The sun began to rise for the next day, and Lee Shun awoke. Looking at his bandaged self, the memories of his beating came to him.
"Who patched me up?" Lee Shun wondered.
Regaining his senses and giving his healing body a once-over, he stood up. On his nightstand, he saw his new book. He picked it up and smiled.
"I guess I protected it after all," Lee Shun said after a chuckle. "Well, he told me to read the book, so I better get to it."
Like that, three days went by as Lee Shun nursed himself and read about the Dragon Weed. He learned many things about its uses, how much sun it needs, and many other things. The main thing is it's used in many healing salves.
On the eve of the fourth day, Lee Shun made his way up the mountain. Luckily he didn't run into any of the gophers. When he finally reached the top, he gazed upon the garden once again.
This time no one greeted him. Lee Shun walked over to the Gardener, who was busy at work.
"Garden..." He stopped before saying anything. He stood there and waited till he came to a pause.
The Gardener removed leaves from the vine and looked up to Lee Shun waiting.
"Did you finish the book?"
"Yes, I read it many times as much as I didn't understand. Were you the one who bandaged me up?"
"Yes. You may keep the book as a reference if you want."
"Thank you."
The Gardener pointed to an area opposite the temple. "Over there should be Dragon Weed. I'm sure you know what to do. For now, leave the rest of the garden to me."
Lee Shun nodded and left to take care of his herbs. As soon as he arrived, the plant looked just like the drawings. From the description, it looked like the plant was in great shape. Lee Shun inspected the herbs for a while until he realized he wouldn't need to do anything today.
He looked at the other plants but shook his head. He would do more harm than good if he randomly assisted with them.
Lee Shun picked up a stick and turned to the book's last page.
'For recreation, you can practice martial arts.'
The title wasn't what fascinated Lee Shun; it was the sword strike doodled down. A simple down-vertical strike with mention of what acupoints to infuse Qi.
The days went by quickly while Lee Shun maintained the Dragon Weed and practiced the single sword strike with a stick. The strike reminded him of the long days spent mining. At first, Lee Shun missed his pickax, but soon he wished for a real sword.
After a month, Lee Shun finished his exercises and removed the Dragon Weed of insects. He walked over to the Gardener.
"Senior, would you like to head home this evening together again?"
"That is fine. Help me move this debris to the compost, and we can head out."
Over the past week, the Gardener increasingly trusted Lee Shun with a simple tasks. They even began going home together.
The path home was always more manageable, and Lee Shun could keep up. He even used his trusting sword practicing stick as a walking stick. At the bottom, Lee Shun bid the Gardener goodnight. His senior gave him a nod and went to his abode.
"Hey, mining trash."
Hearing Shin, Lee Shun knew it was Long Chen and his men behind him. He turned and saw Kyojin launching a punch at him. The giant fist collided with his face knocking him off his feet. Lee Shun crashed to the ground.
"You idiot. I told you to change jobs."
From the ground, Lee Shun looked at Kyojin and then at Long Chen. He gripped his stick and went into his usual stance.
"Oh, look at him. He thinks he's a warrior now," jested Shin.
"Kyojin, pummel him good," commanded Long Chen.
The big man nodded and ran at Lee Shun. Pulling back his fist, Kyojin launched himself at Lee Shun.
Lee Shun calmed his thoughts as the big man charged him. He focused on the acupoints in his arms and shoulders. Raising the stick, he struck down.
It was commonly thought that only late Qi Condensation warriors could use Qi externally, but a thin film of Qi coated Lee Shun's stick.
The stick met fist, and loud cracking noise rang out. In the single exchange, all of Kyojin's bones shattered in his punching arm.
"Arghh..." screamed Kyojin as he fell to his knees. The big oaf never lost in a fight of strength.
Lee Shun was amazed he won. "All of my hard work paid off."
While distracted by his small victory, Long Chen drew his real sword and slashed Lee Shun. The blade sliced through his gut, and Lee Shun collapsed over.
There was a rule in the sect that no disciples could kill each other, otherwise the survivor would be banished.
"If I kill you now, no one will know," said Long Chen. He raised his blade to finish off Lee Shun.
"Stop!"
All of the gophers looked over to see a man in ragged robes. Long Chen looked at the man and locked eyes with him. Instinctually he stopped his swing.
"Ha ha ha, you think you can stop us, old man."
"You can try, boy," replied the Gardener as he pulled out his copper sword.