Chapter 48

In contrast to the growing tension and chaos in Li City, Xia Daoming enjoyed peaceful tranquility.

Aside from occasionally checking in at the martial arts academy and sometimes visiting Yao Hua Pavilion to listen to music or have tea with the Ji family’s young lady—occasionally teasing her a little—he spent most of his time holed up in the back courtyard, chewing pills and cultivating.

Of course, young men naturally have fiery tempers, and with daily pill consumption, he inevitably played cards with Lian’er to vent his energy.

Liu Qiaolian also took pills daily and, under Xia Daoming’s refined guidance, had grown even more radiant and alluring, her cultivation steadily deepening.

According to the rules of Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy, the secret map could only be observed once every six months.

But after only two months, Xia Daoming privately told Liang Jingtang that his Lian’er’s cultivation had recently deepened—could she observe the map earlier, to help her quickly comprehend the hidden force and become a Great Martial Master sooner?

Who was Xia Daoming now?

Hearing this, Liang Jingtang didn’t bother lecturing him on principles—he simply tossed the secret map at him.

It’s just a secret map.

Either way, whether the secret map or the Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy, Liang Jingtang had already decided to pass everything on to Xia Daoming.

Better to transfer it early and be done with it.

As for Yu Chi Xiao, who had faithfully served him for years, Liang Jingtang gave him no thought.

With Yu Chi Xiao’s personality and strength, even if Liang Jingtang handed him the secret map and the academy, he couldn’t hold onto them.

Why not simply find Yu Chi Xiao a powerful younger brother to protect him, letting him bask in the shade of a great tree instead?

Xia Daoming didn’t bother with formalities.

It’s just a secret map.

Once my strength grows further, I’ll go to Cangmang Mountain, pluck a Transformation Dragon Fruit, swallow it, become a Master, paint a brand-new map, frame it, and have Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy pass it down through generations.

Xia Daoming casually and effortlessly brought the secret map home.

Liu Qiaolian didn’t think so at all!

This was the secret map of Qianjiao Technique!

Each observation drained a bit of its spiritual essence.

How could anyone just observe whenever they wanted?

Even direct disciples, after paying silver, had to wait half a year between observations.

I’m just a servant girl—last time I got to observe, it was already a tremendous honor and favor.

Now, only two months since the last observation, Master had directly brought the map back for her to view—Liu Qiaolian stared at the jade box handed to her, nearly in tears.

“Master, Lian’er doesn’t deserve this!” Liu Qiaolian said, eyes reddening.

“Don’t overthink it. You’re my Lian’er. As long as you can bear it, you may observe whenever you wish—strive to become a fifth-rank Great Martial Master soon, so I can take you to Liu Family Village to avenge you.” Xia Daoming said.

“T-this map… isn’t… isn’t something you stole for me, Master?” Liu Qiaolian stared, stunned, then swallowed hard, stammering.

It was no wonder she thought so.

Whose spiritual essence map could be observed whenever one pleased—unless it was one’s own personal possession!

But this spiritual essence map clearly belonged to Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy.

“Lian’er, do I look like the kind of man who’d steal from his own academy?” Xia Daoming stared at her, speechless.

“N-no, of course not!” Liu Qiaolian quickly shook her head.

“Relax. I’m a prodigy, unmatched in Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy. My master has no children and won’t take another disciple—this spiritual essence map was always meant for me; I’m just receiving it earlier.” Xia Daoming sighed, seeing her still doubtful despite nodding.

Hearing this, Liu Qiaolian finally understood.

As for prodigious talent, in her entire life, she’d never met anyone as gifted as her Master.

At the fourth-rank, he slaughtered fellow Martial Masters like chopping vegetables.

At the fifth-rank, he slaughtered fellow Great Martial Masters as easily as chopping vegetables—and secretly assassinated the Wujia Fortress Lord, a sixth-rank Great Martial Master, framing the Xu family.

That wasn’t even the worst.

Most terrifying was how, in less than a year, he’d surged from fourth-rank Martial Master all the way to sixth-rank Great Martial Master, eating Cold Ice Purple Shouwu like it was a radish.

Even in Liu Qiaolian’s mind, despite Xu Shixiong’s high rank, his talent couldn’t compare to her Master’s.

Unfortunately, Liu Qiaolian didn’t yet know her Master was now a seventh-rank Great Martial Master—and had even assassinated an eighth-rank Great Martial Master.

Otherwise, she’d think Xu Shixiong meant nothing next to her Master!

“Since Master Liang regards you as his heir and has already transferred the spiritual essence map ahead of schedule, Master, you mustn’t break the academy’s rules for my sake!” Liu Qiaolian said, still uneasy after understanding.

“Rules? Forget rules. Observe the map properly—or face family discipline!” Xia Daoming, knowing this woman only thought of him and never herself, grew impatient and pulled out family discipline.

Instantly, at the mention of family discipline, Liu Qiaolian bowed obediently: “Yes, servant obeys.”

“Go!” Xia Daoming waved his hand.

Liu Qiaolian bowed again, then turned and entered the room.

Inside, she sat cross-legged, carefully placed the box before her feet, stared at it with tear-filled eyes for a long while, then took a deep breath, calmed herself, and opened the box.

An hour later.

Xia Daoming pushed open the door and saw Liu Qiaolian pale-faced, drenched in sweat, as if she’d witnessed something horrifying, still trembling.

“Master!”

Seeing Xia Daoming enter, Liu Qiaolian snapped back to herself and rose to bow.

“You sensed the spiritual essence on your second viewing—looks like my Lian’er has real martial talent.” Xia Daoming laughed happily.

“It’s all thanks to Master’s cultivation that I am what I am today,” Liu Qiaolian said sincerely.

“Don’t undervalue yourself. If you had no martial talent, no matter how hard I helped, it would be useless.”

“Now, focus and absorb deeply. I’ll take the map back for now and return it to my master for safekeeping. After some time, I’ll retrieve it again for another viewing—you should fully grasp the hidden force’s mystery then.” Xia Daoming said.

“Thank you, Master!” Liu Qiaolian exclaimed joyfully.

“Why did you bring the map back? Leave it with you.”

In the inner courtyard of Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy, Liang Jingtang, who had been half-asleep in his wicker chair, basking in the sunset’s glow, saw Xia Daoming return the jade box with the secret map and waved dismissively.

Before this, the jade box had been as precious to him as his life.

“I often travel outside. If I leave it with me and thieves strike, the loss would be great—it’s safer with you.” Xia Daoming said.

“Do you think I never travel?” Liang Jingtang finally opened his eyes, annoyed.

“Heh, looks like the Yunshou Jade Liquid really works!” Xia Daoming smiled with a knowing glint.

Liang Jingtang froze for a moment, then realized what Xia Daoming meant—he slapped his forehead and chuckled bitterly: “When I took you in, how did I ever think you were a honest, straightforward fellow!”

“Uh, Master, what do you mean? Is the Yunshou Jade Liquid ineffective?” Xia Daoming feigned shock.

Seeing Xia Daoming pretend ignorance, Liang Jingtang simply closed his eyes and waved him off: “Go away!”

“Heh, Master, then I’ll leave the jade box in your care!” Xia Daoming placed the box in Liang Jingtang’s lap and grinned.

Liang Jingtang waved his hand.

Xia Daoming smiled, then turned and left.

“That boy!” Liang Jingtang, hearing Xia Daoming’s footsteps fade, slowly opened his eyes, a smile curling on his lips.

“Daoming, tonight we’re going to the brothel for music!” As Xia Daoming stepped out of the back courtyard, Yu Chi Xiao pulled him aside into a corner and whispered.

“Senior Brother, didn’t we go last month? Isn’t that too frequent? Don’t forget I carry the burden of reviving Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy—your constant urging isn’t good!” Xia Daoming said with a solemn face.

“Don’t give me that! At the brothel, we keep an eye on you! Staying home, surrounded by beauties—who knows what you’re up to all day?” Yu Chi Xiao sneered.

“Senior Brother, you truly care for your younger brother’s martial progress—arranging brothel visits for me!” Xia Daoming said with deep emotion.

Yu Chi Xiao, watching Xia Daoming’s dramatic expression, wanted to punch him—but remembering the last sparring match’s outcome, he suppressed his urge and growled: “Just say it—go or not? If not, I’ll cancel it for you with Yongbao!”

“Uh… is Senior Brother Jiao treating tonight?” Xia Daoming said, surprised.

After a year as fellow disciples,

Xia Daoming now understood everyone’s personality well.

Yu Chi Xiao was honest and earnest, yet inwardly restless.

Zhuo Xingji was the most generous and carefree, always spending lavishly.

Liu Xiao Qiang was alluring, drove fast, yet maintained proper boundaries—far more conservative than women in Xia Daoming’s old world, and fiercely protective of her girls, never forcing them into prostitution.

Jiao Yongbao was charming, always smiling, appearing kind and approachable—but he was tight with money.

As a tavern owner, he never paid for drinks or tips at the brothel—Zhuo Xingji always footed the bill.

“Heh, surprised?”

“If Senior Brother Jiao’s treating, we must go! But I need to tell my home first—I’ll come later myself.”