Chapter 31: Please Select a Target
What a surprise! A huge surprise!!
Originally, Chen Huai’an thought teaching Li Qingran the foundational moves of the Green Lotus Sword Manual was an unattainable dream. But now, with just a small correction from the old man, a glimmer of hope emerged!
At the same time, Chen Huai’an confirmed something important: the hacker team monitoring him through the camera—or at least an AI system—was tracking his every movement. Only by performing the moves perfectly would his training progress advance.
This game was detailed to the extreme, down to the golden needles replicating authentic traditional Chinese medicine techniques. It was evident that the foundational chapter of the Green Lotus Sword Manual was adapted from genuine martial arts, meaning precise movements were essential.
"Master!" Chen Huai’an turned to bow with deep gratitude, his eyes brimming with tears. "Thank you for correcting my moves, Master!"
Old Li was utterly dumbfounded. Then, a surge of joy rushed straight to his head.
Sure, sometimes his old friends called him that as a joke. But being addressed as "Master" by a young person? This was a first.
"A young man like you with this kind of injury, and you still came out early in the morning to practice martial arts?"
He pressed lightly on the leg, his brow furrowing as he felt the hardened cast and swollen lump beneath. "Young man, give me your wrist." Without waiting for a reply, Old Li checked Chen Huai’an’s pulse, his face growing darker with each second.
"Terminal cancer?" Chen Huai’an said nonchalantly, noticing the old man’s worried expression. "I know my condition; no need to sugarcoat it. And I must say, your pulse-reading is remarkably accurate."
Old Li sighed deeply. "Young man, with this illness, how are you still smiling?"
"Since it’s inevitable, why not face it calmly?" Chen Huai’an replied with a carefree smile. "All I want in my remaining days is to live a fulfilling life. Life's journey may be shorter for me, but at least I’ve experienced it fully."
Old Li was silent for a moment, staring at this young man who had seemingly seen through life and death. It was a maturity that often came at great cost.
"Is there no chance of a cure?"
"Almost none," Chen Huai’an replied, shaking his head. "Even if I had insurance, it would only buy me time, not a cure. Honestly, I’d rather spend my days happy and carefree, doing things I never dared to before."
Old Li, moved by Chen Huai’an’s resolve, said, "Well, since mindset is so crucial, why not keep practicing? Martial arts training has worked wonders for others in dire conditions."
Chen Huai’an chuckled but didn’t refuse. After all, he was serious about mastering the Green Lotus Sword Manual.
That morning, Chen Huai’an’s progress in the manual reached 80%. No matter how much he practiced, it wouldn’t budge further. As Old Li explained, muscle fatigue had set in, making additional training counterproductive.
On the way back to his hotel, Chen Huai’an thought about how his stamina had improved significantly. "Last night, I could barely manage half an hour before exhaustion. This morning, I lasted five to six hours without breakfast!"
His gaze landed on the glass bracelet on his wrist. One of the beads seemed dimmer.
“I get it!” Chen Huai’an laughed, clutching the bracelet tighter.
The cancer might have shortened his lifespan, but it seemed to have awakened some hidden potential in his genes.
Back at the hotel, he opened the skill interface for Golden Needle Acupuncture. To upgrade to the next level, he needed to perform the Spring Needle Technique 1,000 times. He had only managed three so far.
“998 bucks?” Chen Huai’an stared at his balance and grinned. "Time to swipe!"
With the payment complete, the skill interface shone brilliantly, upgrading the Golden Needle Acupuncture to Level 2 and unlocking the Pulse Opening Needle Technique.
He eagerly chose to start the training sequence.
【Warning: The Pulse Opening Needle Technique is highly dangerous. Insufficient proficiency may result in severe injury or disability. Proceed?】
【Please select a target for the procedure.】
Chen Huai’an hesitated. Li Qingran was out of the question. Maybe he could find a wild boar later?
The screen suddenly switched to selfie mode, showing his own face.
【Target selected. Begin procedure.】