At dawn, sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds and dappled the beach. The clock had just struck five, and Zhou Zilong was already on the sand, beginning his daily training. His figure looked sturdy and upright in the morning light, every move brimming with strength and rhythm.
"Not bad. You're up bright and early." Master Roshi stepped out of the house with a freshly brewed cup of tea in hand. Seeing Zhou Zilong practicing, he smiled with approval.
"Before I became your disciple, Master, I learned a little from a martial artist. I've kept up the habit of getting up early to train ever since." Zhou Zilong stopped, turned, and bowed to Master Roshi. His voice was firm and strong, with a hint of defiance.
"That's a good habit. Keep it up." Master Roshi nodded, then went to stand beside Zhou Zilong and began explaining the true meaning of martial arts.
"Learning martial arts isn't about winning fights, nor is it about having girls say, 'Wow, you're so strong!' and blow you kisses. Those are all unhealthy notions," Master Roshi said earnestly. "The real purpose of learning martial arts is to keep your body and mind healthy, so you can live a meaningful life with that healthy body and mind. That's the Way of Martial Arts!"
Zhou Zilong listened intently, deeply moved by Master Roshi's philosophy. He had always thought martial arts were about becoming stronger and winning battles. But now he was beginning to understand that their true meaning went far beyond that.
"Master, I understand." Zhou Zilong bowed deeply.
Master Roshi smiled and nodded, then added, "There's one thing you must remember, though. If you ever see someone who practices martial arts bullying kindhearted ordinary people, that person is your enemy. Make sure you teach him a good lesson!"
Zhou Zilong nodded firmly, silently swearing that wherever life took him, he would uphold the righteous spirit of the martial arts and protect whatever he could.
After breakfast, Zhou Zilong followed Master Roshi's instructions and rested for half an hour, recovering his strength and energy.
He knew the training ahead would be strict and grueling, but he was ready. He rose to his feet and looked in the direction Master Roshi pointed. A massive island stood there, rising above the deep blue sea.
"Zilong, your first training exercise is to swim to that island." Master Roshi pointed at it with his cane. His voice was calm, but carried an unquestionable authority.
Zhou Zilong nodded, took a deep breath, and strode forward with determination. He took off his shoes and walked barefoot across the sand, feeling its softness and warmth beneath his feet. Step by step, he headed into the water until it reached his knees. He glanced back at Master Roshi, then sprang forward and plunged into the sea.
The water was cool and deep. Zhou Zilong felt it envelop his body, as if he had entered another world. He took a deep breath and began the long swim, driving himself forward as his arms swept across the water and his legs kicked hard to propel him onward.
At times the sea was calm as a mirror; at others, it surged and churned. As he swam, Zhou Zilong kept adjusting his breathing and pace to meet the changing conditions. He could feel his energy draining, but he had no intention of giving up.
As time passed, Zhou Zilong felt his strength fading. His arms began to ache, his legs grew unbearably heavy, and his breathing grew ragged as his heart pounded faster. Still, he gritted his teeth and kept swimming forward.
Just when Zhou Zilong felt he could barely go on, he spotted land ahead. The island was right in front of him. It seemed to shine with the promise of hope. He summoned every last bit of strength and swam toward it, finally reaching its shore.
Zhou Zilong collapsed onto the sand, exhausted, and gasped for breath. His body felt utterly drained, yet he was filled with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment unlike any he had ever known.
"Congratulations, Zilong. You've completed your first training exercise. Now you'll have to work even harder." Master Roshi's voice sounded beside him. Zhou Zilong looked up and saw him standing on the shore, smiling at him.
"Yes, Master!" Zhou Zilong struggled to his feet, bowed, and answered excitedly.
Then Master Roshi led Zhou Zilong along a winding path deeper into the island. Along the way, they met many of the island's residents, each warmly greeting Master Roshi as if he were the most welcome guest around.
"Master Mutaito, you're here!" A rather plump woman approached them, carrying a basket full of fresh vegetables. "Sorry for the trouble, but the company that buys the vegetables will be coming to pick them up this evening." A simple, warm smile lit her face, and she clearly trusted Master Roshi.
Master Roshi nodded, then turned to Zhou Zilong. "Zilong, you see? This is the kind of work we do. Farm work may seem simple, but it builds your strength and endurance. Remember, the path of martial arts isn't mastered in a day. You have to keep your feet on the ground and take it one step at a time!"
Zhou Zilong nodded, filled with anticipation. As a legendary martial artist, Master Roshi surely had his own unique training methods. He couldn't wait to begin his training journey.
When they reached the fields, Zhou Zilong looked out over rows of lush green vegetables swaying in the breeze. He took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air, then stretched to warm up. After that, he went to a patch of cabbage and began his new training exercise—harvesting cabbages with a hoe.
He bent over and planted his feet in a horse stance, gripping the hoe with both hands as he dug up one cabbage after another. His movements were a little awkward at first, but as time passed, he found his rhythm. He grew more and more skillful, and his pace quickened.
With every cabbage he dug up, Zhou Zilong could feel the muscles in his core, legs, and arms working hard. His muscles tightened and contracted, as if being tempered over and over. The sensation excited him and made him nervous, but he knew this was exactly the result he wanted.
As time passed, Zhou Zilong felt his strength steadily draining away. Sweat trickled down his forehead and soaked his clothes, but he had no intention of stopping to rest. He knew this was a test of his willpower. Gritting his teeth, he pressed on.
After who knew how long, Zhou Zilong finally finished harvesting all the cabbages in the plot. Exhausted, he sat on the ground, panting, but a satisfied smile spread across his face. It felt as though his body had been cleansed, leaving him lighter and stronger.
"Not bad, Zilong. You did well!" Master Roshi came over and nodded with approval.
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