Mount Hua Reincarnation - Chapter 5: Enhanced Physical Exercise

Chapter 5: Enhanced Physical Exercise

“Did you steal it?”

Liu Zhengmu looked up at Zhou Xuchuan.

“No.”

Zhou Xuchuan shook his head left and right to deny it.

“Then did you snatch it away?”

“No.”

“So, did you deceive someone to obtain it?”

“Absolutely not.”

Faced with these continuous questions, Zhou Xuchuan denied them all.

There was not a hint of hesitation or disturbance in him.

His eyes shone with an upright and honest light, much like Liu Zhengmu’s.

But those eyes seemed resolute, filled with a determined resolve.

“Then where did you find something like this?”

“Well…”

Zhou Xuchuan confessed the truth to Liu Zhengmu.

However, it wasn’t the complete truth.

What he revealed was that during the three days Liu Zhengmu was away, he had secretly left the Mount Hua Sect and visited an underwater cave.

He didn’t utter the insane claim that he had returned from the future and knew what was going to happen.

Nor did he offer any lie to replace that fact.

Rather, it was more accurate to say he couldn’t speak of it.

“Hmm.”

Liu Zhengmu silently bent his knees.

“It seems you’re hiding something more from me.”

“…”

Zhou Xuchuan was startled.

Though he didn’t speak, the emotion that appeared on his face was one of ‘How did you know?’

Liu Zhengmu gently wrapped his hand around the Water Spirit Fruit that lay on Zhou Xuchuan’s palm.

“One can tell just by looking into the eyes.”

“Master… I…”

“I’ll eat it.”

Liu Zhengmu took the Water Spirit Fruit from his disciple.

“I’ll trust you.”

That was the end of it.

There was no further interrogation, no further questioning.

Liu Zhengmu believed the words of a child who was only nine years old.

Though he had doubts, he didn’t probe further.

Instead, he silently accepted the so-called Spiritual Medicine that was brought to him.

“Is that really the end?”

On the contrary, Zhou Xuchuan was the one who was puzzled.

“Why… Why do you believe me without any doubt?”

He himself had wanted to gloss over the matter.

But even he found the situation strange.

To this question, his master, Liu Zhengmu, simply smiled kindly as always and answered.

“If a master does not believe his disciple, who will?

If I really had doubts, I would have interrogated you about a year ago.”

Zhou Xuchuan’s mouth dropped open in astonishment.

‘He knew…!’

A year ago was just after his reincarnation, and he had acted like a naive child to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

What he thought was a perfect act was in vain.

Liu Zhengmu really knew everything from the beginning.

As Zhou Xuchuan’s face changed dramatically, Liu Zhengmu laughed bitterly and added,

“I don’t know exactly what it is.

But since some point, you’ve matured, yet tried to hide it.”

No matter how quickly a child grows, there are limits to that growth.

The changes in his disciple, observed up close, were unusual.

At first, he wondered if by any chance, some demonic influence had taken hold.

There are cases where cultivation goes wrong, driving one insane.

It’s not for no reason that a master watches closely over his disciples when they are children.

Although those mistakes can happen due to immaturity, Zhou Xuchuan’s case was clearly not like that.

Liu Zhengmu thought about it many times, made guesses, but none of the logic seemed to fit.

He just felt that ‘it’s alright’.

“Are you hiding something because of certain circumstances?”

Zhou Xuchuan shook his head up and down.

“Then the reason you brought this spiritual medicine to me must also be due to some circumstances.

Then I guess it can’t be helped.”

Liu Zhengmu embraced Zhou Xuchuan.

“Master… Thank you.”

*Tightly*

The disciple embraced the master strongly.

Then, burying his face in his shoulder, he shed tears.

Liu Zhengmu patted Zhou Xuchuan’s back and joked.

“You used to pee yourself, now you’re leaking from above as well.”

“Master… That’s a bit… Huhuhu!”

Zhou Xuchuan cried loudly while looking serious.

Liu Zhengmu, who had prepared his best joke, felt awkward.

‘I tried to make him laugh… but it didn’t work…’

Ah, my master!

***

Displaying affection between master and disciple is good.

But more important than that was the consumption of spiritual medicine.

Zhou Xuchuan explained in relative detail to Liu Zhengmu about the Water Spirit Fruit, to make it easier for him to absorb.

In fact, there wasn’t much detail to it.

The main components were water energy and wood energy.

“Then I’ll entrust you with the Dharma protection.”

Liu Zhengmu took the Water Spirit Fruit and began the process of circulating and guiding its energy.

‘Incredible.’

As soon as he closed his eyes and concentrated, he felt the power of the spiritual medicine.

This was Liu Zhengmu’s first time taking such a spiritual medicine.

Although a great faction like the Mount Hua Sect had spiritual medicine, they were not so abundant as to be given to just anyone.

Only a few advanced cultivators were permitted to use spiritual medicine.

Even for them, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

‘Yes, this way… Huh?’

Liu Zhengmu was startled while circulating his energy.

Fortunately, his dao heart allowed him to maintain composure.

‘What exactly is happening?’

Liu Zhengmu, though he had never taken any spiritual medicine before, knew from the manuals what to do.

When consuming a spiritual medicine, one typically guides its energy through circulation to the dantian, accumulating it like internal energy.

However, if the energy of the spiritual medicine is too great, converting it to internal energy all at once could overwhelm the meridians and dantian, causing them to collapse.

To prevent this, one must slowly transfer and convert the energy little by little, making it their own.

But what happened to Liu Zhengmu was entirely different.

In what could only be described as an instant, the energy moved on its own without him being able to control it.

It wasn’t rampaging.

If it had been, the fierce surge would have twisted his meridians and organs into shreds.

The energy of the Water Spirit Fruit, the water and wood energy, disappeared into the depths of his body before he could even react.

‘Qi Deviation?’

His mind and spirit trembled slightly.

And the first thing that came to mind was the face of his disciple, Zhou Xuchuan.

He didn’t suspect the spiritual medicine was faulty.

He wasn’t worried about his life or internal energy.

It was solely concern for his disciple.

And at that moment!

‘Whoa!’

The vanished water and wood energy burrowed deep into his body.

‘So that’s what it was!’

Worries and doubts disappeared.

The fog that had obscured his view cleared, and he was able to realize something.

But it wasn’t an enlightenment about martial arts or the Dao.

It was about his constitution, which had been unusually weak since childhood.

‘There was a problem with the congenital true qi!’

The qi that one has from birth.

The source of life and another form of nature’s energy.

This is called congenital true qi.

However, congenital true qi is different from typical internal energy.

It is essentially the source of life.

Using it means consuming one’s life.

The power of congenital true qi is immense, and using it grants great strength, but it typically leads to death soon after.

Even if one does not exhaust it or is lucky enough to survive, the end result is usually becoming a cripple or experiencing rapid aging.

Moreover, once expended, this power does not replenish.

Once used, that’s the end.

Even consuming spiritual medicine would be the same.

Liu Zhengmu had an issue with his congenital true qi.

‘Xuchuan saved me, he saved my life!’

Liu Zhengmu sprang up from his seat.

He wanted to rush to his disciple and embrace him.

Zhou Xuchuan, standing guard, was startled when Liu Zhengmu burst out in less than an hour.

At first, he was worried that something had gone wrong, but then he was relieved by the sound of laughter that followed.

Liu Zhengmu held Zhou Xuchuan in his arms for a long time, rejoicing, before finally calming down and explaining what had happened to his body.

“It seems it wasn’t exactly the congenital true qi, but the vessel that contained it that was the issue.”

“The vessel, you say?”

In response to Zhou Xuchuan’s question, Liu Zhengmu nodded.

“Yes, it seems that the congenital true qi was leaking out, albeit very minutely.”

Zhou Xuchuan himself didn’t know much about congenital true qi.

This was the case in the past, present, and future.

There was no clear explanation about it.

It was merely a concept passed down from time immemorial, without anyone knowing where it resided.

It was only used when one focused their mind and spirit, flowing out from an unknown source.

The problem was that even the users didn’t understand the principle behind it; they only had a feeling or thought about it.

This was true for both low-level practitioners and experts.

Anyway, Liu Zhengmu had a problem with the vessel containing the congenital true qi, causing it to leak minutely.

The amount was tiny, less than a hair, but even that had a significant impact on the human body.

Since it’s the foundation of life, its consumption naturally caused abnormalities in the body.

Even if one practiced martial arts and accumulated internal energy, congenital true qi was an entirely different matter and could not be solved in the same way.

“Indeed, I understand roughly what happened.

The essence of the wood element has repaired the vessel of the congenital true qi”

Zhou Xuchuan understood everything with just a bit of explanation from Liu Zhengmu.

Even though Liu Zhengmu was earnestly teaching him, Zhou Xuchuan already knew enough to supplement the explanation.

If Liu Zhengmu knew it, then Zhou Xuchuan, who had ascended to the unrestrained realm in his past life, would undoubtedly know it too.

‘Wood element symbolizes life.

Although not as potent as congenital true qi, the energy of the Water Spirit Fruit can replace it.

That’s what supplemented it.’

The leakage was stopped, so there was no longer anything to worry about.

It seemed the Water Spirit Fruit had replenished what was consumed.

Using the wood energy, to restore the leaked congenital true qi, the life force!

It shattered the common sense that it was absolutely irreplaceable.

‘But it was possible because it was the master.’

Liu Zhengmu didn’t use the congenital true qi.

If he had used it, regardless of the Water Spirit Fruit, he would have died.

The problem was with the vessel, and he was unaware of the minute leakage, but even restoring that minute amount to normal required a rare spiritual medicine like the Water Spirit Fruit.

The energy of the entire Water Spirit Fruit was used solely to fix the congenital true qi.

As a result, Liu Zhengmu became healthier but couldn’t convert any of the spiritual medicine’s energy into internal energy.

Ultimately, unless in a desperate situation, he couldn’t use the congenital true qi.

Liu Zhengmu also warned of this.

‘It’s okay. That’s not what’s important, right?’

What mattered now was the changed future.

Even as the year when he turns fourteen dawns, there’s no need to worry.

His master, Liu Zhengmu, will not die.

Decades ago, he had lost his beloved master, his only family, in vain.

There was still so much he hadn’t learned.

“And you should take this.”

A Water Spirit Fruit appeared on Zhou Xuchuan’s palm.

“Master!”

One of the Water Spirit Fruits obtained from the underwater cave had already been used, and only one was left.

“Don’t tell me to keep it just in case.

I know my body better. Your master is fine.”

“Then, for the enhancement of internal energy–”

“My disciple, you need it even more for enhancing internal energy.”

Liu Zhengmu seemed unwilling to yield.

Zhou Xuchuan tried to persuade him further, but seeing Liu Zhengmu’s stern expression, he had to relent.

Liu Zhengmu was infinitely gentle and kind, but once he set his mind to something, no one could change it.

Zhou Xuchuan knew this better than anyone else.

“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s not push it any further.”

The master agreed with his disciple.

Instead of pressing further, he simply expressed his trust.

Everything that had happened up to now was, frankly, a great disrespect to the master.

It was only because it was Liu Zhengmu that it was overlooked.

“Yes.”

“Good thinking.”

Only then did a smile return to Liu Zhengmu’s lips.

***

Time passed, about a month.

The winter plum blossoms hadn’t fallen yet.

Outside, the world was still blanketed in bright white snow, and cold winds blew.

The four main disciples were busy with their tasks.

“Phew…”

Zhou Xuchuan slowly opened his eyes which he had kept closed.

‘Finally, I’ve made it all mine.’

A month ago, Zhou Xuchuan had consumed the Water Spirit Fruit.

However, the energy from the spiritual medicine was more substantial than he had anticipated.

As a child, he couldn’t absorb it all at once at his current level.

Thus, he invested a month to absorb it slowly to avoid any harm to his body.

That internal energy is equivalent to thirty years.

To accumulate the internal power of thirty years in just one month is astonishing!

His original internal energy was two and a half years, plus half a year of practicing Plum Blossom Qi Absorption Method over the last month, totaling thirty-three years.

“That’s a pity.”

Zhou Xuchuan licked his lips.

The energy held by the Water Spirit Fruit was substantial.

Perhaps, he could have accumulated sixty years of internal energy.

But unfortunately, his body couldn’t keep up.

If you keep pouring water into a vessel, it overflows.

The same was true for the dantian.

The size of his dantian was too small to absorb all of the Water Spirit Fruit’s energy, so he couldn’t make the full sixty years of internal energy his own.

‘But still, it wasn’t wasted, so let’s be content with this.’

Instead, he invested the remaining half into his blood vessels and qi vessels.

He widened the pathways and strengthened them to prevent collapse.

However, this process was accompanied by some pain.

Normally, these should be expanded gradually in the proper order, but he had expanded them all at once.

Thanks to the water and wood energy, especially good for healing and regeneration, he didn’t suffer any internal injuries.

It was just painful.

“Finally, I have perfected the Plum Blossom Qi Arts.”

The stagnation at the ten-tenths mastery was due to a lack of internal energy.

As the deficiency was filled, his realm naturally elevated.

“You’ve finally made the energy from the spiritual medicine your own.

Every day must have been a challenge, truly impressive.”

Liu Zhengmu, who had been standing guard, praised him.

For nearly a month, Zhou Xuchuan had been concerned about his master’s health.

Fortunately, after taking the spiritual medicine, there were no more coughs or signs of illness.

However, since it had only been a month, he couldn’t completely dismiss his doubts.

He was still observing the situation.

“Hmm, thirty-three years…”

Liu Zhengmu admired his disciple after checking his pulse.

“The spiritual medicine is indeed remarkable.”

Having such internal energy at the age of nine was not normal, even for a major sect like Mount Hua.

In prominent families, if there’s only one successor, spiritual medicine might be given regardless of age.

But except in such special cases, spiritual medicine can’t be given lightly.

Therefore, they are provided only after carefully evaluating the recipient’s talent in martial arts and character after reaching adulthood.

Because they are hard to come by, it was rare to see someone so young with such overflowing internal energy.

“Good, with this much, you can start enhanced physical exercises.

From today, you’ll train with me.”

“Enhanced physical exercises…?”

Zhou Xuchuan tilted his head at the unfamiliar term.

It was neither in his memories from before his reincarnation nor something he remembered doing in his previous life.

Liu Zhengmu explained with a gentle smile.

“It’s an exercise method I devised to try and improve this frail constitution.

I just named it casually; think of it as a kind of physical training method.”

In the past, Liu Zhengmu had tried various methods to improve his health, which was poorer than the health of others.

His efforts continued even after he failed to become Plum Blossom Swordmaster.

This led to the pursuit of diverse methods, one of which was the independently developed health-enhancing exercise.

‘But I never received such teachings in my past life…’

Zhou Xuchuan’s question was soon answered by Liu Zhengmu.

“Your body now harbors thirty-three years of internal energy.

That’s a significant amount.”

Liu Zhengmu, unaware of Plum Blossom Qi Absorption Method, believed that all but one year of the thirty-three years of internal energy was from consuming the spiritual medicine.

“But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s all good.”

‘Huh? What does that mean?’

Zhou Xuchuan was puzzled by his master’s remark.

He had put considerable effort into properly absorbing and efficiently using the energy of the spiritual medicine, utilizing all his past life memories.

Honestly, he was bewildered by the suggestion that it wasn’t good.

To him, who esteemed his master like the heavens, it felt terribly disrespectful, but in terms of martial arts, Zhou Xuchuan was far more advanced.

“There’s an adage in the martial world: ‘Healthy qi resides in a healthy body’.”

It signifies the harmony between internal energy and the physical body.

“Balance is important.

A person’s body is delicate; if the balance is even slightly disturbed, it can easily break down.

That’s the case with your body right now.”

‘Ah!’

Zhou Xuchuan nodded, finally understanding.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t known this teaching.

He was obviously aware of it.

‘Well, I can’t exactly say I knew everything.’

It was impossible that Zhou Xuchuan wouldn’t know such an important matter.

He had planned to gradually work on building his body.

‘Indeed, it wasn’t that I didn’t remember; it simply didn’t happen before.’

In his past life, he was too busy just following along with the teachings, with no regard for balance or anything else.

In such a situation, it was impossible to teach an independently developed physical training method.

“Then I shall receive your teachings from today.”

Zhou Xuchuan feigned understanding while genuinely feeling happy.

It was a memory with his master that he didn’t have in his previous life.

‘But, will mere exercises be enough?

I might need to sneak out and train separately later…’

An exercise method designed for someone who was originally frail.

He was doubtful about how much it would help.

‘What could it be?’

Zhou Xuchuan looked at Liu Zhengmu and smiled naively.

***

Enhanced Physical Exercise, Day Three.

People experience regret, regardless of age or gender.

Zhou Xuchuan was no exception.

He cursed himself for naively smiling three days ago.

“Why did I underestimate it?” he berated himself repeatedly.

‘Aaaaagh!’

He felt excruciating pain throughout his body.

This level of pain was rarely experienced, even in his past life.

In fact, it might have been the worst he ever endured.

‘Something’s wrong.’

Zhou Xuchuan thought amidst the pain radiating from his arms and entire body.

His bones creaked, muscles felt like tearing apart.

Several fingernails had already broken, and his hands were blistered.

The accompanying pain was no joke.

Three days ago, he started the enhanced physical exercise.

Initially, it seemed like simple stretching exercises as taught by Liu Zhengmu.

It was just basic calisthenics.

Then came the task of leaping back and forth over a distance of approximately 3.3 meters using light body technique.

Following the instructions quickly depleted his internal energy.

After receiving praise from Liu Zhengmu, he was led somewhere else.

It was the base of a cliff.

“Now, you just need to climb up here.”

“…?”

Zhou Xuchuan doubted his ears for a moment.

Mount Hua, known as the Western Peak among the Five Great Mountains of the Central Plains, was revered as a sacred mountain by many.

Its grandeur was such that anyone who saw it would be captivated by its beauty.

But as they say, every rose has its thorns.

Mount Hua, both a sacred and renowned mountain, was also notorious for its ruggedness, seldom visited by non-martial artists.

Lianhua Peak, where the Mount Hua Sect was located, was relatively accessible, but other areas were not.

Lesser sects would struggle to endure the terrain.

And there was Zhou Xuchuan, climbing a cliff whose terrain and height he couldn’t even properly gauge.

“Just a bit more effort. It seems tough because it’s your first time, but it’s really nothing!”

His master’s voice echoed from above.

‘Nothing?’

Zhou Xuchuan swallowed hard, clinging to the cliff.

His fingers were bleeding from gripping the rough edges.

Bloodied marks were all over his hands, and every movement worsened the wounds.

These injuries were not the main issue.

His muscles ached unbearably.

Tension and strength were necessary throughout his body, especially in his abdomen.

He couldn’t afford to relax; losing grip meant falling and serious injury.

If he had more internal energy, he might have coped better, but without it, it was maddening.

Exhausted, sore, and in pain, his body had no respite.

Such rigorous training was abnormal, especially for a nine-year-old.

Even with more internal energy than others, climbing a cliff was excessive.

‘I was wrong to take this lightly!’

Zhou Xuchuan deeply regretted underestimating the so-called enhanced physical exercise.

He assumed it would be just a warm-up, designed for someone frail.

But he had misunderstood completely.

Gentle Smiling Blade, Liu Zhengmu.

He should have recognized who he was dealing with.

Liu Zhengmu, despite a constitution several times weaker than others, had been a candidate for Plum Blossom Swordmaster.

It wasn’t just talent that got him there, but immense effort.

He couldn’t completely fix his constitution, but he worked hard in unseen ways to compensate.

His efforts and skill didn’t vanish even though he had to give up on becoming Plum Blossom Swordmaster due to his constitution.

Within Mount Hua, Liu Zhengmu was highly regarded and his situation lamented.

Would such a person easily compensate for his physical shortcomings? Certainly not.

“Ugh!”

Zhou Xuchuan exerted himself again to climb.

His body and mind screamed to stop.

‘This intensity is unbelievable…!’

He gained newfound respect for his master.

Climbing a cliff without internal energy was indeed effective.

Martial artists unconsciously use internal energy to lessen pain and physical strain, as it protects bodily functions.

However, this hinders the effectiveness of training.

The body, like metal, becomes stronger when it’s broken, torn, and injured.

Like forging steel, the more it’s hammered, the more durable it becomes.

Theoretically, this cliff climbing was an optimal environment for physical conditioning.

His internal energy was depleted, and relaxing even a bit could be fatal, keeping his muscles constantly engaged.

Though the muscles were strained, it was perfect training.

But there were three drawbacks.

“Master, I might really die doing this.”

First, he had only one life.

“I’m only nine years old.

It seems too harsh for a growing body.”

Second, he was still a child, and excessive strain could hinder his growth.

“Oh, that’s a good concern.

Don’t worry. There’s more internal energy hidden in your body than you realize, which I’ll address during qi circulation practice.

After all, internal energy is life itself.”

‘He caught on…’

Zhou Xuchuan knew that much.

It couldn’t be otherwise.

In fact, there was even more than what Liu Zhengmu anticipated.

The growth and regeneration stimulated by the qi absorbed from the plum blossom were perfect.

And the third drawback.

“Master, please help me just this once.

It’s really too hard. I feel like crying.”

The sheer difficulty was terrifying.

It was a level of hardship that could make even the most weathered person give up.

While the second concern was valid, the third was as critical as the first.

Giving up and relaxing here meant death.

The mental pressure and physical pain were immense.

It was an exhausting ordeal that could completely wear out both body and mind.

To endure it without complaint was far from normal.

‘Damn it.’

Tears seemed to be on the brink of flowing.

Originally, Zhou Xuchuan wasn’t a person who relied heavily on effort or desperation. He had survived by chance, and it was sheer luck that had placed him among the Mount Hua elders.

This nature hadn’t changed even after his reincarnation. His entire plan post-reincarnation was a collection of fortuitous events. The same was true for the Plum Blossom Qi Absorption Method—it was chosen because it yielded significant results with less effort and mental strain compared to others. Consuming the Water Spirit Fruit was a desperate act, done only because it was the only way to save his master.

He admired heroes but was far from being one himself.

“Yes, it must be very hard…”

Liu Zhengmu looked down at his disciple with a sad expression, his eyes glistening with moisture.

“Master…!”

Zhou Xuchuan looked up at Liu Zhengmu’s face and smiled brightly.

“But that’s just a momentary pain, and it too shall pass.”

“Huh?”

Zhou Xuchuan doubted his ears.

“When I was young, I also questioned myself many times while climbing around here.

But when I gritted my teeth and climbed, I made it. You’ll surely succeed too.”

Liu Zhengmu clenched his fist, showing encouragement, and smiled gently as he usually did.

“…Ah”

Zhou Xuchuan looked at that smile and felt despair.

‘Master, were you really… like this…’

There’s a saying in the martial world: Don’t assume others can do it just because you did. Everyone has their limits, whether they’re martial artists or not. The idea that “I did it, so you can too” can be a harmful teaching.

Of course, Zhou Xuchuan was in a better situation than Liu Zhengmu was at his age. Back then, Liu Zhengmu had neither the superior internal energy of his peers nor a mature mind, having lived a full life. But his will was extraordinary.

Voluntarily climbing a cliff without anyone’s help or his master’s instruction was a feat not just anyone could achieve.

Looking back, it was an impressive feat. Zhou Xuchuan, even in his previous life, wouldn’t have been able to do it. In terms of effort, Liu Zhengmu was unmatched in Mount Hua!

Zhou Xuchuan was the complete opposite.

“I can’t do this.”

“It’s okay! I’ll be with you until nightfall, until dawn even! If you’re hungry, we’ll eat some fasting pills while climbing together!”

Liu Zhengmu shouted encouragement.

*Rumble, rumble*

Eat together… together… ther…

“Eek”

Zhou Xuchuan was terrified.

His master’s echoing voice dislodged pebbles from above.

‘I really didn’t want to think this way…’

Zhou Xuchuan grimaced.

‘Master, you really are terrible at teaching!’

Liu Zhengmu’s integrity was solid.

He was genuinely honest.

But put another way, he lacked cunning and was too straightforward.

In essence, he was someone who believed in ‘effort, passion, and willpower!’

‘Ah, what a human master he is!’

He was given a frail constitution despite his talent and will. He was bestowed with a noble character and integrity, but also a lack of sophistication.

“I’m truly sorry. I didn’t want to cause you such pain.

But if left as is, you might become lazy with your abundant internal energy…”

Liu Zhengmu looked at his only disciple climbing the cliff and felt genuine pain.

Being especially affectionate and soft-hearted towards his disciple, he wanted to help him immediately.

“It’s okay. On second thought, being a bit lazy is fine.

I’m already ahead, aren’t I, Master?”

Zhou Xuchuan spoke anxiously.

“No, for the sake of your future, I cannot allow that.

Forgive me, or better yet, hate me.”

“No, Master. I’m really okay.

I spoke wrongly.

I will live without laziness, so please, let’s find another way.

Help me just this once, Master.”

His grip was loosening.

He had rested too long.

He had to climb again, but he utterly loathed the idea.

‘This is a punishment for not knowing Master before my reincarnation!’

He never imagined his master had such an aspect.

In truth, it made sense that he didn’t know.

Before his reincarnation, Zhou Xuchuan was overwhelmed by ordinary training, and Liu Zhengmu was not in good health.

So naturally, there weren’t many opportunities for Liu Zhengmu to truly or properly teach him.

“Really, it’s too hard. I’ll die like this.”

Zhou Xuchuan’s voice grew desperate.

“You may resent me for being unable to help.

But let’s persevere together. I believe in you.”

Liu Zhengmu teared up slightly as he smiled.

That smile seemed to clear the primeval fog, dispelling clouds and shining like a ray of light piercing the darkness.

Seeing that smile, Zhou Xuchuan drew a smile on his lips and thought.

‘Damn… I’m screwed…’