“If the conditions are right... I am naturally willing to test my skills.”
“Hahaha, good!”
Ji Shuying waved her long sleeve and pointed toward the window of the inner hall. “Let us go!”
“There is still a month before the martial feast begins. Come with me to the Library Pavilion.”
“The Library Pavilion?”
“Indeed. You performed a great service by slaying Tu Xiaotian at Yunyi Island, and such a feat must be rewarded. I have already ordered silver and elixirs to be prepared for you. Furthermore... you may select one technique from the Library Pavilion to bolster your strength before the martial feast.”
At this point, Ji Shuying paused, her tone becoming more serious. “This time... it is not the same Library Pavilion you visited before.”
Shen Xiuhan understood immediately.
The Library Pavilion he had visited previously, though filled with techniques, was a place open to outsiders and guest retainers. It held very little of true value.
The place they were going now was where the Ji Mansion’s true heritage lay!
However...
To other martial artists, a high-grade mental method or martial technique might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But Shen Xiuhan had Deduction. Even a fake or incomplete style could be refined into a top-tier technique by him!
Moreover, he currently possessed the Golden Eagle Soaring Technique, so he was not lacking in mental methods.
His fists, kicks, movement techniques, and body-tempering methods were already integrated into a complete system.
These martial techniques would suffice until he reached the Huajin Rank; there was no need for him to be greedy for more.
‘It would be better to choose a weapon art focused on killing to compensate for my final weakness,’ Shen Xiuhan thought to himself.
The reason for this thought was the deep impression left on him by the sword-glow with which Ji Ning had severed Tang Jin’s arm!
No matter how fierce one’s fists and kicks were, they would eventually be at a disadvantage against cold steel.
When facing an opponent armed with a sharp weapon, one would be restricted at every turn. A single lapse in concentration could lead to the loss of a limb.
This was where the importance of weapon arts became evident.
Shen Xiuhan pondered this as he followed Ji Shuying out of the hall.
Outside, dusk was settling. The last rays of the setting sun vanished behind the mountains, and a crescent moon hung slanted in the sky, casting a cold, silver radiance.
The lanterns of the Ji Mansion were lit one by one, and the two of them walked through the corridors by their light.
On the way, Ji Shuying asked casually, “By the way, Xiao Liu... now that you have stepped down, there is a vacancy for the Team C Patrol Envoy. Do you have anyone to recommend?”
Shen Xiuhan fell into a brief silence.
The image of the grey-clad young man who had remained calm during the crisis yet struck with lethal intent to cripple Ji Yuande immediately appeared in his mind.
After a short pause, he said, “The new patrol guard in Team C, Luo Feng!”
“Though he is young, his temperament is steady. Most importantly, he broke through Blood Tempering a few days ago and entered the Mingjin Rank, making him far superior to ordinary warriors. If he takes over Team C, he will already be familiar with the procedures and possess the strength to command respect. I believe he is the most suitable candidate.”
“Luo Feng? Is that the boy from the branch lineage of the Luo family?”
“That is him.”
“Hmm...” Ji Shuying looked thoughtful. “I recall when Ji Zhong submitted his background last month, the boy was not even nineteen yet. To reach the Mingjin Rank at such an age shows some talent...”
She nodded. “In that case, let him temporarily take over the position of Team C Patrol Envoy.”
As they spoke, they arrived at a small courtyard. Two disciples were standing guard outside; seeing Ji Shuying approach, they hurried to bow.
Shen Xiuhan followed Ji Shuying into the courtyard and then through the door.
Once inside, he discovered that the entire Library Pavilion contained only a single long table.
On the table were over a dozen ancient booklets and bamboo slips.
Though few in number, each one was kept in a precious brocade box.
The boxes were made of Nanmu wood and wrapped in Shu brocade, with jade plaques inlaid on the sides. The names of the techniques were carved into the jade.
“These martial techniques are the heritage our Ji family has accumulated over a century, costing countless lives and fortunes,” Ji Shuying said, her tone somewhat nostalgic as she looked at the boxes.
Shen Xiuhan stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the boxes one by one.
Mountain-Destroying Ridge-Cleaving Palm...
Jade Maiden Yin Essence Art...
Greenwater Ice-Condensing Technique...
Vajra Mahasattva Indestructible Buddhist Body...
After a cursory glance, Shen Xiuhan moved past them quickly.
Before long, he stopped at a brocade box placed at the very edge.
Inside lay a yellowed booklet. On the jade plaque beside it, three large characters were carved in a flamboyant script.
Flowing Cloud Swordplay!
Seeing him studying the sword manual, Ji Shuying stepped forward to introduce it.
“This sword technique comes from Bixia Villa in the prefecture capital. Bixia Villa is divided into the Qi and Sword Lineages. This swordplay is derived from the supreme art of the Sword Lineage, the True Exposition of the Flowing Cloud Thousand Illusion Sword Dao. It is the most orthodox introductory volume.”
Shen Xiuhan looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this.
A supreme art of Bixia Villa... even if it was only the introductory volume, why would it be here?
Could it be...
Before he could think further, Ji Shuying explained with a light laugh, “Do not overthink it. This manual was obtained through legitimate means; a Sword Lineage elder gave it to our family...”
“Xiao Liu, you may not know this, but the Four Great Sects have been fighting openly and covertly for years to snatch up geniuses.”
“Deliberately spreading non-core techniques and martial arts across various regions to cast a wide net and win the hearts of grassroots geniuses is one of their strategies.”
“For instance, some years ago, a heavenly genius was born in the territory of the Qingyuan Sword Pavilion. By chance, he practiced a technique from the Star-Plucking Sect. Once his talent was revealed, he resolutely defected to the Star-Plucking Sect!”
“Two years ago, I heard that he broke through to the Huajin Rank and was promoted to chief disciple... He is hailed as the most talented disciple the Star-Plucking Sect has seen in a decade.”
Shen Xiuhan realized the truth and could not help but feel a sense of admiration.
The person who could devise such an open scheme—using techniques as bait to fish for the world’s talents—was truly someone of immense wisdom and sharp intellect!
This method required no force or coercion. With just an incomplete manual, the humble families of the world were made to serve them willingly.
Brilliant, truly brilliant.
Shen Xiuhan picked up the sword manual and turned to Ji Shuying, saying solemnly, “Aunt Ji, I already have the stance work and martial techniques passed down by my master. What I lack now is a weapon art. I will choose this sword manual.”
“Very well.”
Ji Shuying did not ask further and immediately turned to call out.
A disciple responsible for guarding the room entered at once.
“Transcribe a duplicate copy of the Flowing Cloud Swordplay manual overnight. Remember, there must be no errors or omissions. Have someone deliver it to Patrol Envoy Shen’s home before the hour of Wu tomorrow.”
“Understood!” The deacon disciple cupped his fists respectfully, picked up the sword manual with great care, and hurried out.
Afterward, Ji Shuying had someone bring sixty taels of silver and five Jasper Blood Pills, a specialty of the Ji family.
These were the rewards Shen Xiuhan had earned for killing Tu Xiaotian!
After the handover was complete, Ji Shuying personally escorted Shen Xiuhan out of the mansion.
However, as they passed a side room in the front courtyard, sudden roars of fury erupted from within!
“Get out! Take it all away! The smell of these weeds makes me sick!”
“My spine is broken! My path in the Martial Dao is completely ruined! How much longer are you dog servants going to lie to me? Get out! All of you, get out!”
It was Ji Yuande!
Hearing the familiar voice, Shen Xiuhan paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
The voice was raspy and filled with madness, a far cry from the high-spirited and arrogant Ji Yuande of the past.
Then, a shrill and cold female voice rang out.
“Ji Yuande! Do not be so ungrateful!”
“You are just a branch lineage disciple from a country estate. If not for your good luck, you would have spent your whole life feeding pigs and herding cows in the village!”
“You spent a few days in the city and actually started thinking of yourself as a precious and noble young master? Take a look at yourself in the mirror!”
“A cripple who cannot even get out of bed actually dreams of having the two young ladies marry you? Truly, a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh—nothing but a delusional fantasy!”
Each word was like a knife. Outside the courtyard, Ji Shuying’s expression shifted instantly, her brow knitting tightly as she prepared to push the door open.
But then, Ji Yuande’s voice shrieked again with exhaustion and rage.
“Fine! You lowly wench finally admit that I am a cripple!?”
“I knew it... from the day I was carried back, you all have been deceiving me from start to finish!”
“Claiming that as long as I take my medicine and rest, I can recover and practice martial arts again... It is all damn lies! Deceit! You are all deceiving me!”
“And what if we are?” The cold female voice sneered, her tone full of disdain.
“Even though you are a cripple, has the family ever mistreated you?”
“The family spent dozens of taels to hire Physician Wen of Changshui County to treat you and allocated countless spirit medicines from the pharmacy just to save your life. What more do you want?”
“What more do I want?” Ji Yuande spat the words through gritted teeth, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
“This is only what I deserve!”
“I, Ji Yuande, was crippled by Chenjian Dock while defending the Ji family’s reputation!”
“The Ji family owes me!”
“I want to see Ji Shuying! I want to see Ji Wen!”
“Marry Ji Xue and Ji Yao to me as compensation! They are mine, hahaha... they are all my women!”
Ji Yuande’s delusional rants drifted out clearly.
Ji Shuying’s face, which had held a trace of complex pity, instantly turned as cold as ice.
She let out a cold snort and raised her hand.
Violent Anjin Rank force erupted through the air.
Bang!
The wave of air surged out like a tide, instantly blasting the wooden door into splinters!
Ji Shuying stepped into the room, her voice thundering like a strike of lightning. “How dare you!”
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