I have a composite mirror

Shi Quan hesitated by the door for a moment before finally speaking:

"Young Master, these past few days... why haven't you asked me to pull the rickshaw and chauffeur for you?"

As he spoke, his square face was filled with bewilderment:

"But what did I do wrong?"

Gu Shenyan put down his chopsticks and looked at the honest-looking man.

These days, Shi Quan gets up at dawn every day.

First, they would wait outside the door with rickshaws, and once I got in, they would run all the way to the school.

After school in the afternoon, I would wait at the school gate on time, rain or shine.

However, this meant that Shi Quan's morning exercises were all delayed.

As the saying goes, "Practice makes perfect."

When it comes to practicing martial arts, no matter how talented you are, diligence comes first.

The saying goes, "If you don't practice for one day, you'll know it yourself; if you don't practice for three days, your fellow students will know it; if you don't practice for ten days, your opponents will know it."

In order to protect and escort him, Shi Quan has reduced his training time by a full 30% in the past two years.

"Brother Quan, you've misunderstood."

Gu Shenyan got up and walked up to him:

"It's not that you did a bad job, it's just... I don't think it's necessary."

Shi Quan was taken aback: "Young Master, I don't understand what you mean."

"The path of martial arts requires daily accumulation, and one cannot afford to slack off in the slightest."

Gu Shenyan said seriously:

"You are now just one step away from the Fiendish Qi Realm."

"If it weren't for the fact that you've sacrificed so much training time these past two years to protect me, you might have already broken through and become a martial arts master by now."

Upon hearing this, Shi Quan's expression changed: "Young Master, are you... trying to send me away?"

"I'm not kicking you out."

Gu Shenyan shook his head: "I hope you can practice your skills properly."

As he spoke, he extended his right hand.

Palms facing upwards, make a loose clenching motion.

The basin of water in the room rose up instantly and transformed into a ribbon of water.

It hovered in the air for a moment, then slowly fell back into the basin.

The entire process was smooth and seamless, without spilling a single drop of water.

Shi Quan's eyes widened.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He just stared intently at the washbasin, then glanced at Gu Shenyan's hand.

"Young Master, what's wrong...?"

"As you can see."

Gu Shenyan smiled:

"Your young master is no longer a spineless coward who can be slaughtered at will."

Upon seeing this, the burly man beamed with joy like a child.

He was so excited he didn't know what to say, he just kept rubbing his hands together and muttering:

"Okay, okay, that's great..."

"Young Master can cultivate now! This is incredibly wonderful news!"

"I'm even happier than when I broke through to the Martial Master level myself!"

As he spoke, tears actually streamed down his face.

"So, Brother Quan."

Gu Shenyan patted his shoulder:

"I'll return that rickshaw first thing tomorrow morning."

From now on, you can focus on your training and don't need to worry about picking me up or dropping me off anymore.

Shi Quan shook his head: "How can that be? What if something happens on the way..."

"There's no 'what if'."

Gu Shenyan interrupted him:

"The school is only three miles from the martial arts school, and it's a busy street during the day. What could possibly happen?"

"Besides, I'm not helpless anymore."

"Three or five ordinary thugs wouldn't be able to get close to me."

Shi Quan wanted to say something more, but looking into the young master's eyes, he finally nodded.

"Well... I'll return the rickshaw tomorrow morning."

Shi Quan wanted to say something more.

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the door.

His footsteps were steady, each step firm and solid, as if a thousand pounds of force were pressing down on the bluestone slab.

The two stopped talking at the same time.

"Is Shenyan here?"

It was Gu Sidu's voice.

Shi Quan quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Master, the young master is here."

Gu Shenyan straightened his clothes, stood up, and said, "Father."

The person outside the door paused for a moment, as if considering something, before speaking:

"Come with me to the study; I have something to say to you."

Gu Shenyan frowned.

This cheap old man usually ignores me, but this time he took the initiative to come and seek me out, and even wanted to have a private talk in the study. It must be something important.

"Yes."

He followed Gu Sidu through the corridor to the study in the front yard.

Two oil lamps were lit in the study, their flickering light illuminating the calligraphy and paintings on the wall.

Gu Sidu stood with his hands behind his back in front of the painting "Crane Dancing in the Nine Heavens," remaining silent for a long time.

Gu Shenyan stood by the door, waiting quietly.

You look much better lately.

Gu Sidu turned around, and a rare hint of relief appeared on his weathered face:

"It seems that those health-preserving exercises really do have some effect."

Gu Shenyan lowered his head: "Thanks to my father."

"Oh."

Gu Sidu smiled, but there was a hint of self-mockery in that smile:

"Teacher's blessing? Over the years, have I, as your father, ever given you any blessing?"

That was abrupt.

Gu Shenyan raised his head and looked at his adoptive father.

The light shone on Gu Sidu's face, making the wrinkles even more distinct.

"You were born with poor health; this is my fault."

Gu Sidu sighed:

"Before your grandfather passed away, he repeatedly instructed me to carry on the Crane Form lineage."

"But I am dull-witted, and after many years of cultivation, I have only barely achieved the rank of martial arts master."

It's a far cry from the perfect state of "煞" your grandfather achieved back then.

"In your generation..."

He shook his head and smiled wryly.

"Even learning martial arts is difficult; how can I face my father in the afterlife?"

Gu Shenyan remained silent.

He knew that his father had probably kept these words to himself for many years.

But why say it today of all days?

"but……"

Gu Sidu changed the subject:

"Your aura has changed these days."

"Although it is still weak, it is no longer a stagnant pool."

He looked directly into Gu Shenyan's eyes: "Have you entered the realm of magic?"

Gu Shenyan sighed softly.

"Yes," he readily admitted.

"My child was fortunate enough to have grasped the basics during a meditation class at school."

"good!"

Gu Sidu suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his shoulder:

"If your aptitude for martial arts is not good enough, there is nothing I can do to help you."

"But the methods are different; they speak of innate wisdom and comprehension!"

"The fact that you've managed to get started means there's still a glimmer of hope!"

As he spoke, his eyes reddened slightly.

Gu Shenyan looked at his adoptive father and felt a mix of emotions.

This person could be considered cold and ungrateful to him, but the relief and excitement he felt at this moment were genuine.

Perhaps he genuinely hoped that his son would amount to something.

"Father."

Gu Shenyan said softly, "You came looking for the child tonight just to confirm this?"

"Of course not only."

Gu Sidu released his grip and walked to the desk.

He pulled a heavy bag out of the drawer.

With a "whoosh".

The bag was opened, and inside were stacks of silver dollars.

"Here is one hundred silver dollars."

Gu Sidu pushed the bag in front of Gu Shenyan:

"Now that you've gotten started, you'll need a lot of resources."

"Whether it's elixirs or secret techniques, none of them require money."

"Take this money and cultivate diligently; don't waste this opportunity."

Gu Shenyan's heart raced as he looked at the bag of silver dollars.

One hundred silver dollars! That's a huge sum of money for me right now!

"Father……"

He hesitated for a moment: "Where... did this money come from?"

He knew that the martial arts school had been having a tough time in recent years.

I have to cut back on my own allowance every day, where would I get so much money?

"You don't need to worry."

Gu Sidu waved his hand: "This money is legitimate, so I feel at ease using it."

"Speaking of which, do you know your grandfather, Gu Qingwu?"

I've heard a little about it.

Gu Shenyan nodded:

"My grandfather was very famous in the provincial capital back then, and he was only one step away from becoming a Blood Fiend Realm Grandmaster."

"As a martial artist at the peak of the Fiend Realm, one must have amassed a considerable fortune over the years?"

Gu Shenyan asked tentatively, as he roughly knew where the hundred silver dollars came from.

"It wouldn't be considered generous," Gu Sidu shook his head.

"Back then, your grandfather spent a lot of resources trying to break through to the Blood Fiend Realm Grandmaster."

"Although we ultimately failed to break through, most of our savings were depleted."

"Before he died, he entrusted his martial arts school and some of his belongings to his father."

"Over the years, I have carefully kept it and dared not use it easily."

"But now..."

He turned around and looked at Gu Shenyan:

"Now that you have entered the path, you have the opportunity to embark on the path of spiritual practice."

"Instead of letting these relics get moldy, let's take them out and give them a helping hand."

As he spoke, he took out two more scrolls from the drawer.

The scroll was yellowed and the edges were worn, clearly indicating that it was quite old.