A Long River Myth

The sun sets in the west.

A day passed, and Li Hong, nearly exhausted, leaned against the plum blossom stake, staring at the panel in front of him:

[Introduction to Hundred-Refined Standing Posture Exercise (35/200)]

After practicing standing meditation twice in the morning, it was already noon by the time I recovered.

He paid ten coins and ate a meal with some oil in the dining hall.

Even so, my body couldn't take it anymore.

The panel was right in front of him; as long as he practiced, he would definitely make significant progress, but he just felt he lacked the ability to do so.

It's like a sixty-year-old man having a wedding night with an eighteen-year-old girl, all he can do is anxiously wait.

He endured the aches, swelling, numbness, and throbbing pain by gritting his teeth.

But... there's just no way to solve the hunger problem!

Less than two cups of tea's time after lunch, Li Hong felt his stomach was empty.

Unable to sneak out of the cooked meat shop, he exchanged all the few dozen coins he had left for meat before he could recover.

Practicing martial arts... without sufficient nourishment, one's blood, energy, and vitality cannot be restored, so how can one progress quickly?

Based on the current food supply, and assuming no health problems arise, he estimates that four training sessions a day is his limit.

After training, I lie down; I basically have no energy left to move around.

The reason why I was able to do two sessions seamlessly upon arriving in the morning was thanks to the original owner's long period of "rest and recuperation".

"The saying 'the poor are scholars, the rich are warriors' isn't just a saying, and it's not entirely due to the original owner's incompetence..."

At this rate of expenditure, the basic food allowance alone would cost two to three taels of silver per month. Even without the gang's "scraping the bone" operation, and with the whole family cutting back on food and clothing, Grandpa's general store would barely be enough to make ends meet.

"Moreover, if you don't eat any extra meat each day, you'll reach the end of your three-stage stance training session."

After doing the math, Li Hong realized that he had oversimplified things before.

"But... as long as the money problem can be solved in the future, my martial arts progress will definitely accelerate!"

Having come to this conclusion, Li Hong felt much more at ease, and the anxiety that had been weighing on his mind was finally relieved.

By the end of the day, he had fully grasped the function of the panel.

From that day on, Li Hong began a monotonous life of going back and forth between two points every day.

He filtered out all people or things that could affect him.

His eyes were fixed on the plum blossom stakes, and he was immersed in the Hundred Refinement Stance Technique.

Fortunately, things went quite well; the days were surprisingly peaceful, without any major incidents.

The two thugs Qin Si had arranged for the family to come the next day also disappeared without a trace. Fortunately, they didn't cause any trouble at the shop, so money could be used to settle things temporarily...

.........

Before we knew it, nearly a month had passed, and it was already late spring.

That evening.

Inside the East Courtyard, on the plum blossom stakes, Li Honggang, shirtless, finished his last round of the Hundred Refinement Stance Exercise for the day.

Although he was drenched in sweat and his chest heaved like a bellows, after leaping off the stake, his lower body landed steadily, like a large stone being tamped down.

Compared to a month ago, Li Hong's shoulders and back are now taut like a bow, and the veins on his arms are slightly bulging.

His already somewhat muscular physique now has even firmer and smoother muscle lines.

Under the setting sun, upon closer inspection, every inch of the skin seemed to have gained a certain resilience, like a newly tempered bowstring.

[Introduction to Hundred-Refined Standing Posture Exercise (155/200)]

Looking at the panel, Li Hong slowly adjusted his breathing, a sense of fulfillment washing over him.

In about ten more days, the Hundred Refinements Stance Training will be completed naturally, and you will directly enter the minor achievement stage.

The changes in his internal physical condition were immediate and obvious; he didn't even need to compare himself to others, as the results were evident every day on the plum blossom stakes.

Li Hong took out a pastry wrapped in oil paper from under the pile of clothes next to him, and after catching his breath, he wolfed it down.

I just rested briefly by the plum blossom stakes.

A month has passed, and looking around the East Courtyard, only a dozen or so figures are still holding on.

During this time, Li Hong did not pay much attention to it.

However, he also knew that not many of the eighty-odd disciples he trained in this session went to the West Campus.

I estimate that at most 20% will be achieved in the end.

Those who reached the threshold of external strength within the first three months and were considered "top performers" numbered only six or seven.

But none of this matters to him. He still has a month left, which is more than enough time for him to develop his muscular physique!

Suddenly, just as Li Hong was slightly lost in thought, a rare figure appeared in the somewhat empty courtyard.

"Teacher He!"

"Instructor He..."

"Um."

The newcomer was dressed in a light blue short jacket, with his hands behind his back. He was none other than He Song, the instructor of the Martial Arts Hall, who was in charge of all matters in the East Courtyard.

He was lean but not frail, and his movements left no dust.

He Song walked into the courtyard, his loud voice ringing out: "Stop! Assemble!"

Upon hearing the instructor's call, Li Hong put down his snacks, put on his clothes, and joined the crowd.

He Song was specifically in charge of this batch of trainees.

But since two months ago, he has rarely appeared in their sight and rarely gives them any guidance.

A dozen or so disciples lined up in a row upon receiving the summons.

He Song squinted as he approached the first tall and strong disciple, stretched out his hand, and delivered a punch to the opponent with lightning speed, using the Hundred Refinement Fist style.

The disciple who had been "struck" by him began to react, swinging his arm down in a blocking motion, which is also a blocking technique from the Hundred Refinement Fist style.

But it is as thin and fragile as paper.

The "flood" easily breached the dam, and the disciple staggered a few steps before finally collapsing backward from the force.

He Song shook his head slightly and said:

"Wang Zhong, after you go home today... you don't need to come back. Stay home and focus on farming with your father. Just wait for the imperial court to summon you in the future..."

The young man named Wang Zhong sat up, his eyes red-rimmed, and slammed his fist on the ground, kicking up dust, his face full of resentment.

Those around sighed inwardly, but in reality, everyone knew that more than half a year had passed, and those who were going to become strong and capable would have already done so.

The remaining dozen or so people were just clinging to a sliver of hope that had already "died," unwilling to give up.

Bang... smack...

Without much preamble, He Song proceeded to weigh the remaining disciples in turn.

In the blink of an eye, seven more people failed to stop them and were subjected to the same "treatment".

He knows his limits; he's someone who can't even withstand a three-tenths of his feints.

Even if you endure another month, there's no chance of developing external strength, so why waste your time and family resources on this?

He himself came from a poor family and felt some sympathy for these foolish children. He came today to completely extinguish their hopes.

"Instructor He, give me another month, just one more month. I still want to practice martial arts..."

Some people were on the verge of a breakdown and crying, but He Song just waved his hand and ignored them completely.

Li Hong was already on edge, his fists clenched tightly. This Instructor He was completely unpredictable!

Damn it, wasn't it supposed to be eight months?!

Why are they kicking people out before seven months have even passed?

In an instant, his hands were soaked with cold sweat. It was clear that He Song could make the decision on the fate of the disciples in the East Courtyard.

If he "determines" that there is no hope of becoming an outsider and sends him away in advance, then all of this will have been for nothing!

Just then, He Song, who was like a judge or a ghost, appeared in front of Li Hong.

Despite the same casual strike, Li Hong's pupils constricted, and a surge of malice rose within him.

Damn it!

boom!

The sound of a collision rang out, and He Song, who had been completely indifferent and was even about to lift his leg, suddenly stopped!

"Um?"

He turned his gaze away and stared intently at the boy in front of him whose eyes seemed to hold ill intent.

The remaining disciples nearby noticed something was wrong and quickly turned their heads, their eyes widening in surprise!

Coach He's punch, which had seemed to be "destroying everything in its path," was actually blocked.

Li Hong crossed his arms, forming the "Double Iron Gate" stance from the Hundred Refinement Fist, without shifting an inch.

He Song then withdrew his fist and swung his hand, launching another attack with the move "One Rider at Changguan Pass," this time with three more points of force than before!

boom!

Li Hong continued to use the double iron gate to block, without changing his move.

This time, though his posture was steady, there was already a small footprint in front of him.

However, He Song was more cautious than with his previous punch, and withdrew his hand immediately after making contact.

He frowned slightly and looked Li Hong up and down again.

"What's your name again?"

"Reporting to Instructor Li Hong."

Despite the pain, Li Hong quickly clasped his hands in a fist salute, feeling slightly relieved. The original owner of this body was previously invisible, so the other party might not have much of an impression of him.

A fleeting glint of surprise crossed He Song's eyes, then he nodded and said, "Yes, you can stay."

"Yes... Thank you, Instructor!"

........