Chapter 56: A Conversation with the Master's Uncle

Today, Liu Miao's attacks were even wilder and more violent than usual. Jiang Han was completely unable to defend himself and surrendered in defeat after just a short moment.

Yet, Liu Miao did not stop and continued to put him through his paces.

Jiang Han felt that Senior Sister Liu wasn't trying to teach him swordsmanship today, but rather taking revenge for what he had said earlier!

However, Liu Miao had her own justification: "Junior Brother, since you have already grasped the basics of swordsmanship, it is only natural for Senior Sister to train you a bit more strictly."

It wasn't until Jiang Han was bruised, sore all over, and repeatedly begging for mercy that Liu Miao finally stopped.

"Senior Sister only stayed up a little late to comprehend the inner arts. Junior Brother, you mustn't go around spouting nonsense about reckless indulgence in the future, understand?" Liu Miao said.

"Understood. Senior Sister racked her brains and spared no effort, staying up late just to help me comprehend the contents of the *Pure Yang Skill*."

"Mm, as long as you understand." Liu Miao nodded with satisfaction.

Jiang Han climbed up from the ground and changed the subject: "Senior Sister, is this inner art powerful?"

Liu Miao replied, "Extremely powerful! This is a Daoist inner art comprising four tiers. If one can master the first tier, their primordial yang will be abundant, and their vital energy and blood will be as robust as a cauldron. If one reaches the second tier, they will possess Pure Yang True Qi to protect their body, at which point you will step into the ranks of the current era's second-rate martial artists."

Jiang Han was taken aback. This inner art was actually this heaven-defying? Reaching the second tier alone made one a second-rate expert? If one were to reach the highest tier, wouldn't they be invincible in the world?

"Since this inner art is so powerful, why doesn't Senior Sister practice it too?"

Liu Miao shook her head and said, "This inner art is supremely rigid and yang. Women belong to the yin, and practicing this technique easily leads to a deviation in cultivation. By the way, before mastering the first tier of this inner art, one must remain chaste. Junior Brother, remember this well: once your chastity is broken, all your previous efforts will be wasted."

Jiang Han was instantly dumbfounded. He actually couldn't lose his chastity? Then what was the point of practicing it? Wait, before the first tier... meaning once he reached the first tier, he could break it.

A thought crossed Jiang Han's mind. He glanced around and asked in a low voice, "By the way, Senior Sister, does that sort of thing count as losing one's chastity?"

"What?" Liu Miao asked blankly.

"I mean... well, a man wielding a hook alone, sending ten thousand heads to the grave..."

"What? Ah? This thing? It probably doesn't count. I saw those illustrations all showed a man and a woman together; how could just one person count as breaking one's chastity..."

As Liu Miao spoke, her voice trailed off. The aloof expression on her face suddenly vanished as she said, "Junior Brother... I accidentally saw that in a book. Do you believe me?"

"I believe you, of course I do." Jiang Han nodded and said, "Senior Sister, even if you told me Master forced you to look at it, I'd believe you."

How could he not? If he didn't, he'd end up getting beaten up all over again.

"..." The expression on Liu Miao's face completely collapsed.

She felt that her image in front of her junior brother was utterly ruined, and she had no idea what her junior brother must be thinking of her in his heart.

Sensing that Senior Sister Liu practically had murder in her eyes and intended to silence him, Jiang Han quickly said, "Senior Sister, where is our martial aunt? I should go thank her for bestowing the manual."

"That courtyard to the west. Now scram!"

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Jiang Han walked toward that courtyard and soon found the beautiful martial aunt inside a leisurely pavilion.

The martial aunt was wearing a gorgeous crimson palace gown, the hem of which trailed on the ground and was slit at the calf, revealing a stretch of snow-white lower leg.

She wasn't wearing shoes; her pair of jade-white feet were bare, with golden rings fastened around her ankles.

At this moment, Shen Quan was sitting in the pavilion, lazily leaning against the back of her chair, basking in the sun while sipping tea.

"My martial nephew's spirit is much more vibrant and full of vigor; you're like a completely different person compared to when you first arrived," Shen Quan said with a smile as she sized Jiang Han up.

"I must thank Martial Aunt for bestowing that inner art upon me. After practicing it for several days, I can already feel it has been immensely beneficial," Jiang Han said.

"Sit, have some tea," Shen Quan smiled faintly.

Jiang Han sat down opposite Shen Quan, unable to help himself.

His martial aunt's chest was truly magnificent! Even bigger than the little wealthy woman's.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and immediately frowned.

Shen Quan remarked, "Do you find your martial aunt's tea unpalatable?"

Jiang Han shook his head. "It's not that. Your nephew is just not used to tea mixed with so many seasonings."

The tea in the Great Yu Dynasty required all sorts of spices and condiments added to it, which Jiang Han wasn't accustomed to drinking.

Shen Quan asked, "Oh? Isn't tea supposed to be like this?"

Jiang Han replied, "I've tasted a kind of tea that doesn't need any seasonings at all, preserving only the original flavor of the leaves... After some time, I'll prepare some and send it to Martial Aunt for you to taste."

"How wonderful! However, your martial aunt won't be staying here for long; I'll be leaving very soon," Shen Quan said.

Jiang Han was slightly stunned. "Where is Martial Aunt going?"

With ripples in her eyes and without answering directly, Shen Quan smiled and said, "I can see that my martial nephew is no ordinary person and is bound to achieve great things in the future. You must practice your martial arts diligently; perhaps your martial aunt will have to rely on you down the road."

Fortune-tellers in the past also used to say I was no ordinary person and destined to wear a yellow robe one day, yet I ended up delivering packages when I grew up... Jiang Han asked, "Martial Aunt, when are you leaving?"

"In the next couple of days." Shen Quan suddenly glared at Jiang Han and said, "Junior nephew, do you harbor thoughts of patricide and turning against your masters?"

Jiang Han was taken aback. "Huh? Why would Martial Aunt say that?"

"Because you've secretly glanced at my chest twelve times," Shen Quan said, looking right at him.

Jiang Han maintained a solemn expression and said, "Martial Aunt, please don't talk nonsense. I was merely appreciating beauty."

Shen Quan let out a silvery giggle, her voluptuous and graceful body trembling visibly, causing the golden rings on her feet to jingle. "You certainly have a glib tongue! Martial nephew, you must practice that *Pure Yang Skill* diligently; this inner art is also immensely beneficial for matters between men and women."

"Ah, well, your nephew will definitely practice it diligently."

"Then your martial aunt wishes you great success in your inner arts beforehand, so that good and evil may eventually meet their due rewards in the future."

Ah, this martial aunt was an absolute veteran in the ways of the world! Jiang Han said, "Your nephew will firmly keep Martial Aunt's instructions in mind. I will never forget the kindness of bestowing this manual; I am a person who always repays a kindness."

Shen Quan burst into giggles once more, her charming eyes fixed on Jiang Han as she said, "Junior nephew, you are far more interesting than your master! If not for other matters, I would really love to stay here and accompany you for a few days of intimate heart-to-heart talks."

Jiang Han flattered her, "I would also love to sit opposite Martial Aunt and share a drink. A beauty such as Martial Aunt is truly hard to find anywhere else under heaven."

Had it been Meng Hongshang or Qin Yunmian, he naturally wouldn't have uttered such bold and flirtatious words, but this martial aunt was clearly different; such direct praise would only make her happy.

Shen Quan chuckled gleefully and said, "Don't talk nonsense, junior nephew. Your master is the true, genuine beauty! Don't look at how long she has been famous; in reality, she is only twenty-seven this year! To this day, she remains unwed and is still a maiden... If you work hard enough, junior nephew, you might just be able to..."

Ah, why did it feel like his martial aunt was trying to tempt him into committing patricide and rebellion against his master? Jiang Han hastily said, "Martial Aunt, say no more. Jiang Han wouldn't dare harbor any inappropriate thoughts toward my master."

Shen Quan giggled and said, "Martial aunt is only looking out for your own good. In Yunyang County... no, within Luoyang City, many people are casting covetous eyes upon your Secret Fragrance Dew. Your master's swordsmanship is extraordinary; with her protection, those people wouldn't dare to act rashly."

"Junior nephew, ponder well upon what martial aunt has said. I'm going to take a midday nap now and won't keep you company."

With that, she stood up and walked toward the inner room. Her snow-white bare feet stepped softly upon the floor, the golden rings at her ankles chiming gently, leaving behind nothing more than a graceful and alluring silhouette.