Minor Success in Swordsmanship

"It's done!"

Zhong Xuan was overjoyed.

He had originally expected that it would take at least four or five months before he would have the opportunity to master Eagle Fall, but unexpectedly, he mastered it at the beginning of the new year.

"The breathing exercises, combined with the continuous use of medicinal supplements and diets over the past month, have truly yielded excellent results."

Both his qi and blood circulation and his swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds, progressing extremely rapidly.

The sword was forged in a single night.

Zhong Xuan felt thoroughly refreshed and invigorated.

"I estimate that my physical constitution has improved again during this period, but I don't know how long it will take before I can cross the grass stage and step into the human stage..."

Thinking about this...

Even with Zhong Xuan's calm demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

......

......

The next day.

Inside the Flying Eagle Martial Arts School shop.

"Eagle Falls?"

Zheng Yue, who was flipping through the account book, slowly raised his head, revealing a rare look of astonishment.

If I remember correctly, it has only been three months since Zhong Xuan bought the Eagle Style Sword Technique. Even if he taught Zhong Xuan the breathing technique in advance, this speed is still quite astonishing.

It took him two whole years to reach this level.

"Could he be a genius?"

"It's just a pity... that I'm too old."

Zheng Yue couldn't help but sigh.

If it had been thirty years earlier, his master would probably have abandoned him and chosen Zhong Xuan instead.

"It's all about timing...it's all about fate..."

Zheng Yue did not dwell on it further.

The geniuses of the Qing Kingdom are as numerous as carp crossing a river; countless prodigies are buried in obscurity, never even touching the path of martial arts in their entire lives.

Only those who grow up are true geniuses.

However, Zhong Xuan's mastery of Eagle's Fall is of great use to the continuation of his swordsmanship lineage.

If he were to suddenly pass away one day, his lineage of swordsmanship would still have a protector.

Zheng Yue closed the ledger in his hand and met Zhong Xuan's gaze: "You have already learned two of the introductory techniques. So, I will be frank with you. Thirty years ago, when my master taught me the sword technique, he said that this sword technique must be practiced until the three elements are fully integrated before the complete technique can be passed on."

"It's not that I, your older brother, want to hide anything."

"Don't worry about this."

If it's a young person.

He might need to deliberately suppress his emotions a bit, but there was no need to do so with Zhong Xuan.

He's already an old bastard, might as well speak frankly.

In fact, there are many rules in his lineage. He even spent seven or eight years as an apprentice to the former master of the sword school when he was learning swordsmanship.

It was only in the end that he gained the approval of the former curator.

But people...

As you get older, you naturally become more open-minded.

If the sword techniques his master passed down to him continue like this, the lineage might be lost. Rather than letting them be buried and lost forever, it would be better to pass them on to Zhong Xuan, so that they could at least survive for a few more years.

Although Zhong Xuan was a bit younger than him, he was already over sixty years old, so he no longer had the worry of teaching a disciple and starving the master.

"I know."

Zhong Xuan nodded calmly.

He naturally had a complete understanding of the Nine Strikes of the Flying Eagle sword technique.

But he wouldn't harbor any sordid thoughts like "a little kindness is appreciated, but too much kindness breeds resentment." Whether or not to pass it on was Zheng Yue's choice, and he had no regrets.

Moreover, Zheng Yue is a kind person.

Very easy to get along with.

At sixty, one can hear and understand.

Because I've seen so many different kinds of people, I understand people's hearts better. I don't talk to petty people, and what I hear is naturally pleasant to hear.

Zhong Xuan then consulted Zheng Yue about some of his questions regarding swordsmanship.

A full hour later.

Only then did he leave satisfied, feeling a sense of sudden enlightenment.

"Having a renowned teacher to guide you is definitely better than working in isolation."

It was noon.

Zhong Xuan practiced the breathing technique once before arriving at the training ground.

Even fewer apprentices are attending the lectures.

There were only a few people here and there.

But Zhong Xuan still meticulously explained the Eagle Style Sword Technique.

He discovered that during each explanation, he could always find subtle errors in the practice, which were actually quite beneficial to the practice.

"A teacher is also a teacher to himself."

......

......

Another section.

Langzi Bay.

On the riverbank.

"Chief Hu, how's the matter I asked you to investigate the other day coming along?"

Boss Ma and Hu Liu stood side by side.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, something not too big or too small happened in the Sha Gang: Ma Lei became the head of one of the six halls of the Sha Gang.

This matter has caused quite a stir in Xiahe Village.

His status naturally rose accordingly.

"Brother Ma, whatever your grudges or resentments may be, I advise you to let it go."

"That old man surnamed Zhong must have had some incredible luck to become an instructor at the Flying Eagle Martial Arts Academy. Moreover, the person who recommended him was Zheng Yue, Qian Hong's senior brother. Not to mention you, even Master Ma would have to think twice."

Boss Ma's pupils contracted slightly.

Flying Eagle Martial Arts School?

Zheng Yue?

Guidance?!

He had studied martial arts at a martial arts school when he was young, and he himself was a skilled martial artist, so he naturally knew the significance of Zheng Yue's guidance from the school.

"Old Zhong is a martial artist too?"

Boss Ma was filled with mixed feelings.

To be able to establish a relationship with a master like Zheng Yue, one must possess extraordinary abilities.

We must not provoke them.

After a full ten breaths, he finally sighed, "Never mind."

Boss Ma has already made a decision. He will wait a few days and ask the village elders and headmen to mediate. He doesn't expect to turn enemies into friends, but it would be enough if they could live in peace and never have to see each other again.

As for his third brother... well, he was just unlucky and messed with the wrong person.

Boss Ma stopped thinking about it.

He turned his head and glanced at the Dragon King statue that stood three zhang tall on the riverbank.

The once dignified and peaceful Dragon King statue now appeared incredibly eerie and ferocious, its entire body smeared with mottled blood.

Not bad.

Several lives were lost in Xiaohe Village.

Most of them were widowed or orphaned people from nearby villages, or beggars from the city, who would not care if they died.

As for why the Sha Gang did this... it was to suppress evil spirits.

The irrigation canal to Xiahe Village was cut off in order to divert water here.

Hu Liu looked at the somewhat sinister-looking Dragon King statue, a hint of fear in his eyes: "The Dragon King wants to eat people. If he can't feed us enough, we'll be the ones who die. This has been the rule of the Sand Gang for hundreds of years."

Boss Ma remained calm.

In this world, the lives of the poor are worthless; once they die, they're gone.

I even bought a sheep during the great flood years ago.

Things are not peaceful yet.

If you have to blame someone, blame the time they were born.

......

"Alright, if you still have any questions, feel free to ask me."

Zhong Xuan finished his studies for the day.

today.

Only two people remained to listen to his lecture on martial arts.

The Flying Eagle Martial Arts School has three instructors who teach beginners.

One person teaches stance training, and two people teach grappling techniques.

Many people had tried their luck to learn swordsmanship before, but unfortunately, the requirements for the Flying Eagle Nine Strikes entrance were too high in terms of physical constitution and comprehension, so much so that after more than a month, no one was a good fit.

Zhong Xuan stayed until noon.

After completing one round of breathing exercises, he left and returned to Xiahe Village.

When he arrived at his own doorstep.

Then I saw a middle-aged man pacing back and forth at the door with his hands in his pockets.

"Liu Jia Shou?"

Zhong Xuan recognized the middle-aged man as Liu Song, the head of their ten households.

Liu Song smiled politely at Zhong Xuan and said:

"Mr. Zhong, Boss Ma asked me to deliver this apology gift to you."