Li Muyun

Watching the woman before him, Chen Han's mouth twitched. "What a coincidence. Isn't this plot a little too..."

A young woman drifted toward him, her bright eyes glistening as if with tears. It was none other than Li Muyun, whom he had rescued earlier that day.

"But at least there hasn't been any melodramatic nonsense about being unable to recognize each other or dying tragically."

Just right. Everything had fallen into place naturally.

Chen Han was naturally pleased, and also relieved. It was a good thing he'd stepped in back then.

He wasn't a saint, nor did he possess any particularly noble qualities. When faced with trouble, he would hesitate too. Naturally, he was happy when things turned out for the best.

"Benefactor, do you still remember me?"

Li Muyun was gentle and simple by nature. Seeing the man who had saved her life that day right before her, she gazed at him with gratitude in her almond-shaped eyes.

"Of course I remember."

Chen Han looked composed, a just-right smile playing on his lips. He made a deep impression on Li Muyun.

"When we parted that day, you left in such a hurry. I was wondering how I could repay you."

"Miss, you're too kind. Squire Li gave me a job and arranged for my whole family to move into the inner city. I'm very grateful. Being able to save you was my good fortune."

Looking at the man before her, Li Muyun felt that he was truly different from other people—and far better than those coarse martial artists who got drunk and bellowed at the top of their lungs.

"Benefactor, there's no need to be so polite. Please come with me. I'll take you to meet my father."

Her gratitude quickly turned into warm enthusiasm, leaving Chen Han a little embarrassed.

He followed behind Li Muyun. Every so often, she glanced back at him with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she eagerly introduced things to him and made conversation.

Chen Han couldn't help thinking that she was truly innocent and adorable.

Before long, they arrived at the main hall, one after the other.

When Squire Li saw Chen Han, he hurriedly stood up with a smile, admiration in his eyes. "Nephew Chen Han, I never expected you to give me such a wonderful surprise just a few days after we last met."

"It was only what I should have done."

"Master, please accept your disciple's bow!"

At that moment, Li Mubai hurried up to him, excitement written all over his face. He dropped to his knees and bowed.

At that moment, he wouldn't have cared who came to teach him martial arts. He only wanted to take Chen Han as his master.

A young man who had entered the Dark Force, stood up for the wronged, and drawn his blade to help—that was the kind of person he'd dreamed of becoming these past few days, and the kind he hoped to become in the future.

Chen Han froze for a moment, then looked at Squire Li. "Wasn't I here to be his teacher?"

A teacher and a master were not the same thing. A teacher took payment and did the job. A master came with far more obligations: the tea ceremony, a formal apprenticeship fee, visits during holidays and festivals. Taking on a disciple was like accepting an heir—half a son.

Squire Li kicked Li Mubai in the backside in exasperation. "You silly boy, he's only here to be your teacher. He isn't taking you as a disciple."

"Oh? So that's how it is."

Li Mubai froze, looking a little disappointed.

He'd grown up learning music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette, and the art of war. He didn't know much about the ways of martial artists, but he understood the difference between a teacher and a master.

"Don't worry. I took your Uncle Li's silver, so I'll teach you to the best of my ability.

"As long as you're persistent and work hard, I guarantee that in less than two years, ordinary Bright Force martial artists won't be able to get the better of you."

Li Mubai's eyes lit up with delight. "Really? Even Bright Force martial artists won't be able to defeat me?"

"You have good bones. Besides, I used to be a Dark Force martial artist myself, so I'm confident I can do it."

Chen Han wasn't making an empty promise. In the path of martial arts, one's bones were especially important, followed by perseverance, and then by the resources available for training.

If you had all three, breaking through to Bright Force would be a piece of cake.

Even Dark Force and Transformation Force would only be a matter of time.

"I understand, Teacher!"

Squire Li looked at his son with satisfaction.

It was as if he could already see his son becoming self-reliant, taking control of his own fate in this troubled world, and protecting his family.

In private, Squire Li slipped Chen Han fifty taels of silver to thank him for saving his daughter that day.

Chen Han accepted it without hesitation.

"Whether you're practicing my Chen Family's Mountain Breaking Fist or some other miscellaneous secret art, the key is always to coordinate your waist and legs!"

In the courtyard of Li Mansion, Chen Han demonstrated a half-horse stance for Li Mubai. His legs were steady as pines and cypresses, his gaze sharp as a falcon's.

"The waist is the foundation that must be trained for your posture, fist techniques, kicks, and every other kind of martial art. Generate force from your waist to move your whole body, then use it to attack!"

"Hah!"

As he spoke, Chen Han gave a low shout. Bang!

He stepped forward and drove a fist into the wooden post. He'd used only thirty percent of his strength, yet the post burst into a spray of splinters.

The punch was so fast that it left a faint afterimage, making Li Mubai jump.

"Got it? When you practice martial arts, start with your waist."

Li Mubai's eyes gleamed. "I understand, Teacher."

As he spoke, he didn't even wait for Chen Han to tell him what to do before eagerly settling into a deep horse stance.

Chen Han nodded in approval. Li Mubai was two years younger than him, barely eighteen, and easy to get along with.

"Lower your center of gravity, keep your back straight, extend your arms... hold steady. Don't let your legs shake."

In just over ten minutes, Li Mubai was drenched in sweat and groaning in misery.

He gritted his teeth and strained with all his might to hold on, but after only a few breaths, he collapsed to the ground.

"Not bad. For someone from a scholarly family, lasting this long on your first try is already impressive. Rest for a hundred breaths, then keep going," Chen Han praised.

Just then, a graceful figure like a lotus flower approached, carrying a bowl that steamed as if freshly prepared.

She set one bowl on the stone table and gestured for her younger brother to drink it, then handed another to Chen Han with both hands. Her voice rang clear. "Benefactor, this is lotus root soup I specially asked the kitchen to make."

Chen Han was still looking at a small tree beside him, wearing a thoughtful expression as he mused that it really was quite a tree.

Only when Li Muyun called out to him did he pretend to snap out of his thoughts.

"Mm, thank you, Eldest Miss."

Li Muyun noticed his little act and secretly laughed to herself.

"Benefactor, do you think I could train in martial arts with you too?"

"Hm?"

Chen Han looked at her in surprise, then carefully examined her from head to toe. His unflinching gaze brought a blush to her cheeks, and she shyly looked away.

"Eldest Miss, forgive my bluntness. A man only needs decent bones to practice martial arts, but a woman needs a broad frame, thick bones, and a sturdy build. You clearly aren't suited for it. It's best not to take up martial arts, or you might harm your body," Chen Han said seriously.

"Oh, I see."

Li Muyun blinked, but wasn't discouraged. She'd known that for a long time. After thinking it over, she asked, "Then what should I do if I run into a villain who attacks me? Are there any practical martial arts moves I could use to defend myself?"

"Mm..." Chen Han thought it over carefully before answering, "Of course there are."

"What are they?"

"Low blows!"

In other words, a kick to the crotch!

Hearing that, Li Muyun broke into a radiant smile and covered her mouth with her slender hand.

But Chen Han wasn't joking. "It catches them off guard and works very well against men. But unless it's absolutely necessary and the circumstances demand it, never do that... or you might lose your life."