The next morning, Shu-ming woke up full of energy. He tidied his room without waiting for the servant, washed himself, and organized the books he would use to teach Luo Xia that day. Although he didn't really need to do this anymore—he could simply ask Luo Feng and his request would be granted without hesitation—he still chose to continue teaching Luo Xia.
The servant arrived again, and Shu-ming followed him to the study room. Upon arriving, Luo Xia welcomed him warmly. Shu-ming greeted her and began teaching her once more, just like the first day.
After seven hours, the two finished their studies and had lunch together without Luo Feng.
The day passed without any notable events. But at night, while Shu-ming was preparing to sleep, he heard a knock on the door and knew it was Luo Feng. "Come in."
The door opened quietly without a single creak. Luo Feng stepped inside, holding a newly copied book in his hand. On the cover was engraved the title "Nine Yang Vein Technique." Luo Feng knelt on one knee as he presented the book. "My lord, this is the technique you requested…"
Shu-ming took it without hesitation, feeling a slight surge of excitement. Anyone would be thrilled to obtain such a high-level martial technique. He had already begun imagining himself standing at the peak of the world with the book inside his consciousness. "Well done, Luo Feng. You may leave now. I will summon you when I need you."
Luo Feng did not leave immediately. He continued, "My lord, my father may summon you tomorrow. He has just learned that you are teaching my sister. He might test you in some way, so please be careful."
Shu-ming waved his hand indifferently. "Alright, alright~ Just go." In truth, he didn't care much. Even if Luo Xin brought in a scholar from outside, that person would never match his literary level. If the Luo Clan could easily bring in an imperial scholar, Luo Xia wouldn't have asked for his help in the first place.
The Luo Clan was not a major force in the world of martial arts. It was merely an ordinary martial clan in a medium-sized city, nowhere near comparable to the great clans or major sects in other provinces.
After hearing his words, Luo Feng stood up, bowed his head slightly, and left, closing the door behind him. The moment he was gone, Shu-ming opened the "Nine Yang Vein Technique" book. He didn't know if it was because he had created the technique through the book or because his comprehension was exceptionally high, but every word he read felt clear and uncomplicated.
After three hours, he had finished reading the entire book from the first vein to the ninth, and he understood it all by heart.
The Nine Yang Vein Technique helped increase pure Yang power in the body and release astonishing fiery strength once all nine veins were mastered. Mastering it would place one among the elite martial artists.
Shu-ming began practicing the first vein according to the book. He felt a warmth spreading through his body, gradually increasing. He fell into a mental state that separated him from reality for a while, remaining completely focused within his body…
Time passed quickly this way, and morning arrived while he was still practicing the Nine Yang Vein Technique. A knock on the door pulled him out of his focused state. "Young master, it is time for the young miss Luo Xia's morning lessons."
It was the servant who usually woke Shu-ming. Upon hearing this, Shu-ming slowly opened his eyes. His face had regained some vitality, and his eyes flashed with a red light for a moment before it disappeared. He spoke calmly, "I'm coming. You may go."
His voice carried more strength than before. About eight hours had passed since he started practicing, and he had finally achieved the first vein—in record time of only eight hours! This was astonishing. Even Luo Feng, who was considered a talented martial artist, had taken twenty hours to reach the first vein. Didn't this make Shu-ming an exceptional genius?!
Shu-ming sensed his internal energy. It was just a small seed the size of a pea. If Luo Feng faced him now, he could probably kill him with a single finger without giving him any chance to react or dodge.
Shu-ming didn't waste any more time. He stood up, prepared to leave, gathered his books, and tidied the room. Although he hadn't slept since the previous night, he felt energetic and not the least bit tired.
He quietly opened the door of his room. While walking through the clan's corridors toward the study room, he saw several martial artists training together in one of the training grounds. Among them was Luo Feng. He wasn't wearing his upper garment, revealing well-defined, attractive muscles. Sweat dripped from his face and blood-red hair. His face was truly handsome and eye-catching—perfect for the protagonist of a novel. "Tsk, this bastard annoys me. I really want to punch him in the face."
Shu-ming felt jealous of that handsome face and those sculpted muscles. What he didn't realize was that his own face wasn't much inferior—perhaps slightly less attractive—but he was genuinely handsome, only suffering a bit from past malnutrition…
As he passed by and watched the fighters swinging their swords, someone called out to him: "You… The clan master wants to see you right now."
Shu-ming turned around and saw the same guard who had insulted him before he joined the clan. It was him. The man didn't even try to hide his hatred for Shu-ming and gripped the sword at his waist tightly.
Shu-ming smiled slightly, provoking the guard. "Do we know each other? I feel like I've seen you before."
The guard gritted his teeth and gave an ugly smile. "Hah~ This bastard." But he controlled himself and took a slow breath. "Follow me. This time the clan master wants to see you. If you ask him to come in person like last time, we'll hang your head on the clan gate."
Shu-ming smiled and calmly followed the guard. Neither of them spoke until they reached a medium-sized building. It was the meeting hall where the Luo Clan master spent most of his time handling clan affairs.
The guard glanced back at Shu-ming. "You, don't act arrogantly. The clan master is not as tolerant as the young miss nor as kind-hearted as the young master."
Shu-ming smiled calmly, showing no sign of nervousness. After all, what kind of test could he possibly give to a mere scholar like him? Maybe a few questions that he would answer calmly before leaving.
The guard sighed when he saw that smile and quietly opened the door. As soon as the door opened, Shu-ming saw the Luo Clan master with his blue hair streaked with a few white strands and some wrinkles on his skin. He looked to be in his fifties… He was gently stroking his short blue beard while examining a document in his hand.
The guard cupped his hands and spoke respectfully, "My lord, I have brought the scholar as you ordered."
In Shu-ming's eyes, this immoral guard was now acting respectfully. He probably held an important position in the clan since he answered directly to the clan master and Luo Xia.
Shu-ming cupped his hands, closed his eyes slightly, and said, "This junior, Shu-ming, greets the Luo Clan master."
The Luo Clan master raised his gaze toward Shu-ming and set the document aside. "So you are the one claiming to be a scholar?"
Shu-ming felt slightly disturbed by the word "claiming" and spoke with a calm smile on his face. "What does the clan master mean by that?"
The clan master continued, "Shu-ming… born in Huolin City, raised as an orphan until the age of fifteen, then lived as a vagrant in Yancheng City. How could someone like you, a nobody, even learn to read and write? Well, there's something strange about you…" The clan master narrowed his eyes slightly and continued, "How did you learn martial arts?"
Shu-ming's heart suddenly tightened. He had completely forgotten about the martial arts he had learned… Perhaps he could negotiate, even though he had only practiced for one night. "Clan master, since you mentioned that I was never raised as a scholar, how can you be sure of that? You also said I never learned martial arts… Yet here I stand before you as a practitioner of martial arts. I am willing to debate any scholar the clan master brings."
The guard beside Shu-ming felt a little confused. Just two days ago, he had seen Shu-ming with no martial arts practice at all. But now… how?
The clan master didn't prolong the conversation. "Young man, you don't look much older than Xia'er and yet you claim to be a scholar? Listen, I will give you what my daughter promised you, so take it and leave. Don't come back here again."
With those words, he signaled to the guard beside Shu-ming. The guard took out five heavy pouches filled with silver coins and tossed them toward Shu-ming. Shu-ming caught them one by one. "This is five thousand silver coins. Do not delay my daughter any further."
Shu-ming felt insulted by the situation. He turned his back to the clan master, looked at the door in front of him, and said calmly, "Young Master Luo Feng, please clarify this misunderstanding."
The door opened quietly, and Luo Feng stepped out, sweat still dripping from his head from his training. He had heard the entire conversation. "Father, I can vouch for Sir Shu. He is trustworthy…" He spoke with complete seriousness.
The Luo Clan master, Luo Xin, thought inwardly, "This boy… is he helping this person now?" It was well known in the clan that Luo Feng always supported the weak, protected them, and remained honest. If he defended someone, it truly meant that person was trustworthy—even when he himself was still weak, he had always helped the weak.
After a moment of silence, the clan master spoke, "I will bring a scholar to test him… If he passes the test, we will let him continue teaching Xia'er. The full test will take place tomorrow, but you will not teach Xia'er today."
Luo Feng bowed gratefully. "Thank you, Father…"
Shu-ming did not bow or thank him. He had just felt deeply insulted. However, he was grateful that the clan master did not mention taking back the money he had just thrown, so he decided to overlook the humiliation for now.
But Luo Xin felt a sense of mystery surrounding Shu-ming. He himself had not sensed Luo Feng's presence behind the door earlier. How had Shu-ming sensed him? Could it be that he was stronger than him? These were his thoughts…
In reality, it was completely different. It seemed that a strange link had formed between Luo Feng and Shu-ming through the book in Shu-ming's consciousness, allowing him to sense his presence no matter where he was.
Shu-ming and Luo Feng turned and headed outside, but at that moment the guard stopped them. "Sir Shu-ming, please return the money since you will be staying here for a few more days."
Upon hearing that, Shu-ming clenched his fists and thought about killing that bastard right then and there. But he had to postpone it since he was currently stronger than him. Still, he swore that once he gained enough power, he would kill this bastard in front of him.