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The backyard.
Duan Tianxing sat in the shade of a tree, sipping tea, wearing the round-edged sunglasses Li Xiang had given him.
As one grew older, eyesight inevitably declined. Wearing sunglasses while in the sun effectively protected the eyes.
However, after putting on the sunglasses, Duan Tianxing increasingly resembled Li Shuwen from FGO.
"Master, I'm here."
After entering, Li Xiang spoke softly.
"Hmm."
Duan Tianxing responded casually, as if he didn't particularly care.
Li Xiang didn't mind and proceeded to share everything he could think of, relevant or not.
The old master showed little interest in most matters. Only when he heard the name Mo Ye did he straighten up.
"Mo Ye? The 'Mo' as in 'black earth'?"
"Uh, yes..." Li Xiang scratched his cheek.
Logically, the Elite Four Mo Ye should be quite famous...
'How long has it been since you paid attention to current affairs?'
"Did you tell him about Beng Quan?"
Duan Tianxing took off his sunglasses, his hawk-like eyes fixed on Li Xiang's face.
'His tone… Could it be that the Mo family and the Zhenxing Dojo were enemies?'
'Please don't tell me…'
Li Xiang's heart raced as he shook his head repeatedly. "No, no, I didn't say anything."
'Damn it! Don't do this. I finally found a powerful connection. Don't make it some cliché feud.'
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Duan Tianxing let out a rare scoff. "Heh. The Tidewater Sword Technique has declined too. Their discernment is gone. The Mo family's Tidewater Sword..."
Since joining the Dojo, this was the first time Li Xiang had heard Duan Tianxing speak in such a tone.
Superficially, it was full of mocking ridicule, but his tone also carried a deep sense of regret.
Such emotionally rich words were something Li Xiang had never heard from him before. He couldn't help but ask, "Master, what is this Tidewater Sword Technique?"
"A martial art. Like Beng Quan, a unique secret tradition," Duan Tianxing stated.
'Great.'
Hearing those last four words, Li Xiang understood everything.
Another relic of a bygone era. Something with substance but bound by rules, inflexible, ultimately destined to be buried together in a coffin.
The name sounded quite flashy, though.
"What about the relationship between us and them?" Li Xiang was more concerned about whether he could still leverage this connection.
Duan Tianxing leaned back, put on his sunglasses, and said offhandedly, "Neutral as water. The Eight Great Arts... looks like another lineage is about to die out. Heh."
Eight Great Arts.
Li Xiang had inadvertently stumbled upon a fresh term. He was about to ask more but noticed an aura of desolation surrounding Duan Tianxing. Probably reminiscing with mixed emotions.
First decline, now another lineage dying out.
After all, even though Beng Quan had seven disciples, it was also on the brink of being lost.
There was a branch in Sakura Island, though.
'Better ask my senior brothers.'
Li Xiang temporarily excused himself and headed towards the main hall. Incineroar and Riolu were at the entrance.
The former fully embodied the saying "newborn calves are not afraid of tigers." It had dared to pounce on Duan Tianxing before, but now it didn't even dare to enter the backyard gate.
'What a coward.'
Even though Li Xiang wasn't much better.
As for the latter, it could naturally use Aura to detect goodwill and malice, so it held considerable fondness for Duan Tianxing.
...…...
Returning to the main hall.
As it was summer break, both Lu Chengfeng and Wang Dong were present.
Li Xiang sought out the most articulate fifth senior brother, Lu Chengfeng, to ask about the Eight Great Arts.
"Oh, the Eight Great Arts. That was a selection of eight martial arts by an organization called the Martial Arts Society a long time ago. They were said to be the eight strongest."
Lu Chengfeng spoke slowly. "I remember ours, Beng Quan, was among them. Then there was Tidewater Sword Technique, Stomp Step, Dual Polar Art, Featherlight Body, God-Slaying Blade Art, Sun-Style Fist, and Dragon Gate Fist. These eight."
'Sounds a bit like a wuxia novel.'
Li Xiang's thoughts wandered, but Lu Chengfeng before him added, "But they've mostly declined now."
"Declined?"
"Yeah, times have changed. Anyway, God-Slaying Blade Art, Dragon Gate Fist, Featherlight Body, and Dual Polar Art—these four have gone silent. Who knows if anyone still carries them on."
Lu Chengfeng rubbed his temples. "In this day and age, aside from masters like our master and senior sister, how many who learn these can defeat armor? Not to mention electric batons and stun guns."
'Times have changed, indeed.'
Li Xiang mused internally, then said, "But armor combined with martial arts should be stronger, right?"
"That's why people practice Sanda (a type of Kickboxing) now. Simple and easy to pick up. Not like our Beng Quan, which takes three years just to get started."
Lu Chengfeng said helplessly, "The barrier to entry, junior brother, you have to understand that not all martial arts are like Beng Quan."
'Finally admitting Beng Quan was difficult. So, I am not the problem.'
Li Xiang felt moved. Actually, he had always felt the problem wasn't him but Beng Quan.
What kind of martial art was so hard to learn that it took three years just to get started?
However… "But for someone with low comprehension like you, junior brother, any martial art would be the same."
Lu Chengfeng patted Li Xiang's back sympathetically. Wang Dong beside them snorted, then his shoulders started shaking uncontrollably.
"Senior brother, saying that makes me unhappy. I did master the basics, after all!"
Li Xiang somewhat irritably brushed off Lu Chengfeng's hand. "Don't make me tattle to senior sister!"
From a perspective different from Li Xiang's, to Lu Chengfeng and Wang Dong, Jiang Shangrong and Qi Sunsun were synonyms for terror. The former was a replica of their master, extremely serious and rigid in everything.
The latter was a demon who enjoyed teasing and tormenting people.
Only the eldest senior sister, Bai Ji, was gentle and considerate, truly worthy of being the flower of the Dojo.
"Wow, junior brother, you'll easily end up with no friends like that," Lu Chengfeng clicked his tongue. "Tattling isn't a good habit."
"Having my senior brothers and sisters is enough."
Li Xiang shrugged, looking completely unconcerned. It was an offhand comment, but it made Lu Chengfeng and Wang Dong pause.
Then they looked touched.
"Junior brother... no, today I must treat you to handmade ice cream from the station."
"With three extra scoops! Senior brother is paying! Eat! Eat a large portion!"
The two said hurriedly, vying to be first.
These two were really easy to please. Li Xiang was silently speechless.
At that moment, Duan Yu walked in from outside the hall, drenched in sweat. "What are you guys talking about?"
"The Eight Great Arts of Zhu Xia," Lu Chengfeng replied.
"Eight Great Arts? That's ancient history. Nobody talks about that anymore. Junior brother, where did you hear about it?"
Duan Yu wiped his sweat with a towel.
"Right, I haven't even asked yet," Lu Chengfeng said, belatedly realizing.
Li Xiang then explained, "It's related to what happened to me today..."
He recounted Mo Ye recruiting people for Mist City.
The three senior brothers first congratulated him. Then they discussed the Tidewater Sword Technique and the Elite Four, Mo Ye.
"Mo Ye comes from the Tidewater Sword background. I knew that. But I didn't expect junior brother to have a connection with Mo Ye."
Lu Chengfeng said slowly, "Master probably disdains Mo Ye's lack of discernment— failing to recognize a fellow practitioner of the Eight Great Arts."
'To recognize what martial art someone practices?'
Li Xiang recalled his conversation with Mo Ye and was certain the word "martial art" never came up.
But who knew if Mo Ye had seen through it?
What if he knew but just didn't say anything?
As they chatted, Duan Tianxing walked out from the backyard, holding an old-fashioned button phone.
"Chatting?"
His sharp gaze swept over everyone.
"Taking a break, taking a break," Li Xiang spoke up first, responding with an awkward smile.
Duan Tianxing glanced at him but didn't press the issue. "Are you all free in early September?"
"Yes!"
"I am too."
Li Xiang and Duan Yu responded first.
Lu Chengfeng and Wang Dong then said, "We can request leave."
"Good." Duan Tianxing nodded. "In a few days, come with me to Sakura Island. Stay for half a month."
Go to Sakura Island? For half a month?
The four looked at each other, somewhat baffled.
"To get weapons made for you. And, tourism."
When he said the last word, Duan Tianxing's gaze swept over Li Xiang.
Li Xiang was a bit confused. Getting weapons made... were they getting cold weapons made?
Duan Tianxing looked at his four foolish disciples and frowned. "The one who called me was your eldest martial uncle's daughter. She invited us to visit."
"She has a village of artisans there. They have some expertise in weapon forging and also have new materials."
He explained.
The Dojo did have sharpened weapons. Although they were maintained, they really weren't in great shape anymore.
At least in terms of material, they were far inferior to modern steel in strength.
'Ah! I'm going to have my own sword!'
Li Xiang's face lit up with joy. Few boys disliked cold weapons, especially free ones!
It was just a pity that going to Sakura Island for tourism in early September meant missing the sea of cherry blossoms.
"Master, are senior sisters going too?"
Suddenly remembering something, Li Xiang looked up and asked.
"Everyone is going."
Duan Tianxing glanced at him.
Li Xiang inexplicably felt a chill around him, but hearing that everyone was going made him happy again.
How could he not be happy about traveling with his senior sisters?
After finishing martial arts practice, Li Xiang returned home, humming a cheerful tune.
The moment he entered, he was greeted by an enthusiastic hug from Li Zhehan and a big kiss from Mrs. Yin.
As parents, they were naturally overjoyed that their son had achieved something. Especially being the undisputed number one in the nation—it had even made the newspapers.
Colleagues and employees were asking if this 'Li Xiang' in the paper was their son. Undoubtedly, it had absolutely earned them face.
But facing his proud parents, Li Xiang felt somewhat embarrassed. Especially when they suggested throwing a big banquet and inviting all sorts of people—it made him even more uncomfortable.
"Let's not. I am a bit shy. Having a reunion dinner with grandparents and them is enough. Being too high-profile isn't good."
Li Xiang suggested. "Number one in the nation and all that aside—it's currently just an unrealistic, empty fame. Tall trees attract the wind."
Li Zhehan and Mrs. Yin looked at each other. Seeing the serious expression on Li Xiang's face, they both agreed he made sense.
'If you think it makes sense, then don't make that face.'
Seeing the faint worry on their faces, Li Xiang knew they were thinking about last year's events again. Even though so much time had passed, the impact of that incident on the family still lingered.
Mrs. Yin had also always wanted to take Li Xiang to see a psychologist again, but due to his busy studies, it had been postponed.
"It's okay. Being together as a family is what matters most." Li Xiang smiled and hugged them back.