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Chapter 207: Martial Arts for Beauty
"Little friend, have you looked enough?"
A slightly teasing voice came from above.
Conan stiffened instantly. He looked up and met Blake's eyes, which held a faint, knowing smile. That gaze was calm and deep, appearing to see right through the child's shell to the high school soul hidden within.
The feeling of being completely seen through made the hairs on Conan's back stand up instantly.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Big Brother!"
Conan reacted extremely fast, instantly switching back to his innocent elementary schooler mode. He scratched the back of his head and laughed foolishly. "Because Big Brother's hands are so pretty! I've never seen a boy's hands so white and tender, just like... just like a girl's!"
"Conan! That's so rude!"
Mori Ran yanked Conan back and unceremoniously delivered a knuckle sandwich to his forehead.
"Ouch!" Conan clutched his head, tears welling up.
Ran bowed apologetically to Blake. "I'm really very sorry, Mr. Blake. This child is spoiled and always says random things."
"It's fine."
Blake withdrew his hand. He even took a wet wipe from his pocket and methodically wiped the spot Conan had just touched.
This action made the corner of Conan's mouth twitch. Does this guy... have mysophobia?
"Actually, the child isn't wrong. My school of martial arts has the effect of beauty and rejuvenation."
Beauty and rejuvenation!
Hearts appeared in the eyes of Mori Ran and Kisaki Eri!
Beauty and rejuvenation?
These three words were like a magic spell, instantly penetrating the psychological defenses of the two women present.
Kisaki Eri's eyes, which still held some lingering fear, suddenly lit up, and her breathing quickened. Mori Ran clasped her hands together, her large eyes filled with hope, completely forgetting the bloody scene from a moment ago.
For women, becoming beautiful and staying young were pursuits carved into their genes; even the Queen of the Legal World and a Karate Captain were no exception.
"Is that true? Mr. Blake."
Kisaki Eri subconsciously touched her cheek. Although well-maintained, the traces of time and long-term high-pressure work had left fine lines at the corners of her eyes. "This kind of... kung fu really can improve skin condition?"
Blake nodded solemnly.
"Of course. Chinese martial arts emphasize both internal and external cultivation, circulating 'Qi' throughout the body. The so-called 'Qi' can open the meridians and invigorate the blood. When Qi and blood are sufficient, the complexion is ruddy; when meridians are open, the skin is fine. My school, when practiced to a high level, can even delay aging and maintain youth."
He was bullshitting.
Pure bullshit.
But Kisaki Eri and Mori Ran didn't know that. Looking at Blake's skin, which was as fine as a peeled egg and even glowed with a jade-like luster, he was simply the most convincing living advertisement!
"Amazing!"
Ran couldn't help but exclaim. Her look at Blake had upgraded from admiration to fanaticism. "No wonder Mr. Blake looks so young. Your skin is so good even I'm jealous."
Conan stood aside, the corners of his mouth twitching wildly, his deadpan eyes rolling to the sky. Oi, oi, oi. These are lines straight from a street scammer selling snake oil. You two are usually so smart, how can you believe this so easily?
Is this just female nature? Too scary.
"Hmph, nonsense!"
Mori Kogoro curled his lip and interrupted with disdain. "What Qigong, what eternal youth? I think this pretty boy just takes good care of himself. Ran, don't be deceived by such sweet talk."
Kisaki Eri glanced at him coldly. "Some people are sloppy and getting a beer belly, so naturally they can't understand such a high realm."
"What?! Who has a beer belly!"
Mori Kogoro looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He sucked in a breath sharply, trying to pull his stomach in. "This is the charm of a mature man! Charm, do you understand!"
Kisaki Eri sneered, turned her head away to ignore him, and put on a gentle smile for Blake. "Mr. Blake, if I may ask, this kung fu... can outsiders learn it?"
Here it comes.
Blake laughed inwardly. He put down the wet wipe, his gaze not on Kisaki Eri, but landing on the expectant Mori Ran beside her.
"This kung fu requires very high aptitude. Not everyone can practice it."
The light in Ran's eyes dimmed. "Is that so..."
Right, a unique skill that allows one to throw steak knives like bullets must be a closely guarded secret.
"However—"
Blake changed the subject, the corner of his mouth hooking into a playful arc. "If it's Miss Mori Ran, perhaps she could give it a try."
Ran looked up abruptly, surprised. "Eh? Me? Really?"
"Of course."
Blake stood up and walked over to Ran. Conan, who was originally standing between them, was ignored due to his height disadvantage.
A faint, crisp scent wafted over. Looking at the handsome face close at hand, Ran's heart skipped a beat involuntarily, and two red clouds flew onto her cheeks.
"Um... Mr. Blake?"
"Although I really want to teach you, before that, I need to check your constitution."
Blake's voice was warm as jade, carrying a magnetism that was impossible to refuse. "After all, if the meridians are blocked or the bone structure is unsuitable, forceful cultivation will only harm the body."
"Con... Constitution?"
Ran was a bit confused. Is this vocabulary from a wuxia novel?
"It's just a check of your physical quality."
As Blake spoke, he extended his hand naturally. "Give me your hand."
"Ah, okay!"
Out of trust for the strong, and the desire to "become beautiful," Ran didn't hesitate and obediently held out her right hand.
Blake raised his hand.
In that instant, out of the corner of his eye, he precisely caught the sudden contraction of the pupils of the brat below.
Let's give you something to worry about, kid!
Then, under Conan's gaze, which looked ready to split with rage, Blake's long, fair hand gently held Ran's slender wrist.
The touch was warm and delicate.
"Your hand shape is very good."
Blake's fingers didn't release immediately. Instead, they slid slowly down her wrist, fingertips gently brushing over her palm, finally pinching her slender fingers. The movement was gentle, yet carried an unignorable aggressiveness.
"Finger bones are long, joints are flexible, and... the skin is very elastic."
Blake lowered his head, appearing to check seriously, but his eyes were full of playfulness. "You practice Karate, right? Although there are some calluses, they don't affect the flow of the meridians. Instead, they prove your foundation is solid."
Ran's face turned completely red, like a ripe tomato. Growing up, aside from Shinichi and her dad, she had never had a strange man hold her hand like this, let alone "play" with it so meticulously. The numbness of his fingertips sliding across her palm made her body feel a bit weak.
"Y... Yes, I am the captain of the Teitan High School Karate Club."
She stammered her answer, wanting to pull her hand back, but found the other party's grip was steady; she couldn't pull it away at all.
"Hey! What are you doing!"
A tender but fury-filled roar suddenly exploded at their feet.
Conan finally couldn't take it anymore.
That bastard!
Where is that bastard touching!
That perverted hand dares to touch Ran's hand!
And he's been touching it for so long!
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