Peeping

Not long after lunch, Qin Fengming arrived punctually at the side hall to the right of the main hall. By then, many youths were already seated on wooden chairs inside.

Qin Fengming looked around. Most of them were youths who had arrived with him, while he had never seen the few slightly older youths before. They were presumably disciples from previous years.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, an old man in a brown robe entered the hall. Looking at the seated youths below, he said in a steady voice, "This old man is surnamed Shi. From now on, you will study reading and writing with this old man. I hope you will all learn diligently and commit everything to memory."

All the children rose and bowed to the old man together. Then they sat down and listened to his instruction.

Thus, Qin Fengming and the others refined stone locks every morning, then learned to read and write in the afternoons and evenings. Day after day passed.

Half a month later, after they had gained some foundation, the old teacher brought out a diagram of the human body and began teaching them to carefully familiarize themselves with human bones, meridians, and the locations of acupoints.

Though he had been away from home for a long time, Qin Fengming was only ten years old, yet with so many things to do each day, he did not miss home much.

One day, after finishing his stone-lock training that morning and finding nothing else to do, Qin Fengming decided to take a stroll around Danyun Peak. After informing Duan Meng and the other youth, he headed alone toward the rear mountain of Danyun Peak.

The rear mountain of Danyun Peak was thick with verdant trees, and a winding path stretched deep into the woods. As Qin Fengming admired the scenery along the road, he lingered so long that he forgot to return, unknowingly walking a great distance.

Just as Qin Fengming had forgotten the way back and was intoxicated by the beauty around him, he suddenly heard the sound of blades cutting through the air ahead—swish, swish.

Curious, Qin Fengming hurried forward. He climbed onto a large rock and narrowed his eyes toward the source of the sound. It would have been better if he had not looked. The moment he did, he froze on the spot.

In a small valley some twenty or thirty zhang ahead, a young maiden in colorful clothes was gracefully wielding a longsword. She seemed like an Immortal Fairy descending to the mortal world, her figure incomparably lovely. In her hand, the sword seemed to possess a spirit of its own.

In all his life, Qin Fengming had never seen such a beautiful and refined woman, much less seen a treasured sword danced to such a miraculous degree. Stunned, he could not help crying out, "Wonderful!"

As soon as Qin Fengming's praise left his mouth, the lovely maiden practicing her sword immediately stopped and looked toward him with her sword held before her.

With a slight movement, she was like an Immortal Fairy in the moonlight, stepping upon soft treetops. After several rises and falls, she had already arrived before Qin Fengming.

At the sight before him, Qin Fengming was so frightened that his wits scattered to the six directions. He stood there dumbly, not knowing what to do.

He was deeply bewildered. A living person could actually leap through the air atop tree branches—this was something he had never imagined.

The beautiful maiden glared at Qin Fengming. Seeing that he wore gray clothing and was around ten years old, she already knew his identity. Her white teeth showed slightly, and with a cold expression, she said, "You are one of this year's new disciples, aren't you? Why were you peeping at me while I practiced Martial Arts?"

Qin Fengming had been clever since childhood. Though nervous, he regained his calm after a moment. Bowing, he said, "I am indeed a disciple who has just joined Luoxia Valley. I did not know that elder sister was practicing Martial Arts here. I was merely bored and came here for a walk. I happened to see you by accident. I hope elder sister can forgive me."

The maiden looked at Qin Fengming. Seeing his calm expression, he did not seem to be lying, so she said indifferently:

"Whether you meant to or not, this place is filled with snakes, insects, and wild beasts. You should leave quickly. Otherwise, your life may be in danger."

After saying this, she ignored Qin Fengming. Turning around, she leaped, and her body was already two zhang away. After several rises and falls, her fragrant trail vanished from sight.

Qin Fengming stared blankly in the direction the maiden had departed for a long while. His heart was filled with yearning for the movement technique and swordsmanship she had displayed. Thus, he made up his mind to learn the way of the sword in the future.

The next day, Qin Fengming sought out Hall Master Zhang and told him that he wanted to learn swordsmanship and that leaping technique. Hall Master Zhang said nothing in response, merely telling him to continue training his strength and studying reading and writing.

When refining stone locks, Qin Fengming initially needed more than an hour each day to complete his task. One month later, he could complete the task Hall Master Zhang assigned in half an hour. By the time half a year had passed, refining stone locks was like playing with a rock in his hand, and he needed only half an incense stick's time to finish.

Hall Master Zhang secretly watched the three of them and was delighted beyond measure. He was even more pleased with Qin Fengming's performance. He could not understand where a child barely over ten had found such strength. Even he himself had not looked as relaxed as Qin Fengming when training in those days.

After half a year of literacy studies, the children recognized many words related to Martial Arts and the human body's acupoints. They had also gained a clear understanding of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, the Twelve Primary Meridians, bones and channels, and the locations of acupoints throughout the body. They possessed the foundation to learn profound Martial Arts.

One day, after breakfast, Qin Fengming and the other two were about to go into the courtyard to refine stone locks as usual when a figure flashed, and Hall Master Zhang suddenly appeared before them.

After a brief start, the three youths bowed at the same time. "Greetings, Hall Master Zhang."

"Today, I will impart formal Martial Arts to you. These are three secret manuals. Study and comprehend them carefully on your own." Hall Master Zhang said no more. With a lift of his hand, he handed a booklet to each of Qin Fengming and the other two.

Taking the booklet, Qin Fengming focused his gaze on it and saw five characters written on its cover: "Thirteen Forms of the Willow." He did not open it to read, merely carefully tucked it close against his body.

"At the same time, I will teach you a Light Body Incantation. Follow me now." Seeing that all three had put away their secret manuals, Hall Master Zhang continued. As he spoke, he turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Qin Fengming and the other two did not dare delay and followed closely behind. After the time it took to eat a meal, they arrived at a secluded place. Hall Master Zhang stopped, then turned to face them.

"This incantation may not be some supreme Lightness Skill, but it is still renowned throughout the martial world. You must commit it carefully to memory and keep every word in your hearts. You must not pass it on to others. Do you understand?"

Hearing Hall Master Zhang speak so seriously, Qin Fengming and the other two nodded heavily and replied in unison, "This disciple will certainly obey Hall Master Zhang's command, memorize it carefully, and not tell anyone else."

Seeing their manner, Hall Master Zhang nodded and said no more. After a slight pause, he slowly began reciting an incantation, teaching it to the three of them line by line.

Naturally, Qin Fengming could not understand it all at once. He merely committed the words of the incantation to memory, intending to study and comprehend them on his own later.

The incantation was not very long, only some two or three hundred words. By the time Hall Master Zhang had taught it for the eighth time, Qin Fengming and the other two had all memorized it completely.

"Every five days, I will visit the courtyard where you live to guide you. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask me then. All right, go back and practice on your own." Having said this, Hall Master Zhang turned and leaped away, disappearing into the depths of the dense forest.