Chapter 9: Hiding Skills, Minor Accomplishment in the Constitution Dao!

Chapter 9: A Display of Humility, a Small Accomplishment in the Way of Calligraphy!

Until he had finished writing, Chen Yifang only then regained his senses.

He gazed upon the poem inscribed upon the Yungsong paper, those characters—each one, whether large or small, simplified or swift in their strokes—stretching out like a scroll, forming a unified whole.

“It seems I can still do such things.”

“The cultivation of writing not only refines one’s calligraphy, but also deepens one’s poetic sensibility. I simply hadn’t noticed it before.”

“And I need not merely rely on fortune to ascend in cultivation—I can also advance through my own reflections.”

Just as with this instance, the qi and energy stirred within him by the Great Gunstkick Technique unexpectedly intertwined with the celestial forces as he wrote, lending his characters a touch of ethereal resonance.

Reflecting on this, Chen Yifang once more perused the entire poem, then dipped his brush and inscribed the title on the right side: *Celebrating the Fountain of Spring: The Divine Spirit Steed*—and on the left, his colophon: “Chen Qianzhou of Anhe, twenty-first year of Spring, night stroll, spontaneous brushwork.”

He felt no qualm about composing a poem for a woman beyond the mistress of the house.

After all, delicate and refined women were sought by gentlemen of quality; a commoner such as himself would naturally have no transgressions.

In truth, Chen Yifang regarded the entire poem—brilliant and natural in its expression—with great satisfaction.

“The *Luo Nu* (River Goddess) Poem came before, and now the *Wan Nu* (Divine Spirit Steed) Poem follows, as if my and Cao Zhi’s talents together have divided the realm’s mastery.”

Of course, this was merely his own whimsical notion.

Cao Zhi’s seven-character verse owed its brilliance to his own scholarly prowess.

His ability to compose the *Wan Nu* Poem, aside from some meticulous adherence to tonal patterns and parallel couplets, stemmed largely from a heart moved by inspiration.

Should he attempt another such piece, he would likely be reduced to merely a scribe for the *Three Hundred Tang Poems and Song Ci*.

Yet this poem, though beautiful, shone all the more brightly for its calligraphy.

“My skill with Wei Qing’s script now belongs among the masters of this age.”

“It is time to study other scripts—cursive, seal script…”

As Chen Yifang pondered thus, a soft knock came at the door.

Wang Liying’s voice followed: “Brother-in-law, the hour of the evening gunstkick practice has passed. You should attend to it now.”

Unaware of the time, he realized it was already the fourth watch of the night.

He nodded, set the *Wan Nu* Poem upon the table, and rose to depart.

“Brother Wang, have you been guarding the garden all night?”

“Military affairs are my duty; pray forgive me, brother-in-law.”

“Nay, nay, it matters not. I merely asked. Come, let us go.”

Hearing the commotion, Xiao Die awoke instantly, startled, and hurried to dress with haste and care.

Upon seeing Chen Yifang and Wang Liying already departing, she chided herself, patting her face.

“Xiao Die, Xiao Die! Brother-in-law is already up—why are you still dozing?”

“You must prepare a proper breakfast for him. After his martial practice, he’ll be sweating, so fetch him water to wash and fresh clothes.”

Xiao Die schemed as she gathered up brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone from the desk.

When she came upon the scattered poems and verses upon the disordered papers, she perused them one by one, her bright eyes lingering on the *Wan Nu* Poem.

Though she had studied under Xiao Wan’er for five years, her literary knowledge was not high, yet she could discern the meaning of the works.

Otherwise, she would not have understood from Chen Yifang’s *Entering Xiao Family’s Door* that “Brother-in-law still seeks to flee the Xiao household.”

Thus, after reading through the *Celebrating the Fountain of Spring: The Divine Spirit Steed*, Xiao Die’s face immediately flushed with surprise.

“…The jade terraces, like a beauty, rare in the world. Once startling even the immortal archer, sighing over the Luo River’s empty verse, the red river’s idle tale… Though Danqing’s brush cannot carve such bone, yet alone he shines on the vast Chu sky.”

“The *Wan Nu* Poem, the *Wan*… Could brother-in-law have met the princess last night?”

In some respects, Xiao Die was quite clever.

Connecting Chen Yifang’s appearance beyond the outer wall of Juxing Yard with the title’s “Wan Nu,” her mind conjured Xiao Wan’er’s image.

And in her heart, the only one who could embody the beauty described in the poem was the princess— Xiao Wenghou, yes… only in name between elder and younger.

In such thoughts, she nearly flung the poem away, her heart racing with the discovery of a great secret.

“Heavens! Brother-in-law and the princess… No, no, it’s not that—Brother-in-law for the princess, she… it can’t be, either not.”

Xiao Die suddenly felt her mind overwhelmed.

After much thought, her small face set with resolve: “I saw nothing. I cannot tell a soul.”

Only then would Brother-in-law not face the princess’s punishment for this “counter-poem.”

“Right, Xiao Die knows nothing. Xiao Die knows nothing…”

She muttered thus as she tidied the desk, thoughtfully placing the *Celebrating the Fountain of Spring: The Divine Spirit Steed* beneath the others, lest anyone else see it.

Fearing the younger princess might discover it—Brother-in-law would be killed!

Meanwhile, Chen Yifang was unaware of Xiao Die’s turmoil.

He followed his plan, carefully concealing his martial prowess.

To avoid arousing Wang Liying’s suspicions, he was meticulous.

Either his stance wavered during the gunstkick, or his form lacked effect.

Most often, he simply breathed unevenly, coughing twice intermittently, disrupting his practice.

“Brother-in-law, your gunstkick today is much worse than yesterday,” Wang Liying finally spoke up.

“Perhaps you’re troubled in spirit, unable to clear your mind?”

Chen Yifang feigned contemplation, nodding slightly, his face showing a hint of apology: “It may be that I didn’t rest well last night. I feel my strength lacking, my breath shallow, my body weary and fatigued.”

Wang Liying scrutinized him from head to foot, frowning: “Brother-in-law, your body is severely depleted. Combined with yesterday’s prolonged stance, you’ve not replenished your energies.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yifang blinked. Was he saying his body was weak?

Wang Liying, with his thick brows and large eyes, yet speaking so disparagingly, claimed his body was deficient?

What could be endured—what could not?

What must be endured!

Thinking of his plan, Chen Yifang let out a dry laugh: “Perhaps so. Let’s practice to this point today. I’ll have Xiao Die prepare more food—see if tomorrow it improves.”

Wang Liying hesitated, then nodded: “Very well.”

“But martial cultivation requires diligent practice without cease. Like a boat against the current—miss a day, it’s of little consequence; miss two days, it’s still manageable; but after three or four days, even the highest cultivation will regress. What’s more—”

Though he didn’t finish, his meaning was clear: without effort, martial prowess cannot be achieved.

“I’ll rest and make up for it.”

Seeing this, Wang Liying could only sigh and depart, heading straight for the Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yifang watched Wang Liying leave, wiping a light sheen of sweat from his forehead.

Fortunately he left early; any later and the secret would have been out.

In truth.

Because he had elevated his Martial Path: Physique to the elementary stage yesterday, the moment he practiced the great spear stance today, he had entered the state instantly.

Had it not been for his timely reaction, interrupting it with a cough, his muscles, bones, and skin would have simultaneously radiated heat, birthing a sliver of vital energy to refine his internal organs.

"Having too much talent isn't a good thing either."

With that thought, Chen Yi opened the panel and directly boosted Martial Path: Physique to the mastery stage.

Instantly, a profound and mystical Daoist intent surfaced in his mind, like a lake shrouded in mist, waiting for him to glimpse its depths.

(End of chapter)