Of course, Nie Yun wouldn’t tell Shi Zhongyu that the reason Shi Qing changed his attitude towards him was because he had been instilling in him the educational philosophy of overcoming strength with gentleness all along the way.

Nie Yun also gave many examples of how children’s performance deteriorated because their parents had too high expectations and made too strict demands, which made Shi Qing understand the principle that haste makes waste.

Moreover, at Nie Yun’s request, Shi Qing and his wife did not tell Shi Zhongyu that Nie Yun had found Shi Zhongjian; they only said that they had found him themselves.

Shi Zhongjian, who was extremely grateful to Nie Yun, listened to him without question and had no doubts whatsoever.

“I don’t want brothers to get along with each other from the beginning based on gratitude; it’s better to keep things simple.” Nie Yun’s words at the time deeply moved Shi Qing and Min Rou, making them realize that they hadn’t misjudged him.

“Alright, I’ve said all this so that you won’t waste your time like this anymore.”

Nie Yun patted Shi Zhongyu on the shoulder, “As long as you practice martial arts diligently from now on and stop being lazy, I think you will definitely become your godfather and godmother’s pride!”

Shi Zhongyu nodded silently, then suddenly asked, “Big brother, is third brother’s aptitude really that good?”

Nie Yun sighed and said, word by word, “A genius beyond compare. He can remember the general content of the incantation after hearing it once, and he can learn the posture of the move after seeing it once. Even I am a little jealous.”

“Oh? I heard from everyone that you, elder brother, also made rapid progress in learning the Huashan swordsmanship back then, which made our master and mistress very proud. Could it be that even you are not as good as him?”

After Shi Zhongyu went up the mountain, he heard a lot about Nie Yun’s glorious deeds. Now that he saw him praising Shi Zhongjian so highly, he couldn’t help but feel that it was a bit exaggerated.

Nie Yun glanced at him and shook his head. “I was raised by my master and mistress from a young age, so I was exposed to martial arts from a young age and I’m literate and reasonable. My third brother is illiterate and knows nothing about the basics of martial arts. If he had my advantages, hehe…”

Shi Zhongyu then remembered that his younger brother had been raised as a servant and plaything for more than ten years, but even so, his parents and Nie Yun still praised him. Just how outstanding must his talent be?

Although he was clever and quick-witted, those skills were mainly in interpersonal relationships; he didn’t have any outstanding talent in martial arts.

Now that I’ve heard that Shi Zhongjian has such outstanding talent, I’ve completely given up the idea of ​​giving it my all to beat him.

Nie Yun seemed to be discouraged by Shi Zhongjian’s aptitude as well, a look of defeat on his face. He flicked his sleeve and walked towards the window.

Just as Shi Zhongyu was about to leave, he suddenly saw a small thing fall off Nie Yun’s body.

Seeing that Nie Yun seemed unaware, he slowly walked to the window, opened it, and silently looked at the mountain view, so he squatted down and picked it up.

The object was a dark iron sheet, with the words “The decree of Xuan Tie, granting all requests” written on one side and “Xie Yanke of Motian Cliff” written on the other.

Shi Zhongyu’s eyes lit up. He had also heard about Xie Yanke, the “Skyscraper Hermit,” issuing the Xuan Tie Token back then.

Xie Yanke was a renowned martial arts master who had been famous for many years. He was extremely skilled in martial arts, but he was also cruel and bloodthirsty by nature. He was unpredictable and acted entirely according to his own likes and dislikes. Countless heroes from both the righteous and the evil worlds had died at his hands. Even Shi Qing and Min Rou were wary of him and had earnestly warned Shi Zhongyu to be very careful of him.

However, although Xie Yanke has an eccentric personality, he is a man of his word.

He once gave three black iron tokens to three friends who had been kind to him, saying that as long as they brought the tokens and he handed them to them personally, they could do one thing for him, no matter how difficult or dangerous it was, he would do it on their behalf.

Over the past few decades, two of the three Xuan Tie tokens have been returned to him, and two earth-shattering events have occurred in the martial arts world as a result. Unexpectedly, he has obtained the last Xuan Tie token.

“Many people in the martial arts world have been searching for this item, but I never expected it to fall into the hands of my elder brother.”

Shi Zhongyu secretly pondered, “Xie Yanke’s martial arts are far superior to my father and mother’s. If I were to ask him to take me as his disciple and teach me superior martial arts…”

Nie Yun suddenly turned around, and Shi Zhongyu quickly put away what he was holding.

“Second brother, let me take a look at your meridians.” Nie Yun seemed completely unaware of Shi Zhongyu’s little actions, and smiled as he reached out his hand.

“Oh well.”

Shi Zhongyu stretched out his hand, allowing Nie Yun to use his internal energy to probe.

Nie Yun examined him for a long time, then sighed, “Second brother, when did you lose your virginity?”

“Ah!” Shi Zhongyu was speechless for a moment, not expecting Nie Yun to ask such a question.

“I see you are no longer a virgin, and you must have lost your virginity very early.” Nie Yun’s face showed regret. “Losing your virginity too early can lead to congenital problems for men.”

The loss of vital essence and blood has affected your constitution. Furthermore, your indulgence in sexual activity over the years has severely depleted your vital essence. Now, your constitution makes it very difficult to learn advanced internal martial arts; even if you managed to learn them, you would only be able to linger at the beginner level.

These words shattered Shi Zhongyu’s newly formed dream. His expression changed constantly as he gritted his teeth and said, “You lowly servant!”

Nie Yun shook his head inwardly. Shi Zhongyu couldn’t control his lower body and actually blamed the maid at home. He was a complete scumbag.

He continued, “I used to think it was because you weren’t working hard enough, but now it seems that’s not the case. It’s because you’re physically weak and short of breath, and you’re no longer able to put your heart into practicing martial arts.”

Shi Zhongyu felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He hurriedly asked, “Brother, is it that serious?”

Nie Yun sighed, “The kidneys store the essence of both the innate and acquired constitution. Kidney essence transforms into kidney qi, which is the foundation of health and strength. Touch your lower back; do you feel a cold sensation?”

Shi Zhongyu placed his palms on his lower back near his kidneys and felt a cool sensation, which made him believe the rumors more.

Nie Yun continued, “Your coldness is a sign of severe kidney deficiency. Moreover, unlike others who suffer from acquired deficiency, you are depleting your innate qi, which is impossible to replenish. Now, follow my hand and stomp your feet a few times.”

As he spoke, he raised his right hand high, signaling Shi Zhongyu to pay attention, and then vigorously swung it up and down.

Shi Zhongyu stomped his right foot a few times in rhythm with Nie Yun, and instantly felt a tingling and numb sensation.

Nie Yun withdrew his right hand and asked, “Do you feel a tingling or numb sensation?”

Shi Zhongyu nodded, a strange premonition rising in his heart.

Nie Yun said, “As the saying goes, strength comes from the ground. Martial artists must have a stable lower body. The reason you feel soreness and numbness when you exert even a little force is because your legs and feet lack blood and energy, and your meridians are not smooth. Take another deep breath, and then exhale it all out, without holding back a single breath.”

Shi Zhongyu took a deep breath as instructed, then exhaled with all his might. Suddenly, he felt a tightness in his lungs, his vision went black, and he fell forward.

Nie Yun caught him and shook his head, saying, “Your breathing is so short; it’s obvious you’ve been indulging in too much wine and women, damaging your lungs and liver. The most important thing in cultivating internal energy is breathing exercises; how can you learn superior internal energy in this state?”

These tests completely convinced Shi Zhongyu of Nie Yun’s previous assessment of his physical condition, and also made him completely give up the idea of ​​learning martial arts from Xie Yanke.

Nie Yun said with a helpless expression, “Second brother, I think it’s as difficult as climbing to heaven if you want to surpass third brother in martial arts!”

Shi Zhongyu’s face turned pale, and he thought to himself, “Am I just supposed to watch that fool learn my father and mother’s martial arts and become the master of Xuan Su Manor?”

Seeing this, Nie Yun comforted him, “Second brother, don’t worry. Third brother is kind-hearted and honest. Even if he inherits our adoptive parents’ mantle in the future, he will definitely treat you, his older brother, with utmost respect. Besides, you are a disciple of Mount Hua and my sworn brother. No one will be foolish enough to offend you in the future. However, you still need to be careful in everything you do. You must know that the martial world is a dog-eat-dog world, where it’s a matter of life and death. A moment of carelessness can cost you your life. Moreover, many people are ruthless and will stop at nothing to poison or assassinate you. It’s impossible to guard against them all.”

Shi Zhongyu nodded with a sullen expression and said, “Brother, I understand.”

Nie Yun nodded and continued, “Second brother, there’s no future for you in martial arts now that you have the body. I see you’re clever and quick-witted, have you ever thought about taking the imperial examination? If you’re interested, you might as well talk to your adoptive parents, and maybe things will turn out differently.”

Shi Zhongyu thought to himself, “With no connections in the court and no influence in my family, becoming an official would only result in a minor post, requiring years of hard study and endless busyness with writing and writing all day long; only a fool would do that!”

He was about to refuse when a thought suddenly struck him, and he changed his words. “What you said makes sense, brother. I’ll go back and think about it carefully.”

Nie Yun nodded and let him go back.

Watching Shi Zhongyu’s retreating figure, Nie Yun’s face revealed a hint of amusement.

“Shi Zhongyu, Shi Zhongyu, I believe you can come up with a good idea. I have high hopes for you!”

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

Luoyang is located in Henan Province and gets its name from its location on the north bank of the Luo River.

This city is a historical and cultural holy city with profound heritage and a renowned reputation throughout history.

Historically, thirteen dynasties established their capitals in Luoyang, making it the earliest, longest-lasting, and most frequently visited capital city in my country.

Such a city naturally has many eccentric people and strange guests, and the Green Bamboo Elder in the east of the city is a strange old man who is famous for playing the zither and flute.

On this day, a handsome and extraordinary man came to the entrance of the alley where Green Bamboo Elder lived.

He looked up and saw a lush bamboo grove at the end of the alley. A gentle breeze rustled the bamboo leaves as they swayed in the wind, creating an elegant and natural scene.

This alley is cool, quiet, and elegant, making one forget the mundane world. It is completely different from the bustling and lively style of the whole city of Luoyang, as if it were two different worlds.

The man strolled into the alley, passing through the green bamboo groves, and saw five small houses neatly arranged in front of him, two on the left and three on the right, all built with thick bamboo, exuding an elegant and leisurely atmosphere.

The sound of a zither, like a clear spring in a secluded valley, emanated from inside the house, clearly indicating that someone was playing it.

The man smiled slightly and said, “You really are a remarkable person, managing to create such a unique atmosphere even in this bustling city.”

As soon as these words were spoken, a sudden clanging sound came from inside the room, as if a string had snapped, and the music stopped.

An aged voice said, “May I ask which distinguished guest has graced my humble abode?”

As he spoke, the door creaked open, and an old man came out. He was hunched over, his face was aged, and he had very little hair left on his head. His hair was sparse and thin, making him a sight to behold. His hands and feet were quite large, but he was in excellent spirits, which made him look quite peculiar.

The man smiled and said, “So it’s Senior Green Bamboo Elder. Were you playing just now?”

The old man with green bamboo looked the man up and down, then shook his head and said, “We are complete strangers, how do you know my name?”

The man turned his gaze to the courtyard. “Although we don’t know each other, your aunt and I have long been acquainted through our spiritual connection.”

Green Bamboo Elder’s expression changed, and he shook his head, saying, “What aunt or grandmother? Stop talking nonsense!”

The man smiled slightly, and with a swift movement, he bypassed the old man with the green bamboo and headed straight for the door.

“You little brat, how dare you cause trouble here!” Green Bamboo Elder raised his hand and struck Nie Yun in the back.

Without turning his head, the man lightly struck backward with his palm, the movement seemingly slow yet swift, exquisitely precise. The two palms collided with a “bang,” a dull sound as if striking rotten leather.

Green Bamboo Elder felt as if his palm had struck a large, incredibly hard bluestone, the impact causing a dull ache, as if it were about to crack.

Moreover, the man’s palm strike was incredibly powerful, forcing him to retreat several steps before he could regain his footing.

Seeing that the man had reached the door, he disregarded the churning in his chest and lunged forward again, shouting, “Stop!”

The man turned and shook his head. A flash of silver light appeared, and Green Bamboo Elder stopped, his face extremely pale. A gleaming sword was draped beside his neck, its hilt held in the man’s hand.

“Miss Ren, if you don’t come out soon, don’t blame me if things get out of control!” the man said with a smile. “You had Feifei lured down the mountain, wasn’t it because you wanted to see me?”

“Ah! It’s Brother Nie!” A clear, girlish voice rang out from inside the house, and then the door was suddenly pushed open, and a beautiful figure darted out. The newcomer had bright eyes and white teeth, and a radiant smile; it was none other than Qu Feiyan, who had left a message and descended the mountain.

She came to the man’s side, took his arm, and jumped up and down, “Brother Nie, how did you know I was here? I was just saying I’d write you a letter!”

“You have the nerve to say that!” Nie Yun sheathed his sword and flicked her smooth, white forehead with his finger.

Green Bamboo Elder stepped back a few paces. He had also recognized Nie Yun’s identity, so he had no intention of making a move.

“Ouch! That hurts!” Qu Feiyan covered her forehead with her small hands, her red lips pouting.

“Stop pretending, I didn’t use any force at all.” Nie Yun said this, but still reached out and patted her little head.

“Hehe…” Qu Feiyan stuck out her tongue.

Nie Yun shook his head, looked up at the beautiful figure following Qu Feiyan out of the room, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The newcomer was dressed in a long black robe, wearing a bamboo hat and a veil. Although her face was not visible, her graceful figure and elegant and serene temperament were captivating.

Nie Yun looked her up and down, then shook his head. “Tsk tsk… It’s such a pity that such a beautiful young woman has to make herself look so old.”

Ren Yingying was about to greet him when Nie Yun suddenly uttered such a sentence. She was both embarrassed and angry and didn’t know how to reply.

Qu Feiyan was shocked and quickly shook Nie Yun’s hand, “Brother Nie, you mustn’t be rude, this is…”

“Hehe…Isn’t she Ren Yingying, the Holy Maiden of the Sun Moon Sect, the daughter of Ren Woxing?”

Before she could finish speaking, Nie Yun directly revealed the visitor’s identity, “Not showing your true face, creating a mystery, and then accusing others of being rude—is this how your Sun Moon Divine Sect treats its guests?”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s expression changed. Green Bamboo Elder and Qu Feiyan exclaimed simultaneously, “How did you know?”

Although Ren Yingying did not speak, her delicate body trembled slightly, clearly indicating that she was also extremely shocked.

“Giggle…” A soft, melodious laugh came from inside the house. “Little Brother Yun is really amazing. Nothing can be hidden from you!”

A beautiful woman dressed in Miao ethnic clothing walked out from behind Ren Yingying with a smile.

“So it’s Phoenix. You didn’t do a very good job this time!” Nie Yun looked at the smiling Blue Phoenix and shook his head mischievously, saying, “Knowing that Feifei is my precious treasure, you still brought her to such a far place.”

Upon hearing Nie Yun’s words, Qu Feiyan’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter, and she pressed herself even closer to Nie Yun.

Lan Fenghuang chuckled, stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Nie Yun’s neck, and tiptoed to give him a light kiss on the cheek. “Alright, don’t be angry anymore!”

Qu Feiyan, watching from the side, stamped her feet in frustration, “Sister Lan…”

“Giggle…” Lan Fenghuang looked at her cute appearance and deliberately kissed Nie Yun a few more times, which made Qu Feiyan so angry that she quickly reached out and pulled her away.

Ren Yingying blushed deeply and spat, “What kind of Huashan Sect Leader is he? He’s nothing but a frivolous lecher!” Her voice was clear, delicate, and melodious.

Nie Yun smiled slightly upon hearing this, and then, without any apparent movement, he arrived in front of Ren Yingying.

Ren Yingying was startled by his lightning-fast movements. Just as she was about to retreat and dodge, her eyes suddenly lit up and Nie Yun ripped off her bamboo hat.

Nie Yun looked at Xiao Zuo, the leading lady in the martial arts world, and saw that her skin was so white that it was almost transparent, with a faint blush showing through.

A look of surprise and anger appeared on her stunningly beautiful face, which could express both joy and anger. Her bright eyes were like water, her red lips were slightly pursed, and her delicate beauty was beyond compare.

Seeing the admiring look in Nie Yun’s eyes, Ren Yingying finally realized what was happening and quickly reached for the bamboo hat in his hand, shouting, “Give it back to me!”

Nie Yun gracefully stepped back, shaking her head. “Such exquisite beauty, wouldn’t it be a waste to cover it up with this thing!” she said, casually putting it on her head. Taking a deep breath, she added, “Like orchids and musk, intoxicating. As expected of Miss Ren, even her hat smells wonderful.”

Seeing Nie Yun wearing her personal item on his head with a lecherous look on his face, Ren Yingying’s pretty face turned bright red, feeling both ashamed and angry.

She stomped her foot and chased after Nie Yun again, shouting, “You scoundrel! Give it back to me!”

“You want it? Come and catch me! If you catch me, I’ll give it back to you; if you don’t, it’s mine!” Nie Yun teased, but his body moved as nimbly as a fish swimming in the sea.

Ren Yingying gritted her teeth and kept shifting and turning, but she could never touch the hem of Nie Yun’s clothes.

Qu Feiyan and the other two only saw two figures, one black and one white, constantly chasing each other, sometimes in front and sometimes behind, making them dizzy.

After a while, Ren Yingying stopped, panting heavily, sweat dripping from her forehead, her chest heaving.

She glared at Nie Yun and said hatefully, “If you’re so capable, then don’t run away! What kind of hero hides like this!”

Nie Yun also stopped and shook his head, saying, “Miss Ren, I’m really sorry, I’ve never been a hero or a good person. If you don’t believe me, ask Fei Fei. She knows that I’m a lecherous scoundrel and a big bad guy, right, Fei Fei?”

The people in the room were stunned when they heard this, and they all felt a bit amused and exasperated.

People in the martial arts world, regardless of good or evil, value their reputation highly, and few dare to say so confidently that they are not heroes.

Qu Feiyan was both angry and amused, and said coquettishly, “Brother Nie, stop making trouble and quickly return the bamboo hat to the Holy Maiden.”

Nie Yun smiled slightly, slowly walked to Ren Yingying’s side, took off his bamboo hat and handed it to her, saying, “Alright, alright, here you go, but you have to exchange it for something.”

Ren Yingying rolled her eyes at him, completely ignoring him, and reached out to take the bamboo hat.

Nie Yun shook his head and said, “I don’t do business at a loss.” With that, he turned around and quickly circled around to Ren Yingying’s side, then leaned in and kissed her beautiful face.