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Chapter 15 - The Awakening of Inner Points

The days had long since lost count. The once-timid light of dawn that used to meet them in sleepy silence now welcomed warriors in motion. Five months had passed since the training began, and the group of young disciples had become almost unrecognizable — bodies lean and hardened, movements sharp yet fluid, their eyes reflecting quiet confidence.

Every morning, before the first glimmer of sunlight touched the hilltop, the faint sound of wooden buckets and splashing water echoed through the village. The villagers often woke to see the youngsters — YunKai Tao, Ye Chen, Luo Tang, Chen Li, Mei Xue, and the others — moving in groups, carrying heavy buckets from the river that wound like a silver thread below the village. The task had seemed endless at first: to fill all twelve Dorgon tanks with water, each as tall as a small house, their vast bellies demanding thousands upon thousands of bucketfuls.

But they persisted. Day after day, they trained, carried, lifted, meditated, and learned.

Their hands had calluses thick as bark, their shoulders bore the memory of countless trips up and down the hill, and yet, their spirits burned ever brighter. The elders often watched from afar, their faces unreadable but their eyes gleaming with pride.

Now, at the turn of the sixth month, the last Dorgon tank finally brimmed with crystal water. The young trainees gathered before it, panting, sweating, but smiling — their hearts swelling with the deep satisfaction of achievement.

YunKai Tao raised his head, watching the sunlight shimmer across the rippling surface of the tank. "Six months," he said softly. "Six months, and we've finally done it."

Ye Chen laughed, shaking water from his hands. "I thought I'd collapse before this day came. But… it feels right, doesn't it? Like the mountain itself has accepted us."

Chen Li grinned, leaning against his bucket. "We did it together. All of us. No one gave up."

Luo Tang nodded eagerly, his face glowing with youthful pride. "I can't believe we actually filled them all! The elders will be proud for sure!"

The others murmured in agreement, each face reflecting joy and accomplishment. For the first time since their training began, the air carried the sound of laughter — light, unguarded, and full of triumph.

But as they rested, the sound of approaching footsteps quieted the mirth.

The elders arrived — Tong Chen at the front, his broad frame outlined by the morning sun. Beside him walked Yan Zhi Lan, her serene expression calm as still water; Liang Shan followed with a quiet smile, and Xiao Ling trailed slightly behind, her steps soft, her eyes bright with unreadable depth.

The young trainees straightened immediately, excitement flickering across their faces. YunKai Tao stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Elders," he began proudly, "the final Dorgon has been filled. Every tank is full. The task is complete."

Tong Chen looked at him for a long moment, then turned his gaze toward the twelve great tanks gleaming in the morning light. The air seemed to thicken as his deep voice broke the silence.

"Full, you say?"

YunKai nodded, his chest swelling with pride. "Yes, Elder. Every one of them. We worked together. None of us faltered."

For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Then, Tong Chen's lips curved slightly — not quite a smile, not quite disapproval. "Good," he said slowly. "You have strength, discipline, and unity. You have filled the Dorgons with water."

His eyes darkened like storm clouds.

"But tell me," he said, "what have you filled within yourselves?"

The question hung in the air like a blade. The youngsters exchanged uncertain glances.

Ye Chen frowned. "Elder, we… we trained, meditated, learned from the scrolls. We—"

"—learned tasks," Yan Zhi Lan interrupted gently, her voice a calm river flowing around their confusion. "But knowledge is not measured in buckets, and strength is not tested by how much you can fill."

Before any of them could respond, Liang Shan lifted his hand. His powerful arm swept outward in a commanding motion — and from behind him, several villagers appeared, each carrying long bamboo poles and wooden tools.

The trainees looked on, puzzled.

Tong Chen turned to them once more. "You have filled these tanks with your sweat and determination," he said. "But today, you will learn the next lesson."

Without another word, the elders began to open the wooden valves at the base of each Dorgon. Water gushed out in torrents, cascading down the channels carved into the ground. The young disciples gasped, running forward in alarm.

"Wait—!" Chen Li cried out, eyes wide. "That's— that's all our work!"

Luo Tang stumbled forward, his jaw hanging open. "Elder! We spent months on this! Are you seriously—are you emptying them?!"

Water gushed out in silver streams, rushing down the slope. The sound was like laughter and thunder together, defying their disbelief.

Tong Chen raised a hand, stopping them with a single, quiet gesture. "And yet," he said, his tone calm but firm, "you will spend many more. Do not mistake effort for understanding."

The words struck like stones, echoing in their chests. Ye Chen muttered under his breath, "Could've said that before we filled all twelve…"

Luo Tang elbowed him, whispering, "Shut up, before he makes us fill twenty-four."

Yan Zhi Lan, her serene eyes watching the falling water, spoke softly. "Nothing that serves life is ever wasted. You filled the Dorgons, but now the water serves the land. So too must your strength — not hoarded, but given."

They turned, watching the streams of water weave through the soil, slipping toward the roots of trees and the village gardens. The villagers bowed their heads as the water reached the sacred herb fields — feeding life instead of vanity.

YouTu, a slender boy with a mop of dark hair that never quite stayed still, scratched his head. "So… we basically worked six months to water plants?"

The group erupted into muffled laughter, though they tried to hide it when Tong Chen's gaze swept over them like a blade.

Even Xiao Ling's lips curved slightly, though she hid her amusement behind her sleeve. She stepped forward, her robe glimmering faintly in the sunlight. In her hand, she carried a small gourd of liquid — shimmering like captured dawn. She uncorked it and let a single drop fall into the water. It glowed faintly, spreading light through the running stream.

"See how one drop can purify so much," she said. "That is harmony — strength joined with purpose."

The youngsters quieted, awe softening their laughter. The pride they had worn like armor began to melt away, replaced by something gentler — reflection.

YunKai Tao stepped forward, bowing low. "So the task… was never about filling the tanks," he said softly.

Tong Chen nodded. "No. It was about filling yourselves. Patience, endurance, unity, and purpose. And now, when the tanks are empty again…" he paused, letting the silence breathe, "…ask yourselves — are you?"

The words fell deep, like stones into a well.

Yan Zhi Lan motioned gracefully. "Sit," she instructed. "Close your eyes. Feel the ache in your limbs, the emptiness where pride once was. This is your lesson — the emptiness that allows new strength to enter."

They obeyed, the sound of the drained water fading into the distance. The earth was breathing — they could feel it in the ground beneath them.

Xiao Ling moved among them, her steps soft as mist. "You have learned to carry water," she said. "Now you must learn to carry energy. Within you are channels — meridians, rivers of life that flow beneath your skin. These are your true Dorgons. Until you learn to fill and release them, you will never truly grow."

Ye Chen cracked one eye open. "So… we're like walking tanks?"

Liang Shan's booming laugh startled a few birds from the trees. "Exactly! But at least you don't leak when it rains!"

Luo Tang snorted, trying to hold his laughter. "Speak for yourself, Elder. After today, I might."

Even Tong Chen's stern lips twitched upward. The tension in the air melted, laughter mingling with the scent of earth and sunlight.

Xiao Ling handed each of them a small wooden cup of glowing elixir. "Drink," she said. "It will heal your body and help your inner rivers awaken."

They drank. The taste was strange — cool, sharp, and sweet, like mountain snow melting on their tongues. Warmth spread through their chests, down their arms, to their fingertips.

Luo Tang blinked rapidly. "I think my toes are tingling."

YouTu leaned closer, serious-faced. "That's probably because you stepped in the nettle bush earlier."

Everyone burst into laughter. Even Tong Chen let out a short, amused grunt.

As the laughter faded, Yan Zhi Lan spoke again. "Listen carefully. From tomorrow onward, your training will change. You will not merely lift or climb — you will refine. The Iron Path has layers, and now you walk the second."

Tong Chen folded his arms. "The Dorgons will remain — but the challenge grows. You will now work in four teams, each assigned to four smaller tanks and one Giant Dorgon of your own."

The group froze.

Ye Chen's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, wait— four plus one?! That's five tanks!"

Liang Shan smirked. "Very good. You can count. That's the first step of wisdom."

Groans erupted from the group.

Luo Tang flopped onto the grass dramatically. "We're going to die."

YouTu crossed his arms, pretending to think deeply. "If we die, can we at least choose our burial spot? I want mine next to the herb garden — smells nice there."

Even the stoic YunKai Tao chuckled, shaking his head. "You're ridiculous."

But their laughter didn't erase the fire that began to burn quietly behind their eyes. The challenge had awakened something.

Tong Chen continued, his voice like rolling thunder. "This time, the task is not about brute strength. You must use everything you have learned — focus, teamwork, rhythm, and control. You must reduce your time. What once took you months must now be done in weeks."

"W-Weeks?!" Chen Li squeaked. "Elder, that's—"

"Possible," Yan Zhi Lan finished gently. "If you trust one another. If you think as one."

Xiao Ling stepped closer, her tone soothing but firm. "Each of you carries a piece of understanding. One knows strength. Another, focus. Another, awareness. When you combine them — you will move like water. Gentle, but unstoppable."

The group listened, breath held.

Then Liang Shan grinned wickedly. "And to make it interesting — the team that finishes last each week will do extra rounds of bucket climbing at sunset."

A chorus of groans filled the air.

Luo Tang muttered, "Great. The reward for failing is more pain. Classic elder move."

Tong Chen's eyebrow arched. "Did you say something?"

"Nothing, Elder! I said… uh… rain! Maybe rain tomorrow!" Luo Tang stammered, face pale.

The laughter that followed was loud and real — echoing across the newly watered fields.

As the sun dipped lower, painting the ground gold, Tong Chen pointed toward the Dorgons gleaming like sleeping beasts. "Tomorrow, you begin anew. You will be divided into four groups — each with a leader. YunKai Tao, Ye Chen, Chen Li, and YouTu."

YouTu froze mid-yawn. "Wait, me? Why me?"

Liang Shan slapped him lightly on the back. "Because you talk too much. Let's see if you can lead instead of distract."

YouTu groaned dramatically, clutching his chest. "So leadership is a punishment now? Cruel fate."

The others laughed, clapping him on the shoulders.

Yan Zhi Lan's eyes softened as she looked at the young faces before her — tired but burning with life. "Remember, this is not merely labor. The water is your teacher. As you lift and pour, feel the flow — not only through the buckets, but through your bodies. Your energy will begin to stir. That stirring is the first step to sensing your acupuncture points."

Xiao Ling added gently, "Do not rush to feel them. The body awakens when the mind is still. Let each breath be a ripple that touches your rivers within."

YunKai Tao bowed. "We understand, Elders."

Tong Chen smiled faintly. "Good. Then rest well tonight. Tomorrow, your second path begins."

That night, laughter and quiet chatter filled the dorm huts. The air was warm with the scent of earth and dew.

Ye Chen lay back, staring at the ceiling. "Four tanks and one giant one… do you think we can actually do it?"

Chen Li yawned. "We'll have to. If we don't, Liang Shan will make us climb trees carrying buckets again."

Luo Tang groaned. "Don't remind me. My legs still hate me from last time."

YouTu was already scribbling on a wooden tablet, muttering. "Okay, hear me out — if we rig a bamboo pulley system near the stream, and take turns lifting—"

YunKai Tao turned to him, amused. "You're already planning?"

YouTu smirked. "Of course. I'm a leader now. Can't disappoint my loyal subjects."

Chen Li snorted. "Subjects? More like fellow sufferers."

The group burst into laughter again, the sound carrying through the night.

And outside, on the hill, the elders stood watching the moonlight shimmer across the empty tanks.

Tong Chen's voice was quiet. "They are ready — not yet to sense, but to prepare. To awaken what sleeps within."

Yan Zhi Lan nodded, her expression calm. "The body must labor before the spirit can listen."

Xiao Ling smiled faintly. "And they will learn that even laughter is part of the flow."

Liang Shan crossed his arms, grinning. "Good. Tomorrow, we make them flow up and down that hill till they glow."

The others chuckled softly, and the night wind carried their laughter down toward the sleeping trainees.

Beneath the silver moon, the twelve empty Dorgons gleamed once more — silent guardians awaiting the next lesson.

For though the tanks were empty, the hearts that filled them had only just begun to overflow.

 

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