Prince Qian Manor.
“By order of Princess Qiuyu, Qian Wenyao is suspected of harboring demons and impersonating a deity. Escort him to the dungeon to await trial!”
At Qin Heng’s command, the Imperial Guards swiftly swarmed into Prince Qian Manor, placing everyone inside under control.
Qian Wenyao was quickly captured and locked in shackles, his hair disheveled.
“Heh, the Princess? Quite a grand show she puts on.”
Yet, Qian Wenyao scoffed coldly, showing not the slightest panic.
“What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on the Princess’s status?”
Hearing this, Qin Heng frowned slightly.
“Nothing much. It’s just a word of advice. The Little Princess is merely a ten-year-old slip of a girl. It’s safest for her to stay dutifully in the deep palace. The muddy waters of the capital aren’t something she can wade into as she pleases.”
Turning around, the corner of Qian Wenyao’s mouth curled into a sinister sneer.
“Besides, you didn’t truly think a mere dungeon could hold me, did you?”
...
The inn.
After holding back for only a brief moment, Xia Qiuyu could no longer resist scooting up to Chen Ning’s side, her fluttering eyelashes brimming with curiosity.
“Master, what exactly is the test you mentioned earlier?”
Even Chen Ning could tell that although this Little Princess had been doted upon since childhood, her current resolve to study martial arts was indeed exceptionally firm.
Practicing martial arts required nothing more than a few essential factors: talent, physique, and hard work.
Since Xia Qiuyu possessed all of these, the only thing left to test was the final requirement.
“In that case, let us begin.”
Chen Ning looked seriously at Xia Qiuyu.
“What I will test this time is ‘respecting the master.’ The test is very simple. Within half a shichen, you may do anything you wish. As long as you can make me feel your attitude of respecting your master during this time, you will pass.”
In learning, nothing was more important than the teacher; even sages once said, “A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime.”
Even if Xia Qiuyu held an exalted status as a princess, if she lacked respect for a teacher’s benevolence, she would not be worthy of taking him as her master.
“Respecting the master? I understand!”
Xia Qiuyu lowered her little head and thought for a moment before an idea flashed in her mind.
Soon, she began bustling around Chen Ning, her voice sweet and tender:
“Master just fought with that fake Fire God, so your body must still be a little tired.”
As she spoke, Xia Qiuyu stepped forward and began kneading Chen Ning’s shoulders.
Although her hands were small, her motions of kneading and patting looked quite decent.
“How is it, Master? Does it feel comfortable?”
Chen Ning pondered for a moment and said:
“Mm... the rhythm is fairly good, but the strength is a bit light, and the technique is a little unpracticed.”
Hearing this, Xia Qiuyu showed no signs of discouragement; instead, her fighting spirit soared even higher.
“Don’t worry, Master, I have plenty more ways to show my filial respect!”
“Master, please soak your feet!”
“Master, please drink some tea!”
Xia Qiuyu busied herself running around the room.
One moment she brought in a basin of foot-soaking water, and the next she brewed a cup of fragrant, rich tea.
“This is my favorite candy, I’ll share it with Master too!”
Xia Qiuyu raised her little hands, respectfully offering a piece of colorful candy to Chen Ning’s lips.
It would likely be hard for anyone witnessing this scene to believe that this obedient little girl, who was trying every trick to honor her master, was actually the current dynasty’s princess.
“Mmm, let me think, what else can make Master happy?”
Xia Qiuyu tilted her little head, still racking her brain.
“That’s enough, no need to think anymore. You’ve already passed.”
At this moment, Chen Ning gently patted her head.
Although this sheltered Little Princess was slightly clumsy, her nature was pure, and she truly understood what it meant to honor the teacher and respect the Dao.
Since that was the case, he could comfortably claim the system reward.
“Come here. I will now teach you the complete Mountain-Collapsing Punch.”
“Really? Thank you, Master!”
The happiness came so suddenly that Xia Qiuyu did not even register it for a moment.
She instantly looked overjoyed, her eyes seeming to sparkle with brilliant starlight.
As Chen Ning lightly pressed his index finger between Xia Qiuyu’s brows, the complete contents of the Mountain-Collapsing Punch instantly flooded into her mind.
Although Xia Qiuyu had previously sensed that this fist technique was formidable, only after learning the complete contents of the Mountain-Collapsing Punch did she truly understand just how profound it was.
Progressing step by step, multiplying layer upon layer, ultimately mobilizing the power of the entire body into a single punch to shatter mountains and crush boulders.
This was the true profundity of the Mountain-Collapsing Punch!
Filled with excitement, Xia Qiuyu could not help but begin practicing the punch.
This time, Chen Ning was by her side personally instructing her.
Posture, points of exertion, and even the aura when throwing a punch.
Under Chen Ning’s meticulous explanations, Xia Qiuyu finally reached full comprehension.
What was a good teacher?
Without a master’s explanation, even if she had obtained this profound fist technique, she would never have been able to unleash its true might.
“Thank you, Master! I will definitely study hard with Master in the future and be Master’s little follower forever!”
Xia Qiuyu smiled sweetly, revealing two cute little canine teeth.
Afterward, she earnestly recalled what Chen Ning had just said, tirelessly practicing the fist technique over and over again.
Nearby, Qing Yan and Xiao Jiu’s gazes were also drawn over at the same time.
Chen Ning asked with a smile, “Interested? Since there’s nothing else to do, I can teach the two of you together if you’d like.”
“May I?”
Qing Yan’s dainty, ingot-shaped ears twitched uncontrollably, displaying intense interest.
I want to learn too, I want to learn too!
Xiao Jiu bounced around happily, seemingly unwilling to be left behind alone.
“In that case, let’s do it together.”
Chen Ning took the opportunity to explain it once more to Qing Yan and Xiao Jiu.
Although she grew sleepy whenever reading books, Qing Yan seemed to possess a unique talent for martial arts.
Just by listening to Chen Ning’s casual explanations, she easily grasped all of the content.
When Qing Yan also began practicing the Mountain-Collapsing Punch, her execution was surprisingly even more vivid and authentic than that of Xia Qiuyu, who possessed the Divine Phoenix Bloodline.
Every punch and stance looked well-practiced, and as her arms swept through the air, they even kicked up bursts of chilling fist wind.
Even Chen Ning could not help feeling a little astonished.
Could it be that this silly maidservant of his actually possessed an unexpected gift for martial arts?
Look at me, I'm very talented too!
Xiao Jiu had neither hands nor feet, but the way she vigorously wriggled her body actually bore some resemblance to throwing punches.
Inside the inn, one big and two small—two demons and one human—were practicing the Mountain-Collapsing Punch together in unison.
The scene looked somewhat peculiar, yet unexpectedly heartwarming.
The system prompt suddenly chimed at that moment.
【Ding, congratulations to the host for successfully taking Xia Qiuyu as a disciple.】
【Obtained system reward: Divine Phoenix Bloodline!】
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