7. Guidance from a Master Teacher

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Xie An followed the sword-bearing man down the steps, passing between two massive stone lions guarding the entrance, and entered the martial arts hall. Circling around a screen wall carved with dragons and tigers, a vast training ground came into view.

Dozens of young apprentices, bare-chested and vigorous, were practicing punches and breathing exercises. Others, under the guidance of instructors, were sparring with broadswords and spears, the clash of metal ringing sharply through the air.

Xie An couldn’t help but stop, mesmerized by the scene before him.

A surge of youthful vigor and passionate energy swept over him, quickening his heartbeat.

This was the essence of youthful fire!

“What are you staring at? This is martial training. Health cultivation exercises are not done here,” the sword-bearing man frowned as he reminded him.

Only then did Xie An come to his senses and hurriedly followed along.

After winding through a corridor with numerous twists and turns, they arrived at a quiet courtyard. Ivy crawled up the stone walls, and above the simple entrance hung a faded wooden plaque inscribed with three large characters: “Herbal Garden.”

From Herbal Garden to the Three Flavors Study?

“This is it,” the sword-bearing man said, pointing inside. “Master Tang is a friend of the hall’s owner and a master well-versed in health cultivation techniques. He’s visiting the martial hall now, promoting health cultivation alongside. For the next month, you can use this token to attend his classes in the Herbal Garden. Be sure to keep quiet on your way here.”

Xie An thanked him and took the wooden token before entering the Herbal Garden.

Compared to the grand training ground, this courtyard was much smaller, roughly four hundred square meters. Seven apprentices stood awkwardly in the center, while beneath the eaves sat a middle-aged man with a close-cropped haircut in a gray robe.

Though aged, he was robust and upright, exuding a refined, reserved elegance that set him apart.

Since Xie An’s arrival, no one else came.

The man glanced at the sundial; it was already late morning. He frowned and muttered, “Why so few people? Is the two taels fee too expensive?”

In these turbulent times, life was hard for common folk, and those who could sought martial training.

Health cultivation was too trivial, attracting few practitioners... The man had prepared himself for this. But out of over twenty thousand residents in Wuqiao Town, only eight came to practice health cultivation—that was far too few.

Collecting his thoughts, the man spoke, “My surname is Tang, given name Qingfeng, styled Wenyuan. I used to teach at the Martial Hall in Qingwu County. Now, in my later years, I am retired and assist my master in promoting health cultivation, so that people from Qingwu can be strong, resilient to heat and cold, and live longer. You may call me Master Tang.”

The apprentices found Master Tang kind and approachable and began addressing him as such.

Xie An, however, sensed Tang Qingfeng’s cultured manner—clearly a man of learning.

“During the height of the previous dynasty, health cultivation was widely practiced—from nobles to commoners. But now, with the world in chaos, people have lost that disposition. Still, with diligent practice, it greatly benefits the body.”

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Master Tang spoke calmly, “There are many types of health cultivation techniques. The most basic include Five Animal Frolics, Eight-Section Brocade, and Embryonic Breathing. More advanced methods involve guiding techniques, breathing methods, and meditation. Beyond that lie Tai Chi Boxing and the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic…”

Xie An listened, secretly amazed.

Eight-Section Brocade and Embryonic Breathing were understandable.

But Tai Chi and the Muscle/Tendon Change Classic were no longer purely health cultivation—they were top-tier martial arts with lethal applications.

Could it be that health cultivation, when perfected, also encompassed mastery over combat?

Yet, thinking it over, Xie An felt at ease.

It is often said that medicine and martial arts share a common origin; health cultivation is essentially a form of martial art.

To reach the pinnacle of martial training without understanding combat techniques would be impossible.

“Today, I will mainly teach you about the Eight-Section Brocade and Five Animal Frolics…”

Xie An listened intently.

When Tang Qingfeng demonstrated the Five Animal Frolics, Xie An’s eyes shone with a strange light. Comparing it to his own practice, he realized he had been making mistakes.

Immediately, he mimicked Master Tang’s movements, correcting every flawed gesture and force application.

Sure enough, the effect improved greatly; his body felt more coordinated and comfortable.

After two hours, his muscles and bones warmed, and his limbs moved freely.

[Five Animal Frolics: Combining Movement and Stillness (14/100)]

Professional indeed.

Though Xie An had the advantage of a special skill that allowed rapid progress through intense effort, mastering the correct techniques and absorbing the wisdom of predecessors undoubtedly accelerated his progress.

“That will be all for today. For the next month, I will teach here every morning.” As noon approached, Master Tang dismissed everyone to rest.

Most left sullenly, evidently unimpressed and feeling their two taels were wasted. A few had been brought as supporters by the hall owner to avoid a sparse turnout.

Xie An, however, left excited as if he had discovered a treasure.

“What is your name? How old are you?” Tang Qingfeng called out as he reached the gate. Xie An quickly turned, cupped his hands, and replied, “My name is Xie An. I just turned fifty.”

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Tang Qingfeng nodded slightly. “To be so spirited past fifty is the benefit of practicing health cultivation. Have you practiced the Five Animal Frolics before?”

Having observed Xie An’s earnest dedication and skillful performance that morning, Master Tang had initially thought he was just a token brought by Chen Lei. But he soon realized the old man was no simpleton.

“I have,” Xie An did not hide the truth.

“Which health cultivation master in Qingwu County taught you?” Tang Qingfeng instinctively assumed Xie An had apprenticed under a teacher.

Not wanting to seem gifted, Xie An offered, “I once met a kind master on a job and learned a few techniques from him.”

Tang Qingfeng’s expression showed understanding, followed by encouragement. “People’s understanding of health cultivation is too shallow—they think of it only as ornamental exercises like Five Animal Frolics or Eight-Section Brocade, unaware of the power of guiding techniques and breathing methods. Heaven rewards diligence. Though you are older, with persistence, you will achieve much.”

Xie An wanted to inquire more about guiding techniques and breathing methods but, feeling unfamiliar with Tang Qingfeng, refrained. He thanked him and departed.

The next morning, two fewer people came to the Herbal Garden, leaving six.

Tang Qingfeng’s face betrayed his disappointment.

Xie An arrived earliest every day, listening carefully and proactively seeking answers to difficult points.

Master Tang hoped to cultivate some talented young practitioners who might eventually join his master’s school and strengthen its reputation. Unfortunately, young people showed little interest in health cultivation. It was this fifty-year-old man who gave him a pleasant surprise.

Each time Xie An asked, Tang Qingfeng answered in detail.

Unconsciously, a month passed, and only two remained committed: Xie An, who had stayed from the beginning, and Chen He, who joined midway. As for the few lackadaisical individuals Chen Lei had brought, Tang Qingfeng, angered by their poor attitude, had driven them away.

Chen He had initially been indifferent but, seeing Xie An’s vitality improve after each herb shop visit, he joined as well.

After over half a month under the master’s guidance, Chen He felt significant improvement, though the gap between him and Xie An was vast—filling him with envy.

That noon, after class, Tang Qingfeng studied Xie An for a long while before seeming to reach a decision.

“Come with me to my room,” he said.