NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Dust and Merit
Chen Xiaojun's life was very disciplined, primarily because of his strong self-discipline.
At dawn, around five o'clock the next day, Chen Xiaojun was already up, beginning his day-long regimen of training and study.
5:00 AM: Warm-up exercises for half an hour, including leg stretches, frog jumps, horse stance, and other physical training routines.
6:00 AM: Running ten laps around the village.
7:00 AM: Breakfast at home, followed by a quick wash-up.
7:30 AM: Sword practice at the training ground beside the main courtyard.
The sword techniques he trained in were divided into four categories:
Attacking sword techniques, including slash, chop, cut, sweep, point, crush, lift, hook, sweep, pierce, draw, and wrist flourishes.Thrusting sword techniques, such as straight thrust, downward thrust, upward thrust, and reverse thrust. Parrying sword techniques, categorized into upper parry (block), horizontal parry (support), and lower parry (intercept). Binding sword techniques, which focus on twisting to lock the opponent's weapon.
During this time, his adorable chubby friend, Zhu Wuneng, often joined him for training. Zhu mainly focused on physical exercises, boxing, and his family's rake techniques. His family was known for their remarkable endurance—a natural talent.
Sometimes, others would join them, such as his elder brother Chen Jianzun, his cousin Chen Feng, or Zhu Wuneng's older brother Zhu Wukui.
After practicing the foundational sword techniques, Chen Xiaojun devoted extra time to a particular move: the Drawing Sword Technique. He believed this was the only sword technique he could currently master and effectively train in.
In his past life's memories, the Drawing Sword Technique carried countless legends. Despite being a basic move, it was immensely powerful and highly lethal, emphasizing precision and speed to defeat the enemy in a single strike.
A sword move that shook the heavens—swift, lethal, and unstoppable. By the time the enemy noticed the strike, the action was already completed.
This technique was reminiscent of the legendary "Sky-Cleaving Sword Draw" performed by Demon King Qiye in A Chinese Ghost Story. That sword technique was a peerless, dazzling display of skill that left enemies trembling in fear.
The essence of the Drawing Sword Technique lies in the word "draw," which is rooted in the word "conceal."
The practitioner must first calm their mind and concentrate their spirit, achieving a heightened state of focus. Like a venomous snake waiting to strike or a hidden assassin lying in ambush, they must refrain from action until the perfect moment, executing a lethal strike with lightning speed.
Every day, Chen Xiaojun used this technique to cut through a large wooden stake. His father had set up not only chopping stakes but also a Plum Blossom Stump Array for additional training.
Next, he practiced his family's unique footwork—Sword Steps.
It's worth noting that there's a distinction between body techniques and footwork:
Body techniques involve enhancing one's natural flexibility and strength to achieve optimal physical form through practice. Martial artists often say, "Train punches three thousand times, and natural body movement will emerge." This refers to achieving peak physical condition through repetitive training. Footwork, on the other hand, is a learned skill and technique. Sword Steps emphasize precision, unwavering courage, and steady, forward momentum.
Using the Plum Blossom Stump Array, Chen Xiaojun honed his flexibility, agility, coordination, and stability. This training also improved his ability to quickly pivot and launch powerful attacks while maintaining balance.
He integrated the foundational sword techniques with his family's grappling and sword-hand techniques during this training.
By the time all this was completed, it was around 11:00 AM. Then, the two would spar to gain combat experience.
Zhu Wuneng, whether due to his simple nature or some farmer-like cunning, always fought earnestly as instructed by the young master.
Given their young age, their sparring sessions lasted about half an hour. By the end, both were often bruised and battered, their bodies covered in black-and-blue marks.
Overall, Chen Xiaojun fared slightly better, thanks to the advantages provided by his superior body techniques and Sword Steps.
In the afternoon, his grandmother, Granny Xin, or his mother would teach him alongside other children under six, including siblings, cousins, and children from loyal families like Zhu Wuneng's. They were taught literacy, arithmetic, basic life skills, hero stories, and mythological tales—essentially a family-run kindergarten.
Perhaps due to the world's unique natural rules and abundant spiritual energy, children here grew faster than those on Earth. Their cognitive development was also about 20–30% faster, allowing for a broader knowledge base than Earth's children.
4:00 PM onward: Chen Xiaojun set aside this time for rest.
Unlike others who preferred post-meal walks, he enjoyed taking a stroll before dinner. Behind the village was Shaolin Lake, where he loved sitting or lying on a small slope overlooking the water.
When the sunlight danced on the lake's surface, his mood brightened. The lush lotus blossoms along the lakeshore vied for attention, with dew drops playfully hiding on the leaves.
Occasionally, birds swooped down to hunt or frolic, creating a serene scene reminiscent of the verse:
"The setting sun and solitary birds fly together, the autumn waters stretch endlessly into the sky."
Such tranquility brought an unparalleled sense of peace and contentment to his heart.
After nightfall, Chen Xiaojun alternated between herbal baths and reading books.
The herbal baths varied in type: some strengthened the body, some accelerated recovery, while others calmed the mind. He rotated among these for maximum benefit.
Chen Xiaojun loved reading. His family's collection of books was vast, with genres ranging from Soul Master knowledge, geography, history, and personal biographies to tales of legends and customs.
Since learning to read at age four, he had spent two years exploring the library and had barely covered a quarter of it—evidence of the collection's richness.
He heard that the clan's ancestral hall contained even more books. Once he awakened his martial soul at age six, he would gain access to those as well, including advanced Soul Master texts.
Occasionally, he practiced swordsmanship under the moonlight to hone his night-combat skills. The moonlit training sessions had their own enchanting beauty.
Among Chen Xiaojun's many excellent traits, the most remarkable was not his diligence, obedience, or intelligence—it was his self-discipline.
A life of discipline, orderly yet undaunted by monotony, ensures a promising future. Self-discipline sets a high baseline and an even higher potential ceiling.
Three Days Later—June 17
"Father, Xiu Xin, Jianjun, Xiaojun, I'm back!"
A loud, resonant voice echoed from outside the main courtyard. It was none other than Chen Xiaojun's father, Chen Xun, a pillar of the Chen clan and a leader of his generation.
At 47 years old, he was a 78th-level Soul Sage, with a strong chance of breaking through to Titled Douluo in his sixties.
With a square-shaped face, thick eyebrows, bright eyes, and a tall, sturdy frame of nearly 1.9 meters, he exuded an air of toughness and authority.
Despite the travel fatigue visible in his slightly disheveled blue outfit and white cape, his imposing presence remained undiminished.
Following him was a robust, round-faced man—the family steward and Zhu Wuneng's father, Zhu Tianhao.
Upon hearing the voice, Ye Xiuxin and Chen Xiaojun came out to greet them.
"Father, Uncle Tianhao, you're back!"
"How did everything go over the past six months? Was it smooth?" Ye Xiuxin inquired with concern.
"Tianhao, you've worked hard. Go home to your family—they must be waiting for you," Chen Xun said.
Tianhao nodded respectfully before leaving.
Chen Xun laughed heartily. "Xiuxin, everything went well overall. There were minor challenges, but they were manageable. Xiaojun, I made sure to return early for your awakening ceremony in three days!"
Excitedly, Chen Xun opened his bag and placed six black, round Awakening Stones on the table.