Longevity begins with refining blood essence

Chapter 4: Five Animals Exercises, Health Preservation and Body Building
After a series of operations, he gained another 164 points of essence and blood.

After chopping off the heads, everyone returned to the yamen. Chen Gang took out some silver and gave each person two big coins.

"This is today's regular payment."

Fang Chen was quite confused.

"Shouldn't the regular payment be paid once a month?"

The colleague next to him chuckled.

"Boy, you don't understand this, do you? Killing people is a matter of shortening one's life span. The officials can deduct money from any group in the government, but they dare not deduct money from us executioners. They are also afraid that the karma will be transferred to themselves, so after each beheading, the salary is paid directly to break the karma with us."

"I see."

Fang Chen nodded. He didn't expect to hear such a statement.

But then again, the reward is indeed good.

The currency of Daqian was one gold equal to ten silver coins, one hundred big coins, and one thousand copper coins.

Two or three large coins were enough to keep a poor family of four alive. The executioner would earn two large coins for each head he chopped off, which allowed them to afford wine and meat, and have some spare money to go to brothels and listen to music. If they were frugal and spent the money on martial arts, it was also an investment.

In short, this is a job that is not glorious but very lucrative.

Of course, it is also exchanged for one's own destiny and merits.

Fang Chen didn't care about this.

As long as I don’t want merit, it means that my merit will not be lost.

Unlike other professions in the county government, the executioner's shift only lasted until 6:15 p.m. When he finished his shift, everyone started to make a fuss.

"Brother Chen, do you want to go out and play with us? Today, the brothers will take you to eat some meat."

"Open meat?"

Seeing Fang Chen showing a hint of confusion, everyone burst into laughter.

"Yes, I'll take you to listen to some music, and by the way, find you a woman, so you can experience the beauty of sex."

Fang Chen suddenly remembered that this was a feudal dynasty and some things were legal.

But he still chose to shake his head and refuse.

He had just returned to the county town and had a lot of things to deal with. How could he have the time to go and see his legs?

Besides, a primary school where so many people spit everywhere is really uninteresting. Fang Chen doesn't have the hobby of serving hot pot soup to others.

"Boss Chen, I wonder if there are any martial arts schools in this city that are relatively affordable and powerful?"

Fang Chen asked Chen Gang about this matter, and Chen Gang smiled and said:

"How can such a good thing happen in the world? Real skills are reserved for making a living. Without real money, who would be willing to teach you easily? It's a pity that you are an executioner, otherwise you could learn a few tricks from the county yamen's coach and it would be of great benefit to you."

"Can I learn martial arts in the government office?"

This was something Fang Chen had not expected.

Chen Gang explained:
"To be precise, they are here to instruct the soldiers and constables. Forget it, the executioner is not one of them."

"I see."

Fang Chen nodded, but he started to make some plans in his mind and walked towards the training ground.

From a distance he saw yamen soldiers and constables gathering towards the martial arts arena. When he reached the entrance of the arena, he was immediately stopped by two yamen soldiers guarding the gate.

"Stop, aren't you dressed like an executioner? What are you doing here?"

"My two elder brothers, I heard that there are often masters coming to the martial arts arena to give instructions. I want to learn from them. Can you please give me some convenience?" "Go away, is this a place you can come to? This is a coach specially invited for us soldiers and constables. You are just an executioner. You only need to have strong arms. Why are you here to join in the fun?"

Fang Chen was not angry about this, nor did he leave. He just shook his sleeves and an ounce of silver fell to the ground.

"Oh, brother, you lost your money."

As he said that, Fang Chen squatted down, picked up the silver, and put his hand under the noses of the two yamen soldiers.

The two yamen soldiers were stunned, obviously not expecting Fang Chen to do this.

The monthly salary of the yamen soldiers was only two or three taels. For the two of them, this one tael of silver was several days' salary.

The shining silver is so attractive.

The two looked at each other and confirmed each other's thoughts through eye contact.

One of the soldiers took the silver from Fang Chen, coughed lightly, and said:
"Don't make too much noise after you go in. Find a corner to sit down and don't let anyone see you. Otherwise, if you get kicked out, don't blame us brothers for not helping you."

"Thank you."

When Fang Chen entered, there were already many yamen soldiers and clerks from the fast and strong squads gathered inside. He just found a corner and sat down. Few people noticed him. Even if someone saw him, since they worked in the same yamen, they were too lazy to say anything.

Soon, an old man with white hair and beard came forward.

There was some commotion in the crowd.

"Isn't this Wu Qishan, the pharmacist of Huichuntang? How come he was also invited to be the instructor?"

"Since ancient times, medicine and martial arts have been inseparable. He should have some skills. Let's see what he wants to teach first."

Wu Qishan came here, bowed slightly to everyone, and said with a smile:
"Thank you, the county magistrate, for your appreciation. I am invited here today to teach you martial arts. Today, I will teach you the Five Animals Skills passed down from my ancestors.

This method is not like those top-level exercises that are full of murderous intent. It is a customized health-preserving exercise that can cultivate one’s body and mind, regulate Qi and blood, replenish one’s energy, and prolong one’s life.

You have been arresting criminals for many years, so you must have strained your muscles and bones, and your body is full of scars and discomfort. If you learn my health-preserving exercises, you can greatly reduce those old injuries."

“It’s actually a health-preserving exercise.”

Fang Chen's eyes lit up. Whatever he wanted came to him. This tael of silver was really worth it!
However, he was happy, but others were greatly disappointed.

"Ah? So it's a health-preserving exercise."

"I thought it was some powerful technique. It turns out to be a health-preserving technique."

"Learning this stuff is a pure waste of time."

Everyone lost interest instantly.

It's not that health-preserving exercises are bad, in fact, they are very good. Many martial arts masters who have been injured for many years will choose to learn some health-preserving exercises when they reach middle age or old age, and they may even choose to take medicine to prolong their life or to treat hidden injuries that have accumulated on their bodies for many years.

But few people would practice health-preserving exercises when they are young.

Not only is the effect of practicing health-preserving exercises extremely slow, but it also has almost no lethality. Its only function is to strengthen the body, condense the essence and blood, and increase lifespan.

Young people are at the age where they don’t care about their lives, all they need to do is to increase their strength!
At one time, many people had left here and ran to the side to practice other skills. Soon, only a small number of people were left holding on.

Wu Qishan was not angry about this. He still performed a set of Five Animals Kung Fu and recited the mantra of the technique, asking everyone to try to practice it with him.

After Fang Chen recorded his efforts in learning in his mind, a new item [Five Animals Skills (Not Yet Mastered)] appeared in the column of skills on the light screen.

Although practicing health-preserving exercises is much easier than other exercises, it is difficult to achieve success without years of accumulation.

Without hesitation, Fang Chen started to refine his essence and blood, and began to improve and deduce the Five Animals Skill.

(End of this chapter)