บท 49: Chapter 49: Offering Myself.
In a small courtyard of the Sifang (Four Directions) Pavilion, a little girl in a pink ruqun, with a pink butterfly ribbon adorning her hair, sat on a smooth stone. She propped her hands beneath her, blinking as she gazed at the small pond in front of her.
Yet, her eyes didn't seem to be focused on the koi fish swimming within.
The little girl, Zhu Cici, currently had a dilemma.
Xu Ming had saved her life, but how should she repay him?
She had already asked her mother and Elder Fang. Although they both assured her that the Kingdom of Qi would naturally repay this favor, Zhu Cici still felt this was her personal matter. He had saved her life, and so it was her responsibility to repay him—it had nothing to do with others.
Zhu Cici had pored over all the books and classics she had read. In the end, she discovered that for such matters, the only true solution was to offer herself in marriage.
"I'm nine years old now, and Xu Ming is eight," she murmured, seriously counting on her slender fingers. "According to Qi's laws, I need to wait five more years before I can get married."
"After marrying, I'll give Xu Ming children, then stay at home to care for the family."
"How many children does Xu Ming want?"
"I want two. But what if Xu Ming wants more?"
"Then I'll have to eat a little more. Mother said girls should eat well to grow bigger hips, so they can bear children more easily."
"But Xu Ming is from the Kingdom of Wu, and I'm from the Kingdom of Qi. What should we do about that?"
"Well, as the saying goes, 'Marry a rooster, follow the rooster; marry a dog, follow the dog.' I guess I'll just have to move to the Kingdom of Wu. But it'll be inconvenient to visit Father and Mother later."
"Speaking of which, what if Father and Mother don't agree to me offering myself in marriage? Would I have to elope with Xu Ming?"
As her thoughts wandered, Zhu Cici had already imagined the scene of eloping and living in seclusion with Xu Ming.
"Cici!"
Just as Zhu Cici was picturing her life hiding away in the mountains with Xu Ming, a voice called out behind her.
Zhu Cici stood up from the stone, turned around, and hopped down. With a graceful and proper demeanor, she curtsied. "Grandpa Fang."
"What are you doing, Cici?" Elder Fang walked over and gently patted the little girl's head.
"Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking about some things." Zhu Cici looked up under Elder Fang's aged hand.
Hearing her words, Fang Jingchun paused for a moment. He thought she was still dwelling on the assassination attempt and comforted her, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. Something like that won't happen again."
Indeed, it had been his negligence last time.
After all, they were in the capital of the Kingdom of Wu, under the Emperor's protection. Normally, with the blessings of dragon fate, nothing untoward would happen here.
Who could have expected the audacity of the Wanxiang Demon Kingdom? They acted as if they had gone mad.
Did they not fear retaliation from the Kingdoms of Qi and Wu joining forces?
If something had really happened to Cici, Qi would undoubtedly stop at nothing to exact revenge, and Wu would surely send troops in response.
What on earth was the Wanxiang Demon Kingdom planning? Fang Jingchun couldn't shake the feeling that the assassination wasn't as simple as it appeared.
"By the way, Cici, prepare yourself. We'll be leaving the Kingdom of Wu the day after tomorrow," Fang Jingchun said, pulling his thoughts back and speaking to the little girl before him.
"Huh? The day after tomorrow? That's so soon?" Zhu Cici was taken aback.
"It's not too soon," Fang Jingchun shook his head. "Our mission to the Kingdom of Wu was never meant to last long. After what happened to you, we suspect they may have other plans in motion. It's best to leave a little early."
"Oh…" Zhu Cici lowered her head slightly. "Grandpa Fang, can I visit Xu Ming? There's something I want to tell him."
Fang Jingchun considered this for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I'll accompany you."
"Okay." Zhu Cici nodded, her little heart weighed down by a little burden.
When Fang Jingchun brought Zhu Cici to the Xu residence, the matriarch herself came out to greet them.
After Fang Jingchun explained their visit, the matriarch of the Xu household couldn't stop smiling. She quickly instructed a maid to take Zhu Cici to Wang Feng's courtyard to find Xu Ming.
---
"In the Mercury stage of body forging, this is a martial artist's first major breakthrough in tempering their body. It's crucial because it lays the foundation for all the cultivation stages that follow.
Though the materials for body forging are important, they're not excessively complicated.
Some noble families use dragon blood for body forging, while others use blood spirit fruits. While they believe dragon blood to be superior, the difference is negligible—after all, the malleability of the Mercury stage is limited.
However, every body-forging stage beyond the Mercury becomes significantly more critical.
I've collected the necessary materials. When you feel ready to break through, come to me, and I'll prepare the medicinal bath for you."
In the courtyard, Lady Wang explained to Xu Ming.
"Now, come. Practice your Drumbeat Stance with me."
"Yes, Aunt Wang." Xu Ming nodded, assuming a combat stance.
A powerful energy radiated from Xu Ming, wrapping around him like a tangible force. Lady Wang furrowed her brows, sensing an unusual intensity from the eight-year-old boy—one that even gave her a faint sense of threat.
"Boom!"
Xu Ming stomped his left foot hard, launching himself like a cannonball. His right fist shot forward, aiming directly at Lady Wang's chest.
Lady Wang shifted her fist into an open palm. Xu Ming's small fist collided squarely with her palm, the energy between them scattering into shockwaves.
She seized his fist and yanked him forward, throwing Xu Ming off balance. As he stumbled, Lady Wang's fist was already coming toward him.
Xu Ming tilted his head just in time to dodge. Turning his back to Lady Wang, he struck out with an elbow aimed at her abdomen.
Lady Wang countered with her fist, neutralizing his attack.
As she steadied her footing, Xu Ming charged forward again.
His fists rained down on her like a storm. Lady Wang didn't dodge and instead met his blows head-on with her own Drumbeat stance.
The air was filled with the resounding echoes of their strikes, growing heavier and more forceful with each exchange.
---
Meanwhile, at the courtyard gate, a young girl was quietly watching the scene unfold.
Zhu Cici clung to the wall, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings as she blinked, observing the sparring match.
In truth, she had already arrived while Xu Ming was practicing with Lady Wang. However, she didn't want to interrupt their training, so she stayed at the gate, waiting patiently.
After about fifteen minutes, their final exchange came to an explosive conclusion.
Lady Wang stepped back half a meter, while Xu Ming was sent flying across the courtyard, landing a significant distance away.
Zhu Cici was startled and quickly ran into the courtyard.
Lady Wang was just about to help Xu Ming up, but before she could, a small figure had already dashed to his side.
Lying on the ground, Xu Ming opened his eyes to see a pair of bright apricot-colored eyes blinking down at him.
"Are you okay?" Zhu Cici asked, concern written all over her face.
"I… I'm fine," Xu Ming replied, pushing himself up with some effort. Zhu Cici hurriedly reached out to support him.
"Cici, what are you doing here?" Xu Ming asked, surprised.
"I… I have something I need to talk to you about," Zhu Cici said, her cheeks turning a soft shade of red.
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