Chapter 99: Qi-Blood Perfection, Comprehending Runes
As Lu Qing finished his morning meal, he began teaching the two little ones how to recognize characters.
"Heaven and Earth are enigmatic, the universe primal and vast…"
Holding a small stick, Lu Qing wrote in a basin of sand, reciting to them as he went.
Having never tutored children in his past life, he could only teach based on his own understanding, slowly and steadily.
Unknown to him what the primer books of this world were like, he taught them from the Thousand Character Classic he had learned, bit by bit.
Fortunately, Little Yan and Little Li were both quite bright and, despite Lu Qing's awkward teaching, were quick to remember.
Of course, they could only recognize the characters and not write them or understand their meanings.
"Alright, now that you two recognize these characters, you can try writing them on your own."
Once he saw that Little Yan and Little Li had memorized the characters, Lu Qing fetched two more basins of sand and placed them before them.
If a schoolmaster were to witness this scene, he would likely be sick with frustration.
Teaching recognition of characters like this—cramming them in on the first day of learning, without fearing the children would be overwhelmed—was unheard of.
But at this moment, only Lu Qing and the two little ones were in the house.
Both sides were daring—one to teach and the other two to learn. Upon hearing Lu Qing's words, Little Yan and Little Li began earnestly practicing their writing.
Little Yan gripped a small stick, first observing the characters her brother had written, then imitating them in her basin of sand.
Little Li had some trouble. With only paws, it found holding the stick awkward. After a few attempts, it simply tossed the stick aside and extended a sharp claw to write in the sand.
Lu Qing watched, somewhat amused, but did not stop her.
Expecting a little beast to grasp a pen and write was indeed asking too much.
Just as the two little ones were seriously learning to write, a voice came from outside: "Qing."
"Master, why have you come over?"
Lu Qing went out, surprised.
"I have finished crafting the Qi-Blood Nourishing Elixirs you needed and brought them over," said Elder Chen, smiling.
"It's too kind of you to deliver them in person, Master. I should have come to pick them up," Lu Qing said somewhat embarrassedly.
"Why should we worry about such matters between master and disciple? I've been sitting in the Medicine Room for several days and needed some fresh air."
The elder doctor stepped into the house.
"Grandpa Chen!"
Little Yan greeted him politely, and even Little Li called out.
"Yes, dear, what are you doing?"
The elder doctor was curious to see both little ones each sitting in front of a basin of sand.
"Brother is teaching us to recognize characters, and we are learning to write!" Little Yan said with excitement.
"Recognizing characters?" The elder doctor looked more puzzled and turned to Lu Qing.
It was understandable to teach Little Yan, but why was Little Li also sitting so obediently?
Embarrassed, Lu Qing said, "I had some free time and thought that Little Yan is not so young anymore and should start learning to recognize characters, so I started teaching her. Unexpectedly, Little Li also showed a great interest, so I taught them both."
Elder Doctor Chen looked at Little Li in surprise. He had not expected the little black beast to have such an eager heart for learning—much stronger than many human children.
He did not know that the reason the two little ones were so actively learning to recognize characters was entirely because Lu Qing had hooked their interest with stories, inspiring them to learn.
"Recognizing characters is good. Most knowledge in this world is hidden within books. If you understand characters, you will be able to learn many principles on your own in the future," said the elder doctor approvingly.
"Then Grandpa Chen, are there many interesting stories in the books?" Little Yan asked eagerly. Enjoy new tales from empire
Little Li also looked over.
The elder doctor paused, then nodded, "Of course, there are many fascinating tales in storybooks."
Hearing this, Little Yan and Little Li's eyes lit up even brighter, their enthusiasm for writing growing stronger.
Lu Qing was flustered and quickly diverted his master's attention, "Master, you said that you've finished making the Qi-Blood Nourishing Elixirs?"
"Indeed, they are ready." The elder doctor nodded, taking out several large medicine bottles. "I've sorted the Elixirs according to their medicinal effects. These two bottles contain those crafted from ginseng of under two hundred years, this bottle from three hundred years, and this bottle from the five hundred-year-old treasure ginseng. Keep them safe."
Seeing Lu Qing accept the Elixirs, Elder Doctor Chen added, "Qing, Elixirs are beneficial, but you must also be careful when taking them. Every medicine has its poison, even the best Elixir must be taken in proper doses. Do not damage your health in haste to achieve results."
"I will remember that," Lu Qing said earnestly.
"Alright, I won't disturb you any further and will head back up the mountain."
After delivering the Elixirs, the elder doctor felt relieved and announced his departure.
"Master, you've been crafting Elixirs for days without probably having a proper meal. Why not let me prepare a simple meal for you?"
Seeking to prevent his master from leaving so soon, Lu Qing quickly offered.
"That's not necessary. I've already eaten. Over these past few days while crafting the Elixirs, I've pondered over the Innate Technique you gave me and had some realizations. It's a good time for me to go into seclusion. Continue teaching Little Yan and the others to recognize characters," the elder doctor refused.
Seeing his master so determined, Lu Qing had no choice but to let the matter go.
After all, such insights were rare, and he truly feared interrupting his master's enlightenment.
After his master left, Lu Qing saw Little Yan still seriously writing and did not disturb them. Going into the yard, he took out a Qi-Blood Nourishing Elixir that was a hundred years old, swallowed it, and began to cultivate.
As soon as the Elixir entered his stomach, its medicinal properties quickly spread through his body. Lu Qing started practicing the first nine movements of the Nourishing Body Boxing technique one by one.
Lu Qing's Nourishing Body Boxing had undergone quite a few changes compared to before.
After a trip into the mountains, Lu Qing had found a great opportunity, not only inheriting the legacy of Li Weitian, a cultivator of Innate Perfection, but also learning the method of cultivating runes.