Chapter 6, A Natural Talent

Shuang'er had no particular preference for colors, so Ling Chi, according to his own taste, had the tailor make her a long dress in pink and white. She wore a pair of deerskin boots and was draped in a red hooded cloak. Standing outdoors, her little face was flushed, looking especially adorable under the reflection of the winter snow, resembling a perfect little Lin Daiyu.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Ling Chi said: "It is cold and freezing outside. Master Yue, Heroine Ning, and Miss Ling Shan, please do not stand outside any longer; come in, please."

Bang

Since Ning Zhong opposed it, he did not say much. He merely glanced at Ling Chi, who was chatting and laughing with his daughter not far away, and asked, "What does Junior Sister think of Ling Chi?"

I apologize for the disturbance

Several individuals entered the tavern in succession. Outside, the weather was frigid, but inside the tavern, two coal stoves were burning. The fire in the stoves was vigorous, quickly dispelling the chill from everyone.

"I dare not," Shuang'er repeatedly shook her head and waved her hands, refusing to respond no matter what Ling Chi said.

"Look at me holding the large sky rocket with my hand." Ling Chi, skilled and bold, held a large sky rocket in one hand and incense in the other, ready to ignite it

Although this is also related to Ling Chi's self-created free fighting, in Yue Buqun's view, Ling Chi is akin to the sword demon Dugu Qiubai, who created the Dugu Nine Swords in his time, both being extraordinary talents of their era

According to legends, several hundred years ago, Dugu Qiubai created the Dugu Nine Swords, traversing the martial world for thirty years, defeating countless heroes and champions, leaving no rivals in the world. Ultimately, he secluded himself in the mountains, living in solitude with an eagle, and died alone.

Hahaha, I said there would be no problem! Ling Chi said proudly: "Shuang'er, you should join in too."

Ling Chi and Shuang Er smiled and waved at the three people approaching

From a distance, Yue Ling Shan shouted loudly and waved her hand vigorously

After these twenty to thirty individuals have cultivated their sense of qi, they will be qualified to join the Huashan Sect and become ordinary disciples

... ...

It is no wonder that Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze would praise him repeatedly

Yue Buqun frowned slightly; although Ning Zhongze was speaking the truth, he still felt that something was amiss

The fact that Ling Chi and Shuang Er were practicing the Huashan heart method did not cause a stir among the people of Huashan, as this is the foot of Huashan. In order to strengthen the sect, the Huashan School began popularizing the Huashan heart method in the nearby villages and towns over twenty years ago. Many locals almost all practice it, but internal cultivation is not easy. Among the thousands of men and women in Huashan Town, only about twenty or thirty have managed to reach the entry level of cultivation.

Everything is so reasonable and justifiable

"Senior brother, you already have a plan in mind, so why ask me?" Ning Zhongze said with a smile at the corner of her mouth, "As the saying goes, if heaven grants you something and you do not take it, you will suffer the consequences. Such a remarkable talent is right at the foot of Mount Huashan; senior brother should certainly consider this."

The more upgrade experience delivered to your doorstep, the better

Yue Buqun stroked his beard and smiled faintly: "How could I not see it? It is just that Chong'er..."

Ling Chi went to the kitchen to prepare a plate of peanuts, melon seeds, and malt sugar, while Shuang Er heated a pot of wine. The few of them gathered around the table, exchanged some pleasantries, and then proceeded to discuss the main matter at hand

As the New Year approaches, it is only natural to wear new clothes and don new hats. Unlike the coarse linen garments that were always stained with grease and smoke in the past, from yesterday onwards, Ling Chi and Shuang Er have cleaned themselves up and put on beautiful long robes and skirts

Watching her daughter's cheerful figure, Ning Zhongze smiled and said, "Senior brother, what do you think?"

Since the establishment of the Huashan sect, there has never been a person who, after only one year of practicing the Huashan heart method, could match the sect leader in skill

Hehe

"Master Yue, Heroine Ning, Happy New Year." In the face of the approaching couple Yue Buqun and his wife, Ling Chi and Shuang'er first offered their New Year greetings.

Ning Zhong rolled her eyes, and although it was already the middle of the year, she possessed a unique charm: "Senior brother, do you not see Shan'er’s feelings for Ling Chi?"

During the New Year period, almost no one goes out to eat. Tofu, Ling Chi, and Shuang Er entered a state of closure after the Little New Year, only opening their doors to receive friends like Ling Hu Chong when they arrive.

"Ling, how is your cultivation of the Huashan heart method going?" Yue Buqun asked.

Ling Chi favored white, donning a long white robe and a white cloak. With a tall and slender figure and handsome features, he exuded an air of nobility akin to that of a young master from a wealthy family

Wow! Amazing!" Shuang'er clapped her hands vigorously, her little face flushed with excitement

Two people, relying on each other for life, a few firecrackers, simple yet joyful

Unlike modern times, in ancient times, due to the scarcity of resources and inconvenient transportation, every household would stockpile a large quantity of rice, flour, oil, and vegetables such as Chinese cabbage and winter melon before the New Year, ensuring that the entire family would have enough provisions to celebrate the festival.

Ah! Shuang'er covered her ears and, seeing the firecracker remnants left by the explosion, giggled, "This is so much fun!"

Although Shuang'er did not dare to set off the sky lanterns, she had firecrackers that could be casually tossed. The two of them joyfully set off firecrackers at the entrance of the tavern, enjoying the rare Spring Festival holiday

"What does 'shimei' refer to?" Yue Buqun retorted

Recalling the dispute over the sword's energy, Yue Buqun felt an immense pain in his heart. Had it not been for that incident back then, how could he have taken on the heavy responsibility of restoring the Huashan Sect? For over twenty years, he had diligently played the role of a humble servant, living a life more exhausting than that of a dog

A person who was merely strong and somewhat brutish just one year ago has, in the span of a single year, achieved remarkable self-cultivation, reaching a level comparable to that of the leader of Mount Hua. Such a prodigious talent, if not taken under the wing of a sect, is bound to face divine retribution

The sky rocket, priced at 2 cents each, must not be wasted

"Good, Happy New Year." Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze smiled broadly: "Today, Brother Ling seems to be more elegant than usual, and Sister is even more adorable."

"Chong'er is by no means a suitable match for Shan'er!" Ning Zhongze interrupted him without hesitation, even somewhat coldly. Under his slightly surprised gaze, her expression softened as she gently said, "Although Chong'er has grown up under our watch, he is reckless, willful, and frivolous, with a penchant for drinking. If Shan'er were to marry him, it would surely ruin her life."

Yue Buqun chuckled and said: "Those who understand me are none other than my junior sister!"

"It's nothing, it just shot up into the snow pile a moment ago. If I handle it gently, it will definitely shoot up to the sky." Ling Chi blew on the incense head to make the flames burn more vigorously, and then, under the tense and worried gaze of Shuang'er, he ignited the firecracker.

"Where, where, it is merely the clothing that makes the person." Ling Chi said with a smile, waving his hand

Yue Buqun nodded with a smile, while Ning Zhongze said with a gentle smile: "Go ahead!"

Turning his head to look at his beautiful wife, who had not lost her charm over the years, and then reflecting on his own increasingly wrinkled face, Yue Buqun felt a deep sense of exhaustion: Who can understand me

This is the second Spring Festival that Ling Chi and Shuang Er have spent together. Compared to the first Spring Festival, the two hurried through it due to their anxiety about the future, but this Spring Festival finally has a hint of festive atmosphere

Forget it, I will play by myself

Zizi... Jiu— the soaring firecracker ascends to the sky

The Huashan Sect was a branch of the Quanzhen Sect in its time, with deep connections to the legendary hero Yang Guo from "The Return of the Condor Heroes." Yang Guo inherited the teachings of Dugu Qiubai, thus becoming a renowned hero of his generation. Later, Yue Buqun's master uncle, Feng Qingyang of the Huashan Sword Sect, also received the inheritance of Dugu Jiu Jian, becoming an almost invincible master of the era. During the Huashan Sword Qi competition, had it not been for the schemes of the Qi Sect to deceive Feng Qingyang, it would have been impossible for them to establish themselves as the orthodox Huashan Sect. Unfortunately, the Huashan Sect suffered significant damage as a result and nearly faced expulsion from the Five Mountains Sword Sect. During the Huashan Sword Qi competition, had it not been for the schemes of the Qi Sect to deceive Feng Qingyang, it would have been impossible for them to establish themselves as the orthodox Huashan Sect. Unfortunately, the Huashan Sect suffered significant damage as a result and nearly faced expulsion from the Five Mountains Sword Sect

The firecracker exploded with a loud bang.

"Brother, it's too dangerous, be careful," Shuang'er called out with concern

Individuals such as Linghu Chong, Lao De Nuo, and Lu Da You are all inner disciples, making them relatively rare. However, the total number of members in the Huashan Sect exceeds one hundred, which is also a reason why the Huashan Sect remains one of the Five Mountain Sword Sects. Otherwise, relying solely on a dozen or so master-disciple pairs, how could they establish a foothold in the martial world

Although Ling Chi and Shuang Er are outsiders, upon learning that the two siblings intend to settle here, the Huashan Sect handed them a printed copy of the Huashan heart method and casually collected a fee of ten wen for the printing costs

Brother Ling! Sister Shuang'er!

Father, Mother, I will go ahead first