Tianlong: Starting with Mantuo Manor as fertilizer

Internal strength is a skill that requires gradual and persistent effort; it cannot be rushed.

Xie might as well start by reading "Introduction to the Sword Classic".

By comparing the text with the book, many of the difficulties I had encountered while practicing swordsmanship suddenly became clear.

When he encountered something he really didn't understand, he would ask for help.

Wang Yuyan was fond of teaching others, so she accepted all who came to her.

Often, a few words can get to the heart of the matter, making Xie feel as enlightened as if he had suddenly understood something.

Following Wang Yuyan's instructions, he corrected the errors in the Wuliang Sword Technique.

Ultimately, they knew what happened, but not why it happened.

Only now, through reading and contemplating the principles, do I truly understand where the original sword technique went wrong and why it needed to be corrected.

Before we knew it, it was already dark.

Xie was so engrossed in his studies that he was oblivious to the outside world.

When she looked up again, Wang Yuyan was gone, and only Youcao was left, yawning and leaning to one side.

No secret manuals from the Langhuan Jade Cave are allowed to be taken out of the cave.

Xie Buruo also felt tired, closed the book, and put it back in its original place.

"Okay, that's all for today."

When Youcao heard that she could finally leave work, she was overjoyed, and her eyes lit up.

"Exactly, exactly, studying too much can be too much for your brain."

As she spoke, she took out a silk ribbon and blindfolded him, preparing to leave the cave.

Before she could finish being happy, Xie Buruo said he would be coming early the next morning, and her smile froze on her face.

In the days that followed, Xie Bu Ruo went out early and returned late, spending almost every day in the Langhuan Jade Cave.

Lady Wang only sent someone once to ask him if he still remembered Duan Zhengchun's other poems.

Xie Ruo replied that there were no more songs left, and she never looked for any more.

Later, I heard from the maids that she stared blankly at those poems all day, seemingly intending to compose a poem in response, but not knowing how to begin.

After this incident, Madam Wang temporarily forgot about Xie Buruo.

Xie Buruo was quite happy to be at ease with this.

After all, no one can predict a crazy woman's temper.

Today it's a distinguished guest, but tomorrow it might be buried in the soil to be used as fertilizer.

Although Wang Yuyan selected a considerable number of books, they were all basic content.

Xie Buruo was no ordinary martial artist in the Jianghu who couldn't read many characters.

They are not just tough guys who have emerged from the sea of ​​exam questions and paperwork in the new society!

How could a few books possibly stump him?

He soon finished reading all the books recommended by Wang Yuyan.

Every day he would also go into the armory to practice swordsmanship in order to verify what he had learned from the books. He felt that his swordsmanship was improving day by day and he gained a lot.

That day, Xie Buruo flipped through a few pages of "The Essentials of Boxing" and felt a slight soreness in his eyes. He was about to go practice his sword for a while.

Turning my head, I saw Youcao with dark circles under her eyes, looking listless and about to fall asleep at any moment.

Curious, he asked a question.

The wild grass sighed softly.

She had thought that Madam Wang had sent her to take care of Xie Buruo as a leisurely task.

Who knew that the other party was so diligent in his studies that she had to work long hours, even longer than usual.

Sometimes at night, he would go boating to chat with Azhu and Abi, so he naturally had very little sleep.

Regarding Xie Buruo, Youcao couldn't say it directly, only mentioning the gossip she had with Zhu Bi and the other woman last night.

Bagua?

Xie Buruo was immediately invigorated.

He had little interest in the mundane affairs of Mantuo Villa and Yanziwu.

But he kept trying to figure out exactly which point in time he had traveled to.

In the past few days, besides talking to Youcao and Wang Yuyan, I have also chatted with other people in the manor to test them.

However, those people rarely ventured into the martial arts world and had limited knowledge of it.

Xie Bu Ruo had a sudden thought: A Zhu and A Bi were the head maids of Yan Zi Wu and knew a lot about the affairs of the martial world. You Cao was on good terms with them, and perhaps she could get some information out of them.

Once we start gossiping, even a drowsy night like a weepy grass can be banished.

So as not to disturb Wang Yuyan who was reading, she lowered her voice and whispered.

"Young Master Xie, I'm only telling you this, please don't spread it around."

"Don't you trust me? Speak freely!"

"Ah Zhu told me that a few days ago, Grandma Rui was seriously injured while running errands and almost died. Later, her sister Ah Bi introduced a doctor who saved her."

"Who knew that after the doctor saved her, Granny Rui would fall for him and relentlessly pester him to kill his wife and marry her."

Xie Buruo blurted out, "Beast!"

Because his mother forced him to use the flowers as fertilizer, he harbored a deep prejudice against the old women of Mantuo Manor.

As the two were talking, Wang Yuyan suddenly appeared nearby.

Xie and You both turned around.

Wang Yuyan coughed lightly: "I've come to get a book."

As she spoke, she walked to the bookshelf, picked up a book at random, and started flipping through it, but she didn't seem to be leaving.

Knowing that her mistress disliked gossip, Youcao immediately shut up.

Perhaps she hadn't found the right book, because Wang Yuyan's shoulders slumped slightly, and a hint of disappointment appeared on her face.

Xie Bu Ruo was not interested in Granny Rui's romantic encounter, so he took the opportunity to change the subject and ask about matters of the martial arts world.

What's the situation with the Beggars' Sect?

Has anything major happened at Shaolin Temple recently?

Youcao only cares about mundane family matters and curious secrets.

She had only heard Abi and Azhu occasionally mention major events in the martial arts world, and never took them to heart.

"I haven't heard of it. The Beggars' Sect and Shaolin Temple are the pillars of the martial arts world, what major event could they possibly be involved in?"

Xie Ruo understood this in his heart.

No news is good news.

The fact that Ma Dayuan, the deputy leader of the Beggars' Sect, is still safe and sound indicates that the time of his time travel was indeed quite early.

Although he was reluctant to part with the books in Langhuan Jade Cave, he was equally reluctant to part with the secret manuals of the Xiaoyao Sect at the foot of Wuliang Mountain.

Unfortunately, he had enemies searching for him outside the island, and Madam Wang wouldn't allow him to leave without permission.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Xie suggested that he prepare to practice his swordsmanship.

His gaze swept over the sword at Youcao's waist, and suddenly an idea struck him.

The maids of Mantuo Manor are all skilled fighters. As the saying goes, all talk and no action makes a bad trade. It's a good opportunity to test their skills against her.

At that moment, Xie Buruo invited Youcao to spar with him.

Yu Cao readily agreed, smiling and saying "Okay," then drew her weapon and slashed at him without another word.

Wang Yuyan once again retreated to a corner to watch the battle silently.

Perhaps due to working too much overtime lately, Youcao became increasingly frenzied and fierce as she started fighting.

However, he still wore the same professional smile as always.

This made Xie Buruo wonder if he had offended her in some way.

No, she's doing everything she can to help me cultivate!

What a good person!

Xie Bu Ruo nodded slightly to her, revealing a knowing smile.

I don't know if it was inspired by his smile.

Youcao's swordplay became even more ferocious, and she could barely maintain her professional smile.

Inside, the air was filled with the clanging of swords and the crisscrossing of blue lights.

As the sword swept past, the lamplight on the wall flickered wildly.

Suddenly, Youcao flipped her wrist and slashed four times in quick succession.

One sword to the left, one sword to the right, one sword up, one sword down.

His moves were completely unpretentious, and his strikes were fast and ruthless.

If it were half a month ago, Xie would not have been able to stop him at all.

Five days ago, even with all his might, he could only barely hold his own.

But nowadays, although Youcao's moves seem wild, Xie Buruo sees them as perfectly in line with the principles of swordsmanship, as clear as the lines on his palm.

He moved nimbly and skillfully amidst the flashing sword light, wielding his longsword.

"Too slow, too slow. Faster, faster!"

The swords clashed, making twenty-seven sounds in a row.

Before the last sound had faded, Youcao's wrist went numb, and the longsword flew out of her hand.

She was slightly taken aback, not expecting to be defeated so thoroughly, and shook her head secretly.

"Young Master Xie has improved so quickly. I wish I had bullied him earlier."

At this moment, Youcao was exhausted, both physically and mentally. She was too lazy to even pick up the sword on the ground and just wanted to find a place to sit down and rest.

Unexpectedly, Wang Yuyan began to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the two swordsmen's techniques at this very moment.

Helpless, Youcao had no choice but to stand at attention again.

"Young Master Xie, are you aware of how many mistakes you made during the sword duel just now?"

"Five mistakes." Xie Bu Ruo pondered for a moment.

"Nineteen times," Wang Yuyan corrected casually.

She pointed out the errors one by one, and then added more details.

"Swordsmanship is not about being as fast as possible; it requires a balance of speed and gentleness, and a combination of strength and flexibility."

"Your swordsmanship has improved quite a bit. You can take a look at the 'Zhi Guan Sword Technique' from Xuan Yin Temple, as well as Feng Tou Tuo's 'Ancient and Modern Sword Techniques Explained'."

Xie Bu Ruo nodded repeatedly as he listened.

Although I found her words sharp and merciless, every sentence hit the nail on the head.

After saying thank you, Wang Yuyan's gaze fell on Youcao.

Youcao pointed to her nose, incredulous: "How come I'm here too?"

When Wang Yuyan talked about her major, she became more and more excited.

Xie Buruo alone was no match for her, so he couldn't let Youcao go.

Youcao listened to her story with a forced smile, her mind still foggy.

All I remember is that Wang Yuyan took a book out of her bosom and handed it to Xie Buruo.

"I have already deduced that move from the sword manual."