Chapter 13: The Way to Get Smarter

My Divine Diary

Two days later, Su Hao went to find his father.

"Did you memorize it?"

"Yes."

Wu Yuntian naturally didn't believe him.

So, Su Hao returned the book and began to recite the book word for word. Wu Yuntian’s jaw dropped. How long had it taken him to memorize the manual back in his day?

Then, Wu Yuntian took Su Hao to a secluded area and patiently explained every line from the book.

The Blood Qi Manuals was the kind of thing where, without someone to explain it line by line, there was a high chance of practicing it wrong due to personal misinterpretations. Expressing one's thoughts precisely in words is a difficult task—just like how, back in the day, posting something simple like, "Oops, I accidentally broke a bowl" could easily be misinterpreted. People might think, "Why did the bowl break? Did they have a fight with their partner?" or "Is something bad happening in their life?" or even "Let me Google 'broken bowl meaning' to see if there's some hidden message."

(TL: Breaking a bowl stands symbolic for something bad happening in life)

So, Wu Yuntian told Su Hao to memorize it without trying to figure out the meanings on his own. After all, his father was a seasoned elite martial artist, considering as powerful and experienced.

By the time they finished going through the entire book, the sky had already turned dark. Su Hao also made sure to record all of his father’s explanations into his [Little Light], so he could study and review at any time.

"Any questions left?" Wu Yuntian asked.

"Nope." Then Su Hao quickly added a compliment, "Father, you're amazing! You explained such a complex book so thoroughly. It’s such a shame you don’t teach for a living."

For the first time, Wu Yuntian laughed heartily, clearly pleased. "Of course! You think I spent this last half-year..." He cut himself off suddenly, then changed the subject, "Since you’ve understood everything, we’ll leave it at that for now. If you don’t get something later, come ask me."

"Got it." Su Hao cheerfully hopped along, following behind his father.

The next day, Su Hao approached his father again, "Father, I’ve fully understood the book."

Wu Yuntian’s opinion of his son rose once more. He had expected Su Hao to grasp the manual quickly, but not this quickly.

After testing to make sure Su Hao had truly comprehended everything, Wu Yuntian said, "Alright, our lessons stop here for now. Next, you’ll need to focus on one very important thing: finding your Blood Qi."

"Finding Blood Qi? How do I do that?"

Wu Yuntian smiled mysteriously, "Every morning, go running. When you’re exhausted and can’t run anymore, eat something. Then find a quiet place to sit and meditate. Feel the process of food turning into energy. Over time, you’ll be able to sense the Blood Qi."

"That’s it?"

"Yep, that’s it."

Su Hao recalled a motivational phrase he’d once heard: ′Simple, believe, follow. Alright, he’d just do it‘.

….

The next morning, Su Hao started running around the valley.

His behavior quickly attracted the attention of the other children.

As usual, He Qingqing wore her cute pigtails and looked quite lovely. With her two lackeys in tow, she approached Su Hao. When he ran past, she curiously asked, "Xiangwu, what are you doing?"

Su Hao rolled his eyes, "Running."

"Why are you running?"

Su Hao pretended not to hear and ran past them again. But when he route brought him back, He Qingqing, still unwilling to give up, asked, "Why are you running? Running is no fun. Why don’t you come with us to catch field mices?"

Su Hao didn’t respond and ran past her.

By the third lap, He Qingqing’s temper flared. She shouted, "Xiangwu, today, no matter what, you have to come with us to catch field mices!"

By this point, Su Hao was so exhausted that he could barely catch his breath. He didn’t want to answer, but seeing He Qingqing so angry—her pigtails practically standing on end—he feared she might try to drag him away. Reluctantly, he responded, "He Qingqing, I’ve already told you, I don’t play with idiots."

Hearing Su Hao bring this up again, He Qingqing nearly lost it. "Wu Xiangwu! I’ve already told you, I’m not an idiot! Just play with us!"

Su Hao slowed down and said, "Did you figure out the answer to the question I asked you that day?"

He Qingqing immediately replied, "Yes! It’s a dead person, right? It’s dead people, right?"

Su Hao shook his head. "Nope."

He Qingqing quickly retorted, "Impossible! My dad said dead people don’t see doctors. They don’t do anything once they’re dead."

Su Hao shook his head again, "Still wrong. I asked, who gets sick and doesn’t see a doctor? Dead people can’t get sick, so they don’t count."

Unwilling to be wrong, He Qingqing shot back, "Then who is it?"

"A blind person," Su Hao said.

"What?"

"It’s a blind person! Because a blind person can’t see a doctor."

He Qingqing’s mouth dropped open, and in that moment, she actually looked kind of cute.

Snotty Lu Hongtao asked Fatty Li Cunzhi, "Fatty, do you know why it’s a blind person?"

Fatty suddenly edged away from him and muttered, "I don’t want to play with idiots anymore."

Snotty: "What?"

"Nothing! Nothing! Snotty, from now on, don’t come near me if you haven’t wiped your nose clean."

Snotty Hongtao sniffled and said, "Okay… okay! But my mom says having a runny nose means I’m healthy."

"Get lost!"

Meanwhile, He Qingqing was stewing over Su Hao’s flawless answer. The more she thought about it, the more she realized she couldn’t argue with it. This simple answer had eluded her. Now she was seriously beginning to doubt whether she might actually be an idiot. If she couldn’t figure out such an easy riddle, how would she ever get Su Hao to be her little follower? This meant Su Hao would never play with them.

As Su Hao ran past her once more, she suddenly dashed forward and grabbed him.

By this point, Su Hao was completely exhausted, his legs barely supporting him. With He Qingqing pulling him so suddenly, he fell to the ground, and she tumbled down with him. The two small figures ended up in a heap.

"What are you doing?" Su Hao, too tired to get up, glared at He Qingqing. But he wasn’t about to argue with a brat. Seriously, little kids were the worst.

He Qingqing clung to him as if afraid he’d escape, her little face dead serious. "Wu Xiangwu, today you have to play with us. No matter what you say, if you don’t, I’ll have Snotty and Fatty beat you up. And I mean it!"

Su Hao was speechless. What kind of nonsense was this? Unfortunately, his current strength didn’t allow him to resist. Seeing Lu Hongtao and Li Cunzhi approaching with eager faces, Su Hao wilted. Was he really going to have to swallow his pride and play make-believe with these brats today?

No way! If he gave in now, they’d expect him to play with them every time. He couldn’t let these brats waste his time like that.

After catching his breath, Su Hao slowly got up and dusted off his clothes.

"You agree?" He Qingqing’s face lit up, thinking Su Hao had given in.

Su Hao didn’t answer. Instead, he asked, "Qingqing, didn’t you just ask me why I was running?"

"Yeah!" she replied.

"Ask me again," Su Hao said.

Without thinking, He Qingqing repeated, "Why are you running?"

Su Hao immediately praised her, "Good question, Qingqing! That’s a great question. You really hit the nail on the head. Now, let me ask you something: Do you know why I’m so smart?"

He Qingqing’s eyes widened. This was the secret she had always wanted to know. In a daze, she asked, "Why?"

Lu Hongtao and Li Cunzhi leaned in, equally curious.

"Because of running!" Su Hao declared.

"Running?" ×3.

Su Hao nodded seriously, "That’s right. Running."

"Really? Running makes you smart? Smart like you?" He Qingqing asked, astonished.

"Of course! It’s a secret I discovered. But don’t tell anyone."

"Mm-hmm∼ !" ×3.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s start running!" Su Hao urged.

"Ohhh∼!" ×3.