Chapter 77: Practicing Martial Arts (2)

  Nangong Quan is the person I've seen who loves playing chess the most. He can go without eating, drinking water or speaking just to play chess.

  However, his chess skills are not something I dare to compliment. To be strict, he is just barely able to make a few moves at a level that even a beginner may not be able to beat.

  We played a total of three games, which can also be said to be three rounds. Except for the first round where I barely let him win against me, in the following two rounds I really couldn't let him win against me. So I won two out of three rounds and he won one out of three rounds.

  But he was very happy, shouting loudly. He also boasted that I was his defeated subordinate.

  We lost three games and used less than twenty minutes in total, which is probably one of the fastest matches in the chess world.

  However, when we went downstairs to prepare for dinner, Nangong Qianlan didn't give me a good face. If it weren't for everyone being there, she might have scolded me directly.

  I could only force a bitter smile as I looked at the angry Nan Gong Qian Lan, not daring to speak.

  Nangong Quan loudly said to Nangong Qianlan, "Qianlan, your boyfriend is really something! Apart from the first game where I barely beat him, he actually won two games against me. What an impressive young man!"

  Nangong Quan's words made Nangong Qianlan, who was already pale with anger, even angrier, and she couldn't help but kick me under the table.

  I smiled wryly and said: "You're letting me off easy, otherwise I'd be in big trouble and you'd shave my head clean."

  Nangong Quan burst out laughing, with a triumphant look on his face.

  Nangong Jun whispered to me at this time: "The old man is very happy, I will help you bring up that matter later, you have to be clever and follow my lead."

  I nodded slightly and heard Nangong Jun say to Nangong Quan, who was still laughing: "Dad, what do you think of this Jin Cang?"

  Nangong Quan nodded: "Very good, Qianlan has a good eye for things..."

  Nan Gong Jun immediately said: "Then you can accept Jin Cang as your apprentice!"

  Nan Gong Quan nodded again: "Good......" He suddenly stopped, turned his head to look at Nan Gong Jun, and Nan Gong Jun smiled and said: "Congratulations, Dad, you've got a great apprentice!"

  Nangong Quan wanted to say something, Nangong Jun immediately winked at me, hinting that I should go forward and pay respects to the master.

  I hastily stepped forward and said loudly, "Master is above, disciple Jin Cang pays his respects." As I spoke, I wanted to kneel down and pay homage like in the TV shows, but it felt as if my whole body was being restrained by something, making it impossible for me to bow down.

  Nangong Quan stared at me for a while before saying, "Child, although you are the son-in-law of my Nangong family and can be considered as one of us. However, my ancestors have left behind a decree that those who are not direct descendants of the Nangong family cannot learn our family's traditional martial arts. Therefore... I cannot accept you as my disciple."

  I was taken aback and immediately looked at Nan Gong Qian Lan with disappointment, unsure of what to do.

  Nangong Qianlan stepped forward a few steps, reached out to support her grandfather, and said in a gentle voice: "Grandfather, we were framed and pursued by others, and had no choice but to come to you for help. You see my face and teach him some self-defense skills, okay? And I also want to learn some self-defense skills, otherwise, I'll always be bullied."

  Nan Gong Quan sighed and looked at Nan Gong Qian Lan, saying: "Qian Lan, I'm not unaware of your current situation. Your father told me about it last night. However... you know that the current head of the Nan Gong family is not from our branch, and he won't allow me to teach you the Golden Warehouse martial arts."

  Nangong Qianlan immediately said: "You are still the family elder, how can the patriarch dare not listen to your words?"

  Nan Gong Quan furrowed his brow and said, "I still need to think about this carefully. I can't just secretly accept Jin Cang without telling the clan leader. How about this? I'll go talk to the clan leader now. If he agrees, I'll start teaching Jin Cang and Qian Lan martial arts right away."

  We were all delighted and felt that there was hope for this matter. Then Nan Gong Jun immediately said, "I'll go get the car and take you to see the clan leader."

  Nan Gong Quan hesitated for a moment, not stopping Nan Gong Jun from going to drive. Nan Gong Jun had only one daughter, Nan Gong Qian Lan, whom he had always treasured like a precious gem. This time, when Nan Gong Qian Lan was framed and imprisoned, he was furious, wanting to immediately go find the person who had framed her and settle the score. Therefore, in the matter of me and Nan Gong Qian Lan learning martial arts, he put in extra effort.

  Nangong Quan and Nangong Jun, father and son, had just left when Kong Lin'er happily said: "Great, Qianlan, your grandfather has arrived. Hurry up and brew a pot of tea."

  Nangong Qianlan quickly got up and went to make tea. I stood up and looked outside, just in time to see an old man with a slightly hunched back walking towards the house.

  Kong Lin'er stepped forward and supported the old man, saying happily: "Dad, you've finally arrived! I thought you weren't coming!"

  The old man smiled and said kindly: "My grandson and granddaughter-in-law have returned home, how can I not come?"

  I hastily stepped forward and saluted, saying loudly: "Grandfather, I'm Jin Cang."

  The old man chuckled: "My ears are very good, no need to speak so loudly. My name is Kong Shou, 'Shou' as in 'guard', young man, you must be my grandson-in-law. Hmm, let me take a look, are you worthy of my granddaughter?"

  I was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said: "You can read faces?"

  Kong Shou burst out laughing: "Humorous! Very good, you're indeed the kind of person my granddaughter has taken a liking to. Young fellow, I heard from afar that you said you wanted to learn martial arts, is it true?"

  I got excited and said gratefully: "Really. I've always wanted to learn martial arts, are you going to teach me some moves?"

  Kong Hou smiled and said, "To become my apprentice, there are three conditions. If you can fulfill them, I'll accept you as my disciple. If not, it means we're not destined to be master and apprentice. Just like my granddaughter Nangong Qianlan, she couldn't pass my test, so she can't learn my martial arts."

  Nangong Qianlan nodded and said: "Grandfather is biased, intentionally making things difficult for me, not teaching me any martial arts."

  I'm getting a bit nervous, thinking to myself: even Nan Gong Qian Lan, who has learned some martial arts, couldn't pass the test, how can I? But my mouth still asks: "Excuse me, what kind of test do you want me to take? I haven't learned any martial arts, if it's a comparison of skills with someone, I have no hope at all."

  Kong Xiu shook his head and smiled, "I know you haven't learned any martial arts, so how can I test your martial arts skills? My test is very simple, one by one, if you pass, I'll immediately accept you as my apprentice."

  I was overjoyed and couldn't care less about what others thought, so I hastily said: "Then let's get started right away, I've been waiting with bated breath."

  Nangong Qianlan said from the side: "Grandfather hates immature people the most, don't be like that."

  I smiled: "I'm too excited, you know I've been dreaming of learning Kung Fu since I was a kid, but never had the chance. Now that the opportunity is right in front of me, it's hard not to be excited."

  Kong Shou took the tea from Nan Gong Qian Lan's hand, savored it carefully, and said "good tea". Then he asked: "Jin Cang, how many bowls of rice can you eat in one meal?"

  I was taken aback and immediately said: "When I'm hungry, I can eat four bowls of rice in one meal."

  Kong Guan nodded and continued: "Then I want you to eat five bowls of rice for one meal now, can you do it?"

  I frowned and said: "Unless you deliberately drag out the time, otherwise I won't be able to eat it." I didn't understand what Kong Shou was asking about, but still answered him truthfully.

  Kong Shou nodded again and continued: "If you really ate five bowls of rice, and I asked you to eat another bowl, what would you do?"

  I couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. I wanted to say that I wasn't going to eat anymore, but then I was afraid that this might be a test for me, and so I hesitated for a moment.

  At this time, Kong Shou said: "This question is very simple, why consider it for a long time?"

  I made up my mind and said: "I won't eat anymore, because I'm already stuffed to the point of being unbearable. If I eat any more, there will be a problem."

  Karada smiled: "Good. Stretch out your hands, both of them."

  I obediently stretched out my hands, somewhat puzzled: would they really look at physiognomy or palm reading?

  As soon as I lost my concentration, Kong Shou immediately made his move and slapped the center of my palms with a "slap". Kong Shou's move was too fast, I instinctively withdrew my hands but still couldn't dodge it. I looked at him in confusion and said: "Why did you hit me? I..."

  "Very good, quick reaction. To still have such a reaction when distracted is even faster than Qian Lan."

  I was taken aback for a moment, then I thought this might be a test for me, so I didn't say anything more.

  Kong Shou's expression turned serious as he looked into my eyes and said, "From now on, you must answer my questions truthfully, without hiding anything. Can you do that?"

  I nodded: "Ask, I won't lie." After a pause, I suddenly thought of a very serious problem and hastily added: "But those state secrets, I absolutely won't say, please forgive me."

  Kong Shou nodded slightly and shouted loudly: "Are you a soldier now?"

  "I immediately replied: 'No! I am now a prisoner.'"

  "Were you a student before becoming a soldier?"

  "Yes!"

  "Are you a descendant of Wudang?"

  "No!"

  "Have you ever learned Kung Fu?"

  "No!"

  "Didn't you know what kind of person I am from a long time ago?"

  "No."

  "Do you want to use kung fu to kill people?"

  This time I hesitated, but Kong stood up immediately and roared: "Answer me!"

  "I immediately replied loudly: 'No, I don't want to kill anyone, I just want to protect myself and the loved ones around me.'"

  Kong Shou smiled and finally said: "Very good, you answered me without hesitation, I can see that you didn't lie."

  I was stunned: "The test is over? ... Then did I pass?"

  Kong Shou smiled and said: "Wait for me to observe you for three more days. Three days later, I will tell you my decision."

  I was overjoyed, thinking that victory was in sight. But Nan Gong Qian Lan whispered beside me: "I was also rejected by my grandfather during the three-day trial period last time, you should be careful these few days and must not offend my grandfather."

  Kong Shou smiled and said: "Qian Lan, don't speak ill of me behind my back again, you scared away my apprentice. I will settle the score with you."

  Nangong Qianlan smiled coldly and said: "At worst, I'll just brew a few more pots of tea for you, it's not like it's a big deal or anything."

  With a gentle smile, he reached out and patted Nan Gong Qian Lan's head, saying: "Qian Lan should be more cheerful, laugh more often. As the saying goes, 'laughing can make you ten years younger', and frequent laughter will keep you from aging, just like your grandfather me. Don't always look so serious, or people might not like you."

  Nangong Qianlan looked at me and said, "He won't, I believe him. Grandfather, let's have breakfast first, you've come a long way, you must be hungry, right?"

  Kong Shou nodded, walking towards the dining hall while saying: "Later on, will you accompany me for a few rounds? I haven't indulged in this for a long time, my hands are itching."

  Nangong Qianlan glanced at me and said: "If you're willing to accept Jin Cang as your apprentice, I'll accompany you for a whole day. How about it?"

  "This won't do, playing mahjong and taking on apprentices can't be mixed together, it's a matter of principle."

  Nangong Qianlan furrowed her brow and said: "Then you can find someone else to accompany you, we don't have time, we need to go find Master to learn skills."

  Qing Gong was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing: "Good one, Qian Lan girl, you even dare to scheme against your own grandfather! Never mind, I'll break my rule just this once. Regardless of whether Jin Cang can become my disciple or not, I'll teach him a lifesaving move. How about that?"

  Nangong Qianlan was overjoyed and immediately said: "It's settled then, I'll go prepare the mahjong table right away."

  Kong Yu looked at Nan Gong Qian Lan, who was running away with a big smile on her face, and said: "A woman's virtue is not in staying behind, it's always true. Jin Cang, you have to treat my Qian Lan well from now on, look at her, she only thinks about gaining benefits for you, even forgetting herself."

  I secretly felt a surge of gratitude, but I couldn't really do anything with Nangong Qianlan. We were just pretending to be husband and wife, and all I could do was try to help her out in the future and make up for it.

  Kong Shou hurriedly went to play cards and didn't even eat breakfast, nor did he care about my reaction. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from sight, seemingly going to find a mahjong room.

  The Nan Gong Qian Lan family's house is very spacious, with various rooms for playing cards, chess, or billiards and table tennis. At a glance, it's clear that they are a family who knows how to enjoy themselves.

  I slowly found the mahjong room, and saw Nan Gong Qian Lan already accompanying her grandfather in preparation for the start of the game. Nan Gong Qian Lan's mother was also pulled over to keep them company. Because I don't know how to play mahjong, Nan Gong Qian Lan wanted to teach me, so we were missing one person.

  Kong was impatient and grabbed hold of Xiao Li who had just brought over the tea, refusing to let go until Xiao Li put down his work and played a few rounds first.

  Xiao Li whispered that he had no money and didn't want to go, but Kong Lin immediately gave Xiao Li a few large red banknotes and said generously: "Take it and have fun, don't worry about winning or losing, the most important thing today is to accompany Qianlan's grandfather well."

  I also cried out in desperation to Nan Gong Qian Lan: "I don't have any money either, how can we fight? Why don't you lend me some money and I'll pay you back later?"

  Nangong Qianlan glared at me and handed me a few large chips, whispering: "Less nonsense, hurry up and wash the cards."

  I was at a loss and had never played mahjong before, so I didn't know what to do. Fortunately, Little Li said in time, "This is an automatic mahjong machine, no need to shuffle the cards."

  Xiao Li said as he personally started the automatic mahjong machine. Before long, neat and tidy tiles appeared before our eyes.

  I'm really bad at playing cards, so basically it's always Nangong Qianlan who plays for me. I'm just a puppet sitting in the seat, with almost no right to speak, like a wooden old man.

  But my luck seemed good, having only played three cards, Nan Gong Qian Lan said: "I've won."

  I was still in a daze when Nan Gong Qian Lan had already reached out to her grandfather and mother for money without any politeness. I just heard Nan Gong Qian Lan say: "Give us the money, we are all of one color."

  Kong Shou was the first to express disbelief, insisting on taking a look at the cards in front of me before handing over the money. Even Kong Lin'er had an expression of distrust, but still very consciously handed over the money. Xiao Li wouldn't suspect anything; he's just someone who goes along with things, and the money is taken out by the host family anyway - as soon as he hears that someone has won a round, he immediately hands over the money.

  We played a round, and I basically knew the rules, but Nan Gong Qian Lan was still in charge, and I just watched. I don't know if it's like what Kong Shou said, that the people who are worse at playing cards have better luck, but after one round, I actually won quite a bit of money.

  Xiao Li was the first to lose all his money. His master, Kong Lin'er, voluntarily gave him some more money so he could continue playing.

  Kong Yu muttered "backfire" on one side, and still didn't stop dealing cards and then kept taking out money to give to me and Nangong Qianlan. Because he always "exploded", letting me and Nangong Qianlan win money.

  Kong Lin'er was in a situation where neither side had won or lost, but I think she did it to make her father happy, and even if she could have won the game, she didn't.

  The game was so engrossing that before I knew it, it was already noon. I, who hadn't eaten breakfast, was starving. But Kong Shou still had an excited look on his face, as if he had forgotten about eating altogether.

  Nangong Qianlan was probably hungry too, and quietly left the mahjong room, I don't know if she went to steal food or not. I could only secretly sigh, as soon as Nangong Qianlan left, this half-witted me directly lost three rounds in a row, losing quite a bit of money.

  I don't really care about losing money, after all, it's just what I won earlier. Losing is just giving it back to them. But I'm really hungry and want to say forget it and go eat. If he wasn't so excited about being the last one standing, I wouldn't dare ruin his fun, I would have stopped playing a long time ago.

  Just as I was faint with hunger, Nan Gong Qian Lan finally came up. Her hands were holding five lunchboxes, which were five boxed lunches. It's unknown how she managed to get these boxed lunches in such a short time.

  So we ate and played at the same time, achieving both eating and entertainment without any mistakes.

  This time with Nan Gong Qian Lan's support, I didn't mess up again and once more won back the money that I had lost.

  "Qianlan is a traitor, she's ruined me and I've lost money again!"

  Nangong Qianlan said, "We are originally one family, of course we will fight you together. If Grandfather is not satisfied, we can change the rules of the game. If we win, you pay us double the money. If we lose, we also pay you double the money. How about it, Grandfather, do you dare?"

  Kong Shou cheered loudly, and our bet suddenly doubled, almost twice the original amount. So when we hit Kong Shou with a big blow, he was overjoyed and shouted "Win! Win!", unaware that he had already lost a lot of money before, even if he won some back this time, overall he still lost a lot of money.

  Our price increase made Xiao Li lose again. When Kong Lin gave him money for the third time, she couldn't help but laugh and say: "You have to work harder, it's not okay to lose everything three times!"

  Xiao Li became somewhat nervous, the money given by the master's family was also money, he didn't dare to be reckless again, and hit with caution, fearing that he would lose everything again.

  I secretly sighed, people with money and those without are just different. Those with money have the confidence to do things, while those without find it hard to have that confidence.

  I thought to myself: I came here to learn martial arts, but instead I'm playing mahjong. These two things seem completely unrelated, yet they're somehow connected. Moreover, South Palace Thousand Orchids' grandfather has been gone for so long without returning, it seems there's no hope left. I can only grit my teeth and continue accompanying this cheap and gambling-obsessed great-grandfather. After all, he might take me as his apprentice and teach me some legendary martial arts.

  I am actually in a precarious situation now, urgently needing some self-defense measures to protect my own life and property. Not to mention those enemy countries or organizations that still want to get genetic medicine information from me, just Wang Yingzu alone is not something I can contend with right now. For the time being, I rely on Nan Gong Qian Lan and am temporarily safe, but I am very clear that once I leave the Nan Gong family and lose their protection, I may not live for an hour.

  After all, whether it's those hostile national forces or organizations, or Wang Yingzu, wanting to kill me is as easy as turning over one's hand.

  Looking at the person in front of me, for a card or surprise or sigh, my thoughts involuntarily flew to distant places. I thought of my parents and also thought of my loved ones and friends. Suddenly, I remembered many things, as if my memory had completely recovered all at once.

  I thought of Sun Heng who had disappeared, I also thought of Li Huanhuan who had been with me through thick and thin, my sister Dongfang Yu, and also Bai Feng, Du Yifei and others who came to the capital with me. Those friends who helped me and never gave up on me also appeared one by one in my mind.

  I felt a sense of unprecedented atmosphere, my life and soul seemed to have been sublimated in this instant. I was excited, but also sad, lost, and confused... I unknowingly got lost, as if my soul gradually left me, leaving only an empty shell...