Bab 22: Saturn Peach Tree
Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"Big brother, big brother, something's happening!" Chi Qiaowu began to shout loudly.
Just as he stabilized his energy fluctuation, he heard his brother's shouting. Chi Qiaosong was in a good mood, so he didn't scold him but merely asked, "What's going on?"
Wen Moshan hurriedly interjected, "The greenhouse, the greenhouse. There is a tree growing in the greenhouse, and wow, it is a really big tree, big brother!"
These two little rascals pointed at one corner of the greenhouse and shrieked.
Chi Qiaosong got over there quickly and saw a small tree about the size of the bay tree, which had appeared out of nowhere in the northwest corner of the two-acre field. Among the rustling leaves, a small red flower had bloomed all by itself.
"Silence!"
Chi Qiaosong already knew what it was and immediately stopped the two children from screaming.
He stared at this little tree carefully, and its information instantly came to mind. This was a Saturn peach tree, transformed from the foundation of the internal sects of his martial arts just like the bay tree was before.
The foundation of the External Sects of Martial Arts corresponded to the bay tree.
The foundation of the Internal Sects of Martial Arts corresponded to the Saturn peach tree.
That little red flower also displayed some information: The Purple Cloud Serenity, Growth Rate: 1 percent...
Everything was going very well.
From now on, he could cultivate both internal and external sects.
The achievements of external skills meant that punches and kicks could shatter mountains and rivers, while the achievements of internal skills meant that divine thunder could be bred from the palms of his hands. Once both internal and external skills were achieved together, nothing would be impossible.
"Not a word, understand?"
Chi Qiaosong instilled the concept of secrecy in these two children.
Then he went to Mr. Chi and the second uncle. "I got another spirit root. You two must keep it a secret for me."
"Another spirit root was found, again!" the second uncle exclaimed.
After the initial shock wore off, Mr. Chi nodded, "Understood. The news will not be spread outside our family!"
And Chi Qiaosong trusted his father's ability to keep his secrets.
Chi Qiaosong only had to go to the Military Academy as a formality every couple of days.
To find out if any students were about to make a breakthrough, and once he was sure there weren't any, he could turn around and return home immediately.
He had already comprehended the energy fluctuations in the Purple Cloud Serenity, so there was no need to continue reciting the scriptures with Mr. Liu. He only needed to wait patiently for the fertilizer to materialize, and then he would reach achievement.
At that time, his internal martial arts skills would also be entering the Novice Plane.
Novice Plane, Taoist Plane, Crest Plane, Wrestler Plane, Warrior Plane, and Knight Plane, though separated into internal and external skills, all belonged to the Three Disciple Planes.
The end of July was fast approaching.
In the sweltering heat inside the Military Academy, the students had each found a shady corner, either lying down or sitting down. Unfortunately, none of them had been able to get their spirits up. The summer in Jiangyou Province was not easy to endure.
In the land of the south, there were only winters and summers, but not springs or autumns.
[Ring-a-ling-ling.]
The bell rang.
Then, the loudspeaker started broadcasting: "All teachers and students, please go to the auditorium for the ceremony!"
Chi Qiaosong was about to leave after having chatted with Wang Minzhong, Li Weiwei, and the others. But, as he was not in a hurry after hearing the announcement, he followed the troops into the auditorium, found a seat, and settled down.
Half an hour later.
"Comrade Hao Bozhao is hereby appointed as the chief lecturer of the Military Academy in Ink Ridge County to coordinate the affairs at the Academy, teach the students the practice of martial arts, and ensure their loyalty to Comrade Zhu Guangshan."
The gentle-faced Hao Bozhao was a relatively low-key instructor of the Knight Plane at the Military Academy. He was over fifty years old.
He accepted the appointment letter from Adjutant Li and appeared gentle in both his spirit and energy. He said humbly, with a smile, that his own ability was limited and that he had no previous experience in management. He asked all the instructors to help him with anything he might not do properly in the future.
This was an attitude totally opposite to the once high and mighty Liu Wentao.
However, considering that Liu Wentao was still in the hospital, it was understandable that Hao Bozhao was being so low-key. If another instructor didn't like him and there was another round of sparring, it would be too funny if he also ended up in the hospital.
Of course, among the instructors at the Knight Plane in the Military Academy, Professor Luo was promoted, Zhou Xiangxian was transferred out, and Liu Wentao was hospitalized—not many were left.
"Tsk tsk. Mr. Liu is very unlucky. First, he was beaten half to death by Mr. Zhou, and now he has even lost the position as chief instructor. Qiaosong, do you think this counts as rubbing salt in his wounds?"
Li Weiwei chuckled softly.
Chi Qiaosong replied lightly, "In a fight of strength in martial arts, you have to keep your head down if you are not as skilled."
Non-physical contests could take various forms, but physical contests had to be supported by real skills, and there was no room for pretense.
"Are you going back in the afternoon?"
"Yep."
"Stay, Qiaosong. Let's go to karaoke," Li Weiwei continued to persuade him. He felt that Chi Qiaosong had a promising future and was the most mature of all the students.
Especially something like sending gifts to the instructors had made a deep impression on him.
Young people at this age were very thin-skinned yet very proud. It was really a challenge for them to send gifts like that. Even if they did, it was usually done by their parents.
Of the group of students at the Military Academy, after several rounds of sparring, Chi Qiaosong emerged as one of the best.
If anyone had the hope to advance to the Wrestler Plane, Chi Qiaosong was definitely one of them.
So, while Hao Bozhao was giving his speech on stage, Li Weiwei kept convincing him under the stage. When he finally got tired of the chatter, Chi Qiaosong relented and agreed to go karaoke with them in the evening.
"Not too many people, so it's quieter."
"Okie Dokie!"
Mamen Bridge in the west of Ink Ridge County crosses through an irrigation canal. It was also known as a street of decadent partying.
Li Weiwei waved down an anti-tricycle as he called out to Chi Qiaosong and three other students. Then, together, they went straight to the Green Mango Karaoke in Mamen Bridge.
Karaoke is not exactly something foreign and has only gained popularity in recent years.
Together with the newly emerged bar culture, they flourished in the Daxia Republic, pushing out many old-fashioned dance halls in the process.
Young people would either go dancing in the bars at night or go to karaoke to sing and make merry.
But these dance halls were evolving as well.
Chi Qiaosong got off the anti-tricycle and saw a shop next door. A man who looked like a manager was directing workers to take down the old sign that said Jasmine Dance Hall and put up a new sign that said Midnight Sun Night Club.
Naturally, Chi Qiaosong had no interest in dancing or dance halls. However, he took a look before he looked away and followed Li Weiwei into the Green Mango Karaoke.
"Hey, we want a private room. Let's book it for...five hours."
"How many people, five, right? 307 is ready for you."
When they entered the private room, and after they ordered snacks and drinks, Li Weiwei began to pick out songs.
The Daxia Republic had been plagued by wars and chaos, but its entertainment industry was very prosperous. Its singers and movie stars could be as famous worldwide as anyone else. However, no matter how famous the singers and movie stars might be, they were always entertainers inferior to those in other professions.
When they were young, they enjoyed their fame. Then, when they got a little older, they would have to either retreat behind the scenes or marry someone as a second wife.
At a time when martial arts gained popularity, martial artists were the only ones who reigned supreme.
"Qiaosong, what song do you want to sing?"
"How about Both Sides of the Yangtze River?" Chi Qiaosong, who didn't like to sing, reluctantly picked a folk song. He had heard this song several times on the radio at the Military Academy.
The lyrics and the melody were both very pleasing.
"My home is on both sides of the Yangtze River..." Then, holding the microphone, Chi Qiaosong followed the melody of the prelude before he began to sing. His voice was unremarkable but not out of tune.
[Bang!]
The door to the private room was kicked open.
A group of soldiers in military police uniforms rushed in with guns, shouting loudly, "The Discipline Unit is conducting an inspection. Everyone squat down along the wall with your hands on your heads!"
Before Chi Qiaosong realized what had happened, Li Weiwei had pulled him up from the sofa. "Qiaosong, it's okay. It's just an inspection. Just do what they say, and it will be over in a little while."
Outside the private room, the manager's voice was faintly heard as he protested, "Don't you scare my guests. I will sue you for harassing civilians!"
-- Hadiah diterima