Yama Reborn

When Chen Nuo got up early in the morning, his little sister was also awake. She pouted her little mouth and with her chubby-cheeked face, she asked in a plaintive voice where Daddy had gone.

Er... Should I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to her?

After much persuasion and cajoling, he appeased his sister with the same tired excuses: Dad had gone away on a business trip and wouldn't be back for a long, long time.

Sigh.

In fact, Chen Nuo was really being merciful.

If it had been someone like Gu Kang, a real piece of trash, with his temper from his past life, he would have just buried him.

But not this time.

Gu Kang was Xiao Yezi's father, and Ye Zi still had some feelings for her father.

This was different from Yao Weishan.

Yao Weishan was only Sun Keke's father in a medical sense.

He had never seen Sun Keke as a child, never held her, never raised her, never educated her.

Apart from contributing his DNA, he had no other presence.

Getting rid of Yao Weishan, Chen Nuo felt no psychological burden, even when facing Sun Keke, he never felt any discomfort in his heart.

But Gu Kang, he wasn't easy to kill.

Chen Xiaoye was still just a child after all, and a very sensible one at that. After Chen Nuo coaxed her for a while, she obediently stopped crying and got up to wash.

To distract the child, Chen Nuo decided to take her out for breakfast and then to practice martial arts together.

At the edge of the small woods by the city wall, Chen Nuo leisurely strolled over with his little sister in tow.

Chen Xiaoye was holding a steamed rice ball and a deep-fried dough stick as her breakfast.

This was a traditional breakfast in Jinling City. At dawn, wherever there's breakfast for sale at bus stops and street corners across the city, you'd always find this option available.

A round wooden barrel covered with cotton cloth contained snow-white, steamed sticky rice. You'd grab a handful, flatten it on a wooden board, and spread it out. Then you'd take a deep-fried dough stick, fold it in half and place it on top, and according to taste preferences, sprinkle some condiments on it.

Those who like stronger flavors could sprinkle pickled mustard greens or sour cowpeas. Those who preferred a sweet taste could just add a spoonful of sugar.

Then, you'd wrap it in a cheesecloth and wring it out like a towel, which would make it nicely compact.

With a bite, the softness of the sticky rice and the crispness of the deep-fried dough stick combined perfectly. The teeth would bite through the soft outer layer into the crispy center, creating a delicate and robust taste experience.

Chen Xiaoye, with the typical palate of a child, liked sweet flavors. What she held in her hand was a steamed rice ball with a half-piece of deep-fried dough stick and half a spoonful of white granulated sugar.

The little girl was eating so vigorously that her cheeks bulged, and she kept earnestly munching.

Chen Nuo held his sister's hand and meandered to the base of the wall, only to see Old Jiang instructing Brother Haonan on how to position himself for practice.

Old Jiang actually saw Chen Nuo coming from afar but didn't pay him any heed, not even a glance in his direction.

This unworthy student was the most enthusiastic when he first asked to be taken as an apprentice. Yet, when it came to practicing martial arts, he was the best at slacking off. Yesterday morning he didn't even show up.

What, you're not going to come over here to correct your attitude, and I, as your master, am supposed to greet you proactively?

Chen Nuo saw Old Jiang's stern face as he was giving instructions to Brother Haonan and knew that Old Jiang was unhappy.

Zhang Linsheng secretly winked at Chen Nuo, gesturing towards Old Jiang with a jerk of his chin.

Chen Nuo smiled and patted his sister's shoulder.

Chen Xiaoye immediately smiled sweetly and called out crisply, "Uncle Jiang~"

Oh my!

Old Jiang couldn't keep his stern face anymore. He turned his head, his old face breaking into a grin with teeth showing and eyes crinkling, and watched as Chen Xiaoye came over in a little run. He even squatted down to eagerly give her a hug, being careful not to bump the little girl and hurt her.

Chen Xiaoye made an effort to lift up the plastic bag in her hands, "Uncle Jiang, my brother and I brought you breakfast, steamed rice and deep-fried dough sticks, they're very tasty!"

Old Jiang, who had lived half his life without children, felt as if a flower bloomed in his heart. He took the package from Chen Xiaoye's hand and, regardless of whether it was sweet or salty, took a bite. Before he even chewed twice, he hurriedly stroked the child's head, "Delicious, delicious, the food Ye Zi brought is especially tasty!"

Hmph, in this Chen Xiaoguo's family, only Ye Zi is a good person!

Old Jiang shot Chen Nuo a glance—truly unbearable to look at him.

"Go hold the horse stance!"

Chen Nuo walked over to Zhang Linsheng with a grin and lazily took the horse stance.

Old Jiang, upon seeing this, got irritated and picked up a stick to give Chen Nuo a whack on the legs, but then he saw Chen Xiaoye's wide-eyed and somewhat shocked look at him.

"Uncle Jiang... are you going to hit my brother?"

"No hitting, no hitting!" Old Jiang hurriedly threw his own sandalwood stick, that he had cherished for seven or eight years, up on the city wall ridge, not showing the slightest sign of heartache!

Turning his head with a smile, he said to Chen Xiaoye, "See? Uncle Jiang doesn't hit people! Don't be scared, Xiao Yezi."

Forget it, forget it!

Old Jiang sighed inwardly. Since Chen Xiaoguo didn't want to practice martial arts, just let him goof around.

As long as he brought Xiao Yezi over every now and then to let Old Jiang have a look, that would be enough.

All that talk about martial arts skills...

If it meant that Old Jiang, who was nearly fifty with neither children nor a wife, could exchange his martial arts skills for a close daughter like Xiao Yezi, the old man wouldn't even blink before trading on the spot!

Zhang Linsheng's martial arts routine was already looking quite professional. Originally stiff, his body had become fluid in movement, betraying a sense of both hardness and softness.

Especially when he was boxing, his breathing was long and unbroken. It really resembled the breathing cultivation technique Old Jiang had taught.

After finishing a round of boxing, Brother Haonan was calm and steady, with only a slight sweat on his forehead.

Old Jiang nodded in satisfaction.

After these days of practice, even Old Jiang started to think he might have misjudged. This Zhang Linsheng was really a talented student.

A bit slow in comprehension, but his physical condition was truly excellent.

His physique, muscle and vein quality, all of it was top-notch material.

Hmm... just a bit slow-witted.

Zhang Linsheng himself also felt that he had changed a bit lately.

The feeling of practicing boxing became smoother and smoother. Every time he finished a set, in combination with the breathing cultivation technique, his whole body felt comfortable from the inside out, as if all his pores were breathing.

Just one word: Clear!

Furthermore, he felt his body improving by the day. He could go up and down several flights of stairs without getting out of breath.

A couple of days ago during P.E. class, he ran 1500 meters at a swift pace. After finishing, he still felt at ease, like he had boundless energy left and wasn't panting like the other students, who sounded like big panting dogs.

He increasingly believed that the boxing techniques Old Jiang taught might really have some profundity to them.

With Chen Xiaoye around, Old Jiang had no interest in supervising his two apprentices' practice anymore.

After watching them for a bit, the old man took Chen Xiaoye out for a stroll.

By morning, people began setting up stalls outside the grove.

Old Jiang cheerfully pulled out a few coins and bought Xiao Yezi a colorful butterfly kite, encouraging the young girl to grab it and run wild.

Old Jiang chased after her while laughing and shouting, "Slow down, slow down, don't fall over."

With Old Jiang not supervising, Chen Nuo gave up on holding the horse stance and directly sat down on the ground.

As for Zhang Linsheng, as if he'd taken to the training, continued the horse stance diligently on his own.

Chen Nuo nodded at him, "Working hard, I see, kid."

Zhang Linsheng rolled his eyes.

After a while, Brother Haonan seemed to remember something and said, "Old Jiang mentioned something to me yesterday. He meant to tell both of us, but you didn't come."

"What is it?"

"About the ceremony of becoming an official disciple."

Chen Nuo looked at Zhang Linsheng, waiting for him to continue.

"Old Jiang said, being a disciple is one thing; previously we were just under his name. He had no problem teaching us some routines. But he said I'm doing alright and is willing to take me as an official disciple. So the ceremony needs to be more formal. Yeah, we need to solidify the relationship."

"I see, so we need to hold an apprenticeship ceremony, either eating a meal together or going through the tea ceremony, right?"

"Old Jiang said to skip the meal. He mentioned bowing to the ancestral master, offering incense and stuff. Yeah, and you mentioned the tea ceremony too."

Chen Nuo nodded, "Then let's do it."

Zhang Linsheng suddenly became excited, looking at Chen Nuo, "Hey, does that mean we'll be apprentice brothers from then on? I'm the older apprentice brother, and you're my younger apprentice brother?"

Chen Nuo laughed, "Dream on. I'm the senior apprentice brother, you're the younger one."

"But I'm older than you. I'm in grade twelve, and you're in grade eleven," Zhang Linsheng shook his head.

"I became a disciple before you. Plus, it was me who brought you in."

"..."

As it was the weekend, they didn't have to go to school and ended up practicing in the grove until noon before heading back.

As usual, Old Jiang took the kids back home for lunch.

Song Qiaoyun had their meal ready at home. Simple home cooking: a bowl of stinky tofu, a bowl of braised pork ribs, and a tomato and egg soup.

Seeing Chen Xiaoye approaching, Song Qiaoyun immediately hurried to make her a steamed egg.

The elderly couple were so fond of Chen Xiaoye that their affection was obvious and unrestrained.

During the meal, a bowl of steamed eggs was placed only in front of Chen Xiaoye. Chen Nuo, envious and wanting a taste, had barely reached out with his spoon when Song Qiaoyun slapped his hand with her chopsticks, "You're so grown up and still trying to fight with your little sister over food?"

After lunch, Song Qiaoyun took her medicine and then went back to her room to rest. In fact, after taking the medicine, it almost always prevents the illness from manifesting... but it would cause some dizziness and a feeling of a swollen brain.

Chen Xiaoye also went into the room to take a nap with Song Qiaoyun, and Auntie Song still told Xiao Yezi stories to coax her to sleep—Chen Nuo watched with a bit of envy.

Given Auntie Song's solid traditional storytelling skills, it was as if she was holding a private performance just for Xiao Yezi.

These days, Xiao Yezi spent a lot of time with Auntie Song, always listening to Auntie Song sing to her.

As a result, during an event at the kindergarten a few days ago, when the teacher asked the children to sing nursery rhymes, while other children were still at "My good mother, coming home from work, how busy she has been for the whole day, so tired indeed."

Chen Xiaoye, however, began with a verse of "Peach leaves are sharp upon the sharp, willow leaves have covered the sky." and even performed it with flair!

Goodness gracious, even the kindergarten teacher was taken aback.

Luckily, Auntie Song was measured. She only sang the child the first part of the song "Exploring the Clearwater River," only getting as far as "The maiden, surnamed Wan, was called Dalian" and then stopped. The more risqué verses that followed, such as "I'm like Diao Chan longing for Lü Bu, like Yan Poxi in her chamber, longing for Zhang San," of course, she did not teach or sing to her at all.

「Let's not dwell on the old and the young heading back to their room to sleep.」

Old Jiang had his two apprentices clean up the table and sit down in front of him, then he went over the initiation once more.

Chen Nuo was indifferent. He actually just wanted Old Jiang to teach Brother Haonan, and as long as that was achieved, he was content. As for being formally accepted as a disciple, Chen Yanluo didn't really care either way.

Zhang Linsheng, on the other hand, was a bit excited—this whole affair sounded like something straight out of a martial arts novel.

"Alright, it's not the old times anymore, we needn't be too elaborate with the ritual, let's keep things simple," said Old Jiang.

After saying this, he led the two to another room in the house, to a table where ancestral tablets were placed.

He picked up the prepared incense and handed a bundle to each.

They lit the incense, and bowed their heads in respect.

Then, coming out to the living room, Old Jiang pointed to the tea cups on the table.

Chen Nuo and Zhang Linsheng took turns serving tea to Old Jiang, and then changed their way of addressing him to "Master" in a respectful manner.

Zhang Linsheng's call was clear and distinct, Chen Xiaoguo's was mumbled and indistinct.

Old Jiang didn't seem to mind.

Watching the two apprentices before him, Old Jiang started to feel a bit of joy in his heart.

He had thought the legacy of his craft would end with him.

Surprisingly, in his old age, he had taken on two more.

Although according to his wife's wishes, he couldn't teach the real art, just some superficial skills for strength and health.

But... after all, he had accepted disciples.

The significance was different.

Old Jiang pondered for a moment, intending to say a few more words of earnest guidance, but having been a teacher for half his life, it seemed he had already said everything there was to say in everyday life.

After a moment's thought, he finally looked at his two apprentices: "You must be diligent from now on, understand?"

"Yes, Master."

"Alrighty then!"

You could instantly tell which reply belonged to whom!

Old Jiang felt a bit vexed, giving Chen Nuo a sideways look. I actually only wanted to accept Zhang Linsheng.

You, you little dog, if it weren't for my fondness for your Xiao Yezi, I would have expelled you from the school long ago. You're just an attachment of Xiao Yezi.

"Chen Nuo, you're the youngest, you should respect your seniors, understand?" Old Jiang nodded, "Call out to your senior brother."

Zhang Linsheng turned his head to Chen Nuo, "...Big senior brother."

Old Jiang: "???"

Chen Nuo said with a smile, "Fair enough, fair enough, junior brother."

Zhang Linsheng: ...

"Chen Nuo, stop messing around. You're the youngest, how could Lin Sheng call you senior brother?" Old Jiang frowned.

"But I was initiated earlier," Chen Nuo said with a smile.

"...You really want to be the senior brother?"

"Of course."

"Alright then," Old Jiang snorted, "You can seek a higher position if you want, but even if you join my school, you're not the senior disciple, you're the second."

"What?"

"Before I moved to Jinling City, I took on a nominal disciple in my hometown. He's technically your senior brother."

Chen Nuo was stunned for a moment, then quickly turned to Zhang Linsheng, saying, "Second brother, from now on I'm your junior brother—the third one!"

Zhang Linsheng: …

Old Jiang: "Chen Nuo, what are you doing? I thought you wanted to be the senior brother."

"No, no, I suddenly feel like my skills are not refined enough; it's probably better for me to be the youngest."

"You joined the school earlier."

"But Zhang Linsheng is older than me."

In the afternoon, while Chen Nuo was taking Chen Xiaoye home, he received a call from Brother Lei.

"Is the matter taken care of?"

"It's done," Brother Lei said carefully on the phone, "Just as you instructed, not a penny less! I even had someone follow to the hospital to check, four thousand bucks, not a cent less. I've checked the bill."

"Good."

After hanging up, Chen Nuo glanced at Xiao Yezi without saying a word.

Four thousand bucks, not a penny less.

That was the medical bill.

Chen Nuo had instructed Brother Lei to:

Take care of that bastard Gu Kang, and beat him to the tune of the four thousand medical bill!

When Brother Lei first heard this request, he was somewhat confused.

The heck... You set medical bill KPIs before hitting someone?

Young Master Chen is indeed young, playing the game anew!

Following Young Master Chen is a real eye-opener!

The school was nearly empty on Sunday.

Old Qin, the gatekeeper, was originally sitting at the gate, basking in the sun with his arms crossed.

Suddenly, he saw a luxury sedan approaching.

Old Qin didn't recognize the make of the car, but as it reached the school gate, someone jumped out from the passenger side: Worker Liu.

"Old Qin, hurry up and open the gate! Boss Zhao from the company is in the car!" Worker Liu gestured.

Old Qin hurried over to open the large iron gate of the school. Then he watched as the car slowly entered the campus.

It didn't go far and stopped just inside the school gate.

As the car came to a halt, Boss Zhao got out first from the back seat, then with a quick jog, ran to the other side of the car, gentlemanly opened the door, and raised a hand to shield the car roof.

From a distance, Old Qin saw a woman emerge from the car.

His eyes weren't so good due to his age, so he couldn't make out her face clearly.

He just saw Boss Zhao nodding and bowing all the way.

And that woman's silhouette...

Two words: Impressive!

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[The long-absent bang bang bang! I'll take votes, recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, whatever you've got.

Ye Zi's singing 'Exploring the Clearwater River' comes from my real-life experience. One time, I accidentally listened to a bit of Little Yueyue's music at home.

The result was that my five-year-old daughter, the real-life Chen Nuo, sang 'Sending My Lover' every day for a week, even learning the 'deidei' part in the interlude…]

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