That's why the martial arts practitioners Li Ling chose to surrender to the Jin were all wealthy. Killing them would not only hone his swordsmanship but also provide him with enough funds to replenish his manor, making it a win-win situation.
Hearing Yi Yun's question and seeing that Yi Yun was writing Yue Fei's poem "Man Jiang Hong", Li Ling said, "Yue Fei's poem 'Man Jiang Hong' expresses his lofty ambition to serve the country and his sincere desire to repay the court."
His words, spoken with utmost sincerity and unwavering loyalty, are deeply moving. Reading them is like a surging river, its flow winding and echoing, its powerful climaxes resounding like the clang of metal and stone. This lofty spirit of taking the world as one's own responsibility puts us, in awe, to its limits.
After discussing the theme of "Man Jiang Hong" and his feelings about it, Li Ling commented on Yi Yun's calligraphy: "Grandpa's calligraphy is sharp as a sword, with each character penetrating the paper. It not only contains the skillful sword intent, but also reveals the idea that an old horse in its stall still aspires to gallop a thousand miles."
Grandpa's desire to defend the country is the same as that of Marshal Yue Fei, who composed this poem. Could it be that you wish to return to the battlefield?
"Hahahaha!" Yi Yun laughed heartily, praising his grandson again: "Feng'er, you really understand my heart."
"Our Famous Sword Manor has stood in the martial world for a century, always taking it upon ourselves to protect our home and country. Now, our land is in turmoil, with the treacherous Qin Hui wreaking havoc on our court and martial arts world, and the Jurchen invaders eyeing us covetously and oppressing our people. We martial artists naturally must do our part for our nation."
As he spoke, Yi Yun couldn't help but sigh: "But I am now over seventy years old, and my only wish is to see Mingjian Manor revitalized. Now this heavy responsibility will fall on your shoulders, Feng'er."
"Now I can only contribute what little I have left, protecting you for a few more years. Once you've mastered the eight famous sword techniques of our manor, I can rest easy."
The decline of Mingjian Manor occurred during Yi Yun's lifetime. Although the manor still has some influence in the martial arts world, it is far from its heyday.
This is why Yi Yun's greatest obsession is to revitalize the Famous Sword Manor; otherwise, this obsession wouldn't have been detected by the system. Li Ling also came to this world because of Yi Yun's wish.
Li Ling knew the old man's expectations, who had been patiently guiding him and imparting all his knowledge. He immediately assured him, "Grandpa, don't worry. Right now, my skill is just a little lacking. After a while, when my skill breaks through to the Innate Grandmaster realm, I can begin to formally study the eighth form of the Eight Styles of Famous Swords."
Moreover, I've already sensed a slight loosening in my cultivation level during this trip. After several months of secluded training, I'm certain I'll be able to successfully break through."
"good!"
Hearing Li Ling say this, Yi Yun was overjoyed. He hadn't expected Li Ling to be so promising. His talent was beyond what could be described as genius; he was simply a prodigy!
Li Ling's cultivation speed was extremely fast from a young age. The barriers to breaking through realms seemed to not exist for him. He even broke through the Innate Realm, which troubled 99% of the martial arts world, at the age of fourteen.
He mastered the Heavenly Sword Ten Forms, which includes the first level of the Five Elements Intent, in just three years. Before he was seventeen, he stepped into the Innate True Essence Realm. Then he practiced the manor's supreme sword technique, the 'Famous Sword Eight Forms,' and now he is about to break through to the Innate Grandmaster Realm.
It should be noted that the Eight Forms of Famous Swords contain seven attributes: Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. It is extremely difficult for ordinary martial artists to comprehend the essence of even one attribute. Although the essence of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements can mutually enhance each other, it is unprecedented in the martial arts world for Li Ling's age over the past hundreds of years.
Li Ling is only twenty years old, and he's already about to reach the second level of understanding the seven realms of intent. How could this not be astonishing? Therefore, in Yi Yun's eyes, Li Ling is a gift from heaven to the Famous Sword Manor.
Of course, Yi Yun didn't know that Li Ling was a time traveler who came from another era and had his own cheat-like abilities.
The 'World Essence' generated in the universe within his sea of consciousness constantly enhances Li Ling's mental strength and physical body, making his mental state exceptionally clear. He achieves twice the result with half the effort in everything he does, and naturally, overcoming the challenges of martial arts training is no problem for him.
The only thing Li Ling lacks now is time. As long as he has enough time, he can steadily improve step by step. Perhaps with a chance enlightenment, he can reach the Innate Grandmaster realm, the third level of the Heaven and Earth Intent.
After sighing, Yi Yun smiled again and said, "Feng'er, you are almost twenty years old this year, and now that your martial arts have reached a high level, it is time for you to settle down and start a family. I wonder if you have a woman in mind?"
"This...Grandpa, isn't this too hasty?" Li Ling said with slight hesitation. He was not opposed to marriage. He had his own confidantes in several other worlds, and in this ancient world, he naturally had to follow the etiquette of continuing the family line.
Li Ling is now the young master of the Famous Sword Manor. In recent years, apart from establishing the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion", the Famous Sword Manor has kept a low profile and its reputation in the martial arts world is not as good as before. But no matter what, the young master of the Famous Sword Manor will not marry someone bad.
However, Li Ling did not want to marry someone he knew nothing about. As a modern person, Li Ling preferred free love. Moreover, he felt strange because, according to the plot, Yi Yun had never arranged a marriage for Yi Jifeng. How come things changed when it came to him?
In fact, he didn't know that although Yi Jifeng had received guidance from Mingjian Villa since childhood and his martial arts skills were outstanding among his peers, he was still lacking in skill. In order not to distract Yi Jifeng, Yi Yun naturally did not think about arranging a marriage for him.
But now Li Ling has transmigrated into Yi Jifeng's body. With the help of the cheat code, his cultivation speed is like riding a rocket. He broke through the acquired realm and entered the innate realm at the age of fourteen. Now he is about to enter the innate grandmaster realm.
Such cultivation is rare even among the older generation of martial arts masters. Back when Yi Yun was at the Innate Grandmaster level, he and the Shaolin monk were known as the two strongest masters of the righteous path in the world. Only the Carefree King could be called his opponent.
Therefore, in Yi Yun's eyes, now is the time to arrange a marriage for Li Ling. After all, Li Ling is currently the only son of the Famous Sword Manor. If the Famous Sword Manor wants to truly prosper, it needs to have more descendants. (The remaining text appears to be unrelated and likely refers to a different character or symbol.)
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Chapter 158 Snow Goose
Yi Yun assumed Li Ling's hesitation was due to his youth and shrewdness, and said, "Feng'er, you're already twenty years old, there's no rush."
"Moreover, once the candidate is chosen, the formalities of marriage and betrothal are still required. Even if the candidate is chosen now, by the time the actual marriage takes place next year, it will be too late."
"I've already picked out a few candidates for you. Tell Grandpa which one you like best!"
As he spoke, Yi Yun looked at Li Ling and, seeing that he still seemed a little hesitant, continued, "Don't be shy. Marriage is the natural order of things. I'm getting old, and I hope to see my great-grandson born before I close my eyes."
In ancient times, family succession was of paramount importance, and an heir was indispensable. A large and prosperous family was considered the greatest omens of a family's prosperity.
As a time traveler, Li Ling didn't care much about these things, but living in this ancient society, he had a deep understanding of them. However, he didn't want to be forced into an arranged marriage with a woman he had never met and didn't know.
So he chuckled and said, "Grandpa is in good health now, with profound martial arts skills. Living past a hundred years old is no problem. Seeing his great-grandson is easy enough..."
"Alright, stop making excuses here. Butler Zhang, go and bring me all the portraits I've prepared!"
Yi Yun sensed that Li Ling was trying to shirk responsibility, so he immediately cut him off and loudly instructed Butler Zhang outside the door.
"Yes, Master Zhang." The steward outside the door responded, and then the sound of footsteps walking away could be heard.
Seeing this situation, Li Ling could only smile bitterly to himself. Seeing Yi Yun like this, he simply couldn't refuse. He couldn't just impulsively run away from home to avoid the marriage.
A short while later, Steward Zhang knocked on the door and entered with a stack of portraits. Yi Yun then introduced them to Li Ling: this was Chief Zhao's daughter, that was Master Li's granddaughter, and in short, they were all daughters of famous families with considerable influence in the martial arts world. Moreover, judging from the portraits, they were all quite beautiful.
Li Ling, however, seemed somewhat distracted while looking at the portraits, until Yi Yun introduced a woman, at which point he suddenly became interested.
"This Miss Ling is the daughter of Ling Tianba, the chief镖头 (chief镖头) of the Zhenwei镖局 (Zhenwei Escort Agency). Ling Tianba founded the escort agency and his martial arts have advanced to the Innate Realm. Although he is only at the Innate True Qi Realm and has not yet comprehended the meaning of heaven and earth, it is still quite good. His escort agency has close ties with people in the martial arts world and has a considerable reputation in the martial arts world."
“Miss Ling has been taught martial arts by Chief Escort Ling since she was a child. Although she is only fifteen years old now, her martial arts skills are already quite strong. In addition, Miss Ling has been studying medicine since she was a child and is quite accomplished in medicine.”
Seeing that Li Ling finally seemed to care about a woman, Yi Yun was delighted and continued, "Although Zhenwei Escort Agency isn't a major power, when they travel around the martial world, all the heroes have to give Ling Tianba face. So, have you taken a fancy to Miss Ling?"
"What is this Miss Ling's name?" Li Ling couldn't help but ask, looking at the portrait and seeing that the woman in it bore a striking resemblance to a female celebrity he had seen in modern times, and noticing her somewhat familiar background.
"This Miss Ling's given name is Xueyan. Jifeng, have you taken a liking to her?" Yi Yun said, while looking at Li Ling's expression, waiting for his answer.