Chapter 103: A Young Lady Is Meant to Be Cherished
Chapter 103: Girls Are Made to Be Cherished
Among the three martial arts manuals refreshed in the exchange shop this time, the one Zheng Jian desired most was the “Immortal Seal Technique.”
The “Immortal Seal Technique” was the supreme art of Shi Zhixuan, the Evil King of the Tang Dynasty world. Its profound principle of “neither on this shore, nor on the other, nor in between” was already exceedingly subtle. Moreover, it integrated Taoist theories of yin and yang’s mutual generation and the reversal of extremes, enabling the rapid transformation of true qi. This allowed one to convert the enemy’s attacking true qi into the life energy one required, thus achieving the effect of endless vitality.
The “Immortal Seal Technique” combined enemy observation and deception, blending the use and release of force into a single entity. It brought death from life and awakened life in death, artificially accelerating the cycle of life and death energy within the body. Truly unfathomable and profound, when paired with the Phantom Demon Body Technique, it was the most effective for group battles.
Zheng Jian’s own “Innate Skill” was also a martial art that restored energy rapidly. If he could integrate the “Immortal Seal Technique,” the dual approach would significantly enhance his energy recovery.
Though Zheng Jian did not possess the Phantom Demon Body Technique, he had the “Divine Hundred Transformations,” which could synergize quite well.
Furthermore, the “Immortal Seal Technique” itself was an excellent innate skill. Now that “Innate Skill” was perfected, using the “Immortal Seal Technique” as a transitional skill at the innate realm was also a reasonable choice.
Of course, the main cultivation techniques Zheng Jian longed for did not appear this time. One was Ning Daoqi’s “Eight Palm Dispersal” from the Tang world—a Taoist orthodox art embodying carefree non-action, unity of all things, and the Dao governing heaven and earth, a profound mystical art that exhausts the wonders of creation. Another was Yan Fei’s “Sun and Moon Radiance Great Art” from the “Borderlands Legend,” which could evolve into the Golden Core technique, still formidable even in a high martial world.
Besides these two, there was also the “Yellow Heaven Great Art” of the Celestial Master Sun En, a direct path to breaking through mystical Taoist martial arts.
It was already miraculous that the “Immortal Seal Technique” appeared in the exchange shop. Whether these three most anticipated techniques would show up was uncertain...
“I’d better save up my resentment points... Right now, I can barely afford the ‘Immortal Seal Technique.’” Zheng Jian sighed and exited the resentment system. Refreshing was too expensive, and now he was back to square one with just 1,500 resentment points.
...
A night passed without incident.
The next day, the tavern opened as usual, and Xue Keren got up early to clean.
“Boss...” Seeing Zheng Jian, Xue Keren immediately wore a distressed expression.
Zheng Jian pondered briefly. “Speak properly, don’t act spoiled.”
Xue Keren hesitated, then said, “I had a nightmare last night... It scared me so much, I’m not happy today.”
Zheng Jian’s interest was piqued. “What nightmare? Tell me, so your boss can cheer up.”
Xue Keren: “...”
Resentment points from Xue Keren +50.
“Only 50...” Zheng Jian was left speechless at Xue Keren’s stinginess. Looks like he had to keep teasing her.
“I dreamed you weren’t here, and Xiahou Xing chased me with a bunch of big men. I couldn’t outrun them...”
“And then? What happened?” Zheng Jian was suddenly wide awake—such a cowardly dream? No, someone working for him shouldn’t have such an attitude.
Quickly changing the subject, Zheng Jian said, “Ah, I had a nightmare too, what a coincidence.”
“...What did you dream?” Xue Keren was curious.
Zheng Jian contemplated before answering, “I dreamed you were going to hit me.”
Xue Keren’s pretty face flushed. “Boss... how could I hit you? Besides, they say hitting is affection and scolding is love.”
Zheng Jian: “Is that so? Then how about I give you a good beating?”
Xue Keren: “...” This day was impossible to talk through.
Resentment points from Xue Keren +666.
“Boss, you’re so tough, how could I stand being hit by you...” Xue Keren complained. She had never seen such a hardhearted man.
Zheng Jian chuckled, “Would it hurt if I hit you?”
“Of course it would...”
“Then I’ll beat you every day from now on, so you’ll hurt enough!”
Xue Keren: “???”
Resentment points from Xue Keren +666.
Zheng Jian pondered, “After all, girls are made to be cherished.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Keren was at a loss for words. It sounded perfectly reasonable...
After joking with Xue Keren some more, Zheng Jian gained over a thousand resentment points. Happy! (*^▽^*)
So, keep the resentment full today as well. Keep it up, Worker Xue!
...
Half a month passed in a flash. At dusk, the tavern still hosted some patrons, chatting animatedly about recent happenings in the martial world.
As twilight deepened, four figures appeared at the tavern’s entrance.
All four wore splendid garments and carried an extraordinary aura, ranging from old to young.
The eldest had snowy white hair and beard; the youngest was still a youth.
Yet they shared one trait: all four were swordsmen, each bearing a sword. They lined up shoulder to shoulder at the tavern’s door, catching the attention of the patrons inside.
Those who come with goodwill do not come.
Xue Keren smiled warmly and greeted them, “Four honored guests, please come in!”
The youngest youth spoke coldly, “No need for drinks. Call your boss out.”
Xue Keren paused and immediately understood—they were here to challenge Zheng Jian again.
Such people were never lacking in the martial world. Fame was their eternal thirst, and the best way to achieve it was to challenge the most famous expert. Defeat him in battle, and you would instantly rise to fame.
In fact, since Zheng Jian defeated Ouyang He and his three companions with a single move, the Heavenly Venerable had spread Zheng Jian’s name. Initially, it was just his name, without any nickname.
Having once roamed the world proudly, Zheng Jian knew he must never let others casually give him a nickname—otherwise, who knew what ridiculous and embarrassing name they might come up with...
So he cleverly used the tavern guests as mouthpieces to spread his title: “Heaven-Restoring Swordsman.”
In recent days, many challengers had arrived, all attracted by Zheng Jian’s “Heaven-Restoring Swordsman” reputation. Today’s four were obviously among them.
“Very well, please wait a moment!” Xue Keren said softly, then quickly slipped into the tavern to find Zheng Jian in the back.
Moments later, Zheng Jian emerged, wielding the Tear-Stained Sword, facing the four swordsmen standing like door gods at the entrance.
“You are the ‘Heaven-Restoring Swordsman’ Zheng Jian?” the proud youth asked, his posture straight and arrogant, as if about to pierce the very sky...
Sky: (@﹏@)~, damn it, who did I offend? Everyone’s trying to stab me, either to pierce me or to break me...
Zheng Jian paused, then replied, “I am not!”
A cold wind swept past, and the four were rendered speechless, about to say something.
But Zheng Jian continued, “Who is—”
The proud youth: “...”
The white-haired elder: “...”
The other two: “...”
Will you choke to death if you don’t take a breath?
...
Give the characters a thumbs up, comrades—the more praise, the more charming.
(The End of This Chapter)