The Fusion of Qi and Form Into Skill

Not long after Qiu Zhong received the news, the scouts dispatched beyond the pass also reported back. Indeed, Youqiu troops had appeared a hundred miles away, but they had now withdrawn.

Qiu Zhong immediately transmitted this news to the Imperial City.

With the matters here concluded, Qi Beihang led Mu Xiangli toward the Imperial City. Originally, Mo Jun had also wished to accompany them, but she was desperately held back by her two attendants.

"Young Master, if you truly came to rid the people of evil by dealing with a few bandits, that would be fine. But now that such a major event has occurred, the Master and Madam will soon know. If you do not return by then, they will be worried to death."

Mo Jun: "It matters not. I shall write a letter, and one of you can take it back."

"Young Master, please spare us. Furthermore, we snuck out in secret this time without adequate preparation. It is better to return first."

"Indeed, let us return first so the Master and Madam can see you are safe. When the time comes and you express your desire to visit the Imperial City, they surely will not stop you."

With the two of them taking turns to persuade her, Mo Jun was finally convinced. "Very well, very well. I shall return, is that not enough?"

In the martial world, parting was merely a phrase: "Until we meet again."

Mu Xiangli did not know if they would ever meet again. Furthermore, being rather carefree, he put Mo Jun out of his mind the moment he turned around.

"Master, what layer of cultivation have you attained now?" Mu Xiangli was exceedingly curious.

Qi Beihang asked instead, "Did that Mo family girl tell you?"

"As expected, you also saw through her disguise as a woman. I was wondering who she could possibly deceive by dressing as a man."

"There are always those with poor eyesight. Furthermore, just because she cannot do it does not mean others cannot."

"True." Mu Xiangli nodded. Disguise and vocal mimicry could indeed be performed flawlessly by some; they were not to be underestimated.

With this thought, he suddenly realized he had been led off-topic. "Master, you still have not told me what layer of cultivation you are at now."

Qi Beihang still did not answer. "Why do you wish to know?"

Mu Xiangli said cheekily, "I must learn from Master, follow in your footsteps, and strive to surpass the master in the future."

"Speak the truth."

Mu Xiangli only then spoke: "So that I know how to treat others in the future. Do not misunderstand my meaning, Master. When meeting good people, there is naturally no need to consider such things. I am considering that if I encounter wicked people whose background and strength surpass yours, Master, I shall take a detour."

"And if they are inferior to me?"

"When encountering injustice, I shall let out a mighty shout!" Mu Xiangli even sang a line.

Qi Beihang fell silent.

Mu Xiangli drew closer. "Master?"

Only then did Qi Beihang speak: "I am old, my body is covered in rust, and I prefer quiet over movement."

Mu Xiangli was puzzled. "What does that mean?"

Qi Beihang: "If it were me during my time in the Palace Imperial Guard, I would have slapped you away long ago."

Mu Xiangli: "..."

Seeing that Qi Beihang refused to speak, he was in no hurry. Once they reached the Imperial City, he would find out sooner or later.

As he was pondering, Qi Beihang suddenly said, "Since you have opened your Qi Chamber, next I shall teach you how to circulate and refine Qi. However, your martial foundation is not yet solid enough. If you only focus on refining Qi, you will suffer in the future."

Mu Xiangli: "Rest assured, Master, I understand this principle."

Qi Beihang and Mu Xiangli were naturally unlike the messengers carrying urgent military dispatches. For military matters, the messengers rode the finest horses from the official stations, changing mounts at each station, galloping toward the Imperial City without a moment's pause.

On the second day after Gao Meng's death in battle, the memorial was presented to Crown Prince Jiang Tao.

In the grand hall, Jiang Tao's expression was extremely grim. "You all likely know of this matter. Youqiu's plan failed. Beyond the Hongshan Pass, Youqiu troops were indeed spotted, but they have now retreated. It can be said that the danger to Tan City and Hongshan Pass has been resolved, but the commander of Tan City, Gao Meng, has fallen in battle."

Silence reigned in the hall. Everyone was speculating on the Crown Prince's intention—did he wish to dispatch troops for revenge, or swallow his resentment?

Jiang Tao knew their thoughts. "Speak your minds; this palace shall not lay blame."

Only then did the ministers speak one after another.

"Your Highness, dispatch the troops. If we do not, Youqiu will deem us weak and easily bullied, and similar actions will surely occur repeatedly in the future."

"We must not dispatch troops. In the past years of continuous warfare, the common people suffered unspeakably. Now, many families have the elderly and the young but lack young men, an entire generation having perished. We have finally obtained a chance to recuperate. If we wage war now, it will bring only harm and no benefit to us."

"Your Highness, this subject also believes we should not wage war, but there are many ways to seek revenge. Since they killed one of our generals, we can find a way to kill one of theirs."

Hearing this, Jiang Tao suddenly slammed his hand heavily onto the throne, startling everyone into silence.

Jiang Tao said in a deep voice, "Kill one of their generals? How? You ministers heard that Tan City and Hongshan Pass are safe and likely breathed a sigh of relief. But have you considered that we resolved this move of the opponent in a daze? It can only be said that fortune favored us this once.

Youqiu has prepared for years, with countless spies slipping into Xiyu in groups without our knowledge. This palace dares to assert that if Deputy Commander Qi had not happened to be in the Southwest, Hongshan Pass and Tan City would surely have been lost."

Having spoken, Jiang Tao pondered for a moment. "I see in the memorial that Deputy Commander Qi is on his way to the Imperial City. Send men to receive him and bring him to meet me. Furthermore, you ministers shall return and contemplate how we may defend ourselves to prevent similar occurrences."

The ministers received their orders and withdrew.

...

Mu Xiangli was currently comprehending the circulation of Qi. Qi Beihang had promised to teach him martial skills once he understood the movement of Qi.

According to Qi Beihang, martial skills were the fusion of "Qi" and "form" through a certain method, creating "skill."

Learning another's martial skills was essentially learning their experience, acquiring the fruits they had accumulated, summarized, and created.

Martial skills naturally possessed different levels of strength. Mu Xiangli understood it in his own way: "Qi" and "form" were like numbers, while the method of fusion was akin to mathematical symbols.

For some, the method of fusing Qi and form was like addition, creating a martial skill of ordinary power, equivalent to white or green quality.

For others, the method of fusion was like multiplication, creating a powerful martial skill that astounded people, equivalent to purple or orange quality.

And for a few, the method of fusion was like exponentiation—super exponentiation—creating martial skills that could be passed down through the ages, equivalent to red quality. Such individuals looked down upon the world while alive, and even after death, the legacy they left behind could stir the winds and clouds of the realm.

Thus, Qi, form, and the method of fusion were all of paramount importance!

Having thought it through, Mu Xiangli was not overly excited. The principle was not difficult to understand, but creation was by no means easy. Having grown up under nine years of compulsory education, he knew well that learning must proceed step by step. Standing on the shoulders of giants was nothing to be ashamed of; it was a form of development, a necessary step before creation.

He resolved that in order to create his own martial skills in the future, he must learn and collect as much as possible!

With this thought, he could wait no longer. "Master, I have comprehended it! Teach me martial skills!"