Chapter Ten On the Mountain

  The next day, I woke up early and opened my eyes to see the warm sunlight of dawn melting the frost on the windowpane. The golden light poured into the room through the paper windows, making everything warm and cozy inside. The house was quiet with no sign of my parents around, but I could hear some faint noise coming from the kitchen. When I went in, I saw my mom busy cooking. I let out a loud yawn, stretched my waist lazily, and felt so comfortable that I just wanted to hum a tune.

  The ancients said: Hearing the rooster crow, gentlemen strive to be strong and unyielding! Of course, I should get up and dance, but I haven't heard the rooster's call. At this hour, the chickens must have done what they needed to do - some pecked at food, others fought, the sun is high, it won't stay behind just to crow a few times for me, so I can personally experience the atmosphere of the idiom. I don't have that kind of connection with the chickens, are you the Jade Emperor or the Buddha? I laughed at myself.

  "Get out, this is ridiculous. My bones are almost rusted in place. I got up and was about to put on my shoes when my mom came in. She saw the situation, hesitated for a moment, then rushed over and pressed me down. 'Don't move, don't move, you might reopen the wound. Lie back down, Mom will pick up the table, call your dad, we'll eat dinner.' After saying that, she hurried into the kitchen. I was so frustrated! I wanted to cry but had no tears. Mom, I'm really obedient! I'm fine now, if I wasn't afraid of shocking you guys, I would have jumped out and gone to find my friends a long time ago. Who knows how much they're thinking about me? But can I say that? You wake up one day and the next day you're jumping around like nothing's wrong. Are you Optimus Prime or Sun Wukong? Just listen to Mom's words, lie back down."

  My dad also came into the house. My mom told him about what happened and he didn't say a word, just didn't react. I looked at him with expectant eyes, feeling a bit nervous inside. He came over, sat down beside me, took my wrist, and placed three fingers on my pulse. Oh, this is to check my injuries! Here we go again, gotta play defense against dad's internal energy! Gotta use the old tricks again! My dad's internal energy circulated through my body for a while before he stood up and spoke, "Hmm, recovering well, the foundation you built earlier is working, in another 7 or 8 days, you'll be fully recovered." You make it sound easy, but I'm not having an easy time! Look at this sweat, that's exhaustion. What's exhausting? Don't you forget, to cooperate with dad, I still have to cause some small damage inside my own body! Wait a minute! 7 or 8 days?! Still gotta wait 7 or 8 days, I'm sweating, I'm dizzy! I really want to make a run for it, but how dare I? Even if I had the heart to do so, I don't have the guts. After all, dad isn't someone to be trifled with.

  The breakfast was great, with sticky and fragrant white millet porridge, delicious small dishes, and my favorite - rabbit meat. I had a big appetite and ate until I was full. It seemed that my parents were very satisfied with my appetite, smiling on their faces and filled with comfort in their eyes. When I put down the bowl, my mom asked me to eat some more, but I could only smile wryly. How could I still eat? The last mouthful of rice was already stuck in my throat. We are practical people, after all, and can't leave any empty space in our stomachs.

  In the following days, I was sleeping and eating, eating and sleeping. Every meal had fish and meat, my mom made delicious food for me in different ways, trying her best to nurse me back to health. My dad still came to give me internal force therapy every day. Ling sister occasionally brought me some snacks, and I felt that my waist had thickened by a circle, and my face had grown bigger. It wasn't because of being cooped up! In about a week or so, I gained at least eight pounds of fat, obviously due to excessive intake of protein and animal fat, and lack of physical exercise. If this continues, won't the image of sunny youth and handsome young man be completely ruined by my mom's hands?!

  I'm suffering, but I couldn't refuse. The pain isn't that enjoyable! That guy said, "Pfft, you're spitting saliva everywhere, did you have an epileptic fit while writing? You're just a lazy bum, what's wrong with you?" Every day there's fish and meat to eat and drink, what more could you want? Just waiting around, looking for something good to happen. I'm crying, you're making a healthy 16 or 17-year-old boy lie in bed all day, not letting him do anything. Originally he was full of energy, but now he's stuck at home, unable to bear the boredom. You try it, and within two days you'll be begging someone to find something for you to do, just so you can move your limbs a bit. This pretending to be sick is also a kind of suffering. Non-experts, don't imitate Tang Qiuli, or you'll have to take responsibility for the consequences!

  Seven days later...

  That day, after my dad finished checking my injuries as usual, he let out a long sigh and looked relieved. He said to my mom, "It's all right now, Autumn's wounds have fully healed, she can get out of bed and move around, it's been too long since she's been cooped up, or else she'll go crazy!" As soon as I heard this, I felt like I was hearing heavenly music, my heart suddenly opened up, just like a big door had swung open, and all I could see were happy little stars, I was so excited that my eyes were sparkling with golden light! It's like I'd been pardoned! From now on, Tang Qiu can be as free as a bird, flying high in the sky!! Haha!

  It seems that my dad still hid from my mom the fact that I have no internal strength, probably so as not to worry her. Actually, it's not like that at all. This whole day of feasting and resting well, with rich nutrition, except for a few more pounds of fat and some sore bones, all my energy is overflowing, my internal strength is full, and it's almost bursting! If I don't expend it, I might just burst my dantian!

  My mother muttered to herself, "Heaven has eyes, ancestors are showing their spirit, Autumn child is fine now, this kid, his fate should have had this tribulation. Now it's over, and from now on, he'll be safe and sound." As she spoke, two tears fell down. I felt a pang in my heart, "Mom, I've disappointed your expectations. Your son will not walk an ordinary path, will not live a peaceful life like a carefree cloud or crane, living out his days in the countryside. His fate is sealed with sword lights and shadows, blood rain and wind, danger lurking around every corner, nine deaths and one life, experiencing all sorts of hardships and difficulties, but I will survive, and live a healthy life."

  "Look at you, why are you crying? This is a happy thing! Don't do this in front of the child, it's making him anxious!" "Nothing, nothing, mom is just happy, right? Mom?" Seeing dad looking at me strangely, I quickly mediated, "Right, right, she's happy, she's happy. I don't know why, but as soon as Autumn lay down, my heart felt unsettled. Luckily, the heavens have opened their eyes and everything is fine. Isn't that something to be happy about?" Mom said with a smile.

  I was about to make a run for it, but my mom grabbed me and said, "You can't go out like that, it's freezing outside. On your first day out, you have to dress up," and then she started rummaging through the trunk to find me some clothes. "After you go out, don't wander too far, just take a stroll around the village, don't rush into practicing martial arts, no heavy physical labor for now, just get used to it first, and after a few days, I'll practice with you!" My dad added. "Ah, ah," I hastily agreed, afraid that if I didn't respond correctly, he would change his mind, and then I would be in for a world of hurt.

  At this time, I put on my clothes, wow, the sheepskin down jacket with a hood, warm and close-fitting, high-waisted woolen boots, fox fur hat, and even insulated gloves with fleece inside, fully armed, I felt like Yang Zirong in " Tracks in the Snowy Forest", that's what we call radiant and confident, this outfit, I reckon it would be no problem to go on an expedition to Antarctica.

  I said goodbye to my parents and pushed the door open, stepping out into the thick snow. I took a deep breath of the outside air, "cough cough". I had underestimated the weather outside, this was indeed the coldest time in Kanto region, the crisp air was biting cold, although there was no wind, it still pierced my lungs. I quickly covered my mouth and turned back to look at the house, fortunately, my parents hadn't heard me, if they had, who knows, they might have pulled me back inside, pressed me down on the kang again, and even covered me with a thick quilt, what a close call!

  I bypassed the tall birch tree stump, pushed open the courtyard gate and walked onto the street. It should be around 9 o'clock in the morning, but there's no one on the street. Where to go? Go find those companions? No way, I need to tidy up first. Ah, behind the village, there's a high mountain, it's the commanding height here. Right, climb up and take action immediately! I turned around and headed towards the foot of the mountain. On the road, I met several big dogs that looked quite leisurely, they all wagged their tails at me, seemingly familiar with me. But I don't recognize you guys!

  In one breath, I climbed to the top of the mountain and looked out at the breathtaking view. The small village was nestled in the mountains, like a sleeping baby, peaceful and quiet. Thick white snow covered it like a blanket, with wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, and the snow-covered rooftops glistened in the sunlight. Occasionally, the distant barking of dogs could be heard, but this only added to the village's tranquility. From near to far, dense and lush pine forests stretched out in layers, with white snowflakes falling on the branches, creating a striking contrast between white and green that seemed to pulse with life.

  Not a single breeze, the sun is crimson, icy blue, icy blue sky, like a thin layer of blue glass, inlaid on the top of the sky, blue makes your heart clear and transparent, take a deep breath, (don't worry about coughing now) amidst the clarity, with the fragrance of pine resin, looking far into the distance, white snow is spotless, lush green everywhere, mountains like waves, I had an urge to shout loudly: ancient Guandong land, black soil that has experienced hardships, my beloved hometown, Tang Qiulai has come!! The shouting echoes, spreading far away.

  My thoughts and soul seem to merge with everything here, the spiritual platform is clear and bright, I perceive the frozen underground, the rhythm of life, the history of this land, vividly jumping up, everything becomes a force, filling every cell in my body, suddenly, the inner power of the dantian surges, the meridians throughout my body swell and throb, I feel that my internal skill has made a breakthrough, reaching a new level.

  "My lovely hometown, where my life was reborn, my dear fellow villagers, my beloved Guandong land, I will never leave you. How can I let the Japanese invaders trample on you? I will use all my strength to protect you, even with my own life. My blood and flesh are connected with yours. The white snow silently listens to my heart's voice; the ancient pines witness my oath; the mountains stand still, accepting my promise!"

  I feel my whole body burning, so I quickly took off the thick outer clothes and only wore close-fitting underwear. I scooped up a handful of white, soft Kanto snow and covered my scorching face with it. The coolness seeped into my heart and calmed my mind. It was too exciting, almost causing me to lose control and exhaust my internal energy.

  I dare not slack off, I sit down with my legs crossed, gather my mind and spirit, face the five directions, grasp the oral secret, and enter my body with my spiritual consciousness. I see the inner energy in my dantian, like a reservoir overflowing with water, if it's not quickly released, there's a risk of collapse. Slowly guiding some overflowing inner energy, slowly flowing along the expanded meridians, touring around the body. Originally, some stubborn places, under the impact of thick inner energy, suddenly became clear and bright. Places where inner energy couldn't reach before, now also glimpse the entrance. After circulating nine times, the inner energy in my body slowly calmed down, like an arm moving according to my will, flowing throughout the body, solidifying the newly developed territory. My spiritual consciousness expanded its range even more, and my perception of all things in the world became clearer and brighter. Originally, sometimes it's not necessary to cultivate bitterly, under coincidental circumstances, it's also possible to break through. Happiness plus good fortune!

  I stood up, stretched out my limbs, and started practicing my fist techniques. The wind from my fists was blowing everywhere, snowflakes were swirling around me, and I felt a surge of energy. I immersed myself in the state of being completely absorbed in the moment, feeling that my light body technique had improved significantly, making my movements much more agile. All the various fist techniques, palm techniques, leg techniques, free combat, grappling techniques, etc., that I had learned and practiced before came flooding back to me. Ah, yes! In my past life, I was most skilled in combat and grappling techniques. There were some moves that I used to feel weren't quite right, but now they flowed smoothly and effortlessly. Even the Eight Trigrams Fist that this body originally knew felt like it was moving on its own, as smooth as flowing clouds and water, completely carefree. No wonder my master said, "If you don't cultivate your inner energy, even with great techniques, you'll end up empty-handed in the end."

  Suddenly a tiger leaped, one foot kicked on a pine tree as thick as a bowl, "crack" and actually broke the tree in half. I was stunned, too powerful! In the past, I didn't even dare to think about it. A master, an absolute master! My confidence is full, looking around again, the snow within a two-meter radius has been blown away by my internal force, revealing the black and shiny mountain rocks underfoot.

  Withdraw, slowly exhaling a breath of air, feeling refreshed and invigorated, with a deeper understanding of the fist method and fist intent. This understanding will be of great help to me in my future battles, but I don't know how much just yet. In the bitterly cold winter, on a day when the temperature was below minus thirty degrees Celsius, I wore only my undergarments and yet felt no chill. My internal strength had reached a certain level, where cold and heat could not penetrate - this is what my Shengmen master told me, and I am very satisfied with myself.

  Look at the sky, it's almost noon. Right, I should go see my little buddies, they don't know I can come out today. At this time, they shouldn't have finished school yet. Go to the school and see them, that's what I'll do. Oh no, I forgot to ask which direction the school is in! I stand on the mountain top, looking around, and find a few houses that seem much bigger than ordinary homes, and they're connected together. That should be it! I get my bearings, take big strides running down the mountain. Buddies, brothers, my future comrades-in-arms, how are you? Old Big Brother is here, Tang Qiulai has arrived! What's with all of you? How will you react when you see me? With anticipation and a burning heart, I rush towards the direction of the school...