Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 228 - 140 Xia He’s Night?

Chapter 228: Chapter 140 Xia He’s Night?

In the following days, Jiang Shouzhong spent his time practicing swordsmanship in the pond.

From initially being tossed around like a fish, to finally managing to dodge fish hooks, Jiang Shouzhong had grasped some tricks—the essence of which was understanding the word "restraint."

The sword technique taught by Yan Changqing was formidable. Once a strike was made, the flow of energy within the body surged, as if layers upon layers of raging river torrents were approaching. In such a stirred state, one would unconsciously wish to deliver another strike, a more lethal strike.

However, every time he launched such a strike, the Spirit Water Sword would get entangled by a fish hook, pulling him out.

Only by restraining that impulse and withdrawing the sword in time could he avoid the hooks.

Therefore, the purpose of Yan Changqing teaching him this sword technique was very clear—it was not about charging at enemies but about learning to protect oneself first.

Once a strike is made, it must be withdrawn immediately.

Even if the enemy is weak and retreating, that strike must still be pulled back, never rashly pursue a victory.

Only by restraining oneself can one avoid getting carried away by fervor, ensuring one’s pathway forward, leaving enough buffer space for unforeseen circumstances, and maintaining enough calmness for the next attack.

"Whether it’s dueling with others or on the battlefield, staying alive is the most important. Don’t be afraid of others calling you a coward. When they fall, whatever they say doesn’t matter anymore."

Yan Changqing patiently cautioned Jiang Shouzhong, "Once you enter the Jianghu, there’s no such thing as fairness. Vendettas and fights aren’t held on a fighting ring but at the gates of Yama’s Palace, where anything can happen.

Sometimes, don’t assume you’re in a stable position and lower your guard. Sometimes, never reveal your trump card unless absolutely necessary... Always remember, only by being cautious can you have greater hope for survival."

Jiang Shouzhong nodded earnestly, "I’ve taken note, Master."

Yan Changqing said with annoyance: "Although you are intelligent, unfortunately, your talent in martial arts is too poor; it took you so many days just to master a little technique. In this courtyard, Er Liang and that Zhang Que’er have the best talent, followed by Dong Xue, and yours is the worst. It’s only because you’re extremely lucky that I bother to teach you, you blockhead."

The more Yan Changqing spoke, the angrier and more aggrieved he became.

Of course, he was mostly frustrated because Er Liang refused to learn swordsmanship from him.

Fortunately, in the last two days, under Jiang Mo’s persuasion, that girl started to learn seriously, though she never let go of her cooking spatula. Evidently, in the little girl’s eyes, cooking well for her master was the most important task.

Jiang Shouzhong looked embarrassed and then curiously said, "Master, if Zhang Que’er is not lacking in talent, why don’t you take her as a disciple?"

After being rejected by Yan Changqing, Zhang Que’er did not insist on becoming his disciple.

However, when Yan Changqing taught sword techniques to Er Liang and Jiang Shouzhong, she still secretly watched from not too far away.

Although Yan Changqing was aware, he did not drive her away.

Once, when Yan Changqing was explaining some fundamentals of swordsmanship to Er Liang, possibly because his voice was too soft, Zhang Que’er, not hearing clearly, subconsciously moved forward a few steps and was fiercely whipped by the willow branch in Yan Changqing’s hand.

The hit caused her arm to split open, blood flowing profusely.

Despite the pain that made her break out in cold sweat, Zhang Que’er neither cried out nor grew resentful; she merely retreated to her original spot, knelt down, and stayed kneeling for an entire day.

Seeing that Yan Changqing did not drive her away, the girl was relieved.

Hearing Jiang Shouzhong’s question, Yan Changqing sniffed the liquor pot and said lightly, "I don’t like that girl because she does not fear death, she is reckless with her life. Sometimes, it’s acceptable not to fear death, but you can’t be careless with your life. Thus, she’s not suitable for training in my sword technique, at least not the first two moves."

Jiang Shouzhong hesitated and then said, "Last night, I saw her secretly practicing swordsmanship. It seemed to flow better for her than even Er Liang and me; she seems quite suitable actually."

Jiang Shouzhong did not tell the truth here.

Last night, taking advantage of Yan Changqing’s absence, Zhang Que’er insisted on going to the bottom of the pond to practice swordsmanship, asking Jiang Shouzhong to use a fishing rod for the test.

At the beginning, Zhang Que’er failed several times, just like Jiang Shouzhong.

However, later on, the girl directly confronted the challenge, no longer choosing to withdraw her sword. Each time the fish hook approached, she exerted all her strength to strike it away, one sword following another, cycling through her moves.

Although she eventually ran out of breath and almost drowned at the bottom of the pond, she managed to double her swordsmanship’s power, which truly shocked Jiang Shouzhong.

Yan Changqing squinted at him and smiled, saying, "What kind of benefit did that girl promise you that you speak so favorably of her? It couldn’t be that she offered herself in marriage, could it? With her character, it wouldn’t be out of the question."

Jiang Shouzhong replied speechlessly, "I am a human, not a beast."

Yan Changqing let out a chuckle, tapped lightly on a wine pot, and after a moment’s thought, said, "Alright then, have Zhang Que’er and Er Liang come out and have a match. If Zhang Que’er wins, I will take her as my disciple."

Jiang Shouzhong frowned, "That’s not fair, Zhang Que’er is at the level of a junior grandmaster, and Er Liang hasn’t even reached the level of a martial artist."

Yan Changqing smiled and said, "They won’t compete in inner strength, only in swordsmanship."

...

In the courtyard, the two women stood opposite each other.

Compared to the excited Zhang Que’er, Er Liang appeared nervous and almost on the verge of tears, looking at Jiang Shouzhong, "Master, do I have to compete against Sister Que’er?"

Zhang Que’er reassured her, "Don’t worry, Er Liang. I won’t hurt you. Besides, I won’t use any mystical energy, just comparing our swordsmanship. We’ll just keep it light."

Though she said this, Zhang Que’er’s cheeks were still slightly red.

Since taking the Demon Energy, her body had become much stronger, and even without using mystical energy, her physique was still multiple times stronger than Er Liang’s.

Thus, the match was destined to be uneven.

She even began to wonder if Yan Changqing, after seeing her talent, regretted not having taken her as a disciple earlier and was using this match to make a comeback to take her on as one.

Thinking this, the corners of Zhang Que’er’s lips slightly curled up, a touch of pride in her expression.

"Let’s begin."

Yan Changqing stated, expressionless and in a calm tone.

The objects held in the women’s hands were identical wooden sticks.

Zhang Que’er initially intended to let Er Liang attack first so she could reduce her power and save the girl’s face, but seeing the timid girl standing frozen and not taking the initiative to move, Zhang Que’er sighed, having no choice but to make the first move herself.

"Er Liang, be careful!"

The stick in the young girl’s hand traced a slight arc, carrying a bit of wind with it.

Facing the approaching stick, Er Liang got startled and instinctively stepped back, raising her arm simultaneously. The swordsmanship she had learned reflexively came into play, inadvertently blocking the incoming stick.

Crack!

The two sticks bounced off each other.

Er Liang executed his swordsmanship, scaring him into hurriedly retreating.

Zhang Que’er adjusted her attacking trajectory and launched the second move, but found that after the opponent retrieved the branch, it completely shielded his body, leaving no vulnerabilities.

Zhang Que’er furrowed her brows and twisted her wrist, forcibly stabbing with the branch.

Before the branch could touch Er Liang’s arm, it was deflected by his branch again, and this time, it seemed a sticky force was transmitted, almost causing her branch to fly out of her hand.

After several unsuccessful attacks, Zhang Que’er became anxious, took a deep breath, and stabbed with all her strength.

The power bursting from the branch grew stronger, conjuring dozens of shadows that howled fiercely towards Er Liang.

Er Liang remained calm throughout, evolving from initial raw and panicked moves to sleek proficiency.

Regardless of how desperately Zhang Que’er attacked, she could never touch her opponent and gradually started losing ground.

Crack!

A jarring sound of something breaking echoed piercingly.

Zhang Que’er stared blankly at the broken branch in her hand and at the branch pressing against her chest, utterly incredulous.

"Que’er!"

Er Liang quickly retrieved the branch and stepped forward with concern, "Are you alright?"

"Impossible... Impossible..."

Zhang Que’er, not yet recovered from the shock of her defeat and with a mind still muddled, saw Er Liang approaching, her eyes red as blood, and angrily said, "How could I possibly lose!" As she spoke, the girl’s entire body’s mystical energy surged, and in a loss of control, she slapped towards Er Liang.

The force of the palm was chillingly fierce, as if to vent all her frustrations and resentments with that single strike.

"Zhang Que’er!"

Jiang Shouzhong’s expression changed, and he hurried to intervene.

But the next moment, Zhang Que’er was sent flying backwards, and Er Liang also staggered back a few steps, her face showing some pain.

Zhang Que’er then came to her senses, seeing Er Liang clutching her shoulder, her expression abruptly changed. She hurriedly discarded all emotions and quickly approached Er Liang, asking anxiously and concernedly, "Er Liang, are you alright, are you injured?"

At that moment, the girl’s eyes were filled with self-blame, her earlier anger and defiance nowhere to be seen, replaced by deep guilt.

Er Liang shook her head and smiled, "I’m fine."

Yan Changqing still wore an expressionless face, picking up the broken branch from the ground, and said indifferently, "If you think what you did was right, then continue on that path. Time will tell what is right and wrong."

Zhang Que’er, her soul seemingly lost, pale-faced.

Yan Changqing said to Jiang Shouzhong, "I have other matters, so I’ll leave now. Keep practicing your swordsmanship, and when I feel you are ready, I’ll teach you the second move."

"Won’t you stay for dinner?" Jiang Shouzhong called out.

Yan Changqing waved his hand, "No, the food Er Liang cooks is not tasty at all."

Er Liang pouted and waved her little fists a couple of times.

...

After Yan Changqing left, Jiang Shouzhong didn’t reprimand Zhang Que’er much, only asking her to go back to her room and calm down for a while.

Er Liang felt somewhat guilty, annoyed that she should have admitted defeat.

Seeing that Er Liang’s shoulder was somewhat bruised and purple, Jiang Shouzhong intended to find some medicinal ointment, but upon entering the living room, he discovered Xia He and three other women kneeling on the ground, while Jiang Yi had a cold expression.

Jiang Shouzhong’s heart skipped a beat, he feigned composure and asked in puzzlement, "What’s going on here?"

Jiang Yi picked up a teacup, gently scraping the tea froth with the lid, and smiled softly, "Nothing much, I asked Xia He to cut open your stomach, but she refused. What should we do about that?"

The woman’s gaze was cold, the angular and moist cheeks of her melon-seed-shaped face marked with a hint of mockery and murderous intent.

Well, in the end, he could not keep it hidden.

Jiang Shouzhong replied helplessly, "This is my fault. Xia He gave me her life core bead to treat my injuries. I didn’t expect the life core bead to disappear. However, if my wife agrees, I would like to marry Xia He and let her stay by my side forever."

"Heh, you really planned that well."

Jiang Yi sneered, "I actually thought you were honest, but it turns out you’ve been settling my maidens behind my back. So, what’s the next step, are you going to take care of me, the lady of the house, too?"

Jiang Shouzhong said, "What does my lady plan to do? If you want to cut open my stomach to find the life core bead, naturally I won’t agree. Right now, the only way to continue my life is to keep Xia He by my side. There’s no other solution unless my lady does not wish for Xia He to live."

Jiang Yi was silent, staring absently at the tea leaves in her cup.

After a moment, she couldn’t help but sigh, "Jiang Mo, I once promised you a favor, and although you felt it was repaid later through the issue with Xia He, now it seems with Mengniang protecting you, you really don’t need them, so I still owe you this favor."

It was only after Yan Changqing’s visit that Jiang Yi learned there was still a master hidden by Jiang Shouzhong’s side.

This surprised her, and she also grew puzzled.

Not understanding why this guy specifically asked Xia He to protect him before, she then used Dong Xue as a breakthrough point to learn the details of everything.

Jiang Yi paused and said softly, "Xia He’s life core bead is not irreplaceable..."

Jiang Shouzhong’s eyes brightened, quietly waiting for the continuation.

"You two perform the Dual Cultivation," Jiang Yi said matter-of-factly, "The Taoist River Map inherently carries the Dual Cultivation Skill. I will place the Divine Jade Bead inside Xia He to see if it can absorb the power of your life core bead and replicate it onto the Divine Jade Bead."

Seeing Jiang Shouzhong frown, the woman was displeased, "What? Unwilling?"

Jiang Shouzhong shook his head vigorously, his gaze turning toward the downcast Xia He, "I’ve long said I’d marry her, so there’s nothing I mind, but I wonder about Miss Xiahe..."

"Xia He, are you unwilling?" Jiang Yi asked.

Xia He pressed her lips together and said softly, "Xia He will follow the madam’s orders."

"Alright," Jiang Yi decided without further ado, "That’s settled then. You two will consummate the marriage tonight."

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