The Unruly Immortals

Everything happened too quickly, so quickly that not only was Chun Xiaoman taken by surprise, but even Wang Xingde, who was watching the battle, hadn't anticipated it.

"Hmm? To feint so effectively with the lower body, it seems this young lady really doesn't have a master teaching her. Looks like I was mistaken."

A trace of unwillingness appeared in Chun Xiaoman's eyes as she once again raised her sword with one hand and said to the taciturn youth, "Not bad, let's go again!"

After a few rapid exchanges, Xiaoman lost again, this time even more disastrously, as her sword was sent flying from her grip.

Although the opponent's weapon was odd, it was more than a match for Xiaoman.

Several more bouts followed, with Xiaoman basically never winning a single one.

Only once did she go all out, exchanging blow for blow, and barely managed to win one round.

Seeing Xiaoman's heaving chest, Wang Chengxing, worried she might break down in tears, quickly stepped forward to stop her.

"Miss, that's enough, that's enough. Look, it's about to get dark – let's call it a day."

A somewhat disheveled Chun Xiaoman, far from reconciled, asked him, "Is my swordsmanship that bad?"

The recent events had instilled in her a strong sense of frustration, as the skills she had practiced over these days must seem like a joke in their eyes.

In fact, it had already become a joke, with laughter coming continuously from the younger onlookers.

Wang Chengxing gave an awkward smile. "Miss, your Straight Chop from a False Stance, Downward Chop from a Bow Stance, Forward Thrust with Sword, and Knee Raise Straight Stab from a Rest Step – you've trained well in all of these moves, and clearly, you've put in quite an effort. Against ordinary farmers, you could easily take down one or two of them."

He said only this much and nothing more.

Chun Xiaoman could hear the implication in his words – it was as if she hadn't even reached the threshold of entry.

"If I want to continue improving my strength, where should I focus my efforts?"

"Ah, Miss, becoming a female knight isn't so easy, and those storytellers, they're all making things up. You should just go home," he said.

As he spoke, Wang Chengxing brought forward the silver pieces with both hands to offer them.

Clearly, he mistook Xiaoman for some wealthy family's daughter who dreamed of chivalrous deeds.

Xiaoman pushed the silver pieces back again, "Old sir, I don't wish to become some female knight; I just want to be able to protect myself in these chaotic times. Please enlighten me!"

Perhaps it was the determination in Xiaoman's voice that made Wang Chengxing sense something unusual about her. After musing for a moment, he spoke earnestly, "Miss, your strength may not be great, but your body's resilience is not bad. It's best to try a style of swordsmanship that suits you. Also, your lower stance is not stable enough; you need to practice the Horse Stance. Moreover, with training, just practicing blindly won't do; you need a sparring partner."

"Of course, for such things, it's best to have a master guide you."

Xiaoman glanced again at the youth holding the shield, about to inquire what kind of martial arts he was practicing, but ultimately she chose not to ask.

For a couple of silver pieces, the man had already gone above and beyond; asking more would be overstepping.

Chun Xiaoman wasn't one to take advantage of others' kindness. She took her sword back from Little Yang and bowed in farewell to Wang Chengxing.

"Sister Xiaoman, you're already quite amazing. How long have you been training? Give it a few more years, and you'll definitely be able to beat him," Little Yang chimed in, trying to buoy her spirits.

Having said that, he looked contemptuously at the other people in the training ground.

"Besides, these people are not impressive at all. In front of our Brother Li, they probably couldn't last a single round."

"Shut up, let's hurry!" Chun Xiaoman quickened her pace, but the other person's words not only failed to comfort her but also made her feel even more incompetent.

"Ah!" Suddenly, an old woman, reeking of a pungent urine smell and with hair that looked as if it had been gnawed by a dog, burst out from somewhere and pounced towards the young child named Yang.

Her expression was terrifying, and combined with her appearance, she was no different from a fierce ghost.

Xiaoman's longsword was just about to be unsheathed when a strong gust of wind came from behind. It was Wang Chengxing, who charged forward before the woman could touch Yang. He held the old woman tightly in his embrace.

He gave Chun Xiaoman a strained smile. "Miss, please forgive me, my master's wife is like this, she has been possessed for many years."

"Possessed?" Xiaoman looked at the old woman, who was staring straight at Yang behind her, her teeth constantly clashing together with a chilling sound.

"Since she's possessed, have you sought someone to exorcise the spirit?"

"Ah... we have, we've asked the nuns from the mountain and monks as well, but she has not gotten better. Poor my master."

Wang Chengxing sighed deeply and, holding his master's wife, prepared to leave.

"Possessed? Master's wife?" Chun Xiaoman's eyes lit up, and she suddenly thought of a plan.

If she could handle this situation well, the other party would provide more than just advice; they would probably offer substantial assistance.

"Let's go." Chun Xiaoman hurried back to the inn and began searching for someone in several guest rooms.

"Brother Zhao Wu, you're so quick with the abacus, you've figured it out in no time."

"You flatter me, my family sells rice so naturally, I grew up immersed in this and picked it up naturally."

"Could you teach me how to use the abacus? I need to crunch the numbers carefully; I feel if we keep going like this, we'll run out of money before we know it."

Hearing the voice, Xiaoman pushed open the room door beside her and saw the person she was looking for, Bai Lingmiao.

She went over, grabbed Bai Lingmiao's hand, and came out to the corridor. After looking left and right to confirm there was no one else, she lowered her voice and asked, "Was what you told me that night true? Have you really become a spirit medium?"

"Of course, what's up?" Bai Lingmiao looked at her friend with some confusion.

"Great, come with me, I have a favor to ask of you."

By the time Xiaoman took Bai Lingmiao by the hand to the Escort Agency, it was already dark.

Looking at the huge Escort Agency banner, Bai Lingmiao, holding a drum, seemed a bit intimidated, "Where is this? Let's come back tomorrow."

"We can't wait! Just do me this favor." Chun Xiaoman entered, leading to chaos.

Half an incense stick later, in the meeting room of the Escort Agency, Chun Xiaoman said to the serious-looking, stern old man sitting there, "Elder, my friend here might actually be able to cure your wife's illness."

Zhao Qin looked indifferently as he put down the cup of tea in his hand, sizing up the excessively pale girl not far away.

For many years, he had tried every method, but his wife remained the same. He had already given up hope.

His yellowed eyes shifted, moving Chun Xiaoman aside with a wave of his hand. Wang Chengxing came in, placing two pieces of silver on the table in front of Chun Xiaoman.

"Miss, this is your item that you left behind; you forgot to take it with you. We startled you today, please accept our apologies. As for my wife's matter, we won't trouble you all to fuss over it. She's old now, and I just wish for her to spend a few peaceful days with me."