Chapter 152

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Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but chuckle at He Tianshu’s hesitation, but he also felt a sense of admiration. The Piaomiao Sect truly deserved its reputation as a prestigious sect in the martial world. The strict adherence to orders from top to bottom was no joke. Even though the sect master had only given some instructions and didn’t explicitly say that He Tianshu should teach the ‘Piaomiao Steps’, He Tianshu still didn’t dare practice it first. Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but quietly commend the discipline and execution within the Piaomiao Sect. It was no wonder they had stood tall in the martial world for so many years.

With a gleam in his eye, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly became serious and said to He Tianshu: “Captain He, I think there’s a very serious issue with this ‘Piaomiao Steps’ manual that I need your help with.”

He Tianshu’s eyes lit up, and he said; “Go ahead, tell me.”

Zhang Xiaohua waved the pages of the manual in front of him and said: “I spent the entire afternoon reading it, but I still couldn’t understand it. What’s written here is completely confusing to me. I think it would be best if Captain He thoroughly reviewed it first and then explained how I should practice. Once I get started, I’ll have more concrete questions to ask.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at He Tianshu again, holding out the pages that had been weighing on He Tianshu’s mind, and said: “What do you think about that?”

After thinking it over and gritting his teeth, He Tianshu said: “You have a point. That’s a good question. If we wait for you to understand it, the sun might rise in the west. I’d better be prepared to answer your first question. I’ll review the technique now and give you an overview.”

Seeing that He Tianshu had accepted the manual, Zhang Xiaohua clapped his hands together as if dusting them off, smiling as he said: “Then I’ll leave it to you, Captain He. But there’s one thing, when you teach me the footwork, be patient. Don’t rush like you did when you were teaching me the fist techniques.”

He Tianshu chuckled at first but then glared at Zhang Xiaohua and said: “You know yourself well enough. I hope you don’t let down the Sect Master’s efforts on your behalf.”

Zhang Xiaohua pouted and said helplessly: “Fine, I admit my talents are limited, but I’m willing to give this escaping movement technique one hundred percent of my effort.”

” ’Escaping’ movement technique?” He Tianshu repeated with a bitter smile and said: “One of the three great techniques of the Piaomiao Sect, and you’re calling it an escaping technique? Forget it. Go on, head back now. It’s getting late. Don’t end up sleeping in my room. Once I’ve gone through it, I’ll explain it to you.”

With that, He Tianshu shooed the person who had so casually insulted a revered martial arts technique out of his room.

As Zhang Xiaohua walked away, he muttered in dissatisfaction: “Isn’t a lightness skill meant for escaping? My fist techniques are average, I don’t know any internal martial arts, so if I can’t win a fight, shouldn’t I rely on this footwork to escape?”

He Tianshu “closed off” his hearing, shut the door, and began to focus on studying the “Piaomiao Steps”.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua returned to his room and casually picked up a book on herbal medicine. He flipped through it, but no matter how he tried, he couldn’t concentrate. Almost involuntarily, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the light blue book titled < Carefree Heart Sutra>.

He opened to the first page and skimmed through the preface. There were no mentions of “Piaomiao” nor the words “insomnia” or “forgetfulness”. After carefully reading through it again, Zhang Xiaohua started to get a sense of things. The preface explained that the world is filled with spiritual energy, and within heaven and earth exists a primordial energy, also known as the essence of all things, and if one could guide this energy into their body, they could wash their marrow and transform themselves. Not only would this strengthen their body and mind, but it would also enhance their mystical abilities. With mastery, it might even lead to longevity. The is a technique for channeling this energy into the body and also teaches the method for cleansing one’s meridians. The practice is divided into eighteen levels referred to as Qi Refining.

Zhang Xiaohua closed the manual, feeling a surge of joy in his heart. The old saying was true: ‘Searching high and low, only to find it effortlessly in the end’. Isn’t this exactly the martial arts manual he had been longing for, a guide to inner energy cultivation? Once the Yuan Qi enters the body, isn’t that inner energy? And aren’t the mystical abilities simply the effects of this internal energy? This was far superior to mere physical force, naturally, such mystical abilities were incomparably powerful.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua recalled what his second brother had once told him: when practicing internal cultivation, one should direct their focus upward, imagining that inner energy is entering through the forehead. But I didn’t know if this is also practiced this way?

With that thought, he quickly reopened the manual and turned to the first level of the technique.

As expected, the first level described that in order to draw energy into the body, one must first sense the essence of heaven and earth around them. Then, using a specific breathing method, they could open all the pores of their body to allow the Yuan Qi to enter. The text then detailed how to sense the Yuan Qi, how to breathe properly, and how to open the pores. It described guiding the energy through special routes to cleanse the meridians and store it in the middle dantian. The instructions concluded that once one could feel the energy, draw it into the body, and accumulate a sufficient amount in the middle dantian, they would have completed the first level. Only then could they proceed to the second level of cultivation.

At this point, Zhang Xiaohua stopped turning the pages. He understood that while the process seemed simple, his brother Zhang Xiaohu, with his natural talent, had still taken a long time to master it. As for himself, he figured he should multiply that time by three at the very least. He decided not to concern himself with the second level for now and to take things one step at a time.

In this regard, Zhang Xiaohua was admirable. Not only was he diligent, but he was also willing to progress gradually and avoid wasting effort on what he wasn’t ready for.

Of course, his self-awareness was even more commendable.

After reading, Zhang Xiaohua carefully reflected on the contents in his mind. Only after ensuring that he had memorized everything correctly did he close the book and return it to his pocket.

Zhang Xiaohua sat on the kang, feeling a bit conflicted. His brother Zhang Xiaohu had repeatedly cautioned him about the dangers of practicing internal martial arts without proper guidance, warning that it could easily lead to dangerous results. But now, with the being a secret known only to him, and no one in the Piaomiao Sect having practiced this technique, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t just ask Ou Peng to find time for him amidst his busy schedule.

The tantalizing opportunity in his hands was something he couldn’t just leave untried. The temptation was almost unbearable. Ultimately, Zhang Xiaohua resolved to take a risk. As the old saying goes: “Fortune favors the brave”. If he only sought safety and security, he might as well stay in Guo Village and never venture into Pingyang City. Besides, if He Tianshu were to teach him another internal technique, Zhang Xiaohua would probably be less inclined to learn it, given his inner conviction about this particular method.

Furthermore, this cultivation technique had eighteen levels. The initial level should be relatively safe, he reasoned.

With his mind made up, Zhang Xiaohua could no longer contain his excitement. He sat cross-legged on the kang, adopting the “five points to the sky” posture as described in the manual. Following the method outlined in the , he attempted the “Nine Shallow, One Deep” breathing technique. According to the manual, he first took three slightly rapid breaths, paused briefly, then took six more rapid breaths, and finally completed the exercise with a long inhalation followed by a short exhalation.

Although the manual provided detailed instructions, Zhang Xiaohua found that the exact timing and length of each breath could be interpreted in various ways. Without a master to guide him, it was hard to know if he was doing it correctly. Despite this, Zhang Xiaohua continued his attempts, but he still couldn’t sense any of the Yuan Qi around him.

Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but laugh at himself: “If this is what practicing internal martial arts is like, how could anyone ever go astray?”

However, he considered that while the traditional method involved channeling energy through the forehead, he was trying to draw it in through his pores. The methods were different, and perhaps the results would vary. At worst, he might burn his skin.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, his attempts at the “Nine Shallow, One Deep” breathing technique became increasingly chaotic. Zhang Xiaohua quickly refocused his mind and concentrated fully on the breathing exercise.

One good thing about Zhang Xiaohua was that he was very dedicated to what he did.

Soon, it felt as if he was truly entering a state of concentration, immersed in the rhythmic breathing. However, despite his efforts, he still did not sense any presence of Yuan Qi.

Zhang Xiaohua was deeply immersed in his practice, but in his excitement, he forgot about his unique characteristics. As he closed his eyes and practiced the breathing technique he had just learned, midnight arrived.

Zhang Xiaohua fell asleep, continuing to breathe in the “Nine Shallow, One Deep” pattern, even as he drifted off.

In Zhang Xiaohua’s dream full of twinkling lights, his surroundings appeared to shimmer and pulsate, as if the twinkling lights had their own breathing rhythm. These frequencies began to influence Zhang Xiaohua, causing his breathing pattern to gradually shift and adapt. As the shimmering light adjusted the rhythm, Zhang Xiaohua’s breathing method became completely different from Zhang Xiaohua’s own exploration, evolving into a new variation of the “Nine Shallow, One Deep”.

The moment Zhang Xiaohua’s unique breathing pattern took shape, it was as if he merged into a new environment—a pulsating, rhythmic realm. In an instant, countless star-like lights from the distant starry sky seemed to be drawn to his frequency, or perhaps to his breathing pattern. These starlights traversed the endless expanse of the night sky, penetrating through the roof and directly illuminating Zhang Xiaohua, who was sitting cross-legged.

Although the starlight is technically ‘light’, by the time it reaches Zhang Xiaohua, it has become almost imperceptible. Even though it is dense, it does not illuminate Zhang Xiaohua’s figure as it would on a typical night. At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua remained hidden in the darkness, and under the special breathing and the twinkling dream, there was a faint tendency for his form to become somewhat blurred.

At this moment, all the pores on Zhang Xiaohua’s body opened up, like a parched mouth eagerly drinking in the surrounding starlight. The almost imperceptible starlight flocked toward him like tired birds returning to their nest.

The starlight that entered Zhang Xiaohua’s pores did not move further. After a while, as more and more starlight accumulated inside his pores, less of it remained outside. Then, the starlight inside Zhang Xiaohua’s body began to circulate according to the method described in the , guiding the starlight along specific internal pathways. Instantly, the starlight within his pores was absorbed, and the external starlight quickly replenished the supply.

The starlight entering Zhang Xiaohua’s body followed the meridian paths outlined in the heart sutra, making a complete circulation. However, instead of storing the energy in his middle dantian, the starlight continued to circulate, while more starlight continuously flowed into his pores.

According to theory, although the starlight is barely visible, there should be an ever-increasing amount of starlight in his body. Thus, the starlight within should be growing in quantity. However, the puzzling thing is that, instead of becoming more robust with the increase in quantity, the starlight running through the body undergoes a qualitative change within this order, forming something entirely different. This new thing is evidently purer and much smaller in volume compared to the starlight, and it is exactly the primordial energy of heaven and earth mentioned in the Heart Sutra.

Not only that, although the pure Yuan Qi should be increasing under the endless variation of starlight, it actually becomes scarcer, as if it were being refined, under the constant twinkling in Zhang Xiaohua’s body. In this way, despite the vast amount of starlight surrounding Zhang Xiaohua being continuously absorbed through the pores, the energy transformed into refined Yuan Qi remained barely noticeable.

One night passed by in Zhang Xiaohua’s daze.

When the morning sun rose above the horizon, Zhang Xiaohua opened his eyes from his sleep, and the twinkling light in his eyes was still fleeting.

Upon waking, Zhang Xiaohua saw himself still in the Five Hearts to the Sky posture and couldn’t help but smile wryly. How did he sit like this for the entire night?

However, when he jumped down from the bed, he didn’t feel any soreness or numbness in his limbs. On the contrary, he felt refreshed, even more comfortable than after lying on the bed to sleep, which was unexpected for Zhang Xiaohua. He mused: “Maybe I should just sleep sitting like this in the future?”

Early risers get the worms, and Zhang Xiaohua diligently practiced his life-preserving sword techniques and the protective Big Dipper Fist in the woods. Today was destined to be an extraordinary day. As Zhang Xiaohua completed the eighth round of his beloved Big Dipper Divine Fist, the familiar flow emerged unexpectedly. This somewhat comforted Zhang Xiaohua’s self-esteem, which had been bruised last night. Was this the reward for his long hours of hard practice?

Had the Big Dipper Divine Fist advanced?

Indeed, with Zhang Xiaohua’s anticipation, he did a second round of eight repetitions, and the energy flow appeared again during the eighth repetition. Zhang Xiaohua was finally able to confirm that his Big Dipper Divine Fist had indeed improved.

However, if that was the case, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but look forward to whether, when he practiced to the end, the flow would always appear in time with each round of the Big Dipper Divine Fist. Reflecting on the eighteen layers of the Carefree Heart Sutra from last night, Zhang Xiaohua also took the liberty of dividing his Big Dipper Divine Fist into nine layers, with the first layer being one that flow appears once every nine repetitions and the ninth layer being one that appears once per repetition.

With this thought, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but smile, feeling that it was indeed a good day.

Breathing in the fresh morning air, Zhang Xiaohua suddenly had an idea. Could it be that the “Nine Shallow, One Deep” technique from last night didn’t work because the night air was not fresh enough? Since everything was awakening in the morning, could it have a different effect from the night?

With this in mind, Zhang Xiaohua immediately sat down in the woods and began to practice the breathing method from last night, performing the “Nine Shallow, One Deep” pattern.

Interestingly, although Zhang Xiaohua thought about the breathing method before he fell asleep, he actually used the adjusted rhythm from his dreams during the practice. Although these two rhythms were quite different, at Zhang Xiaohua’s level, he couldn’t feel much difference, and even if someone told him now, he might not believe it.

It’s quite unusual. Generally, such orally transmitted methods and techniques can’t be described with words alone; they can only be gradually grasped through the guidance of a master. Even those with exceptional talent often need countless attempts to master the basic breathing techniques, and some might take several days to remember them. Yet, Xiaohua managed to become extremely proficient in just one night.

One can’t help but marvel—truly the protagonist is invincible!

Although Zhang Xiaohua was unsure if his breathing method was correct, he vaguely felt a sense of clarity throughout his body, as if there was an indescribable communication between his body and the outside world. He felt somewhat dazed, was what it meant for the pores to open?

However, despite following the Heart Sutra’s methods to sense the Yuan Qi, he found nothing but emptiness, without a trace of it. What could be the problem?

[TL_Note: Yuan Qi can also be said to be Worldly Essence]

After a while, with no progress made, Zhang Xiaohua reluctantly stood up, dusted off his clothes, and walked out of the woods.

Although he felt some regret, he was not troubled or impatient.

Of course, Zhang Xiaohua was aware that when Zhang Xiaohu was practicing internal energy techniques, he had been told that such sensitivity to Qi was not something everyone could achieve easily and required a long time to develop. Zhang Xiaohu himself had spent a considerable amount of time finding that sensitivity. Zhang Xiaohua knew his own aptitude, and if he could find this Yuan Qi today, he might not even believe it himself.

Moreover, since he had already “gotten the worms” today, the progress in his Big Dipper Divine Fist had pointed out a path for him.

Suddenly, Zhang Xiaohua had a new idea. Previously, when practicing the Big Dipper Divine Fist through eighty-one repetitions, no further progress was made. He wondered if there might be new surprises now. Unfortunately, he was not in the mountain cabin anymore, and he still had things to do. It was getting late, and he hoped He Tianshu and the others hadn’t eaten all the breakfast.

Of course, He Tianshu and the others weren’t as ravenous as Zhang Xiaohua, and the breakfast on the table was still intact. However, He Tianshu’s bloodshot eyes and his absent-minded actions of shoveling food into his mouth startled Zhang Xiaohua.

Seeing He Tianshu’s excited expression, Zhang Xiaohua carefully asked: “Captain He, where did you go last night?”

“Oh, where did I go? Nowhere, just stayed in the house.” He Tianshu replied absently while continuing to eat.

Zhang Xiaohua said with concern: “It’s good if you didn’t go anywhere. I thought you might have gone out with Ma Jing.”

“Gone out with Ma Jing?” He Tianshu suddenly realized: “Huh? What are you talking about?”

When he focused and saw it was Zhang Xiaohua, his eyes lit up. He grabbed Zhang Xiaohua’s arm and said: “Zhang Xiaohua, why are you only coming now? Were you out practicing your martial arts again? I’m telling you, you need to make something of yourself and stop practicing those third-rate techniques.”