Chapter 30: Spreading the Dao

Chapter 30: Spreading the Dao

"Why open the acupoints? It's to cultivate and nurture True Energy."

"What's the use of True Energy? And how does it coordinate with blade techniques, swordplay, and fist and palm methods?"

"Eight words: Energy and Strength United, Mind and Energy United."

"The former means that True Energy can quickly and precisely reach specific acupoints, enhancing the power of one's techniques. The Gale Blade Technique requires arm and waist strength, a stable lower body, and agility, all supported by True Energy."

"The latter means that when the mind moves, True Energy and strength can immediately complement each other. Both must be subtle, allowing for a balance of hardness and softness, making heavy tasks seem effortless, and achieving a harmonious unity."

"The reason you defeated those two foolish sheep is that you vaguely understood this principle in your heart, but you didn't fully grasp its essence. In the end, you still relied on strategy to win."

"Therefore, among us warriors, even those of the same rank and grade, the gap is enormous. It's because some people can't comprehend or understand the principle of Energy and Strength United, Mind and Energy United throughout their lives. This is the Dao. Blade techniques are skills, one internal and the other external. Without the Dao, skills are just show. Only by mastering the Dao and combining it with skills can one achieve true power, doubling their might!"

As Nie Yanian drank and spoke, Meng Yuan felt that listening to him was better than reading ten years' worth of books.

"As I said before, the Gale Blade Technique can be used by those who haven't entered the ranks, but for a ninth-grade warrior, it's a transformation, and for an eighth-grade warrior, it's another transformation. It's all about the coordination between True Energy manipulation and blade movement within the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens. This makes their blade strikes faster and more formidable." Nie Yanian patted his hands, and the young waiter cleared the hot dishes, replacing them with fruits and dried snacks.

Meng Yuan was so engrossed in listening that he didn't even think about the meal's cost. Instead, he asked about the secrets of True Energy manipulation for a ninth-grade warrior using the Gale Blade Technique.

Nie Yanian didn't hold back and immediately shared the method.

An hour passed, and the two of them had almost finished four jars of wine. Nie Yanian finally finished his explanation, and although Meng Yuan's head was spinning, he forced himself to memorize it, feeling a sudden clarity.

If he could master the Dao and skills of the Gale Blade Technique, defeating the chaotic and disorganized staff techniques of the black and white sheep would be effortless.

However, Meng Yuan discovered that drinking wine could also nourish his essence, but it wasn't as effective as meat.

"You still have a lot to learn, kid!" Nie Yanian burped and stood up to leave. "I'm going to take a piss. You should meditate on what I said!"

"Master Nie, let me support you!" Meng Yuan, respectful of his elders, immediately offered to help, thinking, "This time, I'll make sure you don't run away."

"I'm not that old yet!" Nie Yanian slipped away before Meng Yuan could react.

Seeing this, Meng Yuan didn't insist on accompanying him. He had no appetite for the food on the table and no interest in the fine wine. Instead, he lightly tapped his fingers on the table, pondering Nie Yanian's words.

After some time, Meng Yuan had thoroughly contemplated and memorized everything. Just as he was about to ask for another powerful blade technique, he realized that Nie Yanian hadn't returned.

"Did he run away or fall into the toilet?"

Meng Yuan went out to look for him and learned that Nie Yanian had already left.

With the previous experience in mind, Meng Yuan remained calm.

Money was of no concern! He had learned genuine skills, and was willing to pay for them! He had a base of three hundred taels, and he couldn't have spent it all, could he? Money was just an external object!

"Sister Qingqing," Meng Yuan smiled and bowed to the beautiful woman after descending the stairs.

"How do you know my name?" the woman asked with a smile.

How could he not know? You and your father are scamming me for money, but I remember your names.

"I see," said Nie Qingqing, who was of average height. Her face was like a peach blossom, exuding a charming aura, bearing no resemblance to Nie Yanian.

She had a slightly fuller figure, and her loose robe couldn't hide her curves. Meng Yuan felt like he could wash his face in her cleavage.

Under the thin moonlight and bright candlelight, her allure was even more pronounced.

Meng Yuan's mind was solely focused on the blade technique mantra, and he paid no attention to her beauty. He said, "Sister Qingqing, I'm here to settle the bill."

Nie Qingqing clasped her hands and smiled, "Four jars of Lake Dream Spring Wine, several dishes, fruits, and dried snacks, totaling three hundred and twenty taels."

This wasn't right. I only have three hundred and thirty taels on me, and your price is too high.

Xiang Ling and her mother had only collected a month's worth of eggs in advance, and they didn't dare say that the Great Tail Venerable owed them. Yet, you, a wine scam father-daughter duo, want to squeeze me dry?

"Sister Qingqing, it should be three hundred taels," said Meng Yuan, whose budget was a maximum of three hundred taels.

Nie Qingqing smiled and said, "This time, it's three hundred and twenty taels."

"This time, I can give you three hundred taels," said Meng Yuan.

"This time, it's three hundred and twenty taels," she insisted.

She gathered her sleeves and smiled, "One jar of Lake Dream Spring Wine is ten taels, and there are seven jars in a jar, totaling seventy taels.

You ordered a total of four jars, which amounts to two hundred and eighty taels. There's also wine, food, and dried fruits, and guest performers singing."

It seems like they really overcharged this time? Is wine that expensive? You guys really don't scam the poor!

"I'll owe you twenty taels first." Meng Yuan didn't haggle and immediately took out three hundred taels in silver notes, handing it all over without a second thought.

This three hundred taels was earned through Master Nie's recommendation, so he gave it all without hesitation.

Moreover, on this trip, he had gained real-world experience and learned something valuable.

In Meng Yuan's opinion, just the Gale Blade Technique and the method of combining it with true energy was worth far more than three hundred taels.

He also learned the eight-word mantra of combining energy and strength, and combining mind and energy, which was enough to benefit him for a lifetime.

Money was indeed important, but at this moment, it wasn't as crucial as before.

Currently, he still had some monthly salary in hand, which was an advance, and he owed Master Nie ten taels and Ne Qingqing twenty taels. But Meng Yuan was no longer as anxious as before; instead, he felt rather calm.

"Mr. Meng, you're joking. Three hundred taels is three hundred taels. Let's forget about the other twenty taels." Ne Qingqing took the silver notes and made a large zero, seeing that Meng Yuan no longer seemed as pained as before, and said, "Mr. Meng, you're as bright as the moonlit sky and exceptionally generous. You should come more often."

"I can't come again." Meng Yuan spread his hands, "I'm out of money."

Ne Qingqing saw that the boy was clearly tipsy, yet he was sincere and helpless, looking like he had been swindled by a dishonest person. She couldn't help but laugh, touching her forehead and waving her hand, and said with a smile, "Ask my father for money. The fact that he brought you here means he's willing to lend you money."

Meng Yuan thought the same, as he had already learned the true energy circulation method of the Gale Blade Technique and paid the money. There was no harm in asking for a loan.

Having a thicker skin would have its benefits.

"If I can't get the money, can I come here to eat, sister?" Meng Yuan asked sincerely.

Ne Qingqing laughed, her face blooming like a flower, "Of course you can."

Not daring to tease further, Meng Yuan returned to the training ground. The other students were still practicing at night.

Meng Yuan didn't want to disturb them, so he first splashed cold water on his face, washed his inner garment, and then took out his blade to practice the Gale Blade Technique.

It was the same blade technique, but after experiencing a real battle and receiving guidance from Nie Yanian, Meng Yuan had gained new insights.

Following Master Nie's pointers, when practicing the Gale Blade Technique with the assistance of true energy, Meng Yuan had a different understanding.

To use the Gale Blade Technique effectively, one needed to coordinate the acupoints of the limbs and the body. Currently, Meng Yuan had not yet opened the acupoints of his limbs, so he couldn't fully grasp the true power of the Gale Blade Technique.

After practicing the blade technique twice, the other students came over, including Zhao Tieniu, Wu Changsheng, and Hu Qian.

Master Nie instructed Meng Yuan to take charge of the students, but Meng Yuan didn't want to bother with it, so he asked Wu Changsheng and Hu Qian to each manage the male and female students.

The previous morning, they had arrived at the training ground, and Meng Yuan briefly inquired about the situation with Wu Changsheng and Hu Qian, knowing that there were no issues at the training ground, which put his mind at ease.

"Tomorrow, I'll go to the livestock farm to pick up my family, and I might have to divide my attention in the future. I'll need to trouble Brother Wu and Sister Qian to take care of the training ground matters." Meng Yuan smiled sincerely and said, "After I bring my family back tomorrow, let's have dinner together in the evening."

Zhao Tieniu was straightforward and didn't realize that Meng Yuan had accomplished something. Hu Qian and Wu Changsheng, on the other hand, were sharp-witted, and they immediately guessed that Meng Yuan had gained something, and this alcohol on him might be from a celebration banquet.

Without saying much more, they chatted for a while before dispersing.

Meng Yuan returned to his solitary room, first meditating, then emptying his mind and visualizing the flowing water of a great river.

With a thought, true energy surged from his dantian, filling up the opened acupoints and gathering in his waist.

At midnight, after multiple attempts, the loosened acupoint finally opened.

From then on, the first acupoint of his limbs was opened, leaving only fifteen acupoints unopened in the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens.

Meng Yuan slightly tested his strength, and after regulating his breath, he fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, after practicing his morning routine, Meng Yuan didn't eat at the canteen but indulged in luxury, having hot tofu outside.

He remembered Sun Zhuangtou, the secret agent he met when he first arrived in Songhe City, and the hot tofu he ate in the snow.

Of course, Sun Zhuangtou might have forgotten the boy in the snow, but it was only right to repay the favor.

"After this busy period, I'll borrow some money from Master Nie and repay the favor." Meng Yuan made a decision.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end