His palms were broad and strong, and Guo Fu could clearly feel the heat of his palms through the fabric of her tight-fitting clothes.
The heat, as if carrying an electric current, instantly spread throughout half of her body, causing her delicate body to tremble slightly, so numb that she could hardly stand, and her legs even felt a little weak.
Her shoulders were soft and delicate, like jade, while Lin Xuan's fingertips seemed to possess some kind of magic, able to precisely touch certain acupoints deep within her muscles.
The Yin-Yang Supplementation Technique was working subtly. Lin Xuan wasn't actively absorbing the primordial Yin at this moment; it was merely his aura and contact that carried the unique "magnetism" of this technique. Guo Fu felt a secret pleasure awakened deep within her body, a feeling of shame and annoyance mixed with a strange sense of surrender.
"Senior sister, do you feel more stable in your lower body and more concentrated in your power when you exert force like this?" Lin Xuan's voice was enticing, guiding Guo Fu's attention.
Guo Fu tried to concentrate and felt it, and sure enough, she found that Lin Xuan had only slightly adjusted her center of gravity, and her lower body was actually more stable than usual, as if it were rooted to the ground.
"What...what's going on?" she asked in surprise, her tone filled with a hint of doubt and confusion, as well as a sense of admiration for Lin Xuan.
"This is the ingenious application of the eight extraordinary meridians of the human body." Lin Xuan released his hand, a perfectly timed smile on his face. "Since we possess superior martial arts skills, we should pay more attention to how to perfectly combine internal energy with techniques in order to achieve twice the result with half the effort."
He didn't explain much, but instead left it at that, leaving enough mystery and room for imagination.
Guo Fu looked at Lin Xuan with complicated emotions. She never imagined that this junior brother, whom she had always looked down upon, could so easily point out the subtle flaws in her martial arts and reveal the secret in a single sentence.
Moreover, his voice, his breath, and his touch all possessed a magical quality that made her heart race.
This feeling was something she had never experienced with Wu Dunru and Wu Xiuwen before—a strange, intense tremor that welled up from the depths of her heart.
From that day on, Lin Xuan seemed to begin paying attention to Guo Fu, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
He no longer deliberately avoided her; instead, he would occasionally appear by the training ground while she practiced, watching quietly.
Sometimes, when Guo Fu felt his gaze, she would subconsciously feel awkward and embarrassed, but when she turned around, Lin Xuan's gaze had already shifted away, or he was focused on flipping through an ancient book, as if it were just a coincidence.
However, whenever Guo Fu encountered a bottleneck in her training or was feeling down, Lin Xuan always managed to appear by her side at just the right moment.
He wouldn't point it out directly, but would use a seemingly casual tone to offer a few words of guidance, or tell a seemingly unrelated story, which would always enlighten Guo Fu.
Once, Guo Fu was struggling to master a certain move while practicing dance, which frustrated her.
Lin Xuan emerged from the depths of the bamboo forest, his figure shrouded in dappled bamboo shadows, making him appear unfathomable.
"Is Senior Sister having trouble with the smooth transition of this move?" Lin Xuan asked softly, his voice carrying a comforting quality.
Guo Fu was taken aback, then glared at her and said, "How did you know?"
Lin Xuan smiled slightly: "Every time Senior Sister makes this movement, her energy becomes somewhat sluggish. I suspect it's because she couldn't perfectly combine the 'skill' in her palm technique with the 'softness' of her internal energy."
Instead of giving direct instructions, he took out a small booklet from his pocket and handed it to Guo Fu: "When I had some free time, I studied some of the martial arts teachings my master imparted and discovered some patterns. There's a saying in it that might be of some help to you, Senior Sister: 'Flowers fall silently, true energy leaves a trace; use softness to overcome hardness, use emptiness to draw out fullness.'"
Guo Fu took the booklet and saw the neat handwriting, as well as some interpretations and annotations she had never thought of before. She tried to recite the incantation silently, and then practiced it. Sure enough, the originally sluggish palm technique instantly became smooth.
She looked at Lin Xuan abruptly, her eyes filled with shock and gratitude.
"This...this is really..." she stammered, unsure how to express herself.
Lin Xuan simply smiled slightly, his eyes filled with gentle encouragement: "Everything in the world has its own way. Martial arts are no exception. Senior Sister is exceptionally talented; she will surely achieve great things in the future."
His subtle and gentle help gradually melted the ice in Guo Fu's heart.
She discovered that Lin Xuan was not the kind of arrogant brute who only knew how to be talented; he had real skills, yet he was so humble.
Unlike those men who only know how to flatter her appearance, Lin Xuan cares about her martial arts, her feelings, and can even see through the grievances and frustrations deep in her heart.
Lin Xuan's unique and undeniable charm subtly permeated Guo Fu's heart with each encounter and "help."
His figure was no longer the "intruder" she hated to the core, but gradually became clearer, taller, and even carried a faint impulse that made her want to get closer.
As Huang Rong grew closer to Lin Xuan, although she would still snort coldly in dissatisfaction, the jealousy in her heart was no longer pure hatred.
She began to secretly yearn for the attention she could receive from Lin Xuan, just like her mother.
It was like a faint flame, quietly burning deep within Guo Fu's heart, carrying a hint of dangerous allure.
Whenever Lin Xuan touched her unintentionally or "instructively," Guo Fu's heart would race.
A blush would involuntarily rise on her delicate cheeks, and a tingling sensation would spread along the places Lin Xuan touched, making her weak all over and her eyes glazed over. She would feel ashamed and resistant, but an indescribable pleasure would also grow deep within her heart.
Chapter Twelve: The Wolf Riders Attack!
Xiangyang, this ancient city that has endured countless hardships, miraculously displayed a vibrant vitality despite the threat of the Mongol hordes.
Among all this vitality, Lin Xuan was undoubtedly the one who injected the most energy. He had only been in the Xiangyang army for a few months, but he had already established a convincing reputation among the soldiers and civilians with one victory after another.
His name is now known to almost every household in Xiangyang. Whether it's the soldiers guarding the city walls or the common people on the streets, everyone who talks about Lin Xuan gives him a thumbs up and their eyes are full of admiration.
"Young Master Lin is truly a visionary; he's practically a reincarnation of Zhuge Liang!"
On the north gate tower, a burly soldier wiped the sweat from his brow, gazing out of the city with eyes full of admiration. His rugged face was now radiating the relief of surviving a calamity and heartfelt praise for Lin Xuan.
The veterans beside him, some wiping their blades, others wrapping their wounds, all wore the same expression.
"You didn't see it! Last night, those Mongol soldiers were as bold as if they'd eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, actually trying to launch a sneak attack on us under the cover of darkness!" A young archer excitedly chimed in, still shaken by the harrowing experience of the previous night.
He gripped the bow tightly, his voice trembling slightly: "If it weren't for Young Master Lin anticipating their scheme three days in advance and setting up a series of interconnected formations on the perimeter, they would have succeeded last night! We brothers would have lost our lives in vain!"
"More than that! Think back to the previous times, the harassment outside the city was always thwarted by Young Master Lin!" another veteran chimed in, his eyes gleaming with fervent admiration for Lin Xuan.
"They either lay in ambush in the mountain valleys or set up ambushes in the dense forests, catching those Mongols completely off guard! We brothers have never suffered a loss following Young Master Lin!"
"To be honest, I think Young Master Lin's ability to lead troops into battle is even better than that of those old generals!" The old soldier sighed heavily, his tone full of emotion.
"Although Young Master Lin's martial arts are not as unparalleled as Master Guo's, when it comes to the ability to arrange troops and deploy formations, he is number one in Xiangyang!"
He paused and said, “Master Guo’s martial arts are unparalleled. He can withstand the impact of thousands of troops by himself and can fight his way in and out of the enemy ranks seven times. But the battlefield is the battlefield, not the martial arts world where one person fights alone. Young Master Lin is different. He always knows how to make the most of the strength of us ordinary soldiers.”
"He knows better than anyone when to launch a surprise attack, when to defend, where the enemy's weaknesses lie, and where our strengths lie!"
“Every time we fight according to Young Master Lin’s command, our chances of killing the enemy increase by several times, and the casualties of our own brothers are also reduced considerably. In the previous few small battles, our casualties were less than 30% of the enemy’s. Who would have dared to imagine this before?”
The veteran patted his chest, a simple and honest smile spreading across his face: "Following Young Master Lin, I feel at ease! I know I'm not dying in vain, but truly killing the enemy and earning merit!"
Lin Xuan's reputation was not unfounded. He combined his knowledge of military strategy with the realities of ancient battlefields, creating a set of effective tactics.
He emphasized intelligence gathering, utilizing the Beggars' Sect's intricate network of disciples and his own keen perception honed by the "Yin-Yang Supplementation Technique" to often discern the enemy's movements and intentions at the first moment. He could even predict the Mongols' next move, as if he could read the minds of enemy generals.
Tactically, he was adept at utilizing terrain and employing surprise attacks. Whether it was launching night raids on enemy camps, cutting off supply lines, or setting ambushes to annihilate the enemy, he executed them flawlessly, leaving the Mongols repeatedly at a disadvantage and completely baffled.
He even opened classes in the army, teaching soldiers some basic tactical concepts and formation changes. He taught them how to observe the enemy situation during close combat, how to cover each other, and how to integrate individual strength into the overall momentum.
Many soldiers who initially only knew how to fight to the death gradually learned to think and cooperate under his guidance, resulting in a qualitative improvement in their combat effectiveness. They were no longer pawns blindly charging forward, but warriors who knew how to use their wisdom.
Lin Xuan's arrival undoubtedly injected new vitality and vigor into the defending Xiangyang. He not only brought victory, but also hope, allowing the soldiers to see the possibility of defeating a stronger enemy.
Just as the soldiers and civilians of Xiangyang were basking in the joy of their few victories and confidently reinforcing the city's defenses, an even greater crisis was quietly approaching.
A carrier pigeon flew in from the north, cutting through the rain at an astonishing speed, and landed directly on the training ground of the Guo residence. The guards immediately took the secret letter from the letterbox and hurriedly presented it to Guo Jing, who was practicing martial arts.
Guo Jing unfolded the letter, and the few words on it instantly made his usually composed face turn serious. His eyes flashed with undisguised worry.
He immediately stopped practicing martial arts and urgently summoned Huang Rong and Lin Xuan, as well as several important elders of the Beggars' Sect and the garrison commander of Xiangyang, to the council hall.
Inside the council chamber, candlelight flickered.
Guo Jing handed the thin, secret letter to Huang Rong and said in a deep voice, "Rong'er, Xuan'er, take a look." His voice was a few decibels lower than usual.
Huang Rong took the letter and quickly scanned it. A deep sorrow immediately appeared on her bright and beautiful face. Her eyebrows furrowed tightly, and a cold glint and a hint of imperceptible weariness flashed in her beautiful eyes. Although she was slender, she could not hide the solemnity between her brows.
She sighed softly and handed the letter to Lin Xuan, saying, "Very bad news." Her tone was heavy.
Lin Xuan took the letter and unfolded it. The concise handwriting felt like a thousand pounds of weight, striking his heart heavily:
The gist is: Mongol wolf cavalry are attacking Xiangyang and will arrive in a few months.
Lin Xuan shuddered after reading it.
The Mongol Wolf Riders. This is the pride of Mongolia, the elite of the elite, equipped with the finest warhorses and weapons, and a terrifying force composed of the most brutal and fierce tactical system.
Their horsemanship, archery, and teamwork far surpassed those of ordinary Mongol soldiers. Once this force pressed in, Xiangyang would face an unprecedented life-or-death test.
Guo Jing clenched his fists, making a dull thud. "...Time is too tight." His voice carried a hint of worry and anger.
Huang Rong pondered for a moment and said, "The Wolf Riders have always been known throughout the world for their unparalleled impact and fierce and ruthless fighting style. Three thousand Wolf Riders are almost the strongest elite force that Mongolia can currently mobilize and assemble."
Her slender, jade-like fingertips lightly tapped the table, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wisdom: "It seems they are determined to take Xiangyang at all costs." Her tone carried the calmness and decisiveness of a commander-in-chief.
A seasoned veteran, well past fifty, said with deep concern, “Last time we repelled the Mongol army, but they were just ordinary troops. This time, the wolf cavalry are marching south. Once they launch a general offensive, their momentum will be…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but his worry and despair were evident in his words, making the atmosphere in the council hall even heavier.
"Xuan'er, what are your thoughts?" Huang Rong broke the silence, her clear gaze falling on Lin Xuan, her eyes filled with expectation.
She believed Lin Xuan could offer an unexpected yet practical solution. Since she took him as her disciple, he had consistently surprised her and never disappointed her.
Lin Xuan stood up and walked to the map.
"Master, Master, and all generals," Lin Xuan's voice was steady and powerful, carrying a convincing composure, "Your concerns are very valid. The strength of the Wolf Cavalry is known throughout the world; they are far superior to ordinary troops."
He paused, looked around, and saw that everyone's faces were shrouded in gloom.
“However, we are not without a chance!” Lin Xuan said again.
He walked to the map and pointed to several strategic passes and mountain landscapes around Xiangyang: "Although the Wolf Cavalry is strong, they are not invincible. Their biggest weakness lies in their blind confidence in their own strength and underestimation of their opponents, as well as their unfamiliarity with the martial arts of the Central Plains."
"While the wolf riders are unmatched on the vast plains, their advantage is greatly diminished in the mountains, forests, treacherous peaks, and watery areas. The area around Xiangyang is not all smooth roads, giving us ample room to employ ingenious strategies."
He looked at everyone and said in a deep voice, "Xiangyang is the hope of the Central Plains people and the symbol of justice in the martial arts world. Now that the country is in peril and the people are suffering, it is the time for heroes from all over the world to emerge and join forces to overcome this national crisis!" Lin Xuan's words were full of resounding power, and every word struck the hearts of everyone like a heavy hammer.
"My idea is to issue a challenge to all martial arts practitioners in the Central Plains!" Lin Xuan declared firmly, revealing his plan with an air of self-assurance.
"We will reveal the truth about the Mongol wolf cavalry's advance and call upon all sects and heroes to come to Xiangyang to fight against them!"
These words immediately dispelled the previously dejected atmosphere in the council hall, and everyone's spirits lifted.
Huang Rong pondered for a moment and said, "Inviting heroes from all over the world to help is certainly a magnificent feat. But people in the martial arts world are used to being unrestrained and carefree. Will they be able to follow orders? And how can we coordinate and manage them?"
Her bright eyes posed a difficult question: "How can we ensure that they work together and maximize their potential? These are all difficult questions." Her words, though meant as a reminder, also revealed her approval of the proposal and her deep consideration of it.
"Master's concerns are absolutely correct." Lin Xuan nodded, a confident smile on his face.
“We don’t want them to fight like a regular army. Martial arts masters each have their own strengths. Although their skills vary, there are many masters among them. Their individual combat strength is enough to match or even surpass the elite warriors of the Wolf Riders.”
He picked up a wooden stick and pointed at the sand table: "We can organize these martial arts masters into several elite surprise attack teams according to their respective school's strengths."
"Before they reach the walls of Xiangyang, we must make them die on the way, thus weakening the Mongol's strength."
Lin Xuan's analysis was clear and logical, perfectly combining the advantages of martial arts heroes with the realities of the battlefield, which convinced all the generals and elders present.
The generals' tense expressions relaxed considerably, and a renewed spark of hope ignited in their eyes.
Guo Jing's face was solemn, his eyes gleaming with heroic spirit: "Xuan'er is right! The rise and fall of the nation is the responsibility of every citizen! Now that the country is in peril, how can the heroes of the Central Plains martial arts world be cowards who fear death!" His voice was loud and clear, full of righteous indignation.
Huang Rong also smiled approvingly, her gaze towards Lin Xuan filled with trust and high regard. Her beautiful face radiated pride in her disciple, her bright eyes and white teeth brimming with satisfaction.
"This plan will not only strengthen our army, but also unite the hearts of chivalrous people across the land and bring together the people of the Central Plains. It is the best strategy." She said with certainty, her voice clear and melodious.
"Even if we can't completely repel the wolf riders, we can still make them pay a heavy price!"
Her tone shifted, carrying a heavy responsibility: "Then, you shall draft this call to arms for heroes from all over the world and the alliance of martial arts. It will surely move heroes from all walks of life and make them come to Xiangyang willingly to participate in this grand event."
Lin Xuan bowed and accepted the order: "This disciple will do his utmost to live up to the trust placed in him by his master and father-in-law!" His voice was full of strength, revealing a firm belief.
The other generals and Beggars' Sect elders also expressed their agreement, greatly boosting morale. The gloom that had previously hung over the council hall had completely dissipated, replaced by an unprecedented unity and hope. Everyone seemed to see the dawn of victory in defeating the wolf cavalry and protecting Xiangyang.
Stepping out of the council chamber, a cool night breeze ruffled Lin Xuan's clothes. He looked up at the brilliant starry sky, a confident smile spreading across his face.
The author says:
Author's note: I'm about to sign a contract. Three more chapters today.
Chapter Thirteen: Guidance
On this afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and a gentle breeze rustled the green bamboo in the Guo family courtyard.
Guo Fu practiced the Peach Blossom Island palm techniques, sweating profusely on the training ground. She wore a tight-fitting emerald green outfit that accentuated her slender, graceful figure. Her full breasts trembled slightly with each strike, her slender waist was incredibly delicate, and her long, straight legs displayed astonishing explosive power and curvaceous beauty with every move. Fine beads of sweat covered her oval cheeks, sliding down her alabaster skin, highlighting her bright, almond-shaped eyes and radiating youthful vitality and charm.
However, she seemed somewhat absent-minded today. Her palm technique stopped abruptly halfway through, and she struggled to connect the movements several times. Frustrated, she scratched her hair, a few strands of dark hair sticking to her smooth forehead, making her look somewhat disheveled, yet without diminishing her unique charm.
"Hmph! How exactly can this move achieve 'dispersed form but unified intent'?" she muttered under her breath, dejectedly withdrawing her hand and angrily kicking the stone block beside her.
Just then, a clear and gentle voice came from not far away.
"Senior Sister's aura seems a bit weak, and her palm technique is slightly sluggish at this point. It seems she still has doubts about the move just now."
Guo Fu's body trembled, and she looked up sharply in the direction of the sound.
Lin Xuan had already appeared in a corner hidden by the bamboo grove. Today, he was dressed in a simple blue robe, his figure upright, his long, ink-black hair tied back with a simple cloth ribbon, a few playful strands falling over his forehead, adding a touch of casualness to his appearance. He was slowly approaching, his demeanor composed, and he seemed to be enveloped in a faint yet undeniable magnetic charm.
That was the masculine charm that naturally emanated after being nourished by the Yin-Yang Supplementation Technique, restrained and calm, yet carrying an invisible attraction.
"You... what are you doing here?!" Guo Fu's pretty face flushed red with embarrassment and anger. She hated being seen in such a disheveled state, especially by Lin Xuan, the guy she both hated and was curious about.
Lin Xuan ignored her anger, simply walked to a spot three feet away from her, and stood there calmly, without a trace of mockery or ridicule.
"I was just passing by and happened to see Senior Sister practicing here." His tone was calm, without a trace of aggression. The look he gave Guo Fu was devoid of the familiar disdain, nor the fawning of those spoiled young masters, but only a pure, untainted inquiry and...concern.
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