Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

He, however, was more than happy with the peace and quiet, simply sitting there and drinking alone.

Amid the heavy atmosphere, Du Jian walked up and looked at Xie Yuan.

"Master Xie, to be promoted to Darts Master at such a young age... I imagine your cultivation must be extraordinary?"

The surrounding guests had all been secretly watching them. Hearing Du Jian’s words, they all nodded silently. ’Since he has no family background, it must be his talent that earned him Miss Qin’s favor.’

’Even if he’s not on the Hidden Dragon List, he must at least be...’

"I’m far behind Brother Du. I’m only at the Third Training."

Xie Yuan shook his head.

’Third Training?’

The guests glanced at each other again, momentarily at a loss for words.

Even Du Jian hadn’t expected this. He froze for a moment, seemingly searching for the right words.

"Third Training? Even I’m at the Third Training! And I’ve barely trained at all..."

The mutter came from none other than Peng Wei, who was nearby.

Everyone present, aside from Xie Yuan, was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They had grown up eating the finest tonics and receiving pointers from famous masters. Even if they were only training to stay fit, they could easily reach the Second or Third Training.

Take Peng Wei, for example. He slacked off constantly but was still at the Third Training. As for those who were slightly more dedicated to the Martial Dao and had both talent and resources, several of the young men present had already reached the Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm.

Xie Yuan glanced at Peng Wei and simply smiled.

"My aptitude is mediocre and my progress slow. I’ve made a fool of myself."

Hearing this, Du Jian shook his head.

"Master Xie, that’s where you’re wrong. Aptitude only determines part of one’s cultivation; effort is also extremely important. My own aptitude isn’t the best. I made it onto the Hidden Dragon List by putting in ten times the effort of an ordinary person and training bitterly. Not only that, but I also journeyed deep into the West Desert, infiltrated enemy territory, and hunted down dangerous men to temper myself. That is how I achieved my current level of cultivation.

"As someone from a common background, Master Xie, you should be training even harder to make a name for yourself. But if you just complain about your aptitude and wallow in self-pity, your achievements will be limited."

Du Jian’s speech won a round of applause from the onlookers. Xue Yanwen praised him, saying:

"As expected of a prodigy from the Hidden Dragon List. Your insight is truly extraordinary."

"Well said!"

"Truly worthy of the Hidden Dragon List!"

Xie Yuan looked at Du Jian, who was now lecturing him, and chuckled dryly.

"Brother Du makes a good point. I’ve been taught a lesson.

"However, there is one thing I don’t understand. When you went to train in those dangerous lands, Brother Du, did you go alone? Or did the Governor-General send men to accompany you?"

Hearing this, Du Jian froze for a moment, and his expression darkened.

"What do you mean by that, Master Xie? It was for tempering myself, so of course I traveled alone. If I had people protecting and accompanying me, how could I have forged a Martial Artist’s will? How could I have made it onto the Hidden Dragon List?"

"Really?"

Xie Yuan looked into Du Jian’s eyes, a wide grin spreading across his face.

"If I were your dad... ah, I mean, if I were the Governor-General, would I really feel at ease letting my precious son venture deep into dangerous lands?

"He might be fearless as a newborn calf, but having been on the border for many years, I know how cunning our enemies are. Why would I let an inexperienced boy go off to get himself killed? And even if the kid is stubborn, wouldn’t I send experts ahead to protect him in secret?

"Brother Du, during your tempering, did things ever feel... exceptionally smooth? For example, were the enemies you faced always just manageable? Were all the unexpected events perfectly within your control? Did your cultivation journey feel like nothing but smooth sailing?"

As Du Jian listened to Xie Yuan, his expression began to change. His once-resolute look faltered, replaced by growing doubt, until he stood there, completely stunned.

"Brother Du, my cultivation may be inferior to yours, but I’ve fought and bled for everything I have. I’ve reached this point through my own talent and sweat. Your experience doesn’t apply to me."

Xie Yuan concluded, taking a sip of wine.

Hearing this, Du Jian’s expression shifted several times before finally settling on one of shame.

"Brother Xie is right. I’ve said too much. I... SIGH... I need to ask about this when I get home."

Xie Yuan watched him, somewhat surprised by how readily he admitted it.

In truth, he had just made that whole speech up on the spot.

He had no idea if Du Jian’s father had actually sent people to protect him. He’d simply described a highly probable scenario that was impossible to disprove. He just couldn’t stand watching Du Jian put on the airs of a senior to lecture him.

People who get lucky enough to coast on their privilege often mistake the platform’s contribution for their own merit. They then turn around and lecture their successors, completely unaware that they’re just pigs who happened to be standing in the path of a whirlwind.

The expressions on the faces of the surrounding guests grew complicated.

For one, there was an undeniable logic to Xie Yuan’s words that some of them had never considered.

For another, this common-born Darts Master was facing a crowd of young men from illustrious families, including a master from the Hidden Dragon List, yet he spoke with such confidence and eloquence that he completely deflated Du Jian’s imposing aura.

Even if he did have Situ Qin’s backing, few people could remain so composed—neither servile nor arrogant—and hold their ground in such a situation. In fact, few of the men present could have done the same.

Into the silence, where everyone was lost in their own complicated thoughts, Peng Wei’s voice suddenly cut through:

"Brother Du, don’t listen to his nonsense! He’s just some Darts Master from a small county. What could he possibly know?"

He was already unhappy with Xie Yuan on account of Situ Qin, not to mention he had a habit of speaking without a filter and wasn’t well-liked to begin with.

"Yun... Yunzhao, was it? Hmph. The County Captain of your Yunzhao County came to visit my father just a few days ago, and wasn’t he just bowing and scraping? And now a Darts Master from Yunzhao has the nerve to act all high and mighty."

At this, Xie Yuan’s ears immediately perked up.

"Yu Chunsheng? Young Master Peng, are you saying that Yu Chunsheng, the County Captain of Yunzhao County, visited your esteemed father?"

"That’s him. The Escort Agencies in Yunzhao are all under his jurisdiction, right? He had to come see my dad to get that promotion to County Captain in the first place."

Peng Wei snorted and tilted his head back, looking extremely smug.

Hearing this, Xie Yuan’s eyes narrowed.

Many of the other scions shook their heads at Peng Wei’s behavior, but no one spoke up to stop him. They were more interested in watching the show.

But the host, Xue Yanwen, cleared his throat and gave a nervous laugh.

"Young Master Peng, we’re only discussing matters among us young people here. Don’t say something you’ll regret after a few drinks!"

"It’s fine, Your Highness. What’s the big deal? It’s an open secret anyway!"

Peng Wei declared with a swagger, waving his hand dismissively.

Xie Yuan pressed his lips together, leaned in a little closer, and said with a smile:

"Truly worthy of Young Master Peng’s reputation! So carefree and magnanimous! I’m impressed.

"But I am a little curious. Yu County Captain is a man of great prestige and is deeply respected in Yunzhao. Our Escort Agency has many dealings with him... SIGH. We see how hard the County Captain works for Yunzhao, and we can’t help but worry about him. May I ask what business he had visiting the Inspector General a few days ago?"

Flattered by the praise, Peng Wei felt his mood improve. He eyed Xie Yuan and said:

"You want to know?"

Xie Yuan nodded.

Peng Wei sneered.

"And why should I tell you? For no reason at all..."

Hearing the unspoken condition in his tone, Xie Yuan went along with it and asked:

"Then what do you propose, Young Master Peng?"

Peng Wei’s eyes swept over Xie Yuan, then settled on the saber at his waist. He chuckled slyly.

"How about this? We’re both men of the Martial Dao. Since you also use a saber, let’s have a friendly spar! We’ll use this information as the prize. If you win, I’ll answer any question you have! Hmph, I’d like to see for myself what right you have to be seeing Miss Qin!"