Visiting (Seeking Follow-up to Latest Chapter)

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.

Opening the door, he saw three people standing at the gate. He recognized one of them: the Chief Constable of Willow Town, a colleague of Steward Fang.

During this time, he had learned that Fang Xiao had joined the Catching Yamen.

The other youth also looked somewhat familiar...

Oh, he remembered now. It was that tall fellow from yesterday who had blocked the middle of the road, the one he had bumped into. What was his name again?

"Ah, Brother Chu has come out! It's me, Wu Chun." The tall youth spotted Chu Ming immediately.

Chief Constable Hou, standing beside him, felt his expression shift.

Was this the sickly young master he had seen just a few days ago?

Was he not supposed to have suffered severe damage to his foundation, with not many days left to live?

Could a few days apart really feel like three autumns?

Even if he had recovered, he shouldn't have been able to send Wu Chun—who was a head taller and had practiced martial arts—flying with a single bump, right?

Or was his own son made of paper?!

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

At this moment, Fang Xiao also heard the noise and came out. When he saw the woman standing nearby, his eyes flickered.

"Oh, Brother Fang, open the door quickly." The woman raised both hands, carrying several large bags. "You've worked so hard investigating the case these past few days, Brother Fang. I've brought you some food."

Fang Xiao was stunned for a moment.

Though the woman claimed to be bringing food for him, her eyes kept darting toward Chu Ming.

"Brother Fang, open the gate. Little Chun bumped into your young master, so I've brought this brat here to apologize!" Chief Constable Hou grabbed Wu Chun and barked, "Apologize."

Wu Chun's mouth twitched. It was clearly he who had been bumped and sent flying, wasn't it?

He felt quite disgruntled, but he still forced a smile, revealing a missing front tooth. "Brother Chu, I didn't have eyes yesterday and blocked your path."

Seeing Wu Chun's comical appearance, Chu Ming couldn't help but be amused.

"Steward Fang, let them in."

"Xiao Shan, pour some tea."

Creeeak...

The gate opened, and Wu Chun walked in with a grin.

The woman, meanwhile, began asking Xiao Shan where the kitchen was, clearly intending to show off her cooking skills.

"Brother Hou, sit."

"Right."

Hou Ping sat on the stone bench, but his gaze kept sweeping over Chu Ming, giving the young man goosebumps.

"Well, Steward Fang, I'll leave you two to talk."

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

"To read." Chu Ming turned and headed back into his room.

"..." Wu Chun's face fell. He turned around timidly, only to find his father glaring at him as if he were about to be swallowed whole.

"If you had even half the diligence of Young Master Chu, you wouldn't be just growing in height and not in brains."

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

"You!"

"Brother Hou, have some tea." Fang Xiao intervened to stop the argument.

"Hmph, I'll deal with you when we get back!"

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

Setting down his cup, he pulled three taels of silver from his robes. "Your salary for this month, paid in advance."

Fang Xiao's eyes flickered, but he did not reach for the silver. "The month is only half over, and besides, my salary is only two taels, isn't it?"

"Just take it, Brother Fang. It's a small token of my appreciation. Young Master Chu will be entering Baiyuan Academy soon, and he'll need the silver." Hou Ping pushed the money toward Fang Xiao's hand.

Fang Xiao was silent for a moment before cupping his hands in a gesture of thanks. "Thank you, Brother Hou."

He truly needed the silver; with the young master about to enter Baiyuan Academy, he had to prepare the necessary medicinal decoctions and fees in advance.

Afterward, the two men resumed their discussion about the case.

Bored, Wu Chun wandered over and peered outside Chu Ming's room.

Chu Ming sensed him and glanced over to see a large, dark shadow cast against the window. "Brother... Wu Chun, would you like to come in and sit?"

"Don't mind if I do!"

The door pushed open, and Wu Chun strode inside, looking around with curious eyes.

"Wow, Brother Chu, is this your boudoir... I mean, room? It smells so good..."

"That is the scent of ground ink."

"I just love the smell of ink."

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

"Mm."

"I admire you, truly. No wonder you ranked first."

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

"Go ahead."

"Thank you, Brother Chu." Wu Chun pulled out the General Theory of the Book of Songs: Volume One and began to read it with a look of feigned seriousness.

However, before even a moment had passed, the big fellow was already leaning against the wall, dozing off. With a sudden jolt, he startled himself awake and chuckled, "Brother Chu, how do you manage to read this stuff?"

"I'm just not cut out for books; my father forces me to study."

Chu Ming rubbed his forehead, his brows knitting together. How could someone be so oblivious? He was far too noisy.

He raised his eyes to look at Wu Chun and asked, "Is your father's surname Hou?"

"That's right."

"And your surname 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 am feeling a bit weary. Could you allow me to rest for a moment?"

"Weary? No way, Brother Chu. The morning is the best time of the day; how can you be sleepy so early..." Wu Chun carried the book to the desk, his gaze falling upon a sheet of paper, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Eh? These movements..."

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

"Is this the Tiger Python Force?!"

"No, it's very similar to the Tiger Python Force, but the movements aren't as complex, and they flow much better. It seems quite easy to perform..."

As Wu Chun muttered to himself, his limbs began to move along with the instructions.

Chu Ming glanced over and exhaled a breath of stale air; the big guy had finally stopped making noise.

The movements on that paper were part of the Tiger Python Force that he had deduced and optimized using the "Reading" skill when it first reached perfection. Compared to the original version, it was much easier to practice.

However, since then, both the Tiger Python Force and the Tiger Python Body-Forging Technique had undergone numerous further optimizations, making them far more advanced than what was recorded on that paper—he simply hadn't bothered to write those down.

Therefore, this initial improved version of the Tiger Python Force held little value to him, which was why it was left casually by the side of the desk.

Wu Chun might be hopeless with books, but he practiced this improved Tiger Python Force with surprising form, suggesting he had a much higher talent for martial arts.

Once he finished the set of movements, Wu Chun's face was full of excitement. "Brother Chu, where did you get this set of movements? It's easier to practice than the Tiger Python Force, and the effects are even better!"

"I read it in a book," Chu Ming replied flatly.

"What book?"

"General Theory of the Book of Songs."

"..."

Wu Chun clutched the paper as if it were a precious treasure. He no longer cared where Chu Ming had gotten it; the look of fawning flattery on his face only grew more intense.

"Brother Chu, this paper is all wrinkled and doesn't look like much use. 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, snatched the paper back, and crumpled it into a ball with an indifferent expression. "If you don't want it, I'll just throw it away."

"Don't throw it! I'll go pick it up!" Wu Chun stared fixedly at the paper ball.

This was a body-forging method more advanced than the one his father had taught him—even his father would be tempted by it. How could he just crumple it into a ball?

He felt frantic inside. If he weren't somewhat wary of Chu Ming, he might have tried to take it by force.

"Then I'll just tear it up." Chu Ming unfolded the paper ball, preparing to rip it apart.

"No, no, Brother Chu, wait for me. I'll go get the silver right now."

Wu Chun bolted out of the room, his eyes flashing with cunning. "Father, give me two taels of silver."

"Rushing about like that, what kind of decorum is this?" Hou Ping scolded sternly. "If you want silver, go find your mother."