Chapter 11: The Eighteen Techniques of the Black Dragon

After logging into OICQ, a familiar series of beeps sounded, identical to the noise of a pager.

Lu Fan clicked on the message icon in the lower right corner, and a string of blue chat bubbles popped up one after another.

Flowing Years: When autumn arrives, all fallen leaves return to the earth. High school is but a brief journey; in the end, we will all embrace a more brilliant future.

Melancholy Prince: Old Lu, two o’clock this afternoon at Star Moon Internet Café—don’t be late. Yesterday, I got ambushed at the central gate in a sniper duel. Come avenge me.

Blue Enchantress: Lu Fan, have you estimated your scores? Which school are you planning to apply to?

...

After reading several messages in succession, Lu Fan realized his memory was somewhat foggy. He only recalled who Melancholy Prince was—an old childhood buddy.

The others, judging by their names, were probably girls, but he had no strong impression of them.

Then, he helped Bai Shuang register for an account, and they added each other as contacts.

He typed a few words quickly into the chat box.

“Hello, Bai Shuang!”

He sent it directly.

Bai Shuang, sitting beside him with her head lowered, tapped each key with two fingers and replied:

“Hello, Lu Fan!”

Then she smiled brightly.

Lu Fan didn’t pay her much mind and instead proceeded to read all the news on Jiangcheng Information Port.

Finally, he glanced at the current housing prices: in Jiangcheng, prices generally ranged from 2,000 to 3,000 yuan per square meter; in Jingcheng, from 3,000 to 5,000; in Hushi, from 4,000 to 6,000. Meanwhile, in their home county of Changle, prices hovered around 1,000 yuan per square meter.

An advertisement page also highlighted the mortgage system, and it was then that Lu Fan learned that this system was only formally nationwide since 1998—many people were still unaware of it.

The real estate market was still in its infancy; prices wouldn’t surge dramatically in the short term.

The first significant rise was expected around 2004. Lu Fan thought that with proper planning, he could profit from the real estate industry.

That afternoon, as he pedaled his bicycle back home, his body felt utterly exhausted, as if it were falling apart; his legs were heavy as if filled with lead.

From Changle County to Dongping District was over twenty kilometers, and from Dongping District to Donghu District, one had to pass through Baoshan District, another twenty or so kilometers.

He estimated that he had cycled around a hundred kilometers in total that day, much of it while carrying a heavy load.

At dinner, Xia Hongying frowned at him and said, “Why do you look so worn out? You and Bai Shuang wouldn’t...”

Seeing his own mother eye him like a lecher, Lu Fan felt a surge of frustration. “I just rode my bike to Jiangcheng for a stroll and back—probably about a hundred kilometers. I’m exhausted.”

“Oh, that’s good. If that were the case, you’d have to be careful and use protection...” Xia Hongying started to say, then suddenly changed her tone, “Actually, no protection is necessary. If it happens, bring the child home and I’ll raise her. I don’t have much to do, so taking her to work is fine.”

Lu Fan glanced at Lu Dawei. “Dad, can’t you say something? Mom, I’m still a kid. What nonsense is she talking?”

Lu Dawei glared. “You know our family’s status. Do you think I can control your mother?”

Bai Shuang blinked her big dark eyes, looking at one then the other, clearly not comprehending the subtext.

“What’s something you can control? Can you get me a driver’s license? I’m almost eighteen.”

“You’re almost eighteen? Then just wait until you’re eighteen to take the test. Why the rush for a license? Our family can’t afford a car. My car is for work—I don’t want you driving it.”

“Can’t I ride a motorcycle?”

“Motorcycle licenses also require you to be at least eighteen.”

Xia Hongying tapped the table and asked, “Why would you want to ride a motorcycle? Those things go so fast, it’s not safe at all. You’d better stick to your bicycle for exercise.”

“My physical fitness was built up by Old Lu since I was young. Do I really need special training?”

Lu Dawei put down his chopsticks and said, “If you don’t mention it, I’d forget. Half a year before the college entrance exam, your mom stopped me from taking you to the gym for training. Now that you’re free, after dinner, we’ll go to the team’s training room and practice. Let’s see how much of the combat skills I taught you you still remember.”

Lu Fan replied, “My arms and legs are still pretty sore.”

“Quit whining. You’ll feel better after some practice.”

Lu Fan’s gaze shifted to Bai Shuang, who had been dressed up like a doll by Xia Hongying.

She wore a princess dress, and her hair had been softly curled.

Her long lashes framed large, fan-like eyes, with a delicate nose and mouth—she looked exceedingly adorable.

“Bai Shuang, are you used to living here?”

“I’m used to it. Uncle and Auntie bought me lots of delicious food, pretty new clothes, and toys.”

Lu Fan nodded. “Just treat this place as your home. Of course, if you ever feel homesick, tell me—I’ll take you back to visit.”

“Okay!”

Lu Fan then looked at Xia Hongying. “Mom, why did you curl her hair? She’s so young—she shouldn’t develop an early love of beauty. That could affect her values.”

Xia Hongying snapped, “Am I raising a daughter or are you? I didn’t spend your money, so mind your own business.”

Lu Fan sighed and focused on his meal.

Lu Dawei listened happily from the side.

Xia Hongying turned and said, “Go ask about the Experimental Elementary School. Why hasn’t it been arranged yet? In a few days, we’ll discuss with the Bai family about transferring little Bai Shuang’s school registration.”

Lu Dawei sighed, “You only told me this last night—why the rush?”

Lu Fan looked at his mother, then at Bai Shuang, silently hoping the latter wouldn’t pick up bad habits.

After dinner, Lu Fan was watching cartoons with Bai Shuang when Lu Dawei dragged him out for some exercise.

He even mocked him, saying a grown man hanging around a little girl was ridiculous. Cartoons weren’t something a man should watch.

Lu Fan thought to himself, “Why not? What’s wrong with the second dimension?”

When they arrived at the small square below, many people had gathered for the evening cool.

This residential compound was the dormitory for the county public security bureau. Due to limited personnel, the local police station shared housing with the county bureau.

They were all part of the same system and familiar with each other.

After coming out, Lu Dawei greeted everyone enthusiastically, and Lu Fan joined in.

Seeing a group of elderly men chatting together, Lu Fan felt a strange mix of emotions, having attended many of their funerals.

Choosing a relatively spacious spot, Lu Dawei said, “Come on, let’s go through the Eighteen Grappling Techniques once. Let me see how much you remember.”

Lu Fan groaned, “My legs are still sore!”

“If you practice, you won’t be sore. If you don’t, we’ll just have to spar.”

Reluctantly, Lu Fan assumed a starting stance and began practicing move by move.

The Eighteen Grappling Techniques, also called the Black Dragon Eighteen Hands or Black Dragon Eighteen Forms, were developed by the Provincial Armed Police Corps based on real combat experience.

Because it was easy to learn and extremely powerful, it quickly spread through the army and armed police forces.

One time, a retired veteran faced fourteen gangsters; after a fierce battle, eleven died on the spot, and three were left disabled.

Later, authorities debated and deemed the style too brutal, as it targeted vulnerable parts of the human body. Once unleashed without restraint, it resulted in either death or permanent injury, leading to its ban in the army.

However, some frontline units, frequently facing danger, still used it as a primary training method.