Chapter 4 Breathing

Words : 1422 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 4 - 4 BreathingThe changes in the bronze mirror were naturally noticed by Xu Qing. "Brother Qing, I didn't expect you to actually have quite the talent for martial arts training. In such a short time, you have already learnt to imitate the crane's movements quite well!" Li Gongpu couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing Xu Qing mimicking the crane movements. Xu Qing was interrupted in his thoughts. "Just now in the bronze mirror, in the martial arts section, a new branch appeared, Crane Form (incomplete)." His mind flashed, and he directly asked Li Gongpu: "Uncle, besides the movements, there should be something else to this Crane Form, right?" Although Li Gongpu had no blood relation to his body, they had a deep emotional connection, hence Xu Qing didn't need to beat around the bush. Being straightforward made them even closer. Li Gongpu was slightly surprised, then said: "Indeed, besides the movements, there is also a matching breathing technique. Unfortunately, your father hasn't passed it on to me before your family encountered that incident." Xu Qing thought to himself, "As expected." He then asked, "Uncle, what is the use of the accompanying breathing technique?" Li Gongpu replied: "Once you practice the Crane Form to the point where you can stand securely, a warm energy will emerge within your body. Then, using the matching breathing technique, disperse the warm energy into your limbs. Over time, this can make your movements more agile and light." "What if there is no breathing technique?" "That also strengthens the body and over time, your body will also feel lighter. It's just that the effects are not as good as with the breathing technique." Li Gongpu smiled and then went to the corner of the wall, kicked several times against the protrusion on the wall, and used the momentum to flip onto the wall. His agility was no less than that of a young man. Li Gongpu jumped down and stroked his beard: "Ordinary people at my age start to lose their strength and flexibility. But I have been practicing standing postures for years and am no worse off than young people, plus I have ample strength. This is the effect of the Crane Form. In recent years, I have even discovered some tricks. When on duty in the government office, I can practice the Crane Form. By the end of the day, others' backs and legs ache while I finish my shift without any fatigue. The only downside is that it makes me hungry." At this point, Li Gongpu couldn't help but feel somewhat ashamed. Over the years, the money he had spent on food was even more than this half-grown kid Xu Qing. If it wasn't for Xu Qing's father leaving him some money, relying only on the benefits from the government office, he definitely wouldn't have lasted till now. Even so, Li Gongpu had still saved about twenty coins, which were for Xu Qing's future marriage expenses. Of course, if Xu Qing becomes a Scholar, then Li Gongpu wouldn't need to worry about him anymore. seaʀᴄh thё Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So that's how it is, uncle, continue teaching me the Crane Form." "Good, you learn very quickly. I will now tell you the tricks I have figured out. Remember, if something feels wrong during practice and you feel uncomfortable, do not force yourself to continue." Li Gongpu spoke earnestly. Although the Crane Form is mainly for strengthening the body, it should not be practiced carelessly. "Understood." Next, Li Gongpu carefully taught Xu Qing all his experience. During practice, Xu Qing discovered something; he seemed to have good control over his body. The integration of his Heart Intent and movements was very smooth. "This must be the effect of the Daoist Level 'Soul Stabilization', as Heart Power is in surplus, which also enhances the control over one's body compared to ordinary people." In his previous life, he had read reports about top athletes who learned meditation, yoga, and the like to maintain their condition or even improve themselves... Xu Qing became more and more immersed in his practice. Unknowingly, like a celestial crane, he moved around the small courtyard. Initially his movements were large, but gradually they became much smaller. He naturally entered the state of 'Absolute Focus'. Boom! At a certain moment, Xu Qing's movement contracted, and he stood like a celestial crane, his clothes flapping, resembling crane feathers. Sweat dripped from the tip of his nose continuously, and Xu Qing was completely oblivious. "Crane Form (incomplete): Rough understanding." Li Gongpu watched Xu Qing's standing posture from the side and thought to himself: "Xu is learning so quickly. It took me a whole year to achieve his level of precision in the stance. It must be the manifestation of our ancestors." The people deeply believe in spirits and deities, and Li Gongpu is no exception. He only thought of it as the blessing from the ancestors. After a while, Xu Qing finished his practice, his breathing slightly heavy. Earlier, invoking "Absolute Focus" rapidly depleted his strength. Fortunately, after beginning to practice the stance, his strength seemed to recover. It truly was miraculous. "In the future, after entering 'Absolute Focus', practicing the stance for a while should definitely speed up recovery more than before," Xu Qing thought to himself. Then, his stomach started to grumble. Xu Qing had just finished the stance, his young face flushed, showing no sign of embarrassment. Li Gongpu simply smiled and said, "Let's go eat." "Xu just sweated; wipe it off first." Zhou Family handed Xu Qing a clean old cloth. "Thank you, auntie." These days, Xu Qing went worm digging daily with Zhou Family, shedding his previous reclusive temperament and even frequently sharing suitable jokes to chat with her, naturally growing closer to her. In this era, women's lives depend on men. Previously, Zhou Family doubted Xu Qing's reliability, hence the argument that day. After wiping his sweat, the three of them ate together. While eating, Li Gongpu said, "Xu, come with me to the Government Office tomorrow." Inside the Government Office, Government Officials mainly handle various constable duties such as maintaining order, standing court, arresting, detaining, pressing duties, recruiting food, escorting prisoners, etc.; and are divided into internal and external teams: internal teams include doorkeepers, Servants, etc., serving inside the government; external teams include strong teams, soap teams, swift teams, Food Officers, Forensic Doctors, etc. Most personnel are recruited from the civilian populace who fend for their own provisions. However, each Government Office has a few registered Government Officials. Li Gongpu was one of them. These Government Officials belong to descendants inheriting duties generationally—its only downfall being entry into a servitude registry, unfairly capping their career development. Xu Qing nodded and responded, "Uncle, I remember you are now the Team Leader of the officials." The mentioned official refers to the internal team responsible for standing court. Li Gongpu laughed and said, "The Old Master saw my good posture and specifically wanted me to work the front, so I often get to see the Old Master in court and sometimes have a chat." He grew up in the Xu Family, which was once a local prominent household, speaking much better than common folk and with some martial prowess. If not for lack of money and connections, he would have become an arrest officer. "Uncle, the county test is managed by the County Master, can you tell me about him?" Hearing this, Li Gongpu knew Xu had become astute. This was good news! "Do you want to know about the Old Master's literary style? I am not sure, you should ask Master Qian." Xu Qing pondered briefly, "Uncle, I want to know if the County Master is dedicated to the affairs of the Government Office." Officials come and go, but clerks are permanent. If an official does not strive for advancement, they typically just aim for money. If aiming for advancement, they usually seek both money and accomplishments. Xu Qing certainly needed to clarify this, to see if it might aid the child student test. After all, he too sought advancement. Especially as the bronze mirror indicated he had less than three years left to live. Passing the Scholar exam soon and accessing more societal resources would facilitate finding a way to address this issue.

Chapter 4 Breathing

Comments (0)