Li Chen entered the centre of his spacious courtyard and began his daily tai chi practice — once in the morning, once in the evening. It has three phases: beginning, middle, and closing.
He began with the alignment of the body and the calming of the mind.
Feet shoulder-width apart, parallel. Knees slightly bent, never locked. Spine straight, chin slightly tucked, tongue gently touching the roof of the mouth. Hands held in front of the Lower Dantian. He established a central equilibrium — standing meditation.
Breathing naturally into the Lower Dantian, feeling the essence connecting with the earth below, he let the essence spring up from the bottom to the centre while also drawing in from above. Holding this posture for a hundred breaths, he opened the form.
Inhale: Raise arms slowly to shoulder height, palms facing down, wrists relaxed.
Exhale: Sink knees slightly, lower arms as if pressing down on water.
Repeat three times.
On the inhale, draw essence up through the legs into the Huiyin.
On the exhale, let the energy settle and expand.
The movements are slow — each inhale/exhale cycle should last ten to fifteen seconds.
He repeated this seven times before moving into the second phase: the thirteen postures — 8 Gates (Ba Gua) and Five Steps (Wu Xing).
Eight Gates — Ba Gua
Péng — Ward Off
Step forward into a bow stance, one arm extended forward in a rounded shape, palm facing inward; the other hand presses down near the hip.
Essence expands from Huiyin outward like a rising tide. Feel the pressure against Baihui.
Lǚ — Roll Back
Shift weight back, turn waist, draw both hands back in a smooth, spiralling motion.
Essence follows the hands, coiling inward. Draw heavenly energy down through Baihui to Yintang.
Jǐ — Press
Step forward again, one palm pressing against the other wrist, press forward in a short, sharp movement.
Essence condenses at Tanzhong. Feel a bead of light forming.
Àn — Push
Separate hands, sink back, then press palms forward in a wave-like motion.
Essence sinks to Yongquan, then rockets up the spine to Baihui.
Cǎi — Pull Down
Step to the side, one hand plucks downward sharply.
Pulls stagnant essence from Yintang down to be refined.
Liè — Split
Turn waist, hands split apart diagonally — one up, one down.
Creates a spiralling force that loosens the Yuzhen.
Zhǒu — Elbow Strike
Shift weight, elbow strikes forward with focused intent.
Condenses essence into a fine point at the elbow, then directs that point toward Baihui.
Kào — Shoulder Strike
Step forward, entire body leans inward — shoulder, hip, and leg in one unified line.
The whole body becomes a single weapon. Essence bursts toward Baihui like a pillar of light.
One must hold their breath for five breaths while performing the eight gates, except at Kào where it extends to ten.
Five Steps — Wu Xing
Jìn — Advance
Step forward slowly.
With each step, essence rises from feet to crown.
Tuì — Retreat
Step backward slowly.
Draws expanded spirit back inward, condensing it in the Baihui.
Zuǒ Gù — Look Left
Turn gaze and waist to the left, arms follow.
Activates the right hemisphere; balances Yang energy in Yintang.
Yòu Pàn — Look Right
Turn gaze and waist to the right, arms follow.
Activates the left hemisphere; balances Yin energy in Yintang.
Zhōng Dìng — Return to Centre
Return to centre, feet parallel, hands resting at the Lower Dantian.
All movement stops. Essence settles. Huiyin and Yintang pulse in harmony.
One must hold their breath for five breaths in the five steps, except the last where it extends to thirteen.
---
At this moment Li Chen felt as if he were nature itself taking human form — in harmony with the world. His breath synchronised with the air, his soles felt the essence of Mother Earth, and his core felt as though electric currents were flowing within, his body transitioning between cold and hot.
After some time passed, everything returned to normal. Now came the closing phase — as important as the first, for any misstep here would scatter his essence, leaving him drained.
Gathering Essence
Bring hands in front of Huiyin, palms facing up.
Slowly raise hands to Yintang, palms still facing up.
Turn palms down, slowly lower hands back to Huiyin.
Repeat three times.
The rise draws all scattered essence inward to Yintang.
On the descent, it guides the essence down to Huiyin to be stored.
Sealing the Practice
Place one palm over the other over the Huiyin.
Breathe naturally for three to five breaths.
Visualise a golden seal closing over the Lower Dantian, locking the qi inside — thereby preventing energy loss and allowing the body to integrate the practice.
Closing the Form
Slowly return to standing, hands dropping to sides.
Stand still for one minute, breathing naturally.
Gently rub palms together until warm, then place over eyes, then over Huiyin.
This signals the end of practice — one must never rush this phase.
---
After a few minutes of calm, he looked up to find Ping Fei and his new instructor standing there. Absorbed in his practice, he had never noticed them until now.
Ping Fei did not look her usual self. Her hair, which was usually tied above her head, was adorned with fresh flowers, and her gold-adorned hair dressings were filled with gems showcasing extravagance. Half her hair fell to the front while the other half hung back, tied above with a phoenix hairpin. Dressed in white and blue that looked simple yet embodied elegance, she did not look like a schemer at all, but an immortal fairy descending to the mortal world.
'That's where I got my good looks from', he thought. He did not want to stand out in this world at all — the more average he looked, the better, lest a powerful evil female cultivator took interest in his looks and locked him in her cave, blocking his dao path.
He steadied himself, swearing that whatever came his way he would face with his head and not his emotions, so he might glimpse the thin thread of survival amidst adversity.
The loose cultivator his mother had spoken of stepped forward, scrutinising him as he assessed him. "A good prospect. With a steady heart, calm mind, sharp gaze, firm hands, and focused will, you would make a divine archer. A pity I cannot teach you archery."
"Disciple thanks the teacher for the praise," Li Chen spoke, cupping his hands with a slight bow.
"Good child, you are as smart as I heard. Although we have not yet performed the acceptance ceremony, if you do not perform well I will leave this place." The swordsman spoke plainly. He did not have a right hand — which is crucial for a swordsman. His face was worn and weathered by the affairs of the world.
His mother arranged for the man to stay in the east chamber of the residence and, after introducing them further, slipped away.
He knew a few things about the palace powerhouses. His mother was stuck at the eighth inner gate, while the emperor was a qi condensation great person. Reaching the end of his life cycle, he had settled here — now at the peak of the body forging realm. His mother had started her cultivation journey at twenty years old within the palace itself, initiated by the emperor. The empress was already at the peak of the body forging realm — going against her, his mother's power alone would not suffice.
---
The serene waters whispered of the tranquillity that lingered here, and the air spoke of the boy who lived in this place — of his devotion to nurturing the trees, his compassionate heart toward the swans that lived here. The bandage around their foot was evidence of his care. The birds on the treetops chirped as if to encourage the saviour who had rescued their children from a venomous snake. The trees gently swayed with excitement as leaves leaned forward to witness his first steps toward immortality.
Li Chen looked at his first-ever master seated in a chair and knelt on the cushion before him. Taking a cup, he poured the Warm Heart tea he had prepared — his specialty.
He had created this tea after many experiments. It warms the heart channel and lets suppressed or forgotten emotions surface, while harmonising qi and blood. Its main function is to help the drinker relive their most joyful memory.
His most joyful memory was of his grandmother — teaching him, caressing him, protecting him from himself, always by his side.
This tea was perfect for the occasion. It was his highest achievement in the art of tea, a testament to his devotion to the craft. And as someone who had studied human psychology, he knew his new master carried a troubled heart. He wanted him to remember a memory of joy — even if everything else had long since become an illusion.
He did not know that had he offered this to someone who wished to forget the past, someone whose pain ran too deep — they might have lost their composure and killed him with a single slap. That would have been letting him off too easily. Scheming against a cultivator as a mortal — seeking death.
Master Qingyan not only did not lose his composure, but a gentle smile appeared on his face, lightening the dark expression that would otherwise scare away children.
"Disciple Li Chen respectfully greets immortal master Qingyan. This disciple will be loyal, diligent, and will uphold your teachings." Li Chen bowed three times — once to heaven, once to earth, and once to his new teacher.
He then produced a scroll from his sleeve and spoke again. "Though I have riches in this mortal world, in front of the esteemed master's eyes they are but useless junk. Please accept this token of my gratitude."
Ever since he had known he would receive a master, he had been preparing this scroll — his gift, his payment for the teachings to come.
Qingyan great person opened the scroll. At the sight of the character 'Sincerity', he was shaken. 'Is this truly just a nine-year-old, or an old monster wearing young skin?' he mused.
It was written in running script — not too rigid, not too wild — revealing a disciplined heart with room for spontaneity. The vertical strokes were straight but not stiff, revealing a confident yet not arrogant disposition.
As they say, calligraphy is a window into the soul of its writer. One can determine the nature of a person simply by looking at their calligraphy. The art cultivates the heart, the mind, and the spirit — a form of self-reflection.
Qingyan great person spoke with a heavy gaze and a curved smile on his lips. "It is I who is blessed by the heavens to receive such a fine disciple. As long as you are sincere, I will teach everything I have learned, leaving nothing behind. The path is long — be sincere, diligent, and patient."
Li Chen nodded, thinking: as they say, sincerity can move mountains, diligence can cut through rock, and patience melts mountains and dries seas.
The empress and her attendants were discussing matters of great importance when a eunuch entered with an imperial decree. The attendants bowed as the empress placed her hands at her left side near her stomach.
"Noble Consort Huang Ping spoke out of turn at the initiation ceremony, overshadowing Her Highness the Empress. Ping Fei is to relocate to the Palace of Eternal Harmony. The Empress shall move to the Palace of Earthly Tranquillity, in accordance with her elevated status. Hence decreed," the eunuch intoned in his high-pitched, resonant voice.
"The Empress hereby accepts the decree," she said, bowing slightly as she accepted the decree — laid in yellow silk, written with golden thread, stamped with the qilin seal.
The empress's face turned ashen. She seized the vase beside her and hurled it to the ground, shattering it to pieces.
"Back when she was just beginning to earn the emperor's favour, I gave her that place — first to please the emperor, and second to spite this thief. The empresses of two generations killed themselves in that hall. I wanted her to be afflicted with their resentment, for it to fill the palace and consume her — if not kill her, then break her mind. Not only is she unscathed, but she has grown competent enough to scheme against us."
The fury burned in her eyes.
Ai Fei spoke, her malicious tongue hissing like a snake. "What a Palace of Eternal Harmony. On the surface it appears as though the emperor wishes for reconciliation between her and Your Majesty, bringing harmony to the harem. But not only does it imply no such thing — it hatefully implies the union of man and woman, emperor and Ping Fei. The emperor is declaring that she is the woman by his side."
Duan Fei feigned ignorance. This two-headed snake twisted words with her eloquence, scheming beside the empress and feeding her with venom, all while feeding herself on the amusement brought by others' downfall. Truly malicious — with her silver tongue, she was the most dangerous of them all.
The empress felt her head spin. She fainted, falling back — only to be caught by Duan Fei — as she glared at this snake of a woman.