Chapter 7: The Octopus Symbol

Sun Lin had never heard of Tai Chi and did not know what kind of martial art it was. With eyes full of curiosity, she looked at Chu He. On the other hand, Zhao Yun moved his body and hurriedly stepped forward to mimic Chu He's stance.

Chu He looked at the disheveled old man with a dazed expression, and his heart couldn't help but soften. He waved his hand to pick up a plate of roasted meat beside him and casually handed it to the old man, smiling as he said: "Elder, please eat! I have plenty here!"

Through the little fish's eyes, he saw a faint yin-yang symbol shimmering within them. This symbol appeared and disappeared, and unless one observed closely, others would be unable to discern the intricacies within.

The reason why the Chu River can trace its trajectory is entirely due to the special viewing techniques of the Yin-Yang school passed down through masters, which led to this conclusion

"Zilong, why don't you greet? Isn't he from your village? This old man is truly pitiful!" Chu He turned to grab the wine, and seeing Zhao Yun observing him with wide-eyed astonishment, he clinked his wine jar against the one Zhao Yun was holding.

"Young master, kind-hearted people are sure to be rewarded! I have nothing of value, so I will give you this jade pendant to repay your kindness in offering me meat!" The old man smiled, contentedly taking the roasted meat and stuffing it into his bosom, then he poured the remaining meat from the plate into his embrace, before finally retrieving a black object from his waist and handing it to Chu He.

"Master Uncle, all I desire is to make the most of my knowledge and serve a wise ruler to bring stability to the world!" The light in Zhao Yun's eyes flickered, and his actions momentarily paused.

Zhao Yun took the wine jar and drank heartily. After the two finished drinking, they looked at each other and couldn't help but burst into laughter. At this moment, the wine was on Chu He’s mind, and he appeared slightly intoxicated

"Pay attention! What I am now transmitting to you is the essence of Tai Chi standing post..." As he spoke, Chu He elaborated on the key points and essence of Tai Chi standing post. After demonstrating, he began to guide Zhao Yun in the standing posture, while Sun Lin, feeling inspired, also joined the ranks of those learning the martial art.

... ...

Indeed, it is the Yin-Yang fish symbol... Could it be that the old man is a descendant of the Yin-Yang family? Yet..." Chu He grasped the fish symbol tightly, but he found himself engulfed in a complex mix of contemplation and excitement

In the distance, at the entrance of the courtyard, Tong Yuan stood by the door, his eyes fervently fixed on the three individuals demonstrating martial arts ahead. His heart was filled with tranquility. Suddenly, he turned his left hand, and a snow-white dove appeared in his palm. He gently stroked the dove's feathers, murmuring a few words, and then waved his hand to release it.

Zhao Yun slightly furrowed his brows, and upon clearly seeing the old man's appearance, he could not help but fall silent, as if he had not heard anything at all, picking up the wine jar to drink again

Zhao Yun beside him slightly raised his head, sighed, and said: "The master does not allow us to have any interaction with him, I think it is because he is afraid we might also be implicated. However, this old man has never come here to beg, yet today, for some reason..."

Tong Yuan, with his drunken eyes hazily gazing at the starry sky, after a series of long sighs and short breaths, ultimately succumbed to the effects of alcohol. With the support of Sun Lin, he returned to the courtyard to rest

This secret technique originally belongs to the practitioners of Yin-Yang philosophy, serving as a secret method to seek the key to the inheritance of the Yin-Yang school. As a descendant of the Yin-Yang practitioners, Chu He, after self-learning the Martial Virtue Fist, was forcefully instructed by his master to memorize this extremely difficult method of observation. Now, upon encountering this fish-shaped object, he cannot help but recall the mission and goals that come with being a descendant of the Yin-Yang practitioners

Chu He gently nodded, and could not help but sigh deeply. Zilong had followed Liu Bei throughout his life, engaging in numerous campaigns. Although he was renowned for his constant victories and passed away peacefully, he felt that his contributions were minimal. His official rank and salary were not as substantial as those of the other Five Tiger Generals. If he were to be utilized, Zilong would be the main force. However, would history change because of my presence?

Oh! What is this... While getting dressed, a thumb-sized, dark-colored, goldfish-shaped object fell out of my clothes.

Hey! We need not waste our energy on unrelated matters. The mood is just right for a drink; how about I teach you Tai Chi? If Sun Lin is interested, she can learn a bit too!" Chu He, seeing the two lost in thought because of the old man, couldn't help but chuckle. He put the items in his pocket, set aside the wine jar, and moved to an open space, readying himself to demonstrate for the two.

Chu He was momentarily taken aback, then sighed and said, "Ah! So it turns out to be a beggar, no wonder he looks so pitiful"

Chu He cast aside his wine cup, picked up the wine jar beside him, and looked at Zhao Yun, who was preparing the roasted meat in front of him. He said loudly: "Zilong, with your heart set on the world, if one day chaos truly arises, how about I accompany you to seek a wise ruler? Come! Come! Come! Let us drink!"

The crowing of roosters in the early morning awakens the Chu River from its haze. Having arrived in this unfamiliar place and having not slept well throughout the night, he stretches his waist and gets out of bed. Zhao Yun and Sun Lin have not returned all night and are currently practicing Tai Chi in the martial arts arena.

"He is not from our village!" Behind her, Sun Lin walked over slowly, glanced at the silent Zhao Yun in front, and turned to look at Chu He

Moreover, Chu He saw the four characters "Yin Yang Fish Symbol" emerging, which were entirely revealed in accordance with the trajectory of the Yin Yang mark.

He is not a beggar, but rather a wanderer. Having offended someone, he was stripped of his skills and had his entire family killed, so he fled to the ancestral grave in Changshan to live in seclusion. He is a lazy person who has spent ten years here, idling away his days... Sun Lin said disdainfully, clearly showing her strong disapproval of such people, her tone extremely cold.

The Yin-Yang fish symbol suddenly caught his attention, and the spirit of the Chu River was greatly shaken. He stared in shock at the little fish's eyes, and a tremendous wave of astonishment surged within him

When Chu He was about to return the item to the old man, the old man suddenly turned and fled, disappearing into the vast darkness in the blink of an eye

The dim curtain is dotted with glimmers resembling pearls, beneath the night sky on the vast martial field, a pile of bonfire rises slowly. Zhao Yun, holding a short knife, cuts off slices of golden-brown roasted meat from the cooked prey, placing them into a plate.

The wine of the late Eastern Han Dynasty was not very strong, and its alcohol content was low. After consuming several jin of Chu River, I felt increasingly spirited, my eyes burning as I looked at the silent Zhao Yun, and I softly asked, "Zilong, with the world on the brink of chaos, do you have any thoughts of your own?"

Chu He was filled with astonishment as he picked up the small fish from the bed. His hesitant eyes carefully examined this ink-colored goldfish, which seemed like jade yet was not. It felt cool to the touch, and the craftsmanship was exceptionally exquisite. Each scale of the fish was vividly lifelike, especially those eyes, which appeared almost real.

Why have I come here? Is it a coincidence or is it fate that has brought me here

Cough! Cough! Cough! Young hero, could you spare a few pieces of meat? It has been a long time since I have tasted meat, and I hope you will forgive my boldness! At this moment, a hunched, emaciated old man, dressed in tattered clothes full of patches, emerged from the darkness and stopped by the campfire, his eyes eagerly fixed on the game roasting over the fire, unable to help but swallow his saliva.

As Chu He spoke, he handed another jar to Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun's eyes sparkled as he looked at the jar of wine that Chu He had passed over. He nodded solemnly, smiled slightly, and said, "Master Uncle, please!"