Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Chapter 18: Ten Moves to Force Master Back! A Perfect Fusion of Modern Martial Arts and Internal Energy

Shen Qingci was already used to practicing martial arts at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

But today's Eunuch Li seems a little different.

He stood in the center of the courtyard, his back ramrod straight—although he was still wearing that tattered eunuch's robe, the deliberate attempt to conceal his hunchback was gone.

The moonlight shone on his face, revealing his deep wrinkles, but his eyes shone with an alarming brightness, like two ancient swords hidden in their sheaths.

"Your Majesty," he said, his voice deeper than usual, "this old servant will not teach the 'Eternal Spring Technique' today."

Shen Qingci was taken aback: "Then what should we teach?"

"Teaching the techniques of killing," Eunuch Li said bluntly.

Shen Qingci's heart skipped a beat.

"Those three moves that Her Majesty created herself..."

Eunuch Li looked at her.

"This old servant has seen it."

Ruthless and direct, it is well-suited for close combat.

But there's a problem—it relies too much on brute force and speed.

If you encounter a master with profound internal strength or agile movements, you can easily be countered.

Shen Qingci nodded.

She knew her weaknesses.

Modern combat emphasizes efficiency and aims to defeat the enemy with a single blow.

However, that is based on the premise that both parties have similar physical qualities and no internal energy enhancement.

In this world, a martial artist with profound internal strength might be able to stand still and let her hit him, and she wouldn't be able to break through his defenses.

"So today," said Eunuch Li, "this old servant has two things to teach Your Highness."

"First, how to infuse internal energy into techniques to turn ordinary attacks into deadly moves."

"Second, how to deal with enemies whose internal strength is higher than one's own."

Shen Qingci's eyes lit up.

This is exactly what she needs most.

"Please enlighten me, Master."

Eunuch Li didn't speak, but walked to the corner of the courtyard and took out a blue brick from the woodpile.

The brick was thick and looked heavy. He carried it with one hand, walked back, and placed it on the ground.

"Your Majesty, use your best move to break this brick," he said.

Shen Qingci did not hesitate.

She used the move "throat stab"—her right hand with fingers together like a knife, using her palm as a knife to stab straight into the brick surface.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

The brick wobbled, leaving a faint white mark on its surface.

My hand hurts a little.

"Use your internal energy again," said Eunuch Li.

Shen Qingci took a deep breath, mobilizing the warm current in her dantian and channeling it along her meridians to her right hand.

She could feel the temperature of her fingers rising, and something flowing under her skin.

Then, it was thrust out again.

This time, the voice was different.

It wasn't a "bang," but a soft "hiss."

It's like a red-hot iron rod being plunged into the snow.

A finger pierced half an inch into the brick!

Although it failed to pierce through, it was a world of difference compared to the shallow mark from before.

Shen Qingci withdrew her hand, looked at the hole, and couldn't quite believe it.

This is... the enhancement of internal energy?

"How are you feeling?" Eunuch Li asked.

"Very...different."

Shen Qingci spoke the truth.

"When I practiced the 'Nourishing Qi Chapter' before, I only felt the internal energy flowing through my body and my body getting better."

I never imagined it would be so powerful when used offensively.

"Internal energy is inherently designed for combat."

Eunuch Li said calmly,

"Health preservation is just a side effect."

A true martial artist, when circulating their internal energy, can injure others with every move.

He paused, then added:

"However, Your Majesty's attack just now was still quite crude in its use of internal energy."

Most of it scattered; only about 30% actually worked on the bricks.

If it can solidify and not disperse, a full-force attack should be able to shatter this brick.

Shen Qingci looked at her hands.

Even with only 30% of your strength, you can pierce a hole half an inch deep.

What about 100%?

She suddenly had a new understanding of "practicing martial arts".

"Now," Eunuch Li stepped back, adopting a very casual posture,

"Your Majesty used every move you knew to attack this old servant."

Shen Qingci was taken aback: "Attack Master?"

"Hmm." Eunuch Li nodded.

"This old servant will suppress his internal energy to a level similar to yours and only use the most basic moves to deal with you."

Let the Empress experience what real combat is like.

Shen Qingci took a deep breath.

She knew this was a rare opportunity.

For a master like Eunuch Li to be willing to train with her is something many people would beg for.

"Then... I apologize for my offense."

Before she finished speaking, she had already moved.

No warning, no nonsense.

It was that move, "Knee Shattering"—a left side kick aimed directly at the outside of Eunuch Li's right knee.

Fast, accurate, and ruthless.

But Eunuch Li merely turned slightly to the side and took a half step back with his right foot.

Shen Qingci's kick missed its mark.

She immediately changed tactics, following up with a "throat stab," her right hand pointing straight at her throat.

Eunuch Li raised his hand and gently blocked with his palm.

"Smack."

When you poke your finger into your palm, it feels like you're poking cotton; all the force is neutralized.

Shen Qingci was startled, but his movements did not stop. The third move, "Heart-Piercing," involved his left hand forming a claw and aiming straight for his heart.

This time, Eunuch Li did not stop him.

He extended his index finger and gently tapped the inside of Shen Qingci's left wrist.

A tingling sensation instantly spread throughout my entire arm.

Shen Qingci let out a muffled groan, and his left hand fell limply to his side.

Three tricks.

Everything was completely destroyed.

She stood there, panting, looking at Eunuch Li.

The old man remained standing there, his posture unchanged.

"Your Highness's moves are indeed ruthless," Eunuch Li said calmly. "If she were to face an ordinary person who doesn't know martial arts, or an opponent with mediocre skills, one move would be fatal. But she has two fatal weaknesses."

"Please enlighten me, Master," Shen Qingci said sincerely.

"First, it's too direct," said Eunuch Li. "All the attacks are aimed at vital points, the intentions are too obvious. A master can see through it at a glance and prepare in advance."

"Secondly, you lack flexibility," he continued. "If one move fails, you immediately switch to the next. But there's no connection between the moves, no pauses. If it had been a life-or-death battle, you would have been dead the moment you switched moves."

Shen Qingci remained silent.

She knew that Eunuch Li was right.

In her past life, she learned modern combat, which emphasizes defeating the enemy in the shortest amount of time.

Therefore, all moves are aimed directly at vital points, striving for a fatal blow.

But that's based on the premise that both parties are "ordinary people".

In this world where there is internal energy, lightness skill, and all sorts of wonderful martial arts, her fighting style is indeed not good enough.

"Then... how should we improve it?" she asked.

Instead of answering directly, Eunuch Li said, "Let's try again. This time, Your Highness, don't rush to attack. First, feel my movements."

Shen Qingci nodded.

The two resumed their fighting stances.

This time, Shen Qingci did not rush to make a move.

She stared at Eunuch Li, looking at his shoulders, his waist, his steps—

These are observation skills learned in a past life: when the shoulders move, the hands will move; when the waist turns, force will be generated; when the feet move, the center of gravity will change.

Then, she moved.

It was still a "knee-crushing" kick, but this time it was the left knee—because Eunuch Li's weight had just shifted to his right foot.

As expected, Eunuch Li stepped aside to avoid him.

Shen Qingci immediately followed up, her "throat stab" not a straight thrust, but a diagonal one—because she anticipated that Eunuch Li would dodge to the right.

Eunuch Li's eyes flickered slightly, and he raised his palm to block.

But this time, the instant Shen Qingci's fingers touched his palm, they suddenly changed direction—

Instead of continuing the forward thrust, he twisted his wrist, turning it into a horizontal slash, targeting Eunuch Li's carotid artery.

This technique evolved from the "elbow strike turned into a punch" technique in modern combat.

Eunuch Li was clearly caught off guard by this turn of events and hastily took a half-step back to narrowly avoid the danger.

Shen Qingci gave him no chance to catch his breath.

The third move, "Heart-Piercing," involves making a claw shape with the left hand, but instead of actually piercing, it's just a feint.

While Li Gonggong's attention was drawn to his left hand, his right leg kicked out silently, aiming at Li Gonggong's shinbone.

This is a feint attack.

Eunuch Li finally got serious.

He stomped his left foot on the ground, and his whole body floated back three feet like a leaf, barely avoiding the kick.

Then, stand still.

A distance had been created between the two.

Shen Qingci stopped what she was doing, her chest heaving.

She could feel that the combo attack she had just used had exhausted all her energy.

but……

She forced Eunuch Li to leave.

Although it's just a small step.

Although Eunuch Li clearly went easy on them.

But they did manage to force them to retreat.

The courtyard was very quiet.

Only the rustling of withered leaves in the wind could be heard.

After a long silence, Eunuch Li slowly spoke:

"very good."

Only two words.

But Shen Qingci could tell that it was genuine praise.

"Your Highness's comprehension is even better than this old servant thought," Eunuch Li said calmly. "In just a few days, you've mastered the moves and can even integrate them into your understanding. Especially that last feint followed by a real kick—the timing, angle, and force are all perfectly controlled."

He paused, then looked at Shen Qingci: "If you are at your current level, Your Highness should... be able to put up a fight against ordinary palace guards."

Shen Qingci's eyes lit up.

They have the strength to fight.

Although he was just an "ordinary guard," and only "capable of fighting."

But compared to the deposed empress who lay in bed waiting to die three months ago, it's a world of difference.

"Thank you, Master." She bowed.

Eunuch Li waved his hand: "It's because Her Highness is so capable. This old servant was just leading the way."

He looked up at the sky.

The east was already showing the first light of dawn.

"That's enough for today," he said. "Your Majesty, go back and rest. Tomorrow... this old servant will teach you light-body skills."

Lightness skill.

Shen Qingci's heart stirred.

That was something she had always wanted to learn.

In this world, without light-footed skills, it's like having no legs. You can't run fast, you can't jump high, and you can't escape.

"Yes," she replied.

Eunuch Li turned to leave, but then stopped.

He turned around and glanced at her.

That look in his eyes was very complicated.

There was relief, anticipation, and also a hint of...worry.

"Your Majesty," he said in a low voice, "martial arts can be learned, and grudges can be remembered. But this old servant hopes you will remember one thing—the child in your womb is more important than anything else."

Shen Qingci was taken aback.

"This old servant has seen too many people," Eunuch Li continued, "blinded by hatred, forgetting what they should cherish most. In the end, they may have avenged themselves, but they were crippled and left with nothing."

He paused for a moment: "Your Majesty has a long road ahead. Don't let hatred... consume you."

After saying that, he hunched over, reverting to his unremarkable old eunuch form, and slowly walked away.

Shen Qingci stood still for a long time.

Gently place your hand on your lower abdomen.

There, the fetus moved slightly.

It seemed to be a response to what Eunuch Li had said.

It also resonated with the emotions that touched her heart.

Yes.

Revenge is very important.

Getting stronger is important.

But most importantly, it's this little life.

He was her only blood relative in this world.

"Bao'er," she whispered, "Mother will not forget."

We will never forget why we fought.

And we will never forget what we should protect.