Chapter 6: The Martial World of a Newspaper Vendor（6）

As the days passed, Cai Jingjun gradually adapted to the routine of life here.

Most of the time, Miss Chen was busy writing, and aside from practicing his swordsmanship, Cai Jingjun had little to do. Since he was free anyway, he decided to clean the house thoroughly, from top to bottom, inside and out.

So, when Chen Zhaozhao finished writing her three thousand words and stepped out to take a break, her eyes were immediately struck by the impeccably tidy house.

Who am I? Where am I? Was this once a messy pigsty brimming with chaos and disorder?!

Seeing her stunned expression, Cai Jingjun, who was squatting next to the table with a rag in hand and his sleeves rolled up, awkwardly said, "…I really had nothing to do. If you don't mind—"

"Stop right there," Chen Zhaozhao interrupted him seriously. "I can! From now on, please continue being yourself, and don't hold back!" My God, what kind of celestial, magical gentleman is this? Not only is he handsome, but he's also a household chores expert!

Since having this "gentleman" around, Chen Zhaozhao had truly experienced what it was like to live like royalty.

When she was thirsty, the water was always heated and kept warm, with tea leaves ready on the side. After a long writing session, there was no need to do any chores; everything was spotless. It was like enjoying the luxury of a nanny while paying for bodyguards!

Her fondness for the Jianwen Mountain Manor grew rapidly. She had no idea where they had found such a talented person. Next time, when she submitted a manuscript, she would definitely praise them profusely.

The novel's timeline was progressing rapidly.

It had been two years since Li Bangyi had fallen into the secret room to learn the "Light Rain Sword Technique." Now, at the age of fifteen, he bid farewell to his parents, planning to venture into the martial world alone and find a master to learn skills.

Having seen the true martial world, the young man could no longer bear the idea of staying forever in the small, closed-off village.

On his journey, Li Bangyi met many people from the Jianghu—wandering monk Mingyue, the sword and axe-wielding Fan Xiaoxiao, the needle-wielding Hong Niangzi, and the two-sword wielder Duan Bailang…

It was only now that he realized how small he was. The "Light Rain Sword Technique" that had allowed him to easily defeat the bully Qi Zhentian in the village was, in fact, a low-grade, third-rate martial art.

In the vast martial world, there were countless second-rate and first-rate warriors… even top-tier masters.

Ambition and desire sprouted fiercely in the young man's heart. He dreamed of one day standing at the peak of the martial world, a supreme swordsman, admired by all!

"Li Bangyi slammed heavily to the ground, his mouth and nose filled with blood. He fixed his gaze on Duan Bailang's retreating figure, cold and aloof, much like the two white swords on his back—silent, but shocking when drawn."

"It was Li Bangyi who requested a duel with Duan Bailang, but Duan Bailang only needed one move."

"The young man lay on the ground, his chest feeling as if it had been violently twisted, his organs aching from the cold."

"He watched Duan Bailang's figure grow more distant, and couldn't help but laugh, the more he laughed, the more he felt the bitter irony of his past self-satisfaction. See, Li Bangyi, this is your true level!"

Chen Zhaozhao's face was calm as she hurriedly wrote.

It was time to prepare the second book for the protagonist—the inner skill "Heart Sutra of Prajna."

This was a fourth-rate inner skill from a world she had once traversed, much higher than the "Light Rain Sword Technique" she had previously written.

After a long while, she set her pen down and gazed out the window.

It was pitch black outside, nothing visible. Only then did she realize that the sky had already darkened.

Beside the table, a small oil lamp flickered. She didn't know when it had been lit. A faint smell of food wafted in from the kitchen, and when she stepped outside, she saw Cai Jingjun sitting on the wooden bench in the outer room.

"Finished writing? I just heated the food. Come and eat," he said, flashing her a familiar smile in the dim yellow light.

…

Inside the chamber.

Li Shiyu was reclining on a soft couch, her handkerchief covering her face as her eyes were red, tears streaming down.

How tragic.

This young man who shared her surname, Li Bangyi—his aspirations high, his resolve unyielding—had finally fought his way through hardships to reach the martial world of his dreams, only to face such a crushing defeat.

She couldn't help but think of herself. After years of learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she thought she could escape the shackles and not be used as a pawn in a family marriage arrangement. But in the end, she was still dragged into a gilded cage.

Would Li Bangyi submit?

Should she submit?

The road ahead was uncertain and treacherous, filled with thorns. If she stubbornly pressed forward, it would only result in bloodshed.

"Li Bangyi gritted his teeth and crawled up from the dirt. All his strength had been spent. At that moment, he was nothing more than a broken puppet controlled by willpower, his fierce determination refusing to let him fall. He staggered forward, chasing after that figure."

"'Can you teach me swordsmanship?' he shouted with his hoarse throat, desperately calling out to that retreating back."

"The proud figure ahead stopped, turning around and looking down at him with a cold expression."

"'Please teach me swordsmanship! I want to learn to be the best swordsman!' The person who had defeated him, this person so strong—he was his way out! Li Bangyi fell to the ground with a thud, unable to muster the strength to rise, but still struggling, 'I want to become the greatest swordsman…'"

"Duan Bailang looked down at him for a long while. In those eyes full of longing for knowledge, he saw a silent plea."

"After a moment of silence, he spoke lightly: 'I can teach you, but not swordsmanship. It's an internal skill called the "Heart Sutra of Prajna."'"

Li Shiyu stared at the conclusion, stunned.

Li Bangyi had done it. In the face of adversity, he not only refused to give up but also seized the opportunity to ask the person who had defeated him to teach him. He had truly done it.

Tears streamed down her face.

Could she do it too? Not submit to fate, but grow with strength? She clenched her delicate hand into a fist, throwing the soft handkerchief to the ground. I will definitely do it!

…

"Ugh, this chapter is so touching!"

Sun Hu cried like a two-hundred-pound child. "Brother Bangyi is so miserable, so pitiful, wahhh."

Just as he was sobbing, an unexpected hand reached out and snatched the newspaper from his hands, followed by a mocking laugh: "Yo, yo, yo, everyone come see! Sun Hu is crying! Our tough guy, our real man, is crying! Come take a look!"

"Give me back my newspaper!"

Sun Hu, enraged, immediately lost all his sadness and roared.

The person who had stolen the newspaper hopped around like a monkey, making it impossible for Sun Hu to catch him, deliberately running outside to shout and taunt. Soon, a group of muscular, sweaty men who had just finished training gathered around.

"Is it true? Sun Hu cried?"

"He can cry? No way, you must be joking!"

"Who's joking? Look, his eyes are still red! Right, Hu Mei Mei~"

"Wow, it's really true! Little sister, who bullied you? Tell your big brothers and we'll beat them up for you!"

Faced with this group of loud, laughing, and teasing friends, Sun Hu felt his face burn with embarrassment, his ears turning red. He cursed angrily, "Get lost, get lost! I didn't cry, I was moved! Moved, do you understand? Give me my newspaper back!"

A group of rough men, who usually had nothing to do except practice martial arts or gossip, found this a perfect opportunity to stir trouble. They passed the newspaper around, not returning it to Sun Hu.

Soon, someone noticed something odd: "Is this the latest issue of the Jianwen Newspaper?"

His eyes lit up with excitement. "My goodness, I woke up early and couldn't even grab one. You little turtle actually got it! Sun Hu, lend me that newspaper, bro, I'll treat you to a drink sometime!"

After speaking, he carefully took the newspaper, eager to rush off and read it.

Sun Hu was about to explode. "Put down my newspaper! I haven't even read the second page yet!"

However, his roar was drowned out by the laughter of the crowd. Upon hearing that it was the latest issue of the Jianwen Newspaper, all the men became excited.

"Give it to me! Let me see first! I learned up to the twenty-eighth form of the Light Rain Sword, I need to see if there's a twenty-ninth form!"

"Let me see first! I want to know

who Li Bangyi meets next!"

"Give it to me…"

"Give it to me…"

Moments later.

In the courtyard, a group of rough men formed a circle around Sun Hu, who was holding the newspaper at the center, everyone reading with great interest.

"Looks like Li Bangyi met Duan Bailang again, and now he's asking to be his disciple. This guy's got some skills!"

"The Heart Sutra of Prajna? There's no twenty-ninth sword form! Looks like we'll have to wait for the next issue."

"This is great! Li Bangyi needs this inner skill. The one Duan Bailang gave him will definitely be good. I just joined this field, and I haven't learned any inner skills. Maybe I'll try this one."

The group excitedly chatted about the plot and began discussing the new "Heart Sutra of Prajna" after finishing the story. Once done, they gathered again to practice the Light Rain Sword and discuss the newly revealed Heart Sutra of Prajna.

Sun Hu sighed deeply as he carefully folded the now somewhat crumpled newspaper and tucked it into his chest. He glared at everyone around him and spat angrily. A bunch of idiots.

The newspaper was so sought after that it seemed like enemies were everywhere. Next time, he'd hide it carefully—never let these rough guys see it!

"Hey, do you guys think… if this person can write about Li Bangyi so powerfully, and even write out the Light Rain Sword and the Heart Sutra of Prajna, who exactly is this hero 'Swift Wind'?"

As the group practiced martial arts, someone suddenly asked.

Everyone fell silent, lost in thought.

"Maybe the Light Rain Sword and Heart Sutra of Prajna aren't what he wrote, but what he actually learned?"

"I've heard of the Light Rain Sword, but it's different from the rumors. They say it's a first-rate sword style, but the version in the newspaper is only second-rate. But this Heart Sutra of Prajna…"

"Fifth Brother, you've traveled far and wide, delivered many consignments, do you know anything about it?"

Fifth Brother shook his head. "No. Maybe I haven't seen enough of the world. Maybe Big Brother knows."

"Big Brother's so busy, we wouldn't dare disturb him."

"Has anyone seen Big Brother recently? Is he out on a delivery?"

"I think so. Haven't seen him for a while."

"Forget Big Brother, let's talk about this 'Swift Wind.' I bet Li Bangyi's not just going to stop at these two martial arts. Think about it—he wants to be the number one swordmaster in the martial world! If 'Swift Wind' can write sword skills at the level of the first-rate martial arts, my God…"

The group of men exchanged looks, and in their eyes, there was a shared sense of awe.