Chapter 19: Well-Rounded in Martial Arts and Academics

Chapter 19: Well-Rounded in Martial Arts and Academics

Before the sky had even brightened, at the first crow of the rooster, Meng Yuan opened his eyes.

Last night, he had not slept and had opened another acupoint, located in the skin and flesh below the spine at the back of his neck.

Now, true qi surged through three acupoints. Despite not sleeping the entire night, he remained full of vigor, not showing a hint of fatigue, and even possessed the strength to support the heavens.

After fetching well water, he cleaned himself, dispelling the dryness and heat. Meng Yuan then began his cultivation practice.

As expected, there were three additional eggs for breakfast. Meng Yuan gave one to Tie Niu, but he refused.

"This is your special treatment after attaining rank. I can't take it," Tie Niu said, showing his understanding.

"Who taught you this?" Meng Yuan knew that Tie Niu wouldn't have thought of this on his own, so he smiled and asked who had instructed him.

"No one taught me," Tie Niu replied with his usual honesty, but he wasn't good at lying, and his eyes had already glanced at Wu Changsheng unconsciously.

"Brother, I was just casually chatting with Tie Niu last night," Wu Changsheng said with an embarrassed smile.

"It's fine," Meng Yuan nodded at Wu Changsheng, then said to Tie Niu, "I asked your father to take care of Old Man Jiang, so I should also take care of you. I'll share one of the three eggs with you, and when you attain rank, you can share with me then."

"Brother, you're so kind!" Tie Niu was truly simple-minded and didn't have many complicated thoughts.

Meng Yuan now needed to nourish his essence flame, but he didn't lack this one egg. Moreover, Tie Niu wasn't an outsider, and his father, Zhao Datou, didn't treat him as an outsider either. The incident with the donkey dung on his hands was still fresh in Meng Yuan's memory.

"But I won't share the meat at noon with you," Meng Yuan said with a smile.

"I understand," Tie Niu said while peeling the eggshell and adding, "Brother, you eat more to cultivate more strength and open more acupoints."

Meng Yuan patted Tie Niu's shoulder and didn't say anything more.

After breakfast, it was time for diligent training again. It was already past noon when Nie Yinian finally arrived.

"Follow me," Nie Yinian waved to Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan hurriedly followed, without mentioning to Nie Yinian that he had opened another acupoint.

Nie Yinian, with his hands behind his back, led Meng Yuan to the training ground warehouse, where he rummaged through and eventually pulled out a longbow and two old quivers.

They arrived at the archery range, and Nie Yinian taught Meng Yuan the art of archery.

Meng Yuan tried shooting five arrows, then listened to Nie Yinian's corrections on his breathing and posture while shooting, and that was it.

The bow was a two-stone bow, around sixty pounds, which was quite light for Meng Yuan. However, practicing archery was mainly for improving technique and body coordination.

"In elite sects or noble clans, children start learning breath control techniques, single stick exercises, water carrying, archery, and swordsmanship from a young age. This is not only to learn self-defense early but also to aid in opening acupoints. When the body is coordinated, it's easier to open acupoints. This is based on experience," Nie Yinian explained briefly before growing impatient. "I have other matters to attend to, so I have to leave. Are these kids doing okay?"

"They're fine," Meng Yuan said, seeing Nie Yinian about to leave, quickly stopping him and asking, "Master Nie, can I leave the training ground?"

"What for?" Nie Yinian sized up Meng Yuan and laughed mockingly. "You have so much energy that you want to go out and play with women?"

Meng Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but Nie Yinian cut him off. "I want to go find Sister Xun Mei."

"You're calling her sister now? Then go!" Nie Yinian laughed, patting Meng Yuan's shoulder. "Xun Mei is a trusted aide of our Empress Dowager. You should get along with her! Don't go empty-handed!"

What does 'get along' mean? It's called building a relationship!

"Yes," Meng Yuan replied.

As soon as Nie Yinian left, Meng Yuan started archery practice.

He stood with his feet shoulder-width apart. Holding the bow with his left hand, he pointed it downward, lowering it to the surface of his feet, and nocked an arrow.

He hooked the bowstring with his right index, middle, and ring fingers.

Raising the bow, he pulled the string to the corner of his mouth, breathing steadily and aiming at the target.

With a calm mind, he focused on the target.

After shooting ten arrows, he took a short break. Only after shooting a hundred arrows was he done.

After another morning of training and having lunch, Meng Yuan explained the situation to Hu Qian, and after following her instructions, he took a cold shower before leaving the training ground.

Following Hu Qian's advice, he found a maid and asked her to deliver a message to Xun Mei, saving him two qian in messenger fees.

Before long, Xun Mei appeared.

"Xun Mei!" Meng Yuan's eyes were clear, and a smile graced his face.

"Why did you come looking for me?" Xun Mei's appearance hadn't changed, and she also smiled. She glanced at Meng Yuan and felt that after not seeing him for over a month, the boy's spirit and vitality were significantly different. He was dressed neatly, his face was rosy and radiant, making him look even more handsome.

"I came to ask Xun Mei for help." Meng Yuan got straight to the point without beating around the bush.

"What's the matter? Did someone bully you?" Xun Mei smiled and said, "I heard that on your first day in the training ground, you got into a fight. Liu Head Steward came to me, wanting to expel you."

Meng Yuan bowed to Xun Mei and didn't offer much explanation. He simply said, "I've caused you trouble, sister."

"It's no big deal. You've attained rank, proving that you indeed have the talent for martial arts. Work hard from now on and regain my face." Xun Mei clasped her hands and asked with a smile, "What do you want me to help you with?"

"Recently, I've had a lot of free time while practicing martial arts. I think time is precious, and I've heard that reading history makes one wise. So, I want to borrow some books from you." Meng Yuan had already thought this through during his morning practice. Now that his martial arts progress was so rapid, he wanted to make use of his free time and find something else to do.

He wanted to delve deeper into the rules and secrets of this world, and reading history was the way to do it.

Furthermore, borrowing books from Xun Mei would strengthen their connection. She was a favored maid of the Empress Dowager, lacking nothing in terms of clothing, food, or wealth, and she wasn't a typical young girl. Sending gifts wouldn't work, and he didn't have time for idle flirting, so he decided to ask directly.

By asking for a small favor, he could deepen their relationship, and in the future, he could make more demanding requests.

When Meng Yuan first met Xun Mei, he sensed her unique appreciation for scholars. The reason he could defeat Li Zhuangtou was also because he could read, which earned him respect from others.

Now, as he sought books from Xun Mei, Meng Yuan was certain she would help.

Indeed, Xun Mei's eyes showed a hint of surprise. She curiously examined Meng Yuan again and then smiled, saying, "I never thought you'd choose the path of both literary and martial arts."

"Sister, don't make fun of me," Meng Yuan smiled.

"Go back and wait. I'll have someone send the books to you soon," Xun Mei said with a gentle smile.

After parting ways, Meng Yuan left the imperial mansion and went outside to buy a bag of sticky rice candy.

The candy was made from sticky rice, sesame seeds, and maltose, and it was sweet, crispy, and fragrant.

"Here." Returning to the training ground, Meng Yuan offered the candy to Hu Qian.

He had asked Xun Mei for help, saving on messenger fees, so it was only right to show his gratitude.

"..." Hu Qian took the candy and asked, "How did you know I love sweets?"

Was this even a question? In this world, sweets were scarce, and eight out of ten people loved them! If he wasn't sure what to give, sweets were always a safe choice!

"I guessed that you'd love sweets because you're optimistic and cheerful," Meng Yuan casually made up an answer without any basis.

"You're diligent and attentive. No wonder you were the first to attain rank," Hu Qian praised.

Meng Yuan just smiled and thanked her.

Soon enough, a maid arrived with the books, and Meng Yuan happily accepted them.

In the following days, Meng Yuan diligently trained, shooting two hundred arrows in the morning and evening each. Whenever he had free time, he read history books.

He also continued working on opening his acupoints.

By the beginning of February, all sixteen acupoints on Meng Yuan's torso had been opened, and half of the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens had been unlocked.

Meng Yuan now faced two issues. First, the growth of his essence flame was slowing down, and second, it was time to bring up the matter of returning the Jiang family's grandfather and granddaughter.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end