Upon emerging, Yi Xingchen declared, “Any issues with your techniques can be raised.”

Though Jiang Wang was aware of the other’s identity, a sliver of doubt lingered. A True Person might not necessarily possess mastery over every art. Leaving aside Count Zhao Nan and Heavy Xuan Zun, even he himself had delved into a myriad of techniques, a jumbled assortment spanning various styles. Could Yi Xingchen truly comprehend them all?

The truth proved him wrong. The breadth and complexity of this Court Discussion Official’s knowledge were simply staggering, almost monstrous. It encompassed nearly everything, like an abyss or the vast sea. Facing him, Jiang Wang felt as though he were standing before a living, breathing compendium of techniques. What set this Court Discussion Official apart from a mere library, however, was his profound understanding and insights. Every word he spoke struck home, deeply enlightening those who heard him.

Aside from immortal arts and the Like Dream Order, which remained confidential, Jiang Wang meticulously sought counsel on all his techniques, including the Divine Soul Hidden Snake, the Eight Sounds Burning Sea, and even the recently acquired Dry Yang Pupil. Yi Xingchen’s role was to guide, not to accept disciples. Imparting exclusive techniques was out of the question, but assisting Jiang Wang in organizing his technique system and pinpointing flaws in his foundational concepts was well within his purview. This in itself was an immeasurable aid.

Three days passed in a flash… too quickly, in fact. Jiang Wang, like a parched traveler finally finding water, ravenously absorbed the knowledge, feeling that there were still myriad areas requiring attention. In a blink, Count Zhao Nan and Heavy Xuan Zun materialized before him. High upon the general’s platform, they once again stood facing each other. From their expressions of yearning, it was clear each had gleaned significant benefits.

Heavy Xuan Zun, of course, had previously undertaken advanced studies within the Ji Xia Academy, but every instructor’s cultivation, realm, perspective, and even teaching ability differed. Count Zhao Nan’s master was undoubtedly formidable, yet the Military God himself, burdened with the weight of countless daily affairs, could not possibly scrutinize every nuance of his techniques. And Yi Xingchen’s grasp of techniques, perhaps within the entirety of Qi Country, could be ranked among the foremost. The Hall of Political Affairs’ decision to have him provide guidance was naturally well-founded.

However, the one who reaped the greatest rewards was undoubtedly Jiang Wang. His foundation was the least stable, his questions the most numerous, and he possessed the fewest opportunities to be instructed by a contemporary True Person in such a manner. Indeed, during the simultaneous guidance across three distinct points, Yi Xingchen had genuinely devoted the most effort to him. Of course, this was a matter not to be divulged to outsiders.

“Alright, the three days have passed. For the remaining lessons, a different individual will instruct you.” With a flourish of his sleeve, Yi Xingchen turned and departed with elegant grace. He truly wasted not a single moment. As a Court Discussion Official, he was privy to countless state affairs daily. To be able to specifically allocate three days to instruct them was indeed a rare and valuable gesture.

Subsequently ascending the general’s platform was a kindly, stout old man.

“Uncle-Father!”

“Great Commander!”

“Marquis!”

Three voices called out almost simultaneously. The newcomer was none other than the Autumn Kill Army Commander from the Hall of Military Affairs, Heavy Xuan Chu Liang! The one also known as the Fierce Butcher. The address of “Uncle-Father” naturally came from Heavy Xuan Zun. During the Qi Yang War, Jiang Wang had fought under his command, and now finding himself on the general’s platform with him once more, he respectfully called him “Great Commander.” Count Zhao Nan’s relationship was comparatively more distant than the other two, and thus he merely used his title.

Hailing from the military, Heavy Xuan Chu Liang’s style was far more direct and efficient. A light sweep of his gaze served as his acknowledgement, then he opened his mouth: “Today I have come to teach you but one thing.” He smiled, his eyes squinting, and declared: “To kill.”

Though his smile was so amiable, his face so kind, at the utterance of those two final words, the three national prodigies suddenly felt the charge of golden spears and iron horses, as if beholding a landscape painted in blood, a veritable mountain of corpses and a sea of gore!

Heavy Xuan Chu Liang, with his Divine Abode peak cultivation, had come to impart this lesson to the three national prodigies precisely because, in the matter of “killing,” the Fierce Butcher was the absolute expert! Compared to any Court Discussion Official within the Hall of Political Affairs, or any of the Nine Soldiers Commanders within the Hall of Military Affairs, he knew more about killing. Even if he was only at the Divine Abode realm, his realm, upon reflection, seemed to be the same as Count Zhao Nan’s! His title, the “Foremost Divine Abode of the Eastern Domain”… was carved in blood.

“How does one teach killing? A thousand words are worth less than killing a single person!” Heavy Xuan Chu Liang stepped forward, his voice not loud, but profoundly heavy, a weight that settled upon the heart, crushing the breath from one’s lungs. A feeling of dripping blood, inexplicable and silent, seemed to settle over their eyes.

Taking himself as an example, Jiang Wang was acutely aware of his position, his objectives. Yet, facing Heavy Xuan Chu Liang, a violent killing intent abruptly surged forth. He knew this was what Heavy Xuan Chu Liang desired, and so he did not suppress this urge. Thus, at this very moment, he ardently wished to slay this man!

A figure moved, a longsword already unsheathed! One sword, the famous scholar fallen. Ten years fallen, with death to stir enmity! Before this, he had already heard the whistling of wind, that figure, white clothes as pure as snow, had不知何时 seized the Day Wheel, bringing it crashing down upon Heavy Xuan Chu Liang’s head! And at the same moment, from the corner of his eye, he caught a glint of cold light – the sudden thrust of the Shao Hua spear.

The three national prodigies, simultaneously, their killing intent ignited, launched their assault upon Heavy Xuan Chu Liang. These three were none of them weak. But strength and weakness, from the beginning, were relative concepts.

Heavy Xuan Chu Liang continued speaking, his demeanor composed: “You are all prodigies, and you have all experienced countless battles, big and small. Presumably, you all feel that killing is very simple.” He raised a palm, directly flipping the Day Wheel over.

“You have all fought your way thus far, presumably also believing yourselves to have done your utmost within your capabilities. But! What is ‘utmost’?” He drew his palm back, actually on the spot wiping away the horizontal line that Jiang Wang had just cleaved. As if wiping away a mark drawn in sand, he effortlessly erased it.

“Is it to unleash the strongest killing force?”

“Is it to swing the most threatening strike?”

“All that you have done, all that you pursue, the ‘utmost within your capabilities.’ Is it truly the most effective way to kill your opponent?” He backhanded a palm, deflecting Count Zhao Nan’s Shao Hua spear. “Retrieve your spear, there is no need for such force when killing!”

He took another step forward, already standing face-to-face with Heavy Xuan Zun. With one hand, he seized the Day Wheel, pressing his hand and striking him back in the chest! “Are you swinging a sledgehammer? Killing is not forging iron!”

Turning again, he delivered a direct palm strike. Jiang Wang, who had just arrived by stepping upon the green cloud, had his entire longsword nearly slapped away. “I find it difficult to imagine that young people nowadays actually call this swordsmanship!”

He stepped back, merging with a shoulder collision, directly impacting Count Zhao Nan’s spear momentum, sending the entire man flying: “An inch longer, an inch stronger, you cannot protect your strength, you are simply an inch weaker than an inch!”

To be honest, initially, Count Zhao Nan felt some dissatisfaction and unwillingness. They were both in the Divine Abode realm. He was a rising star of the younger generation, a national prodigy, also having carved his path through a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood. Even if you were stronger than me, how much stronger could you truly be? I respect your status, position, and war record. But is it appropriate for you to come here and teach me as if I were a three-year-old child?

But after exchanging blows… he truly could not remain unwilling. What was truly admirable about Heavy Xuan Chu Liang was not that he effortlessly suppressed the three of them with overwhelming force. It was that when facing each person, he displayed only a force level equal to their own. The three currently being “beaten” were all national prodigies, and they could fully sense that everything Heavy Xuan Chu Liang did was absolutely achievable at their current level of strength. In other words, this was an absolute crushing in terms of combat skill!