Chapter 8: Six Yang

Early the next morning, Chen Yuan rose early and, under Zhao Shan’s guidance, practiced the Tiger-Subduing Fist three times.

Zhao Shan imparted some more martial arts experience to Chen Yuan before heading out, leaving Chen Yuan to practice on his own.

Near noon, Zhao Shan returned to the small courtyard and went with Chen Yuan to the kitchen courtyard to get their meals. Steward Sun happened to be there as well.

Zhao Shan requested an extra food box for Chen Yuan, explaining it was for a late-night snack to replenish the energy consumed by his martial arts training. Steward Sun readily agreed.

Chen Yuan thanked him repeatedly, a weight finally lifting from his heart.

With this extra food box, he could perform the star-light infusion.

The hunger following the star-light infusion was too unbearable to wait until the next day to replenish his energy; he needed at least to be half-full, making this second food box a necessity.

After lunch, Chen Yuan and Zhao Shan headed to the Li residence.

Steward Li was as amiable as the day before, inquiring about Chen Yuan’s progress in his training.

Chen Yuan naturally played along, performing the role of a devoted disciple.

As he left the Li residence, he happened to encounter a delicate-looking young girl entering the main hall and hurriedly stepped aside.

The girl, however, ignored Chen Yuan entirely. She walked straight up to Steward Li, grabbed his right arm, and said in a spoiled tone

"Father, just say yes! I want to learn martial arts, please teach me..."

Steward Li let her hold his arm and said helplessly

"Ying'er, what is so good about learning martial arts?"

"I don't care, I just want to learn!"

"Sigh, you girl..."

Steward Li shook his head, then noticed Chen Yuan standing to the side and said kindly

"Erniu, you go back first. Practice hard and don't be lazy."

"Yes, Master."

Chen Yuan cupped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

"Father, who is that?"

"Hehe, that is a new disciple I’ve taken in, his name is Chen Erniu..."

"Hmph! You’ve taken in so many disciples, even taking in a mud-legged peasant like him, but you just won't teach me martial arts, wuwu..."

"Ying'er, don't cry. How can you be the same as them..."

Chen Yuan deliberately slowed his pace, but the words behind him grew increasingly muffled. By the time he reached the gate of the Li residence, he could hear nothing at all.

...

In the afternoon, Chen Yuan continued to practice his fist techniques, feeling the rapid growth of the internal energy within his body, his heart filled with surprise and suspicion.

According to Zhao Shan, after a martial artist develops a sense of *qi*, the growth rate of internal energy is extremely slow.

Yet, as Chen Yuan practiced, he could feel a clear increase in his internal energy, at a speed more than a hundred times faster than what Zhao Shan had described.

Chen Yuan could not fathom the reason, eventually attributing it to the star-light infusion.

Since the star-light infusion could strengthen his physical body, it likely included his meridians and acupoints as well, so it was no surprise that the rate of internal energy growth had increased.

...

Chen Yuan practiced until dusk, lost in the pleasure of his growing internal energy.

Only when the hunger in his stomach became unbearable did he stop. He took off his hemp tunic, changed into a yellow cloth short-shirt, and walked out of the courtyard with the two food boxes.

Upon arriving at the kitchen courtyard, Chen Yuan served two portions of food, specifically asking for five extra white flour pancakes and a bowl of stewed meat for one of them.

For some reason, neither Steward Sun nor Xiao Liu were in the kitchen courtyard today.

However, Steward Sun must have instructed the staff, as the servant serving the food raised no objections and readily agreed to Chen Yuan’s request.

Chen Yuan carried the two food boxes back to the small courtyard, devoured his dinner like a whirlwind, rested for two quarters of an hour, changed back into his hemp clothes, and continued his training.

An hour later, Zhao Shan returned to the courtyard, and only then did Chen Yuan stop.

Zhao Shan smiled and said

"Why did you stop? Keep practicing, don't mind me."

Chen Yuan picked up a white towel, wiped the sweat from his face, and smiled honestly

"Senior Brother, there is something I would like to ask for your help with."

"What is it?"

"I’ve been away from home for several days and have finally found my footing in the county town. I want to write a letter to my parents to let them know I’m safe, but I’m illiterate. Could you help me write a letter?"

Zhao Shan met Chen Yuan’s expectant gaze and gave a wry smile

"You’ve asked the wrong person; I’m illiterate too."

Chen Yuan asked in surprise

"Senior Brother is also illiterate?"

Zhao Shan nodded

"After Master took me in as a disciple, I focused solely on martial arts. Later, I served under Master and joined the guard team, so I never had time to learn to read. Besides, Master said that a martial artist only needs to know martial arts; there is no need to be literate. Correspondence is handled by the accountants."

Chen Yuan said disappointedly

"I saw that Senior Brother speaks as elegantly as a scholar, so I thought you were like one, able to read and write..."

Zhao Shan laughed

"I used to be clumsy with words too, but after spending two years by Master’s side, I’ve seen and heard much, so I learned how to speak. You will be the same one day."

Chen Yuan’s eyes flickered as he asked

"Is Senior Brother Wang also illiterate?"

Zhao Shan shook his head

"Wang Cong comes from a merchant family. He attended a private school when he was young, but after his family fell on hard times, he came to the hall as an apprentice and was taken in by Master. He does know some characters."

"Oh... then should I ask Senior Brother Wang to write a letter for me to send to my parents?"

Zhao Shan sneered

"He thinks very highly of himself; how could he possibly help someone write a letter?"

Chen Yuan widened his eyes

"Then does that mean I have no way to write to my parents to tell them I’m safe?"

Zhao Shan pondered for a moment and said

"The accountants in the hall are very busy; I’m afraid they won't have time for such trifles... There are people in the county who specialize in writing letters for others, though it costs money."

Chen Yuan said happily

"That’s fine, I’m not afraid of spending money, as long as I can let my parents know I’m safe!"

Zhao Shan smiled

"Then I’ll take you there tomorrow to find someone to write a letter for you."

Chen Yuan waved his hands repeatedly

"Senior Brother is so busy, how could I trouble you further? I can go by myself."

Zhao Shan nodded

"That works too. The street is called Wenchang Street. All the bookstores in the county are on that street, and there are many people on the roadside who help write letters, couplets, and invitations. From Xingye Ward, go out, walk west past two alleys, then head south..."

He explained the route clearly and added a final piece of advice

"Writing a letter costs five copper coins. If anyone asks for more, don't agree to it."

Chen Yuan smiled honestly

"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I’ve bought things from peddlers in the countryside; I won't be cheated."

Zhao Shan laughed

"That’s true. You’re thirteen already, practically half an adult. When I was your age, I had already been watching the noodle stall for my family for a year..."

Afterward, the two chatted idly. Chen Yuan asked, without leaving a trace, about the delicate young girl he had met at the Li residence during the day.

Zhao Shan smiled

"You mean Junior Sister Li Ying? She is Master’s only daughter, only sixteen this year. Master dotes on her immensely."

Chen Yuan asked curiously

"If Junior Sister wants to learn martial arts, why doesn't Master teach her?"

Zhao Shan shook his head

"I’m not sure either. Master is highly skilled, and his family’s 'Six Yang Technique' is a second-rate cultivation method, yet he refuses to teach Junior Sister. It is truly puzzling."

Chen Yuan’s eyes flickered as he pressed

"Six Yang Technique? Isn't Master practicing the Tiger-Subduing Strength?"

Zhao Shan explained

"Master comes from a martial arts family in another province, but his family declined, and he drifted to Yu Province before joining the Tiger-Subduing Gang. Naturally, he practices his family’s secret techniques. He traveled the world with a hundred-refined Autumn Water Sword and even earned the title of 'Six Yang Sword' in the martial arts world."

Chen Yuan exclaimed in admiration

"So Master’s ancestors were that powerful!"

Zhao Shan laughed

"Master has a deep family heritage and great martial arts skills. Being taken in as his disciples is a blessing earned over three lifetimes. If you serve Master well in the future, you might even be taught the Six Yang Technique."

Chen Yuan shook his head repeatedly

"I wouldn't dare think of that. As long as I can eat my fill, I am content. Whether Master teaches me the Six Yang Technique or not, I will repay his kindness!"

Zhao Shan was stunned, then his smile grew even wider

"Junior Brother, you’re right to think that way. As disciples, we should help Master share his burdens and solve his problems to repay his grace!"

...

After finishing the discussion about the letter, Chen Yuan practiced the Tiger-Subduing Fist for another hour before stopping.

He walked lightly to the door of the main room and listened to the faint snoring coming from inside. Only after a full quarter of an hour did he confirm that Zhao Shan was asleep.

Matters concerning the jade pendant required caution.

Chen Yuan felt relieved, returned to his room, took out the jade pendant, and went into the courtyard.

Tonight was clear, with the Milky Way spanning the night sky. Under the light of the stars, the jade pendant emitted a faint green glow.

Suddenly, the stars in the sky all shimmered at once. A thin beam of white light descended from the heavens, landing on the top of Chen Yuan’s head. It circulated around his body once, and after ten breaths, it suddenly vanished.

Chen Yuan closed his eyes slightly, feeling the cool, tingling sensation on his skin, followed by an unbearable wave of hunger.

He returned to his room, opened the second food box, and began to wolf down the food.

Before long, three bowls of stewed meat and fifteen white flour pancakes were in his stomach. Chen Yuan was about seventy percent full, and the hunger in his belly had dissipated significantly.

If he ate two more white flour pancakes at each meal tomorrow, he would be able to fully digest the gains from this star-light infusion.

Chen Yuan lay on the bed, clenched his fist, felt the strength that had clearly increased by a notch, and slowly closed his eyes.

...

The next morning, Chen Yuan received Zhao Shan’s guidance for the last time; from then on, he would have to practice alone.

As the leader of the guard team, Zhao Shan had to manage over twenty guards under his command and practice his own martial arts.

It was already no small feat that he had managed to carve out three days to teach Chen Yuan the Tiger-Subduing Strength.

However, Chen Yuan had excellent control over his body, so he didn't really need much guidance from Zhao Shan in his training.

His greatest gain was the wealth of experience in combat he had received from Zhao Shan.

The martial arts world was treacherous. Since joining the guard team, Zhao Shan had experienced over a dozen battles, large and small, and was highly experienced.

Chen Yuan listened carefully to the experience Zhao Shan imparted. Even if he didn't understand it now, he memorized it firmly so that he could avoid many detours when he walked the martial arts world in the future.

After lunch, Chen Yuan went to pay his respects to Steward Li on time.

Steward Li was amiable and showed great concern for Chen Yuan every time. Before he left, Wang Cong once again instilled the principle of "repaying the master’s grace" into him.

After three days, Chen Yuan understood: this was how Steward Li cultivated loyalty in his disciples.

It was no wonder Zhao Shan was so loyal to Steward Li. Young people were fickle, and coming from a poor background, they didn't have to worry about food and clothing after becoming disciples, received a monthly allowance, and were brainwashed like this every day. Over time, these concepts became deeply rooted and naturally difficult to reverse.

But Chen Yuan was mature in mind and didn't buy into it at all.

He merely played along with Steward Li and Wang Cong, while his heart remained perfectly clear.

(End of chapter)