Chapter 29

Bringing Jiang Yunzhou into the Dong Mansion, Dong Fu asked curiously:

"Looking for me?"

"Not bad, the two secret manuals Mr. Dong selected for me last time have been fully copied; I've come specially to return them."

Actually, I mainly copied the last two chapters of the Yin-Yang Cloud Rain; I copied them more carefully, otherwise I would have returned them long ago.

Dong Fu took the original book, nodded, and said:

"The copying was fast; I don't know how your practice is going, Young Master Jiang."

"I should have more or less learned it."

Hearing this, Dong Fu stroked his beard and laughed:

"Young Master Jiang, you are perhaps too dismissive of this former dynasty's technique; having seen it doesn't mean you've learned it, having learned it doesn't mean you can use it, being able to use it doesn't mean you can use it skillfully; in martial practice, it's better to be rigorous."

Jiang Yunzhou nodded and added:

"Master Dong's admonition is correct; strictly speaking, the last two chapters of the Yin-Yang Cloud Rain were indeed only copied, not yet practiced; I'll do it when I get the chance."

"......"

Dong Fu thought to himself, "I don't know if this kid is pretending to be stupid or really stupid, but the master cares a lot about him, so I'll just give him a few warnings."

"Since Young Master Jiang feels he has learned it, and you have nothing to do today, if you don't mind, may I, as an old-timer, give you some pointers?"

Actually, this was originally Jiang Yunzhou's purpose in coming; returning these two books was only part of it, the main goal was to let Master Dong Fu test his learning results.

From the previous interaction, it seems Master Dong places more emphasis on learning the theory of techniques, which helps me more systematically.

Unlike Uncle Hu, who opens his mouth just to teach me how to take down opponents.

"Then thank you very much, Master Dong."

Dong Fu brought Jiang Yunzhou to an open space in the rear courtyard of the Dong residence, where weapons were neatly arranged on both sides, looking like they were used for regular servant training.

Dong Pangpang's physique certainly doesn't look like someone who could use these things.

Jiang Yunzhou stretched his limbs and said:

"How would Master Dong like to give pointers? Like last time, let me try different techniques on your body so you can feel whether the moves are mature."

Dong Fu frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "You kid, are you coming here to kill me?"

"No need; since it's guidance, just show me what you've learned."

I've also read quite a few of those technique manuals; otherwise I wouldn't have recommended them to Jiang Yunzhou.

Although I haven't specially trained in all of them, as a fifth-rank expert I can imitate them roughly after a quick look.

Even after gathering my full-body qi, I certainly wouldn't be lower than his level, a mere ninth-rank who's only studied for a couple days.

I'm not really going to fight him; I just need to make him understand that there are higher mountains beyond, to educate him.

Since I'm seeking Master Dong's guidance, Jiang Yunzhou naturally won't stand on ceremony; he took a long sword from the weapon rack and gripped it in his hand.

He immediately turned sideways, planted his feet, slightly focused his mind and calmed his breath, and a thick, pure yang qi poured into the sword blade.

Seeing a faint yellow light emanate from the blade of the long sword in Jiang Yunzhou's hand, Dong Fu nodded and said:

"Three Yang Sword."

This sword technique comes from the Yin-Yang Cloud Rain; Dong Fu has a deep impression of it.

Because this sword technique appears extremely simple at first glance—only three moves—but to truly unleash its power, there cannot be the slightest deviation.

The reason is that the three swings ultimately converge at a point; the three sword qi connect to form a plane, cleaving everything encountered, and its momentum can even surpass a full-strength chop of a blade of the same rank.

As a weapon, the sword is not as wild as a saber; often it cannot fully release the utmost rigid and yang qi.

The Three Yang Sword, however, perfectly compensates for this shortcoming, and according to the book's description, the three sword qi can have various combination patterns.

"The choice isn't wrong, but are you using it well?"

As Dong Fu's words fell, Jiang Yunzhou's long sword had already risen.

Thud!

He stepped out with his left foot, and his own qi wave spread from his whole body.

Dong Fu knew he hadn't misseen, but the qi wave stirred by that step already matched the effect of a sixth-rank martial artist's step that can directly draw in surrounding qi.

First came the sword qi from the right side.

Clang!

The flicked qi blade sliced the ground; the sharp sword qi carried fallen leaves and dust forward as it slashed.

The first strike was flawless—its force, motion, and pause were all extremely precise.

Even if this kid had only practiced this one strike in these couple days, it would be enough.

After all, the latter two strikes still need to consider the speed and angle of the swing to ensure the three sword qi converge at one point.

At the same time, there cannot be any time for consideration, because the opponent won't stand there letting you adjust; the three strikes must be executed as if they were a single strike.

What Dong Fu didn't expect was that Jiang Yunzhou's motion had no hesitation at all, and the second strike followed immediately.

He gave Dong Fu no time to judge whether it was standard; using the follow-through motion of the second strike, he raised the sword overhead and, with both hands, brought down the third strike.

The swiftest and fiercest third sword qi instantly merged with the preceding two sword qi.

The three sword qi, front and rear, connected in an instant and pierced through; the spot that had been cut exploded again, and the three sword qi, now united, surged forward together, cleaving the manor wall at the far end of the open space.

Overall, it looked as if Jiang Yunzhou had swung a giant sword tens of meters long to break open the distant wall.

Seeing this overwhelming strike, Dong Fu was somewhat stunned.

This kid learned it in just a couple days?

Jiang Yunzhou sheathed his sword, turned his head to look at Dong Fu, and asked:

"Master Dong, what do you think needs correction?"

Dong Fu gave a light cough twice and said:

"It's passable; besides the last two chapters, you've already learned the other techniques to this extent."

Jiang Yunzhou shook his head.

Dong Fu let out a breath and said:

"I told you, being able to learn this move to this level in just two or three days already shows extraordinary talent."

But who would have thought Jiang Yunzhou would instead explain:

"Mr. Dong, you've misunderstood; I mean I've already learned all the moves in the book, but because of attribute opposition, the yin‑attribute part isn't as powerful when I use it."

"Wait... wait a minute! You're saying you've also mastered the yin‑attribute portion of the technique?"

Seeing Mr. Dong seemed doubtful, Jiang Yunzhou raised his sword and performed the Flowing Cloud Yin Sword again.

Watching that ghostly posture and hundred‑changes sword intent, which seemed even more practiced than the moves of those who wield yin‑cold energy, Dong Fu's brows furrowed tighter.

After finishing his sword sequence, Jiang Yunzhou turned back and said:

"Mr. Dong, you see, the power I put out is just average."

If it weren't for the old master's face, Dong Fu would have walked over and slapped Jiang Yunzhou twice.

If that counted as ordinary, then half the swordsmen in the world would probably all commit suicide together.

Dong Fu rubbed his temples, turned, and said:

"Let's stop here; I think your practice results are not bad."

"Would you like me to demonstrate the remaining moves for you, Mr. Dong, and then...?"

"No need, no need; from the small we can see the large—this is enough."

Dong Fu thought to himself, "If this kid really perfected every move in the book, I'd truly worry his Dao heart would shatter."

Jiang Yunzhou, seeing this, asked again:

"Mr. Dong, I've pretty much learned the techniques from these two books; do you think I could get two more?"

Upon hearing that, Dong Fu waved his hand and said:

"No, it's not that I'm stingy, but cultivation should be focused, not scattered; Young Master Jiang's extraordinary talent makes it rare that he's mastered the book's techniques this quickly."

"But learning too much is less useful than integrating what you already know, evolving it further to break limits; that would help Young Master Jiang raise his rank in the future."

"I see; then, Mr. Dong, do you think I've reached eighth rank now?"

Looking at his strength, which could already rival sixth rank, but according to the ninth‑rank evaluation standard he can only be counted as eighth rank, Jiang Yunzhou, Dong Fu gritted his teeth and said:

"Yes, although it's a bit of a stretch, Young Master Jiang has already met the eighth‑rank standard."