I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 42: I’ve Mastered It

Seeing Gao Yuan and Xu’s nephew carrying food containers, Chief Instructor Xu withdrew his fists. “Let’s eat first. Zheng Fa, you’ve gone the whole day without eating.”

The four martial artists weren’t picky. They laid out the food from the containers onto the bluestone slab, sat cross-legged, and ate while chatting.

“Linghe Body is truly extraordinary. When sparring with you just now, I felt it—you haven’t actually gained much internal energy, have you?” Chief Instructor Xu asked, unable to suppress his admiration as he held his bowl.

Gao Yuan glanced at Xu’s nephew, and they exchanged startled looks.

Had Zheng Fa truly mastered the Linghe Body?

“That’s true,” Zheng Fa said, pausing mid-bite with his chopsticks as he recalled. “When I attacked, I constantly felt a strange force around me responding to my intent. The power behind my techniques wasn’t mainly from my internal energy but seemed to come from the outside.”

“That sounds like those Immortals from legends who borrow the power of heaven and earth,” Chief Instructor Xu remarked, his tone tinged with deep envy.

“Is this what it means to achieve the Dao through martial arts?” Xu’s nephew couldn’t help but ask.

“How would I know? I haven’t achieved it myself!” Chief Instructor Xu shook his head, speaking with a hint of melancholy. “But Zheng Fa’s training time isn’t even one percent of mine, and his internal energy is barely a tenth of mine. Yet he’s already on par with me in combat. If it’s not achieving the Dao through martial arts, I can’t think of another explanation.”

“That’s because you held back,” Zheng Fa said, attempting to downplay his success.

“I’m still stronger than you now, but it’s mostly due to my decades of experience,” Chief Instructor Xu said with surprising acceptance. “In a few months, I probably won’t be able to beat you.”

Zheng Fa wanted to console him, but Chief Instructor Xu waved him off. “If I couldn’t master something after twenty years that you’ve perfected in twenty days, I’d better accept it gracefully—or find a rope and hang myself.”

As he finished, he glanced at Gao Yuan and his nephew with a hint of worry. “You two should also come to terms with this. Don’t compare yourselves to Zheng Fa anymore.”

Gao Yuan was taken aback, sneaking a look at Xu’s nephew, who was equally stunned.

“In the past, I pushed you both hard, hoping Zheng Fa’s talent would inspire you. But now…” Chief Instructor Xu paused for a moment. “Don’t set your sights too high or seek quick success.”

Gao Yuan couldn’t quite describe how he felt.

Earlier, Xu’s nephew’s words had seemed reasonable. During Chief Instructor Xu’s stricter moments, Gao Yuan had often felt a sense of grievance.

Now, hearing the very words he had longed to hear, he felt no joy—only a deep bitterness.

Beside him, Xu’s nephew downed the contents of his cup in one gulp.

Sensing Gao Yuan’s gaze, Xu’s nephew turned, his slightly reddened eyes meeting his. Smiling faintly, he said, “This wine… it’s a bit spicy today.”

Gao Yuan glanced at his own cup, silent.

But we’re drinking water…

…

“Eating already?”

The Seventh Young Master strolled into the training ground, plopped down beside them, and patted his stomach. “Bring me some chopsticks.”

Zheng Fa handed him a clean pair of chopsticks and asked curiously, “Young Master, haven’t you eaten yet?”

It was quite late by now.

The Seventh Young Master’s maids should have already served him his meal.

“I forgot,” he said, his fingers stiff as he took the chopsticks, feigning nonchalance.

Zheng Fa studied him for a moment, sensing something off.

The Seventh Young Master kept his head low, picking at his food absentmindedly, grain by grain, with little appetite.

Noticing Zheng Fa’s gaze lingering on him, the Seventh Young Master raised his head, scanning the group with a forced smile. “What were you talking about just now?”

Zheng Fa felt as if he were deliberately avoiding his gaze, burdened by guilt.

“We were talking about how incredible Linghe Body is…” Gao Yuan answered, but seeing the Young Master’s expression, he trailed off.

Hearing the name Linghe Body, the Young Master’s hand tensed, veins bulging as his expression darkened.

Now everyone noticed his strange behavior, and the conversation ceased.

“Hah…” The Seventh Young Master exhaled deeply, forcing a laugh. “The three of you may leave. I have something to discuss with Zheng Fa.”

Chief Instructor Xu and the others exchanged puzzled glances before standing up.

“Wait. Chief Instructor Xu, you stay as well,” the Young Master added abruptly.

Chief Instructor Xu’s confusion deepened, but he stayed put.

After Gao Yuan and Xu’s nephew left, the Seventh Young Master sat with his head down, his heavy breathing betraying his internal turmoil.

After a long silence, he finally raised his head. “Before I say anything, I need you to promise me one thing.”

Zheng Fa and Chief Instructor Xu both grew solemn. They knew the Young Master well enough to recognize his rare seriousness.

“Zheng Fa, what I’m about to say ultimately stems from me. If you have any grievances, direct them at me—don’t blame my mother.”

Zheng Fa frowned but said nothing.

The Young Master raised his hand to forestall any interruptions and turned to Chief Instructor Xu. “Chief Instructor, if the estate has wronged you in the past, I apologize now.”

Chief Instructor Xu’s jaw dropped, clearly baffled.

“Let me finish! Don’t interrupt, or I might lose my nerve!” The Young Master raised his palm, silencing them both before continuing in a single breath.

“Linghe Body can’t be mastered! It’s not that you failed—it’s impossible to succeed.

“My mother gave it to you to discourage you, to make you accept your place and serve our family!”

“So Zheng Fa, stop fixating on Linghe Body. Chief Instructor Xu, your failure over twenty years isn’t your fault either.”

After saying his piece, the Young Master’s expression was hard to describe—relieved yet uneasy.

Seeing the two of them staring at him in stunned silence, he grew nervous and turned to Zheng Fa. “Zheng Fa, my mother only did this for my sake… Chief Instructor, if you want to leave—”

“Young Master!” Chief Instructor Xu interrupted, his expression stern. “You shouldn’t say such things.”

“I didn’t want to either! I wanted to bury it forever! But today… I couldn’t even eat!” The Young Master’s rare resolve shone through as he declared, “She’s my mother. If she made mistakes, I’ll bear them.”

“I know you don’t get along with Madam, but you shouldn’t fabricate such stories to slander her!” Chief Instructor Xu spoke as if addressing a child who didn’t understand the consequences of their words.

“Young Master, I’m telling the truth! Linghe Body can’t be mastered!”

Chief Instructor Xu nodded knowingly, his expression softening. “I understand. You’re trying to protect my faith in martial arts. I appreciate it.”

“No! That’s not it!” The Young Master’s face twisted in frustration. He had braced himself for anger, tears, even curses—but not disbelief.

Now, he stared at Chief Instructor Xu, whose kind but reproachful gaze left him utterly defeated.

“You won’t believe me, no matter what?” he asked, almost in tears.

“I believe you. Just don’t say such things again, or Madam will punish you,” Chief Instructor Xu said gently.

The Young Master could only gape at him, realizing he was being humored like a child.

Meanwhile, Zheng Fa, observing their back-and-forth, finally broke his silence.

“I’ve mastered it,” he said.

“What?” The Young Master blinked in confusion.

“I’ve mastered Linghe Body.”

“Ah?”

The Young Master froze, staring at Chief Instructor Xu, who simply nodded with a knowing smile, his stern face softening with an indulgent, unspoken understanding.

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