High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Xu Wuyi took a deep breath. The cool night air filled his lungs.

He quickened his pace, heading for home.

For the next few days, the pace of Xu Wuyi’s life slowed down completely.

He would wake up early each day to accompany his mother to the market, and upon returning, he’d watch his father tend to the potted plants on the balcony.

In the mornings, he would handle some briefings sent from the military headquarters. Although he had been moved to "strategic reserve" status, he still needed to be kept up to date on necessary intelligence.

In the afternoons, he would meditate quietly in his room, not seeking a breakthrough, but simply nurturing his Heart Image and consolidating his foundation.

The transfer of ownership for the property at Shanshui Manor was complete, and the renovation of the underground Cultivation Room was progressing quickly.

Chen Mo sent him on-site photos and reports every day. Xu Wuyi reviewed them and saw that the standards were indeed high. The walls were made of a three-layer composite armor material, and the soundproofing and Energy shielding were military-grade.

On the afternoon of the fifth day, Chen Mo came to pick him up in person.

"Martial Artist Xu, everything is complete. Would you like to go inspect it now?"

Xu Wuyi nodded and got in the car with his parents.

The new house was a twenty-minute drive from the old district, and the environment was truly serene.

The detached villa was nestled among green trees, with white walls and gray tiles in a minimalist style. The backyard was even larger than it looked in the photos. Mrs. Xu fell in love with the empty plot of land at first sight. "We can plant so many flowers here..."

Father Xu, however, was more focused on the house’s structure. He walked around inside and out before finally nodding. "It’s nice."

The underground Cultivation Room was the main event.

Taking the elevator down to the basement level, a metal door slid open, revealing a space of nearly two hundred square meters.

The walls were a matte dark gray, the floor was covered with special cushioning material, and the ceiling was embedded with light strips that simulated natural light.

Along one wall were several alloy racks holding basic training equipment; the other side was a Meditation Area, with only a simple meditation cushion.

The air circulation system ran silently, keeping the temperature and humidity constant.

"It was built to the highest standards," Chen Mo explained. "The walls can withstand any Energy Shock below the Grandmaster Level. We tested the soundproofing—you wouldn’t even hear an explosion on the surface down here. The Energy shielding layer can be activated, and when it is, all Energy Fluctuations from inside and out will be completely isolated."

Xu Wuyi walked to the center of the room and closed his eyes.

He gently released his Power of Heart Image, sensing every inch of the space. It was just as Chen Mo had said: sturdy enough, quiet enough. A place suitable for long-term seclusion.

"You’ve worked hard." He opened his eyes. "This will do."

With the inspection complete, Chen Mo left the keys and the Permission Card and took his leave. Xu Wuyi walked around the house with his parents, discussing which old furniture to move and what new items they needed to buy.

"You two take the master bedroom. I’ll take the south-facing room on the second floor," Xu Wuyi said. "I’ll be using the basement, so you don’t need to worry about it."

While Mrs. Xu was still pondering what color the living room curtains should be, Father Xu had already taken out a small notebook and started making a shopping list.

Seeing his parents so engrossed, Xu Wuyi smiled, walked out of the living room, and went into the backyard.

The yard was indeed spacious, and a spot for a flower bed had already been set aside near the wall.

In the distance, he could see the neighborhood’s green belt and a small, artificial lake. Farther still was the skyline of the Red River City District, shimmering faintly in the afternoon sun.

It was very quiet.

There was none of the grim killing intent of the frontline battlefields, nor the clamor of Xingjing; only the rustling of wind through the leaves and the occasional birdsong.

Xu Wuyi sat down on a stone bench in the yard, opened his terminal, and sent a message to Zhou Heng.

"The house is ready. It’s Saturday the day after tomorrow. Want to come over for dinner? Bring Uncle Zhou and Auntie Zhou."

A few minutes later, a reply popped up: "No problem! My parents were thrilled when they heard you were treating. They said they’re bringing over their specialty dishes. By the way, can I bring one more person? My little sister, Zhou Xiaoyu. You know her. The kid insisted on coming when she heard she could see you."

"Of course."

"Got it! We’ll be there at six p.m. sharp, the day after tomorrow!"

Putting down his terminal, Xu Wuyi leaned back against the bench and closed his eyes.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, warming his face.

In two days, old friends would gather, and family would be reunited.

A day like this was perhaps the best possible start to his coming period of quiet consolidation.

「Saturday at dusk.」

The villa at Shanshui Manor was brightly lit. The SIZZLE of stir-frying and Mrs. Xu’s commanding voice came from the kitchen: "Old Xu, bring that fish dish out! Ah Yi, go see if Zhou Heng and the others are here yet!"

Xu Wuyi called out in acknowledgment and walked to the door.

Just as he opened it, he saw a family hovercar parked outside the yard. The door opened, and Zhou Heng jumped out first, followed by his parents, and finally a young, spectacled girl who must have been Zhou Xiaoyu.

"Uncle Xu! Auntie Xu!" Zhou Heng’s voice boomed as he held two large food containers. "Congratulations on the new house!"

Father Xu and Mrs. Xu hurried out to greet them. "Come in, come in! You didn’t have to bring anything..."

"It’s all homemade—braised beef, stewed pork knuckle, and the smoked fish you love!" Zhou Heng’s mother said with a smile as she handed over the containers. She and Mrs. Xu were very close, having been best friends for over twenty years.

The two families chatted warmly as they entered the house. Zhou Xiaoyu hid behind her brother, secretly sizing up Xu Wuyi with a look of curiosity and admiration.

The dining table in the living room was already laden with dishes, while Mrs. Xu was still in the kitchen busy with the last two hot courses.

Zhou Heng’s mother washed her hands and went in to help, while the two fathers sat on the sofa chatting about recent news.

Zhou Heng sidled up to Xu Wuyi and lowered his voice. "Nice place. It’s really impressive."

"It’s alright." Xu Wuyi poured him a cup of tea. "How old is your sister now?"

"Nineteen, a sophomore in college studying electronic information," Zhou Heng said, glancing at Zhou Xiaoyu, who was helping set the table. "This kid has idolized you since she was little. When she heard you were home today, she was so excited last night she couldn’t sleep."

Xu Wuyi smiled but didn’t reply.

Soon, all the dishes were served, filling the table. The two families gathered around, and Father Xu opened a bottle of baijiu, pouring a glass for Zhou Heng’s father and himself.

"Come, the first toast! To Ah Yi’s safe return, and to the new home!" Father Xu raised his glass.

Everyone clinked their glasses, and the atmosphere grew lively.

Zhou Heng’s father took a sip of his drink and said with emotion, "Old Xu, I really admire your Ah Yi. Back in high school, who would have thought this kid would turn out so successful?"

"Luck. It’s all luck." Father Xu said humbly, but his eyes were filled with pride.

"It wasn’t luck," Zhou Heng’s mother interjected. "That’s what Ah Yi earned through his own hard work. I remember back in his senior year of high school, he’d train until midnight. My Zhou Heng would come home and say that Xu Wuyi was working himself to the bone."

Zhou Heng chuckled. "Isn’t that the truth? Back then, I even told him not to push himself so hard. Now he’s a hero of the Federation, and I’m still just a minor office worker."

He said it lightly, and everyone laughed.

Zhou Xiaoyu took the opportunity to ask in a small voice, "Brother Wuyi, the frontline... is it really dangerous?"

The table fell silent for a moment.

Xu Wuyi looked at the girl’s sparkling eyes and nodded. "It is a bit dangerous."

"Then..." Zhou Xiaoyu started to ask something else, but Zhou Heng tapped her on the head.

"Just eat. Why are you asking so many questions?"

Zhou Xiaoyu stuck out her tongue and didn’t dare to ask anymore.

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