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Chapter 183: Chapter 181: Taiyin
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Bai Ningshuang returned quickly.
Chu Zhiyuan had just begun pondering the swordsmanship, especially the twelve forms of the Bi Chao Sword Technique.
If these twelve sword technique forms were integrated into the Great Snow Avalanche Sword Technique, it would greatly enhance the latter.
However, he had not yet fully organized the numerous sword techniques in his mind, nor was he in a hurry to do so.
Almost every one of these sword techniques was top-notch, not inferior to the one demonstrated to Gu Qingshan.
This left him somewhat dazzled.
And also a bit apprehensive.
He always felt these sword techniques did not originate from this world, as if they were from an Outer Heaven World.
Would there be any hidden risks in practicing sword techniques from an Outer Heaven World?
What anomalies might arise when combining his martial arts heart method with the sword techniques from an Outer Heaven World, and would it lead to any side effects?
After all, they were from different worlds with different environments. Was the power system the same?
He wasn’t in a rush to study these sword techniques and found himself more interested in the Bi Chao Sword Technique.
"Yuan’er, I have already spoken to the Lady," Bai Ningshuang directly sought out Ting Tao Courtyard and approached Chu Zhiyuan, who was sitting in a small pavilion.
Chu Zhiyuan nodded.
Bai Ningshuang said, "The Lady went out briefly and will return soon. She said that Grandmaster Song will follow Ruoling in secret."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled.
He knew it; there was the shadow of the Emperor behind this matter.
He had endured a decade of separation from Xiao Ruoling for the sake of the court and Da Jing.
Could it be that the Emperor would not show any gesture of gratitude?
That would be too disheartening.
The Emperor indeed agreed to this request.
With Song Feiqiong secretly protecting, Xiao Ruoling would be safe from harm.
However, Grandmaster Song wouldn’t be able to enter the Secret Realm.
Therefore, enhancing Xiao Ruoling’s swordsmanship was still necessary.
Not just for self-defense within the Secret Realm, but also for the contest for the position of the Holy Daughter.
"Yuan’er, can you explain what’s going on now?" Bai Ningshuang asked.
Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "Mother, I still have to train in swordsmanship. I’ve already told little sister to tell you slowly."
"... Alright, then you continue your cultivation. I’ll go ask Yi’er."
Bai Ningshuang didn’t want to delay his training, so she suppressed her curiosity and went to Chu Yi’s Wanqing Courtyard to hear Chu Yi’s story.
After listening, her face turned somber, a hint of malice on her delicate features.
"Sigh... In fact, the one suffering the most is eldest brother," Chu Yi sighed, "The Heir’s Wife is gone, it’s so bleak, isn’t it?"
Bai Ningshuang’s face darkened further.
Chu Yi said, "At this time, Mother, you shouldn’t add insult to injury. You should comfort elder brother well and tell him not to feel too bad.’
"Of course, he’s upset. I’m already upset enough, not to mention him!" Bai Ningshuang sighed, patting her chest.
Only feeling suffocated.
The West Palace Lady is so exceptional that she can interfere with someone’s marriage?
Clearly, the engagement was set, and she was to be married, yet suddenly, she was to go to Yao Yue Palace to become a Holy Daughter for ten years.
Ten years, how many ten years does one have in a lifetime?
After ten years, Yuan’er would be thirty, and Xiao Ruoling would be an old maid. Even if they married then, who could say how their feelings would be? Life is unpredictable.
Besides, I’m still waiting to hold a grandchild! This delays the Prince Qing Mansion’s lineage!
Bai Ningshuang said angrily, "I’ll go find the West Palace Lady, I can’t agree to this!"
"Mother, even elder brother hasn’t said anything, so you shouldn’t say too much," Chu Yi advised. "Elder brother is a very intelligent person!"
Bai Ningshuang said, "He may be smart in other aspects, but when it comes to matters of the heart, he’s not that nimble. Have the West Palace Lady retract her decision!"
"Mother—!" Chu Yi quickly said, "Do you think you can get the West Palace Lady to take back her decision?"
"... There should at least be reasoning, right?" Bai Ningshuang snorted, "If not, I’ll go ask the Emperor!"
"Mother, let’s follow elder brother’s lead," Chu Yi hurriedly said, "Let’s not add to the chaos, the one most affected is elder brother. He hasn’t said anything and even arranged for Grandmaster Song to protect Sister Xiao. Besides, it’s Imperial Grandfather’s approval."
"Sigh... Your elder brother doesn’t understand matters of the heart yet. A married couple shouldn’t be separated for so long."
"Why not?"
"Being apart for too long cools the feelings, then they’ll be like strangers, and after ten years, truly become strangers!"
"After marriage, they’ll naturally get acquainted again. Anyway, Mother, you don’t need to worry, let them handle it."
"... Fine," Bai Ningshuang snorted, "I’m just destined to worry!"
Chu Zhiyuan practiced swordsmanship while listening to the conversation, secretly feeling relieved.
Chu Yi was indeed very effective at the critical moment.
As they say, one object suppresses another. Among the four of them, Chu Yi’s words were the most effective, and most listened to.
——
A round bright moon hung diagonally at the sky’s edge.
Chu Zhiyuan embraced Xiao Ruoling, sitting on a painted boat, gazing at the moon outside the window, quietly savoring the beauty and tranquility.
After a while, Xiao Ruoling said, "Today I went to the palace and formally acknowledged a master. Originally, my master was also a Holy Daughter."
Chu Zhiyuan raised his sword-shaped eyebrows but kept silent.
"When I first saw my master, I thought it was a mistake. How could the West Palace Lady, after so many years in the palace, be so young, almost my age."
She marveled, "Turns out she practiced the Taiyin Great Refining Form, truly astonishing."
"Did the Lady mention how to vie for the Holy Daughter position?" Chu Zhiyuan smiled, "With your appearance, it would be a pity not to maintain eternal youth."
Xiao Ruoling slightly tucked her neck, Chu Zhiyuan’s warm breath on her snow-white neck made her feel particularly tingly and itchy.
In Chu Zhiyuan’s arms, she almost became a puddle of spring water.
"Master said there’s nothing else to it, just defeat them," Xiao Ruoling said. "It’s possible others won’t even find that place, and if you’re able to find it, you’ll outshine them."
"Can you find that place?"
"Master said, since I’m practicing the Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman Technique, I’ll definitely find it, just need to enhance my martial skill beyond theirs."
Chu Zhiyuan slowly nodded.
The Nine Heavens Mysterious Woman Technique is said to be the foremost mystical skill of Yao Yue Palace, so having such utility is expected.
"They’re all likely at Innate Perfection, right?"
"More or less, the other eight should all be geniuses."
"If they aren’t geniuses, they can’t even step into Yao Yue Palace, let alone achieve anything," Chu Zhiyuan laughed, hugging her tighter, "Ruoling, you are a genius among geniuses, ... then practice swordsmanship, when do you plan to leave?"
"In a month."
"Mm, a month... should be enough to bring your swordsmanship to an adequate level," Chu Zhiyuan said, "So that you can sweep aside others and become the Holy Daughter."
Xiao Ruoling laughed, "Actually... not becoming the Holy Daughter is also quite good."
She had only promised to vie for the position of Holy Daughter. If she didn’t succeed, no one could blame her, and she could conveniently return to continue being the Crown Princess Consort.
A trip to the secret land was already more than gratifying.
Chu Zhiyuan said, "Since you’re contending, give it your all... can’t wait for you to retain eternal youth, and your beauty never fading."
"... Alright." Xiao Ruoling reluctantly agreed.
Seeing her lack of motivation, Chu Zhiyuan said, "Don’t you want to learn Taiyin Great Refining Form? Don’t you wish for eternal youth?"
"Of course, I do."
"Then begin sword training tomorrow!"
"Alright." Xiao Ruoling bit her red lip, finally making up her mind.
Whenever she thought of the West Palace Lady, she couldn’t help but feel envious.
She too often gazed at herself in the mirror, truly as beautiful as a flower, but knowing this beauty would eventually fade, age, and turn into a silver-haired old woman.
Just the thought was regrettable.
How wonderful it would be to have the chance to retain this youth.
Now, at last, she had the chance. She truly couldn’t let it slip away.
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