"I just figured this out recently," Gan Ning assumed a dignified and righteous demeanor befitting a great virtuous monk, yet there was still a sense of a monkey wearing a crown.

"What is the significance of such cultivation methods?" Meng Kangbu inquired.

Gan Ning remained expressionless. Could he say that he kept silent only because he couldn’t speak Kushan language?

However, Gan Ning was quick-witted and put on a sorrowful expression, saying, "One says ’Disaster comes from the mouth,’ but I keep silent to avoid disaster. Likewise, being silent allows more contemplation, avoiding blurting out grievances in a moment of anger."

Gan Ning’s words left Meng Kangbu momentarily stunned. But recalling his own experience, he—a talented and extraordinary Inner Qi Manifestation—clashed with the Cecil Family precisely because he had spoken without thinking, casually mocking them.

"The Master’s words make sense," Meng Kangbu, feeling empathy, bowed to Gan Ning.

Gan Ning tugged at his mouth. He was merely speaking nonsense, yet someone found it reasonable. How was this communication possible?

"May I ask if the Master would permit me to learn this method?" Meng Kangbu bowed to Gan Ning once again.

"Why not?" Gan Ning responded woodenly, communicating with his heart.

[Whatever, if I can persuade even one person, that’s something. As long as it helps me get by here, it’s fine.] Gan Ning thought silently.

"This method starts with silence, and afterward, one must remain calm at all times, maintaining a state of neither surprise nor anger. Only in this way can one avoid calamity," Gan Ning continued to embellish, reasoning that he had already started, so he might as well continue like the books he had read before.

"Thank you, Master." Meng Kangbu bowed once more, then mimicked Gan Ning by closing his mouth, yet almost spoke immediately.

"May I ask where the Master is from, where he intends to go, and why he is passing through my small water village?" After bowing, Meng Kangbu began to imitate Gan Ning’s method of heart-spirit communication, transmitting his thoughts to Gan Ning.

"From the north, heading south, passing through here as I felt there was something to learn, so I came to enlist," Gan Ning replied directly, not hiding his intentions. He realized he had inadvertently earned the other’s trust, so getting straight to the point seemed the best choice.

"Hahaha, the Master has a keen eye, uh..." Meng Kangbu, who was relegated here by the Cecil Family, burst into laughter upon hearing this, only to realize he had spoken aloud, feeling slightly embarrassed. It was then that he realized that the Master’s "Silent Meditation Technique" was not so easy to practice.

Meng Kangbu had always believed his misfortune was due to bad luck. Although his skills were not inferior to others, the suppression from the Cecil Family prevented him from showcasing them. Therefore, people were unaware of his abilities. Unexpectedly, a kindred spirit descended from the heavens, with a Master acknowledging him.

[The Master seems not to understand naval warfare, but it doesn’t matter, I can teach him. Rare in life is finding a kindred spirit.] Meng Kangbu, who had long been unappreciated, finally found someone of equal stature who recognized him. Gan Ning’s words were like a shot of strength to his heart.

"Master, if you’re interested in naval warfare, then stay. Although I, Meng Kangbu, am suppressed by the Cecil Family, here in Minagara, I can still wield authority." Meng Kangbu solemnly transmitted to Gan Ning.

"Thank you. By the way, my name is Gan Xingba," Gan Ning communicated his name using heart-spirit communication to Meng Kangbu.

"Gan, a rare surname. I can only tell you my name; I am Meng Kangbu," Meng Kangbu similarly used heart-spirit communication to inform Gan Ning.

Over the following year, Gan Ning taught Meng Kangbu the Silent Meditation Technique. Through this method of staying silent, Meng Kangbu gradually calmed down, accustomed himself to think thrice before speaking, and became much more composed overall.

Over the same year, Meng Kangbu personally taught Gan Ning how to fight at sea, choose the best tactics, utilize every part of a warship, and unleash a warship’s combat power beyond its limits in a short time. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

This year, Meng Kangbu almost entirely taught Gan Ning the fundamental training programs of the Kushan Navy. As for more advanced techniques, Meng Kangbu had no intention of hiding anything; he taught Gan Ning everything he knew, and even the things he was unsure of, he recited to Gan Ning. Whether Gan Ning learned them or not, Meng Kangbu didn’t mind. As long as Gan Ning wished to learn, he’d teach.

The result was evident. Within a year, Gan Ning learned almost everything, mastering whatever tactical skills he could, and even memorizing word-for-word those he couldn’t, intending to study them further upon his return.

Through the entire year, Gan Ning’s performance was not very outstanding, and he seldom practiced personally. However, Gan Ning assured that whatever he learned, once he reached the Han Dynasty, he could employ them all, and what he didn’t master, he meticulously memorized.

Once Gan Ning was sure he couldn’t learn anything new from Meng Kangbu, he quietly left without leaving any message. Their next encounter would inevitably be as adversaries, so not meeting was better than meeting.

Some time earlier, as Gan Ning had just begun advancing from the Indochina Peninsula towards Kushan, over in Yizhou, Zhang Su and others had finally organized the suzerainty relations between the major southern tribes, kingdoms, and the Han Dynasty.

"Zichi, what do you think?" Zhang Su and the group with Zhang Song compared maps, distinguishing the forces of various Indigenous People, pausing to ask Qin Mi.