Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Sss sss sss!
A slight and almost imperceptible sound of air being sliced echoed in the inner courtyard.
In the moonlight, only the sound could be heard, but the source of the sound was not visible.
Su Qiang propped her chin, standing under the eaves, watching the boy who was "not at all gallant, but rather full of a sense of danger."
She couldn't see what was making the noise either.
But she knew.
This was the sound of a saw-line.
The sound was very light, yet terrifying, carrying a cold sensation as if slicing through neck, waist, and arms with a delicate touch.
If Li Xuan wielded a sword, Su Qiang would clap and cheer;
If Li Xuan brandished a knife, Su Qiang would find it very imposing;
If Li Xuan used a spear, Su Qiang would think he was unparalleled in elegance.
But at this moment, Li Xuan stood motionless in the middle of the inner courtyard, and if other maidservants saw, they would think the young master was daydreaming.
Li Xuan's body remained still, but his ten fingers in the sleeves were extremely agile, pulling and tugging, expertly playing with ten silver wire rings, constantly changing positions in the small courtyard, cutting through the air.
A gust of wind rose, and a twig, already on the verge of breaking, fell from mid-air. Su Qiang watched in amazement as it landed on the ground and immediately split into several pieces.
Those saw-lines tearing through the twig seemed like the most elegant butcher slicing meat, or the bloodiest musician playing the erhu.
Looking at Li Xuan again, in Su Qiang's eyes, he faintly resembled a "killer spider."
The spider weaves its web, the web covers an area, those who enter... die!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!
Li Xuan withdrew his hands.
Today's training was over.
Even without transforming, he could completely control the saw-line and execute the two killer moves recorded in the "Melted Copper Treasure Manual": the Ten-Fold Draw and... the Spider Web.
This cultivation technique was truly about killing, using it lacked any passion, the whole process almost static, relying solely on the fingers.
However, the more Li Xuan practiced, the more he understood its nuances.
Spiders are naturally still, waiting strategically for prey, needing not to hunt proactively like lions or tigers.
Indeed, those who practice this method normally find that running while attempting to kill brings great danger to oneself, as these saw-lines might accidentally kill the user in high-speed motion.
But... this did not include the transformed Li Xuan.
The "Melted Copper Treasure Manual" did not record the killing move for high-speed movement, but Li Xuan, recalling the scene during his transformation, named his move—Giant Spirit Slash.
The name comes from the saw-line in high-speed, resembling more than a four-zhang butcher knife.
Once it sweeps across, it's like the Giant Spirit God wielding a more than four-zhang knife close to the ground, isn't that the Giant Spirit Slash?
This could be considered very illustrative.
After some practice with the technique, Li Xuan felt it.
He realized that the final step truly could not be obtained through practice alone.
In the "Melted Copper Treasure Manual," Zhangsun Yu once wrote, "Combat is the only ladder to perfection," referring to a seamless, holistic mastery that transcends fixed forms and killer moves to achieve "no move is better than having a move."
To achieve "no move," one must first perfect the "having a move," and this step requires "actual combat."
However, this "actual combat" certainly does not mean "bullying the weak."
"Bullying the weak" does not lead to improvement but rather induces complacency.
Zhangsun Yu wrote his insights on it, including: "Wine can be credited, but the sword should not be lightly drawn."
"Wine can be credited, once credited and repaid, it creates human interaction."
"The sword should not be lightly drawn, if drawn lightly, it is easily targeted by others, which is also detrimental to one's cultivation."
The weaknesses of the saw-line are actually quite obvious:
First is the slow activation speed, as the saw-line requires a back and forth action to kill, while in that time, others' knives or spears might have already pierced your heart.
Second is the slow recovery speed, as after killing someone you need to retract the ten lines, even if your actions are fast, it still cannot match the immediate retreat of someone wielding a knife.
Li Xuan contemplated for a while, then turned to take Su Qiang for sleep.
On the bed, in the darkness...
After everything calmed down, Li Xuan couldn't help but think of the changes in Wei Yao.
He half firmly, half softly instructed the old maid, first telling her that Yaohua should be fine, and might even benefit from the crisis; secondly, he urged her not to tell anyone about Wei Yao's condition.
The old maid promised repeatedly.
Li Xuan, maintaining an observant mind, planned to keep watching for a while longer.
The reason for not bringing her back to his small courtyard was because his courtyard was too conspicuous, and it would be disadvantageous if she returned.
...
...
The next day, New Year.
The Li family was bustling with activity, and the three major families of Xiongshan County were visiting each other.
The first wife seemed to have already agreed upon a daughter-in-law with Master Li. When the girl from the Tian family arrived, she took her by the hand to the inner courtyard to eat candied fruits, drink fragrant tea, and chat.
During this time, she sent Li Xuan to call "Aunt," and then let him leave, and continued to chat in detail with this lady from the Tian family.
That evening, once the Li family had returned to calm, the first wife called Li Xuan over and said to him, "Your father and I have chosen a capable girl for you, Miss Tian Yuan, the second daughter of the Tian family."
In Li Xuan's mind appeared the image of a little girl. Living in the same Xiongshan County, he naturally knew of Tian Yuan, but the impression of Tian Yuan in his mind was still that of a girl from several years ago, whom he hadn't seen in recent years.
Seeing her son in a daze, the first wife smiled and said, "Tian Yuan is a good girl, not only beautiful but also very capable.
She is your age, yet has already taken over half of the Tian family's business, managing it in an orderly manner, admired by everyone."
Li Xuan nodded.
The first wife continued, "Your father and I have thought long and hard, and we believe that this Miss Tian is most suitable for you.
In terms of personality, you could be described positively as free-spirited and righteous, but negatively as lazy, frivolous, and impulsive."
Li Xuan felt deeply touched, "Truly a mother knows her son..."
The first wife said, "Therefore, you need a sensible girl to take care of you.
Given the Li family's standing, we could arrange a marriage with someone from a more powerful family, but such a woman might not care for you, and could easily cause trouble.
But Tian Yuan doesn't have these issues. Although she is the second daughter of the Tian family, having lost her mother early on, once married into our Li family, it would be as if she truly belongs here. With her as a wise companion, you should live quite happily."
Li Xuan asked, "Is there a portrait?"
The first wife said, "Your aunt will be returning on the second day of the new year. If the Tian family agrees, she will bring a portrait. Your portrait has already been given to your aunt."
Li Xuan thought about it, and having such a wise companion was indeed not bad, very close to his ideal marriage partner. His parents truly understood the kind of girl he needed.
So, he nodded and said, "I will leave it to my parents to decide."
The first wife smiled and nodded, "It's cold, get some rest early."
Then she suddenly said, "Recently, I've been short of a close maid. Xiaoxuan, could you lend Rose to me for a few days? I'll return her once I find a suitable maid."
Li Xuan was taken aback, immediately understanding his mother's intention.
Now that wedding talks were underway, he naturally had to be more restrained, otherwise what would the girl think if she found out that the young master of the Li family was spending all his time with a maidservant?
Li Xuan said, "Mother, I promised Rose a proper status."
The first wife smiled, "Don't you trust your mother?"
"I trust you, I trust you," Li Xuan said, "I'll have her come to your courtyard tomorrow."
...
...
That evening, Li Xuan didn't hide anything from Su Qiang, explaining the situation to her.
Somewhat to his surprise, Su Qiang was very sensible, not at all showing the kind of short-sighted reaction of crying and making a scene upon hearing she was to be moved.
She only repeatedly urged, "Make sure never to reveal the 'Melted Copper Treasure Manual,' make sure no one sees it."
Li Xuan replied, "I will certainly be careful," then asked curiously, "Aren't you happy that the young master is a martial arts prodigy?"
Su Qiang hesitated and said, "Zhangsun Yu's enemies are numerous. If this Cultivation Technique were to emerge in Xiongshan County, it would certainly spread, and many enemies would come.
Even the authorities might pressure from above, assigning County Captain Shan to investigate the 'Melted Copper Treasure Manual.'"
Li Xuan understood the seriousness of the matter and nodded.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
That night, on New Year's Eve, they were reluctant to part, murmuring sweetly to each other.
After things calmed down, Su Qiang added, "I heard something today, that County Captain Shan was tricked by the flower thief, but I'm not sure if it's true."
Li Xuan said, "Tell me about it."
Su Qiang said, "County Captain Shan set a trap using a beautiful woman as bait to catch the flower thief.
But in the end... two flower thieves appeared.
The one they caught was just a rogue from the county, paid silver to cause a distraction, and he attracted all of County Captain Shan's elite forces.
Meanwhile, the real flower thief attacked a family in the east of the city, killed the men, and then..."
Li Xuan frowned, "That beast is so cunning? My uncle was fooled by him."
Su Qiang sighed softly, "Indeed..."
She thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "What worries me most is... could the killer of Zhangsun Yu be connected to this flower thief?"
Li Xuan remained silent, for in fact... this was a concern he had foreseen long ago.