—this kid had actually managed to package his selfish motives under such a grand and impeccable guise of "big picture" and "responsibility," and the risks he pointed out were indeed real. Such meticulous thinking and seasoned speech—how could this be the behavior of a teenager?

A complex sense of relief washed away the gloom that had arisen from the "Cang family." Good, that's more like Zheng Guofu's son. He knows how to leverage power, how to use the rules, and how to achieve his goals while upholding "correctness."

Thinking about all this, the irritation he felt because of the Cang family was replaced by a calmness mixed with scheming and the pleasure of cultivating offspring. A plan to "praise to death" quickly took shape in his mind—to make the Cang family boy seem glorious, but at the crucial moment, to make him fall even harder.

Looking at his son, he said with satisfaction, "You've thought this through thoroughly. Talent development shouldn't be based on a single metric, nor should it be forced to grow too quickly, especially for children from families with special backgrounds. They need proper guidance to prevent them from becoming prodigies like Zhong Yong."

He deliberately emphasized "families with special backgrounds," gave Zheng Tao a deep look, and continued, "I'll have my secretary communicate with No. 1 High School about this matter. Under the pretext of 'caring for the all-round development of top students and ensuring their healthy growth,' we'll set clear and rigid academic performance requirements for these students who excel in both arts and sports, and establish an early warning and evaluation mechanism. At the same time, we need to put more pressure on Zhou Zhenhua; pressure breeds motivation, right? Haha..."

Zheng Tao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Dad is right. Without rules, there can be no order; without pressure, there is no motivation. This is also our care and responsibility for our classmate Cang Tianci."

Zheng Guofu nodded slightly and said no more. The vague apprehension and disgust he felt towards the Cang family seemed to have subsided somewhat because he had found a legitimate and reasonable outlet. He wanted to see how far this youngest son of the Cang family could go under his "caring" approach.