Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 112: An Expert

The mighty eagle.

Yan Mo looked up at the sky. The vast expanse was a brilliant blue, dazzlingly radiant.

“Are you really that skilled in martial arts? I’ve heard that some deities can draw sustenance from the wind and drink from dew, thus needing no grains. Strong warriors can split mountains and crack steles,” Yan Mo asked.

“If you had traveled beyond, you’d know how small your village truly is. The same goes for this entire Nine Provinces region. There are fewer than five people in the world who can truly rival me. That’s how strong I am,” Xu Qing replied. “But I’ve been hiding from one enemy all along—a mortal enemy with a life-or-death grudge. I’m no match for him.”

“Yan Mo, you’re different from me. You are destined for great achievements. I’ve seen your fate—it carries the aura of kings and generals, not to be underestimated.”

“Fate? Isn’t that just some vague, mystical notion?” Yan Mo said, puzzled.

“That’s just what charlatans in the martial world have ruined. Nowadays, true scholars of genuine skill are rare, and even they have their pursuers,” Xu Qing chuckled.

“But I can’t learn much; I always borrow others’ books, and some characters I can’t even recognize,” Yan Mo said, disheartened.

“Would you like to go on a scholarly journey? Your path should be among the stars and seas, across the Four Seas and Nine Provinces,” Xu Qing said to him.

“A scholarly journey?” Yan Mo was taken aback.

“The divine dragon soars in the nine heavens. Your future should not be confined to this small mountain village. I can teach you martial arts to protect yourself, and there are many ways to make a living,” Xu Qing continued. “There are many learned people in the world. Go see the world, visit masters, and you will learn much. Truly talented people won’t be stingy with their knowledge.”

“I understand,” Yan Mo nodded, considering it seriously.

“Brother Xu Qing, what about me?” Yan Shuyi blinked her large eyes, her thick, curled lashes fluttering with curiosity.

“You stay and keep your mother company. You don’t need to do anything at home,” Xu Qing smiled.

She responded with a soft “Oh,” nodding.

After entering the town, they exchanged money, bought some salt and other essentials, and purchased books, pens, and paper for Yan Mo.

They had considered buying a few sets of clothes, but it was better to just get a few bolts of cloth to take home—clothing was too expensive otherwise.

That way, they could make several outfits.

Han Keru was already a rare beauty, and her daughter was no less so—a budding beauty.

Her face was a delicate oval, with a small, slightly pointed chin. Under the sunlight, her fair cheeks looked as smooth as creamy jade. Her long lashes curved upwards, framing eyes as clear as autumn waters, blinking adorably. Her small mouth was tender and red, lips soft and fine. When she smiled, the corners curved up like a baby’s innocent grin.

On the way back, Xu Qing taught her to make string figures, and she quickly learned. Her soft, rosebud lips curved into a happy smile, like a beautiful little sprite suddenly descended to the mortal world.

“Mother, mother…”

Once home, she eagerly sought her mother’s company to play together.

Xu Qing didn’t know much about these games, but even in the countryside, children had their little amusements.

Though after a while, the novelty might wear off.

Yan Mo had already run off to read. Xu Qing went to chop firewood for their household.

“Brother Xu Qing, Brother Xu Qing…” Yan Shuyi soon came to tug at him. “My mother doesn’t know how to play; please teach her.”

No playmate meant a little girl could get very bored.

Though she knew how to play, she couldn’t teach others.

“Just start in here…”

Xu Qing guided them hand-in-hand, and the game finally continued.

Their light touches made her cheeks flush.

Xu Qing noticed the thick calluses on her slender fingers and thought how hard her life must have been. For a woman to have raised two children this size was no easy feat.

“By the way, Yan Mo is very gifted. His future is boundless. He should learn more; staying here would bury his talent!” Xu Qing had said beforehand.

“I understand, but our family couldn’t afford to send him to private school. It’s hard for the child,” Han Keru glanced in that direction.

“When I was his age, I had already traveled the world, visiting renowned scholars and masters,” Xu Qing told her.

“A scholarly journey? But he can’t even take care of himself yet,” Han Keru worried.

“He can! These are all learnable. I’ll also teach him martial arts so he can protect himself. No matter where he goes, he’ll be safe!” Xu Qing said earnestly. “And as for you all, I want to take care of you. I won’t leave again.”

A woman so graceful and elegant naturally stirred Xu Qing’s heart.

But this time, it was more than just a passing feeling.

He let her ponder this on her own, then went to chop the firewood, fetch water, weed, and water the vegetable garden. Han Keru was overwhelmed and awkward around him.

He glanced over to see her bending down to pick up a dustpan, shaking off debris and blowing away chaff.

She was gentle, virtuous, kind, and beautiful. Xu Qing often felt her meticulous care and selfless devotion without her realizing.

Her mature body exuded a subtle fragrance unique to a woman fully blossomed—like a fine wine aged for a century, intoxicating upon tasting.

“Xu Qing…”

Yan Mo had practiced for two hours and wanted to learn martial arts from him next—to master martial skill first, to make everything easier later.

The little girl hurried over to follow, so Xu Qing had to carry her into the mountains to find a good spot.

Since ancient times, spring hunting had been customary. Though it was already summer and small animals were scarce, villagers still brought homemade traps to try their luck.

Both children were enthusiastic; it seemed like their first time entering the mountains, having never had the chance before.

This area was apparently called South Cloud Ridge, as Xu Qing had learned from others.

“What do you want to learn?” Xu Qing asked, breaking two slender bamboo branches. “Let’s start with swordsmanship.”

“Hmm, swordsmanship is enough,” Yan Mo nodded.

“It’s still early for you to learn swordplay, but memorize the moves for now—remember as many as you can,” Xu Qing said. “The techniques and footwork demand much. Just take a look first.”

Xu Qing devised a simple, easy-to-learn form, closed his eyes briefly, and the moves flowed from his mind.

His right hand held the bamboo branch horizontally, starting with the first form.

His movements were graceful and light, unrestricted and free-flowing, with a sense of natural ease.

Leaves fluttered and were sliced midair; the sword tip danced lightly, the force perfectly controlled.

The two halves of the cut leaf drifted down together, separating only upon landing.

In the end, the sword light moved like a nimble eel, effortlessly passing through several leaves at different positions.

The long sword plunged fiercely into a tree trunk, piercing through completely, with thick sap oozing out.

But it was only an ordinary bamboo branch.

Yan Mo was stunned, mouth slightly agape.

“Clap clap clap…”

The little girl clapped vigorously, cheering excitedly, her face bright. “Good!”

“Can I really learn to this level?” Yan Mo couldn’t believe it.

Watching Xu Qing’s swordplay was like watching clouds drifting in the sky or streams flowing endlessly.

“Regulate your breath,” Xu Qing pressed a few acupoints on his body.

Yan Mo hurriedly followed the routine, his true qi flowing like water within, cycling continuously.

Hum…

A slight swelling in his dantian suddenly awakened him. He sprang up, feeling light as a swallow, leaping a zhang high.

“Xu Qing…”

Yan Mo looked at him hurriedly.

“Practice on your own,” Xu Qing said casually, unfazed.

He had just passed a threshold and become an ordinary martial artist.

After playing string figures with the little girl, he rested against a tree.

The little girl leaned on him and soon fell asleep.

Yan Mo had to practice alone, repeating the moves he had just learned, struggling with a few uncertain steps, recalling them carefully.

Then he tried to master sword energy as taught by Xu Qing.

He slashed straight out; the air whistled sharply, but he still couldn’t sever objects from a distance.

Without sword energy, all effort was in vain.

Time and again, he started over, practicing tirelessly.

Whoosh…

Yan Mo mimicked the movements, and finally, his long sword shot out. He then noticed a figure nearby.

“Who’s there?”

A sharp shout rang out.

Clang…

The bamboo branch grazed past someone’s face and lodged deeply into the tree trunk.

The child’s face turned pale with fright.

In the next moment, Xu Qing flipped up, holding the sleeping girl in his arms, shielding Yan Mo behind him.

There was killing intent—fierce and palpable.

Under the tall, upright pine stood an elderly man, his years apparent, flanked by several sturdy men in armor.

One of them immediately moved before the old man, shielding him behind a large pine tree. The strong men who had been scattered quickly encircled the elder.

“What’s the fuss about?” The old man raised his brows, radiating authority without anger. “Just a couple of kids.”

The young men had noticed, too—three of them, one adult and two children.

The little girl was still asleep.

The young man holding the child exuded no threat at all, just the aura of an ordinary person.

But the hairs on his neck stood on end. He thought, this is serious trouble!

A colossal matter indeed!

He also saw the bamboo branch deeply embedded in the tree, still oozing sap.

Such strength and internal power—beyond his reach.

Usually, when a figure like the elder appeared, the entire area within a hundred paces would be under strict lockdown.

This time, the elder had returned home quietly, requesting only a dozen bodyguards from the palace, unknown even to local officials.

The country was not peaceful. To the north, the people were fierce, and banditry was rampant.

If attacked, they would be isolated and helpless, with dire consequences.

But here, there must be martial arts experts!

They were on high alert, their minds intensely focused.

“Who are you?” they asked sharply.

Though their clothing was plain, their gazes were sharp and penetrating as they scrutinized the group.

Sweat dripped down Yan Mo’s back, soaking his clothes.

Still just a child, he clung tightly to Xu Qing’s garment.

But at this moment, faces were hidden.

Xu Qing remained calm, sensing no threat.

If one were to name the five strongest people on earth, he would be among them.

Except for Wang Chuan, no one else could stir his thoughts.

He remained unruffled.

“We came up here to dig bamboo shoots. The child’s mother is ill,” Xu Qing said.

Their clothes were rough cloth, patched, and their straw sandals worn and tattered.

Yet their complexion was fair, revealing something uncommon.

“I live at the foot of this mountain, farming. My name is Xu Qing,” he added.

But the men had already surrounded them.

“Rest for a moment, have some water,” Xu Qing said, sitting down carefully and holding the little girl.

“Why are you so nervous?” he thought. The tension was obvious.

“Mm, mm…” Yan Mo was still shaken, extremely nervous.

Feigning nonchalance, his eyes darted cautiously, wary of sudden moves.

At that moment, the forest rustled, and the elder approached.

They searched the area thoroughly but found no one else, heightening their alertness.

The elder cleared his throat softly and kindly asked, “Do you live in the village below?”

“Yes, yes,” Xu Qing smiled, now fluent in the local dialect.

“Sorry to trouble you. Were you frightened?” The elder glanced at his men, then at the trembling Yan Mo, chuckling softly.

“No, sir. You must be a wealthy family, like the village’s landlords who always travel with a few bodyguards,” Xu Qing said admiringly.

“Heh, something like that,” the elder smiled.

“Then why are you here?” Xu Qing asked. “The deeper mountains are dense forests; one could get lost and never find a way out. You should head back; there are many fine places for sightseeing.”

“You seem familiar with this place. Why haven’t you returned?” The elder walked over and sat on a large rock to rest. “I hear there are bears and wild boars here—quite dangerous.”

“Yes, I’ve even killed wolves!” Xu Qing said earnestly. “When the children heard I was going hunting for bamboo shoots, they insisted on coming along. I also hoped to find some herbs.”

The elder seemed to believe him completely and looked at the two children. “Such filial devotion.”

At that moment, his guards whispered something, apparently urging him to leave quickly.

No one else was found nearby; perhaps a master was hiding in the shadows.

Otherwise, these three looked suspicious.

The elder nodded knowingly. Though well aware, he said, “Where are your bamboo shoots?”

“Right here. Enough for a meal to nourish her,” Xu Qing pulled one from behind, still covered in dirt.

Yan Mo’s eyes widened in disbelief.

When did he even get that?

“My name is Xu Qing. If you need anything, come find me in the village,” Xu Qing stood up. “It looks like rain soon. You should leave early.”

“Rain?” The elder looked up. By his experience, it seemed unlikely.

Still, he chuckled, nodded slightly, and said, “Alright, I’ll remember your words!”

A lifetime of military service made him confident in his eyes. This young man was no ordinary figure.

Only his guards had failed to notice.

He had not returned home in sixty years and never used influence to help his hometown. He felt guilty for having done nothing for his people. This time, he chose to come quietly to avoid disturbing the villagers. Otherwise, stirring up trouble would only invite resentment.

What right did he have to return in glory?

None at all.

“Are you heading down the mountain, too? Come along,” the elder invited.

“Ah, that’s good,” Xu Qing said, feeling it more dignified to walk with them.

One arm held a child, the other stretched out for Yan Mo.

“Your children are so well-behaved,” the elder said. “Have they been to private school?”

“No money to afford it,” Xu Qing replied quickly. “I plan to teach him farming. If he’s well-fed, he won’t starve.”

The elder paused, then sighed. “Gentlemen respect virtue and seek learning.”

“You scholars are so eloquent and impressive,” Xu Qing said admiringly.

Yan Mo wiped sweat from his brow, thinking Xu Qing was more impressive. How could he fabricate such things so seriously?

“How much does county school cost?” the elder asked.

“One tael of silver a year, plus you have to arrange your own food and lodging,” Yan Mo answered.

He had often thought of studying, but his family’s conditions were poor.

He was always thinking of ways to earn money.

“A gentleman loves wealth; I should ask Xu Qing for advice on making money.”

“That’s too…” The elder glanced at them and changed his words. “Too expensive!”