Do you want to spar with me?

Chapter 44: Do You Want to Spar With Me?

The half-setting sun, hidden in the clouds, cast a golden sheen over the city's steel forest. The wind stirred the clouds like ripples on water, and as the sun dipped lower, the evening glow became the most brilliant hue at the boundary between day and night.

Rooftop, the sky deck.

The glass table, rattan chairs, and lounge chair that Cheng Yun had envisioned were all in place. Two more parasols, capable of providing shade and rain cover, would arrive by tomorrow at the latest.

Yet, the rooftop environment remained desolate.

The washing machine had been running all day, likely washing half the bed sheets and duvet covers from the hostel rooms. They were hung on steel wires stretched across the rooftop, swaying gently in the evening breeze, a scene reminiscent of some old movies.

Cheng Yun stood amidst the numerous bed sheets and duvet covers, continuously practicing his punches, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.

Heroine Yin sat in a rattan chair, her elbow resting on the glass table, chin propped in her hand, watching him punch with a bored expression, like a parent supervising a child's homework.

After an unknown amount of time—

"Hoo!"

Cheng Yun let out a long breath and stopped, saying, "I always feel like just punching like this doesn't have any impact."

"What's wrong?"

"I'm just punching air! There's no substance to it!"

"Buy a sandbag," Heroine Yin suggested. "Unless you want to spar with me?"

"No, no, no!" Cheng Yun quickly denied. "I did think about buying a sandbag, but I figured I'll get a gym membership later anyway, so why spend money on one now? Plus, this rooftop is so spacious, buying a sandbag would require a stand too!"

"I didn't realize you were so frugal!"

"Uh..." Cheng Yun felt a bit awkward and then asked, "How am I doing? Coach Yin."

"From Teacher Yin to Coach Yin now..." Heroine Yin muttered to herself. Then she said, "Setting aside your wimpy punches, you're actually doing quite well! Considering how weak people are in this world, I think you're already very good! If you keep this up, I might consider letting you move from simple punching to practicing complete offensive techniques in a few days. After some more time, perhaps I can teach you defensive stances and evasive footwork."

"Really?" Cheng Yun suddenly felt a surge of excitement, as if becoming a martial arts master was just around the corner.

From seven in the evening until ten, Cheng Yun barely rested, constantly practicing his punches, throwing them out repeatedly, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, constantly searching for that feeling, constantly correcting his posture!

The black man named Andy made him instinctively want to avoid any physical confrontation, yet Heroine Yin had dealt with him with such ease and grace, which Cheng Yun found incredibly shocking! Fueled by his aspiration to become a martial arts master, he didn't find it tedious at all! And this set of rune programs, already discarded by the military in Old Mage's world, seemed somewhat overkill for him, meaning he wouldn't feel fatigued as long as he kept replenishing his stamina!

Ten o'clock. It wasn't even Jinguan's nightlife yet; even young people out for a stroll hadn't returned home.

Cheng Yun specifically ordered some barbecue, leaving a few skewers for Yu Dian, who was on duty. He then took a few cans of Sprite and beer upstairs. He called Old Mage, and the three of them sat on the rooftop, eating while enjoying the breeze.

Old Mage drank his beer and talked about an old man he met in a German park who gave him some dark beer. Eating the grilled skewers reminded him of Niger, where he ate grilled meat every day... His storytelling was fascinating, his voice steady and gentle, possessing an inexplicable magic that painted vivid pictures! In a daze, one felt as if they had traveled with him, experiencing those events firsthand.

It wasn't until eleven o'clock, after tidying up all the barbecue skewers and cans, that Cheng Yun was about to head downstairs to rest when Old Mage called out to him again.

"Station Master, I have something else to tell you."

Cheng Yun immediately stopped, looking at him with confusion, and asked, "What is it?"

"I have to leave again the day after tomorrow. This time it might take longer," Old Mage said. "I've experienced the customs and traditions of your world these past few days, and I find them very charming and they've broadened my horizons. This time, I've decided to explore your natural world, your biosphere. I believe that biological forms and unique terrains that have evolved over hundreds of millions of years might offer me more inspiration."

"So you're also a biogeologist?"

"A qualified mage must have knowledge in every discipline and profession," Old Mage pursed his lips and added, "After all, we live longer than ordinary people, and we must find something to do during such a long lifespan."

"That makes sense," Cheng Yun nodded and then asked, "So where are you going this time?"

"The peaks of snow mountains, the depths of rainforests, the vast ocean floor, the expansive grasslands," Old Mage listed them one by one. "I might collect some specimens. Would you like me to bring you any gifts?"

"No need for gifts, why bother with all that trouble! Besides, Mage, you're going into the deep mountains and old forests; what gifts could you possibly bring from there!" Cheng Yun waved his hand without thinking. "If you absolutely must bring something, then just bring some local specialties... pluck a few thousand-year-old ginseng roots!"

"I'd be happy to, if I happen to find the thousand-year-old ginseng you mentioned."

"Oh, right! Since you're also a biologist..." Cheng Yun suddenly looked at Old Mage with bright eyes. "Do you have any research in botany? Are you interested in rare flowers and exotic herbs?"

"Hmm?"

"What I mean is, if you're interested in Earth's plants and need a place for experiments, I could provide you with a location... though it might be a bit small."

Old Mage paused for a moment, then looked past him at the few desolate flowerbeds on the rooftop. Just as darkness couldn't conceal his eyes, Cheng Yun's intentions were naturally clear to him.

"You want me to plant flowers for you for free, don't you?"

"Uh... do you charge a fee?"

Old Mage was taken aback by his question, then chuckled, "You're quite sly! Fine, fine. It's so desolate here, it doesn't look good anyway. Since you're planning to decorate it, I don't mind doing it as a favor."

Cheng Yun's face lit up immediately. "That would be great!"

"I think I should have some seeds of flowers and plants from my world. I just don't know if they've expired. I'll look for them when I get back," Old Mage said. "Or, you can buy the flowers you like from your world, and I'll cultivate, accelerate their growth, and modify them for you. At that point, I can at least guarantee they'll bloom year-round."

"No, no, no!" Cheng Yun quickly shook his head, his eyes gleaming. "Rather than cultivating and modifying them, I'd much rather see what the flowers and plants from the magical world look like!"

"You..." Old Mage shook his head and slowly walked downstairs.

"Wait!"

How could Cheng Yun let this great being leave so easily?

"Mage, there's also a fish pond!"

The implication was: See if you have any interesting aquatic creatures from your magical world and bring them over!

"..." Old Mage was speechless. His pace didn't stop, but he said leisurely, "I don't have a habit of collecting animals, otherwise my lifelong reputation would have been ruined by those young people from the animal protection societies long ago!"

"Okay."

Cheng Yun felt quite regretful.

The Old Mage actually took this small matter to heart. He got up early in the morning and then pulled Cheng Yun to the rooftop.

As the Old Mage waved his hand, specks of light scattered, and a short plant grew in the flowerbed. However, a red flower, the size of a large bowl, bloomed on its branches.

"What do you think of this flower?"

"That fast!?"

"Fake, a lie, don't believe it."

"Oh." Cheng Yun nodded, putting away his rustic expression. "This flower is quite nice, very opulent. My mom will probably like it."

The Old Mage nodded, indicating he understood. With a wave of his hand, the large peony turned into specks of light and disappeared. Then, another plant grew from the ground. "How about this one!"

"This one is quite fresh and elegant, delicate and beautiful." Cheng Yun nodded. "Can I choose a few more types?"

"One type of flower is indeed too monotonous."

"How many types of seeds do you have?"

"If I plant one of each, it would be enough to cover the sports field you went to the night before last. Take your time choosing, I'm not in a hurry." The Old Mage said casually, and then added, "Actually, flowers alone aren't that nice. It's best to add other visually appealing plants, plants that bear fruit, etc. Besides the flowerbed, you can plant some vines with good spreading ability on the surrounding guardrail. Hmm, you decide the specifics."

"Excellent, exactly what I was thinking." Cheng Yun nodded seriously. "Let's do it!"

About twenty minutes later--

"This one?"

"Uh... it looks better than the last one." Cheng Yun rubbed his eyes. After looking for so long, he not only felt aesthetically fatigued but also physically tired.

"This one?"

"This one is great!"

"This one?"

"Uh..."

Another ten minutes passed, and Cheng Yun finally couldn't take it anymore. He waved his hand and said, "Let's stop choosing here. We've picked dozens of types by now, right? Could you please just remember these for now?"

"No problem."

"Then I'll take a break at noon and select from these again. As for the other ornamental plants and vines, small fruit trees, and such, I'll leave them for tonight." Cheng Yun rubbed his eyes and walked downstairs. "I need to go down and open the door, otherwise that girl Cheng Yan will complain about me again!"

"Alright!" The Old Mage smiled. "I'll stay up here for a while longer and give you some suggestions at noon and tonight."

"Thank you."