Forging Iron Tiles and an Iron Vest

This manual itself contained nothing particularly profound, but it recorded methods for systematically improving one's running, jumping, dodging, and maneuvering abilities through training.

And that was exactly what Zhao Ya needed most.

The Grass-Skimming Movement manual he had obtained before also covered some of this, but it was far from comprehensive and nowhere near as detailed as this one.

For example, when it came to training stability in one's footing, there were two main methods: running on posts and running on bricks.

Running on posts, as the name implied, involved arranging wooden stakes about two feet long and two inches thick in a row, burying them shallowly in the ground, then walking and running across them to train steadiness underfoot.

Running on bricks involved placing blue bricks on the ground and sprinting across them. At first, the bricks lay flat. As one's skill improved, they were gradually turned on their sides, until eventually they stood upright.

Only after mastering both could one be considered to have entered the discipline, after which one could begin practicing true lightness skills and movement techniques.

The requirements here were even more detailed.

They included jumping pits, jumping platforms, stepping on beans, jumping sand, carrying lead, finger-strength training, and much more.

Of course, many of these exercises were quite easy for Zhao Ya. After all, he possessed the strength of a second-realm martial artist and already had a foundation in the Grass-Skimming Movement.

But Zhao Ya felt that even an ordinary person with no foundation whatsoever could develop impressive movement skills through systematic training after obtaining this manual.

Zhao Ya studied it carefully once more before putting the manual away.

By then, the sky had begun to brighten.

Tang Zuier had risen early. Seeing Zhao Ya standing in the courtyard, she did not pay much attention to it and turned to prepare breakfast.

As he watched her slender back, Zhao Ya suddenly had an idea.

What if... I let Zui'er practice this movement technique too?

Once the thought arose, Zhao Ya found it more and more sensible.

After all, the world was becoming increasingly chaotic. He had heard that several commandery cities in the south had already gone to war.

Though he could protect her, he could not stay by her side every hour of every day. It was always good to have some ability to protect oneself.

Moreover, lightness skills and movement techniques were especially suited to people who were petite and light.

Zhao Ya did not expect Zui'er to master it to any great level. She only needed to be able to run fast enough when danger arose.

As Zhao Ya pondered this, Zui'er poked her head out of the kitchen and called, "Brother Zhao Ya, breakfast is ready!"

"Mm, coming!"

Breakfast consisted of a large pot of white rice porridge and a basin of mixed meat stew.

This breakfast was more lavish than dinner in most households, but it had become normal in Zhao Ya's home.

Although eating ordinary meat no longer did much to aid Zhao Ya's cultivation, people still had to eat. No matter how good dried meat was, he could not gnaw on it all day.

Especially now that Tang Zuier's cooking had grown ever more refined. She could make even a simple mixed stew rich in color, aroma, and flavor, and paired with steaming white rice porridge, it tasted... absolutely incredible.

Zhao Ya wolfed down several bowls in a row, and more than half the food ended up in his stomach.

Tang Zuier watched with a smile, her eyes brimming with happiness.

"Is it good, Brother Zhao Ya?"

"Mm, it's amazing!" Zhao Ya said without looking up, giving her a thumbs-up.

That made Tang Zuier even happier.

Nothing delighted a cook more than seeing their handiwork praised by the person eating it.

Especially when that person was the one she cared about most.

"Then eat more!" Tang Zuier said, her cheeks flushing slightly as she picked up a large piece of fatty meat and placed it in Zhao Ya's bowl.

Zhao Ya smiled, put the fatty meat into his mouth, then set down his chopsticks.

"Zui'er, I want to talk to you about something."

Tang Zuier froze, hurriedly set down her bowl and chopsticks as well, and looked at Zhao Ya with some unease.

"Wh... what is it?"

Seeing Tang Zuier's slightly frightened, doe-like eyes glistening with moisture, even Zhao Ya felt his heart tremble slightly. He quickly looked away and said in a deliberately calm tone,

"It's like this. I have a lightness skill and movement technique that suits you rather well. I was wondering if you wanted to learn it. If you do, then I..."

"I want to learn!"

Before Zhao Ya could finish, Tang Zuier answered without the slightest hesitation.

"Uh... you should think it through. Practicing martial arts is very hard," Zhao Ya said with a smile, deliberately trying to scare her.

To his surprise, Tang Zuier was completely unafraid. "No matter how hard it is, I'm not afraid."

"I know I'm useless. Other than cooking for you and doing some housework, Brother Zhao Ya, there's nothing else I can do."

"Especially now that the world is growing more and more unsettled. I'm just a girl staying at home, and you definitely won't be at ease when you're out and about. So I've long wanted to learn some self-defense skills. Not for any other reason—even if it can lighten your burden a little, that would be good enough."

At that, Tang Zuier took a deep breath, her eyes reddening slightly.

"I know I'm stupid, but as long as you're willing to teach me, Brother Zhao Ya, I'll learn with everything I have. Is that okay?"

Hearing the slight tremble in Tang Zuier's voice, Zhao Ya felt some soft place deep in his heart stir.

This girl... is stronger and clearer-headed than I imagined.

He could not help reaching out and gently pinching Tang Zuier's round cheek. Smiling, he said,

"Fine, I'll teach you. But if you can't learn it and I scold you, don't start crying."

Tang Zuier's face reddened again, but she did not dodge. Instead, she nodded very seriously.

"Don't worry, Brother Zhao Ya!"

"Then call me Master first."

"Master Brother Zhao Ya!"

"What kind of title is that? Just call me Master!"

"No!"

On this matter, Zui'er was surprisingly stubborn. After saying that, she gathered the bowls and chopsticks and happily ran off.

Zhao Ya watched her cheerful retreating figure, smiling as he shook his head, then headed out.

Zhao Ya did not go to the escort agency. Instead, he first went to an ironworking shop.

The blacksmith who was swinging a hammer hurried over as soon as he saw Zhao Ya enter.

"Sorry, we don't forge weapons here."

"I don't need weapons. Can you make this?"

Zhao Ya handed him a sheet of paper. The blacksmith took it and saw a semicircular object shaped like a roof tile, as well as something resembling a vest. He could not help looking puzzled.

"What material would you like these forged from, sir?"

"Wrought iron."

"That can be done, but how many do you need? If the quantity is too small..."

The blacksmith was about to say that the labor cost would be high if the order was too small.

Before he could finish, Zhao Ya took out a piece of silver and handed it over.

"I want ten iron tiles and one iron vest. Is this enough?"

The blacksmith accepted the silver, delight rising in his heart.

Ironwork was expensive, but this silver was more than enough.

"Enough, enough. When do you need them?"

"The sooner, the better. It would be best if they could be finished today."

"Sure. I'll start right away. Come pick them up tonight, and they'll definitely be ready."

Zhao Ya did not leave in a hurry. He looked around the ironworking shop and suddenly noticed a large pile of tinware on the ground, causing his eyes to light up.

"Use that tinware to make eight more tin tiles for me. How much will that cost?"