EFB Chapter 19 Guidance
Chapter 19 Guidance
The stone path of the villa reflected the sunlight. Li Jiangwei led the way, with Chen Luo and the other two following closely behind.
Looking at Li Jiangwei's graceful back, Zhou Xiaoliang felt both happy and apprehensive.
He was happy because he hadn't expected Li Jiangwei to agree so readily, it was much smoother than he had imagined. He was also uneasy because he hadn't expected there to be a second hurdle, and he didn't know if Instructor Li would be willing to guide him.
He glanced at Chen Luo, seeking comfort, but found Chen Luo calm and seemingly not nervous at all about meeting Instructor Li.
Zhou Xiaoliang suddenly felt much more at ease.
Then, passing through a moon gate, one arrives at the backyard.
The view is of a small courtyard paved with bluestone, without any complicated flowers and trees, only a few gnarled old pines planted in the four corners, and a tall and graceful locust tree in the center.
Li, the instructor, sat under the locust tree, while on the other side, facing him, were about a dozen inner courtyard disciples practicing their martial arts.
As the three entered, all the disciples turned their gazes toward Chen Luo and Zhou Xiaoliang.
They had all heard the conversation between Instructor Li and his daughter yesterday, and knew that the person who came was probably Chen Luo, but they couldn't tell which of the two was Chen Luo.
Zhou Xiaoliang felt the gazes falling on him and, upon looking around, realized that they were all inner court disciples who were usually high and mighty. He immediately became even more nervous.
Chen Luo also looked them over, but more than that, he was curious.
Aside from Song Ruokui, these inner court disciples were probably the most outstanding peers he had ever seen; a quick glance revealed that he didn't recognize a single one of them.
He still felt a bit emotional.
Just half a month ago, these inner court disciples were the objects of his envy.
At this moment, he also arrived at this inner courtyard.
Li Jiangwei walked to Li Shen's side. "Father, Chen Luo has been brought, as well as this disciple of Zhou Xiaoliang..."
She explained the situation succinctly.
Upon learning who Chen Luo was, the inner disciples immediately turned their attention to him, their gazes filled with scrutiny and curiosity.
Li Shen did not comment on Zhou Xiaoliang's appearance, but only looked at Chen Luo for a moment before saying in a low voice, "Chen Luo, demonstrate the second level of force once."
"Yes."
Chen Luo responded by taking a step forward, lowering his waist and standing still. Without much preparation, he threw a punch, with two forces exploding from his fist.
This punch was executed with unparalleled skill, and it didn't look like something a disciple who had just entered the second level of internal strength would throw. Many of the inner courtyard disciples with sharp eyes were slightly surprised.
"Not bad." Li Shen nodded slightly, but then changed the subject, saying, "But your innate internal energy is somewhat insufficient."
"罡气?" Chen Luo stopped and stood still, somewhat puzzled by this unfamiliar term.
"It's the body's original yang energy." Li Shen glanced at his slightly thin frame and explained, "Your body is a bit weak."
Upon hearing this, Li Jiangwei, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but glance at Chen Luo, her long eyelashes fluttering.
The inner court disciples, and even Zhou Xiaoliang, looked over with either amusement or surprise, clearly not expecting Chen Luo to have this problem at such a young age.
"Hehe." Chen Luoqian chuckled a few times, thinking to himself that he should have known better than to ask.
He knew that his health was indeed not very good.
There was no way around it; both he and his predecessor had had a tough time these past few years, barely getting by on a diet of one meal and going hungry at another. It would be a miracle if their health had improved. Only recently, when he started earning more money, things had started to look up.
But, just because I'm physically weak doesn't mean I lack yang energy, right? Chen Luo couldn't help but complain to himself.
"This yang energy is not the same as that yang energy, and this deficiency is not the same as that deficiency."
Li Shen seemed to see through his thoughts, and his tone remained calm, "For those who practice martial arts, qi and blood are the foundation, and yang qi is the fuel. If the fuel is insufficient, even the strongest fire will not last long. Your most urgent task now is to nourish your body."
Then he asked, "What do you usually eat?"
"Teacher, I eat steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and occasionally some dried meat in the last month," Chen Luo replied.
He has made a lot of money catching snakes and has gradually started to eat meat.
When the inner court disciples heard that Chen Luo usually ate steamed buns and pickled vegetables, their scrutinizing gazes immediately softened.
The faint hostility that once existed has also disappeared.
Those who practiced martial arts at Zhengyang Martial Arts School were mostly from farming families, and some of them were even poorer than Chen Luo. It was only after they had achieved some success in the Nine Yang Strength that they were able to improve their livelihoods through various jobs. Therefore, they all had a sense of empathy for Chen Luo.
"Not enough." Li Shen shook his head decisively, then turned to Li Jiangwei, "Jiangwei, make arrangements to take him to Donglan Lane when you have time."
Upon hearing the words "Donglan Lane," a hint of surprise flashed in Li Jiangwei's eyes, and she nodded slightly, saying, "I understand."
"Alright, you can go now." After giving the order, Li Shen waved to Chen Luo.
That's it? Chen Luo was somewhat surprised.
His envisioned scenario was that after he finished practicing his boxing, Instructor Li would point out a few key issues, and he would suddenly understand, receiving a few enlightening words of wisdom that would unlock his potential and allow him to progress rapidly in martial arts... This might be a bit exaggerated, but that's how it was in those martial arts stories from his previous life.
Although his double strength was already very solid and his foundation was very good, there wasn't much room for further guidance, but this was quite different from the imagined scene of imparting knowledge and martial arts.
So, what kind of place is Donglan Lane?
Although he was puzzled, Chen Luo didn't really care and simply bowed and took his leave.
Seeing that Li Shen hadn't glanced at him once from beginning to end, Zhou Xiaoliang, who was standing next to him, had long given up hope and hurriedly tried to slip away with Chen Luo.
"Zhou Xiaoliang," Li Shen called out as he was about to turn around, "strike the double force once."
He abruptly stopped in his tracks, and in a moment of surprise, quickly replied, "Yes!"
"I'll wait for you outside."
Chen Luo nodded to Zhou Xiaoliang and left the backyard first.
He had only taken a few steps when Li Jiangwei, who had caught up from behind, called out to him, "Wait a moment."
"Hmm?" Chen Luo smiled at her. "Manager Li."
"Are you free tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM)?" Li Jiangwei asked gently.
"Yes." Chen Luo nodded, knowing it must be about going to Donglan Lane.
He was actually planning to go up the mountain to catch snakes tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), as usual, but it wouldn't matter if he skipped it for a day.
"Alright, come and wait at the entrance of the martial arts school at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow," Li Jiangwei said.
"Okay." Chen Luo nodded, then couldn't help but ask, "Manager Li, what kind of place is Donglan Alley?"
Li Jiangwei smiled faintly, "You'll find out tomorrow."
Seeing that she wouldn't say anything, Chen Luo didn't press further and could only agree.
After making the appointment with her, I waited for another half an hour in the main courtyard. It was almost dark when Zhou Xiaoliang finally came out.
And this guy practically hopped out, his face flushed, shouting from afar, "Ah Luo! Ah Luo! I've got it! I've got it! Instructor Li is amazing!"
He excitedly grabbed Chen Luo's shoulders and shook him, eager to practice immediately.
"..."
Chen Luo couldn't help but feel a little annoyed by his excited appearance.
This should have been my own reaction, but I feel like I'm the one being casually instructed.