Backing Up My Brother

After three straight days of hard training, Li Bufan felt his strength had improved and was in a good mood. But that evening, when he went to the Academy to pick up Ping'an as usual, he keenly noticed something off about his younger brother's mood.

The little guy didn't come bouncing out like he normally did. Instead, he walked out slowly, head down, with no smile on his face—he even seemed a bit sullen.

"Ping'an, what's wrong? Wasn't school fun today?" Li Bufan took his brother's hand and asked gently.

Ping'an's small hand twitched slightly. His eyes darted away as he stammered, "No... nothing, big bro. It was fine."

Li Bufan could tell his brother had something on his mind, but he didn't press. He just ruffled his hair. "Good, nothing's wrong then. Let's go home. I'll stew some meat for you tonight."

"Mm." Ping'an answered softly, still listless.

The whole way home, Ping'an was unusually quiet, not chattering about fun things at the Academy like he usually did. Li Bufan's suspicion deepened, but he kept his face calm, only gripping his brother's hand a little tighter.

Back home, during dinner, Ping'an just poked at his rice, eating absentmindedly. Even his favorite stewed meat couldn't hold his attention.

Li Bufan saw it and felt a pang in his heart. He set down his chopsticks, looked at his brother, and softened his tone even more. "Ping'an, tell big bro—did someone bully you? Did something happen at the Academy?"

Ping'an jerked his head up, eyes a little red, but he shook his head hard, his voice catching. "No... big bro, really, nothing. Just eat." He ducked his head back down quickly.

Li Bufan knew his brother was stubborn. Pressing now wouldn't get him anywhere. He stopped asking, but a thorn had lodged in his heart. He would never let anyone bully his brother!

The next morning, Li Bufan walked Ping'an to the Academy as usual. Watching his brother's slightly heavy back disappear through the gate, his eyes narrowed.

He didn't leave right away. Instead, he found a relatively secluded spot near the Academy that still had a clear view of the entrance. A few old trees and a low wall provided cover, making it hard to spot him.

He took a stance and began practicing the three moves of the Nameless Fist Technique. But this time, his mind wasn't fully absorbed in training. He kept part of his attention fixed on the Academy, watching for any commotion.

His movements looked slow, but each stance and strike carried immense power and precise control over his body. His ears, however, were as alert as a hunting leopard's, catching the sporadic sounds of children playing in the wind.

Time passed. When school let out in the afternoon, Li Bufan stopped his practice early and silently hid behind a broken wall, his sharp gaze locked on the Academy gate.

Kids poured out, chattering. Soon, he spotted Ping'an, head down, trying to leave quickly.

Just then, a few boys—dressed noticeably better than Ping'an, clearly from well-off families—surrounded him, blocking his way.

One chubby boy pointed at Ping'an and shouted with exaggerated mockery, "Hey! Li Ping'an! Where's that brother of yours who's always drenched in sweat like a servant? Didn't come to pick you up today? What, is he ashamed of you and dumped you?"

Another tall boy joined in, "Yeah! Wearing rags, stinking weird—he's gotta be some manor's errand boy! Maybe he empties the night soil! Hahaha!"

Ping'an's face flushed bright red. He jerked his head up, eyes wide, and shot back loudly, "You're lying! My brother's not a servant! He's a Warrior! A guard at Lin Manor! He's really strong!"

His voice was full of grievance and anger, but it sounded thin.

The boys didn't back off. They laughed even harder.

"A guard? Him? You're full of it!" the chubby boy sneered. "Which guard at Lin Manor isn't impressive? Your brother? Doesn't look like one at all. Bet he just washes the horses for the real guards!"

"Yeah! A Warrior? Who's he fooling? No one believes that!" the other kids chimed in, their words cutting.

Ping'an's eyes reddened from their taunts. His small fists clenched tight, but he didn't know how to defend himself. He just kept repeating, "He is! He's really strong!"

The kids only laughed louder, circling him like he was some amusing joke.

Behind the low wall, Li Bufan heard everything. His face darkened instantly, his eyes turning as cold as midwinter ice.

So that was it!

It was the mockery and ridicule of these ignorant kids that had made Ping'an suffer! They dared to belittle and insult his brother!

Rage surged in his chest, but he forced it down.

He watched Ping'an standing there, alone, stubbornly holding back tears. His heart ached and burned with anger.

He slowly stood up from behind the broken wall, but didn't head straight for the Academy gate. Instead, he straightened his worn-out clothes—stained with sweat from his training, not the guard uniform issued by Lin Manor.

Then he walked forward, unhurried, toward the group of kids. His steps were steady and powerful, his back straight. Though his clothes were plain, after breaking through to early Muscle Tempering, he carried a sharp, rugged aura that set him apart from ordinary folk.

He didn't radiate any intimidating pressure, but as he drew near, his calm, power-laden presence made the laughing kids instinctively stop. They stared at him, startled and timid.

Ping'an saw his brother too. He froze for a moment, then a flicker of panic crossed his eyes, as if afraid his brother had heard the nasty words.

Li Bufan stopped beside Ping'an. He didn't look at the kids. Instead, he reached out and gently ruffled his brother's hair, his tone calm and warm. "Little bro, school's out? Let's go home."

His sudden appearance and composed attitude caught the troublemaking kids off guard.

The chubby boy mustered his courage and tried to speak. "You—"

Li Bufan slowly turned his head, his gaze sweeping calmly over the kids. His eyes weren't fierce, but they carried an adult's unshakable authority, along with a Warrior's sharp edge.

He just looked at them, saying nothing.

But that one look was enough. The previously arrogant boys felt like they'd been choked. Their words died in their throats. They instinctively stepped back, fear showing on their faces. No matter how bratty they were, they could tell this man was different from the poor kids they usually picked on.

Li Bufan ignored them. He took Ping'an's hand, his tone still gentle. "Let's go."

Ping'an was dazed as his brother led him away. He couldn't help glancing back at his cowering classmates, his small face full of surprise... and a hint of vindication?

After a few steps, Li Bufan spoke calmly, his voice low but loud enough for the kids behind to hear. "Little bro, remember this. A man's worth is in his heart and his spine, not in his clothes or his words. Train hard in the future. When you're strong yourself, idle gossip will fade on its own."

It was a lesson for Ping'an, and a silent rebuttal to the kids behind them.

Ping'an nodded firmly, gripping his brother's hand tightly. His earlier gloom vanished, and his little chest puffed up unconsciously.

Watching the brothers walk away, the kids exchanged glances, unable to muster another mocking word.

On the way home, Ping'an was unusually lively, chattering nonstop as if venting all his pent-up frustration.

Li Bufan listened with a smile, but his mind was already made up.

It seems that being strong on my own isn't enough. If I want my little brother to stop being looked down on, I, as his older brother, can't keep such a low profile in daily life either.

The unpleasantness outside the Academy yesterday hung like a thin shadow over the brothers' hearts. After returning home, the atmosphere was a bit heavy. Li Bufan silently lit the fire to cook, while Ping'an sat obediently on a small stool, occasionally stealing a glance at his brother.

At the dinner table, Li Bufan still wolfed down his food like a storm, but Ping'an ate slowly. Finally, he put down his chopsticks and broke the silence in a small voice: "Brother... I'm sorry."

Li Bufan was taken aback and stopped eating: "Silly little brother, what do you have to be sorry for?"

"I... I shouldn't have argued with them yesterday..." Ping'an lowered his head, his voice even softer, "I embarrassed you."

Li Bufan's heart ached. He set down his bowl and looked seriously at his brother: "Ping'an, you did nothing wrong. The ones in the wrong are those who judge by appearances and spew nasty words. You stood up for your brother—I'm happy and proud. Remember, we may be poor, but we have backbone. Stay tough, but don't waste words arguing with ignorant kids. True confidence comes from here." He pointed to his heart, then clenched his fist, "And here."

Ping'an didn't fully understand, but his brother hadn't scolded him—instead, he encouraged him, which made him feel much better. He nodded firmly: "Mm! I'll remember, Brother!"

At the break of dawn, Li Bufan got up. Today, he didn't put on his old practice clothes. Instead, he drew fresh water, washed up carefully, combed his hair neatly, and tied it back with a cyan ribbon.

Then he opened the wardrobe and took out the set of clothes he'd never worn before—the Second-Class Guard uniform issued by Lin Manor. It was a dark blue-black outfit, thick and crisp, with simple Cloud Patterns embroidered in dark thread along the edges—understated but sharp. He put it on carefully, tightened his belt, and hung the Hundred Refinements Steel Saber at his waist.

Finally, he straightened his collar in front of the water basin. The reflection showed a boy completely different from usual. The well-fitted clothes made him look tall and spirited. Years of martial training had given him a balanced, powerful build. With the dust washed away, his brows carried a bold, heroic air, and his eyes were sharp and clear—he was a strikingly handsome and valiant young man!

Ping'an was woken by the rustling sounds. He rubbed his eyes, sat up, and groggily looked at his brother. When he saw his brother's outfit, his eyes went wide, his mouth dropped open like it could fit an egg, and all drowsiness vanished!

"Bro... Brother?!" he exclaimed, his eyes practically sparkling, "You... you look so handsome! So cool! Brother, are you dressing up this sharp to find me a sister-in-law?" In the little guy's simple mind, wearing new clothes and looking sharp meant a blind date.

Li Bufan burst out laughing at his brother's words. He walked over to the bed and ruffled Ping'an's messy hair: "What nonsense at your age! I'm heading to duty at Lin Manor. There's an operation today, and they ordered us to be fully outfitted so we don't disgrace the manor. Perfect timing—I'll send you to school in style along the way!"

This little lie explained the change of clothes while also lifting his brother's spirits.

"Really? Awesome!" Ping'an got excited at once, scrambled out of bed, and washed up as fast as he could. His little face glowed with excitement and pride.

The brothers left the house and each had a steaming bowl of Yangchun Noodles at a street stall. Along the way, they drew plenty of stares. Li Bufan's brand-new guard uniform, bearing the mark of Lin Manor's influence, stood out sharply in this working-class neighborhood.

"Hey, look at that young man—a guard from Lin Manor, right? Sharp-looking!"

"Seems young, but he's made something of himself!"

"Isn't that Li Family's eldest? In that outfit, he's like a different person!"

"His little brother's with him too—look how proud the kid is..."

The passersby's pointing and murmurs were mostly envious and admiring. Ping'an stuck close to his brother, listening to the chatter, puffing out his chest, his face beaming with joy and pride. The unpleasantness of yesterday was already forgotten.

Near the Academy, they ran into the same kids from yesterday. Seeing Li Bufan completely transformed—handsome, imposing, with a saber at his waist—they froze, faces showing shock and a hint of fear. They stopped far away and didn't dare come forward to say a single word.

Li Bufan and Ping'an didn't even look at them, as if they didn't exist. But Ping'an's little head lifted even higher, like a proud little rooster.

At the Academy gate, Li Bufan stopped, straightened his brother's collar, and said gently: "Go on, little brother. Study hard."

"Mm! Got it, Brother! You go do your thing!" Ping'an replied cheerfully, his voice loud. He waved at his brother, then turned and skipped into the Academy, as if the wind was at his heels.

Watching his brother's joyful back, a smile tugged at Li Bufan's lips.