Book 14: Chapter 3
Be Careful
Ming Feizhen returned the sword to its sheath without looking, then took a seat beside Li Jingan. She, like him, fed him a crispy fritter as though nothing happened, and he accepted it likewise.
After Ming Feizhen licked his lips, Li Jingan softly said, “Fuma, the sword is good,” with her eyes down on the quaint sword.
Ming Feizhen took another bite and, before swallowing it, replied, “This broadsword is just normal.”
“Which of the many renowned blacksmiths is credited with its creation?”
“I don’t know if he’s a renowned blacksmith or not, but I do know its name.”
“And its name is?”
“Didn’t I just tell you? It’s called ‘Normal’.”
“Wordless Sword Deity’s signature sword!” exclaimed a maid.
Among Eastern China Sea’s Supreme Swordsman, Mount Tian’s Glacial Sword Empress, Wordless Sword Deity and the elder of the imperial family’s mausoleum, Wordless Sword Deity was the most mythical of them for his accomplishments, so it was no surprise that his signature sword was praised as highly as him. For years now, he had secluded himself at Grasshouse. Therefore, every time there was news of him again, the world of swordsmen would be rattled. As practitioners of swordplay since childhood, the maids were naturally surprised to see his sword in the capital.
“So it’s Sword Deity’s sword.”
“Didn’t know that. I just found it.”
Li Jingan narrowed her eyes. “Thank you for sharing some pointers with the four girls, Fuma.”
Even an idiot could perceive the provocation in Li Jingan’s eyes; she was convinced that Ming Feizhen only beat her maids because he caught them by surprise with his Tai Chi Swordplay and possession of Normal.
“Hahaha.” Ming Feizhen sat up and, before Li Jingan could give the order to assassinate him, offered, “I guess I need to share some pointers with them, then. I suppose you won’t mind, Your Highness.”
“If you would please, Fuma.”
“The four are already decent with their tools and coordinate splendidly. They never panicked even after I broke their blades, truly impressive.” Ming Feizhen moved his gaze to the four. “You four coordinate your attacks as though you are one entity. That’s not easy to achieve, and it’s certainly effective, but it’s useless against someone perceptive. In order to maintain your synchrony, you must maintain your speed in every movement at an average level; you even must engage and disengage at the same time. That’s just silly.𝗳re𝚎𝚠𝐞𝗯𝙣𝗼ν𝗲l. c૦𝓶
“In a real fight, many things change in a split second. All the enemy has to do is bait you into attacking the same spot, and your formation will become your own undoing. There’s nothing special about synchronising your engagement and disengagement. You finally get it when you can attack at different times from different places and still land in the same spot.”
The four maids felt as if a lightning bolt just clapped right by their eyes. Until now, all their training had focused on synchronising to apply their formation; they never placed any importance in one-on-one combat. Yet, they found that it basically impossible to improve their formation recently no matter how much they trained. Not only did Ming Feizhen just draw their attention to a weakness they were ignorant to, but he also provided a hint to improve.
Ming Feizhen smiled as he glanced back at Li Jingan.
“Where is Fuma’s thank you?” Li Jingan rhetorically questioned without a change in temperament.
“Thank you for your advice, Fuma,” the four maids conveyed in unison.
“Fetch my wine for Fuma. I must personally make it up to him.” Once her proprietary wine arrived, Li Jingan personally filled a bowl with her fragrant concoction and passed it to Ming Feizhen.
“This is good.”
The maids had to stop their jaws from hanging agape as they watched Ming Feizhen chug the bowl in one shot.
Once he set the empty glazed bowl down, Ming Feizhen wore on a long face. “Lass, what exactly are you plotting?”
“I like it when you call me that.” Li Jingan’s cheeks turned rosy. “Am I the only one you treat this way?”
What the hell is there to like about that?! If you like being called “Lass”, will you moan in joy if I call you “Hoe”?!
“You haven’t answered my question.”
Li Jingan flipped her palms face-up. “I don’t want to answer it,” she responded. Once she saw Ming Feizhen’s defeated look, however, she cackled and said, “However, if you guess correctly, I could nod.”
“Your words, not mine! No going back on your word! Why did you go after Jiang Chen? Did he get in your way?”
Li Jingan’s expression didn’t budge in the slightest.
“Who did you hear about my encounter with Jiang Chen from? There were only a few people at the scene. Was it Boss Shen? Isn’t there friction between the Seven Champion Princes and your dad? Why help Jin Clan? What’s your relationship with Jin Zhaoying? Why are you in her body? You had a role in manifesting the duel between Jin Wangsun and I in the palace. He went missing afterwards. Did you off him?”
Since Li Jingan promised to nod if he was right, Ming Feizhen decided to throw out all the questions he’d be dying to know the answers to regardless of relevancy.
“Also… uh, do you have anything to eat? I’m hungry?”
Li Jingan angled her head and smiled behind her hand. “Sure.”
“Great! No, wait, answer at least one of the questions before that one! You didn’t nod once! Are you using me for entertainment?!”
Li Jingan set her chin onto her hand and gazed at Ming Feizhen.
“… What are you thinking about?! Say it out loud!”
Li Jingan smiled. “I’m wondering what our child’s temperament would be like. What should we name them? If it’s a boy, how about calling him Ming…”
“Stop, stop, stop. Please.” Ming Feizhen extended his arms out as if he was using them as posts to keep a menace away.
“Hehe.” Li Jingan pulled back into a graceful sitting posture. In a voice as soft as an ill patient, she voiced, “In your opinion, what would you say is the most important part when deciding to do something? In my opinion, family, is the most important.”
Ming Feizhen wrinkled his nose, unable to fathom what was implied.
“Fuma won’t be staying the night. See him out.”
No matter how much they respected Ming Feizhen, Her Highness’ orders were absolute. Therefore, the four maids approached him before he was done thinking to escort him to the door. Even by the time he was at the door, he still couldn’t figure out what Li Jingan tried to convey.
“Fuma.” Li Jingan looked perfectly calm as she continued, “Your sword is sharp. My four maids are no match.” She paused to give Ming Feizhen time to process what she implied, then went on. “There is no shortage of dangerous people in the capital; there’s no guarantee they can’t do something to you.” Wearing a forlorn look, she finished with, “You must be careful.”