Chapter 59: Now That's a Real Best Actor

After settling this matter, Ye Liuyun originally planned to have Xing'er boil some hot water so he could take a bath.

However, right at that moment.

"Oh, right!"

Sheng Lanzhi seemed to have recalled something, took out a book from her person, and walked gracefully over to Ye Liuyun.

"You've been away these past few days, and I had people collect quite a few martial arts manuals. This sword technique is of the highest quality among them."

"A sword technique?"

Ye Liuyun's interest was piqued.

It seemed that martial arts heroes in the pugilistic world were quite fond of using swords, as if it made them look a bit cooler, yet up until now, Ye Liuyun hadn't really learned any sword techniques.

Ye Liuyun did have some talent for swordplay, but the quality of that talent was not particularly high.

*Four Directions Sword Technique!*

Looking at the four large characters on the cover, Ye Liuyun opened the booklet and began to read.

Although his swordplay talent wasn't top-tier, relying on his transcendent comprehension, Ye Liuyun could immediately tell that this sword technique was of high quality, belonging securely to the upper-grade tier of sword arts.

"It’s quite a coincidence, really. Originally, this sword technique had caught someone else's eye, but it seems his money was stolen, so it conveniently fell into my hands instead."

As she said this, even Sheng Lanzhi found it somewhat incredible, for such a stroke of luck was truly a rare occurrence.

A coincidence?

Closing the manual, Ye Liuyun smiled without a word.

The effects of having destiny envelop one's body were even more exaggerated than he had imagined.

"Well done."

Ye Liuyun didn't say much else, merely offering Sheng Lanzhi a word of praise before instructing Xing'er to go boil some water.

***

There was no rush to practice martial arts; someone was treating him to drinks tonight, and practicing after he returned would not be too late.

Soaking in the wooden barrel,

Ye Liuyun closed his eyes in relaxation as a pair of small hands gently massaged his shoulders.

"The pressure today..."

Having been massaged by Xing'er so many times before, Ye Liuyun was long familiar with the exact pressure he preferred; why did it feel different today?

Just as he opened his eyes, he saw Sheng Lanzhi standing behind him, draped in light gauze with a faint smile on her face.

No wonder.

"My lord has been away for so many days in a row, so your body must certainly be fatigued. This time, let your concubine massage you."

Sheng Lanzhi spoke quite naturally, her gaze filled with deep affection.

Looking at Sheng Lanzhi like this,

Ye Liuyun simply smiled and did not refuse.

***

In the evening,

the place where Southern Pacification Commissioner Qi Yuanliang was hosting a welcoming banquet for Lei Zheng was none other than the Golden Pavilion.

Ye Liuyun had heard plenty about the Golden Pavilion, but if truth be told, this was his first time actually visiting.

As a renowned restaurant within the imperial city, the decor of the Golden Pavilion was remarkably luxurious. In some places, it was impossible to tell whether gold lacquer or genuine gold leaf had been used, making everything gleam resplendently.

Ye Liuyun had originally thought he was just coming along to tag along for a free meal.

To his surprise, the Southern Pacification Commissioner took the initiative to greet him the moment they met.

"This must be Centurion Ye Liuyun, am I right?"

Looking at the warmly smiling Southern Pacification Commissioner Qi Yuanliang approaching him, Ye Liuyun was slightly surprised, but he smiled back just as warmly.

"I am Ye Liuyun, paying my respects to Lord Pacification Commissioner."

"This isn't the Embroidered Uniform Guard; there's no need to be so formal."

Qi Yuanliang chuckled heartily and waved his hand, signaling that Ye Liuyun needn't stand on such ceremony.

The look in his eyes as he regarded Ye Liuyun was that of someone looking upon a promising young talent.

"I have heard some of Centurion Ye's exploits—enduring hardships and biding your time to avenge your elder brother. Such fortitude is truly something I greatly admire. Tell you what, if Centurion Ye encounters any trouble within the Embroidered Uniform Guard in the future, just come find me."

"Though my abilities are modest, whatever I, Qi Yuanliang, can help with, I will certainly help!"

No wonder everyone said the Southern Pacification Commissioner had the best interpersonal relations within the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

With such a posture, if he hadn't been able to see Qi Yuanliang's status tags, Ye Liuyun might have genuinely believed him.

Your tag shouldn't be "Smiling Tiger," it should probably be "Best Actor."

"Thank you for your high regard, Lord Pacification Commissioner. If I truly run into trouble, I certainly won't stand on ceremony."

Ye Liuyun was never one to be overly modest.

Regardless of whether these words were just superficial pleasantries or something else, he was definitely going to make use of this connection.

Qi Yuanliang hadn't expected Ye Liuyun to answer so directly.

Still, he didn't take it too seriously, merely chuckled, and upon seeing other guests arrive, turned to welcome them instead.

Ye Liuyun had originally thought

that Qi Yuanliang was hosting this welcoming banquet for Lei Zheng to probe for any information regarding this recent expedition.

To his surprise,

during the banquet, everyone basically just chatted about random trifles. Qi Yuanliang didn't mention a single word about whether Lei Zheng had managed to find any spirit artifacts on his trip, and the atmosphere remained uproariously lively.

Ye Liuyun couldn't help but glance at Qi Yuanliang a couple more times.

After the banquet, Ye Liuyun left in the company of Si Nan and Shi Sheng.

"I wonder when our lord will become a Pacification Commissioner so we can be just as imposing."

On the way back,

Si Nan couldn't help letting out a sigh. Only by standing at higher positions could one truly understand the importance of power.

Thinking of the scene at the banquet where so many people fawned over the Pacification Commissioner, Si Nan felt a wave of yearning.

"Instead of wasting time on that, you'd better practice your martial arts more. Don't let the day come when our lord actually gets promoted, only for your strength to still be lower than your subordinates. That would truly be humiliating."

After such a long time,

Shi Sheng and Si Nan had grown quite accustomed to each other, but regarding Si Nan's lackluster martial strength, Shi Sheng often felt exasperated by his lack of ambition.

"Don't make me curse you when I'm in the happiest mood."

Hearing such a mood-killing remark from Shi Sheng,

Si Nan glared back irritably.

"Pfft!"

Shi Sheng rolled his eyes with total indifference. Curse me? If you have the ability, try beating me in a fight—provided you actually have the strength for it, that is.

***

At night,

upon returning to the estate, Ye Liuyun didn't rush to rest.

Since he wasn't particularly drunk, while the momentum was still fresh, Ye Liuyun picked up a treasured sword resting on the weapon rack in the courtyard, and following the Four Directions Sword Technique engraved in his memory, began to swing it.

The sword swept through a four-foot radius around his body, trapping the opponent within four distinct directions with agile and fluid moves.

After executing a few sets of movements, Ye Liuyun understood the core essence of the Four Directions Sword Technique: it was a sword art supremely suited for group combat. When fighting heavily outnumbered, the power of the Four Directions Sword Technique would be unleashed to its absolute maximum.

Although Ye Liuyun's swordplay talent was only of cyan quality,

he was backed by his purple-quality transcendent comprehension, coupled with various enhancement-type status tags.

In merely half an hour, he successfully cultivated this sword technique to the minor accomplishment stage.

However, he knew that reaching major accomplishment or even perfection would still require a bit of time.

"Not bad!"

Just as Ye Liuyun stopped his practice and regulated his breathing,

a familiar voice drifted over from beyond the courtyard wall.

Looking up, he saw Lü Lan, draped in the same light gauze and possessing a nimble figure.

In truth, Lü Lan had arrived long ago, but seeing that Ye Liuyun was in the middle of practicing, she hadn't disturbed him and had simply watched for a while.

As an expert in swordsmanship herself,

Lü Lan could clearly see how Ye Liuyun had managed to take a decent-quality sword technique from absolute beginner to minor accomplishment in such a short span of time.

With such innate talent, he truly lived up to being a person with the Pure Yang Physique.