Chapter Twenty-Three: Martial Arts Through the Way
r mother said was not correct, but she didn't know how to refute it.“Your master is strong, but your mother insisted on keeping you by her side because she was confident that one day, she would not lo...The friendship between Marquis Wu'an and the mistress of Hua Ying Palace was well known throughout the court. There was nothing to hide about it; it was a relationship that had been forged in their humble beginnings.
This is not the first time that Jiang Wang from Huaying Palace has come.
But visiting at midnight was indeed the first time.
Compared to the bright and airy atmosphere of Changsheng Palace, Huaying Palace boasts a more imposing and heroic architectural style. It frequently uses weaponry as decoration, with armor, swords, and bows hanging everywhere, and there are hardly any flowers or plants to be seen.
If you are going to plant, plant trees. Trees can be used to make guns, bows, and beams for houses.
Stand tall and proud, like guardsmen at attention.
Following the silver-haired old woman through Huaying Palace, each guard and maid exuded a military bearing. They spoke and acted with precision, and their manners were stiffly formal.
This old woman who has been with Jiang Wuyou for many years, is unknown by name, only that Jiang Wuyou sometimes calls her "Shen Po".
It's very much like calling a "fortune teller".
Though they had met many times, Jiang Wang and she did not have much interaction. She was a rather cold person.
The meeting place is in the martial arts training ground.
The martial arts training ground of Huaying Palace can be said to be the most carefully designed building in this palace.
The soundproofing, concealing, and gathering-yuan arrays are all masterpieces. As for other materials like floor tiles, they go without saying.
Even the weapons on display at the edge of the martial arts arena, swords, spears, staffs, axes, and all kinds of weaponry, were not ordinary items.
The entire training ground was far from the cramped scale of a typical mansion's courtyard. It was a genuine space capable of accommodating four or five hundred soldiers for training.
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They arrived at the martial arts arena.
At that time, the bright moon hung high in the sky, with a few cold stars twinkling.
A pristine summer night unfurled above the towering, intricately designed palaces.
On a large martial arts field, one person danced alone.
Long hair tied into a ponytail, exploded in the air like a whip tip, drawing powerful and graceful arcs.
She wore leather armor, but the armor couldn't hide her athletic figure.
Explosive power, surging beneath the hide.
She had a pair of plump and powerful legs, crossed over each other, leaving muffled sounds on the ground with every step.
He held a gigantic, almost exaggeratedly large painting halberd in his hand, swirling and leaping like a dragon swimming.
Her speed was not fast, nor was she eager to complete each move and style, just as she had been all the way to this day.
But every one of her movements was incredibly powerful.
Even a slight turn or step, felt as if it mobilized the power of my entire body.
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She did her utmost to walk, to chase, to fight.
The air was ripped apart, the night wind scattered. The moonlit sky shattered, its fragments haphazardly scattered across her.
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Jiang Wang watched her movements, feeling like a dragon was roaring and thrashing inside her.
That is not an illusion.
... but the tangible image of power.
Jiang Wuyou had fully developed the power of the Spine Dragon, becoming a giant dragon in human form. She moved her limbs, causing the earth to split and the sky to collapse. This was a path unlike traditional cultivation or martial arts. Her meridians were connected to the Tongtian Sea, and the so-called dragon roar was nothing more than a tsunami!
When she finally stopped her halberd's momentum, the entire world seemed to freeze for a moment.
With a flick of his wrist, the halberd flew through the air, spinning and whirling.
Just as the Fang Tian Ghost God Halberd, majestic and powerful like a roaring dragon, had momentarily vanished its divine essence, it was silently put away by Shen Po.
Shen Po took a step back, then with this halberd of Fang Tian Ghost God in hand, vanished into the night.
Hwa Ying's palace master turned back, her healthy wheat-colored skin radiating sunshine. She had a slight sheen of sweat on her forehead, adding to her natural sex appeal.
She looked at Jiang Wang, but didn't say another word. She merely made a gesture with her hand, and from the weapons rack on the sidelines, a long sword appeared.
“Such a good night, how could I take it lightly” she said. “Please, Master Wu An, give me some pointers on my swordsmanship.”
Jiang Wuyou's current cultivation level is Inner Palace.
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Two years ago, when Jiang Wang went out to sea to save Zhu Biqiong and swept through the disciples of the Diaohailou inner court with his sword, Jiang Wuyou was already an inner court disciple.
Three years ago, when Jiang Wang had just arrived in Qi Guo and hadn't yet opened the Heaven and Earth Gate, Jiang Wuyou was also at the Neifu Realm.
Now Jiang Wang has attained the Godly Conferred realm and is a powerful figure within it, while Jiang Wuyou is still in the Inner Mansion realm.
Of course, it wasn't because she was mediocre by nature, nor was it because she didn't work hard enough.
...But because she was forging her own path in her cultivation.
In today's world, martial arts have not yet reached their full potential.
The world's foremost martial artist, Wang Ao, is still unable to transcend the peak.
But everyone knows that's just a matter of time.
The path to the twenty-sixth heaven of martial arts has already been opened, a result of countless talented cultivators striving for it. The heavy clouds shrouding the twenty-seventh heaven have also been dispersed by much, and the outlines of the palace beyond those clouds have already been captured…
People can fully believe that it will eventually pave a path from the beginning of transcendence to its peak. It truly opens up a new road for humankind in this world.
It's not just Wang Ao, there are others.
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Once such a feat is accomplished, the merit of opening up new avenues for humanity alone would likely push that first martial artist to a higher level, setting foot on the peak.
Many prodigies with exceptional cultivation turned to martial arts, perhaps hoping to challenge those at the pinnacle.
After all, it's too difficult to reach the peak.
Even the emperor, as powerful as the six hegemons, could not transcend the peak. Huang Wei Zhen, the most romantic figure in Chu for three thousand years, had schemed for nine hundred years, and only now did she see some possibility.
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But the danger of opening up new paths is something that ordinary people cannot imagine.
Climbing in thick fog and heavy clouds, you never know what lies ahead, where the path is, or if you're right or wrong. The only way to prove a mistake is through death.
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Since the birth of martial arts, throughout the long history, Wang Ao was not the only one who walked through the twenty-four heavens of martial arts and could rival the realm of Dao comprehension on the orthodox cultivation path.
It's not just Wang Ao who has begun to approach the rank of True Monarch.
But those who once shone brightly eventually disappeared into the mists of time.
Although Wang Ao has reached the highest position in martial arts history, he is almost infinitely close to the twenty-seventh heaven of martial arts and the realm of True Monarch.
But who can say for sure if he won't stumble in the next step and fall from that endless precipice of cultivation.
With one step forward, will you stand upon the peak or fall into the abyss Only time will tell.
Throughout history, countless extraordinary individuals have embarked on journeys of exploration. Their lives and blood serve as the ink, writing these four words: "This path is arduous!"
This road is difficult to travel, throughout history people have never stopped.
There will always be pioneers, and there will always be those who come after.
That's what humans are like, emerging from the dark ages.
And the martial path that Jiang Wuyou walked, although a fusion of two cultivation paths, was not a complete innovation. However, she was the only one walking this path at present, and her hardships were no less than those of any martial cultivator after the Twenty-Four Heavens.
At this moment, she wields her sword, facing the sword-wielding martial arts master, Marquis Wuan. Confident and fearless, she stands with a noble and valiant air.
Under the moonlight, the martial arts arena of Huaying Palace was suddenly illuminated by sword light, like two bright moons rising simultaneously.
Of course, Jiang Wang naturally suppressed his cultivation within the inner palace layers.
But who in the world does not know that Duke Wu'an of Qi, within the palace walls, created achievements surpassing ancient and modern times. Facing four enemies at once, he triumphed over them in a life-or-death battle, defeating those four terrifying demons with their powerful killing arts.
Admittedly, battle is a fluid and ever-changing affair with infinite possibilities. At that time, Jiang Wang was in a situation where his paper strength was far inferior. He only managed to complete the life-and-death struggle at the heavy cost of broken limbs and a mangled body. A crushing victory doesn't necessarily represent absolute dominance.
There must also have been Imperial Court monks in history who were qualified to challenge this achievement.
But everyone has to admit, Jiang Wang of the Inner Mansion Realm truly deserves the title of the first in history. No matter how great an existence is, if they were in the Inner Mansion Realm and faced such a Jiang Wang, they would have to be prepared to be killed.
And today, Jiang Wang suppressed his cultivation. At the level of the Inner Palace Realm, what he can achieve is completely beyond imagination!
Of course, even if the golden body and jade marrow were forcibly sealed, it wouldn't be considered true inner cultivation.
But the scary thing is...
Even facing such a Jiang Wang, Jiang Wuyu still has the strength to fight!
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Jiang Wuyou's sword, momentum, and intent were completely unified. She had almost brought the power of her inner energy to its limit, wasting not a single bit.
After suppressing his cultivation to the inner layer, Jiang Wang naturally wouldn't hold back.
He respected Jiang Wuyu enough to show her swordsmanship that was perfectly impeccable in the inner court ranking.
And Jiang Wuyu's figure, imbued with both power and grace, danced under the moon. Her three-foot-long blue blade was rendered into art.
She turned her gaze, like a dragon walking through the nine heavens.
She sipped delicately, her voice like a phoenix singing in the wutong tree.
She raised her sword as if it could lift mountains and rivers for miles, she drew her sword and struck down upon the common folk of the world!
Greatness and humbleness both exist in a single thought.
Sometimes she is a compassionate imperial daughter, sometimes a heartless king.
Her brow, her eyes, the most supreme and precious.
Her sword, her people...
The sword rises like a startled phoenix dance, the moonlight and night are not as good as this.
Good morning!
Jiang Wuyou suddenly flung her sword aside, with a flick of her wrist, she grabbed a long blade.
The whole person was like a full-drawn bow, the string moved, and he rushed forward. "I have a knife, please show me your smile!"
Blades of light shattered the night, unexpectedly bursting into Jiang Wang's field of vision.
Her swordsmanship was already superb, and her knife skills were no less impressive.
In terms of swordsmanship alone, among all the opponents Jiang Wang has faced in internal palace level battles, he is only slightly inferior to Qin Zhizhen.
Jiang Wang stared intently and, with a long-handled longsword named "Thinking of the Homeland," she suppressed all the snowflake-like blade light.
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The long night refuses to end, the clash of metal heralds the hour.
Jiang Wuyu went through seven sets of top-notch sword techniques, some fierce, some sharp, some venomous, but none could break through Jiang Wang's sword formation. Thus, he drew his blade back into position, with a flick of his wrist, he unsheathed a red-flagged long spear!
With a crimson spear in hand, she seemed to have rushed into the battlefield.
Thousands of troops surged through the darkness that night.
With a misstep, a shiver ran through him, and the star-shaped bomb exploded with a terrifying force. Countless rays of light shot out into the night sky, accompanied by thousands upon thousands of deafening roars.
This shot, the phoenix perches on a bough.
Another shot, a hundred birds toward the phoenix!
"Good gunmanship!"
Jiang Wang sighed with admiration. With a single stroke of his hand, he could bring down even the most accomplished scholar. Raising his sword in a flick, he transformed youthful recklessness into graceful power.
He unleashed his swordsmanship with abandon, stripping the hundred birds clean and returning the lone phoenix to the sycamore tree.
As the bullets disappeared into the sky, Jiang Wuyou's hands gripped a giant axe, descending from above like a goddess cleaving mountains!
Such a rare sight in the world!
The master of Huaying Palace wielded his martial arts with consummate skill. Swords, spears, clubs, axes, hammers, hooks, and forks - all eighteen types of weapons were at his command, each a masterpiece of artistry.
Jiang Wang only responded with swordsmanship. Facing a dazzling array of weapons, he was overwhelmed.
Upon seeing this, my heart is filled with joy!
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Given his current cultivation level, sparring with Jiang Wuyou, who is at the Inner Palace Realm, he could still gain some insights.
It is no wonder that there is the saying "Even men in the world would be ashamed to see it."
No wonder he could pave the way for martial arts!
Each weapon on the rack was tried, one by one. Jiang Wuyou would wield whatever she picked up and put it into practice. As she performed, the wind and clouds stirred in response.
The more she fought, the fiercer she became, like a dragon dancing with a phoenix.
And then it gradually subsided, like still water running deep.
Such a thrilling match, yet no one to witness it.
Such a thrilling match, who needs an audience!
When Jiang Wuyou last returned a pair of iron maces to the weapon rack, his whole body was already half depleted of energy, his aura blending with heaven and earth.
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Under the bright moon and sparse stars, she stood tall with a sense of self and freedom.
Jiang Wang sheathed his sword and said sincerely, "Congratulations, Lord Officer!"
He realized that Jiang Wuyou's martial arts path was already clear.
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After years of being locked away, it breaks through the hardships and treacherous barriers.
Jiang Wuyu also smiled: "Thank you, Marquis Wu'an, for accompanying me on this journey."
"I just happened to be here, yet I get to witness history." Jiang Wang said with emotion, "How fortunate I am!"
“To say that we have witnessed history is a bit premature,” Jiang Wuyou said. “The road has only been half traveled. At least before the arrival of the real person, there was no obstacle.”
As she spoke, she let out a light sigh of relief.
Jiang Wang naturally knew what she meant without saying it.
The Dao Wu path, at least in the current stage, reaches a dead end after reaching the Dong Zhen realm.
Because her path is a blend of two, but the martial arts path, those warriors themselves haven't even walked through.
A martial artist who does not step out of their own way for a day will not be able to see the path ahead. Without guidance, Jiang Wuyou's martial arts journey would stagnate, never progressing further.
“To be honest, I’ve always been curious about one thing,” Jiang Wang said: “With the Palace Master's talent and aptitude, whether it's following the orthodox cultivation path or the martial arts path, he could have gone very far by now. Why choose to forge his own martial path, opting for such a difficult route”
Jiang Wuyou didn't answer directly, but asked, "Do you know why I'm called Wuyou"
Jiang Wang shook his head.
Jiang Wuyou said: "The day I was born happened to be the first Qi Xia War. My father, the Emperor, beheaded the Summer Emperor and defeated the Summer army in battle. Hearing the news of my birth, he was overjoyed and said, 'I am worry-free now!' That's why he named me Wuyou."
She didn't answer, but she already had.
Her name carries the beautiful vision of a harmonious empire under the reign of the Emperor.
She wants to make her father truly "worry-free".
So she had to walk a path that would lead her to the "strongest"!
She was born in the twenty-fourth year of Yuanfeng and is now in the fifty-seventh year of Yuanfeng. She is thirty-three years old.
Throughout the world, those who haven't attained godhood by age thirty are not considered to be the pinnacle of prodigies.
She possessed extraordinary talent, yet at the age of thirty-three, she was still lingering in the inner court.
This is the price she paid for this arduous journey.
Even in the foreseeable future, these costs will be far from enough.
But this courage, this spirit, this determination, how many people in the world can have it
Jiang Wang said with emotion: "I am also ashamed to see the palace master!"
"Jiang Wuyou let out a hearty laugh. "It's getting late, Lord Wu'an, you should return. The fun for today is over, I won't keep you for more drinks."
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"Jiang Wangyi smiled and said, "When I return with my staff in hand, I will drink with Your Highness again."
He turned and strode out.
And behind him, the aura belonging to Jiang Wuyou surged forth, growing stronger and more majestic with each passing moment. The night sky above Linzi was illuminated by its brilliance.
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Her voice echoed throughout Huaying Palace — "I, the Empress, am here today to bless Marquis Wuan on his journey. As you embark on this mission to the grasslands, may you rise above all others and become a peerless hero!"
Let me know if you have other text you'd like me to translate!thousand men. His demonic arts were nearing completion.In this state, Yang Jiande was like a god or a demon.Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!He drew out his spear, Lie...