Daily Dossier: Secrets of a Lazy Husband

6

POV: Caelum

I stole a quick glance at the flickering blue panel before pulling my focus back. There was no room for distraction; I had to follow Wang Lixing’s rhythm in the Great Spear Stance. With every deliberate breath, I felt a surging heat radiating from my limbs, pounding against my flesh and bones like the rhythmic strikes of a blacksmith’s hammer. A faint, residual warmth began to pool in my meridians—so subtle that it would have been impossible to detect without the absolute stillness of my mind.

Wang Lixing watched me like a hawk. Only when he saw the beads of sweat forming on my brow and my muscles beginning to tremble did he let out a silent sigh of relief. The initiation had succeeded. What he didn't tell me, however, were the harsh truths of this world’s martial path. First, martial arts aren't for everyone; even the simplest stance training can be impossible for those with poor aptitude or "special" constitutions. Luckily, my current state perfectly matched the requirements for the Great Spear Stance. Second, age is a cruel master. Starting at twenty meant my potential was severely capped. In his eyes, even with lifelong diligence, reaching the Eighth Rank would be my absolute limit.

"From now on, wake him up every day at 3:30 AM for his stance training," Second Uncle Xuanshuo commanded, noticing that my posture had finally taken shape. With that cold instruction, he pushed his wheelchair away, leaving Chunhe Garden. For him, teaching me was a mere obligation; his true intent was to gauge the depths of my character.

"Yes, Second Master," Wang Lixing replied respectfully before turning back to me. 

We continued for another grueling hour. Finally, Wang Lixing spoke: "That’s enough, Young Master. We stop here for today."

The moment his voice reached me, my concentration shattered. My breathing became ragged, and the surging heat vanished instantly. A wave of soreness and numbness washed over me, so intense it felt as though my very essence had been hollowed out. My legs buckled, and I nearly hit the dirt. Wang Lixing lunged forward, grabbing the back of my robe to steady me. "This technique is extremely demanding," he explained. "I'll have Luna prepare more meat for your meals to prevent you from depleting your vital essence."

I stood there, swaying like a reed in the wind, nodding feebly. The exhaustion was staggering—it felt as if I had endured fifty or sixty sleepless nights in a single hour. A rare smile touched Wang Lixing’s dark face. "The Great Spear Stance is a secret passed down through the Xiao family. Its grade is high, and its effects are equal to those of the great sects. Naturally, it consumes vast amounts of energy."

I could only nod, my mind fixated on one thing: sitting down and devouring a massive meal. Sensing my fatigue, Wang Lixing left me with a final, soul-crushing reminder: "Remember what the Second Master said. I will be here to call you every morning at 3:30 AM."

3:30 AM? That’s practically still the middle of the night. "Fine... fine..." I muttered, too exhausted to even put up a fight.

After he left, Luna came running from the west gate, carrying plates of fresh pastries sent by the Eldest Miss. I didn't waste breath on words; I sat in the pavilion and ate heartily. Only after the plates were empty and I had washed it all down with water did the fog of fatigue begin to lift. "Luna, get more food. This isn't enough. And I need meat—Brother Wang said I need meat to recover." 

"Right away, Young Master!" Luna chirped, her worry fading as she saw me regaining my strength, before dashing off to the kitchen.

As I sat there, a long breath escaped me. This training had a brutal aftereffect. Yet, as I recovered, I felt the reward. A new strength was blooming in my body—not just muscle, but a faint, internal flow of energy that pulsed when I clenched my fist. "So, this is Martial Arts?" I marveled. I summoned the interface:

Name: Caelum

Cultivation: Mortal Body

Martial Arts - Body: Unskilled (0/1)

Technique: Great Spear Stance (Beginner)

Opportunity: 1

Without a second thought, I poured my 1 Opportunity point into "Martial Arts - Body." Instantly, a flood of mysterious, profound insights filled my mind. Like my calligraphy before, these weren't instant skills I could master without effort; they were deep realizations I had to physically "feel" and absorb through practice. I looked at my status again—'Mortal Body.' Fitting for a scholar, I suppose. 

Then, my gaze dropped to the updated intelligence:

[Daily Intelligence - Low-grade Profound: Before midnight, within Jiaxing Garden. The young Marquis Xiao Wuge and the Heir Zhang Heng will engage in a fierce duel to determine a victor. A small amount of Opportunity may be gained.]

Jiaxing Garden? That’s practically behind me. So close... should I risk it? I had waited so long for an opportunity within arm's reach. My mind raced as I stroked my chin. Jiaxing Garden housed the Eldest Miss's private quarters; the armored guards wouldn't dare enter there. And before midnight, most people would be exhausted. If I’m lucky, I could watch them from the garden wall without even leaving my courtyard.

"It's worth a try," I decided, relaxing as I waited for Luna. I spent the time processing the new martial mysteries. Martial arts were vast—body, combat, footwork, weapons—each a path to enlightenment. Without these "Opportunities," my lazy lifestyle would never allow me to progress. My resolve was set: tonight, I’m going to the wall. 

"Young Marquis Xiao Wuge and Heir Zhang Heng?" Luna had mentioned Wuge before; he was a dedicated student of both martial arts and scriptures. Even my wife, Celeste, was already at the Fourth Rank. This Young Marquis wouldn't be a pushover. This was going to be interesting.

POV: Caelum

Night had fallen, wrapping the estate in a biting chill. It was just past 9:00 PM, and the heavy thud of the night watchman’s gong echoed through the Xiao residence. One by one, the lights in the various courtyards flickered out, leaving the grounds to the silent rotation of the elite guards. They moved like shadows, their footsteps light and deliberate, ensuring the masters remained undisturbed in their slumber.

Outside the gates of Chunhe Garden, two crimson lanterns swayed beneath the eaves. One side bore the character for 'Joy,' the other for 'Xiao.' Their internal candles flickered in the breeze, casting long, distorted shadows across the stone path.

"Lixing, did the Second Son-in-law finish his training today?" one guard whispered, his voice barely audible.

"Mmm," Wang Lixing grunted, keeping his tone low. "He held the Great Spear Stance for a full hour. The man has talent, but it’s a damn shame he started so late."

The three armored guards nearby exchanged glances of genuine surprise. "A shame indeed. If he’d picked up a blade years ago, he’d be a master of both the pen and the sword by now. He might have actually been a match for Second Miss Celeste."

"Ge the Third, hold your tongue!" Lixing snapped, his eyes flashing with warning. "Is the Miss’s marriage a topic for common gossip?"

The guard, Ge, quickly lowered his head. "Don't be angry, Lixing. I’m just still sour about that elopement stunt he pulled."

"Forgive him, Lixing," another guard chimed in. "Ge’s mouth always runs faster than his brain."

Wang Lixing shook his head slowly. "Forget the elopement. Second Miss has made her choice, and we obey. That’s the end of it." After a brief silence, Ge couldn't help but mutter one last time, "Still, the man is pitiful. He’s brilliant and free-spirited, yet that Chen family treated him like trash. They dumped him at the punishment hall and just vanished—no maids, no dowry, nothing. It’s clear how they viewed him."

"Lucky for him, Second Miss stood her ground," another added. "If it were up to the Second Uncle, being kicked out would’ve been mercy. He’d have been lucky to leave with his skin intact."

Inside the hushed courtyard of Chunhe Garden, the faint *creak* of a wooden door cut through the night. I stepped out of my room, moving with practiced stealth. I wasn't wearing a mask or a dark bodysuit—I was in my regular robes. My logic was simple: if caught, I’d just play the 'restless scholar' card. 'A long night, a wandering mind,' I’d say. As for why I was in Jiaxing Garden? I heard a commotion and followed my curiosity. Perfectly natural.

Yet, despite my excuses, I moved with the silence of a cat. Even with a good lie, punishment was a headache I didn't need. I reached the entrance to Jiaxing Garden and found it locked tight. Not a problem. I found a stone stool near a low section of the wall, stepped up, and peered over.

The garden was a sea of ink, broken only by the dim, jaundiced glow of lanterns hanging outside the wooden pavilions. I double-checked my 'Daily Intelligence' to confirm the time and place, then vaulted over the wall, landing with a soft *thud*.

"Phew." I exhaled slowly. The Spear Stance was already paying off—my body felt lighter, my reflexes sharper. It seemed that even for a lazy husband, a bit of training was a necessary evil. "Fortune favors the bold. Let's see what this 'Opportunity' actually looks like."

I crouched in the dark corner of a flowerbed, waiting for the Young Marquis and this mysterious Prince to begin their epic clash. I envisioned a battle of legends—internal energy shattering the air, blades clashing in a dance of death. I didn't wait long. Fifteen minutes later, two high-pitched voices drifted from the garden behind the main pavilion.

"...Brother Prince, you've gone too far! By rank, you should be calling him Brother-in-law!"

"I won't! He’s the Elope-Boy. I'm right, and you know it!"

I froze. Why was I the centerpiece of this argument? I crept closer through the shadows until I reached the edge of the garden. The angle was bad, so I could only see two long, spindly shadows stretched across the grass, but their words were sharp as needles.

"You... are you looking for a thrashing?"

"A thrashing? Xiao Wuge, you can't touch me! If we really fight, I’ll have you crying for your mother." A small, arrogant voice bragged. "Come on, say it with me. Elope-Boy! Elope-Boy! Hahaha..."

"You... shut your mouth!"

The angry shout was followed by a sudden explosion of scuffling—*thwack, smack, oof*.

"You dare hit me? Just because we're in the Marquis's house doesn't mean I won't crush you!"

"You... be quiet..."

I watched the two shadows rolling and tumbling on the ground and felt a muscle in my face twitch. This wasn't high-level martial arts. This was... a mess. I shifted my position to finally get a clear look at these 'Legendary Warriors.'

"Martial... toddlers?"

Standing—or rather, rolling—there were two children who barely reached my waist. They couldn't have been more than four or five years old. They were currently pinning each other by the necks, rolling through the dirt, grumbling about 'hitting the face' and 'not being scared.'

The image of 'Grand Martial Masters' shattered into a million pieces in my mind. "This is the 'Fierce Battle'? This is the 'Determining a Victor'?" If the 'Daily Intelligence' wasn't actually 'Daily Gossip,' I’d change my name.

The ruckus quickly drew help. Two maids rushed over, frantic. "Young Marquis! Your Highness! Please, stop this at once!" But the two little brats were locked in combat. One maid ran for reinforcements while the other hovered, terrified to step in.

My expectations were dead. I was ready to leave, but the system hadn't granted the 'Opportunity' yet, so I remained crouched in the dirt like a fool, forced to watch a nursery brawl. Suddenly, a voice drifted from the doorway—smooth, gentle, and as sweet as Southern silk.

"Wuge, Heng’er, stop this instant!"

The name hit me immediately: Xiao Wan’er?

A woman appeared, draped in a heavy cloak. Her skin was as pale as winter moonlight, and she carried an air of effortless grace. She stepped in and pried the two miniature combatants apart. "Tell me. Why are you fighting?"

Xiao Wuge stood to the side, his head hanging in shame. But the other one—Prince Zhang Heng, now sporting a bruised eye—glared at him. "Sister, Wuge hit me first! He said he’d beat me to death!"

Xiao Wan’er, her back to me, looked at Wuge. "Is this true?"

"Big Sister, I..."

"Is it true or not?"

"...Yes."

Wan’er signaled the maids immediately. "Take Heng’er to his room. Make sure he rests."

A smug, nasty grin flickered across Zhang Heng’s face as he followed the maid out. My blood boiled just looking at him. *That kid is bad news,* I thought. *A snake in the making.*

[Witnessed the birth of the grudge between Young Marquis Xiao Wuge and Prince Zhang Heng, and gained insight into the chaotic flow of combat. Reward: Mystic Rank Fist Technique—'Mountain Crusher', Opportunity +12.]

[Evaluation: The target arrived, the scene was witnessed... but the 'Sneak Factor' is off the charts. A man of naturally wretched and perverted habits.]

I stared at the screen, my eye twitching. 'Lazy' was fine. 'Wretched'? I risked my life to watch a toddler fight, and this is the thanks I get? This system is out to get me.

Just as I was about to stand up and leave this circus behind, a sudden, piercing chill touched the back of my neck. A cold, razor-sharp voice whispered directly into my ear:

"Don't. Move."