Chapter 95: Accepting a Disciple (Special Release)

When little Shuangshuang heard it wasn’t a story, her enthusiasm waned, but as soon as Liuling’er mentioned teaching her martial arts, she bit her little finger and asked in a childish voice, “What’s the benefit of learning martial arts?”

Children are indeed children; for a little imp like Shuangshuang, if there’s no benefit or motivation, who would bother with something so strenuous and unrewarding? But this is human nature. If Shuangshuang had said, “Learning martial arts is great, it builds strength and health, and you can help others when you see injustice,” Liuling’er would have immediately suspected her of being a little monster.

Liuling’er smiled and said, “There are plenty of benefits to learning martial arts! For example, if someone tries to bully you, you can stand up for yourself, or at least run away. Or say you want to hear a story, but others refuse. If you master martial arts, you can rely on your own fists—whatever story you want to hear, whichever version you desire…”

Wanting Shuangshuang to genuinely study martial arts, Liuling’er made a promise as grand as a painted cake in the sky.

Liuling’er felt she was asking for trouble. She’d suffered plenty when she learned martial arts herself, but thinking of Shuangshuang’s exceptional aptitude, she felt it would be a crime not to teach her.

Shuangshuang was utterly tempted; pure-hearted as a child, she exclaimed excitedly, “Is that really true? If I learn martial arts, who will teach me?”

Liuling’er pointed to herself, “Since little Shuangshuang agreed, as for who’ll teach you—someone right before your eyes, your sister Liuling’er will teach you personally!”

“Huh, Liuling’er will teach me? But Liuling’er, do you really know martial arts?” Shuangshuang looked at her in puzzlement, as if doubting Liuling’er’s words.

Liuling’er chuckled softly and rubbed Shuangshuang’s little head. There was no need for explanations—facts would speak louder than words.

Liuling’er stepped back and said to Shuangshuang, “There must be proper formality in passing on martial arts; it’s only right. Accepting disciples is the best way. Baili Shuang, I want you to take me as your master. I will accept you as my disciple and teach you martial arts. Will you agree?”

Shuangshuang nodded. Liuling’er continued, “Good. Baili Shuang, kneel now and bow three times to me. Heaven above, earth below, sovereigns, family, and finally your master—all must be respected, do you understand?”

Liuling’er spoke simply, and Shuangshuang obediently knelt and knocked her head three times, each with a loud thud. Liuling’er quickly pulled her up and gently rubbed the swollen spot on Shuangshuang’s head, “Good disciple, stand up now!”

For the next hour, Liuling’er explained the basics of martial arts to Shuangshuang. Since Shuangshuang was still young, she couldn’t train too hard, so Liuling’er started by teaching her basic punches. As the saying goes, training without practicing fists is all for nothing.

Shuangshuang’s innate talent was indeed extraordinary. Liuling’er demonstrated twice, and Shuangshuang could imitate her movements almost perfectly, although it was just imitation—without inner strength, her punches were merely paper tigers.

Even so, Liuling’er was astonished. She knew Shuangshuang was a prodigy, but this was almost unbelievable.

After an hour, Liuling’er promised Shuangshuang that if the weather was good the next evening, she would take her out for more practice. Then she brought Shuangshuang back to Xiao Tao, before heading to her own room.

An hour may not be long or short, but to Liuling’er, it was simply taking a child as her disciple. To Tong Wula, ordered by Baili Xian to follow Liuling’er, it felt like a century.

Tong Wula was skilled in nothing if not tracking and stealth—hence his reputation as the Shadow Guardian of the Cloud Sky Alliance. Yet he was utterly defeated by Liuling’er.

Liuling’er went to Xiao Tao’s place, but was tragically lost, unable to remember the way. Her lack of direction was more than an inconvenience; it was nearly fatal.

She wandered aimlessly, relying on memory, but the Prince’s mansion was so vast and every corridor looked the same. It took Liuling’er considerable effort to finally reach Xiao Tao.

Tong Wula could track people, yes, but with her chaotic and unpredictable movements, there was no pattern to follow. He was completely baffled, blinded by the randomness, and eventually had to give up.

He returned to Baili Xian to report, “Your Highness, please punish me. I failed in my duty and could not follow the princess.” With that, he bowed his head in shame.

Baili Xian, lying in bed, was momentarily stunned, “Oh? Even you couldn’t follow her? Is she capable of flying or vanishing into thin air?”

Tong Wula’s face turned even redder, “No, Your Highness, it seems the princess doesn’t recognize the way and wandered aimlessly. I suspect—suspect…”

“Suspect what? Speak freely!” Baili Xian granted him permission, and Tong Wula hesitated before replying, “I suspect the princess might have some kind of wandering soul disorder!”

Cough, cough, cough—Baili Xian was thunderstruck by Tong Wula’s speculation and waved him away, fearing that if Tong Wula kept talking, it would be more than just choking on water.