Chapter 76

After dealing with Old Ma from the Supplies Section, He Yuzhu's mood instantly improved a lot; on his way home after work, he deliberately bought half a jin of pork head meat, and that evening he happily drank a cup.

When he returned to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Yu Shui was sweeping inside; seeing the pork head meat, she happily patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said, "You know it's Older Sister Xiu Xiu's birthday, but just a piece of pork head meat is really too little."

Only then did He Yuzhu realize he had been negligent; he had never even asked Character's birthday, and if this were modern times, his girlfriend would definitely not let him off easily.

"That's a lucky mistake." He Yuzhu chuckled, "It's indeed a bit little; I'll go buy something else."

Character grabbed He Yuzhu; at this time, being able to eat some meat is already not bad—many families, even during the New Year, are reluctant to eat this.

"I'm so young, what birthday should I celebrate?" Character looked outside, "Those older folks don't even celebrate birthdays; you're a leader, you should keep a low profile."

Back home, He Yuzhu still nimbly made a bowl of noodles. Inside lay two eggs, with scattered green scallions; just looking at it makes one's mouth water.

Character also didn't stand on ceremony; she picked up the bowl and, after a few mouthfuls, finished the large bowl of noodles cleanly.

While tidying up, He Yuzhu suddenly remembered the ancient fist manual the system had issued; it was useless to him, but it should suit Character's temperament.

It is definitely a gift that both suits her taste and would surprise her.

Based on He Yuzhu's years of blind-date experience in his previous life, this kind of gift earns the most points; it's a pity that back then he never thought of what kind of gift would have this effect.

"This is my gift." Character took the fist manual, looking somewhat surprised, "Where did you get this? Don't tell me you were scammed; it doesn't look like it."

To be frank, taking this set of ancient fist manuals out from the system, He Yuzhu also felt uneasy; this thing is completely different from the secret manuals he imagined.

It is simply a somewhat worn-out thread-bound book.

The cover reads "Martial Valor Fist Essentials."

"Can you understand it? Does it have any relation to your mantis fist?" He Yuzhu wondered curiously, "If you learn this fist style, won't your master expel you from the school?"

"No, it's deeply related to mantis fist; if my master saw it, he'd hate to not be able to look at it twenty-five hours a day."

Character treasured the fist manual and asked him whether he knew who wrote it.

He Yuzhu shook his head; he racked his brains but couldn't recall anyone named Wu Yi—could it be just a nickname?

"This is related to Junior Protector Qi; his posthumous name was Wu Yi. Back then he led the Qi Family Army in major battles against the Wokou and also fought the northern Oirats—truly a man of great merit."

Character gave him a detailed explanation; during the late Ming to early Qing, the Gangcheng area around Tooth Mountain had seen two uprisings break out, whose leaders were called Yu Liu and Yu Qi.

Later the court dispatched a large army, after which the uprisings were barely suppressed.

However, the uprising's leaders disguised themselves as monks and hid in temples, thus barely escaping disaster.

"What does this have to do with mantis fist, and what does it have to do with General Qi?" He Yuzhu thought; General Qi should have died in the late Ming Wanli era.

"Who is the founder of mantis fist, do you know?"

He Yuzhu had indeed heard of this; it should be a man named Wang Lang, who, after seeing a mantis fight in the Shaolin Temple, was inspired and created it.

"It is said that Wang Lang is an alias of Yu Qi."

The Yu Family and the Qi Family were related by marriage; General Qi's wife bore the surname Wang and was highly skilled in martial arts—so much so that even General Qi was no match for her—thus Yu Qi later adopting the alias Wang Lang has some basis.

"In other words, mantis fist might be related to General Qi, or even have originated in the Qi Family Army back then." He Yuzhu figured out the relationship.

Upon further thought, this possibility really does exist.

Mantis fist emphasizes no stance, no block—just a single strike; viewed this way, it shares a subtle similarity with the military's emphasis on a killing blow. Moreover, in his previous life he had watched a TV program introducing it, and there is another fist style that also stresses this.

Its name is Quiet Cat Skill, a technique of the Yue Family Fist; it emphasizes striking after the opponent, hitting with one blow. The Yue Family Fist originated from the Yue Family Army and has been passed down within the Yue Family ever since.

"You still haven't said where you got it from." Character's eyes lit up, "I don't know if there are any other secret manuals."

"I bought it at the secondhand market; there they mostly sell calligraphy and paintings, no martial arts secret manuals." He Yuzhu smiled, "What are you still obsessing over?"

"The Qi Family also has a set of combat techniques that are also very formidable."

The last time Character was in Gangcheng, she heard her master mention this; in the downtown area of Gangcheng there is a place called Fortress City where someone knows this.

But she went to that place to look for him; unfortunately, she didn't find him.

"Well then, when we have free time, let's make another trip to Lu Province Gangcheng; you go find that martial arts master, and I'll visit those master chefs who are the originators of Lu cuisine."

Character naturally agreed happily, but thinking about it, going out now is really troublesome—there are all kinds of introduction letters to get, and one also has to prepare national grain coupons.

This is indeed a problem nowadays; in modern times, a single mobile phone would suffice—you wouldn't even need to bring a change of clothes, and as long as you have money, you can get anything done.

In the dim yellow lamplight, Character carefully examined this fist manual; a faint smile occasionally appeared on her face—this should be an expression of extreme satisfaction.

Yu Shui pulled He Yuzhu to the outer room, saying her own birthday was also coming up soon, and asked if he had prepared anything.

"What do you want?"

The radio is there, the bicycle is there, she doesn't like the sewing machine; as for all kinds of tasty food, He Yuzhu often makes them for her in daily life.

After thinking for a long time, she smiled and said, "I want an accordion."

"When did you start liking art?"

"A classmate of mine has one, I think I can learn it too."

He Yuzhu shook his head; he currently has no way to get an instrument, and he's not a turtle in a wishing pond that can grant any wish.

"Don't bite off more than you can chew; you should master what you're learning now before talking about more." He Yuzhu glanced at her, "Not attending school doesn't mean you don't need to study. When I have free time in a few days, I'll give you a proper test."

Upon hearing this, Rain Water was like a frightened little rabbit, she turned and ran to her own room.

He Yuzhu shook his head, after tidying up in the kitchen, he saw Character still seriously studying, so he also picked up a cookbook to read.

Don't think that because He Yuzhu's skills are now excellent, he can already make all old dishes; actually he still can't make some of them well. While everyone hasn't yet realized this, he wants to study hard.

In the future, this will also become a signature skill.