Chapter 9: Morning Bamboo Recalls Merit, Soft Words Seek Art
Morning dew still clung to the tips of the bamboo leaves. The bamboo forest in the Fang residence's backyard was bathed in a pale golden morning light. The bluestone pavement shone with a damp sheen, bringing a cool, damp feeling to the touch. Little Swallow, wearing moon-white shorts, the hems tightly bound with a green cloth for easy movement, clutched a freshly broken bamboo branch as she paced back and forth in the open space. The tassels on her braid swayed gently with each step, like a swallow with a preoccupied mind.
Xiao Jian had just finished practicing swordplay and was sheathing his longsword. The shoulders of his moon-white suit were stained with sweat, and the morning breeze blew them slightly. He looked up and saw his sister, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously. She had been running to the bamboo forest these past few days, her eyes filled with an indescribable eagerness that made him curious.
"Why are you spinning around here?" Xiao Jian walked over and flicked the bamboo stick in her hand, making a soft "snap" sound. "If you keep spinning, the bamboo leaves will get shy from your staring."
Xiaoyanzi was so startled by his playing that she almost dropped the bamboo stick in her hand. She turned around, her eyes bright as if filled with the morning light, yet a little nervous. Her fingertips were clenched around the bamboo stick until it turned white. "Xiao Jian, I want to ask you something."
"Hmm?" Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow, looking at her red ears. He simply leaned against the bamboo pole, waiting for her next words. "What's so serious?"
Xiaoyanzi took a deep breath, as if mustering up courage, but her voice remained soft: "You know martial arts, right?" Seeing Xiao Jian nod, she leaned forward again, the light in her eyes brighter, "Then can you... teach me martial arts?"
Xiao Jian was stunned, a bit surprised. His sister usually loved climbing trees and robbing bird nests, and always avoided swordplay. Why did she suddenly mention martial arts today? He couldn't help but tease her, "Why did you think of learning this? Martial arts isn't as fun as picking lotus pods. Standing in horse stance will make your legs shake, and practicing boxing and kicking will wear your hands out."
"I'm not afraid!" Xiaoyanzi immediately shook her head, shaking it like a rattle, but her cheeks only redder. "I just... I just suddenly remembered that I've seen people practicing martial arts before." She looked down at the shadows of bamboo on the bluestone slabs, her voice so soft it sounded like a sigh. "There's someone with really good Qinggong skills. He can fly on rooftops. He also has fist and kick skills. The bad guys are afraid of him."
She didn't say it was Liu Qing and Liu Hong from her past life, but when she did, a flicker of nostalgia flashed in her eyes, like she was recalling the warm, homely atmosphere of the compound. When she looked up, her eyes were incredibly serious. "I want to learn martial arts, too. I want to master Qing Gong. I want to be able to protect my parents and you." She clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white. "If anyone dares to bully our family in the future, I can... I can beat them away!"
Xiao Jian looked into her eyes—a light filled with anticipation, stubbornness, and unspoken earnestness. He suddenly understood: the girl's desire to protect this peaceful and stable life was hidden in her eyes. He reached out and ruffled her hair, his fingertips touching the fringe. "To learn martial arts, you must start from the fundamentals. First, practice horse stance and raise your qi. You can't slack off for even a single day. Can you do it?"
"Yes!" Little Swallow immediately straightened her back, like a small bamboo shoot facing the wind. "Not to mention a day, even a year is enough! I will definitely study hard and won't be lazy!" She imitated the punches she remembered, swinging her arms in a round shape, but because she had no strength, she looked like a little swallow flapping its wings. She couldn't help but smile, and the light in her eyes became brighter. "Would you teach me? Just teach me Qinggong, teach me boxing and kicking. I'm sure I'll learn quickly!"
Xiao Jian was amused by her, his eyes filled with doting. He bent down, picked up a bamboo stick from the ground, and twirled it in his hands. "Okay, I'll teach you." He pointed to the low bamboo bushes at the edge of the empty field. "First, learn to stand in horse stance. Stand with your legs shoulder-width apart, bend your knees until they're level with your thighs, and keep your back straight—and don't stick your butt out like you're sitting on an invisible bench."
Xiaoyanzi quickly ran to the edge of the bamboo clump and imitated him to stand firmly. At first, she was full of energy, but after a while, her knees began to tremble and sweat oozed from her forehead. "It's so sore..." She bit her lower lip and secretly raised her eyes to glance at Xiao Jian. Seeing that he was staring at her, she quickly straightened her waist and said, "I can do it!"
The morning breeze blew through the bamboo forest, rustling the leaves as if cheering her on. Xiao Jian stood aside, observing her sweat-soaked forehead and her stubborn profile. This girl looked playful, but she possessed a tenacity within her. Perhaps she could truly master some skill. He cleared his throat and softened his voice, "Stand for another quarter of an hour, then rest. After that, I'll teach you the breathing technique. It's the foundation of Qinggong training. Only by mastering it can you boost your energy."
"Okay!" Xiaoyanzi nodded vigorously, sweat sliding into her eyes. She blinked, looking at the bamboo forest in the morning light, and whispered in her heart: Liu Qing and Liu Hong, I have a brother to teach me martial arts in this life. I will definitely learn it well and protect the people I want to protect.
The morning light passed through the bamboo leaves and fell on her straight back, warm and cozy, as if paving a bright path for this heart that was hiding old memories and rushing towards new life.
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