Martial Arts Prodigy

After spending several days, Zhao Ping'an learned all the characters and picked up some history as well.

That day, Eldest Maternal Aunt invited Zhao Ping'an to play in her courtyard.

Ever since Zhao Ping'an had displayed his astonishing memory, Eldest Maternal Aunt had become much warmer toward him, worried that her family's closeness to Zhao Ping'an would fall far behind that of Second Maternal Aunt's family.

In the courtyard, Eldest Maternal Aunt and Jiang Shuyue sipped flower tea and chatted, while Zhao Ping'an stood in the middle of the courtyard, watching Second Cousin Jiang Huaishan practice a swordplay set.

Eldest Maternal Aunt had two sons in total. Her Eldest Son, Jiang Huaihai, was already ten years old. At the age of three, he had been tested as possessing a superior Wind Spirit Physique and had been sent to a Major Sect for training. Her Second Son, Jiang Huaishan, was six this year. He too had been tested at the age of three as possessing a middle-grade Wind Spirit Physique and was to be sent to a Major Sect for training when he was around eight.

The swordplay Jiang Huaishan was practicing was called Qingfeng Swordplay. It was a decent beginner swordplay, suitable for introducing children to the sword.

Jiang Huaishan held a Wooden Sword and practiced earnestly, every movement measured and precise, with a convincing air about him. There was already a faint trace of the wind's charm in his movements.

After Jiang Huaishan finished practicing Qingfeng Swordplay, Zhao Ping'an opened his panel to check. He saw that "Qingfeng Swordplay" [Unranked] (0/30) had been added under martial skills.

At that moment, Jiang Huaishan sheathed his sword and walked up to Zhao Ping'an, asking somewhat showily, "Younger Male Cousin, what do you think of my swordplay? Impressive, right?"

"So impressive!" Zhao Ping'an immediately cried out with an admiring expression.

Jiang Huaishan was instantly delighted. Lately, he had constantly heard his mother say that Zhao Ping'an was exceptionally clever, until his ears had practically grown calluses. He had not expected Zhao Ping'an to admire his swordplay too.

"Want me to teach you?" he asked excitedly.

Zhao Ping'an said, "Sure. Thank you, Second Cousin."

Jiang Huaishan immediately took out a smaller Wooden Sword and gave it to Zhao Ping'an. Then, in the open space of the courtyard, he taught Zhao Ping'an move by move.

Zhao Ping'an did not add Proficiency Points directly. Instead, he humored Jiang Huaishan's childlike eagerness to show off and seriously learned from him.

Jiang Shuyue and Eldest Maternal Aunt sat inside the pavilion, chatting while smilingly watching Jiang Huaishan teach Zhao Ping'an swordplay.

Naturally, they only thought the two cousins were playing.

After teaching him twice in a row, Jiang Huaishan grew tired and stopped. "Younger Male Cousin, that's all for today. I'll teach you more tomorrow if I have time."

"Thank you, Second Cousin," Zhao Ping'an said, giving Jiang Huaishan a proper half-bow.

Jiang Huaishan became even happier and repeatedly waved his little hands. "No need to thank me, no need! I also know a set of Arhat Fist. When I have time, I'll teach you that too!"

"Really?" Zhao Ping'an showed the delighted surprise of a child.

"Of course it's true! A true man's word, once spoken, cannot be chased down by four galloping horses!" Jiang Huaishan said, thumping his chest hard. "Let me tell you, Arhat Fist is amazing. It's the best fist technique for laying foundations. If one day you don't have a sword on you, you can use Arhat Fist to beat up bad people!"

Zhao Ping'an nodded vigorously in cooperation, his face full of anticipation.

At that moment, Eldest Maternal Aunt called out with a smile, "Huaishan, Ping'an, come over and drink some water. Wipe off your sweat."

"Mother called us. That's it for today. Let's go." Jiang Huaishan reached out, took Zhao Ping'an's hand, and led him toward the pavilion.

Late at night, all was silent.

Moon Laurel Courtyard.

Zhao Ping'an woke up. He crawled upright and carefully looked at Jiang Shuyue, confirming that she was sound asleep.

Then, moving as lightly as possible, he quietly climbed out of bed, picked up the Small Wooden Sword Second Cousin had given him during the day, left the room, and walked into the open space of the courtyard.

Holding the Small Wooden Sword, feet together and standing straight, Zhao Ping'an half-closed his eyes. He opened the panel in his mind, then filled up the proficiency of "Qingfeng Swordplay."

In an instant, a vast amount of insight into Qingfeng Swordplay flooded into his mind, as though he had practiced it countless times and completely mastered Qingfeng Swordplay.

After about two breaths, Zhao Ping'an abruptly opened his eyes. His gaze shot forth, sharp as sword edges, and then he swung his sword to practice Qingfeng Swordplay.

His sword moves and footwork were light and nimble as a clear breeze, yet without losing their sharpness. He had already grasped the true essence of Qingfeng Swordplay.

In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea—one cup of tea being roughly fifteen minutes—Zhao Ping'an had perfectly completed Qingfeng Swordplay.

After stopping, Zhao Ping'an pondered to himself, At least I finally have a little ability to protect myself with fists and feet. Unfortunately, Qingfeng Swordplay is too low-level and its power is limited.

He had cultivated the Dao Scripture while still in his mother's womb and learned a spell that came with the Dao Scripture: Primal Chaos Body Protection.

Primal Chaos Body Protection [Earth Rank] (/): A body-protecting spell derived from the Dao Scripture. Its defensive power depends on the caster's quantity of True Essence. At its strongest, it can withstand attacks from Earth Rank spells or Earth Rank martial skills.

However, the True Essence within him was pitifully scarce. He could only barely cast Primal Chaos Body Protection once, and even then, it could not block attacks that were too strong.

As he thought, an idea suddenly surfaced in his mind. I can still add Proficiency Points after proficiency is maxed out. If I add ten times as many Proficiency Points to Qingfeng Swordplay, could I comprehend a stronger swordplay?

I'll give it a try. Even if it doesn't work, I won't waste many Proficiency Points!

Thus, Zhao Ping'an immediately opened his panel and raised Qingfeng Swordplay's proficiency to 300 points.

In an instant, a vast amount of profound insight into Qingfeng Swordplay flooded into him.

After one breath, Zhao Ping'an finished receiving the new insight, but he did not feel that he had comprehended a stronger swordplay.

Keep adding points! He steeled himself inwardly and, in one go, increased Qingfeng Swordplay's Proficiency Points to 3,000—one hundred times the amount Qingfeng Swordplay required.

Once more, a vast amount of profound insight surged in. Then, that immense insight underwent a qualitative change, evolving into a new swordplay a whole tier more powerful.

Zhao Ping'an opened his eyes and began practicing the new swordplay he had just comprehended.

His footwork was swift as the wind, his sword following his body. Every move was razor-sharp and carried the desolate, killing chill of autumn wind. The surrounding air stirred, whipping up a gust.

At the final move, Zhao Ping'an's body rose with the wind, flying more than half a zhang off the ground, and he slashed at a thumb-thick branch.

With a whoosh, before the edge of the Wooden Sword even touched it, the branch was severed by the sharp sword wind carried by the Wooden Sword, revealing a smooth cut.

His feet landed steadily. Zhao Ping'an regulated his breath and finished his practice, then raised his head to watch the branch falling from the tree. Joy appeared on his tender yet handsome face.

It finally has some killing power, he thought, then opened his panel to check.

He saw that "Qingfeng Swordplay" had changed into "Unnamed Swordplay" [Low Grade].

However, "Unnamed Swordplay" displayed no proficiency afterward, which meant he could not comprehend a stronger swordplay through an enormous amount of Proficiency Points.

I'll call it Gale Swordplay, he thought.

At his mental command, "Unnamed Swordplay" on the panel changed to "Gale Swordplay."

Putting away his sword, Zhao Ping'an left the courtyard with complete satisfaction, quietly returned to the room, climbed back into bed, and lay down beside Jiang Shuyue to sleep.

The next day, Jiang Huaishan invited Zhao Ping'an to his courtyard to learn swordplay. Zhao Ping'an gladly brought his Small Wooden Sword and went.

In the courtyard, Jiang Huaishan held a Wooden Sword and asked Zhao Ping'an, "Younger Male Cousin, did you practice swordplay last night?"

"I did. I've already learned it," Zhao Ping'an replied.

Because he was still far too young, his voice sounded milky and childish, making him impossible to believe.

Jiang Huaishan clearly did not believe him. "Really?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded.

"Then let's spar. I'll check how well you practiced," Jiang Huaishan said. "I'll hold back my strength."

"You don't need to hold back. I'm very strong."

Thus, Zhao Ping'an and Jiang Huaishan each held a Wooden Sword and began sparring.

In only two moves, Zhao Ping'an's Small Wooden Sword was resting against Jiang Huaishan's neck.

"I was careless. Again!" Jiang Huaishan said unwillingly.

Zhao Ping'an smiled as he withdrew his sword and took two steps back. Then he sparred with Jiang Huaishan again.

Again, in two moves, the tip of Zhao Ping'an's Small Wooden Sword was pointed at Jiang Huaishan's chest.

Jiang Huaishan was still unconvinced. His little face flushed red. "Again!"

"Alright!"

The third spar was still over in two moves, with Jiang Huaishan defeated.

Jiang Shuyue and Eldest Maternal Aunt, who had been chatting in the pavilion, noticed the sparring between Zhao Ping'an and Jiang Huaishan. They could not help stopping their conversation and standing up to watch seriously, surprise in their eyes.

Defeated three times in a row, and unable to last beyond two moves each time, Jiang Huaishan could not accept it. His eyes began to redden.

"You weren't using Qingfeng Swordplay!" he roared angrily at Zhao Ping'an, tears already spilling uncontrollably from his eyes.

Frightened, Jiang Shuyue and Eldest Maternal Aunt hurried out of the pavilion and went over to Zhao Ping'an and Jiang Huaishan. "What happened? You're cousins. You can't quarrel."

"Mother, he wasn't using Qingfeng Swordplay!" Jiang Huaishan said, pointing at Zhao Ping'an in utter grievance.

Naturally, Eldest Maternal Aunt did not believe her son. Zhao Ping'an was so young, and he had only clumsily followed Jiang Huaishan in learning swordplay yesterday. How could he possibly know any other swordplay? Perhaps it was simply a random fist beating an old master to death.

Still, she did not immediately refute her son. She asked Zhao Ping'an, "Ping'an, tell us what happened."

"Second Cousin, I was using Qingfeng Swordplay," Zhao Ping'an said earnestly to Jiang Huaishan. "It's just that there were some flaws in your swordplay, and I caught them."

Jiang Huaishan said unconvincedly, "Where were my flaws? I taught you all your swordplay!"

Eldest Maternal Aunt smiled. "Then spar again. Your aunt and I will judge for you."

Thus, Zhao Ping'an and Jiang Huaishan sparred again. To prove that his swordplay had no flaws, Jiang Huaishan used the same moves as before.

Just like before, in only two moves, Zhao Ping'an's Small Wooden Sword was at Jiang Huaishan's neck.

Though Eldest Maternal Aunt and Jiang Shuyue were not swordplay experts, they still had some discernment. They could see that Zhao Ping'an had indeed used Qingfeng Swordplay.

"Ping'an, how did you do it?" Eldest Maternal Aunt asked warmly, astonished inwardly by Zhao Ping'an's remarkable talent in swordplay.

Like a little adult, Zhao Ping'an pointed out where Jiang Huaishan's flaws lay, then explained how he had used Qingfeng Swordplay to seize them.

Jiang Huaishan was still unconvinced. He recreated the second and third spars from before, and the results were the same both times.

"Huaishan, Ping'an is a Sword Dao Genius. His comprehension is something seen only once in a hundred years. Your defeat was not undeserved," Eldest Maternal Aunt said seriously to Jiang Huaishan.

Then she said to Zhao Ping'an, "Ping'an, your Second Cousin taught you Qingfeng Swordplay. In return, can you give him some pointers on his swordplay?"

"Sure!" Zhao Ping'an readily agreed, then said to Jiang Huaishan, "Second Cousin, shall we practice swordplay together?"

Jiang Huaishan blushed and said somewhat awkwardly, "Alright."

In truth, he was already somewhat convinced by Zhao Ping'an.

Thus, Zhao Ping'an began seriously instructing Jiang Huaishan in Qingfeng Swordplay.

His comprehension of Qingfeng Swordplay was unimaginably deep. It completely surpassed the Swordplay Teacher who had taught Jiang Huaishan Qingfeng Swordplay, and even surpassed Qingfeng Swordplay's original creator.

"The sword tip needs to rise half an inch. Move your right elbow back another inch and a half..."

Jiang Shuyue and Eldest Maternal Aunt returned to the pavilion but did not sit down. Both remained standing, watching how Zhao Ping'an instructed Jiang Huaishan.

"Little Sister, congratulations. Ping'an not only has Photographic Memory, he is also a Sword Dao Genius," Eldest Maternal Aunt said enviously.

A gratified smile could not help appearing on Jiang Shuyue's exquisitely beautiful face. Modestly, she said, "I hope so."

Eldest Maternal Aunt added, "The Zhennan Marquis Estate will definitely regret it."

"They definitely will!" Jiang Shuyue nodded vigorously.

After spending half an hour, Zhao Ping'an finished instructing Jiang Huaishan. Jiang Huaishan's Qingfeng Swordplay had been almost completely transformed, as though it had gained the true rhythm of the swordplay.

"Younger Male Cousin, thank you," Jiang Huaishan said to Zhao Ping'an.

He could clearly feel that his swordplay had improved tremendously.

Zhao Ping'an smiled and lightly shook his head. "No need to thank me. You were the one who taught me Qingfeng Swordplay. Also, didn't you say you knew Arhat Fist too? Teach me Arhat Fist another day, alright?"

"Alright!"

After Zhao Ping'an and Jiang Shuyue left, Eldest Maternal Aunt immediately had a Maidservant invite Jiang Huaishan's Swordplay Teacher over.

Half an hour later, after seriously watching Jiang Huaishan practice Qingfeng Swordplay once, the middle-aged Swordplay Teacher praised him lavishly. "Congratulations, First Madam. Huaishan's comprehension of swordplay is exceptional. He has already deeply grasped the true flavor of Qingfeng Swordplay. As long as he spends a little more time practicing until he becomes proficient, his Qingfeng Swordplay will be ready to graduate."

"It is because Teacher Zhuo taught him well," Eldest Maternal Aunt said with a smile. Then she turned to the Maidservant behind her. "Quickly fetch one hundred Silver Ingots to reward Teacher Zhuo."

The Maidservant answered, "Yes," and hurried into the room to retrieve the silver.

Before long, Swordplay Teacher Zhuo received one hundred Silver Ingots. After encouraging and praising Jiang Huaishan a few times, he left with a broad smile.

"Mother, why did you give Teacher Zhuo so much extra silver? Younger Male Cousin was clearly the one who taught me," Jiang Huaishan asked, half confused and half unconvinced.

Eldest Maternal Aunt gently stroked Jiang Huaishan's head and said with a smile, "Teacher Zhuo has taught you swordplay for many days. He deserves credit."

After a pause, she continued, "Didn't Ping'an want you to teach him Arhat Fist? Teach him tomorrow, then have him instruct you in Arhat Fist. That way, you will learn Arhat Fist faster."

"Alright!" Jiang Huaishan nodded hard.

Eldest Maternal Aunt added, "From now on, you must treat Ping'an well. When necessary, give in to him a little."

"We're cousins to begin with. Blood is thicker than water. I'm the Older Male Cousin, so of course I'll give in to him," Jiang Huaishan said as if it were only natural.

On the third day, Eldest Maternal Aunt brought Jiang Huaishan to Moon Laurel Courtyard.

"Younger Male Cousin, I'm here to teach you Arhat Fist!" The moment he entered the Courtyard Gate, Jiang Huaishan raised his voice and shouted.

Inside the bedroom, Zhao Ping'an was in Second Maternal Aunt's arms, drinking milk.

Hearing Jiang Huaishan's shout, Zhao Ping'an immediately stopped drinking and said to Second Maternal Aunt, "Second Maternal Aunt, Second Cousin is looking for me. Can I go see him first?"

"Go on." Second Maternal Aunt smiled indulgently and gently as she fastened her collar.

Second Maternal Aunt finished arranging her clothes and only came out half a cup of tea later. She saw Zhao Ping'an in the courtyard earnestly watching Jiang Huaishan practice Arhat Fist.

She walked gracefully to Eldest Maternal Aunt's side. "Eldest Sister-in-law."

"Mhm, Younger Sister-in-law." Eldest Maternal Aunt turned toward Second Maternal Aunt and nodded lightly. Her gaze could not help falling upon Second Maternal Aunt's full, towering breasts as she said somewhat enviously, "It has been hard on you, nursing Ping'an."

Zhao Ping'an would certainly achieve great things in the future. Since Second Maternal Aunt had nursed Zhao Ping'an, Zhao Ping'an would surely be closer to Second Maternal Aunt's family in the future than to Eldest Maternal Aunt's family.

Second Maternal Aunt noticed the envy in her Eldest Sister-in-law's eyes and felt somewhat puzzled inwardly, but she smiled and lightly shook her head. "It isn't hard. I'm raising him as my own child."

After saying that, she turned her gaze toward Zhao Ping'an and Jiang Huaishan.

"Ping'an is still so little. Isn't it too early for him to learn martial arts now?" she asked tactfully, with some concern.

It was not that she feared Zhao Ping'an would learn the wrong things, but that she worried he might get hurt.

After all, Zhao Ping'an was only half a year old. He truly was far too young.

Eldest Maternal Aunt drew a long breath and sighed, then said seriously, "Younger Sister-in-law, you do not know this, but Ping'an is extraordinary. Not only does he have Photographic Memory, he is very likely a Martial Arts Prodigy."

"Ah?" Second Maternal Aunt could not help feeling deeply puzzled.

Eldest Maternal Aunt explained, "The day before yesterday, Huaishan taught Ping'an Qingfeng Swordplay. Who would have thought that the next day, Ping'an had not only learned it, but completely comprehended Qingfeng Swordplay? I had Ping'an give Huaishan some pointers, and Huaishan's Qingfeng Swordplay improved enormously. I asked Teacher Zhuo to watch him, and Teacher Zhuo said Huaishan's Qingfeng Swordplay had already deeply grasped its true flavor. He only needs to practice it until he is more familiar with it, and he will be ready to graduate."

Second Maternal Aunt was shocked and found it hard to believe. "Really?"

One had to know that Zhao Ping'an was only half a year old. Any other Infant would still be far from even learning to walk.

"You'll understand later," Eldest Maternal Aunt sighed. "I truly don't understand what the people of the Zhennan Marquis Estate were thinking, to actually dislike Ping'an."

Second Maternal Aunt basically believed her. Her mind became active as she thought that since Huaishan could greatly improve Qingfeng Swordplay through Ping'an's guidance, she could also have Ping'an guide her Eldest Son, Jiang Huaiyi.

Her Eldest Son, Jiang Huaiyi, was two or three months younger than Jiang Huaishan and had also begun learning Qingfeng Swordplay.