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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Teottry
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He was briefly horrified by the existence of a martial art that discriminated based on appearance was quickly replaced by curiosity, and he raised his hand.
“Master, if someone were to alter their appearance using disguise techniques, or even the Tendon Transformation Classic of Shaolin, to become more handsome, would they be able to master the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra?”
The Tendon Transformation Classic was a legendary manual and internal energy cultivation technique said to have been written by Bodhidharma himself. It allowed the user to freely manipulate and transform their muscles and bones.
While he doubted his master, with his vast knowledge of martial arts, hadn’t considered this possibility, he was genuinely curious.
His master, in his usual kind and patient tone, responded with a lesson.
“The body, hair, and skin are gifts from one’s parents (身體髮膚受之父母).”
“Therefore, to not harm them is the beginning of filial piety (不敢毁傷孝之始也).”
Wait, was he quoting Confucian classics now?
Seeing Mancheon’s bewildered expression at the unexpected, and frankly, rather old-fashioned Confucian philosophy, his master chuckled.
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t shave or cut your nails.”
He gently stroked Mancheon’s forehead.
“Mancheon, as I’ve said before, martial arts are merely tools. What matters is the person wielding them. You are the master.”
He began to understand what his master was trying to say.
“A true gentleman should be open-minded and adaptable, but that doesn’t mean”
“one should harm the body, a gift from one’s parents, or allow oneself to be controlled, in the pursuit of powerful techniques.”
His master knelt down, meeting his gaze, his expression kind yet serious, as he offered his advice.
“You may not understand now, but if you don’t establish clear boundaries, you risk being consumed by the techniques you learn, like a small boat tossed about by the waves.”
He looked at his master’s wrinkled, weathered face, a face that bore the marks of time and experience, a face that… wasn’t conventionally attractive.
Honestly, considering the times they lived in,
and his master’s rather rigid adherence to Confucian values, despite his adaptability, his teachings often felt… stifling, especially to a modern man like himself.
But he appreciated his master’s concern, so he held his tongue, choosing not to argue.
Looking back, he truly had been a good disciple.
Before the lesson ended, he asked his master how he should react if he encountered someone using the Ancient Tomb Sect’s techniques, and
“Don’t be intimidated simply because your opponent is using the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, a technique that counters the Quanzhen martial arts. You have the Dog Beating Staff Technique.”
His master chuckled, reassuring him, patting his hand, the hand that held his staff.
“The Jade Maiden Heart Sutra is a powerful technique, to be sure, but the Dog Beating Staff Technique is no less swift.”
Yes, that’s right.
He had the ultimate (?) technique, the Dog Beating Staff Technique. Thought he seems a bit unsure.
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Snapping out of his reverie, he looked at the powerful opponent who had subdued Wang Meiyang.
This wasn’t a fight he should be involved in, but there was no time for such considerations.
He had to create an opening, an opportunity for his younger master to recover, to free herself from the pressure points that had immobilized her arms.
So, he addressed his partner in battle, his trusty staff, returned to him by Wang Meiyang for this emergency, a familiar weight in his hand.
‘Ready, Tae?’
‘Taegu~ Taegu~!’ (Of course, Man!)
The familiar, comforting weight in his hand filled him with courage.
He had dismissed it, compared it unfavorably to the Frost Treading Ice Shattering Palm, and yet it was still there for him, a steadfast companion.
‘Alright, let’s go.’
He had one shot. He couldn’t hesitate. He wouldn’t.
Golden Goose Technique.
He channeled his internal energy, pushing off the ground, leaping into the air. He shouted, drawing the enemy’s attention, a battle cry for his partner.
“The Dog Beating Staff Technique is invincible!!”
-Clang!!
And then, a sickening cracking sound echoed through the air, the sound of something breaking.
It was a sight he didn’t want to see, couldn’t believe.
-Clang! Clang!!
Longyuan, sensing its master’s danger, had sliced through the air, snapping Taegu-zzang in two.
“The easiest way to defeat a skilled weapon user is to destroy their weapon.”
Ma Yang, her hand still clamped around Wang Meiyang’s slender throat, smirked and addressed her seven disciples.
“Finish him.”
A mother bird always provided her fledglings with weakened prey to practice on.
Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, and Alkaid.
Ma Yang’s seven disciples, named after the stars of the Big Dipper, thought it might be wiser to eliminate Nangong Xiaoshao first, as per Tang Wu’s orders, but
they were unwilling to disobey their master, their benefactor who had taken them in as orphans. So, they drew their swords and charged towards Mancheon.
Seven gleaming blades, aimed at his vital points.
-Clang! Clang!!
And then, a single blade, wreathed in blue energy, deflected all seven attacks.
Boundless Azure Sky Sword Technique – Azure Sky Flying Star.
Like a meteor shower streaking across the night sky, it swept aside everything in its path.
Protecting her benefactor from those who dared to attack him in the presence of their king.
The small king, the Sword Dragon, Nangong Xiaoshao, a prodigy of the martial world, had arrived.
“Ugh…!!”
Ma Yang’s disciples staggered back, their eyes wide with disbelief, unable to comprehend the force of that single blow, delivered by such a small frame.
‘She used the Thousand-Pound Weight to increase the force of her attack…’
Ma Yang realized, from that single technique, that Xiaoshao wasn’t just a talented aspiring martial artist. She was far more dangerous than the reports had indicated.
Barely over six cheok (150cm or approximately 4’11”) tall, her body delicate and fragile, like a finely crafted glass figurine…
she wasn’t physically suited to wielding a heavy sword. She possessed no natural physical advantages.
And yet, at such a young age, she had mastered the essence of heavy swordsmanship.
Was she simply that talented? Or was there a reason, a driving force, that had pushed her to such heights?
She was drawn to Xiaoshao, a girl who seemed both strong and vulnerable, as she preferred cute girls…
But she glanced down at Wang Meiyang, her golden eyes blazing with defiance, focused solely on her, and tightened her grip on her throat.
“Ugh…!”
She couldn’t afford to be distracted by her adorable junior sister. But she couldn’t lose to her disciples either.
The difference in their skill levels was too great.
She could defeat them using the Heavenly Dipper Formation, but it would likely result in the deaths of at least three of her disciples.
-Clang~! Clang~!!
So, Ma Yang stroked the hilt of Longyuan, which had sliced through his staff and was now nuzzling against her hand, seeking praise, and uttered the command word.
“Unleash yourself, Longyuan.”
The unruly dragon, eager to play, lunged forward, eliminating the obstacle.
“Young Master Sima, look out?!”
Longyuan, having absorbed the surrounding water and transformed into a water dragon, snatched Xiaoshao, who had stepped in front of Mancheon, and carried her away.
-Crash!!
He and Yuehua watched in stunned silence as Xiaoshao, the strongest among them, aside from the incapacitated Wang Meiyang, was swept away by the water dragon.
“Brother Nangong!!”
“Sister Xiaoshao!!”
Like a pair of mischievous children who had caused a disaster, they could only shout Xiaoshao’s name in unison.
And seeing that the threat to her disciples had been neutralized,
“Megrez and Alioth, deal with the boy. The rest of you, take care of the North Sea Ice Palace martial artists,” Ma Yang ordered calmly, her gaze returning to Wang Meiyang.
Seven martial artists, their blades gleaming menacingly, advanced towards them.
The enemy was strong, his younger master had been defeated, Taegu-zzang was broken, and Xiaoshao had been carried away.
He was surrounded on all sides.
So, he raised the broken staff, unsure if he could even wield it, and prepared to fight.
Dog Beating Staff Technique – The Vicious Dog Blocking the Path – What to do when a vicious dog blocks the road.
It was time to improvise.
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At a hot spring some distance from the fight…
Longyuan had carried Xiaoshao to a secluded hot spring, seeking a more advantageous battlefield, but it had been a mistake.
A sword, its ornate, red jade-inlaid scabbard gleaming, appeared suddenly and settled in Xiaoshao’s lap.
It was a sword Longyuan knew well.
A sibling, born of the same father.
Zhanlu, a sword that chose its master, a king-supporting, throne-protecting blade, wielded only by those of royal blood.
No longer needing to conceal her strength, Xiaoshao called out to the noble princess, who awaited her command.
“Reveal yourself, Zhanlu.”
-Clang~
Zhanlu, one of the Ten Swords of Heaven, considered Ou Yezi’s greatest masterpiece, unsheathed itself, its dark blue blade gleaming in the moonlight, obeying its king’s command.
Their respective battles began.
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Another ego swoooord!!!
Finally!
sorry for the long wait mass-ter!