Весенний дождь подобен вину, ивы — дыму

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Tan Huan paused, but did not turn around. "I'm just following the instructions my father taught me."

"That's it?" he asked, full of doubt.

Looking back with a look of ecstasy, she said, "Sometimes when I can't figure something out, I watch you practice, and then I understand."

Wu Qingfeng still didn't believe her. "That's all?" Such training could produce such skill? He had practiced since childhood and still might not have her current level of internal strength. Her father had only given her some casual guidance, and she had already achieved such results? Hmph, that's a joke. "Wu Tanhuan, you'd better tell the truth."

"What do you want me to confess?" Tan Huan slowly turned around. "I'm telling you the truth."

Is this brat getting increasingly stubborn? Wu Qingfeng chuckled. So she won't tell the truth? Fine, she won't. He doesn't care where she got her martial arts skills; he just wants to know how strong she is now. "Let's have a match."

What? Tan Huan doubted that he had heard correctly, and pointed to himself, "A contest? A contest with her?"

"You had the guts to slap me, but you don't have the guts to fight me?" Wu Qingfeng laughed. "If you beat me, I'll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, hmph, Wu Tanhuan, you'd better wait to be skinned alive!"

Tan Huan pondered the pros and cons for a moment. She was more than happy to compete with him, to defeat him fair and square, and see if this bastard would dare to mess with her again! However, if her father found out… Tan Huan hesitated, frowning, glancing at him once, then again, before looking away. She definitely wouldn't hold back when competing with this bastard, and if her father saw her with a bruised and swollen face, it would be troublesome… Sigh, what should she do?

Wu Qingfeng grew impatient. "Wu Tanhuan, I'm not asking for your opinion, I'm just reminding you." He threw a powerful punch, the force of which shook the air. Tanhuan dodged the attack.

"Good for you!" Wu Qingfeng laughed and threw another punch. "Alright! I knew I underestimated you before."

Tan Huan's movements were as fluid as flowing water, so smooth that not a single flaw could be found. She turned her head to dodge another attack, then leaped and flipped, her body lightly landing on a branch. The petals on the branch swayed gently, and Tan Huan's bangs obscured the light in her eyes. "Wu Qingfeng, you are skilled with a sword, why aren't you using it now?"

Wu Qingfeng laughed loudly, "You didn't use any weapons, wouldn't it be too unfair if I did?"

"You even understand the word 'fairness'?" Tan Huan asked in surprise.

Wu Qingfeng was so angry he gritted his teeth. "I'm afraid you'll accuse me of cheating if you lose."

Tan Huan nodded, understanding now. Suddenly realizing the implication, she frowned and asked, "You mean... I'll lose?"

Wu Qingfeng sneered, offering no explanation, and lunged forward, attacking with both fists and feet. If he couldn't even win a fight against a little girl, what would become of him?

Tan Huan fought back with all her might. To be honest, she had never fought anyone before since she started learning martial arts; she always practiced alone. Today's battle stirred up her usually tranquil mind, and she felt a surge of comfort in her body. At first, she was slightly at a disadvantage, after all, Wu Qingfeng had much more experience in martial arts than her, and she also had Wu Canyang's dedicated teaching.

But gradually, Tan Huan learned from the experience of the competition, learning as she fought, applying her knowledge flexibly. Her dark eyes shone brightly, brimming with an excitement she didn't usually display, and sweat beaded on her forehead, a testament to her exhilaration. At first, she didn't know which move to use, or what techniques to employ against Wu Qingfeng, but as the blows exchanged, her reactions became increasingly swift. Initially, she would take a few kicks and punches, but gradually, the attacks she received began to decrease.

Wu Qingfeng was greatly surprised. Although he was skilled with a sword and not particularly outstanding in hand-to-hand combat, he considered himself quite capable in unarmed combat. However, encountering Tan Huan had forced him to go all out. This little brat hadn't had anyone to teach her much; her father had only occasionally given her some pointers and taught her the techniques. Could she really have reached such a level on her own?

Wu Qingfeng initially intended to hold back, stopping short of causing serious injury. However, as the fight progressed, he struggled to control his strength, his competitive spirit growing ever stronger. In a moment of carelessness, he kicked Tan Huan with all his might, slamming her against the wall. Panting heavily, Wu Qingfeng wiped the sweat from his face, his expression a mixture of excitement and tension. He raised his chin, "Give up, huh?" That kick had been incredibly powerful; it must have broken one of her ribs.

Dust covered her beautiful face. She lifted her head, her pretty face filthy, but her eyes shone brighter than ever. She smiled, "Wu Qingfeng, it seems I underestimated you." She'd never thought he was so skilled when watching him practice martial arts, but after today's match, she realized he did have some ability. However, this bastard was good with a sword; if she couldn't beat him even without a weapon, then all her three years of training had been for nothing!

Wu Qingfeng was genuinely shocked. That kick hadn't even hit her? And she could still stand up? Were her bones not broken?

Tan Huan pressed her lower back; the kick had been incredibly powerful and was excruciatingly painful. However, she seemed alright, indicating that her internal energy had improved again. She smiled at him, noticing his surprised expression, "You're not going to give up, are you? I still have the strength." With that, she pushed off with her foot, her body leaping forward at lightning speed. Using her hand as a sword, she gathered her internal energy at her fingertips and slashed fiercely at Wu Qingfeng's neck.

The aura was too fierce, and Wu Qingfeng took a step back to dodge hastily. Blood was still drawn from his neck, but the wound was neither deep nor shallow.

Tan Huan used too much force and lost her balance, leaping directly onto the tree trunk. Undeterred, she pushed off with both feet, using the momentum to stab Wu Qingfeng again with her hand.

What kind of strange move is this? Wu Qingfeng took a step back. He had barely dodged the previous attack, but there was no way he could avoid this one. Was he really going to lose? Looking at Tan Huan's straight-forward thrusting hand, Wu Qingfeng even had the illusion of death.

Tan Huan's speed increased, and seeing Wu Qingfeng with his eyes closed, she smiled smugly, thinking that she would stop short of teaching him a lesson. Just then, a loud shout rang in her ears, "Wu Tan Huan, what are you doing?"

In a moment of panic, Tan Huan lost control of her attack. Her face turned deathly pale. Oh no, she couldn't stop herself. Would this kill Wu Qingfeng?

Wu Canyang witnessed this perilous scene as soon as he emerged. His first reaction was to rush forward, gather all his inner strength, and unleash a palm strike at Tan Huan. The palm strike was powerful and fierce.

Tan Huan had no time to dodge and was hit squarely on the shoulder. His body flew straight out and crashed into the wall, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Without even looking, Wu Canyang hurriedly helped his beloved son up, "Qingfeng, how are you? Are you alright?"

Wu Qingfeng opened his eyes and saw Tan Huan spitting blood and lying on the ground, dazed, saying, "I...I'm fine."

Wu Canyang nodded. "It's good that you're alright." He walked towards Tan Huan, who had just stood up when Wu Canyang immediately slapped him across the face. "You bastard! You wanted to kill your brother?"

Tan Huan lost his balance and fell to the ground again.

"Speak! What are you doing?"

He remained silent, indulging in pleasure, and had no intention of defending himself, since anything he said would be wrong anyway.

"Where did she learn her kung fu?" Wu Canyang trembled with fear at the thought of the martial arts she had just displayed. Was she taught by a renowned master? What a scourge she was! To learn martial arts from someone else, she had utterly disgraced the Wu family!

Tan Huan looked up and said calmly, "You taught me."

"Bullshit! What did I teach you?" Wu Canyang immediately concluded that she was lying. "I only taught you the formulas and gave you occasional guidance. You think you can learn this much? Do you think you're a genius?"

"Hmm." Tan Huan coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth again. "It's the incantation you taught me." He paused. "Besides, I've been watching you teach Wu Qingfeng martial arts, so I learned it just by watching."

Upon hearing this, Wu Canyang was startled. This child… He stared wide-eyed, still unable to believe it. “You taught yourself?”

Tan Huan wanted to nod, but he couldn't muster any strength and mumbled, "I'll learn a little myself and then watch you teach me a little."

Wu Canyang stood there dumbfounded, motionless for a long time. What was this? What was this? Was there really such a martial arts prodigy in the world? Was there really another Baili Liushang in this world?

Tan Huan struggled to get up, but after trying for a long time, she still couldn't stand up. Wu Canyang's palm strike had severely injured her meridians; this was the first time she had suffered such a serious injury since she started learning martial arts. Her body, which she had just managed to prop herself up, fell to the ground again.

If this child were allowed to continue her studies, and if he were to begin teaching her diligently from this day forward, perhaps the future leader of the martial arts world would emerge from the Wu family. Thinking this, Wu Canyang slowly shook his head, rejecting his own idea. He knew that the Wu family didn't treat this child well, and the child might not stay with the Wu family. Besides, the more extraordinary a person is, the more eccentric their personality tends to be. If this child became another Baili Liushang, then the Wu family would truly be finished.

This child cannot be allowed to inherit the Wu family business from Wu Tanhuan.

She was not born of the legitimate wife, and she was not a boy.

I've never heard of any martial arts family where a girl takes over the family. And if she really wins first place in the Lingfeng Sword Tournament, how will he explain the origin of this child to the martial arts world?

Wu Canyang admired her talent, but he also feared it.

Tan Huan sat on the ground, regulating her breathing. As the taste of blood in her mouth gradually faded, Tan Huan opened her eyes and instantly saw her father's cold gaze and the faint killing intent.

She paused, then instinctively shrank back.

"A clever child." Wu Canyang smiled bitterly. He had only just realized the danger she posed when she already sensed his murderous intent. Wu Canyang sighed deeply. He couldn't bear to kill this child, but he would never let her inherit the Wu family. Oh well, he'd just cripple her martial arts. At worst, he'd treat her better in the future.

Tan Huan's lips were already bleeding from biting them. To hide? No, she couldn't hide. She could only watch as Wu Canyang approached her step by step.

Wu Qingfeng also sensed something in his father's eyes. He stepped forward and stood in front of Wu Canyang, "Father, I was just sparring with Tan Huan. You may have misunderstood something."

Sigh, he actually spoke up for her? Has this bastard finally had a change of heart? Tan Huan smiled despairingly, but it was no use. Wu Canyang wouldn't kill her just because she hit Wu Qingfeng; she knew from the emotion in Wu Canyang's eyes that there was probably something wrong with her martial arts.

“You’re still a little reluctant to let me go,” Wu Canyang comforted me, “You can still live a happy life even without martial arts skills. Just bear with it and it will pass.”

So they wanted to cripple her martial arts. Tan Huan looked up, "Father, why do you want to cripple my martial arts?"

Wu Canyang said calmly, "Children don't need to know so much."

Tan Huan's gaze was icy cold, her piercing eyes gleaming with a chilling light. Why should she let herself be slaughtered? Moving her body only brought waves of excruciating pain. She strained, relaxed, strained again, relaxed again… Tan Huan smiled helplessly. She had trouble even standing up, let alone resisting. "Father, can I say one more word?"

"Speak." Wu Canyang was also struggling internally. He really couldn't bring himself to cripple a child's martial arts.

Tan Huan was still fighting desperately. "If you don't want me to learn martial arts, I can stop learning from now on." She really didn't want her martial arts skills to be crippled. She looked up at him earnestly. "Is that alright?"

Wu Canyang hesitated, stopped in his tracks, and asked softly, "Will you stop learning martial arts from now on?"

A glimmer of hope appeared in Tan Huan's eyes, and she nodded frantically, "Yes, I won't study anymore." No matter what, she agreed verbally first.

In that case… Wu Canyang thought to himself, this is also feasible. Let it go, after all, this child has his blood in her veins, let her go.

Tan Huan breathed a sigh of relief. Great, his martial arts skills were preserved.

"Why?" Wu Qingfeng's eyes widened. "Why won't you learn martial arts anymore?" He still couldn't understand what his father was thinking. His duel with Wu Tanhuan was between them, so why did his father have to interfere? "Dad, is it because I lost that you won't let Tanhuan learn martial arts?" If that was really the reason, it was too insulting to him. He, Wu Qingfeng, was not someone who couldn't accept defeat.

Wu Canyang rolled his eyes at him, "You lost to your own sister, and you still have the nerve to talk loudly?"

"That's because I didn't use a sword." After saying this, Wu Qingfeng also felt that this reason was too far-fetched, and his face turned slightly red. "Father, if you don't want Wu Tanhuan to stop learning martial arts because of me, then there's no need. Competition leads to progress. With Wu Tanhuan around, my martial arts skills might even improve."

Wu Canyang couldn't help but smile wryly. He had always thought that Wu Tanhuan and Wu Qingfeng didn't get along, but what was this? They were teaming up against him? "Qingfeng, don't meddle in other people's business. Go practice your own martial arts."

“How is this meddling?” Wu Qingfeng argued vehemently. “No matter what, she is still my sister.”

"Oh?" Tan Huan, who had been practicing her internal energy to heal herself, blinked in surprise. What was this guy saying? Don't use words she could understand to speak a language she couldn't.

"Now you're treating her like a younger sister?" Wu Canyang's silence on the children's affairs didn't mean he was unaware of their relationship. He mocked, "Qingfeng, if word gets out that you lost to Tanhuan today, how will you ever establish yourself in the martial world again?"

Wu Qingfeng's face flushed with shame, but he still tried to remain calm. "Losing is losing. Who in this world hasn't lost before?"

Wu Canyang sighed, not wanting to argue with a child, and turned to leave. "Tanhuan, rest well in your room. If you're too weak, don't come for dinner tonight. I'll send someone to bring you food."

Tan Huan responded softly. Her father had never considered how she would get back inside to rest. She couldn't even stand up. The expression on Tan Huan's face was more complicated than a child's; no one cared about her, just as she had always thought, she had never been treated as part of this family.

Wu Qingfeng glanced at her, then got up and followed Wu Canyang, "Father, you still haven't told me the reason..."

A light drizzle began to fall from the sky. Looking through the fine raindrops, and with Tan Huan feeling dizzy and lightheaded, everything before her seemed shrouded in mist. The cool raindrops on her cheeks made her suddenly realize that Wu Qingqiu was standing quietly in the corner, silently observing everything.

Tan Huan laughed happily, genuinely. Her eyes lit up like someone starving at a chicken leg. "Qing Qiu, can you help me back to my room?" That was wonderful; she'd thought she'd be standing in the rain.

Wu Qingqiu nodded, and contrary to her usual liveliness, silently helped her back to her room.

Tan Huan lay on the bed resting, her mind still pondering how to learn martial arts in the future. Hmm, secretly practice in her room? But her father wouldn't give her the incantations? No matter how smart she was, she couldn't learn it on her own. What to do? Should she really give up learning? Tan Huan had already tasted enough of the bitterness of insufficient strength today. She closed her eyes in distress, wondering which path she should take from now on.

When she woke up the next day, her worries had vanished, and Wu Canyang had actually agreed to teach her martial arts.

Tan Huan thought he was dreaming. He couldn't figure out why, so he simply stopped thinking about it and happily continued learning martial arts.

What she didn't know was that Wu Qingfeng knelt in front of Wu Canyang's door all night because of this.

Wu Qingfeng's plea for mercy wasn't out of brotherly affection; those words simply didn't exist in his mind. It was merely his pride that led him to lose to a girl younger than himself, and the fact that she had stopped learning martial arts because of him—it was all his fault.

Moreover, and more importantly, he wanted to prove that even if Wu Tanhuan learned martial arts, he would not be his match in the future.

However, year after year passed, and when Tan Huan turned twelve, Wu Qingfeng never fought her again. Four years could change so much; the difference in their strength was immediately apparent.

That spring was the time for the Lingfeng Sword Tournament. Of course, Tan Huan was not qualified to participate.

A month before the Lingfeng Sword Tournament, the Wu family encountered a troublesome matter. However, it wasn't entirely the Wu family's fault; at its core, it was Du Shuizhen's maternal family that had gotten into trouble. The Du family was a merchant family, and a renowned one at that; their wealth ranked among the top ten in the Central Plains.

Merchants held a low social status in the Central Plains. In an era that valued martial arts over commerce, Du Shuizhen might not have been qualified to marry into the Wu family had the Du family's business not been so renowned. However, the Du family inadvertently offended the Liao family. The Liao family itself was unremarkable; their martial arts traditions had fallen into disarray over generations, and the Liao family had declined, having no chance of competing with the Wu family.

However, Liao Le'e, the eldest daughter of the Liao family, happens to be the wife of Pei Gumo, the leader of the martial arts alliance.

So, things got complicated.

The heir to the Du family is their grandson, Du Suizhi, who is seventeen years old. Du Suizhi is excellent in every way. As the heir to a large merchant family, his business acumen is quite remarkable. The only flaw is his somewhat frivolous and womanizing personality. He is good at making money, but he is also good at spending it. I remember Old Master Du once angrily called him a spendthrift, to which Du Suizhi smiled nonchalantly and retorted with a cynical tone, "Grandpa, did you acquire your wealth today through frugality? If not, what's wrong with me wasting a little?" Old Master Du was speechless.

Du Suizhi was a regular at the brothels. He was a handsome and dashing young man who spent money like water. In addition, he was very gentle with women. Therefore, Du Suizhi's reputation in the brothels was comparable to Pei Gumo's status in the martial arts world.

The matter was quite simple, just a trivial affair between a man and a woman. Liao Yue'e's youngest brother, Liao Liang, took a liking to Yingluo, the top courtesan at Yihua Garden, and intended to seduce her. Unfortunately, Yingluo didn't reciprocate his feelings and flatly refused. Enraged, Liao Liang, feeling rejected by a mere prostitute, decided to force himself on her. Du Suizhi, a client of Yingluo, couldn't stand by and watch, so he paid someone to teach Liao Liang a lesson. A mere lesson would have sufficed, but to make matters worse, Liao Liang's martial arts skills were so poor that he ended up with a broken leg, becoming crippled. The situation was far from peaceful.

The Du family appealed to the Wu family for help, given Wu Canyang's considerable reputation in the martial arts world. Unable to bear seeing his beloved wife distressed, Wu Canyang planned to visit Pei Gumo and plead for her life. However, with the Lingfeng Martial Arts Tournament approaching, Wu Canyang was too busy and could only send Wu Qingfeng to Lingfeng to participate in the tournament himself.

After much deliberation, Wu Canyang finally decided to let Tan Huan accompany Wu Qingfeng to Lingfeng. Although Tan Huan wasn't qualified to participate in the competition, her martial arts skills were still slightly superior to Wu Qingfeng's. If the two went together, they could at least look out for each other. However, he knew that Tan Huan's relationship with the Wu family wasn't close, and he couldn't really count on Tan Huan and Wu Qingfeng helping each other.

Wu Canyang called Tan Huan over and said earnestly, "Tan Huan, you should go to the Lingfeng Sword Tournament with Qingfeng this time. Although you can't participate, it will be good for you to see and broaden your horizons."

Tan Huan nodded. Whatever you say.

“You were able to continue learning martial arts back then thanks to Qingfeng. Without him, you wouldn’t be where you are today. He knelt in front of my door all night, and I had no choice but to give in.” Wu Canyang tried to move her. “You are a sensible child. Even if you don’t like your brother, you should remember his kindness.”