Xu Fang let out a long, weary sigh as he reclined in his chair after the grueling morning martial arts session. His body ached in ways he didn't think possible. Every muscle screamed in protest, and he could feel the bruises forming under his skin.
I could just call it a day… The tempting thought whispered in his mind. It would be so easy to lock himself in his room, lie down, and pretend none of this was happening.
But Xu Fang shook his head, banishing the thought. "No," he muttered to himself. "I can't afford to slack off."
The truth was, Xu Fang hadn't become a shut-in in his previous life because he lacked ability. Quite the opposite. He had been a capable, resourceful individual who worked tirelessly to build a foundation that allowed him to retreat from the world.
He had thrived in college, balancing academics, social connections, and his personal interests. By the time he decided to retreat into a quiet, comfortable life, he had already secured the means to sustain himself. He wasn't someone who gave up easily—he had simply chosen a path that suited him.
But this was different. This world was different.
He had been thrust into an unfamiliar reality, and he couldn't afford the luxury of complacency. If he wanted to survive, let alone thrive, he needed to understand how this world worked.
With that resolve in mind, Xu Fang dragged his sore body to the library after lunch.
The thought of studying more books filled him with dread. But he gritted his teeth and forced himself to move forward. He couldn't rely on ignorance or luck to carry him through life here.
He didnt rely on family relationahip in his previous world, he wouldn't rely on family in this world either.
He can only trust himself to thrive anywhere, him, alone, and nobody else.
And for that he need knowledge.
As he walked into the library, the quiet atmosphere greeted him like an old friend. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, and rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched out before him.
"Back again, Young Master Xu?" the librarian asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," Xu Fang replied, his tone weary but determined. "I need more books on government, culture, and history. If I'm going to this academy, I might as well be prepared."
The librarian gave him a knowing smile and began pulling books from the shelves. Soon, a small mountain of tomes was piled on a nearby desk.
Xu Fang stared at the stack, his resolve wavering for a moment. But he reminded himself of the mantra that had guided him through college and beyond: Bleed now to breed honey later.
"Here we go," he muttered, picking up the first book.
Hours passed as Xu Fang poured over the texts. His brain felt like it was on fire, and his eyes ached from reading so much. But with each page he turned, he felt a growing sense of accomplishment.
He delved into the intricacies of governance, the rituals of the Azure Flame Academy, and the rich cultural history of the region. He paid particular attention to the nuances of etiquette, knowing that his future classmates would likely come from equally prominent families.
Despite his exhaustion, Xu Fang couldn't help but feel a small spark of improvement.
The truth was, only a fool wished for an easy life. Xu Fang didn't want ease—he wanted control. And that required effort.
After all it's better to bleed now and breed honey later.
By the time dusk approached, Xu Fang leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He had barely scratched the surface of the knowledge available to him, but it was a start.
As he gathered his notes and prepared to leave the library, he made a mental note to return the next day. He wasn't done bleeding yet. But one day, he would breed honey.
With that thought in mind, Xu Fang headed back to his room, his steps heavy but his resolve unshaken