The next day, Xiao He went to the swordsmanship class that Liu Rulan had arranged for him.
Coincidentally, this martial arts school was owned by Pu Rong's family.
However, Pu Rong was not there; instead, Ma Hongwu, who had been pestering Xiao He about the origins of the boning knife technique, was there.
Upon seeing Ma Hongwu, Xiao He's heart skipped a beat, while Ma Hongwu's eyes lit up: "Young friend Xiao, I didn't expect you to come to our martial arts school!"
Xiao He: "Hehe, yes, I've come to learn basic swordsmanship."
Oh dear, Sister Liu, you're such a terrible teammate! Why did you put him here?!
After what happened last time, Xiao He had a vague idea that this old man Ma probably doubted his boning technique.
However, Xiao He didn't care too much.
Anyway, he hadn't known Grandpa Ma for very long, and the two were relatively unfamiliar with each other. Even if the old man had any suspicions, he wouldn't be able to find out anything.
But now that we've met again, I'm afraid...
To Xiao He's surprise, the old man was very friendly this time, completely unlike the sharp and probing manner he displayed during their last meeting.
"Young friend Xiao, I've seen the video of you saving people! I never expected it. Not only are your swordsmanship excellent and your movements so agile, but you're also kind-hearted. This old man is truly impressed!"
Xiao He understood.
It turned out that the incident of saving people last time had cleared up the old man's suspicions.
Xiao He breathed a sigh of relief and humbly replied, "Senior Ma, it was nothing, it's not worth it."
"Oh, no need to be so modest. Since you're willing to come to our martial arts school to learn, I'll definitely arrange the best teacher for you—"
"No, that's not necessary—"
But before Xiao He could refuse, the old man grabbed his arm and led him upstairs: "Yes, yes, you must have the basics, right? Oh, it's okay if you don't, I promise I'll teach you in half a month. Don't worry, it definitely won't affect your filming schedule..."
After confirming that Xiao He was not a bad person practicing "evil skills," Ma Hongwu became very enthusiastic, treating Xiao He as a very talented junior. He kept talking to him all the way, and Xiao He couldn't refuse the old man's kindness, so he was half-pulled and half-draggled upstairs.
The second floor of the martial arts school has many independent practice rooms, most of which are closed at the moment. The sounds of practice can be faintly heard coming from inside. Xiao He even saw through the glass of one of the doors that a teacher in training clothes was leading a group of little kids in practicing horse stance.
Of course, in another classroom, he also saw a group of elderly men and women practicing Tai Chi. Their movements were neat and their postures were relaxed and steady. Looking at them carefully, he really felt a sense of ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Yin and Yang circulation and the simplicity of the great way.
It's clear that this martial arts school is quite popular.
"arrive."
Ma Hongwu led Xiao He to a relatively smaller classroom, which was a practice area for small classes or private lessons. The decoration and facilities were also very complete, and the walls were even cleaner and tidier than the large classroom they had just passed.
Ma Hongwu knocked on the door, then led Xiao He into the practice room.
There were two people in the practice room at that moment. They must have been chatting, but after hearing Ma Hongwu's commotion, they both stopped talking and looked over.
Xiao He raised his eyes and met those two pairs of gazes, his body suddenly stiffening.
"Did I disturb you?"
Ma Hongwu asked with a smile.
“It’s alright,” one of them replied. “Uncle Ma, what’s wrong—”
"I brought a student with me. Would you be willing to mentor him?"
Ma Hongwu turned his head and found Xiao He still standing at the door. He waved with some confusion, "Young friend Xiao, come in!"
Xiao He: "..."
The two inside were quite different. One was burly with a domineering gaze, and the other was slightly thin but had a fierce look. They both looked like people who were not to be trifled with.
Xiao He really didn't want to go in, but since Ma Hongwu had said so, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go in.
"This is Xiao Xiaoyou, a student at Shanghai University, currently working as an actor," Ma Hongwu introduced Xiao He. "Although he's young, don't underestimate him. He's been involved in several acts of bravery and has even been on the news. He's a very good kid, and his martial arts talent is also outstanding; his boning knife technique is incredibly skillful..."
Xiao He: "..."
It's unclear what words triggered the burly man's nerves, but his gaze suddenly fell upon Xiao He, carrying a powerful and oppressive aura that instantly sent shivers down Xiao He's spine. The instincts of a criminal's hounds barked wildly at the danger posed by the man, and even Xiao He's usually calm heart began to pound violently.
Danger! Extremely dangerous!
Is this man a policeman?
No, no, this kind of aura is definitely not just from the police... it's from the soldiers!
It was probably a high-risk military unit like a special forces soldier, because Xiao He could also smell a faint scent of blood.
The burly man narrowed his eyes, his sharp, hawk-like gaze fixed on Xiao He's face, and asked in a serious tone, "Are you afraid of me?"
The air seemed to freeze for a moment as he spoke.
"Hehe, no, no, I just felt that this uncle had a very strong presence and didn't look like an ordinary person."
Xiao He twitched the corners of his mouth, forcing out a smile.
Is that so?
The man continued to stare at Xiao He, while Xiao He pretended to be calm and asked very frankly, "Yes, are you a soldier, Uncle? I feel that you have an unusual aura about you."
The man looked Xiao He up and down, then revealed a faint smile: "Your observation skills are indeed quite sharp. No wonder you were able to catch the thief in the crowd so quickly."
"Huh?" Xiao He was genuinely surprised this time. "You know me?"
"Xiao He has performed acts of bravery many times, helping the police catch criminals and thieves. I have also seen the video of you climbing to the outside of the building to rescue a child. I admire your courage and ability very much. However, next time you rescue someone, you should think more about your own safety and protect yourself."
Xiao He breathed a sigh of relief.
So that's how it is.
Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Ma Hongwu smiled and introduced, "You can just call this Uncle Yan."
"Hello, Uncle Yan." Xiao He quickly greeted him.
Yan Zhengbai nodded slightly: "You guessed correctly just now, but I have already retired and am no longer considered a soldier."
Xiao He chuckled awkwardly: "I see..."
"Since there are students here, I'll be leaving now."
Fortunately, Yan Zhengbai did not intend to stay any longer and took his leave. The thin man next to him also said, "Okay, goodbye, Captain Yan."
After Yan Zhengbai left, Ma Hongwu formally introduced his teacher to Xiao He: "This is Teacher Song Zhesong."
Song Zhe's aura was weaker than Yan Zhengbai's earlier, and Xiao He could smell the blood on him. Although he looked somewhat fierce, he had dimples on his cheeks when he smiled, and his eyes were gentle when he looked at Xiao He: "Hello, Xiao classmate."
Xiao He: "Hello, Teacher Song."
If nothing unexpected happens, this Mr. Song should also be a retired soldier.
Xiao He subtly observed the teacher in front of him, when suddenly his gaze sharpened and landed on Song Zhe's right arm.
Song Zhe was wearing a fitted short-sleeved shirt, holding a wooden sword in his left hand, but his right sleeve was empty. At first, Xiao He thought he had his hands behind his back, but only now, upon closer inspection, did he realize that Song Zhe's right arm, all the way to his shoulder, was empty.
—This teacher, Song Zhe, is actually a disabled person.
