Huang Rong looked completely renewed. The fatigue between her brows had vanished, replaced by a clear, resolute expression. She summoned Lin Xuan, a hint of gravity in her eyes.
"Xuan'er, a small Mongol Scout Squad has been harassing our supply routes outside the city and looting the people." Huang Rong's voice was clear and sweet, like a mountain stream. Her gaze rested on Lin Xuan, full of expectation.
"Today, I'll take you with me. We'll eliminate this threat, and you'll get some field experience as well."
At her words, Lin Xuan felt not the slightest nervousness. Instead, anticipation and fighting spirit surged within him. He knew that after arriving in this turbulent world, he would sooner or later face trials of blood and fire.
He took a deep breath and cupped his fists. "This disciple will obey. The area outside Xiangyang City is dangerous. Please be careful, Master." His voice was steady, his gaze firm, and he showed not a trace of fear.
Huang Rong smiled faintly, a hint of approval in her expression. She was clearly pleased by his composure in the face of danger and his instinct to put others first. Her gaze lingered on Lin Xuan, as if she could see the potential hidden deep within him.
They changed into fitted clothes suitable for moving freely. Huang Rong had chosen a dark green outfit for the occasion, its close fit accentuating her graceful figure. It hugged her form and made her look even more agile, lending her movements an indescribable lightness and boldness. She had tied her long hair high, leaving only a few strands to flutter in the breeze, which added to her heroic air. A wide belt of the same color emphasized her slender waist, while her long, straight legs looked even stronger and more agile beneath the fitted fabric. Her face was already stunning, and now that her usual gentleness had given way to the sharpness and decisiveness of a battlefield commander, her allure had only grown, taking on a distinctive charm that was impossible to resist.
They slipped out of the city while the gates were open.
The land outside Xiangyang City was far from as peaceful as the streets within. Ruined walls and scorched earth bore constant witness to the cruelty of war. The air carried a faint smell of blood and smoke, mixed with the earthy stench of the soil to form a distinctive, oppressive odor.
Lin Xuan followed Huang Rong. Along with the wind, he heard a few cries from eagles somewhere in the distance and the faint crunch of dry grass beneath their feet.
As they walked, Huang Rong quietly pointed things out. Though her voice was low, every word reached Lin Xuan clearly. "Xuan'er, look at this stretch of woods. Mongol Soldiers often set ambushes here. They like to use the terrain, hiding in bushes or tall grass and waiting for an opportunity."
She lifted a slender, pale hand and pointed to a dead tree, its delicate fingers stark against the desolation around them. "And that dead tree over there. Look closely. Are there any fresh marks from an axe or a blade? Those tell us they used the wood to make a fire. The smaller the traces, the more likely they are to give away someone's movements."
Lin Xuan watched closely, committing every lesson from Huang Rong to memory. These were invaluable insights gained through countless battles. Before long, he began spotting details that ordinary people would miss: fresh cuts on dead trees, soil that had recently been trampled, even the faintest trace of smoke in the air.
"There's an abandoned village two li ahead. Mongol scouts like to use it as a base," Huang Rong said quietly.
"There are eleven of them. Two are keeping watch outside, one is watching the entrance to the village, and the other eight are either resting inside or preparing food and water." Her tone was calm. She did not consider them a threat.
She continued, "Remember, our goal today isn't just to eliminate them. I also want you to learn how to fight. This is your first real battle. Don't worry about fancy moves; just make sure to kill with one strike."
"When we get closer, follow me in. I'll take out the outer sentries first. Then you'll charge straight through the entrance and deal with the scout watching it." Encouragement glimmered in Huang Rong's eyes. She believed Lin Xuan could do it.
Lin Xuan, however, was brimming with excitement.
Huang Rong glanced at him and saw no nervousness at all, only a bright, eager gleam in his eyes. She smiled warmly and gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder, signaling him to follow. She moved through the woods like a phantom, each step so light it made almost no sound. Lin Xuan kept close behind, ready to spring into action at any moment.
Soon, they reached the edge of the abandoned village. Huang Rong signaled for Lin Xuan to hide, then flickered away and disappeared into the darkness, seeming to merge with the shadows of the trees.
Through the perceptions granted by the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique, Lin Xuan clearly sensed Huang Rong approaching the first sentry without making a sound. He heard an almost inaudible grunt, and the sentry fell silent. Then she took out the second one just as cleanly, without making a sound. Huang Rong's martial arts had reached an extraordinary level of mastery. She killed without a trace, her movements light yet merciless—an astonishing display.
After eliminating the outer sentries, Huang Rong gestured for him to move.
Lin Xuan gathered his Internal Energy in his palm until it grew slightly warm. Then, as swift as lightning, he charged toward the village entrance, weaving through the wild grass.
As expected, the Mongol scout at the lookout had noticed nothing. He was dozing against a crumbling earthen wall. Lin Xuan sped up, and the scout seemed to sense him; he suddenly raised his head.
Their eyes met. A flash of resolve crossed Lin Xuan's gaze, and he saw the scout's astonishment.
This was the first time he had killed anyone since coming to this world.
He used the Falling Blossoms Divine Sword Palm that Huang Rong had taught him. His palm wind roared as he struck the scout squarely in a vital spot. The scout's body jerked, and he let out a brief, hoarse cry before crumpling to the ground. Lin Xuan swiftly drew back his hand. There was no blood on his palm, but the impact felt all the more intense.
That shock intensified, but he had no time to process it. The cry had roused the Mongol Soldiers inside the village, and seven or eight figures rushed out, shouting curses. Lin Xuan quickly steadied his breathing and instinctively entered combat mode.
He had no time to reflect on what killing felt like. Instinctively, he entered combat mode. He remembered Huang Rong's lesson: on the battlefield, hesitation meant death. His Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique showed its astonishing usefulness. Every movement and every trace of killing intent from the enemy was clearly captured and analyzed. He was no longer a youth shaken by his first kill, but a warrior driven to the brink—a hunter by nature.
He moved nimbly, dodging a Mongol soldier's overhead slash, then sent his palms flashing out and struck the man precisely in the throat. The blow was fast, accurate, and ruthless, without the slightest wasted motion, as if he had practiced it a thousand times. Then he sidestepped another enemy's sweeping spiked club and struck backhanded, sending force through the man's bones and snapping his wrist. The soldier screamed, and the spiked club clattered to the ground. Lin Xuan gave him no second chance. His palm turned, and he finished him off.
Every strike was sharp and efficient, without a trace of hesitation. His movements grew smoother and deadlier by the moment. He began actively seeking out his enemies' weaknesses, using the speed he had gained through his improving martial arts to weave freely through their ranks. Each time he struck, another life ended.
His palm technique lacked Huang Rong's elegance, but it was full of power and efficiency. Every blow went straight for a vital spot, capturing the essence of the Falling Blossoms Divine Sword Palm. His palm wind was like a sword, unstoppable.
Huang Rong had also charged into the village. Her movements were elusive, like a wisp of smoke threading through the enemy ranks. Her forceful palms struck with the precision of thunder, killing the Mongol Soldiers who rushed to support their companions one by one. Her movements were graceful yet deadly, as if she were dancing a dance of death.
Her dark green outfit appeared and vanished in the night. Every leap of her agile figure carried astonishing explosive power, yet she moved with incredible lightness. She was clearing out the enemy as quickly as she could, but all the while, she kept Lin Xuan in the corner of her eye and felt sincerely pleased with his performance.
Lin Xuan adapted quickly in the midst of battle. He began actively looking for weaknesses and using the speed he had gained through his improving martial arts. In the space of a few breaths, he killed several more men.
He even noticed a burly Mongol centurion who was clearly more skilled than the others and was trying to organize a counterattack.
A cold glint flashed in Lin Xuan's eyes. He stopped tangling with the ordinary soldiers, flickered forward, and charged straight at the centurion. Seeing him approach, the centurion roared and brought his blade down. Lin Xuan pressed forward instead of retreating, his palm sweeping like the wind as it struck for the man's chest. The centurion could not react in time. Lin Xuan's palm hit him in the heart, and he crashed to the ground.
Once all the Mongol Soldiers lay dead, silence returned to the village. Only Lin Xuan and Huang Rong's breathing remained, along with the thick smell of blood in the air.
Lin Xuan's palms tingled faintly. His chest heaved, and his face was a little pale, but his gaze had grown firm.
He felt the lingering force in his palm and the heavy responsibility it carried. The shock of killing for the first time had now been overtaken by the adrenaline of battle and the thrill of victory. Some of it still lingered, but it no longer troubled him.
Huang Rong walked over to Lin Xuan. She did not immediately ask how he felt. First, she checked the scene and made sure there were no survivors and nothing overlooked. Her gaze swept over each body, confirming that every man had died from a vital strike and that none had been left struggling.
"Very clean work. Not one escaped, and you left no clues behind." Huang Rong nodded, then looked at Lin Xuan. Her eyes were deep and calm.
"How do you feel?" Huang Rong's voice was calm, but Lin Xuan could sense the meaning behind her question.
Lin Xuan shook his head. "This disciple... feels a little unsettled." He did not hide the shock he felt after killing, but he knew it was not fear. It was an instinctive reaction to the loss of life.
Huang Rong spoke slowly. "That's the inevitable reaction of someone who has killed for the first time. But Xuan'er, you did well. In that moment of crisis, you overcame your hesitation and struck decisively. That's the hardest thing to do, and it's the most commendable. More impressive still, you adapted to the battlefield in a very short time and even took the initiative to find and kill the enemy commander. Such talent is truly rare."
She paused, her tone turning stern. "On the battlefield, there's no room for mercy. They're Mongolian lackeys, and every one we let live could bring even greater disaster to the people of Xiangyang. Every strike you made protected the home behind us and the innocent lives within it."
"Remember: on the battlefield, observation, judgment, and decisiveness matter even more than martial arts," Huang Rong continued.
"When you killed the scout watching the entrance, you acted decisively, but your movements were a little clumsy. Next time, learn to conceal yourself more quickly, seize the right moment more precisely, and sense the potential threats around you as soon as you strike. Don't lose yourself in the success of a single blow."
She pointed to where Lin Xuan had fought moments earlier. "You reacted quickly when you killed the centurion, but if you had sensed the strength of his presence sooner, you could have made him a priority target and minimized the damage he could do. You did well, but there's still room to improve."
Huang Rong's voice was not loud, but every word sank into Lin Xuan's heart. "Your perception and ability to learn are far beyond those of ordinary people. Learn to make good use of them: anticipate your enemies' movements, find their weaknesses, and kill with one strike. Never waste a motion. Your performance today has already proved that you have this ability."
She looked at Lin Xuan, her beautiful eyes flashing with approval and full of expectation. "You performed far better than I expected. Xuan'er, you're a born warrior and Xiangyang's hope. Given time, you'll surely become the pillar that holds up Xiangyang's resistance against the Mongols!"
Lin Xuan was lost in thought.
The two of them discussed battlefield techniques for killing enemies for a while longer. As night grew late, Huang Rong quickly led Lin Xuan back to Xiangyang City.
Guo Fu Challenges Him to a Match—and Overestimates Herself
The next afternoon, the warm sun blazed overhead, heating the gray bricks atop Xiangyang's city walls. Yet in one corner of the inner courtyard of Guo Mansion, beneath the shade of the trees, an unusual tension hung in the air.
Guo Fu had changed into a fitted green outfit for the occasion, its close fit accentuating her curvy figure.
Her slender waist was as fine as a willow branch, while beneath the snug fabric, the graceful curve of her chest was full and lively.
Her oval face looked fair and luminous in the sunlight. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her brows arched like distant hills. Though she had a touch of spoiled arrogance about her, it did nothing to diminish her beauty.
She had tied up her glossy black hair, giving her a youthful, spirited air.
At that moment, she leaned against a pillar in the rear courtyard. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the distance, unmistakably filled with jealousy and displeasure.
Huang Rong had just finished her morning military duties. She was now talking quietly with Lin Xuan beside a plum tree, occasionally leaning in to speak softly and even smiling with a rare warmth.
What stung Guo Fu most was the way Huang Rong's usually composed eyes showed such approval of Lin Xuan, along with a hint of dependence she could scarcely detect. It made her feel as though a cat were scratching at her heart—an irritating mix of envy and resentment.
"Hmph! He's only been a disciple for a few months, and Mother already dotes on him so much!" Guo Fu fumed inwardly.
She had been the apple of her parents' eyes ever since she was little, treasured by everyone. Her father, Guo Jing, was not good with words, but he treated her as his most precious child. Her mother, Huang Rong, had pampered her since she was young.
Yet Lin Xuan's arrival seemed to have changed everything.
Huang Rong never stopped praising Lin Xuan's diligence and talent. Her usually strict and clever mother was uncommonly gentle and approving toward him.
With her, her mother was mostly strict, offering guidance and expectations. With the Elder and Younger Wu brothers, she showed the care of an elder. But only when she looked at Lin Xuan did her eyes seem to hold an extra trace of tenderness...and softness.
That inexplicable intuition was like a thorn lodged deep in Guo Fu's heart. She could not understand why this junior disciple, who had only joined a few months ago, deserved such special affection from her mother.
What kind of spell had Lin Xuan cast on her mother?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. At last, she could not hold back. With light steps, she walked straight toward Lin Xuan.
"Junior Brother Lin, you certainly know how to win my mother's favor." Guo Fu's voice carried blatant mockery. Though sweet and bright, every word was barbed, and her tone was domineering.
At her words, Lin Xuan put on a suitably surprised expression, then respectfully cupped his fists. "Senior Sister Guo, you flatter me. This disciple is only doing what he should."
His modesty only made him seem more insincere to Guo Fu.
Huang Rong frowned slightly at her daughter's tone and rebuked her. "Fu'er, don't be rude." Her voice was gentle, but carried unquestionable authority.
Being scolded by her mother only made Guo Fu angrier. Spoiled by her mother, she had never been afraid of anything, least of all this "outsider" who had "stolen" her mother's affection.
Her beautiful eyes turned to Lin Xuan, her gaze challenging. "Junior Brother Lin, I've heard you're exceptionally talented, and that in just a few months you've learned my mother's martial arts quite well. Would you care to spar with me?"
She put heavy emphasis on the word "spar," making it clear that she was challenging him in front of everyone.
Huang Rong's expression changed at her words. "Fu'er! That's enough! Lin Xuan has only just begun his training. How can you—"
"Mother!" Guo Fu interrupted. She stood straight, her chest rising slightly with her breath, displaying the stubborn pride peculiar to a young woman.
"It's only a spar, so we'll stop before anyone gets hurt. If Junior Brother Lin doesn't dare, he can say so. I won't force him."
She pronounced the words "doesn't dare" especially loudly, making her intention to provoke him unmistakable.
Lin Xuan looked at Guo Fu. Her pretty face shone with youthful confidence and unquestioned pride, and her eyes blazed with challenge.
He scoffed inwardly. Guo Fu really was a spoiled young lady, so easily provoked. But this was exactly the opportunity he needed.
He pretended to hesitate, as though uncertain, while calculating how to make this "match" work best for him.
"Senior Sister Guo is kind to invite me. How could I refuse? It's just..." Lin Xuan paused, piquing Guo Fu's curiosity.
"This disciple has only recently begun training, and my Internal Energy is shallow. If we compete using Internal Energy, it probably won't benefit you, Senior Sister. It might even go against the rules of the martial world."
He spoke sincerely, as if he were thinking of Guo Fu's best interests. "In my humble opinion, why don't we set Internal Energy aside and have a pure martial arts match, relying only on the precision of our techniques, our footwork, and our physical skills?"
At this, Huang Rong frowned again and was about to stop them.
Guo Fu, however, was delighted. Her eyes lit up at once.
No Internal Energy? That was just what she wanted!
She had trained in Peach Blossom Island techniques since childhood. Her moves were refined, her hand-to-hand skills solid, and her strength far beyond that of an ordinary person. She thought that Lin Xuan, though he had been learning for several months, could not possibly match her Internal Energy. His cleverness might have won her mother's favor, but when it came to hand-to-hand combat, she was certain to win.
Proud and eager to prove to her mother that Lin Xuan was all show, she never stopped to consider why he had proposed a condition that appeared to put him at a disadvantage.
"Fine! It's a deal!" Guo Fu agreed at once, without a second thought, afraid that Lin Xuan might change his mind.
Her beautiful face was now full of confidence in her impending victory.
Huang Rong watched her daughter and opened her mouth, but in the end, she said nothing. She knew Guo Fu's temperament; once she had made up her mind, it was difficult to change it.
She also wanted to see how much Lin Xuan had learned in the past few months, and why he dared to compete with Fu'er in a "pure martial arts" match.
The two went to the practice yard in Guo Mansion, which had been set aside specifically for training.
The yard was paved with bluestone and surrounded by dark green pines and cypresses. The atmosphere was solemn.
Guo Fu took her place first. She stood straight, cupped her fists, and looked ready for battle.
Her green outfit traced her shapely curves, and the sunlight brought out the healthy, youthful energy she carried.
Lin Xuan remained in his ordinary blue robe. His expression calm, he respectfully cupped his fists toward Guo Fu. "Please, Senior Sister!"
At Huang Rong's call of "Begin," the match commenced.
Guo Fu attacked without hesitation, springing at Lin Xuan like an agile leopard.
She opened with the refined fist techniques of Peach Blossom Island. Her moves came in a continuous stream, shifting in countless ways, her sharp strikes aimed at the vital points around Lin Xuan's body.
Years of training lent her punches and kicks considerable power and force. Though she used no Internal Energy, her physical strength alone was enough to shatter stone tablets.
Lin Xuan neither dodged far nor tried to meet her head-on. His body shifted slightly. He chose neither to trade blows nor to use any of the refined techniques Guo Fu knew.
Instead, he used a very basic footwork technique that nevertheless carried a hint of the uncanny.
He did not retreat directly. With the slightest shift to one side, he moved just far enough to evade Guo Fu's fist by a mere inch.
Guo Fu's first punch missed, and her second move followed immediately, its forceful wind carrying all the strength of her lithe body.
Lin Xuan evaded it again with the same tiny movement, drifting aside like a willow leaf in the wind.
His movements seemed simple, yet he had reached the point of neither engaging nor breaking away.
Guo Fu attacked several times in a row, but Lin Xuan easily neutralized every move without even brushing his clothes. Her anger grew.
"Hmph! What kind of skill is it to do nothing but dodge?" she snapped, launching an even fiercer assault.
Her moves grew broad and powerful. Every punch and every kick carried force, whistling through the air.
Beneath her silken clothes, her body displayed a dazzling blend of strength and beauty as she moved. Her full chest rose and fell rapidly with her breathing, and beads of sweat began to glisten on her smooth forehead and delicate chin.
Lin Xuan remained composed. He had dared to propose that they forbid Internal Energy because the Yin Yang Deficit Supplementation Technique had thoroughly transformed his body over the past few months.
His bones and muscles had grown more supple, his muscle density had increased, and his reaction speed and explosive strength now far surpassed those of ordinary people. More importantly, his senses had become exceptionally sharp.
He could clearly predict the path of Guo Fu's punches and kicks. He could even sense in advance the faint quiver of her muscles and the direction of her force.
Before you continue