Twin Dimension Yin-Yang Mirror: Attaining immortality through the martial path
Chapter 114 - 111 Wind Chasing Divine Archery

Chapter 114: Chapter 111 Wind Chasing Divine Archery

"They’re all poor ghosts; the three of them together don’t even have a few bottles of Blood Fortifying Pills."

"However, these silver and golden notes add up to a value of one thousand and three hundred taels. They’re still stained with traces of blood, likely robbed from someone they killed."

Zhou Ping’an checked the spoils of war and spoke with a hint of disdain.

"Maybe it’s because of this that the Second Miss of the Zhang Family was able to come out unscathed, which is a good thing, I guess." Xia Cui heard Zhou Ping’an’s complaints—killed someone and ransacked their body, yet still despised them for being poor. What a face.

She couldn’t help but let out a "giggle" of laughter.

Perhaps everything that happened earlier with sneaking into the Chen Family Fortress to save someone had deeply shaken her.

Maybe it was the experience of "fighting" side by side, or perhaps another reason, but Xia Cui, the girl, seemed to lose some of her distance and showed a hint of warmth: "Supplicant Zhou, do we need to keep tonight’s events a secret?"

"Keep what secret? Just report truthfully to the Third Miss. Oh, and in three days there’s the Martial Scholar examination. I heard that we need to know the Martial Scriptures, which I don’t have. Take a look and see where we can find a copy to memorize."

"What?"

Xia Cui was somewhat dumbfounded.

You’ve never studied the Martial Scripture? Yet you still clamor to take the Martial Scholar exam? With only three days, can you memorize such a thick book?

She looked at Zhou Ping’an skeptically, trying to figure out if he was making a joke, but couldn’t discern anything, and couldn’t help but ask, "Besides the written test on ’Martial Scripture,’ there’s also an archery examination, right? Shall we find an archery instructor?"

"If we can find one, sure. It might be a bit slow to practice on my own."

Zhou Ping’an had indeed considered this.

His own shooting skill was unquestionable.

But that was with all kinds of firearms...

If it were a hand crossbow, that would be similar, hit whatever you point at, the intent would lead the arrow.

But with a bow and arrow, there’s a whole set of strength training and bow-drawing routines that need to be familiarized with in advance, otherwise, it’s quite possible to embarrass oneself.

"The Minster Wang Xingwu within the residence is skilled at divine marksmanship, proficient in his family’s Wind Chasing Divine Archery, which is truly remarkable. You could ask him for instruction."

Xia Cui fought back the urge to roll her eyes, giving Zhou Ping’an a peculiar look before making a direct suggestion.

...

Both of them moved quickly.

After returning to the Lin Residence, Zhou Ping’an continued to use the Sun Chasing Pill to nurture his Blood Essence, while Xiao Cui dashed to the back courtyard in a puff of smoke.

Soon, Zhou Ping’an, with his sharp hearing, caught the chattering voices exclaiming, "Wow, I didn’t know you could do that."

Obviously, Lin Huaiyu hadn’t gone to bed at this time.

She was waiting for news.

Xiao Xue was very supportive, and as Xiao Cui described the thrilling parts, she couldn’t control her voice and let out a series of exclamations.

Zhou Ping’an found it very comforting to listen to.

He no longer eavesdropped and focused on refining the medicinal power while checking his own Sea of Consciousness.

He had noticed something off when he first came back.

Upon closer inspection now, he discovered that this rescue operation had also yielded some gains in the realm of Wishful Heartforce.

Although it was only eight white Mind Threads, aside from Xiao Cui, there were thirteen others, and seven had contributed admiration and trust, which was quite good.

With nothing much else to do, Zhou Ping’an was motivated and reached out towards those threads, among which Xiao Cui’s Heart Thought was just like her personality, straightforward: "Supplicant Zhou’s nose is so formidable, he can smell everything and distinguish each scent. Next time something good happens, I must not get anywhere near him."

What is she talking about?

Zhou Ping’an paused briefly before realizing what "something good" in Xiao Cui’s Heart Thoughts actually referred to.

Pish.

You, girl, have too much drama in your heart to be plotting against me in secret.

Zhou Ping’an shook his head with a chuckle and turned to look at another bright white Mind Thread. As expected, this was the wish of Zhang Yuanhao, the Second Young Master of the Zhang Family: "It was indeed right to ask for his help. A punch that burst a head on Yongfu Street, such ferocity and dominance, I knew his strength was unfathomable... Brother Zhou is a rare talent in both literary and martial arts, excelling in each area. I wonder why Brother Yuan Kang is so wary of him, unfairly speaking ill of him behind his back. Could it be that he fears him taking Miss Qing?"

Yuan Kang?

Zhou Ping’an’s heart chilled slightly.

Wasn’t that the son of the Prefectural Magistrate, Li Yuankang?

When it came to enjoying poetry and music, watching dances, his relationship with Li Yuankang seemed the best.

This man, who appeared to be courteous and amiable, had never revealed that he spoke ill of Zhou behind his back.

What did that imply?

If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t think it out of the ordinary.

But Zhou Ping’an was no ordinary person.

After practicing the Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization Method, burning Wishful Heartforce multiple times, he was also refining his soul, making it stronger and his spiritual power more pure.

As time passed, other benefits weren’t that obvious yet.

However, the sensitivity to the deep intentions of kindness or malice, and whether someone was lying, had become almost an instinct.

In this context, for Li Yuankang to still deceive Zhou Ping’an suggests something unusual.

There are two possible scenarios that could lead to such a result.

One is that Li Yuankang’s soul cultivation, that is his spiritual power, is much higher than Zhou’s.

Another possibility was that if he had cultivated a divine skill of the same level as the "Karmic Fire Red Lotus Visualization Method," the cancellation of the methods’ power could still conceal his true foundation.

So, which one was it?

"Fortunately, I just happened to be free and overheard these peoples’ heart thoughts, leading to such an unexpected gain."

Zhou Ping’an remained silent for a while, then simply channeled the remaining few strands of Mind Threads, sensing them all but discovering no other valuable information.

It’s not exactly valueless, though.

At the very least, he knew that anyone with some real skills, even if they saw him single-handedly killing the Hehuan Sect disciples and the Black Mountain Bandits’ second-in-command to save the Second Miss of the Zhang Family, didn’t actually feel any admiration for him.

Just like the Iron Wolf Gang leader Tie Sanyuan and the Zhang Family Protector martial master brothers Gao Tai and Gao Yun, even the eldest son of the Zhang family, Zhang Yuanfang, had not contributed any white Power of Mind.

"The one with bushy eyebrows doesn’t know how to be grateful. I suppose it’s in their nature for businessmen to chase profit."

Thinking back to Zhang Yuanfang’s earlier flattery and generous words, Zhou Ping’an had thought there might be some admiration in his heart, but it turned out that this young master of the Zhang family was quite shrewd, with his own calculations—likely the type to use people to his advantage and then discard them when they’re no longer needed.

In contrast, it seemed better to make friends with the more straightforward Second Young Master of the Zhang family.

"Luckily, the Red Lotus Visualization Method fell into my hands by a stroke of fortune. If that Holy Maiden had obtained it and mastered it, it would be much more difficult to deal with, several times over."

"If not handled carefully, she could indeed stir up a storm in the southwest region."

However, now that he knew how powerful the Red Lotus Visualization Method was, would that famed Yunling Holy Maiden, who lost the precious technique, become enraged and desperately search every corner to find it?

Probably so.

Thinking of the renowned Holy Maiden whose fame shook the region, Zhou Ping’an’s mood became slightly heavy.

Right there and then, he swallowed another Sun Chasing Pill.

With the excessive fiery energy, he would think of another method later; first, he needed to build up his Blood Origin Power. Only after reaching great achievement in Blood Exchange would he consider other matters.

All sorts of miscellaneous thoughts left his mind, leaving only the Internal Breath surging like tidal waves, washing over and shaking him, as the Blood Origin flowed through his limbs and body, enhancing his physique bit by bit.

...

The next morning.

Just after Zhou Ping’an got up and practiced his Sword Technique, he saw the rare sight of Lin Huaiyu arriving at the East Cross Courtyard.

In her hand, she held a Martial Scripture, and was accompanied by someone.

"This is Minister Wang Xingwu of our residence. He has been guarding below Black Mountain recently. Thanks to him, the losses of our herbalists have been minor," said Lin Huaiyu, her face veiled in white gauze, which made it hard to see clearly, but she seemed to be smiling.

Zhou Ping’an knew what she was smiling about.

It was more or less the same idea as Xiao Cui’s.

Upon learning that he did not even know archery, they probably just wanted to enjoy the spectacle.

This mentality was easy to understand.

Zhou Ping’an thought to himself that if he saw an all-capable, all-knowing top student finally run a hundred meters in sixteen seconds during a physical education class, he too would feel secretly thrilled.

I can’t compare to you in anything.

But at last, there’s one thing I am better at than you.

How comforting that is to the mind.

Wang Xingwu, however, was not smiling but rather had a respectful demeanor and formally greeted him. He said earnestly, "It is an honor for Wang to have his modest skills recognized by Supplicant Zhou. My family has long been in decline ever since my ancestors practiced the Art of War. No one really cherishes the Wind Chasing Divine Archery... In fact, even I only honed my archery skills over many years of hunting beasts in the mountains. It’s not very profound. If Supplicant Zhou can just pick it up casually to get through the Martial Scholar’s exam, that would be fine."

"Please, Brother Wang, I would be grateful for your guidance," Zhou Ping’an replied hurriedly.

Upon seeing Wang Xingwu, he noticed that a white Mind Thread quickly formed in his Sea of Consciousness.

Then he understood why Wang’s demeanor was so respectful.

It turned out that Minister Wang, who had just returned, was saved by the Third Miss Lin of the Lin Family on her way to Qingyang City. He was gravely ill and in dire poverty when Lin Huaiyu, noting his not inconsiderable talents and using her skills as a Pharmacist, ordered the Lin Family Protector to bring him back to the Lin Residence for good care.

Under these circumstances, it was natural for Wang Xingwu to feel grateful.

He willingly joined the Lin Family.

After half a year of comfortable and stable life within the Lin Family, Wang Xingwu truly settled down.

He began to view the Lin Residence as his own home.

During this tumultuous time for the Lin Family, Zhou Ping’an worked tirelessly, making significant contributions to their battles.

While outsiders remained half-skeptical,

Wang Xingwu, being part of the Lin Family, understood very well what Supplicant Zhou had truly done and just how formidable he was.

Seeing him, anyone with a normal disposition would find it hard not to admire him.

They arrived at the Martial Arts Ground in the Central Courtyard.

Lin Huaiyu dismissed everyone but didn’t leave herself.

Not only did she stay,

the little one in the Tiger Head Hat was hopping and skipping over too.

The two maids, Xiao Cui and Xiao Xue, had actually rushed over as well.

’Are you all skipping your duties just to see me make a fool of myself?’ Zhou Ping’an thought, feeling a mix of bemusement and dismay.

............