Chapter 98: I Think I’ve Made a Profit

Arriving at Yang Moguang’s courtyard, he found the main gate tightly shut. Xiao Weiguo, familiar with the area, made his way to the bustling communal courtyard where Tian Xuguo lived.

Today, no one was practicing martial arts. In the yard, only Li Hong was sweeping, her solitary figure moving back and forth.

“Li Hong, is Master Tian here? Why are you the only one sweeping?” Xiao Weiguo asked, approaching and gently patting her head.

Li Hong replied, her voice plaintive, “Brother Weiguo, Master punished me to sweep the courtyard for a week. Today’s only the second day. He’s resting inside. I’ll take you in.”

“Why did he punish you? Come, help me carry the bicycle inside first.” With Li Hong’s help, they moved the bike and its sack of vegetables into the courtyard.

“Yesterday, the braised pork smelled so good. I couldn't resist and stole a few pieces,” Li Hong admitted, lowering her head in embarrassment.

Xiao Weiguo hadn’t expected to be involved in this matter, so he comforted her, “Do you think you gained or lost in the end?”

Li Hong pondered for a moment, then brightened, “I think I gained! Brother Weiguo, you have no idea how delicious that braised pork was!”

Xiao Weiguo could sense it—the food from his space, whether meat, grains, or vegetables, always tasted far superior to anything outside. He could only attribute it to the spiritual energy infused in them, making everything richer in essence.

It wasn't yet to the point where a single bite could prolong one’s life, but the flavor was undeniably exceptional.

Parking the bicycle in the front yard, Xiao Weiguo and Li Hong carried the sack of vegetables to the back, searching for Tian Xuguo.

Before they reached the door, Li Hong called out, “Master, Brother Weiguo is here!”

Tian Xuguo, resting on his bed, quickly got up. Seeing Xiao Weiguo, he immediately recalled yesterday’s pork—the taste was unforgettable. He knew the pork was of extraordinary quality; by black market prices, Xiao Weiguo had surely taken a loss. He resolved to compensate his junior later.

“Uncle Tian, I went to look for Elder Yang, but he wasn’t there, so I came here to bother you. I brought some vegetables for you,” Xiao Weiguo said.

Tian Xuguo hurried over, taking the heavy sack—about twenty to thirty pounds—and marveled at Xiao Weiguo’s generosity.

Since this young man was so helpful, he couldn’t be stingy himself. He remembered he’d only taught the basics of Bajiquan before, so he said, “No need to rush to find my senior; I know where he’s gone today. Weiguo, you’ve only learned the basics of Bajiquan. Let’s finish the rest now, then we can go find him.”

Weiguo considered—it was only two o’clock in the afternoon, plenty of time to learn Bajiquan before studying the Eight Longevity Techniques. He replied, “Thank you, Uncle Tian.”

Tian Xuguo told Li Hong to stop sweeping and stay to practice with Weiguo.

“Weiguo, last time you learned the basic stances and the Wukong Inquiry as well as the Steadfast Elbow. Today, we’ll finish the rest of the forms. Follow me:

Binding Elbow, Flowing Elbow, Yin Palm, Facing Palm, Trailing Hand, Double Grasp, Elbow Strike to Groin, Gun-lifting Stance, Advancing Palm, Kneeling Knee.

These are the forms. Master them well; in real combat, combine them as needed. That is the foundation of Bajiquan. With these, you should be able to handle two or three attackers without trouble.”

Xiao Weiguo practiced, his improved memory making it easy to remember and retain everything—a likely effect from the spring water, he thought, certainly related to his space.

After going through the forms once, he could already follow along. Li Hong, practicing in front, helped reinforce the movements.

Within an hour or two, Xiao Weiguo had achieved fluency. Tian Xuguo had Li Hong spar with him, helping him digest the forms and apply them in real combat.

They practiced until five in the afternoon. Xiao Weiguo could now use Bajiquan forms to spar evenly with Li Hong, greatly boosting his confidence. With the addition of intent to his punches, he felt he could take on ten opponents at once.

Tian Xuguo, seeing Xiao Weiguo’s progress, stopped them and said, “Weiguo, let’s go to my senior’s home and see if he’s back.”

Xiao Weiguo agreed eagerly, not forgetting his main purpose for the day: learning the Eight Longevity Techniques.

They arrived just as Yang Moguang was returning, leisurely carrying a birdcage.

Xiao Weiguo and his companion greeted him. Yang Moguang, cheerful, handed the birdcage to Tian Xuguo and unlocked the courtyard gate.

The three sat in the yard. Xiao Weiguo addressed Elder Yang, “Yesterday, I found the Eight Vajra Techniques very effective. Today, I want to learn the Eight Longevity Techniques. I hope you’ll teach me.”

Yang Moguang looked at Xiao Weiguo, his gaze filled with satisfaction—everyone loves a diligent student.

“Alright, Weiguo, first show me the Vajra Techniques. Let me see if your movements are correct; only proper form brings maximum effect. Once you’ve mastered them, I’ll teach you the Longevity Techniques. No need to rush,” Yang Moguang said, stroking his beard.

Xiao Weiguo stood and methodically performed each movement flawlessly.

After he finished, Yang Moguang nodded in approval, “Good, good, I can’t find a single fault. Once we finish dinner, I’ll teach you the Longevity Techniques. For now, keep me company for tea.”

Suppressing his eagerness, Xiao Weiguo joined Yang Moguang for tea and conversation.

Tian Xuguo excused himself, presumably to prepare dinner.

Before long, Tian Xuguo returned with a food box, cleared the stone table in the yard, and began setting out the dishes.

Xiao Weiguo helped as well.

Yang Moguang remarked, “Since I live alone, I give them money and ration tickets to provide my meals. It’s convenient for me and helps families in need. It’s not exploitation; it’s mutually beneficial.”

Xiao Weiguo laughed, praising Elder Yang for his generosity.

The dishes included braised pork, pig’s head meat, cabbage and tofu made from Weiguo’s vegetables, and pork stir-fried with green beans, accompanied by three bowls of rice.

Three of the four dishes contained meat, a benefit from the half pig Weiguo brought yesterday.

The three began eating, chatting as they enjoyed the meal. The flavors were excellent—the meat had no trace of gaminess, and the vegetables had a fresh fragrance.

After dinner, Yang Moguang said to Xiao Weiguo, “Now, follow me and learn the Eight Longevity Techniques.”