Chapter 3: The Initial Regret of Street Feuds (I)

If you lose your internal energy, you can still use your blood to activate it with your mental strength. However, this method should only be used in dire circumstances. This sword is sentient; using it once will deplete your vital energy and cause a serious illness, and prolonged use will shorten your lifespan. When you were three years old, I tested this sword, and to my surprise, it automatically coiled around your wrist as a bracelet, recognizing you as its master. At that time, you did not know it was the Cloud-Cutting Sword, and without the ability to direct your thoughts, you could not wield it. Now it is in tune with your mind. I give you this sword so that you may protect your life when absolutely necessary. You must promise me not to use it unless your life is in grave danger... and never to drive the sword with your blood!" Daoyan's face showed a serious expression.

Xu Huizu took her hand and walked towards the inner hall, while Jin Xi pondered in her heart, it is already late at night, where could her elder brother be taking her? To see their mother?

I intended to defend myself with a few words, but when the words came out, they were as light as a mosquito: "Brother Shouqian and His Highness the Crown Prince are competing in archery, forcibly dragging Jinxu along to cheer for them..."

"Why is that, Master?" Jinxi asked curiously. Since she became aware of her surroundings, the Master had appeared in the back courtyard of the temple. He only said that they were fated to meet and came every night to teach her martial arts and military strategy

Furthermore, do not tell your family that I am your master, do not tell anyone that you are in the nunnery while learning martial arts with me every night. Master Daoyan did not respond to her, but gave her more instructions. He looked at her intently and sighed, saying, I have told you before that there are two famous swords in the world, the Heaven-Defying Sword and the Cloud-Cutting Sword. The Cloud-Cutting Sword is extremely mystical; it is said that when Ouzhizi was forging the famous sword, he discovered a lump of iron essence flowing like mercury in the refining furnace, which he spent his entire life refining into this sword. I gave you this sword when you were three years old! Now, I will teach you how to use it; try channeling your energy to your right wrist!

What is the elder brother saying? What does he want to express? Jinxi's thoughts turned rapidly as she opened her distinctly black and white eyes wide

Xu Huizu sighed. Jinxi felt a surge of joy in her heart, secretly opened her eyes, and quickly raised her head to take a glance. Xu Huizu did not notice this and beckoned to her, saying, "Come here!"

The King of Jingjiang invites you to go out and eat Eight Treasure Chicken, from the hour of Chen to the hour of You. Tell your elder brother, what kind of Eight Treasure Chicken can be eaten for such a long time

"Jinxi, kneel!" Xu Huizu also knelt down as he lifted the corner of his robe

Upon hearing the inquiry, Jinxi felt a chill run down her spine, and lowering her head, she stammered in response: "Elder brother, I, Brother Shouqian..."

Zhenbei quickly supported her and complained, "Young Master Biao is really something; I have reminded him hundreds of times, yet he still neglects Miss's health. It has been prepared in advance; Zhenbei will assist Miss with her bath now"

She slowly raised her head, and her elder brother Xu Huizu stood at the entrance of the main hall with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at her intently

Unable to comprehend, Jinxi felt that she would most likely not be with those princes again. She had little fondness for them, especially for Zhu Di, who turned hostile after just one mention of Yutangchun. Jinxi snorted; the time in the mountains was short, and her curiosity about the outside world occupied her thoughts. She imagined beautifully that no one in the residence knew she possessed martial arts skills. Without needing Zhu Shouqian, she could sneak out to play by herself, and her elder brother would remain unaware. Jinxi snorted; the time in the mountains was short, and her curiosity about the outside world occupied her thoughts. She imagined beautifully that no one in the residence knew she possessed martial arts skills. Without needing Zhu Shouqian, she could sneak out to play by herself, and her elder brother would remain unaware.

Xu Huizu let out a soft "oh" and said lightly, "So it turns out it was Shou Qian who dragged you into this again..." The final syllable was drawn out for a long time

"Yes, elder brother." Jinxi lowered her head in response and walked towards the inner hall alone. Her elder brother's words left her feeling somewhat heavy-hearted; she was not entirely pleased with his behavior. In her view, even if the sky were to fall, their father would be there to support them. Thinking of her father, who was like a deity in her heart, Jinxi slowly revealed a smile, quickly casting aside the profound words her elder brother had spoken that evening.

Jinxi is most afraid of her elder brother when she returns home. Xu Huizu is nineteen years old this year, exceptionally talented and renowned in Nanjing, receiving much praise from the Emperor. At the age of eleven, he was appointed as a companion reader for the Crown Prince, and now he has taken up the position of Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Rites, already a fourth-rank official, enjoying the Crown Prince's favor. He is mature beyond his years, and with his father Xu Da often away on official duties this past year, Xu Huizu has effectively become the head of the family

Jinxi nodded blankly, asking, "What does big brother mean?" She was almost going crazy. Coming of age? With her quick-witted mind, she suddenly realized that big brother was not implying that she should promise to maintain the family's prosperity through marriage, was he? Jinxi was startled by her own thoughts, quickly dismissing this idea, and pretended to be confused, widening her perplexed eyes: "Big brother, I don't understand. Jinxi is tired and would like to return to her room first"

Jinxu returned to the residence, stealthily making her way to the backyard, when she suddenly heard a cold voice questioning: "Jinxu, why have you returned home so late? Where have you been?"

Only after Jinxi made a poisonous vow did she see her master seem to breathe a sigh of relief

Remember the words spoken by the master today, if... if there is no interaction with the prince, it would be for the best

Jinxi lay in bed, unable to comprehend why, but she knew that her master would never harm her. She carefully recalled the events of today in her mind. It seemed that the prince had shown affection by gifting a jade pendant that was too precious, and it appeared that the cold gaze of the Qin Wang held profound meaning. ... It seemed that the Yan Wang was inconsistent in his demeanor, and it seemed that Li Jinglong was not as incompetent as he appeared; his archery skills seemed to be no worse than those of the Yan Wang ...

During the day, the abbess in the temple teaches Jinxi the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, embroidery, and women's crafts. In the evening, Master Da Yan arrives gracefully. Jinxi admires Master Da Yan, as the skills he teaches her allow her to soar like a bird in the back mountains of the temple, granting her great freedom. Unknowingly, she no longer feels the ten years of hardship and solitude in the mountains.

Jinxi cast a glance at him, kneeling before the ancestral tablet

As I descended the mountain, Master’s words echoed in my ears: "Jinxu, when you return home, just pretend to be frail and sickly. Do not easily reveal your skills. Even if you do show your abilities, do not let anyone know that you are the eldest daughter of the Xu family. Promise me, my disciple." The expression in Master Daoyan's eyes conveyed profound meaning. He was only in his fifties, yet his beard and hair were all white, revealing a seriousness I had never seen before.

Jinxi obediently walked over

Jinxu, by autumn you will have reached the age of coming of age, do you know that?

He felt an immense pain for his younger sister, simply because of a fortune teller's words from their childhood. Their parents, fearing for his safety and worried that Jinxu might truly have a short life, sent her, only three years old at the time, to a temple on Qixia Mountain to be raised for ten years. Reflecting on this, a wave of guilt for his little sister surged in his heart, and he let out a low sigh: "Fortunately, Shouqian knows to have her change into male clothing; a young lady exposing herself... Remember your identity in the future!"

What a sharp sword! Master, what if Jinxi loses her internal energy?

Daoyan smiled faintly, reached out to pull a long strand of Jinxi's hair, placed it on the sword, and with a gentle breath, the hair was severed into two pieces

Jinxi had heard of the power of the Caiyun Sword before, feeling both astonished and delighted, yet she looked at her master with confusion, unsure of where the sword was. In a moment of distraction, her gaze fell upon the bracelet on her right wrist. This bracelet had been worn on her wrist since childhood, unable to be removed, its color a silvery white that resembled neither jade nor silver, with subtle cloud patterns flowing within. Having grown accustomed to it, she thought nothing of it. Upon hearing her master's words, she attempted to channel her energy and exhale, and to her surprise, a flash of white light shot from her wrist, transforming under the impact of her internal force into a silver sword about two feet long. Upon closer inspection, however, she found it to be without edge or point. Having grown accustomed to it, she thought nothing of it. Upon hearing her master's words, she attempted to channel her energy and exhale, and to her surprise, a flash of white light shot from her wrist, transforming under the impact of her internal force into a silver sword about two feet long. Upon closer inspection, however, she found it to be without edge or point.

Just as Xu Huizu was thinking, he stopped. Jinxi, upon entering the ancestral hall, felt increasingly anxious and uneasy

"Jinxu, although you have spent ten years in the mountains, you must understand your father's position and the situation of the court..." Xu Huizu fixed his gaze on Jinxu, noticing her look of confusion. He sighed and continued, "Since ancient times, how many meritorious officials have been able to withdraw unscathed? As descendants of the Xu family's main branch, the prosperity of our family rests upon us."

Father was loyal throughout his life, and he always refused to believe the facts. Jinxi, you must remember what your elder brother says from now on! Your elder brother is also planning ahead!" As he spoke the last sentence, Xu Huizu bowed his head and said solemnly, "The descendants of the Xu family, Huizu, should take the responsibility of revitalizing the family business as their own duty, may our ancestors bless us!

Jinxi was still in a daze, already being led by her elder brother to bow down.

She is still young, how could she understand? We can talk to her in detail later. Xu Huizu patted her head and helped her up, smiling as he said, "You haven't been back to the residence for long, and your elder brother is always eager to see you after finishing his work. It's not a big deal to go out and have fun, but when it gets late and you haven't returned, your elder brother can't help but worry. In this Nanjing city, who doesn't know that the King of Jingjiang is foolish and extremely arrogant? Your elder brother is just concerned about you."

Jinxi quickly added: "Yes, elder brother, you know Shouqian's temperament. Jinxi has said many times that she wants to go home, but Shouqian is having too much fun and refuses to leave." As she spoke, her voice began to choke up. She wasn't truly crying; she had become accustomed to putting on a show. Tears could come at any moment, not necessarily out of sadness. She only hoped that by appearing weak, her elder brother would let her off the hook.

Jinxi nodded, comfortably took a bath, but lay in bed and found herself awake again

She lowered her head and secretly scolded herself for being a coward who bullies the weak and fears the strong. In front of Zhu Shouqian, she was a fierce tiger, but in front of her elder brother, she turned into a little white rabbit. With her head drooping, she could only hope to get past her brother's scrutiny.

As she approached the embroidery building, she slowed her pace and softly instructed Zhenbei, "Zhenbei, prepare some hot soup, I am tired"

Jinxi resembles her mother, while Xu Huizu has inherited traits from both parents. He has the appearance of a delicate scholar, yet there is a military aura in his every gesture. When he remains silent and merely casts a faint glance with his eyes, even the arrogant and overbearing Zhu Shouqian would temper his demeanor in his presence, let alone Jinxi, who has been pretending to be obedient since returning to the residence just over a year ago.