Chapter 38: The Harlot’s Momentum

Qu Feiyan pointed at Li Zhuoguang and complained to Qu Yang, "Grandfather, he promised you he would take good care of me, but instead, he makes me wash his clothes every single day."

Wang Jingyuan rolled his eyes. Did she really think tattling to her elder would make him feel guilty or ashamed? When he had abducted Barbas, the pet of the Daedric Prince Clavicus Vile, he never had the slightest intention of returning it. He had even walked past Vile’s statue with the hound in tow; did he feel awkward? Not at all—he had simply pretended not to see it and continued walking the dog.

Hearing his granddaughter’s complaint, Qu Yang merely smiled. "You aren't a child anymore; it is time you learned how to handle chores and take care of yourself."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jingyuan realized that Qu Yang had not come seeking blood or vengeance. He walked over, gestured toward Qu Feiyan with his chin, and said, "Grown-ups are talking. Run along and wash your clothes, kid."

Qu Feiyan started to retort, but Qu Yang interrupted, "Feifei, I have some things I wish to discuss with Young Master Wang."

With a pout and a glare at Wang Jingyuan, Qu Feiyan stomped off. Only then did Qu Yang reveal his purpose: "I recently visited Brother Liu. While he has... minor reservations about your recent actions, he recognizes the merit in your plans and has been monitoring your movements. He noticed that since your arrival in Hengyang, you have been moving with purpose, and your recent capture of Tian Boguang was clearly no stroke of luck. Brother Liu is currently injured and unable to travel, so he asked me to tell you that you have his gratitude. If there is anything you wish to achieve, he still has the strength to lend you a hand."

Wang Jingyuan smiled. He hadn't expected Liu Zhengfeng to be thinking of repaying debts at a time when he was on the brink of disaster, rather than focusing on consolidating his resources. Still, it worked in his favor; his own maneuvers in Hengyang were, in a sense, intended to help Liu Zhengfeng complete his "gold basin hand-washing" ceremony smoothly.

Without standing on ceremony, Wang Jingyuan replied, "I do need him to do two things. First, since he intends to retire from the martial arts world, he will surely be selling off assets he cannot take with him. The Liu estate should be quite wealthy right now, and I need as much silver as he can provide. I have a use for it. Second, he must write a letter immediately to summon Sect Leader Mo to Hengyang before the ceremony. At that time, you two must lay everything bare before Sect Leader Mo and request his assistance."

Qu Yang frowned. "This..." The first request he understood, but the second sounded like courting death.

Sensing his hesitation, Wang Jingyuan didn't bother to explain, only saying, "I have always considered Third Master Liu a singular man. As a disciple of a righteous sect, he managed to bond with a demonic sect elder through music. Yet, he could remain as distant as a stranger to the senior brother he grew up with, to the point where, after decades, he still doesn't truly understand what kind of man his brother is."

Qu Yang remained perplexed, but he decided to pass the message to Liu Zhengfeng and let him make the final call. After a few parting words to Qu Feiyan, Qu Yang left.

With her protector gone, Qu Feiyan returned to the courtyard and began scrubbing clothes in silence. Wang Jingyuan shook his head and called her over. "Even if it’s just for show, you call me Master, so I might as well teach you something."

Qu Feiyan had two small short swords tucked into her belt. Wang Jingyuan drew one of them. Holding it with both hands, he raised it above his head, the blade hidden behind his back, mimicking a powerful overhead strike. Instead, he twisted his waist, letting the blade swing out from his side in a horizontal slash. "This feint is called the 'Lady's Stance.' It is highly deceptive and originates from Western swordsmanship. However, it requires a heavy blade to be effective. Years ago, a friend dragged me to a fencing club; I primarily practiced with a saber, so I couldn't fully utilize it. But I enjoyed the deceptive nature of the move, so I modified it."

Wang Jingyuan then held the short sword at his chest, posturing as if preparing to thrust. Suddenly, he dropped his stance and lunged forward, but instead of thrusting, he flicked the blade upward in an underhanded arc.

"The 'Lady's Stance' uses the back to hide the movement of the sword and hands for surprise," Wang Jingyuan explained. "My version uses the body's sudden drop and lean to achieve the same effect. Because this move is extremely underhanded and particularly nasty to men, I call it the 'Harlot's Stance.' You are small; it will be exceptionally effective. Practice it well."

Qu Feiyan looked disgusted. "That’s a horrible name. I’m not learning it."

"Fool, once a technique is in your hands, you can call it whatever you like. I don't care."

Hearing this, Qu Feiyan reluctantly accepted. "The essence of this move is sinking the body to hide the blade, so I shall call it the 'Butterfly Pouncing Stance'."

Wang Jingyuan waved his hand. "As you wish. But the essence isn't just hiding the blade. In a life-or-death struggle, you use whatever works. When you use this, remember to prepare some lime powder; even if they block the sword, they won't block the lime. Also, you use dual swords—you can feint with both and use the 'Harlot's Stance' with one."

Qu Feiyan shook her head. "Using lime is too low-handed. I won't do it."

"You, a demonic sect enchantress, complaining about low-handed tactics? That's forgetting your roots!"

"I'll use poison powder instead."

"That works just as well."

By evening, Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze returned. During dinner, they mentioned visiting Liu Zhengfeng, and Wang Jingyuan realized why Qu Yang had chosen to visit him today.

Wang Jingyuan had discovered that while the "Purple Mist Divine Skill" consumed vast amounts of internal energy, it also heightened the practitioner’s five senses. He recalled that in the original story, when Yue Buqun eavesdropped on Lin Pingzhi and Lao Denuo, it was noted that he used the skill to sharpen his hearing and sight. Given Qu Yang’s words, it was likely he had been hiding at the Liu estate, and with a human radar like Yue Buqun visiting, he had naturally chosen to slip away.

At dinner, Yue Buqun spoke of his visit and praised his disciple’s capture of Tian Boguang at length. He heaped so much praise on Wang Jingyuan that the other disciples felt uneasy—they had never heard their master praise anyone so lavishly. Some of his phrasing even sounded... flattering?