"Hah!"
Chu Lingguang attempted to lift the 120-pound Stone Lock, again and again.
With the help of the Heavenward Force and the strengthening from his recent Breathing and Exhaling practice, his physical condition had changed noticeably.
After successfully grasping the knack for it, Chu Lingguang could lift the 120-pound Stone Lock over his head every single time.
"Good, again!"
Guo Wei was grinning from ear to ear. Just a moment ago, he had been encouraging Chu Lingguang to steady his mindset. He never expected Chu Lingguang to grasp the knack in the blink of an eye. Although he could only lift the 120-pound Stone Lock, with the aid of the Heavenward Force, Chu Lingguang's movements were not only fluid but also had the feel of Lifting Heavy as Light.
Chu Lingguang's mastery of the Heavenward Force had already reached a proficient level, far stronger than Hei Hu's.
Hei Hu stood to the side, holding a long saber in one hand like a door god, silently watching Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei play with the Stone Locks on the ground.
Just moments ago, Guo Wei had been on the verge of teaching him a Saber Technique. But then Chu Lingguang suddenly achieved Enlightenment, lifting the 120-pound Stone Lock repeatedly. It was as if Guo Wei had discovered a new continent; he tossed the saber to Hei Hu and started training with Chu Lingguang, continuing up to this moment.
"Just like that, you've got the knack. Come on!"
Guo Wei prompted.
Every time Chu Lingguang used the Heavenward Force to lift a Stone Lock, Guo Wei would also use the Heavenward Force to lift a 200-pound one. He did this to prevent Chu Lingguang's success from being just a flash in the pan, hoping that with his guidance, Chu Lingguang would grasp the knack firmly.
"Alright."
Chu Lingguang grunted, lifting the Stone Lock again and again. As the number of repetitions increased, his strength began to fail. But Guo Wei thoughtfully had Hei Hu place lighter Stone Locks next to Chu Lingguang in sequence, allowing him to continuously use the Heavenward Force and embed the knack into his muscle memory.
The master and disciple pair lifted Stone Locks like this for the entire day. By the end, Chu Lingguang couldn't even lift a 10-pound Stone Lock. He was completely exhausted, lying on the ground and gasping for air.
Guo Wei was also worn out. He sat to the side, using his Breathing and Exhaling method to replenish his Qi Blood Power.
Meanwhile, Hei Hu was cleaning up the mess, carrying the scattered Stone Locks to a corner and arranging them neatly.
「An hour later.」
Guo Wei opened his eyes. Some of his Qi Power had recovered. He dragged Chu Lingguang up from the ground and said, "Today, you've pushed your body to its absolute limit. In a moment, you'll use a medicinal bath to recuperate. It will not only repair your muscle damage but also strengthen your Qi Blood."
"Master, I..."
"I've already had your Second Aunt prepare the medicinal water. Later, you'll soak in the wooden tub, and your body will automatically absorb the concoction's potency."
Guo Wei knew Chu Lingguang just wanted to say some words of gratitude.
"Mm."
Chu Lingguang committed this favor to heart.
"Master, is there a share of the medicinal bath for me?" Hei Hu asked tentatively.
"Yes."
Guo Wei nodded.
Hearing this, Hei Hu's expression lit up with joy.
Guo Wei added, "You didn't train much today, so your muscles are at full strength. You won't be able to absorb much of the medicinal potency. So, you can soak after Lin Guang is finished."
"Huh?"
Hei Hu's smile froze. 'He wants me to soak in the water Chu Lingguang already used?'
"The medicinal potency can only strengthen your Qi Blood if it's absorbed by your muscles. If it just stagnates in your body, it will only be counterproductive," Guo Wei explained.
"This disciple understands," Hei Hu said weakly.
A short while later, Guo Wei brought Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu to the laundry room. He took a bucket of steaming medicinal water and mixed it with several buckets of fresh water in a specific ratio, pouring it all into a large wooden tub.
"Sit inside and soak. Let the water level go past your shoulders. Get out after an hour," Guo Wei instructed Chu Lingguang.
"Yes, sir!"
Chu Lingguang didn't hesitate. He stripped off his clothes and sat down in the large tub.
The tub was originally seventy percent full.
After he got in, the water level rose to ninety-five percent full, just enough to cover his shoulders.
The medicinal water, now diluted, was at a pleasant temperature of around forty degrees Celsius. The water was dark brown and had the scent of mugwort. Chu Lingguang sat in the tub and let his body relax.
"Junior Brother, I'll be waiting for you at the door."
Hei Hu left him with those words and went out with Guo Wei.
After the laundry room door was closed,
Chu Lingguang couldn't help but start practicing the Basic Breathing Technique. He felt that coordinating with the Breathing Technique would allow him to better absorb the medicinal potency and strengthen his Qi Blood.
At the same time, he couldn't resist checking his status panel.
Favors: None
Iron Mountain Fist (41/100)
Basic Breathing Technique (47/100)
Heavenward Force (21/100)
(Remaining Lifespan: 42)
Chu Lingguang was shocked to find his lifespan had actually decreased by a year. 'It seems I overexerted myself today and damaged my body.' It was obvious Guo Wei had also realized this, which was why he was willing to spend the money on a medicinal bath to help him recuperate.
'Practicing martial arts is inherently damaging to the body.'
'One has to cultivate both internally and externally, always paying attention to the changes in their Qi Blood, in order to extend their life.'
'Otherwise, take someone like Guo Wei. Right now, he's full of vigor and seems younger and stronger than others his age. But once his Qi Blood begins to decay, the hidden injuries from his youth will all erupt, and he'll become a completely different man in just a few years.'
'Scholarship for the poor, martial arts for the rich.'
'The silver taels consumed by martial arts training aren't just for the tuition to hire a famous master, but more so for the daily nourishment of one's body and Qi Blood.'
'If Guo Wei didn't have some other motive, I would never be able to afford this.'
With the help of the Breathing Technique, Chu Lingguang felt his sore, aching muscles open up like a gaping maw, desperately absorbing the medicinal potency from the tub.
That feeling of sore, numb weakness was gradually disappearing as he absorbed more and more of the medicinal potency.
Chu Lingguang couldn't help but clench his fists. If asked to lift the 120-pound Stone Lock now, he still couldn't do it, but he wouldn't be as feeble as before. The feeling of utter exhaustion and fatigue had completely vanished.
"Junior Brother, Master said you have to absorb the medicinal potency, or else it'll stagnate in your body and be counterproductive! If you feel like you've had enough, you should get out now!"
Hei Hu, who had been squatting at the door, ran in before the hour was even up.
He had already taken off his shirt, ready to jump into the tub at a moment's notice.
"Wait a little longer, Senior Brother."
Chu Lingguang knew there was still nearly a quarter of an hour left before the full hour was up.
"I'm just looking out for you. If you think it's fine, then keep soaking."
Hei Hu unwillingly returned to his squatting position by the door, deliberately leaving it open so he could stare intently at Chu Lingguang.
Chu Lingguang was at a loss with him.
Chu Lingguang thought back to how Hei Hu had once treated him to a full meal with drinks. He also considered today's events: if he hadn't mastered the Heavenward Force, Guo Wei would have already taught a Saber Technique to Hei Hu. 'Hei Hu must already resent me for that.' Chu Lingguang didn't feel right making his senior brother wait unhappily any longer, so he said, "You're right, Senior Brother. Quick, come on in!"
"Junior Brother, I'm coming!"
Hei Hu's face lit up with delight. He leaped up from the ground, ripped off his belt, and rushed into the laundry room, too impatient to even close the door.
Chu Lingguang had no choice but to quickly get up, yield the large tub to Hei Hu, and quickly shut the wooden door.
Hei Hu, for his part, plopped his rear down into the tub.
He was stocky and muscular. When he plopped down, the water level—which had only been ninety-five percent full with Chu Lingguang—immediately overflowed. In a panic, he slapped his hands against the rim of the tub to prevent too much medicinal water from spilling out, yelling, "Junior Brother, grab a ladle and splash it on my face!"