Chapter 10

Returning home, Chen Xi heaved a sigh of relief.

The battle just now, though it lasted only a moment, had greatly drained his mental energy.

Combat was his weak point. Since he started learning talisman-making five years ago, he had no time to practice combat techniques. However, he was also very clear about his strengths, which were his proficiency in talisman-making and his thorough understanding of the power of various basic talismans.

However, this was his first battle, and he had to carefully consider the entry point of the fight, the rescue, and the escape route, repeatedly deliberating until he was certain that every step was flawless before he decisively took action.

Fortunately, everything went as he had anticipated, with no mistakes. This also made him deeply realize that sometimes a precise combat strategy could play a crucial role in an operation.

"Chen Xi, what if they come after us?" Bai Wanqing frowned, worried.

"Before rescuing you, I went to the General's Mansion," Chen Xi replied calmly.

Bai Wanqing was puzzled, "Didn't they say that the General's Mansion wouldn't get involved in this matter due to the Li family's face?"

Chen Hao, standing beside them, suddenly understood and said with a smile, "Aunt Bai, if I had been beaten up, even if the General's Mansion knew about it afterward, they could pretend not to know due to the Li family's face. But now that my brother has exposed the matter, the General's Mansion can no longer pretend. If we are the victims, even if the General's Mansion is unwilling to stand up for us, they still have to handle the matter to maintain their reputation among the people of Songyan City. In that case, wouldn't the Li family also have to pay the price?"

"Remember, the General's Mansion represents the will of the Song Dynasty and will never tolerate anyone challenging its authority in public! So, if the Li family is smart, they won't dare to make a move against us at this time."

Bai Wanqing was stunned and finally understood. Looking at the two brothers, she was filled with amazement.

The elder brother was calm and composed, with exceptional strategic thinking and flawless plans. The younger brother was intelligent and perceptive. If the Chen family still existed, these two would undoubtedly be the pride of heaven!

Unfortunately, everything was gone, and these two children had suffered greatly...

Thinking of this, Bai Wanqing couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness.

"How are your injuries?" Chen Xi suddenly asked.

"A few days of rest and I'll be fine," Chen Hao smiled and asked, "Brother, that Wu Lao's strength should be at the peak of the Innate Realm. How did you manage to do it just now?"

Chen Xi casually replied, "It was just a surprise attack. If we had fought him head-on, even if we worked together, we wouldn't be his match."

Chen Hao pressed on, "Surprise attack? I didn't see you at all just now. How did you suddenly appear? What powerful technique is this?"

Bai Wanqing was also curious. In the battle just now, she hadn't seen Chen Xi either, only feeling a lightness in her body as she was carried on his back.

"It's simple," Chen Xi paused for a moment and answered, "When you started the fight, I used an invisibility talisman and a concealment talisman. As for ambushing Wu, I used an ice spike talisman."

Chen Hao was taken aback, "Those are all first-grade basic talismans."

Chen Xi nodded, "The key isn't the talismans, but the grasp of the combat rhythm."

Bai Wanqing was confused, but Chen Hao suddenly understood and said with a smile, "That's right. Wu Lao's first mistake was underestimating you, the second was ignoring the surroundings, and the third was losing control when ambushed. Using these mistakes, you can do a lot. However, the premise is that you must have anticipated these mistakes before taking action to achieve your goal."

Saying this, Chen Hao looked up with admiration, "Brother, did you anticipate all of this?"

Chen Xi avoided answering and said, "Strategy is a minor art. It can't be used repeatedly. If Wu had the cultivation of the Purple Mansion Realm, any strategy would be useless."

Chen Hao smiled, "That's true. In the face of absolute strength, all plots and tricks will be crushed. Just like the invisibility and concealment talismans, they would be useless against a Purple Mansion cultivator's powerful perception."

Advancing to the Purple Mansion Realm, the Yin Spirit emerges from the Sea of Consciousness, achieving the power of perception, which can easily detect the slightest air movement. Invisibility and concealment talismans would indeed be ineffective against a Purple Mansion cultivator's perception.

"By the way, how did you get into a fight with the Li family?"

Chen Xi asked, not intending to pry, but since it involved the Li family, he was extremely cautious. Among the enemies who killed his grandfather, the Li family was the most suspicious.

Chen Hao remained silent.

Bai Wanqing quickly explained, helping Chen Xi understand the whole story.

It turned out that this morning, Chen Hao had planned to return to the Tianxing Academy to practice swordsmanship. As soon as he entered the academy, Li Ming mocked and insulted him, saying that after Chen Xi had killed his grandfather, the next one to be killed would be Chen Hao. The words were extremely vicious and despicable, thoroughly angering Chen Hao. He disregarded the academy's rules and, in front of many teachers and students, beat up Li Ming.

The academy's head, Yu Ze, was furious and expelled Chen Hao. However, Yu Ze also said that if Li Ming forgave Chen Hao's mistake, Chen Hao could continue studying at the academy. Li Ming, of course, was unwilling, so he called Wu, and the rest is history.

Chen Xi thought for a moment and frowned, "So, you've been completely expelled?"

Chen Hao lifted his young face, lips pressed together, and said stubbornly, "Brother, I don't regret it."

Chen Xi wanted to be angry but couldn't bear to. He knew that every time his brother fought, it was almost always to protect him. He couldn't stand to hear others insult him, just as he couldn't stand to see others bully his brother.

"Xiao Hao is only twelve years old and has already advanced to the Innate Realm. I think he can try applying to the Songyan Academy," Bai Wanqing suggested.

Chen Xi was taken aback and shook his head, "The Songyan Academy's admission criteria are extremely strict. With Xiao Hao's disabled right hand, it's unlikely..."

Bai Wanqing interrupted, "How do you know if you don't try? If Xiao Hao is willing to go, I can introduce him to a teacher at the Songyan Academy."

Chen Hao said without hesitation, "Of course I'm willing to go. Aunt Bai, can you really help me?"

Bai Wanqing smiled, "I can only introduce you. The rest depends on your own efforts."

Seeing this, Chen Xi couldn't help but look at Bai Wanqing differently.

As far as he knew, Bai Wanqing was just a cook at a restaurant in the city, barely able to support herself and her daughter, Xi Xi. Her living conditions were not much better than his and his brother's. How could she know a teacher at the Songyan Academy?

It seems Aunt Bai's identity is not simple.

"Let's go now."

Chen Xi made his decision. The Songyan Academy had a strong foundation and strength comparable to the General's Mansion and the Li family. If his brother could enter the Songyan Academy, he wouldn't have to worry about the Li family's retaliation, and he could also have peace of mind.

...

Songyan Academy, the Sword Polishing Hall.

A group of young men in green robes stood with swords, their postures upright and their spirits high.

They looked serious, gazing at the tall figure in front of them, their eyes filled with admiration.

The man was tall and slender, with broad brows and a firm jawline. Standing there, he resembled an unshakable, majestic peak, exuding a heavy and solemn aura.

His name was Meng Kong, a teacher at the Sword Polishing Hall and a Purple Mansion Sixth Rank sword cultivator!

"Whether it's palm techniques, fist techniques, footwork, sword techniques, saber techniques, or spear techniques, they are all divided into three realms: Basic, Subtle, and Unity with Heaven and Earth."

"Mastering sword techniques is considered the Basic realm. Achieving great mastery in sword techniques is the Subtle realm. Reaching perfection in sword techniques is the Unity with Heaven and Earth realm. At this level, when a sword technique is used, it can draw on the power of heaven and earth, greatly increasing its offensive power. However, this is only the beginning of understanding the Way of the Sword, the starting point of entering the Way through the sword!"

"Therefore, until you reach the Unity with Heaven and Earth realm, you cannot be called a true sword cultivator, and you have nothing to be proud of! Do you understand?"

Meng Kong's voice was cold and sharp, echoing in the vast Sword Polishing Hall, lingering for a long time.

Hearing this, the young men in green robes were shaken. They straightened their chests, their eyes determined, and said in unison, "We understand!"

Meng Kong nodded and said no more.

"Meng Teacher, someone is looking for you outside," a guard from the academy ran over and said in a low voice.

Meng Kong frowned, "Can't you see I'm teaching?"

The guard's heart trembled, swallowing hard, he said, "The woman said you would definitely see her. But if you're busy, I can turn her away."

Woman?

Meng Kong was stunned, a graceful and familiar woman's image appearing in his mind. A surge of excitement rose in his heart. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and said, "Wait, what's her name?"

The guard scratched his head, hesitating, "She's surnamed Bai, I think her name is... Wanqing, I'm not sure. Should I ask again?"

Meng Kong, where did he go? The guard looked up and was surprised to find that Meng Kong had already disappeared, gone somewhere.

...

Meng Kong's eyes widened in disbelief, looking at the familiar figure in front of him. His firm and stern face was filled with excitement.

"Wanqing, you finally came to see me," he said in a trembling, hoarse voice.

Seeing Meng Kong, Bai Wanqing's expression was extremely complex. She took a deep breath, calming herself, and turned to Chen Xi, "You and Xiao Hao wait outside. I need to talk to Meng... Teacher alone."

Chen Xi nodded, pulling Chen Hao and turning to leave.

He had already noticed that Bai Wanqing and this man, Meng Kong, had an unusual relationship. They hadn't seen each other for many years, or there wouldn't have been that scene just now.

He couldn't help but be even more curious about the relationship between Aunt Bai and this man, Meng Kong.

"Brother, do you think I can succeed?" Chen Hao looked up and asked. Being young, he couldn't understand the complexities of adult relationships.

Chen Xi pondered for a moment and said, "It should be fine."

From what he had seen just now, he was fairly certain that his brother might really be able to enter the Songyan Academy, and Aunt Bai was the key.

Soon, the door opened.

Bai Wanqing's eyes were red and swollen, but she looked relieved, as if a burden had been lifted from her heart. She smiled and called out, "Come in, Meng Teacher will test Xiao Hao's sword skills."

Chen Hao's spirits lifted, rubbing his hands together, "Alright!"

A faint smile slipped across Chen Xi's lips, unnoticed. It was finally about to begin.

—

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