A Daughter of the Yang Family, Yi Lanzhu

The main hall of the Yu Unit, Divine Department, under the Dragon Guard Yamen.

Yang Yuncong, clad in a red-trimmed black brocade combat uniform, proactively offered Qin Shuang a cup of fine green tea. "Why did you kill all the Yellow River Gang members? Didn't you leave any to bring back for interrogation, to find out who ordered it?"

"No need to interrogate. It's revenge from the Imperial Guards for what happened in Taizhou, I just didn't expect it to come so quickly!" Qin Shuang took a shallow sip of his tea and said slowly, "But you suspended me this time, didn't you want to smooth things over? Then why should I dig deeper into this matter!"

"Oh, so that's what you mean?" Yang Yuncong gestured for Qin Shuang to continue, his interest piqued.

"Besides, portraying myself as an impulsive, reckless, and bloodthirsty person will lower my opponent's guard. For me, it's a hundred benefits and no harm. Why wouldn't I do it?"

"Good kid, I didn't expect you to think so deeply!" Yang Yuncong exclaimed sincerely.

"Can't be helped. Who told me I'm too outstanding? 'When a tree towers above the forest, the wind will destroy it.' My mother only has me as her son. To prevent her from being sad, I have to protect myself!" After a few serious words, Qin Shuang started being flippant again.

"Praise you a few words, and your tail goes up to the sky!" Yang Yuncong was amused to the point of anger.

"Haha, I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. By the way, Uncle Yang, did you call me here because the spoils of war I handed in yesterday were so generous that you want to reward me?"

"Regarding the spoils, didn't you keep your share?" Yang Yuncong's mood improved greatly when this was mentioned. One incident at Peerless City and another with the Yellow River Gang, the private income Qin Shuang had handed him was equivalent to his own income for several years.

"I shared it all with my brothers. Who's like you, enjoying a share all to yourself."

"Cough, cough, cough..." Yang Yuncong coughed awkwardly. "Watch your wording, how can you speak like that!"

To cover his embarrassment, Yang Yuncong took several sips of tea before getting to the main point: "Your martial arts have improved greatly recently!"

"It's alright. I was lucky yesterday and entered the Innate Realm," Qin Shuang said modestly.

"I'm talking about the Body-Shattering Formless Sword Qi!"

"I practiced that move for a long time before, but I couldn't get it right. After advancing to the Innate Realm, I suddenly comprehended it!" Qin Shuang said, widening his eyes as he looked at Yang Yuncong. "Uncle Yang, do you know this move?"

"Naturally, I know it!" Yang Yuncong looked out the window, his face filled with reminiscence. "How could I possibly forget such an earth-shattering sword move!"

"Who did you see using this move back then?" Qin Shuang pressed.

"Didn't the person who taught you this move tell you his name?" Yang Yuncong asked, sounding very surprised.

"Not only did he not tell me his name, but his face was also covered with a black cloth. I still don't know who he is!" Qin Shuang said with a hint of regret.

"Since he acted that way, he probably doesn't intend to reveal himself for now. In that case, it's not convenient for me to reveal his name either. You'll know when he's willing to tell you," Yang Yuncong considered for a moment, but still didn't reveal any information, and gave Qin Shuang an explanation.

"Alright, I understand!"

"I was originally looking for martial arts suitable for you, but I didn't expect him to be secretly teaching you," Yang Yuncong reminded Qin Shuang. "However, he had many enemies back then. If you reveal this martial art and someone finds out about your connection, they might not dare to trouble him, but they might harm you. You have to be careful in the future!"

"I know! But those who only dare to play dirty tricks behind people's backs, no matter how strong they are, their abilities are limited. They'd better not provoke me, or I'll make sure they never return!" Qin Shuang said confidently.

"I don't know if your confidence is a good thing or a bad thing. Do you think there's anything else you need to improve in your martial arts?"

"Martial arts?" Qin Shuang frowned slightly, mentally reviewing the martial arts he knew. For internal energy, he had Heavenly Frost Qi and Innate Formless Divine Art. For techniques, he had Dream Slaying Saber Technique, Heavenly Frost Fist, and Innate Formless Finger Sword. Coupled with the newly comprehended Body-Shattering Formless Sword Qi, he had a grasp of both weapon combat and unarmed combat, with no significant weaknesses. If he had to improve further, it would be speed.

Thinking of this, Qin Shuang considered his words carefully and said, "When I use weapons, I have the Dream Slaying Saber Technique. When I fight bare-handed, I have the Heavenly Frost Fist. For close-quarters combat, I have the Innate Formless Finger Sword. For long-range attacks, I have the Body-Shattering Formless Sword Qi. Relatively speaking, my Qinggong and movement techniques are average. The footwork accompanying the Heavenly Frost Fist is suitable for small-scale dodges and maneuvers, but it doesn't increase my absolute speed. Therefore, I need to learn a top-tier movement technique."

Yang Yuncong listened to Qin Shuang's analysis and largely agreed with his words. "Do you have a target? I can help you think of a way."

"Although the Innate Formless Divine Art can be adapted to any martial art, for me, the one I want to learn the most is the Wind God's Leg, which is in the same lineage as the Heavenly Frost Fist!"

"The Old Man of Three Absolutes' Wind God's Leg?"

"Yes, it's my master's Wind God's Leg." Qin Shuang chuckled. "My master was famous in the jianghu for his Heavenly Frost Fist, Cloud-Dispelling Palm, and Wind God's Leg. He took three direct disciples and taught them his martial arts. I was by my master's side for nine years. Although I learned the Heavenly Frost Fist, he didn't exclude me when teaching my junior brothers. Through constant exposure, I've learned most of the moves for the Cloud-Dispelling Palm and Wind God's Leg. However, I wouldn't dare to secretly learn the corresponding cultivation methods without my master's permission. So, if you ask me to choose, the Wind God's Leg would definitely be the martial art I could pick up the fastest and would greatly improve me."

Yang Yuncong nodded repeatedly. "This matter is easy to handle. The Old Man of Three Absolutes has always been on good terms with the court, and his relationship with the Dragon Guard is quite close. That's why your mother had you become his disciple back then. I'll write him a letter to explain the situation, and I believe he will agree to teach you the Wind God's Leg."

"That would be best. I'll prepare some gifts and send them along with your letter. It's been over two years since I left my apprenticeship, and I haven't gone back to visit him. I wonder how his health is? How are my two junior brothers learning their martial arts? Will they make Master angry?" Qin Shuang said sincerely.

"Yes, I'll have the messenger wait for you." Yang Yuncong looked at Qin Shuang, his eyes full of admiration.

Lan Zhu is only one year older than Qin Shuang. When she returned to Chaoge City during the New Year, he had an opportunity to try and set them up. If they could hit it off, it would be a wonderful thing!

As he watched Qin Shuang's retreating back, Yang Yuncong's mind turned to his daughter, Yi Lanzhu, who was stationed in Qing Province under Ling Weifeng.

Yi Lanzhu's original name was Yang Baozhu. After Yang Yuncong and his wife Nalan Minghui separated due to certain circumstances, she angrily changed her name. Her father's surname was Yang (木易), from which she took half, "Yi." Her mother's maiden name was Nalan, from which she took half, "Lan." Her original given name was Baozhu, from which she took half, "Zhu."