Mother, Ji Shu Is a Genius

"None?!"

Ning Zhongze glanced sideways at him, her expression stern.

"The martial path is broad and profound. Though Mount Hua Swordplay is merely an introductory sword art, it is the foundational discipline of our Mount Hua. Only by mastering this foundational sword art can one climb higher still. Otherwise, one can only keep circling within the basics and achieve little. You have only been in the Mount Hua Sect for one day. Yet you dare say you know Mount Hua Swordplay well?!"

"...Martial Mother, I will work hard."

Ji Shu could only say that.

Ning Zhongze sternly said, "One must not be lazy or slack in martial training! Even less should one be frivolous or complacent! Ji Shu, I see righteousness in you. You seem upright, not like someone arrogant and flighty. Do not disappoint me!"

Ji Shu nodded.

Just as Ning Zhongze was about to continue, Yue Lingshan came pattering into the courtyard. The moment she saw Ning Zhongze, her eyes lit up slightly. Calling out, "Mother," she ran over, wrapped her arms around Ning Zhongze's arm, and leaned against her affectionately.

Ning Zhongze was both annoyed and amused. She tapped Yue Lingshan on the forehead and said, "You are Master Yue now as well. Acting like such a little girl in front of your own disciple—where is your dignity?"

No wonder Ji Shu was so indolent! With a master like this, how could one expect the disciple to be outstanding?

Ning Zhongze even entertained the thought of personally teaching Ji Shu. After all, Ji Shu was already an Inner Sect disciple. Once one entered the Inner Sect, they had to be seen through to the end. She could not let Ji Shu waste away his years and accomplish nothing!

"..."

Yue Lingshan pursed her lips dismissively and blurted out, "Mother, you have no idea how talented Ji Shu is! How could I dare remain his Master Yue forever? I would already be satisfied to be his Master Yue for a day or two."

"What did you say?!"

Ning Zhongze froze slightly.

"Mother, I wanted to tell you and Father this morning, but you were discussing the Five Peaks Alliance's important affairs then. You both looked so serious that I could not bring it up. Now that no one else is here, I can finally tell you."

Yue Lingshan let out a long breath. "I was practically bursting from holding it in."

She pulled Ji Shu over and said excitedly, "Mother, Ji Shu is an unparalleled genius! You have to praise me properly. I brought our Mount Hua Sect an astonishing prodigy who could shake the world!!"

Her face was full of pride and satisfaction, as if bringing Ji Shu into the sect was something immensely worthy of pride!

Ning Zhongze was utterly astonished.

She looked Ji Shu up and down twice. He did indeed seem somewhat different from yesterday. His skin appeared more refined, and his sharpness slightly more pronounced. Though Ji Shu had concealed it well, the subtle differences could still be seen upon close inspection.

Ning Zhongze was doubtful. "Shan'er, what makes you so certain that Ji Shu is a genius?"

"Ji Shu learned Mount Hua Swordplay the moment I taught it to him, and he even cultivated it to the realm of Sword Qi Self-Generation! Neither you nor Father has reached such a Sword Dao Realm. If that is not genius, then what is?"

"You mean that after Ji Shu arrived yesterday, you taught him Mount Hua Swordplay, and he immediately reached the realm of Self-Generating Inner Energy?"

"Yes, Mother! I was so shocked at the time! How could I possibly maintain Master Yue's dignity?"

Yue Lingshan said brightly, "Ji Shu is so talented that I am simply unworthy of being his master!

"I originally wanted to recommend him to you and Father yesterday. But Ji Shu is such a good person, so it was delayed until today. Now I finally have the chance to tell you.

"You must teach Ji Shu well. It would be best if you taught him all of the Mount Hua Sect's secret ultimate arts. He truly is a very good person, and he is incredibly, incredibly talented!"

She repeated several times that Ji Shu was a good person.

When calling him talented, she used "incredibly" twice in a row.

Her eagerness in recommending Ji Shu was far too obvious.

Ning Zhongze gave Ji Shu a deep look. In just one or two days, he had somehow charmed her daughter so thoroughly that she kept saying Ji Shu was a good person. It seemed Ji Shu truly knew how to conduct himself.

With that thought, Ning Zhongze said seriously, "Ji Shu, can you demonstrate Mount Hua Swordplay for me?"

"No problem."

Ji Shu decisively drew his sword and performed the set once.

Sword shadows surged and swayed, while sword qi flickered unpredictably, making the air ring with every thrust. Within the few moves of Mount Hua Swordplay, there was Phoenix Arrives at times and White Rainbow Piercing the Sun at others, effortlessly revealing the perilous grandeur and graceful beauty of Mount Hua Swordplay!

The entire sequence flowed like drifting clouds and running water, a delight to behold!

After Ji Shu finished, he sheathed his sword and cupped his fists in salute.

Ning Zhongze's gaze was somewhat vacant.

Yue Lingshan gave her a push and called, "Mother."

She came back to her senses, drew a deep breath, and stared at Ji Shu with shining eyes.

"Are you certain you have never learned Mount Hua Swordplay before?!"

Before Ji Shu could answer, Yue Lingshan stamped her foot.

"Mother! I already asked everything that needed asking! And to test whether Ji Shu was truly a genius, I even brought Nurturing My Sword Style and Xiyi Swordplay out from the library for him. He learned them all! And he reached the supreme realm of Sword Qi Self-Generation with both of them! It is truly incredible!"

She had spoken too quickly.

Only after saying it all did she realize what she had revealed. Her face instantly turned pale. "Mother, this has nothing to do with Ji Shu. I acted on my own initiative. I only did it to test whether Ji Shu was a genius. Do not blame Ji Shu."

"?!"

A storm surged through Ning Zhongze's heart. She looked at Yue Lingshan in disbelief. "You truly tested him?!"

"I did, Mother!"

Seeing that Ning Zhongze was not angry, Yue Lingshan breathed a sigh of relief. "Mother, do not tell Father about this. I am afraid he will beat me!"

"You, honestly..."

Ning Zhongze sighed helplessly, then looked at Ji Shu. Taking a deep breath, she slowly asked, "Ji Shu, is what Shan'er said true?"

"It is."

There was no hiding it, so there was no need to hide it.

Compared to Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze was open and upright, righteous and generous—a heroic figure of noble character. Someone like her could be trusted.

"You, you, you..."

The corner of Ning Zhongze's eye twitched slightly. Forcibly suppressing the turbulent waves in her heart, she said, "Let me see your Nurturing My Sword Style and Xiyi Swordplay."

"Yes!"

Ji Shu drew his sword and began to demonstrate.

At times, his sword light was solemn and measured, overflowing with vast, righteous qi!

At other times, it was Great Sound is Silent—mighty and unstoppable, enough to fill onlookers with awe!

"They truly are Nurturing My Sword Style and Xiyi Swordplay. And both have reached the supreme realm of Sword Qi Self-Generation!"

Ning Zhongze's mind was in turmoil.

She raised a hand. "Do not speak yet. Let me collect myself!"

The new Inner Sect disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, whom she had not thought highly of at all—

Was actually a heaven-defying prodigy!

The impact of this was beyond words!

Ning Zhongze's entire worldview had been shattered to pieces!

A player whose physique had already set, who was rather old and had long passed the best age to practice martial arts! He even appeared somewhat indolent!

Yet in a single day, he had cultivated Mount Hua Swordplay, Xiyi Swordplay, and Nurturing My Sword Style—all three sword arts—to their supreme realms!

The latter two sword arts in particular were extremely difficult to cultivate! Even his senior brother had been unable to cultivate Nurturing My Sword Style to the legendary realm of Sword Qi Self-Generation!