Chapter 76: Shoucheng
Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Shoucheng
April arrived, and with it, the busy farming season.
The Chen Family’s land had now expanded to 820 mu.
When it was time to plant the rice seedlings, besides the dozen or so long-term laborers, Chen Li hired over 150 temporary workers.
For those ten-odd days, it took three people just to prepare the daily meals.
Fortunately, his eldest son, Shouheng, had come home and was no longer training at the martial arts hall.
With his wife and eldest son helping, Chen Li had much less to worry about.
They had just finished planting the seedlings. The water in the paddies was still murky, but the young shoots were a fresh, vibrant green.
Suddenly, without any warning, a message popped up from the long-dormant system.
[Congratulations to the Host. Your eldest daughter, Chen Shouyue, has broken through to the Qi Realm. Reward Issued: Five Directions Twenty-four Solar Terms Wuxiang Fist Technique, 5 years of lifespan.]
’Shouyue broke through?’
Chen Li was stunned for a moment, but it quickly made sense.
’Thinking it over, it was perfectly logical.’
Shouyue’s situation was unlike his own back then, when he had neither sufficient Medicinal Cuisine to fortify his foundation nor anyone to guide him, forcing him to fumble his way forward alone.
She, on the other hand, had no lack of resources and had him to guide her. Breaking through to the Qi Realm in two years was a natural outcome.
With a thought, he retrieved the Five Directions Twenty-four Solar Terms Wuxiang Fist Technique from the system’s rewards.
A sheepskin scroll, its material ancient and its touch warm, materialized in his palm.
On the scroll was not the dense text he had expected, but a profound and meaningful painting.
At its center was a vast, fertile, and vibrant land. It was surrounded by mystical totems representing the four cardinal directions—east, south, west, and north. As the totems flowed, they faintly depicted the endless cycle of the four seasons and the changing of the solar terms.
To the side of the painting were the general principles of the Fist Technique and the essentials of its specific stances.
Each stance corresponded to a cardinal direction and a solar term, containing a unique natural imagery and Fist Intent.
What was even more remarkable was that with just a brief moment of comprehension, Chen Li sensed that the paths for circulating energy and exerting force in this Fist Technique were faintly compatible with his Five Grains Qi Storage Technique. It was as if they were a set of complementary Cultivation Techniques from the very beginning.
Curious, he couldn’t help but follow the energy circulation diagrams depicted on the scroll, assuming a stance in his courtyard and beginning to practice.
With just the opening stance, "Spring Awakening," he focused his intent eastward, and the rich Primordial Qi within his body began to circulate naturally.
He immediately felt a slight warmth in the region of his liver, and a vigorous, thriving life force welled up from within him. It created a subtle, ineffable resonance with the land before him—land that had just been sown and was now nurturing infinite life.
Chen Li relaxed his stance, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes. He was quite pleased with this Fist Technique.
’Not only is its power considerable, but more importantly, it complements the Five Grains Qi Storage Technique. In that case, this Inner Power Heart Method will become the foundation of my family.’
After practicing a few more times to familiarize himself with it, Chen Li went to find his daughter, Chen Shouyue.
Shouyue was twelve, but because of her martial arts training and the medicines she took, she already looked fifteen or sixteen.
Her aura was still a bit unstable from her recent breakthrough, but her eyes were bright with joy. "Father, I can feel the qi in my Dantian! It’s all puffed up and scurrying around inside me like a little mouse."
"Mm."
Chen Li was naturally happy for his daughter. He handed her the sheepskin scroll. "Since you’ve broken through to the Qi Realm, you can begin to practice fist techniques. This set is called the Five Directions Twenty-Four Solar Terms Wuxiang Fist. It is exceptionally profound and compatible with your Inner Strength. Today, I will pass it on to you."
Chen Shouyue accepted the scroll with both hands. It felt extraordinary to the touch. She carefully unrolled it, her eyes widening in amazement at the painting and the corresponding diagrams for stances based on the solar terms. "This Fist Technique... it’s so unique!"
"From now on, practice this fist form once every morning. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask your older brother."
Chen Li instructed, "Progress step by step. Take your time to comprehend the meaning behind the changing solar terms. Don’t be greedy and rush for quick results."
"Father! I understand!"
Chen Shouyue agreed solemnly.
...
「Ten days later.」
A loud cry from a newborn shattered the tranquility of the courtyard, followed by a flurry of joyous activity.
Liu Yun had given birth to a healthy baby boy.
Mother and son were both safe and sound.
Song Ying directed the maids and older servant women to prepare hot water and clean towels.
The little one’s eyes were closed. Song Ying helped feed him some expressed milk, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Liu Yun leaned against the headboard. Although her face was still pale from childbirth, her eyes shone with unconcealable joy and the serene relief of a great burden lifted.
Her wish had finally been granted: she had borne another son for the Chen Family. The stone that had weighed on her heart for so long finally seemed to fall, and her entire being felt lighter.
"Husband, please give the child a name," Liu Yun said softly, exhausted from the delivery.
After entering the room, Chen Li looked at his red, wrinkled infant son in his swaddling clothes. He pondered for a moment before saying, "Let’s call him Shoucheng. To uphold integrity and conduct oneself with righteousness. I hope that in the future, he will live with dignity and prioritize faith and honor."
"Shoucheng... Chen Shoucheng... A good name."
Liu Yun repeated the name softly, her eyes filled with motherly love.
Song Ying came in carrying a bowl of warm chicken soup. Seeing the scene, she smiled. "Sister Yun, drink this while it’s hot. Look how well-behaved little Cheng’er is. He doesn’t cry or make a fuss. He’s such a sweet boy."
Liu Yun looked up, took the bowl, and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Sister. You’ve worked so hard managing things these past few days."
The addition of a new son to the family was, of course, a joyous occasion.
Chen Li temporarily put aside the disturbances of the outside world and enjoyed a few rare days of domestic bliss.
...
Lingxi.
The Chen Family estate was especially lively today.
Bright red silks had been hung early in front of the courtyard gate. A dozen or so square "Eight Immortals" tables were neatly arranged in the yard. Smoke and fragrant aromas wafted from the kitchen, punctuated by frequent bursts of laughter. A festive atmosphere filled the air.
Today was the full moon banquet for his fourth son, Shoucheng. Chen Li had originally planned for a simple affair, inviting only a few close relatives for a small gathering.
But his status in the village was no longer what it once was. Neighbors who heard the news came in an endless stream to offer their congratulations, making the scene so lively that it turned into a grand celebration.
Liu Yun had also dressed up for the occasion. She held her chubby infant son, Shoucheng, in his swaddling clothes, chatting intimately with the other women, a contented smile gracing her face.
Chen Shouyue watched over Shouyi and Shoujing, two toddlers who had just recently learned to walk, as they weaved between the tables and chairs, chasing each other playfully.
The entire Chen Family courtyard was immersed in a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
"Congratulations, Brother Chen! My sincerest congratulations..."
Just as the banquet was in full swing, a hearty laugh came from outside the courtyard gate.
Chen Li turned his head to see Zhang Chengzong striding in with two attendants, carrying a gift box meticulously wrapped in red paper.
He was dressed in his usual silk clothes, though the colors were somewhat somber today. He wore a forced smile that looked strained and stiff.
Chen Li’s gaze narrowed slightly. ’Why did he suddenly show up today?’ he wondered. But his expression quickly returned to normal as he smiled and went forward to greet him. "Brother Zhang, what an honor. Please forgive me for not welcoming you sooner. Come, please, have a seat inside."
"You’re too kind, Brother Chen!"
Zhang Chengzong gave a dry laugh, handed the gift box to Zhao Gui who stood beside him, and scanned the courtyard before following Chen Li’s gesture to a seat at a table near the front.
After several rounds of drinks and courses of food, the feast began to wind down.
Once most of the guests had begun to leave, Zhang Chengzong finally found his chance. He leaned close to Chen Li and said in a low voice, "Brother Chen, could we speak somewhere private? I have an urgent matter I’d like to discuss with you alone."
Chen Li glanced at him and nodded. "Brother Zhang, please follow me."