Chapter 115: Warriors from Other Provinces

Inside Mother Wang’s Bun Shop, two groups of people sat at the same table, maintaining a semi-hostile relationship. The few of them had nothing to say, silently eating their buns.

"Many martial artists from other provinces have come to the city recently," Yu Haoyuan suddenly remarked as they finished their meal and prepared to leave.

When Fang Yue and Bai Tao’ru reached the street, they witnessed a scene that confirmed Yu Haoyuan’s words. Two groups of martial artists were engaged in a brawl for some unknown reason, overturning several stalls and causing a chaotic, uproarious scene. They were soon apprehended by a detachment of government guards who arrived in haste.

One of the martial artists, possessing a volatile temper, attempted to resist with his blade and was executed on the spot by the guards. His corpse lay in the street, frightening the other martial artists into compliance, and they obediently allowed themselves to be captured.

Seeing the martial artist’s blood stain the street, Bai Tao’ru’s face paled. "These two groups must be from out of town," she said. "If they were local martial artists from Yun Province, they would know the government’s rules: if there is a grievance or conflict, it must be settled outside the city. If they run wild within the city and get caught by the authorities, they will face dire consequences."

"Do the governments of other provinces not have the same rules?" Fang Yue asked.

Bai Tao’ru replied, "Every region has its own customs; the traditions of each province are often vastly different. Some provincial governments strictly forbid martial artists from fighting in crowded areas within the city, while others have no such rules at all."

On the way back, Fang Yue pondered why so many martial artists from other provinces had suddenly appeared in the city. He could not help but recall the unverified rumor he had heard from "Old Drunkard Li" back in Balin County.

...

In the afternoon, Fang Yue practiced swordsmanship with Qiu Shiyan. The Fengyang Martial Arts Hall taught several styles of swordsmanship; the one Qiu Shiyan was currently teaching Fang Yue was the "Long Wind Sword Technique," which complemented the "Long Wind Fist." The essence of the Long Wind Sword Technique also prioritized speed—striking like the wind, with blades rising like swirling clouds. Compared to the fist techniques, the swordplay was far more complex. Fang Yue was still in the learning phase and had not yet used his Merit System to deduce or upgrade it.

On the training stage, Qiu Shiyan demonstrated the Long Wind Sword Technique for Fang Yue. It must be said that as the daughter of Qiu Rubai, she was a true chip off the old block, possessing exceptional talent for martial arts. Every movement and stance was seasoned, refined, and exquisite. In particular, her tall stature and long legs made her performance with the long sword a sight to behold. Fang Yue watched intently, knowing he still had much to learn regarding swordsmanship.

After finishing the entire sequence, Qiu Shiyan’s face was slightly flushed. "Is there anything you don't understand?"

Fang Yue had become the Fengyang Martial Arts Hall's primary benefactor, flush with cash and covering the daily expenses of the hall. Consequently, the entire establishment naturally revolved around him, and both Qiu Shiyan and Bai Tao’ru accompanied him in his daily training.

Of course, Qiu Shiyan secretly harbored other motives. She was a martial artist at the late stage of the Post-Natal Realm and would soon reach its peak, but she was still a long way from the Pre-Natal Grandmaster Realm. Fang Yue, however, was already at the peak of the Post-Natal Realm, possessing abundant internal energy and powerful life force, separated from the Pre-Natal realm by only a thin veil. If Fang Yue reached the Pre-Natal realm, the Fengyang Martial Arts Hall would produce another Grandmaster. Such masters were not common—there were only a few in the entire Longchong Prefecture, and even Qingyan Sect, the largest in the region, only had three. With a Grandmaster presiding over the hall, the Fengyang Martial Arts Hall could quickly return to prosperity.

However, having only known him for a few days, Qiu Shiyan was unsure of Fang Yue’s true character and dared not easily impart the hall’s secret Pre-Natal martial arts. Thus, she taught him the sword technique personally to spend more time with him, hoping to better understand his personality and ensure the techniques were not passed to the wrong person.

Hearing Qiu Shiyan’s question, Fang Yue did not stand on ceremony and voiced his questions about the technique. With her own agenda in mind, Qiu Shiyan provided earnest explanations, occasionally using her sword to demonstrate. Having practiced martial arts with her father since childhood, her knowledge was extensive and far beyond what Fang Yue could achieve through self-study. As they taught and learned, an hour passed in the blink of an eye.

"Junior Brother Fang, let's stop here for today. You can practice on your own now, and if you have any questions tomorrow, feel free to ask." Qiu Shiyan sheathed her sword and wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead. She had plans to leave later; she had promised the Prefect’s daughter to stay the night and chat about private matters. Although her personality was fiery, much like her father’s, she was far more adept at social navigation. Many daughters of wealthy families in the city were her close friends, and during the two years her father had spent offending people, these connections had helped keep the Fengyang Martial Arts Hall afloat.

"Senior Sister, wait a moment," Fang Yue called out. Qiu Shiyan stopped and looked back at him.

"This morning, when Senior Sister Bai and I went to Mother Wang’s Bun Shop, we saw on the street..."

"The two of you went alone?"

"That is not the point. We saw two groups of out-of-town martial artists fighting and getting arrested. There are so many of them in the city lately. Senior Sister, have you heard any rumors?"

Qiu Shiyan replied, "What rumors? Though, I have indeed noticed many unfamiliar martial artists on the streets recently."

Fang Yue said, "I wonder what these martial artists have traveled thousands of miles to do here in our Yun Province?"

Qiu Shiyan frowned in thought. "It is indeed suspicious. I will find someone to look into it."

...

That night, Fang Yue sat on his bed, closing his eyes to study the "Dragon Turtle Breath-Holding Technique" in his mind. Back on the boat, he had roughly learned the first small portion and used the Merit System to deduce the first layer of the technique. However, the first layer could only roughly conceal his presence; it could not completely hide his vigorous vitality. Those with cultivation levels higher than his, as well as demons and spirits, could still vaguely sense his life force.

Fang Yue wanted to master the subsequent parts of the technique as soon as possible to deduce the second layer and hide his vitality completely. Moreover, this technique was not just for concealment; if practiced to a deep level, it could simulate other auras, which was incredibly useful. For instance, simulating the aura of a master several levels above his own could intimidate enemies and save his life at critical moments.

However, the path of arcane arts was even more complex and difficult than the path of martial arts, and the "Dragon Turtle Breath-Holding Technique" was no simple art. Even with the detailed annotations left by Lin Qingmiao, Fang Yue could only grasp a small portion of the content through painstaking effort, with a large part still remaining beyond his reach.

"So many days have passed, I wonder if Miss Lin and her companions have reached Feng Province yet?" Fang Yue opened his eyes, thinking to himself. He then shook his head to clear away the distractions.

"Deduce," Fang Yue whispered in his mind. From the boat, to Longchong Prefecture, and finally joining the Fengyang Martial Arts Hall, he had been studying the technique the entire journey. Although progress was slow, the small amount of new knowledge he had acquired was enough to continue the deduction for the second layer of the "Dragon Turtle Breath-Holding Technique."