Xu Le sat inside the restaurant's passenger compartment at a long table. He looked at the white tablecloth that extended in front of him, slightly lowering his head. He couldn't understand why wealthy people in the federation wasted so much on their meals. In front of him, there was a glass of clear water, and the waiter had not yet served the food because the person he was dining with hadn't arrived.
Two waiters stood calmly on the side, waiting for Xu Le's order. He had no one to talk to and no interest in starting a conversation. He kept his head down and played with the silver knife and fork, making gestures on the snow-white tablecloth. As the night went on, his sadness eased, but he couldn't stop thinking about the leg of the stout captain. The more he thought about it, the more he realized the fearfulness of that leg. He had been lying on his bed for a long time, realizing that even if he could make his muscles tremble and unleash the power within his body, he might not be able to completely block that leg.
Because of this leg, Xu Le contemplated two issues. The first issue was how to handle the incredible strength within his body. If he exerted his full power, he could potentially break free from the military-grade plastic handcuffs, which was not something an average person could achieve. However, his trembling physique was too obvious and easily associated with a skilled mechanic... He needed to find a way to channel this trembling solely within his body, without revealing it externally.
The second issue was how to defend against the ruthless leg sweeps of the stout captain. The leg technique used by the captain was a powerful wrestling move, sweeping down at a 30-degree angle with precision and immense strength. It seemed deceptively simple, but the speed, angle, and strength were calculated precisely, leaving no room for error. If Xu Le were standing at that moment, he could dodge and counterattack with an elbow strike, even if his own leg was swept. But the problem was, he was sitting, and he didn't know how to deal with it.
He picked up the silver utensils from the snow-white tablecloth, simulating the leg of his opponent and possible defensive maneuvers. His boss had taught him ten stances, which were undoubtedly powerful techniques. These ten stances were fixed and rigid, suitable for official occasions, displaying heroic power to the extreme. However, they were also inflexible... like a stiff dance.
Xu Le scratched his head anxiously, deeply immersed in the contemplation of wrestling techniques. He had a great interest in fighting skills. In his opinion, the current federation was no longer a battlefield for individual heroism. But Uncle had convinced him, with the perspective of a first-rate mechanic, that the growth of individual strength was crucial. Moreover, he was someone who enjoyed competition and diligent study. Just as he had learned machine repair knowledge from Uncle, he now pondered over fighting in the same way. It was easy for him to get lost in this line of thinking, but it was also a rare learning potential.
"Being devoted to something and practicing it... I think I understand now how to overcome those arrogant dogs," Xu Le thought to himself. "I suppose during the two years of service in the Eastwood mine tunnel, you've probably been practicing wrestling techniques quite often," said the stout captain, who had entered the restaurant compartment without Xu Le noticing.
Several clear sounds echoed in the spacious room as the silver utensils fell on the table. Xu Le froze in the air, his hand gesturing, and stood rigidly. He looked at the captain, who had a face covered in bloodstains, and forced a smile. The captain probably misunderstood something, but that was fine, as it saved Xu Le from having to explain yesterday's events.
The captain sat down beside Xu Le, letting out a satisfied sigh as if he had just finished a grueling task. How could a person emit such a swift and powerful kick? Xu Le couldn't believe the captain's appearance at that moment. However, he held a favorable impression of the captain and maintained a polite silence.
"In the army, there are many hidden talents, many people like you who are constantly studying fighting techniques," the captain said in a low voice, taking a sip of Xu Le's water. "I saw the strange wrestling technique you used in yesterday's surveillance footage. It seemed like a simplified version of military combat training. I don't know for sure, but your counterattack was resolute, leaving no room for escape." The captain offered to introduce Xu Le to several renowned martial arts halls in the capital once they arrived, saying, "These halls focus on cultivating skills, tranquility of mind, and moral values. They no longer prioritize teaching wrestling techniques like in the old days. However, if you're interested in this aspect, I can introduce you to some."
"Practicing moral culture halls?" Xu Le was unfamiliar with the term and couldn't understand why the captain suddenly changed the topic and invited him to join them for a meal. He wanted to maintain a discrete silence, but his curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "Where is that? Does the federation have places specifically for learning martial arts?"
The captain looked at him as if he were looking at a fool. "Although you've been working as a miner in Eastwood for two years, you're originally from Highwood. How could you not know about the practicing moral culture halls?"
Xu Le realized he had inadvertently revealed something and shook his head with a smile, choosing not to explain. As the captain continued to explain, he learned that practicing moral culture halls were places where people focused on physical and mental exercises, cultivating skills and a tranquil mindset. It was a departure from the traditional dojo teaching wrestling techniques and aimed to develop the individual's character and mindset. Xu Le realized that people who trained in these halls didn't have the same competitive mindset as those who pursued martial arts supremacy.
"The military academy has replaced the practicing moral culture curriculum with wrestling techniques. The younger generation these days is so foolish, they don't understand what truly matters," the captain said disdainfully. "If practicing moral culture halls were useless, how could the Li Family request every descendant to spend two years learning in one from the age of 12?"
"The Li Family?" Xu Le, who was seen by most people in Area Eastwood as a country bumpkin due to his orphan status, couldn't help but gasp. A glittering name immediately flashed in his mind, representing a highly respected and low-profile family. This family wasn't part of the traditional Seven Great Families, but their patriarch had earned collective respect from the federal citizens over the years.
"What are you hoping to achieve by learning all this? Are you planning to assassinate the Emperor of the Empire?" The captain looked at Xu Le, his expression mocking.
Xu Le chuckled and sincerely asked, "Captain, this is a misunderstanding. I'm sure you understand. I don't know why you called me here today."
The captain maintained a proper smile and said in a gentle voice, "Naturally, I want to involve you with the young master and ask for your help with a small favor."
Suddenly, the captain started to flatter Xu Le, completely changing his demeanor. Xu Le was taken aback by the sudden change and didn't know what to say.
At that moment, the cabin door slowly opened, revealing two females wearing coveralls who were escorted by seven or eight service personnel. A charming little girl in a pink flower skirt with a sky-blue hair clip on her head appeared, looking incredibly adorable. The girl walked forward as the captain lowered his voice and said, "Young man, this is the favor I'm asking you. If you can have a meal with the young lady and resolve the previous matter, we can discuss the future... as well."
Xu Le struggled to find his words, completely surprised by the captain's serious request. When he saw the little watermelon's face, so innocent and full of joy, and her jet-black hair swaying on her forehead, he couldn't help but smile and call out, "Little Watermelon!"
"Elder Brother Xu Le!" The little watermelon let go of the hands of the two female staff members and ran over, ignoring the helpless looks of those present. She sat down next to Xu Le, her curious black eyes wide open as she asked, "Elder Brother, how did you come here?"
"I came to have a meal with you," Xu Le replied with a smile.
...
...
In the following days, Xu Le was no longer considered a suspect and moved from the 38th clean area to the upper-level facilities of the spaceship. He started spending his time having meals, playing, and telling stories to the little watermelon. He enjoyed the company of the clever young girl and didn't find the task as difficult as the captain had suggested. However, if Xu Le had known that this was the prelude to a heavy responsibility he would undertake in two years, would he still feel as joyful at this time? Was practicing for this role a better option?
That afternoon, the little watermelon obediently took a nap. Xu Le opened the cabin door, planning to study how to hide his shivering legs beneath his skin. Lost in thought, he unexpectedly saw several familiar faces in the corridor. These were the students from Westwood Military Academy who had been injured by Xu Le and treated by him in the ship's clinic. Most of them had recovered, and the special machine armor groups led by Colonel Lake were also there, still wounded but now being protected by the spaceship's upper-level security team. It was quite remarkable how Xu Le and Feng Yu had managed to incapacitate the two most powerful military forces on the Ancient Zhonghao spaceship. Xu Le was slightly taken aback and looked at Wang Meng, whose temples were still inflamed. After a brief moment of silence, he nodded, touched his own throat subconsciously, and felt a slight ache.