I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 43: What’s the Motive?

The Seventh Young Master scratched his head. “So, my mother lied to me again?”

But there wasn’t the slightest trace of anger on his face—instead, a faint smile appeared.

“I don’t think Madam lied,” Zheng Fa said after a slight hesitation.

The Seventh Young Master and Chief Instructor Xu were stunned. The smile slowly disappeared from the Young Master’s face as he looked at Zheng Fa, unwilling to believe his words.

“But didn’t you say you mastered it?”

Chief Instructor Xu furrowed his brows, clearly sharing the same question.

“I did, but most people likely can’t.”

These two were among the few people Zheng Fa trusted deeply. Even so, he revealed nothing about his modern knowledge. Still, it was becoming harder to conceal everything. From what the Young Master had said, it was clear Madam was fully aware of the difficulty of mastering the Linghe Body.

As long as Zheng Fa succeeded, Madam would inevitably suspect he harbored some hidden secret. Zheng Fa had already prepared for this outcome; it was an unavoidable consequence of his growing strength.

He chose not to explain but also didn’t bother to conceal it. Sometimes, being transparent without offering specifics was less suspicious.

Sure enough, the Young Master and Chief Instructor Xu exchanged glances, seemingly forming their own theories, but they refrained from asking further.

The Young Master, however, looked disheartened once more. “So, my mother didn’t lie.”

He seemed as though he would have preferred a harsh lie over the truth.

Zheng Fa turned to Chief Instructor Xu. “So, the Young Master was right. You don’t need to doubt yourself.”

Chief Instructor Xu’s expression shifted several times before he finally let out a long sigh. “I see now…”

The Young Master’s voice lowered. “Chief Instructor, it’s because of my mother…”

“Madam didn’t need to go to such lengths.”

“Huh?”

Chief Instructor Xu looked at the Young Master and smiled. “You’ve forgotten I was born into this family. I have a signed contract with the Zhao estate.”

The Young Master froze.

“If Madam didn’t want me to leave, a single word would suffice. Why go through such elaborate means to maintain the bond between master and servant?”

Zheng Fa nodded in agreement. From Chief Instructor Xu’s perspective, his life belonged to the Zhao family, making Madam’s methods seem relatively gentle. However, Zheng Fa’s modern upbringing made him less accepting of such hierarchical dependency.

As for the Young Master… Zheng Fa glanced at him. The Young Master’s wide-eyed astonishment made it clear that such considerations had never crossed his mind.

“But, Chief Instructor, you’ve wasted twenty years…” The Young Master was still troubled.

“No one forced me. I was the one who placed too much importance on the Linghe Body.”

Chief Instructor Xu’s smile was sincere, as if he truly bore no resentment toward Madam.

The Young Master’s expression gradually improved.

“I had friends who, like my younger self, yearned for adventure in the martial world,” Chief Instructor Xu continued. “They charged in headlong, never to return.”

Zheng Fa and the Young Master listened quietly.

“And I’ve spent twenty peaceful years with the Zhao family. Now, I even have disciples of disciples. When I think about it, perhaps Madam’s actions saved my life,” Chief Instructor Xu said, patting Zheng Fa on the shoulder. “My only regret was not mastering the Linghe Body. But now that Zheng Fa has shown me what it’s like, what more could I want?”

The Young Master clapped his hands in realization. “So, my mother actually did a good thing? And I’ve been sulking about it all this time!”

Seeing him smile with such relief, Zheng Fa exchanged a glance with Chief Instructor Xu but said nothing.

“It’s late. You two should head back,” Chief Instructor Xu said.

Zheng Fa and the Young Master bid him farewell. Chief Instructor Xu stood with his hands behind his back, watching their silhouettes fade into the distance.

…

Late that night, Chief Instructor Xu’s nephew got up and was startled by a shadow standing in the moonlight. The sight jolted him awake, but upon recognizing the figure, he sighed in relief and rubbed his eyes.

“Uncle, why aren’t you asleep?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to explore the martial world?”

“What about it? You wouldn’t agree before,” his nephew replied, a note of frustration in his voice.

Chief Instructor Xu didn’t turn around. Instead, he gazed at the crescent moon. “Go ahead. In a few days, I’ll ask Madam for your contract. After today, she’ll likely grant me that favor.”

“But you always said I should stay here and take care of you in your old age…”

“Just remember to write me letters,” Chief Instructor Xu said. “Tell me about the martial world I’ve never seen.”

…

The Linghe Heart Sutra brought Zheng Fa unexpected changes. When he woke the next morning, he stretched out his arm to find a thin layer of skin peeling off, leaving his bed covered in white flakes.

Washing his face, he was startled by his reflection in the bronze mirror.

Years of farm work under the sun had left his skin dark and rough. But now, the face in the mirror was luminous, his skin smooth and fine, with pores barely visible even up close.

Gao Yuan sat nearby, leaning closer and closer to Zheng Fa, staring intently.

“Do you need something?” Zheng Fa asked.

“Zheng Fa, you… smell nice,” Gao Yuan said, sniffing him with fascination as he leaned in.

“Stop! One more sniff, and I’ll hit you!” Zheng Fa exclaimed, feeling genuinely unnerved.

“You know, Gao Yuan’s right,” the Young Master remarked from behind his desk. He studied Zheng Fa for a moment. “You smell amazing.”

“And your face… Why is it so pale? Did you use powder?”

“Why would I—” Zheng Fa paused, touching his face. “It must be the Linghe Body.”

“So, mastering the Linghe Body made your face fair and gave you a fragrance?” Gao Yuan’s eyes widened with envy. “Achieving the Dao through martial arts is truly miraculous.”

The Young Master seemed to recall something, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “My mother once mentioned that Linghe Body aims to cultivate some kind of ‘Dao Body’ through training.”

“Dao Body?” Zheng Fa murmured, reflecting on the mysterious force he had sensed after mastering the technique.

“How did you master the Linghe Body, Zheng Fa?” Gao Yuan asked eagerly. “Once I master the Pine Crane Stance, I’ll beg Madam to teach me Linghe Body too!”

Gao Yuan, unaware of its secrets, was clearly drawn to the technique by its miraculous effects.

The Young Master said nothing but watched Zheng Fa closely, his curiosity evident.

“Mainly through visualization—imagining birds,” Zheng Fa admitted. He saw no harm in sharing that much.

The two nodded, marveling at the explanation.

“Visualization? Like in those stories about Immortals,” the Young Master said, impressed.

Zheng Fa frowned. “But why does visualization work? What is it, really?”

Looking up, he found his companions utterly uninterested in his musings. Instead, they were eagerly discussing their favorite tales of Immortals.

Seeing Zheng Fa’s continued puzzlement, the Young Master looked up and said, “Does it matter why? As long as it works.”

“Doesn’t it?” Zheng Fa asked.

They both shook their heads, their expressions filled with confusion.

…

“Mother, why did you summon me?”

“Zheng Fa has mastered the Linghe Body, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, he has!” the Young Master replied cheerfully.

“Why are you smiling? Don’t you understand what this means?” Madam scolded, glaring at her son.

“What does it mean?”

“It means there’s likely a Nascent Soul cultivator backing him—one who might have ill intentions toward our Zhao family!”

The Young Master blinked in confusion, slowly piecing the words together. “A Nascent Soul cultivator… plotting against us?”

Madam nodded grimly.

“But… why would they bother?” the Young Master asked, genuinely baffled. “Are we even worth it?”

“…”

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