It was clearly written in the book:9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIYHmtOWuG
This method can prolong life, lighten the body, activate blood circulation, regulate the five internal organs, and treat internal injuries. The deeper the skill, the stronger the effect.
"Treat internal injuries?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNgHL1cXUY
Lu Sheng’s heart stirred.
"Young Master? It’s time to eat. It’s already Zizheng..."9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmUiJHv6Cv
Xiaoqiao’s voice came softly from outside the door.
Lu Sheng stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders. When he opened the door, he saw Xiaoqiao sitting alone on a small stool just outside, quietly waiting. It was impossible to tell how long she had been there.
Zizheng referred to the middle of Zishi—according to the Song Dynasty’s timekeeping, each day was divided into twelve double-hour segments, each split into early and middle halves. Zizheng was the middle of Zishi, from midnight to 1 a.m.
"It’s so late already?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡea9pchA7W8
Lu Sheng looked out toward the other courtyards. Normally full of life, they were now silent and still.
A night breeze stirred, and the distant sound of the night watchman beating his gong echoed through the air.
"What do we still have to eat at this hour?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnx6fLgX4Zn
He began walking toward the kitchen.
The Lu Mansion’s kitchen was located between the front and back courtyards and could only be reached by exiting the back yard.
"I asked the kitchen to save you a portion of each dish. It just needs to be reheated," Xiaoqiao whispered, following closely behind.
The two walked along the covered corridor, making their way to the kitchen courtyard on the left. Several tables and chairs were arranged there—set aside for the chefs and servants during their meals.
As soon as the two entered the courtyard, they were met with an unexpected sight—a figure already seated at the table, happily eating the food that had been set aside for Lu Sheng.
"Brother, why are you still up so late?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2FruiL8Xt
The person looked up, revealing the delicate and striking features of a young woman.
"Qingqing?" Lu Sheng blinked in surprise. "When did you get back?"
He sat down across from her, watching as Lu Qingqing continued eating with enthusiasm.
She was his half-sister, born to his second mother. Yet that woman had always treated Lu Sheng like her own son—sometimes even more kindly than she did her own daughter. In Lu Sheng’s memory, the bond he shared with his second mother and Lu Qingqing far surpassed that of typical siblings.
"I just got home. I was starving, so I rushed to the kitchen and found a whole table of food. I thought it was left for me," Lu Qingqing said cheerfully.
A sword hung on her back, and she wore a fitted blue outfit clearly made for travel or combat. Her chest was tightly bound, likely with a cloth wrap for ease of movement. If not for her beautiful face, one could easily mistake her for a young man.
"You shouldn’t have come back..." Lu Sheng sighed.
"Why not?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBkGVP6G3i
Lu Qingqing set down her bowl. Her expression turned cold.
"Brother Xu died under suspicious circumstances. And now Uncle Xu’s family is in trouble? All these rumors about ghosts and demons—I don’t believe a word of it!"
"What are you trying to say?"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsUqE3ayVl
Lu Sheng’s gaze sharpened as he looked directly at her.
"I came back early this time to find out the truth behind Brother Xu’s death—and to bring the murderer to justice!" Lu Qingqing’s voice was firm, her eyes flashing with a sharp, murderous light.
Lu Sheng looked at his second sister, silent for a long moment.
Seeing his expression, Lu Qingqing’s face darkened with frustration.
"Brother, Brother Xu is dead. Don’t you care about finding the real killer?!"
"I tried," Lu Sheng said with a shake of his head. "But there were no clues… no traces at all. Dozens of people in the Xu family died tragically in a single night—not a single cry for help, not even a sound."
"I don’t believe that!"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUmq43NdqR
Lu Qingqing abruptly stood up. "I’m full. I’ll start investigating tomorrow. Brother, I’m going to rest first."
With that, she turned and strode out of the courtyard.
"Xiaoqiao, do you want to come stay with me?" she called as she passed.
Xiaoqiao shook her head quietly, a sad expression on her face. The mention of Brother Xu had cast a shadow over her mood. Xu Daoran had always treated them with warmth and courtesy—gentle, respectful, and kind. It was hard to believe someone like him could be gone in the blink of an eye.
Lu Qingqing left.
Lu Sheng remained seated and gestured for Xiaoqiao to reheat the food. He quietly resumed eating, finishing what was left.
"Qingqing’s been studying under a master for five years. Taoist Tiesang is said to be a renowned swordsman near Zihua City. But it seems she hasn’t practiced any internal skills..."
According to the teachings of Jade Crane Art, those who cultivated internal energy would show it in their gaze. The deeper the mastery, the more radiant and focused the light in their eyes.
But Lu Qingqing’s eyes were dull—no different from an ordinary person’s. Clearly, she had not practiced any internal cultivation.
"Well, that’s expected. Practitioners of internal arts aren’t as common as cabbages. But if that’s the case… then Duanmu Wan is truly extraordinary..."
Lu Sheng fell into thought for a moment. Then, brushing those thoughts aside, he refocused on his meal, calmly finishing the rest of the food.
...................
The next morning, Lu Sheng followed Uncle Zhao to Zhang Xun’s home.
"Although Zhang’s Heart-Rending Palm is technically an external martial art, it’s said to rival the legendary Iron Sand Palm," Uncle Zhao explained as they rode side by side at a steady pace. "Its strength lies in its penetrating force—it can strike through the body and injure the internal organs, even across obstacles. It’s incredibly powerful."
Zhang Xun lived in the blacksmith district near the city walls of Jiulian City, a neighborhood mostly inhabited by the poor—craftsmen, blacksmiths, carpenters, and laborers.
As they passed through the narrow streets, Lu Sheng noticed pale, emaciated faces all around. Most of the people wore worn-out, patched clothing, their eyes listless with fatigue.
"I remember hearing about the Heart-Rending Palm when I was a child," Lu Sheng said casually. "But how did Captain Zhang end up in a place like this? With his experience, strength, and connections, he could easily have become a martial arts instructor at a government office."
Uncle Zhao sighed and shook his head.
"Why? It’s because of a tragedy years ago. He got his revenge in the end, but in doing so, he pushed his body too far and was left with lingering injuries. He’s been relying on nourishing herbs to stay alive, and those alone have drained his family’s entire fortune."
As they spoke, the two arrived at a run-down courtyard. Uncle Zhao dismounted and knocked on the weathered wooden door.
"Who is it?" came a voice from inside.
A thin, young man opened the door and looked up in surprise.
"Uncle Zhao? Come in, come in!"
As Lu Sheng stepped into the courtyard, the first thing he saw was an old man with white hair sitting in the sunlight, his back straight, his gaze still sharp.
"Are you Mr. Lu?" the old man asked directly, his voice clear and strong.
"Yes, that’s me," Lu Sheng replied, clasping his fists in greeting.
"I received the silver you sent," the old man said bluntly. "I can teach you the Heart-Rending Palm in person. But I have one more request—though it may be presumptuous."
This old man, though aged, was unmistakably the once-powerful and decisive Zhang Xun.
"Master Zhang, please speak your mind," Lu Sheng said calmly.
"I hope Master Lu can find a few more people to pass this art down to. I don’t want my life’s work to die with me," Zhang Xun said, his voice still filled with the strength and pride of his past.
"Master Zhang, rest assured—I agree!"9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy52qE2UtHv
Lu Sheng responded without hesitation, his voice firm.
"Good!" Zhang Xun's voice rang out suddenly, sharp and forceful. "Whether you're using a blade or your palm, you must carry the spirit of charging alone into battle, without fear or hesitation! Without that kind of resolve, no matter how powerful your weapon is, it’s nothing but an empty shell!"
He stepped forward, his gaze piercing.
"My Heart-Rending Palm shares a principle with swordsmanship. Whether it's a strike of the hand or a slash of the blade, you must commit as if you’ve burned your bridges behind you—fight as if you have no retreat! Only then can you unleash your true power and speed!"
"If there's hesitation in your heart, your strength will never reach its full potential!"
Lu Sheng felt a jolt run through him, as if something had finally clicked.
"The spirit, the intention, and the force—they must all unite and concentrate at a single point. That is the essence of swordsmanship—and of my Heart-Rending Palm!" Zhang Xun declared, his voice firm and unwavering.
Lu Sheng stood still, eyes closed, his hand resting on the sword at his waist. He had only just stepped into the courtyard, and already he had been thoroughly schooled by Jiulian City’s once-renowned master.
"If you hesitate in your heart, you can't reach your goal."
That line echoed in his mind like a thunderclap, shaking his thoughts.
He had long felt that something was off about his swordplay—that it lacked fluidity, sharpness. He’d assumed it was due to overthinking. But now he understood: it wasn’t thought that held him back—it was the absence of will, of momentum.
Though his cultivation realm surpassed Uncle Zhao’s, he’d never felt confident he could defeat him. He had attributed that to a lack of experience, but now he realized—it was willpower he lacked.
After a long silence, Lu Sheng bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master Zhang!"
"No need to thank me yet." Zhang Xun’s voice rose again, full of energy. "Everyone else, leave the yard. I’m going to teach him the core techniques of the Heart-Rending Palm!"
Uncle Zhao and the young man exchanged helpless smiles before quietly excusing themselves and stepping out of the courtyard.
Lu Sheng spent the entire day at Zhang Xun’s residence, absorbing every detail of the Heart-Rending Palm.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xGcykCuzw
Zhang Xun didn’t hold back—he shared all the techniques, insights, and battle experience he had accumulated over a lifetime.
Thanks to his mastery of internal skills, Lu Sheng was full of vitality. He rested only twice throughout the day, dedicating the rest of his time to focused study and diligent practice.
By evening, he had committed all the key forms and techniques to memory. After bidding Zhang Xun farewell, he returned home without delay.
Back in his bedroom, Lu Sheng sat cross-legged on the floor, steadying his breath.
"Deep Blue!" he silently called in his heart.
The interface of the mysterious editor reappeared before his eyes. He tapped the modification button, and the entire interface shimmered briefly with light.
His attention locked onto the Jade Crane Art.
"It should work this time."
The modification of a martial art happened gradually, avoiding drastic strain on the body. This staged approach ensured the transformation wouldn't overwhelm him.
"Upgrade one level!"
He focused, watching as the status of the Jade Crane Art rose from Entry Level to Level One.
Almost instantly, his internal organs felt as though they were ablaze. His chest burned, his mouth dried out, and heat surged to his face.
He recognized the symptoms immediately—this was a classic case of excessive internal energy leading to an overactive heart fire.
Without hesitation, he stood up, grabbed the cup of Jade Bowl Dendrobium tea he had prepared earlier, and began sipping it slowly.
Dendrobium, long revered as the Yin-nourishing Immortal Grass, was known for its exceptional restorative properties.
On Earth, the most potent type was Officinale Dendrobium. But in this world, the superior variant was Jade Bowl Dendrobium—a rare and powerful tonic imported from the Central Plains.
Fortunately, the family pharmacy had a supply, and Lu Sheng had already made sure to prepare some in advance—just in case.
After drinking three cups of strong Dendrobium tea, Lu Sheng felt the heat in his chest and abdomen gradually subside.
"According to the records in the secret manual, the Jade Crane Art only has two levels. One can sense Qi within a day, but it takes a hundred days just to get started—and that’s only for those who are qualified. Reaching the first level takes two to three years. The second level, five to ten."
He set down the teacup, poured the remaining Dendrobium from the teapot into his palm, and chewed it directly before swallowing.
"What I’ve accomplished is the equivalent of two to three years of hard cultivation for others. Not bad."
He could clearly sense that the breath circulating in his chest and abdomen had become significantly stronger. What had once been as thin as a strand of hair now felt as thick as a chopstick.
Lu Sheng shifted his attention to another technique—Heart-Rending Palm.
He hadn’t yet initiated this one. External Skills were different from internal ones; as long as he memorized the movements and mental methods, he could activate them using the modifier. Internal Skills, however, required a tangible sensation of Qi before they could be enhanced.
Lu Sheng decided to focus on advancing the Jade Crane Art first. Once he increased his overall energy, he could enhance his external techniques more effectively—easing the burden on his body.
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