Chapter 22: Double Happiness at the Doorstep
After the New Year’s festivities, the villagers’ children started visiting the Yang family. Yang Zhengshan had prepared a basket of red envelopes and candies, with each child receiving one red envelope and one piece of candy. Although each red envelope only contained two copper coins, it was enough to bring joy to the children’s faces.
Those who came to pay their respects weren’t just limited to the Yang family’s relatives, but also included children from other families. Yang Zhengshan didn’t differentiate between them, treating each child equally. As the morning passed, Yang Zhengshan felt his cheeks aching from smiling, and his brain was buzzing from the children’s chatter.
After the New Year’s festivities, it was time for reciprocal visits. Yang Zhengshan didn’t have many relatives, and apart from his in-laws, he didn’t have any brothers or sisters. So, he only paid a visit to the Lu family in Qinghe Town and didn’t need to venture out again.
Before long, it was the fifth day of the new year, and Yang Zhengshan had already resumed his martial arts training. Early in the morning, he headed to the mountain behind his house.
With a loud “Whoosh!” he swung his long spear, generating a powerful gust of wind that sent the scattered stones on the ground flying. As the wind intensity increased, the spearhead moved faster and faster.
Suddenly, Yang Zhengshan leaped high into the air, and the spearhead fiercely stabbed into a large rock on the ground.
With a loud “Bang!” the rock cracked open, and Yang Zhengshan’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
“This is it!”
This was the first time he had released his internal energy.
When he had fought against Liu Yuanfu, he had already begun to strengthen his tendons and bones, and now, after nearly two months, he had finally reached the threshold of refining his internal energy.
The refinement process of the body was divided into three stages: replacing tendons, transforming bones, and refining internal energy. Among them, refining internal energy was the most critical stage.
Replacing tendons and transforming bones were parallel stages, but refining internal energy was a transcendent stage. If he could control his internal energy freely, he would enter the realm of later heaven.
Now that he had released his internal energy, it meant that Yang Zhengshan had seen the door to the realm of later heaven.
“Let’s do it again!” Yang Zhengshan shouted, swinging his spear once more. However, he still couldn’t control his internal energy freely, and could only manage to succeed about one-tenth of the time.
After repeated attempts, he discovered the source of the problem. Internal energy was about gathering scattered energy within the body, gradually removing impurities, and increasing pure energy. Once the impurities were completely removed, the pure energy would be abundant, and he could control his internal energy freely.
Yang Zhengshan couldn’t control his internal energy freely due to two reasons. Firstly, his physical strength was insufficient, and secondly, his control over his internal energy was still rough. This problem couldn’t be solved by the Spirit Spring water; it required Yang Zhengshan to persevere and practice tirelessly.
Yang Zhengshan didn’t feel disappointed, but instead, felt exhilarated.
Having problems wasn’t scary; what was scary was not knowing where the problems lay. Now that he had identified the problems, the next step was to address them.
Yang Zhengshan felt that this wasn’t a difficult task, and all it required was persistent practice. He had the necessary perseverance and determination, and wasn’t afraid of hardship.
This was related to his growth. After his parents’ divorce, he had lived with his grandparents, who, although kind, were limited by their age and couldn’t do much. So, Yang Zhengshan had to take care of himself and his grandparents. Since then, he had been doing well, never slacking off.
When he felt that he had practiced enough, Yang Zhengshan put away his spear and headed home.
Upon his return, he received another piece of good news.
Eldest Cousin Yang Mingcheng had become a martial artist!
Today was truly a day of double happiness.
However, Yang Zhengshan didn’t share the news about his internal energy with others, choosing to simply celebrate his cousin’s achievement.
Yang Mingcheng’s success was partly due to the Spirit Spring water. After drinking the water, Yang Zhengshan would secretly give it to his three brothers, not just Yang Mingcheng, although they drank less than him.
The Spirit Spring water had a beneficial effect on the body, and even occasional consumption could bring good health. This winter, the Yang family hadn’t had anyone fall ill, thanks to the Spirit Spring water.
Yang Mingcheng becoming a martial artist held immense significance for the Yang family and the entire clan. It meant that the Yang family’s martial arts legacy would continue, and their clan’s heritage would be preserved for generations to come.
When the news spread, the entire Yang family village was overjoyed. Eldest Uncle Yang Zhengxiang hastily ran over, “Mingcheng really became a martial artist?”
He was both shocked and delighted, almost disbelieving.
“Yes, he’s stepped into the realm of martial arts!” Yang Zhengxiang chuckled.
“Great, great, great, ha ha ha!” Yang Zhengxiang burst into loud laughter.
No one knew about the anxiety and fear he had harbored for years as the clan leader. He had been worried about the Yang family’s martial arts legacy being cut off, and for over a decade, he hadn’t been able to cultivate a single martial artist. This had made him feel guilty towards his ancestors.
However, after Yang Zhengshan’s injury had healed, his anxiety had slightly eased. But he was still far from being completely at ease.
With Yang Mingcheng becoming a martial artist, the burden on his heart had finally been lifted.
This sense of relief was something that others couldn’t understand, and it was indescribable.
Yang Zhengshan was also happy, but his happiness couldn’t compare to Yang Zhengxiang’s.
After all, Yang Mingcheng becoming a martial artist was something he had expected, just a matter of time.
Yang Mingcheng had a foundation in martial arts, and with the Spirit Spring water’s assistance, it was only natural that he had become a martial artist.
Meanwhile, as the entire Yang family village was celebrating Yang Mingcheng’s achievement, the Anning County government office was in a state of grave concern.
Luo Jin sat behind his desk, clutching a government document, his face stern. County Magistrate Li Qing and Secretary Segment Chang He also wore somber expressions.
“Sir, the Hu tribe is about to invade the eastern border. We must prepare ahead of time!” Li Qing couldn’t help but speak first.
The Hu tribe’s invasion would lead to a large-scale war, and if the border troops couldn’t hold their ground, Anning County would be in grave danger.
Although Anning County wasn’t a border town, it was only 300 li away from the eastern border. If the Hu tribe’s army broke through the border troops’ defense, they would reach Anning County in just three to four days.
Luo Jin narrowed his eyes, re-examining the document in his hand. This was an order from the prefectural capital, commanding the Anning County government to prepare for the Hu tribe’s invasion.
(End of chapter)
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