Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: Teacher Changsun
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“She will definitely like this diamond necklace. Indeed, I must be getting old; our old styles have become outdated.”
The Grand Mentor sighed reluctantly.
“That’s not true, Grand Mentor. Everyone has their own unique aesthetic preferences and favored styles. There are still many who cherish traditional designs in this world,” Song Chenfei replied earnestly.
“You certainly have a way with words. Most craftsmen like us are rather taciturn and not good with speech. Haha, that’s a good thing.”
The Grand Mentor grew even more pleased with Song Chenfei.
“Nonsense. I’m a reserved person, easily shy, and not very adept at socializing,” Song Chenfei said with a smile.
The Grand Mentor chuckled, “You really dare to say that. Alright, you’ve helped me so much—tell me, what do you want in return?”
“For now, nothing. Oh, wait, there is something I would like to ask you for help with,” Song Chenfei suddenly remembered. There was indeed an urgent and important matter.
“Speak. As long as I can help, I won’t refuse.”
“I want to learn martial arts.”
Song Chenfei was indeed a top-level agent with considerable skill, but his previous world was an era of firearms. Even hand-to-hand combat training was nowhere near the lifelong cultivation seen in this world.
Here, close-combat martial arts were highly advanced, far surpassing those of his former world.
Therefore, he had to learn martial arts; it would be of great use in the future.
After suffering losses twice at the hands of Song Qianshan, Song Chenfei clearly understood the importance of personal combat ability.
He had to practice martial arts urgently.
He looked forward to learning the martial arts of this world.
“Alright, I understand. I will find someone for you,” the Grand Mentor nodded in agreement.
...
In the inner palace.
Empress Changsun saw the Grand Mentor take out the scarf-style diamond necklace from the box—over five hundred top-grade diamonds exquisitely crafted, radiating dazzling brilliance, breathtakingly beautiful.
Everyone around had sparkling eyes, marveling at its beauty, stunning to the point of breathlessness.
“So beautiful!”
“This is a treasure that should belong only to the heavens; how often can one see such a thing in the mortal world?” everyone exclaimed in awe.
Empress Changsun’s eyes shone like stars. In a flash, she appeared before her father. “Father, quickly give me this jewel.”
She had already snatched the scarf-style diamond necklace, overjoyed.
“Lanxin, it seems you really like it,” the Grand Mentor said with a smile.
“Of course! This diamond necklace is nothing short of a masterpiece. Father, when did you reach such a level? I remember your designs were always old-fashioned,” Empress Changsun nodded but was puzzled.
The Grand Mentor felt a little embarrassed by her words, then glared at her, “So what if your father is old-fashioned? Even if I’m an antique, I’m still your father.”
“Alright, alright, father. No matter what, you’re still my father,” Empress Changsun quickly said.
She put on the necklace, turned around, and commanded, “Bring the bronze mirror quickly.”
A palace maid immediately brought over a finely crafted large bronze mirror.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Empress Changsun asked, “What do you think of this diamond necklace with me wearing it?”
The palace maid quickly said, “Your Majesty, with this diamond necklace on, you look like a fairy descended to earth, indescribably beautiful. The radiant brilliance of the necklace perfectly complements your peerless beauty, making you even more stunning—no woman in the world can compare.”
The Grand Mentor added, “My Lan’er is truly the unparalleled beauty of the world.”
Empress Changsun said, “But the world says the princess of Prince Pingnan is the most beautiful woman.”
The Grand Mentor said, “As the saying goes, ‘Clothes make the man, gold adorns the Buddha.’ Everyone looks different when dressed up. With this diamond necklace, Lan’er will definitely surpass the Princess of Prince Pingnan.”
Empress Changsun was delighted and said, “Father, your skill this time is truly superb; even I must admit it.”
“You flatter me. I’m old now, and my thinking is somewhat rigid. This style isn’t something I could have designed,” the Grand Mentor modestly said, revealing his straightforward character.
“Not designed by you? Then who? To have such skill!” Empress Changsun was amazed.
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“That person you know—it’s the young craftsman king who created the waterwheel and water tower, Song Chenfei.”
“Is it him?”
Empress Changsun was somewhat surprised. She had only met Song Chenfei once but had a good impression of him.
Now that he designed such a beautiful diamond necklace for her, her impression of him improved even more.
“I want to reward him,” Empress Changsun said.
“If it’s a reward, then you should find a teacher to teach him martial arts. He said he wants to learn. I don’t have any excellent martial arts teachers here; please help find one,” the Grand Mentor said, keeping this matter in mind and conveniently passing the responsibility to her.
“Martial arts? Learning to fight? Well, I happen to have an excellent martial arts teacher here,” Empress Changsun’s beautiful eyes sparkled, her smile blossoming like a flower in spring—bright and captivating.
...
At the eastern outskirts hunting grounds.
Song Chenfei arrived here; this was the official hunting ground.
The Grand Mentor had summoned him, saying he found an excellent martial arts teacher to instruct him.
“Why hasn’t she come yet? I’ve been waiting almost an hour,” Song Chenfei’s foot tapped nervously, his mind restless and bored.
A gentle breeze stirred, and the grass swayed and bent.
After a while, a clear, melodious voice came, “Song Chenfei, you came quite early.”
Song Chenfei turned his head and saw a beautiful woman riding slowly toward him on horseback.
“Sister Changsun!”
Indeed, it was Sister Changsun, with whom Song Chenfei had met once before.
Song Chenfei noticed the scarf-style diamond necklace around her neck—magnificent and dazzling, perfectly complementing her beauty.
“So that woman the Grand Mentor mentioned is Sister Changsun,” Song Chenfei suddenly realized.
“Yes, she’s the one I asked the Grand Mentor to make a diamond necklace for me. He’s old and traditional, so I was surprised when he gave me such a novel style. Later, I learned it was you who made it. Truly worthy of being our Great Qian’s young craftsman king.”
Sister Changsun dismounted her horse and approached Song Chenfei.
“Not at all. I just suddenly got inspired. Hmm, I owe my inspiration to you, Sister Changsun. This idea was born because of you,” Song Chenfei spoke eloquently.
“You’re full of sweet words,” Sister Changsun smiled coquettishly. “Alright, no more nonsense. I’m here for an important reason. You want to learn martial arts, right? I’m here to teach you.”
“You’re going to teach me?”
Song Chenfei’s eyes widened, his expression somewhat strange.
“What, don’t think highly of me?” Sister Changsun snorted coldly, a bit displeased.
“No way! It’s just, Sister Changsun, you’re stunningly beautiful, a true beauty of the realm—but you also know martial arts?”
Song Chenfei was surprised.
His words weren’t meant to offend, but Sister Changsun said, “Martial arts and appearance have nothing to do with each other. Look at my hands.”
She stretched out her hands.
Song Chenfei saw slender, beautiful fingers, but the palms were covered in calluses—obvious signs of years of martial arts practice.
“Heh, it seems I really underestimated you, Sister Changsun. Not only are you breathtakingly beautiful, but you’re also skilled in martial arts—a rare combination of talent and beauty,” Song Chenfei immediately flattered her again.
“You’re an extraordinary flatterer. Even the eunuchs in the palace can’t compare to you. I think you shouldn’t be called the young craftsman king but rather the young sycophant,” Sister Changsun scolded.
“Ahem, ahem, maybe I should drop that and just keep calling myself the young craftsman king,” Song Chenfei was momentarily speechless. Being called a sycophant would make it hard for him to show his face anywhere.
Wherever he went, people would say, “Look, here comes the young sycophant,” which was utterly humiliating just to imagine.
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Then, the martial arts training began.
“The most important factors in practicing martial arts are talent and effort. Having only one of these results in very limited achievement. For example, having talent but no effort is like a fleeting bloom, unable to last. Without talent but with effort, one can only reach mediocrity.”
“But the ultimate limit is determined by talent. Those with exceptional talent can reach the pinnacle of martial arts, breaking through barriers others cannot, achieving higher realms.”
“Let’s begin!”
“Now I will teach you a method for quickly getting started—a form of horseback martial arts.”
Sister Changsun’s figure was light and graceful as a swallow, leaping up and landing steadily on the horse’s back.
The steed neighed and galloped forward, swift as a raging storm.
On horseback, Sister Changsun’s movements were agile—first flipping to hang sideways, one hand supporting the horse’s back, the other swiftly seizing a long spear hanging by the saddle. The spear’s tip flashed coldly under the light.
Then, she grasped the reins with both hands, leaned backward, clamping her legs tightly around the horse’s belly. Her body was nearly parallel to the horse’s back but as steady as a mountain.
Finally, she vaulted into the air, somersaulted once, and landed lightly back on the horse’s back. Her movements flowed like clouds and water, seamless and natural.
Lastly, Sister Changsun drew her bow and shot arrows. Her gaze was sharp as a torch, arm muscles tense, bowstring pulled taut like a full moon.
The first arrow: Sister Changsun shifted slightly to the side, legs tightening the horse’s back, torso leaning left to evade an imagined attack from the right.
Her right hand released the bowstring with a sharp whistle; the arrow shot forth like lightning, hitting the bullseye with the tip deeply embedded, leaving only the feathers quivering slightly.
The second arrow: she leaned backward, body nearly parallel to the horse’s back, skillfully dodging an imaginary overhead attack.
Her left hand pulled the bowstring taut again; with a crisp whistle, another arrow flew swiftly, hitting the bullseye again.
The third arrow: Sister Changsun suddenly rolled on horseback, evading an imagined threat from behind.
Then she quickly rose, pulling the string with both hands. With a whistle, the third arrow shot out like a meteor, hitting the center of the target with no deviation.
“This woman is so formidable.”
Song Chenfei’s eyes shone brightly watching her.
Just from these movements, speed, and agility, it was clear she was a true top expert.
Even in his prime in his former life, his hand-to-hand combat could not compare to hers.
Of course, his previous world specialized in firearms and technology; no matter how skilled in hand combat, it couldn’t match a rifle.
But this world was different—hand-to-hand combat was far superior.
“How was it?”
Sister Changsun dismounted, calm and composed, and asked.
Song Chenfei applauded, “Truly amazing. Sister Changsun is a heroine among women, not inferior to any man—truly admirable.”
“Enough talk. Show me what you’ve got. Let me see your foundation,” Sister Changsun said, a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
A good teacher must assert themselves in the first lesson so the student knows their limits. That’s how she herself had learned.
That’s what a proper teacher should do.
“Like you just did?” Song Chenfei asked as he swung onto the horse.
“Yes. But you probably won’t be able to do it. Just do your best,” Sister Changsun said.
“Alright.”
Song Chenfei tightened the reins and urged the horse forward. The horse neighed, and he stood on the stirrups, then galloped swiftly.
He attempted to tumble and leap on horseback like Sister Changsun, his movements somewhat clumsy but still fluid.
Finally, he shot three arrows in succession, but they all missed the bullseye. He shook his head, “First time shooting, my aim is way off.”
However, Sister Changsun looked stunned.
The guards who came with her also looked surprised.
Could it be that this guy is actually a master himself?