Immortality Begins with Breathing Exercises Chapter 3: External Training of Muscles, Bones, and Skin

...

"I know him too?"

Lin Zheyu was sowhat surprised.

He had been in Songyi City for a short ti and only knew a few people, none of whom he rembered practicing martial arts.

"Yes."

"He’s a regular at our tea house, often cos here to pass the ti listening to stories."

"Since you started storytelling at our tea house, you can almost see him every day."

"I’ve seen him often laugh heartily when listening to stories; he clearly likes the tales you tell," said Mr. Wo.

"Would he be willing to teach ?"

Lin Zheyu asked nervously.

He had heard that many martial arts are passed down only to males, let alone outsiders.

"Well, he probably would."

"I’ve seen quite a few people learning martial arts from him."

"He likes listening to your stories so much, he should be willing to teach you so skills," said Mr. Wo.

He did not keep Lin Zheyu guessing and continued, "This person is nad Liang Song, appears to be around fifty, is a cripple, often sitting by the window," said Wo Yinghe.

"The one who’s extrely generous with rewards?!"

Lin Zheyu exclaid in surprise.

He rembered the man because he was extrely generous with tips, currently ranked first among patrons.

However, Liang Song looked quite ordinary, even with a crippled leg, showing no signs of having strong abilities.

"Yes, that’s him."

"Don’t be fooled by Liang Song’s crippled leg; his skills are very strong."

"A few years ago, soone in the tea house harassed a woman, Liang Song didn’t even raise his head, casually flicked chopsticks as swift as arrows through the palms of three big n."

Mr. Wo sipped his tea, saying.

"Impressive!"

Lin Zheyu praised.

Without raising his head, he casually penetrated the palms of three big n with chopsticks, which requires extrely sensitive perception and imnse power.

The two chatted while eating, and ti flew by.

It was ti for storytelling.

In the past ten days, the stories Lin Zheyu told spread widely through word of mouth among custors.

As his reputation spread, more and more young noblen ca to Bidan Tea House to hear his storytelling.

The noblen were much more generous with their tips compared to others.

Today, Lin Zheyu earned over three hundred coins, much more than usual.

The base pay was still one hundred coins for a two-hour session, but the tips reached over two hundred coins.

Especially when reaching the story’s climax, guests excitedly showered him with tips.

Seeing the guests’ enthusiasm in tipping, Lin Zheyu spoke with more passion, extending the storytelling by over ten minutes.

"Look, Liang Song is here today as well."

Wo Yinghe pointed to Liang Song sitting alone by the window, saying.

He was a man appearing to be in his fifties, shoulder-length hair disheveled and ssy, face unkempt and beard scruffy.

After listening to the story, the man’s mood seed good.

He drank a few cups of wine, looked out the window, enjoying the scenery, with a smile on his face.

Arranging his clothes, Lin Zheyu held a pot of wine and walked over.

The wine called General’s Tears, very renowned.

General’s Tears was not highly alcoholic, but its taste was quite strong and intoxicating.

Mr. Wo said it was Liang Song’s favorite choice of wine.

"Greetings, Mr. Liang. I am Lin Zheyu, the storyteller at Bidan Tea House."

"I brought a pot of wine for you to try."

Lin Zheyu politely filled Liang Song’s cup with wine, speaking courteously.

Liang Song gave him a smiling glance, without speaking, continuing to enjoy the view outside the window.

Lin Zheyu did not interrupt Liang Song’s pleasant mont, ordering so small dishes, accompanying him silently watching the scenery.

He currently had nothing important besides storytelling.

For a long ti.

The two watched the scenery for more than an hour, as darkness fell finally, Liang Song spoke.

"Tell , what’s the matter?"

Liang Song seed to have finished enjoying the scenery and looked at Lin Zheyu, saying.

He raised his cup, drank it in one gulp, letting the spicy sensation flow down his throat into his stomach.

"Ah~~"

Liang Song let out a satisfied sound, revealing a bold attitude.

"I am Lin Zheyu, fleeing from Jiunan City, separated from my parents and relatives along the journey, now alone in Songyi City without support."

"It’s very easy to be bullied when roaming alone without support. I heard your martial arts are excellent, I wish to learn a skill from you."

"Please, Mr. Liang, teach !"

Lin Zheyu filled Liang Song’s cup, clasping his hands and pleading sincerely.

"Learning martial arts is tough, tougher than studying. Your literary talent is excellent, why not continue studying to gain scholars’ honors?" Liang Song said plainly.

"A great calamity is about to arrive, if one cannot protect oneself, how can one peacefully pursue scholar honors?" Lin Zheyu shook his head.

Liang Song gave Lin Zheyu a once-over, shaking his head slightly.

"Teaching you is not impossible, but you’re too old now, starting martial arts late."

"In Martial Dao, one trains the muscles, bones, and skin on the outside, and cultivates inner energy."

"The training of muscles, bones, and skin should start young, requiring a high demand for physique and qualifications. From a young age, one must soak in dicinal baths, tempering muscles and bones, laying a solid foundation."

"Once older, when the body has grown, the bones have set, tempering muscles and bones becos hundreds of tis tougher, a slight mistake can leave hidden dangers."

Liang Song said, "Starting martial arts now, you will likely achieve little, are you sure you want to learn?"

"No problem, I’m not afraid of difficulties and I’m very resilient, as long as I can learn martial arts!" Lin Zheyu promptly replied.

"Since you have ti, let teach you then."

"I really like the character Yan Chixia you’re telling, talk more about such characters." Liang Song said with a smile.

"Alright, thank you Mr. Liang!"

"I’ll write a story solely for you in the future!"

Lin Zheyu was overjoyed.

He waved his hand, summoned the waiter, and ordered several more dishes.

"Once we finish talking, hurry up and leave; don’t be an eyesore sitting opposite . Find tomorrow morning at Jindong Street No. 33."

Liang Song ordered Lin Zheyu to quickly leave as if shooing away flies.

"Alright, I won’t disturb your mood. Enjoy!"

Lin Zheyu stood up.

Turning around with excitent, he clenched his fist, his face beaming with joy.

The outco was swifter than expected; Mr. Liang agreed directly without ntioning silver taels.

Thinking about it makes sense.

He was the rich patron often tipping Lin Zheyu significantly, with rewards exceeding 20 coins at a ti, likely unbothered by finances.

...

On the way back, Lin Zheyu bought so at and vegetables to nourish himself well.

Previously living in White Mountain District, he dared not buy too much at and vegetables, fearing attracting attention.

This ti, Lin Zheyu bought half a pound of pork belly, planning to stew it when returning ho, hadn’t had stew pork in ages.

Sizzle—

Early morning.

At the break of dawn, Lin Zheyu woke up bright and early.

After moving to a new ho, the neighbor’s rooster had a sore throat, its raspy voice unpleasant, unlike other roosters’ clear crow, quite unbearable to the ears.

He washed up, enjoying the stewed at with porridge cooked last night, had a hearty al.

Today marks the start of martial arts training, ensuring proper nutrition.

Having endured hunger and harsh conditions, this body was extrely weak, almost skin and bones.

Over ten days, he earned quite a bit from storytelling, spent generously on food, his body improved slightly.

Yet still sowhat frail, running a few miles required stopping to rest.

Donning a set of athletic clothes suitable for martial arts practice, tying his long hair, Lin Zheyu appeared very capable, shedding so scholarly air.

Upon stepping outside, many pedestrians were already on the street.

Due to limited entertainnt, people in this world had a routine of sleeping early and rising early.

Initially, Lin Zheyu was unaccustod, but after a few days, due to boredom, he went to bed early each night.

In his previous life, he struggled with insomnia at night, drowsy during the day at work, a habit now cured.

He developed the good trait of early to bed early to rise.