Chapter 25: Beating the Star-Crossed Lovers Apart

Chapter 25: Beat the Swan

“When I was young, people are still young, and the foundational work hasn’t been practiced yet…”

Pei Minglu’s voice was barely audible.

If it weren’t for the stillness of the night, Chen Yitai might not have heard her at all.

Glancing at the edge of the pendant beneath her throat, he said, “You don’t need to rush in getting the four main meridians open. First, carve out the dantian and refine the meridians before mending any gaps.”

“Oh.”

Pei Minglu seemed to notice his gaze and awkwardly brushed the pendant at her throat.

Ting-ting, ting-ting.

The clear chime of the bell echoed through the tranquil violet bamboo forest, speaking volumes in silence.

Not long after, Chen Yitai pointed out each flaw in Pei Minglu’s movements—fist, foot, and stance—with precision.

“I can see only these things. Try practicing for a few days; I’m certain you’ll soon break through.”

“Brother-in-law, I’ll follow your guidance.” Pei Minglu nodded vigorously, her eyes glinting with newfound respect.

Brother-in-law, truly remarkable.

He’d only glanced at my cultivation once and uncovered so many issues, even corrected them—far better than Auntie and Uncle.

Chen Yitai glanced at the sky. “We’ll leave now. Keep a low profile, lest anyone notices.”

Pei Minglu laughed lightly. “Brother-in-law, I’ve got full confidence in my techniques.”

“Though if someone does catch wind of us, I can poison them—make sure they remember nothing at all.”

Chen Yitai mused, “Your poisons aren’t low-grade, are they?”

“Of course not. These were given to me by Auntie for protection. Even a three-stage cultivator who brushes against them would fall unconscious.”

Pei Minglu blinked twice. “Brother-in-law, do you want any? I brought plenty this time.”

Chen Yitai extended his hand. “Yes.”

A hypnotic drug capable of felling a three-stage cultivator—why not take it? It was surely payment for his guidance on foundational techniques and methods.

Then, with excitement, Pei Minglu withdrew a handful of bottles and jars from her waist, recounting their contents:

“This one is the hypnotic drug. Next to it is poison—drawn from five deadly substances. A pinch the size of a fingernail can kill a cultivator of the eighth rank.”

“And this one,” she said, holding up the largest, “is the most potent. It’s a swarm of insects cultivated by Auntie. They cause unbearable numbness throughout the body. A ninth-rank cultivator who’s struck by them… well, they can’t resist much longer.”

Chen Yitai’s eyes widened further. Truly, this little sister had shown him unexpected mercy that night.

If only he’d known, he could’ve done without that swarm of insects—all it would’ve taken was a single drop of hypnotic drug to knock him flat.

Reflecting on it, Chen Yitai took only the hypnotic drug and its antidote, leaving the rest for Pei Minglu to reclaim.

“Brother-in-law, just say the word. No need to be polite.”

“Very well.”

They left the violet bamboo forest, silently returning to their respective chambers.

Chen Yitai didn’t rest immediately. Leaning by the window, he examined the two palm-sized bottles of hypnotic drug in his hands.

How had that girl hidden so many bottles and jars in her waist? Nothing showed on the outside.

After much thought, he could only conclude it was her extraordinary talent.

He tucked the hypnotic drug and its antidote into his sleeve, then replayed in his mind the fist, foot, and techniques Pei Minglu had demonstrated.

Deciding to try them himself, he began practicing in the chamber.

The martial arts weren’t difficult. After two attempts, he discerned the principle—a dexterous palm technique.

Yet that light-footed style took considerable effort. It wasn’t until nearing midnight that he glimpsed the path.

[Mastered Martial Art·Blooming Palm (Mortal Realm): Success, Rank: Initial Insight]

[Mastered Stance·Meteor Butterfly Step (Earth Realm): Success, Rank: Initial Insight]

Chen Yitai glanced at the light-curtain’s display of information and paused, slowly calming the turbulent qi and internal force within his body.

“No standalone ‘Martial Way·Palm’ skill. Seems all fist and palm techniques fall under ‘Fist Way.’ Hmm… Perhaps I’ll try learning a leg technique another time.”

Thinking this, he chuckled softly. Fist, palm, and leg united—all returning to primal qi?

Though he’d learned Pei Minglu’s techniques and stance, and taken a bottle of hypnotic drug, he’d still owe her one.

At that moment, the sound of the night watch’s drum echoed from outside. Chen Yitai shifted his focus to the panel, reviewing today’s intelligence:

【Daily Intelligence·Mystic Grade 3: At noon, Lord Li Huaiwu strolled through the streets, bold and proud on his way home. He sought to marry his beloved, but his mother beat him as if flogging a swan. Gain a small amount of fortune.】

“Huh?” Chen Yitai’s eyes brightened. “Mystic Grade 3?”

This was the highest grade of intelligence he’d seen in months, unmatched.

The previous two Mystic Grade 2 reports had brought him great gains; surely this Mystic Grade 3 would be even richer.

After some deliberation, Chen Yitai looked toward the bright moon outside. Quietly, he thought, “It seems I must visit Lord Hou tomorrow.”

……

No words were exchanged that night.

Past the hour of Yin, Chen Yitai awoke as usual, stretching his limbs. Under the care of Xiao Biao, he washed and dressed neatly.

“Any noteworthy events in the capital lately?”

“My lord, you forget?” Xiao Biao smoothed his sleeves while smiling. “The birthday poem you wrote for Old Master has already spread throughout the manor. Many praise your poetic prowess.”

“Is that so?”

Chen Yitai suddenly realized he’d been oblivious to outside affairs these days.

As Xiao Biao had mentioned earlier, he’d likely been preoccupied with other matters.

“Not just that.” Xiao Biao finished arranging his robes, then recited the praises she’d heard:

Old Master dined with Lord Zhang and Prince Sun, eating so much the physicians couldn’t even praise him enough, saying his appetite had grown, his suppressed emotions had eased.

The third mistress’s men also copied the poem, showing it to officials the next day to brag. Soon, it spread across Shu City.

Even the flower girl from the flower lane in the south, took the shortest time to compose a tune, drawing many scholars and literati to admire it.

Chen Yitai fell silent. “Has the tune come out already?”

Xiao Biao wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Those people are so forward. The birthday isn’t even near, and my lord hasn’t sent the poem yet—they’ve already composed the tune.”

Chen Yitai smiled faintly. “The poem is written for all to see. Others copying or spreading it is fine—it’s as if they’re celebrating Old Master’s birthday.”

Xiaodie nodded, her hair chignon swaying gently as she let out a pure, endearing laugh. "You always see through things so clearly, Young Master. I didn't even think of that."

Chen Yi smiled faintly and stepped outside.

Given the Xiao family's prominent status in Shuzhou City, if they truly wished to suppress a song from being sung, they had countless ways to do so.

The fact that the birthday poem was now spreading across the city proved that the Xiao family simply did not care.

Or rather, someone within the Xiao manor was deliberately allowing it to happen.

Whichever the case, for him as the creator, it brought nothing but sheer benefit without a single harm.

An hour of horse-stance training slipped by.

Chen Yi washed up once more, had Xiaodie wake Xiao Wuge, and finished his breakfast in the pavilion.

Remembering his daily task, he looked toward Xiao Wuge and said, "The Old Master should be awake by now. Come with me to pay our respects."

Last time, because Xiao Wuge had tagged along with him to the pleasure quarters in the south of the city, Chen Yi had been unable to conceal his tracks, resulting in a punishment that confined him to the manor.

This time, he intended to see the Old Master to try and lift his grounding, so he absolutely had to drag along Xiao Wuge, the chief culprit.

Xiao Wuge did not even bother to wipe his mouth, exclaiming in delight, "Brother-in-law, you've finally remembered to go look for Grandfather!"

"What is it? Has the Old Master been mentioning me?"

"The Prince's son said so when he visited yesterday. Grandfather and Grandpa Duke have been talking about you non-stop these past two days... or rather, about that poem you wrote. They even demand meat with every single meal now."

Recalling Zhang Heng's exact words, a smile slipped across Xiao Wuge's face—the runaway groom had finally made something of himself.

Chen Yi laughed in spite of himself, never imagining that a single poem could revive the old man's grand ambitions.

"Let us go. The last few times the Old Master was still in a fit of rage and refused to see me. I only hope he does not shut the door in my face this time."

"He won't, he won't... Grandfather will be too happy to care."