Chapter 194
Book 17 Chapter 12 – Love Wish Granted
Among the rising heat, the entire rock pool is bathing in warmth. Coupled with the snowflakes falling from the sky, it is heaven on earth.
The boiling spring water sprang out from three cervices in the rock wall and flowed straight into the pool. Any excess water continued to flow to another rock pool five feet below, forming another soaking area. Jing Shan and the other Guardians are congregating in that pool.
On Moon Prayer Cliff, at this inaccessible location, all earthly rules no longer matter. Ji Yanran, Wu Tingfang, Zhao Zhi, Tian Zhen, Tian Feng all revealed the glory of the beautiful bodies and were soaking contentedly in the hot spring. None of them are willing to leave, for in this ancient era where hot water showers are unavailable; there is no better treat for their bodies in the middle of winter.
Qin Qing removed her shoes and soaked her delicate feet into the spring water. To her, that is as far as she would go.
Xiang Shaolong and the girls stared at her with embarra.s.sment. Sitting down beside her and soaking his feet too, he offered: "Does Grand Tutor Qin wants to soak the spring water too? I can join the boys down there."
Qin Qing resisted the temptation of the spring water and shyly shook her head: "Grand Tutor Xiang can go ahead and enjoy himself. I am very happy where I am."
Xiang Shaolong noticed that her face is slightly reddish, making her even more mesmerizing. He teased: "Are you not afraid to see me naked?"
Qin Qing knows that this man is intentionally teasing her and she wailed: "Get into the pool quickly. I will not be bothered with you anymore today. I have yet to settle the last score with you!"
Xiang Shaolong knew that she is referring to the incident where he kissed her on the lips. Without any concern for her feelings, he leaned over to kiss her face and embraced her in a bear hug. Just as Qin Qing is about to struggle, both of them slipped and fell right into the hot spring.
Ji Yanran and the other girls swam over, cheering, giggling and teasing them. Among the falling snowflakes, there are no more barriers between them.
After dinner, while Qin Qing and the other girls are playing with Xiang Bao’er, Ji Yanran dragged Xiang Shaolong to a small pavilion in the garden to do snow-watching. She cooed: "I have never seen Sister Qin so happy before. Are you ready to marry her officially?"
Xiang Shaolong thought for a minute and replied: "I think we should discuss this after my duel with Guan Zhongxie!"
Ji Yanran suggested: "I have thought about it already. The best time is after the appearance of the Black Dragon. That is the best time for changes, including a change in Sister Qin’s status. It will not arouse the displeasure of the royal family."
Xiang Shaolong was overjoyed: "Yanran is thoughtful indeed. With Sister Qin, I have no other wants."
Ji Yanran seriously state: "To get Sister Qin to marry you is not easy. You better treat her like a respectable lady. Ai. I am talking about making love. Sister Qin hates the custom of Qin girls having pre martial 5ex. Hubby should understand what I mean!"
Xiang Shaolong bitterly smiled: "Now, I dare not even touch you; why would I even dare to think about doing anything to her?"
Ji Yanran giggled: "It is fine to make love once or twice before the duel as long as you curb your desires."
Xiang Shaolong was delighted and held Ji Yanran’s hands, sighing: "You must have understood my agony to grant me this special pardon."
Ji Yanran gently replied: "It must be the hot spring’s effects. But the one sharing your bed tonight should not be me. Since I am the one who set this rule, I should be the last one to make love with you."
Among the giant snowflakes, Xiang Shaolong held tightly to the Hundred Battle Sabre and is standing alone in the middle of the snowy plains. Behind him are the Wu Family farms.
It may be due to the wonderful feeling of this new weapon that the sabre has never left his side for the past ten days. He is trying to inculcate the three Ultimate Stances of Mozi into the sabre play. After a round of meditation, his heart is still as choppy as the sea. He seems to be on the verge of having a breakthrough on the sabre skill but something seems to be lacking.
During his meditation, he had memory flashes of his past. When he recalled the scenes of the tragic deaths of Zhao Qian and the maids, hot blood surged up in his body and he could not suppress it anymore.
Brandis.h.i.+ng his sabre, he sliced ferociously through the air at an invisible opponent.
The sabre rang out loudly as it cuts through empty air.
He suddenly felt at ease and naturally exhibited the Mozi Swordplay but this time, he focused on slas.h.i.+ng and chopping moves. Somehow, there is still something missing.
Out of a sudden, he had a brainwave and finally understood the crux of the problem.
He remembered that the Mozi Swordplay focuses on defence rather than attack but the nature of the Hundred Battle Sabre is to attack and not to defend. Therefore, when he tried to inculcate the Mozi Swordplay into the sabre play, it doesn’t feel right.
Thinking about this, he quickly forgot about the Mozi Swordplay and focused on attacks. Among the flas.h.i.+ng of the sabre energy, he can feel his forceful attacks striking forward just like bolts of lightning, giving him a strong dose of endorphin.
The tremendous impact of the sabre flashes can be felt all around him.
Like a solid mountain, Xiang Shaolong stood erect but his mind is filled with countless giant waves.
He thought about karate and Chinese wushu which are all based on science and logic, such as attacking using the shortest distance between you and the opponent or using momentum, flow and gravity to your advantage. He even thought about ranged attacks. From all these knowledge, he tried to incorporate the essence into sabre play.
He also thought hard about samurai katana moves. Although it only has a few basic essential moves, every one of them is strong and powerful.
Thinking till here, his sword skills and sabre skills seems to merge into one.
Since Mozi can created his own swordplay and he himself has learnt the essence of his skills, why can’t he create his own set of skills by taking the essence of all the martial arts he knew? Xiang Shaolong can feel the boundless of his heart and he was so touched hot tears begin to pour down his face. Facing the sky, he let out a long roar and the Hundred Battle Sabre is now flas.h.i.+ng in a maelstrom that has seemed to envelope him.
Following the shadow of the sabre strikes, Xiang Shaolong executed a few intricate strokes and can feel the might of a million strong soldiers and war horses in his heart. He felt a sense of invincibility and fearlessness regardless of the future.
He kneeled down in an instant, knowing that he has fully grasped the intricacies of sabre play. All he lacks now is experience.
Back home, he promptly looked for Teng Yi and Ji Yanran to test out his new skills.
Holding the Flying Dragon Spear, Ji Yanran saw Xiang Shaolong posing with his sabre and was stunned: "Hubby, what happened to you? The moment you stood there exhibiting your sabre pose, I can already sense that there is no way I can even attack you successfully."
Laughingly, Xiang Shaolong bellowed: "This is called confidence and might. Come my dear, my hands are itching already."
Glancing at his natural heroic aura, Qin Qing and all the girls are fully intoxicated.
Letting out a shrill cry, the Flying Dragon Spear came alive in Ji Yanran’s hands. Like endless waves of strong currents, the spear dashed forward towards Xiang Shaolong.
Xiang Shaolong brightened up. His strength, hands, eyes and footsteps are in perfect synchronicity. Using the Hundred Battle Sabre, every move is used with the appropriate strength, not too much and not too little. Instead of defending as before, he is now mainly focused on attacks. He met the attack head on, appearing to disregard the weight or length of the Flying Dragon Spear.
Under the strong pressure of the