Chapter 275: Martial Dao Constitution, Perfection (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 275: Martial Arts Physique, Complete (Seeking Monthly Votes)

On Xiao Jinghong’s letter, there was no mention of the recent major events in Shuzhou.

Either the news had lagged behind, and she had not yet received word of Lü Jiānnán’s death and the matter of the vulgar Lan De Wang’s arrival.

Or perhaps she simply chose not to write about these things in her letter, lest it cause worry among those in the inner court.

Chen Yì, hearing this, smiled gently.

Even if Xiao Jinghong did not say so, he understood well enough what days the people of Wuyan Market had been enduring.

Allocating materials for construction, improving all the buildings, distributing laborers, coordinating with merchants wishing to trade in the surrounding areas, and handling military affairs in the three towns—Xiao Jinghong was not idle.

"As the wife labors so diligently, I should work harder myself."

Just as he was thinking this, Xiao Wanyan spoke:

"Brother-in-law, these days you’ve been out every day, and I haven’t had the chance to ask you about your exam preparations."

Chen Yì paused. "What exam?"

"The imperial examination."

Xiao Wanyan set down the letter, her eyes as clear as water reflecting his figure.

"The examination is at the end of the month, leaving only half a month remaining."

"Oh, the examination. I’ve been preparing for it."

Chen Yì muttered to himself, thinking he’d nearly mastered his hearing and eyesight by then.

These days, he had been too busy managing grain prices to even open a book once.

Xiao Wanyan accepted this without suspicion, relaxing.

"Then all is well."

"I was just about to mention in my reply to your younger sister that you’ve been studying at home, to ease her worries."

Chen Yì smiled, thinking to himself this task should be added to his schedule.

This new examination format Liu Hong and Ma Shuhàn had been struggling with had even caused Master Yue Ming considerable headache.

He, too, needed to be cautious.

"Later, I’ll write a reply to the lady, and send it first thing tomorrow morning."

"And that painting."

"Hmm..."

After a bit of idle chatter, the meal was served.

As they ate, conversation flowed, and the atmosphere was quite lively.

Xiao Wugòu spoke of his plans to go to the martial arts arena the next day, and also mentioned that Uncle Xiao Xuéhuái had not truly rested these past days.

"They say the officials in the capital mentioned that Grandfather and Third Uncle stayed up late last night."

"Apparently, it’s because King Lan De is bringing troops to advance and invade the border regions of our great Wei."

Xiao Wugòu clenched his fists, his voice filled with indignation. "And now reports have come that the tribal leader of the left wing is moving northward!"

"Grandfather had just fallen asleep, and was awakened by those wretched men."

Xiao Wanyan gently patted his shoulder, chiding him. "What wretched men? That’s Minister Liu Hong."

Xiao Wugòu grumbled, muttering, "He was never a good person to begin with."

"The officials in the capital have spread the news that he visited and persuaded Grandfather to temporarily postpone the request for troops in the imperial court."

"What if there are enemies on both the western and southern fronts?"

Xiao Wanyan hesitated, glancing at Chen Yì, her gaze seeming to ask him for words.

Clearly, she wanted him to speak up.

Chen Yì nodded, set down his chopsticks, and smiled. "When armies come, generals will resist; when waters rise, earth will block."

"The most important thing for you now is to master your skills. Matters concerning the borders are handled by Grandfather."

Xiao Wugòu nodded, took a couple more mouthfuls, and continued:

"When I grow up, I’ll definitely bring troops to pacify those tribal clans and the vulgar Lan De Kingdom."

Chen Yì and Xiao Wanyan exchanged a glance, both smiling.

"We’ll be waiting for the day you ride into the tribal lands."

"It will happen!"

Though young, Xiao Wugòu had seen much in these years and understood many things.

Especially the past few days spent under Chen Yì’s guidance, his mind had matured far beyond his years.

Thus, he understood that many in the Xiao family were waiting for him to grow into a man.

Chen Yì gave him a thumbs-up. "It will."

Xiao Wanyan smiled and nodded, though her eyes glistened slightly.

In Xiao Wugòu, she saw her father and mother.

Yet she also hoped to see him grow up safely.

A moment of silence passed.

Xiao Wanyan rose and went to the study, returning with a painting, which she handed to Xiao Wugòu.

"This is a painting by your brother-in-law. Take it back and hang it in your room."

She had originally intended to keep it for herself to look at.

But upon hearing Xiao Wugòu’s words, she felt the painting belonged with him.

Xiao Wugòu could not wait to open it, and saw the figures floating above the canvas.

Xiao Fengchun, Fu Wènqēng, Xiao Wanyan, Xiao Jinghong, Chen Yì, and himself.

"What is this?"

Xiao Wanyan slightly bowed her head. "Father, Mother."

Xiao Wugòu paused, staring intently at the figures above.

—The tall, strong Xiao Fengchun; the gentle yet spirited Fu Wènqēng.

"Father... Mother..."

Xiao Wugòu murmured softly, tears welling in his eyes. "Father, Mother, my child, my child... finally seeing you..."

Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wènqēng had "died in battle" just after Xiao Wugòu was born.

He had never had the chance to see them.

Now, by the grace of Chen Yi’s painterly Dao, he beheld those two lifelike figures, and an irrepressible sorrow welled from the depths of his heart.

Cradling the painting in his arms, he wept aloud.

Beside him, Xiao Wan'er shed silent tears.

Xiao Die, Cui'er, Juan'er, and the others were likewise moved, from time to time dabbing at the corners of their eyes.

Even Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang averted their eyes upward, unable to bear the sight of such a scene.

Only Chen Yi remained, watching them with a perpetual, gentle smile.

He, too, wished to share in their profound empathy.

Yet, knowing as he did that Fu Wanqing had not yet perished, his emotions amounted at most to a poignant sympathy born of his concern for Xiao Wuge.

But beyond these sentiments, what occupied his mind above all else remained that tangled web of troubles, each and every one demanding his attention.

In the end, he had to face what must be faced, and resolve what must be resolved.

Was that not so?

The night sky was brilliant with starlight, the moon curved like a silver hook.

A sharp morning breeze blew.

Sere leaves drifted down one by one.

Lanterns bright with candlelight swayed gently, casting a sea of crimson light.

Xiao Wan'er escorted Chen Yi and Xiao Wuge to the door, her eyes slightly rimmed with red, yet filled with a sense of relief.

"Rest early, both of you."

"You as well, Eldest Sister."

Chen Yi bowed politely, and just as he was about to lead Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die back to the Spring Lotus Garden, he heard Xiao Wan'er continue:

"Brother-in-law, I have decided to have Sister Qingwu jointly manage the affairs of the Academy of Medicine."

Chen Yi started slightly, but after a moment's reflection, he understood she had taken his two previous suggestions to heart.

"Miss Cui possesses an extraordinary family background; with her joining us, the matters of the Academy of Medicine will proceed much more smoothly."

Xiao Wan'er nodded gently. "Therefore, I shall seek her out tomorrow to discuss the matter of the academy's headship."

"You... you do not think my doing so is improper?"

Meeting her somewhat apprehensive gaze, Chen Yi smiled faintly.

"Whatever Eldest Sister decides is well."

Just as he had noted before, by drawing Cui Qingwu into the fold, Xiao Wan'er and the Xiao family would gain considerable room for maneuver.

At the very least, she would be far more useful than a live-in son-in-law like himself, who existed on the fringes of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture.

"That is good, then..."

Before long, Chen Yi returned to the Spring Lotus Garden with Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die.

Perhaps owing to that very painting, Xiao Wuge did not linger long before following Xiao Die back to his room.

"Young Master, shall I hang this painting up for you?"

"No, no need, I shall do it myself."

"Then, be careful, Young Master; calligraphy and paintings are fragile things."

"Rest assured, I will put it away with the utmost care..."

Hearing the faint echoes of their conversation from upstairs, a smile graced Chen Yi's face.

It seemed that once his mastery of the painterly Dao advanced further, it would be necessary to present Xiao Wan'er with another painting. For no other reason.

Save for rendering himself a bit more dashing and elegant.

Having washed and prepared himself, Chen Yi returned to his side room and sat cross-legged upon the bed.

Taking a brief respite.

He then opened the luminous screen to examine it.

Today, on account of the matter regarding the Great Immortal Bai, his Destiny Points had increased by 253.

Furthermore, the grade of his Mountain-Collapsing Fist had been elevated to the Heaven Grade, matching the caliber of his Falling Dragon Spear Technique.

[Destiny Points: 1021]

Gazing at the contents displayed upon the screen, a thoughtful expression emerged on Chen Yi's face.

"In terms of maximizing the returns alone, elevating my Fist Dao to Perfection would be most fitting."

"In that manner, I would possess the Heaven-Grade Mountain-Collapsing Fist for close combat, and the Heaven-Grade Falling Dragon Spear Technique for ranged assaults."

"Moreover, with both paths reaching Perfection, the overlapping artistic conceptions of the World's Spiritual Mechanism would yield a might far exceeding what came before."

"At that time, within the same realm of cultivation, there would be precious few capable of rivaling me."

Yet, though Chen Yi understood this well, he still hesitated.

For no other reason than this.

—Both fist and spear techniques were methods of bloody combat; though their upper limits were lofty, their advancement was singular.

Therefore, Chen Yi was more inclined to choose between the Martial Dao's Body and Movement.

The former, by raising his realm, could enhance the efficacy of his Great Spear Posture, the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Art, and the Four Phenomena Cultivation.

The latter would allow his two movement techniques, the Meteor Butterfly Step and the Roaming Dragon and Playing Phoenix Step, to achieve greater speed.

Pondering for a moment.

Chen Yi’s gaze fell upon [Martial Dao: Body]. "In the martial arts of the world, all things can be broken, yet only speed remains invincible."

"But even that requires a sufficient foundation of cultivation and physical frame to sustain it."

Therefore—

[Destiny Points expended; the realm of Martial Dao: Body rises from Mastery to Perfection.]

A golden light flashed abruptly.

A roaring sound then reverberated through Chen Yi's mind.

The profound mysteries of the Martial Dao’s Body, vast as a sea of smoke, came surging forward, nearly causing his mind to lose its anchor and slip into unconsciousness.

Even so, Chen Yi suffered a splitting headache.

He could only rapidly digest a portion of the profound mysteries on one hand, while operating the Four Phenomena Cultivation on the other, using his True Qi to slowly restore his depleted mental energy.

Roughly half an hour passed.

Only then did Chen Yi feel a sense of clarity return; he rose to stretch his limbs and let out a long breath.

Compared to his previous sudden enlightenment that broke through to the Perfection of the Spear Dao, his senses differed slightly this time when relying on Destiny to elevate his realm.

After all, when he had attained enlightenment in the Spear Dao, he was in the midst of a life-and-death struggle with Yan Fusha, making his comprehension of the spear far more profound.

Chen Yi glanced at the sky; seeing that there was still an hour and a half before the hour of the Rat, he was in no hurry to set out for his rendezvous by the banks of the Chishui River.

"Meeting with Liu Lang for a duel tonight, it happens to be a good time to ask how his progress is going."

With that thought, Chen Yi made his way into the study.

As he penned his letter to Xiao Jinghong, he absorbed the profound insights within his mind.

Truth be told.

His choice had been correct.

After reaching the perfection realm of the Martial Way - Body, the effectiveness of his stance training and heart cultivation had indeed multiplied.

Particularly the Great Spear Stance.

Originally, after his martial cultivation broke through to the ninth rank, the stance training had yielded diminishing returns for him.

His bodily internal force had stagnated.

Now, however, he could find a way to elevate the grade of the Great Spear Stance to continue strengthening his physical body.

The same held true for the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Art and the Four Elephants Cultivation.

Yet these two great arts were already of a high grade to begin with, so he only needed to finish absorbing those profound contents to make substantial progress.

Among them, the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Art could better shroud his cultivation and technique realms.

Even if it could not deceive someone like the Great Immortal Bai, he believed it could better dispel the suspicions of Xiao Jinghong and the others.

Meanwhile, the advancement brought by the rising realm of the Four Elephants Cultivation was the most direct—it allowed his cultivation to progress even faster.

Of course, the amplification effect of the Four Elephants Spirit Essence on his techniques was also far more formidable.

As for the specific results, they awaited his further exploration.

"An advancement nonetheless."

"A fine thing, a fine thing..."

Musing over this, the weasel-hair brush in Chen Yi's hand never ceased its strokes, and under his perfected art of calligraphy, every single word seemed like a phantom realm.

Ultimately, they merged into a chain of phantom images.

Those phantoms were neither grand nor majestic, unlike when that "Water Melody Prelude" appeared on Mid-Autumn night.

It was merely set inside a study.

The desk was luxurious, the candlelight flickering.

Chen Yi sat properly before the desk, smiling faintly as he narrated the contents of the letter:

"To my dear wife."

"Nothing

"Who's there?!"

A silence of two or three breaths passed, and a slightly aged laugh echoed through the space.

"Ha ha, isn't what I said quite right? And Tong, isn't your martial arts cultivation, little sister Xiao, not inferior to yours?"

"Xiao Shimen, don't be so startled..."

(The chapter ends here)