MF-novel #131 - Break his legs!
#131 - Break his legs!
Chapter 131: Break His Legs!
Question: What is a royal bloodline considered after more than ten generations?
Zhang Chen thought of Liu Huangshu, who sold straw sandals.
The young man before him was dressed in clean and tidy clothes, but they were covered in patches, making him look far from wealthy.
However, even such a down-on-his-luck young man could easily learn things that Zhang Chen had to painstakingly, exhaustively, and expensively acquire, simply because of his identity. Zhang Chen felt a strange mix of emotions.
Facing the young man's curious gaze, Zhang Chen shook his head: "I don't have much to introduce. My family is just commoners who made some money doing business. I came here to become a disciple, hoping to improve myself."
"You're a commoner?" Upon hearing this, Chai Chuanxin's expression changed immediately, and his attitude turned cold. After closing the door, he said to Zhang Chen: "The teacher is inside. Go in yourself."
Then, he went to the eaves on the side to read his book.
Zhang Chen was taken aback by Chai Chuanxin's sudden change in attitude. This kid was too realistic, or rather, the nobility's attitude towards commoners was too realistic.
Fortunately, Zhang Chen didn't bother to argue with him. There was no conflict of interest between them. As long as the other party didn't try to harm him, he didn't want to cause trouble.
"Master, I'm here!" Zhang Chen shouted in the courtyard.
Han Suzhen came out of the house with a rag in her hand, wiping her hands as she looked at Zhang Chen. After seeing Zhang Chen clearly, she couldn't help but be stunned.
Compared to seven days ago, Zhang Chen looked completely different.
First of all, Zhang Chen was a god, possessing power beyond ordinary people. Psychologically, he naturally had a sense of superiority, a kind of condescending attitude, which combined to form a very unique temperament.
He possessed abilities beyond ordinary people, so even if he wasn't a noble, he didn't feel inferior when facing nobles.
What could nobles do? As long as he possessed the power to determine the lives of nobles, he would naturally have a sense of superiority.
Secondly, Zhang Chen's physical body had undergone two transformations. Although it didn't increase his strength or defense, it made his body more perfect, repairing congenital defects.
As the saying goes: no one is perfect. People are born with more or less flaws in their bodies, but Zhang Chen, in his transformations, was moving towards a demonic god form, and the flaws of being human were becoming fewer and fewer.
Most importantly, in the past few days, Zhang Chen had achieved success in Qi training and gathered mana in his body, which naturally brought about changes.
In Han Suzhen's eyes, Zhang Chen was particularly vibrant and eye-catching. If the world was a landscape painting, then the people and objects in the courtyard were all black and white, but the young man before her was in color, attracting people's attention at first glance.
More precisely, it wasn't just in color, but also alive.
"This young man is not simple!" A thought flashed through Han Suzhen's mind.
In just seven short days, Zhang Chen had undergone such a change in aura. Han Suzhen wasn't a fool and noticed a trace of abnormality.
"You've changed a lot in the past few days," Han Suzhen hung the rag on the rack and sat on the round stool in the courtyard. Then, she waved to Zhang Chen, signaling him to sit down.
Zhang Chen placed the seven or eight paper packets he had bought on the table. Han Suzhen, smelling the aroma of meat and pastries, pretended to scold: "Didn't I tell you last time not to bring things?"
"These are just some snacks, not anything valuable. I thought about getting something to nourish Master's body, so I bought them. Consider it a token of appreciation from your disciple," Zhang Chen said respectfully.
Han Suzhen remained noncommittal and changed the subject: "How is your progress with the lessons these past seven days? Have you fallen behind?"
"Please test me, Master," Zhang Chen said.
Han Suzhen didn't stand on ceremony and began to test Zhang Chen.
Because Zhang Chen had mastered the Yellow Court Scripture, he had naturally grasped the words and their meanings. Therefore, no matter how Han Suzhen tested him, Zhang Chen answered fluently.
However, the further she went, the more serious Han Suzhen's expression became. At the same time, she began to dictate to Zhang Chen, not allowing him to look at the book.
Zhang Chen picked up his brush and began to write. Although his handwriting wasn't very neat, it already showed promise.
"How is this possible! In just seven days, ten thousand words, how did you memorize them all? Could it be that there really is such a thing as photographic memory in this world?"
Han Suzhen didn't believe it, didn't believe that Zhang Chen had mastered the knowledge of the entire book in such a short time. So, she abandoned the Yellow Court Scripture and took out another book, asking Zhang Chen to recite it.
Zhang Chen read it easily, without the slightest hesitation. As he recited passage after passage, Han Suzhen looked at Zhang Chen as if she had seen a ghost. Finally, when Zhang Chen recited the fifth passage, Han Suzhen waved her hand and interrupted his recitation: "Alright, don't read anymore."
Zhang Chen stopped reciting and looked at Han Suzhen: "Please instruct me, Master."
Han Suzhen stared at Zhang Chen for a long time before finally saying helplessly: "Are you even human?"
She felt that it was impossible for a person to memorize ten thousand words in just seven days and still be able to grasp their meanings and even write them fluently. It was like memorizing ten thousand words in a week, was that even possible?
"…" Zhang Chen was speechless and didn't know how to answer Han Suzhen's question. He really wasn't human anymore, because his heart was no longer important to him. The crystal core in his body was the key to his survival.
What normal person could transform into a vampire bat and fly around?
"The Yellow Court Scripture already covers all the writing in this world. In just seven days, you've caught up with four or five years of other people's efforts. But next, you need to focus on practicing your writing and writing a good hand. Only then can you be considered a true scholar," Han Suzhen looked at Zhang Chen: "Next is to recite classics, gradually learn, memorize timeless chapters, and then find a way to get closer to the officialdom step by step. Unfortunately, our family has fallen to this point, and most of our connections can no longer be used. Otherwise, I could recommend you to become an official, which could gradually change your status."
"This world values recommending worthy and upright people. If you want to become an official, you need someone to recommend you. Nobles do official positions that are ranked. Those unranked official positions are not valued by them, and they even disdain to do them, lest they lose face. Like that Chai Chuanxin, even if he can barely afford to eat, he would never agree to become a petty clerk," Zhang Chen sighed inwardly.
"But as long as we study hard, we may have a chance in the future," Han Suzhen's voice brought Zhang Chen back from his thoughts: "Do you have any questions about your studies these past few days?"
Of course, Zhang Chen had questions. Although the content he had obtained had been analyzed, even more questions had arisen in his mind.
The master and disciple asked and answered questions in the courtyard, while Chen Sanliang's voice came from the house: "Chuanxin, come inside, I will explain the classics to you."
Chai Chuanxin stood up, didn't even look at Zhang Chen, and went straight into the house.
And so, a scene formed in the small courtyard. Inside the house were Chen Sanliang and Chai Chuanxin, while outside the house were Zhang Chen and his master. They each taught their own knowledge, ignoring each other.
Han Suzhen instructed Zhang Chen for two hours before going to the kitchen to cook, leaving Zhang Chen in the small courtyard to understand the principles she had explained.
Having received nine years of education in his previous life, it wasn't difficult for him to understand Han Suzhen's explanations using his former knowledge.
An hour later, the aroma of rice wafted over, along with the scent of stewed meat.
Rice and stewed meat were placed on the table, and Chen Sanliang called out to Chai Chuanxin, "Chuanxin, why don't you have lunch here today?"
Chai Chuanxin didn't object, taking Chen Sanliang's words as an invitation.
"Zhang Chen, come and eat."
At that moment, the master brought a dish of pickles from the kitchen and called out to Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen was about to move when he heard Chai Chuanxin suddenly speak, his voice filled with disbelief. His knees weakened, and he knelt before Chen Sanliang, "Master, this disciple is unfilial, but there is something I must say. Why does Master teach a commoner to read? Now you even want to let a commoner sit at the table and eat with us. This disciple cannot accept it."
The air in the small courtyard seemed to freeze. Zhang Chen paused his step, his fists slowly clenching in his sleeves. His eyes, through the doorway, stared at Chai Chuanxin kneeling on the ground, a flicker of anger rolling within them.
"Zhang Chen, I won't ask you to stay for lunch today. Go back and eat! Come back after you're done," Chen Sanliang said, looking at Zhang Chen.
"Bang!"
At that moment, Han Suzhen suddenly slammed the dish of pickles onto the ground, splashing the liquid everywhere. Her voice rose sharply, losing its previous gentleness, "Chen Sanliang, what do you mean by this? Why can your disciple stay for lunch, while my disciple has to leave because of his words? Every grain of rice and drop of oil you eat was bought by my disciple. Why are you treating him like this?"
"A noble family is a noble family, and a humble family is a humble family. He's just a commoner, how can he compare to Chuanxin? I tolerated you taking him in and teaching him to read for a living. But now you want him to eat with Chuanxin, this is the greatest insult to Chuanxin!" Chen Sanliang's voice was filled with anger.
"If you have the nerve, then don't eat the food brought by my disciple," Han Suzhen retorted, her voice full of coldness.
"Unreasonable! In any case, he won't break the rules today," Chen Sanliang didn't say he wouldn't eat, only that he wouldn't let Zhang Chen stay for lunch.
Han Suzhen was about to argue further, but Zhang Chen grabbed her wrist, gently advising, "Master, don't argue! It's most important for a family to be harmonious. You and Master have gone through thick and thin together, it hasn't been easy. I already made reservations with a friend at the restaurant. I can't break that appointment. Don't get angry, it's not worth getting worked up over such a small matter."
Hearing Zhang Chen's words, Han Suzhen's eyes filled with tears, her body trembling. She looked at Zhang Chen, and after a long time, sighed, "Master is sorry for you."
Zhang Chen smiled, "It's nothing! It's just a meal, what does it matter where I eat it?"
Zhang Chen comforted Han Suzhen and glanced at Chen Chuanxin kneeling on the ground before turning and walking out of the gate.
But as soon as he stepped out of the gate, the smile on Zhang Chen's face vanished, and the anger in his eyes turned as dark as water, a hint of murderous intent swirling within.
"Did you see everything?" Zhang Chen summoned the fox spirit Nannan and asked in a somber voice.
"It's not entirely Chen Chuanxin's fault. Your human world is just like this. The gap between nobles and commoners can never be bridged," the fox spirit Nannan advised, then her eyes darted around:
"Do you want me to empty his house or kill him? Those martial arts experts are quick to react, I might not be a match for them, but killing a mere scholar is just a flick of the finger."
"Look at his poor, pathetic appearance. If he had money at home, would he be wearing those tattered clothes?" Zhang Chen sneered.
The fox spirit said strangely, "He's still a fallen noble after all. Maybe his ancestors passed down some good stuff. You can't underestimate him. As for killing him, I don't think we should. If a noble dies unexpectedly, whether it's the Prince of Pingbian's mansion or the Surveillance Office, they'll investigate thoroughly. If I make a move, it's fine if the Surveillance Office doesn't find out, but if they do, we'll definitely be targeted. The Surveillance Office's eyes are everywhere. We're developing in secret right now, provoking the Surveillance Office would be bad."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen suddenly remembered the twelve mysterious levels of the Great Sheng Dynasty's founding. After a moment of thought, he said, "You keep an eye on him! Find his home, and I'll follow him there later. If we can find something good, that would be great. If we can't, just break one of his legs, and I can have some peace and quiet while studying."
After instructing the fox spirit, Zhang Chen went directly to a nearby restaurant, ordered three side dishes, and ate leisurely.
After he had his fill, Zhang Chen waited for a while. Seeing that Chai Chuanxin hadn't come out, he guessed that the other party would continue studying in the afternoon, so he wasn't impatient. Instead, he ordered another pot of tea and drank it leisurely.
Zhang Chen drank tea all afternoon. As it gradually grew dark, he saw Chai Chuanxin coming out of Wangjia Lane. Then the fox spirit winked at Zhang Chen and followed him directly.
Half an hour later, the fox spirit reported, "That kid's home isn't here. He's a foreigner who came from the south to study. What do we do now?"
"Break one of his legs and make him rest for a few months. I don't want to see him again in the coming days," Zhang Chen said to the fox spirit.
Hearing this, the fox spirit looked hesitant, "The Surveillance Office's traces are everywhere in this city. If I break his leg out of nowhere, the Surveillance Office might target us. Don't cause trouble for you."
This time, she had a rare moment of conscience.
"It's not like I haven't dealt with the Surveillance Office before!" Zhang Chen replied nonchalantly, then scolded the fox spirit, "Why are you so stupid? Why directly break his leg? If a pillar happens to fall, or he accidentally falls from a high place, or a roof beam breaks his leg while he's sleeping, there are plenty of ways. Why are you so clumsy?"
Hearing this, the fox spirit glanced at Zhang Chen, thinking to herself, "This kid is really ruthless!"
The next moment, she disappeared from the restaurant like a gust of wind.
Zhang Chen also threw down the tea money and disappeared into the rolling crowd.
Now, Chai Chuanxin returned to his rented courtyard, ascended to the two-story阁楼, looking at the scenery outside, suddenly felt a thrust from behind, and then fell straight down.
Then, taking advantage of the night, the fox spirit picked up a roof ridge beast hanging on the beam and, with a crack, accurately smashed it on his leg.
She had secretly poked down that roof ridge beast before and fixed it back.