Chapter 13: I Am Not a Lecher

Wang Xinyou was brimming with excitement as she knocked on He Tian’s door before dawn had even broken. The thought of learning skills like He Tian’s filled her with anticipation she could barely contain.

Ever since she was a child, Wang Xinyou had dreamed of becoming a heroine. Until now, it had been nothing but a fantasy, with no real chance to make it come true. But He Tian’s arrival had ignited a spark of hope in her, the possibility that her dream might finally be within reach.

“He Tian! Sis… wait, why are you—?” But when the door opened, it was Wang Xinmeng, bleary-eyed, who appeared before her.

Wang Xinyou’s mouth rounded in shock.

“There’s nothing going on, don’t get any ideas!” Embarrassment flushed Wang Xinmeng’s cheeks as she hurried away, practically fleeing down the hall.

It was mortifying. Even though she could handle herself with poise and confidence in the business world, faced with this situation, Wang Xinmeng found herself completely at a loss. She only remembered asking He Tian to help her relieve some mental exhaustion with a massage the night before, and then—she had fallen asleep almost instantly. And such a deep sleep! It wasn’t until Wang Xinyou knocked on the door that she finally woke. The restful night had left her feeling wonderful, but the look of misunderstanding in her younger sister’s eyes left her flustered.

She couldn’t help but blame He Tian: Why did he let her sleep in his room? Why hadn’t he woken her? Where had he slept? Had he done anything to her?

One question after another flooded her mind.

Outside, He Tian was facing the rising sun, practicing his stances and regulating his breathing. The “Nine Dragons as One” was a method of cultivation focused on nurturing the mind and spirit—akin to the qigong that ordinary people had heard of, but fundamentally different. The techniques passed down from the Dragon Soul could, in fact, produce real internal energy, unlike the folk practices. But cultivating this energy required diligent practice.

Every morning, as the sun broke through the horizon and the vital energy of dawn surged, was the best time for training. Since first beginning the Nine Dragons as One, He Tian had never missed a morning, unless circumstances made it impossible. He absorbed the energy of dawn from the east, feeling the trace of heat enter his body as his three internal circulation routes worked automatically. With each cycle, he sensed a slight increase in his internal power. Only through this daily accumulation could true strength be nurtured.

As for tales of sudden leaps in power, those were pure fantasy—unless one stumbled upon some legendary treasure, which in these times were nothing more than myths, long vanished from the world.

Wang Xinyou had a thousand things she wanted to say to He Tian, but seeing him so focused in his stance, she didn’t dare disturb him. All she could do was pace anxiously around him, as restless as an ant on a hot pan.

“Really now... can you not?” He Tian finally finished his practice and exhaled the stale air from his chest, feeling instantly refreshed. “You’re like a fly, buzzing all over the place.”

“You finally moved! What were you doing just now? Practicing? What kind of practice? Was it internal energy? Like the ‘Nine Yang Divine Skill’ from martial arts novels?” Wang Xinyou fired questions at him like a rapid-fire cannon.

Her greatest curiosity had been about why her sister Wang Xinmeng had been sleeping in He Tian’s room, but now, her other questions had taken precedence.

“‘Nine Yang Divine Skill’? Seems martial arts novels have truly misled people.” He Tian rolled his eyes in exasperation. In his world, there were many cultivation methods, but nothing like the ‘Nine Yang Divine Skill’—that was pure fiction, the invention of Mr. Jin Yong.

“So it’s not that? Then what were you practicing? Just now you looked so mysterious!” Wang Xinyou asked, her face full of wonder.

“Haha, you wouldn’t understand even if I told you! You’re up early though. Fine, I’ll teach you a move today.” He Tian had no intention of going back on his word, but considering Wang Xinyou’s situation, cultivating internal power was out of the question—it required starting from a young age. As for physical strength... he had no desire to see such a beautiful girl turned into a muscle-bound powerhouse. He’d seen plenty of those in his life, and though there was a certain beauty to it, a single day’s interaction had made it clear to He Tian where a woman’s charm truly lay.

So, after some thought, he decided to teach Wang Xinyou a few techniques—just enough for her to protect herself.

“Oh right, I almost forgot!” Wang Xinyou, prompted by He Tian, remembered the question she most wanted answered.

“What now? You’re all jumpy! Don’t want to learn anymore?” He Tian looked at her as if he couldn’t take it.

“Tell me, why was my sister sleeping in your room?” Wang Xinyou lowered her voice, pressing him.

So the girl was sharp after all! She’d noticed Chen Long, Hou Qiang, and the other three working out not far away.

“Well... I’m innocent!” He Tian spread his hands and smiled. The truth was, after Wang Xinmeng had fallen asleep so soundly, he hadn’t had the heart to wake her, so he’d carried her to his bed and spent the night on the sofa downstairs. But clearly, Wang Xinyou had misunderstood. He could guess she must have knocked on his bedroom door; otherwise, Wang Xinmeng would probably still be sleeping.

“Hmph. How do I know if you’re innocent or not? Tell the truth! Confess and you’ll be treated leniently, resist and you’ll be punished harshly!” Wang Xinyou stood hands on hips, like a little tyrant, though her voice remained low.

“I didn’t do anything! Just...” He Tian blinked, suddenly thinking it might be fun to tease her.

“Just what? What exactly did you do? I can’t believe it... you’re such a pervert!” Wang Xinyou instantly labeled him a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Just one day, and he’d already done this? Utterly shameless! The worst of the worst!

He Tian rolled his eyes. Great, he’d tried to tease her and ended up getting himself branded a pervert.

“Don’t say things like that! Your sister was exhausted, you know? She asked me for help yesterday, and I just massaged her temples.” He Tian tapped his own temple to demonstrate. “You know about that, right?”

“They do that in martial arts novels,” Wang Xinyou nodded.

“In this day and age, and at your age, are you really still into martial arts novels? Aren’t online fantasy novels, cultivation stories, and otherworldly adventures all the rage? Don’t you like those?” He Tian was genuinely puzzled.

“That’s none of your business! Don’t change the subject! Keep going!” Wang Xinyou interrogated him like a suspect.

He Tian decided not to argue; after all, he needed to clear himself of this ridiculous accusation. If good deeds were misunderstood, that wasn’t his style. He believed that every good deed deserved recognition—otherwise, who would people thank? In fact, doing good without acknowledgment just added to others’ burdens, bordering on a crime.

“I know how to massage, so I relieved your sister’s fatigue, and she fell asleep. She slept so soundly... I couldn’t bear to wake her. So I gave her my room and slept on the couch.” He Tian reached out and tapped Wang Xinmeng lightly on the head, laughing. “Did you really think I was a pervert?”

“Hmph... I’ll only believe it once I ask!” Wang Xinyou ran off at once.

He Tian shook his head and began stretching, practicing his punches and kicks.

Soon, Wang Xinyou returned. “You really did sleep in the living room last night! But... did you leave as soon as my sister fell asleep?” She’d confirmed He Tian’s story with Aunt Qiu, but now she had a new question.

“I didn’t delay at all,” He Tian replied with a smile.

“I believe you! Hee hee, you should have seen my sister’s face when she saw me—she was blushing! I’ve never seen her like that before!” Wang Xinyou cocked her head at He Tian, then changed the subject. “Just now, the way you looked at me, I bet you were the same when you saw my sister. You misunderstood her, and she misunderstood you!”

He Tian was a bit disappointed he hadn’t witnessed that side of Wang Xinmeng. In his view, she was simply too exhausted—too tightly wrapped, never letting down her guard. Perhaps she didn’t even see herself as a woman anymore.

“She’s probably still confused, not sure what happened!” Wang Xinyou laughed, delighted.

“You sound like you’re enjoying her embarrassment,” He Tian said, a little speechless. Was this really how one should treat their own sister?

“You don’t get it!” Wang Xinyou grinned. “So, what are you going to teach me?”

“Teach you? I’ve changed my mind.” Now it was He Tian’s turn to tease her.

“What? You’re mad? I just wanted to know the truth! You’re a grown man, holding a grudge against a little girl like me? That’s petty!” Wang Xinyou tried to needle him, confident that few men—especially in the face of a beautiful woman—could resist. And she was very sure of her own looks.

“I’m not falling for that! I said I wouldn’t teach you, and that’s final. A man’s word is his bond—no force on earth could change it!” He Tian was not the average man; her teasing had no effect.

“You’re ruthless! And you call yourself a man of honor? You promised to teach me!” Wang Xinyou had no intention of letting this opportunity slip away—He Tian was a true master, and such a chance might never come again. Not to mention, he was so handsome and cool!

“I’m not teaching you, no matter what you say.” He Tian was firm, continuing his exercises.

Watching him move, Wang Xinyou couldn’t tell what techniques he was using, but it looked amazing—so powerful and graceful.

“Alright, alright! Tell me, how can I win you over?” Wang Xinyou finally relented.

“Once again, from now on, you have to do everything I say! And...” He Tian drew out the word.

“I, Wang Xinyou, always keep my word. I’ll listen to you—what else?” She was willing to put up with anything to learn martial arts.

“In a moment, explain things to your sister so she doesn’t misunderstand. If she tries to pin this on me, what then?” He Tian feigned fear.

“Oh, please! If my sister actually fell for you, wouldn’t that be your good luck? Keep pretending!” Wang Xinyou looked at him with mock disdain.

“Let’s go, then!” He Tian brushed off her scorn. Want to look down on me? Get in line!

“Alright, I’ll go right away! Now will you teach me?” Wang Xinyou had always planned to talk to her sister anyway—He Tian’s terms were nothing. Right now, learning martial arts was all that mattered.