The next morning, Ling Feng awoke to a sharp, lingering pain in his buttocks. After washing his face, a maid brought him breakfast. Once he had eaten, his second senior brother, He Weiqiu, arrived bearing two new sets of clothing. Although Ling Feng had brought plenty of fine garments with him, Huashan's rules required every disciple to wear the sect's uniform.
As soon as Ling Feng saw He Weiqiu, he rose and bowed respectfully, his demeanor humble and polite.
"Second Senior Brother, you honor me with your presence."
He Weiqiu glanced at Ling Feng's awkward, limping posture—like a young maiden who had just lost her innocence—and couldn't help but chuckle at the memory of the previous day's embarrassment. He waved a hand warmly. "Junior Brother, from today onward, you are a disciple of Huashan. We are all family here. There's no need for such formality."
Ling Feng clasped He Weiqiu's hands earnestly.
"Please guide me carefully, Second Senior Brother—especially in my training. Be strict with me. I welcome it."
Of course, these words were not entirely sincere—more a performance meant to charm and disarm. Ling Feng had come to Huashan with clear intentions. His father hadn't sent him to become a martial arts master but to earn the title of a Huashan disciple, build connections, and eventually return home to take over the family business without fear of rivals. Ling Qing had given him three years: by his eighteenth birthday, he was to return to Hangzhou for his coming-of-age ceremony—which meant marriage, children, and succession.
He Weiqiu, unaware of Ling Feng's true motives, replied seriously,
"Since the Master is in seclusion and the Master's Wife is occupied with daily affairs, I will take responsibility for your training. My skills are modest, but I will do my best not to lead you astray."
Ling Feng smiled ingratiatingly.
"Second Senior Brother is too humble. Everyone on this mountain knows of your exceptional ability and high reputation."
Pleased by the flattery, He Weiqiu nodded. He was well aware that Ling Feng was the son of Hangzhou's richest man and that his mother, Shen Yanbing, shared a special bond with the Master's Wife. Building a good relationship with this young master could only benefit him.
He helped Ling Feng to his feet.
"Enough talk—let's see how these new robes fit. The Master's Wife had them specially made for you."
Ling Feng picked up the two sets—one in blue, one in white—and found that they suited him perfectly.
"I never expected the Master's Wife to be so thoughtful. They fit as though tailored for me."
He Weiqiu nodded.
"Among all the disciples who've joined, I've never heard of her personally overseeing someone's clothing. You're the first."
Ling Feng smiled. "Then I must thank her properly."
"Come," said He Weiqiu.
"Let's go see her now. She should be finished with her morning meal. She asked me to bring you—she has instructions for you."
Ling Feng changed into one of the new uniforms and followed He Weiqiu to the main hall.
The Master's Wife was already there, seated in the same carved chair as the day before, sipping tea leisurely. Dressed in a bright white gown, her hair elegantly swept up, she resembled a radiant peach blossom—vibrant and captivating. Four maids attended to her with quiet efficiency. She carried herself with the grace and authority of an empress.
Noticing their arrival, she smiled at Ling Feng and dismissed the maids before inviting both disciples to sit.
She turned first to He Weiqiu. "Do you remember what we discussed yesterday?"
Then her gaze shifted to Ling Feng. "Feng'er, did you sleep well last night?"
Ling Feng replied, "Well enough—almost like being at home. The mountain air is a bit damp, but I can adjust."
The Master's Wife nodded. "You'll grow accustomed to it. I was concerned that someone from a wealthy family might struggle to adapt to life on Huashan. Yan Bing asked me to look after you, but once you're here, you're a Huashan disciple like any other. The training is demanding, but it builds character. I hope you persevere and achieve mastery."
Ling Feng bowed his head. "I will work hard, Master's Wife."
"If you encounter any difficulties," she continued, "you may turn to your seniors—or to me, if necessary. But with your master in seclusion, I am managing everything alone. There is much to oversee. Fortunately, your brothers and sisters are capable assistants—without them, I would be overwhelmed."
Ling Feng smiled. "In your hands, even great matters become small. You handle everything with ease."
The Master's Wife laughed softly. "Such a silver tongue! I am not as young as I used to be. My energy wanes. In the future, greater matters will fall to you men."
Ling Feng chuckled. "I fear I am still too immature to be of much use."
"Just stay out of trouble," she said wryly, "and that will be help enough."
Ling Feng nodded solemnly. "I will behave myself and follow your instructions."
Satisfied, the Master's Wife turned to He Weiqiu. "Weiqiu, since Chengtian is occupied with training the second-generation disciples, and you are steady and reliable, I entrust Feng'er to your care. What do you say?"
He Weiqiu had anticipated this. He stood and bowed. "I will not disappoint you, Master's Wife."
She nodded in approval, then looked back at Ling Feng. "Now that you've entered the sect, where do you think you should begin?"
Ling Feng answered earnestly, "With the basics, I suppose—foundational skills."
"Correct," she said. "First, you must memorize certain mantras. Once you've learned them, I will teach you their application."
Ling Feng's eyes lit up. "Mantras? You mean like: The heavens and earth in balance yield heroic spirit; Taibai arises from the primal chaos…?"
The Master's Wife stared at him in shock. "How do you know Huashan's Qi Gathering mantra?"
"My stepmother taught me," Ling Feng explained. "She said I would become a Huashan disciple one day, so she prepared me early."
The Master's Wife nodded slowly. "That does not break any rules. Still, knowing the mantra is one thing—applying it is another. Your foundation is weak. You must train your body until it is as powerful as a tiger's before you can truly begin cultivating internal energy."
"As powerful as a tiger?" Ling Feng muttered under his breath. Tigers might be strong, but Wu Song killed one bare-handed. I'd rather be a dragon… though even dragons aren't safe—look what Nezha did to the Dragon King. Maybe it's better to stay human after all.
The Master's Wife continued, "I've arranged for you to begin with manual labor: carrying water up the mountain, transporting supplies, blacksmithing, chopping firewood—"
Ling Feng couldn't help but laugh. "So I'm to become a farmhand?"
He Weiqiu cut in patiently, "Every Huashan disciple starts this way, Junior Brother."
"How long does this 'foundational training' last?" Ling Feng asked.
"It varies," the Master's Wife replied. "For some, a year; for others, three. It depends on your physique and dedication."
Ling Feng blinked. "So long? I thought I could start learning skills immediately."
She smiled. "Martial arts are not like making tofu—you can't master them overnight."
Ling Feng sighed. "It seems practicing martial arts is no different from asceticism."
"All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin," the Master's Wife explained. "The basics are the same everywhere. Every master began with the most fundamental training."
She added meaningfully, "Feng'er, haste makes waste. Even if I taught you advanced techniques now, you would gain nothing."
Ling Feng nodded reluctantly. But Master's Wife, you look so refined and delicate—did you really go through all this hard labor too?
As if reading his thoughts, she said, "Feng'er, building martial arts is like building a house. If the foundation isn't solid, the structure will collapse. I don't want you to become a failure in your training."
Ling Feng was sharp-minded enough to understand. He knew that great achievement required great endurance. Setting his doubts aside, he resolved to build a strong foundation before seeking higher skills.
"I will obey you in everything, Master's Wife," he said firmly.
She smiled warmly. "I know you are a good child. Weiqiu, take him now."
He Weiqiu bowed and led Ling Feng out of the hall.