Chapter 53: Days of Deep Water and Raging Fire

Jiang Li was unaware that his face had grown paler and paler, beads of sweat as big as peas falling one by one, soaking his temples and sliding down his cheeks. His body was operating far beyond its limits. Inside the house, Liu Qin couldn’t see clearly, but from Jiang Li’s shaky, faltering appearance, sensed something was wrong and called out anxiously, “Oh dear.”

At that moment, Master Mu came up behind Jiang Li, placed a hand on his shoulder, and gently lifted him upright. Then Mu placed his other hand on Jiang Li’s back, slowly channeling internal energy into his body. Jiang Li felt a warm current surge from his back through every part of his body; it was as if he were soaking in a hot spring, all fatigue and pain swept away. He was so comfortable he almost wanted to moan aloud.

Sensing that Jiang Li’s condition had improved significantly, Master Mu withdrew his hands and came to stand before him, speaking gently, “Though you have good resilience, there are lingering ailments within you. You mustn’t push yourself too hard in your training. Remember, whether learning literature or martial arts, one must proceed gradually. If you rush ahead, you’ll gain nothing and may even harm yourself. Tomorrow I’ll teach you a set of health-preserving boxing techniques. Practice them morning and evening each day—it will benefit your body.”

Jiang Li was deeply moved, not expecting Master Mu to be so perceptive and to take the initiative in nurturing his health. He saluted respectfully with clasped fists, “Thank you, Master Mu.”

Mu Qing nodded, turned, and walked back to the shelter, sitting down with hands behind his back. Lei Hu hurried over, fawning as he offered a cup of hot tea, grinning foolishly. Remembering the imposing aura Master Mu had just displayed, Lei Hu was full of admiration. He wondered when he would ever possess such presence—even half, no, a tenth would be enough.

With eyes full of admiration, Lei Hu whispered, “Grandmaster, I’m just idle over here. Could you teach me a move or two?”

Mu Qing glanced at him with a smile and said leisurely, “When you manage to get those boys disciplined and obedient, that’s when I’ll teach you.”

Lei Hu’s eyes lit up, “Really?”

“No using force,” Mu Qing added slowly, instantly dashing Lei Hu’s hopes and sending his joy off to the farthest corners. He could only return, crestfallen, to his post, pondering ways to win people’s hearts.

Inside, Liu Qin saw Master Mu’s intervention had greatly improved Jiang Li’s condition and breathed a sigh of relief, but curiosity bubbled within her. Had Master Mu just transferred internal energy? That’s how it happens on TV, after all. She longed to experience the sensation of internal energy coursing through her body herself. Perhaps she should cultivate a good relationship with Master Mu in the future and have him teach her a few powerful moves—maybe the Mountain-shaking Palm or the Sunflower Acupoint Technique?

As she was happily imagining this, she saw Jiang Li resting on the stone steps nearby and couldn’t help waving and calling softly, “Brother Li, Brother Li, come inside.”

Seeing Jiang Li didn’t respond—likely hadn’t heard her—she raised her voice, “Brother Li, Brother Li!”

Still no response from Jiang Li, but Master Mu, sitting in the shelter, suddenly turned his head and glanced toward Liu Qin at the window. Startled, Liu Qin quickly ducked her head. Good heavens, Master Mu must have supernatural hearing! He was farther away than Jiang Li, yet Jiang Li hadn’t heard, but Master Mu had. He truly deserved his reputation as a master.

Liu Qin settled down, genuinely afraid Master Mu might single her out and make her practice horse stance. So she repeated her previous trick, having Xiao Wu carry her back to the big armchair. Xiao Wu, having figured out that Liu Qin’s injury was to her hand and not her foot, did not expose her after a little back-and-forth, but obeyed her instructions, carrying her back and even pouring her a glass of water and bringing fresh snacks.

After bouncing around for half the day, Liu Qin was indeed tired and thirsty, so she began a new round of eating and drinking without any hesitation. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder: since when had Xiao Wu become so obedient and easy to talk to? Had he suddenly changed his temperament? It was truly puzzling.

That day, apart from Liu Qin, Xiao Wu, and Jiang Li, everyone else endured torment. After finally squatting for enough hours, they were so exhausted they collapsed on the ground, unable to get up again. Their appearance was as wretched as could be, pitiful beyond words. Yet Master Mu had the ability to rouse them as if they’d been injected with vigor, making them scramble to their feet and run off.

Master Mu said, “Go back, take a hot bath and rest well. We’ll continue tomorrow. If anyone doesn’t want to leave, they can stay and train for another half hour.”

Seeing the session was ending, Liu Qin rushed out, smiling as she bid farewell to Master Mu and Xiao Wu, then chased after the fleeing group. She couldn’t resist adding, “Why are you running? Master Mu won’t chase you. After all that training, you can still run so fast. Master Mu must be praising you all as martial prodigies behind your backs. Tomorrow he’ll surely extend your training time.”

Everyone saw her gleeful look and felt both exasperated and amused. Yet her words reminded them—what if Master Mu really thought so? If that were the case, they were finished, and good days would be gone for good.

Out of Master Mu's sight, the group reverted to their half-dead state, leaning on each other like defeated soldiers fleeing a lost battle.

Jiang Li grabbed Liu Qin’s waving and clapping hand, tapped her forehead, and said with a laugh, “How can you tease others? Who was hiding and slacking off all afternoon?”

Liu Qin lifted her chin proudly and said, “I had Master Mu’s permission. If you have the skills, you should get Master Mu to favor you too.”

Fang Nuo, utterly exhausted and supported by Da Tong, chimed in from the side to flatter Liu Qin, “Of course, the young master is special. Who could possibly compare?”

Liu Qin was pleased, giving Fang Nuo a look of satisfaction. Receiving her approval, Fang Nuo felt his fatigue and pain vanish, strength surging back into his body.

Jiang Li smiled, then asked quietly, “Sister, does your hand still hurt? Did Xiao Wu bully you?”

Liu Qin shook her little head, “It doesn’t hurt. Brother Li’s medicine is miraculous. And Brother Xiao Wu didn’t bully me—who am I? Would he dare?”

Hearing Liu Qin call Xiao Wu "Brother Xiao Wu," Jiang Li froze. For some reason, he felt a pang of discomfort, as if something precious to him had been snatched away. Yet he knew the feeling was unreasonable—surely he couldn’t forbid his sister from calling someone else "brother." Suppressing his unease, he held Liu Qin’s hand tightly, as if only that could reassure him she was truly by his side and hadn’t been taken by anyone else.

“Brother Li, were you feeling terrible just now? Are you better now?” Liu Qin recalled Jiang Li’s earlier state. Though Master Mu had treated him, she was still worried.

Feeling his sister’s concern, Jiang Li was filled with sweetness, as if he’d swallowed honey—the earlier discomfort brought by Xiao Wu vanished entirely. Even he could hear the joy in his own voice, “Don’t worry, sister, I’m fine.”