Torsten Hewson
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v5c66: The Noble Arts
🕑 Added 2024-11-08 04:09:32 +0000 UTCXiao Su Ge, granddaughter of Elder Xiao Ge, stood upon her flying sword with her hands behind her back. While her exterior was refined as a Disciple of the Cloudy Sword Sect should be, inside was a different story. It was taking all her effort to keep the smile off her face.
It was finally time. She was finally upon an adventure, a real adventure, like all the stories her beloved grandfather had told her about his own youth.
She was finally, truly, going to be able to let loose—properly of course. A disciple of the Cloudy Sword Sect was a master of themselves, was the mantra that stopped her from accelerating and getting out of formation. Self-mastery and self-control were one’s highest calling.
In her youth, Su Ge had been an undisciplined barbarian, a violent, brash thing driven by base instincts. It had taken many hours of personal instruction from her grandfather to set Su Ge on the correct path. Her grandfather’s instruction had forged her into a blade, rather than a raging inferno that destroyed everything in its path.
It had been something she had appreciated long before she learned of the rot within the Sect—his firm hand had stopped her from being a cretin like Chen Li, a worthless, honourless worm.
She was Xiao Su Ge—a righteous blade of the Cloudy Sword Sect.
However… there always seemed to be something that came up that made her stay in the Sect, like her grandfather asking her to catalog the vaults or a new cultivation resource he sent back that would require closed door cultivation to properly study and process. The few times she had left… nothing much exciting had happened. There were the occasional Spirit Beast culls and the tournaments that she had won, but it was all so regimented, so lacking in passion it was boring.
The last time when the Demonic Legions had attacked Su Ge had been in closed door cultivation and had only found out about the war from returning disciples. She had missed her chance!
She had been quite upset, and only her grandfather introducing her to her intended had… managed to break the pall of disappointment.
So handsome. So refined. So passionate! Especially when he started talking about that mail service! A true intellectual her intended was, a man who had mastered himself, yet retained his fire.
And now she was on her way to see him! Her grandfather had asked her to lead a Cloud of their best and brightest, and Su Ge had been swift to make her decisions. Most were Core Disciples—but Su Ge had also added some of the more experienced Inner Disciples as well, the ones who had been with her grandfather inside the Demon Gate. Chief among them was Yeo Na, who, despite not being fully recovered, was ready for combat—the new demonic siphoning formation having shaved years off the demonic filth within her system.
She was more useful for her mind rather than her combat abilities anyway, but neither was she helpless.
The others? The others were all able to use the Raging Cloudy Sword Formation within minutes. Working together, they could deploy it within seconds. If…. when there was battle, the Cloudy Sword Sect would be utterly victorious.
Su Ge refocused herself, concentrating once more. The Cloudy Sword Sect’s blades were in escort formation around the Windward Blade. Not that the ship needed them, for Tianzhe Minyan was seated upon the deck, but it did show that they were currently allied.
They sped through the early dawn in the direction Shen Yu had given them—and soon enough they felt a familiar flare of Qi. Her grandfather raised his hand and their swords descended from the sky, while with a single flex of Tianzhe Minyan’s power the ship slowed and stopped.
The woman stepped from her ship without a care, easily walking on the air as if it were solid ground, while Lanlong Bailu and Wakokukin Seiyu, the Soaring Heaven’s Isle Sect’s Storm Wings, flanked her.
They descended to the base earth, where a wonderfully handsome man waited for them. Lu Ri was already on one knee, his hands clasped in the gesture of respect. He was pristine, not a hair out of place and not a drop of blood upon him—yet Su Ge could see the burn marks from funeral pyres nearby, and judging from the size, Lu Ri had crushed a great deal of their enemies.
However, Lu Ri was not there alone. There was another on one knee. A woman, with wild blonde hair pulled into a rough ponytail that was bushy like some wild beast’s fur. Her eyes were locked into a narrow squint, and her features were sharp and angular, a wild beauty, compounded by the fox ears that sat twitching on her head. Su Ge’s eyes locked onto the woman before she shoved away the sudden hostility she felt.
It was no way for a proper woman to act.
“Senior Disciple Lu Ri greets Elder Ge, Elder Shou, Elder Yukong, and Lady Minyan,” her intended intoned. Su Ge saw the approving smile on her grandfather’s face.
“Your meritorious deeds precede you, Senior Disciple Lu Ri. Rise to your feet—and introduce us to the one who is next to you,” her grandfather said, his eyes fixed on the wild-looking woman.
“The one next to this disciple is Su Yuanlin. Without her skill at hunting and tracking, we would have not found the bases of our enemy. She should share equal praise and merit,” Lu Ri replied, and Yuanlin dipped her head in a further bow.
“Su Yuanlin, you have aided the Cloudy Sword Sect. We are indebted to you,” her grandfather said, but the woman shook her head.
“Lu Ri wielded his blade in the defence of this one’s kin—no debt exists between us,” Her voice was husky and rough… and her words were honest.
“It seems that virtue attracts virtue,” her grandfather mused. “Yet you still have assisted us. I shall prepare something suitable. Now, I believe there is a formation here?”
The woman bowed, looking shocked, while Lu Ri held out a hand.
“This way please. The base is yours, Honoured Elders.”
Su Ge sharpened her attention once more as Lu Ri led them into the base and towards the formation, and indeed, as stated in Lord Shen Yu’s report, it was utterly pristine. No damage to the walls, nothing out of place. It was a textbook display of skill, and a complete unveiling of the Enemy. Even Lady Minyan looked approving.
“You answered the transmission? Bold, very bold,” Elder Shou praised, an amused quirk to his lips. In his hand he held reams of paper, switching them out constantly as Elder Yukong worked and wrote, her attention fully fixed on the formation before her.
“Take note of his actions, Disciples. Lu Ri walks on the Path of the Founders,” her grandfather declared. “Bold, decisive action can accomplish much if applied correctly.”
“Indeed,” Shou said, giving a firm nod. Lu Ri bowed humbly at the praise, his cheeks tinted red.
The look was rather fetching.
“You did well to not attempt to analyse this either, Disciple,” Elder Yukong finally spoke, her eyes flickering all over the formation. “Its protections are subtle, but masterfully crafted. If you had done something wrong it would have been worthless to us. Additionally, if they had managed to lock it down, it would be similarly inoperable. Now, however…” With a twitch of her fingers the formation suddenly expanded, hundreds of characters and diagrams appearing in the air. “I will need three days to complete a full analysis and begin the tracking artifact.”
“The Experts of the Cloudy Sword Sect certainly live up to their reputation,” Lady Minyan mused.
Elder Shou smirked. “Indeed, my wife’s skills are superlative.”
“I shall leave it to you then, Yukong of the Subtle Scripture, Shou of the Hidden Forest. Bailu, Seiyu, begin patrols,” Lady Minyan commanded.
“Disciples, you are dismissed. Remain on standby for orders,” Su Ge’s grandfather declared. “And Su Ge… attend to our weary warrior.”
He clapped Lu Ri on the shoulder.
Su Ge perked up. The rest of the disciples dispersed, and Su Ge marched forwards.
“Lady Su Ge,” Lu Ri said, inclining his head. He was still wearing a small, reserved smile.
“Disciple Lu Ri. It is good to see you well,” she began. “Please, allow me to brew you some tea.”
To her delight, he accepted—and Su Ge got out all the accouterments out of her storage ring. It wasn’t much, just two cushions and a tea set. She left the last thing in for now—the set of clothes that she was sure he would enjoy.
However, just when she finished getting everything out… there was an interruption. Or rather. two interruptions.
“Junior Brother, you’ve done very well,” Yeo Na said, standing beside the blonde woman, Yuanlin.
“Ah, Senior Sister, Miss Yuanlin, please join us,” Lu Ri politely offered.
Su Ge’s placid expression became strained.
====================================
Fa Bi De watched as the last of the demonic bodies were consumed by a combination of his own lunar Qi and Yin’s solar Qi, burning away into nothingness under the midday sun.
The taint was not yet gone, still in the ground and in the air of the forests… but the most disgusting and most visible reminder of the attack, the corpses, were gone from Fa Ram.
“That's enough work for today, everyone,” his Master declared. The man’s voice was still weary, but he sounded… lighter now. He had returned early in the morning with good news, and now it sounded less like the world was pressing on him. “Thank you all for your hard work.”
Though he supposed it would be. The battle was out of their hands now, and into the hands of those who were well-equipped to handle it.
A great sigh of relief was emitted by every member of Fa Ram. The papers with the graphs and times were carefully stored away.
“And that reminds me,” his Great Master continued. “You guys haven't gotten the full tour yet!”
Bi De perked up, along with Ri Zu and Yun Ren. They had indeed seen many of the changes… but other than the explanation about how the new porcelain “toilet bowls” worked, they hadn’t heard about everything yet.
So it was with great joy that Bi De and his companions, including Shao Heng, Han, and Yushang, ventured out into the snow. Things were even relaxed enough that Bi De’s Junior Brother Zhuye was allowed into the fresh air—and Bi De was given the honour of holding him.
Zhuye, a good, poetic name—and a most amusing one, for it caused Tigu to mutter under her breath about ‘Kai’.
When Bi De had first arrived… all he had been able to see was the devastation and the hurt of his home. It had seemed lesser for it.
But now? Now, he could see it. The love and care that had been put into Fa Ram, to make it better than it had been.
He finally got to truly see the greenhouse and felt tranquility seep into his soul, the heat of summer mixing with the artificial stream into something truly beautiful.
He toured the expanded house, as well as the guest houses ready to welcome people into their warm embrace.
He saw the full warehouses and packed cold pantry. He saw Bowu’s expanded and remodeled drop-hammer, as well as Miantiao’s glassworks.
Even the toilets had their tale—as Wa Shi was put into the bowl of an unfinished one in the forge and unceremoniously flushed into the river.
“It's actually kind of fun,” the dragon confessed, and Bi De couldn’t help but laugh.
Bi De felt the little ball of tension within his own chest start to fade. Even after all they had been through… his home was still beautiful.
“You worked hard, Master,” Bi De said. The man smiled.
“We all worked hard,” he replied. “Welcome Home, Bi De.”
For a moment he just sat with his Master and his little brother. Zhuye was asleep on his back. The silence was beautifully comfortable.
“What do you say? You feeling like a little Ha Qi?” his Master asked after a moment. “Now that you’re big enough for skates and a proper stick?”
Bi De’s eyes widened. Out of everything he had thus far used it for, being able to truly challenge his Master at Ha Qi was most surely its greatest function.
“Of course!” he declared.
The nets were brought out, as well as the sticks and the skates. Teams were formed—and they now had enough people for multiple games along the river.
Yushang and Shao Heng took to it instantly—while Bi De challenged his Master’s might.
It proved to be foolish, for his Lord was beyond all other men in the art of Ha Qi, but as his Great Master pulled Bi De out of the snowbank, a bright smile on his face… it truly was a good day.
“Oh? Now this looks interesting,” Shen Yu said as he watched. “Grandson, let me try!”
The Old Monster was not the only one.
They had an audience watching from the fortress, the Shrouded Mountain Sect disciples looking on—Shenhe especially appeared considering. Her eyes were focused on Yushang as she clashed with Xiulan.
His Great Master had a considering expression on his face, before he took a deep breath and whistled. Elder Shenhe’s head snapped to him… and his Great Master beckoned her over.
“If they’re not our enemies… might as well try and make them our friends,” his Master muttered under his breath. “Do you want to learn?” His Master asked the Elder.
“What is this?” Zang Shenhe asked after coming over.
“The ancient and noble art of Ha Qi,” his Great Master replied with a smile.
=========================
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Ha Qi begins its takeover of the cultivation world.
Turly, Jin is a mastermind.
Editors: Massgamer, BargleNawdleZouss
Comments
Matt Grayson
Indeed, CF is superb (if I may make so bold as to complement one so far above me 😆)
Purple Floof
Modern Mandarin doesn't have the sound, but prior to the 1900s, it did in fact have the sound, and other "k"-sound characters
Purple Floof
except pre-1900's Mandarin *did* have characters and words with "ki" in them - there's a lot of historical record attesting to that fact
Cranky Otter
I also noted this but think Ha Qi is funnier.
Menthewarp
neighborly AND war-crime-capable
Baqc∞ART
But between them they had decided that the winner was Gou Ren, although it would still be interesting to see the scene, and Meiling's revenge for disqualifying her.
Baqc∞ART
Hahaha Lu Ri and Bi De the two Xianxia protagonists with harem, although I don't know if those are Yeo Na's true intentions
Baqc∞ART
It seemed to me that she reached the spiritual realm, and with the ritual she momentarily entered the earth realm, that's why Shen Yu said that she had almost the same talent as Bi De.
Ender419
You are speaking the truth through and through mate!!
David Brewer
Only if they commission the hats from Biyu.
Cinnamon Toast
Basically getting within kissing distance of the other person and slamming your hand on the wall near their head to make it more dramatic
Chad Hagner
I have yet to read from an author that can go from full throttle adrenaline rush fighting to smoothly transition to slow burn slice of life as well as you Casual.
Z H
Obviously to reach a perfect balance it must be teams of mounties, each with a cultivator and a Spirit Beast Moose in a Cute Hat as partners. How else will the wacky hijinks ensue?
John D Jones
@ Truedragon5374 We'll likely get confirmation in the next TLM PoV chapter, but just do process of elimination. The CSS and SHI folks went to the captured demon base. Jin, Shenhe and Shen Yu went back to Fa Ram. So, the Herald stayed in Verdant Hill, probably in the Imperial Palace with a bunch of TLM's guards who will STFU about there being an Imperial Herald in Verdant Hill.
Often Irrelephant
Poor Elder Shou. "The greenhouse? Well, first you need a glassblowing snake and a sun bun..."
Jon Dough
Thanks for the chapter!!
Truedragon5374
A gentlefowl does not speak of such things. ;)
Truedragon5374
The Herald kind of disappeared when the cultivators flew off at the end of last chapter. His whereabouts are bugging me if I'm honest.
Truedragon5374
Well they are kind of neighbors. Plus Jin's earth side was Canadian. Being neighborly is kind of a genetic imperative for him.
Pat Sprehe
Also the kung fu poles.
Pat Sprehe
They mentioned guest houses (plural) during the tour. The Shrouded Mountain disciples are also bunked at Fa Ram, so they’ll have more room once they leave at the end of the week as well.
Pat Sprehe
There’s also lacrosse.
Harish
She never gave up. She's just really annoyed by all the ladies surrounding HER MAN.
Harish
That he did. The Herald stated that he would be observing until the end, implying that he would be staying until the Demonic organization was dead or report to the Emperor if further measures were required.
John D Jones
I like that Jin still doesn't especially like the SMS folks, but he's willing to swallow his dislike to reach out to them with the power of Ha Qi.
Alex Ingraham
Hey CF, we NEED the scene where Jin, Meimei, Gou and Meihua give Yun Ren their gifts!! Citing v4 c30 & 31 here. I wanna see who's present he loves more!!!!
Angel
OK that’s the cutest and sweetest thing ever! She sounds like an amazing girl. 💗
Nik
@mikah idk from what the herald said when he wrapped up the meeting it came across like he was going to stay until the action is over, and then report back to the emperor
Caoimhín
Yeah. Although I think his impression of her will improve when he discovers that all this time she has been keeping a cold facade. I think that's part of what made their meetings so awkward before, because she always keeps her face aloof and pretends to not be interested, even when she absolutely is. If, for example, Lu Ri was excitedly talking about his mail project and all she showed in response was aloofness and disinterest, then it's easy to see why no great rapport has formed between them from Lu Ri's perspective.
Mikah Burdette
I think the herald went home
Truedragon5374
Well obviously as the wise and noble guardian spirit of The North, the moose will be the referee.
David Brewer
This, yeah. Spirit Beast Moose as mounties would be perfect.
Often Irrelephant
Yup! Even funnier - I shared a post I made about Xianghua's autism reminding me SO much of her corner of the spectrum (because transparency when disclosing someone else's diagnosis) She ended up using the thread to write a paper discussing face blindness and positive representation. She'll probably still climb on my head to read when she's 30, but as long as there's snicker and joy, I don't mind it.
Often Irrelephant
Because it's hilarious.
Often Irrelephant
v5c7 "...Bei Be was, after every match, going over the ice with his plough. This left perfectly smooth ice with a mirror finish, and while he wasn’t playing the ox seemed to enjoy this duty immensely, snorting with satisfaction… and sliding on his side across the mirror finish back to the snowbank."
Zachary Bender
That would honestly be hilarious
Often Irrelephant
Man - with Loud Boy and a Storm Wing, you can have a team with four draconids. Which just feels crazy. Do we team them with the Moose and the Kraken to go full elemental? Speaking of which, where is hockey moose?!
Old Dog
So she will be the one to bring it up. Guess I should have worded that a bit differently.
Timothy Dana
I want to see the undead puppet worm become a sacred necromancer that acts like a born-again baptist preacher … that invites other puppet worms true everlasting life free from need to possess bodies..
BlueMage Theneras
I fully agree! Xiulan managed at Initiate 3, so it shouldn't be too hard for cultivators of at least that level
BlueMage Theneras
This is part of why I thought "Qi" was pronounced "Chee" lol
John D Jones
I'm pretty sure Lu Ri has already told Yeo Na about the mail system. EDIT: Yep, he told her about it and his other experiences in the Azure Hills in V4:C11 "The Senior Disciple."
John D Jones
I guess the Herald will be staying in the Palace in Verdant Hill with TLM. This will cause stress to TLM and have the Herald slowly revising upward the promotions and rewards that the Herald will recommend the Emperor to shower upon TLM.
Logrus
Shouldn't it be Ha Ki or Ha Gi in Pinyin? Ha Qi would be "Hah Chee" no?
Abhimanyu Susobhanan
Xiulan is Spiritual 1. The earth realm thing was a temporary power up with the help of Mailing's healing and the formation. Bi De is Spiritual 2. Torrent rider is initiate
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. Looking forward to the next few chapters. Will the greatest goalies in the area, one on injured reserve and the other maybe still dealing with internal strife be introduced to the SMS? (That would be Chun Ke and Pi Pa.) Will the Grand Ravine Sect send people to find out what stirred the land? Will Lu Ri start discussing the mail system with Yeo Na? Inquiring minds want to know!
Jared Pincus
I'm just curious, do we have an acurite account of where everyone stands in their cultivation? Some people seem to be progressing really fast, while other seem to have stagnated. We know that Xiulan punched through to the Earth Realm, and that is the same realm as Jin. The only thing that I can remember for Meiling is that her power spiked to the Earth Realm when she was draining demonic qi from gramps. Did Xiulan pass Bi De, or are they on equal footing now? And is the Torrent Ride still in the Initiate Realm?
Barry Morgan
True, though I'm not sure Yuanlin has totally given up just yet. All those candies she has been giving Lu Ri....
Truedragon5374
We never got thr fort's dimensions, but it can't be all that big. Bigger forts need more defenders to cover the walls. I doubt it's more than a stone block house with close perimeter wall. The 30+ people they have in there now is probably close to max occupancy. As for the rest of the place, thr main manor has some spare rooms. Gou built his own house that he can lend out if he moves in with Jin. I think there is at least one guest house also. So they probably have enough rooms for the Elders and the rest of the Cloudy Sword. Some if Minyan's girls might have to sleep in the ship.
Timothy Dana
Playing Hockey with dad is a close second
Christie Shaub
Shouldn't the moose just be the Mounties? I'm sure Biyu would love to see them in those hats.
Callie Kelly
It's for her, and it's a sexy postwoman outfit
Old Dog
The Hong Yao Wu Maple Leaves represent!
Old Dog
Quite true. But one must suffer trials in pursuit of a goal to truly appreciate the reward.
Alex Ingraham
@Peter Gerganov Yeah, I feel kinda bad for them. Lu Ri is a great guy and all, but...
Alex Ingraham
Wut?
Alex Ingraham
Ba Be will always handle Fa Ram's Ha Qi needs, but other places may need a Zamboni...
Aaron
Honestly I think the blades should be held in place by Qi if it becomes a National sport like the original version as that makes it more challenging.
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Catherine
I think she was designing a postwoman outfit for herself to wear. A sexy one
James Paparella
I don't think the outfit is for him to wear? I think it's lingerie? But I might be wrong?
Savyar
Does Big D really think the best thing his human form is for is Hockey? Not quality time with a certain Apprentice Healer?
Daniel Mountain
He's seen the right anime.
Daemion
Do you mean kabedon?
Ichypa
The worst part is that Yeo Na knows Lu Ri doesn’t see her that way, and Yuanlin shot her shot and got nothing, so Lu Ri isn’t even a dense harem protagonist. Yet Su Ge still suffers.
Namorat
I cannot wait for the other people to meet the spirit beasts and see Fa Ram
BlueMage Theneras
Unless he directly instructed them in it and teaches them restraint like in the AU
BlueMage Theneras
Qi formed ice rinks on tournament stages. Blades worn underneath feet. Precisely shaped staves for combat. A single flat, circular stone. Two nets. Two WILLS. Who will triumph when Cultivators on the path to challenge the will of the Heavens clash in the mighty contest that is *Ha Qi*? Under all the eyes of Heaven, this one does declare that the good ole Ha Qi game is the best game he can name!
Catherine
He saw them play la cross in summer
Cindermoth
Possibly, however if any place in that world has a magical solution to plumbing it absolutely is that place.
jord
Blessed is he, who masters the game of Ha Qi
Paul Birchenough
As a Due South fan, I demand well mannered Mounties.. Possibly mounted on spirit animal Mooses. Thank you kindly.
KnightRider007
I honestly don’t think he’d be enthusiastic. He’s thought about this specific topic, we’ve seen his internal dialogue - I believe the phrase he used was “he would do his duty”. I’m not a shipper or a fujoshi or anything, but he really comes across as mostly asexual.
israel valdez
Ah i remember now. For some reason i thought a full year had passed by then and it all came around again. Thanks.
Aki_Iokua18
Gramps saw lacrosse, and when he and Jin were discussing Chen Li, they were watching others training fights, mostly Yin putting her new body through its paces.
Steven.Riske
Adorable Su Ge, making Lu Ri an outfit! Does anyone remember how big the fortress is and is that where everyone will be staying? I think it’d be fun to hear a Gou Ren perspective at some point. I think the last one was him delivering Bo to his sect at the tournament.
Jeremy
I agree with everything about Ha Qi comment… except them believing it came from the CSS. Shenhe was in the convo where they go Jin is not a current member and if the Elders react like Gramps they will know Jin created it
Savannah Black
Ri ZU! Ri ZU! Ri ZU! Kick their butts!
Jeremy
Honestly Ha Qi taking off in the Shrouded Mountains would be good. As pointed out by previous comment it will serve as a controlled outlet for aggression / competitiveness while teaching teamwork. But also Ha Qi would reinforce the idea Strength is not everything since it requires control to succeed at staying balanced on the ice during the game
Idan tal
Jin is looking at Bi De and Lu Ri, then at Meimei, who do the same and then looks at Lanlan, and Jin immediately but quietly starts to retreat in fast pace.
Meow
Mandarin Chinese does not have any words that make a "ki" sound, so "chi/qi" gets used instead.
Idan tal
Wasn’t winter
israel valdez
I thought gramps had already seen ha qi? When jin and he were discussing what to do with chen li?
Fluffy druid
I am glad, that Xuilan reappears. Now what about the suggested talk between her and Shenhe?
lockx
Rice Exporters?
Fluffy druid
A hammock originally made for Yin, so existing in the old glass house as well.
KnightRider007
And Chunky is vaguely aware there’s multi-world shenanigans… Tian knows, of course - she can see his soul.
Alex Rahr
Jin looks like a genius now, but he hasn't yet seen the collateral damage from when the Storm Wings discover Ha Qi.
Aki_Iokua18
I was talking about Shenhe getting rid of stress from the mountains of frustration that’re going to be hitting her once she returns to her Sect. Probably should have made that more clear.
Aki_Iokua18
Point. Vajra also knows.
Truedragon5374
Where did the Herald go? At the end of last chapter he just kind of disappeared when the cultivators flew off. I know he said he would stay and observe, not fight, but where is he? Also, if the Herald does stay at Fa Ram and sees all Jin has built, does that mean that Jin will be responsible for introducing Flushing Toilets to the Imperial Palace!? That alone will earn him a Noble title!
Mark Greenberg
No, Shen Yu doesn't know that. NOBODY knows about Jin being from another world except Meimei. Yes, he's told the stoy about leaving the CSS after being almost killed while "trading pointers" but he never told anyone else about having been reincarnated from another world.
seth4bucks
Nope. There's no way that a threat this dangerous was found and he's like oh, yeah you guys have this. This is a plot 1000+ years in the making and spanning unknown hidden bases with who knows how many other powerful demonic cultivators. Just because a single Imperial Demonic Cultivator was found doesn't mean that there aren't others out there. I think you misread this bit “His Imperial Majesty’s experts seem to have the problem well in hand,” the Herald intoned. “A course is set… and This One shall remain to see the aftermath" He trusts them enough to leave the meeting, but he's still around somewhere gathering intel and observing the rooting out.
Peter Gerganov
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor jade beauties shall keep the postmen from their appointed rounds.
Truedragon5374
I love how in sync Yukong and Shou are. I can just see them a few centuries ago, Yukong demanding that Shou "Gimme the Thing!" and Shou would hand over more paper. Now its all unspoken. It's nice to seen a married couple so harmonious.
Brian P.
I'm betting that's a task for Ba be and Sun Ne. Gotta cut it perfectly level.
Stark Trist
Good point. I figure he might assume it is an ancient but mortal sport.
liam funk
Give it two years, tops
Patanahi
Each chapter is such fun, thanks CF
Angel
😂😂😂
Truedragon5374
Well they can just make their own. Convenient I'd say.
Stark Trist
🤣
Truedragon5374
"Bi De’s eyes widened. Out of everything he had thus far used it for, being able to truly challenge his Master at Ha Qi was most surely its greatest function." Hey CS, i think you need to include the word 'Body' somewhere in there.
Truedragon5374
True, but it will inevitably lead to the writing of a Xianxia Geneva Convention which will be a good thing in the long run.
Angel
Yep, they made it a lot bigger, added a grass carpet, a stone path, and a water crystal to make a little stream. There’s even a hammock just for cultivators, hung way up high on the ceiling. 🥰
Truedragon5374
If nothing else, it will teach them to balance Control with their Aggression. A balance the SMS sorely need.
Angel
Truth! 🤭 I love that we can share it with our (older) kids!
KnightRider007
I can still see it being a massive issue - because he’s no longer “my boy” that Shen Yu saw and raised
CringeWorthyStudios
Pretty sure Lu Ri was explicitly confirmed to be Ace by Casual over on the discord. Or at least very heavily hinted at.
Truedragon5374
Nah, it will just give it a spicy aftertaste.
CringeWorthyStudios
As far as I remember Shen Yu doesn’t actually know. He knows that *something* weird is going on with Jin’s soul after the thing with the CSS but he never bothered to figure out what. Pretty sure he just went “yup, not demonic or possession so I don’t care since Jin probably has no idea either.”
Truedragon5374
Ha Ki TODAY! This Week's Semi-Final match is between the Maple Leaves VS the Dark Lightnings! Tomorrow's Semi-Final match will be the Foggy Blades VS the Flying Flowers! Who will win folks? Who will go on to the Finals? Tune in and find out!
Lanter
V4c11 was when she was first mentioned. He thought she was beautiful but their tea dates were "awkward affairs" and that "He was quite happy when it came time to leave... [since he] would be returning to a mission he so loved." So, uh, not the best impression 😒
CringeWorthyStudios
Ha! Province wide!? You think so lowly of the great art of Ha Qi. Kowtow before this granddaddy and he will show you the majesty of an Empire wide Ha Qi league! … I can’t believe I just said that.
Often Irrelephant
Yeah, my college daughter just about climbed into my lap to see my phone screen better. Her dad categorizes BoC as "full of snicker" He's not wrong.
CringeWorthyStudios
He’s ace (and probably aro too) so his opinion is basically “I’ll do my duty” but he’s not exactly hyper enthusiastic about the relationship itself.
CringeWorthyStudios
Not gonna lie, the idea of cultivators being *more* ready to perform war crimes is fucking terrifying.
Katharine Gould
You just made me laugh so hard I farted and woke my family up while camping!
Justin
There's something there about Blaze Bruins. "bruin is a bear, especially in children's fables" Got to get the original 6 worked in
Evander
Hoping the demonic taint doesn't ruin the maple harvest. I can see Lu Rui rushing back to get some of that.
M e
My head canon: All the Cloudy Sword Sect elders show up late night, meet the residents of Fa Ram, and begin war council with Shen Yu and Jin. They are introduced to Shen Yu's disciple in human form. Part way through the war council, Bi De excuses himself, turns into a chicken, and goes out to the roof to crow at dawn. Walks casually back in turns back to human form, and is just like "what did I miss?" CSS elders are shocked speechless, and Shen Yu makes some smug comment about his mighty cock.
Justin
I understand your point but enjoy not having everything spelled out. It's kinda reasonable to piece together that hockey needs his big bro form.
Chaded
I tend to mentally justify it as them speaking something close to mandarin chinese but not exactly.
Daniel Jungbluth
SMS rebrands as Ha Qi Mountain. Birthplace of the Imperial League Tournament. The Inquisitor resources are now used to train referees.
Justin
Hello out there were on the air it's hockey night tonight. Tension grows, the whistle blows and the puck goes down the ice..... Thanks for the chapter!
SoralTheSol
Slowly as Jin turned the northern provences into Cannada, his true cunning was eventually revealed. For now that the had syrup in their veins, and Ha-Qui every winter, they were more than ready to preform various unforgivable war-crimes on their enemies.
Blake N.
I don’t get why everyone read it as she’s ready to explode? From my reading she was just kinda annoyed but she’s fully in control of herself
Daemion
I wouldn't say Lu Ri has no interest in women, it's just that he has other priorities. If Su Ge invited him to her chambers and made her intentions clear, he would most likely be an enthusiastic participant. Of course, first he would make sure that he's being fair and considerate to everyone involved in this tangle of affections. It wouldn't do to hurt someone's feelings. As to the chicken... yeah. They'll wonder about the sign at the gate, too.
Blake N.
Besides, him coming from another world isn’t that important a secret anymore. Shen Yu already knows and nobody else would bother him about it
Blake N.
Eh, if Xiulan called him to turn on that he could just say it was more fun and mysterious to say it was old
Andrew Denton
They rebuilt it larger.
KnightRider007
*Does* Shen Yu know about it? I must have missed that - do you recall around about when he found out?
kenod
Not sure, but didn't they finish the greenhouse before everyone left? I can remember Yin often heating it, and they left before Bi De & Co.
Daemion
Shen Yu knows about his past life in another world, so he knows "ancient art" has some merit. He'd back up Jin anyway because it's a hilarious joke on everyone else.
Blake N.
I wonder if Jin introduced other popular modern sports which one would be of most interest to a cultivation world
Blake N.
How funny would it be for the author to have spent years dancing around teasing that Jin could have a harem if he wanted just to give one to Lu Ri instead of
Blake N.
I can’t remember Lu Ri’s feelings towards his fiancee. I know there was a chapter from his perspective about her but I can’t recall what he thought of her
Caoimhín
I imagine Bi De will be introduced in his human form, and they will all be impressed and approve of him. Then afterward, at an unexpected moment, they will see him transform into a chicken, and they will lose their shit.
Moonspike
They have mentioned that Jin Slurs his words, like chunky instead of chun ke. So I would assume it's a little of his pronunciation and a little of them jumping to conclusions.
Kreylix
Ah, in the rest of the world it doesn't.
Ranger Dave
How long until Bowu is commissioned to design a Zamboni for the growing Ha Qi league?
Caoimhín
Set a noodle shop or restaurant next to the Hockey fields, and cultivators will get you those brawls XD
TempestK
The Herald already left.
Ch W
Kabudon to Lu Ri when? (Edit: removed a word)
Caoimhín
The Red Leafs. The Verdant Rangers. The Azure Reapers. The Steam Herons. Oh, the possibilities are endless. Soon it will be a province-wide tournament with each sect sponsoring a team...
TempestK
Shou is absolutely *salivating* at the thought of seeing how Jin's methods work.
Ranger Dave
Cultivators and Ha Qi are one of those unexpected by truly great mixes, like bacon and maple syrup on pancakes
Laura Hemly
I love it, hockey diplomacy as the training method (per Xiulan) begins its takeover of the sects of the Empire! It really does challenge people physically, enough to not just be a game, too; after all, it's a religion to the true afficionado like Jin (or my husband, who's from 20 miles south of the Canadian border in Minnesota and lives and breathes it)! It was also nice to see the folks who went off with Shen Yu get home to see all the changes made in their absence. I had forgotten that Bi De hadn't seen the greenhouse! And it was adorable how proud he was to be the one to carry his Junior Brother. I suspect his worries about never having offspring with the spark have eased considerably since he and Ri Zu are together in their human forms. Which also makes me happy. Everything about this story makes me happy -- it's a bright light that I really need in my life right now!
Bi-Dailey
TFTC
Angel
Hahaha thanks!! 😂
Ranger Dave
Imagining a PSA from Jin as the toilets become widespread: "Remember kids, flushing unwanted sentient carp is how we get sewer dragons. Instead, cherish them as part of the family, spoiling them with exotic foods and math problems." And well put, each dose of life on the farm in BOC really does feel like a warm hug
Daniel Mountain
It's just funnier when an asexual gets the harem, and doesn't see it at all.
Caoimhín
Tea reigns supreme in Lu Ri's heart XD
Kerrus Magrus
Sword Cultivators in skates...
Angela Roberts
Amen.
Caoimhín
Yeah. Honestly, it should be "Ho Ki" since there's not even the phonetics for "Ha" in "hockey" so if they are just making assumptions based on how it sounds, it's weird that they would think it's "Ha Qi" (Hachi) as that doesn't sound like hockey at all.
Angela Roberts
Whew! That feeling of home, of rightness, of relief. Yeah, that's what we needed. And the puzzling love of Ha Qi.
ENK
The Tsundere fiancee finally arrives. Now she will find first a rival in Yuanlin, before they both realize that they are helpless unless they ally against the greatest foe in taking Lu Ri away from them: The mail system.
Kreylix
Hard to change at this late of date.
Katharine Gould
Ha Qi spreads!
ENK
minor edit suggestion: "Bi De’s eyes widened. Out of everything he had thus far used it for, being able to truly challenge his Master at Ha Qi was most surely its greatest function" "it" isn't very clear. I assume it's referring to the human transformation, but I'd spell it out here.
Purple Floof
It's always confused me - why is it "Ha *Qi*" when it's pronounced "Kee"? "Qi" is pronounced "Chee", so shouldn't it be "Ha Ki"?
Lanter
All the praise for the most reliable senior brother! A Young Mistress, a Senior Sister, and a foreign Beauty who(se family) you recently saved. Lu Ri sure is checking all the boxes hahahahaha! Too bad for them that the top contenders for Lu Ri's heart are "Mailing System" and "Maple Syrup" 🤣 Tftc!
Cam
So many chapters this week! Thank you!!
Harish
I can definitely see that happening. Su Ge is a literal boiling kettle. As for his need for more plants, well it will be discussed, but at this point... well, once he lays eyes on Fa Ram, Shou of the Hidden Forest might actually be living to brave Shen Yu's wrath to steal Jin away.
Often Irrelephant
Babe is going to have to give demonstrations in the ancient art of Zamboni.
Anzer'ke
I truly hope Su Ge gets the awesome battles and adventures she wishes for. She seems like a good egg. Not to mention the potential for a bond between her and Yuanlin, as two fight happy sorts. Them having tea together on some mountain, looking like opposites, only to share the exact same feral grin at the prospect of a fight, I can see it now. Plus, they both clearly see the glory that is Lu Ri. SMS taking hockey as training bestowed on them by the righteous Cloudy Sword would be a fun twist. Plus it sure fits them well, both in climate and in matching their aggression. Plus it does have real potential, teaching the weaker about balance and skill, and the stronger about holding back so as not to shatter the ice, while also winning the actual contest. Though my favourite thing of all is imagining Jin and Gramps getting to spar some more, including on the ice.
Caoimhín
Quite nice to see Su Ge's POV. And Lu Ri has tea with his harem, naively unaware that they are his harem XD Well, if the formation will take 3 days to be analyzed, then it might mean that most of them will likely be going to Fa Ram while Elder Yukong works, though 3 days are nothing to cultivators of their level, and they might just decide to stay in the base while she works, just in case.
KnightRider007
He could, but he’s always referred to it as the “ancient art” in his descriptions to his disciples, to Xiulan etc
Guber
Soon, THE GREAT LORD MAGISTRATE will sponsor the Maple Wheat Ha Qi team as they spread the wonders of Ha Qi to the world. Other alternative names are the Mighty Cocks, because ducks are lowly creatures. Please give me other names they could be!
mhaj58
Really hope to see an on depth hockey game
Mr Fox
The two are connected. once a harem protagonist reaches a high enough level of personal romantic density they begin generating a romantic gravity that sucks in love interests like the gravity well of a black hole
Nick
Tftc
Harish
Three days... Truly, the Elders of the Cloudy Sword are beyond compare. ;) But it does mean that the Heavenly Demons have time to run. Especially since Huian's comrades received reports about the movements of the Cloudy Sword and the Army. CF said Su Ge is an Otome Game Villainess. Will she walk the path of the cliche villain or Meiling mentor her into the Path of the Audacious Romantic? And those names, Subtle Scripture, HIdden Forest.. I wonder what Shou of the Hidden Forest would feel about Fa Ram. Because out of all of them, I believe he is in the best position to truly appreciate Jin's mastery. Even more so than Shen Yu. And oh yeah, The legendary art of Ha Qi shall sweep the Crimson Phoenix Empire as cultivators attempt to master this sublime art. ;) :)
Andrew Denton
Regardless of our jokes, I don't think that Yeo Na sees him that way. She's more of a mentor figure, and uniquely positioned to hit him with a clue-by-four. Platonically.
Munirah Hutchinson
New sect tradition creates a Hockey League that spans the empire
Bunny Waffles
Those skilled in the Ice Arts become wildly popular among cultivators for their ability to create a Ha Qi rink no matter the environment!
Brendan
The SMS has the numbers to make a league of their own
Zero Wrath
Thanks for the chapter. Now I can go to bed without stressing out over my midterm tmr.
Aki_Iokua18
From what we know of her, I’d say it’s more her stirring the pot in a trolling big sister kind of way.
Angel
Do you think he could just claim to have made the game up himself? 🤭
Npad11111
Ah you're absolutely right. Got my dere terms mixed up.
Anzer'ke
Yeo Na strikes me more as wanting to mess with everyone else involved than actually pursuing him himself.
Andrew Denton
Both personal and proximal, yes. 😁
Angel
Sigh…these chapters feel like a warm hug interspersed with barks of laughter, and just a touch of melancholy. I’m with Bi De that we don’t want to see even the tiniest bit of corruption or damage to Fa Ram, but getting to see all the improvements, if briefly, through his eyes was so fun! And I can’t wait until my 15 year old catches up to this part of the story so I can hear him cry laughing while picturing a carp-dragon being flushed down a toilet! 😂 You even managed to give us Su Ge and hockey! How you manage to fit it all in one chapter I’ll never know, but I’m endlessly grateful. Thank you for the lovely chapter!
seth4bucks
Su Ge is a boiling kettle and she WILL pop at some point. Lu Ri is in for it whenever that happens, especially the longer the pressure builds under her self control. Ha Qi is going to sweep the empire isn't it? Disciples and experts from the SMS, CSS, & SHI will take it back to their sects. Those sects' fame will ensure it catches on. That's not even counting whatever the herald will do. Will he also be captivated by the power, precision, & control that Ha Qi can train? Will he report that to the emperor and get the imperial army in on it? Also, really really looking forward to whenever all of the Elders & disciples get a good tour of Fa Ram. I'm that kettle of boiling water and the anticipation is building. Jin's going to knock their proverbial socks off & some Elders are going to hurl more curses at what could have been. I think that his stuffed warehouses will be a lot less stuffed after all is said and done; hopefully the Azure Jade Trading Co are included in the negotiations and get a cut. That'd really boggle their minds and allow them to hire some top notch cultivators for the expedition south, hell getting a couple of Earth or Sky cultivators for the trip might even be part of their deal. Especially if the sects/empire find out Jin wants MORE plants to cultivate.
Aki_Iokua18
Rather than tsun (prickly/standoffish) dere, Su Ge strikes me more as a kuu(cool, dispassionate) dere. By which I mean a calm, cool, collected exterior hiding the mushy passionate inner self.
Red Viking
I love that it actually makes sense for Ha Qi to become a widespread cultivator sport because of all the reasons Xiulan inferred when she was first introduced to it.
NightmareChild92
The superior art of ha qui might soon spread to all of the northern lands they might even have ha qui cultivater tournaments
Gwyn
Casual, your writing is a ray of light in dark times, thank you.
Timothy Dana
Pretty sure hockey involves a lot more drunken brawls
Mr Fox
Lu Ri has the most important trait of a harem protagonist romantic density
KnightRider007
Oooh, this could get him in trouble. He can pull “ancient art” on his disciples and people outside the Sect, but the Masters would be aware of any “Ancient” secrets he *should* know about…
Zeromaru2
Thanks for the chapter. It feels good to see them finally get some time to breathe after all that
Angel
My thoughts exactly!
Npad11111
My favorite tsundere is back!! Yahoo!
Longhaul
Excellent.
Aki_Iokua18
Thank you for the chapter and all that you do. For myself and many others, life is so much better with your tale in it. Loved Su Ge’s annoyance at the “interruptions” and Bi De and Shenhe being able to join in on the fun. She definitely needs a way to blow off steam from the inevitable headaches that are on her path.
Joker Nijima
Thanks for the chapter!
M0och
Hockey is the only true path to immortality!
AsheHides
Turly the greatest mastermind of them all!
Rake1810
2 mysterious rivals appear to the guy not interested in women! Hijinks inbound! I’m still waiting for Shou to see the farm and lose his shit as Shen Yu hurts himself laughing and that’s not even mentioning Bi De
WarStrider72
I guess after a chapter of Shen Yu bragging about his heir, we have a chapter of Ge bragging about Lu Ri! Such a bashful disciple with a flower around each hand!
Gg
Thnx for the chapter
Veltlore
Thank you for the chapter
WarStrider72
Ah, Su Ge feels threatened about her position as Lu Ri's betrothed! But what better than a good old game of Ha Qi to end the chapter! Wonder if the Sects will start their own hockey leagues?
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Jared Pincus
LAST!
Brandon
Su Ge needs to realize that both she and Lu Ri have two(2) hands.
BargleNawdleZouss
I was expecting Su Ge to be glaring at the fairies of the SHI regarding Lu Ri; I forgot to worry about Yuanlin. And is Senior Sister Yeo Na tossing her hat into the ring?!?
Sean Ulrich
Turly
Katharine Gould
Thanks for the chapter!
Seaspike
Woot
DayWalker
Third, thank bossman
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you!!
WarStrider72
thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
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