Chapter 44: The Martial Path

Chapter 44: The Martial Path

Riding swiftly, he returned to the Imperial Mansion before half of the morning had passed.

He first went back to his residence, carefully washed his clothes, scrubbed himself with soapberries, and changed into new attire before heading to the Training Ground.

After briefly checking on Wu Changsheng and Hu Qian and learning they were fine, Meng Yuan noticed it was already noon. So, he left again, this time heading for the Intoxicating Moon Tower.

"My father is here; come with me," Nie Qingqing said directly upon seeing Meng Yuan.

"I came to find my sister this time," Meng Yuan, not making a mistake, immediately spoke up, "I can see Nie Shi any time, so there's no rush. But if I want to see my sister, I have to specially ask for leave like I did today."

Upon hearing this, Nie Qingqing smiled sweetly, looking at Meng Yuan, "Then please, Meng Gongzi."

Meng Yuan usually dealt with either Xiang Ling, who was clear-headed yet foolish, or Jiang Tang, who was pure and naive. But seeing Nie Qingqing, a big sister with a rare purity in her eyes and an especially charming demeanor, he found her particularly attractive.

At this age, he ultimately preferred seeing big sisters.

They went upstairs and chose a spot overlooking the river. Both sat down.

Nie Qingqing, with her playful nature, was teased by Meng Yuan, causing her to laugh continuously.

After more than a quarter of an hour, Nie Yinian and Zhang Guinian emerged from a private suite.

Half a month had passed since they last met, and Nie Yinian now had a weathered look, clearly having endured hardships.

"Nie Shi, Uncle Zhang!" Meng Yuan immediately stepped forward to greet them.

Seeing his daughter standing beside the youth, Nie Yinian's smile remained, indicating he was pleased. He didn't feel like speaking.

Zhang Guinian, however, laughed happily. Pointing at Meng Yuan and Nie Qingqing, he said to Nie Yinian, "I think they're a good match!"

Nie Yinian didn't respond but merely glanced at Meng Yuan and said, "Let's go back to the Imperial Mansion!"

After leaving the building and parting ways with Zhang Guinian, Nie Yinian and Meng Yuan headed back to the Imperial Mansion.

"Nie Shi, I heard from Qingqing Jie that you were borrowed for official business?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"An old Taoist priest was causing trouble, so I went to check it out," Nie Yinian explained.

"Does the Demon Control Bureau handle this too?" Meng Yuan laughed.

"They handle everything except you stealing women!" Nie Yinian finally dropped the act, looking Meng Yuan over and asking, "What's your business with me? Missing the brothel mistress?"

Let's not mention the brothel mistress! Meng Yuan pretended not to hear and said, "Nie Shi, I've fully opened the Lower Thirty-Three Heavenly Points. I want to ask you how to achieve perfection in the Eight Rank Mirror-Breaking Technique."

Nie Yinian smiled and scolded, "You're capable! You're ready for another birth after just giving birth!"

What kind of analogy is this? Meng Yuan, indignant, said, "Nie Shi, I've never given birth, but I have the ability to make others give birth."

"Don't use that to threaten me!" Nie Yinian tapped Meng Yuan's nose.

The two didn't say much more on the way back and returned to the Training Ground.

Nie Yinian first asked about the other trainees, especially Wu Changsheng and Iron Ox, whom he cared for deeply.

"Go take a look at your broken courtyard," Nie Yinian instructed after speaking to the trainees, leading Meng Yuan to their residence.

At this time, Jiang Lao Bo was in the stable, and Jiang Tang was out, so the house was empty.

With no hot tea at home, Meng Yuan remembered the jar of wine Nie Qingqing had given him. He opened it and used it to treat Nie Yinian.

Seeing the wine jar, Nie Yinian glared at Meng Yuan.

After Meng Yuan offered three bowls of wine, he finally spoke seriously, "Please instruct me, Nie Shi!"

Nie Yinian didn't explain how to achieve perfection in the mirror-breaking technique but said, "I remember teaching you the Gale Blade Technique's Energy Circulation Method and Breath Regulation Method. Since you've opened all thirty-three acupoints, have you tried it?"

"I've tried it," Meng Yuan replied, having attempted it numerous times.

"What are your thoughts?" Nie Yinian asked, taking another bowl of wine.

"Using the method you taught me, the Gale Blade Technique's power has indeed increased significantly. However, there's always an invisible barrier, like a thin paper, making the practice less smooth."

Meng Yuan honestly shared his feelings.

"Is it like going to a courtyard, reciting poetry, listening to music, paying money, entering a bed, undressing, but only being able to satisfy the hands without being able to enter the alley? Right or wrong?" Nie Yanian asked.

Meng Yuan had never experienced such a thing, but he completely understood Nie Yanian's words and nodded in agreement.

"It seems you are indeed just one step away from reaching the realm of perfection!" Nie Yanian nodded slightly.

"I'm eager to learn from Nie Shi!" Meng Yuan quickly poured wine.

"You're a clever lad, and I'm sure you have many questions about the path of a martial artist."

Nianian still didn't explain how to reach perfection, and instead, he brought up another topic. He pointed to his chest and said, "The Lower Thirty-Three Heavens are located all over the body, distributed in the limbs and torso. So, if someone has a broken arm or leg, or their body is incomplete, does that mean they can't take this path?"

"Not at all! Whether it's a broken leg, a broken arm, or even being castrated, it won't hinder this path! Even if the Dantian is damaged, it can be reopened! The essence of a martial artist is to not fear breaking and then standing up again! Not fearing defeat and fighting back! Even if you fall to pieces, you can still stand up again!"

"What is a martial artist? It's a path of resistance, of unyielding spirit, and of never giving up! Even if there seems to be no way out, there's always a way for a brave man to fight and forge a new path!"

After Nie Yanian finished speaking, he took a sip of wine, feeling particularly refreshed.

"Who taught you these words, Nie Shi?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"Can't I have figured it out myself?" Nie Yanian frowned, looking annoyed.

"It doesn't seem like it." Meng Yuan had a hunch that Nie Shi had borrowed someone else's words.

"You're quite perceptive, young man!" Nie Yanian tapped Meng Yuan's shoulder and sighed, "It was the late brother of the Empress Dowager who taught me, but I didn't have the courage to break and stand up again, nor the ability to continue."

"Did the late brother of the Empress Dowager also follow the martial path?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"No, he was a Confucian disciple, following the Confucian path. But he was a learned man, and I miss him dearly."

Seeing Nie Shi's sentiment, Meng Yuan dared not ask further about the late brother. Instead, he asked directly, "Nie Shi, how can I achieve perfection?"

"It's simple! With your limbs and torso intact, it's even simpler!"

Nie Yanian's face turned red from drinking, and he became more enthusiastic. "Simultaneously strike the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens with Dantian True Energy, causing them to connect. Then, the Middle Thirty-Three Heavens will reflect upon the Dantian, engraving and corresponding, allowing the True Energy to circulate smoothly!"

"Once this is achieved, the transportation of True Energy won't rely on the meridians to circulate to various acupoints. As long as the Dantian's True Energy reaches the corresponding reflection point, the corresponding acupoint will tremble and move, manifesting external strength."

"This wine jar is like the Dantian, with the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens reflecting and engraving upon it, the Middle Thirty-Three Heavens reflecting and engraving within, and the Upper Thirty-Three Heavens assisting with changes! With the Upper, Middle, and Lower Heavens all opened, interconnected, and then transporting True Energy through various acupoints, you can unlock the body's secrets and attain the Celestial Map."

"Why are the Upper, Middle, and Lower Heavens considered the foundation of a martial artist? It's because only through this can one transform the ordinary into the extraordinary and truly be called a martial artist!"

Nie Yanian's enthusiasm grew, and he even took over the task of pouring wine from Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan, upon hearing Nie Shi's words, couldn't help but recall the old fox's mention of the Celestial Map before his death.

"Is the Spring Thunder Burst the Celestial Map?" Meng Yuan asked.

"When you're not chasing women, your mind is quite sharp!" Nie Yanian said.

'My mind is sharp even when I'm chasing women,' thought Meng Yuan, but he didn't argue with Nie Shi's slight. Instead, he asked, "Nie Shi, if I've opened the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens, how long will it take to achieve perfection?"

"It depends on the person. Some can do it in three to five days, while others may take years, even a decade or more. There are even those who can't reflect and engrave in a lifetime; it's unpredictable!" Nie Yanian spread his hands.

"Then I'll give it a try," Meng Yuan said.

"Go for it! Give it a shot!" Nie Yanian stood up. "I need to use the restroom!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end