Indeed!
As long as a person is alive, their body will continuously generate heat, or what is known as yang energy.
Thus, Second Master's method is simple: accumulate this yang energy and channel it into one's "furnace."
The stronger the furnace burns, the healthier and more robust the person becomes.
With abundant yang energy, one becomes less susceptible to evil spirits.
Even something like the flesh of the Tai Sui, which is highly nourishing, can help the body produce more yang energy, making the furnace burn even brighter.
But what does it mean if a person has no yang energy at all, even without consuming Tai Sui flesh?
A dead person!
Only a dead person would be icy cold, devoid of any warmth.
Forget about using one's usual heat to stoke the furnace; even an already burning furnace might extinguish.
...
Hu Ma, having figured all this out, couldn't help but feel a surge of terror.
He realized his problem: the blazing furnace he thought he had stoked last night was merely an illusion.
He had managed to light the furnace because of the Tai Sui flesh, or rather, the Blood Tai Sui, he had consumed earlier.
This strange, nourishing substance allowed him to light the furnace and even made his body as warm as a normal person's.
However, once that heat was absorbed into the furnace and the Tai Sui flesh he had eaten was fully digested, he was instantly returned to his original state...
This body of his couldn't generate even a spark of heat.
As Second Master had said, this was the body of a dead person.
This body remained perpetually cold, not only failing to generate new heat but also gradually depleting the "furnace fire" within.
It was only after consuming more Tai Sui flesh, the valuable Green Tai Sui, that his body warmed up again.
Only then could he continue to guide the heat into his furnace.
"So, why did I suddenly wake up freezing in the early hours of the morning?"
He already had a vague answer in his heart: "Because I hadn't eaten the meat Grandma gave me all day yesterday."
Once he stopped eating that meat, his body would turn cold.
Not only would he be unable to replenish the fire in the furnace, but he would also slowly deplete the existing fire.
What would happen once the furnace fire was completely extinguished?
Hu Ma didn't even dare to imagine.
...
"Alright, there's a lot for you to learn. Take it step by step."
Second Master, unaware of Hu Ma's thoughts, urged him to finish the few pieces of meat in his bowl and then left the main hall.
After consuming the bowl of Green Tai Sui, Hu Ma felt completely normal again.
He couldn't sense any difference between his current state and when he was alive in his previous life.
He felt just as energetic, just as warm.
Moreover, the "energy circulation" technique Second Master had taught him the previous night was now easy to perform.
He could effortlessly channel the continuous flow of heat in his body into the furnace in his lower abdomen.
He felt no different from the other youths around him.
In fact, his condition should be much better than theirs, considering they only got a small portion of White Tai Sui each day, while he had consumed a large bowl of Green Tai Sui.
But...
...sigh!
The only thing he still didn't understand was the reason behind this state.
Was it due to some issue with his original body, or was it because of his identity as a "transmigrator"?
...
"You're all here with Second Master to learn the art of worshipping the Tai Sui, to earn money and start a family."
At this moment, Second Master had gathered all the youths and was lecturing them loudly: "But Second Master doesn't have much to teach you. The first thing is to light the furnace. If you can't light it, don't even think about joining the meat-cutting team. But lighting the furnace is just the beginning."
"You need to run up the mountains, bask in the sun, and practice your skills. The stronger your body, the more yang energy you'll have, and the bolder and fiercer you'll become. Your furnace fire will burn even brighter..."
"Of course, the best thing is to eat Tai Sui, but even Second Master can't afford it, so don't get your hopes up."
"..."
Second Master didn't hide his disdain for the youths in the village, but after a pause, he added: "So, the key to learning from Second Master is simple: endure hardship, be patient, and most importantly, don't think about women."
"Endure hardship, and your body will grow strong. With abundant yang energy, you'll have courage, fierceness, and a fiery temper. Even a butcher can ward off evil spirits."
"Here with Second Master, I'm not afraid of you being mischievous or fighting. We have plenty of black ointment. The only thing I fear is that you won't control your impulses and get into trouble at a young age. That's why our village is located outside the main settlement—to keep you away from women."
"Sigh, for you brats, Second Master doesn't even dare to raise sheep..."
"Alright, alright, today we'll practice our skills, and then we'll go patrol the forest with Second Master!"
"..."
The youths cheered, their boundless energy making Hu Ma envious.
But Hu Ma, lost in thought, had no interest in joining the excitement.
"Little Hu Ma, come here..."
Second Master, unaware of Hu Ma's state of mind, saw him standing absentmindedly to the side and thought he was struggling to keep up.
He beckoned with a smile: "Don't be afraid. Our skills are simple. After a few matches, you'll get the hang of it..."
"This..."
Hu Ma wasn't particularly interested, but he had no choice but to step forward.
Just as he was thinking of how to respond, a faint voice called out to him:
"Brother Hu Ma, I've brought you some food..."
"..."
"Little Hongtang?"
Hu Ma recognized the voice and instinctively turned his head.
He saw Little Hongtang peeking out from behind the door, only her small head visible.
Without thinking, he turned and walked toward the village entrance.
Second Master was surprised: "Where are you going?"
Hu Ma quickly pointed to the door: "Someone's looking for me. Maybe Grandma's here."
"Grandma's here?"
Second Master was also startled.
The previously noisy youths suddenly quieted down, their faces filled with confusion as they whispered to each other:
"Did you see anyone?"
"No, I didn't. They say the Hu family knows how to walk with ghosts. Is he..."
"Could he be pretending to avoid getting beaten?"
"..."
"Brother Hu Ma, why aren't you coming out yet..."
Outside, Little Hongtang's voice grew more urgent.
Hu Ma, puzzled, walked out.
Second Master, still concerned, followed.
At the door, they saw a bamboo basket about the size of Little Hongtang on the ground, covered with a red cloth.
Little Hongtang herself was nowhere to be seen.
Second Master glanced at the basket and sighed in relief: "It really is that girl. Go ahead!"
With that, he turned and walked back into the village.
Hu Ma stood at the village gate, waiting until Second Master was gone.
Only then did Little Hongtang come skipping down the street.
Hu Ma quickly approached and asked in a low voice: "Where's Grandma?"
He had questions for Grandma and couldn't help feeling anxious.
He realized this issue might be very serious but also sensed that he couldn't ask Second Master directly.
It was better to ask Grandma.
"Grandma went into the mountains to find someone."
Little Hongtang squatted on the ground, looking at the basket in front of her: "She sent me to bring you some food."
"Food?"
Hu Ma lifted the red cloth covering the basket and saw a large bowl of neatly cut meat inside.
Blood Tai Sui.
Beside it was even a plate with two large white steamed buns.
"When will Grandma come back?"
Hu Ma stared deeply at the bowl of meat, now fully aware of its importance.
"Grandma didn't say."
Little Hongtang simply squatted across from the basket, her small hands propping up her cheeks as she spoke to Hu Ma: "But Grandma told me to pass on a message."
"She said for Brother Hu Ma to stay here with Second Master and learn well. If you feel cold at night, don't be scared. Just eat the meat. Tai Sui meat can cure illnesses, so eat as much as you can. The more you eat, the stronger your furnace will burn, even stronger than others..."
"But since you've just recovered, don't overexert yourself. Take it easy..."
"..."
"This..."
Little Hongtang's imitation of Grandma's speech was adorable, but Hu Ma was too preoccupied to appreciate it.
The words, delivered in Grandma's tone, suddenly made his heart sink.
Had Grandma already anticipated the problems he would face after lighting the furnace?
She had specifically sent this message, which couldn't be without purpose.
It seemed more like she was trying to reassure him.
His furnace had no fuel and couldn't burn.
So she was comforting him, or perhaps guaranteeing that he would have Blood Tai Sui to eat every day?
Or was she implying that although his body couldn't automatically stoke the furnace now, as long as he kept eating Blood Tai Sui, the furnace would burn brighter and brighter, and his condition would gradually improve?
Perhaps even surpass others?
He couldn't be sure, but looking at Little Hongtang's innocent, clueless expression, he knew he wouldn't get any answers from her.
She was just here to deliver the food and the message.
After a long silence, Hu Ma picked up the bowl and said to Little Hongtang: "Tell Grandma I understand."
"Now eat!"
Little Hongtang smiled, her eyes narrowing: "After you finish, I need to take the basket back for Grandma to check..."
"I've been very obedient. I didn't sneak any bites, even though..."
"... I really wanted to."
"..."
Seeing Little Hongtang's pitiful gaze, Hu Ma nodded: "Yes, I can see that!"
With that, he continued eating.
(End of Chapter)