Chapter One: Arriving in Xiangyang, a Clever Plan Astonishes Huang Rong / Chapter Two: Apprenticed at Guo Mansion, Clever Schemes Earn Him a Place Inside

Comprehensive Martial Arts: My Master Was Huang Rong

Author: I Love Liu Bei

Synopsis:

Transported to a world of martial arts, where experts were everywhere and beauties were as lovely as jade, Lin Xuan discovered that he was a frail, unlucky wretch who could starve to death at any moment. Outside, the Mongol Army pressed in; inside, Guo Jing and Huang Rong held the fort. Hope seemed slim, yet opportunity lurked beneath the surface.

Volume One: First Stirring in Xiangyang

Chapter One: Arriving in Xiangyang, a Clever Plan Astonishes Huang Rong

The wind was cold.

Like a blade tempered in ice, it scraped across his cheeks and carried away the last faint trace of warmth from his body.

Lin Xuan jolted. His consciousness felt as if it had been yanked out of an endless abyss. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a bleak gray sky. Leaden clouds hung low, pressing down until it was hard to breathe.

Beneath him lay cold, damp earth, smelling of rotten grass roots and something foul and rank.

He struggled to sit up. His muscles trembled all over, and the gnawing hunger and bone-deep chill left him dizzy. Where was he? He clearly remembered watching videos at home just moments ago. How had he suddenly ended up in this wretched place?

He looked around. A tall, imposing city wall stretched across the distance like a crouching beast. Its flags were tattered, but he could just make out a huge character, "Guo," on one of them.

Lin Xuan's heart lurched. Where was this?

He staggered toward the city gate, his weakness making every step feel as if he were walking on cotton. As he neared the gate, he heard a cacophony of voices. Amid the clamor, snippets of conversation reached him—

"Ah, Great Hero Guo's gotten thinner again lately. It can't be easy defending Xiangyang City!"

"Isn't that the truth? We common folk owe our lives to Great Hero Guo and Sect Leader Huang holding the fort!"

Great Hero Guo? Sect Leader Huang? Xiangyang?

Lin Xuan felt as if lightning had struck him! He came to an abrupt halt, eyes wide with disbelief. This... this was a world of martial arts?! Guo Jing and Huang Rong were defending Xiangyang to the death? Wait, how had he ended up here?

Without thinking, he touched his face, then pinched his arm. The sharp pain told him clearly that this wasn't a dream, or some kind of virtual-reality game.

He really had crossed over, modern body and all!

Trembling, Lin Xuan raised his hands. The moment he looked closely, his pupils contracted—these were nothing like his familiar, strong adult hands!

They were bony and gaunt, with pale skin and slender fingers. They were plainly the hands of a young boy who had never weathered hardship! He instinctively touched his cheek; his skin felt youthful. Then he felt the ragged clothes barely hanging from his body and found the same thin, frail frame beneath them. When he caught sight of himself by the river, he discovered he had taken on his adolescent appearance!

"Damn..." Lin Xuan muttered. Hunger gnawed at his stomach like a swarm of ants, making his head spin.

He had lived in the twenty-first century and had never gone hungry or cold in his life. Now he'd fallen straight from heaven into hell.

Not only had he crossed over, but he'd gotten younger, too.

"Damn it! If you're going to send me to another world, at least give me a cheat. How many days could this scrawny body last here?"

As soon as the thought crossed Lin Xuan's mind, a martial art appeared in his consciousness: the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique.

??? His cheat had arrived already?

He looked over its description: This technique had been created in ancient times by a reclusive master who deeply understood the Way of Yin and Yang and the principle of Unity of Heaven and Man. Its original name was unknown. Because it could make up for imbalances between yin and yang within the practitioner and use the yin and yang energies of heaven and earth to nourish the body, ultimately reaching a flawless state of perfection, later generations named it the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique.

Once a practitioner of the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique reached a certain level, the yang energy in his body would undergo unprecedented tempering and refinement. His blood and vitality would brim with vigor, as would his essence, energy, and spirit, giving him an irresistible, magnetic charm with every movement.

What a treasure! Lin Xuan felt a little stronger, and his mind was clearer than before.

He knew this wasn't the time to marvel. In this chaotic world, staying alive was the only thing that mattered.

He wrapped himself in the ragged scraps that had somehow passed for clothing and staggered toward the city gate.

He hadn't even had a proper meal, and he had nothing on him to prove who he was—let alone any clothes suited to this era. He looked every bit like a beggar who had just crawled out of a refugee camp.

The city gate was crowded with people. The soldiers guarding it were gaunt and sallow, yet they forced themselves to stay alert as they carefully checked everyone coming and going. A tense atmosphere hung in the air, the shadow of war.

Lin Xuan knew that Xiangyang was under siege by the Mongol Army. Supplies were scarce inside the city, and the odds of a modern man with no one to rely on surviving here were vanishingly small.

Just as he leaned against a wall, wondering whether to sneak into the city and steal something to eat or dig up grass roots outside, the crisp clatter of hooves drew near, accompanied by an imperious shout.

"Out of the way! All of you, get out of my way! Don't block my path!"

Lin Xuan looked up and saw a fiery-red steed galloping recklessly down the main road.

Its rider was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen. She wore an expensive hibiscus-colored dress and was pretty, but her brows were full of arrogance and willfulness.

It was Guo Fu.

Lin Xuan recognized her at a glance. Guo Jing and Huang Rong's eldest daughter, a spoiled young lady. So the "main character" had arrived.

The moment the wild horse was about to charge into him, Lin Xuan's instincts screamed at him to dodge. But a thought flashed through his mind like lightning—this was a chance! A chance to get close to one of the central figures of this world!

Instead of dodging, he stepped toward the horse's hooves and stood stock-still, pretending to be too frightened to move.

"Whoa—!"

Guo Fu clearly hadn't expected the "beggar" to have no regard for his life. With the horse about to hit him, she hastily yanked the reins tight. The red horse reared and let out a whinny, stopping a few inches from Lin Xuan. Its warm breath washed over his face.

"You wretch! Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Still shaken, Guo Fu knitted her brows and raised the whip in her hand, about to bring it down.

Just then, Lin Xuan summoned all his strength and shouted, "Miss, watch out! Those men aren't merchants—they're Mongol spies!"

His voice wasn't loud, but in the brief silence it rang out with unusual clarity. Everyone's gaze followed the direction of his finger.

A short distance away, five or six men dressed as merchants were mingling with the crowd, preparing to enter the city. When they heard Lin Xuan's shout, their expressions changed. A murderous glint flashed in their eyes, and they instinctively clutched the bundles at their waists, which clearly concealed weapons.

Guo Fu's whip stopped in midair. She froze, then followed Lin Xuan's finger and asked suspiciously, "What nonsense are you talking about? How do they look like spies?"

"Ordinary merchants who've been traveling would have thin calluses from handling abacus beads, or thick ones from carrying goods."

Lin Xuan's voice was hoarse with weakness, but his reasoning was exceptionally clear. He had been a hardcore martial-arts fan in his previous life and knew these details well.

"But look at their palms. The calluses on the webs of their thumbs are thick, and their knuckles are large. Those are the marks left by years of gripping knives and bows!"

"Look at their boots, too. The mud on them isn't the yellow soil of the main road. It's the black mud found only at Blackwater Marsh north of the city. Ordinary merchant caravans use the main road through the south gate. Who would detour through that marsh? They're clearly trying to scout Xiangyang's defenses from a secluded spot!"

His words were well-reasoned and clear, leaving the nearby civilians and soldiers staring at him in astonishment.

When the "merchants" realized their identities had been exposed, they didn't hesitate. They yanked curved blades from their bundles and charged toward the city gate with a roar, trying to hack their way through.

"Assassins! Quickly, stop them!" The officer guarding the gate was the first to react. He shouted, and the soldiers immediately raised their spears and surrounded the men.

The scene erupted into chaos.

Guo Fu was stunned by the sudden turn of events. She had never seen anything like it and was at a loss for what to do.

Just then, a gentle but authoritative voice came from behind the crowd.

"Fu'er, step back."

The voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to carry a kind of magic, stilling the chaos. The crowd parted on its own, and a beautiful woman walked out at an unhurried pace.

She wore a simple, pale blue-green robe. Her clothes were plain and she wore no makeup, yet her natural beauty was impossible to conceal. Her lovely face, alternately radiant and coy, showed no trace of age. Instead, the years had given her a distinctive, mature charm, like fine wine that grew more delightful with every taste.

Her bright, lively eyes seemed able to see straight into a person's heart. Every glance carried an air of confidence, and her unparalleled beauty blended intelligence with allure.

It was Huang Rong, Beggar Sect leader and "Zhuge among women."

A middle-aged man stood beside her. He looked honest and unassuming, with a broad, sturdy build, square features, and a righteous air between his brows. He was "Northern Hero" Guo Jing.

Huang Rong first glanced at her flustered daughter and furrowed her brows slightly. Then she turned her gaze to the Mongol warriors, now surrounded by soldiers, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

Finally, her eyes settled on the boy in ragged clothes, his face pale and his cheeks hollow, yet still standing straight.

"You were the one who spotted their tell?" Huang Rong's voice was gentle, like a spring breeze passing over a lake. It made people relax without realizing it.

"Y-yes, ma'am... I only dared to make a guess." Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, neither servile nor proud. He knew his act had worked. Getting in Huang Rong's good graces was his first step toward surviving in this chaotic world.

Huang Rong's bright eyes studied him for a moment, as if trying to see right through him. Lin Xuan felt an invisible pressure settle over him, but he held his ground and met her gaze with clear eyes.

"What's your name?"

"This boy... is Lin Xuan."

"Lin Xuan..." Huang Rong repeated softly, the corners of her mouth lifting with interest. "You're very observant and careful in your thinking. Xiangyang has no shortage of heroes with great martial arts skills, but few have your keen eye and sharp mind."

Her words held undisguised praise.

Guo Jing stepped forward as well and nodded to Lin Xuan. In a deep, straightforward voice, he said, "You've got a good eye, young man. You've done Xiangyang a great service."

By now, Guo Fu had recovered. She looked at Lin Xuan with mixed feelings. There was irritation that he had nearly used her, and surprise at his cleverness, but mostly the petulance of a young lady. She gave a snort and turned her head away.

Huang Rong paid no attention to her daughter's little tantrum. Seeing Lin Xuan's pale face and cracked lips, she asked gently, "You're hungry, aren't you?"

Lin Xuan honestly nodded.

"Come with me." Huang Rong's tone left no room for argument. She turned to Guo Jing and said, "Brother Jing, leave this to Officer Wang. Make sure he gets the Mongols' plans out of them. I'll take the boy back to the mansion."

Guo Jing thought it might be unwise to fuss over a "little beggar" of unknown background, but he had always followed his wife's decisions without question. He nodded. "All right. Go back first, Rong'er. I'll join you shortly."

Huang Rong smiled slightly and looked at Lin Xuan again. Her lively eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water. "Come along, child. From today on, you won't go hungry again."

Lin Xuan's heart lifted. He knew he had made the right bet.

Suppressing his excitement, he lowered his head and followed the legendary female Zhuge, step by step into the city that would determine the fate of the entire Southern Song martial world—Xiangyang.

Walking behind Huang Rong, Lin Xuan caught a faint, elegant fragrance wafting from her. It was like peach blossoms, or perhaps fresh grass, soothing to the senses.

He stole a glance at her back. Though she wore only a simple robe, it did nothing to conceal her shapely, captivating figure. Her waist and hips swayed gently with each step, outlining the lush curves unique to a mature woman. Every movement seemed to carry a rhythm that set his heart swaying, radiating a womanly allure that was both overwhelming and irresistible.

Lin Xuan's heart began to race despite himself.

Author's Note:

This is my first time writing a book, so I'll try to update often. Feel free to share any feedback.

Chapter Two: Apprenticed at Guo Mansion, Clever Schemes Earn Him a Place Inside

For Lin Xuan, the food at Guo Mansion was nothing short of heavenly.

Clean white rice porridge, served with a few plates of pickled vegetables—it was simple, but enough to drive away the hunger that had built up in his body over several days.

He devoured the food. Only when his stomach finally felt full again did he slowly stop.

After a maid helped him finish his meal, she brought him a change of clothes. It was a plain, blue-green robe made of coarse cloth. It wasn't fancy, but it was clean and neat, with a faint scent of soapwort.

Lin Xuan washed himself off quickly and changed into the new clothes. Only then did he feel he had finally returned to being a "person," rather than a stray dog covered in stench.

Once he was ready, a kind-looking maid respectfully led him to the reception hall of Guo Mansion.

The hall was bright and clean, with elegant furnishings. Several potted plants were arranged around it, easing the tense atmosphere somewhat.

Lin Xuan took a deep breath, suppressing the strange feelings churning inside him, then strode in.

In the reception hall, besides Guo Jing and Huang Rong, whom he had met at the city gate, there were three young people.

One was a girl of about sixteen or seventeen, with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Her figure was graceful and full of youthful vigor. Her hibiscus-colored silk dress made her look charming and radiant. She was Guo Fu.

Two young men stood beside her. They looked alike, though their bearing was slightly different. They had to be the Elder and Younger Wu brothers.

All three looked at Lin Xuan. Guo Fu's eyes held an undisguised scrutiny and disdain, while the Wu brothers looked curious and faintly wary.

"This boy, Lin Xuan, pays his respects to Great Hero Guo and Sect Leader Huang." Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, neither servile nor proud.

Guo Jing's burly frame was like a small mountain. His features were square, his gaze frank, and he looked at Lin Xuan kindly.

"Don't be so formal, child. You did a great service today. You should get some good rest." His voice was loud and carried a straightforward sincerity.

Huang Rong smiled softly, stepped forward with a graceful sway, and gestured for Lin Xuan to sit.

She was still dressed plainly in a pale blue-green robe, with a sheer outer layer in the same shade. Her simple clothes could not conceal her curvaceous, subtly alluring figure.

In the soft light of the hall, her features looked all the more lovely and refined. Her skin was smooth as jade, her brows arched like distant hills, and her eyes shimmered with a thousand charms. Maturity and girlish playfulness blended perfectly in her.

"Brother Jing and I were both amazed by what you did earlier. The details you mentioned—the calluses on their palms and the mud on their boots—aren't things an ordinary person would notice so closely. Lin Xuan, where did you learn to observe things like that?" Huang Rong asked gently.

Lin Xuan had already thought up an explanation. Grief appeared on his face as his eyes dimmed. "This boy lost his parents when he was young and fled with his uncles from his clan. A few days ago, war struck our hometown, and more than a hundred members of my clan were killed."

"I was lucky enough to escape. I begged my way here to Xiangyang. As for those simple techniques of observation... They mostly came from some basic notes on local customs and the movement of goods that I read in books written by scholars on their travels. I read them in my spare time."

"These days, the world is in chaos and people are driven from their homes. What could I possibly claim to have learned?" His voice was sorrowful, and as he spoke, his eyes truly grew a little red. His performance was utterly convincing.

Hearing this, Huang Rong's smile faded, and her gaze softened with pity.

She sighed softly. "Alas, the common people suffer in these troubled times. It's rare for someone in such dire circumstances as you to still have a heart for learning."