A Visit

The next day.

Chu Ming had just finished breakfast and was preparing to study Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy when a commotion broke out outside.

He opened the door and saw three people standing at the courtyard gate. He recognized one of them: the constable from Willow Town, a colleague of Steward Fang's.

By now, he knew that Fang Xiao had joined the Catching Yamen.

The other young man also looked a little familiar...

Oh, right. He was the tall fellow from yesterday, the one who'd blocked the middle of the road and been knocked aside by Chu Ming. What was his name again...?

"Ah, Brother Chu, you're out! It's me, Wu Chun." The tall young man spotted Chu Ming at once.

Chief Constable Hou's expression shifted slightly.

Was this the sickly young master he'd seen a few days ago?

Hadn't his foundation been so badly damaged that he had little time left to live?

Was it really true that a day apart felt like three autumns?

But even if he'd recovered, he shouldn't have been able to knock Hou Wuchun flying. The boy was a head taller than him and had trained in martial arts.

Or was his own son made of paper?!

"Hey, Brother Hou, what brings you here?"

Just then, Fang Xiao heard the commotion and came out. His expression changed when he noticed the woman standing beside them.

"Ah, Brother Fang, open the gate!" The woman raised both arms, laden with bundles. "You've worked so hard investigating the case these past few days. I brought you some food."

Fang Xiao froze for a moment.

The woman claimed she'd brought food for him, but her eyes kept drifting toward Chu Ming.

"Brother Fang, open the gate. My boy, Wuchun, bumped into your young master, so I've brought him to apologize!" Chief Constable Hou grabbed Wu Chun and barked, "Apologize."

Wu Chun's mouth twitched. He was the one who'd been knocked aside, wasn't he?

He felt a little put out, but still pasted on a smile, showing the gap where one of his front teeth was missing. "Brother Chu, I wasn't watching where I was going yesterday and got in your way."

Chu Ming found Wu Chun's comical expression amusing.

"Steward Fang, let them in."

"Xiao Shan, make some tea."

Creak...

The courtyard gate swung open, and Wu Chun grinned as he came in.

The woman carried in the bundles and asked Xiao Shan where the kitchen was. It looked like she was planning to show off her cooking skills.

"Brother Hou, have a seat."

"All right."

Hou Ping sat on a stone stool, but kept sizing up Chu Ming. His stare gave Chu Ming goosebumps.

"Well, Steward Fang, you two talk."

"Ah, Brother Chu, where are you going?" Wu Chun asked hurriedly.

"To read." Chu Ming turned and went back inside.

"..." Wu Chun's face fell. He turned around nervously and, sure enough, saw his father's expression, as if he wanted to swallow him whole.

"If you had even half of Young Master Chu's diligence, you wouldn't have grown tall without growing a brain."

"That's because I take after you, Dad..." Wu Chun muttered under his breath.

"You!"

"Brother Hou, have some tea," Fang Xiao interjected.

"Hmph. I'll deal with you when we get home!"

Hou Ping took a sip of tea and looked at Fang Xiao with a knowing smile. "Brother Fang, Young Master Chu is quite the fine young man."

Setting down his teacup, he pulled three taels of silver from his robes. "Your salary for this month. I'm paying it early."

A glint flickered in Fang Xiao's eyes. He looked at the silver but didn't reach for it. "The month's only half over, and my salary is only two taels."

"Take it, Brother Fang. It's just a small token of goodwill. Young Master Chu is about to attend Baiyuan Academy, and he'll need silver." Hou Ping pushed the money toward Fang Xiao.

Fang Xiao fell silent for a moment, then clasped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Brother Hou."

He did need the silver. The young master would soon be entering Baiyuan Academy, and Fang Xiao had to prepare the medicinal tonics and other expenses in advance.

After that, the two men resumed talking about the case.

With nothing to do, Wu Chun sprawled outside Chu Ming's room and peered in.

Chu Ming sensed him and glanced over. A huge shadow loomed across the window. "Brother Wu Chun... why don't you come in and sit for a while?"

"Sure!"

The door swung open, and Wu Chun lumbered inside, looking around curiously.

"Wow, Brother Chu, is this your boudoir—your room? It smells so nice..."

"That's the smell of ink."

"I like the smell of ink."

"Brother Chu, have you read all these books?" Wu Chun pointed at the stack on the desk.

"Mm."

"I'm impressed, I'm impressed. No wonder you came first."

"Brother Chu, is this stack Poetry, Politics, and Military Strategy? Could I..."

"Go ahead."

"Thanks, Brother Chu." Wu Chun pulled out General Theory of the Book of Songs, Volume One and started reading with studied seriousness.

But he couldn't keep it up for more than a moment. The big fellow leaned against the wall and began to doze. His head jerked forward, startling him awake, and he laughed sheepishly. "Brother Chu, how do you manage to focus on reading?"

"Reading's just not for me. My dad insists I do it."

Chu Ming pressed a hand to his forehead, his brows knitting slightly. How could anyone be so oblivious? He was making far too much noise.

He looked up at Wu Chun and asked, "Your father's surname is Hou?"

"That's right."

"And yours is Wu?"

"My mother's surname is Wu. My name is Hou Wuchun, but my mother told me to go by Wu Chun when I'm out."

"..."

"Brother Wu Chun, I'm a little tired. Could you let me rest for a while?"

"Tired? Come on, Brother Chu. They say the whole day's work depends on the morning. It's still early—how can you be sleepy already..." Wu Chun carried the book over to the desk. His eyes fell on a sheet of paper, and they suddenly lit up.

"Huh? These moves..."

He picked up the paper and examined it closely, his gaze growing brighter by the second.

"Is this the Tiger Python Force?!"

"No, it's very similar to the Tiger Python Force, but the moves aren't as complicated, and they flow together better. They seem much easier to perform..."

Muttering to himself, Wu Chun began to move along with the illustrated forms.

Chu Ming glanced over and let out a breath. At last, the big fellow had stopped making noise.

The moves on the paper were part of an improved Tiger Python Force technique. After his [Reading] skill had reached perfection, he'd used Drawing Inferences for the first time to work out an optimized version. Compared to the original, it was easier to practice.

Since then, however, both the Tiger Python Force and the Tiger Python Body-Forging Technique had undergone several more rounds of refinement. The latest versions were far superior to the set recorded on the paper, though he hadn't written them down.

So this earliest improved version of the Tiger Python Force was of little value to him. That was why he'd left it casually on the desk.

Wu Chun might not be much good at reading, but he performed the improved Tiger Python Force quite well. It seemed he had more talent for martial arts.

When he'd finished the set, Wu Chun was beaming with excitement. "Brother Chu, where did you get these moves? They're easier to practice than the Tiger Python Force, and they work even better!"

"I saw them in a book," Chu Ming replied calmly.

"What book?"

"General Theory of the Book of Songs."

"..."

Wu Chun clutched the paper as if it were a priceless treasure. He stopped worrying about where Chu Ming had gotten it, and the ingratiating look on his face grew more pronounced.

"Brother Chu, this paper's all crumpled and doesn't look useful. Why don't you give it to me?"

"Mm. Take it."

"Thank you, Brother Chu!" Wu Chun was overjoyed.

"One tael of silver."

"Huh?"

"One. Tael. Of silver." Chu Ming slowly stood up and snatched back the paper, casually crumpling it into a ball. "If you don't want it, I'll throw it away."

"Where? I'll go pick it up." Wu Chun stared fixedly at the paper ball.

This was a body-forging technique even more advanced than the Tiger Python Force his father had taught him. Even his father would be tempted if he saw it. How could Chu Ming crumple it into a ball?

He was going out of his mind. If he hadn't been a little wary of Chu Ming, he might have tried to take it by force.

"Then I'll tear it up." Chu Ming unfolded the crumpled paper and prepared to rip it.

"Don't, don't! Brother Chu, wait a moment. I'll go get the silver right now."

Wu Chun bolted out of the room, eyes glinting with cunning. "Dad, give me two taels of silver."

"Don't rush around like that. Have some manners!" Hou Ping scolded him. "If you want silver, go ask your mother."