The Martial Arts World is Full of Experts Chapter 23

71

Puyang Jing was on the roof.

Although his lightness skill was good, he couldn't catch the birds that had flown away, leaving him frustrated.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Why hadn't anyone come to find him after all this time?

Thinking this way, he saw Lu Zhaoming returning with breakfast. He claimed to have bought it for his junior brother, but only got enough for the two of them.

Puyang Jing realized he hadn't eaten breakfast yet. With a belly full of frustration, he appeared even angrier.

At this point, no one had come to find him!

The Dog Emperor truly lived up to being a Dog Emperor.

Dog Emperor!

Puyang Jing descended from the roof, swiftly heading to the kitchen to prepare something to eat for himself. Unexpectedly, Zhang Xiaoyuan was sitting in the corridor, nibbling on a steamed bun, observing him with curiosity.

Puyang Jing truly disliked the way he was being looked at. However, with Lu Zhaoming nearby, he could only put on a stern face and enter. Unfortunately, Wen Tingting was also in the kitchen, staring at him for a while before asking, "Commander Puyang, where are your birds?"

Puyang Jing: "......"

Unable to contain herself, Wen Tingting muttered, "Can't even catch a single bird."

Before she could finish her sentence, Puyang Jing turned around expressionlessly and walked away.

Wen Tingting was puzzled, calling out to Puyang Jing several times, but he paid no attention. She muttered quietly, "What's wrong?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan, on the other hand, knew what was happening.

Just as Puyang Jing turned to leave, he clearly saw the blow to Puyang Jing's pride.

A man's dignity, oh.

So fragile.

"I think..." Zhang Xiaoyuan whispered, "he might have gone back to the roof to catch birds again."

Wen Tingting: "......"

......

They sat in the kitchen for a while. Wen Tingting busied herself roasting sweet potatoes on the stove, filling the kitchen with a delightful aroma. Zhang Xiaoyuan, still nibbling on a bun, found his stomach growling again. Holding the bun, he squatted beside Wen Tingting, eagerly watching the sweet potatoes about to be ready.

Finishing the last bite of his bun, Lu Zhaoming asked him, "Done eating?"

With his mouth full of bun, Zhang Xiaoyuan mumbled in agreement while nodding.

"Good," Lu Zhaoming said, "then come out."

Zhang Xiaoyuan raised his head in confusion.

Go out? The sweet potatoes weren't cooked yet. Why go out?

Hastily swallowing the last bite of the bun, he coughed a bit and asked, "Eldest Senior Brother, what's going on?"

"You've been in for quite some time," Lu Zhaoming said. "Yesterday, I received a letter from Master, instructing me to properly supervise your martial arts training."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Almost forgot.

He came to apprentice for martial arts, not to witness the inexplicable emotional entanglements among the mysterious figures around him.

However, the roasted sweet potatoes on the stove...

Zhang Xiaoyuan whispered, "Eldest Senior Brother, my feet hurt."

"I know," Lu Zhaoming nodded. "When you joined, Master gave you a sword manual."

When Zhang Xiaoyuan formally bowed to his master, Wang Henian handed him a tattered sword manual from their sect. Although Zhang Xiaoyuan carried the manual with him every day, until now... he hadn't even seen the third page.

During these days, he was either catching thieves or watching the commotion, even finding time to fix two rooms. When did he have time to read a sword manual?

But Zhang Xiaoyuan dared not speak directly. Stuttering, he cautiously glanced at Lu Zhaoming before saying, "I, um, I've read some!"

He wanted to bluff his way through, but it clearly wasn't that easy.

"The first paragraph of the second technique: When energy flows freely through the two meridians, it moves with unrestricted abandon. With proper posture and alignment," Lu Zhaoming furrowed his brow slightly, looking at him, "What's next?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "......"

Zhang Xiaoyuan hadn't even finished reading the first technique. He hadn't seen that sentence at all!

As he looked at Eldest Senior Brother's expression, he felt like today... he was probably in deep trouble.

"With proper posture and alignment... posture and alignment..." Zhang Xiaoyuan, nervous and sweating, didn't know what to do. After hesitating for a moment, he steeled himself. If he had to die, so be it. He could always go back and copy the sword manual a few times. After all, he just couldn't remember—

「When energy flows freely through the two meridians, it moves with unrestricted abandon. With proper posture and alignment, the sword's sharpness appears while the intention remains concealed. The sword moves in accordance with the heart's impulse. Where the heart goes, the sword follows.」

Zhang Xiaoyuan blurted out, "The sword's sharpness appears while the intention remains concealed—"

Staring at Lu Zhaoming, he saw no change in his expression. Swiftly, he rattled off the remaining words.

Lu Zhaoming nodded slightly. "Not memorized well. Go back and continue memorizing."

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Yes..."

Zhang Xiaoyuan was full of confusion.

Lu Zhaoming: "Today, your foot injury hasn't healed, so you can't walk on the ground."

Zhang Xiaoyuan hastily nodded. "Eldest Senior Brother! My foot still hurts. I can't practice swordsmanship!"

Lu Zhaoming paused.

"Sword practice involves your hands," Lu Zhaoming said, "What does it have to do with your feet if you're not practicing leg techniques?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan: "Huh?"

"Your arm and wrist strength are too weak," Lu Zhaoming said, "When holding the sword, your hand is inevitably unstable."

Zhang Xiaoyuan had an ominous feeling.

Lu Zhaoming: "Today, focus on strengthening your arm."

Lu Zhaoming instructed, "Half an hour."

Zhang Xiaoyuan made a distressed face. "Eldest Senior Brother..."

"Whining won't help," Lu Zhaoming said, "If the time isn't complete, no meals for you."

......

72

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt like his hand was about to break.

The partially filled water bucket wasn't heavy in the beginning, but as time dragged on, his entire arm became sore and numb. If he slackened even slightly, Eldest Senior Brother's sword hilt would directly knock his lower back — Zhang Xiaoyuan should congratulate Eldest Senior Brother for finally learning some mercy. At least, the strikes didn't seem too forceful.

Gritting his teeth, he glanced at Eldest Senior Brother. Lu Zhaoming knew what he wanted to say and directly spoke, "Fifteen minutes."

What! Only fifteen minutes had passed?!

Zhang Xiaoyuan was on the verge of tears.

After showering and changing into clean clothes, Xiao Mobai held Zhao Chengyang's hand as they walked outside the kitchen together.

Xiao Mobai sweetly smiled. "Ah Yang, without my culinary skills, how would you survive?"

Zhao Chengyang smiled back. "I..."

Lu Zhaoming's sword hilt struck Zhang Xiaoyuan's lower back. The force wasn't strong, but the sound was loud, interrupting their conversation. He coldly said, "Stand straight."

Xiao Mobai seemed to just notice them in the courtyard. He frowned and asked Zhao Chengyang, "Ah Yang, what do you want to eat?"

Zhao Chengyang: "You decide, keep it simple."

Xiao Mobai rolled up his sleeves, entered the kitchen to showcase his cooking skills. Zhao Chengyang sat on the porch watching them. After a while, he spoke, "Is Young Hero Lu from Fengji County since childhood?"

Lu Zhaoming: "No."

Zhao Chengyang: "When did Young Hero Lu come here?"

Lu Zhaoming: "Over a decade ago."

"I've heard that Young Hero Lu practices chivalry and righteousness. During the epidemic, he saved many people," Zhao Chengyang cautiously said. "Could Young Hero Lu... take me to meet your master?"

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt a wave of nervousness.

If Elder Senior Brother agreed and Zhao Chengyang met Second Senior Brother, in case there was some token between them, they might recognize each other. Moreover, Puyang Jing was still worried about Zhao Chengyang's throne. Even with Zhao Chengyang present, there was no guarantee Puyang Jing wouldn't do something unexpected.

He couldn't let Eldest Senior Brother take Zhao Chengyang to meet their master.

Lu Zhaoming was just about to refuse, "No, you can't—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Zhang Xiaoyuan swayed backward as if about to faint. Other thoughts scattered in his mind. Lu Zhaoming hurriedly reached out to support him. Although he prevented Zhang Xiaoyuan from actually falling, the wooden bucket hit the ground, and water splashed out like a pouring ladle, drenching both of them.

Zhang Xiaoyuan intended to feign unconsciousness, but the water splashed on his face, causing him to cough and choke. He realized it wasn't good. If Eldest Senior Brother knew he was pretending, dinner tonight might really be in jeopardy.

He coughed, opened his eyes, and before he could convincingly portray a sickly appearance, he saw a hint of concern in those typically calm and unwavering eyes. The slightly pursed lips showed a trace of disarray.

Zhang Xiaoyuan blinked again.

Lu Zhaoming's face was right in front of him.

Unable to resist, he softly called, "Eldest Senior Brother..."

Lu Zhaoming interrupted him, "Let me help you back first."

Zhang Xiaoyuan felt like something was not quite right.

Nevertheless, he managed to interrupt the conversation between Lu Zhaoming and Zhao Chengyang.

Pretending to be weak, he turned his eyes away, unable to look at Lu Zhaoming's face.

Later, he saw—