Chapter 90

Outside the pavilion of the secluded courtyard, Feng Jueyu had a look of exasperation on his face. He had intended to make Sima Ruyu back down, but he never expected her to be so stubborn and actually agree. What was she thinking? Was she really willing to make such a great sacrifice just to learn painting?

Feng Jueyu couldn't understand what Sima Ruyu was thinking. "Women's hearts are as unpredictable as needles at the bottom of the sea." Whoever came up with that saying was truly insightful.

Staring blankly at Sima Ruyu, Feng Jueyu felt like dying. It was over, completely over. He had stumbled into a trap and now he had a problem on his hands.

As he was thinking, Sima Ruyu gracefully descended from the pavilion and approached Feng Jueyu. Her previous anger had vanished, replaced by a teasing smile.

As she drew near, the faint, elegant fragrance of her body wafted over, and her lithe and well-proportioned figure stirred endless fantasies.

Facing Feng Jueyu, Sima Ruyu smiled seductively, her smile tinged with triumph. "Big Brother Feng, you wanted me to back down, but I won't let you have your way. It's just about pouring tea and bowing, right? I've agreed, hehe..." She even made a face.

Feng Jueyu was frustrated. After hearing her, he drooped his head, feeling utterly defeated. He had really shot himself in the foot. Why had he agreed to this? He should have been firmer. If he had known, he would have made her kneel and kowtow three times. She definitely wouldn't have agreed to that. Now he was in trouble. He was about to become a teacher, and what a teacher!

Soon, Xiaobi and Xiaolian returned to the courtyard with a tray and freshly brewed tea. The tray not only had tea but also the necessary items for the ceremony, such as a square towel and a calligraphy post. They were clearly experienced.

Holding the tray, the two maids stood on either side of Feng Jueyu at Sima Ruyu's command. Sima Ruyu walked over and poured a cup of tea, then presented it with both hands, bowing slightly. She formally said, "Master, please accept Ruyu's respect."

"Me..." Feng Jueyu blinked. He had to accept it; she had already called him "Master." If he refused, he would be the one breaking his word. Given her stubborn nature, she might do something to make his life miserable.

Thinking this, Feng Jueyu reluctantly took the teacup. Sima Ruyu then bowed three more times, completing the ceremony.

Xiaobi and Xiaolian watched in amazement, unable to understand what was happening. However, they knew that after this, Feng Jueyu's status in the noble circles of Tiansouth would be significantly elevated.

The daughter of the Minister of Revenue and the teacher of a Tianjian Mountain disciple—such a title would command respect from everyone.

After the tea ceremony, Sima Ruyu, now satisfied, asked, "Master, we've had the tea. When can I start learning sketching?"

Seeing Sima Ruyu's smugness, Feng Jueyu gritted his teeth in frustration. He had been outmaneuvered by her.

However, since he had taken her on as a student, he couldn't back out. Sima Ruyu's status wasn't low, and it wasn't embarrassing. More importantly, he could now visit Ruyu's courtyard regularly, scout the area, and find a way to get the century-old Heavenly Snow Lotus.

With this in mind, Feng Jueyu felt more at ease. He said, "First, you need to prepare some charcoal, shape it like a brush, and sharpen both ends. Then, get a drawing board and enough paper. I'll come back tomorrow to teach you..."

As he spoke, Feng Jueyu took on the responsibility of a teacher. Sketching was different from other painting techniques, and having a suitable drawing board was crucial. Since she had become his student, he had to fulfill his duty.

He explained the methods for making pencils and drawing boards, the simplest and most basic kind. Sima Ruyu listened carefully, and Xiaobi and Xiaolian took notes. When they were done, they left Ruyu's courtyard.

As they left, Feng Jueyu casually surveyed the area around Miaoshan. The high walls and large courtyard made it difficult to see the layout. Due to his status, he couldn't enter and inspect it thoroughly. After much thought, he decided to visit the Jishi Hall.

At the Jishi Hall, he went through the back door. Li Yide had returned, looking excited. He had probably been eager to practice medicine after a half-month break and was now busy prescribing medicine for an old woman's grandson.

Seeing Feng Jueyu, Li Yide greeted him with a smile, "Young Master Feng, thanks to you, the Jishi Hall is open again."

Feng Jueyu chuckled, "Old Li, you're celebrating too soon. In a couple of days, you'll be swamped." He joked.

However, his words weren't exaggerated. Li Yide had a unique talent and insight in medicine, and his skills were already high. After half a month of learning the Heavenly Needle Technique, he had reached the Sixth Tremor level, making him capable of handling most difficult cases.

If the First-Class Golden Wound Medicine sold well, the Jishi Hall would have a steady stream of patients. With proper promotion, they could compete with the Miaoshan Hall. With his skills, Li Yide would soon be beloved by the people, and he would be able to sleep with his silver needles every day.

Li Yide didn't mind, smiling, "That's good. Old people shouldn't be idle. The more patients, the better. I'd be happy even if I didn't charge them."

Feng Jueyu smiled but said nothing. He looked around the empty courtyard and asked, "Where's Gongyang Yu?"

"He's in the inner room. Go find him. Yuan Shan is there too," Li Yide replied and went back to his work.

Feng Jueyu went to Gongyang Yu's room and found Xiao Yuanshan discussing something with the old man. Upon hearing it was about selecting talent, he joined in.

Seeing Feng Jueyu, the two were surprised and asked, "Young Master, why are you back?"

Feng Jueyu waved his hand wearily, "Don't ask... I've taken Sima Ruyu as a student." The two were both shocked and amused.

"You, you've even managed to get the daughter of the Minister of Revenue. You're amazing," Gongyang Yu laughed.

Feng Jueyu rolled his eyes, "Do you think I wanted to? I just wanted her to back down, but she really became my student. Sigh, I won't have a good life from now on."

Gongyang Yu laughed and scolded, "You're never satisfied. Do you know who she is? A Tianjian Mountain disciple, half a martial artist. Tianjian Mountain is very famous in Tiansouth, even surpassing the imperial power..."

"Tianjian Mountain, Tianjian Mountain, I've heard so much about it. Is it really that great? Even the Emperor fears them?" Feng Jueyu asked.

Gongyang Yu looked at him with disdain, "What do you know? In Taixuan, the truly powerful are not the state, but the noble families. For example, the Shangguan family is a noble family, but it's a secular one, still under imperial control and not on the same level."

"The truly powerful are the martial noble families, like Tianjian Mountain."

Gongyang Yu continued, "Tianjian Mountain is originally a martial noble family. The family head, surnamed Ling, is one of the top experts in Tiansouth, second only to the Divine Martial Realm. But that's not the scary part. The truly scary part is the power of the martial noble families."

"What's scary about them?" Feng Jueyu asked.

"Boy, do you know how many Heaven Martial Realm experts the Tiansouth Imperial Family has, including Shangguan Lingyun and Mu Hongtu? Probably no more than ten. I'll tell you, the Ling family of Tianjian Mountain has more than ten, and their cultivation techniques far surpass those of Shangguan Lingyun and Mu Hongtu."

"More than ten Heaven Martial Realm experts?" Feng Jueyu's eyes widened in shock.

Since arriving in Taixuan, Feng Jueyu had been particularly interested in the cultivation levels of martial artists. To his knowledge, Heaven Martial Realm experts were already formidable figures. Reaching this level made one a renowned expert, capable of facing thousands of soldiers without fear, leaping over walls, and plucking leaves to use as weapons. They could even walk on snow without leaving a trace and shatter stones with their bare hands, almost like superheroes.

People who reached this level usually had decades of cultivation and were so powerful that even a great empire couldn't intimidate them.

In Feng Jueyu's view, such figures were almost mythical, rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

And Tianjian Mountain had more than ten such experts, which was why he was so shocked.

However, from Gongyang Yu's tone, it seemed that martial noble families weren't the most powerful. Feng Jueyu had also heard of "super noble families."

Gongyang Yu continued, "More than ten Heaven Martial Realm experts are beyond what an empire can control. Instead, the country relies on such noble families. Tianjian Mountain is one such family that the Tiansouth Empire relies on."

"I see, no wonder Sima Ruyu is so proud. The power of martial noble families is indeed great," Feng Jueyu sighed, thinking to himself that his new student had a significant status.

"Surprised?" Gongyang Yu laughed teasingly. "Martial noble families are only considered medium-level. The truly powerful are the super noble families."

"Super noble families? They must have Divine Martial Realm experts, right?" Feng Jueyu guessed.

Gongyang Yu's expression became serious, and he nodded. "Boy, today I'll give you a lesson. Remember, noble families are called 'noble families,' but when they reach a certain level, they transcend that category. For example, martial noble families are forces that the empire relies on, but they are still 'noble families.' However, when they reach the level of super noble families, they are no longer limited by the term 'noble family.'"

"You're right. Super noble families do have Divine Martial Realm experts, but the truly scary part is that they have their own private armies."

"Private armies? Armies?" Feng Jueyu gasped.

Gongyang Yu said slowly, "Yes, private armies. These armies are composed of powerful martial artists."

"Wow..."