RNP Chapter 41 He still has to thank us.
Chapter 41 He still has to thank us.
"Young master, something has happened."
After leaving the prison, Xu Qingya intended to report the situation to Liu Qingci, but found Qin Nanqin waiting outside. Upon seeing Xu Qingya come out, she immediately took the initiative to greet him.
"Six and a Half Hall or Golden Breeze and Drizzle Pavilion?"
"Six and a Half Hall has arranged to meet Miss in Chuhe in four days to discuss cooperation. At that time, they will definitely take action. According to Six and a Half Hall's usual practice, it will most likely be Lei Dongtian."
"What martial arts is Lei Dongtian skilled in?"
"Fist techniques, palm techniques, sword techniques—he and Lei Sun are outliers in the Lei family… How to describe it? If the Lei family were a cult, they would be heretics!"
"Damage from lightning? Surely not?"
As they walked and talked, Xu Qingya's impression of Lei Sun was limited to his missing finger, bald head, backstabbing, and unrequited love. He didn't know much else about him.
"This involves the Lei family's century-old ancestral precepts. One hundred and fifty years ago, the Lei family's family martial arts were swords and sabers, and their status in the martial arts world was somewhat stronger than that of the Peng family's Five Tigers' Broken Gate Saber."
The ancestors of the Lei family believed that there were too many masters of swordsmanship in the martial arts world, and no matter how much they studied martial arts, they could not possibly gain a place in the martial arts world.
So they decided to lay down their swords and focus on studying firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Outsiders laughed at them, thinking that the Lei family had ruined itself and would surely perish after three generations.
Unexpectedly, the Lei family possessed an innate talent for firearms, developing many powerful firearms and integrating them into their martial arts.
In addition, they incorporated their life's skills into finger techniques, creating a unique style called "Amazing Finger Techniques," achieving a level of mastery comparable to the Duan family of Dali.
This is the history of the Lei family of the Thunderbolt Hall.
Decades ago, Lei Zhenlei, the strongest expert of the Lei family, went to the capital to establish the Six and a Half Hall. He had two powerful henchmen under his command: Lei Sun and Lei Zhenyu.
After years of lying low and growing powerful, Lei Sun first used a treacherous scheme to sow discord between Lei Zhenlei and Lei Zhenyu, and then betrayed Lei Zhenlei's whereabouts during the battle with the Mitian Alliance.
The Lei family disciples who were loyal to Lei Zhenlei were either transferred far away by Lei Zhenlei or killed by Guan Qi.
Lei Zhenlei fought desperately to break through the encirclement and returned to the capital with his remaining troops. Lei Sun had already set up a deadly trap with his elite subordinates and wiped out Lei Zhenlei in one battle.
Lei Sun replaced Lei Zhenlei as the head of the main hall and carried out sweeping reforms. He not only made good use of his own disciples but also recruited talents from other clans. He also overruled objections and appointed Di Feijing as the head of the main hall, establishing ten golden rules.
From then on, the Six and a Half Hall flourished, its power rapidly increasing. Those who were originally dissatisfied with Lei Sun and harbored resentment towards him all shut their mouths!
This history is not exactly a secret.
Lei Sun went too far back then, his methods were too cruel, and it was impossible to hide it. He simply let the rumors spread in teahouses and taverns, and hired storytellers to fabricate stories, making it difficult for people to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
Qin Nanqin continued, "The Lei family disciples mainly use firearms, finger techniques, fist techniques, and palm techniques. Some people also like unusual weapons such as meteor hammers. However, there are two things they cannot touch: knife techniques and sword techniques."
Lei Sun and Lei Dongtian are heretics within the Lei family.
Lei Sun's signature move is the "Unyielding Demon Blade".
Lei Dongtian appears to only know palm and finger techniques, but he is actually skilled in swordsmanship and is half a successor of Lei Sun.
The third master, Lei Mei, practices swordsmanship, but she specializes in sword qi and is known as the "Swordless Divine Swordsman".
Lei Mei is Lei Zhenlei's daughter and Lei Sun's lover. Rumor has it that Lei Sun was able to accurately scheme against Lei Zhenlei because Lei Mei tipped him off.
As Miss said, the most unassuming leader of the Six and a Half Hall is Lei Mei. Even Lei Sun and Di Feijing can only see the layers of masks that Lei Mei wears.
The stewards Lei Hen, Lei Gun, Lei Jiao, Lei Yu, Lei Ru, Lei You, Lei Lei, Lei Tong, Lei Yuqiu, Lei Wuwang, and others are only fit to be the young master's practice targets.
As the secretary of the largest intelligence broker in the capital, Qin Nanqin had an excellent understanding of all the forces in the capital and could tell you in detail about the Six and a Half Hall's open, covert, hidden, and even secret cards lying in their coffins.
This is not an exaggeration.
The Six and a Half Hall's strongest trump card is in its coffin, and so is the Golden Wind and Drizzle Pavilion's. The two fought for a lifetime, turning from sworn enemies into life-and-death partners, and can only maintain their lives by hiding in their coffins.
The prophetic advantage of time travelers is not invincible. The Jin, Gu, and Liang schools are almost invincible, but they can only admit defeat when faced with Wen Ruian's "extra bombardment". Who can remember so many random extras?
The Power Gang has enough names and figures to fill a novel by Jin Yong, two novellas by Gu Long, and a series by Liang Yusheng. It would be a miracle if anyone could remember them all.
The Lei family of the Thunderbolt Hall and the Tang Clan of Sichuan are nightmares among nightmares. They appear like a menu of flashy masters, each with strange and bizarre abilities, making it easy for someone to be caught off guard and lose their life.
"Intelligence" is very important.
Especially in the chaotic world of "Wuxia," with its complex historical background and interpersonal relationships, having a gentle and considerate secretary like Qin Nanqin ensures peace of mind when doing things.
Can I poach Qin Nanqin from here?
Will Yang Yan be angry?
The two went to Tingxuelou to gather intelligence, discussing the appearances, martial arts skills, and trump cards of all the hall masters of Liufenbantang. By the time they finished discussing, it was getting late, and Xu Qingya went home to rest and recuperate.
As soon as I arrived at my doorstep, I smelled the aroma of food.
Beitang Xin'er has already prepared dinner.
"Senior brother, the food is ready, let's eat!"
"Junior sister's cooking is pretty good!"
"I don't have much talent for martial arts, so I can only learn needlework and cooking skills to avoid being looked down upon and not being able to get married."
"With Xin'er's looks, talent, and personality, she's more than qualified to be an empress, let alone get married."
"I remember the emperor was a woman! If the emperor needed an empress, it should be my senior brother!"
"You little brat, you're asking for it!"
"I'm not small~~ I'm really not small~~ I secretly tested it, and I'm two sizes bigger than Qin Nanqin."
"Uh... Junior sister, you have a good eye!"
"Hmph! I'm very powerful!"
Beitang Xin'er helped Xu Qingya take off his outer clothes and put on a loose and comfortable bathrobe. Beitang Xin'er looked as beautiful as a woman from Jiangnan, but in reality, she grew up in the Western Regions. She made lamb chop rice and two Sichuan dishes.
One dish of boiled sliced pork, and one dish of Mapo tofu.
Beitang Xin'er smiled and said, "Senior brother, the chef who taught me to cook is a Sichuanese chef. I've learned a lot of Sichuan cuisine. I've heard that there's a strange beast in Sichuan called the Iron-Eating Beast. It's black and white with distinct markings, and it's incredibly strong. It was Chi You's mount during the Battle of Zhuolu. I definitely want to see it sometime!"
Xu Qingya ate a piece of tofu and praised, "The tofu is so tender and smooth, so spicy and numbing, with an unforgettable aftertaste! Junior Sister's cooking is superb, no less than Juxialou's!"
"Which restaurant is Juxialou?"
"Chef Chen Bangling of Juxialou, the best restaurant in Sichuan, is hailed as the number one Sichuan cuisine chef in the world. Even the imperial chefs are humbled by Chef Chen!"
"I remember the imperial chef's surname was Zhuge. After the late emperor passed away, he resigned from his position as head chef of the imperial kitchen and traveled all over the country to find a successor. I wonder if he has found one yet."
"Zhuge Kongfang, the Imperial Chef, was a favorite of the late Emperor, but the Empress may not..."
"What kind of cuisine does my senior brother like?"
"Dumplings, my senior apprentice taught me a very special kind of steamed dumpling called 'Spare Rib Steamed Dumplings'."
First, cut the spare ribs into one-inch pieces, then marinate them with scallions, ginger, and cooking wine for an hour and a half to let the ribs absorb the flavor. Finally, use the marinated spare rib pieces to make dumplings. These dumplings cannot be boiled; they must be steamed.
When arranging steamed dumplings in a steamer, they are usually grouped into sets of five, separated by bok choy. Once the dumplings are cooked, the bok choy also becomes a delicious dish, served with a special dipping sauce that is both refreshing and helps to cut through the richness of the filling…
"Is Senior Brother ordering food?"
"Is it possible that Xin'er can't do it?"
What's the reward for completing it?
"How about this?"
Xu Qingya reached out and gently patted Beitang Xin'er's head, giving her a sweet head pat. Beitang Xin'er, like a kitten, squinted her eyes comfortably, rubbed against him, and sat back down contentedly.
"I'll make you steamed pork rib dumplings tomorrow."
"It wasn't me, it was us. The imperial court agreed to release Senior Dongfang on the condition that he become a palace guard. The Four Directions Gate is originally for guarding, so this can be considered a return to their old profession. Xin'er, what do you think?"
Will Master Dongfang agree?
"I have persuaded him. To express his gratitude to me, my senior uncle Dongfang passed on the 'East Wind Mystic Skill' to me. In another half month, Qingci Society will establish the Dragon Guard Manor, and my senior uncle will be the captain of the manor's guards."
"What kind of guard captain? He's just a gatekeeper for the Queen! All he does is drink tea and play chess every day. In three to five years, he'll be a bald old man!"
"The Emperor has ordered Qingci to train the Dragon Protector Clan. Master Dongfang can serve as their instructor, receiving two salaries: one for the Imperial Guard and one for the Imperial Army Instructor!"
"And then what? What about the Four Directions Gate?"
"Why don't you all come and join us? Aunt Ximen and Uncle Nangong are nowhere to be found, but your father… given Uncle Beitang's personality, surely he wants an official position?"
"What's so good about being an official?"
"With Master Beitang serving as a palace guard in the capital, and the Sifangmen Gate being moved from the Western Regions to the capital, Xin'er can stay in the capital indefinitely. Isn't that a good thing?"
"I'll write to my father right away!"
Beitang Xin'er slammed her hand on the table and stood up, her gaze resolute!
My dad is determined to get this official position!
The next morning, Dongfang Qingmu left the prison and went to Liu Qingci's residence for an "interview." The so-called interview was just a formality. Dongfang Qingmu's martial arts skills were excellent, and his appearance was outstanding, making him very suitable to be the face of the family.
Standing together, Dongfang Qingmu, Ximen Ruoshui, Beitang Mo, and Nangong Lie could be easily identified as the leader just by looking at their appearances. Dongfang Qingmu's demeanor was naturally suited to be the leader; his eyebrows and eyes were too domineering.
Not only did he leave the prison alive, but he was also appointed as a fifth-rank bodyguard and an instructor of the Imperial Guards. Dongfang Qingmu was very satisfied with this, but the next second he was stunned.
His official position is... a commander without any real power!
He needs to recruit talented people himself.
Soldiers need to be trained by themselves.
Instead of drinking tea, playing chess, or walking birds, there are countless tasks. Fortunately, the imperial court provides five hundred elite imperial guards, all of whom are veterans who have been on the battlefield. With just a little training, they can quickly become combat-ready.
The Four Directions Sect excels at this.
Especially skilled in... formations!
A coordinated attack from all four sides, with both ends working in tandem, will encircle and annihilate them.
"Guardians" are not martial artists; one-on-one combat is their least important attribute. They excel at encirclement and use overwhelming numbers to defeat enemies ten or a hundred times stronger than themselves, a tactic known as: "Many ants can kill an elephant."
Liu Qingci and Xu Qingya were drinking in the garden.
Not far away, on the training ground, Dongfang Qingmu, fully armored and with a sword at his waist, was training with great enthusiasm.
Looking at the leisurely Xu Qingya, Dongfang Qingmu had ample reason to suspect that these jobs originally belonged to Xu Qingya, and that he was a conscript who had been dragged into the labor force!
You framed me, slept with my niece, and now you expect me to thank you? You're truly a disciple of a master conman!
They've truly surpassed their teachers!