[Azure Dragon, White Tiger, eating less carbs — watch this!]
[I want to laugh, but why does this fit March 7th's vibe so perfectly?]
[Hahaha, this move name cracked me up.]
[I feel like this arc's getting pretty funny. Wonder if there'll be even funnier moments later.]
— —
Yunli scratched her head. "What're you chanting?"
"It's… a sword mantra!"
…
Soon after, the Cloud Knight instructor stopped. "I yield, Miss!"
March 7th sighed in relief. "Didn't expect the first lesson to be this intense…"
Yanqing and Yunli praised March 7th's solid foundation, though she had some typical beginner flaws.
But when it came to the next lessons, the two bickered like sworn rivals, neither yielding an inch!
Seeing them about to clash again, March 7th quickly played peacemaker. "Hey, hey, it's just the first lesson—why're my Masters arguing already? Stop fighting! I'll learn footwork and power eventually. Does it matter which comes first?"
In unison, Yanqing and Yunli snapped, "It matters!! March 7th, listen to me, and you won't go wrong!"
[March 7th: This is too hard!]
[Hahaha, these two are kinda growing on me.]
[They've got that love-hate rival vibe, always jabbing at each other.]
[March 7th babysitting two kids.]
— —
The screen went black, and subtitles appeared:
March 7th's swordsmanship training began just like that.
Days passed…
March 7th was diligently practicing her swordplay, with her voiceover in the background:
"Himeko, Uncle Yang, Pom-Pom: Greetings as if we're meeting. Everything's fine on the Luofu, so please don't worry. How's your journey going?
Recently, through some twist of fate, I became the disciple of two Cloud Knight swordsmen, training in swordsmanship under them.
One is Yanqing, the little brother we've met before. The other is Yunli, the grand-disciple of Zhuming's General Huaiyan.
Both Masters are super strict, making me deeply feel the hardship of learning swordsmanship.
I tried dragging Stelle into this, but she refused. I tried pulling Dan Heng in, but Master Yanqing wouldn't allow it.
Even so, I've never backed down from the challenge. In just a few weeks, my swordsmanship has improved by leaps and bounds. Both Masters call me a rare swordsmanship prodigy, eagerly teaching me their own methods.
Under their careful guidance, my swordsmanship has started to take shape. When I return to the Express, I'll show you all a little something to make you see me in a new light!
March 7th, eagerly awaiting your reply."
[Her literary flair's improving!]
[This has some serious Xianzhou vibes.]
[Dragging Dan Heng in—hahaha. Yanqing's like, 'Teach the Dragon Sovereign? For real?']
[I'm dying laughing.]
— —
As day and night cycled in the delve, the Martial Exhibition's opening crept closer unnoticed.
Under her two Masters' strict supervision, March 7th trained relentlessly, nearly developing tennis elbow.
One day, after sword practice, both Yunli and Yanqing gave positive feedback.
March 7th got a bit cocky. "So… do I have a shot at beating my Masters on the Exhibition stage?"
They admitted that with a few decades more practice, maybe, but for now, March 7th had made decent progress in swordsmanship.
Yanqing added, "If Miss March wants to go further, you could try other Xianzhou sword types to get a better feel."
"Hmm, let me think… Among Xianzhou weapons, which is the best? Single sword, greatsword, or flying sword?"
Yunli jumped in. "There's no 'best' sword—only better swordsmen. Your Master Yanqing loves his multiple flying swords, but I use just one, and didn't I still beat him silly at the Alchemy Commission?"
Yanqing's face darkened. "First, I didn't scream like a banshee! Second, you're not my match! Third, wanna see who'll make who scream like a banshee right now?"
Yunli shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure! If I win, you'll quietly withdraw from the Exhibition's stage, how's that?"
March 7th clutched her head at this familiar scene. "Why're my Masters fighting again? I thought you two were getting along better these days…"
Just then, a familiar voice broke the tense atmosphere from behind.
"I heard the top disciples of the Luofu and Zhuming Generals were set to duel on the Exhibition stage, but for some reason, they're now teaming up to teach a disciple. The rumor's true.
Tomorrow's the Martial Exhibition, and instead of sharpening your blades, you're here engrossed in teaching?"
Jiaoqiu, squinting with a smile, appeared out of nowhere.
The three exchanged looks.
Yunli spoke first. "Ah, you're… uh… that… right! The pink-haired fox from Yaoqing!"
At "pink-haired fox," March 7th covered her mouth. "Pfft…"
Jiaoqiu maintained an annoyed smile. "What're you laughing at? You're pink-haired too!"
[Hahaha, that subtle shade.]
[I wasn't gonna laugh, but that line got me.]
[There are four names, two are pink-haired, and Yanqing, you're not one of them.]
[I'm cracking up.]
— —
Jiaoqiu coughed lightly, recomposing himself. "I'm Jiaoqiu, a healer under the Yaoqing General's command."
Yunli kept dropping bombs. "Got it—you're Yaoqing's contestant for the Exhibition, here to spy on us?"
"You're exaggerating. I'm clueless about martial arts. I'm just here on official business for the General and didn't mean to interrupt your teaching. My apologies, I'll leave."
"If you don't know swordsmanship, why were you smirking over there?"
"I just felt a pang of sympathy for Miss March's 'what to learn' dilemma and couldn't help but chime in.
From my professional experience, cleavers, slicers, choppers, and carving knives are all blades, just like frying, sautéing, boiling, and steaming in cooking—they're just techniques to apply. How you use them depends on the ingredient's nature.
Similarly, your swordsmanship lessons should align with the ingredient—I mean, the disciple's nature. Teaching techniques suited to her talents will yield twice the results with half the effort!
Like how purple-gold eggplant needs frying, red-cloud chili needs stir-frying, and Yellowstone beef needs braising. Discovering the ingredient—I mean, the disciple's nature—is our job."
March 7th wiped drool from her mouth. "Naming dishes like that's making me hungry."
Yunli swallowed hard too. "Aren't you a healer? Why're you talking about cooking?"
"It's a metaphor, I added a metaphor. My medical school, the 'Staining Fingers Sect,' is unique to the Yaoqing Xianzhou. We specialize in healing through food therapy, so I know a bit about cooking too."
[He opens his mouth, and it's a meme.]
[Report: We found a tiny bit of game in a pile of memes.]
[It's a meme, I added a meme.]
[It's an onion, I added an onion.]
[It's magic, I added magic.]
Yunli had a revelation. "So… you're the General's chef?"
Jiaoqiu coughed sternly. "Ahem, I'm a healer! A chef who doesn't want to be a healer isn't a good General's aide. Fine, just think of me as a chef."
— —