The Heart of a Twelve-Year-Old Boy

Seeing Xiao Yun covered in bruises, Xiao Cui’s anger had long since dissipated. She worried that if her mistress found out she had stood by and watched without intervening, it would be quite embarrassing. She thought it best to slip away quietly. Yet, seeing the three of them locked in a chaotic brawl, she fretted over what might happen to Xiao Yun if she left. She had secretly goaded Qu Buping into attacking him just to vent her frustration, but she neither wanted nor dared to see him seriously injured. She was truly in a quandary.

Just then, a young woman appeared on the street, followed by four burly men. This was none other than Xiao Wen, another of the Ninth Miss’s maids. Seeing the three men brawling, she shouted indignantly, "What is the meaning of this? Is there no law in Xianyang? Who is so bold as to fight in the streets? Men, take them away!" Her subordinates immediately pulled the combatants apart.

Seeing Xiao Wen arrive, Xiao Cui thought, "Now Xiao Yun will be safe; I had better slip away. It would be awkward to be seen by Xiao Wen, lest the Ninth Miss later inquire about what happened and learn I was present but did nothing while Xiao Yun was beaten to a pulp."

Xiao Cui slipped away. Because the three were battered and bruised from their fight, Xiao Wen did not immediately recognize Xiao Yun. She grabbed them and scolded, "What is wrong with you three? Fighting in the street—you have some nerve, have you forgotten what the Ninth Miss said the other day?"

Xiao Yun was stunned, wondering what his wife had to do with this and what she had said. Qu Buping and Chu Xiaoyu, however, knew exactly what she meant. They quickly tried to explain, "My lady, you’ve misunderstood. We weren’t actually fighting; we were practicing. If you don’t believe us, ask him." They gestured toward Xiao Yun.

Xiao Wen retorted, "Nonsense! Who practices with such heavy blows? You look like you’re trying to kill each other."

Xiao Yun chimed in, "Don't say you don't believe it—even I don't! Damn it, this beating hurt like hell. My wife hits me every day, but it’s not even half as painful as that punch from this bastard, Qu." Hearing her mention that fighting was forbidden in the streets, he asked curiously, "Why is fighting not allowed on the streets of Xianyang?"

Xiao Wen replied, "Exactly so. It is my mistress’s rule. She says that anyone fighting in Xianyang is showing her no respect. If there is some dispute, she will have someone resolve it—why resort to street brawling? It is because my mistress is kind-hearted and despises violence that such a rule exists."

Xiao Yun couldn't help but laugh. "My wife is certainly overstepping! Why forbid others from fighting in the street when she spends every day at home beating me?"

Xiao Wen was taken aback. "Who are you?" Qu and Chu couldn't help but chuckle. "He is your mistress’s new husband."

Xiao Wen looked closely and recognized Xiao Yun’s face. She hurriedly said, "Ah! It really is Young Master Yun. Xiao Wen greets the young master." She immediately pointed at Qu and Chu and scolded, "You two bastards, knowing full well he is our mistress’s man, you still dare to bully him? You are tired of living! Men, beat them!" Her subordinates immediately rained punches and kicks upon the two men.

Qu and Chu cried out, "We are wrongly accused! We are your young master’s good brothers... Ouch! That hurts!" They wailed in agony.

After the thrashing, Xiao Wen decided to take them to see the Ninth Miss. On the way, Qu Buping whispered to Xiao Yun, "Good brother, once we reach your wife, we are dead men."

Xiao Yun smiled, "Don't worry, brothers. Once we see my wife, I will find a way to save you. Rest easy."

Arriving at the restaurant and seeing the Ninth Miss, she noticed the heavy bruises on Xiao Yun’s face. Feeling both pity and indignation, she glared at Qu and Chu and ordered Xiao Wen, "Beat them."

Qu and Chu let out another round of ghostly wails, shouting that they were innocent. Qu Buping cried out, "Brother Yun, are you really going to stand by and watch us die?"

Xiao Yun laughed, "My two brothers, I am truly sorry. It is daytime, and during the day, I listen to my wife. You will have to suffer for a while. Once night falls, my wife will listen to me, and I will have her release you. So, you must hold out until dark."

Infuriated, Qu and Chu shouted, "Xiao Yun, you are a complete bastard!"

A few days later, their wounds had healed; after all, they were only superficial injuries. The Ninth Miss resumed teaching Xiao Yun martial arts. Every day after his lessons, Xiao Yun would spar with Qu and Chu, who were more than happy to oblige. Though they could not learn the highest forms of martial arts, they could learn many profound techniques from Xiao Yun’s moves.

As Xiao Yun sparred with them daily, he felt his skills were progressing significantly. He boasted, "I believe that in the not-too-distant future, another young master will emerge from here."

Qu Buping laughed, "No, not one—the world will have three young masters." The hearts of the young are always filled with confidence and joy.

While the Ninth Miss taught Xiao Yun, Qu and Chu would often steal a look or learn from the moves Xiao Yun practiced with them, thus picking up much of the Ninth Miss’s martial arts. The three had different personalities: Xiao Yun’s free-spirited nature led him to do as he pleased, unrestrained by worldly conventions. This was what the Ninth Miss admired most about him, so he learned without a set goal, absorbing whatever he could. Qu Buping was a pragmatist; he was content with what he had—if he couldn't be first, second was fine—so he was satisfied if he understood seventy percent of a technique. Chu Xiaoyu was different; he sought perfection. He would rather learn fewer moves and master them thoroughly than learn many poorly. He believed if he couldn't have the best, he wanted nothing at all. Yet, all three shared a common trait: they were confident, carefree, and optimistic youths.

Time passed quickly. Another half-month had gone by at the Ninth Miss’s place. By now, she had taught Xiao Yun the twelve basic sword stances. As for how much he had truly learned, only heaven knew. Qu Buping, who had been alongside him, had learned quite a bit. Being practical, he believed one didn't need to master every technique to perfection; understanding seventy percent was good enough. Through diligent practice, he had mastered ten of the twelve stances to that degree, which he found quite satisfying. He figured that if he tried to master every technique perfectly, a lifetime would not be enough. Chu Xiaoyu had only learned three stances, reasoning that it was better to master those three thoroughly than to have a muddled grasp of all twelve.