Chapter 47: Even the Scoundrel Persona Has Its Advantages

After lunch, the sound of a train whistle outside gradually disrupted the once serene atmosphere. Leaning back on the sofa to let his meal settle, Feng Xue picked up the scroll and tucked it under his arm. Turning to Liu Yunxi, who had just finished washing the dishes, he said, “You look like a ring.”

“Then next time you plan to change, could you at least give me a heads-up?” Liu Yunxi complained with a hint of dissatisfaction as he rested in Feng Xue’s palm.

Feng Xue shrugged indifferently. “Whether I warn you or not, I’ll still change. If you sit somewhere safe, I won’t have to bend down and pick you up every time. Might as well just transform directly.”

“….” Liu Yunxi took a deep breath and fell silent. Feng Xue adjusted the position of the scroll in his arms and prepared to head out.

According to the spirit-controlling manual, after forming a spiritual contract, one should transfer the spirit to a bracelet, pendant, or other easily carried items for summoning at any time. However, Mo Ying’s obsession was so strong that even getting her out to run errands required a mix of persuasion and coercion. Getting her to leave the painting altogether would likely require a lengthy period of adjustment and education.

Fortunately, this scroll was only about the length of a forearm. Carrying it around was about as inconvenient as carrying a dagger—far from troublesome—so Feng Xue didn’t push the matter.

He casually asked a few passersby for directions and soon arrived at the largest martial arts school in Lu City.

Though it was called the largest, it looked merely the size of a courtyard house. Perhaps because it was already afternoon, the courtyard was mostly empty, save for a few neatly dressed young men standing at the gate. Upon seeing Feng Xue’s distinguished attire and dignified bearing, they immediately assumed he was some young master of a wealthy family and greeted him with bright, businesslike smiles.

“Welcome, sir. Are you here to learn martial arts, or to hire someone?”

Feng Xue was momentarily surprised but quickly understood. Whether studying literature or martial arts, the essence was to acquire skills for making a living. In that sense, a martial arts school accepting commissions was no different from a university organizing a job fair with companies.

This, however, was none of his business. Since this was a place of business, he didn’t hold back and replied, “I’m quite interested in martial arts and intend to buy a few manuals to study at home.”

Hearing Feng Xue’s casual tone, the greeter immediately recognized him as a wealthy but inexperienced client. He signaled to his companions and led Feng Xue into the courtyard.

“You’ve come to the right place, sir. Our Hua Martial School is the most renowned in Lu City. The master here is a famous figure in southeastern martial arts, just half a step away from reaching the top-tier realm. His Cloud Flow Palm technique is renowned far and wide! Enrollment is fifty wen per month, which covers basic training for health and vitality. If you want to learn the Cloud Flow Palm, then—”

“I said, I just want to buy some basic manuals to study. If I get interested, we can talk about other things later,” Feng Xue interrupted. From his elevated vantage point, he had already noticed the greeter slip around a side path to notify the master in the back courtyard.

But he paid it no mind and continued, “How much for those health and vitality methods? I recall there’s something like ‘Nourishing Qi and Strengthening the Spirit’ after that. Do you sell those?”

“You’re mistaken, sir!”

Just as the greeter was flustered by Feng Xue’s question, a voice suddenly rang out from the courtyard. Though distant, its enunciation was crystal clear and never intrusive, as if calculated to reach Feng Xue’s ears at the perfect volume.

This single skill told Feng Xue that, despite some exaggeration in the claim of being “half a step from top-tier,” this man’s abilities were not to be underestimated.

At the very least, he was no charlatan like Qiu Qianzhang, who deceived the world with a few tricks.

The voice came swiftly, and the speaker’s footsteps followed without haste but in the blink of an eye, a man in his early thirties with decades of life experience atop his head approached. After the greeter’s respectful greeting, he began:

“Martial arts is not like taking the imperial exams—merely memorizing the books won’t suffice. A single mistake can cause injury. Every martial school requires a trainee to endure one or two months of rigorous physical conditioning, forging muscles and bones, and learning basic knowledge. Only when one’s spirit and energy are sufficient and they have a solid understanding of martial arts will formal instruction begin. Though you are healthy, sir, you have yet to—”

“That’s why I’m here to buy basic knowledge, not your famous Cloud Flow Palm. Just the fundamentals, like how to nourish energy and strengthen the spirit, and ways to condition the body. Whether I practice them depends on my own research later.”

Feng Xue cut in again, his tone showing no distinction between the master and the greeter. The master, far from offended by the brusqueness, realized something.

From these words, it seemed the young master had only a mild interest in martial arts, not a deep passion. The thought of profit faded substantially. After all, such “rich wastrels” were the most troublesome clients for martial schools.

Judging by the smoothness of his palms, unweathered by hardship, it was clear he was a pampered scion. If accepted as a student, he might not endure the hardships. Loose discipline would mean no real progress, leading to trouble; strict discipline might provoke rebellion. Even if the boy was fooled, his family likely wouldn’t be. In the end, the school might neither earn money nor avoid trouble.

For such clients, the only solution was to sell them basic manuals and let them explore on their own. When they realized the real demands of training, their interest would naturally wane.

Having made this assessment, the master said, “Very well, sir. As you wish.”

He turned to the greeter. “Fetch a set of beginner manuals—one copy of each.”

“Yes, sir!” The greeter straightened instinctively and hurried toward the back courtyard. The master then resumed explaining:

“Although each martial school specializes in different techniques, their foundational manuals are largely the same. It won’t hurt to take a look. But if you plan to practice, it’s best to have someone experienced to assist. While mistakes in basic training aren’t usually dangerous, some hardship is unavoidable.”

“Naturally,” Feng Xue replied coolly, pulling out a pricey-looking leather wallet. “Quote me a price.”

Though Feng Xue spoke generously, the master understood how to earn properly and didn’t overcharge. He treated Feng Xue like any other student.

“Basic manuals are priced for transcription—fifteen wen each. We have four covering ‘Moving Posture,’ ‘Static Posture,’ ‘Body Tempering,’ and ‘Essence Cultivation,’ plus one on martial arts fundamentals called ‘General Outline.’ I’ll round it down to seventy wen for you.”

“That’s quite a difference from the price of arcane cultivation manuals. But considering these are more like calisthenics and fitness principles, I suppose that’s reasonable,” Feng Xue thought, comparing mentally to the uniformly high prices of magical spell books. Maintaining his spoiled rich kid persona, he took out a five-hundred-wen bill.

“I don’t have smaller bills. Keep the change.”

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