stjorthotic Chapter 34 The Wolf Cubs Need to Be Fed Meat
Chapter 34 The Wolf Cubs Need to Be Fed Meat
On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, pigs are slaughtered and meat is prepared for the New Year.
The festive atmosphere of the New Year in Beiping (Beijing) was carried by the biting northwest wind, which forced its way into your nose.
Qianmen Street, the backyard of the Lu residence.
It was still dark, just past the fourth watch of the night.
In the pitch-black courtyard, only the remnants of snow in the corner reflected a faint light. The wind stung my face like tiny knives.
But it was warm in the courtyard.
It's not the heat from burning charcoal, it's the warmth of human presence, the energy of life.
"Hold on tight!"
"Don't shake your legs! Anyone who does will have one less meat bun for breakfast!"
Lu Cheng held a rattan cane in his hand, but didn't actually whip the children; he just dangled it near their legs.
Shunzi and Xiaodouzi are seasoned veterans; although they're grimacing, they still manage to maintain their "three-body stance."
The only exception was Lu Feng, who had just arrived.
This wolf cub is a ruthless one.
He had been standing in the snowdrift for an hour and a half.
They stood for a full half hour longer than Shunzi and the others.
Those two legs no longer belonged to him; they trembled like leaves. Sweat streamed down his unkempt hair, stinging his eyes.
But he remained silent.
His jaw was clenched so tightly that the flesh on his cheeks bulged out.
His eyes were fixed on the old willow tree in front of him, as if he wanted to stare it to death.
"Thump."
Finally, one of the new kids couldn't take it anymore, plopped down on the snow, and burst into tears.
"Master... I... I broke my leg, I'm not practicing anymore, I want to go home..."
Lu Cheng walked over expressionlessly, picked up the child, and said nothing but calmly.
"Go inside and warm up. I'll have Uncle Guan take you back later."
"You can't finish this bowl of rice."
When the child heard that he was really going to be sent away, he was frightened. Snot bubbles hung on his face, and he dared not cry anymore. He trembled and wanted to stand back.
"It's too late."
Lu Cheng shook his head. "If your mind is scattered, standing here is pointless. Go."
That's the rule.
Mercy does not control soldiers, and justice does not control wealth.
Practicing martial arts is a life-or-death struggle for a future. If you don't have that kind of ambition, you might as well go home and farm, so you don't end up getting beaten to death in the ring.
After dealing with that, Lu Cheng walked up to Lu Feng.
This kid is still shaking.
But the snow beneath his feet melted.
The two deep footprints were filled with water.
"Alright."
Lu Cheng pulled back the rattan cane, "End the stance."
Lu Feng swayed, trying to pull his legs back, but his legs were already stiff as wooden stakes and wouldn't obey him at all, falling straight backward.
Lu Cheng did not help.
It looked like the boy's head was about to hit the bluestone slab.
Lu Feng suddenly twisted his waist with explosive force, managing to twist his body in mid-air, landing on his shoulder and rolling around. Although he looked disheveled, he managed to protect his head.
"Hey."
Lu Cheng smiled.
"Good reaction, he has the makings of a martial arts practitioner."
Just then, a noise came from the kitchen.
An overpowering aroma of meat, like a seductive hook, instantly filled the entire backyard.
That was Old Guan's "brain" that he had stewed all night.
Lamb, lotus root, yam, and astragalus—that was a recipe used to nourish the emperor, and now it's the Lu family's breakfast after practicing martial arts.
"Have a meal!"
Lu Cheng gave the order.
The children's eyes lit up instantly; they were truly hungry. Martial arts training is like burning oil; without oil in their stomachs, they couldn't even stand up.
……
The dining room was steaming hot.
In the middle of the table was a large bowl of mutton soup, the white broth bubbling and topped with bright green scallions.
Next to it were white steamed buns bigger than a face, piled up like a small mountain.
"eat!"
Lu Cheng started eating first.
Only then did the children dare to move; the scene was like a battle.
Shunzi and Xiaodouzi were the most enthusiastic, each grabbing two steamed buns and stuffing them into their mouths without caring about the heat.
Lu Feng didn't grab it.
He first picked up a large bowl, filled it to the brim with more meat than soup, and then took two steamed buns.
He turned around and started to walk away.
"stop."
Lu Cheng ate his porridge and tapped his chopsticks on the edge of the table.
"Where to?"
Lu Feng stopped, clutched the bowl to his chest, and said in a muffled voice:
"My sister hasn't eaten yet."
"Put it there."
Lu Cheng pointed to the table, "Sit down and eat by yourself."
Lu Feng stiffened his neck and remained motionless.
The meaning in his eyes was clear: I can go without eating, but my sister can't go hungry.
Looking at this stubborn donkey, Lu Cheng wasn't angry; instead, he felt relieved.
A person should be compassionate and righteous; that's what makes them human.
"Feng San Niang already sent over your sister's share."
Lu Cheng picked up a piece of mutton with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
"That's millet and sea cucumber porridge specially made for the little girl; it's more nourishing than your mutton soup."
"You're bringing her all this greasy, meaty food? She's too weak to handle it. Are you trying to kill her?"
Lu Feng was taken aback.
Liaoning sea cucumber?
He didn't know what it was, but it sounded expensive.
"Really?" he asked suspiciously.
"nonsense!"
Little Bean, with a steamed bun stuffed in his mouth, mumbled indistinctly:
"When has Master Cheng ever lied to anyone? Third Sister treats your sister like her own daughter; she just took her measurements to make her new clothes."
Lu Feng's eyes instantly turned red.
He didn't say anything, put down the bowl, and plopped down on the stool.
He grabbed the steamed bun and took a big bite.
Those tears fell into the mutton soup.
So fragrant.
I've never tasted meat this good in my life.
Seeing him wolfing down his food, Lu Cheng took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket, poured out a dark pill, and flicked it into Lu Feng's bowl.
"Dissolve it before drinking."
"What is this?" Lu Feng watched as the pill dissolved and the soup darkened in color.
"poison."
Lu Cheng teased him, "Aren't you scared?"
Lu Feng picked up the bowl and gulped it down in one go.
After finishing his drink, he let out a burp, grinned, and revealed a set of white teeth.
"Even poison given by the master smells good."
Lu Cheng shook his head and smiled.
Those were "bone-strengthening pills" made from several herbs.
This wolf cub has strong bones, but its constitution is severely deficient and needs strong medicine to replenish it.
"Are you full?"
Lu Cheng put down his chopsticks.
"Go to the backyard after you've eaten."
"Today I'm not going to do any standing meditation; I'm going to teach you something real."
backyard.
The snow stopped, the sun came out, and its light shone brightly on the snow.
Lu Cheng stood in front of the weapon rack.
Instead of the large white wax spear, he drew a headless staff.
"Listen up, everyone."
Lu Cheng's gaze swept over the five children in front of him (one had been sent away in the morning, leaving five).
"Martial arts training has three steps."
"Train the skin, train the bones, train the qi."
"You haven't even scratched the surface yet; you're just a bunch of brute-hard farmhands."
Shunzi and Xiaodouzi were a little unconvinced and puffed out their chests.
"Master Cheng, I can do ten somersaults without breaking a sweat!" Little Bean exclaimed.
"Those who do somersaults are monkeys."
Lu Cheng flicked his wrist.
With a "whoosh," the staff, which reached to the eyebrows, was pulled out of the air with a loud crack.
Little Bean shrank his neck in fright.
"Today, I will teach you the first mother fist in Xingyi Five Elements Fist - the Pi Quan (劈拳, Splitting Fist)."
"His punches are as sharp as an axe."
"The key is to use a downward chopping force, to send all the strength of the body through the spine to the fist."
Lu Cheng struck a pose.
There were no fancy moves.
With the front foot forward and the back foot pushing off, his hand, like a knife or axe, cleaved downwards with a fierce blow.
"ha!"
He exhaled and spoke.
Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, as if they had really seen a giant axe coming down.
A visible ripple appeared in the air.
"Did you see it clearly?"
Lu Cheng withdrew his attack.
"No..." Several children shook their heads; it was too fast.
"Lu Feng, come out here."
Lu Cheng waved.