Chapter 7, Banquet

Li Changping, Fang Xin, and Mei Changtian gradually became familiar with each other. Sometimes, they would engage in casual conversations, often preferring to sit on the sofa. Li Changping and Fang Xin would sit on the long sofa, while Mei Changtian would sit opposite them. They discussed a wide range of topics, from the south to the north, leaving no subject untouched. Over time, their relationship indeed improved, although there remained a fundamental difference from the realm of true friendship.

In the present day, under a constitutional monarchy, the Son of Heaven of Huaxia still exists, yet the real power lies in the hands of the prime minister elected every five years. Theoretically, this opens the door to the highest positions for ordinary people. Perhaps in a past life, Fang Xin resonated with him, pursuing power, glory, and the welfare of the nation and its people, living a life without regrets. It should be said that those like Fang Xin have all once possessed such aspirations, which is why so many traces of the past are revealed.

Mei Changtian's eyes suddenly brightened, and in an instant, like a flash of lightning, it startled him: "What a good phrase, who wrote this?"

He then led her to the Chinese dining table, allowing her to choose several dishes.

The essence of swordsmanship lies primarily in the cultivation of intent. This cultivation of intent is not merely a playful disposition; at this stage, insights and realizations are fundamentally ineffective. This form of intent is more about the synchronization of mind and hand. Generally, the best method is to cut bamboo and pierce incense. When cutting bamboo and piercing incense, one must maintain a calm and clear mind. After cutting through thousands of bamboo stalks, when one strikes with a sword, the point of severance should be smooth and free of fibers, or when one thrusts the sword, the incense should extinguish while the threads remain unbroken. This unites the essence, energy, spirit, and the physical body, nerves, and will in that moment, resulting in an explosive release akin to thunderclaps when in motion.

Upon hearing these words, the young girl immediately blushed and hurriedly refused, wanting to chase after him. Meanwhile, her cousin's fiancé, who had already gone to work, showed a hint of delight at this remark but did not speak.

There are Eastern-style dishes, of course, all served in small plates, and the plates are disposable, allowing for a single-use consumption. After finishing, they can be disposed of in the trash.

It is just that I am currently unable to interpret it, so I suppress my emotions and begin searching for a suitable sword

The following is a densely packed training plan, which even includes equipment, as well as the combination of medications, and also covers aspects of human kinesiology

Traditional Chinese clothing is indeed beautiful, yet the long sleeves can be cumbersome in daily work, which is why it is typically worn only on special occasions. However, this is not the only reason; in recent decades, social life has become increasingly relaxed, and many people, especially women, wear traditional clothing in their daily lives.

Wu Maimai, who had remained silent, nodded, washed her hands and face, then took out a small backpack and gently asked: "I still do not understand how to divide this line into triangles!"

After three hours of training, it must be said that professionalism is evident; all training equipment is fully equipped, and the foundational training almost comprehensively exercises all parts of the human body

"Alas, I do not possess such great willpower and patience. Young people always like to enjoy the feeling of success and fame early on; how can they endure loneliness? Youth is something that, once gone, does not return." Mei Changtian turned over and said, "Moreover, Jiang Bi possesses talent and capability, which we may not have. Even if we were to learn from him, we might not achieve anything."

However, achieving this is not simple. The two diamond pieces of jewelry I prepared as gifts took a considerable amount of effort, and they were only rated a D. Perhaps it was merely due to my status as a newcomer and the fact that I am still a student at a young age that I received this rating. The road ahead is long

No, I have recently been preparing to complete many assignments. As for social experience and work, I will take it slow for now. Fang Xin candidly stated, "Recently, I have been teaching my younger sister some studies, which can be considered as progress."

After a moment of silence, I searched the entire internet for the term "sword type" and found that there is basically not much introduction. The only phrase I found is, "The beginning of a sword immortal lies in the sword type"

Fang Xin studies a set of exercise routines, which consist of no more than twenty-four movements. However, executing all of them correctly is quite challenging, and most people tend to overlook this fundamental method.

Fang Xin is, of course, fundamentally unaware of this, thus he still relies on the jade ruyi for guidance

This is actually hard to say. Currently, there is basic social security. As long as you are willing to live in the resettlement housing provided by the imperial government, consume welfare provisions, and focus on pursuing knowledge or self-cultivation, you can also make progress. Once you achieve success, you naturally will not need to engage in any other work. Do you still remember Jiang Bi?

This is quite normal; romantic relationships do not last. I once had a friend who was in a relationship for five years, but eventually all their flaws surfaced, and they found each other unbearable, leading to mutual frustration. In the end, they had no choice but to break off their engagement. In fact, had they married earlier, the situation might have been much better, as spouses are fundamentally different from friends.

Work is quite good. I work at the Hongshi Diamond Jewelry Company, and I find my work very enjoyable. I studied jewelry design. Although my designs are still far from mature, my superiors say that my designs are quite inspired and are focusing on nurturing my talent, allowing me to express myself freely. At this point, Mei Changtian smiled.

After completing half of Wu Maimai's homework, it was almost time to take their leave. Fang Xin greeted her and then took Wu Maimai back home, before heading to the Anyi Jing Society.

At this moment, Fang Xin increasingly recalled the family teachings from memory. In the living room, there was a vast array of various foods laid out, resembling a buffet, featuring Western dishes, snacks, pastries, nuts, cakes, salads, and so on

At this moment, it seemed that a relatively important person had arrived. He was a dignified and composed elderly gentleman, exuding great poise, and immediately many people went forward to greet him

In the villa, various rooms are adorned with flower baskets. There are several dining tables, not just one, with white napkins and a variety of food and beverages available. The only difference is that, since this is a private engagement, there are no waitstaff. Guests must serve themselves if they wish to eat.

Find a place to sit down. At this moment, Mei Changtian also arrived. After all, Li Changping was familiar with people everywhere and did not know where he had gone. However, the two of them were actually strangers here. If they could not join the conversation, wouldn’t it be awkward? Therefore, it was better to sit together and chat a bit.

Cousin, if you like it this way, you can just have a daughter yourself in the future said Li Changping with a chuckle

Ah, I truly envy you, as you do not have to worry about life and can wholeheartedly pursue your own goals

The sword, slender and double-edged, is the sovereign of all weapons

Although it is somewhat troublesome to greet elders and present gifts upon arrival, it becomes much more relaxed afterward. The location is at the home of her cousin's mother, an entire villa with a small garden, which is quite spacious and can comfortably accommodate over a hundred people, with some extra space available.

Wu Mamma may not be very articulate, but she knows how to choose. She selected a three-colored chocolate cake, and Fang Xin went up to cut a piece and placed it on her plate

Fang Xin investigated and discovered that the most replicated item is the Xuanyuan Sword. One side of the blade is engraved with the sun, moon, and stars, while the other side features mountains, rivers, and vegetation. One side of the hilt contains writings on agriculture and animal husbandry, and the other side outlines strategies for unifying the four seas.

However, Fang Xin did not possess great wisdom; he was able to recognize the significance of this set of exercises. Yet, when he noticed his jade ruyi move slightly, that single movement startled him, making him realize the importance of this practice, and he began to study the exercises earnestly.

Until now, there remains a group of skilled craftsmen in society who excel at sword forging. The advancement of modern technology has further elevated the craftsmanship to unprecedented heights. Every modern sword practitioner will purchase a sword.

Certainly, the most common mass-produced swords can be obtained for around 5,000. These are replicas of various famous swords. Next, there are those handcrafted by artisans, priced at around several tens of thousands. Finally, there are those made by renowned masters today, which take more than three months to produce and are priced at around several hundred thousand.

The essence of swordsmanship lies primarily in self-cultivation. Self-cultivation refers to the training of various muscles and nerves in the body, enabling one to meet the fundamental physical requirements for practicing sword techniques. At the same time, through this training, the practitioner comes to understand the natural limits of the human body—thus gaining insight into the universal laws governing it. This applies to oneself as well as to one's adversaries. Only in this way can the foundation of skill be established. What is referred to as technique is merely a design based on the principles of the physical body.

Fang Xin smiled and said, "Come, let me teach you."

In this era, due to the nature of skill trees, learning has become specialized and focused. Coupled with the short duration of academic terms, it is not surprising that individuals begin working at an early age. The law stipulates that one can start working at the age of twelve, following the completion of schooling, of course, under the supervision of parents and social oversight systems

After a moment of silence, I found a sword technique with the strongest resonance from the jade ruyi, named "Yue Men Sword Sect," and began to carefully study the outline.

The jade ruyi does not respond without reason; there must be significant causes and connections behind it. Even an ordinary person may have a moment of inspiration and inadvertently reveal the true essence. At that moment, one cannot afford to underestimate it and must take note of it.

In this world, many ancient swords have been passed down through generations, and the tradition of fine swords has permeated throughout various dynasties. Throughout history, numerous master swordsmiths have emerged. Of course, the most renowned swords are still those from ancient times, such as Moye, Yuchang, Wuhong, Huji, Zhanlu, Dungou, Shengxie, Juque, Longyuan, Taia, and Gongbu.

I happened to see this, alright, Wu Mamma, have you finished eating? Wash your face and hands, it would be quite impolite to leave now. Let's do some homework first, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

At present, a message was sent, and soon a renowned expert was found. The information was processed quickly, and the other party informed that it would be available for collection in three months, with a price of 160,000.

Although no waiters were hired, the skill of mixology is not something that ordinary people can master. Therefore, two bartenders were specially invited, both dressed in uniforms and approximately thirty years old. They quickly mixed various types of liquor into beautifully colorful cocktails.

Swordsmanship is originally a technique for killing; however, without the cultivation of health, killing ultimately harms oneself. Over the course of several thousand years, practitioners of swordsmanship have systematized it, not only achieving health benefits but, more importantly, through the cultivation of vital energy, spirit, and mind, they have discovered the concept of sword types.

Fang Xin revealed a faint smile and softly murmured: "Recalling the past, the glorious years are thick with memories. Just like the youthful students, in the prime of their lives, with the spirit of scholars, they wield their talents with vigor. Pointing to the rivers and mountains, stirring the words, treating the noble households of yesteryear as mere dust. Do you still remember, when we struck the water in midstream, the waves holding back the flying boats?"

Ah, it is said that the current jewelry designs are diverse and inclusive. To stand out, one must possess a certain flair. It seems that you are indeed thriving in this field!

Fang Xin nodded and said, "You have just started learning, how old are you? It should be this way. If you already have a C, a B, or even an A at this stage, wouldn't those older individuals be driven to suicide in shame?"

"You all feel free to play, and if there is anything delicious, just eat it." My cousin is actually only seventeen years old, and perhaps because she is filled with joy, her whole being seems to radiate a sparkling light. She spoke cheerfully and, with surprise, turned to Wu Maimao, who had come along, saying: "Oh my, whose child is this? So adorable!"

Jiang Bi devoted herself to the pursuit of her academic studies, living in government-subsidized housing for ten years and subsisting on welfare meals. After a decade, she emerged, achieving fame through her expertise in her field, and instantly ascended to the ranks of social elites

Speaking and drawing, holding Wu Manna's hand, a line was drawn in the triangle: "Do you understand now?"

If we are to be fair, this method of eating is relatively more hygienic and economical. Each person can choose their own taste and portion size without the need for cross-eating. However, there is one condition: the variety and quantity of food must be abundant, and it is only in this era that such practices will gradually flourish

Those who do not share the same path should not seek to collaborate; in fact, choosing one's own destiny is quite simple

Life is short, and it is only natural to be unwilling to be lonely

Only reborn in a foreign land, having experienced life and death, one's thoughts become different. After the heart is settled, returning to the source, wealth, power, beauty, and delicacies, although not merely fleeting, are still nothing more than this

Mei Changtian frowned, half believing and half doubting: "I truly had no idea such a thing existed!"

Regardless of how he strives for perfection, dedicates himself to practice, and achieves success, his age imposes limitations, leaving many matters still unclear. Fang Xin smiled and did not intend to say much more, simply asking: "How is your work at school now?"

The Zhanlu, dark and profound, symbolizes a black eye of heaven, keenly observing the actions of kings and lords. When the ruler is virtuous, the sword remains by his side, and the nation flourishes. When the ruler is corrupt, the sword is cast aside, and the nation falls into ruin

Fang Xin hesitated for a moment, then clicked confirm to proceed with the transfer. He felt a twinge of pain in his heart; although there were savings of four hundred thousand on the card accumulated over the years, purchasing the nutrient storage and this sword had cost him twenty-eight thousand in one go, leaving only a little over one hundred and ten thousand on the card.

I heard that after getting engaged, they are preparing to live together? And planning to get married in six months? Isn't that a bit too early and too fast!" Mei Changtian expressed some dissatisfaction upon hearing this.

The villa is warm and bright, with the balcony facing the park across the street. The lake in the park is rippling with mist, resembling an ink wash painting. This environment is indeed quite pleasant

The surroundings suddenly plunged into darkness, and after a moment, more than twenty figures emerged. Each of these individuals wielded a long sword, their faces indistinct, yet each was demonstrating their own swordsmanship. Just as I attempted to observe closely, I felt a piercing sword energy coming straight at me, prompting me to quickly withdraw my perception.

"Fang Xin, there is a bartender here. Would you like to have a drink?" Li Changping shouted

At this moment, he revealed a hint of sharp brilliance. It was in this instant that Fang Xin suddenly understood that the classmate before him, having diligently honed his skills, was simultaneously accumulating ambition and energy, and was not one to resign himself to solitude

Covered in sweat, I had no choice but to take a break. I casually opened the table of contents to check the swordsmanship. Within the table of contents, densely packed, there were actually more than 20 types of sword techniques being taught

As I continued to investigate, I was somewhat surprised and amused to discover a book titled "Strange Tales from a Wild Fox," which is almost akin to the down-and-out literati's "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" on Earth. At that moment, the jade ruyi moved again, and disregarding my astonishment, I began to read.

Drinking is originally meant to savor the intoxicating flavor, not for excessive consumption. Then, I pulled Wu Maimai along and, with a plate in hand, began to select food.

Wu Mamma suddenly had an epiphany in the blink of an eye, and a look of joy appeared in her large eyes as she nodded her head

What about you? Do you have any plans?

Fang Xin does not dislike it, but it does not align with his current state. Therefore, he chose Zhan Lu as the prototype for his sword. Of course, it cannot be exactly the same, as the craftsmanship and structure of modern swordsmanship are incomparable to those of ancient times.

Until the third weekend of September, which is when Li Changping's cousin is getting engaged, the two of them are also invited to attend

At this time, Fang Xin had already gained the trust of the Wu family, allowing him to take Wu A'A to play for a while.

Although his time at school has been short, Fang Xin has gradually gained some recognition. He excels in his studies; it is important to note that ordinary children only complete the third level by the age of eighteen, while Fang Xin has nearly finished the intermediate courses. The fourth level is already considered advanced education. Additionally, he is charming and handsome. Although he may not know how to make girls laugh, he carries himself with poise and possesses a unique charm that is difficult for young boys to match, which has also garnered him some admiration from certain girls

Those who have come are friends and relatives, well-dressed gentlemen, charmingly smiling ladies, and lively, adorable children. These individuals are grouped into small circles based on their relationships, engaging in conversation, with the majority dressed in traditional Chinese attire

It was just a moment, yet I was drenched in sweat, but this time, it was cold sweat

The swordsman, a master of the art of killing

These two stages are perfected, and when combined with specific techniques, they target various weaknesses and vital points of the human body, resulting in a refined and lethal skill in killing. Once this training is accomplished, one can enter among ordinary people with a sword, drawing it to kill instantly, leaving no chance for the ordinary person to escape, nor any strength to resist.

Sword types? Fang Xinxin felt a stir in his heart and quickly looked down, only to be greatly disappointed. He discovered that there was no introduction below. Upon further examination of the others, he found that the training processes were largely similar, yet there was no mention of the term "sword types" at all.

However, when Fang Xin truly began the work, it became apparent that achieving complete standardization was extremely difficult. After only three attempts, I felt utterly exhausted.

Upon seeing this, Fang Xin could not help but feel a chill in his heart. It turned out that swordsmanship could reach such a level!

In "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," it describes the scabbard of a swordsman. In the middle of the night, as a yaksha attacks, something suddenly bursts forth from the box, shining like a silk ribbon. It strikes the stone lattice of the window, blazing forth in a flash, and then swiftly retracts, as if extinguished by lightning. Upon inspection the next morning, the ghostly entity has transformed into clear water

He was indeed very enthusiastic, but Fang Xin never drank such so-called cocktails; he preferred pure spirits. Smiling, he politely declined and found a bottle of wine for himself, pouring half a glass and sipping it slowly