Chapter 97

Shenma's Selection (97)

"Is it that good?"

"Of course."

As Fan Jiewei asked, Dan Aoxian looked at the slip of paper again and smiled brightly.

Dan Jinzhen, the Grand Lawmaster of Zhongnan Sect and the current master's senior brother, had personally signed it.

It took only four days to obtain it.

Most of that time was spent searching for him in the deep valleys of Zhongnan Mountain.

―It should be something I must do, even without the connection of trust.

When Dan Aoxian revealed her identity and asked for the signature on the slip of paper, Dan Jinzhen readily agreed.

Fan Jiewei's mood also improved at the sight of Dan Aoxian's constant smile.

"Indeed, things go smoothly without Brother Chao."

"Huh? There were no problems when Uncle Chao was around, right?"

"No, that's because Dan Yiyuan doesn't know Brother Chao. If Brother Chao were here, any trouble would have already erupted."

Fan Jiewei turned his head toward Jia Duda, who was following behind.

"Isn't there a sparring match today?"

"Huh? Yes, there is."

Jia Duda quickly approached Dan Aoxian, fearing he might get into trouble.

"Is this the eighth sparring match?"

"Yes."

Nodding, Dan Aoxian carefully placed the slip of paper she had been holding close to her chest while descending Zhongnan Mountain.

Then she faced Jia Duda.

"I will definitely win this time."

Her eyes were filled with a determination that was markedly different from her usual demeanor.

"It won't be that easy."

Despite Dan Aoxian's determined gaze, Jia Duda still seemed relaxed.

She had clearly made significant progress with each sparring match, but there was still a long way to go.

No matter how talented she was or how great a master she learned from, the seasoned skills honed over time couldn't be acquired overnight.

Especially in terms of improvisation in crisis situations, Jia Duda was confident that he was unmatched by anyone.

His life, spent wandering through the Sword Forest and dedicating himself to the Way of the Sword, had been as perilous as anyone else's.

He had to deceive masters who were more skilled than himself and break through countless traps.

He had weathered situations as precarious as a lamp in the wind countless times.

Through this process, his natural ability to respond to crises was far beyond that of a novice just starting to learn martial arts.

However, it didn't take long for him to realize how mistaken he was.

The sparring match began with Dan Aoxian's attack.

In an instant, the two figures were entangled in a chaotic dance. Soon, a look of bewilderment appeared on Jia Duda's face.

Dan Aoxian's footwork, which seemed to anticipate his movements and preemptively occupy his path, was far from ordinary.

'Did she steal my footwork in the meantime?'

The movements that had initially been mere imitations now had a proper form.

Jia Duda deliberately left a few openings to lure her into attacking, but the cunning child in front of him wouldn't fall for it.

Her discernment had also improved.

Moreover...

"Huh!"

Jia Duda gasped and hastily retreated to the side.

The spot where he had just stood was now a deep indentation, left by Dan Aoxian's sweeping kick. Jia Duda, who had almost been knocked to the ground, inwardly sighed in relief.

Her bold attacks, seizing every opportunity, were also much sharper than before.

Even the nearly seamless Golden Thread Technique was now as difficult to counter as ever.

"Did you just use your internal energy?"

"......!"

Jia Duda flinched at Fan Jiewei's sudden voice.

He had inadvertently used his internal energy in the moment of crisis, and it was now exposed.

At that moment of hesitation...

Dan Aoxian seized the opportunity and charged again.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, a chaotic flurry of hand shadows surrounded Jia Duda.

He was startled as Dan Aoxian cleverly blocked his escape routes and gradually closed in.

He managed to dodge by twisting and turning, but it was not easy with the initiative taken away. Eventually, Jia Duda's face fell in defeat.

His sleeve had been caught by Dan Aoxian.

Rip.

Not satisfied with just tearing a piece of the sleeve, Dan Aoxian's hand changed direction and struck again.

Jia Duda's pupils dilated.

'This can't be avoided!'

At this point, he involuntarily let out a groan.

With defeat imminent, Jia Duda had few options left.

Without regard for his dignity, Jia Duda lay flat on the ground.

But Dan Aoxian's attacks were relentless.

'Damn it!'

Jia Duda began rolling on the ground.

This technique, called "Lazy Donkey Roll" (懒驴打滚), was named for the image of a lazy donkey wriggling on the ground.

Dan Aoxian was taken aback, and Fan Jiewei and Han Xuehua frowned.

A martial artist's pride is more precious than life.

Rather than die in such a disgraceful manner, he would rather face death with dignity. Moreover, this was not a life-or-death duel where such a technique would be necessary.

On the other hand, Dan Aoxian was amazed in a different way.

Jia Duda's ability to avoid all her attacks using the "Lazy Donkey Roll" technique was intriguing.

Despite the messy appearance, it contained a subtle and profound skill.

Dan Aoxian had to retreat due to the dust cloud that obscured her vision.

Perhaps this was what he had planned from the beginning.

If so, there was no need to fight within it.

A short while later.

When the dust settled, Jia Duda was already far away.

From then on, Jia Duda changed his fighting style.

He now kept a distance and did not allow Dan Aoxian to approach. Instead, he relied on his lightness skills and footwork to throw out hidden weapons.

However, Dan Aoxian skillfully avoided all of them.

Even when he tried to lure her into a trap, she did not fall for it.

She seemed to have become accustomed to it and avoided the traps altogether.

Fan Jiewei, watching the situation, cast an unsatisfied glance at Jia Duda.

"Is this guy no longer useful?"

Jia Duda hesitated at the question.

Han Xuehua nodded.

"Indeed, he is now being outmatched by Dan Yiyuan. We should allow her to use internal energy."

"If you're going to do that, I might as well do it myself. What's the point of his internal energy?"

The reason Jia Duda was chosen as Dan Aoxian's sparring partner was simple.

To teach her how to deal with unexpected variables through underhanded fighting methods. But it seemed this was no longer helping Dan Aoxian.

"Enough."

Finally, Fan Jiewei stopped the sparring.

After confirming that Dan Aoxian had avoided all three attempts using hidden weapons and traps.

Fan Jiewei beckoned Jia Duda over.

When Jia Duda hesitantly approached, Fan Jiewei suddenly spoke.

"Go now."

"Huh?"

Fan Jiewei waved his hand dismissively at Jia Duda's confused response.

"Just go on your way. I'll tell Brother Chao, so don't worry."

"Wait, just a moment!"

Jia Duda, who had thought about escaping from these monsters many times, was not pleased when the opportunity suddenly arrived.

'I can't leave like this.'

A glint of greed flickered in Jia Duda's eyes as he glanced at Dan Aoxian.

More time was needed to make Dan Aoxian a suitable successor to Gonggong Gate.

"May I ask for the reason?"

Jia Duda's question made Fan Jiewei frown in annoyance.

"Our Dan Yiyuan has nothing more to learn from you."

Jia Duda's expression turned serious.

"I still have tens of thousands of methods."

"Then why don't you use them?"

"Because I'm not sure if I can use them."

Facing Fan Jiewei's puzzled look, Jia Duda spoke with a determined gaze.

"Promise me one thing. That there will be no repercussions, no matter what method I use during the sparring match."

"What's your plan?"

"If you guarantee that, I will use all the methods I have."

Fan Jiewei looked at Jia Duda with a suspicious eye. But Jia Duda did not avoid his gaze.

Finally, Fan Jiewei nodded at his confident attitude.

"Fine. Let's see what you can do."

With Fan Jiewei's permission, Jia Duda faced Dan Aoxian again.

"Chao Ailiang, you bastard."

"Huh?"

Dan Aoxian's eyes widened in surprise.

She had not expected Jia Duda to curse Chao Ailiang so bluntly.

Given how he usually feared Chao Ailiang like a demon, her surprise was even greater.

"Do you know the term 'Caocaogongzi' (草草公子)?"

"Caocaogongzi?"

Jia Duda continued his explanation to the bewildered Dan Aoxian.

"A dissolute young master from a wealthy family is called 'Huahuagongzi' (花花公子). But Chao Ailiang is called 'Caocaogongzi' because he chases after any woman he sees. It means he doesn't discriminate between flowers and weeds. He is one of the most lecherous men in the world."

Dan Aoxian frowned.

"Uncle Chao is not like that."

"That's because you don't know him."

Jia Duda continued with a mocking tone.

"How else would the term 'Renmian Chuxin' (人面楚心) have come about?"

"Renmian Chuxin?"

"It means he has a human face but a heart like Chao Ailiang. It's a much more unpleasant term than 'Renmian Shouxin' (人面獸心)."

Dan Aoxian, who had initially been surprised, now began to feel annoyed.

"Stop it."

"There's a saying in the martial world: 'More terrifying than a mother-in-law is Chao Ailiang. Even crying children stop their tears when they hear this.'"

"Stop it!"

Dan Aoxian, now thoroughly agitated, charged at Jia Duda.

At the same moment, Jia Duda's eyes flashed coldly.

There was no trace of the precision in Dan Aoxian's movements as she recklessly closed the distance.

Jia Duda easily deflected her attack by twisting his shoulder and instantly exploited the opening.

"Aah!"

A sharp scream erupted from Dan Aoxian's mouth.

Jia Duda had quickly moved behind her and grabbed her by the nape of the neck.

With her pressure points seized, Dan Aoxian stiffened like a wooden log and fell to the ground. Even in this state, she continued to glare at Jia Duda.

"Uncle Chao is not that kind of person!"

Her eyes were brimming with tears, filled with indignation.

Jia Duda, looking down at her, smiled and readily admitted.

"Right. It was a lie."

"......!"

Dan Aoxian looked up at Jia Duda with a sense of defeat.

"Why... why did you do that?"

"The most effective deception tactic to shake your opponent is to shake their heart, isn't it?"