He immediately led Zhiwei to the stone table in the courtyard, placed the jade scroll on the table, and took out a blank piece of paper and a charcoal pencil, transcribing the general principles of the sword technique and the introductory heart methods from the jade scroll as he simultaneously explained:
"This sword technique emphasizes the concept of ’Cyan Wave Layers, Intent leads the Sword’. I believe that the word ’intent’ is the most crucial but also the hardest to grasp..."
The Cyan Wave Sword Technique requires divine sense only for the latter three layers, while the first three layers are explicitly written on the jade scroll.
Chen Ye deliberately slowed his speech and occasionally made small intentional mistakes on some basic operations, then frowned as if pondering.
Zhiwei initially only listened quietly but was gradually captivated by the crux of the sword technique described by Chen Ye.
Seeing his master stuck on rather basic parts,
the dark-haired young girl couldn’t help but have a trace of... frustration akin to "being eager to see metal become steel" flash in her cold eyes.
"Master... although sword intent is sharp, it must also flow like water, so as not to lose its resilience."
She couldn’t help but extend her fair slender fingertip, lightly tapping on the paper, where somehow the water aura from her fingertip gently resonated with a spiritual power node on the sword technique atlas.
Chen Ye, upon hearing this, was internally jolted, his deliberate stall brought about such a profound insight from Zhiwei!
He clapped his hands in praise, "Zhiwei’s words are truly enlightening! Previously, I only focused on the sharpness of the Cyan Wave. Excellent, excellent!"
The big girl was always bashful when praised, especially under her master’s appreciative gaze.
Her ears turned slightly red as she lowered her head, softly saying, "Zhiwei... only corroborated some insights from the Frost Splendor Record with Master’s sword technique. It doesn’t deserve such praise from Master."
After a pause, she thought of the hefty hundred Spirit Stones and added, "Since Master has spent a fortune to obtain this sword technique, one should study it deeply and thoroughly, rather than... rather than giving up lightly due to temporary difficulties, wasting such an investment."
She said this with a hint of a small steward’s air.
Her delicate little face was full of seriousness, a look of sincere concern.
Chen Ye found it even more amusing internally,
this big disciple of his, so young and already with this temperament.
What will it be like when she grows older?
But that’s a headache for the future Chen Ye.
His eyes twinkled as he came up with an idea, intentionally showing a troubled expression: "Zhiwei is right. Yet these two words, ’artistic conception’, are profoundly mysterious. I’m afraid of walking many detours if I comprehend them alone. How about..."
He looked at Lu Zhiwei, sincerity reflected in his gaze,
"Zhiwei, you are innately intelligent. How about you assist Master with guidance from the side?"
This was striking while the iron was hot. Since Zhiwei had voluntarily offered guidance, he might as well have her take full responsibility.
This would satisfy her feeling of being needed and allow her to rightfully command himself, killing two birds with one stone.
Lu Zhiwei was slightly stunned at the proposal. Have her... guide her master in sword training?
She raised her cold eyes to seriously evaluate Chen Ye.
Trying to discern any playful hint on his face.
But Chen Ye’s expression was candid, his eyes full of earnestness seeking teaching.
The little pride within the black-haired fluffball quickly swelled up.
She tightened her little face, trying to appear more serious, more qualified, nodding slightly though her tone remained indifferent: "Since Master trusts Zhiwei, Zhiwei will do her best."
"Great!" Chen Ye clapped his hands and laughed, "Then for this beginner practice, I’ll leave it to our Instructor Zhiwei!"
Saying that, he abruptly lifted the big girl by the nape of her neck.
"Huh???"
The black-haired girl, caught off guard, was hoisted in the air by Chen Ye, her limbs dangling helplessly.
Raising her small face, she actually appeared slightly panicked.
Chen Ye, with great respect, said, "Since Instructor Lu is to teach, how could I forget decorum? Naturally, I must properly serve Instructor Lu."
"Uh???"
Chen Ye sat down boldly on the stone bench in the courtyard, then smoothly placed the still-dazed Zhiwei securely onto his lap, facing the sword technique atlas spread out on the stone table.
"Master!"
Zhiwei truly panicked this time, her tiny body going rigid like a piece of wood on his lap.
When had she ever been this close to someone?
Let alone being held on her master’s lap like a child!
Although her master had held her before, compared to today’s situation, sitting on his lap was an entirely different concept!
She instinctively wanted to struggle to get up but was restrained by Chen Ye’s gentle, yet firm hand on her slender waist, unable to move.
"Zhiwei, don’t move." Chen Ye’s voice came from above her head, carrying a warm gentleness that brooked no objection,
"Master is getting old and has poor eyesight. If you sit closer, it’s easier for me to look at the sword manual and listen to your guidance. Besides, as an instructor, you naturally need to have an instructor’s dignity. Sitting higher gives you a better view, doesn’t it?"
His twisted logic left Lu Zhiwei both angry and embarrassed, unable to argue.
She could feel that the hand pressing against her waist was broad and strong but bereft of any impropriety, merely preventing her movement.
"Senior Sister! Master! What are you doing?"
Off to the side, Qing Jun, who had initially been secretly delighted that her senior sister could "discipline" Master, was now stared wide-eyed.
She widened her phoenix eyes, curiously leaning in, her small head probing between the two of them.
Zhiwei, so embarrassed she wanted the ground to swallow her up, turned her little face aside, refusing to meet Qing Jun’s odd gaze nor to look at Chen Ye’s smiling profile.
Darned master! Always bullying people!
Zhiwei decided that tonight, she would eat three large bowls!!!
Grow up fast, so she can properly teach her master a lesson!
She took a deep breath, working to calm the embarrassment and irritation in her heart, forcing herself to concentrate once more on the sword technique map on the stone table.
"Ahem..."
Zhiwei cleared her throat, attempting to mask her unease with her cool voice, but the slightly trembling tone betrayed her tension.
She extended her fair slender fingertip to point at the transcribed sword technique, starting to meticulously explain:
"Master, please look here. The key to the first-layer heart method of ’Cyan Wave Sword Control Technique’ lies in guiding Qi to the origin, gathering Qi in the sword... At this point earlier, Master’s spiritual power rotation was somewhat hasty. It should be like spring rain nurturing everything, proceeding gradually, and then it would..."
She tried hard to ignore her master’s embrace and warm breath, starting to earnestly guide him with an earnest face.
But her posture remained stiff; her small frame was sitting straight like a school kid forcibly seated in place.
Chen Ye looked down at the little disciple in his arms, struggling to maintain dignity, noticing how her long lashes nervously fluttered yet maintained a stern demeanor as she explained the sword technique in an icy tone.
That demeanor of feigned composure was truly adorable to the extreme.
He restrained his amusement, also listening with a straight face, occasionally posing a few humble questions which encouraged Lu Zhiwei to immerse even more into the role of "Instructor Lu".
"Zhiwei, ah,"
Chen Ye suddenly leaned closer to her ear, lowering his voice to ask,
"I think, at this point of sword Qi flow, it could be more... well, more ’gentle’, don’t you think?"
"Master! Please... please mind your propriety!" Zhiwei instinctively shrank her neck, both angered and embarrassed, her voice carrying a hint of a sob.
"Hahaha!"
Chen Ye finally couldn’t help but laugh heartily, lightly patting Zhiwei’s back, soothingly saying:
"Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Instructor Zhiwei instructs exceptionally well, and I have greatly benefited from it."
Zhiwei clenched her tiny fists.
Subsequently, as if resigning to her fate, she continued pointing at the swordsmanship atlas, albeit with a slightly lowered voice.
Chen Ye felt a bit guilty.
He, the so-called expert on his little girl, seemed to have gone too far today.
Did he make Zhiwei unhappy?
"Master! Don’t daydream!" From within his arms, Zhiwei gave a small cold snort, raising her little face to glare at Chen Ye’s chin.
"Alright, alright..."
Getting a pointless glare from the big girl made Chen Ye relax.
If Zhiwei were truly mad, she’d just stay silent.
If she outwardly displayed anger, it...was just concealing something.
Chen Ye suddenly felt a bit wistful.
He actually understood now why Zhiwei wasn’t happy.
Firstly, leaving her hometown, away from familiar folks like Granny Li.
Secondly, this master of hers had been paying more attention to Qing Jun these past days...
It wasn’t that Chen Ye was being conceited,
these days, Zhiwei always seemed to deliberately ignore him, also intentionally letting her black hair down.
Isn’t this... clearly saying, that he made her mad?