Chapter 19: learn by interaction

"Nanfeng, this is your room, and here are the Dao robes and daily necessities for new disciples. By the way, as a formal disciple, you'll receive a yearly resource allocation of a thousand taels of gold." 

Under Elder Ku's orders, Xiaoyu reluctantly called a servant disciple to arrange accommodation for Xiao Nanfeng.

"Thank you, Senior Sister Xiaoyu!" Xiao Nanfeng replied with a slight bow.

However, Xiaoyu clearly didn't appreciate it. Seeing Xiao Nanfeng become Elder Ku's disciple and move into the courtyard next to Elder Ku's, her cheeks puffed up in indignation, and the bitterness in her heart overflowed.

"Elder Ku, why could you take him as your disciple but not me? What makes him better than me?" Xiaoyu exclaimed, her face full of unwillingness.

Elder Ku sat at a stone table tuning a zither string and shook his head. "I took Nanfeng as a registered disciple not only because of his talent but mainly because he helped me rectify a mistake today."

"What mistake? I could do that too!" Xiaoyu pouted.

Elder Ku shook his head, not wanting to explain. Xiaoyu could only glare at Xiao Nanfeng in frustration.

Xiao Nanfeng looked puzzled. Why was she angry with him for not becoming a disciple?

"Nanfeng, what is your current cultivation level? How is your foundation?" Elder Ku asked calmly.

"Master, my cultivation level is the sixth stage of the acquired realm. I haven't had anyone to guide me since childhood and only know one set of fist techniques called 'Marching Fist,'" Xiao Nanfeng replied respectfully.

"The sixth stage of the acquired realm? Hmph, your cultivation is rather poor. Marching Fist? Isn't that the most basic fist technique popular in the imperial army? That's all you've learned?" Xiaoyu exclaimed, astonished.

Elder Ku, choosing to take him as a disciple instead of her, questioned that too.

"Marching Fist? You learned it by yourself?" Elder Ku asked, slightly surprised.

"Yes, my family has a few martial soldiers, so I learned this set of Marching Fist from them. There's nothing else," Xiao Nanfeng said with a wry smile.

Marching Fist—an elementary technique. It wasn't that he didn't want to learn other techniques, but the Chief Steward simply wouldn't allow him to practice anything else.

"Does anyone here know Marching Fist? Can you test Nanfeng's foundation?" Elder Ku asked the nearby disciples.

As everyone prepared to speak, Xiaoyu suddenly jumped out. "Elder Ku, let me test him! I know Marching Fist!"

"You?" Elder Ku frowned slightly.

"Don't worry, Elder Ku. I won't hurt your disciple, and I'll suppress my cultivation to the sixth stage of the acquired realm. I'll help you test his foundation," Xiaoyu said excitedly.

Elder Ku frowned, clearly aware of Xiaoyu's intentions toward Xiao Nanfeng.

"Master, could we get a senior brother to test me? I'm not used to fighting with women," Xiao Nanfeng said with a苦笑.

"What? Do you look down on women?" Xiaoyu shot back, hands on her hips.

"I don't look down on women; it's just that if we fight, there will inevitably be unnecessary physical contact. It's better for Senior Sister to guide from the side," Xiao Nanfeng shook his head.

"Ah, you still care about the difference between men and women?" Xiaoyu laughed coldly.

Elder Ku suddenly said, "Then Xiaoyu can try."

"Alright! I promise to test his foundation well," Xiaoyu said, rubbing her hands together with a smile.

"Nanfeng, just give it your all," Elder Ku said seriously.

"Yes, Master!" Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"Junior Brother, I'll let you strike first. Don't worry; I'll go easy on you," Xiaoyu said with excitement, provokingly looking at Xiao Nanfeng.

At that moment, Xiao Nanfeng stepped forward like an arrow released from a bow, instantly reaching Xiaoyu's side. Xiaoyu's pupils constricted; she sensed something was wrong. Was this guy playing dumb?

Xiaoyu threw a punch, but Xiao Nanfeng twisted his body and kicked her calf. Xiaoyu's base became unstable, and her punch was deflected. At that moment, Xiao Nanfeng's palm landed on her back, pushing her down.

With a loud bang, Xiaoyu fell to the ground.

"Not good!" Xiaoyu thought in alarm.

But it was too late. She saw Xiao Nanfeng leap up, his knees aimed straight for her head. If he landed that hit, she'd either pass out or suffer serious injury.

"Ah!" Xiaoyu cried out.

Just before impact, Xiao Nanfeng twisted his body and withdrew, not actually striking her.

"Senior Sister, you've taught me well!" Xiao Nanfeng said, bowing from a distance.

In that flash of time, everyone chanting scriptures stopped, staring in disbelief at Xiao Nanfeng.

A one-hit kill?

Xiao Nanfeng had defeated Xiaoyu in an instant? Although he hadn't harmed her, everyone understood that had he struck with full force, Xiaoyu would have been in dire trouble.

"Impossible! You said you wouldn't hit women! Why did you attack so ruthlessly?" Xiaoyu exclaimed angrily as she got up.

"I've read the 'Combat Mentality Sutra' by Martial God Wei Zhenren. It states that in battle, one must have no distractions; the opponent is neither male nor female, old nor young, with no compassion, and one must not underestimate the weak nor overestimate the strong. When engaged in combat, one must go all out," Xiao Nanfeng stated seriously.

"Uh? 'Combat Mentality Sutra'?" Xiaoyu was momentarily stunned.

"Good job! Xiaoyu, you've memorized that scripture more than once, haven't you? Your ability to remember is not merely superficial, right? Had Nanfeng not held back just now, had you two been equally matched, you would have been dead," Elder Ku praised.

Xiaoyu's face flushed red in embarrassment; she had been too careless.

"That didn't count; I wasn't prepared! Let's do it again!" she said angrily.

"Master, could we get a senior brother to test me instead? Senior Sister seems to be in a bad mood, and I'm worried she might throw a tantrum and injure me," Xiao Nanfeng said seriously.

Xiaoyu glared, "What do you mean? Do you doubt my word? I swear I won't use strength beyond the sixth stage of the acquired realm or techniques outside Marching Fist!"

Seeing Xiaoyu's flushed face, Xiao Nanfeng was full of disbelief.

"Kid, how dare you imply I would go back on my word? Hmph, if I do, I'll give you three hundred taels of gold," Xiaoyu said, fire in her eyes.

In Taiqing Immortal Sect for so many years, it was the first time someone had doubted her integrity. This was the greatest insult to her.

Everyone around stopped reciting scriptures and began watching the dispute between the two.

"Master, in the 'Identifying Enemies Sutra' by Shenmiao Mountain Zhenren, it states that promises made by those who have lost control of their emotions cannot be trusted. If it's not a matter of life and death, one should avoid such opponents to prevent unnecessary disasters," Xiao Nanfeng recited again.

"'Identifying Enemies Sutra'? I think I've memorized that too; it does say that," one disciple remarked, looking oddly at the situation.

"Shut up! You don't believe my promise either?" Xiaoyu glared at the speaker.

"Not at all, Senior Sister! You carry on," the disciple quickly submitted.

"Come on, I'll stand by my word. If you beat me, I'll give you three hundred taels of gold!" Xiaoyu shouted again.

"Master…" Xiao Nanfeng looked at Elder Ku, wanting to end this unnecessary conflict.

"Nanfeng, you and Xiaoyu will battle again," Elder Ku replied calmly.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly, "Yes!"

"Kid, this time, I won't go easy on you. Come on!" Xiaoyu's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Xiao Nanfeng's expression turned serious again.

"Let's begin." Xiaoyu's eyes widened, and her figure darted forward.

"Boom!"

Xiao Nanfeng and Xiaoyu struck fists, both of them now on equal ground, their strengths nearly indistinguishable, and they began to wrestle again.

Marching Fist moved with great force, like a raging river, ceaseless and overwhelming.

For a moment, the two exchanged punches, elbow strikes, and leg kicks, each landing solid hits while raising clouds of dust around them.

"Rumble!"

The battle between the two continued, drawing the attention of the surrounding disciples.

"This kid's 'Marching Fist' was self-taught? He's actually matching Xiaoyu Sister punch for punch? Xiaoyu Sister has vast battle experience; this is too outrageous!" one disciple remarked, curious.

"Wait, Nanfeng's fist techniques do seem a bit awkward; he must be a novice. Yet, every punch is precise, almost as if he's following a textbook. And he seems to be growing more familiar with it," another disciple observed.

Though Xiao Nanfeng's punches were clumsy, their accuracy was unbelievable, allowing him to hold his ground against Xiaoyu. As the battle continued

, he gradually began to gain the upper hand.

"This is impossible! How can his techniques improve in such a short time?" someone gasped.

Xiaoyu felt increasingly anxious. This time, she wasn't being careless, yet why couldn't she subdue Nanfeng? It was unthinkable! Her battle experience far surpassed his, having faced countless life-or-death situations. How could this novice be giving her so much trouble?

"Marching Fist strikes in all directions, releasing power from every angle. Sister, the 'Fist Techniques of the Martial God Wei Zhenren' describe that everything has its yin and yang; the vigorous fist must conceal the gentle shadow within. Only by harmonizing hardness and softness can one be truly powerful. Your current approach is overly forceful, neglecting the flexibility that should accompany it. You're making a mistake!" Xiao Nanfeng said calmly.

"The 'Fist Techniques of the Martial God Wei Zhenren'? I think I've heard of that. I always thought it was useless, but can it really be applied to Marching Fist?" a disciple remarked in surprise.

Elder Ku's expression remained placid, but internally, he was astonished. His new disciple seemed to be using various Daoist scriptures to refine his martial arts!

As Xiao Nanfeng's fighting style became more polished, his Marching Fist exuded an air of mastery. Xiaoyu grew even more frustrated. This shouldn't be happening! She had way more experience, so why was she being pushed back?

At first, Nanfeng's movements had seemed awkward, yet each strike now was unnaturally precise. Despite her greater strength, she felt increasingly constrained. How could this happen?

Finally, in a fit of rage and humiliation, she could no longer hold back.

"Five Poison Penetrating Palm!" 

With a swift move, Xiaoyu launched her palm through the gaps in Xiao Nanfeng's Marching Fist.

"Ah!" 

Xiao Nanfeng was sent flying back from the impact.

Just as he was about to crash to the ground, a hand appeared behind him, supporting his back and absorbing most of the force from the strike.

"Are you alright?" Elder Ku asked, his voice stern.

"I'm fine, Master. Thank you for helping me absorb the force," Xiao Nanfeng replied respectfully.

Turning, he looked at Xiaoyu with a苦笑. "Senior Sister is amazing; I'm not as good."

At that moment, Xiaoyu felt no joy; she stomped her foot in frustration. Her earlier rage had led her to break her promise, using not only techniques beyond Marching Fist but also strength exceeding the sixth stage of the acquired realm.

Did she win? No, she had lost.