Chapter 28: Daring to Challenge the Yuan Emperor with Nothing but a Broken Bamboo Sword

Madam Hua was indeed somewhat surprised. At eighteen, he completed his cultivation initiation—a sign of extremely poor innate talent. Yet the youth's current display was anything but that of a talentless person.

Just yesterday at Tianbo Pavilion, he entered meditation within three quarters of an hour. Today, upon observing him again, he had already established the fetal breath.

The second stage of spiritual refinement, the fetal breath, is not easy to reach. It requires a certain accumulation of mind and spirit, a process every practitioner must follow diligently, tempering their spirit over time.

Even she, Hua Jie Bing, acclaimed as a genius in spiritual refinement, only managed to complete the fetal breath after three days and nights of arduous effort, aided by her master’s spiritual refining artifact.

An Le certainly did not have such assistance. How, then, did he achieve this on his own?

Madam Hua became intrigued.

"Xi Xiang, go invite Young Master An," she said, sitting up from her couch, smiling at her attendant, Xi Xiang, who stood quietly behind her.

"Yes, Madam." Xi Xiang was momentarily taken aback, then bowed and left without further questions, proceeding directly out of the pavilion and crossing the white jade bridge.

Guided by the maid Liu Xiang, An Le navigated the Lin Residence with ease.

Spring hills basked in warm sunlight and gentle breezes. Latticed balconies and draped curtains adorned the halls, while willows and swings graced the courtyards. Orioles sang and swallows danced; a small bridge spanned a stream where petals flew.

The scenery of the Lin Residence extended far beyond Tianbo Pavilion—each courtyard and tower possessed its own charm. Walking the flagstones felt as if traversing a miniature garden. After all, it was the mansion of a noble family, dazzling in its grandeur.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman approached from afar. Upon noticing her, Liu Xiang bowed respectfully.

"Young Master An, Madam requests your presence. Please follow Xi Xiang to Tianbo Pavilion," Xi Xiang said with a smile.

As Madam Hua's personal attendant, Xi Xiang’s status among the servants ranked just below that of the Matriarch’s confidante, Ji Ying, and Lin Zhui Feng.

Compared to Xi Xiang, Liu Xiang was of much lower standing and thus behaved with great humility.

An Le hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Then I shall trouble Miss Xi Xiang to lead the way."

To An Le, who was both handsome and scholarly, with impeccable manners, Xi Xiang covered her mouth with a smile, her eyes sparkling with allure as she turned gracefully to lead him.

After thanking Liu Xiang, An Le followed Xi Xiang to the pavilion.

In the main hall, Madam Hua had lost interest in studying the works of great scholars. Instead, she crouched by the pond, scattering fish feed and tending to the beautiful koi.

"You’ve arrived," she said, rising after casting the last handful of feed. Sunlight poured over her timeless, extraordinary beauty, making her seem almost otherworldly.

"You've entered the fetal breath stage in your spiritual refinement?" Madam Hua stepped lightly from the rock garden back to the hall.

An Le was not surprised that Madam Hua had noticed his breakthrough. Her strength was unfathomable—far surpassing the fifth realm.

"I happened upon a fortunate opportunity last night; only then did I break through," he replied honestly.

"Oh? How did you break through? Could you share the details?" Madam Hua’s interest was piqued, her lively eyes inquisitive.

An Le smiled. "Yesterday, a friend came to visit. I painted an ink bamboo and stone scroll. During the process, something clicked. Perhaps the technique of painting bamboo echoed the Sword Cascade Diagram, and so I achieved the fetal breath in one push."

"Painting?" Madam Hua had not expected such an answer.

"Ink bamboo and stone scroll? You painted bamboo in ink?"

Madam Hua was perplexed. She had studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting extensively, yet in Great Zhao, ink painting of bamboo was rare—most preferred meticulous brushwork.

"Well, it seems your talent in painting is exceptional. Even your sketch revealed glimpses of your ability. That’s good. But comprehension through painting is a stroke of luck; the path of spiritual refinement ahead remains thorny. Continue to contemplate the Sword Diagram daily, do not slacken," Madam Hua said sincerely. She saw in An Le the promise of late-blooming greatness and did not wish for his talent to be wasted.

With a solemn expression, An Le clasped his hands in salute. "Thank you for your guidance, Madam. I will remember it well."

"I didn’t expect you to master ink painting. I wanted to see your skill firsthand, but alas, I have guests to visit. Another day, I shall watch you wield the brush," Madam Hua said with a hint of regret.

An Le smiled. "I come to Lin Residence daily. If Madam wishes to see my painting, I shall paint upon your return."

Madam Hua nodded slightly.

An Le took his leave, departing Tianbo Pavilion for the Martial Hall to paint for the young gentlemen.

Tianbo Pavilion returned to its tranquil state.

Spring breezes swept through, stirring Madam Hua’s robes ever so gently.

"The youth’s painting of bamboo resonated with the Sword Cascade Diagram?"

"The Four Gentlemen—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—are painted by thousands, but true masters are rare. Each embodies a quality: pride, serenity, simplicity, and transcendence. To evoke spiritual resonance, one must channel the quality during painting… Can the youth truly grasp the essence of bamboo?"

"If his ink bamboo is indeed unique, perhaps I can recommend him to Great Zhao’s top bamboo painters. In Great Zhao, only three are considered masters: the three scholars of the Literary Institute, Deputy Prime Minister Ouyang Xiangru, and… that old imperial uncle who dared to confront the Yuanmeng Emperor with a broken bamboo sword."

Madam Hua murmured softly, reviewing the great bamboo painters of Great Zhao in her mind.

Suddenly, Xi Xiang spoke respectfully, "Madam, the carriage is ready."

"Has the invitation been sent to the Ye Residence?" Madam Hua asked.

"I personally delivered it yesterday," Xi Xiang replied earnestly. As Madam Hua’s attendant, she understood well the purpose behind sending the invitation to Ye Residence.

Like Lin Residence, Ye Residence was a distinguished martial family, holding significant sway in Lin’an.

News of the palace examination had spread, and Madam Hua was obliged to act.

"Did Madam Ye refuse?" Madam Hua asked softly.

Xi Xiang paused, hesitating. "She did not refuse, but… neither did she agree."

Madam Hua nodded, moving gracefully past the white jade balustrade.

"If she did not refuse, that means she agreed. Let us depart; we mustn’t keep Madam Ye waiting."

…

…

The sun rose from the valley, shining through winding woods and cold mist gathering among tall bamboo.

The Sixth Mountain.

Upon the broad plateau, an unnamed leisure pavilion.

Inside, three men sat together, still savoring An Le’s ink bamboo and stone painting. Morning light spilled over the horizon, illuminating the scroll with brilliance.

"One can glimpse the painter’s character from his work. Whoever painted this ink bamboo and stone carries a fierce tiger within, yet his spirit is restrained, possessing the air of a gentleman. It resonates with the intent of the Sword Refinement, making him a rare talent for sword practice," said a middle-aged man in white, carrying a broad pinewood sword case on his back. Though usually taciturn, he finally offered his appraisal.

An elderly man in scholar’s robes stroked his beard and nodded. "Ink bamboo painting is uncommon in Great Zhao. Those who develop a distinct style are even rarer. The excellence of this work lies not only in the depiction of bamboo, but also in its poetry and calligraphy."

"‘After a thousand trials and blows, still firm and strong, no matter east, west, south, or north wind…’ The painter must have endured hardship, yet is unafraid—remaining steadfast through adversity, upright as a pillar of heaven. And the calligraphy—strange and free, seemingly unruly, but drawing from myriad schools, with a clear structure."

"Through viewing the painting, appreciating the poetry, and examining the calligraphy, one can glimpse the painter’s nature. Not bad."

The white-clad man carrying the pinewood sword case considered, then said, "Yet the spiritual power infused into the painting is lacking. Otherwise, its value would be even greater—not less than a fifth-grade spiritual artifact."

The old man of the Imperial Ancestral Shrine, Zhao Huangting, laughed heartily. "If you both deem it excellent, then it is so. As for the lack of spiritual power, it’s because the young painter had only just entered meditation in his spiritual refinement and, through painting, barely stepped into the fetal breath stage…"

Upon hearing this, the scholar and the white-clad man both changed expressions.

Was Zhao Huangting jesting?

The painter… only at fetal breath?

Zhao Huangting smiled. "I have a good rapport with this young friend. Unfortunately, he offended the Qin Residence. Though Lin Residence’s Hua Jie Bing now shelters him, you know that Lin Residence is facing imminent catastrophe and cannot protect itself. I wish to find him a fallback."

"I originally intended to bring this painting to the Literary Institute to recommend him as a bamboo painting instructor. But since we’re on the Sixth Mountain, Mountain Lord, take a look: can the young painter’s work earn him a place as a guardian of the mountain?"

The first light shone through tall woods as Zhao Huangting’s words lingered in the ancient pavilion.

The scholar narrowed his eyes, letting the morning light reflect off the bamboo and stone painting.

"Zhao Huangting, you are mistaken. The guardian’s position is precious. The Sixth Mountain Lord is peerless. This youth is but at fetal breath; how could he merit such a position? He should join the painting hall of the Literary Institute, spread the art of ink bamboo, and ignite a craze."

The white-clad man with the pinewood sword case slowly turned his gaze to the elderly scholar.

"The painting is good—worthy of breaking convention. The Literary Institute is not yours alone. If the scholar Qin Lishi arrives, you’ll be constrained. Let him enter your Institute and he’ll be stifled."

"My case is different. On the Sixth Mountain, I have a sword. Qin Lishi dares not intrude. It is exhilarating."

Inside the leisure pavilion, Zhao Huangting was left quite stunned.

He had not expected these two giants of Great Zhao to openly… compete for the young man right before him!