Chapter 31 Her memory is incomplete; her brain is damaged.
Suddenly, a low laugh echoed in the night: "Sucking up to the powerful and stepping on the weak, that's how most people are."
Song Li didn't need to turn around to know who the voice belonged to.
Song Li asked, "Why do we practice martial arts at night?"
Not only was the light dim and hard to see, but it also felt strange.
Zhao Youchang chuckled: "There are fewer people at night, or you can choose to do it in the middle of the night, whatever you prefer."
"...!!"
...
In the village.
The village chief prepared the best room in Lou Yicong's house.
Although he couldn't understand why the only son of Magistrate Lou would condescend to stay in the village, he was still very happy—if Lou Yicong hadn't come, he wouldn't have had this opportunity to curry favor with such an important person.
Young Master Lou is the top scorer in this year's provincial examination, the famous Lou Jieyuan!
Don't even mention people living in his house, just walking past his door is considered a blessing from his ancestors' graves!
It goes without saying that currying favor with Lou Jieyuan will bring glory to the family, and it will also be of great help to his future promotion to village head!
“If there is anything else you need, please tell me, and I will certainly do it,” the village head said solicitously.
Lou Yicong found the fawning smile on his old face utterly disgusting.
After Muramasa left, Lou Yicong stroked his calligraphy scroll, his mind filled with countless thoughts.
The stepmother had only two daughters, and after giving birth to her younger sister, she developed a chronic illness and could no longer have children.
He was the only son in the family, but he was born out of wedlock.
His father cherished him like a treasure, but was afraid of his wife and never dared to get close to him from childhood to adulthood.
So ever since he could remember, he spent his days either in the side courtyard with his aunt or reading in the study. At the age of five, he went to a boarding school, and from then on, he only returned home for the New Year.
He made up his mind to study hard, hoping to become the top scholar in the imperial examination and a high-ranking official, so that he could bring honor to his aunt and himself.
He studied diligently and finally achieved the top score in the provincial examination last year, becoming the top scholar.
On the day the results were announced, seeing his stepmother's shocked yet forced smile as she suppressed her disgust, he knew he had chosen the right path.
He's a man, and sooner or later the family will depend on him to uphold its honor. What can his two daughters, born to his stepmother, do? In the end, they'll still need him to back them up so they can stand up for themselves in their husband's family.
He originally planned to keep trying and continue taking the exam. As long as he did well, even if he was only assigned a position initially, he would get a higher official rank than his father, who was a ninth-rank official. Then no one would dare to look down on him and his aunt.
However, his stepmother was worried that if he continued to take the exams, he would overshadow the first wife, and she did not want him to continue studying.
Left with no other choice, he moved out of the county magistrate's office and hid in the countryside to study in secret.
Those thugs today were secretly sent by his stepmother to steal his calligraphy scrolls.
The examination certificate was the admission ticket for scholars to take the imperial examinations; without it, one could not take the exams.
As for why the thugs wanted to kill him?
I'm afraid his beloved younger sister might have been behind this too.
Lou Yicong's eyes darkened as she pondered these thoughts.
He called Qingzhu over.
“I heard that Song Daya from today also lives in Qingliu Village. Go and check her out.”
It's amazing that a young girl has such skills. Once we find out more about her background, it would be good to hire her as a bodyguard.
Qingzhu pouted: "She's just an unruly village girl who dares to cut in line and take your way. What's so special about that?"
If this kind of girl were in their household, she would have been dragged away and beaten with a board long ago.
Lou Yicong: "Just go investigate when I tell you to. Why are you making so many excuses?"
Qingzhu: "Understood."
Deep down, I was unwilling.
He didn't know what the young master was thinking, but he also knew that his skills were not good enough to protect the young master. But what was going on with the young master suddenly becoming interested in a village girl after this ordeal?
...
The back mountain.
Song Li, who was diligently practicing her light-body skills hidden in the night, was unaware that Lou Yicong was plotting against her.
Or rather, she wanted to study seriously, but Zhao Youchang's teaching style puzzled her.
"Keep your head upright and your Qi circulating throughout the body."
"Sink your Qi to the Dantian and gather Qi to replenish your vital energy."
"The real and the illusory arise from each other, and the intention and strategy are united..."
She couldn't understand a word he was saying!
But Zhao Youchang, after speaking at length, added, "This is the simplest one, did you understand?"
"..."
For a fleeting moment, Song Li really wanted to give him a "mountain-shattering" blow.
She was right; this guy was deliberately trying to avoid teaching her!
Zhao Youchang couldn't help but laugh at the bewildered yet embarrassed expression on his face.
He shrugged and said mischievously, "I'm not kidding you, this really is the simplest one."
"Overwhelming force!"
Because of the divine power bestowed upon her by the spiritual spring water, this move is unlike anything in comedy; it is truly lethal when it is performed.
Feeling a strong gust of wind coming straight at him, Zhao Youchang quickly raised his hand to block it.
"What kind of move is that?" he asked, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Song Li's face was as dark as night, and she didn't bother to answer him.
He lifted his foot to leave, but after only a few steps, a cold wind suddenly blew by.
The clouds overhead were blown away, and the bright moon revealed its face, casting a clear glow across the ground.
A slope with no trees to block its view appeared before Song Li.
Song Li has a fear of heights and couldn't bear the sudden drop.
She was so frightened that her legs went weak, and she quickly turned around and ran back.
"Are you really afraid of heights?" Zhao Youchang chuckled. "Afraid of heights and still want to learn light-body kung fu?"
Song Li wanted to say that she wouldn't be afraid once she learned it, but in the current situation, she had no intention of arguing with this guy.
"Take me down the mountain quickly," she said urgently.
She was hoping that Zhao Youchang would use his light-footed skills to carry her down the mountain, just like last time.
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Youchang refused this time, and said with a wicked smile, "Close your eyes and walk, then you won't be afraid?"
Song Li: "!!"
Walking with your eyes closed, especially downhill, would surely lead to a fatal fall.
This guy is definitely playing tricks on her again!
Suddenly, a tree branch stretched out in front of them.
"Hold on, close your eyes and follow me."
Song Li was taken aback, then quickly reached out and grabbed him, closed her eyes, and was led down the mountain by Zhao Youchang.
Thank you.
Having safely descended the mountain, Song Li solemnly thanked Zhao Youchang.
Zhao Youchang looked down at her and suddenly asked, "Do you understand?"
Song Li was completely confused: "Huh?"
Zhao Youchang patiently explained: "Xu Ling Ding Jin means to empty your mind of distractions and focus your thoughts on one thing, just like just now, when you were only thinking about going down the mountain."
Song Li still didn't quite understand.
Zhao Youchang was speechless.
So stupid. She looks pretty smart, but I never expected her to be so hopelessly stupid.
He pinched his brow helplessly. "Fine, you should start by tying sandbags to your legs."
Song Li: "Tie sandbags?"
Zhao Youchang pondered for a moment: "Hmm, let's practice our leg strength first."
This is actually a clumsy method, but it's not entirely ineffective.
The so-called individualized instruction.
It seems that stupid people are suited to stupid methods.
...
When Song Li returned home, she found that Song Xiaoxiao was awake and had gotten up to go to the outhouse.
By this time, the welcoming festivities for Lou Yicong had ended, and the lanterns along the village road had all been extinguished.
The nights in the countryside are very dark, relying entirely on the moon for light. Although it's not impossible to see things, the light is chilling, and it's quiet all around, with not a soul in sight.
Perhaps out of fear, Song Xiaoxiao hummed a little tune to bolster her courage as she went to the outhouse.
The singing was beautiful and melodious; the clear and sweet voices of the children were captivating.
When Song Xiaoxiao came out, Song Li couldn't help but ask, "You sang so well, what song is this?"
The melody is unfamiliar; it's clearly not a local folk song.
Song Xiaoxiao: "Sister, didn't you teach me this? You said this song doesn't have a name."
Song Li stroked her chin: "Is that so?"
Anyway, she never taught it.
I searched through my memories, but the original owner didn't have them either.
But she discovered something strange—her memories from the past year or so were very fragmented, and she could hardly recall any of them completely.
Has she lost her mind?
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