In front of the Guardian Mansion, on an open space.
Hundreds of nursing home staff gathered here. Pang Long stood at the front, counting heads and ensuring no one was missing, then spoke calmly:
"Today’s morning training starts with running three laps around the manor. Keep active and stretch your muscles."
"In the path of martial arts, there are no shortcuts, and the most taboo is aiming too high."
"If you manage to practice your moves and power with some skill, then you’ve made progress."
As Pang Long’s words fell silent.
The morning training commenced.
Li Xian mingled in the crowd, ran out of the manor entrance, circled the manor, starting with a slow pace, gradually speeding up.
The early-starting servants saw the figures of the nursing home staff, showing envious glances.
Yihetang Manor is larger than imagined, surrounded by high mountains and rivers; running around the manor requires crossing several sections of winding mountain paths.
Suddenly...
[Skill: Running]
[Skill Level: 120/500 Beginner]
[Description: Merely a matter of moving your legs and swinging your arms. It strengthens the body and enhances endurance, so why not?]
[Skill Level +1]
[Skill Level +1]
With each step and arm swing Li Xian made, a sound of progress was heard.
Breathing became increasingly steady, and speed subtly increased.
After three laps, the sky was fully bright.
Skill [Running], skill level had reached [251].
"Old Fourth, you’ve got good stamina, you didn’t tire out at all."
Zhao Han panted, slightly surprised. Running three laps around the manor, climbing mountains and crossing rivers, is no simple task.
Moreover, the pace wasn’t slow; for a newcomer to keep up with the team was already impressive.
"Not bad." Li Xian wiped the sweat from his forehead, not claiming to be untired, only capable of persisting further.
"Save some strength; later, Commander Pang will likely call you over to teach you a martial art." Zhao Han reminded, pointing towards Pang Long’s direction.
Sure enough, Pang Long’s gaze swept over the crowd. Upon seeing Li Xian, he was visibly startled. Such a significant change after just half a day, the former insignificant servant turned out well.
If not for the nursing home being here, with only him looking unfamiliar, he wouldn’t have recognized him.
"Li Xian, come over here."
Pang Long waved his hand.
Li Xian quickly walked over, "Commander Pang."
"Yesterday, urgent matters came up, and I didn’t have the chance to teach you martial arts." Pang Long stood with his hands behind his back, saying, "Before teaching you martial arts, there’s something important to tell you."
"The martial arts we study were all created by the Madam. In learning these martial arts, one must regard her as heaven and never disobey her. If you defy her, that is what will happen to you."
With a palm strike, he hit a bamboo in the air.
Just a "crack" sound was heard, and the bamboo snapped in half.
An astonished voice came from among the nursing home staff:
"Commander Pang’s Void Palm, his palm power is even more mighty."
"Ah, I wonder when we can ever achieve Commander Pang’s level."
"Probably difficult, but if I can reach a tenth or even a fraction of his ability, I’ll be very satisfied."
...
Li Xian’s eyes shook:
"Cutting bamboo in the air, that kind of power is already very strong."
"But when I asked him yesterday, ’Are there any paths within ten miles?’ he replied ’harder than ascending to the heavens,’ which implies there are paths in the manor, namely Madam of the manor."
"Even Pang Long hasn’t managed to obtain that path. Hence his sentiment of ’harder than ascending to the heavens.’ It means... cutting bamboo in the air is indeed powerful."
"But in the eyes of experts, it’s considered not having touched the path at all."
"This world’s martial arts are truly mysterious and elusive."
In an instant, myriad thoughts flickered in his mind.
"Have you remembered?" Pang Long asked indifferently.
"I remember."
Li Xian nodded. Without enough strength, he could only comply with the rules.
"Very well. I see you have a foundation in fist techniques, so I’ll first teach you a fist technique. Study it diligently."
"Don’t become lazy, and don’t think that being on the nursing home staff means having nothing to worry about."
"According to manor rules, in fifteen days, if you do not meet my expectations, I will have you removed from the nursing home, returning you to the state of a servant."
Pang Long sternly warned.
Li Xian said, "I will not disappoint Commander Pang’s expectations."
Pang Long’s expression softened, saying, "Watch closely." He leaped.
Jumping into the crowd, extending his arms and legs, he let out a low shout, and struck with a punch that appeared simple but concealed a deadly force.
Seventeen consecutive punches were completed, the punch wind sweeping in all directions, hitting left while striking right, watching the front while hitting the back.
Pang Long stood up after collecting his breath and said, "I know you aspire to reach that level."
"But from now on, don’t hold any extravagant hopes. Just concentrate on mastering the moves and power, and it will be enough for us to benefit for a lifetime."
"Moves are a means of dealing with opponents, while power is the foundation of a Martial Artist. These two are the cornerstone of any Martial Arts."
"However, power is something that, without ten or eight years, you can’t produce much variety. On this point, I won’t make any demands for now."
"As long as within these fifteen days, you can practice the moves and chants of this ’Four Directions Fist’ to proficiency, memorizing them thoroughly. And know the primary and secondary principles."
Li Xian nodded, realizing that no matter what, being able to practice martial arts is always good, and that Pang Long secretly hinted at him.
He emphasized these four words "any Martial Arts" to remind Li Xian not to aim too high and look down on these seemingly ordinary things which are actually key!
Pang Long tossed the handwritten copy of "Four Directions Fist" to Li Xian, turned to the crowd, and shouted:
"Where is Luo Tongyun?"
"Commander Pang, I’m here."
A gentle man stepped out and replied with cupped hands.
Pang Long said, "You have unique insights on the Four Directions Fist."
"The task of teaching him boxing falls on your shoulders."
Luo Tongyun smiled gently at Li Xian and replied, "Rest assured, Commander Pang, I will surely speak without reservation."
"Mm." Pang Long nodded lightly, "Alright, those of you who should practice martial arts, go practice martial arts."
...
"Brother Li, this Four Directions Fist emphasizes having a circle within a square. It seems rigid but hides flexibility."
"Let me demonstrate it once, so make sure to remember the routine."
Luo Tongyun said with a smile.
Right in front of Li Xian, he performed the Four Directions Fist once.
Li Xian imitated, learning the steps and fist routes, and followed through once.
At first, learning the complete fist technique felt a bit awkward. But after practicing several times, he gradually discovered the knack.
"Not bad, Brother Li, you are very perceptive. With diligent practice, mastering the fist technique won’t be difficult." Luo Tongyun nodded.
In the blink of an eye, it was already noon.
Luo Tongyun said, "Brother Li, you practice by yourself, I have a patrol shift this afternoon, I’ll teach you again tomorrow."
"Alright, thank you, Brother Luo, for your guidance."
Li Xian expressed gratitude.
After Luo Tongyun left, he continued practicing boxing over and over. Previously, he had to practice boxing in secret; now, he could do it openly and naturally cherished it.
The monotonous training, for him, held a unique charm.
With each punch, he compared it to the boxing manual. Only when he thought he had memorized the fist routes did he practice freely, without the manual.
"Bang!"
After a full meal, naturally, strength was abundant, and the punch brought a forceful wind.
"That desperate struggle back then was the right decision, although the Nursing Home was also for the servants, the martial practice atmosphere is much better!"
Li Xian thought to himself.
Half an hour later.
[Your punches are stable, you are gradually mastering the practice method of Four Directions Fist.]
[Four Directions Fist]
[Skill Level: 13/500 Beginner]
[Description: Steady and solid, basic fist technique, externally square and internally circular, seemingly honest but actually cunning. Easy to grasp, difficult to master.]
Once ’Heaven rewards diligence’ is activated, progress could be seen.
"As long as one is willing to work hard, mastering the Four Directions Fist is not a problem."
"Now, as a member of the Nursing Home, strive to practice this fist technique to the best!"
Li Xian was filled with strength in his heart.
The Nursing Home also had labor duties, also being for the servants, not just eating, sleeping, and practicing martial arts all day.
The lower level the Nursing Home, the more hours spent on labor, handling trivial matters. The higher the level the Nursing Home, the more relaxed it is.
Generally speaking.
Each day, getting up at a quarter to dawn to start morning training, at a quarter past nine, they would begin doing various things.
Li Xian, being a newcomer, only needed to focus on practicing martial arts for these fifteen days. After fifteen days, he would start shifts, attendance, and all the chores would come.
Then there would be no such martial arts atmosphere.
All other members of the Nursing Home went on patrol, only he was still practicing the fist.
With each punch, sweat splashed several feet, the fist momentum brewing here.
"Martial Artists practicing moves and power... doing these two points well can also be considered a mundane expert."
"For now, I won’t think about those eternal life, extraordinary affairs. Focus on practicing the current Martial Arts well!"
With a clear goal in mind, everything seemed more hopeful.
...
Luo Tongyun was on patrol.
Suddenly blocked by the servant Steward Luo Fang, who smiled and said, "Brother Luo Tongyun, long time no see, how about coming in for a sit?"