Chapter 101

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Chapter 101: Reading

Zhang Xiaohu nodded thoughtfully and, not saying anything further, returned to his martial arts practice. This time, his movements were unusually slow. Zhang Xiaohua watched him for a while, but couldn’t discern much from it. However, judging from his second brother’s smooth, flowing steps, he assumed it was normal and felt reassured.

He then turned his attention back to the martial arts manual in front of him. As he continued to study, he soon felt drowsy and drifted off to sleep. Since his injury, Zhang Xiaohua’s sleep schedule has shifted significantly, often falling into a deep sleep before midnight, likely due to his weakened body needing more rest.

In his dream, an unfamiliar sensation spread from his left hand throughout his body.

The flashes of light in the dream continued to twinkle.

The next morning, Zhang Xiaohua woke up and immediately tried to recall the moves from the Erlang Boxing manual he had memorized the previous day. Once again, he was disappointed, but he had grown accustomed to it. He simply tapped the two martial arts manuals beside him with his hand, his expression neutral.

After breakfast, Zhang Xiaohu left with the borrowed Erlang Fist manual. Shortly after, Teacher Li Jinfeng arrived. After asking about Zhang Xiaohua’s condition, he mysteriously pulled out a thick book from his robe, and with a mischievous grin, said to Zhang Xiaohua: “Xiaohua, guess what good thing I’ve brought you?”

Zhang Xiaohua had a very bad premonition in his heart. He said: “Big Brother Li, I can’t guess what this is.”

Li Jinfeng placed the book in front of Zhang Xiaohua and said: “Take a look. What’s the title on this cover?”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the cover and vaguely recognized the characters “Shuowen Jiezi”, and puzzled, he asked: “Is this Shuowen Jiezi? What kind of book is this?”

[TL_Note: This is an ancient Chinese dictionary, that can be translated to “Explaining Simple and Analyzing Compound Characters”]

Li Jinfeng smiled broadly and said: “This book is a fundamental one that every scholar must study. It’s basic among the basics. Take a look.”

While speaking, Li Jinfeng opened the book <Shuowen Jiezi> and randomly flipped to a page. He said: “Look, Xiaohua, this book has many characters on each page, and then each character’s explanation, meaning, and many citations from classical texts. This is a required course for us scholars. I suggest you memorize it completely from beginning to end, and then you’ll have no problem reading and writing in the future.”

Poor Zhang Xiaohua looked at the densely packed characters on that page and thought about how thick the book was. His head started to ache. He said: “Big Brother Li, do I have to memorize all these characters? It’s really not something an average person can do. No wonder people respect you scholars so much. It’s impressive.”

Li Jinfeng laughed awkwardly and said: “Hehe, that’s right. The skill of grinding an iron rod into a needle is not something everyone can achieve. However, I believe that with your aptitude, it won’t be a problem at all.”

Zhang Xiaohua tried to excuse himself, saying: “Big Brother Li, you see, I’m not specialized in studying literature. Can you make an exception? This book is too thick. How can I learn it all?”

Li Jinfeng resolutely shook his head and said; “No way. If you’re going to do it, you must do your best and start professionally. Besides, this book is very basic and particularly suitable for you. I spent the whole night thinking about what to choose for you. You must not let down my efforts.”

Seeing Li Jinfeng’s enthusiastic spirit, Zhang Xiaohua bitterly opened the first page of <Shuowen Jiezi>, listened to Li Jinfeng’s explanation, and began the “genius cultivation plan” that Li Jinfeng had specially prepared for Zhang Xiaohua.

This, is this the legendary “forcing a duck onto a perch”?

[TL_Note: This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to do something they are not ready or prepared for, often in an unrealistic or impractical manner.]

<Shuowen Jiezi> is actually a dictionary. Of course, it has a lot of content. There are twenty characters on the first page alone, and the annotations for these characters add up to four or five hundred words. Even the child prodigy in Li Jinfeng’s eyes, Zhang Xiaohua, memorized until he was dizzy. This is not like a martial arts manual with diagrams and images that make learning vivid and interesting. Before long, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t take it anymore. He was just trying to understand the martial arts manuals, not aiming to become a top scholar. Did he really need to be this diligent?

However, Li Jinfeng dismissed him with a single sentence: “Are you not even as good as a child who has just started learning? If you can’t learn this, how can you understand those abstract martial arts manuals? I explained the last martial arts manual you practiced last time. If it were a completely new martial arts manual that you had never practiced before, every detail in it would be extremely important. Even a single character error could lead to disastrous mistakes. Are you sure you don’t want to learn this fundamental course?”

Having never seen another’s initiation before, Zhang Xiaohua was naturally speechless. For the sake of his martial arts, to save countless lives, and to rescue the children of the Jianghu from peril, he had no choice but to muster his spirits and immerse himself in the arduous task of dancing with writing brushes and ink.

Unfortunately, human effort has its limits. Zhang Xiaohua spent an entire day in hard study, and even when Zhang Xiaohu came back at noon and quietly placed a martial arts manual on the kang, Zhang Xiaohua had no time to look at it. As a result, Li Jinfeng left in the afternoon with a beaming smile, the characters on the first page were not still completely memorized.

Zhang Xiaohua’s frustration and melancholy were immense. Studying characters was far more difficult than practicing martial arts. No wonder the Jianghu was filled with bold and brave men. Without the spirit of perseverance, one couldn’t survive in the world of literary study.

On the other hand, Li Jinfeng left with 120% satisfaction. It was unprecedented for a student to start with <Shuowen Jiezi>. To see someone who had only read a single martial arts manual recognize three to four hundred characters in one day was nothing short of a miracle. Moreover, he had confidence in Zhang Xiaohua’s memory. As long as he remembered today’s lessons, he wouldn’t forget them by tomorrow, it would truly be his from now on. The results of today would be checked the next day.

Thinking about how a scholarly prodigy was about to flourish under his guidance made him feel invigorated even as he walked.

After Li Jinfeng left, Zhang Xiaohua felt extremely exhausted and lay heavily on the kang, nearly falling asleep. Suddenly, he remembered the martial arts manual his second brother had brought back at noon. He immediately opened his eyes and perked up with renewed energy.

Picking up the boxing manual from the kang and looking at the darkening sky outside, Zhang Xiaohua saw the three large characters on the cover, <Nan Zhi Fist>. Oh, he hadn’t heard of this martial art before. He opened the manual and began to read from the first page slowly. Fortunately, Li Jinfeng’s teaching had been effective. Although he had only studied for a day, he could recognize many of the characters in the manual. For the unfamiliar ones, he could understand them somewhat through the illustrations in the manual and his own guesses.

Zhang Xiaohua read through the entire manual with great interest. Gradually, he imagined a little person in his mind, demonstrating each move and technique according to his understanding of the manual. By the time he finished reading, the little person had also completed the entire set of moves. Zhang Xiaohua was delighted. This manual was indeed a valuable resource. However, although he understood how the moves were performed, he still did not grasp the key points and details of each move. It was likely because he hadn’t fully understood the annotations. He would need to wait for Li Jinfeng to come the next day for a word-by-word explanation and maybe he’ll understand.

Moreover, with his injuries, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t practice the moves physically and was unsure if his memory was accurate or if he could truly rely on the martial arts manual alone without a master’s guidance.

[TL_Note:Nan Zhi Fist= Southern Branch Fist]

Although Zhang Xiaohua was anxious about Li Jinfeng pressuring him to study, at the same time, he was eager for him to come and explain the martial arts manual, so Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

When he woke up the next day, Zhang Xiaohua recalled the martial arts manual he had read yesterday. He hadn’t expected much, but this time, he was greatly surprised. He found that he actually remembered the <Nan Zhi Fist> he read yesterday from start to finish very clearly. Zhang Xiaohua opened his mouth wide, thrilled beyond words. My ancestors finally manifested to give him a chance to succeed. Overwhelmed with joy, Zhang Xiaohua found himself at a loss for how to express his excitement.

Then, it’s even more strange. What is the reason for this?

Could it be that, due to his injury, he was given this opportunity by heaven?

If so, he was willing to spend every day recovering from his injuries.

But wasn’t the “Erlang Fist” also a manual he read only after getting injured? Why did he still only remember those two moves?

Zhang Xiaohua was baffled.

However, he soon had no time to ponder further as Li Jinfeng arrived, and Zhang Xiaohua began his second day of studying <Shuowen Jiezi>.

The second day of lessons was as arduous as the first, with Zhang Xiaohua still not finishing even a single page. However, it wasn’t because he couldn’t finish it, but because he asked Li Jinfeng to explain the <Nan Zhi Fist> manual. Although Li Jinfeng didn’t understand martial arts, his literacy skills were exceptional. He explained each word and phrase meticulously, and Zhang Xiaohua nodded repeatedly as he explained each word. By the time he finished explaining the annotations in the manual, it was already dark. The meal Yu Lun had brought over had been reheated several times by Zhang Xiaohu. The two brothers warmly invited Li Jinfeng to stay for dinner, and he accepted, engaging in pleasant conversation while eating. The three of them got along very well.

After Li Jinfeng left, Zhang Xiaohu continued practicing his martial arts vigorously inside the house, while Zhang Xiaohua lay on the kang. The martial techniques that Li Jinfeng had explained flowed through his mind, as clearly as the ones he learned before. Could this be his true path to mastering martial arts?

Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but ponder this.

However, he vaguely sensed that the flow of these moves was different from the previous ones. The earlier moves were vivid and lifelike as if a real version of himself was practicing. In contrast with the Nan Zhi Fist, it seemed like a shadow practicing the moves. The moves were clear, but they lacked spirit.

So, Zhang Xiaohua tried his old trick again, attempting to blend the Nan Zhi Fist techniques with those he had learned previously to see if he could find a seamless connection. However, he soon realized his mistake. The Nan Zhi Fist moves truly seemed to form a complete set of their own, and his previous techniques couldn’t be integrated into them.

So, what exactly was going on?

Zhang Xiaohua looked at his older brother practicing boxing in the room and considered calling him over to discuss his thoughts. However, he suddenly remembered Zhang Xiaohu’s fall the previous day and decided against it. He thought it best to solve his problems on his own rather than risk disrupting his brother’s progress.

The next day, upon waking, Zhang Xiaohua habitually reviewed what he had learned. He anxiously tested his memory, wondering if his joy from the previous day was short-lived. To his delight, he found that the techniques Li Jinfeng had explained were still vividly imprinted in his mind. It was as if his brain was a treasure vault, storing valuable techniques to be practiced once his injuries healed.

Once again, our “little” Zhang Xiaohua was moved to tears. Heaven has shown mercy, I am not a useless person after all.

In the morning, Zhang Xiaohu was preparing to leave again. He had been making arrangements to study at the martial arts hall and still had some matters to settle with the porters. Suddenly, he noticed Zhang Xiaohua’s emotional expression and quickly asked: “Xiaohua, what’s wrong? Is there a change in your injury? Does your arm hurt again?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “It’s nothing, Second Brother. The pain isn’t as bad as before, so I think it’s getting better. I’ve already finished reading this martial arts manual. Can you get me another one today?”

Zhang Xiaohu was stunned and incredulous: “You’ve really finished it?”

Then, as if understanding something, he quickly said: “Alright, no problem. I’ll get you a new one right away.”

Zhang Xiaohua, sensing his second brother’s misunderstanding, quickly added: “Really, brother, I’ve finished reading it. You can change it to a new one.”

Zhang Xiaohu smiled and said: “Okay, I’ll bring it back this afternoon.”

With that, he tucked the Nan Zhi Fist manual into his chest and walked out with a smile.

Before long, the ever-dedicated Teacher Li Jinfeng arrived again. It seemed as though he had abandoned school altogether, coming every day to teach Zhang Xiaohua. This left Zhang Xiaohua feeling very depressed. Your main job is to study, okay? Why do you keep coming to teach me? Have you been tormented by your teachers so much that you have psychological issues and need to get it back from me?

However, Li Jinfeng was earnest in teaching Zhang Xiaohua to read, and Zhang Xiaohua served him with a careful smile.

For a few days like this, Zhang Xiaohua experienced both pain and joy. On one hand, he was tormented by Li Jinfeng’s intense teaching, absorbing new characters from <Shuowen Jiezi> like a sponge. On the other hand, he eagerly read the boxing manuals that Zhang Xiaohu borrowed each day with ease. The various martial arts techniques flowed through his mind like rushing rivers, with not a single drop forgotten.

In fact, the study of <Shuowen Jiezi> was only difficult at the beginning because every page was filled with unfamiliar characters. As he progressed, Zhang Xiaohua found that the characters he had learned earlier appeared frequently in later sections, and he didn’t seem to find it difficult anymore. Initially, he learned one page at a time, then two, three, and even five pages at a time. Eventually, Zhang Xiaohua discovered the key, each page of <Shuowen Jiezi> contained only a few new characters, with the rest being explanations. Once he learned all the commonly used words and phrases, the unfamiliar ones naturally followed.

His reading of the martial arts manuals also improved significantly. Initially dependent on Li Jinfeng’s explanations, Zhang Xiaohua gradually began to understand them on his own. When he encountered unfamiliar terms, he would ask Li Jinfeng. Over time, he became capable of reading the manuals independently without relying on others. The characters in the martial arts manuals were limited and often repeated, so the more he read, the more he understood their meanings.

As a result, Teacher Li Jinfeng no longer needed to visit daily, coming every other day instead. This was a great relief to Zhang Xiaohua. Having someone constantly overseeing him was stressful, he preferred studying and reading freely at his own pace.

By now, Zhang Xiaohu had begun his training at the martial arts hall. He had taken Zhang Xiaohua’s advice to heart or perhaps had his own realization, “A stone from another mountain can polish jade”. Limiting himself to the Six Harmonies Fist would narrow his vision. He now learned other martial techniques from the martial arts master.

Zhang Xiaohu’s change pleased Third Master Qu. An experienced martial artist with exceptional skills and unique insights, he had initially agreed to let Zhang Xiaohu join the martial arts hall not only to appease him. More importantly, he saw potential in Zhang Xiaohu, recognizing his individual perspective on martial arts. While personal insight was crucial, integrating the strengths of various styles was also important. Third Master Qu had been worried that Zhang Xiaohu might stick solely to the Six Harmonies Fist even at the martial arts hall, unsure how to persuade him otherwise. Now that his concerns were alleviated, he was naturally delighted.

Zhang Xiaohu’s honest and pragmatic style, along with his diligent martial arts practice, earned him high praise from everyone at the martial arts hall. The only exception was the manager of the library, who had significant grievances against him. Generally, anyone who borrowed a boxing manual from the library intended to study it thoroughly, keeping it for at least ten days or even several months. But this Xiaohu, was even better, treating the manuals like light reading material, and would return one each day. Do you think these manuals are ‘The Plum in the Golden Vase’? You’re working your way through the shelves from top to bottom and left to right. Borrowing them is one thing, but you’re making me record your borrowings every single day. Do you think I have too much free time?

[TL_Note: “Jin Ping Mei” (The Plum in the Golden Vase) is a classic Chinese novel set during the Song Dynasty. It tells the story of Ximen Qing, a wealthy and corrupt merchant, and his debauched lifestyle involving his six wives and many concubines. The novel explores themes of power, lust, and moral decay, offering a critical portrayal of social and political corruption. It is known for its explicit content and detailed depiction of daily life, making it one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature.]

Eventually, the manager’s complaints reached Third Master Qu. When the manager entered Third Master Qu’s office, Yu Deyi was also present. The manager was cautious and, after glancing at Yu Deyi, sought Third Master Qu’s permission: “There is a matter regarding the library that I wish to discuss, Third Master, but I don’t know if I should speak now.”

Third Master Qu nodded and said: “Go ahead, there’s no need to avoid speaking in front of Deyi. He is my relative.”

The manager promptly bowed to Yu Deyi, apologizing with a smile, and Yu Deyi returned the gesture with a nod.

The manager said: “This matter is not particularly serious, but it is quite unusual. I thought it best to bring it to your attention, Third Master.”

Third Master Qu frowned and said: “Don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point.”

The manager quickly replied: “Yes, about twenty days ago, Zhang Xiaohu, who’s a porter, came to the library with a note from you to borrow martial arts manuals.”

Third Master Qu, surprised, said: “Yes, I remember. What about it? Did you not lend it to him?”

The manager, with a wry smile, said: “With your note, how could I refuse?”

Third Master Qu said: “What’s the matter then? Does he want to borrow other manuals like saber or sword techniques? If it’s not something that needs to be kept confidential, just give it to him.”

The manager replied: “Third Master, you misunderstand. He is only borrowing fist manuals and hasn’t requested anything else.”

Third Master Qu frowned again and said: “What’s the problem then? Did he perhaps find some ancient secret manual in the library?”

The manager said: “Third Master is joking. this one personally organized all the books in the library. There isn’t a single inner energy cultivation manual, let alone any ancient secrets.”

Yu Deyi interjected: “Uncle was just joking. So, what’s the actual issue with Zhang Xiaohu?”

The manager said; “There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with Zhang Xiaohu borrowing martial arts manuals. However, he borrows one every day, returns it promptly the next morning, and then borrows another. He doesn’t seem to be selecting them carefully either, he’s borrowing them systematically one by one, from top to bottom, left to right. This… this just doesn’t seem logical.”

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