National Treasure

The Green Emperor Heart Method was the supreme cultivation technique of the Divine Farmer Sect. From the moment Huo Xuan began practicing the Hunyuan Stance, this method had served as his foundation. Both the Nine Medical Forces and the Great Luo Divine Needle relied on it to unleash their full potential.

Not wanting to disturb his neighbors, Huo Xuan went alone to a riverside near the residential area late at night. The dark, deserted bank provided the perfect solitude for cultivation.

Planting his feet firmly, he assumed the True Womb Fist stance. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that while he could replicate the posture, it didn't truly belong to him.

"Lu Yunxiang spent a lifetime refining his own True Womb Fist. Even if I master it, it'll never truly be mine."

Like a calligrapher imitating ancient masters—no matter how flawless the replication, it wouldn't elevate him to their level. Only by breaking free from tradition could he forge his own path.

Determined, he resolved to strip away Lu Yunxiang's influence from the stance. This proved far harder than learning it in the first place. After an entire night, he'd made no breakthrough.

Still, he wasn't empty-handed—he'd found his next direction.

"This stance contains Xingyi, Bajiquan, Bagua, Wing Chun, Hung Kuen, Shaolin techniques—over a hundred styles. Forgetting them won't be easy. I'll have to unlearn them one by one, returning the True Womb Fist to its purest form."

The next day, Zhang Wu and his men returned to Jiangzhou ahead of Huo Xuan, who stayed a few more days with his parents.

During this time, he found excuses to massage Lu Hongmei and Huo Guozhong, secretly channeling golden light from his left eye to nourish their bodies. Unbeknownst to them, the couple felt increasingly rejuvenated daily. Huo Guozhong's leg healed completely, allowing him to undergo surgery to remove the steel pins.

Once his father could walk again, Huo Xuan prepared to leave for Heyuan City.

Before departing, Huo Xuan made several calls. The first was, naturally, to Hua Buyi. Upon hearing Huo Xuan's request to treat two individuals, Hua Buyi agreed without hesitation, simply stating he'd arrive by noon the next day.

Next, Huo Xuan notified Feng Yulong and Xu Feihu—one seeking treatment, the other a promotion—both of whom would meet him in Heyuan.

Lastly, he called Professor Guo. The moment the professor heard Huo Xuan's voice, his tone brightened. "Xiao Huo! I gathered national experts to study that Xuande censer. The results confirm—it's an imperial bronze incense burner cast in the third year of Xuande's reign!"

Huo Xuan wasn't particularly surprised—he had already anticipated this outcome. With a smile, he said, "Uncle Guo, it seems I was quite lucky. And it's rare for so many experts to reach a unanimous conclusion."

Professor Guo exclaimed in admiration, "It's simply too exquisite—both in craftsmanship and color, absolutely flawless. Moreover, the inscriptions inside definitively confirm its identity as an imperial incense burner."

"Xiao Huo," he continued with a chuckle, "I've entrusted the artifact to the Heyuan University Archaeological Museum for safekeeping. Keeping it at home would be too risky. After all, if something so precious were lost, this old man couldn't possibly compensate for it."

Huo Xuan nodded. "That's a prudent decision, Uncle Guo. I have no concerns about it." He then added, "I'll arrive in Heyuan this afternoon, and my master will be here tomorrow. I'll ask him to treat your spinal injury."

Professor Guo was overjoyed. "Xiao Huo, I can't thank you enough. Call me when you land at the airport—I'll have Guo Lan pick you up."

After confirming the arrangements, Huo Xuan headed to Dongling and boarded a flight to Heyuan City. By the time he arrived, it was already past 2 p.m. Guo Lan was waiting at the arrivals gate and immediately waved excitedly when she spotted him. "Huo Xuan! Huo Xuan!"

Huo Xuan walked over with a smile. "It's been a while, beautiful. You've become even more stunning."

Guo Lan playfully punched his arm. "And you've gotten handsomer."

They got into Guo Lan's Volkswagen Bora and drove to Professor Guo's home.

Originally, Professor Guo had classes scheduled for the afternoon, but he had rearranged them to welcome Huo Xuan. When they met again, the professor smiled and said, "Xiao Huo, you seem different from before."

Huo Xuan thought to himself, Of course I'm different—I spent nine months training rigorously in the mountains. But aloud, he simply said, "Really? No wonder Guo Lan said I've gotten better-looking."

His remark drew laughter from everyone.

In the living room, as Guo Lan served tea, Huo Xuan noticed a hint of unease in Professor Guo's expression. Reading the room, he asked with a smile, "Uncle Guo, is something troubling you?"

Professor Guo sighed awkwardly. "There's something I find difficult to bring up."

Huo Xuan responded generously, "If it's within my power, Uncle Guo, please don't hesitate to ask."

The professor explained, "Xiao Huo, you know how priceless the Xuande-era imperial incense burner is—it's a national treasure. Our Heyuan University Archaeological Museum, established just three years ago, lacks significant artifacts. So, I was wondering if it might be possible to loan the Xuande burner to us for a period of time? This would help elevate the reputation of our archaeology department and expand its influence."

Huo Xuan thought for a moment before nodding. "Of course, that's fine. I don't plan to sell it anyway, so it doesn't matter where it's kept."

Professor Guo was overjoyed and said excitedly, "Xiao Huo, thank you so much. Heyuan University won't take advantage of you—we're prepared to pay an annual rental fee of one million yuan."

Since the money wasn't coming out of Professor Guo's pocket, Huo Xuan didn't mind the amount. "That's fine. You can decide the terms, Uncle Guo."

Seeing Huo Xuan agree so readily, Professor Guo was even more delighted, and the two chatted happily. During their conversation, Huo Xuan took the opportunity to ask him about antiques and calligraphy. By evening, he was staying overnight at the Guo residence.

The next morning, Guo Lan accompanied Huo Xuan for a walk near the entrance of Heyuan University. Dressed in a white down jacket with a matching scarf, Guo Lan looked pure and lovely. Combined with her natural beauty, she attracted countless glances from male students along the way.

As they approached the university gate, four male students in tracksuits walked toward them—tall, strong, and athletic-looking.

One of them spotted Guo Lan, and his eyes immediately lit up. He strode over with a smile. "Hey, beautiful, don't we know each other?"

Guo Lan had dealt with this kind of pickup line many times before, so she replied coolly, "Sorry, I don't know you." Then she hooked her arm through Huo Xuan's. "And I already have a boyfriend."

The guy froze in awkward embarrassment, shooting Huo Xuan a glance filled with inexplicable hostility.

Huo Xuan had zero interest in such idiots, so he didn't even bother looking at him and simply continued walking with Guo Lan. Past the gate, there was an activity square where Huo Xuan planned to practice for a while.

Neither of them noticed that the four guys, after whispering among themselves, actually followed them.

The square was spacious, lined with plane trees and dotted with flower beds in the center. Huo Xuan found a spot and assumed the Hunyuan Stance—his daily training routine.

Guo Lan watched curiously and couldn't help asking, "What kind of exercise is this?"

"Stance training," Huo Xuan replied. "Want to learn?"

Guo Lan, being an active girl, nodded eagerly. "Sure!"

She positioned herself opposite Huo Xuan, mimicking his stance—though her form was far from correct. Huo Xuan began guiding her patiently.

As the two were practicing, the four young men from earlier surrounded them. The one who had tried to hit on Guo Lan smirked and said, "Oh, stance training? That's the Hunyuan Stance, right? You know martial arts?"

Huo Xuan replied indifferently, "A little."

The guy turned to his friends with a grin. "You hear that? He knows martial arts."

Immediately, all four burst into laughter.

Guo Lan, annoyed, retorted, "What's so funny about knowing martial arts? Can you even do it?"

The guy chuckled. "Well, this humble one happens to know a bit of sanshou. How about your boyfriend spars with me? If he dares, that is."

The other three egged him on. "Hey kid, got the guts for a match? If you lose, stay the hell away from this beauty."

Huo Xuan, still holding his stance, asked calmly, "And if I win?"

"Oh? Pretty confident, huh?" The guy laughed, his expression dismissive.

Huo Xuan said, "If I win, each of you will bark like a dog a thousand times—loudly—while running laps around the square."

The four instantly darkened. One of them snapped, "You looking for a beating, punk?"