Chapter 5: Martial Dao Constitution

Chapter Five Martial Arts·Body

After finishing his afternoon meal, Chen Yì moved over a reclining chair. Xiao Di prepared the tea set and sat in the pavilion, sipping tea while letting the free wind brush through her hair.

The late summer sun was not harsh, and the cool breeze gently caressed him, making him feel utterly at ease.

"There are mountains, water, flowers, and grass; beyond the beauty of the scenery lies tea—only then is it truly life," he mused, a smile spreading across his face.

That sunlit, graceful profile, so effortlessly radiant, even made Xiao Di glance at him a second time.

In her eyes, the governor's appearance was exceptionally fine—one piece of pure white scholar's robe, black hair tied to his waist, two strands of hair at his temples framing his refined features, lending him an elegant and gentle countenance.

All in all, he was quite extraordinary, unlike any scholar or official she had ever seen before.

Perhaps this was what the mistress referred to as a "well-educated gentleman."

"Governor, the mistress mentioned this afternoon that a master of martial arts would arrive to instruct you," Xiao Di said.

Chen Yì glanced up from the purple bamboo by the pond, his attention still on the fish. "So urgent?" he asked, not looking back.

At that moment, he had been contemplating using the bamboo to craft a fishing pole. When the few goldfish had leaped up, splashing water all over him, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration at not catching them.

Xiao Di, thinking of Xiao Wàn'ér's words, lowered her head and muttered, "Governor, this—this is all my fault..."

Chen Yì turned his head to look at her, smiling gently. "Whose fault?"

"This time, the mistress asked me about your recent whereabouts, and I... I told her everything."

"Oh," Chen Yì withdrew his gaze from the bamboo grove, smiling softly. "Well, if you said so, then you said so. Nothing to it."

Now that he was within the Xiao estate, every word and action would be relayed to the key figures within the mansion.

Even if Xiao Di said nothing, others would inform them.

"But the mistress said that only after hearing about the poem you composed would the patriarch arrange for you to practice martial arts."

Xiao Di hadn't considered it wrong; she had simply been tasked by the mistress to keep an eye on the governor.

But upon learning she would become Chen Yì's dedicated servant, a sense of guilt unexpectedly crept into her heart.

If it weren't for her, the governor could have rested peacefully now.

"No trouble at all."

"Governor, are you not upset?" Xiao Di slightly lifted her head, her eyes peering through the strands of hair at his profile.

Chen Yì shrugged it off. "Consider it exercise for the body."

"Don't dwell on it. While the master is still away, could you fetch me some tools?"

"What kind of tools, Governor?" Xiao Di relaxed, her face brightening with a smile.

"A small knife, some string, and a nail."

"This..."

Looking at Chen Yì's mysterious expression, Xiao Di was puzzled but eventually fetched what he asked for.

Soon, she understood his plan.

"A fishing pole?"

"Exactly."

Chen Yì examined the makeshift fishing rod—far from impressive, even by his own standards. "Xiao Di, don't let its appearance deceive you. I believe I can catch all the fish in the pond with this."

Constrained by circumstances, he had to make do with what was at hand.

The fishing pole was crafted from the slender bamboo by the pond, the line made of yarn, and the hook a bent and polished iron nail.

In less than half a day, this crude fishing rod was complete.

"Governor, those fish were specially brought in by the second mistress from the Guang-Yue mansion. They're said to be quite rare," Xiao Di whispered.

Chen Yì cradled the fishing rod as if it were precious. "Rest assured, I only intend to catch them, not eat them."

For a fisherman, the joy lies in the triumph of the catch and the admiration one receives when displaying them in the streets.

That profound satisfaction is beyond the comprehension of others.

Not eating them? Xiao Di first relaxed, then puzzled. "If you're not eating the fish, what's the point of fishing?"

Clearly, she was the type Chen Yì had in mind—the outsider who couldn't fathom the joy of a fisherman. Yet before he could test the rod, a rumbling sound like wheels on gravel echoed from outside the garden.

He followed the sound.

There, half a head taller than him, was Wang Li Xing, carefully pushing a wheelchair-bound middle-aged man forward.

The man was of respectable stature, broad-shouldered and strong-featured, bearing the resolute bearing of a military man.

Yet due to his injury, a trace of sorrow lingered in his expression.

Xiao Di glanced at him and quickly whispered, "Governor, it's Uncle Xiao Suánxiu."

She then stepped aside, bowing respectfully at the pavilion.

Chen Yì nodded slightly, handing the fishing rod to Xiao Di, and before the two could approach, he stepped forward, offering a slight bow. "Chen Yì at your service, Uncle Xiao."

He had heard Xiao Di speak of Xiao Suánxiu, who was said to have survived a tribal ambush during his inspection of military garrisons years ago, only escaping after a fierce battle with hundreds of his guards.

However, Xiao Suánxiu had sustained severe injuries in the process and had since been confined to a wheelchair.

Xiao Suánxiu lifted his gaze, his eyes flickering over the fishing rod. A sharp glint crossed his face, then he spoke calmly: "By the patriarch's command, I shall teach you martial arts."

"But let it be known—you are merely a stepson in the Xiao household. Your training will be limited to the basics of martial arts."

"If, in the future, you achieve mastery or render service to the Xiao family, someone will guide you in more advanced techniques."

Before Chen Yì could respond, Xiao Suánxiu's voice grew stern. "I care not for your past in the Chen family or your escape from marriage. But should you ever act in a way that tarnishes the Xiao family's reputation, I will not hesitate to deal with you."

Chen Yì nodded calmly. "I accept your arrangement."

He could sense Xiao Suánxiu's resentment, knowing he had once proposed expelling him from the family in the palace. But...

It was fine.

Life in the Xiao mansion was peaceful and plentiful now. Being a comfortable stepson suited him well.

Meanwhile, Xiao Di had quietly slipped away from the garden the moment Xiao Suánxiu finished speaking, stationing herself outside the corridor leading to the Chaoxing Estate.

The Xiao family treated their servants well, but matters concerning martial arts and esoteric techniques were beyond the purview of a mere servant.

Soon, the three of them found a spacious area by the pond.

Xiao Suánxiu glanced at Chen Yì and commanded Wang Li Xing, "Practice with sandbags and spears."

Wang Li Xing answered aloud, stepping forward to face Chen Yì. "All martial arts stem from the same root. It begins with forging the body, cultivating qi, bones, and skin..."

As he spoke, he began to practice slowly.

The opening stance found him standing tall and straight, as if a spear had been planted upright in the earth. Then his hands pushed forward in unison, drawing a deep breath that swelled his chest like a stone pressed against his ribs, expanding outward in two distinct waves. After a few repetitions, Wang Lixing exhaled that breath and spoke:

"The Big Spear Pillar Technique requires a specific rhythm of breath—inhale, hold, exhale—to gradually strengthen the body through disciplined practice. Once the bones, sinews, and skin are refined, the internal mechanism of qi awakens, allowing one to proceed to the next stage: merging the dantian’s energy with the five organs and meridians, until the four primary channels are unblocked. Only then can one attain the ninth-grade pinnacle of martial arts, complete in mastery…"

Though Wang Lixing looked rugged and weathered, his instruction was meticulous to the last detail.

After a few trials, he set Chen Yi to practicing the technique.

No theatrics needed.

Chen Yi knew his performance was subpar—his posture sagged, his limbs lacked force, and his movements were far from standard.

Wang Lixing had anticipated this. With palms as large as dinner plates, he struck Chen Yi’s missteps one by one.

"Tighten your waist."

"Chest out, abdomen in."

"Left leg steps forward half a pace… Maintain this posture—inhale, exhale…"

Chen Yi endured the sting of Wang Lixing’s palms and the ache in his limbs and meridians, matching his breath to the master’s rhythm.

Instantly, a strange warmth surged through him, spreading through his body as if his blood boiled, his heart pounding rapidly against his ribs.

[Successfully cultivated the Big Spear Pillar Technique (Mysterious Level), Rank: Initial Glimpse of the Way]

[Martial Arts—Body: Unranked 0/1 (Add Points Available)]

(The chapter ends here.)