Li Jian's forehead beaded with sweat the size of beans, his face twisted in unbearable agony. He suddenly collapsed to the ground. Seeing this, Tan Wei cried out anxiously,"Uncle Tong, look! Brother Jian's true qi is circulating faster and faster—what should we do?"
Wu Tong's mind raced like lightning. In a deep voice, he said,"Massage his Neiguan, Shanzhong, Baihui, and Yongquan acupoints first. The human body contains twelve meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Channels. His yang energy is already excessively abundant. If this surge of true qi is not guided soon, he will die from qi exhaustion."
Without hesitation, Tan Wei dropped to her knees beside Li Jian. Her trembling hands pressed onto his Neiguan point, then quickly moved to knead his Shanzhong. Her fingertips quivered, for she knew—one misstep, and his life would be lost. Fear, worry, and urgency churned within her heart, yet she dared not retreat. At this moment, she had no choice but to give everything she had.
Li Jian's internal qi ran wild, his body convulsing in pain. Sweat soaked through his clothes; his teeth clenched so tightly his lips nearly broke. His consciousness drifted as if sinking into an endless abyss. Memories surged forth—his childhood training, his grandfather's boxing, the Five-Element Fist taught by the authorities, later the Praying Mantis style and the Northern Nether Palm. He had no illustrious master, yet he had persevered this far.
He was unwilling—utterly unwilling!Was his life to end in this desolate cave?
Wu Tong soon spoke again, steady despite the urgency:"The only way now—you two must sit facing each other, palms joined. Guide his true qi into your body, then return it to him."
Tan Wei did not hesitate. Sitting cross-legged, she pressed her palms against his. The moment they touched, a torrential surge of qi flooded into her like a raging river. Enduring the searing pain, she forced herself to guide and regulate the current before channeling it back into Li Jian.
Their qi roared within them like rivers in flood—violent, uncontrollable. Their bodies trembled on the verge of collapse. Pain carved through them like blades, yet they endured, supporting one another. It felt as if they were cast into blazing fire, their bones scorched, their very souls burning.
Time passed—how long, none could tell. Dawn had already broken. Sweat poured down their faces. This was the most perilous moment of their lives. Their chests swelled with qi as if about to burst; the energy within them crawled like ants, chaotic and unrestrained. Life and death hung by a single thread.
At that critical instant, Li Jian gritted his teeth.
He recalled Wu Tong's charge—he had already agreed to take up the mantle of the Hall of Loyalty. He was to follow the example of 班超, to awe distant lands and restore the glory of the Great Tang.
How could he yield now?
He forced his mind into stillness and silently recited the breathing formula of the Northern Nether Divine Art:
"Nurture qi in stillness or motion;guide it with intent into the dantian.Let it circulate within, flowing through the entire body,step by step, unceasing, ever growing…"
His eyes shut tight. His breath stilled. With iron will, he began to guide the raging qi downward toward his dantian.
Suddenly—
His entire body trembled violently.
Dozens of hidden gates within his meridians burst open in succession. The chaotic qi transformed, flowing smoothly like a great river returning to its course. A profound sensation surged through him—his entire being became light, clear, and harmonious. Every limb relaxed; every vein opened.
He opened his eyes.
Tan Wei's palms were still pressed against his.
Gratitude stirred within him… and something deeper.
Without hesitation, he gently guided the qi back into her body, helping her open several of her extraordinary meridians. Only after stabilizing her condition did he slowly draw the vast sea of qi back into his dantian, regulating his breath.
Only then was the circulation complete.
After a long while, Wu Tong's voice sounded from the cave:
"Hungry yet?"
They opened their eyes to see him roasting two wild chickens, their aroma filling the air, alongside reheated fish from the night before.
Wu Tong sighed,"Who would've thought—just one golden soft-shelled turtle nearly cost this boy his life. Eat. And next time, be careful with unfamiliar food."
Tan Wei pouted,"Uncle Tong, that's unfair! You two eat chicken, and I only get fish!"
Wu Tong laughed,"Shall we switch? I'll take the fish, you take the chicken—though I can't promise your face won't go crooked afterward."
Li Jian quickly said,"Wei-mei looks just fine now. Uncle Tong, don't scare her."
Wu Tong burst into laughter,"'Wei-mei,' is it? My heart's pounding just hearing that! If you like her, say it boldly. With her beauty, suitors will come like a flowing river—you'd better act fast!"
Tan Wei blushed deeply, unable to respond.
Li Jian fell silent, his heart heavy. He had only just entered the martial world, with no great achievements to his name, while Tan Wei had become radiant beyond compare. Standing beside her, he felt unworthy.
Wu Tong, ever carefree, laughed loudly:"People say love makes heroes falter. Don't belittle yourself. You are now the Hall Master of Loyalty. Carve your name in the jianghu, uphold justice, and bring honor to the Tang—how could she not admire such a man?"
Tan Wei straightened and said solemnly:"A man's ambition lies across the world. How can he be bound by love? I lost my parents in war, wandered starving, even disfigured by poisonous food. Without Uncle Tong's compassion, I would not be alive. If you are a true hero, follow the path of righteousness. I do not seek to stay by your side—only to walk the world with you."
Li Jian was deeply moved. Rising, he clasped his fists:"Though unworthy, your words are worth more than ten thousand books. From this day forth, I shall not fail what is entrusted to me."
Wu Tong nodded repeatedly, deeply gratified:"Well said! Both of you—I am proud of you."
He then stepped outside the cave, gazing upon the mountains and rivers. With a heavy heart, he softly recited a poem by 杜甫:
"Spring View"
The nation shattered—yet mountains and rivers remain;In spring, the city grows thick with grass and trees.Moved by the times, flowers shed tears;Parting brings sorrow—even birds startle the heart.
Beacon fires have burned for months unending;A letter from home is worth ten thousand in gold.My white hair grows ever thinner with each anxious touch—So sparse it can scarcely hold a hairpin.