Madam Shi Sings Opera

The wind and rain had not stopped for three days and three nights, only waxing and waning in strength.

Hall Master Liu's death had put ordinary people in much better spirits during this dreary rainy season.

Over those three days, Chu Qing relied on the Toad Skill, consuming a great deal of Spirit and Energy to heal his breastbone and recover from his injuries.

At the same time, he had cultivated Dragonfly Touching Water to Great Completion.

Lightness Skill: Dragonfly Touching Water, Great Completion—practice a hundred times daily, take secret medicine for ten days, attain Perfection in a thousand days

Promotion Condition: 1: Tap water with the toes one hundred thousand times. 2: One portion of Universal Secret Medicine

Dragonfly Touching Water at Great Completion was far superior to Grass on Wings, whether for long-distance dashes or sudden bursts of speed.

If he cultivated it to Perfection, it would certainly be even more formidable.

Unfortunately:

This lightness skill required Universal Secret Medicine.

Universal Secret Medicine was suitable for any ordinary martial art, but it alone was unsuitable for—secret transmission martial arts.

Moreover, this secret medicine was precious. On the Black Market, one portion cost two hundred taels.

It was said that all Universal Secret Medicine flowed out from Martial Academy students and the Armored Soldier Sect.

Ordinary Martial Halls and gangs simply did not know the formula.

Last night, he had gone to the Black Market.

As a result, the wind and rain there had been even fiercer, the river had risen, and the entire Black Market district had been flooded.

He had silver, yet nowhere to spend it.

Wasn't that just bullying him?

Fortunately, he had not been idle these past few days.

He cultivated the Toad Skill and Iron Cloth Shirt, advanced the first condition of Eagle Claw Technique, improved Dragonfly Touching Water, and reviewed his fight to the death with Hall Master Liu.

"Hall Master Liu definitely had more Iron Sinews than I do."

"He might even have possessed Iron Bones."

"But his various Iron Sinews and Iron Bones fought separately, so they were inferior to mine."

"Relying on the Secret Transmission Toad Skill, I could increase the number of Iron Sinews in my martial arts at any time, beyond anything he could understand. That was how I killed him."

"But I was injured too."

"Overall, the number of Iron Sinews is still very important."

Over the past few days, he had swallowed the remaining four portions of secret medicine and cultivated four more Iron Sinews.

Now, his number of Iron Sinews had reached 123.

But he was not satisfied.

"I need more secret medicine to cultivate more Toad Iron Sinews."

But with the Black Market closed, he could not buy Nirvana Qi Grass, Eagle Claw secret medicine, or Universal Secret Medicine.

Right now, he urgently needed secret medicine.

Without secret medicine, his progress would be slow.

"I can't waste any more time."

After thinking it over again and again, Chu Qing decided to continue along the Wife Route.

And this time, his target was—Madam Shi.

Although Madam Shi was broad-minded, she had classified him as a servant. He could not imitate the way he dealt with Madam Jin.

"It's been three days since I last saw her. I should make my presence known."

Behind Madam Shi stood Chief Constable Shi.

He wanted to obtain some secret medicine through Madam Shi.

With that thought, Chu Qing took up an Oil-Paper Umbrella and headed out.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

His toes touched down, and water pooled around them, sending rings of ripples outward.

Water Tapping +1

Water Tapping +1

His progress increased.

In the wind and rain, Chu Qing walked away beneath his umbrella, leaving behind only a faint ripple.

Jin Family Manor:

Madam Jin rested her small hand beneath her chin and leaned against the windowsill, watching the wind and rain batter the flowers into disarray.

"The tenderness of that lowered head is like a flower too shy to bear the cool breeze."

Madam Jin said lazily, "Xiao Taohong!"

"Go pick a flower."

Xiao Taohong sighed to herself and said softly, "Madam, there are only ruined flowers left."

"Let's wait until the wind and rain have passed before picking one!"

Madam Jin glared.

Helpless, Xiao Taohong could only obediently go pick one.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

A knocking sound rang out.

Even Madam Jin in the inner residence heard it.

"Xiao Taohong, see whether it's... Qing'er."

"Madam, Young Master Qing is here."

A few minutes later, Madam Jin looked at the flower Chu Qing had given her and burst out laughing.

"You picked a flower from my flowerbed?"

Chu Qing naturally began massaging her shoulders. "The wind and rain stopped these past two days, so I went outside the city to pick a flower."

Madam Jin was delighted. Tugging on Chu Qing's sleeve, she explained flower lore to him, wishing he would immediately find her a beautiful flower.

At her side, Xiao Taohong sighed and honestly stood guard at the door.

Reading!

Copying calligraphy!

At dusk, as Chu Qing massaged Madam Jin's shoulders again, he asked:

"Is Madam Shi going to the opera today?"

Madam Jin felt inexplicably irritated and stifled.

Her small hand pressed against the silk garment beneath her collarbone. "Why are you looking for her?"

Chu Qing did not hide anything and directly explained that he needed secret medicine.

Madam Jin frowned. "Xiao Taohong, do we have any Universal Secret Medicine at home?"

From beyond the door, Xiao Taohong answered, "Madam, the household only has the Golden Snake secret medicine used by Lord Jin."

Madam Jin said helplessly, "Qing'er... go to the opera house."

"Madam Shi is no easy person to deal with. Try not to provoke her."

"Alright!"

Though wind and rain still raged, the opera house remained lively.

Onstage, the performer sang: "Meeting an old friend in a foreign land, every step and every line is longing."

Madam Jin and Madam Shi sometimes whispered together, sometimes listened to the music. Their red lips opened and closed as they hummed softly.

Chu Qing could not understand it. He merely waited in silence.

After a long while, the song ended and the crowd dispersed.

Those who had listened to the song gave tips one after another, calling out their praise.

Madam Shi still tipped three or five silver beans.

As the audience departed, Madam Shi did not move. Instead, she cast Chu Qing an icy glance and said coldly:

"I remember that the Martial Academy assessment is less than half a month away."

"If you are not training properly, what are you doing here?"

Chu Qing cupped his fist, just about to explain.

But Madam Shi said coldly, "Since you have no ambition, become a groom ahead of time!"

"In a moment, go lead the horses and hold the stirrups. Get used to it in advance and learn the rules."

Madam Jin frowned.

Chu Qing shook his head. "Madam Shi, I came this time to borrow some secret medicine from you, improve my cultivation, and prepare for the Martial Academy Preliminary Exam."

"As for being a groom... it can wait until later."

Madam Shi sneered. "What? You still want to enter the Martial Academy with real ability?"

"What a joke."

Chu Qing pretended not to understand. "How is that a joke?"

Madam Shi said coldly, "You mud-legged peasants could work hard your entire lives and still never enter the Martial Academy."

"Why waste your time?"

Chu Qing smiled. "If I don't try, how will I know?"

Madam Shi's expression turned icy.

She slowly turned her head, stared at Chu Qing, and said, "Ignorant and arrogant. It is purely a waste of time. Settling down and becoming a groom is your only way out."

Chu Qing said calmly, "At least I dare to try."

Madam Shi's expression grew even colder.

Chu Qing suddenly stepped past Madam Jin, leaned close to Madam Shi's ear, and whispered:

"You want to take the stage and sing opera, but you don't dare. You can only hide beneath the stage all your life, secretly humming a few lines."

"You—you are inferior to me."

"What?"

Madam Shi's eyes widened.

Ignoring the warmth at her ear and Madam Jin beside her, she fixed Chu Qing with a vicious glare, gritted her teeth, and enunciated each word: "I am inferior to you?"

Chu Qing nodded. "You are inferior to me!"

Madam Shi rose to her feet and looked at Chu Qing coldly.

Chu Qing met her gaze without the slightest fear.

Madam Jin hurriedly stood and blocked Madam Shi, saying quickly, "Madam Shi..."

Madam Shi said icily, "Wind Flower Snow Moon, do not let anyone enter."

"Yes, Miss!"

The four valiant maids of Wind Flower Snow Moon glared fiercely at Chu Qing, then drew their longswords and stood outside the door.

The vast opera house was left with only the three of them.

Madam Shi took a deep breath and walked step by step toward the stage.

"I will sing opera. Do you dare listen?"

"I dare!"

Madam Shi gave him a deep look. Then her vermilion lips parted, and a clear, bright operatic voice rang out.

Madam Jin was dumbfounded.

She looked at Chu Qing, then at Madam Shi, covered her mouth, and secretly laughed.

Outside:

The four maids of Wind Flower Snow Moon had gone pale.

They gripped their longswords in terror, afraid that someone might barge in and expose Madam Shi's secret.

"Miss..."

One minute...

Five minutes...

On the stage, Madam Shi was motionless at first, but gradually, she let herself go.

Her lotus steps shifted lightly, her expressions changed, and her small hand formed an orchid gesture. She was like a true opera performer.

When the song ended, silence filled the hall.

Outside, Wind Flower Snow Moon let out a breath of relief.

The next moment:

"Wonderful singing!"

"A reward!"

A man's voice faintly carried through the door.

The four maids were shocked and enraged.

"That mud-legged peasant actually treated Miss like an opera performer?"

"Courting death!"