Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality-Chapter 176 - 158: Your Majesty, Let Me Hear You Say ’Master
"Who taught you this Sword Technique, Your Majesty?!"
Jiang Qingyi’s eyes narrowed as she gazed at Xiao Mo, completely unconcerned by how close she was to him.
"This Sword Technique... Back when I was a Prince, I went into the mountains to sketch. I accidentally fell into a cavern and came upon a strange place. This Sword Technique was carved into a stone wall. As it happened, I had ink and a brush with me, so I copied it down."
Xiao Mo spun the tale with a perfectly straight face.
"Where is this cliff?" Jiang Qingyi pressed.
"I have forgotten," Xiao Mo said, shaking his head. "After I found my way out, I tried to go back, but I could never find the place again."
"..." Jiang Qingyi lowered her head and fell silent.
Listening to his words and looking into his eyes, Jiang Qingyi didn’t think he was lying to her.
’I thought he was born with this knowledge, that he had inherited memories from a past life. But it seems I was overthinking things.’
"The Sword Technique you practice is quite impressive," Jiang Qingyi said, calming herself. "However, I feel there are some issues with it."
"Issues?" Xiao Mo asked, puzzled.
Jiang Qingyi shook her head. "It’s probably not a real issue. Although I’ve never seen your Sword Technique before, judging from your moves just now, it could perhaps be improved a little."
With that, Jiang Qingyi held out her small, fair palm to Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo glanced at her palm, understood her meaning, and placed the Peach Wood Sword in her hand.
The moment the veiled woman gripped the longsword, Xiao Mo felt her entire presence change.
It was as if she and the Peach Wood Sword had merged into one.
In front of Xiao Mo, Jiang Qingyi began to dance with the Wooden Sword.
She perfectly replicated the moves Xiao Mo had just been practicing.
It was as if she had practiced them countless times.
Moreover, she even improved upon the original Sword Techniques.
The parts of the Grass Character Sword Intent that had been awkward and disconnected now flowed together seamlessly.
Watching her refine the Grass Character Sword Intent, Xiao Mo was utterly astonished.
She had only watched him practice once or twice, yet she could imitate the Sword Techniques to such a degree and even modify them.
’This woman’s talent for the Sword Dao is simply outrageous.’
"Your Majesty, why don’t you give it a try?"
Jiang Qingyi tossed the Wooden Sword back to Xiao Mo.
"Then I shall."
Xiao Mo didn’t refuse and began to imitate the improved Sword Techniques Jiang Qingyi had just demonstrated.
"That’s not right."
After Xiao Mo had executed just two strikes, Jiang Qingyi shook her head and walked over.
"That strike is wrong, Your Majesty. It needs to be a little higher."
"And for this one, you need to thrust forward with force, without the slightest hesitation. You can’t even allow for a moment of thought."
"One sword to break all techniques, one sword to sever all worries. The so-called Sword Dao demands that one’s mind not be overly burdened. If something is in your way, you simply cut it down."
"The sword follows the will, and the will follows the heart. Your Majesty’s eyes should not be on the sword, but on the enemy before you. If there is no enemy, then imagine one."
Jiang Qingyi’s small, fair hand grasped Xiao Mo’s wrist, adjusting the angle of the sword. She straightened his back, then gave the back of his knee a light kick with her embroidered shoe, forcing his horse stance even lower.
Strands of her hair brushed against Xiao Mo’s cheek and the tip of his nose from time to time.
Xiao Mo wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he sensed a familiar fragrance about her.
And since she was teaching him hands-on, their bodies inevitably came into contact.
Thus, Xiao Mo could feel her soft, yet resilient, form.
"Why are you looking at me, Your Majesty? Look at the sword! Don’t get distracted!" Jiang Qingyi’s eyes narrowed as she chided him like a master instructor.
"..."
Seeing Jiang Qingyi’s serious expression, Xiao Mo felt he was being a bit prudish.
’She’s kind enough to teach me the sword without standing on ceremony, yet here I am, preoccupied with the propriety between men and women.’
Xiao Mo focused on his sword practice and pushed the thoughts from his mind.
What Xiao Mo didn’t know was that beneath Fairy Jiang’s veil, a faint blush had already appeared.
If Fairy Jiang weren’t using her Spiritual Power to control her heartbeat, Xiao Mo would have been able to feel it racing faster and faster.
"That’s more or less it."
After guiding Xiao Mo through the forms twice, Jiang Qingyi finally put some distance between them.
"Thank you for your instruction, Fairy Jiang." Xiao Mo performed a sword salute and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"You are too kind, Your Majesty."
Although this Fairy Jiang addressed him as "Your Majesty" with every other word, Xiao Mo didn’t feel that she truly saw him as the Emperor of the Zhou Kingdom.
But that was normal.
For most dynasties that were subordinate to a Sect, the National Master represented that Sect, and their actual status was higher than even the Emperor’s.
’Her teaching me just now was probably because she saw an interesting Sword Technique and became engrossed, deciding to offer a few pointers on a whim.’
"I have a somewhat presumptuous request. I was hoping Fairy Jiang could keep my sword practice on the Wendao Platform a secret. Otherwise, if the other ministers hear of it, they’ll submit memorials about me being ignorant and unskilled again," Xiao Mo said, feigning helplessness.
In truth, Xiao Mo was just looking for any excuse.
He had already started on the path of cultivation, so what was adding "sword practice" to the list?
What Xiao Mo worried about was that if Yan Shanao discovered he was not only cultivating but also practicing a Sword Technique full of killing intent, he would become suspicious.
Although he was an Emperor, in the eyes of others, he should never be able to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.
But in Yan Shanao’s mind, an Emperor secretly practicing a Slaughter Sword Technique would mean, ’Even if Your Majesty lacks the power to rebel, you possess the will to do so.’?
Now that she had seen him, he had no choice.
He could only try to ask her to keep it a secret.
After all, she seemed unconcerned with worldly affairs and obsessed with the Sword Dao, not like someone who would conspire with Yan Shanao.
Hearing his words, Jiang Qingyi naturally understood his meaning. "What Your Majesty does is your own business. I am merely a Sword Cultivator. The affairs of the Imperial Court have nothing to do with me. Not interfering in court matters is also a rule of the Wanjian Sect."
Xiao Mo breathed a sigh of relief. "Then I thank you, Fairy Jiang."
"There is no need for thanks. However, I am very interested in this Sword Technique of yours, Your Majesty. Would you be willing to show me the Sword Manual? In exchange, I will give Your Majesty a Sword Manual of the same grade. Furthermore, when I have free time, I will come to instruct you."
"Excellent. I will bring the Sword Manual tomorrow."
"Fairy Jiang?"
Xiao Mo realized she was just staring at him without speaking.
But in the next moment, Jiang Qingyi took a step forward, stopping less than half a meter from Xiao Mo. "Speaking of which, since I’ve been teaching Your Majesty this Sword Technique, does that make us master and disciple?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"..." Xiao Mo was momentarily speechless, wondering why she would bring that up. "What do you mean, Fairy Jiang?"
Jiang Qingyi stared into Xiao Mo’s eyes and said nonchalantly, "Let me hear Your Majesty say ’Master.’"
