The Nine Surnamed Kings were able to establish their reputations during the Great Demon Slaying War due to their extraordinary abilities.
Most of these extraordinary abilities were closely linked to the cultivation techniques they practiced.
For example, the Cui Family’s Life-Taking Sword Manual had always been known for its ruthlessness.
With a sword in hand, even the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors would not dare to underestimate the head of the Cui Family.
However, most people’s understanding of the Life-Taking Sword Manual was merely superficial.
Even some of the younger generation of the Cui Family, if they lacked sufficient comprehension, could not grasp the true essence of the Life-Taking Sword Manual.
In fact, it was something that could be explained in a single sentence.
The elders of the Cui Family did not directly reveal it because they hoped their juniors could realize it on their own.
Practitioners believed that the skills one realized for themselves were far superior to those taught by words or deeds.
Wang Sandong had no interest in guiding Cui Er to realize the true essence of the Life-Taking Sword Manual.
She simply wanted to show off in front of him — or perhaps she truly wanted to “point the way” for this dull bird.
The problem was that as a sickly weakling who had never studied the Life-Taking Sword Manual, it would be somewhat inappropriate if she could pierce the truth of the manual in a single sentence.
Therefore…
The most reasonable explanation could only be that she had heard it from someone else.
As for who this “someone else” was, there was no need to state it clearly.
Furthermore, generally speaking, the most clever way to hide something was to not hide it at all.
“Cough, you might not believe it if I say it.”
Wang Sandong took a sip of tea, deliberately taking her time to build suspense.
“Don’t look at me being all sickly. Actually, I am a theoretical sword master.”
Cui Er could not help but chuckle, exchanging a glance with Wang Yunteng.
Wang Yunteng asked, “Third Brother, this ‘theoretical sword master’ — what does that mean?”
“It means a sword master who is skilled in theory.”
Wang Sandong rolled her eyes.
“You can’t even understand that?”
Cui Er and Wang Yunteng burst into laughter at the same time.
Suppressing his laughter, Cui Er said, “Come, come, come. Give me a bit of your theory.”
“Hmph.”
Wang Sandong squinted at Cui Er with a face full of disdain and said, “This young master is in a good mood today, so I will give you a word of advice. Your swordsmanship is poor not because your cultivation realm is low.”
“Then what is the reason?”
Cui Er asked with a smile.
“Because you have failed to grasp the true essence of the Life-Taking Sword Manual.”
The smile on Cui Er’s face stiffened slightly.
This was because his father had said something similar to him.
“Cough.”
Clearing his throat, Cui Er gave a forced smile and said, “You don’t even know the Life-Taking Sword Manual, and you can’t even lift a sword. How could you know its true essence?”
Wang Yunteng laughed and said, “Alright, Third Brother, stop joking. The auspicious day is approaching. Have you tried on your ceremonial robes yet?”
Wang Sandong ignored Wang Yunteng’s words.
Instead, she looked at Cui Er and said in a mock-profound tone, “The true essence of the Life-Taking Sword Manual is not that every strike takes a life, but that every move is life-risking.”
As soon as these words were spoken, both Wang Yunteng and Cui Er were stunned.
Cui Er’s brow furrowed, and he fell into silent contemplation.
Wang Sandong added, “A truly ruthless person is not ruthless to others, but ruthless to themselves.”
After saying that, she leisurely drank a cup of tea and lamented, “As the saying goes: a teacher of a single sentence grants benefits for a lifetime. Since I have pointed the way for you today, you ought to perform the ritual of acknowledging a master. Right?”
Cui Er lowered his head and looked at the sword in his hand.
After a long while, he actually smiled.
Looking up again, he gazed into Wang Sandong’s beautiful, clear eyes and asked, “Which expert told you those words?”
Wang Sandong boasted with a composed demeanor, “I realized it myself.”
“Psh, Mr. Yi told you, didn’t he? No, Mr. Yi shouldn’t know much about the way of the sword. Was it Uncle Wang who told you?”
Cui Er was quite certain, then he complained with a look of displeasure, “If he knew this, why didn’t he say so earlier?”
After finishing, he looked at Wang Yunteng.
“Let’s go again!”
“Alright.”
The two returned to the Martial Arts Field, their blade and sword clashing as they began to spar once more.
Wang Sandong sat with her legs crossed, sipping tea while watching the match.
She couldn’t help but feel regret in her heart: ‘Cui Er’s comprehension is too poor and his aptitude is also bad. I’m afraid he won’t have much of a future in this life.’
But it didn’t matter.
Even if he wasn’t favored at home, he was still a young master of the Cui Family.
Even if he achieved nothing in the way of the sword, he could still be a wealthy man.
To live a life without worrying about food and drink was already very good.
But even this lowest tier of a wealthy second-generation life was likely something she would not have.
Paper cannot contain a fire.
Even though Huitian was very special, it was ultimately a technique for a Demonic Cultivator.
One day, it would be discovered.
When that time came…
Perhaps she would end up like Yuan Di, hiding in a brothel.
‘Come to think of it, with Yuan Di’s beauty, hiding in a place like a brothel… she must be teased or taken advantage of often, right?’
Images of Yuan Di in women’s clothing being pinned down by men flashed through her mind…
While Wang Sandong’s mind was wandering far away, the sparring on the Martial Arts Field ended.
Wang Yunteng sighed, “Just a single change in thought, yet the gap is actually this huge. We were evenly matched before, but this time I was left with only the strength to defend.”
Having said that, he and Cui Er approached the tea table and sat down next to Wang Sandong.
He smiled and said, “Third Brother, even if you accepted a ritual of acknowledgement from him, it wouldn’t be too much.”
Cui Er followed with a smile, cupping his hands toward Wang Sandong and saying half-jokingly, “Little Girl Master, I have been enlightened.”
Although these words seemed like a joke, the gratitude within them was unmistakable.
Wang Sandong gave Cui Er a white-eyed look and suddenly remembered something.
She asked, “Has your third brother’s body been found yet?”
“What are you saying?”
Cui Er said with dissatisfaction.
“My third brother may not be likable, but there’s no need to curse him to death like that, is there?”
Wang Sandong was startled, knowing she had misspoken.
She gave a dry laugh and followed up smoothly, “From what you’re saying, does that mean he was found alive?”
“No.”
Cui Er’s brow furrowed, showing a look of worry.
“He hasn’t been seen for a long time. I fear he has met with misfortune.”
Wang Yunteng gave a soft huff and said, “What Jinnian said before was not wrong. Lately, the Old Capital has indeed been unsettled.”
Jinnian was Cui Er’s courtesy name.
“I have also heard that there have been many disappearances in the city recently. Monsters love to use human corpses to refine pills and equipment. It is probably… better to be cautious.”
These words reminded Wang Sandong of the intentions of the housekeeper, Chen Youde.
“Comparable to a Demonic Cultivator”…
Spring-Returning Hand’s evaluation of Ghost Axe was indeed precise.
After chatting for a while about the matter regarding the monster, Cui Jinnian suddenly tilted his head and looked at Wang Sandong, teasing, “I say, Little Girl Wang, look at you. You spend quite a bit of time in the sun every day, so why is your skin still so fair and tender, just like a woman’s?”
Wang Sandong scoffed and laughed, “What? Are you jealous of me?”
“Sigh, my fiancée wrote to me complaining that the sun in the New Capital is extremely strong and her skin has been tanned dark.”
“Women fear that the most.”
Wang Yunteng smiled and said, “My wife is the same. Every day when the sun is a bit strong, she refuses to leave the house.”
He then looked at Wang Sandong’s fair face and was also curious.
“Come to think of it, Third Brother’s skin has always been very good. The ‘Jade-Faced Young Master’ mentioned in plays and storytelling must look just like Third Brother, right?”
Wang Sandong had no interest in discussing “skin.”
She ignored their comments and continued the previous topic.
“You two, how much do you know about the methods of refining equipment using human corpses?”
Cui Jinnian said, “Why bother learning about such evil arts?”
Wang Sandong laughed and said, “Just simple curiosity.”
Wang Yunteng clicked his tongue and said, “There truly aren’t many records of such things left. I heard my father say that Demonic Cultivators believe humans are formed from the spirit of heaven and earth and are the leaders of all living things. Everything about a human is of the highest quality. Therefore, using them to refine pills can seize the providence of heaven and earth; using them to refine equipment can borrow the momentum of heaven and earth.”
Cui Jinnian laughed and said, “Those must be exaggerated words. If it were truly that powerful, why did the Great Demon Slaying War end with the annihilation of the Demonic Cultivators?”
“There are many factors in the victory or defeat of a war.”
Wang Sandong glanced at Cui Jinnian and said, “You crude martial artist, don’t just focus on practicing the sword; at least read some books.”
It seemed the two of them didn’t know much about refining equipment with human corpses.
She would ask Yuan Di about it later.
Having made up her mind, Wang Sandong changed the subject and said, “By the way, let me tell you something.”
A wretched smile appeared on her face.
“Yesterday, I saw Uncle De and Hongxiu acting intimately. They were even holding each other…”
She would have to give Wang Tong some instructions later.
If he had the chance, he should spread these rumors among the servants.
Public opinion was a fearsome thing.
As long as rumors were flying everywhere, no matter how powerful Ghost Axe was, he could only suffer this loss in silence.
When that time came…
If Zheng Xiao and Chen Youde were not on the same side, and if Zheng Xiao truly hated evil…
Chen Youde had to be a lecherous man!
“Third Brother, stop talking nonsense.”
Wang Yunteng didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Uncle De is so old, how could he…”
“Tsk, Brother Teng, haven’t you heard the phrase ‘dirty old man’?”
Wang Sandong maliciously continued to ruin Chen Youde’s reputation.
“You think he’s being kind when he’s smiling all day? Actually, he’s just being lecherous…”
Wang Yunteng had a smile on his face.
After listening to Wang Sandong’s nonsense, he asked, “Did Uncle De offend you in some way?”
Wang Sandong squinted at Wang Yunteng and said, “I took a liking to Hongxiu, but that old guy beat me to it. You tell me, does that count as offending me?”
“That definitely counts.”
Cui Jinnian teased, “It’s simply going too far.”
After he finished, he laughed again and said, “However, I think that compared to Hongxiu, isn’t Tianxiang’s figure even better?”
Wang Sandong clicked her tongue and said, “What you said isn’t wrong. Tsk, if you truly like her, I’ll discuss it with my mother and give Tianxiang to you. How’s that?”
“No, no, no, do you want me to die?”
Cui Jinnian hurriedly refused.
“You know exactly what kind of temper and character my wife-to-be has. You should let me live for a few more years.”
“You have no spine.”
Wang Sandong mocked him and then added, “Haven’t I already taught you the true essence of the Life-Taking Sword Manual? Practice well, and once you have achieved something, that woman won’t dare to bully you anymore. As the proverb goes: The first sword drawn after reaching the shore is used to slay one’s beloved.”
“Where did such a proverb come from?”
Wang Yunteng was between laughter and tears.
Cui Jinnian laughed loudly and said, “What do you mean ‘bully’? That word is used a bit too strongly. As for the ‘first sword after reaching the shore’…”
He looked at Wang Sandong and asked, “What about you? Who will be the first person you slay?”
“I won’t slay anyone.”
Wang Sandong smiled and replied, “I am pure and kind by nature. I wouldn’t dare think of slaying someone; I only hope not to be slain myself.”
Unfortunately, a person might have no intention of harming a tiger, but the tiger always has the heart to harm the person.
Therefore…
Even without the heart to slay, one should have the ability to slay!
Suddenly, the sound of a firecracker rang out.
The Celebration Grand Ceremony was approaching.
Some people had already begun to light firecrackers to celebrate in advance.
Wang Yunteng frowned, saying with some worry, “With the ceremony imminent, the city is becoming more and more lively.”
Cui Jinnian looked at Wang Yunteng and said, “Are you worried that the monster will take the opportunity to cause trouble?”
Hearing this, and recalling the time she was deliberately provoked by Cui San’er, Wang Sandong felt a tightening in her heart and became inexplicably uneasy.
Although she didn’t understand the goal of that Disciple of the Demon Sovereign, still…
He wouldn’t take advantage of the chaos to scheme against her again, would he?
She had originally thought about going to Fengyue Tower to consult Yuan Di about the matter of refining equipment with human corpses.
Forget it, it was better to stay home and be well-behaved.
Wang Yunteng was also worried.
He picked up the teapot to pour tea, only to find it was empty.
“Someone, refill the tea.”
A servant nearby came forward to refill the water.
Wang Yunteng caught a glimpse of the young servant by chance and found him somewhat unfamiliar.
He asked, “Are you new?”
“Yes, Young Master, I have only been in the manor for three days.”
The servant replied and retreated with the insulated teapot.
Before leaving, his eyes gave Wang Sandong a furtive glance.