Ten years of dormancy: Starting as a martial arts master at the pinnacle

The wooden barrel shattered, and the medicinal soup scattered everywhere.

Murong Yao, who was originally soaking in the wooden tub, had her inner clothes soaked through and clung tightly to her body, outlining the girl's exquisite curves.

Even in Li Changqing's time, this was an extremely shameful and infuriating scene, let alone in ancient times.

It's not much different from being naked.

The moment the wooden barrel shattered, Li Changqing leaped backward.

Neither the shards of the wooden barrel nor the medicinal soup from Sifei touched him at all.

Not only that.

Out of the corner of his eye, Li Changqing noticed Murong Yao's awkward situation, so he grabbed a piece of clothing and threw it out.

The clothes seemed to be manipulated, falling perfectly onto Murong Yao's body and concealing her disheveled appearance.

"Your Highness!"

Murong Yao's voice was tinged with shyness.

"Don't worry, Miss Murong, I didn't see anything today."

Although it was somewhat awkward, Li Changqing clearly understood what he should and shouldn't say.

In this day and age, the reputation of a young woman is extremely important.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Murong Yao's voice carried a hint of grievance.

Although deep down, she hoped Li Changqing would do that.

The Prince of Qinghe is a desirable prince, but there are too many issues involved. The Marquis of Sanyang's family is unwilling to get involved in the struggle for the throne.

Unlike those high-ranking officials of the imperial court, the Marquis's family was a noble family with a history of merit for hundreds of years.

The wealth and honor gained from vying for the throne are merely icing on the cake for them; there is really no need for them to risk their lives and fortunes to participate in it.

Not to mention, Prince Li Changqing of Qinghe also has a fiancée.

Previously, Li Changqing's fate was unknown, even though everyone knew that the Prince of Qinghe had actually died young.

His fiancée did not call off the engagement.

Now that Prince Qinghe has returned alive, the two of them should be getting married soon, once he moves into his own palace.

Even if she, Murong Yao, liked someone very much, she would never become that person's concubine.

Her pride wouldn't allow it, and her family wouldn't allow it either.

But when Li Changqing said that he hadn't seen anything today...

Murong Yao still felt as if her heart was being pricked by a thousand needles.

A fine, persistent pain...

Regardless, the bond between them is different. Putting aside their shared hardships, even a real married couple might not see that scene.

Even if they can't get married, they should still be close friends in the martial arts world, right?

How can it be that it's okay?

Li Changqing was destined to never be able to guess what was on a young woman's mind.

He himself might not mind. But Li Changqing would never impose his own standards on others.

Just like swimming in a pool, seeing so many women in swimsuits, Li Changqing wouldn't have any other thoughts besides admiring them.

The situation in the room was the same just now, and Li Changqing immediately forgot about it.

When Murong Yao came out, he had already brewed tea and reached out to her in a very hostly manner.

"Since I didn't see a maid, I made it myself. Try my cooking..."

Although he had always worked for the Canal Gang, Li Changqing had specifically learned the art of tea brewing.

Everyone needs a hobby to live a long life.

Sitting by the dock, brewing himself a pot of tea, was one of Li Changqing's few hobbies over the past ten years.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony."

When Murong Yao came out of the room, she looked completely refreshed.

She had already suppressed the inner turmoil in her heart.

At this time, Murong Yao gave the impression of a young girl who had just welcomed a new life.

Her skin was even whiter, and her small face glowed in the candlelight.

It is said that a beautiful woman is more charming the more you look at her under the lamp.

Li Changqing had never seen this before, but now he has witnessed it.

"How does it feel to successfully break through to the Grandmaster realm?"

Upon hearing Li Changqing's question, Murong Yao's smile became very bright.

The joy brought by this breakthrough was enough to suppress all the awkwardness in her heart.

"I still must thank Your Highness!"

As she spoke, Murong Yao flicked her finger.

She had nothing in her hands, but she sprang up a gust of wind.

"puff!"

Seven or eight meters away, a burning candle was instantly extinguished by a strong gust of wind.

Even a master of innate skill can extinguish a candle flame seven or eight meters away with a strong gust of wind.

Even those who have acquired martial arts skills can achieve the same effect by simply flicking their sleeves.

But they could never do what Murong Yao did. In the blink of an eye, she broke the wick in the center of the candle flame.

This is something only a martial artist at the Grandmaster level, who has condensed their true qi, can do.

This is a sign of the release of true qi.

"It seems Miss Murong has gained quite a bit, but it's still not enough!"

As he spoke, Li Changqing flicked out a finger.

"puff!"

A strong gust of wind swept by, snapping the candle wick in two.

But that wasn't the end of it; the tiny flame, after being flicked up, didn't go out.

Instead, it followed the strong wind and continued forward.

It landed on the candle that Murong Yao had just extinguished, and relit it.

"The biggest difference between the Grandmaster realm and the Innate realm lies in the control and release of true qi. With Miss Murong's intelligence, I think you will soon understand this."

Murong Yao's eyes were filled with amazement.

She could sense that Li Changqing was using less force than she had just used.

The results were quite different.

That feeling of being in control of everything is something she could never achieve.

"Even if I were to give my life for the Prince, I could not repay even a fraction of the kindness he has shown me."

Murong Yao spoke up.

As soon as he heard those words, Li Changqing felt they were extremely familiar.

This was just a small thing for him; it was just an attempt.

This attempt is of great significance.

Li Changqing wants to establish his own power base, and naturally, the more skilled fighters he has under his command, the better.

It's difficult to increase the number of powerful beings in the Free and Unfettered Realm through forced growth.

However, as long as there are enough spiritual herbs, he can definitely help someone break through to the Grandmaster level.

Putting aside everything else, he has more than a hundred secret guards under his command.

The weakest of these people is at least in the mid-stage of the Innate Realm.

Li Changqing could absolutely help them break through to the Grandmaster realm.

In this way, he would have more than a hundred master-level bodyguards.

Even the imperial guards protecting the emperor in the palace are only this strong.

But for Murong Yao, this was a major event that could change her destiny.

She had the opportunity to break free from her carefree existence.

This kindness is so great that it's no exaggeration to say it's like being given a second chance at life...

The little girl got emotional; could it be that she'll be reborn as a cow or a horse in her next life?

Wouldn't he have wasted his time?

"My Sanyang Marquis's mansion does not get involved in the struggle for the throne, so I cannot do anything for Your Highness. But I, Murong Yao, will do anything for Your Highness, even at the cost of my life."

I will repay your life for the kindness of saving my life.

This is the rule of the martial arts world.

"Miss Murong, you are too kind! I don't need you to risk your life for me. I just have a few small matters I would like to ask you to handle."

……