This secret manual is actually not mysterious in itself, but it records methods of systematically training to enhance running, jumping, and maneuvering abilities.
And this is exactly what Zhao Ya needs the most.
The Grasshopper Body Technique he obtained earlier also touched upon this but was far less comprehensive than this manual.
For example, in terms of training stability underfoot, it includes two major methods: Pole Running and Brick Running.
As the name implies, Pole Running involves arranging wooden stakes about two feet long and a couple of inches in diameter shallowly buried in the ground, allowing a person to walk or run on them to practice stability underfoot.
Brick Running refers to placing bricks on the ground and running over them quickly. Initially, the bricks are laid flat, but as the skill deepens, they’re changed to stand on edge, and finally, they are balanced upright.
After mastering these two exercises to a refined skill, one officially enters the door and can start practicing the real lightweight body technique.
The requirements here are even more detailed.
This includes activities like pit jumping, platform jumping, bean stepping, sand jumping, lead weighting, and latch techniques, among others.
Of course, many of these exercises are simple for Zhao Ya, given his Second Realm Martial Artist capabilities and the foundation of the Grasshopper Body Technique.
However, Zhao Ya believes that even an ordinary person with no foundational skills can develop impressive body techniques through systematic training with this secret manual.
Zhao Ya studied it carefully again before putting the manual away.
By this time, the sky was already slightly bright.
Tang Zui’Er had gotten up early. Seeing Zhao Ya standing in the courtyard, she didn’t pay much attention and turned around to start preparing breakfast.
Looking at her graceful figure, Zhao Ya suddenly had a thought.
Why not... let Zui’Er practice this body technique as well?
As this thought arose, Zhao Ya became more convinced of its feasibility.
After all, the world is getting more chaotic; it’s said that battles have already erupted in several commanderies in the south.
Though he can protect her, it’s impossible to be with her every minute, so having some self-protection ability is definitely beneficial.
Especially since these lightweight body techniques are best practiced by those with a smaller stature and lighter weight.
Zhao Ya didn’t expect Zui’Er to reach an advanced level but just hoped she could run fast enough to escape danger.
While Zhao Ya was contemplating, Zui’Er poked her head out from the kitchen, calling, "Ya, time to eat!"
"Hmm, coming!"
The breakfast was a pot full of white rice porridge with a dish of mixed stew with meat and vegetables.
This meal was even more sumptuous than an evening meal in an average household, but at Zhao Ya’s home, it was the norm.
Though these ordinary meats offered no benefits to Zhao Ya’s training anymore,
people still need to eat, and no one can munch on dried meat all the time.
Especially now that Tang Zui’Er’s cooking skills have improved remarkably; a simple stew she makes is both appealing and delicious when paired with hot rice porridge, the taste is absolutely exquisite.
Zhao Ya slurped down several bowls, most of the food ended up in his stomach.
Tang Zui’Er watched with a pleased smile, her eyes full of happiness.
"Is it good, Ya?"
"Yeah, it’s fantastic!" Zhao Ya replied with a thumbs up without even looking up.
That made Tang Zui’Er even happier.
Nothing delights a cook more than having their skills appreciated by those who taste their food.
Especially when that taster is the person you care about the most.
"Have some more!" Tang Zui’Er’s face blushed slightly as she added a big piece of fatty meat to Zhao Ya’s bowl.
Zhao Ya smiled, put the piece of meat into his mouth, then set down his chopsticks.
"Zui’Er, there’s something I want to tell you."
Tang Zui’Er froze for a moment, hurriedly putting down her bowl and chopsticks, looking at Zhao Ya somewhat nervously.
"Wha... what is it?"
Seeing Tang Zui’Er’s slightly panicked, deer-like moist eyes, even Zhao Ya couldn’t help but feel a slight tremor in his heart. He quickly looked away and pretended to be calm as he said.
"It’s like this, I have a lightweight body technique more suited for you. I wonder if you’d like to learn it. If you are willing, I..."
"I want to learn!"
Before Zhao Ya could finish, Tang Zui’Er answered without hesitation.
"Uh... you’d better think this over. Learning martial arts is a strenuous task," Zhao Ya said, intending to scare her a little.
Unexpectedly, Tang Zui’Er showed no fear, "No matter how tough it is, I’m not afraid."
"I know I am quite useless, besides helping you cook and tidy up, I can’t do anything else."
"Especially now, when the world is increasingly less peaceful. As a girl staying home, you must feel worried when you are out, which is why I have long wanted to learn some self-defense techniques. Not for anything else, but if it can alleviate some of your burdens, that would be good."
Saying this, Tang Zui’Er took a deep breath, her eyes reddening slightly.
"I know I’m not smart, but as long as you are willing to teach me, I will do my best to learn. Is that okay?"
Listening to her slightly trembling voice, Zhao Ya felt something touch a soft spot deep in his heart.
This girl... is even stronger and more clear-headed than he imagined.
He couldn’t help but reach out, gently pinching Tang Zui’Er’s round cheek, saying with a smile.
"Alright, I’ll teach you. But if you can’t learn it and I scold you, don’t cry."
Tang Zui’Er blushed once more, but didn’t shy away, nodding very seriously.
"Don’t worry, Ya!"
"Then first, call me master."
"Ya, Master!"
"What’s this title? Just call me master!"
"No way!"
On this matter, Zui’Er was surprisingly stubborn. After speaking, she tidied up the tableware and joyfully ran away.
Zhao Ya watched her cheerful back with a smile, shook his head, and then went out.
Zhao Ya did not go to the Escort Agency but first went to an ironwork shop.
The blacksmith wielding a hammer set it down as soon as he saw Zhao Ya entering and hurried over.
"Sorry, we don’t forge weapons here."
"I’m not looking for weapons. Can you forge this?"
Zhao Ya handed over a piece of paper. The blacksmith took it, seeing a half-circle shaped like a tile and a vest-like object drawn and looked puzzled.
"What material do you want to use?"
"Wrought iron."
"That can be done, but how many do you need? Because if it’s too few..."
The blacksmith was about to say that if it’s too few, the labor charge would be high.
Before he could finish, Zhao Ya took out a piece of silver and handed it over.
"I want ten iron tiles and one iron vest. Is this enough?"
The blacksmith took the silver, feeling a joy in his heart.
Even though iron is expensive, the silver was more than sufficient.
"That’ll do, that’ll do. When do you need them?"
"As soon as possible, preferably by today."
"Okay, I’ll start right away. Come by tonight to pick them up; they’ll definitely be ready."
Zhao Ya was in no hurry to leave and looked around the ironwork shop. When he saw a pile of tinware on the ground, his eyes lit up.
"Make me eight tin tiles with these tin pieces, what’s the price?"