Teaching

In the front courtyard, Chen Jianghe had just finished a set of punches and was wiping his face with a sweat towel when he saw Li Chengyue striding over, followed by a bruised and swollen Su Derong.

"Master, Third Senior Brother." Chen Jianghe cupped his fists in salute.

Li Chengyue said nothing, walking up to him to look him up and down.

"Were you practicing just now?" Li Chengyue asked.

"Yes."

"Do it again. Let me see."

Chen Jianghe replied with a "Yes," stepped back, sank his hips, and settled into the Three-Body Stance.

He began with the Splitting Fist.

This time, he deliberately slowed his speed, yet the flow of his strength became even more apparent.

As his fists rose and fell, the sound of his muscles and bones humming could be faintly heard, and the air seemed to ripple slightly where his fists passed.

After finishing the Five Elements Fist, Chen Jianghe withdrew his stance and stood still, his breathing slightly labored but his gaze clear.

Li Chengyue stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.

The courtyard was deathly quiet, save for the wind lanterns swaying under the eaves, casting flickering shadows.

Su Derong couldn't help but lean in, whispering, "Master, how is it? I wasn't wrong, was I?"

Li Chengyue still didn't speak. He paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, then suddenly raised a hand to rub his brow, muttering under his breath, "Damn the heavens..."

Su Derong didn't catch it: "What did you say, Master?"

Li Chengyue waved him off, walked up to Chen Jianghe, and held out his hand: "Give me your hand."

Chen Jianghe extended his right hand.

Li Chengyue gripped his wrist, his finger strength penetrating deep to carefully examine the tendons, joints, and blood flow. The more he felt, the tighter his brow furrowed.

"These tendons and bones of yours..." He released his grip, moved behind Chen Jianghe, and pressed on key points along his spine, waist, and hips. "When you first joined, I checked your bones. Your aptitude was average, and you were already older. By all rights..."

He paused and looked at Chen Jianghe: "How have you been training these past two months?"

Chen Jianghe answered truthfully: "I rise at the hour of the Tiger every day, stand in the stance for an hour, then practice the Five Elements Fist. During the day, aside from eating and helping my mother with chores, I spend the rest of the time practicing in the courtyard. Before bed at night, I stand in the stance for another half-hour."

Li Chengyue stared at him: "It's that simple?"

"It's that simple."

"What about meat?"

"Third Senior Brother provides some, and the martial arts school provides a ten-catty ration. It's barely enough."

"What about supplements?"

"I can't afford them." Chen Jianghe shook his head. "I only gritted my teeth and bought three bottles of Blood Qi Powder during the critical moment of 'Changing Strength'."

Li Chengyue remained silent for a long time, then suddenly let out a long sigh.

He turned his back to Chen Jianghe, gazing at the old locust tree in the courtyard, his voice filled with an indescribable complexity: "I have practiced martial arts for forty years, and I have seen at least eight hundred disciples. Some were born with great talent and reached Bright Strength in three months; some had wealthy families and piled up medicine to reach it; others toiled for ten years before finally breaking through the barrier."

He paused and said slowly: "But someone like you—with mediocre aptitude, no resources, and relying solely on hard work to go from 'Changing Strength' to Bright Strength in just over half a year... I have never seen it before."

Li Chengyue turned around, his gaze landing back on Chen Jianghe's face. His expression was complex and difficult to read, containing surprise, gratification, and a hidden, burning intensity.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "Wait here."

With that, he turned and walked quickly toward the back courtyard.

Before long, Li Chengyue returned, holding two celadon bottles and several oil-paper packets.

He shoved everything into Chen Jianghe's arms: "Take these."

Chen Jianghe looked down to see red paper labels on the celadon bottles; one was marked "Bone-Strengthening Powder" and the other "Blood Qi Powder." Even through the oil-paper, he could smell the faint scent of herbs from the packets, clearly a prepared medicinal formula.

"Master, this is..." Chen Jianghe was stunned.

"For you. Use the Bone-Strengthening Powder externally with your stance training to fortify your muscles and bones. Take the Blood Qi Powder internally with warm water to nourish your blood and energy. Come to me once a week to collect more."

He paused, looking at Chen Jianghe with a serious expression: "Now that you have achieved Bright Strength, you have truly stepped over the threshold of the martial path. But the road ahead is harder with every step. Cultivating Dark Strength requires medicinal baths to clear the meridians and temper the internal organs. That is an expense I cannot cover for you."

Chen Jianghe gripped the medicine bottles tightly and said in a deep voice: "This disciple understands."

Li Chengyue put his hands behind his back: "Good if you understand. I will pass the recipe for the Dark Strength medicinal bath to you when the time comes. But you must find a way to acquire the herbs yourself. Taking on jobs, escorting caravans, or even guarding the homes of the wealthy... there are many paths, but they are dangerous. Remember one thing your master says—"

He turned his head, his gaze like a deep, ancient well, looking straight into Chen Jianghe's eyes: "Martial cultivation is like climbing a treacherous peak. Talent, opportunity, and resources are all indispensable. But the most fundamental thing is 'stability.' Do not be arrogant or impatient, do not take reckless risks, and take it one step at a time. The deeper your foundation, the further you will go. You only have one life; you must be cautious."

Chen Jianghe felt a chill in his heart and bowed deeply: "This disciple will take your teachings to heart!"

"Good." Li Chengyue nodded.

At this moment, Su Derong, who had been silent until now, leaned in with a cheeky grin: "Master, look... I also played a part in the Junior Brother's success today! My monthly..."

Before he could finish, he received another kick to the backside.

"A rich young master, idling away his days, and you have the nerve to ask for more?" Li Chengyue snapped. "You have money for wine but not for medicine? Get to your brothels and listen to your music! Don't loiter in the school; you're an eyesore!"

Su Derong rubbed his backside, unbothered, and laughed while waving his fan: "Master, you can't say it like that. Even though my family is well-off, that money doesn't just fall from the sky. Besides, by staying at the school, I'm helping look after the junior brothers!"

"Looking after them?" Li Chengyue sneered. "By looking after them in the brothels and pleasure houses?"

Su Derong was not annoyed in the slightest, instead retorting righteously, "That is also cultivation! Tempering the heart in the mortal world—you wouldn't understand, Master."

"Get lost, right now." Li Chengyue raised his foot again.

"You got it! Since Master has spoken, this disciple shall go find a mistress for your future grand-disciples!"

With that, Su Derong waved his fan and strode quickly toward the exit. As he passed Chen Jianghe, he tapped him lightly on the shoulder with the fan ribs. "Little Junior Brother, train hard. I have high hopes for you. Don't forget your Senior Brother once you've made it big."

The courtyard fell silent.

Only then did Li Chengyue look back at Chen Jianghe. After a moment of silence, he suddenly asked, "Is your mother getting used to living at the martial arts hall?"

Chen Jianghe hurriedly replied, "She is. Mother says the hall is peaceful and feels more secure than Loach Bay."

"Good." Li Chengyue nodded. "Remember what your master told you: when practicing martial arts, 'steadiness' must come first."

"This disciple will keep it in mind."

"Train well." After saying these three words, Li Chengyue turned, hands behind his back, and sauntered off toward the backyard.

Watching his master's retreating figure, Chen Jianghe fell into deep thought.

He had reached the level of Bright Strength, but he still needed to work harder. Tomorrow, he would ask his Third Senior Brother if he could find a part-time job; that way, he could save up some silver and get his mother a house near the martial arts hall.