Chapter 9 — Morning Practice and Brewing
Morning came slowly in the Cloud Veil Outer Mountain.
Cold mist covered the wooden huts, chickens clucked, and tired villagers stretched their stiff backs.
Far away, a rooster cried.
This poor mountain always woke up early.
Inside a small hut, Su Lan was already awake.
She swept the floor, washed her face with cold water, and then began cooking plain rice porridge.
After that, she sat down and quietly practiced her breathing technique.
Long Tan opened his eyes.
He felt a little sore from yesterday's fight, but stronger and stable.
He watched Su Lan for a moment — her calm face, her focus, her patience.
> This life is hard, but she never complains.
I must protect this peace.
He stood up and washed his face with a bucket of cold water.
Then he turned to her.
"You finished cultivating?" he asked.
Su Lan nodded gently.
"Mm. I practiced breathing like you taught."
Long Tan smiled faintly.
"Good. Now, take your saber. I will teach you some fighting skills today."
Su Lan blinked in surprise, then nodded seriously.
She went inside and brought out her simple, old saber.
It wasn't sharp and the handle was worn, but she held it like a treasure.
"Show me what you know," Long Tan said.
Su Lan took a stance and swung once —
the blade went too high, her feet slipped slightly.
Long Tan shook his head and stepped closer.
"Your wrist is too stiff. Stand like this… feet shoulder-width, keep balance."
He gently adjusted her hands and elbows.
Then he pointed to the ground.
"Now practice the basic draw and slash.
Slow.
Stable.
Every day."
Su Lan took a deep breath and tried again.
The movement still looked weak, but this time her feet were firm, her hands steadier.
"Better," Long Tan said calmly.
"If you practice daily… after months, your saber will move like wind."
Su Lan's eyes shined.
She nodded quickly.
"I will practice every day."
After a few more swings, her arms got tired and she lowered the saber.
"Enough for today," Long Tan said.
"Tomorrow, again."
Su Lan smiled shyly and went to cook lunch.
---
Brewing Qi Wine
While she prepared vegetables and rice, Long Tan sat near the clay jar with a calm look.
He took out two herbs he had found yesterday — small, green leaves with a mild spiritual scent.
Then he placed:
a clay bowl
a wooden spoon
crushed fruit pulp
spirit well water
a small fire stove
He washed the herbs, then crushed them slowly with the spoon.
His movements were patient, like someone who had done this many times.
Su Lan watched quietly from the stove.
Long Tan mixed the crushed herb paste into the fruit pulp.
The smell became sweet with a little bitterness.
Then he poured the mixture into a small pot and added spirit water, stirring gently.
The pot heated slowly.
Tiny bubbles formed.
A soft herbal aroma filled the hut.
After a few minutes, he removed the pot, let it cool, and poured the warm liquid into a clay jar.
Finally, he sealed the jar with cloth and tied it tight.
"This," he said softly, "will become low-grade Qi nourishing wine in a few days.
Simple herbs, fruit, patience, and a little spiritual water.
Every drop matters."
Su Lan nodded innocently.
"It smells nice."
Long Tan chuckled lightly.
"It tastes terrible right now.
But once spirit Qi settles, it will help our cultivation."
She smiled softly.
"Then I will drink it, no matter how bitter."
Long Tan looked at her carefully.
His voice became gentle.
"We will become stronger slowly.
No rush.
As long as we live another day… we win."
Su Lan's eyes softened.
Outside, the wind moved the leaves softly.
Inside the small hut, life was simple, hard, but warm.
Tomorrow would have its own problems.
But today, they trained, they brewed, and they breathed.
Sometimes, survival itself was victory.
---
End of Chapter 9