Late Bloomer

Xie An, with his sharp eyes, realized it was Tang Qingfeng's last day of teaching and that he'd been called over specifically for something.

And... it was likely good news.

Chen He, who wasn't called, showed a look of deep disappointment on his face.

To avoid awkwardness, Chen He wiped his nose and said, "Brother Xie, what are you spacing out for? Master Tang is a renowned Health Cultivation Master in Qingwu County. Even my cousin respects him greatly. Don't keep Master Tang waiting."

Over the past month or so, Xie An had privately helped Chen He appraise several items, allowing Chen He to earn quite a bit. He called Xie An "Brother Xie" so smoothly.

Xie An nodded and turned into the room.

The room wasn't large, but its decor was luxurious, using only the finest sandalwood. In the center sat a square table for eight, with four backed chairs. At the head was an incense table, upon which offerings were made.

Tang Qingfeng took out a medicinal prescription and handed it to Xie An. "I'll be leaving the Chen Martial Arts School in a couple of days. I'll give these two things to you."

Xie An took the prescription curiously. "Master Tang, what is this?"

Tang Qingfeng explained, "This is a unique prescription I've been studying. It can be used in conjunction with the Health Cultivation Technique. Although the medicinal ingredients listed aren't cheap, their effects are far superior to the Qi Generating Soup."

"Thank you, Master Tang."

After a month together, Xie An felt Tang Qingfeng was refined, kind, and gentle. He didn't look down on Xie An for his age; instead, he offered careful guidance at every turn. Now, he was gifting a valuable prescription free of charge, filling Xie An with gratitude.

Tang Qingfeng shook his head and sighed, "In this era, the Health Cultivation Technique is declining and fading, with very few willing to practice it. I see your diligence and eagerness to learn, and consider it fate. This Health Cultivation Technique requires years of consistent practice to yield miraculous effects. If you can cultivate Qi Sensation in the future, you can come to Tang Family Fort in the county town to find me. Perhaps you'll find an opportunity."

Qi Sensation?

This was the first time Xie An had heard the term, and he felt a sense of awe without fully understanding it.

Seeing that Tang Qingfeng had no intention of elaborating, Xie An didn't ask further and bid farewell with clasped hands.

Two days later, Tang Qingfeng left Wuqiao Town.

Xie An specially bought some local specialties from Wuqiao Town and added a jar of his treasured Bamboo Leaf Green, aged for many years, to see Tang Qingfeng off at the town entrance, grateful for Master Tang's month of teaching.

Tang Qingfeng originally intended to refuse, but he couldn't resist the sincere gratitude of an old man. Thinking that his trip to Wuqiao Town to promote the Health Cultivation Technique had finally been meaningful, he accepted with relief.

Watching Xie An's lonely, white-haired figure depart, Tang Qingfeng couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

"An old man, but still vigorous; a late bloomer!"

Xie An's life returned to its quiet routine, diligently practicing the Health Cultivation Technique in his small backyard room.

Although he was still practicing, his situation was vastly different from a month ago.

Previously, Xie An had been figuring things out on his own, pushing himself through brute force without understanding the essence of the Health Cultivation Technique. After Tang Qingfeng's guidance, Xie An had grasped the fundamental principles of the technique. His practice became smooth and effortless, yielding twice the results with half the effort.

"According to Tang Qingfeng, the Five Animal Play strengthens the five internal organs and cultivates inner Qi. His mention of cultivating Qi Sensation should refer to cultivating inner Qi. But I still don't know what cultivating inner Qi actually is..."

"Strengthening the five internal organs... the Five Animal Play manual does mention it. Tiger Play focuses on the liver, nourishing essence and marrow; Deer Play focuses on the kidneys, invigorating Qi and tonifying the kidneys; Bear Play focuses on the spleen, regulating the spleen and stomach; Ape Play focuses on the heart, opening the orifices and benefiting the intellect; Bird Play focuses on the lungs, tonifying the lungs and expanding the chest. It sounds quite remarkable, but I am still far from this level and must continue to strive."

By noon, Xie An was drenched in sweat from practicing, but his breathing was even and unhurried, and he didn't feel exhausted. Instead, a continuous, inexhaustible flow of energy coursed through him.

With every movement, he felt an endless supply of strength.

Hoo!

Xie An let out a long breath, stopped practicing, and brought up the panel before him.

[Five Animal Play: Integration of Movement and Stillness (97/100)]
[Hint: Completing Integration of Movement and Stillness adds ten years to lifespan]
[Remaining Years: Fifteen years.]

"After a month of effort, I'm finally close to maxing out 'Integration of Movement and Stillness'. Fifteen remaining years... that's enough to live for a very long time." Xie An smiled with satisfaction.

Integration of Movement and Stillness was the second stage of the Five Animal Play, and its difficulty increased significantly. If not for Tang Qingfeng's guidance, Xie An estimated he would have needed at least a year or more to reach his current progress.

Though the saying goes, "The master leads the way; cultivation is personal."

However, being led properly was also crucial.

"As of today, I am no longer the dying old man I was three months ago."

Xie An walked over to the stone lock and, with a slight exertion, lifted the 400-jin stone lock with one hand. For someone who hadn't trained in martial arts, lifting 400 jin with one hand was already incredibly formidable.

Putting down the stone lock, Xie An then punched the bluestone-paved floor with force. With a sudden "bang," although his fist hurt intensely, the bluestone slab was also shattered.

Xie An touched his scraped skin and began to calculate.

With his current strength, killing an adult man with a single punch was no longer a problem. Even a large water buffalo could be beaten to death in three to five punches.

Below the level of a martial artist, he likely had few opponents.

"It's just that I don't know any combat martial arts. If I encounter a villain skilled in martial arts techniques, I might appear clumsy and be unable to cope. I should find a martial art to practice. Also, I'm only practicing half of the Five Animal Play, so I should at least buy a complete version."

Buying martial arts manuals wasn't difficult. Some disciples and instructors at the Chen Martial Arts School, seeking to make money, would take risks and secretly copy martial arts to sell on the black market. There were also bandits and renowned swordsmen who would sell the martial arts they collected on the black market for profit.

Xie An took out his savings, which were stored under his bed, and carefully counted them.

"Only twenty taels left?"

Over the past three months, Xie An's expenses for medicinal supplements and dietary nourishment had been immense, and money flowed like water. During his recovery, he had no monthly income, and his money pouch quickly ran dry.

The three great hardships of old age.

Money is still there, to be spent without end.

The person is still here, but the money is gone.

My young girlfriend wants it, but my body can't handle it anymore.

"No rush, let's wait a bit longer. Everything will come..."

Xie An underwent some mental preparation, tucked the money pouch into his inner pocket, and planned to go to the black market tomorrow.

Knock, knock, knock.

There was an urgent knocking sound from outside the door.

"Coming."

After opening the door, he found the maid Chunlan visiting him with a bamboo basket, which contained meat, nourishing soup, and a thick cotton coat.

"Master Xie, Master Li said..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chunlan froze, looking at the old man before her in disbelief.

Compared to three months ago, Xie An was not only more energetic but also much sturdier, and his appearance looked younger.

Xie An gestured for Chunlan to come in and have some tea while asking, "What did Master Li say?"

Chunlan excitedly corrected herself, "Your wind ailment is cured?"

Wind ailment refers to stroke, but in this era, stroke often meant internal injury from wind evil and paralysis of the brain vessels. Modern strokes, however, refer to cerebrovascular accidents. The definitions are somewhat different.

Simply put, ancient strokes were not as severe as modern strokes.

For elderly people today, a stroke is truly a life-threatening event.

Xie An didn't beat around the bush, "Yes, I've been recuperating well recently. What were you saying just now?"

Chunlan happily waved her hands, "Master just sent me to tell you to move out, as they're preparing to let Zhang Bing take over as the Appraisal Master of the pawnshop. I didn't expect Master Xie to recover so well... I'll go tell Master right away."

"Oh, right, these are the clothes and nourishing soup I brought for you. Eat them quickly while they're hot."

After putting down the soup and clothes, Chunlan excitedly dashed out the door.

As soon as she reached the pawnshop's main hall, Chunlan was called out to.

"Miss Chunlan, is Master willing to move out?"

It was Zhang Bing, sitting behind the counter with the demeanor of a seasoned master, who spoke. "If Master stubbornly refuses to move, I can help persuade him."

As he spoke, Zhang Bing's expression was filled with smugness.

"I'm afraid your wish will come to nothing. Master Xie hasn't just recovered; he looks younger than before. I'm off to tell Master." Chunlan, knowing full well how Zhang Bing had treated old Master Xie with disdain, didn't have a good impression of him and left after saying that.

"Master has recovered... How is that possible!?"

Zhang Bing was stunned.

For the past four months, Zhang Bing had been diligently managing the pawnshop, acting as the Appraisal Master. His only worry was Xie An's recovery, which would snatch away everything he had already obtained.

He had waited for this day of triumph for far too long