20demayo Chapter 2: Instruction in stance training and selection of guards.
Chapter 2: Instruction in stance training and selection of guards.
The second day of the fifth lunar month.
The rooster crows three times, and the east begins to lighten.
The servants' quarters.
After all the servants had assembled, Steward Liu began to speak.
"Starting today, we'll be arranging for everyone to learn martial arts. You all do manual labor, so you can't handle it without a strong physique."
"Whether you can master the basics of martial arts or not, it will strengthen your body and increase your strength. If you practice diligently, you can become bodyguards and enjoy a life of luxury!"
"Even if I can't go any further, having a good physique will make my work much easier in the future."
"Next, Instructor Zhao will teach you kung fu."
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure slowly walked out from behind Steward Liu.
Chen Yu looked up and saw that the martial arts master was about fifty years old, tall and burly, dressed in a black outfit, and walked with a powerful stride, clearly a seasoned expert.
"I am Zhao Dashan, a martial arts instructor in the training room. Today I will teach you the introductory technique, the Spirit Deer Stance. Watch carefully and learn well."
Zhao Dashan stood still, clasped his hands together in front of his chest, and slowly raised them above his head like the front hooves of a deer.
At the same time, lightly lift the left foot, touching the ground with the toes but not stepping firmly, and then follow with the right foot, like a deer leaping over a stream.
"The deer is a beast of pure yang, moving like a startled swan and still as a virgin."
"Deer can walk in the forest at night with eyes as bright as candles, all thanks to their strong blood. When blood is strong, qi is gathered; when qi is gathered, the mind is clear; when the mind is clear, the eyes are bright. With sufficient blood and qi, one can naturally see at night."
Zhao Dashan maintained his posture while explaining, his voice steady and showing no signs of strain.
"Inhale as you lift your foot, exhale as you lower your foot, pause after every three steps, and hold your breath for three seconds."
Following Zhao Dashan's demonstration, everyone quickly practiced along with him.
Zhao Dashan glanced at them and saw that Chen Yulian was the worst.
"What's the rush! You haven't even adjusted your posture, why are you inhaling?"
Zhao Dashan walked over to Chen Yu with his hands behind his back and gently kicked Chen Yu's ankle with the back of his foot.
"Spread your feet half an inch apart, push your knees outwards, yes, like that, imagine someone is pushing you from both sides, and you have to resist!"
Chen Yu adjusted as instructed, but immediately felt his legs ache, his back was weak, his chest was tight, and he was short of breath, making it difficult to continue.
"Your back must not sag!"
Zhao Dashan suddenly made his move, and Chen Yu felt a force coming from his lower back. He involuntarily straightened his back and his breathing became much easier.
"You felt it?"
Zhao Dashan withdrew his hand.
"This is what is meant by 'correct form.' When your posture is correct, your Qi flows smoothly, and only when your Qi flows smoothly can you improve your skills."
Chen Yu really felt it.
However, it wasn't Zhao Dashan who said it, but rather that the equipment slots in his mind had changed.
【Technique Section (Tier 1 0%)】
Number: 1 grid
[Technique]: Spirit Deer Stance
[Quality]: Unacceptable
[Status]: Not equipped
[Equipment Requirements]: Must have learned the martial arts technique.
[Equipment Effect]: Cultivation efficiency +20%, cultivation will definitely yield results, and progress will be visible.
[There is a cultivation technique that meets the equipment requirements. Do you want to equip it?]
Chen Yu stared at the panel; one slot in the cultivation technique section was currently unlocked and was not in use.
No need for further explanation, equip immediately.
With a thought, the skill manual flashed with light.
In an instant, the progress of the cultivation technique appeared before Chen Yu's eyes.
[Technique]: Spirit Deer Stance
[Progress]: First floor (10/100)
Chen Yu's brain rapidly processed the various pieces of information, and before long, he roughly understood the function of the [Cultivation Techniques Section].
Once you've focused on practicing a particular skill and met the equipment requirements, you can equip it into your inventory slot.
Then you'll be done practicing.
The progress bar is clearly visible; as experience points increase, the cultivation level of this technique will also improve.
Chen Yu immediately tried it out, following Zhao Dashan's instructions, practicing the Spirit Deer Stance step by step, completely.
Half an hour later, Chen Yu finally finished a set of exercises, panting heavily and drenched in sweat.
Open the panel again to observe the progress.
[Technique]: Spirit Deer Stance
[Progress]: First floor (22/100)
My experience points increased by a full 12.
If you keep practicing at this pace, you'll soon be able to break through to the second level.
Seeing this, Chen Yu was filled with enthusiasm and continued to train hard.
Zhao Dashan walked along the crowd, correcting each person one by one, and before he knew it, it was noon.
"Time's up."
Zhao Dashan said in a deep voice.
"Disband."
After saying that, he turned and left, and the crowd dispersed.
Chen Yu glanced at the cultivation technique panel.
[Technique]: Spirit Deer Stance
[Progress]: First floor (82/100)
I had hoped to make a quick dash to the second floor, but it seems I'm still a bit short.
However, the difference is not significant, and there's no rush.
After a morning of intense exercise, I was starving.
Eating is the most important thing.
Chen Yu stopped thinking about it and quickened his pace toward the canteen.
……
woodshed.
Practice martial arts in the morning, and work as usual in the afternoon.
Chen Yu picked up the axe and glanced at it.
[Weapon]: Wood-chopping axe
[Equipment Effect]: Strength +10%, Sharpness +15%, Stamina Recovery Speed +20%
The effect of the wood-chopping axe is to accelerate the recovery of stamina consumed during training.
However, this effect only works when you are holding a wood-chopping axe.
If the weapon is not in contact with the user, it will be considered unequipped and the equipment effect will not be triggered.
In other words, to maximize the effectiveness of a wood-chopping axe, it's best to carry it with you at all times, even when eating, drinking, or using the toilet.
Chen Yu also tried equipping himself with other items, such as shovels, sickles, fire pokers, and dung pitchforks, all of which were tools used by laborers.
Either the equipment requirements are not met, or the equipment effect is not much different and not very useful.
Even if it were useful, it couldn't be used for a long time, because he was just a woodcutter and could only possess a wood-chopping axe according to the rules of the courtyard.
Currently, the most useful weapon is this wood-chopping axe.
The servants could only work in the courtyard every day, which was too restrictive.
If I could go out into the world, I might find some better weapons.
Composing himself, Chen Yu began chopping wood.
The task was completed in less than two hours.
Wang Xiaoliu, who was at the west end of the woodshed, was already drenched in sweat after completing only half of his task.
Feeling he had plenty of energy and there was still some time before dinner, Chen Yu found a quiet spot to continue his extra training.
Adjust your posture, get into position, like a deer drinking water, unhurried and focused, enjoying yourself to the fullest.
The Linglu Zhuang Gong (a type of martial art) has progressed from unfamiliarity to proficiency. Although it is not perfect, it has begun to take shape.
Suddenly, Chen Yu felt a warm sensation rising within him, his entire body becoming slightly hot, which made him feel incredibly comfortable.
[Technique]: Spirit Deer Stance
[Progress]: Second floor (6/200)
As expected, they've reached the second level.
Soon, another half hour passed.
Although Chen Yu was in good spirits, he felt a slight swelling and pain all over his body.
He remembered Zhao Dashan's instructions.
"This exercise involves coordinating movements with breathing to achieve the effect of circulating qi and blood."
"Your physiques are too weak, and you are beginners. Don't rush things. If you move your qi and blood too frequently, your body may not be able to handle it."
It seems this saying is true; one should not overdo it when practicing martial arts.
While one's enthusiasm for practicing is certainly high, the human body has its limits.
In the servants' quarters, they could only eat cornbread and drink wild vegetable soup. Their bodies couldn't keep up with the demands of martial arts training, and there was nothing they could do.
You can't raise a true dragon in shallow waters; you still need to find a way to leave the servants' quarters.
……
That evening, Chen Yu lay on the large communal bed, listening to the group of servants talking animatedly.
The servant next to him was named Shi Le, who loved to chat idly and boast.
"Do you know why we've been assigned to learn martial arts today?"
Shi Le said mysteriously.
After a long silence, he coughed twice, lowered his voice, and said quietly, "When I went to sweep the kitchen this afternoon, I heard two stewards talking in the side hall. Something big is about to happen in Yun Song County next door."
"What's the big deal?"
Wang Xiaoliu couldn't contain himself and asked.
"A serial killer!"
Shi Le received a response, and his tone became even more smug as he spoke, gesturing as he spoke.
"Have you heard of him? Wei Rongfang, known in the martial arts world as 'Blood Blade Yama,' slaughtered two escort agencies, three inns, and four brothels in the prefectural city two months ago, taking a total of 178 lives, not even sparing three-year-old children!"
"What does this have to do with us? Will it let us work one less day? Will it let us eat two more cornbread buns?"
Another servant, Xu Laosan, muttered to himself.
Shi Le smacked his lips, held up three fingers, and waved them in the moonlight.
"Three constables have died in Yun Song County. They were all cut in half at the waist and died in extremely gruesome ways."
"Rumor has it that it was that devil who did it. Now the entire county closes its gates after dark and strictly checks passersby!"
At this point, everyone's curiosity was piqued, and the room fell silent.
Shi Le's voice turned sinister.
"But it's no use. Wei Rongfang is a master of disguise and bone-shrinking techniques, often disguising himself as an old man, woman, or child, making him impossible to distinguish!"
"Even if what you say is true, what does something happening in Yun Song County have to do with our Changhe County? Even if something happens, that's the magistrate's business. What can we do?"
Xu Laosan remained dismissive.
Shi Le shook his head repeatedly, exasperated, and said, "This 'Blood Blade Yama' is committing crimes everywhere. Who knows, he might wander into Changhe County one day. Do you think our prefect shouldn't be a little more careful?"
"Why did the lord take us in? We are over eighty menial servants, all of us sold ourselves into this life. We are worthless, and no one will care if we die."
"But as long as we live, we must serve the master with our lives."
"At this critical juncture, both the big and small figures in the underworld and the legitimate world are getting restless. With so many properties and shops, Master, you must definitely send more people to guard them and prevent any trouble from happening."
"Many of the best guards in the manor have been sent out to other places, and there is a serious shortage of guards. Although there is a head guard in charge, we can't say we are safe. So the master sent people to teach us kung fu, which is both to defend against bad guys and to select guards."
"I wish I could be selected as a guard, then I could eat chicken butts every day."
Wang Xiaoliu listened intently, his mouth watering without him even realizing it.
"Hmph, still dreaming of eating chicken butts? They'll probably be dead by then!"
Everyone was talking at once, making a lot of noise.
Chen Yu simply listened without uttering a word.
Whether you're a handyman or a guard, without real ability, it's all just empty talk and wishful thinking.
With his current mediocre skills, even if he were lucky enough to be selected as a guard, he would probably not escape death if he encountered a vicious villain.
With equipment in hand, diligent practice is the right path.
No matter what happens in the outside world, I must continue to cultivate myself with peace of mind, take steady steps, and proceed one by one.
Only through the growth of strength can one truly elevate their status.