Chapter 178

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Zhang Xiaohua and the others were intently watching the matches on the platform. The square was filled with noise, and since they weren’t paying attention to the entrance, they didn’t notice Zhang Xiaohu’s actions. It wasn’t until Great Aunt Qin and her group approached that they realized her presence.

After everyone exchanged greetings, Great Aunt Qin asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, have you competed yet?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and replied: “Almost. I should be up after this round.”

Great Aunt Qin nodded and said: “We’re here to cheer you on.”

Behind Great Aunt Qin were Changge, Chen Chen, and about five or six other female disciples, all chiming in to cheer for Zhang Xiaohua. These were the same disciples who had accompanied the caravan to the south last time.

Though they had traveled together before, back then Zhang Xiaohua had seemed like just another servant, so no one paid much attention to him. It wasn’t until his heroic performance during that nighttime battle that he earned the admiration of these female disciples. After Zhang Xiaohua went missing, they returned to Ming Cui Hall but remained curious about him. When they heard that Zhang Xiaohua was participating in the Cloth-Robed Competition at the Young Eagle Hall and had drawn a series of ties, their curiosity grew even more, and they begged Great Aunt Qin to let them come along today.

Once all the familiar faces had greeted each other, the two overseers of the platform, Group Leader Chang and Group Leader Li, also approached. Great Aunt Qin, as the hall master of Mingcui Hall, held a high status, and the two humble overseers from the Young Eagle Hall certainly had to come over and pay their respects.

Though Great Aunt Qin had been warm and approachable with Zhang Xiaohua and his friends, she was much more reserved when dealing with others from the Piaomiao Sect. She returned their greeting with a simple, polite nod and said: “Carry on with your duties. I’m just here to observe for a while.”

The two overseers could only smile wryly. With Great Aunt Qin bringing a whole group of female disciples, along with the other companions who had arrived earlier, Zhang Xiaohua’s supporters outnumbered the competitors. They had practically surrounded the entire platform, leaving no room for anyone else. How could the overseers not be busy managing the crowd?

Nevertheless, the match on the platform continued, and the two Group Leaders, not daring to say more, quickly returned to their posts.

Thus, the Young Eagle Hall’s martial arts competition this year presented a rather amusing scene. The square was filled with many small platforms, each occupied by teenagers and children competing. Yet, in the corner of the square, one particular platform stood out—surrounded by a crowd of adults who were eagerly pointing and commenting on the child’s match happening on the stage. Meanwhile, the young contestants waiting for their turn were all squeezed into a small corner of the stage, outnumbered by the spectators!

This unusual sight was something the competition hadn’t seen in years, and it certainly drew a lot of attention.

Before long, it was Zhang Xiaohua’s turn to take the stage. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua slowly walk up the platform, the watching crowd was not surprised. The female disciples of Ming Cui Hall had already heard the story of Zhang Xiaohu and the bird eggs yesterday, so they naturally knew. The people from the Medicine Hall were usually with Zhang Xiaohua, so of course, they knew even better that Zhang Xiaohua could not perform Qinggong at all. If he didn’t use the ladder, where else could he go? Moreover, Nie Xiao’er and the others were exchanging glances and making faces at each other, seemingly taking delight in his misfortune. They must have been preparing to watch the joke of Zhang Xiaohua being kicked off the platform.

However, when Zhang Xiaohua began his match, skillfully displaying his combat tactics—you attack, I retreat; you retreat, I attack; you tire me, I distract you; you distract me, I evade with my elusive maneuvers—their jaws nearly hit the floor. The few of them thought to themselves: “Is this the legendary guerrilla warfare strategy?!”

Yet, the most surprised person under the stage wasn’t Nie Xiao’er or the others.

He Tianchu, watching intently, began rubbing his eyes and even discreetly pinched his thigh to make sure he wasn’t dreaming! There’s a saying: “The untrained eye sees the spectacle, the expert sees the technique”. Although Nie Xiao’er and the others were amazed, they were just enjoying the show without grasping the deeper meaning of Zhang Xiaohua’s footwork. He Tianchu, on the other hand, was in a completely different situation—he was, after all, the one who had taught Zhang Xiaohua the Piaomiao Step and considered himself Zhang Xiaohua’s real mentor in this technique. As someone who had practiced the Piaomiao Step and taught Zhang Xiaohua this particular skill, he was completely shocked. Zhang Xiaohua’s footwork had far surpassed the scope of his teaching.

On one hand, many of the movements Zhang Xiaohua was now displaying were from the more advanced sections of the Piaomiao Step manual—sections that He Tianchu had only recently comprehended himself but had not yet taught Zhang Xiaohua. Some of the moves were even beyond He Tianchu’s own understanding, as he was still pondering their subtleties. While others in the audience may not have noticed, He Tianchu immediately felt a sense of enlightenment, as if Zhang Xiaohua’s performance was unlocking answers to questions he had been contemplating for a long time.

On the other hand, the parts of the Piaomiao Step that He Tianchu had already taught Zhang Xiaohua had undergone a significant transformation. Zhang Xiaohua was now performing them in ways that diverged from how they were originally taught. Normally, if someone executed a martial technique incorrectly, it would show obvious flaws, but Zhang Xiaohua’s moves were flawless—there was not the slightest error. As a result, He Tianchu couldn’t be sure if Zhang Xiaohua was truly making a mistake or if he had discovered a superior way to use the technique.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through He Tianchu’s mind: Am I teaching Zhang Xiaohua the Piaomiao Step, or is Zhang Xiaohua teaching me?

Before He Tianshu could fully ponder this question, the incense stick used to time the match burned out, marking the end of the bout. Zhang Xiaohua, as expected, finished with yet another draw. As he jumped down from the stage, Nie Xiao’er and the others swarmed around him, laughing and teasing: “Zhang Xiaohua, who would’ve thought you’re this good? Using your incomplete fist technique and that strange footwork, you still managed to fight to a draw. We were all ready to catch you when you got kicked off the stage, but it looks like we worried for nothing.”

Zhang Xiaohua, smiling, clasped his hands in thanks: “Just luck, just luck. I’m truly ashamed.”

As Zhang Xiaohua squeezed through the group, he noticed He Tianchu standing with his eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought. Not wanting to disturb him, Zhang Xiaohua made his way over to Great Aunt Qin. She smiled and praised him: “To have grasped the Piaomiao Step to this level in just over a month is truly remarkable. Well done.”

Zhang Xiaohua, ever modest, responded: “It’s all thanks to Captain He’s excellent teaching. I still feel a bit slow though, I haven’t been able to fully master the Qinggong part of the technique.”

Great Aunt Qin said: “Focusing on the footwork first is perfectly fine. However, I’ve noticed that you haven’t yet fully integrated the Piaomiao Step with your fist technique. They don’t seem to blend together smoothly.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded in agreement: “Yes, that’s exactly the problem. No matter how much I practice, I just can’t seem to connect the two techniques. I guess I’ll need to keep training hard.”

Great Aunt Qin nodded approvingly: “If you manage to combine the two, you’ll be even more formidable. Winning future matches won’t be an issue.”

At that moment, Zhang Xiaohua felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning around, he saw it was He Tianchu.

He Tianchu pulled Zhang Xiaohua aside into a corner and cautiously asked: “Zhang Xiaohua, did someone else teach you the Piaomiao Step?”

Zhang Xiaohua was startled and shook his head.

He Tianchu continued: “And you didn’t show this technique to anyone else, right?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head again, confused.

He Tianchu finally let out a breath, though his confusion deepened. He asked again: “Since no one else taught you and you didn’t ask anyone for advice, how did you manage to master the later parts of the Piaomiao Step on your own?”

Zhang Xiaohua, now understanding He Tianchu’s concern, whispered back: “Captain He, I honestly didn’t ask anyone or have anyone teach me. You showed me those steps, and I just memorized them. After practicing a few times, I got the hang of it.”

He Tianchu’s jaw dropped. “Got the hang of it? You’re not afraid of exaggerating, are you? I spent a long time trying to understand those steps, and you’re telling me you just practiced them and suddenly understood? Isn’t that like you’re slapping me in the face?”

Zhang Xiaohua blushed and quickly waved his hands. “I didn’t mean it like that, I swear! I just practiced and somehow learned it. Maybe I tried five or six times.”

He Tianchu was at a loss for words. He wanted to refuse to believe it, but the reality was right in front of him. He couldn’t keep asking, so he said: “And why did the steps I taught you change when you used them?”

“That…” Zhang Xiaohua hesitated, unsure of how to explain. “I don’t know either, Captain He. I remember what you taught me, but when I practice, the steps change on their own. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get them back to the way you showed me.”

He Tianchu was speechless. What more could he ask?

After thinking for a moment, He Tianchu said: “Zhang Xiaohua, I won’t watch your remaining matches. That footwork you just used gave me a lot of insight. I need to hurry back and reflect on it. With how you’re performing, I’m sure you’ll draw again in the next matches.”

Zhang Xiaohua, delighted to hear that his footwork had inspired He Tianchu, replied: “Then you should hurry back and focus on your insights. Don’t forget what you’ve realized.”

He Tianchu nodded and turned to leave.

But Zhang Xiaohua stopped him, awkwardly asking: “Uh, Captain He, can I keep the token for the Medicine Hall? I’d like to stay in your guest room again tonight.”

Without hesitation, He Tianchu handed over the token and hurried off.

When Zhang Xiaohua returned to the area near the arena, Great Aunt Qin also smiled and said her goodbyes: “Zhang Xiaohua, I won’t stay to watch the rest either. Yesterday, Changge told me you drew in three matches, and I was curious. I came to cheer you on and hoped to see you win. But now that I’ve seen what’s happening, I think it’s safe to assume your next few matches will end in a draw as well, right?”

Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head and replied: “Unless something unexpected happens, they’ll probably all be draws. I really don’t know how to beat these kids—they’re just too skilled.”

Great Aunt Qin chuckled and said: “You’re the impressive one here. How long you’ve been practicing martial arts compared to them? I bet they’re the ones frustrated that they can’t defeat you.”

Zhang Xiaohua didn’t respond but smiled noncommittally.

Great Aunt Qin continued: “There are still some loose ends to tie up back at Ming Cui Hall, so I’ll be heading back. When you have time, come visit me at Ming Cui Hall.”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned and replied: “Sure thing, Big Sister Qin. I’ll visit when I get the chance.”

Great Aunt Qin nodded and started to leave. The female disciples from Ming Cui Hall, including Changge and Chen Chen, had already witnessed Zhang Xiaohua’s three draws yesterday. Seeing another today felt less novel, as Zhang Xiaohua’s unique fighting style, though fresh at first, lost its appeal with repetition. They had mainly come along to accompany their hall master and for the excitement. The other female disciples, Seeing their master leaving, saw no reason to stay.

So, with Great Aunt Qin leading, the group of Ming Cui Hall’s female disciples left as well.

Zhang Xiaohu watched Changge and the others depart, feeling a bit melancholic. Turning to Zhang Xiaohua, he said: “Xiaohua, you’ll do fine in these matches. I didn’t return home last night, so I need to head back and check on things. I won’t stick around to watch your match.”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned: “Take care of your things, Second Brother. After my match tonight, I’ll come find you.”

Zhang Xiaohu nodded and left.

As Zhang Xiaohua turned around, he saw Nie Xiao’er and the others approaching. He quickly asked: “Brother Xiao’er, are you guys leaving too?”

Nie Xiao’er threw an arm around Zhang Xiaohua’s shoulder in a friendly manner and said: “How could we leave? We’re brothers, right? We’re sticking with you until the end.”

Zhang Xiaohua, sensing something, shrugged off the arm and said: “Come on, Brother Xiao’er, that smile seems a bit fake. Is there something you want to say? If there’s something on your mind, just tell me. If I can help, I will, but don’t force me if I can’t!”

Nie Xiao’er looked embarrassed and pinched his cheek, puzzled: “How did you see through me?”

But then, he quickly admitted: “Alright, there is something I need to ask you, but it’s not just from me. We’re all curious, so they sent me to ask.”

Zhang Xiaohua blinked and said: “Go ahead, I’m listening.”

Nie Xiao’er glanced at the others before asking: “On behalf of the brothers who’ve been toiling with you in the medicinal fields, I have one question—what is the name of the martial art you just used in the ring?”

“The Big Dipper Divine Fist!” Without hesitation, Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Haven’t I mentioned it before?”

Nie Xiao’er shook his head and said: “Don’t try to distract us, Zhang Xiaohua. That trick won’t work here. I’m not talking about that hodgepodge of fist techniques you use. I’m asking about your footwork. It looks really familiar, almost like the same one Captain He uses.”

Zhang Xiaohua played it safe and asked: “Didn’t you ask Captain He?”

Nie Xiao’er pouted: “We did, but he wouldn’t tell us. That’s why we’re asking you.”

Hearing that, Zhang Xiaohua firmly responded: “Well, I’m not telling you either.”

Nie Xiao’er, with a sly grin, sidled closer and said: “Come on, we’re good brothers. What’s there to hide?”

Zhang Xiaohua shook his head: “It’s personal. My secret. Why should I tell you?”

Nie Xiao’er, still smiling, replied: “Good brothers shouldn’t have secrets. You tell us what you know, and we’ll share what we know with you.”

At that, Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes sparkled with an idea. He leaned in and asked: “Are you sure? You’re saying if I tell you, you’ll share something with me too?”

Nie Xiao’er hesitated for a moment, sensing he might be walking into a trap, but then, figuring he had nothing that Zhang Xiaohua could possibly be interested in, he puffed up his chest and asked: “What do you want to know?”

Zhang Xiaohua squinted and leaned in close to Nie Xiao’er’s ear, whispering: “Tell me the secret about the forbidden area in the Medicine Hall, and I’ll tell you about the footwork!”

The moment Nie Xiao’er heard this, he recoiled as if bitten by a snake. His face paled, and he jumped back, quickly replying: “That’s a secret of the Piaomiao Sect. You’re not even a disciple of the sect. If I told you, I’d be punished under sect rules. Forget it, I don’t even want to hear your secret anymore. Let’s just pretend I never asked.”

Seeing Nie Xiao’er’s reaction, Zhang Xiaohua quickly grabbed his sleeve, laughing: “Don’t run off, Brother Xiao’er. If you can’t answer that one, I have another request. How about it?”

Nie Xiao’er, still wary, looked at him suspiciously and said: “Why do I feel like you’re up to no good? But alright, as long as it doesn’t involve sect rules or secrets of the sect, I’ll do my best to help.”

Only then did Zhang Xiaohua reveal his request: “You teach me ten sets of saber or sword techniques, and I’ll tell you the secret of my footwork.”

“Ten sets?” Nie Xiao’er almost shouted: “Are you out of your mind? Those are some of the Piaomiao Sect’s most guarded secrets. How could I possibly teach them to you?”

Zhang Xiaohua quickly clarified: “It doesn’t have to be from the Piaomiao Sect, just any saber or sword techniques that are common in the martial world will do.”

“Oh,” Nie Xiao’er nodded in understanding. “So, any saber or sword technique, not necessarily from our sect.”

“Exactly.” Zhang Xiaohua confirmed.

“But,” Nie Xiaosi continued, “ten sets is a bit much. I don’t even know that many. How about two sets?”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned: “Hehe, it doesn’t have to be just you, does it? There are others too. As long as you all together teach me ten sets, it’s fine.”

Zhang Xiaohua winked at the others standing nearby.

Nie Xiao’er glanced at the group, gritted his teeth, and said: “No way, ten is still too many. How about eight sets? Each of us will teach you two.”

“Deal!” Zhang Xiaohua agreed without hesitation.

With that, Zhang Xiaohua and Nie Xiao’er slapped their palms together to seal the agreement.

Then, in a casual tone, Zhang Xiaohua added: “I was thinking each of you would only teach me one set. I didn’t expect you’d all teach me two each. This is a real bargain!”

Upon hearing this, Nie Xiao’er’s vision darkened, and he nearly collapsed on the spot.

With the help of his companions, Nie Xiao’er managed to stay upright. His lips trembled as he asked: “We’ve already agreed to your terms. Now, can you tell us your secret?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled mysteriously and said: “Of course, I can tell you. I’m an honest person—since you all kept your side of the bargain, I’ll definitely keep mine. Listen up: the footwork technique that both I and Captain He are using is called Piaomiao Step!”

“Ah!” The group was stunned.

Nie Xiao’er, still in disbelief, asked: “Piaomiao Step? But that’s one of the three ultimate techniques of our Piaomiao Sect! Even Captain He doesn’t have the qualifications to learn it. How on earth did you manage to learn this sacred technique? You’re just making this up to trick us!”

Zhang Xiaohua put on an aggrieved face, saying: “Brother Xiao’er, how could you question my integrity like that? When have I ever lied to you guys? It really is Piaomiao Step, not a single lie. Think about it—if it weren’t for the miraculous Piaomiao Step, what other Qinggong could allow Captain He to improve his agility so much in such a short time? And how could I face off against these freakishly talented kids and not lose?”

Nie Xiao’er, hearing this reasoning, started to believe it somewhat but still pressed further, asking: “So, how did you and Captain He learn this then?”

Seeing the eager, almost desperate looks on Nie Xiao’er and the others, Zhang Xiaohua proudly replied: “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but Great Sect Master Ou explicitly said that this matter must remain a secret. Now, if you’re not afraid of punishment under sect law, I’ll tell you!”

The group turned pale at his words. All of them, in perfect unison, spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground. After all that effort, after agreeing to teach Zhang Xiaohua two sets of sword techniques each, all they got in exchange were those three words!

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