Huang Wenlong, who had been feeling awkward, let out a sigh of relief when he saw the two of them come out.
He was especially thrilled that Shuidong Liu was going to teach him Swordsmanship first.
But after an hour, Huang Wenlong hadn’t grasped any of the essence; he had only managed to learn the basic form.
“Wen Long, about this…”
“I know!
This is a Swordsmanship technique that surpasses the Celestial Level.
It’s not supposed to be easy to master!” Huang Wenlong, on the contrary, grew more excited.
Everyone knew that the more profound the Martial Arts, the more difficult it was not only to master, but even to comprehend.
Huang Wenlong said, “You’ve only reached the Body Refining Realm after all these years.
Could it be that you’ve been secretly comprehending this one sword move the entire time?”
…
‘He’s already put it that way, how can I deny it?’
Shuidong Liu nodded.
“The more profound a Cultivation Technique is, the more it can only be understood intuitively.
What I just demonstrated was my own comprehension.
Whether or not you can master it is up to you!”
“I know it takes patience and persistence!”
Huang Wenlong looked at Shuidong Liu with excitement and said solemnly, “Don’t you worry.
I, Huang Wenlong, am a man of my word.
Since you’ve taught me such a precious Swordsmanship technique, from this day forward, you are my blood brother.”
“Anyone who wants to harm you will have to get through me first!”
“We’re brothers.
There’s no need for that!” Shuidong Liu said with a smile.
“Take your time practicing.
I’m going to go look at some other Cultivation Techniques!”
“Alright.
Don’t worry about anything out here!”
Shuidong Liu nodded and glanced at Xiao Yue’Er.
Xiao Yue’Er gave a radiant smile.
Huang Wenlong took one look, tightened his grip on his sword, and turned to resume his practice.
When they reached the entrance to Canglan Island, Xiao Yue’Er said, “You can go on in.”
“Okay, but…
when you have a moment, remind Wen Long about something.
I noticed his sword strokes are fierce, and his grip was too tight just now.
That’s not how this Sword Scripture is meant to be practiced.”
Xiao Yue’Er nodded.
“Alright.”
After they parted ways, Xiao Yue’Er said, “Xiaoyu, from now on, if I’m cultivating, I want you to deliver three meals a day to the entrance.”
“Yes, Miss.
But…
what if the Young Master gets engrossed in his practice and doesn’t come out?”
“Wait for an hour.
If he doesn’t come out, just leave the food and go.”
Meanwhile, Xiao Liang had a look of envy on his face.
“My brother-in-law is really something else!
He taught you such a precious Swordsmanship technique just like that!”
“Indeed.
Shuidong Liu is a truly good man,” Huang Wenlong sighed in admiration, but his sword practice didn’t stop.
“It took him eleven years to comprehend this one move; that already shows his remarkable talent.
How long do you think you’ll need?”
“Who knows?
It could be an instant, or it could be a lifetime.
I won’t underestimate myself, but I won’t overestimate myself either!” Huang Wenlong knew very well that for some things, a single moment of enlightenment was worth more than a billion repetitions of painstaking practice.
Xiao Liang chuckled.
“You’re both my brothers-in-law.
I’ll just have to wait and see which of you is more formidable!”
“Still, Dongliu and my little sister are a good match, don’t you think?”
Huang Wenlong retracted his longsword and caught his breath.
“You only know if you’re a good match after you’ve lived together.
Do you think Xiang’Er and I…
are a good match?”
“…Don’t overthink it.
That’s just Third Sister’s personality.
Maybe once you’ve settled into married life and have a child, things will be different!”
The sky began to change.
Shuidong Liu walked through the fields of flowers and plants.
He found it strange to see Xiao Xiang’Er still leisurely tending to her flowers, ignoring the changing weather.
He saw her look up and was about to greet her, but she immediately lowered her head again.
Shuidong Liu could only give up on the idea and proceeded into the Underground Palace.
What he needed was a variety of Cultivation Techniques and moves; he didn’t need to practice every single one.
It was just that when facing an enemy, he couldn’t be like before, using “Huo Xiao” dozens of times in a row!
Soon, he was completely immersed.
Outside, the Celestial Wind gusted, and a light rain began to fall.
Only then did Xiao Xiang’Er look up at the sky.
Carrying a small bucket, a small hoe, and a small trowel, she strolled back home through the slanting wind and fine rain.
Inside the bamboo house, she closed the doors and windows and lit a candle.
All by herself, Xiao Xiang’Er brewed a cup of tea, grabbed a book, and half-reclined on a fragrant couch, lost in her own world.
The rain grew heavier.
Waves surged across the two-thousand-acre lake.
Bean-sized raindrops pelted the flowers, grass, and trees.
Shuidong Liu, inside the Underground Palace, couldn’t hear a thing.
「Dinnertime.」
The Duchess said, “The rain is getting heavier.
Wen Long, why don’t you stay the night…”
“You needn’t worry, Duchess.
To a martial artist, a little rain is nothing!” Huang Wenlong said with a smile.
“That’s the good thing about practicing Martial Arts!”
The Duchess sighed in admiration, but Xiao Liang pouted.
“You’ll still get soaked.
What’s so good about that?”
Huang Wenlong almost burst out laughing.
Xiao Yue’Er looked outside with a worried expression and said, “Xiaoyu, go prepare a meal.
I’ll deliver it to the island in a bit.”
“Second Miss, you’re going to deliver it yourself?” Huang Wenlong asked, surprised.
“Of course.
This is what Yue’Er should be doing.” Xiao Yue’Er’s face was aglow, her shyness mixed with joy, making her look all the more enchanting under the candlelight.
Seeing this, the Duchess felt reassured.
Nothing was more important than her children’s happiness.
The chopsticks in Huang Wenlong’s hand tightened involuntarily.
“Dongliu really is a lucky man!”
“Of course he is!
My sister is the number one genius, yet she’s willing to act like an ordinary wife.
Dongliu’s had it rough in the past, but now his fortune has definitely turned!” Xiao Liang laughed heartily, taking a large bite of a pork knuckle.
The Duchess said, “Wen Long, Xiang’Er is an excellent cook.
In comparison, Yue’Er doesn’t know how to cook at all!”
She didn’t want any conflict between her two sons-in-law.
Huang Wenlong immediately replied, “Please don’t worry, Duchess.
Dongliu and I are closer than blood brothers; I wasn’t thinking anything of it.
Besides, in a family like ours, there’s rarely a need to do such things ourselves.”
This answer greatly satisfied the Duchess, because what Huang Wenlong said was absolutely right!
After dinner, Huang Wenlong watched Xiao Yue’Er brave the heavy rain to deliver the meal, while he opened an umbrella and headed outside.
Once outside the Duke’s Mansion, a guard immediately stepped forward.
“Greetings, Young Master!”
“Hasn’t Huang Yi returned yet?”
“No, sir.
Judging by the time, he should be back around midnight!”
“Mm, let’s head back first.”
The group, armed with sabers, charged into the rainy night.
Thunder clashed and the rain poured down.
After delivering dinner, Xiao Yue’Er did not leave.
She possessed a Wind Spirit Body, and with the fierce winds now raging, it was the perfect time for her to cultivate.
Beneath the thunder, upon the lake, she stood in the rain, feeling the gales and letting the raindrops pound against her body.
SMACK!
SMACK!
SMACK!
The sound was deafening.
‘I have to become stronger so I can properly protect my future husband!’
“Latest news: Shuidong Liu has gone to Canglang Island.
The Xiao Mansion’s backup Cultivation Techniques are on that island.”
“Why didn’t the Young Master come?”
“You don’t need to worry about that.
Don’t you love taking action?
The Young Master has given his approval!”
The old man’s eyes flickered, and he straightened up in surprise.
“You’re not joking, are you?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
The newcomer wore a mask, his tone cold and severe.
“Besides Shuidong Liu, the only other person on the island is Xiao Xiang’Er, who doesn’t know any Martial Arts.
As long as you’re fast enough, you can do it without alerting anyone!”
The old man nodded.
“No problem.
The Young Master has shown me immeasurable kindness.
Even if it means my death, I will help him kill Shuidong Liu!”
“I’ll go right now, under the cover of this rainy night!” Lin Zhong said, turning to leave.
“No.
Go in a few days.”
“Why?” Lin Zhong shouted.
“Don’t you understand that speed is of the essence in war?
This storm is the perfect cover for an assassination!”
“You don’t know shit!
Xiao Yue’Er has a Wind Spirit Body; she won’t miss a chance to cultivate on a stormy night like this.
Go in a few days, after they’ve let their guard down!”
Lin Zhong clenched his fists.
“Fine, fine, fine.
Tell the Young Master I guarantee it’ll be foolproof!”
“Go!”
Lin Zhong climbed out the window, but a sliver of doubt remained in his heart.
‘The Young Master wouldn’t let me make a move before.
Why the sudden change of heart?’
‘Is it because Shuidong Liu is alone now, making him an easy target on the island?’
After Lin Zhong left, the masked man continued, “The Young Master has an order: if Lin Zhong fails, you are to covertly help him kill Shuidong Liu.
If he succeeds…”
The masked man made a sharp slicing gesture across his own neck.
“You know what to do.”
“Please assure the Young Master.
I know what to do!”
The masked man waited for him to leave before vanishing from the room.
When he reappeared, the mask was gone.
He was carrying a travel pack on his back and walking slowly under an umbrella.
In the distance, the tightly shut gates of Celestial Fragrance City swung open.
A group of riders galloped in, heading straight for Duke Zhen’s Mansion…