Chapter 7: 7. Beautiful lady master
Lu Yao's apprenticeship was not like those disciples of the martial arts school who paid 100 copper coins in annual fees.
It was a true initiation into the "Liao Family Fist" sect, becoming an inner-chamber disciple, closely tied to the sect.
This was no small matter! Hence, even though the Liao Family Fist's numbers had dwindled to just the two sisters, they still arranged a brief yet formal ceremony.
In the Cultivation Quiet Room of the boxing gym, the three of them stood with solemn respect.
Liao Ya bowed three times before a tablet, lit a stick of incense:
"Father, today Liao Ya acts in your stead to take on a disciple! To ensure our sect's legacy continues and our heritage remains orderly, I pray for your blessing from the spirit in the heavens."
On the tablet was written, "Spirit tablet of the late great Liao Qigong."
Lu Yao thought to himself, "This Liao Qigong must be the father of the two sisters; I wonder why he passed away in his prime."
He also performed three deep bows before the tablet and said out loud, "Disciple Lu Yao, willing to join Liao Family Fist! I will dedicate myself to cultivation and heed your teachings!"
Following that, Liao Ya stood tall, her chest out, and loudly declared, "From today on, you are a disciple of Liao Family Fist! Our door does not bind with strict rules; only one ancient rule:
Do not be overbearing, to perceive the world in all its forms; do not be greedy, to discern right from wrong, black from white; do not reveal talents, fearless of slander and praise; do not crave satisfaction, not bound by glamour and sensual pleasures.
This is our 'Four Nos,' bear it well in mind."
Lu Yao bowed respectfully and solemnly said, "Disciple shall take heed!"
Thus, the ceremony concluded, and Lu Yao formally became the younger martial brother of the two sisters. A newfound affection was evident in their gaze toward him.
Liao Qe excitedly took hold of Lu Yao's arm, saying, "Ha, I have a martial younger brother now! Quick, call me martial sister, let me hear it~"
Lu Yao smiled, performed a fist salute, and greeted her, "Martial sister~"
Liao Qe was overjoyed.
"Well well!" Liao Ya cleared her throat, and said sternly, "Junior brother, since you have joined, there are things I must make clear to you ahead of time!"
Lu Yao sat upright, listening attentively to the teachings of the Sect Leader and eldest martial sister.
Liao Ya said, "Liao Family Fist has a long heritage, with techniques directly linked to the Innate realm. Our father was a Great Martial Master within the Blood-Exchange Realm, only a step away from becoming an 'Innate Grandmaster.'"
Lu Yao nodded, about to inquire about the early demise of this impressive figure when Liao Ya continued:
"Our father... followed Lin's lead in the destruction of opium at Humen, dying beneath the foreigners' guns. So here's the unpleasant truth I need to make clear—if one gets involved with opium within the sect, I will cleanse our ranks without hesitation. Are you aware of this!"
Learning he was the descendant of a fallen hero, Lu Yao felt a deep reverence and nodded fiercely, "I understand! I loathe such filth as well!"
Liao Ya's expression softened, her satisfaction with this junior brother apparent.
~~~~~~~~~
With Lu Yao's formal entry, it was time for the transmission of martial skills.
Liao Ya said seriously, "I will demonstrate a set of Liao Family Fist, and you shall observe."
With that, she took her position in the center of the space, assuming a stance like a pine, with her fists at her waist, her spirit resembling a green pine growing on a cliff face.
The next second, she moved like thunder, executing a style of boxing that integrated softness and hardness!
With the rise of a gentle breeze, the intent followed; her movements seemed light and casual, slow and steady, but in truth, they were powerful and heavy.
Even without exerting full strength, the force of her punches easily shattered the air, producing bursts of explosions and gusts akin to fierce winds, making it difficult to keep one's eyes open.
Moreover, the girl's footwork was incredibly fast, almost like teleportation, dazzling Lu Yao, stirring his spirit, invoking his envy.
After a few moments, the entire set completed, Liao Ya gathered her breath at the lower abdomen, adjusting her Inner Breath, and said:
"In a cultivation method, the core is not the lethal techniques, but the 'Cultivation Method' that tempers the body and the 'Nurturing Method' that nourishes the spirit.
What I just demonstrated was the Cultivation Method of Liao Family Fist; what I will teach you next is the 'Nurturing Method'!
This is the heart of the practice; without it, one cannot heal the hidden injuries caused by training and combat."
Then, thinking of something, she said to her sister, "You go practice your boxing."
Liao Qe gave a "tsk," and reluctantly left.
Lu Yao was somewhat perplexed, but he soon understood.
With a flushed face, Liao Ya said seriously, "I'll teach you 'Sleep Cultivation' first. Watch my movements carefully."
To his surprise, she actually lied down on her side! Propping herself up with her right hand, the base of her palm rested under her earlobe; her other hand formed the Child gesture, which was placed at her pelvis, and at the same time, her legs were stretched out straight.
Lying on her side like this, the pull of gravity against her clothes delineated the exquisite and enchanting curves of her body.
Lu Yao noticed that Liao Ya's hips were wider than her shoulders — a true rarity! It was a pity that he did not have any worldly desires at that moment; it was all lost on him.
In a tender voice, the young girl instructed, "This is Sleep Cultivation. Next, I'll teach you 'Spirit Refinement'. The two combined are the complete nurturing technique. Come, lie down beside me and assume the same position."
Lu Yao immediately lay down behind the girl.
Liao Ya chided, "Why are you lying behind me? Come to the front!"
Lu Yao hastily relocated and laid face to face with the girl, even able to sense her sweet fragrance.
Liao Ya's cheeks reddened further, "Don't lie too close, keep some distance!"
"..." Lu Yao shifted awkwardly back.
It was then that Liao Ya said:
"Spirit Refinement is a cultivation method specifically for refining the mind and spirit, with incredible miraculous effects. The first three realms are — Focused Spirit, Entering Tranquility, and Forgetful Sitting. First is the 'Focused Spirit' realm, which is about calming the mind and spirit, preventing any stray thoughts!"
Lu Yao nodded again and again, finding it quite magical and comfortable to be lying there chatting with the girl.
Liao Ya was not as distracted, she continued instructing, "When you activate Sleep Cultivation, if you can focus your spirit at the same time, then you can consider it an entry into the nurturing technique."
After that, it took the two of them quite a while to finally finish teaching the entry level of nurturing technique.
Lying face to face was somewhat awkward, so after leaving behind the words "Figure it out on your own," Liao Ya ran off blushing, without a trace to be seen.
~~~~~~~
Sleep Cultivation was not difficult, as the movements were simple, and Lu Yao learned them effortlessly. The challenge was "Focusing Spirit"! Even at the initial stage, it required the cultivator to completely relax the mind and spirit — to Focus and then Fall Asleep.
But with a mind full of worries and a life-and-death crisis looming, how could Lu Yao possibly relax his mind completely?
He was very worried. Martial arts were his only hope. If he failed, he would not live long, and the more he thought this way, the harder it became to focus his spirit.
While maintaining the side-lying posture, Lu Yao tried for a long time without success. Unconsciously, the night deepened.
His thoughts were in disarray, and Lu Yao couldn't help but take a deep breath, his nose suddenly suffused with a young girl's fresh fragrance.
The quiet room had always been used by Liao Ya, filled with her scent.
The girl had a particularly pleasant natural fragrance that was refreshing and momentarily relieved him of his troubles.
Lu Yao sat staring blankly, realizing it was the first time in his life he had lain with such a beautiful girl... The entrancing silhouette seemed still to be before him.
"Being alive... is really wonderful." At that moment, he experienced an unprecedented desire to live.
"I don't want to die, not just for revenge or because I can't bear it, but because... being alive is just too wonderful."
"There is too much beauty in life waiting for me to experience. How could I just die like this!"
"I must completely cure the cancer, and then marry my senior sister! Marrying such a wonderful wife in body and mind would make my life worthwhile!"
Suddenly, Lu Yao had an epiphany and made a "great vow." It felt as though a stone had been lifted from his heart, and his restless spirit began to calm.
His mind became still, the surface of his heart's lake unruffled, and with his spirit thoroughly settled, he achieved "Focused Spirit."
He maintained the side-lying posture of Sleep Cultivation and slowly fell asleep. With no stray thoughts arising, he entered "deep sleep."
Deep sleep is known as golden sleep and is incomparable for the benefits it brings to the brain.
At the same time, "Sleep Cultivation" allowed Lu Yao's blood and qi to flow extremely smoothly, complementing the effects of the Ten-Ingredient Tonic Soup, providing excellent nourishment to his body and inner organs.
This night was the most peaceful sleep Lu Yao had since falling ill, his entire body receiving the best possible recuperation.
Previously, at most, he could only sleep for two or three hours before being awakened by pain. Even if he took a significant amount of painkillers or was injected with morphine, it was nowhere as effective as the combination of Sleep Cultivation and Focused Spirit technique!
And this was only the beginning of the nurturing technique!