Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 458 Martial Arts Sparring (Part 1)

Zhong Yunxiu looked up and saw that it was none other than her daughter, Zhong Han.

At this moment, Zhong Han was dressed in a light blue outfit, her hair was tied up, and a green belt was tightly tied around her waist. Her pretty face was as cold as ice, her eyes were as clear as water, and she was resolute and calm.

"Hanhan, what brings you here?" Zhong Yunxiu composed herself and forced a smile.

"Mother, I've made up my mind. Let's do it my way," Zhong Han said calmly.

"Hanhan, there's no need." Zhong Yunxiu naturally understood what she meant.

Zhong Han wanted to personally challenge Chen Ying's son, Chen Lingmo, to resolve the current predicament. It must be said, this was indeed a good idea. If Chen Lingmo couldn't even beat her… then he wouldn't have the face to propose marriage, and the turmoil would subside.

but…..

Zhong Yunxiu shook her head: "In the beginning, the Nine-Bend Academy was just a small force. Now, it has become much more glorious than before, but it also has many unnecessary constraints."

I've long been fed up with these things. At worst, we can break away and find our own way. We've grown from being weak to where we are now; even if we go independent, can't we succeed?

She didn't want her daughter to take risks, and preferred to harden her heart and leave Jingtian Manor, becoming a third-rate force.

In any case, the finances, manpower, and territory of the seven courtyards of Jingtian Manor are relatively independent. As long as she can be ruthless, this idea can most likely be realized.

“Mother, this is not right…” Zhong Han gently shook her head, “Jingtian Manor may be a shackle, but it is also a protection… Without the support of Jingtian Manor…”

She didn't finish her sentence, but Zhong Yunxiu already understood what she meant.

For a force to survive independently, it either needs to be located in a remote, unnoticed area with no coveted resources, or it needs to possess extremely strong high-end capabilities that no one dares to provoke. Alternatively, it needs to ally with a powerful force, hand over resources, and seek protection.

The Nine-Bend Courtyard does not meet any of the requirements.

If one were to break away from the area, aside from everything else, the resources available in the meat fields and markets alone would be highly coveted.

This is undoubtedly similar to a child carrying a golden treasure; the ultimate outcome can only be disintegration and being divided up by various forces.

Even at that point, the Three Mountains Sect might directly take action and use force to attack.

At least now, the Three Mountains Sect still respects the existence of Jingtian Manor and outwardly abides by the rules.

Therefore, leaving Jingtian Manor was not a wise move. Zhong Yunxiu actually knew this, but she spoke those words out of love for her daughter and in desperation.

Now that she has come to her senses, she remains silent.

“Mother, it’s alright. Let’s do it my way first.” Zhong Han saw Zhong Yunxiu’s dilemma and helplessness, and smiled gently. “We have to try all the solutions. If it really doesn’t work, then we can consider leaving Jingdu.”

"good…..."

After thinking for a long time, Zhong Yunxiu slowly nodded.

She looked intently at the smiling, beautiful girl in front of her, and couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

Time flies by so fast, it always slips away unnoticed.

In her memory, Zhong Han was still just a well-behaved and cute child who followed her around, babbling and mimicking her.

And now…

She squinted, her vision blurred with tears.

The graceful, bright-eyed, and poised young woman before me has already grown up without my noticing, and is now able to quietly share my burdens.

A myriad of feelings welled up in my heart, and a thousand words were hard to express.

In the end, everything I wanted to say turned into a sigh.

“Good… child, you’ve grown up…” Zhong Yunxiu quickly turned her back, her voice trembling slightly.

This is a feeling of sadness and grief at one's own powerlessness, but also an excitement and relief at seeing one's children grow up and become sensible.

After a long pause, she calmed down and said, "Hanhan, do you remember the starting stance I taught you before? Practice it again."

Zhong Han smiled, her figure gently landing on the lake surface. She slowly stepped out with her left leg, and in the blink of an eye, she transformed into a phantom, stirring up ripples on the lake surface, turning and twisting back and forth.

As the sun rose higher, the mist over the lake became increasingly thick and diffused. Zhong Han, like a fairy of the lake and a sprite in the mist, danced gracefully on the lake, giving people an indescribable sense of beauty.

The whole scene is so captivating that it makes one linger and lose track of time.

"Footwork is the foundation, mind is the form..." Zhong Yunxiu's voice pierced through the mist and landed steadily in Zhong Han's ears, who was far away.

"This set of 'Eight Illusory Steps' emphasizes the mind's perception, combining footwork with the spirit, linking intention and will. Combined with the characteristics of your true skill, the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm, it's enough to allow you to reach peak speed, making you virtually unmatched below the Grandmaster level..."

Agile movements, nimble footwork, and speed far exceeding your opponent's are enough to make you invincible... I don't ask you to fight desperately; as long as you can achieve a draw and remain safe, that's enough...

Don't overthink it. There's no hurdle you can't overcome; there's always a solution... At worst, I'll just disband the Nine-Bend Academy, and my daughter and I will retire. What can they do then? The most important thing... is still people..."

Listening to her mother's habitual rambling, Zhong Han smiled radiantly and couldn't help but smile back, replying, "Don't worry, Mother, I know..."

It's really not a big deal.

Then, she added another sentence to herself.

Better to be a broken piece of jade than a whole piece of tile.

This is her principle, and the path she has always adhered to.

......

Several days later, news spread that Chen Ying, one of the three top masters of the Three Mountains Sect, would be leading a group of renowned experts to visit and exchange ideas with Jingtian Manor.

Jingtian Manor is like the core of a spider web, with letters being sent out in all directions like threads.

......

......

Jingming Town, the Inspectorate.

"Get out of the way! Everyone get out of the way!"

A hurried young girl, carrying a huge bundle on her back, wearing a bright green dress and a small braid sticking up in the air, rushed out of the mansion gate and ran back and forth with great speed from the gate to the main hall.

"Little Yan Yan, what kind of behavior is this, shouting and yelling like that?"

The steward, Yang Du, dressed in black, came out of the inner room with a furrowed brow.

Xiao Yan is a clerk in the Inspectorate who is responsible for delivering and receiving letters and running errands.

Her parents were also miners in the mine, but they tragically died in a mining accident.

Han Yi took pity on her and arranged for the little girl to work at the Inspectorate, giving her an easy and pleasant job.