Hidden Moth

Hu Henry looks a bit adorable and his financial situation seems pretty good; he quickly found a girlfriend, who is a senior two years above him.

Hu Henry is in Tier 25, and the senior is in Tier 23. When they first started university, it was the juniors in their third year responsible for the welcoming task, and that’s when they met.

His girlfriend wanted to persuade him to rent a place off-campus together, but Hu Henry told her that his father had instructed him, and he himself thought the same: at least for the freshman year, he should stick to living in the dormitory to experience the unique campus life of Eastern Country.

Of course, if the girlfriend is willing, they could occasionally book a room for a date near the campus, and if the girlfriend rents off-campus herself, she could invite him over for a date.

The girlfriend was very unhappy, repeatedly trying to persuade him. Hu Henry always didn’t listen, which made her upset, and she was unhappy three times within a week, the last time almost leading to a breakup; fortunately, they stopped it in time...

Then she let it go and didn’t rent a place outside herself.

Hu Henry lived in the school dormitory and basically didn’t miss any classes after the term started. He had a habit developed from childhood, exercising every morning.

His morning exercise wasn’t running around the track but moving quickly along a selected route on the campus at a specific rhythm and then practicing Pile Technique on a vacant piece of land by the greenbelt, as if stepping into elderly life ahead of time.

During his morning exercises, he met a "senior."

The senior practiced Fist Technique where Hu Henry did Pile Technique, later moving further away to avoid disturbance when he saw Hu Henry practicing Pile Technique.

Can this cause interference? Indeed, it could! The punches thrown by the senior seemed slow, like doing broadcast gymnastics, footfall silent, but each punch carried Power, even creating a unique "field" around his posture.

Though Hu Henry hadn’t yet entered the Technique Entry Level, he laid the Foundation Establishment base from childhood; he could tell that the senior’s Fist Technique was extraordinary, Power controlled from within, even affecting the resonance of vital energy and blood.

Is this the legendary expert? His father had mentioned such a person; he didn’t expect to finally encounter one in Eastern Country!

Hu Henry had limited understanding of Technique, Technique, and Sorcerers but knew that his father possessed "kung fu," which he greatly admired and was curious about, and he naturally wanted to follow suit and learn.

However, his father had told him that some advanced "kung fu" requires foundational work from a young age, only possible to practice upon reaching adulthood. His father also mentioned that Eastern Country had many legendary genuine experts, but to learn profound kung fu requires opportunity.

Hu Henry asked what opportunity meant, and his father didn’t answer directly, merely advising him—focus on what he was doing and needed to do, performing in the manner it was meant to be.

Hu Weidong saw the "expert" practicing Fist Technique nearby several times during his morning workout, quickly concluding the pattern; the expert usually appeared on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

This person, of course, was who Feng Zilong described as He Kao.

One day, after He Kao finished his posture practice, Hu Henry couldn’t resist finally approaching him for guidance: "Senior, what is the Fist Technique you are practicing?"

The term "senior" is quite interesting; Hu Henry clearly assumed him to be from the same school, age indicating he could be a student or a young teacher.

He Kao replied with a smile, "Five Elements Staff."

He Kao introduced it briefly; Five Elements Staff is a systematic exercise method, encompassing basic skills, various stances, and apparatus elements, crucial in guiding the Heart Method.

Hu Henry grew more interested as he listened, tentatively asking, "Could I learn from you? It wouldn’t take much of your time; just teach me a couple of moves when you come, I’ll follow along."

He Kao smiled, "Sure, you can try... It looks simple, but learning it isn’t easy, and persisting is even harder."

That is true, Five Elements Staff isn’t broadcast gymnastics, and learning solely from the so-called "Secret Manual" independently is virtually impossible; it usually requires a master’s hand-on guidance.

The breathing rhythm, the meaning behind each movement, the understanding and control over physical and mental reactions, all require constant reminders and adjustments during practice.

Properly mastering it requires talent; some people simply cannot learn it, regardless of the teaching efforts.

But Hu Weidong had great talent, with a strong foundation, and He Kao taught Hu Henry the basics in just one week, across three lessons.

Hu Henry didn’t just quickly pick up the technique but practiced it well; a month later, he started apparatus training.

When He Kao practiced Five Elements Staff initially, it was with a long bamboo pole, seemingly casual, now he specially acquired two long poles made from white ash tree cores, effectively long spears without spearheads, moving the teaching location from the campus to a nearby park.

The park had ample open space, and routines could be practiced when the weather was fine.

He Kao appeared punctually on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, occasionally instructing Hu Henry, while other times were for self-practice, which he adhered to.

He Kao then taught Hu Henry a set of Pile Technique named "Seven-Section Qi Collection Method," essentially internal cultivation skill.

So Hu Henry’s daily routine included evening exercises, practiced after evening study and before returning to the dormitory for rest, located in the dormitory area, without large staff work in the evenings, just practicing a set of Fist Technique followed by half an hour of Pile Technique.

He didn’t do evening exercises daily since sometimes he needed to accompany his girlfriend.

He Kao did not rush to teach him the formal technique content. The Insect Concealment Skill is very special, requiring a breakthrough to Tier Two within a month of the initial stage, so it’s essential to lay a foundation equivalent to a Tier Two Sorcerer’s physique.

He Kao was undoubtedly very satisfied with Hu Henry’s performance. The young man’s foundation had actually met the requirement, but he still planned to have him take a Pure Yang Pill before formally cultivating the Insect Concealment Skill technique.

He Kao also instructed Hu Henry that he could tell his father about learning "kung fu" from him, but not to tell anyone else.

Hu Henry did not hide it from his father. During a phone call, he introduced his campus life and mentioned encountering a master during morning exercises, learning superior kung fu. The practice results were very good, making him feel lighter and fitter...

Hu Weidong, with great interest, inquired about the process and then told his son that all exercises should primarily focus on practical results and encouraged him to practice diligently and respect the elder who taught him.

The words ’diligent practice’ seem simple but are in fact the most difficult. Many things cannot merely rely on gritting one’s teeth and persisting but require immersing both body and mind to reap benefits and enjoy the process.

Hu Weidong also reminded his son that, given the elder’s prior words, this matter should not be disclosed to others.

As for morning and evening practice, it would surely be hard to hide it from classmates. If someone asks, just say you invited a coach from the Eastern Country to learn kung fu. Introducing some other things is also fine, but do not reveal what the elder taught you.

In fact, Hu Weidong was already aware because He Kao had informed him.

He Kao had been observing Hu Henry’s state all along, including aspects of physiology, psychology, learning, and life.

As the Sect Leader of the Hidden Moth Sect, He Kao frequently guided fellow disciples in their cultivation, but formally teaching a direct disciple was a first, and Hu Henry’s state made him very satisfied.

...

While Hu Henry was eagerly practicing kung fu, Zhao Ci was having a more frustrating time. After the second "meeting," he waited for more than half a month, and again, before bed, while sitting alone in the study smoking, someone secretly sent a divine thought.

The visitor was still Hu Weidong, who conveyed the Supreme Council’s intention to Zhao Ci: They could lift the seal for him, but they hoped Zhao Ci could do a small favor—acquire a list of all Magic Sect disciples, with as detailed information as possible!

The Magic Sect did have such a list. After promoting comprehensive information management, the Ancestral Hall held detailed information on almost all Magic Sect disciples. However, Zhao Ci did not have access permissions.

Zhao Ci nearly broke down. He picked up the phone and dialed a number he didn’t know, saying, "Impossible, that’s unachievable!"

Hu Weidong: "Your master Zheng Yisi now serves as an Observing Body Sect Steward. He should have permission to query all the Observing Body Sect disciples’ information. You could see if there’s a way through him."

Zhao Ci: "Don’t even think about it."

Hu Weidong hinted, "We’re not asking your master to betray the Magic Sect but to use his channel to try to obtain the list. For example, try quietly using his query permissions, get as much as you can.

If that’s really not possible, you at least have a list of the sorcerers from the Huailin Lineage, right? Plus, the other people you know and have heard of from the Magic Sect disciples, you can also organize a document and give it to us."

Zhao Ci thought for a moment and suddenly gritted his teeth: "Alright! I’ll take the deal, but I demand payment up front!"

In fact, Hu Weidong himself found it distasteful. The Supreme Council handled this matter stealthily and in a very closed-off manner! How can you deal with people like this? Previously, it was only about making friends, how come now they’re asking for materials?

But the Supreme Council did proceed this way, and assigned him to convey the message.

Zhao Ci’s reaction was expected, and Hu Weidong was somewhat helpless, saying, "Find an opportunity to leave the Eastern Country, preferably to North America; then someone will help you lift the seal."

Zhao Ci: "No way, North America is absolutely out of the question! You’re aware of the situation in the tourism industry; the costs are too high, and the risks are too great now!"

Hu Weidong: "How about the Nanyang area? Like Sawa Country."

Zhao Ci: "Haven’t you read the news? Aren’t you afraid of being kidnapped? The business in Sawa Country can’t be done... Right now, I could at most take contracts from Red Port, or just forget it and stop bothering me!"

Hu Weidong, after some thought, made a decision on the spot: "Then let’s do it in Red Port! Arrange your itinerary discreetly, without arousing suspicion. Once there, we will find an opportunity to lift the seal for you, and then someone will contact you for the materials."

...

After that day, Zhao Ci did two things: quit smoking and fell in love.

His new girlfriend’s surname is Lu, the same lady employee who persuaded him to quit smoking in the study when Hu Weidong first contacted him.

The relationship between the two was not abrupt; it seemed even quite natural. Miss Xiaolu loves traveling, a hobby that costs a bit of money, and takes some effort and time, but these weren’t issues for President Zhao.

Initially, they did self-driving tours in the surrounding provinces and cities. In the Eastern Country, the so-called surrounding provinces and cities might be far apart, and destinations for self-driving might also be remote, but apart from being overcharged at tourist spots, nothing special happened.

After this groundwork, Zhao Ci finally decided to take his girlfriend to Red Port.

**