lovenovelstory 66. The old man wants your seal.
66. The old man wants your seal.
When the white-haired old priest personally announced that he would pass on the secret mental techniques of the Kama lineage, a playful and imaginative thought, unique to modern people, instantly surfaced in Dugen's mind.
Before he traveled through time, he had read many rumors about Indian yoga or Indian esoteric arts online.
People often misinterpret Hindu temple yoga and Kama esoteric practices, forcibly associating them with so-called temple prostitutes and secret sexual techniques, and even widely propagating various sensational and erroneous rumors, separating male and female practices, and fabricating all sorts of fictitious legends about bedroom secrets.
Upon hearing that the old priest was going to teach him a secret technique that had been passed down for thousands of years, Dugen couldn't help but speculate:
Could this be the legendary ancient Indian XX technique that's been touted as miraculous?
Upon thinking of this, Du Gen secretly rejoiced.
Although I am currently in India, I will eventually return to Europe.
At that time, I will definitely have to navigate the social circles of various nobles and socialites.
If such a unique secret technique truly exists, it could not only strengthen the body and consolidate its foundation, but also perhaps make one more composed and at ease in interpersonal relationships and worldly affairs, allowing more women to submit to one's presence.
With this slightly selfish expectation in mind, Dugan agreed without hesitation.
"grateful!"
The old priest, with a solemn and calm expression, saw through the strange expectation that flashed in his eyes, but did not point it out. He simply raised his hand slowly and began to formally impart the thousand-year-old orthodox secret teachings of the Kama Temple.
However, as the practice progressed step by step, Du Gen's fantasies gradually fell apart, replaced by a sense of clarity that was both funny and frustrating.
This set of Kama secret techniques is not at all the so-called bedroom arts or lovemaking techniques that were fabricated randomly on the internet in later generations.
Its essence is an extremely orthodox, simple, and pure ancient Hindu qi and blood yoga body-strengthening technique.
Based on the orthodox teachings of the deity Kama, which emphasizes "vitality, physical strength, and the accumulation of qi and blood," this entire set of exercises centers on breathing exercises, muscle and bone stretching, breath regulation, and strengthening the body's foundation. Through specific breathing rhythms and body postures, it unblocks the meridians throughout the body, dissipates physical fatigue, replenishes vital energy and spirit, and enhances physical endurance. It is a top-tier ancient method of health preservation and body cultivation summarized by the ancients based on the laws of nature.
The entire practice is conducted with integrity and tranquility, without any falsehoods, curiosity, vulgarity, or distractions. It is purely for strengthening the body, nourishing vital energy, resisting fatigue, and prolonging life.
During a break from his practice, Dugen couldn't help but feel a sense of awe, completely refuting the absurd online rumors of later generations.
The internet in later generations is superficial and frivolous. In order to attract attention, it has wantonly distorted the orthodox inheritance of ancient civilizations, generalized from limited information, and fabricated out of curiosity. It has forcibly confused orthodox health yoga and religious body-refining secrets with a very small number of degenerate and unorthodox practices and worldly vices. It has even tied them to vulgar labels such as temple prostitutes, love, and bedroom secrets, spreading fallacies and misleading people's understanding.
Little did people know that the core of true Hindu orthodox temple yoga and the Kama esoteric tradition is self-cultivation, tranquility, energy accumulation, and bone strengthening. It is an orthodox ancient method that serves spiritual practice, physical strengthening, and foundation building. It emphasizes purifying the mind and reducing desires, and harmonizing body and mind. It has nothing to do with worldly desires or the pursuit of exotic and mysterious techniques.
Although Dugen was somewhat disappointed, he decided to focus on his training since he was already there and had already done so much.
This set of ancient yoga techniques has extremely solid effects.
After practicing the methods taught by the old priest for just one afternoon, Dugen already felt refreshed in body and mind, his physique was light and full, and his overall energy and spirit had improved a lot.
Dugan did not return to his post from the Kama Temple until the sun was setting.
I had just stepped into the 108th Infantry Regiment headquarters when I received a letter from home delivered by the postman.
The handwriting on the envelope was familiar; it was Megan's handwriting, from her brother who was in Kolkata.
The first thing in the letter.
The old man in the family was adamant that Dugan should immediately end his military service in India and return to London.
To this end, the old man has used his old connections and made efforts everywhere to smooth relations between the military and the colonial department.
In her letter, Megan told Dugan to prepare himself mentally, as he might receive a transfer order and have to leave India at any time.
Although I was unwilling when I first came to India.
However, having fought many bloody battles and made numerous meritorious contributions in India, he had just gained a foothold and established a reputation, and his future was just beginning. It was a pity that he was suddenly transferred away.
However, Dugan also knew that the old man had sent him to India just to train him, and the Conba family didn't need Dugan's military pay and merits at all.
The second matter in the letter was a response to a private matter that Dugan had previously asked his brother to inquire about: Miss Catalina's current situation.
In her letter, Megan said that Catalina had already left India and returned to her homeland of Barcelona, Spain.
Now, she is more beautiful and famous than ever, with a constant stream of suitors. Not only are there local Barcelona noblemen, but also a large number of young and powerful men from France and Spain who are pursuing her. Surrounded by beauties, she is enjoying boundless glory.
After reading this passage, Dugen felt uneasy, unsure whether he felt a sense of melancholy or relief.
However, after reading this passage, Dugan did feel a bit like going back to Europe.
Subconsciously, he felt that if he didn't go back to Europe soon, this girl would be snatched up by someone else.
Finally, Megan suggested in her letter that Dugan ask Wellesley for leave and come to Calcutta so she could discuss something important with him.
"Meghan actually wants to discuss something with me?" Dugan found it strange. His brother was always "unfazed by anything" and solved everything on his own. What could he possibly want to discuss with a playboy like him who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun?
Despite his thoughts, Dugan still asked General Wellesley for leave and went to Calcutta to meet his brother Megan.
The next day, Dugan packed his belongings quickly, took an orderly with him, and rode away from the besieged camp, heading south directly to Madras.
The humid wind carries the scent of earth and vegetation; the sun is scorching during the day, but suddenly cools down in the evening, and the mosquitoes are fierce.
Dugan and his party traveled day and night, and it took them seven or eight days to finally see the coastline of Madras.
Madras Port was bustling with activity, its warehouses lined with ships, and the docks crowded with British merchant ships, East India Company fast boats, and local dinghys.
Dugan didn't linger. He found a regular liner from the East India Company, paid the fare, and boarded the ship two days later. He sailed north along the Bay of Bengal and into the mouth of the Hooghly River.
As the boat travels along the Hughes River, the scenery on both banks gradually unfolds.
The riverbanks are densely covered with dark green mangroves and coconut groves. The water is murky yellow and the river is wide. Flat-bottomed wooden boats laden with rice, cotton, and saltpeter come and go like a woven tapestry. Boatmen row shirtless, singing soft Bengali folk songs.
The closer you get to Calcutta, the more bustling the river becomes, with British merchant ships, gunboats, yachts, and local boats huddled together, masts standing tall and sails billowing.
When Dugan finally caught sight of the city of Calcutta, even as a time traveler, he couldn't help but marvel at its prosperity.
By 1803, Calcutta was the heart of British India and was known as the "St. Petersburg of the East".
The entire city stretches along the east bank of the Hoogeley River, clearly divided into two parts: the upstream area is the "white city" inhabited by Europeans, while the downstream and inner areas are the "black city" inhabited by the locals.
The white town exudes a European grandeur. Along the riverfront are rows of English-style villas and manors, with white walls and pillars, tiled roofs, neatly manicured lawns, lush flowers and trees, and elegant verandas and terraces facing the river, offering expansive views.
The city streets were straight and wide, and the magnificent Governor's Palace had just been completed that year. It was pure white, with solemn colonnades and an extraordinary presence, symbolizing the East India Company's supreme authority in India.
Not far away is Fort William, with its high red brick walls and numerous gun emplacements, guarding the river port and the city.
The streets are lined with shops, clubs, and cafes. British gentlemen in wool suits stroll leisurely under parasols, while horse-drawn carriages rumble by, creating an atmosphere of sophistication and leisure in London's high society.
Just one street away from the white city is the vibrant black city.
The alleyways are narrow and winding, with low brick houses and thatched huts packed together, their eaves connected. Vendors line the streets, selling spices, fruits and vegetables, textiles and copperware in abundance. Shouts, bargaining, and the bleating of cattle and sheep mingle together.
Bare-chested coolies, women in saris, long-bearded Muslim merchants, and Hindus in yellow robes thronged the streets, their diverse attire and faces showcasing the complexity and vibrancy of the South Asian continent.
The air was filled with the scents of spices, curry, flowers, and the distinctive smell of human and animal excrement unique to India.
Despite its noisy and crowded nature, the Black City is also full of life.
The Hughes River is extremely busy.
Huge East India Company merchant ships docked at the pier to load and unload cargo.
Countless narrow local boats shuttle among them, with boatmen shirtless, using both hands and feet to transport passengers and goods to various places on both banks.
Dugan stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the city that was both unfamiliar and full of tension.
One side is European-style order and elegance, the other is the symbol of power of the British Empire, and the third is the everyday life of an ancient civilization.
The ship slowly approached the shore, where crowds surged.
Dugan straightened his uniform, picked up his bag, and stepped onto the soil of Calcutta.