Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

The sun was high in the sky, and birds and insects chirped outside the window.

Xie Yuan awoke, opened his eyes, and stared at the ceiling. It felt both strange and familiar.

It took him a moment to remember why he was on the floor of the outer room. He silently got to his feet.

Looking into the inner room, he saw Mu Chaoyun, still clad in her black robe, sitting silently cross-legged on his bed. She seemed not to have moved all night.

He glanced a few times at her breathtakingly beautiful face. ’Is she still in a meditative trance healing herself, or is she already awake?’ he wondered. Just then, her eyes opened.

Xie Yuan nodded. "Morning," he said, then went to fetch water to wash up, just as he did every day when he lived alone.

This time, however, he fetched an extra basin of fresh water and placed it on a rack in the inner room.

Mu Chaoyun watched silently as Xie Yuan bustled about, her gaze following him. Then, she quietly rose and used the basin of water to wash up.

A night’s sleep had restored Xie Yuan’s energy. After tidying up, it was time for his morning cultivation practice.

He stood in the courtyard, however, hesitating slightly.

’Practicing my techniques in front of her...’

Mu Chaoyun had appeared at the doorway at some point. She said calmly:

"What secret could possibly be greater than the Black Celestial Book? Just do your practice."

Hearing this, Xie Yuan realized she was right. Sharing a secret like the Black Celestial Book had, to some extent, forged a close bond between them. They were in the same boat.

The peculiarities of his Cultivation Techniques could all be attributed to fortunate encounters and coincidences. The Health Cultivation Skill was a fortunate encounter, the Golden Bell Shield a coincidence. As for the rest, they could be shown to others.

’Though, speaking of secrets even greater than the Black Celestial Book, it’s not like I don’t have any,’ he thought. ’But she wouldn’t be able to tell anyway.’

So, Xie Yuan stopped hesitating and began his practice, starting with the Arhat Stance from the Golden Bell Shield and moving on to the Body-Nourishing Fist of the Health Cultivation Skill.

Xie Yuan practiced these fundamental techniques daily without fail. His current achievements had at least a little to do with his hard work.

However, the moment he started practicing today, Xie Yuan felt something was off.

’Huh? Why does it feel... so much smoother?’

Xie Yuan was surprised. The feeling of practicing today was completely different from before.

Usually, even though he was extremely proficient with the Arhat Stance, there was an unavoidable stiffness when transitioning between movements. It wasn’t an issue with the technique or his familiarity with it, but rather that his realm wasn’t high enough and his Blood Qi wasn’t strong enough.

In other words, his hardware was lacking; his body wasn’t quite good enough.

But today, his practice felt much more fluid. His Blood Qi surged naturally, flowing through his meridians and joints without any hindrance. The execution of his techniques was a good ten percent better than before.

’This shouldn’t be my imagination.’

Xie Yuan watched the numbers flicker on his panel. The rate of increase was indeed a bit faster than before, which startled him.

’Am I just in great shape today? With the Vajra Sect gone, I feel refreshed and clear-headed, so my practice is smoother.’

’Or is it the effect of the Nine Yang Flower? Hmm, that must be it. Miss Qin is really the best...’

After finishing his Golden Bell Shield practice, he tried the Health Cultivation Skill and found it had the same effect.

Seeing the slightly increased rate of progress for his Health Cultivation Skill, Xie Yuan broke into a smile, his mood soaring.

’Besides the Celestial Cyan Fruit from before, the only other thing that could speed up a slow-burn technique like the Health Cultivation Skill was Situ Qin’s prescription mixed with that treasure material. I can’t believe the residual effects are still present today?’

His practice finished, Xie Yuan felt refreshed. He went inside and saw the food box. ’Can’t let this go to waste, I’ll heat it up and eat it today,’ he thought. But when he reached out to lift it, it was exceptionally light.

He froze for a second, then opened it to find it completely empty. The plates were wiped clean.

Xie Yuan looked at the food box, then at the impassive Mu Chaoyun sitting perfectly still, and chuckled.

"Did you have a midnight snack, Miss Mu?"

"Mm."

Mu Chaoyun hummed a flat "Mm," her face expressionless.

"Alright then."

’Grandmasters sure have a big appetite,’ Xie Yuan thought. ’Boss Wu packed enough food for several large men, but Mu Chaoyun ate every last bite.’

He picked up the food box, went to the canteen, and filled it with several large steamers of meat buns, a bucket of pumpkin and millet congee, a large platter of side dishes, and a dozen boiled eggs. Returning to the room, he placed it next to Mu Chaoyun.

"Miss Mu, please have breakfast."

Mu Chaoyun glanced at the food box, her cheeks flushing slightly. She pursed her lips and said:

"I can’t eat that much by myself."

Xie Yuan paused for a moment before saying:

"Mine is in there too."

"...Oh."

The two of them began to eat breakfast at the same table, creating a scene of unexpected harmony.

After breakfast, Xie Yuan looked at Mu Chaoyun, whose complexion was much ruddier than yesterday. He didn’t ask where the demonic Tiger Bone had gone, but simply inquired:

"Miss Mu, you’re often sitting cross-legged in meditation. Are you circulating your power to heal your injuries? I wonder where you’re hurt? Is there anything else I can help with? Please, just ask."

Mu Chaoyun shook her head gently, not elaborating.

"Food to fill my stomach and shelter from the rain are all I require. Of course, if you have any more Spiritual Medicines or Treasure Materials like that bone to replenish my Qi and Blood, that would be for the best."

Xie Yuan said helplessly:

"Even the Escort Agency Head only had one. I doubt the agency has any more. I’ll go to the pharmacy and ask if there are other prescriptions for replenishing blood."

Mu Chaoyun shook her head.

"Common ones won’t be necessary. I have my own injury medicine; it just takes time to work."

"I see."

Xie Yuan nodded and didn’t press further.

The day after the Vajra Sect fell, the Escort Agency was flooded with visitors.

People trying to curry favor, pay their respects, offer congratulations, and build connections turned the massive Escort Agency into something resembling a crowded marketplace. The Escort Teams couldn’t even get out the door.

Aside from those visiting the agency, a considerable number came specifically for Xie Yuan himself.

The story of Xie Yuan’s feats on the tournament stage yesterday had already spread. For the past day, his name was on everyone’s lips in the streets and alleys of Yunzhao County, from the elderly to young children. He had truly become a household name.

The most obvious effect of his far-reaching fame was that, besides those wanting to befriend him, the number of matchmakers coming to his door today had increased yet again.

However, Xie Yuan had already informed the people at the Escort Agency that he would be closing his doors to all guests to focus on his practice. He wouldn’t see anyone.

Socializing was too much trouble; he’d rather practice his martial arts.

Furthermore, Xie Yuan probably wouldn’t be staying in Yunzhao County for much longer, so there was no need to waste his time.

Shen Longteng and the other escort leaders would handle the Escort Agency’s operations, development, and social obligations. Xie Yuan didn’t concern himself with it.

As for Yu Chunsheng, he had been remarkably quiet today.

Other than a rumor that he had flown into an unprecedented rage yesterday and smashed up the county yamen, he had made no other moves. He was being very docile, not even resorting to his favorite tactic of using criminal law to harass the Escort Agency.

The Vajra Sect was his foundation, his greatest source of confidence. Without the financial backing and network of the Vajra Sect, Yu Chunsheng was just a piece of driftwood in the sea of bureaucracy, unable to make any waves.

Many people had their eyes on him, just waiting for an opportunity to bring him down.

Xie Yuan still had the two ledger pages on him, just waiting for the Vice Judicial Commissioner from Yunzhou Prefecture to make his move. Then, he would completely strip away Yu Chunsheng’s protective hide.

And the day Yu Chunsheng took off his official robes would be the day he died.

That day was not far off.

Xie Yuan remained in his small courtyard, practicing behind closed doors. When it was time for lunch, he would fetch enough food for several people and return to eat with Mu Chaoyun.

Martial Artists naturally have large appetites, so even if Xie Yuan took a little extra, no one would question it.

During his free time in the afternoon, Xie Yuan continued to practice in the courtyard.

The Eight Trigrams Mountain-Shaking Fist, the Moon-Cutting Axe—these combat skills also required painstaking effort.

Xie Yuan was shouting as he practiced when he suddenly heard Mu Chaoyun’s voice:

"That last axe strike of yours—if you’d held back a fraction of its power and built up a fraction more momentum, it would have been better."

Xie Yuan stopped at her words, replaying the move in his mind. He drew a sharp breath.

He immediately executed the move again and, sure enough, he felt he had a better grip on the axe. There were more possibilities for follow-up attacks, making it harder for an enemy to escape.

Xie Yuan couldn’t help but say in pleasant surprise:

"You know axe techniques too, Miss Mu?"

"Not exactly. But the principles of the Martial Dao are largely the same. Master one art, and you can understand them all."

Mu Chaoyun stood by the door, her voice even.

Xie Yuan was instantly filled with awe. The woman before him was a Grandmaster, and such a young one at that.

Those at the Heaven and Earth Bridge realm were called Grandmasters, and not for nothing.

Martial Artists who could reach this realm were one in ten thousand, exceedingly rare. Moreover, those at this stage had begun to perceive the world around them, comprehending the ways of nature. Their understanding of the Martial Dao was on a completely different level from those in the External Training or Qi and Blood Metamorphosis realms. The title of Grandmaster was well-deserved.

Although Mu Chaoyun had never stated her age, after spending two days with her, Xie Yuan could clearly sense that she wasn’t one of those who used techniques to preserve their youthful appearance. In fact, it was very likely she wasn’t even thirty.

At such an age, to have reached such a realm... the word "genius" wasn’t enough to describe her.

Xie Yuan knew she was formidable, but given her cold temperament, he never thought she would take the initiative to instruct him. He grew excited.

Just a few pointers from Shen Longteng’s experience had been a great help to him. With Mu Chaoyun giving him one-on-one instruction, wouldn’t he just take flight?

Xie Yuan shamelessly fired off a barrage of questions, from Fist Skills to weapons, from Inner Power to training methods, continuing until the sun began to set in the west.

Mu Chaoyun’s voice remained calm and even as she explained, as if no question about the Martial Dao could stump her. Surprisingly, she showed no sign of impatience.

If Xie Yuan hadn’t been sensible enough to go fetch dinner first, he probably would have pestered Mu Chaoyun with questions until the stars were high in the sky.

After dinner, Xie Yuan eagerly tested out the many new tips and martial principles he had learned that afternoon. Sure enough, he had breakthroughs in areas that had previously stumped him!

The most direct effect was that the progress on his panel shot up, and his efficiency increased dramatically.

’Personalized guidance from a Grandmaster... what kind of treatment is this!’

Xie Yuan was grinning from ear to ear. A part of him didn’t want Mu Chaoyun to leave, even hoping her recovery would be a little slower.

When it was time to rest, Xie Yuan obediently fetched two buckets of water without another word of complaint.

Mu Chaoyun still used the bucket in the room—which was Xie Yuan’s bathtub. Though it was still awkward for her to bathe, she no longer blushed.

A person’s ability to adapt is always strong.

「Then, in the middle of the night.」

Mu Chaoyun put away a porcelain vial. She looked at Xie Yuan, who was curled up in a ball, her gaze calm. She no longer felt any reluctance to use her Spiritual Medicine.

「The next morning.」

As Xie Yuan practiced, a strange expression came over his face.

’Why does it feel even smoother than yesterday?’ he wondered. ’Mu Chaoyun’s guidance was a huge help, but this feeling in my body...’

’It’s as if my talent itself has increased.’

Xie Yuan practiced his skills with almost no difficulty, his whole body feeling comfortable and relaxed.

It was like a star student solving a problem—there was nothing he couldn’t understand. Everything went smoothly, completely under his control.

Coupled with the visible progress before his eyes, he didn’t feel a trace of weariness. Instead, he was on the verge of becoming a martial arts fanatic, practicing painstakingly again and again under Mu Chaoyun’s watch.

’This efficiency is on par with using the demonic Tiger Bone. At this rate, it won’t be more than a few days before I can break through the Bone Forging stage and master the Fourth Training.’