Yang Guo: I defied death and reached the heavens in The Return of the Condor Heroes

The next morning, Guo Jing gathered the children at the training ground on the island.

This place was originally a flat open space deep in the peach grove, paved with bluestone slabs, with wooden training stakes standing around it, and stone locks and sandbags placed on the sidelines.

The sea breeze swept through the forest, swirling and dancing the fallen leaves, creating an atmosphere somewhat reminiscent of a martial arts dojo.

"From this day forward, you will all learn martial arts from my wife and me."

Guo Jing stood before the children, his hands behind his back, his posture upright, his tone as powerful and resonant as when he once commanded troops atop Xiangyang City.

"To learn martial arts, one must first cultivate virtue!"

"One's skills should be used to protect one's home and country and to uphold justice, not to be used for violence, fighting, or bullying the weak."

"If anyone dares to abuse their martial arts skills to commit evil deeds or bully the weak, I, Guo Jing, will never tolerate it!"

Yang Guo and the others bowed and stood in a row, responding in unison.

Da Wu and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, unable to hide their joy.

Guo Fu pouted slightly, her face full of reluctance.

Yang Guo stood at the far side of the line, silent and waiting quietly for his assignment.

From then on, the studies on Peach Blossom Island officially began.

Guo Jing led Guo Fu and the Wu brothers to practice horse stance and martial arts in the training ground.

He took some white lime and drew footprints and punching directions on the ground. He then had the three of them stand according to the marks and began to teach them basic skills such as the horse stance punch.

Guo Fu had only been in a horse stance for a short while when she complained that her legs were sore and numb. She clung to Guo Jing's arm and acted coquettishly, but was glared at by Guo Jing before she reluctantly restrained herself.

Although Da Wu and Xiao Wu were diligent and hardworking, practicing whatever they were told, they were of average talent. Even after Guo Jing demonstrated a set of basic boxing techniques several times, the two still couldn't grasp the essence of it.

Da Wu's punching stance was often crooked and out of shape, and Xiao Wu was impatient and eager to succeed. He put all his strength into every punch, and was out of breath after only a dozen punches.

Guo Jing showed no anger whatsoever. He bent down and corrected the postures of the three men one by one, with fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. He was even more attentive than when he was practicing martial arts on Peach Blossom Island.

He recalled that he was just as slow-witted when he was young, and he would have to study a set of boxing techniques dozens or even hundreds of times before he could master it. He had a stubborn streak in his bones that he would never give up until he had thoroughly learned it.

Yang Guo was then summoned to the study in the east wing.

Huang Rong sat in a grand chair, with several volumes of classics such as the Analects, Mencius, and the Great Learning piled on her desk, as well as a few ancient books whose names Yang Guo could not recall.

Yang Guo sat upright opposite him, with paper and pen spread out in front of him, his demeanor respectful.

"Guo'er, your Uncle Guo is now teaching Fu'er and the others martial arts. Your aunt sees that you have a calm temperament and are good at studying."

"Let's first immerse ourselves in studying the classics of sages and understand the principles of conduct and interpersonal relationships. It won't be too late to learn martial arts later."

Huang Rong spoke in a gentle and soothing voice, truly like an ordinary aunt, wholeheartedly wanting to teach her nephews and nieces to read, understand principles, and be literate.

"Have you ever been to school or learned to read before?"

"My late mother taught me a few words when she was alive, and I can still recognize some characters."

Yang Guo's response was appropriate and measured.

Huang Rong nodded slightly, opened the first volume of the Analects, and explained it to him word by word.

She had her own methods of teaching, never making her students memorize by rote, but instead breaking down the meaning of the books in detail and explaining it in simple and easy-to-understand language.

When discussing "Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you," he used everyday examples to illustrate his point; when talking about "When you see someone virtuous, think of emulating them," he asked who around him was worthy of his emulation.

Yang Guo complied in everything he did. When it was time to memorize, he would concentrate on memorizing. When asked questions, he would answer calmly. His handwriting was neat and his demeanor was dignified.

Whenever Huang Rong tested him, he always answered steadily, neither appearing dull or clumsy, nor deliberately showing off his extraordinary talent.

His goal was clear: to act meticulously so that Huang Rong would have no reason to criticize him, so that he could spend the rest of his time diligently cultivating his secret techniques.

As the seasons changed and the days and nights passed, the ordinary days on Peach Blossom Island flowed by slowly.

Guo Jing's three disciples were making slow progress in martial arts, but he remained calm and patient, repeatedly demonstrating each move until they were proficient in their techniques and movements.

On Huang Rong's side, Yang Guo read through the Analects, then studied Mencius, and then systematically studied the Great Learning and the Doctrine of the Mean.

Since arriving on the island to teach, Huang Rong has never mentioned a word about martial arts, and Yang Guo has never asked about it. The two understand each other without saying a word.

Yang Guo's daily routine was extremely disciplined and punctual.

Every day at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), before dawn and while everyone else is still asleep, he quietly gets up and devotes himself to cultivating the Threefold Reversal of Life.

At Chenshi (7-9 AM), he would go to the study to study the classics with Huang Rong. He continued his studies in the afternoon until Shenshi (3-5 PM).

After dinner, he returned to his residence, secluded himself, and devoted himself to practicing the secret methods, doing so every day without ever slacking off.

While teaching Confucian and Mencian classics, Huang Rong often interspersed stories from historical records about loyal ministers who upheld their principles and treacherous officials who ruined the country.

Yang Guo understood that she was using anecdotes to test his character and conduct.

He had no choice but to go with the flow, nodding humbly when necessary, and expressing deep emotion when appropriate. He treated people with sincerity and propriety, and his sense of propriety was just right.

Guo Jing often strolled to the study to visit Yang Guo, and whenever he saw Yang Guo's diligence and eagerness to learn, he would always praise him repeatedly.

"Yang Guo's calligraphy skills far surpass mine."

"He can recite the Analects much more fluently than Fu'er."

He then turned to Huang Rong and smiled:

"I told you long ago, Yang Guo is a rare gem."

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong simply smiled faintly and casually echoed a few words.

After Guo Jing left, the cautious scrutiny and hidden concerns in her eyes as she looked at Yang Guo remained undiminished.

Yang Guo saw all the expressions on their faces, but felt no resentment whatsoever.

He knew that Huang Rong's vigilance was only to protect her family. If he were in her shoes, he might not be able to be so considerate and kind.

Moreover, this arrangement is entirely beneficial to him.

He had long studied the teachings of sages and saints, which tempered his restlessness and added to his composure and magnanimity.

He possessed the profound inner secrets of the Xuanmen sect, so he had no worries about finding a way to cultivate martial arts. The only thing he lacked was a peaceful place away from the hustle and bustle of the world and a period of quiet time where he could devote himself to arduous cultivation.

Peach Blossom Island is secluded from the hustle and bustle of the world, where one can have three meals a day without worry.

With no enemies chasing after him, no powerful figures coercing him to reveal his secret techniques, and even Ouyang Feng unable to find him, such a peaceful place to live and cultivate diligently is already extremely rare. What more could he ask for?

......

Time flows by, seasons change, and in the blink of an eye, nearly a year has quietly passed.

At dusk that day, the setting sun hung at the edge of the vast sea.

Yang Guo sat alone by the sea, watching the ebb and flow of the ocean.

Nearly a year has passed in the blink of an eye. He has become more upright and taller, and his youthful immaturity has faded. His once handsome face is now more radiant and dashing.

At this moment, the Qi within the Dantian, which was initially like a cold spring in the mountains, has now converged into a gentle stream, warm and long.

With each cycle of his internal energy circulation, his meridians widened slightly, and his body seemed to contain the power of countless dragons and tigers, ready to burst forth from his body.

Now that Yang Guo has activated his inner power and created the Reverse Life technique, he is no longer in the dire straits of the past, struggling to survive.

The rebellious life that was built in the past is like a thatched hut, which is about to collapse at the slightest storm.

Now that the foundation is solid, like a house built of bluestone, barring any unforeseen events, it can remain as stable as a rock.

Now, his cultivation is abundant, his movements are swift, and his senses and spiritual awareness have all greatly improved.

Even if she were to encounter the former Li Mochou, she could handle the situation with ease.

Even if they are outmatched, they are more than capable of protecting themselves and escaping.

As he was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a series of light footsteps behind him.

"Brother Yang!"