148 pounds, young man, you need to exercise some restraint. (Massive update! Monthly votes requested~~)

“Sit down, why so serious? Just lend a hand. There’s no winning or losing here, so don’t feel pressured.” Du Ruo smiled, waving his hand dismissively, as if what had just happened was no big deal.

“Master Du… I… I…” Long Zhirou found herself at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.

She had once thought of herself as a prodigy—a top-level martial athlete. Though young, she never dared claim to be the best in the world, but she always felt she wasn’t inferior to anyone. Perhaps she lacked some physical strength, but her skill could more than make up for it.

After all, she wasn’t about to engage in boxing matches or brutal fights; their sparring sessions were more than sufficient.

Yet just now, Du Ruo had given her a lesson that left her mind in turmoil.

“You really don’t need to feel psychological pressure. What we’re practicing is different, and…” Du Ruo, noticing Long Zhirou’s dazed and deeply affected expression, frowned slightly. He wondered if he had been too harsh and unintentionally discouraged her. His tone faltered for a moment before he decided to have a chat.

“Tai Chi’s principle of neutralizing force—using ‘four ounces to move a thousand pounds’—sounds elegant and is practical, but there’s a premise: you must have sufficient internal energy. ‘Four ounces’ is symbolic; it’s not so easy to deflect or dissolve a giant force. You’re placing too much emphasis on technique and neglecting the essence.”

Du Ruo’s smile faded as he spoke, watching Long Zhirou’s face closely. If she showed any displeasure or resentment, he would immediately stop and find an excuse to leave.

But Long Zhirou listened attentively, her palms clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.

“Master Du, please teach me.”

Taking a deep breath, Long Zhirou spoke seriously at last.

“That depends on how you want to develop. Your Tai Chi is very standard and beautiful, which is already more than enough. After all, you don’t need to fight; simply making videos will suffice.”

“Please teach me, Master Du. If I want to fight—like in movies—how should I do it?” Long Zhirou had felt indifferent when Du Ruo praised her Tai Chi as standard, but now hearing that it was enough just for videos made her uncomfortable.

If that was all, it would indeed be sufficient. But her ambitions went beyond that—she aspired to enter the film industry like her predecessors, even dreaming of becoming a martial arts actress.

“Movie-style fighting, like the stars? Your fundamentals are too weak. Your footing isn’t stable. While your moves might look graceful, they lack power. Plus, your Tai Chi is too standard and routine, lacking personal style. You can tailor your training to your preferences.”

Du Ruo thought for a moment and decided to speak plainly, having already revealed so much.

“How can I reach the level of Master Du?” Long Zhirou nodded earnestly. She was trained by renowned masters, so she absorbed Du Ruo’s words carefully, ready to focus her training accordingly. She had a foundation and would progress faster than most, but she was curious how Du Ruo achieved such mastery.

“Well, if you only want to reach the level I just demonstrated, it’s not that difficult.”

Du Ruo stroked his chin thoughtfully. Just now, he had relied entirely on his own strength, without any special technique. If one generates power from the ground and adds some skillful release, the force can multiply several times. Of course, with the support of ‘jing, qi, and shen’—essence, energy, and spirit—the power would be extraordinary.

Long Zhirou’s eyes widened, waiting eagerly for his explanation. Even Xiang Yuanyuan, who sat beside them, looked on curiously.

“Alright, words alone aren’t convincing. Wait here; I’ll get something.”

Du Ruo thought it pointless to speak empty words, so he turned and told Long Zhirou before leaving the courtyard, heading to the hotel reception.

After a short while, Du Ruo returned holding an electronic scale.

The three women had expected something important, like a secret technique or a prop, and waited eagerly.

But Du Ruo simply went to the front desk and borrowed an electronic scale, leaving them puzzled.

“This is a high-precision electronic scale, capable of weighing up to 350 jin (approximately 175 kg). I’ll weigh myself now.”

Without much explanation, Du Ruo placed the scale on the ground, took off his shoes, and stepped on barefoot.

“305,” the number flashed on the display.

“Three hundred and five jin? Master Du, your scale must be broken! How could you possibly weigh 305 jin with your build? Let me try.”

Before anyone else could speak, Xiang Yuanyuan called out. She had seen Du Ruo without clothes before.

The last time Du Ruo rescued someone in the river, though it was urgent, Xiang Yuanyuan had sneaked glances at him. He stood about 175 to 178 cm tall, and while he lacked the bulging muscles of a bodybuilder, his physique was well-proportioned. The only slight flaw was some fat around the waist, but his overall impression was one of strength, not fatness.

Now, hearing Du Ruo claim he weighed 305 jin, Xiang Yuanyuan simply did not believe it.

She stepped onto the scale herself.

“108,” the display showed.

“Damn, I’ve gained three jin? No, this scale isn’t faulty—it can’t be!” Xiang Yuanyuan frowned. Women hate seeing their weight go up, but she quickly recovered and looked at Du Ruo in disbelief.

Long Zhirou quietly stepped on the scale after Xiang Yuanyuan got off.

“Ninety,” it read.

“See? You’re only ninety jin, and I’m 305. To put it bluntly, the weight difference between us is bigger than that between a child and an adult. If you want to reach the kind of power I just showed, you’d need to gain weight to 300 jin while maintaining my physique.”

Du Ruo pointed at the scale, letting the numbers speak for themselves.

“I understand,” Long Zhirou said, covering her face with her hands. Her expression was complex, and though she didn’t know what to say, Du Ruo’s words had sunk in. Whether she could accomplish it was another matter.

“Your technique is sufficient now. What you’re lacking is the foundation and your body. The body is fundamental; the basics and techniques are the branches; the forms and routines are the leaves. All three are essential, but you surely know which is the most important. That’s enough for today. I’m heading back. Yuanyuan, are you coming?”

Du Ruo stood, ready to leave. He had said all he needed to. It was up to Long Zhirou whether she wanted to train further; it was no longer his concern.

Frankly, he had only bothered to offer so much guidance because she was not annoying and, besides, quite pretty.

“I’m going to the river to catch some fish. I released them yesterday and wonder how many are left.”

Xiang Yuanyuan was less concerned now. Seeing Du Ruo display his mastery made her happy, but the fish were more important.

As they spoke, they saw Long Zhirou still sitting in a daze. Without waiting, they stood and left, but Du Ruo remembered to take the scale with him.

A long while later…

“Zhirou, do you want to keep this video?” The assistant asked as they watched the two leave.

“No, delete it,” Long Zhirou said, rubbing her face, trying to pull herself together, though the tight press of her lips betrayed her mood.

The video itself wasn’t meaningful; even if kept, no one would understand the terrifying details that only she knew about Du Ruo’s power.

“Are we still going to the ancient town nearby and Mount Huangshan?” the assistant continued. She arranged their itinerary but now hesitated, unsure how Long Zhirou felt.

“No, book the tickets home. I’m feeling unsettled and need to find my coach.”

Long Zhirou was deeply shaken, her mind a mess. Du Ruo’s words echoed in her head, making it impossible to concentrate. She just wanted to return, find her coach, and rethink her training strategy.

Filming was no longer important; she was still at the starting point. Taking a break from shooting was acceptable. There were more pressing matters now.

Back at the courtyard, Du Ruo found himself unexpectedly idle.

Even Maomao had gone with Xiang Yuanyuan to catch fish.

So Du Ruo picked up his phone, sat on the sofa, and began searching.

He wanted to go out, mainly to find wild bears and tigers, to seek suitable paths or destinations.

Among the twelve postures of Xingyi, the swallow, hawk, cuckoo, rooster, snake, and monkey—of these, the first three are flying birds, which Du Ruo didn’t focus on much; they weren't that important.

As for the last three, the rooster posture was the most basic stance. Du Ruo had tried it, having spent an afternoon watching the neighbor’s chickens. Even after his mother bought some chickens and placed them before him, he had no epiphany, so he set it aside for now. The monkey and snake postures weren’t as urgent either. Du Ruo was in no rush; if he found them on this trip, great; if not, no matter.

Only the tiger and bear postures mattered most, as their characteristics were distinct and easier to grasp.

Regarding the dragon posture, Du Ruo felt somewhat confident but wasn’t in a hurry.

He also wanted to take the opportunity to travel and immerse himself in nature, hoping for more insights.

After much searching, he chose a destination.

But for now, he would wait until his parents returned before setting off, since the trip’s duration was uncertain.

“Du Ruo! Du Ruo!” Yang Chenguang’s voice called out while Du Ruo was researching on his phone.

Before Du Ruo could open the courtyard gate, Yang Chenguang walked in uninvited.

“What’s up? The tea’s on the table; help yourself,” Du Ruo said without standing, signaling that there was no need for formalities between them.

“Where’s the wine? The one you mentioned yesterday? Have you asked about it?” Yang Chenguang approached, rubbing his hands anxiously.

“Hey, why so impatient?” Du Ruo shot him a glare, then switched off his phone and set it on the coffee table.

“You single dogs have no idea what midlife men go through. Online they say kids make choices, adults want everything. They’re too young. Only after thirty do you realize it’s unbearable.”

Yang Chenguang pulled out a pack of cigarettes, offered one to Du Ruo, and lit one himself.

“I haven’t asked yet. Don’t look at me like that. I’ll message Yuanyuan now and have her call back, alright?”

Du Ruo walked to the window, opened it, then lit his cigarette with a sour expression.

He sent a message to Xiang Yuanyuan.

“See? I’ve asked. Just wait.”

Showing the reply to Yang Chenguang, Du Ruo indicated he wasn’t lying.

“Heh, it’s a small matter anyway. Oh, by the way, do you know anyone in town? I went to a meeting this morning, and someone asked about you.”

“I don’t know anyone,” Du Ruo replied, puzzled.

“The office director told me that our village secretary plans to retire and to prepare accordingly. He asked about you… I just talked to the secretary. He plans to recommend me at the next election. It should be assured.”

Yang Chenguang glanced around, speaking quietly but excitedly.

…

“Hello, Mom.”

Xiang Yuanyuan stood by the river, on the phone. She scooped a fish from the bucket and tossed it to Maomao. The fish trap was nearly full. After receiving Du Ruo’s message, she didn’t hesitate to call her mother.

“Yuanyuan, why the sudden call? Are you short on money?”

“No, Mom. Is the jar of tiger whip liquor we opened last time finished?”

Xiang Yuanyuan walked toward the tavern, carrying the bucket and bamboo pole, casually asking.

“Hmm? There’s about half a jin left. Once opened, it can’t be stored long. Your dad has been drinking it for a while without finishing. Did Du Ruo ask you to inquire?”

Her mother was curious. Originally inspecting wine in the cellar, she quickly came out to answer.

“Yes, Du Ruo has a friend who’s not well. He wants to give the tiger whip wine as a tonic.”

Xiang Yuanyuan walked on, unaware of the change in her mother’s tone.

“Oh, a friend, I see. But your relationship is moving fast. Listen, young people need to be careful, mind your limits, and no need for protection, I think Du Ruo is a good guy, and your grandfather approves. Heh, no more talk. I’ll send the wine to you now.”

Her mother rambled with increasing excitement, as if delighted that her cabbage had been stolen by pigs.

“???” Xiang Yuanyuan paused, staring at the disconnected call, silent for a moment, unsure whether to call back and explain.