Twenty Staff Blows, the Madam Imparts the Way

At noon, the sun was high in the sky. It was already June, and the weather was hot and the summer heat was intense.

The inner courtyard of Yihezhuang.

Because of its excellent feng shui, it is warm in winter and cool in summer, making it very comfortable.

Madam Wen had long, flowing hair and wore a Silkworm Silk dress, her graceful figure and elegant demeanor captivating. She was sitting on a bench in the courtyard, resting with her eyes closed.

"They've arrived."

She spoke softly, without raising her head, her eyes still slightly closed, as if enjoying the sunlight.

Li Xian had arrived ahead of time, unaware that the lady was already there. He immediately offered some words of apology. The lady waved her hand dismissively and remained silent.

Continue basking in the sun.

Left with no other choice, Li Xian had to stay with her.

At the same time, he was curious, as it was the first time he had seen the lady so relaxed. She didn't even tie up her long hair; it just hung down like that.

She had a stunning figure and a casual demeanor, yet her allure was innate.

A faint fragrance of hair lingered around my nose.

"You perform a set of Jade Luo Palm in front of me."

Half an hour later, a thick cloud obscured the sunlight. Only then did the lady speak.

"Good!"

Li Xian dared not hold back. He immediately condensed his Qi into his palms and struck out with slow, gentle movements, striking out several palms into the air. Gradually, his palm techniques became more and more complex, and his method of condensing Qi became more and more intricate.

His body moved with his palm, and he shouted it in one breath. After a moment, the palm wind changed its momentum, becoming like the surging waves of a great river. The palm wind blew and Li Xian's long hair flew wildly.

Madam Wen was slightly taken aback. She had Li Xian demonstrate the "Jade Luo Palm" just to see his martial arts foundation. To understand a martial artist's temperament, character, and knowledge, one should look at the martial arts he has learned and used.

This is Madam Wen's Second Layer of examination.

The result surprised her.

"This child practiced the Jade Luo Palm for about half a year before I sent him to Black River Village. When he returned, he had already Perfection! Although he received my guidance, his comprehension is certainly not lacking."

Even the well-traveled and knowledgeable Madam Wen was quite astonished upon seeing this. She examined Li Xian's palm strikes and discovered the techniques, rhythm, and methods of qi circulation...

They were all done extremely well.

Moreover, it has a natural and effortless beauty that is hard to describe.

"Very good." Madam Wen stood up, broke off a peach blossom branch, and gently pointed it at Li Xian.

Seeing that the lady wanted to test his martial arts, Li Xian immediately retaliated with a palm strike, showing no mercy. He unleashed a move called "River-Turning Jade Luo," a powerful attack that combined offense and defense, where both palms struck simultaneously, their force like a surging river.

But the palm strikes were just completed, with both palms slightly extended, before they had truly clashed.

Li Xian was mentally planning the next moves when he suddenly realized with horror that no matter how he struck, he would inevitably have his throat slit within the next ten moves.

Just as water flows downhill, the surge will eventually subside; it is inevitable and unchangeable.

The way the lady held the branch was truly ingenious. The moment she pointed it out, no matter how Li Xian parried or how his moves changed, there was only one outcome.

This is something that Li Xian cannot understand at this stage.

The only option is to retreat in order to advance, but the force of the Azure Waves Palm is like a surging wave; how can it be withdrawn so easily?

Immediately, Li Xian reversed his palm strikes, slapping his lower abdomen with one palm and striking his shoulder with the other. As the force of his palm strikes dissipated, he used the momentum to turn and retreat, rolling backward.

"Huh?"

Madam Wen lightly waved the branch and said, "Why would you rather hurt yourself than back down?"

"Reporting to Madam," Li Xian said, sweating profusely and looking somewhat disheveled, "If I don't retreat, I will surely die within ten moves. I have no choice but to injure myself and retreat immediately."

This encounter finally allowed him to catch a glimpse of the situation.

A martial artist like Madam, with just her martial arts skills, could easily overwhelm me with a mere bit of force.

You're right.

Madam Wen moved gracefully, tapping several acupoints on Li Xian with tree branches, and said, "Although this Jade Luo Palm Entry Vehicle, it was only created on a whim when I was watching the river."

"There are many fatal flaws in it. If you operate within Qingning County, you need not worry. But if you go to a higher place, it will be tantamount to throwing your life away."

Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Madam."

Madam Wen looked up and examined him closely for a moment, then suddenly thought to herself, "Clear eyebrows, bright eyes, and a straight nose—regardless of anything else, this young man is certainly handsome."

This is the second time I've made such a comment.

Compared to last time, Li Xian has grown, becoming more spirited, handsome, and mature. Although still a boy, his experiences in Black River Village have given him a more composed demeanor and a manly Intent-Qi that shines through.

"You've mastered the Jade Luo Palm Perfection in just six months, which shows you have a real talent for it," Madam Wen said.

"If one traces the origins of all martial arts in the world, one can always find their source."

"This Jade Luo Palm is no exception; it was created from a sudden inspiration I had from a certain technique. However, that technique is not martial arts, so I will not teach it to you."

Madam Wen spoke calmly.

Little did she know that Li Xian had witnessed the very beginning of her creation of martial arts.

Madam Wen lightly flicked a branch, pressing it against Li Xian's chin, and slightly raised it, "Would you like to learn Swordsmanship?"

Li Xian thought to himself, "Why are you touching my chin while learning Swordsmanship? I thought you were after my good looks." He replied, "Whatever Madam instructs me to learn, I will learn."

Madam Wen raised an eyebrow. She broke off another peach blossom branch, tossed it to Li Xian, and said, "Since you're learning Swordsmanship, use a tree branch as a substitute for a sword for now."

"Today I will teach you... the Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword. This is Higher Vehicle Swordsmanship, extremely rare, but even if I teach you the whole thing, you wouldn't be able to digest it. I will only teach you the first level, and when you have mastered it, I will teach you the Second Layer."

Li Xian said, "Okay."

Madam Wen immediately began teaching Swordsmanship. She didn't demonstrate it, but only gave pointers from the side, saying, "This Swordsmanship is easy to Initiation, but difficult to master. When you practice this swordsmanship, you will feel drowsy and tired."

"But there's no need to worry, it's all normal."

Li Xian used a tree branch instead of a sword to practice his swordsmanship. Gradually, he felt the profound depth of Swordsmanship. But at the same time... he secretly felt something was wrong.

"Just from the name 'Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword,' you can tell it's no good."

"Given Madam's temperament, I'm afraid she won't let me acquire this martial art for nothing. I might as well not practice it at all, but... with Madam watching here, if I don't practice, I'm afraid she'll immediately notice something amiss."

Li Xian had no choice but to bite the bullet.

Following the method, he brandished his long sword.

The method of practicing this sword technique is quite peculiar; while performing the Swordsmanship, it is also necessary to supplement it with a certain method of circulating blood.

[You have mastered the basic techniques of the Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword Initiation]

[The Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword - Level 1]

[Proficiency: 19/1000 Initiation]

[Description: This Swordsmanship is of superior quality. It Higher Vehicle the Yang chapter of the combined Swordsmanship "Yin-Yang Immortal Companions Sword", but Wen Caishang privately changed the name and made deletions and modifications, so it became "Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword".]

[This Swordsmanship was separated from the combined Swordsmanship, and therefore has a fatal flaw. After Initiation, if one's martial arts do not improve and one is not nourished by the Yin Sword, one's blood and energy will deplete and evaporate.]

The principles of Yin and Yang are infinitely profound.

[The balance of Yin and Yang and Yang means that when Yin is dominant, Yang follows; when Yang is dominant, Yin follows.]

[If the master of the Yang Section Sword technique surpasses that of the master of the Yin Section Sword, then the reverse is true...]

Li Xian used a tree branch instead of a sword, and suddenly thrust out with a sharp, whistling sound. A burning sensation rose in Li Xian's dantian, a sign that he had just entered the realm of swordsmanship.

The yang energy in the body gathers and settles in the Dantian Qi Lake).

Madam Wen smiled with satisfaction, "Not bad, not bad, you've Initiation."

"You must diligently practice this 'Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword Technique.' Every month, I will take the time to instruct you once."

Li Xian suffered a hidden loss, but it was still Higher Vehicle martial art, leaving him with mixed feelings. He feigned Intestine-Turning Narrow Passage, "Thank you for your high regard, Madam! I will certainly live up to your expectations and diligently practice this Swordsmanship."

Madam Wen nodded and said, "Very good." She thought to herself, "I have mastered the Yin chapter, and this child has mastered the Yang chapter. In this way, he will be difficult to separate from me. If I truly invest funds and resources to cultivate him, I'm not afraid of wasting them."

"Madam, I shall take my leave," Li Xian said, bowing.

"Go then," said Madam Wen.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Xian practiced martial arts in the courtyard.

[Jade Luo Palm]

[Proficiency: 53/80000 Peak Mastery]

As Proficiency accumulated, he broke through to the Peak Mastery. His Inner Qi surged like a geyser, growing from 36 feet to 45 feet...

A multitude of insights into martial arts surged into his mind.

The drawbacks and shortcomings of martial arts are all clearly visible.

"Once I Peak Mastery martial arts, perhaps I will be able to gradually fill in the fatal flaws of the Jade Luo Palm through my own understanding."

Li Xian was not discouraged.

Of the five martial arts techniques, three Peak Mastery.

Such skill is so exceptional that it would be difficult to find another person with this level of expertise in the entire Qingning County.

[The Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword - Level 1]

[Proficiency: 594/1000 (Initiation)]

The rest of the time will be spent focusing on mastering this sword.

"Madam truly is the type who won't act without self-interest."

"She taught me this sword Swordsmanship in an attempt to control me. This also shows that she might... really dedicate her energy to training me."

"Otherwise, why would she restrain me? This shows that her feelings for me... are probably different from those for Commander Pang and Hua Hanying. But... it's because of my Younger Brother."

"It's really hard to say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing."

Li Xian's swordsmanship was just beginning, and his movements were methodical. However, his progress was evident every day.

"This 'Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword' was originally Jade-Joined Sword Moves, but with the Yin Sword as a sparring partner, progress can be rapid. However, if Swordsmanship doesn't improve over time, it will burn one's own Blood Qi, Human Essence exhaustion and loss of Blood Qi."

"But then I heard something about 'Yin prevails over Yang' and 'Yang prevails over Yin.' Does that mean that if my Swordsmanship surpasses that of the lady, it will actually restrain her?"

This possibility cannot be ruled out, but Li Xian dared not think too far ahead.

"Regardless, I believe... given my current situation, I might be able to find Madam and truly learn something about Martial Dao!"

Li Xian sheathed his longsword, his words filled with excitement.

Inner Court.

"You want to know about martial arts?"

Madam Wen was dining in the hall, the table laden with delicacies. When she saw Li Xian arrive, she did not object.

Li Xian nodded and said, "Madam, I am truly curious."

"Just out of curiosity?" Madam Wen smiled as she looked at her.

Li Xian said, "If... if Madam could grant me even the slightest chance, I would be willing to go through fire and water to beg for it."

"Since you're staying at the manor, even if you have the 'Essence Consumption' realm, you'll likely have no use for it. Are you so eager to go to the Prefectural City to see your Younger Brother?" Madam Wen's probing was always subtle and understated.

Li Xian shook his head and said, "Of course I miss my brother. But the real reason is not because of my Younger Brother, but... I dare not say, for fear of Madam's punishment."

"Tell me your answer. If you don't, I'll punish you instead," Madam Wen said, looking at her curiously.

This junior commander is more interesting than the previous ones.

Li Xian had already prepared her explanation.

When dealing with your wife, revealing your true feelings is useless, and being completely honest is even more useless. You need to proactively demonstrate your value to her and the space in which you can be used.

Li Xian was penniless, and his wife valued nothing about him. He could only try to prove his loyalty in exchange for a path to Martial Dao.

One can express one's true feelings, but not bluntly. Otherwise, one will fall into the same trap as Pang Long —what use is ordinary, mediocre sincerity to one's wife?

Li Xian took a bold attempt:

"I once heard Commander Pang say that people like Madam are all extraordinary beings who Bone Recasting."

"We are but Clay Embryo, born into obscurity, struggling and adrift in this turbid world. Now my Younger Brother has seized the Fortune, that is his skill, but as his elder brother, I am unwilling to be too far inferior to him."

"If his fellow students find out that his brother is a lowly Clay Embryo, wouldn't that be a huge loss of face for him?"

"Of course, these are all minor matters; ultimately, it's just about saving face. The key point is that after receiving guidance from Madam, while practicing martial arts, I couldn't help but yearn for her... and my fantasies grew increasingly infatuated..."

"That's why I couldn't contain myself any longer and wanted to go further, to ask for favors from those above... I beg you, Madam, to punish me!"

Madam Wen said meaningfully, "That's it?"

Li Xian replied, "Yes!"

Madam Wen sneered, "You're quite bold."

"Go and receive twenty strokes of the cane, and first dispel your foolish thoughts."

At this point, his tone softened, he took a small sip of tea, and said casually:

"As for the way of Essence Consumption, what does it matter? What harm is there in instructing you?"