Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World Chapter 4 Small Success

As he neared his home, Gu Sheng noticed a woman in a plain cloth skirt, her hair neatly tied up, clasping the hand of a young boy. They stood waiting, and the moment she caught sight of him, the modestly pretty woman burst into a delighted grin.

"Asheng, you've come back at last."

A smile bloomed across Gu Sheng's face.

"Erniu's wife, and Xiao Wan, what are you doing here?"

The lady standing there was Li Lian, the spouse of Gu Erniu, wed from the nearby Li family fortress. The child with her was Gu Erniu's boy, Gu Wan.

Even in her simple skirt, Li Lian's form hinted at her elegant allure, setting her apart from ordinary farm wives. Yet, the subtle roughness on her palms revealed her daily labors, proving she lived no life of ease.

Gu Erniu had spared no effort years ago to win Li Lian's hand.

Though no martial practitioner himself, Gu Erniu excelled in archery and had offered numerous prized hunt spoils as her dowry.

Gu Wan let out a cheerful giggle, darting around the enclosure in playful loops.

Li Lian gave him a gentle rebuke, then turned to Gu Sheng with a warm smile and remarked:

"Asheng, after heading to the manor to split wood today, you must be worn out."

She uncovered the gray fabric over her basket, exposing a chunk of dark cured meat, roughly palm-sized. She also pulled out a little earthen pot and passed both to Gu Sheng, explaining:

"Your brother Erniu made me deliver these to you on purpose. This is rabbit from a recent hunt—still some remains. Have it to build your vigor; daily wood-chopping is draining you dry.

The pot holds a salve your brother Erniu applied during his archery training. Spread it on the aching areas, and you'll recover swiftly by morning."

Li Lian presented the gifts with a grin, and when Gu Sheng paused, she thrust them firmly into his grasp.

A wave of warmth flooded Gu Sheng's chest.

In these hard days, Gu Erniu's household showed him such care, mindful it was merely his initial day at the task. They'd readied meal and balm especially for him. No matter their simple value, the heartfelt gesture meant the world.

"Thanks to you, Erniu's wife, and brother Erniu," Gu Sheng murmured, his heart brimming with thanks.

Li Lian curved her lips in a light laugh:

"To truly repay your brother Erniu, just thrive, labor diligently, and one day wed a fine woman and father a sturdy child. That'll soothe your late father's soul."

She felt a quiet astonishment too.

Previously, Gu Sheng had shied from her gaze, appearing timid, yet now he seemed steady and assured.

"Fine, fine, take your ease. I've got to return and fix supper for your brother Erniu. He's off at the manor reuniting with former martial companions, and if he returns to an empty table, he'll grumble at me once more."

Li Lian chuckled while speaking, her mock complaint laced with affection in her gaze.

Gu Sheng got it.

The tie between Gu Erniu and his wife ran deep. Amid such trying times, a dependable partner was a rare treasure, all the more cherished.

Li Lian summoned Gu Wan, and they departed with elegant steps.

Abruptly, a thought struck Gu Sheng, and he called out:

"Erniu's wife, I'll give back the pot once the salve is used up!"

Li Lian merely waved without turning, vanishing beyond the bend.

Gu Sheng shook his head.

Gazing at the cured rabbit and balm in his hold, he couldn't stop himself from licking his lips, saliva pooling in eagerness.

Meat had been scarce for so long. He yearned for it fiercely, particularly after a full day of splitting wood, his weariness making his gut rumble fiercely.

Gu Sheng pivoted and entered the dwelling.

He kindled a fire for cooking.

From the storage, he ladled out half a pound of rice bran. After a brief pause, he added another half pound.

Wood-splitting burned through stamina; replenishing was vital. Neglect it, and his frame would weaken terribly in time.

"Should I aim for martial arts practice ahead, a frail body won't suffice. Starting now, two pounds of rice daily it is."

Gu Sheng clenched his jaw.

He resolved to boost his intake from this day forth.

With the chopping gig secured, even at two or three wen per day initially, he foresaw greater yields as his splitting skill hit Small Success and beyond. Early groundwork for training was essential.

Lest, by the time fees amassed, he'd falter still.

Rice cooked, Gu Sheng turned to the cured rabbit.

He gave it a quick rinse with well water, keeping the liquid to simmer foraged greens, infusing them with a meaty essence.

Boiled, the rabbit soon released a savory scent wafting everywhere.

Gu Sheng's belly roared insistently, and restraint crumbled.

He heaped a big bowl with rice, seized the rabbit chunk, and ignored the searing heat—biting in straightaway.

"Ssss haa ssss haa!"

Gu Sheng hissed from the burn but refused to eject the morsel. Its taste exploded, wrapping him in pure delight.

Though past-life recollections brimmed with gourmet feasts, here meat remained a rare treat for Gu Sheng. In his father's time, it graced only major festivals.

Even the foraged greens tasted enhanced alongside the rabbit.

Gu Sheng wolfed it down, the bowl's contents vanishing in moments.

Belly full, he released a content belch.

"If only meat graced my table daily!"

Gu Sheng mused longingly.

This feast eased his tiredness greatly, and ongoing like this, his bodily power would surge ahead.

After a short repose, he applied the salve from Li Lian.

The earthen pot held just a scant layer of the stuff.

Scooping some dark goo with a twig, its sharp herbal tang rising, Gu Sheng applied it evenly to his arms without flinching. After a moment's doubt, he dabbed more on his lower spine.

"This bit should cover two or three uses. Soon, my form will adjust."

Gu Sheng's appreciation for Gu Erniu's kin deepened.

Their favor ran deep.

Yet for the moment, survival was his sole focus. Repaying would come later.

On the heated kang, Gu Sheng kneaded his limbs to loosen, all while sorting his mind. Awakened insight aside, recollections jumbled; he sought swift paths to better his lot.

...

Dawn of the following day arrived.

Gu Sheng roused early, amazed to find mere faint aches in arms and back.

"Brother Erniu's salve works wonders,"

he reflected approvingly within. Dressed, he prepared and ate heartily, wrapping some bran cakes, then set off for the manor.

Building on yesterday's practice, his chopping flowed far easier today.

Facing the wood stacks, hope shone on Gu Sheng's features.

"Time to begin!"

Crack!

Crack!

Wood-splitting thuds resounded sporadically, persisting until dusk.

Gu Sheng swabbed sweat from his brow, joy sparkling in his eyes.

Day's haul: 324 logs cleaved!

Midway, he grasped a superior force method, pushing his chopping mastery to 65%!

"Small Success in chopping nears!"

Gu Sheng brimmed with energy.

Before Gu He, he declared his count with pride.

Gu He kept it brief.

"Three wen for today. You lag on dozens of logs; clear them soon."

Gu Sheng nodded simply.

...

Day three dawned.

Gu Sheng wondered if it was fancy, but after solid eats over two days and steady chopping, his might seemed marginally bolstered.

Roughly two hours shy of sunset.

In the rear yard, Gu Sheng split wood.

Expertly, he set a log end-up on the block, hefted the axe overhead, and instinctively rooted his right foot, pivoting his torso to surge force from hips through limbs. The blade whistled down sharply.

Crack!

Wood parted with a sharp snap.

The axe cleaved the log flawlessly, gliding smooth as flowing water, resistance absent as halves divided true.

Gu Sheng eagerly checked his panel.

[Martial Arts]: Chopping Wood (Small Success 0%).