He Wanqing

Mingchan Courtyard covered a vast area. Besides several functional halls, it had a number of practice rooms, a Training Ground, and even dormitories.

Generally, though, no team members lived in those dormitories. It wasn't that the conditions were poor; it was just that anyone who could get by on the Martial Arts Team had some kind of income.

They all had places of their own.

After listening to Senior Brother Wang Zhe go over a number of things to keep in mind, Zhao Rui obediently walked to a practice room that wasn't occupied by any of the senior brothers or sisters and opened the file sent through WeChat.

"Prajna Palm takes emptiness as its essence and compassion as its function. When practicing, one must contemplate the five aggregates as dew and lightning. When the palm strikes, all forms are no-forms; when the palm withdraws, all things return to one."

"...Practice by circulating qi through the chest's qi sea, guiding the water of the Kidney Meridian of Foot Shaoyin upward, passing through the Jade Pillow and entering the Baihui. Transform pure yang into sweet dew, then follow the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin and pour it into the Laogong point in the palm."

"...The palm holds emptiness, the knuckles curve slightly, like pinching a flower stem, like embracing a full moon. Only then can one attain the wonder of 'strength born from non-abiding.'"

After reading this, Zhao Rui froze. It actually ran along the Lung Meridian of Hand Taiyin. Didn't that overlap with the route used to circulate Internal Energy for Cloud Hand Plucks Stars?

His heart leapt with joy. He had already opened one acupoint; wouldn't practicing Prajna Palm be twice as effective for half the effort?

He didn't hesitate. Zhao Rui immediately followed the instructions in the manual, circulating his qi and practicing the moves.

The martial art had nine forms in all, concealing the meaning of the nine-tiered lotus platform. The stances were easy enough to learn; he only had to imitate them.

What was hard to learn was the meridian circulation.

Why had martial arts moves existed in his previous life, yet had no power? It wasn't that there was anything wrong with the moves. The problem was the Internal Energy flowing through the meridians.

The martial arts people practiced in his previous life had no Internal Energy circulation at all. How could they produce extraordinary power?

It was like the difference between taking Wei Ge and not taking Wei Ge before doing the deed. The thing might be the same, but the amount of blood engorgement and the hormone levels inside were different, so the results were worlds apart.

This martial art contained Buddhist teachings. It stressed the Zen idea that emptiness was not empty, and that non-emptiness was emptiness. It also demanded exceptional insight.

Even if someone's meridian circulation was identical, differences in their understanding would change the shift between fullness and emptiness when circulating qi, as well as the variations that grew out of each move.

Zhao Rui was stubborn by nature. Since he had chosen the path of martial arts, patience was an absolute necessity.

One practice was practice; ten practices were practice too.

Whether he had a breakthrough or not, he still had to practice. At worst, he could fall back on the system panel.

He practiced like this for the entire morning.

By the time Zhao Rui pushed open the door and came out, it was already twelve thirty.

He wasn't the last person in Mingchan Courtyard, though. Passing by the main hall, he reckoned there were at least seven or eight senior brothers and sisters still hanging around inside.

Some were meditating or resting, some were practicing martial arts, and one was even watching videos on a phone.

Everyone minded their own business!

Seeing that Wang Zhe and the others were nowhere around, Zhao Rui quietly picked up his backpack and left the courtyard.

A few sparrows lingered now and then along the bluestone path outside, hopping and playing or pecking at the ground for food, thoroughly at ease.

Beneath the enormous old trees on either side, two young senior sisters reclined together, whispering intimately into each other's ears, their postures languid.

What a lovely atmosphere!

In a good mood, Zhao Rui unconsciously slowed his steps a little, admiring the lush green "world" around him.

By the time he left the Martial Arts Academy grounds and reached the nearest cafeteria, Cafeteria Eight, it was almost one o'clock.

"One beef noodle soup, with two eggs and a grilled sausage—the thick kind."

He'd heard eating like this was good for your health.

A few minutes later, Zhao Rui carried a large, steaming bowl of beef noodles from the cafeteria counter to an empty table and sat down.

Then he slurped them up in great mouthfuls.

"Luo Min, tell me, isn't it hilarious? A guy from another college handed me a love letter today. I'm dying."

As he ate, a girl's voice drifted over from nearby.

"Luo Min?"

Zhao Rui froze, then looked up slightly toward the voice.

The speaker was a round-faced girl with long hair. Her features were quite pretty, though her skin was a little dark, and she had a strange tattoo on her arm.

But Zhao Rui wasn't focused on her. He was looking at the girl beside her.

She was a girl with striking features and a lovely figure.

Zhao Rui's gaze naturally caught her attention. When their eyes met, she paused for a moment, then smiled at him.

Zhao Rui smiled and nodded too, then lowered his head and continued eating. He clearly had no intention of going over to say more than hello.

Zhao Rui knew this girl well. She was Luo Min, his classmate from their high school martial arts class, and a student at Dongqi University's Martial Arts Academy.

But they hadn't been close back in school. Even after graduation, when they learned they had both gotten into Dongqi University, they hadn't really kept in touch.

They had only run into each other once during military training and exchanged greetings.

After a while, Zhao Rui finished his noodles, picked up his backpack, and walked straight out of the dining hall.

"Who was that?"

After Zhao Rui left, the girl beside Luo Min glanced at his retreating figure and asked curiously.

"A high school classmate!"

Luo Min smiled and gave Zhao Rui a sidelong glance as she answered casually.

"A high school classmate? You have high school classmates in our Martial Arts Academy?"

The girl looked surprised. She hadn't seen this guy during military training.

"He was in the martial arts class, but he accepted a different major when he applied to college. He's in the School of Accounting now."

Luo Min explained. She had actually wanted to go over and chat with Zhao Rui. For one thing, they had been classmates and were now at the same university. For another, she was curious about why he had chosen to give up martial arts.

There had been too many people at military training last time, so she hadn't felt comfortable asking him much.

Unfortunately, after nodding, he had just kept eating.

That put an end to her idea of going over for a casual chat.

Students in high school martial arts classes generally went on to universities with martial arts programs. If they couldn't get into one, they would settle for a junior college.

If they couldn't even get into a junior college, it meant their prospects in martial arts were bleak and they weren't suited to making a living at it.

Most students simply gave up martial arts at that point.

But Zhao Rui was different. His grades were quite good. It was understandable that he hadn't gotten into the Martial Arts Academy at a top provincial university like Dongqi University.

But he could easily have gotten into a martial arts program at a regular undergraduate college, or even an ordinary first-tier university.

Yet he had given it up and accepted a different major—in other words, he had chosen a non-martial-arts program.

How was that any different from giving up martial arts?

Luo Min had really wanted to talk to him about that.

"Ha! So he realized he had no talent and gave up completely!"

The girl beside Luo Min gave a scornful laugh, then continued, "At least he knows his place. He didn't come over and bother you! Most guys would've rushed over as soon as you greeted them."

"What are you talking about?"

Luo Min rolled her eyes at her, then murmured doubtfully, "Still, it's a little strange. He always seems reluctant to talk to me. He's never started a conversation with me."

"Ha, there really are guys like that. Could he be gay?"

"Don't talk nonsense. He's still my classmate, after all."

"Haha, I'll remember him."

The girl laughed more and more brazenly.

Now that he had a martial arts manual and an organization, Zhao Rui's life finally returned to the way it used to be: immersed in martial arts. He simply moved out of the dormitory and into a rented place.

He mentioned it to his counselor, Liu Jie. After taking Zhao Rui's special circumstances into consideration, Liu Jie readily agreed.

As he left, the other three people in the dorm could only be described as conflicted. On the one hand, they didn't want Zhao Rui to go.

With Zhao Rui as their backer, who would dare bully them?

On the other hand, they wanted him to leave. Living with a powerful man was like accompanying a tiger; who knew what kind of temper Zhao Rui had?

They had only known each other for a little over half a month, and still didn't really understand one another's true natures. What if they did something to offend Zhao Rui one day? Wouldn't that be awful?

Zhao Rui knew what was on their minds. He simply waved goodbye and ended his brief life in the university's communal dormitory.

Back at the rented place, Zhao Rui immediately felt his whole body relax. He flopped onto the bed, arms and legs spread, and shook his head.

Freedom felt wonderful.

He didn't know about anyone else, but he had no desire to sleep in a communal dormitory.

Of course, he'd make an exception if the roommates were all pretty girls.

After lying on the bed for a while, Zhao Rui finally got up and went to the kitchen to make himself a good meal as a reward.

After so many years of being single in his previous life, his cooking couldn't compare to a professional chef's, but he could certainly satisfy his own appetite.

"Sweet-and-sour ribs, pork stir-fried with chili peppers, crispy fried shrimp, and tomato scrambled eggs!"

Mm, four dishes would do nicely.

He washed his hands and was about to start cooking when his phone rang.

Zhao Rui went to the living room, glanced at his phone, and answered the call.

"Zhao Rui, you're not living at school anymore?"

The voice was soft and sweet. It had to be a girl.

"Yeah, I rented a place outside."

"Oh, that's nice. Can I come take a look?"

"Uh..."

"I'll bring my roommates with me, okay? We can help you warm the place!"

"All right!"

Zhao Rui shrugged. The girl had put it that way, and it would be a little unkind to turn her down now.

"Great, we'll be over in a bit. Send me the address."

With that, the girl hung up.

She was one of Zhao Rui's classmates, He Wanqing—the girl who had fainted during military training. Her name came from the Tang poet Li Shangyin's line, "Heaven pities the secluded grass; the human world cherishes the late sunshine."

It was a beautiful name, and she was pretty too. Otherwise, Zhao Rui wouldn't have carried her for more than five miles.

Since the girls were coming over soon, Zhao Rui naturally couldn't just make four dishes.

He rummaged through the vegetables he'd bought that day and found plenty left. He picked out a few kinds, put together eight dishes, and got cooking.

It was Saturday, with no classes. He Wanqing and the other three arrived at Zhao Rui's place half an hour later.

Before coming over, they had made a special stop at the supermarket to buy some fruit and prepared food.

"Ta-da! Look, we even brought duck wings, duck necks, grilled sausages..."

As soon as she opened the door, He Wanqing giggled and held up the prepared food she was carrying.

"You came all this way and brought food too? You're being so formal!"

Zhao Rui laughed and took the plastic bag from her.

"Of course! Wow, Zhao Rui, you can cook?"

The moment He Wanqing and the others entered, they caught the enticing aroma.

When they saw the ribs still simmering in the kitchen pot and the dishes, already looking delicious, tossing in the wok, they were delighted.

"I just made a few things. We won't need to eat out."

Zhao Rui smiled.

"Why would we eat out? I'm going to try some first."

"Me too! Ow, that's hot..."

The girls all picked up their chopsticks and tried Zhao Rui's crispy fried shrimp.

"This is so good!"

"Zhao Rui, just give in and marry our Wanqing already. Then we can come over and freeload on your cooking."

One of the girls spoke bluntly.

He Wanqing's pretty face instantly flushed pink. She chided her friend, "What nonsense! Can't you even keep your mouth shut while you eat?"

"Oh, Wanqing's embarrassed. Heehee! Hey, don't tickle me! That tickles!"

The two girls immediately began to tussle.

After fooling around for a while, the four girls started helping Zhao Rui with the work.

They picked vegetables, chopped them, washed fruit, and set the table. Everyone had a clear job.

With extra hands, the cooking went much faster. In less than an hour, all the dishes were ready.

Zhao Rui and the girls took their seats, raised their glasses, and shared a little beer to celebrate his move. Then they began eating.

"Zhao Rui, do you know any other guys like you, who can do martial arts, cook well, and know how to look after people?"

One of the girls had had a little to drink. Her cheeks were already flushed, and she mumbled through her small mouth.

"If you put it that way, I don't think I can find anyone!"

Zhao Rui laughed.

"What are we going to do, then?"

"Make do!"

"I don't want to! Wanqing, give Zhao Rui to me!"

"If you keep saying things like that, I'm not talking to you anymore!"

He Wanqing was getting a little embarrassed, and there was a clear edge of annoyance in her voice. A joke like that was all right once, but repeated too often, it took on a different meaning.

"I was just joking. Is that really necessary?"

The girl pouted, seemingly unable to understand why He Wanqing was upset.

"Let's eat, let's eat! Have more ribs. The school cafeteria can't serve ribs this good."

Zhao Rui smiled and hurriedly cut off the girls' conversation.

The girl who had spoken earlier pouted even more.

Zhao Rui glanced at He Wanqing, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement.

When she saw his gaze, He Wanqing helplessly puffed her cheeks a little and sighed playfully.

There had been a small interruption, but it didn't affect the meal. In just a few more words, the girls were all friends again.

After eating, they rested for a little while. Zhao Rui didn't keep them long and personally walked them back to school.

After all, they'd had a little to drink, and Zhao Rui wasn't entirely at ease.

Beneath the warm autumn sun, a gentle breeze brushed across their tipsy cheeks, bringing a faint flush to their faces.

The four girls linked arms with one another and followed behind Zhao Rui, chatting and laughing.

Every now and then, they exchanged a few jokes, setting off a burst of clear, giggling laughter.

After walking the girls back to their dorm, Zhao Rui turned and headed straight for his rented place.

Before he even got home, a message from He Wanqing came through on WeChat: "I won't take them along anymore."

"Mm!"

Zhao Rui's reply was short and to the point.

Over the following week, Zhao Rui devoted himself to practicing the Prajna Palm. By then, he had already gotten a bit of a feel for it.

That day, he was asking Wang Zhe about a change in one of the Prajna Palm's moves when Zhang Kui hurried over from the direction of the main hall.

From afar, he called to Zhao Rui, "Teacher Wang wants you!"

At that, Zhao Rui hurriedly said goodbye to Wang Zhe, then strode over and went with Zhang Kui toward the main hall.