Chapter 328: Swordsman Chen Qingzhou (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 328: The Sword Master Chen Qingzhou (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chen Yi was unaware of Xiao Jinghōng's movements. Yet he knew that within a few days, Xiao Jinghōng would inevitably return. The reason was simple.

Liu Hong had spent a night without sleep, unconcerned with political matters, now resembling a grasshopper in autumn, unable to hop around much longer. Zhu Hao's situation was no different.

Moreover, the distance between the capital and Guan Yuan County was closer. If officials from the court were to be sent to Shu Zhou, the first stop would inevitably be Guan Yuan.

Once the dust settled in Guan Yuan, Xiao Jinghōng would return to Shu Zhou, taking charge of the Xiao family to prevent Liu Hong's rebellion.

Chen Yi was only uncertain about who would take credit for toppling Zhu Hao—whether it would be his brother Chen Yunfan or himself.

"Perhaps the possibility is greater that it would be counted towards Brother Chen Yunfan's achievements."

"After all, the Lady has already become the commander of the Qinglong Army, with no further room to advance, only able to gain some rewards that may or may not come."

Chen Yi saw through the situation clearly, so he settled into his own pursuits.

By day, he played chess, played the guqin, painted, fished, and read books. By night, he practiced the Four Symbols Technique and various martial arts methods.

His progress was considerable.

Though the Four Symbols Technique he cultivated was merely a lower-level method, under the influence of the Perfect Realm's martial arts—body—it still advanced at a steady pace.

However, upon reaching the fourth rank, it was no longer just about accumulating spiritual energy; there was also the "Divine" aspect—the Divine Seat point of the Four Symbols Technique's divine location.

The time needed to break through exceeded previous levels.

It would take about a month before he could ascend to a new tier.

Satisfied but not overjoyed, Chen Yi paid it no further mind, and since Xiao Jinghōng was away, he just worked harder.

Fortunately, his cultivation wasn't hindered by the constraints of the method.

He could cover a hundred miles in a day.

He perfected the Big Spear Posture Method, the Mysterious Wu Qui Elimination Technique, and the Four Symbols Technique one by one.

After absorbing the secrets of the spear technique in the Perfect Realm, he also perfected the Falling Dragon Spear Method of the Heavenly Rank.

Though the Crashing Peak Fist had already reached the Heavenly Rank, it was limited by the Great Achievement Fist Art, remaining at the level of mastery.

The Heavenly Rank's Five Flower Palm, the Leaping Dragon and Phoenix, the Meteor Butterfly Step, and the Embroidered Spring Sword Technique were all the same.

Among his pursuits in the arts of chess, music, painting, calligraphy, and medicine, only the Way of Chess required him to spare time to play and absorb its secrets.

Calculating it all, Chen Yi didn't spend much time on technique each day beyond reading, practicing the Four Symbols Technique, and fishing.

Late at night.

Within the Bamboo Grove.

After completing his various techniques, having not encountered any opportunities for sudden enlightenment, he checked the spiritual channel:

[Opportunities: 346]

Chen Yi glanced at his remaining opportunities, his expression thoughtful.

"Now that his martial arts and techniques have reached their limits, it's time to cultivate another method."

Others might think that pursuing many things would lead to failure, but Chen Yi was different. He had opportunities at his side, and thus suited to the path of "cultivating many methods without burdening the body."

Especially in martial arts.

The more techniques he cultivated, the deeper his understanding would be, not only touching upon all schools but also allowing his path to grow deeper.

Once he broke through to the upper third rank, he could steal more opportunities from the heavens and earth through the "Divine," enhancing the power of his techniques.

For now, Chen Yi still had the "Tianwai Feihua Sword Method" suitable for cultivation.

"Sword technique, sword path..."

"The Lady claims to be 'Gun and Sword Double Absolute,' which pairs perfectly with my own."

Chen Yi smiled lightly and chopped down a section of bamboo, beginning to cultivate the Tianwai Feihua Sword Method.

After completing one set of movements:

[Successfully cultivated the Sword Method: Tianwai Feihua (Mysterious Rank), Level: Initial Insight]

[Martial Arts—Sword: Not yet entered 0/1 (can allocate points)]

Without hesitation, Chen Yi then used his opportunities to elevate the sword path to perfection.

As the mysteries flooded his mind, he simultaneously elevated the guqin path to perfection as well.

Thus, all his techniques had reached beyond the perfection stage.

Chen Yi didn't dwell on the guqin path, merely glancing at the sword technique's mysteries, and continued cultivating the sword method under the moonlight.

Half an hour, an hour...

In less than two hours, he had refined the Tianwai Feihua Sword Method to the level of mastery.

It was a swift advancement.

Chen Yi exhaled softly, his gaze falling upon the pond nearby. His bamboo pole trembled slightly in his hand.

A phantom flashed across ten zhang, a faint sword qi blooming, then sinking into the pond's waters.

Plop, plop, plop...

One by one, golden carp leapt out of the water, their eyes wide as they stared at Chen Yi, only to plunge back into the pond.

How to describe those eyes?

They resembled the look he had once received from Liu Jing when he was robbed—as if looking at an idiot.

"..."

Chen Yi smashed his bamboo pole, muttering something about roasting and stewing them all eventually, then turned back toward the wooden pavilion.

Before he reached his chamber, a chilling wind suddenly howled.

Above, in the night sky, a rumbling sound echoed.

Chen Yi halted, looked up, and slightly raised an eyebrow, "It's going to rain."

In response, a thunderclap split the darkness, illuminating his figure.

Raindrops the size of beans began to fall.

Soon, the courtyard rang with pattering sounds.

Those golden carp also swam up, lively, occasionally leaping out of the water to spit water toward Chen Yi.

Chen Yi pretended not to notice, standing beneath the eaves, watching the night rain.

The yellow lanterns swayed in the wind, their shadows tangled.

In the heart of clamor, a stillness emerged.

When his thoughts wandered, Chen Yì saw a line of golden characters float before his eyes:

[Daily Intel·Grade Three Esoteric: Hai hour, Western Market tailor shop, hidden Wei Star, female Tiger, and Phoenix exchanging intelligence. Yields slight opportunity.]

Chen Yì glanced away, his spirit settling, and returned to the chamber to continue cultivating the Four Symbols Art.

“Unsurprisingly, the White Tiger Guard will act soon…”

…

In Shuzhou, days passed without rain.

Then, suddenly, a cold drizzle rose, and the temperature plummeted.

An autumn rain, a cold one.

The townspeople swapped their light garments for warmer ones, some even donning winter clothes.

Little Dié was no exception.

At dawn, she retrieved a thick coat she had freshly washed and dried, dressing Xiao Wúgōu in it.

“Master, when practicing martial arts, if it’s inconvenient, shed your outer layers. But remember to put them back on before returning, lest you catch a chill…”

She repeated this advice countless times until Xiao Wúgōu, exasperated, muttered something about noting it down. She then ceased her nagging.

After dressing properly, the two walked out of the wooden building side by side.

Wang Lìxíng had been waiting outside for some time.

Xiao Wúgōu slipped beneath his oil-paper umbrella, waved to Little Dié, and followed him toward the martial arts arena.

Little Dié watched them disappear, glanced at the rain outside, and decided she couldn’t clean the courtyard or wash clothes that day. She settled for sweeping the two wooden structures.

She had no idea when Xiao Zhēngzhōng would return, but duties awaited her, and she attended to them with unwavering precision.

Every corner, every crevice, every stray blade of grass was polished until spotless.

It wasn’t because she was overly meticulous.

Once, when she first entered the Hou family estate, the steward had taught her such thoroughness.

Few, however, completed tasks with such exacting care as she.

Little Dié saw nothing remarkable in her actions.

To her, the courtyard was her home, her world. Cleaning it meticulously was simply natural.

After all, its master held her in high regard—reciprocity, as is customary.

Nearly an hour passed, and she glanced at Chen Yì’s chamber, then hurried to the back kitchen with her oil-paper umbrella.

She hadn’t forgotten the wild game stored in the mansion.

Not from greed, but because the autumn examination approached, and Xiao Wán’er had specifically reminded her:

“My brother-in-law has been studying hard lately; he needs nourishment.”

Little Dié remembered this well. She traversed several courtyards, reaching the back kitchen where she carefully retrieved a pre-packed food box and hurried back to Spring Lotus Garden.

Along the way, she greeted each servant and guard with a smile, whispering a few words—some trivial matters from the estate, others gossip from outside.

“Sister Dié, have you heard? Today, many martial artists arrived in the city—all renowned experts, especially among the young.”

“Really? How impressive?”

“They’re said to be from other prefectures and states, including some rising stars.”

Little Dié blinked, feigning surprise: “Why would they come to our backcountry instead of the Central Plains?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Probably tied to some divine figure, like those martial artists who arrived recently.”

Little Dié hummed, silently noting this, then continued chatting with other servants and guards.

Soon, news from within and beyond the Hou estate reached her ears.

Satisfied, she raced back to Spring Lotus Garden.

She shook rain from her oil-paper umbrella, hung it nearby, and set the food box on the dining table.

As she prepared to wake Chen Yì, footsteps echoed—“Ah, Master You’re awake?”

Chen Yì smiled and nodded, sitting at the table. “That big rain kept me up all night.”

Little Dié, confirming no one approached, sat beside him, smiling, ready to fetch his thick coat.

Chen Yì, realizing his mistake, glanced at his embroidered robe: “I’ll change later—no rush.”

He was a martial artist, unbothered by seasons.

Yet to outsiders, he remained a frail scholar, expected to act the part.

Little Dié let him be, then recounted the gossip she’d gathered: numerous martial artists had arrived in the city, all young and formidable.

Grain and medicine prices stabilized, neighbors praised the magistrate’s benevolence, and some even pledged to write letters of gratitude.

Displaced villagers from outside the city had been returned home by officials, and so on.

Chen Yì listened silently, smirking inwardly at the thought of their expressions when they learned of Liu Hong’s crimes.

Their gratitude would soon turn to hatred.

The influx of martial artists initially piqued his interest little.

They were just another group of fighters—nothing unusual for Shuzhou.

After all, the White Deity had already arrived here…

Chen Yì suddenly recalled an incident—the swordsman he’d encountered when killing Du Cang.

“Could it be because of him?”

If news of that swordsman’s duel with the White Deity spread, it might indeed draw some martial artists.

But from the swordsman’s words, only those with certain qualifications could witness such a clash.

Chen Yì pondered, then resolved to inquire about the swordsman’s identity that evening.

Those who could face the White Deity wouldn’t be nobodies.

After finishing breakfast, he browsed through a book in the study.

The gloomy day cast shifting shadows; oil lamps flickered, rain tapped steadily against the windows, lending the reading a peculiar charm.

Still,

he pondered the matter further, determined to uncover the truth.

Chen Yi read so swiftly that a single glance could cover ten lines, and ten pages was but a mere fraction.

The rustle of pages turned ceaselessly.

Were it not for his current cultivation, his divine awareness having grown to near-perfection, granting him near-photographic memory, such a perusal would be naught but futile effort.

Thankfully, after finishing one volume, another was added to his mind.

In a short while, an hour passed.

Chen Yi set down the scroll, rubbing his temple and eye corner, then recalled each text he had perused.

“Cai Lun, the evaluation of facts, praise and blame…”

“The annual examinations are mostly as before, not focusing on classics or sages’ words, but drawing questions from state affairs, policies, and current events…”

Chen Yi grasped the essence of the examinations and thus decided to cease further study of other exam papers and arguments.

After all, it merely tested his understanding of current affairs and policies, outlining a solution framework sufficed.

The results hinged on academic focus, the appropriateness of classical citations, and the suitability of the proposed methods.

A mismatched horse head and ox tail would clearly lead to a lower grade.

Chen Yi glanced at the sky, preparing to venture out to inquire at the Listening Rain Pavilion, when a distant sound reached his ears from the garden.

Following the sound, he looked toward it, and a smile naturally graced his face.

“How fortuitous.”

The person was none other than Chen Yunfan.

Along with him followed others, including Cui Qingwu.

However, Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu parted ways outside the courtyard, one heading to the Spring Lotus Garden and the other to the Excellence Park.

Chen Yunfan led Lin Zhong into the Spring Lotus Garden, loudly calling for people to hasten and welcome them.

The commotion drew Xiao Duo hurriedly to investigate.

Upon seeing her, Chen Yunfan smiled and asked, “Where is your uncle?”

Xiao Duo, familiar with him, bowed and replied, “Your uncle is in the study reading. Please wait a moment.”

Before she could turn to inform the main hall, Chen Yi had appeared in the living room, greeting Chen Yunfan and Lin Zhong with a wave, then instructing Xiao Duo to pour tea.

Chen Yunfan glanced at him, exchanged a glance with Lin Zhong, and then smiled, entering the hall.

While eyeing the surroundings, he feigned casual inquiry, “I hear your younger brother had a serious illness recently?”

The word “serious” was emphasized by Chen Yunfan.

Others were unaware, but he knew how formidable Chen Yi was.

Even the common plague, or the legendary poison that struck fear in the martial world, had no hold over Chen Yi.

Chen Yi discerned the undertone in his words, inviting them to sit while smiling, “The physicians here treated it promptly, and he’s recovered fully.”

After a pause, he turned to Lin Zhong, a trace of recollection on his face, feigning surprise, “Zhong-sibling?”

Lin Zhong nodded, bowing, “Lin Zhong has met Master Chen before.”

Chen Yi waved dismissively, “There’s no need for formality. After they sit, he inquired, “When did you arrive in Shu Zhou?”

“A few days ago, the Mistress sent me to visit her beloved younger brother.”

“So you’ll be returning soon?”

“Not likely. There are matters requiring my assistance here, and I’ve already written to inform the Mistress…”

As Lin Zhong spoke, his eyes, unblinking, fixed on Chen Yi when mentioning “the Mistress,” seeking any signs of unease in his demeanor.

Upon noting Chen Yi’s ever-present smile, Lin Zhong couldn’t help but murmur in thought.

Indeed, as his master had said, Master Chen had indeed changed from before.

Such bearing—truly remarkable.

Chen Yunfan, however, paid no heed. Upon their conversation ending, he declared, “I’ve come on significant business to share with your brother…”

This concludes the chapter.