With the newfound clarity in his heart, Er Niu wielded the stick like a sword, less fierce but more gentle.
The continuous stream gathered, withered leaves flying wildly in the fierce wind, and then like raging river waves, surged with monstrous waves.
When the final sword stroke fell, waves surged between heaven and earth, and a dazzling water mark settled on Er Niu's forehead.
Thus, the long-standing puzzle of the Surging Wave Sword Technique for Er Niu was completely resolved with his life imprint.
"Wow, Brother Er Niu is even more impressive than me, his imprint is far brighter than mine."
Su Changqing said, somewhat frustrated.
Hearing this, Er Niu's mouth twitched slightly, not knowing what to say.
Of course, his sword technique imprint would be brighter, that's due to the Heart Technique, a complete manual, and cultivation, hence the result.
But Su Changqing's imprint... was forged through sheer hard practice, far more valuable than his.
Don't be fooled by them both being able to form the Sword Seal; as for comprehension of the Surging Wave Sword Technique, Su Changqing far surpassed him.
"Changqing..."
Er Niu patted Su Changqing's shoulder, sighed and said, "You'll realize how incredible you are in the future."
Su Changqing smiled but didn't take Er Niu's comforting words to heart.
Seeing the sky brighten, he said,
"Alright, we've gathered enough herbs, you've learned the sword technique, it's time to go back and brew the medicine, otherwise, we might be late for class."
Er Niu nodded, with a smile on his face as well.
Today was a big gain for him; not only had he mastered the sword technique, more importantly...
He realized just how formidable the person he would follow in the future truly is!
...
Returning to Cyan Mountain Village.
Su Changqing hurriedly set up the pot, allocated the ratio of herbs, and started brewing the medicine.
He glanced at the sky, which was about to brighten, and said to Er Niu beside him,
"Brother Er Niu, you watch the medicine boil, don't let the fire be too strong, in two hours it will be ready, remember to let Uncle Wen Lin drink the medicine."
"I have to hurry, otherwise I'll be late for school."
After speaking, without waiting for Er Niu to respond, Su Changqing jogged away.
"Drink medicine?"
Watching Su Changqing's departing figure, Er Niu shook his head with a wry smile.
Even if the Pill Saint made this medicine, it couldn't cure his father's illness.
"You brat, the Young Master has left, aren't you hurrying back to practice sword!"
While Er Niu was brewing medicine, Su Wenlin's shout came from the next courtyard.
Er Niu glanced over, unaffected and lazily propped up his legs.
"You little brat, you've grown some guts, haven't you!"
Seeing this, Su Wenlin got furious, directly climbed over the courtyard wall and strode towards Er Niu.
But just as he extended his hand to grab Er Niu's ear, a brilliant imprint appeared between them.
"Who are you calling a little brat?"
Er Niu raised an eyebrow, half-smiling, and pointed at the Sword Seal with his mouth,
"Look, I've mastered it, is there any reward?"
Su Wenlin was stunned, looking at the Sword Seal in front of him, a bit unresponsive.
He knew his son's aptitude wasn't weak, but this morning Er Niu was still some distance from condensing the Sword Seal, how in just over an hour had the sword technique been mastered?
"Did the Patriarch advise you?"
Su Wenlin glanced into the house and quietly asked.
"Heh, you don't need to worry about that, anyway, I've mastered it."
Er Niu said proudly, casually throwing a stick into the stove.
"This rascal has wisened up..."
Su Wenlin secretly nodded in his heart, even with his critical eyes, he couldn't find a single fault.
However, looking at the cocky kid in front of him, he was still gritting his teeth with anger,
"What's there to be proud of? Isn't it still thanks to your father's instruction?"
Er Niu's face darkened at these words, "Alright, don't bring up your instruction anymore."
The Young Master only practiced the sword for two days, yet could already see his flaws.
His father... besides beating him, offered no help at all.
"I'm leaving in a few days, you better not slack off on your practice."
Su Wenlin glared and then tossed Er Niu a new sword technique manual,
"You're about to break through to the fourth realm, practice this one well!"
Er Niu was taken aback, he took out the manual from his arms and upon seeing it, was shocked.
"Celestial Tier Middle Grade, Star Shining Sword Technique?"
"Dad, did you sell your Azure Dragon Spear? Took on such a big deal?"
In the world of secret techniques, four ranks and twelve grades, each grade a world apart.
Don't be fooled by the Celestial Tier Middle Grade Starlight Sword, it's just one grade higher than the Surging Wave Sword, but there's a huge difference between the two.
Meanwhile, the price of Celestial Tier techniques is outrageously high, a single grade difference, and the price can be several times more expensive.
"I'm not selling that damn spear, this little bit of money won't stump me."
Even so, there was still a hint of pain on Su Wenlin's face.
Immediately, he looked at Brother Er Niu and said:
"You know this is precious. In two years, I don't expect you to master your innate skill, but at least become proficient in it, or I'll break your legs!"
Brother Er Niu immediately showed a bitter expression. Everyone is leaving, and he's leaving homework?
This Celestial Tier middle-grade secret technique is tough to master, especially without a teacher...
"Huh?"
Thinking of this, Brother Er Niu's eyes suddenly lit up. Indeed, there's no swordsmanship teacher in Cyan Mountain Village, but we have the Young Master.
With the Young Master's skills, he should be able to help him achieve mastery in sword techniques within two years, right?
"What are you up to, kid?"
Just as Brother Er Niu was contemplating inwardly, Su Wenlin looked over at the stove emitting a strange smell with some confusion.
"Heh, brewing medicine for you." Brother Er Niu chuckled.
"Brewing medicine for me?" Su Wenlin was momentarily stunned.
"Yeah, didn't you catch a cold? Quite a few villagers are coughing too."
"The Young Master was worried about you all, so he specially asked the Pill Saint for a prescription."
Brother Er Niu said with some mockery.
Upon hearing this, Su Wenlin smiled bitterly and shook his head, knowing that illness wasn't their problem.
"Forget it, continue brewing. After all, it's the Young Master's kind intention."
After saying this, he looked at Brother Er Niu again and reminded him:
"After I leave, don't cause trouble, or I won't let you off when I return."
Brother Er Niu silently nodded, then looked at Su Wenlin with a pout and said:
"You better take care of yourself. Those old wounds you have haven't healed properly. Be careful out there this time."
Su Wenlin grinned, opened his mouth as if to speak, but said nothing, merely advising:
"Since you spend a lot of time with the Young Master, remember to remind him occasionally, saying that we're almost out of options."
...
One day quickly passed by.
After another day of reading, Su Changqing hurried back home to find Brother Er Niu.
"Brother Er Niu, have Uncle Wenlin and the others taken the medicine? How's the effect?"
Su Changqing asked expectantly.
Brother Er Niu opened his mouth, looking gloomily and said, "No effect, the illness got worse."
Just then, a violent cough was heard from inside the house from Su Wenlin.
Upon hearing this, Su Changqing was momentarily flustered.
"That's not right, I followed the medical book exactly, how could it not work?"
"Is it the wrong proportions, or are the herbs not old enough?"
Su Changqing carefully recalled and frowned, "Everything's correct, how could it not work?"
He hurriedly opened the gate to Brother Er Niu's house, walked inside, and saw Su Wenlin lying on the bed with a difficult-looking complexion.
"Changqing, you're here, cough cough cough...."
Su Wenlin weakly greeted.
Su Changqing frowned and nodded, came closer to Su Wenlin, inspected him closely.
Then he opened his mouth to check, finally taking his pulse, resulting in even tighter brows.
"That's not right. His energy and blood are robust and frightening, pulse strong and vigorous, this doesn't resemble a cold at all."
Listening beside him, Su Wenlin's heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, when did the Young Master learn how to take pulses?
Did the Pill Saint teach this too?
"Uncle Wenlin, where exactly do you feel uncomfortable?"
Su Changqing asked seriously and earnestly.
"Uh, I... this..."
Su Wenlin couldn't possibly admit to feeling uncomfortable; he's not even sick, so how would he explain it?
Moreover, he's never caught a cold in his life, so how would he know what it feels like?
Simply, Su Wenlin recalled the feeling of his old wounds flaring up, and said:
"It just feels... severe pain in the chest, chaotic energy and blood, the internal meridians reversing, an overall discomfort."
After saying this, watching Su Changqing in thought, Su Wenlin relaxed a bit.
"You might be able to treat a cold, but this old cultivation wound is bound to stump you, right?"
Su Wenlin silently praised his own quick thinking, while Brother Er Niu also gave a discreet thumbs up.
But who knew, after pondering for a long time, Su Changqing's eyes suddenly lit up,
"I've got it!"
"This disease is recorded in the medical books!"
Both Su Wenlin and Brother Er Niu were momentarily baffled when they heard this.
Got it... got it?