Chapter 46: Consumed by Obsession

While Qiao Mian was practicing martial arts, countless people around the world were doing the same. The “Complete Truth Heart Method” and “Complete Truth Sword Technique,” which had spread from the Fantasy Park, were being disseminated across the globe in various forms.

On the electronic screen at Times Square, a video of the Little Dragon Maiden performing her sword dance played on loop. A large crowd—black, white, and everything in between—stood in the square, masks covering their faces, each holding a longsword as they earnestly imitated her movements.

At the foot of Mount Fuji, someone sat cross-legged on a raised platform, loudly reciting the “Complete Truth Heart Method” in precise Mandarin, while a sea of people below followed suit, chanting and cultivating their inner strength. Several ambulances waited nearby, ready for emergencies.

In Rabbit Country’s parks and squares, innumerable people could be seen—some practicing swordplay, others cultivating their internal energy. Even countless overweight enthusiasts had forsaken their beloved anime waifus to sit before their computers and practice the “Complete Truth Heart Method.”

Suddenly, martial arts schools and dojos sprang up everywhere. Even fitness centers began adding dedicated training areas. Several well-known universities announced plans to offer martial arts courses, hiring those who had successfully cultivated inner strength at high salaries to serve as instructors.

In this climate, those who had managed to develop inner energy became highly sought after in real life. In addition to invitations from schools, wealthy individuals offered lucrative positions as private coaches or personal bodyguards, and even government agencies recruited them as trainers for the police and military.

A martial arts craze swept the globe. Abroad, the demand for Chinese language reached unprecedented heights.

Even Qiao’s own parents were secretly practicing the “Complete Truth Heart Method.”

And then—

“Mom, where’s Dad?”

As soon as Qiao Mian returned to the small courtyard, he found his mother, Su Yueling, anxiously searching for something.

When their eyes met, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Su Yueling’s face. “Your father isn’t feeling well,” she said.

“Not feeling well?” Qiao Mian was taken aback. “Did he catch a cold?”

Getting medical attention here could be quite a hassle. He wondered if the Healing Chapter from the “Nine Yin Manual” would be any help.

“It’s not a cold,” Su Yueling replied without turning around.

“What medicine are you looking for? Let me help you,” Qiao Mian offered.

She paused, straightened up, and turned to look at her son, hesitating as if she wanted to say something but held back.

“What’s really going on?” A sense of foreboding crept into Qiao Mian’s heart, and he pressed in a low voice.

“Your father… seems to have suffered a Qi deviation,” Su Yueling whispered.

“What?” Qiao Mian was startled.

Su Yueling, embarrassed, explained, “We were following the ‘Complete Truth Heart Method’ together, and halfway through, he suddenly complained that his back hurt…”

“I asked you both before, and you said you didn’t need my help!” Qiao Mian couldn’t help but complain.

“Is this the time to scold me?” Su Yueling’s brows shot up. “I’m telling you so you can help!”

“Take me to see him,” Qiao Mian said helplessly.

Qiao Lin was lying on his side in bed, his shirt pulled up. Veins bulged across his lower back, twisted like writhing little snakes. Qiao Mian reached out and poked.

“Ow!” Old Qiao howled, “Can’t you be gentle? Trying to kill me?”

“I asked if you wanted to learn last time, but you insisted on sneaking around and practicing on your own,” Qiao Mian grumbled.

Qiao Lin said nothing.

Su Yueling’s brow arched, about to speak, when Qiao Mian suddenly chuckled. “Not bad, old man. You’ve got some talent.”

“Show some respect!” Qiao Lin snorted.

“Did you manage to cultivate inner energy?” Qiao Mian asked.

Though he grimaced in pain, Qiao Lin’s tone betrayed a trace of pride. “What do you think?”

“Too bad your inner energy flow went awry,” Qiao Mian said. “Luckily, the ‘Complete Truth Heart Method’ is gentle and forgiving.”

“Sit up,” he said, as his father tried to swat at him.

Unhappy with his son’s tone but powerless to protest, Qiao Lin reluctantly sat up, enduring the pain.

“Circulate your inner energy,” Qiao Mian instructed.

Before Qiao Lin could respond, he felt a powerful surge of energy flow into his body through his back. The inner energy he had painstakingly cultivated was as faint as a thread, but this new force was as vast as the sea. His own sliver of energy was drawn along, following the trajectory of that great current.

Unconsciously, the pain in his waist and abdomen faded, replaced by a sense of lightness and transcendence.

After a long moment, Qiao Lin realized that the surge had dissipated.

“Did you memorize the circulation route just now?” Qiao Mian asked.

Before Qiao Lin could reply, Qiao Mian continued, “That was the path described in the ‘Nine Yin Manual.’ I’ll write it down for you both later.”

Qiao Lin and Su Yueling exchanged a glance.

Their son had truly grown up.

Seeing his parents’ expressions, Qiao Mian couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. He folded his arms. “In a group of three, there is always a teacher; even when it’s your own son, if you don’t understand, you shouldn’t be ashamed to ask…”

He was about to continue admonishing them for keeping secrets from him when a sudden gust of force caught him off guard.

“Ow! Mom, let go, that hurts!” Qiao Mian yelped, his head tilted in pain.

Su Yueling stood with one hand on her hip, twisting her son’s ear with the other. “Shameless, are you? Forgetting your own name just because you know a few tricks?”

“Have you forgotten whose son you are?” she scolded. “You disrespectful brat!”

It took a round of pleading before his mother finally released him.

After a long while, Qiao Mian muttered, “I meant it—you both want to learn martial arts, I’ll teach you.”

“You’re always so busy…” Old Qiao glanced at his wife, who was sipping tea.

“Busy? I still find time to play games every day,” Qiao Mian replied. “I’m almost at the top rank now.”

“Stop wasting time on nonsense!” Qiao Lin glared at him.

“I’m just trying to prove I’m not too busy,” Qiao Mian protested.

“What your father and I mean,” Su Yueling interjected suddenly, “is maybe someone else could teach us?”

“Someone else?” Qiao Mian was puzzled.

“I think that Little Dragon Maiden is quite patient,” Su Yueling hinted.

Qiao Mian’s expression instantly turned wary.

He glanced at his parents and resolutely declared, “No!”

“And why not?” Su Yueling demanded.

“You think I don’t know what you two are up to?” Qiao Mian snorted. “Stop trying to play matchmaker!”

“You’re already twenty-five!” Qiao Lin glared at his son, slamming the table with a loud crack.

“I’m only twenty-five!” Qiao Mian remained unmoved.

“Then at least invite her over for a meal, can’t you?” Su Yueling pressed. “Hasn’t she treated you several times recently?”

“And what about that Liang Xiaoyu…” Old Qiao began.

Before he could finish, Su Yueling cut him off sharply, “One thing at a time—I still think the Little Dragon Maiden is the better choice.”

Old Qiao objected, “I think Xiaoyu is pretty good.”

“Are you just trying to contradict me?” Su Yueling’s eyes flashed dangerously.

Old Qiao looked away. “I’m just being objective—it’s up to our son who he prefers.”

Su Yueling shot a meaningful glance at her husband, then turned to her son. “So, who would you like to invite?”

Qiao Mian clutched his head. “Don’t ask. I’m suffering from Qi deviation—my head hurts.”