26: Hunyuan Palm

After seeing off Senior Brother Shi Poyue and the enthusiastic servants of the Martial Arts Hall, the enormous Three-Courtyard Residence finally became completely quiet.

The vermilion-lacquered main gate slowly closed behind them, making a muffled sound, separating this delicate piece of heaven and earth from the outside world.

Su Wan stood in the front courtyard, which was paved with Bluestone Slabs, looking around a little helplessly.

The painted Corridors with carved beams, the rugged rockery bonsai, and the deep water vat housing several ornamental carp... all of it was too unfamiliar and too luxurious for her.

She subconsciously lightened her steps, as if afraid of disturbing this tranquility that did not belong to her.

“A Sheng... are we, are we really going to live here?”

She raised her face and looked at Chen Linsheng beside her, a trace of confusion still in her eyes.

“Of course, this will be our home from now on.”

Chen Linsheng held her hand, feeling the slight coolness and subtle tremor in her palm, and his pity deepened.

He led her, step by step, past the Hanging Flower Gate, through the winding Corridor, touring their new home.

The empty courtyard seemed especially secluded, and footsteps echoed between the pillars.

Initially, Su Wan was a little reserved, but as they walked, perhaps confirming that there were no outsiders here, or perhaps because Chen Linsheng's warm hand gave her courage, her taut nerves gradually relaxed.

She curiously touched the smooth railing, peered into the exquisitely carved wooden windows of the vacant Side Rooms, and even tiptoed to gently sniff the branches and leaves of the old osmanthus tree in the central courtyard that were already beginning to bud.

When they reached the Back Courtyard and saw the large, clearly long-abandoned garden, Su Wan's eyes lit up.

“A Sheng, look here! It's such a large patch of land, it's a shame to leave it barren. We can grow some vegetables here later, and set up a trellis in that corner for Loofahs and hyacinth beans... Hmm, that side is sunny, we could even transplant some of the herbs you often talk about...”

She pointed at the land, eagerly planning, a lively glow belonging to her age, which Chen Linsheng hadn't seen in a long time, radiating from her face.

She even lifted the corner of her slightly worn skirt, jogged a few steps in the open space, turned back, and flashed him a brilliant smile. Her smile was pure and bright, dispelling the constant worry etched between her brows, as if she had returned to her carefree girlhood.

Chen Linsheng leaned against the Moon Gate, watching her rare moment of “letting loose” with a gentle smile, his heart filled with warmth.

He could feel that, having left Xiaohe Village, an environment that carried too much suffering and oppression, and arriving at a new, safe place, Su Wan's state of mind was quietly undergoing positive changes.

His gaze then swept across the vast, silent courtyard.

Such a large residence, with only the two of them, was indeed too desolate and inconvenient.

Sweeping the courtyard, handling chores, cooking meals... must Wan'er do all of it herself?

He was now a Personal Disciple of the Martial Arts Hall, and in the future, he would inevitably devote more time to Cultivation, unable to accompany her constantly.

“It's time to hire some Maids and Servants,” Chen Linsheng mused inwardly.

A Cleaning Matron responsible for sweeping, a personal maid to look after Wan'er's daily life, and perhaps an old gatekeeper... This thought surfaced naturally, and he didn't even realize that, in making this decision, his mindset had quietly shifted.

From the Herb Gathering youth who had to desperately fight for a few taels of silver tax and act cautiously, he was beginning to move toward the status of a Master capable of protecting his family... Meanwhile, in the Back Courtyard of the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall.

Museum Master Zhao Zheng listened to the report from his Senior Disciple Shi Poyue, his finger lightly tapping the armrest of the Rosewood Chair, making soft thudding sounds.

“Li Xunya... hmph, playing this trick again.” Zhao Zheng sneered, his tone carrying undisguised contempt. “If he can't find the real culprit, he tries to find an excuse to pin the crime on some soft targets who look suspicious but have no backing, just to make it easier for him to report up and down the chain. Truly no improvement!”

Shi Poyue stood with his hands hanging down, not responding.

He knew his Master's temper well, and understood that his Master was qualified to make such a judgment.

Although Li Xunya was at the Peak of the Flesh Refining Realm, in the eyes of his Master—a Peak Jiaojin Realm expert who hailed from Army Breaker Manor—he was truly insignificant.

Zhao Zheng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued to sneer, “His immediate superior, County Commandant Wang, a mighty expert of the third Realm, 'Dragon Tendon,' only knows how to sit idly by, letting his subordinates mess around like this. I don't know what use he is.”

Shi Poyue remained silent.

County Commandant Wang belonged to the Government System, which was a different path from his Master, a Martial Artist who opened a hall to accept Disciples. Furthermore, his Master had a special background, so naturally, he didn't take him seriously.

But he was only Zhao Zheng's Disciple, not an official member of Army Breaker Manor. There were some things his Master could say, but he could not.

He knew clearly that when the Founding Emperor and the Nine Great Circuit-Guarding Forces divided the world, Army Breaker Manor, as the Circuit-Guarding Force of Hebei Circuit, had unfathomable heritage and its influence had long penetrated the Great Liang military, and it was always known for being fiercely protective of its own.

Even if his Master Zhao Zheng was only an Outer Sect Disciple of Army Breaker Manor, this identity was enough for him to swagger through Qinghe County and fear no difficulties from the government.

His Master naturally had the confidence to disdain the official rules followed by Li Xunya and even County Commandant Wang.

“However, this is good.” Zhao Zheng set down the teacup, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. “It just so happens to cut off Li Xunya's idea of harassing Linsheng again. You may leave. Make sure to properly supervise the other Disciples' Cultivation.”

“Yes, Master.” Shi Poyue bowed respectfully and exited the room... The next morning, Chen Linsheng arrived at the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall early.

After a night of rest, he was full of energy and Vitality, and was filled with anticipation for the Hunyuan Palm that the Museum Master was about to teach him.

A Martial Arts Hall servant, who already knew his identity, respectfully led him through several courtyards to a secluded Quiet Room.

“The Museum Master is waiting inside, Personal Disciple, please enter.” The servant whispered, bowed, and retreated.

Chen Linsheng straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open.

Inside the Quiet Room, the layout was simple, with only two Futons and a low table.

Museum Master Zhao Zheng was sitting cross-legged on one Futon, his eyes slightly closed, his aura as solid as a mountain.

Hearing the movement, Zhao Zheng opened his eyes. His gaze, sharp as lightning, fell upon Chen Linsheng, and he nodded slightly:

“You've come. Sit.”

“Yes, Master.”

Chen Linsheng sat down on the other Futon, back straight and posture respectful.

“Today, I will teach you the Hunyuan Palm,” Zhao Zheng got straight to the point without unnecessary pleasantries. “This palm technique is one of the Foundation Establishment martial arts of my Army Breaker Manor. It shares the same origin as the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique and complements it. The Pile Posture Technique focuses internally, strengthening the Foundation and cultivating Vitality and the skin membrane; the Palm Technique focuses externally, transforming Vitality into Internal Force, integrating offense and defense.”

He stood up and slowly demonstrated the technique in the center of the Quiet Room, explaining in detail as he did so:

“Watch closely. The Hunyuan Palm is divided into eight stances, representing the 'Four Cardinal Directions and Four Corners' and the concept of a unified whole. When practicing, you must use the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique as the Foundation, guiding your Vitality with your intention, following specific Meridians, and channeling it into both palms...”

Zhao Zheng taught with exceptional care, not only clearly breaking down the movements of the eight palm stances but also explaining the methods of applying Internal Force and the techniques of exertion in an easy-to-understand manner, as well as how to coordinate closely with the circulation of Vitality from the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique, and how to shift and dodge within a small area, using movement techniques to increase palm power.

Chen Linsheng listened intently. The effects of “Photographic Memory” and “Agile Mind” brought by Tracking (Perfection) were fully activated, deeply imprinting every word and every subtle movement of Zhao Zheng into his mind, and rapidly understanding and absorbing them.

After Zhao Zheng finished his demonstration and explanation, Chen Linsheng stepped forward as instructed and began to imitate the practice.

He already had a solid Foundation, and the subtle, precise control over his body brought by Cleaver Technique (Perfection) played a huge role at this moment.

Although he was a beginner, his palm technique was still clumsy, but the framework and the nascent form of his exertion already carried a hint of stable and profound charm. He also attempted to integrate the circulation of Vitality with the palm technique, and surprisingly, there were few points of obstruction.

Zhao Zheng watched from the side, the admiration in his eyes growing deeper.

When he occasionally offered guidance, correcting one or two slight deviations, Chen Linsheng could immediately grasp the point and adjust quickly.

This type of Comprehension Ability, capable of inferring the rest from one point and understanding ten things from one, greatly satisfied Zhao Zheng, making him feel that this piece of unpolished jade, with a little carving, was destined for Great Achievement.

After completing a set of the palm technique, Chen Linsheng stood still, his breathing slightly quickened, but his eyes were bright, clearly having gained a great deal.

Zhao Zheng stroked his beard and smiled. After a moment of contemplation, he advised:

“A Sheng, you must remember, the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique is the Foundation of all Foundations in my lineage. It is not something you can abandon once you enter the Skin Tempering Realm. Its effect of tempering Vitality and strengthening the Foundation accompanies the entire Body Tempering process, and is even greatly useful for subsequent Realms.”

He slightly lowered his voice, revealing, “When you have Cultivated both the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique and this Hunyuan Palm to the Major Achievement Realm, with abundant Vitality, tough skin membrane, and perfectly integrated Internal Force, I will then pass on to you a more advanced Cultivation Technique. Remember, the Martial Dao must be pursued step by step. The firmer your Foundation, the further you can go in the future. Do not try to bite off more than you can chew or rush for quick success.”

Chen Linsheng felt awe in his heart, knowing these were his Master's sincere words and long-term plans, and he immediately bowed and responded:

“This Disciple respectfully follows Master's teachings, and will certainly Cultivate diligently without fail to solidify the Foundation!”

“Hmm, very good.” Zhao Zheng nodded in satisfaction. “That concludes today's lesson. Go to the Training Grounds yourself to familiarize yourself with the palm technique. If anything is unclear, you may ask me, or consult your Senior Brother or Third Martial Sister.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Chen Linsheng bowed again and exited the Quiet Room.