Lin Fang's chiseled muscles rippled beneath a glistening sheen of perspiration as he methodically tied the blue hanfu around his toned waist.
His sculpted abdominals tensed with each movement, the defined six-pack a testament to his unwavering dedication to the martial arts. Clasped firmly in his calloused hands was a jian, the gleaming blade reflecting the determination in his eyes.
Yet, as he raised his gaze towards Ji Wuye, Lin Fang's steely expression faltered, his eyes narrowing into a guarded glare.
However...
With reverence, he cupped his hands and offered a respectful gesture, his head dipping in a subtle bow.
"Good morning, Young Master," Lin Fang uttered, his deep baritone laced with a hesitant undercurrent as he studiously avoided eye contact. The clenching of his jaw betrayed an inward conflict, a lingering remnant of the night's reprimand from his young lady.
"Morning," Ji Wuye replied, his eyes squinted, a faint smile curling the corners of his lips as he regarded the once-arrogant bodyguard, now forced into humble submission. Undoubtedly, Yi Yujin's admonishments had left their mark, and Ji Wuye was entertained in witnessing the shift in Lin Fang's demeanor.
No further words were exchanged as Lin Fang pivoted abruptly, his broad back a canvas of taut muscles as he refused to face Ji Wuye any longer. He assumed his stance in the center of the courtyard, eyes closed, hands gripping the jian with unwavering resolve.
Despite the absence of visible Qi, the atmosphere grew heavy, charged with an invisible force that seemed to emanate from Lin Fang's stillness. Under Ji Wuye's crimson gaze, the veins along Lin Fang's legs and wrists began to bulge, a telltale sign of the impending burst of power that simmered beneath the surface.
"HA!" Lin Fang shouted, his eyes snapped open, his right foot surging forward as his waist rotated, left foot lifting ever so slightly from the ground. His body sprang into fluid motion, a blur of controlled precision.
Time seemed to slow under Ji Wuye's heightened perception, his crimson eyes capturing every nuanced detail of Lin Fang's movement. The bodyguard's form floated mid-air, his entire being rotating like a spear thrust forward, perfectly aligned with the jian that acted as the apex of his power.
A faint bluish Qi enveloped Lin Fang's body, but what truly captured Ji Wuye's attention was the way this ethereal energy took shape – a dragon's head, mouth agape, as if poised to unleash an untamed force.
Upon witnessing the draconian shape of the Qi enveloping Lin Fang, Ji Wuye's gaze flickered with recognition, the faint smile on his lips widening into one of intrigue. 'Interesting, Thunder Dragon Dance?' he mused inwardly.
The Thunder Dragon Dance, a martial art that had earned its renown in the previous timeline, not for sheer power or dominance over other disciplines, but for the graceful aura it bestowed upon its practitioners.
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Those who mastered this art could summon or shape an illusory dragon, a creature revered as holy and mighty throughout the entire Jianghu.
HOWL-!
Time, which had seemed to slow under Ji Wuye's heightened perception, resumed its normal pace. In that instant, Lin Fang had already traversed some 50 zhang from his original stance, leaving a trail of shattered pavement in his wake.
The wind howled in the aftermath, its resonant cry akin to a dragon's roar, adding an aesthetic quality that complemented the martial art's elegance.
"Please pardon me for the damage, Young Master," Lin Fang's deep baritone snapped Ji Wuye from his reverie. The man cupped his hands and met Ji Wuye's gaze directly, his eyebrows raised in a contemptuous smirk that contorted his features.
The loud, insincere apology was clearly meant as a mocking jibe, a display of Lin Fang's prowess as his chest puffed out with arrogance, defying the night's humbling reprimand from his young lady.
As a respones, Ji Wuye deliberately widened his pupils and let his mouth hang agape, feigning surprise. "Wonderful, Mr. Lin—no, should I call you Brother Lin?" he praised, clapping his hands in exaggerated appreciation.
Lin Fang raised his chin once more, refusing to acknowledge Ji Wuye's fawning remarks as he looked aside, pride radiating from his every pore.
"May I know the name of this amazing martial art?" Ji Wuye pressed, his eyes squinting as a faint, knowing smile played upon his lips.
"Lightning Dragon Dance," Lin Fang answered proudly, as if he had anticipated Ji Wuye's question. His gaze focused once more on this handsome young master, whom he regarded as having nothing besides good looks to commend him.
A smug sense of satisfaction swelling within him. 'Heh! As expected, the other party seems shocked after hearing the name of this martial art!' Lin Fang snorted inwardly.
However, Ji Wuye's stunned expression stemmed not from the name itself, but from the fact that it differed from his expectations. This discrepancy furrowed his brows as a nagging doubt took root. 'Did he mispronounce it on purpose?' he wondered.
Glancing at the foolish, self-satisfied smile plastered across Lin Fang's features, his chin raised defiantly as he looked aside, Ji Wuye thought, 'Perhaps... but let's test the waters.'
"That's a great martial art. Could Brother Lin display your graceful technique again? This Ji is truly enchanted!" Ji Wuye requested.
However, Ji Wuye's crimson eyes narrowing as he noticed a hint of hesitation flicker across Lin Fang's expression.
Lin Fang's fingers fidgeted, making small swinging motions with his jian. His body stiffened, and he avoided meeting Ji Wuye's gaze. "T-this..." he stammered, pausing for a moment while crossing his arms, still gripping the blade tightly.
"I see, so it's a family martial art. It's a shame I cannot witness your profound technique again, Mr. Lin," Ji Wuye said, lowering his head and gazing down, expressing his disappointment loudly. "I thought I finally had something to share with my Brothers and Sisters. After all, your martial art made quite an impression on me."
"Hmph! If it's just a few moves, I can do that!" As Ji Wuye expected, Lin Fang responded, now looking at him with the same confident gaze as before, his pride piqued by the challenge.
Without even asking if Ji Wuye was ready, Lin Fang closed his eyes and began performing another set of movements, while Ji Wuye watched, countless transparent screens flashing before him.
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
image [https://i.ibb.co.com/mbFkRdh/Notif-1.webp]
…
The soft caress of the morning light filtered through the courtyard, its golden rays slowly devouring the remnants of dawn as a new day beckoned.
In this tranquil moment, the radiant beams illuminated one of the side room doors, from which emerged a vision of ethereal beauty – Yi Yujin, her cascading white tresses fluttering as if the very wind itself welcomed her presence.
Though her delicate features remained veiled, her captivating eyes, a unique blend of blue and brown, widened in surprise at the sight that greeted her.
"Big Brother Fang? What happened to you?" she inquired, her melodic voice laced with concern as she took in the damaged courtyard pavement surrounding Lin Fang's prone form. It was evident he had been engaged in rigorous training.
Yet, what puzzled her was the sheer intensity of his exertions, far exceeding the bounds of his usual routine.
"Haa...haaa... I-I'm okay, Young Lady, j-just tired after some practice," Lin Fang replied, his words punctuated by labored gasps as he lay sprawled amidst the shattered ground, struggling to regain his breath.
However, as Yi Yujin's pupils narrowed slightly and her delicate brows furrowed in displeasure – first at him, then briefly glancing toward the main house where that handsome man resided – Lin Fang knew he had erred.
"Lie. Where is Young Master Ji?" Her tone, though gentle, carried an undercurrent of reproach that sent a shiver down Lin Fang's spine.