Chapter 15: Night Feast (Please Collect)
Chapter 15: Night Feast (Please Collect)
In the Da Liang world.
At the Fang residence.
Inside a high-quality blue-and-white porcelain dish lay the Taisui meat, meticulously cooked by the chef.
The peculiar aroma grew increasingly potent, causing even Bai He, who stood serving nearby, to involuntarily gulp.
Bai He was considered an anomaly among the twelve main maidservants, neither possessing Yue Gui's gentle thoughtfulness nor the allure of the other maidens.
In comparison, her stature was too tall, and her features too sharply defined, which did not align with the typical aesthetics of Da Liang's scholar-officials.
When the maidservants were initially purchased, she was given as a bonus.
However, Fang Xi thought the girl was quite attractive, possessing a vibrant, heroic beauty. If she were to put on more masculine attire, she would resemble a captivatingly handsome young man.
Fang Xi usually enjoyed teasing Bai He, as she had a somewhat strong-willed nature, and the process of subduing such a stubborn girl was quite amusing.
Today, however, he had no such inclination.
Fang Xi took a hearty bite of the Taisui meat, allowing the rich, succulent juices to burst forth in his mouth.
The next moment!
His skin flushed crimson, as if he had drunk too much wine.
Concurrently, the muscles in his thighs rippled, and the black-snake-like pattern on them rapidly expanded and grew larger. . .
In the next instant, Fang Xi moved like the wind, appearing and disappearing in a flash, weaving through the numerous plum blossom piles.
Bang! Bang!
Bai He felt as if she was watching a gigantic python slither about, her body trembling with fright.
With a series of explosive bangs, one wooden pile after another was shattered by Fang Xi's kicks, sending fine wood chips flying everywhere.
Only after a long while did Fang Xi halt his steps, gazing at his own legs.
The trousers below his thighs were already tattered beyond recognition, revealing his smooth skin and the snake pattern on it.
"The complete double-snake pattern, signifies that I had also reached the Blood-Qi Transformation Three-Change realm in my Red Snake Leg technique."
Fang Xi wasn't surprised by this.
After all, his White Cloud Palm had already broken through, and the Red Snake Leg was merely a natural extension.
"Young Master."
Bai He offered him a towel, her movements stiff.
But Fang Xi liked her heroic spirit, and chuckled, "This is the Red Snake Leg. How about it? Want to learn? I can teach you. . ."
With this girl's long legs, if she were to learn the boneless snake form as well. . . *hiss hiss*. . .
Fang Xi drew in half a breath of cold air.
After his daily teasing of the maidservant, he arrived at the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall.
Since his breakthrough to Blood-Qi Transformation Three-Change, the martial arts hall disciples regarded him with increased awe and respect.
As for Wu Ji?
That person rarely appeared at the martial arts hall anymore.
Beyond that, there were no vengeful actions to speak of; on the contrary, he had become much more low-key.
This actually made Fang Xi look at him in a new light, and at the same time, he felt that fools and brilliant people in this world were equally rare, while the vast majority were just ordinary, mediocre folk.
In the main hall.
"Master!"
Fang Xi clasped his hands together and bowed slightly.
Mu Cang Long sat in his grand armchair, holding his beloved purple clay teapot, and took a sip directly from the spout, his eyes narrowing in contentment. "Fang Xi, you've arrived. . . Oh, right, your breakthrough to Blood-Qi Transformation Three-Change is a grand event for our martial arts hall. By custom, it should be celebrated. How do you think we should go about it?"
"I think there's no need to hold one."
Fang Xi waved his hand, refusing.
It's just a Blood-Qi Transformation Three-Change; it's not as if I've cultivated True Force and reached the Martial Hall Master realm. What's there to celebrate?
Besides, holding a celebration is either for fame or for profit!
He didn't care for a shred of superficial fame, and as for profit? That was even more ludicrous. The gifts those martial arts halls would send wouldn't even amount to as much as a few random leaves he might pick up!
"Well. . . alright then."
Mu Cang Long was originally a little displeased. After all, if it were a true martial arts hall apprentice, then 'a master for a day is a father for life' – how could they disobey his words?
However. . . Fang Xi was different from other apprentices. He was already very wealthy!
The White Cloud Martial Arts Hall had also become much more financially comfortable recently because of him, making it awkward to even scold him. . .
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Fang Xi bowed once more and exited the main hall.
His main purpose for coming today was to find an opportunity to imprint the White Cloud Palm Divine Intent Diagram.
Once he had the Divine Intent Diagram in hand, the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall would truly be of little use to him.
'This is the problem with third-rate martial arts. A slight breakthrough and you reach its limit. What should I do next? '
Fang Xi's eyes flickered slightly, and he thought of his next step: "Yuan He Mountain. . ."
...
"Junior Brother, actually, Father has been feeling stifled for too long."
When Fang Xi borrowed the Divine Intent Diagram, Mu Piao Miao offered an excuse for Mu Cang Long, saying: "Father supports the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall, and he's usually very hardworking. The disciples under him aren't particularly promising, so it's rare to have a Junior Brother like you. . ."
Speaking of which, Mu Piao Miao felt a touch of regret.
Junior Brother Fang Xi's talent in the White Cloud Palm was truly the greatest since the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall was founded.
However. . . the other party was too wealthy.
Sometimes, being too wealthy wasn't a good thing.
For instance, if Fang Xi had been a beggar or a commoner by birth, Mu Cang Long might even have adopted Fang Xi as his godson, nurturing him meticulously, so that in the future, he could be used to 'uphold the sect's reputation'!
What does 'upholding the reputation' mean? Naturally, it means sending him out to compete in arenas and exchange blows with other martial arts halls!
When the master grew old, his lineage disciples also had an obligation to fend off all sorts of challengers who came to 'kick down the hall's plaque'.
If Fang Xi could do this, Mu Cang Long might even marry Mu Piao Miao off to him.
However. . . Fang Xi was too wealthy!
How could he possibly fight to the death for a small martial arts hall?
"Master's painstaking efforts, I naturally understand. . ."
Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then seemed to reluctantly reply: "How about this, I can promise to act on behalf of the martial arts hall once in the future!"
"Really? " Mu Piao Miao's eyes lit up slightly.
"But I have a condition. . . " Seeing her reaction, Fang Xi immediately put forth his demand.
"What condition? " Mu Piao Miao saw the other party's gaze fixed intently on her, her cheeks couldn't help but flush slightly, and she thought to herself: 'If it's Junior Brother, it might not be impossible. . . '
A "I agree" was almost on the tip of her tongue.
Then Fang Xi's voice continued to sound in her ear: "I wish to comprehend the White Cloud Divine Intent Diagram alone. . . for one night!"
"Huh? " Mu Piao Miao's eyes widened, looking somewhat bewildered.
Fang Xi, meanwhile, seemed a little embarrassed as he explained: "Today, while comprehending the Divine Intent Diagram, I always felt unable to grasp its essence. Perhaps it's because when Junior Brother has someone by his side, he easily gets distracted. That's why I've made this unreasonable request."
"Just to borrow the Divine Intent Diagram. . . for one night?"
Mu Piao Miao didn't know what sensation filled her heart, but she was suddenly, extremely annoyed!
Such a good opportunity, and she had almost agreed. . .
"Naturally, if Senior Sister is uneasy, you can guard outside the door and then inspect it. " Fang Xi maintained the demeanor of a true gentleman.
But the next moment, Mu Piao Miao flung the White Cloud scroll into Fang Xi's arms: "Fine, I agree."
Then she turned and fled, as if a monster were chasing her.
"Heh heh. . ."
Fang Xi rubbed his nose.
He, of course, understood the thoughts of a young girl like Mu Piao Miao perfectly. Just now, he had deliberately created an awkward atmosphere, to make her too embarrassed to appear before him again.
Seizing this excellent opportunity, a blank jade slip appeared in his hand, and he began to copy. . .
A moment later, the White Cloud Divine Intent Diagram was in his possession!
Of the entire White Cloud Martial Arts Hall, only this much was still worth Fang Xi's attention.
...
Night fell.
At the Yuan He Mountain Black Stone City branch.
Several martial artists were feasting and drinking, occasionally discussing interesting local anecdotes and happenings in the city.
The cold and beautiful white-robed woman, Chunyu, gazed at the young Uncle-Master Linghu Yang, who sat at the head of the table, hesitating slightly, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
This Uncle-Master possessed extraordinary talent. When he was young, an elder from Yuan He Mountain recognized his potential, brought him to the mountain and accepted him as a direct disciple. From then on, his martial arts progress became unstoppable; at a young age, he broke through to a realm beyond that of a Martial Hall Master!
Precisely because he was solely devoted to martial arts and rarely interacted with others, he developed an arrogant and eccentric disposition. That elder then commanded him to enter the mortal world, to serve as the guardian of Black Stone City. This also carried the intention of tempering his mind and character through the mundane world.
However. . . it seemed that after these past few years, he was still the same as before, knowing nothing of human relations and social etiquette.
"Chunyu, why are you hesitating to speak?"
Linghu Yang's senses were exceptionally keen. After a single cup of wine, he became a little impatient, and casually asked.
Only then did Chunyu's crimson lips part slightly: "Uncle-Master. . . do you still remember Fang Xi?"
Linghu Yang paused, taken aback. "Who is this person?"
Chunyu immediately felt immense helplessness. But there was nothing to be done; even some of the branch's disciples, Uncle-Master Linghu Yang still couldn't quite recall their names.
She could only explain: "This person, several months ago, wished to join our Yuan He Mountain, but after being rejected, he went to the White Cloud Martial Arts Hall. In recent days, news has spread that he has been practicing the White Cloud Palm and has already entered the Blood-Qi Transformation Three-Change realm. . ."
"Is that so? It seems this person, while of ordinary talent, has rather good luck. " Linghu Yang toyed with his wine cup: "Perhaps his body is extremely compatible with the White Cloud Palm lineage. . . but that's as far as it goes. How can such a third-rate martial art compare to the secret transmissions of my Yuan He Mountain? This person will spend his entire life lingering among the Martial Hall Masters. . . Why do you even bring him up?"
Chunyu replied with a wry smile: "This junior niece merely feels a little regret. For this person to break through to Blood-Qi Transformation Three-Change, he must at least possess some talent. Perhaps this junior niece misjudged him that day."
"Misjudged then, misjudged now. . . How many brilliant talents are there in this world? Even if one is an unpolished gem, without someone to carve them, they will never become a useful vessel. Perhaps among the starved corpses lying by the roadside right now, there are geniuses with even higher aptitudes than mine. But so what?"
Linghu Yang waved his hand dismissively, a glimmer of wisdom flashing in his eyes: "Martial arts are profound and extensive; aptitude is merely the threshold. More important are the resources after entering the path, the guidance of elders, and one's own diligence!"
Among these, cultivation techniques are the most crucial!
Therefore, no matter what the outcome had been that day, Linghu Yang would have no regrets, because after cultivating a third-rate martial art, the other party's potential ceiling was already set.
"Uncle-Master's words are truly profound wisdom!"
A corpulent martial artist, upon hearing this, immediately slapped the table in admiration: "Let us toast with a full cup!"
Chunyu glanced over, recognizing him as the sect deacon, Jiao Wu Chang. This person was habitually flattering and fawning, but his martial arts were indeed not bad, and his clandestine methods were even more ruthless.
At this moment, she said no more. She was inherently of a cold and aloof nature, and tonight, she was merely feeling a slight bit of sentimentality. . .
Comments