The Legend of the Condor Heroes: Starting from the Bodyguard

Chapter 167 Strengthening Tendons and Bones, First Love Awakens
Zhou Yan did not find the general outline of the Nine Yin Manual in the stone chamber.

The significance of the general principles lies in elevating martial arts to a theoretical level, which explains why the principles of superior martial arts in the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes are almost always inseparable from the content of the true scriptures.

But he was not disappointed, as "Snake-like Leaping and Fox-like Turning" could complement the Quanzhen Sect's lightness skill "Golden Goose Skill". "Acupoint Striking Secret Manual" could make up for his own weakness in acupoint striking and meridian interception skills.

As for the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" (易筋锻骨篇), it has the ability to improve one's physical constitution and rapidly enhance one's skill. In the world of Legend of the Condor Heroes, Guo Jing practiced this skill on Mingxia Island and increased his strength by 20% in a short period of time. For Zhou Yan, this 20% increase in strength means that his cultivation level can surpass that of Ouyang Ke.

Moreover, Zhou Yan values ​​the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" for its ability to improve one's physical constitution. The gentle energy emanating from the jade Guanyin pendant he wears has a muscle-relaxing and blood-activating effect. Therefore, with the assistance of the jade Guanyin, practicing this technique becomes twice as effective with half the effort.

With this in mind, Zhou Yan quickly regained his composure and began memorizing the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" (易筋锻骨篇) exercise.

The light in the stone chamber went out and then came back on, until the torches that had been rebuilt burned out. Zhou Yan recited the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" and "She Xing Li Fan" word for word. Only then did he return the way he came and do the same thing, swimming out of the underground river, changing his clothes, and arriving at the thatched hut in the woods next to the ancient tomb.

The campfire burned in the night. He drank to warm himself, ate a few pieces of rabbit meat to fill his stomach, and began to silently analyze the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Chapter".

The words and phrases are obscure and profound, but for Zhou Yan, who has been well-versed in Taoist classics and has long discussed Taoism with Ma Yu and Wang Chuyi, understanding the techniques in the Nine Yin Manual is not difficult.

In just half an hour, he fully understood the essentials of the technique and the methods of cultivation. His consciousness sank, his mind became clear and empty, his soul did not wander inward, and his spirit did not drift outward, thus entering a state of cultivation.

As the sun rose and the mountainside was shrouded in mist, Zhou Yan suddenly felt a mysterious energy emanating from his limbs and bones, subtly altering his meridians and bones. Bones produce marrow, marrow produces blood, and blood energy carries pulse energy, which can stimulate the internal force within the blood energy. Zhou Yan knew this process of cultivating blood energy and generating power like the back of his hand.

A wisp of pure internal energy, though faint, rose from the dantian during the circulation of the technique.

Zhou Yan was delighted. If he followed this method of cultivation, he would be able to increase his strength by 20% when he left Zhongnan Mountain, just like Guo Jing did on Mingxia Island.

"Zhou the Escort"

Suddenly, Li Mochou's voice came. Zhou Yan opened his eyes and saw her carrying a pottery jar and some square cakes. Without even guessing, he knew that the jar contained honey.

"morning."

"Will you practice some more?"

"Ah."

"Junior Sister mentioned last night that you practiced martial arts in Jiangtao and comprehended swordsmanship on the mountain peak. I consider myself diligent enough, burning the midnight oil and rising at dawn, but compared to the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort), I am still ashamed of myself."

The winter sun shone on Li Mochou, whose delicate features, charming smile, and graceful demeanor were captivating. She praised Zhou Yan, sitting on the straw mat, and continued in a voice as melodious as a nightingale's song: "There's not much good food in the ancient tomb. This is honey that we've collected and stored. Eat more of it to warm yourself up in this cold weather."

"Thank you. How are your injuries, senior?"

"It has stabilized, and now I am practicing meditation and resting quietly. There is no need to worry about me."

Zhou Yan was constantly thinking about the potential threat Ouyang Ke posed to the ancient tomb. As long as Ouyang Ke did not die, he might return. He could not guard the ancient tomb for long.

Li Mochou and Xiaolongnu are undoubtedly gifted, possessing profound and extensive ancient tomb martial arts techniques. However, due to the lack of a renowned master to guide them, their abilities are limited. If Ouyang Ke were to make a comeback, wouldn't they still be subject to his control?

To some extent, Li Mochou's misfortune was entirely her own doing.

If it weren't for the martial arts contest at the mountain god temple outside Datong Prefecture, Li Mochou wouldn't have had her whereabouts exposed, which would have implicated Xiaolongnu as well.

Having thought it through, he made his decision and said, "I have a cultivation technique that can improve one's physical constitution and rapidly enhance one's strength in a short period of time. How about we cultivate together?"

"Pfft!" Li Mochou smiled sweetly.

Zhou Yan was quite surprised.

"When we first met, your kung fu was mainly based on external styles. You didn't know lightness skills, and your sword and knife skills were mediocre. So I taught you. Now it's the other way around."

She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her right hand, and looked at Zhou Yan sideways. "Besides, if I learn your techniques, how will I compete in martial arts in the future?"

“It’s simple. Just like how you and I both know Senior Hong’s martial arts, we don’t use them when we’re fighting.” “But the rules are very strict.”

"Someone once said that I broke the rules of not meddling in other people's business and not touching women when I became a bodyguard, and even told me to break them a few more times."

Li Mochou chuckled, "Don't make veiled accusations; you're talking about me."

"What's wrong? You dared to teach me martial arts back then, but you didn't dare to learn my mental techniques. You even learned Senior Hong's hidden weapon techniques. You're showing favoritism."

"I only learned that to beat you. Humph, who says I'm afraid? I'll learn it then."

Zhou Yan smiled almost imperceptibly. Li Mochou had a stubborn and arrogant personality, and provocation worked well.

"I am telling you now."

"it is good!"

Zhou Yan dared to teach, and Li Mochou dared to learn. He explained the "Yi Jin Duan Gu" chapter of the Nine Yin Manual to her in its entirety.

For nearly half an hour, Li Mochou had memorized every word perfectly, scrutinizing the text, but found it profound and difficult to explain. Suddenly, she heard Zhou Yan say, "Let me explain."

"Yes, thank you. I was just having trouble understanding it."

"The Yi (易) is the way of Yin and Yang. Yi is the change of change. Although the changes of Yi exist in Yin and Yang, the changes of Yin and Yang actually exist in man. Manipulating the sun and moon in a pot, grasping Yin and Yang in the palm of one's hand..."

"Tendons are the meridians of the human body. They carry blood and serve as an external support for the spirit. Just as a person's shoulders can bear weight, hands can grasp, and feet can walk, the agility and flexibility of the whole body are all due to the firmness of the tendons..."

Zhou Yan stated each sentence, analyzing it word by word, and Li Mochou's face showed expressions of understanding, confusion, and excitement at different times.

The reason Li Mochou was still confused during his explanation was that many Taoist terms seemed simple to Zhou Yan now, but were easily misunderstood by her.
For example, Yi Jin Duan Gu involves the internal organs, and the exercises include "Huang Po" and "Si Hai".

Li Mochou instinctively interpreted "Huang Po" as someone who has aged and lost her beauty, but in reality, "Huang Po" refers to the spleen in the human body, while "Si Hai" refers to the heart, kidneys, spleen, and brain.

Before Zhou Yan met Wang Chuyi and Ma Yu, if he had obtained the true scripture and this cultivation method, he would probably have understood such words in the same way as Li Mochou.

Li Mochou's excitement also stemmed from the fact that she had suddenly grasped the essence of many of her sect's Qi cultivation methods, which she had been unable to understand. In her excitement, she couldn't help but admire Zhou Yan's erudition and talent. Thinking about this, she couldn't help but take another look at him.

The gentle midday light fell on Zhou Yan's face, revealing his handsome features, clear and dashing contours, and a mature confidence beyond his years.

Li Mochou would be better off not looking at it, because once she does, she'll look again and again, and once she starts thinking about it, she'll inevitably have all sorts of wild thoughts.

His face suddenly turned as red as a plum blossom blooming in the mountains.

Fortunately, Zhou Yan was focused and the campfire helped Li Mochou conceal her true feelings.

In this rhythm, as time passed, Zhou Yan transferred the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" (a martial arts technique) that he had only practiced for a few hours to Li Mochou, improving her physical constitution and strength. The martial arts of the Ancient Tomb were enough to transform Li Mochou.

After Zhou Yan finished transmitting his skills, he was about to say that it was getting late and Li Mochou should go to the Ancient Tomb to take care of Lin Chaoying's maid when a childish voice startled the birds in the forest.

"Sister, Master has woken up after resting and healing."

Li Mochou hurriedly got up, "I'm going to see my master."

"Ok!"

Li Mochou used her light-footed skill to travel far away from the ancient tomb, her posture elegant, reserved, and graceful, her movements so beautiful it was as if she were dancing.

(End of this chapter)