My Apprenticeship to Uncle Jiu: I Was a Warlord in the Republic of China

"I will teach you this set of boxing techniques first. You can practice it to strengthen your muscles and bones to prepare for the Qi training in the future."

When Jiang Li heard about Qigong, he immediately said excitedly, "Is it the same as the legendary cultivators who breathe in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and practice Qigong to become immortals?"

Uncle Jiu smiled bitterly and said, "It was true in the past, but it is no longer true now. Ever since Liu Bowen cut off the dragon vein, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has become increasingly scarce. Now is the Dharma Ending Age, and the immortals only exist in legends."

Jiang Li was also very discouraged when he heard this. He knew from watching movies that the cultivators in this world were not as powerful as in novels.

But he cheered up in a moment, "I have a wish, isn't it? In the past, many people spent all their money to seek a true method but couldn't get it."

"Now, I only spent a cart of grain and ten dollars to get something that others only dream of, and I also got a capable and honest master who protects my shortcomings. What else do I need a bicycle for?"

Uncle Jiu saw that Jiang Li was no longer depressed, so he asked, "Can you read?"

Jiang Li said, "I learned a little bit last year, but I don't know it all."

Uncle Jiu nodded and said, "Then I have to continue teaching you to read when I have the chance, otherwise you won't be able to practice even if I give you a book of martial arts in the future."

Jiang Li said, "Master, don't worry. I will study more in the future."

But what he was thinking was, "I have received nine years of compulsory education, but I am almost illiterate here."

"Fortunately, I went shopping in town last year and met a teacher who taught me a few traditional Chinese characters. Otherwise, I would not be able to recognize many Chinese characters now."

Uncle Jiu saw Jiang Li slacking off and said to him loudly, "Come to the yard first. I'll ask you to stand still and practice the basics."

After hearing this, Jiang Li quickly came to his senses and followed Uncle Jiu out. When they arrived at the outer gate, Uncle Jiu taught Jiang Li how to do horse stance, and then there was an hour of torture.

Whenever Jiang Li's movements were out of shape, Uncle Jiu would come over to correct him. After an hour, Uncle Jiu finally said, "Let's stop here for now. Too much is as bad as too little. Now I'll teach you Dingzhen Fist. Watch carefully."

Then Uncle Jiu started practicing each move, and Jiang Li also practiced with him despite his weak legs. After Uncle Jiu practiced it several times to see that Jiang Li had learned it, he stopped and let Jiang Li practice on his own, while Uncle Jiu corrected his mistakes.

The practice lasted for more than three hours. During this time, when Jiang Kaishan brought clothes and quilts, he saw Jiang Li practicing martial arts. He didn't say much, just said hello and left.

At this time, Wencai said, "Master and Junior Brother, come and have dinner."

As soon as the food was served, the three of them devoured it voraciously. Although it was just pumpkin porridge and boiled sweet potatoes, they still enjoyed it very much when served with some pickles.

After a full meal (at least Jiang Li was full), Uncle Jiu began to teach Jiang Li to read. As for Wencai, after washing the dishes, he started to learn how to draw talismans. Although Wencai is only thirteen or fourteen years old now, he has followed Uncle Jiu for several years.

Therefore, he had already passed the stage of strengthening his muscles and bones, and now was learning to draw talismans and chant spells, of course, on a sand table. Uncle Jiu did not have that much money for him to waste on talisman paper.

But Wencai is a guy who works for three days and rests for two days. He slacks off whenever he gets the chance and has made no progress.

Because Jiang Li's soul was transmigrated, he could read, but he just didn't know traditional Chinese characters. However, because he had a basic foundation, he memorized the characters taught by Uncle Jiu after just a few repetitions.

Seeing how fast Jiang Li was learning, Uncle Jiu was secretly delighted, thinking that he had accepted a talented disciple. However, although he thought so in his heart, Uncle Jiu did not show it on his face, but continued to teach him seriously.

Seven days passed in a flash. During this time, Uncle Jiu went out twice, once to read Feng Shui for someone, and once to perform a ritual to help the deceased reach nirvana.

Of course, Jiang Li was not brought along. After all, he was new and knew basically nothing. They just asked him to practice martial arts in the charity cemetery. They did bring Wencai along to help carry things, and he also carried some food when he came back.

Jiang Li was practicing boxing under the supervision of Uncle Jiu when there was a knock on the door of the charity cemetery. Jiang Li opened the door and called out, "Brother Qiu Sheng, aren't you helping your aunt run the store in town? How come you have time to come here?"

As for how Jiang Li knew Qiu Sheng, who was only twelve years old, it was his uncle Jiu who introduced him to Qiu Sheng three days ago when he went to the charity cemetery to pay homage to his master.

Jiang Li brought Qiu Sheng into the yard and continued practicing boxing without paying any attention to him. Qiu Sheng went straight to Uncle Jiu and called him "Master".

Then he said, "Master, I came here this time because the butcher in town said that he had nightmares at night and couldn't sleep. He asked me to tell you that I would like you to go and see if the feng shui of his house is bad."

After hearing this, Uncle Jiu said to Qiu Sheng, "Well, I understand."

Afterwards, Qiu Sheng took his uncle away, and of course Qiu Sheng was the one who carried the things.

At this time, Wencai saw Uncle Jiu leaving, and immediately ran out to Jiang Li and said, "Master has left, so you don't need to practice anymore and just play with me!"

Jiang Li said, "Forget it. I haven't even passed the probation period this year. If my master knew about this, he would be unhappy."

"Brother, if you are bored, just chat with me. I am doing boxing and mouth fighting but I am doing nothing."

Wencai nodded and said, "You are right, okay then."

While doing boxing, Jiang Li asked, "Brother, have you ever practiced Qigong? What does it feel like to practice Qigong?"

Wencai said, "I have practiced it and I don't feel anything except a warm feeling in my stomach. Every time I do it, my legs become numb and I feel drowsy. Why are you asking this?"

Jiang Li said, "Nothing, just asking. By the way, do you know any method to quickly improve your cultivation? With your personality, I'm afraid you have asked Master this question many times."

Wencai laughed dryly and said, "I did ask, but the master said there is no shortcut, even a poor guy like you can't afford it, so I didn't ask again after that."

When Jiang Li, an adult, heard this, he realized the key point. There is indeed a shortcut, but it may be very expensive. He made a note of this and will ask the master about it when the time comes.

Jiang Li practiced boxing for the whole afternoon and also chatted with Wencai for the whole afternoon. Seeing that it was getting late, he said to Wencai, "Brother, you should continue to draw talismans. The sun is setting and the master may be back soon."

Wencai looked up and said, "Junior brother, you are right. I will go in first. You practice slowly. If the master asks you, just say that you have been drawing talismans. Don't let anything slip."

Jiang Li nodded in agreement.

An hour later, Uncle Jiu came back with his stuff on his back. Jiang Li took it from him and asked, "Master, was this trip smooth?"

Uncle Jiu nodded and said, "It went smoothly. The butcher was just too murderous. I gave him a few talismans and copied a meditation spell for him to read when he has time. He should be fine in the future."

Jiang Li asked, "Can he read?"

Uncle Jiu said, "Even if he doesn't know how to do it, he can find someone to read it to him. He will be able to memorize it after listening to it a few times."

At this time, the two of them had already walked to the hall, and Jiang Li asked, "Master, how old are you now, and what is your level of Qi training?"

When Uncle Jiu heard this question, he immediately said proudly, "I am thirty-six years old this year, and now I am an eighth-level human master. Among my generation of Maoshan disciples, I am also a leader."