After Chu Jin departed the village, Qin Wu called for a gathering of the villagers. Standing tall at the center of the crowd, his voice carried the authority and warmth of a leader who had long cared for his people.
"Everyone," Qin Wu began, his gaze sweeping across the gathered villagers, "it's time we prepare the next generation. Our children, those who have come of age, must begin their journey toward protecting this village and securing its future."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. For generations, the village's survival had relied on its warriors—men and women who stood as the first line of defense against the many dangers of the Barren Lands. To train a new generation of warriors was both a necessity and a tradition.
Qin Wu's gaze shifted toward Qin Yu, his expression softening slightly. "Yu'er," he said, his tone quieter but no less firm, "do you want to share the technique you've gained with the village? No one will force you if you choose not to. The decision is entirely yours."
The crowd fell silent, their eyes now focused on the twelve-year-old boy. Some looked on with curiosity, others with quiet admiration.
Qin Yu felt the weight of his uncle's words. He looked up at Qin Wu, meeting the older man's steady gaze. His uncle's respect for his autonomy was clear—there was no pressure, only a sincere question.
A small smile spread across Qin Yu's face. "Uncle Wu," he began, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling within him, "this technique... I only received it today because of the help of my friends." He glanced toward the group of children who had accompanied him in gathering the strange artifacts that had ultimately led to the trade.
"Hence," Qin Yu continued, his voice growing louder so all could hear, "I believe the True Yang Technique should belong to all of us."
The silence was broken by an explosion of cheers from the children.
"Boss is the best!" they shouted, their faces lighting up with joy and admiration.
The adults followed, their voices filled with praise. "What a thoughtful child!" "He's wise beyond his years!"
Standing quietly at the edge of the gathering, Aung Meng smiled faintly. To her, Qin Yu's decision came as no surprise. She had seen his maturity and kindness from a very young age.
The atmosphere was celebratory, yet Qin Wu's eyes glimmered with a deep sense of pride. He patted Qin Yu on the shoulder, his voice soft but filled with emotion. "You've made a noble choice, Yu'er. The village will remember this."
A few days later…
Thud!
Qin Yu's body hit the ground with a dull thud, sending up a small puff of dust. Gasping for air, he lay there motionless, every muscle in his body trembling violently.
His chest heaved as he struggled to draw breath, and his limbs felt as though they were made of lead. He had barely completed the first few stances of the True Yang Technique, yet the effort had utterly drained him.
'This is much worse than I thought,' Qin Yu thought, frustration bubbling within him.
He tried to sit up but failed. The sheer weakness of his body left him sprawled on the ground, utterly helpless.
His mind raced. The potential of the True Yang Technique was undeniable—it was a technique capable of elevating someone to the peak of power in the Barren Lands. But what good was such a technique if his body couldn't handle the most basic stances?
Qin Yu's frustration deepened as he clenched his fists weakly against the earth. His body wasn't just weak—it was a liability. If he couldn't find a way to address this deficiency, the path he envisioned for himself would be closed before it even began.
'I need to figure out what's wrong with me,' he resolved.
There was one person in the village who might have answers—or at least some insight into his condition. Aung Meng, with her years of experience and knowledge, was the most likely to help.
Later that day, Qin Yu made his way to Aung Meng's home, his steps slow and deliberate as he nursed his aching muscles. Aung Meng's modest dwelling was nestled at the edge of the village, surrounded by a small garden of medicinal herbs she tended to with care.
As Qin Yu approached, Aung Meng was crouched in the garden, her hands deftly inspecting the leaves of a vibrant green plant. She looked up as he arrived, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"Yu'er, you look like you've been through a storm," she said, her voice tinged with both concern and amusement.
Qin Yu offered a sheepish smile. "It feels like I have, Aunt Meng."
She gestured for him to sit on a nearby stool. "What brings you here, child?"
Taking a deep breath, Qin Yu explained his struggles with the True Yang Technique and his growing suspicion that something was fundamentally wrong with his body.
Aung Meng listened intently, her brow furrowing in thought. When he finished, she reached out, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Yu'er, I've suspected for some time that your body is... different. But I've never been able to pinpoint exactly why."
Her words made Qin Yu's heart sink, but she continued. "Your endurance has always been lower than the other children's, and your recovery slower. But your intelligence and determination more than make up for it. Still, if we're to find the root cause of your condition, we may need knowledge beyond what I possess."
Qin Yu nodded, but he could not hide the dissapointment in his face.
Aung Meng saw this and thought for a moment before making a decision. Although I am unable to help, I do know someone who might," she said.
Qin Yu's eyes lit up with expectation, "Really?!"
Aung Meng nodded but then said, "The only problem is that he has a weird personality and may not be willng to help. Even I am helpless about this."
Qin Yu nodded in understanding.
"So what do I do now?" he asked.
"Go call your uncle. We would need to plan for a little journey and we can not go alone."