Chapter 2 Sparring in Martial Arts

The sun shone high in the sky, blazing at its zenith. Clad in white, Li Yi sat by the windowsill, softly humming a tune as he absentmindedly flipped through an ancient book on the table.

Fortunately, Li Yi had always been fond of delving into Tang Dynasty history, so he recognized every character in the archaic script, sparing himself no small amount of trouble.

Yue’er, meanwhile, had entered Li Yi’s room for the very first time. At this moment, she stood quietly behind him, dutifully massaging his shoulders.

“I mustn’t become complacent, absolutely mustn’t,” Li Yi muttered, though the delicate maidenly fragrance drifting from behind quickly breached his defenses after only a token struggle.

Yue’er’s massage was truly unique, her touch and pressure perfectly measured, leaving Li Yi utterly relaxed and content.

He suddenly thought to himself that this leisurely existence… was actually rather enjoyable.

“Sanlang, it’s time to practice your martial arts.”

Just as Li Yi was basking in his contentment, a melodious voice rang out, penetrating the sturdy door. By now, Li Yi was more than familiar with this voice—he knew its owner the moment he heard it.

“Coming, Mother,” Li Yi quickly put down his book, sprang to his feet, and hurried out the door, where he was greeted by the sight of Lady Red Whisk.

Ethereal and heroic—those were the only words Li Yi could muster to describe her, and even they barely sufficed. Though she was already in her forties, she appeared no older than a maiden of twenty, beautiful and brimming with charm. The aura she radiated left Li Yi deeply shaken.

For a moment, Li Yi was lost in awe. “So it’s true—television dramas really are deceptive,” he mused.

At that instant, Lady Red Whisk arrived at the door and caught sight of Yue’er emerging from the room, her brows lifting in mild surprise.

“How odd! Sanlang never allows Yue’er into his chambers. Why the sudden change today?”

Though curious, Lady Red Whisk was nonetheless pleased by the scene before her. After all, it had been she who placed Yue’er at Li Yi’s side. Yue’er was pure-hearted and innocent by nature, and Lady Red Whisk had personally taught her many skills, all in hopes that Yue’er could care for Li Yi in the future.

Now, seeing that Yue’er was gradually gaining Li Yi’s trust, Lady Red Whisk felt a sense of relief.

“Sanlang, tell me, have you taken a fancy to any young lady lately? If you have, I’ll ask your father to propose on your behalf!” she said with a fond smile, leading the way to the training grounds, her tone filled with gentle indulgence.

Li Yi looked at Lady Red Whisk with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. “Mother, you truly are my own mother! I’m still so young, yet you’re already eager to see me married.”

But upon reflection, she had a point. Li Yi was already sixteen—at his age, many had children running about, yet he remained unmarried. Even the maid Yue’er, who had been assigned to him, was still untouched.

If he wasn’t so fond of wandering through the pleasure quarters, some might have suspected him of a predilection for men.

Only Lady Red Whisk’s partiality allowed him such freedom.

“Oh, you child…” Lady Red Whisk shook her head with a smile, glancing at Yue’er and, for the moment, setting aside her intentions. Her eyes brightened as she said, “Very well, I won’t press you.”

“I knew it—Mother treats me best!” Li Yi’s sweet smile made Lady Red Whisk’s own blossom even brighter.

The three of them arrived at the training grounds, where Li Yi saw rows of weapons displayed on either side—every conceivable kind.

“Sanlang, choose a weapon. Let me test you and see whether your skills have declined recently,” Lady Red Whisk said with a gentle smile. Yet her demeanor suddenly shifted, her aura turning fierce and battle-ready, like a warrior poised for combat.

Li Yi shuddered involuntarily at her presence.

“Yes, Mother.” He nodded, walked straight to the rack, and selected a longsword. Turning back, he narrowed his eyes, watching Lady Red Whisk with utmost caution.

He knew her rules: in any bout, no matter how friendly, one must treat the opponent as a true adversary. On the battlefield, a single misstep could mean death.

And Lady Red Whisk’s martial prowess was not to be taken lightly.

Suddenly, she snatched up a scarlet horsetail whisk, its tail lashing out like a blade, striking toward Li Yi with the speed of lightning.

“Not good!” Li Yi hastily raised his sword to parry. Yet he had not anticipated that her attack was merely a feint.

In the next instant, the whisk’s tail changed direction with uncanny precision and cracked sharply across Li Yi’s back.

A crisp sound rang out; Li Yi staggered forward, nearly falling, his heart pounding in the aftermath.

From his memories, Li Yi knew he had inherited the true martial arts of Lady Red Whisk and Li Jing. Yet he was unable to withstand even a single move from her today.

“If this were a real enemy, I’d be dead by now!” Li Yi thought with alarm. The only explanation was that Lady Red Whisk had never before used her full strength against him.

Now, however, she held nothing back.

“Sanlang, again!” Lady Red Whisk’s brows knit, her expression suddenly severe.

“Yes, Mother.” Li Yi gripped his sword and attacked, only to be struck again by the whisk.

“Again!” Lady Red Whisk commanded sternly.

This time, Li Yi didn’t charge in recklessly but began searching his mind for a counter.

Suddenly, two words sprang to mind—Taiji.

“That’s it, the Taiji Sword! This should be perfect for countering Mother’s forceful style!” Li Yi resolved. He shifted his stance, raised his sword, and advanced once more.

Beyond his passion for Tang history, Li Yi had studied poetry, Taiji, and the healing arts of many dynasties. In his previous life, he had even spent several years on Wudang Mountain learning the Taiji Sword from an old Daoist priest.

Now, as he faced Lady Red Whisk again, he was still at a disadvantage, but no longer completely passive.

Each of her unpredictable attacks was skillfully deflected by the yielding strength of the Taiji Sword.

Mother and son exchanged more than a dozen moves, and though Li Yi struggled, he managed to hold his ground.

“What’s this? What sword technique is Sanlang using? He’s neutralizing my attacks so deftly!” Lady Red Whisk’s eyes narrowed in surprise and admiration at his transformation, yet she did not relent, pressing her assault ever harder.

On the sidelines, Yue’er watched in astonishment, unconsciously raising a hand to her lips.

“When did Young Master become so formidable?” she wondered in awe.