Chapter 107: Vigilance in Times of Peace

In Lijia Village, Sanjiang Town, China, Li Fu brought Wang Yun home to meet his parents this time. Naturally, Li Fu’s parents were beaming with joy, chatting endlessly with Wang Yun. Meanwhile, Li Fu sat quietly in his study, brewing a cup of tea as he pondered the recent trip to Northern Europe.

“If it weren’t for the Civilization Seed, I could have relayed all the surrounding details to the rescue team. Only then could they have swiftly and precisely set up an ambush against the CIA agents and successfully rescued me,” he reflected.

“If it had been anyone else, they would have surely been kidnapped this time, becoming mere tools for the Americans, stripped of their freedom.”

“Indeed, when it comes to crucial technologies that determine a nation’s fate, no country hesitates to use any means necessary. If things had gotten dire, they would have killed me outright.”

“I have Xiao Ying to protect me, so I’m not too worried about that. But what if someone threatens me by targeting my family in the future? What would I do then?”

“They’re just ordinary people. Facing professionally trained agents, they have no chance of resisting. Once kidnapped professionally, the odds are grim.”

Li Fu carefully weighed these thoughts. Forewarned is forearmed. He was determined never to let such a thing happen again—especially not to his loved ones.

“It seems I need to implement multiple layers of protection: have Xiao Ying covertly use nanobots for security, and also hire professional bodyguards to ensure my family’s safety.”

“Also, I should find a way to teach my family how to cultivate energy internally, so their physical fitness improves. That way, they can handle danger more adeptly. My parents are already elderly; although it’s late for them to start energy cultivation, it can at least improve their health and longevity.”

Li Fu’s mind raced with plans. He had once thought things were safe, but this time, being kidnapped abroad as soon as he left the country showed just how envious foreign powers were of him. They wanted to capture him to serve their own ends.

“From now on, I’ll avoid traveling overseas whenever possible. Without the protection of the nation, it’s simply too dangerous. Taking Wang Yun along this time scared her terribly.”

“It’s also necessary to build a personal force that answers only to me—nothing fancy, just a team capable of protecting me and my family at critical moments. Relying on others is ultimately unreliable; I have to rely on myself.”

“As my company continues to develop cutting-edge technology, it will inevitably affect more and more interests. As it grows, it will attract envy and all sorts of unsavory characters. Without strong power, cultivating energy would be like making a bridal gown for others—only serving others’ purposes.”

Li Fu added these thoughts to his future plans. Some things one only understands through experience. He had to reconsider and carefully plan for the future.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

“Come in,” Li Fu called.

Wang Yun entered with a smile.

“What are you thinking about all alone here?” she asked.

“I’m reflecting on what happened. It’s terrifying to think about. If I hadn’t had the latest virtual machine tech from Fuyun Technology on me, we would have been doomed—and you would have been dragged into it too.”

To the outside world, Li Fu explained that he carried the most advanced virtual machine from Fuyun Technology. People were already aware of the machine’s power, so no one doubted his story.

Li Fu gently pulled Wang Yun into his arms with an apologetic smile.

“Fu Ge, why say that? As long as I’m with you, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Wang Yun was still shaken. The ordeal had been far too dangerous. Without the latest virtual machine with Li Fu, they might never have returned home.

“I swear, I’ll never let anyone hurt you again,” Li Fu said resolutely. To anyone, their family is sacred. Anyone who dares harm them will not be forgiven.

“A Yun, I want to teach you a method of physical training that can better unlock your potential. Do you want to learn?”

Wang Yun’s interest was piqued immediately.

“Oh? You actually know a way to train the body and unlock potential? Where did you learn that?”

Li Fu explained earnestly, “My achievements owe a lot to this method, especially for brain development. It helped me learn quickly, with photographic memory and speed reading skills developing afterward.”

“You might not believe it, but I was lucky to learn this from a master by chance. I’ll teach it to you now, but you mustn’t spread it around.”

Li Fu smiled, disguising the internal energy cultivation technique as a physical training method, attributing its origin to an unknown master.

“Is it really as miraculous as you say? I don’t believe it,” Wang Yun said skeptically.

“Believe it or not, you’ll know once you try. Come on, let’s go exercise. I’ll teach you step by step.”

Li Fu took Wang Yun up to the relatively flat area on the hill behind Lijia Village. They ran while learning the basic internal energy breathing techniques.

“You must breathe rhythmically, only through your nose. Start with the simplest pattern: three long breaths and two short. Then try one long, one short. Finally, two long, two short. At first, it might feel uncomfortable, but once you adapt, you’ll discover its secrets.”

Li Fu patiently guided Wang Yun through the foundational breathing techniques as they ran. Li Fu’s cultivation had long since surpassed the apprentice level; he was now an internal energy warrior, well beyond these basic methods.

Wang Yun coughed repeatedly at first, struggling with the breathing, often stopping.

“You’re kidding me, right? Running and breathing like this means I’m not getting enough oxygen. I’ve trained in Taekwondo, and they never required this. The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen you need. This kind of breathing can’t work,” Wang Yun pouted, her delicate face flushed from the effort.

“Watch how I breathe,” Li Fu said as he ran, demonstrating. His whole body rose and fell like waves, perfectly rhythmic. At the end of a breath cycle, a visible white breath burst from his nose, shaking a pine tree ahead so hard that dry needles and leaves fell.

“This... this is incredible!” Wang Yun stared in disbelief. The force of his breath causing a tree to tremble and shed branches seemed almost supernatural—like something out of a fantasy drama.

“Ha ha, impressive, right? I’ll tell you, with proper cultivation, this can also preserve youth. When you’re in your forties or fifties, you’ll look as young as you do now.”

Li Fu laughed happily, hoping the promise of youthful looks would motivate Wang Yun to persist. For a woman, nothing is more tempting.

“Really?” Wang Yun’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”

Li Fu swore.

“Three long, two short... one long, one short... two long, two short, huh? I don’t believe it,” Wang Yun said, energized, and started running again without needing encouragement.

“Yes, take it slow. First master the three-long-two-short pattern, then move on to one-long-one-short. Step by step, no rush,” Li Fu patiently coached.

Wang Yun’s talent was good, although not as exceptional as Li Fu’s. By the second day, she had successfully completed the full breathing cycle and absorbed her first internal energy. She immediately felt light and refreshed, toxins expelled, and experienced the wonders of cultivation.

“This is amazing! I feel so powerful, my body light as a feather, and my mind crystal clear. I’ve never felt so comfortable,” Wang Yun said with her eyes closed, savoring the changes.

“Ha ha, see how great it is? Don’t stop now. Keep practicing. It’s best to complete multiple cycles to solidify the basics,” Li Fu encouraged, delighted to see her enthusiasm. He saw in her the same excitement he’d felt when he first completed the cycle.

In the days leading up to the New Year, with the whole family home, Li Fu taught his parents and younger brother the basic internal energy cultivation method. His brother learned quickly, being young and receptive to new things, while his elderly parents took much longer to grasp the basics and naturally didn’t progress as well.

[End of excerpt.]