When Xu Nian woke in the morning, he felt a major difference. He was way healthier than before. His skin shone bright like a jade. 'Wait, Jade skin! The system is being unusually kind.' Though Jade skin was not much of a rare sight, it has the ability to enhance one's features.' Xu Nian was more interested in the fact that it gets as hard as a Jade during a hand to hand combat. To receive a reward of this grade just by breathing a hundred times felt like a cheat to him. Xu Nian thought, ' It's never bad to be extra handsome. '
While Wang performed his daily tasks of serving
Xu Nian, he remained awestruck with his masters growing beauty. He started to get protective over
Xu Nian. He felt pity for his condition but was always at awe seeing Xu Nian's perseverance.
Xu Nian was thoroughly aware of what the three people that he had met after coming here thought about him. It was easy to read them. Maybe because they trusted each other that they let their guard down. He hoped that they were not this naive before strangers. He was finally starting to accept his reality and the people around him.
" Master I've bought everything you have told me to." Wang hurriedly unpacked the paper and ink. He also brought a brush that Xu Nian had initially forgotten to mention. Xu Nian grew more and more pleased at how apt he was in being an aide.
" Spread it properly and take a seat. I'll have you write for me." Xu Nian directed him on how to write what he would tell him. Time went by while Wang was busy writing and Xu Nian dictating. At first Wang diligently wrote what he was told to, but the more he wrote, the more he got curious about the extent of his master's knowledge. When he finished writing one book, Xu Nian started dictating another. In total, he wrote five books. Looking at how tired Wang got, Xu Nian finally stopped. Wang constantly felt a sense of urgency in his voice. As if he had little to no time. ' Is my master preparing for his own death? Oh no! ' Wang looked at Xu Nian with pity and remorse. He chimed in while saying, " Master I'll serve you to the end." Xu Nian felt an itch in his ear. He said, " Sure, do so."
All five of them were martial art books. " Do you know the current affairs of our kingdom? " Xu Nian asked Wang about his queries regarding this world. He managed to gauge as much information as he could from Wang.
According to Wang there are two new main forces in this kingdom. The royalist party led by the king and the anti-royalist party led by Wu Fan. Wu Fan is the grand general and is part of the royal family. He has the strongest military force at his command. His overwhelming influence in the kingdom is feared by many royalist's. Thus, the kingdom has formed an unwritten law of check and balance. As if either of the parties hate the idea of the other being superior.
The current king is a young man of nineteen years old who recently became an adult. He is too doubtful of his own subjects. He is often misled by his courtiers and has terrible command on the corrupted royalist party.
Wang explicitly warned that the King might have a pitiful appearance but is a cruel tyrant. He has little to no respect towards his citizens and engages in meaningless wars with the surrounding kingdoms. He has eliminated many of those who tried to contradict him or had too much influence in the kingdom. Like the Xu family. The grand general
Wu Fan is someone that even the King is wary of. There are heavy frictions between the two as of now. Many predict that a war is nearing.
Wang looked at Xu Nian he seemed to be deliberating about something. He nodded at his curiosity to him it seemed natural. The books that he wrote before were clearly top-notch martial arts that he had never heard of. My master must have been a martial arts genius for him to come up with such top-notch martial arts. He bent closer towards Xu Nian, who was lying down while asking curiously,
" What will you do with those martial art books?"
This question put a sense of relief in Xu Nian as he came to know martial arts did exist here. He said , " The two books of shadow arts are for you and your sister. Practice those from today onwards. Give the rest to my sister she will know what to do with them." Xu Nian knew his sister was a muscle head. ' She would surely not let the opportunity pass.'
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In the evening, Xu Li and Min arrived with heavy luggage in their backs. When they received the books, they showed their gratitude towards Xu Nian. They started admiring his wisdom more and more.
Afterward, they had a hotpot for dinner. Xu Li brought in a bunch of things and said, " Let's start." Wang helped Xu Nian wear a pair of new silk garments while the other two waited outside. When they came in, they were shocked at Xu Nian's appearance. The purple clothing contrasted his white jade skin. Black hair passed down till his waist. He looked like a night fairy. He had strong facial features. " He certainly would grow up to be a handsome man." Min commented.
Xu Nian didn't disagree with what was going on as he started enjoying their company. He said, " I need to sleep now, though!" Xu Li was fawning over how cute her brother was and smart too. She steeled her heart as if to command not to fall for him any further.
" Yes, you need to rest, but from tomorrow, you shall be wearing clothes of noble class." Xu Nian nodded his head promptly to her suggestion. He asked, " So will you too start wearing accessories?" Xu li answered, " Only if you do too."
Xu Nian found it interesting how their bond grew closer each passing day.