Chapter 52: What is Known as a Prodigy
Chapter 52: What is Known as a Prodigy
Adorned in a jet-black robe adorned with cloud patterns and a white jade belt, Shen Yi's tall and slender figure cut an even more striking silhouette as he slowly stepped out of the room.
The old lady smiled warmly and said, "Well now, you're much more handsome than Heng. Come, take a seat."
Fang Heng moved a table into the courtyard and brought out a few dishes of light and delicate food. Finally, his gaze landed on the cloud pattern embroidered on Shen Yi's sleeve.
Without saying a word, he picked up a spoon and silently ladled out three bowls of thick porridge.
Helping his grandmother to sit down, he said, "It's just my grandmother and me here, and we live simply. If you don't mind, please help yourself."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Shen Yi replied.
Having eaten only dry food for the past two days, Shen Yi didn't stand on ceremony. He sat down at the table and began to eat, alternating between the porridge and the side dishes.
Seeing how heartily he ate, the old lady's smile widened. "Are you from Boyun County? Bai Wei mentioned in her letter that you're a good child. Are you married? If not, Granny can introduce someone to you."
Hearing this, Shen Yi choked on his porridge. "..."
Fang Heng, seemingly accustomed to his grandmother's antics, remained silent and continued eating.
Only when their bowls were almost empty did he put down his chopsticks and say, "My master won't be back for at least two months. Until then, you'll stay here."
As he spoke, Fang Heng went back into the house and retrieved a book that was about two fingers thick. He placed it on the table.
"When my master was young, he became famous in Qingzhou because of his five unique skills."
"Mastering just one of them would allow you to dominate demons and monsters of the same level. Each of us has been taught one of these skills, and they are not part of the Town Magic Department's martial arts. So, it's not against the rules for me to teach them to you."
"However, since you're not a disciple of our sect, you can learn, but you must not pass it on to others."
After chatting with Zhang Tu Hu for so long, Shen Yi was no longer the ignorant novice he once was.
Whether it was the Town Magic Department or the martial arts sects of the Jianghu, if one were to leak their martial arts without permission, not only would the teacher face severe punishment, but the learner would also suffer consequences. At best, they would have their hands and feet cut off or their meridians crippled—the literal meaning of 'taking back martial arts'. At worst, they might even lose their lives.
No wonder Lin Baiwei was in such dire straits, and she still dared to make up martial arts in an attempt to bluff her way through.
The Four Harmonious True Gongs that she finally transcribed were indeed the only things she could teach.
"The technique I will teach you is called 'Intercepting the Dragon's Pulse'. It is an extremely profound martial art at the Jade Liquid state and is a form of fist and palm martial art."
"I will take a month's rest. Every day, I will only practice three times, once in the morning, once at noon, and once in the evening. If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask me."
Fang Heng slowly got up and said indifferently, "Before you learn this technique, you must not leave the courtyard, nor are you allowed to go and hang out with that bunch of spoiled brats, including Li Xin Han. The cloud pattern on your sleeve is not something you can obtain by relying on connections."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi slightly raised his eyes, his expression unreadable.
He had found Lin Baiwei to be overly calculating and difficult to get along with.
But now, after coming to Qingzhou, whether it was Li Xin Han or the current Fang Heng, putting aside their overbearing attitudes, the hint of arrogance in their voices, as if their words could not be refused, was almost as if they were cut from the same cloth.
That air of superiority hidden beneath a calm facade was indeed something one needed to get used to.
"..."
The more the old lady listened, the more her face twisted in displeasure. Suddenly, she picked up a twig from the ground and gently tapped Fang Heng's calf with it. "Now you've even learned to scare people. Can't you let the boy eat in peace? Wait until he's finished before you start talking. Bai Wei had nothing but praise for him, how could he be the sort of person you describe?"
Fang Heng lowered his head, standing quietly as he endured several taps. "I was wrong."
After the old lady's anger had subsided, Fang Heng walked towards a sapling with a bowl-sized trunk. His muscles trembled slightly, and then he struck the tree with his fist and palm in quick succession, the blows seeming casual yet precise.
The tree, which Shen Yi could easily snap with his hands, showed no sign of shaking even under Fang Heng's relentless strikes.
"All things have meridians. Find the meridian and intercept it."
Fang Heng slowly retracted his palm and turned his head. "By the way, did you receive a bottle of Open Meridian Pill?"
Shen Yi took out the pill bottle. "This one?"
Shen Yi looked down at the pill bottle in his hand, and even after fully understanding Fang Heng's meaning, he still felt astonished.
Doubling the efficiency of refining qi would mean that a day of hard cultivation could achieve the same results as two days for an initial stage martial artist, essentially a transformation of one's innate talent.
The other effect was even more mysterious.
The amount of qi stored in the major orifices was fixed. This was a conclusion Shen Yi had reached after consuming a significant amount of demon lifespans. Even with procrastination measured in centuries, one could only slowly condense the qi into jade liquid.
If the orifices were widened by nine-tenths, it would be like having nearly double the stamina of others during combat.
And yet, this precious pill was available to everyone.
"Are these pills common?" Shen Yi asked.
Upon hearing this, Fang Heng retracted his gaze. "They used to be the exclusive treasure of the Songhe Sect in Qingzhou, known as the Yi Jing Transforming Meridian Pills, and were only supplied to a few inner sect disciples. Later, the Songhe Sect colluded with demons, and when the Town Magic Department wiped them out, they brought back the pill formula. Other sects have similar pills, but the maximum efficacy is only fifty percent."
He continued, "The Town Magic Department doesn't offer high salaries, but the benefits are quite good... However, the prerequisite is that you must stay alive."
After speaking, Fang Heng turned and went back into the house.
The little tree remained unmoved, its branches unstirred.
Shen Yi silently stared at it, and although the tree appeared the same, its vibrant green leaves and erect trunk now seemed devoid of life, exuding an aura of "death," which looked extremely bizarre.
Although he didn't fully understand the mystery behind it, a martial art that could rival the Four Harmonious True Gongs couldn't be that bad.
He stretched out his hand and casually flipped through the book on the table.
A moment later, a line of text appeared on the panel.
[Jade Liquid. Vein Interception and Dragon Capture (Not Yet Initiated)]
"You silly child, who taught you to flip through a book like that? Have you eaten enough? Was it tasty? If you're full, take the book back inside and read it slowly." The old lady gently pushed him to stand up and urged him to go back into the house.
"It's fine, I have plenty of time," Shen Yi replied with a hint of helplessness as he looked at the little old lady, his eyes softening.
He put away the book and bent down to help clear the table.
Although Chen Ji and Lin Baiwei had been quite obedient to his orders, he still felt awkward having an elderly stranger do chores for him.
Moreover, after recently encountering so-called geniuses, Shen Yi, who had feared the constant nagging of his aunts and uncles in his previous life, now found himself... actually preferring to be with the latter.
Even being asked about relationships or wages was more comfortable than being randomly accused of things.
"..."
Fang Heng stood inside the house, watching his grandmother's cheerful demeanor, then glanced at Shen Yi, his expression turning indifferent.
First, he took advantage of Lin Baiwei's plight to demand two Jade Liquid realm martial arts manuals, and they just happened to be the rare Four Harmonious True Gongs and Vein Interception and Dragon Capture.
Even with the talent of his senior martial brothers and sisters, they would only choose to cultivate one of these arts.
Yet, despite being at the Initial Stage, Shen Yi dared to covet both.
On his first day at the Town Magic Department, he had acted overly familiar with the group of rich young masters under Li Xin Han, and he had quickly obtained the Cloud Pattern Shirt.
Even with his grandmother, who had no background and was only here because he needed to take care of her, Shen Yi was overly attentive, probably thinking she was some kind of reclusive master.
He was both greedy and stupid, which was truly annoying.
Wanting to seize this opportunity to stay here and soar to new heights was a natural human desire.
But he didn't even bother to hide it.
If this wasn't called sucking up to the powerful and greedy, then what was?
(End of Chapter)
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