Shen Qingshan's advancement to the ninth rank in a single battle deeply impressed Fang Jie. He knew that the fastest way to rapidly increase strength was through constant real combat. Staying home and diligently practicing every day could lead to a high level of skill, but going out didn't guarantee invincibility. In his previous life, there were examples of martial arts masters being knocked down by bricks; the saying "to beat someone up, you must first learn to take a beating," while somewhat one-sided, wasn't without merit.
Therefore, the next day, Fang Jie left the Sanjin Marquis's residence and returned to the Martial Arts Academy.
Many students at the Martial Arts Academy didn't leave for various reasons. For example, students from extremely far away didn't have enough time to go home during the fifteen-day break. Some students were also short of money and couldn't afford to go out for socializing, so they simply stayed in the academy chatting with their companions, which was also a pleasant pastime.
Most of these students who stayed at the Martial Arts Academy were from military backgrounds. The most unique among them was Xie Fuyao from the Xie family of Jiangnan. He wasn't someone who couldn't afford to enjoy himself, nor did he lack relatives and friends in Chang'an. Unlike other wealthy young men who indulged in debauchery, he quietly devoted himself to reading and cultivation. Because most of the people remaining in the courtyard were not aligned with him and harbored some animosity, Xie Fuyao appeared somewhat lonely.
When Fang Jie found him, he was reading under the artificial rocks in the garden behind the Martial Arts Academy. The Academy had a library where students could borrow books. Most of these books were donated by past professors, with some coming from military donations and imperial gifts. Over a hundred years later, the library's collection was quite impressive.
Xie Fuyao was reading a book called *The Sword Records of the Ten Thousand Swords Hall*. Having just heard Shen Qingshan recount the story of the Ten Thousand Swords Hall the previous night, seeing this book in Xie Fuyao's hands, Fang Jie couldn't help but feel intensely curious about this former overlord of the Central Plains martial arts world. However, this book wasn't written by anyone from the Ten Thousand Swords Hall; rather, it was compiled by people from the martial arts world.
"You have the Three Absolute Techniques of Wudang, why are you reading the *Sword Records of the Ten Thousand Swords Hall*?"
Fang Jie sat down beside Xie Fuyao and asked.
Xie Fuyao chuckled, slammed the book shut, and retorted, "You have a beautiful wife and daughter by your side, why did you come back to find me?"
Fang Jie laughed, "My hands are itching, my skin is itching, I want to beat someone up and get beaten up too."
"So you came back here to use me as a punching bag?"
"Don't be ridiculous..."
Fang Jie rolled his eyes at him, "We both know perfectly well who's whose punching bag. If you want, you can beat me black and blue anytime."
"Hypocrite."
Xie Fuyao glared back, "If you don't give me a reason, I won't bother being your sparring partner. I'm staying at the Martial Arts Academy because I want fifteen days of peace and quiet, and you insist on bothering me. Don't give me any make-up excuses, just say something sincere that will move me, otherwise you'd better go back, I'm going to continue reading."
"I have a woman."
Fang Jie looked at Xie Fuyao seriously and said. Xie Fuyao paused, then said with some annoyance, "You came all this way just to show off this?"
"No..."
Fang Jie was silent for a moment before saying more seriously, "I can't beat her..."
Xie Fuyao paused again, then looked at Fang Jie sympathetically and patted his shoulder, saying, "My condolences."
Fang Jie pouted, "Can't you have a little sympathy?"
"Fine..."
Xie Fuyao stretched and laughed, "Even if your reason is somewhat sincere, it's not enough. There's a saying... to gain something..." "To gain something, you must give something in return."
Fang Jie gritted his teeth and said, "Anything over ten taels of silver is out of the question!"
Xie Fuyao smiled brightly: "Yesterday, the martial arts academy's canteen added a new dish. Although it's the dead of winter, bamboo shoots from the Dingding bamboo of Jiangnan are just arriving in the north at the beginning of winter. I haven't had this much since leaving home, and seeing it in the canteen yesterday felt very comforting. I asked the cook, and a bamboo shoot feast costs nine taels of silver. Isn't that a coincidence?"
"What's so good about that? Chicken, duck, fish, and meat are much more satisfying."
Fang Jie said seriously.
Xie Fuyao raised an eyebrow: "Will you treat me?"
"Yes!"
Fang Jie nodded through gritted teeth, then added, "No drinks!"
...
...
The martial arts academy has dozens of training grounds of varying sizes, the largest capable of holding hundreds of people, and the smallest barely enough for thirty. Fang Jie and Xie Fuyao found a relatively secluded spot where they wouldn't be disturbed. Today was New Year's Day, and even most of the students who stayed in the courtyard were out enjoying themselves; it was the liveliest time of day, and even a casual stroll without spending money could yield considerable rewards.
According to custom, Fang Jie should visit relatives and friends to offer New Year's greetings. However, he had no relatives in Chang'an, and as for Luo Weiran, his acquired martial uncle, Fang Jie didn't think he could find him. The serial killer from last night had already revealed himself, and it was speculated that he was Fang Henshui, a constable from a small county in Jiangnan who had come to the capital. Furthermore, Hou Wenji had set off for the Northwest early this morning, leaving the affairs of the Imperial Guards entirely to Luo Weiran; he would be quite busy.
Today, New Year's Day, His Majesty and the Empress would be taking the concubines, princes, and princesses to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to their ancestors. Then, they would be leading civil and military officials to the Mingtan Altar to pray for the people; Luo Weiran would inevitably accompany them.
After much deliberation, Fang Jie realized there were very few people in Chang'an he needed to pay his respects to. Early that morning, he had written several visiting cards and had the servants of the Marquis of Sanjin's residence deliver them: one to Prince Yi, Yang Yin; one to the Minister of Rites, Huai Qiugong; and one to the Vice Minister of War, Zong Lianghu. These men had all treated him well, and he had also sent cards to several other officials he had dealings with. Since those officials would be with His Majesty all day and might not return until nightfall, sending the cards to express his regards was sufficient.
It was merely a matter of etiquette; as long as it was done politely, that was enough. Fang Jie didn't have the money for lavish gifts; when buying the visiting cards, he hadn't even bothered to choose the most expensive gold-lettered ones.
Xie Fuyao's first encounter with Fang Jie involved using the Spring Wind and Thunderous Strike techniques of the Four Symbols Finger Technique. The other two variations were Autumn Rain and Winter Frost.
These four finger techniques each had many subtle variations; if one were to exhaustively study them all, it could probably fill a book. All cultivation methods boil down to enlightenment. A dullard might grasp one variation and that's the limit. An intelligent person, naturally, can comprehend much more. Wan Xingchen, the Grand Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Hall, is known as a master of all methods, having dedicated his life to sword cultivation, yet he possesses a natural understanding of all the world's mysteries. This is the difference between people, something diligence alone cannot overcome.
Xie Fuyao's Four Symbols Finger Technique is infinitely varied, resonating with the Daoist saying, "One begets two, two begets three, three begets all things." Even the single Spring Breeze Finger Technique can generate numerous variations.
"Do you want a fight, or should I teach you the Two Elements Sword first?"
Xie Fuyao removed his robe, stretched his limbs, and asked.
He had agreed to teach Fang Jie the Two Elements Sword, but Fang Jie then disappeared from everyone's sight. The official explanation from the Martial Arts Academy was that he was in seclusion in the back mountains, but in reality, he was cultivating in the prison of the Imperial Guards. Wudang Mountain is renowned for its three supreme techniques: Tai Chi, Yin and Yang, and Four Symbols. The Yin-Yang Sword Technique is said to be even more powerful than the Four Symbols Finger Technique.
However, Fang Jie wasn't particularly interested in swords; his true passion lay in the saber.
"Naturally, let's have a fight first."
Fang Jie smiled, then lunged forward, throwing a punch at Xie Fuyao's chest. Xie Fuyao dodged to the side, raising and extending his left index finger. Several finger strikes, like rapidly crawling snakes, rushed towards Fang Jie. The greatest characteristic of this Spring Breeze Technique was its ability to subdue the enemy, its finger strikes being relatively gentle.
Fang Jie had experienced the power of this finger strike before, so he dared not be careless. Last time, because Xie Fuyao didn't know his acupoints were almost closed, and he didn't even have a Qi Sea, the Spring Breeze Technique could seal others but not Fang Jie. But now Xie Fuyao knew Fang Jie's constitution, and slightly modified the Breeze Technique, sealing his meridians instead of his acupoints.
Fang Jie, relying on his extremely fast movements, repeatedly dodged attempts to close the distance. Xie Fuyao, however, wouldn't give him another chance. Raising her left middle finger unleashed Summer Thunderclap, and her ring finger brought Autumn Rain. In truth, if it weren't for a desperate struggle, Fang Jie truly had no way to defeat Xie Fuyao.
An hour passed in this way. Xie Fuyao couldn't seal Fang Jie's movements, nor could she defeat him. Fang Jie couldn't get close to Xie Fuyao, nor could he do anything to her. In the dead of winter, both of them were drenched in sweat, which felt incredibly exhilarating.
Tired from fighting, they rested for a while before going to the canteen for drinks.
"Zhang Kuang and Mo Xidao went to the streets to watch the excitement too?"
Fang Jie asked, wiping his sweat.
"Perhaps."
Xie Fuyao shook her head. "I saw Mo Xidao yesterday, but I didn't see Zhang Kuang."
Fang Jie hummed in agreement, feeling a pang of sadness thinking about Zhang Kuang's embarrassed state when he borrowed money from him that day. Students from border garrison families were particularly impoverished. Their salaries were already lower than those of combat soldiers, and even a little socializing meant the silver from the court was simply insufficient.
"Anyway, I'll come looking for you to fight every day from now on. When I see them both, I'll just fight them together."
Fang Jie smiled, no longer thinking about his arrogant plan.
...
...
As the emperor's procession proceeded to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices, the civil and military officials, though not allowed to enter, were required to accompany him. While the emperor and empress, along with the nobles of the palace, performed the ancestral rites, the officials stood respectfully outside the temple. The Sui Dynasty promoted filial piety, and such a solemn ceremony was naturally not to be taken lightly.
Luo Weiran, the commander of the Imperial Guards, stood on the steps, frowning slightly as he looked at the dense crowd outside.
"Have the men been sent out?"
He asked Meng Wudi, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards. Meng Wudi bowed slightly and said, "They've been dispatched. I had Commander Yue Sansheng lead the team. They set off last night. It'll probably take at least two months to reach Jiangnan, and a round trip won't be until spring."
"Don't let your guard down in the capital either."
Luo Weiran said, "That person is injured, and he'll definitely find a secluded place to recuperate during this time. Search every possible hiding place in Chang'an. He's not a god; he can't fly or disappear."
Meng Wudi hummed in agreement and then said, "There's one more thing. Recently, in the Jianghu (martial arts world) of the capital region..." A new assassin organization has emerged, its origins unknown. They've already committed three crimes: the murder of Song Zhenshan, leader of the Laishui Iron Fist Sect; the murder of Feng Tai, leader of the Hejian One-Word Staff Sect; and the murder of Liu Ta, leader of the Xiangzhen Loyalty Hall. It's likely the same group was responsible. The martial arts community in Gyeonggi Province is planning a joint investigation to find this assassin organization.
Luo Weiran nodded, not particularly concerned: "Martial arts matters are resolved by the martial arts community itself. These assassins are only after money. If they anger the entire martial arts world of Gyeonggi Province, they won't have many days left."
Meanwhile.
In a secluded villa on the outskirts of Beijing.
Qin Liuqi, always appearing amiable and gentle, led a young man with a gloomy face into the villa and ordered the gate to be closed tightly. He led the young man towards the backyard, saying as they walked, "The Prince values you highly. This courtyard is full of his loyal subordinates. Get along well with them; with your abilities, rising through the ranks won't be difficult."
The young man hummed in agreement, frowning as he carefully examined the courtyard.
Upon entering the backyard, two men in purple martial attire guarding the gate bowed to Qin Liuqi. Qin Liuqi waved his hand and asked, "Where is Deputy Captain Zhang?"
The gatekeeper respectfully replied, "He went to Bazhou today, taking a group of new recruits to practice their skills."
Qin Liuqi nodded and said, "Summon your leader to see me. I've brought him a master."