"Sir, there's something else I don't understand."
"Go ahead."
"Why has the Great Qian... become like this?"
"You're asking why, despite the Great Qian enjoying favorable weather, prosperity in every region, and abundance everywhere, there are still so many common people struggling to survive, aren't you?"
The man's eyes were as deep as a dark pool.
In the center, there was a glimmer of light, like a tiny spark, faint yet striking.
"The answer is actually quite simple."
"Some people stand too high, unable to see the scenery below. Gradually, they stop seeing others as human beings."
"Some suggest managing livestock, giving them some rest to prevent them from dying of exhaustion."
"Some suggest watering the fields more, so that fresher and more abundant grass will grow next year."
"But no one proposes..."
"To treat people as people."
Hearing Xu Xi's words, Wu Yingxue stood frozen, unable to snap out of it for a long time.
That was the harsh reality of the world, a cruelty difficult to accept.
...
[The girl's father was slain by a Great Qian Immortal]
[The girl's mother was forced to take poison by the emperor]
[The girl lost everything, her path and future shrouded in uncertainty]
[But now, you see a familiar glimmer in her eyes, flickering with each blink, like a newly kindled flame]
[Wu Yingxue decides to follow your footsteps and study martial techniques with you]
[You agree willingly]
[From then on, the girl who had lost everything began living in your home once more]
[Wu Yingxue provided you with fragments of the royal family's martial techniques]
[Wu Yingxue shared with you the martial theories she had learned as a child, as well as the principles of qi and blood taught by the Dingyuan King]
[The girl was still young, unable to grasp the profound intricacies of martial theory, but her talent was exceptional. While studying the "Nourishing Origin Technique" with you, she often came up with wildly imaginative ideas]
[Your martial training accelerated]
...
[Heaven rewards diligence. Your persistence paid off. Your relentless training, day and night, rain or shine, allowed your strength to advance further, and your protective qi became more refined]
[Your deductions regarding the "Nourishing Origin Technique" underwent two transformations]
[However, the results of these two transformations fell far short of your intended goal]
[The girl fell silent]
[You, accustomed to such setbacks, began your deductions anew]
[The path was rugged, the direction uncertain. You never believed that you could easily pave the way forward. You could only slowly grind out results over time]
[You comforted the girl, telling her not to lose heart]
["Failure is the mother of success."]
[Hearing your words of encouragement, the girl reignited her fighting spirit and repeated your words]
["Failure is success's old mother."]
[You couldn't help but fall into deep thought, wondering if you were lacking in teaching ability]
...
[The past sense of loss had vanished, the past confusion no longer existed]
[The girl had returned to normal]
[Now, aside from deducing the "Nourishing Origin Technique," Wu Yingxue would also engage in other activities while living in your home]
[She entered the kitchen, attempting to improve the coarse texture of demon beast meat]
Clang, clang.
That was the sound of the spatula hitting the pan.
Sizzle, sizzle.
That was the sound of the demon beast meat sizzling in the pan.
After the busy work, both Xu Xi and Wu Yingxue stared at the indescribable charred mass before them, falling into a long silence.
"Yingxue, I think it's best if you stay out of the kitchen from now on."
"Sir, you're absolutely right."
The prideful girl, for once, did not try to argue. Instead, she obediently heeded Xu Xi's advice, promising never to enter the kitchen again.
Her cooking skills were far worse than even the most notorious witch in Xu Xi's memory.
Though there were no explosions.
The charred demon beast meat.
Was enough to make anyone shake their head in dismay, unable to bring themselves to eat it.
At least, in the resource-scarce Qingniu Town, there wasn't enough food for Wu Yingxue to practice her culinary skills.
...
[Aside from martial training, in daily life, the girl would also spar with you]
[You would suppress your qi and blood, holding back your protective qi, engaging her at the same level of strength to help her solidify and deepen her martial cultivation]
[At the same time, it also helped you identify gaps in your own skills and refine your techniques further]
"Ha!"
A sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard.
It was caused by the sweeping motion of a long spear.
The fiery figure, like a true flame, displayed fierce aggression, wielding the spear with force, its tip transforming into a cold glint that lunged forward in an instant.
"Clang—"
Xu Xi, holding a refined iron longsword, casually raised it, perfectly deflecting the spear's attack.
"Yingxue, again. Your speed still isn't fast enough."
"Pay attention to the smooth flow of your qi and blood."
Following Xu Xi's guidance.
The spirited girl, clad in red and white, swung her spear even more fiercely, her movements bold and unrestrained. The spear's tip sliced through the air, creating a whistling gust that left faint white marks on the stone tiles.
Bang! Bang!
Bang! Bang!
The sharp clashing of sword and spear echoed.
Explosive gusts of wind erupted.
Dust and sand swirled, leaves rustled violently.
The sparring lasted for a long time, the explosive waves of energy rising and falling, the crimson glow of qi and blood covering half the courtyard, leaving traces of their fierce exchange.
"Si... Sir."
Wu Yingxue leaned on her spear, using it to support herself as she stood.
Breathing heavily, sweat dripping down her face.
She asked Xu Xi, "How would you rate me this time?"
The girl's competitive spirit was strong, stronger than anyone Xu Xi had ever met. After every spar, she would always ask Xu Xi for his evaluation.
Xu Xi replied, "I'd say it's a Grade C."
Grades A, B, C, D.
A was the highest, B was second, C was passable.
As for D, it was a complete failure.
"Grade C... I still have a long way to go," Wu Yingxue murmured to herself, her expression slightly downcast.
She was eager to grow stronger, to reach higher realms, to avenge her deceased parents, and also to ensure that more people could survive.
Right now.
She was tirelessly working towards these two goals.
...
[Time, if you're not careful, slips by in the blink of an eye]
[Three months passed quietly]
[Summer faded, and autumn arrived]
[The young princess had been living in your home for three months, studying the "Nourishing Origin Technique" with you for three months]
[In these three months, you had deduced 27 variations, 25 of which were completely unviable, while the remaining 2 had fatal limitations]
[Facing the approaching winter, you felt a deep sense of helplessness]
[Ignoring innate talent]
[Ignoring comprehension]
[Was it truly impossible to create such a technique?]
[You practiced martial arts in the courtyard, ceaselessly, from dawn till moonrise, and from moonset till dawn]
[The principles of the "Nourishing Origin Technique," the royal martial knowledge provided by Wu Yingxue, your own cultivation experience, and the sight of the people of Qingniu Town]
[All these things collided in your mind. You felt you were on the verge of grasping something, but the key eluded you]
[The commotion outside interrupted your thoughts]
[The Great Qian tax collectors had arrived]