Strongest Soldier King

Luo Zheng found Elder Chang's words strange, but he also knew it wasn't the time to ask. He followed Elder Chang's instructions precisely, feeling his muscles carefully. He discovered his muscles were indeed stiff and painfully sore. Just as he was about to ask, he heard Elder Chang say, "Do not fret, let your muscles continue to be stiff. Don't be afraid, just breathe in the way I told you, until you know the spots where the muscles soften."

After waiting for a while, when Elder Chang saw Luo Zheng's pale complexion gain some color, he completely relaxed and said, "Alright, you can breathe normally now. Remember the method I just taught you. If a similar situation arises, do the same."

"Thank you, Brother Chang." Luo Zheng saw that his body indeed felt much better, his drained strength seemed to have returned, and he couldn't help but be overjoyed. He moved his arms a little and could operate them freely. He eagerly asked, "Brother Chang, what is this brilliant method? How did I recover so quickly?"

"This is hard energy. Remember, when you train to your limit, follow this method. It's best to stand up, with your toes pointing inward, slightly squat, relax your body, let your arms hang down, chest in and back out, for better results. You kid, why train so desperately? Be careful not to ruin yourself. Do you realize how dangerous it was just now? Had I not arrived in time, a misplaced breath would have caused you internal injuries, which would have been troublesome," Elder Chang warned Luo Zheng solemnly, his face full of reproach.

Luo Zheng could feel Elder Chang's deep concern, warmed inside, he gratefully said, "Rest assured, I will be careful in the future. I've long heard of the hard energy but unfortunately, no one has taught me. Thank you."

"You should have been taught at the Training Team. Your situation is special, but it's not too late now to know. Remember, moderation is key, haste makes waste. Rest a bit, and once you feel better, come with me. The mutton stew I've been cooking should be about ready. I've added something special, Elder Liu's private stash, very nourishing," Elder Chang explained.

"Is that so? I must try it," Luo Zheng said with a grateful smile.

The two rose to their feet and saw Elder Liu hurrying over, his face filled with urgency. Elder Chang softly said, "It's okay now, thankfully I arrived in time. This youngster was lucky this time. Let's go, the mutton is almost ready. Elder Liu, shouldn't we uncork one of your private wines to celebrate?"

Elder Liu didn't pay attention to Elder Chang but scrutinized Luo Zheng instead. After confirming he was alright, he scolded, "You, can't you be more careful? You were lucky this time with Elder Chang by your side, but what about next time?"

"I understand," Luo Zheng apologized gratefully, his heart warmly touched by the concern.

The three went to the kitchen. In the afternoon, there was no one else there. They served up the mutton. Elder Liu brought out the soaked medicinal wine. The three filled their glasses. Luo Zheng didn't hesitate, raised his glass to honor the two men, then began to eat avidly. Hours of chopping training had drained too much of his strength, and the food was a perfect replenishment.

The three of them ate and talked. Mostly, Elder Chang was asking Luo Zheng about his experiences and feelings while splitting kindling. Luo Zheng didn't hold back and shared his thoughts and feelings. Hearing Luo Zheng's words, Elder Chang smiled contentedly and exchanged a knowing look with Elder Liu. Both nodded in satisfaction and urged Luo Zheng to eat more.

After eating and resting for a while, Luo Zheng continued to chop wood. This time, Luo Zheng wasn't nearly as reckless but more focused, striving to make every chop better until dusk, and after dinner, Luo Zheng prepared to study the computer. Having graduated from high school, Luo Zheng felt his academic performance was a weak point and must be improved quickly.

Just as he reached the door, he saw Elder Liu approaching, holding two large rolling pins. Luo Zheng curiously asked, "Brother Liu, haven't we already eaten? Why do you need a rolling pin?"

"Come with me." Elder Liu replied without answering, leaving only those words behind as he walked away.

Witnessing Elder Liu head toward the kitchen crew's backyard, Luo Zheng was momentarily stunned, then hurriedly followed. Soon, they arrived at an open area covered with gravel and sand. Elder Liu stood in the middle, his expression solemn as he said, "Elder Chang taught you about hard energy, but hard energy training relies more on being hit than anything else. Do you want to master it?"

"Yes." Luo Zheng nodded without hesitation and asked, "What should I do?"

"Take a beating." Elder Liu uttered those two words. His body slightly bent, a formidable aura emanating from him, his eyes narrowing menacingly as if he were a fierce beast ready to pounce. Luo Zheng was taken aback; before he could react, Elder Liu pushed off the ground, sending stones flying and leaving a large hole in the ground as the rolling pin, whistling through the air, smashed toward Luo Zheng.

Luo Zheng was alarmed and quickly dodged, but then remembered Elder Liu's words. He forcibly stopped his retreating steps and used his arms to block. Thud! The rolling pin made intimate contact with his arms, emitting a dull sound. The severe pain washed over him like overbearing waves, his lips twitched in agony, feeling like his soul was trembling. Yet, Luo Zheng clenched his teeth and persisted, refusing to let himself faint.

"Very good, just like that, remember, if you want to hit others, you must learn to take a hit. The stronger your ability to withstand impacts, the stronger your survivability. Stand properly, relax and sensitively feel your body; do you notice a warm flow within? Whether you do or not, breathe according to the Breathing Skill of hard energy that Elder Chang taught you." Elder Chang said coldly, worry filling his eyes.

Hearing this, Luo Zheng quickly relaxed and began to breathe as Elder Chang had instructed, attentively feeling his body. Besides the pain, there was no warm flow. After a while, the pain became less intense. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Again."

"Well done." Elder Liu praised loudly, yet his hands did not ease their grip on the rolling pin, which continued relentlessly on Luo Zheng, making thudding sounds. Luo Zheng gritted his teeth and endured the intense pain from each strike. Thoughts of his comrades at the border, the Song family, and the two-year vow crossed his mind, igniting a power within him that alleviated the pain caused by the rolling pin, making it more bearable. This time, Luo Zheng endured for five minutes.

Seeing Luo Zheng's willpower so formidable and his endurance time longer, Elder Liu couldn't help but smile approvingly, ceasing his attack to let Luo Zheng relax his body and rest using the Qi-guiding Method of hard energy. Admiration deepened in his eyes as he observed the bruises and purple skin all over Luo Zheng's body.

This time, Elder Liu allowed Luo Zheng to rest for a full ten minutes before continuing to strike him until Luo Zheng could no longer maintain his stance. The process repeated for an hour until Elder Liu carried an utterly unconscious Luo Zheng back to the kitchen.