On the morning of the second day of the first lunar month, Li Changsen returned to the garrison.
This time, Jin Yue'e accompanied her four children for quite a distance.
During the journey, the family wore solemn expressions.
With the ongoing warfare, Li Changsen heading to the frontline camp at Dieling Pass, nobody knew whether he'd return alive. Perhaps this would be their last gathering as a complete family.
Feeling the heavy atmosphere, Li Wuya decided to lighten it up a bit. She said, "Dad, Uncle Ye is teaching us internal martial arts. Once we learn light-footed skills, we'll come to see you at Dieling Pass."
Li Changsen looked surprised, "Ye Mo knows internal martial arts too?"
He was aware that his daughter had mentioned learning martial arts from Ye Mo, but he had assumed it was just her random chatter. He didn't expect Ye Mo to actually know.
Li Wuya nodded, "But, Dad, you can't tell anyone about this. Uncle Ye said he has enemies, and we shouldn't let anyone know we're connected to him."
Hearing this, both Li Changsen and Jin Yue'e grew tense.
Especially Li Changsen, having witnessed how Ye Mo had been oppressed over the years at the garrison.
Jin Yue'e worried, "Are you sure this won't bring trouble? Maybe we shouldn't learn it after all?"
Li Sanlang quickly reassured her, "Mom, don't worry. Even if Uncle Ye has enemies, they won't pay attention to us."
Li Changsen considered for a moment and then spoke, "Yue'e, it's right for the kids to learn martial arts from Ye Mo. We can't let uncertainty hold us back."
Heading to the Dieling Pass garrison where life and death were uncertain, his ability to take care of his family was limited. If the kids learned martial arts, they would have some self-defence capabilities, which would ease their minds.
Li Wuya nodded in agreement, "Exactly, learning martial arts is very beneficial for us. Mom, don't worry too much. Even if Uncle Ye's enemies come someday, who's to say who will be striking whom."
Seeing her daughter's determined and dominant stance, Li Changsen smiled softly, and his heavy heart felt a bit lighter.
"Dad, just wait and see. We'll come to Dieling Pass to see you soon."
"Alright, Dad will be waiting."
After seeing them off for about five or six miles and after Li Changsen's repeated attempts to persuade them, Jin Yue'e and the four children finally stopped following and watched his figure until it disappeared completely.
After bidding farewell to Li Changsen, Jin Yue'e resumed her duties at the post station, while Li Sanlang and his siblings began practising internal martial arts.
"Brother, you're heading to the horse farm on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Before you leave, you must open your extraordinary meridians."
Hearing Li Wuya's words, Li Sanlang's expression stiffened, "Wuya, Master said that opening the extraordinary meridians isn't that easy."
Li Wuya replied confidently, "Who said that? I already opened mine last night. It's quite simple."
Li Sanlang and Li Erya were surprised and exchanged disbelieving glances.
Only Li Qilang rushed excitedly towards Li Wuya, admiration on his face, "Sis, you really opened them? Teach me, I have no idea how."
Li Wuya smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, I'll teach you, but before that, I need to help Brother."
Li Sanlang, finding her tone serious, asked in disbelief, "Wuya, did you really open your extraordinary meridians?"
Seeing their scepticism, Li Wuya decided to let her actions speak for themselves. She said, "Brother, sit cross-legged."
Li Sanlang complied, sitting cross-legged on the heated brick bed.
Li Wuya mirrored his position opposite him, "Brother, start circulating the technique now."
Following Ye Mo's instructions, Li Sanlang initiated the technique. Then, Li Wuya grabbed his wrist, imitating Ye Mo, and used her inner energy to guide him.
Suddenly, a faint warm stream surged from his wrist. Li Sanlang was too amazed to speak.
Master said that opening the extraordinary meridians was difficult. How come his younger sister managed it in an instant?
Could it be that she was truly a martial arts genius?
"Brother, don't lose focus."
"When encountering blocked meridians, forcefully circulate the technique for a breakthrough."
With her psychic abilities, Li Wuya could clearly identify which acupoints were more obstructed as Li Sanlang practised the technique. She immediately pointed out their locations.
For beginners in internal martial arts, understanding and sensing the acupoints is usually unclear and insensitive, requiring repeated exploration and perception.
Even individuals with deep internal energy wouldn't be of much help to beginners in this matter.
But Li Wuya was different. Through her psychic abilities, she could 'see' the locations of blocked acupoints. After her guidance, Li Sanlang's perception of body acupoints and technique circulation became clear.
Sensing the acupoints and then vigorously pushing the technique for a breakthrough became much easier.
If Ye Mo were here, he would likely quip with his famous phrase: "Ignorance is fearless."
Learning internal martial arts requires gradual progress. Forcing acupoint breakthroughs is dangerous; a small mistake could damage the tendons and disrupt the flow of internal energy, leading to a dangerous state.
Li Wuya was unaware of these concerns, and even if she were, she probably wouldn't care too much. For others, forcibly opening acupoints might be dangerous, but for the Li siblings who had enhanced their bodies and meridians, the risk was minimal.
Moreover, Li Wuya possessed healing abilities. Even if there were any injuries, she could treat them.
Therefore, under Li Wuya's guidance, after just a few days of dedicated practice, Li Sanlang developed a sense of Qi flow.
On the day before he was to leave for the horse farm, Li Sanlang successfully opened all his extraordinary meridians through the circulation of Qi, making him proficient in basic internal martial arts.
"Opening the extraordinary meridians signifies an entry into internal martial arts. From now on, you must rely on your own practice to advance."
"Brother, remember that when you're at the horse farm, don't just focus on horse care."
Li Sanlang looked at the talkative Li Wuya and chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll practice diligently. Although I'm the oldest in the family, it seems like you're the boss now."
He playfully ruffled her hair and then turned to Li Erya.
"Erya, after I'm gone, you're the oldest at home. Take care of our siblings and Mom."
Li Erya nodded quickly, "Brother, I will."
Li Sanlang then turned to Li Wuya, "After I leave, you also need to help your second sister and Qilang. Make sure you open your extraordinary meridians soon. I've been uneasy since we were tracked by those North Yan people in Xining City."
"No matter what, we need to quickly master our skills. Even if we encounter the North Yan people again, we should be able to defend ourselves."
Li Wuya replied, "Brother, don't worry. I'll make sure both Second Sister and Qilang practice diligently. But as for you, with your duties, you won't have much time for martial arts practice. Don't let us surpass you in the end."
Li Sanlang laughed, "Impossible!" Confidence radiated from him.
Li Wuya's lips moved, but she didn't say anything.
Amid Jin Yue'e's repeated advice and reluctance, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Li Sanlang left for Qingdan Horse Farm, several tens of miles away, along with Li Changsheng from the garrison.
Once he left, Li Wuya immediately immersed herself in helping Li Erya and Li Qilang open their extraordinary meridians.
A month later, after both Li Erya and Li Qilang successfully opened their extraordinary meridians, Li Wuya began practising tirelessly.
At this point, Li Wuya felt an urgent need for time.
With her father at the Dieling Pass garrison, injuries were inevitable. She needed to enhance her healing abilities as quickly as possible.
To improve her healing abilities, she needed to absorb a sufficient amount of medicinal herbs.
Where could she find those herbs?
The Tianshan Mountains!
To enter the Tianshan Mountains, which resembled a primitive forest, she needed a certain level of self-defence skills. Without considering other aspects, light-footed skills were a must.
Travelling from Tianling Tun to the Tianshan Mountains took almost half a day even on horseback. Without any means of transportation, mastering light-footed skills was the only way for her to enter the Tianshan Mountains.