Chapter 49

“Purple Mansion, I don’t want to launch a sudden attack—I want to move stealthily, suppress my aura, move with uncanny agility, sneak close, and strike from the shadows. Can you do that?”

Xiao Yu shouted within her mind, but the Purple Mansion remained utterly still.

“Purple Mansion, Purple Mansion, you’ve already absorbed part of the essence of the Divine Spirit Pill—why are you still so dull and inflexible?”

Xiao Yu was deeply frustrated.

Through the Purple Mansion’s reaction to the Divine Spirit Pill, she could confirm it was either a divine art or some kind of “innate ability” akin to one.

Whether it was a divine art or some “special ability,” theoretically, it could be developed and elevated like other divine arts.

But she had no idea how to develop the Purple Mansion.

Not entirely none.

After several minutes of thought, she conceived a “dead method” to develop the Purple Mansion: use it more, train it more.

The Purple Mansion was the very body of Da Mie’s father—so to use it more meant to bow more often to her adoptive father.

She must bow to a powerful adoptive father; an ordinary one, weaker than her, would be slain with a single sword strike, unable to activate the Purple Mansion.

Even if forcibly activated, it could only seek flaws in the other’s cultivation art, unable to operate fully and continuously like Hu Chen’s Thousand-Mile Eye.

“Now I already have Hu Chen as my adoptive father. As long as he doesn’t die, I have no good reason to find another.”

For an instant, Xiao Yu considered throwing away all her principles.

But even “the traitor who served three masters,” Lu Bu, never had three “surnames” at once.

“Perhaps Hu Chen suffering misfortune might be a good thing... No, Hu Chen cannot die! If he dies, the Hu family will never generously supply cultivation arts and resources like he did.”

Moreover, the purpose of bowing to multiple adoptive fathers is to upgrade the Purple Mansion.

The purpose of upgrading the Purple Mansion is to flexibly choose the “Patricide Method,” then deduce an Immortal-level concealment or invisibility technique.

If Hu Chen dies, the Purple Mansion will no longer deduce the “Patricide Method” for him—after all, the man is dead, so what’s left to destroy?... Hmm, the soul remains, but all dozens of previous adoptive fathers, after death, showed no further reaction.”

“Is there any scenario where I can freely bow to many powerful adoptive fathers without anyone questioning my character...?”

Xiao Yu pondered for a long while, then recalled Xianyang Palace.

If she entered Xianyang, a junior palace maid seeking protection from eunuchs or senior ladies—bowing to several adoptive fathers... still wouldn’t work.

Even if a junior eunuch bowed to an elder, he could have only one “Grand Ancestor” at a time.

It has nothing to do with character—bowing to an adoptive father signifies political alignment.

How could one switch sides and waver?

Xiao Yu shook her head, extinguishing the thought of “maybe I should try Xianyang.”

“It seems I can only wait until I’m truly free, hide my identity, and then bow to adoptive fathers. Right now...”

Suddenly, Xiao Yu’s mind stirred, “Hu Chen has a Ninefold Bone Transformation Pill—it can trigger a qualitative change in innate abilities. I wonder if it works on the Purple Mansion.”

“Father, hasn’t Elder Qingsong arrived yet?”

The next morning during training, Xiao Yu’s tone carried a hint of urgency.

Her anxious expression deeply pleased Hu Chen.

A filial daughter indeed!

She constantly worried about his tribulation, never considering the risk that he might perish immediately after swallowing the Bone Transformation Pill, wasting the divine pill—her only wish was for him to swallow it early, elevate his ability, and increase his chances of surviving the tribulation.

Hu Chen dared swear that even members of the Hu family wouldn’t value his safety more than the divine pill, as she did.

“Tomorrow afternoon, Marquis Lieyang will arrive at Feixian Ferry—by then, that little brat Qingsong should show up.” He was anxious too, but patiently comforted her.

Xiao Yu didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved.

Qingsong hadn’t come, the divine pill hadn’t been swallowed by Hu Chen—if Hu Chen perished in the tribulation, the pill would fall into her hands... but if Hu Chen died, her cultivation resources and arts aside, who in the Hu family besides the dead Hu Chen himself would tolerate a “sand barbarian” consuming a divine pill bought at the cost of the family’s entire foundation?

Her emotions were complicated.

“Father, I’ve noticed the cavalry of the Iron Cavalry and the Western Sands Garrison seem to be practicing breathing techniques.” She rallied her spirits and pointed to the cavalry training on the other side of the threshing floor.

Unlike the narrow confines of Hualong, the location of Yunlai Inn was extremely spacious—it had a large courtyard capable of parking over a hundred carts, and beyond it lay an open threshing field where hundreds of cavalrymen could train martial techniques simultaneously.

If Hu Chen truly perished, she might lose the Hu family’s support and fail to obtain the breathing technique of their core art, “Tiger Soul Seven Kill”—better to secure a breathing method now while Hu Chen still lives.

These Western Shu cavalrymen surely didn’t cultivate supreme immortal martial arts, but they must have complete, balanced breathing techniques without side effects.

“The Lu Ye Guard is the most elite force in Great Shu—all soldiers are martial artists.

People like me, with family-transmitted martial arts, are rare; most are taught by palace instructors in methods and breathing techniques.

The Western Sands Garrison follows a similar pattern—once selected, all are taught the most basic martial techniques.”

“What arts are they practicing?” Xiao Yu asked.

Hu Chen scanned the cavalry and said slowly, “Most of the Western Sands Garrison practice ordinary martial arts like ‘Iron Armor Art,’ ‘Eight Winds Blade,’ or ‘Meng Family Spear.’

Those who earn merit receive higher-level martial arts as rewards.

The Iron Cavalry has three categories.

Entering the Lu Ye Guard is already one in a thousand.

Advancing from ordinary Lu Ye Guard to Iron Cavalry Guard is another ten-to-one, even a hundred-to-one selection.

That means an ordinary Iron Cavalry Guard, if placed outside, is still one in ten thousand—a peerless talent.

Such exceptional talents naturally have grand ambitions.

Some, recruited by the monarch, become lifelong ‘Guards’ sworn to the Great Shu royal clan, granted the ‘Sleeping Dragon Immortal Breath.’

Even greater talents may be invited by the Qin military to receive various immortal martial arts.

For example, the Meng family of Qin’s ‘Black Tortoise True Gang,’ or the ‘Crow Fire Force’ practiced by Marquis Lieyang and his Fire Crow Army.

The third category consists of those with average talent or a free spirit unwilling to serve in the military for life—they may cultivate the ‘Divine Weapon True Qi.’”

As he spoke, a trace of melancholy appeared on Hu Chen’s stern, square face. “I was originally in the third category. Now... after tomorrow, when Marquis Lieyang returns, I must formally swear allegiance to him and become second category.”

“Father, you’re joining the Fire Crow Army for the ‘Crow Fire Force’?” Xiao Yu asked.

Hu Chen had likely already begun cultivating the “Crow Fire Force.”

Every night, when he tempered his inner breath, a scorching aura radiated from him; through the gaps in his tent, faint flickers of firelight could be seen.

Hu Chen said, “The ‘Crow Fire Force’ is stronger than the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill’ and better suits me.

But my main reason for joining the Fire Crow Army is Marquis Lieyang.

Marquis Lieyang is searching for those with the Thousand-Mile Eye ability, and I too harbor ambitions to achieve glory in Qin.

Among other generals, Marquis Lieyang rose the latest—he became a general at thirteen, and is now only twenty-one. Though his future is bright, his foundation is shallow; if I join, I’ll become deputy general.

In the Fire Crow Army, my status will rank only below a few elders who’ve followed Marquis Lieyang since the beginning.

But if you enter Xianyang... hehehe!”

Hu Chen laughed triumphantly, gazing at Xiao Yu as if she were a priceless treasure.

Xiao Yu smiled along with him for a moment, then asked, “You said the ‘Crow Fire Force’ suits you better—how do you judge compatibility with a cultivation art?”

Hu Chen replied, “Though most supreme arts include breathing techniques and forms, each emphasizes different aspects.

Generally, arts focusing more on Qi refinement are more valuable and rarer.”

“The ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill’ emphasizes spiritual intent, yet I think it’s very powerful!” Xiao Yu said, puzzled.

Hu Chen asked, “For immortal martial arts, what defines ‘powerful’?”

Xiao Yu said, “Does the martial world rank arts by grade—first, second, third class?”

Hu Chen said, “Arts do have high and low grades, but first, there are no fixed rankings like first or second class.

Second, an art’s grade is determined by its upper limit—but not everyone can reach that limit.

For example, the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill’ has seven levels.

I’ve trained my whole life and only reached the fifth level.

Even if the highest level of ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill’ could ‘defy immortals,’ what use is it to me?”

Xiao Yu nodded slightly—martial training was like studying.

Everyone used the same textbook, like cultivating the same secret manual; some reached Tsinghua or Peking University, others exhausted themselves, even retaking exams, yet never touched the threshold.

Not every cultivator of the “Kuihua Manual” becomes Dongfang Bubai.

Give the “Solitary Sword Nine Strikes” to Yue Buqun—he couldn’t even learn it, better to stick with Hua Shan Sword Art.

Hu Chen continued, “The most suitable art is the strongest.”

He pointed to the cavalry wielding weapons in training. “Look at the Iron Cavalry—some use swords, others blades, their techniques differ, yet they all rely on the same inner breath, grounded in the ‘Divine Weapon True Qi.’

As long as they train diligently and aren’t utterly dull, they can extract a trace of spiritual intent from their forms.

The breathing technique of the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill’ enhances the Seven Kill essence, but if you use other martial forms, it’s inferior to the ‘Divine Weapon True Qi.’

For those unsuited to the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill,’ it’s better to cultivate the Qi-focused ‘Divine Weapon True Qi,’ then gradually develop their own spiritual intent techniques.

I’m not truly suited to the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill.’

I’m better suited to fire-element Qi refinement arts—I hope to one day find a fire-element spiritual intent true art.”

Xiao Yu asked curiously, “How do you determine which element suits you?”

“You feel it yourself—even while practicing the breathing technique of the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill,’ over time, a trace of fire nature emerges from the lethal energy.

Also, look at my Crimson Smoke Steed and Snake Flame Whip—they were both gifts from chance encounters.

They resonate with my spiritual essence, hence our bond.” Hu Chen stroked his beard, radiating pride.

Xiao Yu first offered several sweet compliments, then said, “Father, can you teach me the ‘Divine Weapon True Qi’?”

The ‘Divine Weapon True Qi’ is certainly inferior to the ‘Sleeping Dragon Immortal Breath,’ ‘Crow Fire Force,’ or ‘Black Tortoise True Gang,’ but among Great Shu’s military, it’s still top-tier.

“Why learn the ‘Divine Weapon True Qi’? Didn’t I say? When we return to Lu Capital and meet the Ancestor, I’ll choose a more suitable inner cultivation art for you,” Hu Chen frowned.

Xiao Yu sighed, “You’ve seen—I’ve nearly mastered my sword technique and mental incantations, but I lack an inner breath method.

The ‘Divine Weapon True Qi’ isn’t low-grade—let me use it temporarily. Perhaps, like you, I’ll sense my own elemental affinity through the inner breath.”

The "Mystical Weapon True Qi" is not a low-level technique; for now, I’ll manage with it, perhaps I can, like my foster father, perceive my own attribute from within my internal breath.

Hu Chen opened his mouth, wanting to scold her for being impatient and chasing quick gains.

But he had spent the past two days training with her.

Her ferocious Tiger Spirit was already formidable; now even the forty-seven sword techniques were tightly structured, steady, and compact, radiating the air of a master.

It was nearly equivalent to the cultivation of an ordinary Guan family disciple after twenty years.

Who trains for twenty years without practicing breath regulation?

“The internal energy method of the ‘Mystic Arms True Qi’ is the same as the ‘Tiger Soul Seven Kill’—it requires specific conditions and special auxiliary items.

That is, ‘Mystic Artifacts.’

Otherwise, how could the ‘Lu Ye Guard’ become the Shu Kingdom’s elite guard?

If the complete essence of internal energy could be described merely in text, the ‘Mystic Arms True Qi’ would have spread throughout the martial world long ago; the monarch would never use it as the foundation of the ‘Lu Ye Guard.’” Hu Chen said.

“What auxiliary item does the ‘Mystic Arms True Qi’ require?” Xiao Yu asked curiously.

Hu Chen paused, then said: “Our Great Shu royal family bears the surname ‘Li.’ Inside the Li ancestral temple stands an iron spear forged from mystic iron; to awaken the internal energy of the ‘Mystic Arms True Qi,’ one must come within three zhang of the mystic iron spear.

It is said the original owner of the mystic iron spear—the Li family’s ancestor—was a Golden Immortal.”

Xiao Yu felt helpless inside—why did every slightly advanced breath regulation technique come with a lock?

“Is there any breath regulation method that doesn’t require a ‘Mystic Artifact’ to sense internal energy?”

“Of course there is—many of them—but they’re all ‘Martial Hall techniques.’” Hu Chen said.

Seeing her unmistakable disappointment, Hu Chen thought for a moment and waved toward the distance: “Song Changqing, come here.”

Song Changqing, wearing his helmet while training, sprinted over, bowed, and asked: “General, what are your orders?”

“You once trained as an apprentice at the ‘Changchun Martial Hall,’ correct?” Hu Chen asked.

Song Changqing blinked, then nodded: “I trained for three years.”

“Did Master Lao teach you the ‘Mighty Dragon Art’?” Hu Chen asked further.

Song Changqing fell silent.

Though his face was hidden by his helmet, Xiao Yu sensed his embarrassment and awkwardness.

His face was mostly flushed red.

“I asked you a question—why won’t you answer?” Hu Chen said irritably.

Song Changqing nodded twice slowly, then hurriedly explained: “Mostly, I did chores at Changchun Martial Hall; in three years, I saw Master Lao only once. I received the ‘Mighty Dragon Art’ for only a short while before my adoptive father...”

He fell silent, lowering his head, his voice heavy with complex emotion: “Less than half a month later, I was taken away by Lord Guan—and I never trained again.”

When he blurted out “adoptive father,” Xiao Yu clearly saw Hu Chen’s eye muscles twitch rapidly, his expression momentarily distant.

But he regained his cold, impassive demeanor in an instant and said: “Teach Xiao Yu the ‘Mighty Dragon Art.’”