Chapter 23

Le Xaan sat down and asked Qiki to heat the leftover dishes for him.

"It has been five years since Cinci started learning martial arts in Zewa City. Monk Iron Wood, her master, is a top expert renowned for his swordsmanship throughout the region. But I can tell she has not learn any inner body Qi cultivation methods."

Inner Body Qi cultivators, according to the 'Jade Crane Skill' manual, were typically featured by a pair of piercing eyes.

As the cultivators proceeded in mastering this sort of cultivation methods, their eyes became increasingly piercing.

However, Le Cinci's eyes were as dim as those of ordinary people. Certainly, she was no inner-body Qi practitioner.

"It's nothing strange. Inner body Qi cultivation methods are hardly accessible for the majority of martial arts practitioners. Yet, Deumu Wann's eyes seem to bear that kind of sheen...."

Le Xaan pondered for a while before dispelling those thoughts and eating the meal.

On the morning of the next day, Le Xaan followed Elder Zane to Cyam Suin's home.

"Cyam Suin's Crashing Heart Palm is a set of third-rate martial arts but is of considerable renown.

Its practitioners imbue their strikes with a penetrative force, capable of shattering an opponent's vital organs into shards upon impact."

Le Xaan and Elder Zaner each leisurely rode on a horse towards Cyam Suin's home, which nestled in a neighborhood near the city wall, predominately inhabited by craftsmen, alongside a minority of manual laborers.

As Le Xaan proceeded into the area, all the people he laid eyes on seemed poverty-stricken people with a sallow, gaunt face, their clothes patched and pale.

"When I was still a child, I heard of a lot of tales about Crashing Heart Palm. But how did Cyam Suin fall from grace and slip into such a wanted situation? Whether by his connections and strength, he could at least secure the position of a martial arts instructor with the sheriff forces?"

Le Xaan asked casually.

Elder Zaner shook his head.

"It's a straightforward story. Many years ago, in order to take a revenge on his enemy, Cyam Suin engaged in a fierce battle. Cyam Suin eventually executed his strong nemesis, but he incurred grave injuries that had yet to completely heal to this day. He spent nearly all his savings on a myriad of remedies for the sake of the injuries."

As the two of them talked, they found their way to before a dilapidated compound.

Elder Zaner dismounted from his horse and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

Soon, a thinly-built young man opened the door.

"Elder Zaner?" the young man was surprised at the sight of Zaner Hueo. "Come in, please come in!"

Le Xaan fell in behind Zaner Hueo, and as he entered the gate, he spotted a gray-haired old man basking in the sun in the yard.

"So you are Young Master Le Xaan?"

The old man also saw Le Xaan, asking straightforwardly.

"Yes."

Le Xaan bowed with clasped hands.

"I have received the silver coins that you sent. I can impart Crashing Heart Palm to you right now. Nevertheless, I have a requirement for you."

The elder was Cyam Suin.

"Master Cyam, please go ahead."

Le Xaan face was calm.

"After I impart this set of martial arts to you, you shall pass it on to several more disciples. After all. it's my painstaking brain-child." Cyam Suin's voice sounded sonorous in an imposing way.

"Master Cyam, please rest assured! I will surely do as you say!"

Le Xaan answered without the least bit of hesitation.

"Good! Whether in using a palm or a blade, one must be fearless and resolute! Otherwise, one's attacks are merely flashy yet lack substance."

Cyam Suin instructed with sternness.

"Crashing Heart Palm and your blade techniques share a common point: one must go ahead with all they have, as if struggling in a life-threatening situation. That's how one could erupt with his full strength and swiftness.

One's hesitation is all that stands in the way of their full strength!"

Le Xaan was shocked, suddenly realizing something.

"Concentrate one's bodily strength, emotions and willpower on their target! This is the fundamental principle of my Crashing Heart Palm!"

Cyam went on.

Le Xaan stood on the spot with closed eyes, his hand resting on the blade sheath at his hip, seemingly enlightened by these words.

This was the first time he had met Cyam Suin, the former top-ranked expert, and he immediately drew a valuable lesson from him.

"One's hesitation is all that stands in the way of their full strength."

This sentence set his mind into turmoil, and he felt stricken by a bolt of lightning.

Over the past few days, he always sensed he was a little sluggish while wielding the blade.

Now he realized that's due to his lack of resolve!

His proficiency in Black Tiger Blade Style was superior to that of Elder Zaner, yet he had no confidence that he could defeat Elder Zaner. Previously, he concluded that it was probably a result of his lack of combat experience.

But now he found himself completely wrong.

A long while later, Le Xaan bowed to Cyam Suin once more with clasped hands.

"Thank you for your instructions, Master Cyam!"

"It's nothing. Now, everyone else, out of here, please. I am going to impart Crashing Heart Palm to him."

Cyam Suin's deep voice rang out.

Elder Zaner and the young man each wore a bitter smile before walking out of the yard.

For the entire day, Le Xaan dedicated himself to memorizing Crashing Heart Palm's moves and other details, and sometimes, he would practice the moves under Cyam Suin's watchful guidance.

Cyam Suin held nothing back as he imparted all his insights on Crashing Heart Palm to Le Xaan.

Due to his mastery in Jade Crane Skill, Le Xaan felt energetic and nearly tireless while learning and practicing. Over the day, he only rested twice.

At dusk, he had remembered all Cyam Suin had to teach and bid his farewell before leaving for home.