Chapter 13: Power
Pei Youguang had a dream.
In his dream, he had a happy and fulfilling family life. His father, while always stern, was proud of him. His mother would sneak him pocket money behind his father's back and, ruffling his hair, tell him that she loved him. At the martial arts dojo, his brothers-in-arms looked up to him as their leader, and he had become a world-renowned martial arts genius, the center of everyone's attention.
His father didn't treat him as if he didn't exist, and his mother was still alive. He wasn't always overshadowed by his genius brother who had gone to the Inner Ring City, and he hadn't endured countless humiliations at the dojo, eventually running away.
Everything was so perfect.
"..."
In his dream, his father seemed to be saying something to him, but no matter how hard Pei Youguang tried, he couldn't quite make out the words.
His father repeated himself several times and, seeming to grow impatient, slapped him across the face.
"Smack!"
Pei Youguang woke up, feeling a stinging sensation on his right cheek.
"Hey."
Xue Jing squatted down and looked at Pei Youguang, who was lying on the ground, his eyes now open but still a bit dazed. She slapped him again, creating a matching pair of red handprints on either cheek.
"So, it's Pei Youguang, is it? You wanted to see me? What is it? Speak."
Xue Jing's voice was cold and detached.
Pei Youguang: "..."
Having regained his senses and realizing his current situation, Pei Youguang fell silent for a moment before offering a sheepish smile.
"Never mind... It's nothing."
Xue Jing nodded. "Good, then it's settled."
"But now that your issue is resolved, I actually have something to discuss with you."
Pei Youguang rubbed his nose, which had been pushed into his face by the impact of the slaps, wincing at the pain. But hearing Xue Jing's words, he quickly replied, "Go ahead, I'm listening."
He wasn't a stubborn person. Having endured countless bullies since childhood, he had long learned to be submissive and meek.
Although he had become used to throwing his weight around since entering the Affiliated Middle School, almost forgetting his past, Xue Jing's two slaps had successfully awakened his muscle memory.
He didn't try to threaten her with his family's background anymore, as he knew that the students at the school were well aware of it. The fact that Xue Jing dared to hit him meant that she wasn't intimidated.
Whether she had something to rely on or was simply bold, the fact remained that he was now in a tight spot.
He could only back down.
Looking down at him, Xue Jing asked, "I heard you've killed someone and bullied a female student. Is that true?"
Pei Youguang smiled awkwardly. "No, no, those are just rumors."
"Then what about the female student who transferred schools last semester? What happened there?"
"I... I did have a crush on her, but I never did anything to her. She transferred because she was scared of me. If I had actually done something, the school wouldn't have let me off the hook, and I would've been expelled by now."
At this point, Pei Youguang glanced at his little brothers lying on the ground beside him and hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice. "Don't tell anyone, but I'm still a virgin."
Xue Jing slapped him again.
Smack!
"I don't want to hear such useless information."
Pei Youguang covered the side of his face. "Yes..."
"If you didn't do those things, why didn't you clear your name?"
"Clearing my name might not have worked, and... with those rumors, all the students are afraid of me... I think it's kind of cool..."
Xue Jing slapped him again.
"Are you an idiot? Why would you want to be associated with something like that?"
Pei Youguang dared not retort. "You're right."
"From now on, be a good student and stop with this nonsense. Write a self-criticism when you get back, clearly stating what you did and didn't do. Tomorrow, during morning reading time, recite it ten times in front of the whole class, and have one of your little brothers record a video. I'll check it afterward.
Chapter: "A Dream and a Bargain"
Pei Youguang stammered, "Ah, that..."
Smack!
Pei Youguang covered one side of his face with his hand and waved the other defensively. "I'll write it when I get back."
Xue Jing hummed in acknowledgment and casually asked, "By the way, that punch you threw at the wall seemed pretty powerful. What's the deal with that?"
Pei Youguang honestly replied, "I practice martial arts. The punch I threw just now used 'jinli.'"
Intrigued, Xue Jing asked, "Jinli? Is it like the internal energy described in wuxia novels?"
Pei Youguang nodded at first, then shook his head. "Jinli, or internal power, isn't some supernatural energy. It's a technique that utilizes the body's potential by coordinating muscles, bones, blood flow, breathing, and more. It's a skill that extracts the latent power from one's physique."
Pei Youguang explained, recalling the teachings of the master at the dojo.
"In scientific terms, the essence of 'jinli' is kinetic energy. The body's internal organs work together in harmony, building up kinetic energy, which is then released through specific 'techniques,' resulting in a much more powerful strike than a regular punch or kick."
"I've heard that some exceptional martial artists can use jinli in incredibly exaggerated ways, even punching through tank armor with their bare fists. I don't know if that's true, though."
Xue Jing stroked her chin thoughtfully, remaining silent.
Realizing her interest, Pei Youguang quickly added, "If you're curious, I can teach you. I only know the basics, though..."
Seeing his eagerness, Xue Jing patted his shoulder, her expression softening slightly. "Then I'll trouble you."
Pei Youguang spoke cautiously, "Of course, but about the self-criticism and reciting it in front of the class... Could we skip that?"
Xue Jing considered for a moment. "No, but you only have to recite it once instead of ten times."
"..." Pei Youguang felt that there was no real difference between reciting it ten times and once; either way, he would lose all 'dignity.' Still, he dared not argue and could only force a smile. "Thank you."
"Alright," Xue Jing said as she stood up. "That settles it, then. I'll find you later this afternoon or tomorrow to learn 'jinli.' From now on, focus on your studies and be a proper student. Don't let me hear about you bullying anyone else."
"I'll do as you say," Pei Youguang replied.
...
After Xue Jing left the alley, the 'little brothers' lying on the ground slowly got up, rubbing their heads and groaning in pain as if they had just regained consciousness.
"Hey, Brother Pei, where's that Xue... Xue senior?"
Pei Youguang sat up, reaching into his uniform pocket for a crumpled pack of cigarettes. He considered lighting one but sighed, lacking the enthusiasm.
"From now on, call him Brother Jing."
The 'little brothers' exchanged glances, nodding in agreement.
A moment of silence fell upon the group, and Pei Youguang's eyes narrowed in thought: 'He hasn't trained in martial arts, yet he has such physical prowess... He must have a good natural root according to the master at the dojo...'
'Just like Big Brother...'
Whether it was due to being beaten or something else, Pei Youguang had an instinctive feeling that Xue Jing was no ordinary person.
Terms like 'sucking up' and 'riding the coattails of the powerful' flashed through his mind, but his limited perspective and understanding prevented him from clearly discerning the benefits and drawbacks of such an association.
After a long while, he shook his head.
"Forget it, I won't think about it anymore. Anyway, I should maintain a good relationship with him!"
Pei Youguang decided to trust his instincts.
...
(End of Chapter)
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