“Indeed.”
After hearing Qin Heng’s words, Chen Ning didn't show any surprise.
Qin Heng, on the other hand, appeared quite shocked.
“Could it be that Brother Chen already knew?”
Chen Ning smiled. “Your entire group consists of martial artists with extraordinary auras, yet you all show such reverence toward a little girl. If one simply thinks about it, it’s quite easy to notice the anomaly.”
“As expected of Brother Chen...”
Qin Heng couldn't help but feel a sense of solemn respect.
To hide their identities, they not only wore jade pendants that could mask a martial artist’s aura, but they even went as far as to deliberately mimic the movements of ordinary people when walking.
He hadn't expected that even with all that, Chen Ning would see through them at a glance.
However, more than his insight, Chen Ning’s noble character earned even more of his admiration.
If it were an ordinary scholar who learned that the little girl before them was the current Princess of the dynasty, they would likely have knelt on the spot and done everything to curry favor.
But Chen Ning remained neither humble nor arrogant; his attitude toward Xia Qiuyu hadn't changed in the slightest.
Not fawning over power or status—truly, only such a Confucian could possess the style of one who would eventually become a Grand Confucian!
Qin Heng was deeply moved and immediately said with some self-reproach, “I was truly blinded by greed and profit. Just now, I actually intended to give Brother Chen fifty taels of gold as a reward. Brother Chen’s character is as clear as water; what was I thinking, trying to defile Brother Chen with such worldly filth?”
As he spoke, Qin Heng, filled with guilt, prepared to put away the exquisite wooden box he had half-withdrawn.
“Wait, there’s no need for that.”
Chen Ning immediately grabbed Qin Heng’s wrist.
“Money is indeed worldly filth, but these fifty taels represent your sincere gratitude for me saving your lives. If I don’t accept it, you and the Little Princess might feel guilty for the rest of your lives, so... just hand it over.”
“Is that how it works?”
Qin Heng was stunned for a moment, but a look of realization soon dawned on him.
He had always considered himself to have a certain understanding of Confucian culture, but it wasn't until today that he realized he had only been clinging to superficial viewpoints. His thinking had not yet reached a truly profound level.
“I see. In that case, please accept these fifty taels of gold, Brother Chen!”
Qin Heng’s respect grew even deeper as he respectfully offered the fifty taels once more.
Chen Ning: “...”
This kid was so gullible it almost made him feel a bit guilty.
The two talked for a while longer.
Looking around, Qin Heng’s expression showed a hint of hesitation. After agonizing for quite a long time, he finally spoke.
“By the way, Brother Chen, I actually have an audacious request for coming here this time. If possible... could you take the Little Princess as your disciple and teach her martial arts? The Little Princess has good aptitude and will definitely work hard. Although talking about money is a bit tacky, for the sake of the Princess, we are willing to offer the most expensive reward.”
Xia Qiuyu also ran over at this time, looking up and pleading in a childish voice, “Qiuyu really wants to learn martial arts. Please be my Master, Big Brother. I can stand in the rain as punishment, I won’t doze off during the day, and I can even pretend not to see Big Brother and the pretty sister being lovey-dovey!”
A look of unprecedented determination actually appeared on Xia Qiuyu’s tender face.
Clearly, she had made a firm decision; her promise to endure hardship wasn't just talk.
“Be your Master?”
“Yes, my aptitude shouldn't be bad!” Xia Qiuyu nodded her little head seriously.
“Is that so?”
Chen Ning placed his hand on her thin shoulder.
As a wisp of Noble Qi traveled through Xia Qiuyu’s body, Chen Ning soon discovered that this girl’s Eight Extraordinary Meridians were incredibly smooth.
Not only were they unobstructed everywhere without a single blockage, but her bloodline was as hot as rolling lava, its color approaching a pale gold.
This situation could no longer be described as having talent; Xia Qiuyu’s constitution was absolutely extraordinary by birth!
【Ding! Detected someone with the Divine Phoenix Bloodline.】
【System Mission: Take Xia Qiuyu as a disciple. Reward for completion: Obtain the Divine Phoenix Bloodline.】
The origin of the Xuanfeng Dynasty’s name was related to the phoenix.
Legend had it that a thousand years ago, a Divine Phoenix bathed in fire had fallen here. Its blood flowed into the river, and the residents along the banks inherited its bloodline after drinking from it. Their constitutions were greatly enhanced, and relying on this power, they swept away the demons and established the dynasty here.
While he didn't know if the legend was true or false, Xia Qiuyu did indeed possess an extremely rare bloodline.
Dragons and phoenixes were equally famous, both being divine beasts.
The blood of a phoenix possessed the legendary Divine Ability of rebirth through fire.
Xia Qiuyu’s bloodline was undoubtedly extremely precious.
“I can obtain the Divine Phoenix Bloodline just by taking her as a disciple?”
Even so, Chen Ning didn't intend to accept her too easily.
“I will teach you a portion of basic martial arts. I’ll give you five minutes to see how much of it you can comprehend.”
As he spoke, Chen Ning lightly tapped his finger on the space between Xia Qiuyu’s brows.
Instantly, a small segment of the Mountain-Collapsing Punch’s memory flooded into Xia Qiuyu’s mind.
Xia Qiuyu closed her eyes, her expression gradually becoming extremely serious.
After a long while, she slowly opened her eyes, her little face carrying a hint of joy from successful comprehension.
Within the small room, Xia Qiuyu moved her body, and her fist momentum began to rise.
Although her technique was clearly a bit immature and unfamiliar, it unexpectedly possessed a few hints of the true charm.
As she threw punch after punch, Xia Qiuyu actually managed to grasp part of the Mountain-Collapsing Punch’s secret of cumulative power.
The force in her punches began to increase layer by layer, even whipping up gusts of wind.
“Whew!”
The wind and rain of her movements stopped abruptly.
After finishing the set, Xia Qiuyu took a deep breath and looked up expectantly.
“Big Brother, is this okay?”
“Yes, your comprehension is indeed good.”
Although Xia Qiuyu was still a small child, her constitution happened to be a perfect match for a martial artist who tempered their physical body.
Chen Ning looked at Qin Heng.
“However... there should be many experts in the Imperial Palace. Logically speaking, you shouldn't be looking for someone like me, who holds no official position, to be her Master.”
Qin Heng sighed.
“If it were before, that would indeed be the case. But the current capital, especially the Imperial Palace, is far more fraught with danger than it appears on the surface. The Princess’s risky departure from the capital this time was precisely to investigate one of those matters.”
“Oh? What matter?”
“Demons at work... No, perhaps it could also be called gods at work.”
Qin Heng’s expression became extremely grave.
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