Chapter Forty-Nine: The Mischievous Child

“There’s a technique for opening the meridians?” Xiao Nan understood at a glance; this was the Tide Tempering Method he had grasped during the mental refinement class. Back then, the homeroom teacher merely guided the students’ spirits, mainly to test their mental strength. Whether one could comprehend the method depended on individual ability.

Yet, that comprehension was only half the picture—a broad and general concept. There was more: how to use the mind to guide, refine the body through the tides of vitality and blood, then channel the power of qi and blood to invigorate the muscles and open the meridians. It was somewhat complicated.

To do this, one must master the knowledge of the entire body’s muscle and tendon network.

“These advanced techniques for tempering the body with spiritual intent were originally reserved for university-level martial studies. They aren’t taught in high school. That’s because students who have only reached the meditative state find the mental burden too great; it’s rather forced. But your circumstances are different—time is tight. Perhaps you can take an unconventional path and achieve a breakthrough. In the meantime, seek out medicinal herbs that nourish the spirit. Don’t worry about the expense.”

“Thank you, teacher.” Xiao Nan noticed this wasn’t a photocopy, but a handwritten manuscript. It likely wasn’t given to every martial arts student in the class, but was specially prepared for him by the homeroom teacher.

Yang Yankun waved his hand, indicating thanks was unnecessary. “This document contains many specialized terms relating to the meridians, which you haven’t studied at the high school level. No matter—you can buy a reference book outside and use it to understand and apply the technique.”

Having said this, Yang Yankun seemed to let go of a burden. There was much he could not help with, but whenever there was even a glimmer of hope, he always wished his students a bright future.

…

“Xiao Nan, you’re leaving school too? What a coincidence!” Just as he stepped out the school gate, he saw Zhang Xiaorou standing there, lively and smiling like a white flower. Her classmates were not around.

Coincidence? You’re definitely waiting for me.

Xiao Nan found it amusing; the heart of a young girl is always poetic.

In his previous life, even if he was just a block of wood, he was a block that had weathered thirty years—he had seen much, experienced much, and was not as naive as a true teenager.

“Yes, quite the coincidence. Xiaorou, aren’t you eating at school?”

“My home isn’t far. I go back for lunch—my dad is at home cooking and waiting for me.”

He nearly forgot she had a father who doted on her like a madman, wishing he could watch his daughter every hour of every day.

“I’m going to the bookstore to buy a reference book. Xiaorou, you…”

“Perfect, I’ll go with you… I know a bookstore nearby; it has a complete collection. My dad has long wanted an illustrated guide to exotic beasts. He rarely reads, so it’s unusual for him to be interested in something.”

“Then let’s go together.”

Xiao Nan didn’t refuse; in truth, he didn’t know much about the shops in the area, and it would have been awkward to turn down Zhang Xiaorou. With a cheerful girl beside him, shopping was surely better than wandering alone.

…

They crossed a small bridge, the view opening up. Xiao Nan glanced around and confirmed that Zhang Yi wasn’t lurking nearby, finally relaxing.

“Xiao Nan, congratulations on passing the martial arts skill test. You fought beautifully—so many in our class admire you now!” Zhang Xiaorou’s eyes sparkled, recalling the earlier scene, her hands gesturing excitedly.

“I performed adequately,” Xiao Nan replied modestly. “Lin Hao’s spear technique wasn’t sharp enough; he didn’t push me to reveal my true level. Otherwise, it could have looked even better.”

“Really?” Zhang Xiaorou laughed, delighted. “I never knew the Four Seasons Sword Technique could be used that way. I’ve gained some insights—the most important thing is, it looked so graceful… They all regret not attending the Four Seasons Sword Academy.”

“So I’ve given them free advertising?” Xiao Nan feigned dissatisfaction. “No, I’ll have to ask for some compensation when class resumes on Friday.”

“Of course! When my friends sign up, I’ll make sure they mention you recommended them,” Zhang Xiaorou replied seriously.

She’s taking it to heart.

This girl’s nature is pure; joking with her too much might blur the line between truth and falsehood.

“Xiao Nan, when you fought those villains in the villa, you were so fierce. I thought you’d follow the same powerful path as my father, but I never imagined you’d display such subtle swordsmanship.”

“Which style do you prefer?”

“I like them both.” Zhang Xiaorou’s cheeks flushed red, and she quickly lowered her gaze to the road, adding, “As long as the technique is impressive, I like it…”

The two walked along the tree-lined avenue for nearly fifteen minutes, then turned into a bustling commercial district.

Zhang Xiaorou genuinely seemed to know the area well. A few quick turns, and she led Xiao Nan to the entrance of a large bookstore.

“Wenhua Courtyard.”

“This bookstore updates its collection the fastest. Any new book can be found here right away, and the selection is comprehensive. Reference books are in the back, if I remember correctly.”

Arriving, Zhang Xiaorou walked in as if she were at home, leading Xiao Nan confidently. Clearly, she visited often.

That’s how good students are.

“All right, you go about your business. I’ll find what I need.”

Xiao Nan made his way to the bookshelves near the back on the left, spotting thick tomes—these were the reference books. He was looking for something in the medical and martial arts section; according to his teacher, there was a wide selection, and any one would suffice.

He spent some time comparing the terminology from the “Tide Meridian Method” to the books, and finally chose an illustrated volume.

It was titled “The Complete Guide to Human Observation.”

What made this book exceptional was its full-color illustrations—not only showing the pathways of the meridians throughout the body, but also detailed distributions of bones, muscles, and blood vessels. It also outlined the functions of various internal structures.

For example, how qi and blood are distributed, how force is transmitted, how muscles are trained, and how vital energy transforms within the bones.

It was an encyclopedia of the human body—this was the one.

Xiao Nan picked up the book and headed for the counter, when suddenly he heard a commotion.

A middle-aged man chased after a little boy, shouting, “Don’t run, be careful!”

The boy, about five or six, was chubby, waving a plastic stick. He ran, making loud noises as he pretended to mimic a master’s moves.

He didn’t notice hitting people with the stick, nor the annoyed expressions around him. Though the stick didn’t hurt, it was bothersome—especially in a bookstore.

Everyone quietly browsed books, some reading by the shelf, and being disturbed was certainly unwelcome.

But to Xiao Nan, it was nothing. He’d seen plenty of mischievous children, spoiled by their parents, unfamiliar with social etiquette. Only after growing up and suffering a few setbacks would they learn that society isn’t just their playground.

“Have you found what you need?” Zhang Xiaorou frowned slightly, holding a large book.

She’d just been struck on the head by the boy’s stick, and was a bit upset. Seeing Xiao Nan with a hefty tome, she smiled again.

“Yes, let’s go.”

After a few steps, Xiao Nan was suddenly seized by a sense of unease. A strong, fishy stench filled his nose.

He stopped and grabbed Zhang Xiaorou’s arm.

How to describe this smell? It was like walking into a pigsty, or a slaughterhouse—a mixture of blood and animal musk, deeply unpleasant.

“Having overly sensitive senses isn’t always a blessing,” Xiao Nan muttered as he fixed his gaze on a tall, burly man ahead.

How long had it been since this person bathed? Did he come straight from hunting beasts in the wild to the bookstore, disregarding everyone else?

No—something seemed off.

The man, clad in oversized hunting gear and a black hat covering his head and face, was built unnaturally large. He squatted by the floor, quickly flipping through books. His exact height was unclear, but he seemed at least two meters tall, and as broad as two men side by side.

Looking along his long sleeves, Xiao Nan saw a thick patch of yellow-brown fur on the back of his hand. His fingers were thick as carrots.

Just then, the chubby boy ran up to the burly man, shouting, and swung his stick at the man’s head.

The black hat, with a soft thud, was knocked off by the stick.