Wei Hong's implied aning was clear to Wei Tu.
She was indicating that he should be cautious in his requests—she would assist with small matters but not large ones.
"I ca to ask Second Aunt if she could help learn so martial arts from the Huang family’s guards to strengthen my body," Wei Tu said after a mont of contemplation.
"Learning martial arts? Historically, the poor study literature and the rich practice martial arts. At your age, martial arts might not lead to much success," Wei Hong said, frowning slightly.
She had hoped Wei Tu would seek a good position at the Huang household instead, but since Wei Tu had been sold to the Li household, she chose not to voice that suggestion.
Having relatives in her maiden family gave her so leverage, but unfortunately, the Wei family was too weak to offer real help.
"Practicing health-preserving techniques to strengthen your body is also good," Wei Tu conceded, softening his request.
Compared to unique martial arts, health-preserving techniques were common among martial artists and not considered valuable.
"If you insist, I’ll speak to Master Ruan and ask him to teach you so techniques," Wei Hong sighed and agreed, seeing Wei Tu's determination.
With that, Wei Hong had no interest in chatting further with Wei Tu. She glanced at her maid and, finding an excuse, prepared to leave.
"Second Aunt, the gift..." Wei Tu reminded as Wei Hong was about to leave.
"Qinghe, take the gift," Wei Hong said without turning back, instructing the maid as she continued down the corridor.
After a mont, Wei Tu realized that Wei Hong leaving without directly taking the gift was a subtle indication that he should not seek her help again in the future.
The gesture signaled the end of their familial bond in terms of assistance.
"Second Madam has spoken to Master Ruan. Brother Wei, please follow ."
In the afternoon, a maid nad Cui Liu led Wei Tu to another courtyard in the front yard.
Upon entering the courtyard, Wei Tu saw a burly man with a sword at his waist teaching two young gentlen dressed in fine garnts. The older one looked around thirteen or fourteen years old, while the younger one was only seven or eight.
Wei Tu deduced that this burly man must be Master Ruan, the martial arts instructor ntioned by Wei Hong.
"Are you Wei Tu?" Master Ruan glanced at Wei Tu with a hint of disdain in his eyes, though he did not show it overtly.
"Yes, Master Ruan," Wei Tu replied, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture.
The guard’s martial arts instructor was a distinguished guest in large households, not a re servant.
"Second Madam asked to teach you a set of health-preservation exercises. I happen to have an old manual on the Turtle Breathing Technique that I learned in my youth. Keep it safe."
Master Ruan pulled out a yellowed booklet from his sleeve and tossed it to Wei Tu.
"Rember the techniques in this Turtle Breathing Technique. Return it to the gatekeeper in seven days."
He waved his hand, indicating that Wei Tu should leave.
Master Ruan showed no inclination to personally teach Wei Tu.
Seeing Master Ruan and the Huang family young masters' disdainful looks, Wei Tu wasn’t angry. He thanked them and left.
As he walked away, he overheard the young masters talking behind him.
"Yuan Shan, was that your cousin just now? Why didn’t you greet him?"
"He’s not my cousin. My mother never let et him..."
As the conversation faded, Wei Tu’s cheeks, once flushed with anger, began to cool. He realized he had been out of the Huang residence for a while.
"Is it because of this golden finger that I’ve gained courage and self-respect, no longer feeling numb?"
Wei Tu gave a self-deprecating smile.
He had anticipated such a situation when he decided to visit Second Aunt Wei Hong. But there was no alternative; apart from the Huang household, he had no other way to access health-preserving techniques, let alone martial arts.
Though health-preserving techniques were common, they were still precious compared to the ridicule and higher costs Wei Tu would face elsewhere.
“I’ll take it step by step.
“With the health-preserving techniques, if I persevere, I will eventually rise above others.”
Wei Tu clutched the booklet tightly and quickened his pace toward the Li residence. He could hardly wait to begin practicing the Turtle Breathing Technique.
Although health-preserving techniques were not as deadly as regular martial arts, they did not an they lacked combat capabilities entirely. Being strong and healthy was still better than being an ordinary person.
Moreover, once he has mastered the health-preserving techniques, he could later incorporate other martial arts, making progress much easier.
Back at the Li residence.
After feeding the half-grown black horse, Wei Tu lit the oil lamp in the stable and retreated to his side room to study the booklet Master Ruan had given him.
The Turtle Breathing Technique was straightforward, consisting of seven stances and a total of thirty-two illustrations.
After two or three hours, Wei Tu began practicing the stances according to the illustrations.
He spread his feet apart, first adjusting his chest and back, then sinking his shoulders and elbows. He focused on his breathing, controlling each inhalation and exhalation.
His movents were stiff and he struggled to achieve the "top fluid, bottom rigid," "body fluid, stance rigid," and "fluidity and rigidity intermingled" aspects of the technique.
Fortunately, the stances were not overly complex. With repeated practice, he beca more familiar with the movents.
Once.
Twice.
By the thirty-second repetition, Wei Tu saw a line of text flicker on his golden-purple fate slot, as if it had been engraved there.
[Turtle Breathing Technique (1/100): Practice nine tis a day, mastery in five years]
"Five years? That's too long. It will take five years to master this basic health-preserving technique..."
Despite the surprise at discovering this application of his fate, Wei Tu's face fell. Even though he had anticipated his aptitude might be average, the thought of spending five years to master a basic technique left him dissatisfied.
Typically, people beco proficient in health-preserving techniques within a few months.
Five years seed excessive.
"Wait, the five years are not the key, the focus is on the 'mastery' part..."
Wei Tu opened the booklet and found a line in the preface of the Turtle Breathing Technique:
“When mastery is achieved, qi will flow through the ridians, allowing one to enter the realm of sensing qi.”
Combined with the [Late Bloor] fate, this ant that although Wei Tu would take longer to master the Turtle Breathing Technique compared to others, he would undoubtedly achieve mastery and develop a sense of qi.
In other words, his practice might not be worse than others; it was just that while others might appear proficient, they might not truly reach mastery.
"I'm not sure what this 'sensing qi' realm represents in the context of martial arts..."
Wei Tu sighed.
Limited by his background, his understanding of this world was still too shallow. He had only heard so rumors and hearsay.
However, he guessed that this state must be significant; otherwise, it wouldn’t be emphasized in the preface of the Turtle Breathing Technique.
“Five years is not a long ti. When the five years are up, whether this golden opportunity matches my expectations will be clear.”
Wei Tu was patient.
He was seventeen years old. In five years, he would still be only twenty-two.
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