Red Heart Patrols the Sky

Chapter 1612: 10: Breaking the Long Willow

Chapter 1612: Chapter 10: Breaking the Long WillowJiang Wang wasn’t one to board just anyone’s carriage; the lesson from Li Youjue was not far behind.

But someone like Xiu Yuan, the Commander of the Prisoner Electric Army, was waiting for him openly outside the Long Life Palace, so nothing unsavory would happen, and there was nothing to worry about.

The carriage Xiu Yuan was riding in at this moment wasn’t the imperial chariot symbolizing the Imperial Dynasty.

It should be used for convenient outings, yet it still couldn’t be compared with the one rented by Jiang Mansion’s housekeeper.

The spaciousness, the softness of the seats, the grandeur of the decorations, goes without saying… The patterns on the carriage walls turned out to be natural wood grain! Like flowers and trees, like dragons and tigers, naturally mystical.

The wood itself was worth a fortune.

Jiang Wang stepped into the carriage as if stepping onto a cloud, light and effortless.

The coachman was evidently from a military background, with a stern demeanor and a spine as straight as iron. With just a light flick, the reins cracked crisply in the air, and the two entirely black, high-headed horses simultaneously lifted their hooves.

The sound of the hooves rising and falling was the same.

The carriage moved lightly, with not a hint of jolt inside the cabin.

Click!

The carriage door closed.

A soft light promptly lit up above the carriage compartment, not from any lamp but condensed by Array Pattern, clear but not glaring.

Master Jiang, being worldly, calmly took a seat opposite Xiu Yuan: “I wonder why Commander Xiu invited me to share this carriage?”

Xiu Yuan didn’t answer but instead asked, “Do you drink often?”

A partition quietly fell between Xiu Yuan and Jiang Wang, and a low table slowly rose. A silver pot and four upside-down silver wine cups were on the table.

There were two small dishes, one resembling peas but red in color, with a faint roasted aroma.

Another was a moon-shaped fruit; beneath the translucent skin, a silver sand-like center was faintly visible; in short, Jiang Wang couldn’t quite recognize them.

But he wasn’t in the carriage to sample the Nine Soldier Commander’s lifestyle.

Sitting upright and straightforwardly replied, “I don’t drink outside of banquets.”

“I’ve heard quite a bit about you, but today is our first meeting.” Xiu Yuan turned over the wine cups on the table, speaking in a flat tone: “Have a drink with me.”

As he spoke, he had already flipped over three wine cups, reaching for the wine pot again.

Jiang Wang quickly extended his hand: “Let me, your subordinate, do it.”

Xiu Yuan held the wine pot with one hand, slightly yielding: “A great man need not bother with those vulgar ceremonies.”

Jiang Wang had no choice but to settle back down.

Xiu Yuan leisurely poured the wine, casually asking, “Earlier in the hall, I saw you vaguely practicing the Eight Winds; are you cultivating the Dragon and Tiger?”

“Indeed I am.” Jiang Wang was somewhat surprised by the other’s attention to him and quickly explained: “I never intended to disrespect the Eleventh Prince, pondering Dao Techniques is just my habit.”

Xiu Yuan poured three drinks, and using the back of his index finger, pushed one of the wine cups in front of Jiang Wang. Softly, he said: “I’ve long heard that you, Jiang Qingyang, are neither arrogant nor impatient, diligent and hardworking, unlike ordinary people. Seeing you today, you’re truly exceptional.”

Jiang Wang humbly replied: “I am but a clumsy bird that takes off first, making up for dullness with diligence.”

Xiu Yuan shook his head: “There are many with a bit of cleverness in this world. How many possess great wisdom? If you’re a clumsy bird, there aren’t many who can fly.”

Jiang Wang said: “My small cleverness lies in working hard and being mindful. All achievements come from my own efforts.”

“That is great wisdom.” Xiu Yuan said: “Among the academies of the world, the top four are lauded. Longmen Academy emphasizes innate talent, Qingya Academy seeks natural spontaneity, Haoran Academy cultivates upright integrity, all representing the pinnacle of worldly knowledge. But the foremost academy remains Diligent Academy. Diligent Academy offers nothing else, only a prevailing atmosphere of diligent learning, hence unrivaled.”

Jiang Wang nodded earnestly: “I have learned.”

This overly humble Jiang Wang was completely unlike the one who wouldn’t stand for insult and boldly questioned the Son of Heaven to his face.

Xiu Yuan cast him a faint glance: “I haven’t taught you anything… Well, since you mentioned learning…”

His gaze steadied slightly.

Jiang Wang immediately felt a gentle stream of information like a fine drizzle, sprinkling onto his Spirit—it was none other than the cultivation insights on the Dao Technique “Dragon and Tiger,” along with some thoughts on cultivating this technique at the Outer Building stage.

“I happened to study it in my early years.” Xiu Yuan casually mentioned: “It’s no longer useful to me now, it’s fortunate I haven’t forgotten… I’ll pass it on to you.”

The world of Dao Techniques is vast as the sea, constantly renewing and rapidly evolving.

Even for a master of Techniques like Yi Xingchen, it would be impossible to just happen upon every Dao Technique.

Xiu Yuan was no exception.

So obviously, this Dao Technique of Dragon and Tiger was something he had only temporarily reviewed while waiting outside the palace gates. After a quick study, he passed it to Jiang Wang.

The understanding of a True Man of the Age on Dao Techniques almost instantaneously opened up a mental wall Jiang Wang had pondered over for many days to no avail, making him suddenly enlightened.

Jiang Wang was both surprised and delighted: “Commander Xiu’s gift is so generous, I truly don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

“No need to say much.” Xiu Yuan raised his chin slightly, quite nonchalantly: “Just toast with me.”

Jiang Wang straightforwardly raised his glass: “Allow me to down mine first as a mark of respect.”

Taking a sip, as the gentle, cool wine slid down his throat and into his stomach, it suddenly transformed into a fiery line, blazing all the way up to his throat. At that critical point, it burst like a cluster of fire sparks, “exploding” all over his body, leaving no place unsatisfied.

His Spirit was exceptionally lively, and his Path Origin was exceedingly vibrant.

This wine… could actually aid in cultivation, a true rarity!

Toasting in itself was a benefit gained. With the repeated encounters of good fortune, Jiang Wang was momentarily at a loss for words.