Sonic Wave Skill

The two Qianhu looked back.

They saw that Cao Jinxing had returned with a different look: the famed sword [Snow Soul], originally hanging at his waist, now lay across the small of his back, and an Embroidered Spring Saber had taken its place.

A very familiar saber, at that.

"This is..."

The two Qianhu took a closer look. Astonishment flashed in their eyes, and both shot to their feet. This was a saber belonging to one of the "Thirteen Guardians"!

Not all Embroidered Uniform Guards in the Pacification Commission trained with sabers. Shen Xiang, for instance, came from the Shushan Sword Sect and carried only a sword unless circumstances demanded otherwise. Pacification Commissioner Liu came from the Celestial Master Mansion of Dragon-Tiger Mountain and never used weapons at all. His "Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Palm" swept all opposition aside!

For many Embroidered Uniform Guards, their Embroidered Spring Sabers were merely symbols of status, much like their Flying Fish Uniforms. The materials were hardly top-notch.

Only thirteen could truly be called divine weapons, each representing one of the Thirteen Guardians.

Every one of those thirteen men was exceptional!

Two positions among the Thirteen Guardians were fixed: the northern and southern Pacification Commissioners. The remaining eleven were selected exclusively from the twenty-eight Qianhu, six from the Northern Commission and five from the Southern Commission. They were the most trusted of all trusted subordinates!

Liu Zhenyuan's intention in giving him the saber was obvious.

The two Qianhu's attitudes shifted subtly.

He might still be a Deputy Qianhu, but he could rise another half-rank any day. A meteoric ascent was well within reach.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, they handed responsibility for guarding the Imperial Prison back to Cao Jinxing.

Cao Jinxing watched them leave, then turned to Sun Lang and Su Yunsheng. "How are you? Are your injuries serious?"

"Not too bad..." Sun Lang clutched his chest, grimacing in pain.

Su Yunsheng gave a bitter smile. "I never imagined a brush with the wind from his staff could injure us this badly... The tongyou realm is terrifying..."

"Then work hard on your training."

Seeing that their injuries were only superficial, Cao Jinxing relaxed and prepared to head downstairs for an inspection.

"My lord, a moment."

Remembering something, Su Yunsheng went to a nearby table and retrieved two items from beneath it: a Coiling Dragon Golden Staff and a short saber.

The former was the Ape King's weapon. The latter was the peerlessly sharp blade Jiang Aqi had brought into the Imperial Prison to free Xiang Qianli.

"The jailers confiscated these and handed them over. They're yours to deal with, my lord..."

"Leave them there for now. We'll discuss it when Old Shen gets back."

Cao Jinxing waved a hand. He had no shortage of weapons now and wasn't particularly interested. First, he needed to inspect the second and third levels, especially the third. He had to confirm that the mechanisms were intact.

Everything on the second level was normal.

The Cold Cell on the third level was undergoing repairs. In the secret chamber, the two Divine Axe Sect disciples had also removed [Red Dragon] from where it had lodged in the central mechanism.

It was completely ruined.

"How is it? Did it cause much damage?"

"Nothing serious."

One disciple wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and said, "Our patriarch anticipated this possibility and stocked the central mechanism with thousand-year-old resin. The moment Red Dragon entered, the resin encased it before it could do any damage. The damage was minimal. We only need to replace the resin."

"That's good."

Cao Jinxing breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you both for your efforts."

"You're too kind, my lord."

The two disciples hurriedly said, "Ultimately, Red Dragon was a sacred treasure lost by our Divine Axe Sect. Now criminals have used it and nearly destroyed the mechanism... We bear some responsibility too."

"There's no need for that."

Cao Jinxing said, "Tools aren't good or evil. The difference lies in whoever uses them. This has nothing to do with you. I'll leave things here in your hands."

He promptly left the secret chamber.

Xu Quan was sitting outside the chamber, softly bowing his fiddle. Hearing those words, he gave a slight nod. "If everyone were as reasonable as you, my lord, the world would have far fewer troubles."

"That hardly counts as being reasonable."

Cao Jinxing thought nothing of it. You just haven't seen me turn hostile and refuse to acknowledge anyone.

His interest in Sonic Wave Skill piqued, he seized the opportunity to ask about precautions against it.

The "Wind-Blown Lotus Leaf Sha" from last time, which focused on inflicting damage, had posed little threat. It was merely invisible sonic blades. This time, however, "Soul-Seizing Zither Music" affected the mind and was far more sophisticated than the "Sixteen Heavenly Demon Dance." Even he had fallen victim to it. He had to be on guard.

Xu Quan grew interested too. "Would you like to learn, my lord?"

Cao Jinxing considered it. "I'm a little interested, but I've never studied music."

"That doesn't matter."

Xu Quan said, "Music depends entirely on talent. With your natural gifts, my lord, learning it won't be difficult. It will also prepare you for future encounters with enemies."

"If you're willing to teach me, senior, I'd certainly like to learn."

Cao Jinxing smiled. "Do I need to formally become your disciple?"

He meant as a music student.

"No need."

Xu Quan waved a hand and smiled. "The techniques of our forebears were always meant to be passed down. Since you're interested, my lord, I'll gladly teach you everything I know."

Xu Yan was best known for the Ji Qin, or erhu, but a grandmaster of music would hardly specialize in only one instrument. At his level, mastery of one meant mastery of all, and he was equally adept with other instruments.

Besides Ji Qin techniques, there were techniques for the guqin, flute, vertical flute, and more. Xu Quan had studied them since childhood and was equally proficient. Cao Jinxing could choose whichever instrument he liked.

Cao Jinxing chose the flute.

Mainly because it was easy to carry-and looked cool!

Life in the Imperial Prison was dull, so Xu Quan had prepared quite a few instruments to amuse himself. He went back into the secret chamber, fetched a transverse flute, and gave it to Cao Jinxing.

The old man and the young man began discussing music.

Cao Jinxing's comprehension was extraordinary. With the slightest guidance from Xu Quan, he could infer several things from a single example. In less than a quarter of an hour, he had absorbed the basics of music theory. Another quarter of an hour later, he could play a short tune with flawless fingering and pitch, and a distinctive sense of spaciousness.

Xu Quan praised him with heartfelt admiration. "Your talent is one in ten thousand, my lord. If you devoted yourself to music, you would surely become a grandmaster of your generation!"

Cao Jinxing smiled.

He was merely curious. He had no intention of becoming a musician in a world of high-powered martial arts.

Knowing how to play was only the most basic foundation of "Sonic Wave Skill." Reaching a level where one could seize another's mind demanded exceptional control of internal energy and profound understanding of a piece's artistic realm.

Even with Cao Jinxing's rapid learning, it wasn't something he could master overnight-fortunately, he had this vacation and didn't need to rush.

When Shen Xiang returned to the Imperial Prison and descended to the third level, he saw Cao Jinxing studying under Xu Quan and already looking quite accomplished. Given their earlier battle, it wasn't hard to guess his intentions, and Shen Xiang couldn't help smiling.

"How's the learning going?"

He held the Coiling Dragon Golden Staff and the short saber.

"Well enough."

Cao Jinxing lowered the flute.

"Take these two things."

Shen Xiang tossed the staff and saber straight to Cao Jinxing, pulled over a chair, and sat beside him. "I heard from Big Brother that you like collecting pills. These two should trade for a few bottles of decent ones."

"A few bottles?"

Holding the staff in one hand and the saber in the other, Cao Jinxing wore an expression that plainly said, That's all?

"You're clueless."

After this battle, the two were already close, and Shen Xiang no longer felt the need to watch his words. He jerked his chin. "Ask your music teacher what these two things are."

Cao Jinxing looked at Xu Quan.

Xu Quan took the Coiling Dragon Golden Staff and examined it carefully. "They say the Bright Sect's Ape King practices Shaolin's spiritual martial art, the 'Great Sage Staff Technique,' and wields the 'Sea-Calming Divine Needle.' Seeing it today, it truly is exceptional. This should be a treasure from Dharma Cave, at least upper sixth grade."

"Now that's someone who knows his stuff."

Shen Xiang gave him a thumbs-up, then told Cao Jinxing, "Learn a thing or two."

Cao Jinxing rolled his eyes.

"As for this short saber..."

Xu Quan picked it up and inspected it from every angle, but still couldn't be certain. "It can slice through cold iron without suffering the slightest damage. Such sharpness is seldom seen in this world. Forgive my poor discernment, but I can only guess that it's fifth grade."

"Lower fifth grade."

Shen Xiang nodded. "This is the [Seven-Star Saber], the treasured blade Cao Cao supposedly used in his attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo. Until recently, it served as the token of Tyrant Saber Manor in Liaodong. Five days ago, Yang Kaitian, the Maitreya Sect's 'Blood-Robed Buddha,' killed Manor Master Jiang Taichong and took the saber. I never expected it to be used here... Understand now?"

That last question was directed at Cao Jinxing.

Good grief...

Even the Seven-Star Saber has shown up...

The corner of Cao Jinxing's mouth twitched, but he was already used to the designers' antics and didn't take it seriously.

"Thanks."

Cao Jinxing smiled and claimed them without the slightest hesitation. "I'll go sell them at the Ghost Market tonight! Plenty of people should be interested..."

Shen Xiang cautioned him, "Be careful. One is a Bright Sect Dharma King's weapon, and the other is Tyrant Saber Manor's token. Neither will be easy to sell."

"Which is why I'm going in my official uniform."

Cao Jinxing grinned. "Let's see who dares try anything with me!"

"..."

Shen Xiang was speechless. You really are ruthless, kid!