Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

In the study, Chen Hongwu sat by the window, holding a yellowed copy of the Daoist Canon in his hands.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a golden-white halo over him.

Chen Hongxiu leaned against the door frame, poked half her head in, and watched for a while before finally unable to resist.

"Big brother!" She rushed in, clutching a piece of osmanthus cake in her hand. "Why aren't you practicing your kung fu? I haven't seen you practicing your stance for days! Isn't it said that if you don't practice for a day, your limbs will become slower?"

Chen Hongwu put down his book, looked up at her, and asked, "Who said that?"

"That's what all the masters at the martial arts school say," Chen Hongxiu said confidently. "I overheard Master Cai reprimanding his disciple, saying something like, 'One day of practice equals one day of skill, one day without practice equals ten days of wasted effort.'"

Chen Hongwu smiled and said, "That refers to external martial arts, putting on airs. That's physical skill, but more importantly, it's about mental training."

Every movement, whether standing, sitting, or lying down, should embody the spirit of martial arts; this is the method of training. But nurturing is also essential—the saying goes, "Nurture for a thousand days, use it in a single moment." For martial arts to make rapid progress, the most crucial element is this word, "nurturing."

Chen Hongxiu blinked, then touched his forehead again: "You don't have a fever. Why are you talking nonsense, brother? What do you mean by 'resting'? Isn't practicing martial arts just about stances and punches?"

"Ancient Taoists cultivated their health by absorbing the essence of the sun and moon to develop the mysteries of the inner elixir and achieve immortality. Although this is just a myth, it is the same for us martial arts practitioners. We must learn to gather the essence of the sun and moon in order to truly improve our skills."

Chen Hongxiu pouted: "Big brother, don't look down on me just because I'm not well-educated. Honing your martial arts skills ultimately comes down to strengthening your body and bones. You're talking about absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, and cultivating an inner elixir—it's like you're cultivating immortality!"

"What does this have to do with cultivating immortality?" Chen Hongwu stood up, walked to the window, and pointed to the rising sun in the east. "Look at this rising sun, so full of vigor. People should be like it, their hearts and minds rising with the sun, full of vigor, radiant, and spirited."

He then pointed to the sky: "By noon, the sun will be hanging in the middle of the sky, motionless, but its radiance will be at its most intense and explosive."

At this time, one should also learn from it: focus one's mind and intention firmly on the center of the heart, holding it still. When still, all is well; but when it does move, it is like a thunderbolt—this is called seeking strength within stillness.

"As evening falls and the sun sets, its afterglow spreads across the sky. One's heart and mind should also learn from it, spreading one's energy throughout the body, slowly sinking, and returning to silence."

As night falls and the moon rises, serene and distant, one's heart and mind should also be like the moon, quiet and serene, finally remaining motionless, the heart and mind returning to the darkness and emptiness, awaiting the sunrise the next day, when the heart and mind will naturally flourish again.

"Following the cycle of the sun and moon."

Chen Hongwu turned around and looked at his sister: "When the heart and mind merge with the laws governing the movement of the sun and moon, this is how one gathers the essence of the sun and moon. The essence of the sun and moon is not its light, but the health-preserving principles and theories it contains. Understanding these principles and acting accordingly is how one gathers its essence."

"In the morning, one is full of vigor; at noon, one is alert and ready to pounce; in the evening, the mind transitions from vigor to tranquility; and at night, one finds peace and quiet, finally falling into a state of blissful sleep. Isn't this rhythm of mind and intention quite mysterious?"

Chen Hongxiu blinked, hesitated for a long time, and finally blurted out, "I don't understand."

Chen Hongwu patted her head: "Then you'll understand slowly."

Chen Hongxiu's eyes suddenly lit up, and she grabbed his arm: "Since you're not practicing martial arts anymore, brother, and you're just idling around anyway, why don't you come shopping with me and buy some things! Dad won't let me go out anymore, saying it's dangerous outside."

"If you, Big Brother, accompany us, Dad will definitely have no objections—after all, you killed those formidable bandits, so going out here is safer than ever."

Chen Hongwu looked at her expectant eyes and nodded.

Chen Hongxiu cheered and turned to run, shouting, "Wait for me! I'm going to change my clothes!"

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she ran back in a new outfit: a moon-white school uniform, her hair tied in two braids, looking radiant like a little bird just released from its cage.

The streets of Sanhai County remained bustling. Vendors selling candied hawthorns, dough figurines, and acrobats called out their wares in a constant stream.

Chen Hongxiu was like a wild horse, wanting to try and taste everything she saw. One moment she would squat in front of a cosmetics stall, picking and choosing, and the next she would be engrossed in watching a sugar figurine shop.

Chen Hongwu followed behind her at a leisurely pace, but his gaze kept sweeping across the crowd.

His gait lacked any martial arts flair; it was more like that of an ordinary young man—casual, relaxed, and nonchalant.

But after cultivating his internal strength to the skin level, his perception had already spread to several meters around him. He could sense the weight of everyone's footsteps, the speed of their breathing, and the direction of their gaze.

Those who practice martial arts possess keen senses and are constantly aware of their surroundings. When danger approaches, their hair stands on end, and their blood and energy react before their conscious mind. This has nothing to do with courage; it is an instinct developed through profound training.

Turn the corner, and you'll see a silk shop ahead.

Two young women walked out of the shop, followed by a maid carrying bolts of cloth—the Xu sisters, Xu Wanqing and Xu Wanting.

Chen Hongxiu saw it too, paused in her steps, and her smile faded slightly.

Xu Wanting's eyes lit up, and she instinctively tried to rush forward. Xu Wanqing grabbed her wrist and whispered a warning. Xu Wanting lowered her head and stopped moving.

Xu Wanqing straightened her clothes, puffed out her back, and walked arrogantly up to Chen Hongwu, her chin slightly raised: "Oh, isn't this the eldest young master of the Chen family? Your Chen family isn't doing so well these days, is it? You still have time to stroll around?"

Chen Hongxiu's temper flared up immediately: "How we live is none of your business, you vicious woman!"

"A poisonous woman?" Xu Wanqing sneered. "What do you know about a poisonous woman, you sharp-tongued little girl?"

"you--"

"Alright." Chen Hongwu reached out to stop Chen Hongxiu, looked at Xu Wanqing calmly, and said, "Now that you're done talking, leave. Don't block the way."

Xu Wanqing's expression changed slightly, but she held it in and put on a smiling face: "By the way, on the 18th of this month, Young Master Wang and I will be getting married. I hope that the Chen family can do us the honor of attending and bring a gift. Of course, if you are worried that you can't afford the gift, you don't have to come. I'm just afraid that the county magistrate will come to ask for it in person."

After saying that, she turned and left without waiting for Chen Hongwu to speak, her high heels clicking on the stone slabs.

Xu Wanting was pulled a few steps, glanced back at Chen Hongwu, her lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing.

Chen Hongxiu stomped her foot in anger: "Brother, look! This vile woman is shameless! She's practically begging to hang herself at the county magistrate's house, and she even has the nerve to show off!"

Chen Hongwu offered her a few words of comfort, but his gaze remained calm and composed. His eyes passed over Chen Hongxiu's shoulder and landed on the crowd across the street. There were two people there, wearing gray cloth jackets and straw hats, walking slowly and unhurriedly through the crowd.

Chen Hongwu glanced at them, then looked away. Just as he was about to turn around, suddenly—

In an instant, he felt as if he had been pricked by a needle on his back, his hair stood on end, and a layer of fine goosebumps rose on his skin.

The two men in gray, who were passing each other, stopped at the same time, turned around, and drew their short guns from their waists.

The gun was pointed at Chen Hongwu.

The distance was no more than three zhang.