56:

“Is there a reason why you didn’t have someone teach you how to fight?” Xiao Feng asked Lianhua as all three of them sat on the padded ground in a circle.

Having caught her breath, Lianhua turned to face Xiao Feng and gave him a scrutinizing look.

“I am an alchemist. I did not think my request for tutelage would be considered with any real degree of importance,” She replied, as she drummed her fingers on the floor’s padding.

“So you just… decided to learn it yourself?” Xiao Feng asked, his tone betraying the incredulousness he felt.

“It is not like us alchemists are not as much a part of the Azure Lotus Sect as the Frontier Sect is. The manuals and arts you have access to can be acquired with a little effort,” Lianhua revealed.

“Still,” Xiao Feng began, not buying her reason. “There’s a difference between memorizing techniques from a book and using them in practice.”

Atleast, that’s what the memories I’ve got, say.

“Well, I’m training with you now, aren’t I?” Lianhua countered, a trickle of annoyance flaring in her tone.

Xiao Feng was being told to drop it and he was wisely going to comply.

“Well,” Xiao Feng brought his fist to his mouth as he feigned a cough, “Um, so I don’t really have all that much in the way of critique for you. Your instincts are quite good actually. Fighting the very natural instinct to guard your vitals means that you have a decent understanding of combat— when we fought, your strikes were far harder to read than Alchemist Jun’s.”

“I see,” Lianhua replied, her expression distant as she seemed to think over things while Alchemist Jun slightly reddened at mention of her own performance.

“However, if you show me your Art, or better yet, employ an aspect of it in our next duel, I could offer you something much more concrete. Even if it is still just the Flowing Wind Art that you practice.”

Lianhua met his gaze and then nodded, a flicker of determination visible in her eyes before she blinked.

“Alchemist Jun,” Xiao Feng addressed the alchemist, his tone softening to make sure he did not offend the introverted alchemist designate.

“Yes?” She asked, her lips pursed and her expression seeming almost guilty as she waited for his verdict.

“Can I assume that you do not train in the martial way frequently?” Xiao Feng asked.

Alchemist Jun offered him a quick nod.

“Well, then you did quite well,” Xiao Feng cheerily replied.

“I— I did?” Alchemist Jun blinked, before scouring Xiao Feng’s gaze for any signs of deception. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Xiao Feng encouragingly nodded. “There’s much you can learn, of course, but the same is true for me. I am a teacher no more than I am a student. The biggest critique I can offer you though, is that your blade, in its current state, lacks intent.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Intent,” Alchemist Jun repeated the word, her tone thankfully curious instead of dismayed. “Can you tell me more?” She asked, her brown eyes peering into his own in search of knowledge.

Xiao Feng recalled Lianhua mentioning Alchemist Jun’s interest in academic reading and research and it seemed like that thirst for knowledge did not necessarily stop at the Dao of Alchemy.

“When I was fighting Lianhua,” Xiao Feng said, as he recalled snippets of the battle. “She charged at me with desire to strike me. Even though she realized that the odds of her landing a blow on me were low, she took the initiative and probed my defenses in search of a weakness. The intent behind her blade was victory and her sword was a vehicle for that intent.”

Alchemist Jun’s brows furrowed in confusion, before she asked, “I do not understand. My sword is a weapon and my Wind Qi is the fuel for a reaction. A reaction that will propel my blade at a speed and strength that surpasses what I am capable of. What role does any of our intentions play in a reaction no more than the sum of its parts?”

Xiao Feng sagely nodded, if only because he was flabbergasted by Alchemist Jun’s assessment.

He thought of falling back upon the memories he had inherited, only to freeze as he realized that he already had the answer.

The Dao.

His intent had willed his Wind Qi, his interpretation far gentler than his predecessor, a man forged in the crucible of war, could never imagine.

Xiao Feng was not sure if his version was stronger. But it felt right and it was… more than that. The wind did not belong to him, it never would— but that interpretation was his.

He understood why Alchemist Jun was having trouble with grasping the concept of intent. If anything, her approach should’ve mirrored his own, as it was a scientific one. She saw action and reaction, but the answer lay rooted in something greater, something far more profound.

“Think back to the duel,” Xiao Feng guided. “What were your intentions when you fought me?”

“I… suppose I wanted to learn,” Alchemist Jun sheepishly offered.

“Is that all?” Xiao Feng asked, encouraging her.

“Um,” Alchemist Jun considered it, then softly sighed. “I wanted to learn but I also did not want to get hurt,” She said, as embarrassment leaked into her tone.

“Nothing wrong with that,” Xiao Feng cheerily replied. “I don’t want to get hurt either. Anyone who does is either a madman or a masochist.”

Lianhua was the first to burst into chuckles, while Alchemist Jun just stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

“The Martial Cultivators that I have received instruction from over the years would not have agreed with your assessment,” Alchemist Jun revealed, though her tone sounded pleasantly surprised.

“Well, good thing they’re not here,” Xiao Feng shrugged. “But the point I was trying to make was, during the fight you were trying to guard your vitals and attack me. Unfortunately, you are only one cultivator, like I am and cannot accomplish everything on your own. That is why your sword strikes were telegraphed and easily parried,” He explained.

“I think I understand,” Alchemist Jun nodded, her eyes gleaming with interest. Then, they fell, as she seemed to remember something, “But I— even if it’s practice, I don’t…”

“You seem to misunderstand,” Xiao Feng’s gentle words reassured. “Your intent does not have to be landing a blow on me. It does not have to be rooted in offense.”

Alchemist Jun gave him a disbelieving look, as she asked, “Really?”

He nodded before answering, “If your intent is to protect yourself, then do it. But truly allow yourself to focus on your intent. Let your Wind Qi flow to deflect, not attack. Let your footwork become an ebbing wave, let every move you make be in furtherance of that intent. Feel your body and then suffuse it with your intent.”

Alchemist Jun stiffened, as she studied Xiao Feng with wide eyes, “I’ve never heard martial cultivation being described in such a manner. I— thank you. I would, erm, if it’s okay with you, I would like to do this again sometime in the future.”

“Of course,” Xiao Feng replied. “Besides, I don’t think Lianhua’s going to let me go until she manages to land a rib-cracking blow on me.”

“That wasn’t half-bad, Child of Earth. For someone stringing words together on the spot, your guidance is perhaps more suited than any I would offer to a non-combatant.”

Huh. A praise. Didn’t know you dealt in those.