The next day, George Washington got up even earlier than usual. In addition to the farming tools he normally brought, he also took an extra axe. After thinking for a while, he went down to the cellar and took out a basket of millet and two pieces of cured meat.

　　Leaving his house, he headed straight for the small cabin in the forest.

　　There were cooking utensils left by hunters in the cabin, so making a fire and cooking inside was no problem. There was also a small stream nearby, making it easy to fetch water.

　　George Washington and William Grant first made breakfast, and then William Grant instructed George Washington in martial arts practice.

　　The two of them walked into the forest. On a gentle slope, William Grant stopped, patted a tree about half as thick as an adult’s waist, and, feeling it was sturdy, first used his dagger to carve a ring around the trunk. Then he reminded George Washington, “Watch my footwork and technique carefully!”

　　As he spoke, he stepped beside the tree and swung his knife, the blade landing precisely on the mark he had just made. Immediately after, he took another step and swung the dagger again, once more hitting the ring-shaped mark.

　　He circled the tree, taking exactly seven steps and swinging seven times. Not a single strike missed the mark on the trunk.

　　Using the same footwork and technique, he circled the tree three more times before stopping, wiping the sweat from his brow, and, panting, asked, “Master, did you remember all that?”

　　This was the exercise he practiced most often—circling the tree a hundred or eighty times was no problem at all. But now, injured as he was, after just four rounds he was already drenched in sweat.

　　George Washington watched intently and nodded at William Grant. William Grant stepped back a few paces and said, “Master, give it a try.”

　　Taking a deep breath, George Washington picked up the axe, walked up to the tree, and, following the method William Grant had taught him, took a step and swung the axe.

　　William Grant watched from the side, occasionally stepping forward to correct George Washington’s movements.

　　George Washington truly had a talent for martial arts. After a few corrections from William Grant, his movements became quite proper, though still slow.

　　William Grant found a stone nearby, sat down, and while watching George Washington practice, explained, “If you only train your arms and not your legs, you’re only half a cripple. Likewise, if you only train your legs and not your arms, you’re also half a cripple. In combat, your body is usually moving at high speed, so you must strike quickly and accurately while moving. If you miss the enemy’s vital spot by even a hair’s breadth, the one who dies next could very well be you.”

　　“Master is just starting out, so don’t worry about speed for now—just focus on proper form. After some time, you’ll need to complete fifty rounds and three hundred and fifty strikes within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.”

　　……

　　In the days that followed, besides working in the fields as usual, George Washington would spend any free time in the woods practicing martial arts with William Grant.

　　William Grant recovered quickly. In just over half a month, most of his injuries had healed.

　　George Washington’s progress in martial arts was equally rapid, to the point that even William Grant was amazed.

　　In less than a month, George Washington had already mastered the footwork and striking techniques William Grant had taught him.

　　William Grant had originally thought it would take two or three months before he could require George Washington to complete fifty rounds and three hundred and fifty strikes within the time of an incense stick. But now, in less than a month, George Washington had already achieved it.

　　A month later, William Grant no longer required George Washington to focus on speed, but instead on strength, stipulating that within a day, he had to chop down a tree using the circling and striking method.

　　The first two days, George Washington couldn’t manage it. But on the third day, he actually chopped down a tree more than half as thick as a person. Although it took him over three hours and thousands of swings—so many he lost count—he did it.

　　Through teaching George Washington martial arts, William Grant gained a deeper understanding of him. George Washington had a tenacious spirit, never admitting defeat or giving up. Once he set a goal, no matter how hard or exhausting, he would grit his teeth and see it through.

　　He noticed that in recent days, the blisters on George Washington’s palms had multiplied. He would usually bite them open, squeeze out the pus, and then continue practicing with the axe as if nothing had happened.

　　Such perseverance and endurance are not qualities everyone possesses.

　　Because of this, William Grant became even more certain that George Washington was destined for great things, which further strengthened his resolve to follow him.

　　Another half month passed, and William Grant’s injuries were completely healed.

　　That morning, George Washington arrived at the cabin early as usual.

　　By then, William Grant had already finished cooking. When he saw George Washington enter, he bowed and said, “Master!”

　　George Washington glanced at the millet porridge and side dishes already set out and asked with a smile, “Zhongbo, why did you make breakfast so early today?”

　　Every morning, they would usually go out to practice for a while before coming back to cook and eat.

　　William Grant replied seriously, “Master, my injuries have now healed, and I plan to make a trip to Lantian County.”

　　George Washington was startled and asked, “Zhongbo, are you leaving?”

　　“No, Master, I’m going to Lantian County to look for Thomas Grant and Samuel Grant.”

　　“Are you sure Thomas Grant and Samuel Grant are in Lantian County?”

　　William Grant slowly shook his head and said, “I can’t be certain, but even if they’re not there, I’ll leave a mark at the agreed place so they can come find me in Caiyang County.”