Chapter 10

Returning home, Chen Xi let out 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 points for the fight, the rescue, and the escape route, repeatedly deliberating until he was certain that every step would go without error before he decisively took action.

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

"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, due to the Li family's influence, would not intervene in this matter?"

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

"Remember, the General's Mansion represents the will of the Song Dynasty and will not tolerate anyone challenging its authority on the surface! So, if the Li family is smart, they won't dare to make a move against us at this time."

Bai Wanqing was taken aback and finally understood. Looking at the two brothers, she felt a mix of surprise and admiration.

The elder brother was calm and composed, with exceptional strategic thinking, while the younger brother was quick-witted and had outstanding insight. If the Chen family were still around, these two would definitely be the pride of the heavens!

Unfortunately, everything is gone now, and these two children have suffered greatly...

Thinking of this, Bai Wanqing couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sorrow.

"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 old dog Wu was 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 joined forces, we wouldn't be his match."

Chen Hao pressed on, "A 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; she only felt a lightness and then found herself 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 surprised, "Those are just first-grade basic talismans."

Chen Xi nodded, "The key is not 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. The first mistake Wu made was underestimating the situation, the second was neglecting the surroundings, and the third was losing control when ambushed. Using these mistakes, a lot can be done. However, the prerequisite 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, and 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 are useless against the powerful perception of a Purple Mansion cultivator."

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 fluctuations of the surrounding air. The invisibility and concealment talismans cannot escape the perception of a Purple Mansion cultivator.

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

Chen Xi asked, not intending to delve into the matter, 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 lowered his head and remained silent.

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

It turned out that this morning, Chen Hao 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 killed his grandfather, the next one to be killed would be Chen Hao. The words were extremely vicious and crude, thoroughly angering Chen Hao. He broke the academy rules and, in front of many teachers and students, beat up Li Ming.

The academy 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 still continue his studies 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 tightly pressed, 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 him.

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

Chen Xi was taken aback and shook his head, "The Songyan Academy has extremely strict criteria for selecting students. Xiao Hao's right hand is disabled, so..."

Bai Wanqing interrupted, "How do you know if you don't try? If Xiao Hao is willing to go, I can help him recommend 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 recommend you. The rest depends on your own efforts."

Seeing this, Chen Xi couldn't help but re-evaluate Bai Wanqing.

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 the decision. The Songyan Academy had a solid 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 their swords, their postures straight and their spirits high.

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

The man was tall and slender, with a broad forehead and a firm jawline. He stood there like 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 considered the subtle realm. Reaching the peak of sword techniques is considered the unity with heaven and earth. At this level, when the sword technique is used, it can draw on the spiritual energy 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 path of the sword!"

"Therefore, until you reach the realm of unity with heaven and earth, you cannot be called a true sword cultivator, and you have no reason to be proud! Do you understand?"

Meng Kong's voice was cold and sharp, echoing throughout 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, "Understood!"

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 trembled, swallowed hard, and said, "The woman said you would definitely see her. But if you're busy, I can refuse her."

Woman?

Meng Kong was taken aback, a familiar and elegant 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, hesitated, and said, "She's surnamed Bai, and her name seems to be... Wanqing. I'm not quite sure. Should I ask again?"

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

...

Meng Kong's eyes widened, looking at the familiar figure in front of him, his firm and stern face 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, until her emotions were stable, and turned to Chen Xi, saying, "You and Xiao Hao wait outside. I have something to talk to Teacher Meng alone."

Chen Xi nodded, turned, and led Chen Hao out.

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 the scene just now wouldn't have happened.

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. He was still young and couldn't understand the complexities of adult relationships.

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

From the scene just now, he could roughly determine that his brother might really have a chance to enter the Songyan Academy, and Aunt Bai was the key.

Not long after, the door opened.

Bai Wanqing's eyes were red and swollen, but she couldn't hide her relief, as if a burden had been lifted from her heart. She smiled and said, "Come in, Teacher Meng will test Xiao Hao's sword skills."

Chen Hao's spirits lifted, and he rubbed his hands together, "Alright!"

A faint smile slipped across Chen Xi's lips, unnoticed. Finally, it can begin.

—

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