Chapter Eleven: Cultivating Vital Energy

For the past few days, aside from teaching the children in the morning, Chen Shuijun had been absent from their small courtyard on Qihuang Street.

Chen Zhi’an found this very strange. He vaguely suspected that Chen Shuijun’s uncharacteristic behavior had something to do with the visit from General Xuanzi a few days prior.

Yet, every evening, Chen Shuijun would return as usual, carrying food to cook for Chen Zhi’an, just as he had done for the past two years. Because of this, Chen Zhi’an was not overly worried. In fact, with Chen Shuijun away during the day, he felt freer to go about his business without needing to be secretive.

For instance, brewing medicine.

Perhaps it was due to a plague many years ago, or the legendary physician who had saved countless lives, or simply the meaning behind the name "Qihuang"—the street was never short of pharmacies. Nearly every long-standing establishment in Sunan Prefecture had a shop on Qihuang Street.

Chen Zhi’an had gone to the money shop on Xingyuan Street. Without dwelling on how shocked the clerk was by the two-hundred-tael gold banknote, by the time he returned to Qihuang Street less than an hour later, he had already secured all the ingredients for the "Huangzhong Qi-Circulating Powder" and the "Blood-Stasis Dispersing Decoction."

The practitioner who had written the *Great Snow Mountain Qi-Cultivation Manual* and the *Tiger-Embrace Fist* was quite thoughtful; the ingredients for these two prescriptions were not obscure. Chen Zhi’an had only needed to visit three pharmacies to collect everything he required.

After a full afternoon of trial and error, Chen Zhi’an finally prepared the two concoctions. He looked at the pitch-black powder before him, feeling a moment of hesitation.

"Let me see... corydalis, curcuma, safflower, angelica, bitter orange, arisaema... six zhu, one he, six pieces..."

"The ingredients and dosages are correct, and I stir-fried them over medium heat in an iron pot. Even if the effect isn't as potent as those from a professional pharmacy, it shouldn't be poisonous."

"This Blood-Stasis Dispersing Decoction is much simpler; just boil it over high heat. Nothing should go wrong there."

With that thought, Chen Zhi’an hesitated no longer. He cleared the iron and stone pots from the yard, returned to his room, finished the ginger tea in his cup, and washed down the Huangzhong Qi-Circulating Powder with warm water.

He sat cross-legged on his bed, following the techniques in the *Great Snow Mountain Qi-Cultivation Manual* to sense the blood-qi within his body and guide it along the prescribed paths.

Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chen Zhi’an felt his blood-qi grow significantly more robust, and the feverish heat that had plagued his body—unable to withstand the surging energy—began to subside.

"This medicine truly works!"

Chen Zhi’an exhaled a long breath, his eyes brightening.

"It's just a pity that while these ingredients aren't hard to find, a few of them are incredibly expensive." He found it amusing. "Zhou Xiujing’s two hundred taels of gold really came in handy. Without it, even with the prescriptions, the few coins I’ve saved over the past two years wouldn't even be enough for a single dose of the Huangzhong Qi-Circulating Powder."

With that thought, he put aside other distractions, took out the *Tiger-Embrace Fist* manual, and stepped outside.

He had already memorized the opening posture of the Tiger-Embrace, but he studied the manual for a long time today before carefully tucking it into his robe. He took a deep breath, raised his palms level, clenched his fists, and threw a punch!

Suddenly, the blood-qi within him flowed along with the punch, partially surging into his arms. Chen Zhi’an remained calm and continued his movements.

The *Tiger-Embrace Fist* only consisted of twenty-four forms, yet each was vastly different from the last. Each movement was harder than the one before, and there were countless variations in how they combined. Many were exceptionally complex, making them extremely difficult for a beginner who had never tempered their physique.

However, the hardest part was not the physical practice, but the circulation of qi during the movements.

"Simple movements are just empty shells. Only when qi is guided by the heart and blood-qi can be directed wherever one wills, does the true power emerge."

"But... this qi circulation doesn't seem that difficult."

When Chen Zhi’an first started practicing, he found the forms cumbersome and difficult to execute. Yet, the blood-qi in his body obeyed his commands like an extension of his own limbs, flowing to every part of his body the moment he focused his mind.

"This form directs qi and blood to the palms and limbs; the claws become like iron, lethal, tempering the muscles of the arms."

"This form gathers qi in the back and waist, like a tiger pouncing, with shoulders heavy as stone; it could easily crush an ordinary man."

"This sweeping leg is like the tail of a fierce tiger..."

Chen Zhi’an practiced in the courtyard for a long time until his muscles and bones ached, as if his flesh were tearing away from his frame. He stopped, boiled the Blood-Stasis Dispersing Decoction until it was steaming, and drank it down.

"The *Great Snow Mountain Qi-Cultivation Manual* and the *Tiger-Embrace Fist*... this method and this martial art are not difficult at all."

Lying on his bed, Chen Zhi’an grimaced in pain while applying Glauber's salt to his arms and legs.

"However... the notes in the *Great Snow Mountain Qi-Cultivation Manual* state that one dose of Huangzhong Qi-Circulating Powder is effective for three to ten days, nourishing the qi and body, a gentle path of cultivation... but I haven't even finished the powder for an hour, and the effect seems to have faded? The circulation of qi has become much more sluggish."

Confused, he gritted his teeth and took another dose, immediately closing his eyes to cultivate. The familiar sense of ease returned instantly.

"It seems the master who compiled this manual had his moments of oversight; the medicinal effect of the Huangzhong Qi-Circulating Powder doesn't last nearly that long."

Having "corrected" the manual, Chen Zhi’an was even more glad he had swindled two hundred taels of gold from Zhou Xiujing.

It was nearly the end of the Shen hour (around 5:00 PM), and Chen Shuijun would be back in half an hour. The effects of the Blood-Stasis Dispersing Decoction were evident, as the soreness in his body had greatly diminished. He set up the iron pot again, brewing and stir-frying several more doses.

As he looked at the neatly portioned medicine and felt the blood-qi surging through his body, he could clearly perceive himself growing stronger.

"The Qi-Nourishing Stage is about tempering the body, accumulating a full and fierce supply of blood-qi... when there is enough, one can break through the Yuan Gate in one go, transforming blood-qi into True Essence."

"Once I reach the True Essence Realm... I will have truly stepped into the fold."

As he pondered this, a rustling sound came from the courtyard.

Chen Zhi’an stepped out and saw Chen Shuijun, dressed in his familiar white robes, wearing his usual gentle smile. He was carrying a rabbit, already slaughtered, with snow-white fur and long ears.

Chen Shuijun looked at Chen Zhi’an, his expression unchanged. He held up the rabbit and smiled. "I bought a rabbit today, too."

Chen Zhi’an raised an eyebrow.

In his mind, the "Diagram of the Heavenly Jade Capital" flickered. He clearly saw a unique kind of "qi" radiating from the rabbit in Chen Shuijun's hand.

"Cinnabar orange..."

Chen Zhi’an was no stranger to such rabbits; over the past two years, he and Chen Shuijun had eaten at least twenty of them. Yet, only today did this one emit that cinnabar-orange aura.

Chen Zhi’an skillfully started the fire. "This rabbit, like those two fish, is somewhat special..."

His thoughts raced, and the image of the Kunlun Marsh from the Jade Capital Diagram surfaced in his mind. He had planted nine pieces of red ginger in the Kunlun Marsh. Compared to a few days ago, when he could only plant three, this was a significant increase. He watched the nine pieces grow into complete ginger plants and suddenly formed a different hypothesis.

"Or perhaps, the food Father brought back was always special, but because I wasn't cultivating, I couldn't see the qi."

Chen Zhi’an stoked the fire, glancing at Chen Shuijun, who was skinning the rabbit. The creature was covered in blood and gore, yet Chen Shuijun remained spotless.

Having entered the Qi-Nourishing Stage, Chen Zhi’an finally caught a glimpse of the truth.

"This teacher father of mine... he is no ordinary man."

The two of them cooked as usual. Spices in the Great Yu Dynasty were expensive, so they only added a little salt to the rabbit, whether boiled or stir-fried. Yet, Chen Zhi’an found the meat incredibly fragrant; it left a lingering sweetness on his tongue.

"You haven't been to the Huang Gate these past few days." Chen Shuijun didn't sound like he was reprimanding him. "If you don't like the Huang Gate, then don't go."

Chen Zhi’an was about to speak while dishing himself another bowl of rice, but Chen Shuijun continued, "I am going on a trip tomorrow."

Chen Zhi’an froze. He remembered Chen Shuijun telling him recently that he might have to leave for a year or more, and he couldn't help but frown.

Chen Shuijun explained, "This trip is to visit an old friend, not a long journey. If all goes well, I shall return in a month."

As he spoke, he took an envelope from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Zhi’an. "After you finish eating, take this letter to Dongfeng Street. Look for a small courtyard next to the Liuxia Private School. There is a ginkgo tree in front of the gate. Deliver the letter there."

Chen Zhi’an took the letter and saw that the envelope was blank, with no writing on it. He vaguely guessed that the reason Chen Shuijun was leaving Sunan Prefecture had to do with General Xuanzi Li Bodu's visit.

He looked at the figure in white. Perhaps due to their long time together, or the lingering memories in his mind, he felt a profound reluctance at the coming separation.

Chen Zhi’an said nothing for a few moments, then finally spoke: "Father, I have some money..."

Chen Shuijun smiled. "Just take good care of the pear tree in the courtyard. If you ever encounter a problem you cannot solve, go to the courtyard where you delivered the letter and ask the owner for help."

Chen Zhi’an pursed his lips and suddenly asked, "Are you going to look for Mother?"

Chen Shuijun did not answer.

Perhaps it was the influence of the soul he had merged with, but Chen Zhi’an felt a wave of loneliness. "Separated by great distances, not seeing each other for years... perhaps Mother has long since forgotten us. Father, why go and suffer such humiliation?"

Chen Shuijun frowned at him.

Chen Zhi’an said calmly, "I am not a fool. When you were speaking to General Xuanzi, the young master of the Si family from the capital entered and spoke with Miss Shen of the Iron-Arm General’s manor."

"Miss Shen mentioned that the Si family went to the Li family to propose marriage—General Xuanzi is also surnamed Li. Plus, that third young master Si attacked me without any semblance of a gentleman's grace... Seeing the whole picture is difficult, but I have already guessed some of the truth."

Chen Shuijun frowned. "Did Si Hougui give you trouble?"

Chen Zhi’an replied, "He wanted to, but the Iron-Arm General happened to pass by."

Chen Shuijun set down his bowl and stood up. "I will teach him a lesson for you."

Chen Zhi’an looked at him in surprise. In the two years he had been in this world, Chen Shuijun had been a man of gentle, withdrawn nature, never once coming into conflict with others, let alone resorting to violence. Yet today, Chen Zhi’an saw a hint of murderous intent in his eyes, which felt alien to him.

"Logically, Si Hougui is of my generation. If he gives me trouble, what does it look like for my father to settle the score for me?"

Chen Zhi’an stood up and tucked the letter securely into his robe. "I will settle the score myself in the future."

The murderous intent in Chen Shuijun's eyes faded, replaced by a faint smile. "Ambitious. But do you know how extraordinary Si Hougui is?"

"Miss Shen told me," Chen Zhi’an said. "Si Hougui is very powerful."

Chen Shuijun did not pursue the matter and instead answered his earlier question. He turned to look at the pear tree. "Though we haven't met for years, your mother and I have been sheltered by the same clouds and nourished by the same rain, standing beneath the same pear tree. How could we ever be truly separated?"

"I am going to see your mother only to bring her some food. It is fine."

Chen Zhi’an looked up at the sky. It was dark, and the moon hung high.

"Clouds and rain shared across the green mountains; how could the bright moon ever know of two separate lands?"

As he set off to deliver the letter, a dream suddenly came to mind. In it, a woman in white looked down at him with tears in her eyes, her sorrow and reluctance clearly visible. Whether coming or going, all were but people in a dream.

"Mother... she must be the obsession of my predecessor who died in the water."

"Now, it has likely become my own."

Chen Zhi’an walked out of Qihuang Street, along the brightly lit Yanchao Street, past the Clear Water River, and arrived at Dongfeng Street.

"Father already knows I am cultivating." He knew Chen Shuijun had a history, and Chen Shuijun knew he was cultivating; father and son had reached a tacit understanding.

"Then I must train even harder. Since coming to this place, Chen Shuijun is the only family I have, and he has cared for me so well. If he needs help in the future, I must be able to provide it."

With this thought, the Liuxia Private School appeared before him. He looked ahead and saw a two-story residence next to the school with a ginkgo tree in front.

The tree seemed ancient. In the spring, its leaves were still green but lush and abundant, its trunk thick and gnarled, full of vitality. As Chen Zhi’an looked at the ginkgo tree, the Jade Capital Diagram flashed in his mind. The next moment, the mists of the Kunlun Marsh fell into his eyes.

He saw... a cinnabar-orange qi rising and swirling from the ginkgo tree, like smoke curling from a hearth. The rising qi went straight up into the clouds.

Chen Zhi’an instinctively looked up, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Above the clouds, he saw a warrior, ten feet tall in full armor, sitting cross-legged, inhaling the "qi" of the ginkgo tree!

Chen Zhi’an bit his lip, suddenly recalling a fragment from the *Great Snow Mountain Qi-Cultivation Manual*.

"This is a Divine Manifestation... exclusive to the seventh realm of cultivation, the Jade Palace Realm."