As Li Daoxuan watched Flat Rabbit's exaggerated performance, something suddenly resurfaced in his memory. Months ago, he had downloaded several gigabytes' worth of military combat training videos from a historical military forum. They had been sitting untouched on his computer ever since, not because he had forgotten about them, but because he had yet to find the right moment to introduce such advanced material to the villagers inside his miniature world.
Recently, He Jiu had been pushing the militia hard, drilling them daily in formations, spear handling, crossbow operation, coordinated marching, and even basic field survival skills such as camp construction. Whenever time allowed, he also gave personal instruction in Guanzhong Hong Fist, refining their bodies and strengthening their foundations. Their schedule was already so demanding that most of the militia collapsed into bed each night with aching muscles and exhausted minds.
Because of this, Li Daoxuan had deliberately held back the combat training videos, concerned that adding more would overwhelm them before they were ready. His original plan had been to wait until they had fully adapted to their current training intensity and built sufficient endurance.
Yet now, watching Flat Rabbit's burning eagerness to improve, Li Daoxuan found himself reconsidering that decision.
Perhaps it was only his own assumption that they were too tired. From their perspective, they might instead see hardship as opportunity, willingly pushing themselves further in pursuit of strength and survival. If that was the case, then withholding knowledge might actually hinder them rather than protect them.
In the end, he decided there was no need to make the choice for them. He would simply present the opportunity and allow each person to decide their own path. Those unwilling to endure hardship would naturally stop. Those with true determination would persist.
The only remaining question was how to present it in a way that was both effective and... entertaining.
The simplest approach would be to hand everything directly to He Jiu and let him handle the instruction. However, Li Daoxuan quickly dismissed that idea as far too dull. If he was going to play the role of a celestial being, then he might as well embrace the theatrics properly.
His thoughts drifted to the classic wuxia stories of Jin Yong, where fortunate individuals would witness immortals practicing martial arts upon sheer cliff faces under moonlight, gaining enlightenment through observation alone.
A slow grin spread across his face.
Yes. That would be perfect.
That night, the moon hung high and bright above Gao Family Village, its pale light washing over the silent rooftops. Most of the villagers had long since fallen asleep, leaving only a pair of patrol guards walking their routine along the fortress walls.
Flat Rabbit dragged his weary body back to his small plastic house in the Short-term Workers Village and collapsed onto his bed. The day's relentless training had pushed him to his limits. Between formation drills, Hong Fist practice, and ideological instruction, his entire body felt as though it had been beaten with iron rods. And yet, beneath the exhaustion, a deep sense of fulfillment burned brightly in his chest.
For as long as he could remember, he had dreamed of becoming a great general, someone worthy of admiration and fear. That dream had always seemed distant and unattainable. Now, for the first time in his life, he felt that he was finally walking toward it.
Unable to contain his excitement, he punched lightly toward the ceiling.
"Hah!"
Even in his exhaustion, he found himself smiling.
Still, one regret lingered in his heart. Guanzhong Hong Fist, while effective, was ultimately a widely known martial art. Mastering it alone would never allow him to truly distinguish himself. What he longed for was something rarer, something legendary... a secret technique passed down by immortals.
As that thought crossed his mind, a soft tapping sound suddenly echoed from his window.
Thump.
Flat Rabbit froze.
"Who's there?"
No answer came.
He moved cautiously to the window and pushed it open just enough to peer outside. The village lay silent beneath the moonlight, without the slightest trace of movement.
After watching for a long moment and seeing nothing, he convinced himself it must have been a bird and returned to bed.
He had barely settled in before it came again.
Thump.
This time, he sprang up instantly, grabbing the ancestral longsword resting beside his pillow. He rushed to the window and looked out once more, only to find empty stillness waiting for him.
Frowning deeply, he stepped outside to investigate.
At that exact moment, a dark figure streaked silently across a nearby rooftop, moving with unnatural speed before vanishing into the distance.
Flat Rabbit's heart began pounding.
He hesitated only briefly before giving chase.
The figure appeared again at the edge of a distant field, gliding toward the valley beyond the village. Recognition struck him immediately.
Wasn't that the same valley Daoist Master Ma had spoken of... the place where immortals and demons clashed?
Driven by equal parts fear and excitement, he followed.
When he finally reached the valley, he found it quiet and empty. For a moment, he wondered if he had imagined everything.
Then he saw it.
Upon the valley wall, an enormous shadow loomed, towering over the landscape like a mountain given form. It moved with impossible grace, executing punches and kicks that radiated overwhelming power. Each motion was precise and purposeful, carrying an aura of absolute mastery.
Flat Rabbit could scarcely breathe.
Every strike seemed capable of shattering heaven and earth.
His body moved unconsciously, attempting to mimic the motions, but he quickly stopped himself, torn by inner conflict.
Such a miraculous opportunity... should he keep it to himself?
The selfish thought lasted only a moment before shame washed over him.
No. He could not betray his brothers like that.
This was not something meant for one person alone.
Resolving himself, he shouted toward the towering shadow.
"Immortal, please wait! This rabbit will return immediately!"
He spun and ran with everything he had, racing back toward Gao Family Village.
When he reached the fortress gate, he pounded against it frantically.
"Open the gate! Quickly! This rabbit needs to find Instructor He, Gao Chuwu, Zheng Daniu, and the others! Hurry! There's no time!"
High above, Li Daoxuan watched the entire scene unfold, his smile filled with quiet satisfaction.
This rabbit... truly understood loyalty.
Even if he had chosen selfishly, Li Daoxuan would still have taught them eventually. But because he chose to share the opportunity with his comrades, he had unknowingly earned far greater favor in the eyes of a god.
Footnotes
Immortal shadow boxing trope — Inspired by classical wuxia scenes where "immortal sword shadows" appear on cliffs, most famously in a certain major wuxia novel. Historically, such scenes reflect how ancient martial practitioners often learned by copying silhouettes or shadows cast by torchlight.
Guanzhong Red Fist — A real northern Chinese martial tradition, known historically for straightforward strikes and battlefield practicality. In the story's period, rural militias often learned simplified versions.
Militia ideological lessons — A tongue-in-cheek nod to how late-dynastic or early-republic community groups often mixed martial drills with "lecturing sessions" to maintain morale and discipline.
"Secret manuals" culture — Historically, most martial knowledge was passed orally. Written manuals existed, but not as magical as novels made them. The fascination with "forbidden scrolls" is a very modern wuxia trope—and this chapter pokes fun at it.