“I’m honored to meet you, your highness. I’m Zihan, your swordsmanship instructor.” A young man with a slender frame bowed before the princess. The man had delicate looks befitting of a scholar rather than a swordsman.

“Thank you, Master Zihan. I was looking forward to meeting you.” The Heavenly Demon had finally sent a martial arts instructor as he had promised.

“Oh? Would you look at that? That guy actually sent the Crimson Dragon Guardian as your teacher. Talk about trust issues.” Haoran let out a laugh but his eyes were fixed at Zihan’s waist. Daiyu’s eyes widened by a fraction but she had to keep her composure in front of the man standing in front of her. She followed Haoran’s line of sight and saw a red insignia hanging from the belt at his waist.

“Let me ask you a question, Princess Daiyu.” Zihan’s tone had changed and it somehow sounded more authoritative.

“Go on.” Daiyu cocked her head and stared at the man in front of her. She had already suspected that Zihan held a high rank within the Cult but she had no idea that he was one of the Four Dragon Guardians that were second only to the Heavenly Demon himself. Even the ten elders of the Cult could not refute their statements or question them easily.

“Why do you wish to pursue the way of the sword?” Zihan’s soft gaze had turned steely. Daiyu could already guess that a man like him would feel uncomfortable being a mere instructor for a weak princess. However, she had no intentions of letting go the opportunity to learn from one of the strongest warriors in the Cult.

“Crimson Dragon Guardian Zihan, did you know that someone had deliberately blocked my dantian, probably when I was a child? It has been corrected now but what do you think would have happened to me if it were to remain sealed.” Daiyu stared back at Zihan who was taken aback by the news. He had not been informed about such a thing regarding the princess.

“You can guess that the Lord’s wives despise me, as impudent as it may sound, and they will continue to come after me. I need strength, not only to protect myself but to protect the people in my life. That is why I wish to pursue the sword. Because it is the only way I can protect myself and my people.”

Zihan’s eyes widened when he witnessed the resolve and passion Daiyu was harboring. He was not happy about being sent to the Princess to be her instructor but there was no way he could have refused the Lord. After the incident with the assassins, the Lord knew he couldn’t trust anyone anymore. However, he could feel himself being moved by Daiyu’s steely determination and wished to see more of it.

“Very well, Princess. Forgive me for my impudent question. I, the Crimson Dragon Guardian Zihan, shall be teaching you martial arts. I hope the Princess is ready for the arduous path that she has decided to walk.”

“I look forward to your teachings. Also, I shall never regret the path I have chosen either, for it is the only path left for me.”

“Hah, finally I can rest a little more now. Teaching you drains the life out of me.” Haoran interrupted the moment with his usual chatter and Daiyu side eyed him in annoyance.

‘You’re not even alive.’ Daiyu retorted telepathically.

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“Well, I think I will experience death again if I keep going like that. But who knows? It is my first time as well.” Haoran’s smirk was perhaps the most annoying thing she had witnessed yet. She was sure that no one could precede Haoran when it came to being annoying.

“I shall take my leave now. The lessons will begin tomorrow onwards.” After a polite bow, the red haired man took his leave. Daiyu had successfully managed to make Zihan her second Master.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Zihan reached the Azure Protection Hall early in the morning but the Princess was nowhere to be found. He wondered if she had forgotten about the lessons or if something had happened to her. As he stood with a concerned expression on his face, a young maid approached him hesitantly.

“Are you perhaps the Crimson Dragon Guardian?”

“I am.” Zihan was taken aback momentarily.

“The Princess is in the training hall right now. She told me to guide you there once you arrived.” The maid lowered her head from nervousness. She could hardly believe she was talking to such an important man like him.

“The training hall?” Zihan was puzzled. As far as he was aware, the Princess had never learned martial arts before. What was she doing in the training hall so early?

Zihan followed the maid to the entrance of the basement and as he was descending the stairs, he could feel the Princess’s presence below. However, he was dumbstruck when he finally arrived in the training hall. Princess Daiyu was wielding a wooden sword and performing the Twelve Movement Equilibrium Violet Sword Technique.

Her posture and her movements were precise, especially for someone who had no prior knowledge of martial arts. Has someone taught her already? Once she was done, Daiyu looked back at the man who had an odd expression on his face.

“That was amazing, Princess! How did you learn that?” More than anything, Zihan was shocked because of slight fluctuations in Qi that he had noticed while Daiyu was performing the technique. He was sure that the Princess would be able to materialize Qi within a year if she practiced regularly.

“Oh! Umm, I begged the guards to teach me at the Black Jade Pavillion haha. They said that these are basic movements.” Daiyu smiled awkwardly while trying to come up with a lie on the spot. Half of her guards had died when they were ambushed by the assassins so there was no way to confirm her claims. Daiyu felt a little guilty using the dead soldier’s name in such a way but there was no way she could explain the situation.

“Marvelous. Now I understand why the Lord personally asked me to teach you. Such great potential.” Zihan’s eyes were sparkling with anticipation. How far will this child go if someone actually taught her?

“Now that I have seen what you can do, I have decided to teach you footwork technique and palm technique. A martial artist must be proficient in the weapon of their choice. However, hand-to-hand combat is also just as important as sword techniques.” Zihan walked over to the training podium and took up his stance.

“Watch carefully. This is the Crimson Butterfly Footwork Technique that is helpful if you have a smaller physique. I believe it would help you a lot, Princess.”

“Yes, Master Zihan!” Daiyu’s gaze was focused on Zihan. She did not want to miss out on even a second of the demonstration.

“Hmm. It would definitely help you out. I could guess that your father chose this guy as your instructor since he is pretty small for a martial artist as well. If it’s hard to overpower your opponent through strength, it is best to use other things at your disposal.” Haoran, who was standing next to Daiyu, also gave his approval.

Zihan began to move and Daiyu could hardly track his movements. He moved at an incredible speed with precise and light steps. His footwork resembled a butterfly flitting around in a flower garden. The movements were graceful and beautiful at the same time.

“I slowed down a bit so the Princess could observe better. Let us now begin.” Zihan spoke once he was done with his demonstration. Daiyu couldn’t believe that the unbelievable speed she witnessed earlier was the slowed down version. She was determined to reach that level one day with her own power.