The Nine Godheads

“Haven’t succeeded?!” After the ever calm Yun Shengxuan heard that the《Flowing Dragon Claw Art》had not been successfully learned, he could no longer keep his calm: “This《Flowing Dragon Claw Art》is no more than the most simple 1st level of martial learning. As long as you can condense a bit of true qi, you can cultivate. How can you not have succeeded?”

And no wonder he was so flabbergasted.

In this world, cultivation methods were split into nine levels. The first was the simplest, but its power was also the weakest. The ninth was the strongest and could be said to be top-notch. However, it was also the hardest to practice.

Previously, Yun Shengxuan saw that Hong Xiaobao’s physique was weak, so he gave him the 1st level of martial learning to make it easier for him to take the first step of building his foundation. After building a foundation, he would then learn more profound martial learnings at a gradual pace, taking it step by step.

After all, all things should be explained sequentially. It is obvious that teaching a person who does not even know addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division how to do calculus would not be very realistic.

But Hong Xiaobao could not even succeed in the 1st level of martial learning? As long as the farmers who worked the fields could recognize the words, even they would be able to bring about some results, would they not?

“It’s true that I haven’t succeeded,” said the embarra.s.sed Hong Xiaobao: “I don’t even know what’s wrong, and I just can’t condense any true qi. At first, I did not believe this cruel reality, but later on…. Not believing did not do anything either!”

“You couldn’t produce any true qi?” After hearing these words, Yun Shengxuan actually began pondering: “Reasonably, this should not be ah. In the cultivation method, it explains how to condense true qi quite clearly, so how can there be no effect? En, then I’ll ask you this.” After Yun Shengxuan said this, he pointed around three inches below Xiaobao’s left chest and asks: “What acupoint is this?”

“The Cycle Gate point which belongs to the foot reverting Yin liver channel,” said Hong Xiaobao, who then continued speaking: “The foot reverting Yin liver channel arises from the Large Pile point and continues to the Moving Between point, Supreme Surge, Mound Center, Woodworm Ca.n.a.l, Central Metropolis, Knee Joint, Spring at the Bend, Yin Bladder, Five Li, Yin Corner, Urgent Pulse, and Camphorwood Gate before stopping at the Cycle Gate. There are fourteen points on each side, totalling up to twenty-eight acupoints.”

“En,” nodded Yun Shengxuan after hearing Hong Xiaobao’s response: “It’s true that you’ve practiced it before, seeing as how you remember all the acupoints. It seems that the reason you cannot condense true qi is due to your physique. For the time being, let me test it out.”

After he says this, he directly pulled Hong Xiaobao’s wrist and firmly channeled over some true qi.

Originally, based on his strength as a 7-star martial artist, investigating the meridians within the body was basically a sure thing. However, he could not imagine that the moment his true qi entered Hong Xiaobao’s body, it immediately disappeared like a clay ox into the ocean. In the blink of an eye, it faded away without any trace of its existence!

“As expected,” Yun Shengxuan shook his head and retracted his hand, saying: “it is as Ninth Prince previously said; I’m afraid you cannot cultivate true qi. As to exactly why, I myself am not very sure. Even I have never before encountered such a situation.”

“Ai,” sighed Emperor Hong Wenqing: “This is the Will of Heaven, so it cannot be forced. Since our Xiaobao has no outlook on the path of martial arts, then let us just call the engagement between our two families off, how about it?”

It was not that the other person did not wish to fulfill the engagement, but rather that his own most beloved son truly could not fulfill the other party’s expectations. This could not be blamed on anyone, and it was better that he bluntly said it now to avoid harming the peace between the two families.

Originally, according to Hong Xiaobao’s thinking, with him as a cripple and a frivolous prince, taking the initiative to break off the engagement would be for the good of both households. After all, with Yun Shengxuan’s ident.i.ty, to truly find a cripple to become his daughter’s husband would cause everybody to ridicule them to death.

At the moment, several people’s facial expressions were quite unsightly. It was only Ye Jinning’s face that beamed with delight.

Although he did not say anything, the gaze with which he stared at Yun Caixiao was actually br.i.m.m.i.n.g with antic.i.p.ation. That sort of feeling was similar to a wolf riveted to a sheep that had just been freshly cleaned.

“There is no actual hurry,” said Yun Shengxuan after pondering for a moment and catching sight of Ye Jinning’s gaze: “After all, my house’s Caixiao is still young. It won’t be too late even if we wait two more years.”

“That would also be good,” nodded Hong Wenqing: “Then let us just wait and see. For now, Preceptor, why don’t you stay here. It just so happens that my third child has returned for the time being. If you aren’t against it, then giving him some pointers would also be good. I’ll arrange a feast for your welcoming dinner as well. Now that I think about it, it has been ten odd years since we’ve drunk together.”

“That sounds good,” nodded the Preceptor as he agreed. Hong Wenqing looked towards Hong Xiaobao again and said with a slight smile: “Xiaobao ah, Caixiao has not come for several years now, so she probably isn’t too familiar with the imperial palace anymore. How about you take the two on a tour to look around.”

“Alright, I got it.” Hong Xiaobao answered with a laughing expression.

“This….” Yun Shengxuan’s eyebrows knitted together, and he advised in a soft voice: “We’re all our own people. How about Xiaobao comes with us as well?” He was afraid that if Hong Xiaobao took Yun Caixiao and Ye Jinning along, he would suffer. After all, Ye Jinning was a super genius of the Thunder Sound Pavilion’s younger generation. He possessed great strength and was especially intent on his own daughter Caixiao….

“There’s no harm, Preceptor. Please, this way.” Hong Xiaobao simply laughed without the slightest care.

“If so, then I’ll just thank his Highness.”

　　……

After Emperor Hong Wenqing and Preceptor Yun Shengxuan left, only Hong Xiaobao, Yun Caixiao, and Ye Jinning were left in Xuan Xiao Pavilion.

“Your name is Hong Xiaobao right?” Seeing that there were no more outsiders, Ye Jinning directly punctured the senseless layer and struck like a knife piercing through, saying: “I won’t beat around the bush then. Yun Caixiao is the number one genius in the younger generation of female disciples in our Thunder Sound Pavilion. As of today, she has already become a 2-star martial artist. You, however, are only a cripple that tinkers with useless toys all day.”

On this world, martial artists were divided into ten ranks. The lowest was 1-star while the highest was 10-star.

Yun Caixiao was no more than seventeen years old, yet she had already become a 2-star martial artist. Her talent was superb!

“En, what you say is not wrong,” responded Hong Xiaobao with an unexpectedly calm expression: “That is why you’ve come in an attempt to put me down and feel a sense of superiority. On the other hand, you also wish to attract Little Sister Caixiao’s favor?”

“You are actually quite smart.” Ye Jinning answered in surprise: “Correct. I am the only son of Thunder Sound Pavilion’s Second Elder, while Caixiao is the daughter of our Thunder Sound Pavilion’s number one protector. If we become a couple, it would be a match made by the heavens. As such, I believe that you should possess some sort of self-awareness and that you should know what you ought to do, correct?”

Yun Shengxuan, Chiyun Empire’s protective martial deity. However, he also had another ident.i.ty. It was precisely one of the Six Great Orthodoxies, Thunder Sound Pavilion’s Chief Protector!

Although nations were large in this world, in front of the surpa.s.singly mighty Six Great Orthodoxies, they did not hold much of an advantage. After all, in this world, strength was revered!

“En, what you say is quite reasonable. You even almost persuaded me.” Hong Xiaobao chuckled and did not mind the least bit. Instead, he simply looked toward Yun Caixiao and asked: “Then, Little Sister Caixiao, what do you think?”

“He has no relationship with me.” Yun Caixiao only responded with an icy sentence, then said no more.

“Then what about me?” Hong Xiaobao continued to ask.

“My husband-to-be.” Yun Caixiao was still as frigid as ever.

“Alright, I know now.” Hong Xiaobao looked towards Ye Jinning again: “I’m truly sorry. If Little Sister Caixiao also liked you, then I would probably consider your words and even present a gift to you. However, since she has expressed her att.i.tude in this, I can no longer do such a thing—at least for now, she is still my fiancée. We’re both men, so I’m sure you understand.”

“I understand my a.s.s!” Ye Jinning immediately flew into rage and blurted out: “Hong Xiaobao, don’t act so shamelessly! Forget you, even if your imperial father would have to bow in greeting if he saw our Supreme Pontiff! You are only a useless Ninth Prince, so what qualifications do you have to negotiate with me?”

At this moment, the clamor had already alerted the guards in the vicinity. However, it was quite strange because the guards simply glanced in their direction. Instead of going over, they chattered softly with each other from a distance: “Hurry up and look, hurry up and look! A person is provoking Ninth Prince again.” “Aiyayah. Even if you’re looking for death, you don’t have to do it this way. What do you guys think will happen to the guy this time?” “I feel that this will definitely end in a tragedy. He won’t be able to get out of bed for three days?” “Ninth Prince has already played around that way before! This time, I feel like it’ll definitely be even more miserable!” “Then if they really start fighting later, what should we do?” “What else can we do? We’ll follow the old rules. We will walk over when Ninth Prince gives us the signal!”

　　……

On the other side in the imperial palace, Xuan Feast Pavilion.

“Your Majesty, this Ye Jinning keeps pursuing my daughter. It can be said that he holds no cards back,” sighed Yun Shengxuan after taking a small sip of wine: “But he is the only son of the Second Elder after all; even I have to give him some face. Now that he’s alone with Xiaobao, I’m afraid….”

“Hehe, there’s no harm.” Hong Wenqing was unexpectedly carefree as he said: “Let me first ask you. What is Ye Jinning’s strength right now?”

“2-star martial artist,” answered Yun Shengxuan.

“Then there’s no problem.” Hong Wenqing filled Yun Shengxuan’s cup and said with a laugh: “Those who dare to act against Xiaobao are simply looking for their own hardship. There’s no need to worry.”

　　……

In Xuan Xiao Pavilion, Hong Xiaobao rubbed his nose as he stared at Ye Jinning. His expression was similar to that of one looking at an idiot: “So what if my imperial father needs to bow when he sees your Supreme Pontiff? A greeting is a greeting, and a fiancée is a fiancée. These are two completely different matters, but you can’t even differentiate between them?”

“So what if I can’t differentiate between them?” Ye Jinning raised his hand and abruptly struck his palm towards Hong Xiaobao’s chest: “I guess I can’t differentiate between them then!”

He was, after all, a 2-star martial artist, while Hong Xiaobao was a cripple who could not cultivate. As such, he did not use his entire strength against this ordinary person. His only goal was to scare Hong Xiaobao.

“Ye Jinning!” Yun Caixiao suddenly shouted out in a low voice and raised her hand to block him.

However, Ye Jinning’s attack was really too sudden. Although Yun Caixiao’s strength was equal to his, she was still late by a half step.

A “peng” rang out, but out of Yun Caixiao’s expectations, Hong Xiaobao only retreated two steps while Ye Jinning heavily retreated three steps!

Seeing how someone had taken action on this side, the guards on the other side began to decisively chant the phrase the Ninth Prince had taught them: “I bought a stone tablet last year; it’s super wear resistant!” “I bought a stone tablet last year; it’s super wear resistant!” …. The implications ah!

“My hand!” Originally, Ye Jinning should have succeeded, and Hong Xiaobao should have been the one to scream in misery. However, no one expected that Hong Xiaobao would be snickering mischievously while Ye Jinning howled in a loud voice: “Hong Xiaobao, you actually dare to use poison!”

With the guards’ bizarre chanting along with Ye Jinning’s facial expression, the scene was quite interesting and comedic.

“Nonsense,” Hong Xiaobao looked at him as though he was staring at an idiot: “I can’t even practice martial arts, so I must have some methods to protect myself. Oh right, let me introduce something to you. I manufactured this armor myself and call it the Soft Hedgehog Armor. The entire armor is covered in inverted spikes, and usually, it is soft and comfortable, but when someone attacks me, they’ll get poked. Of course, if that’s the only thing, it’s not very interesting. That’s why I wiped some poison onto the spikes….”

“What poison?!” Ye Jinning was so angry that he was grinding his teeth. This Hong Xiaobao actually dared to use such shameless means!

“Ah, there is an explanation for this poison,” answered Hong Xiaobao with a dazzling smile as he stared back at Ye Jinning: “This poison has a very fitting name; it is called Smiling Half Step Toppling. Do you feel your palm growing numb and beginning to swell up? Hehe, after being poisoned by this Smiling Half Step Toppling poison, one cannot smile or walk. As long as you walk even half a step, the poison will explode forth in your body and cause your death. It is really quite awesome~!”

What a fierce poison! After getting poisoned, one actually could not smile or walk!

Ye Jinning viciously stared daggers at Hong Xiaobao: “I’ll count you fierce! This isn’t over!” After he said this, he turned his body around: “Don’t think that I, your father, will go to you for the antidote! At most, your father just won’t smile or walk!” After saying so, he actually began to jump away….

Everybody’s expressions were like this:（⊙o⊙）

“He really is quite unyielding ah,” exclaimed Hong Xiaobao with his jaw dropped: “No smiling and no walking? This method is pretty good.”