The Great Song Dynasty's Soul-Forging in Progress

In this way, Wang Zhonghua was finally freed from the daily chores of the hot and sour soup shop, like a tiger released from its cage, an eagle soaring into the sky. He devoted more time and energy to three truly important things.

The first thing was to learn martial arts. Master Huiming was indeed a reclusive master with keen insight, and his teaching methods were based on the principle of "teaching according to aptitude".

For Qin Tiedan, a naturally strong and brute, the master didn't teach him complicated techniques, but only the fundamental stance training of "rooting" and the breathing exercises of "gathering power," allowing his brute strength to become concentrated, each punch and kick generating power from the ground, contained yet unleashed like thunder. He also taught him an ancient "Mad Demon Staff Technique," whose wind-blown staff was impenetrable, perfectly suited to Qin's straightforward, force-over-skill nature. Now, with a single strike of his staff, a wooden stake as thick as a bowl would crack, its power terrifying.

For Wang Zhonghua, the master emphasized "agility" and "insight." Combining his practice of the "Black Dragon Eighteen Hands," he taught him a set of footwork techniques called "The Thirteen Transformations of the Spiritual Ape," which emphasizes agility, dodging, and using the opponent's force against them to gain the upper hand in a small space. He also instructed him in breathing and internal observation methods, honing his already advanced composure and perception beyond his years. Wang Zhonghua combined this with his fighting philosophy from his previous life, making his moves increasingly tricky and precise. Seemingly effortless, he could easily find the moment when his opponent's old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet arisen.

As for Qin Tiehua, the master, observing her agile physique and resolute will, made an exception and taught her a set of introductory skills, "Flowing Cloud Sleeves" and "Acupoint Striking and Meridian Cutting." Although they lacked the raw power to split stone tablets, they excelled in their subtlety and speed. Combined with the wrist strength and eyesight she had honed through blacksmithing, they were unique in their self-defense and attack techniques. This girl studied harder than anyone else, developing new calluses on her palms, yet her eyes burned with a fierce light.

The three practiced diligently every day on the back mountain of Da Wanshou Temple, verifying each other's skills, and made rapid progress, no longer being the same as before.

The second thing was to secretly strengthen the "brotherhood." Wang Zhonghua was no longer satisfied with simply sticking together for mutual support; through Qin Tiedan, he subtly infiltrated them with simple mutual aid rules and coded communication methods. With the new slogan "Sharing hardships and joys; guarding our community, unafraid of the powerful," he gradually united the loosely organized youths into a more secretive and organized force. These seeds may seem small now, but if they need a foundation in the future, they will be the roots closest to the soil.

The third thing he did was to begin his education for his younger sister, Wang Xiangjun. The old scholar he hired, though unsuccessful in the imperial examinations, was a teacher who truly cherished literature and possessed upright character. Watching his sister carefully yet eagerly hold the "Thousand Character Classic" and recite "Heaven and Earth, Black and Yellow" in her childish voice, Wang Zhonghua felt a surge of joy. What he wanted to give her was not shackles, but wings.

Time flew by in a fulfilling way. That afternoon, in the open space in the backyard, Wang Zhonghua and Qin Tiedan's "sparring" was nearing its end.

Qin Tiedan roared like thunder, throwing a powerful straight punch at Wang Zhonghua's face, the force of the blow sending dust flying. Wang Zhonghua, however, didn't take the punch head-on. His body swayed slightly like a willow catkin in the wind, his left foot flashing out like lightning, lightly tapping Qin Tiedan's knee. Simultaneously, his right hand gripped Qin Tiedan's wrist as he threw the punch, pulling and deflecting him. Qin Tiedan's massive body immediately lost its balance, crashing to the ground with a thud, kicking up another cloud of dust.

"Hey! Brother, this isn't a friendly spar, it's fishing! You're just waiting for me to run out of steam before you hook me!" Qin Tiedan grimaced as he got up, brushing the dust off his clothes, but his face was all smiles, showing no sign of annoyance. He was now completely convinced and full of admiration for Wang Zhonghua.

"Brother Tiedan, your strength is solidified, and your staff technique is fierce, but what you lack is 'change' and 'observation.' When facing someone, you can't just focus on your own fist." Wang Zhonghua finished his stance and exhaled, a little sweat on his forehead, his eyes clear.

"I know, I know, just like the master said." Qin Tiedan rubbed his buttocks, then suddenly lowered his voice and winked, "I'm telling you, brother, you and Master Lü are really getting along well these days, you're going to his house every other day, and his two precious daughters... hehe."

Wang Zhonghua chuckled and scolded, "Stop talking nonsense, this is serious business." But he couldn't help but smile inwardly. As the clues to "finding his son" deepened and the plan for the liquor workshop progressed, he met with Lü Sanjun more and more frequently. Although this wealthy man had some businessman's cunning and domestic troubles, he was truly sincere and caring towards Wang Zhonghua. Their relationship had long since transcended ordinary cooperation and had developed into a close friendship despite the age gap.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate. Shen Zhou, the "prospective steward," strode over, his expression calm and his demeanor measured: "Young Master, Steward Fusheng from the Lü family has come in person, saying that Master Lü has an extremely urgent matter and requests your immediate attention."

Wang Zhonghua and Qin Tiedan exchanged a glance, understanding each other perfectly—it was likely that there had been a crucial development regarding "that matter" or "that jar of wine." He quickly packed up and left with Lü Fusheng.

Upon seeing him, the gatekeeper of the Lü residence bowed respectfully from afar, allowing him unimpeded passage to Lü Sanjun's study. Inside, Lü Sanjun was pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly darkened, but his spirits were high and fiery. What was particularly striking were the three fresh red marks on his left cheek.

"Nephew! You've finally arrived!" Lü Sanjun grabbed him, his voice low but unable to contain his excitement. "Everything is ready, we just need you! The Hulu Bay workshop is cleared out, our trusted craftsmen are prepared, and you have the money and materials at your disposal! As for the 'Rain and Dew' matter, can we start immediately? My heart is itching with anxiety!"

Wang Zhonghua felt reassured. His gaze swept over the red mark, and a familiar, reassuring smile appeared on his face: "Since you are so kind, sir, I will certainly do my best. However, modifying the tools and selecting craftsmen will take some time..."

"Oh dear, you're in charge of all these trivial matters! Fusheng, please cooperate!" Lü Sanjun was impatient, but then realized something and awkwardly touched his face. "Ahem, well... the family is in turmoil, please forgive me, my dear nephew."

Wang Zhonghua's smile deepened, tinged with a friendly teasing: "Sir, I observe that your forehead... uh, your cheeks are slightly flushed, as if you have 'internal fire burning, an itchy heart, and external disturbances causing unease.' I've come across a folk remedy that might relieve your worries, called 'Family Harmony Powder.'"

Lu Sanjun's face flushed even redder, and he made a move to strike: "You're becoming more and more unruly! You even dare to joke about my jokes!" He raised his hand halfway, then lowered it again, his eyes darting around, and whispered, "...Does it really work?"

Wang Zhonghua couldn't help but chuckle. He took out a small, thick, square-folded brocade pouch sealed with beeswax from his bosom and solemnly handed it over: "Master, please do not show this to anyone. Only open it after you are alone in a quiet room, have burned incense and washed your hands. Follow the 'secret method' inside. Although I cannot guarantee a complete cure, it can at least relieve the 'itch' in the inner quarters."

Lu Sanjun treated it like a priceless treasure, carefully hiding it in his inner pocket, and coughed dryly, saying, "Kid, if it doesn't work..."

"If it doesn't work," Wang Zhonghua interjected with a bright smile, "it's not too late for the master to settle accounts with the boy then."

As Wang Zhonghua left the Lü residence, he almost burst out laughing. He could almost picture Lü Sanjun dismissing his attendants, burning incense and bathing, and then, with a pilgrim's heart, unwrapping the brocade pouch layer by layer.

That evening, the study was brightly lit by candlelight. As instructed, Lü Sanjun, with utmost reverence and anticipation, first carefully used a silver knife to remove the amber, then untied the ribbon of the brocade pouch, revealing a thick stack of exceptionally resilient mulberry paper. He took a deep breath and began to unpack it.

One layer, two layers, three layers… there were even hidden layers inside! After dismantling nine layers, just as Lü Sanjun's heart was pounding, thinking he was about to see some astonishing "Yin-Yang Harmony Secret Technique" or "Home-Protecting Talisman," the last small piece of paper only had two large characters written in bold ink, their force penetrating the paper:

挠挠

A small note follows: "When anger is easily ignited, peace is hard to maintain at home. When faced with problems, it's good to take a step back; when troubled, it's good to calm down. Scratching an itch on the skin can relieve it, and calming the restless heart can bring peace. The wise man knows that 'purity of mind' is the foundation of 'few desires'."

Lu Sanjun stared at those two words, first stunned, then his lips twitched, then his shoulders shrugged, and finally he couldn't hold back anymore, "Hahahaha..." A loud laugh broke the silence of the study, making his fat body bend back and forth, and tears almost came out.

To find out what happens next, read the next chapter, "The Eight Drunken Immortals Are Born"!