Chapter 140: Possessed

It all happened so quickly, catching Xiao Man by surprise and even astonishing Wang Xingde, who was watching from the sidelines.

"Hmm? Her lower body swayed so much. It seems this young lady truly has no master. I must have misjudged the situation."

A flicker of reluctance appeared in Chun Xiaoman's eyes. She raised her sword again with one hand and told the taciturn youth, "Good, let's go again!"

After a few swift exchanges, Xiao Man lost again, this time more severely. Her sword was even knocked from her hand. Although her opponent's weapon was unusual, it was more than sufficient to defeat Xiao Man. They fought several more matches, and Xiao Man hardly won any. Only once, she fought ferociously, trading injuries to barely secure a single victory.

Seeing Xiao Man's chest heaving more intensely, Wang Chengxing feared he might make the young woman cry and quickly stepped forward to intervene. "Miss, that's enough," he said. "It's almost dark. Let's call it a day."

A slightly disheveled Chun Xiaoman, still quite unwilling, asked him, "Is my swordsmanship really that bad?" Everything that had just transpired left her with an intense feeling of frustration. She suspected that what she had been practicing for days was probably just a joke to them. In fact, it already was a joke; the younger onlookers were laughing incessantly.

Wang Chengxing chuckled awkwardly. "Miss," he began, "your empty-step horizontal slash, bow-step downward slash, forward point with the sword, knee-raise straight thrust, and rest-step downward slash are all very well-practiced. You've clearly put in considerable effort, and you could easily handle one or two ordinary farmers." That was all he said, nothing more.

Chun Xiaoman could discern the underlying meaning of his words: she was still a novice. "If I want to keep improving my skills, where should I focus my efforts?"

"Ah, Miss," he sighed, "being a female hero isn't as easy as it sounds. What the storytellers say is all fiction. You should just return home." As Wang Chengxing spoke, he offered the one tael of silver, holding it out with both hands. Clearly, he mistook Xiao Man for a wealthy child yearning for chivalrous adventures.

Xiao Man pushed the silver back. "Elder," she said, "I don't wish to be a female hero. I only want to protect myself in these chaotic times. Please enlighten me!"

Perhaps the conviction in Xiao Man's voice made Wang Chengxing sense something unusual about her. After a moment of contemplation, he said seriously, "Miss, your strength isn't ideal, but your body's flexibility is good. It would be best to try a sword style that suits you. Also, your lower body isn't stable enough; you need to practice the horse stance. Furthermore, merely practicing diligently isn't enough; you need someone to spar with you. Of course, for martial arts practice, it's always best to have a master's guidance."

Xiao Man cast another glance at the youth holding the rattan shield. She was about to ask what kind of martial art he was practicing, but she ultimately held her tongue. For one tael of silver, he had already been more than generous with his advice. Asking for more would be overstepping. Chun Xiaoman, knowing better than to push her luck, retrieved her sword from Yang Xiaohai and bowed to Wang Chengxing in farewell.

"Sister Xiao Man, you're already formidable! How long have you even been practicing?" Yang Xiaohai cheered from the side. "In a few more years, you'll definitely be able to defeat him!" After saying this, he looked at the other people in the training ground with a look of disdain. "Besides," he added, "these people aren't powerful at all. In front of our Senior Brother Li, they probably wouldn't even last a single round."

"Shut up, let's go!" Chun Xiaoman quickened her pace. His words, far from comforting her, only made her feel even more incompetent.

"Ah!" Suddenly, an old woman, reeking of urine and with hair that looked as if a dog had chewed it, sprang out from nowhere and lunged at Yang Xiaohai. Her expression was utterly grotesque, and coupled with her appearance, she looked no different from a malevolent ghost.

Xiao Man's long sword was just about to leave its sheath when a strong gust of wind roared from behind her. It was Wang Chengxing. Before the woman could reach Yang Xiaohai, he had already rushed forward and held the old woman tightly. He offered Chun Xiaoman a strained smile. "Miss, please forgive us. My master's wife is like this; she's been afflicted for many years."

"Afflicted?" Xiao Man looked at the old woman, whose eyes were fixed on Yang Xiaohai behind her. Her teeth clattered incessantly, making an eerie sound. "If she's afflicted, have you sought out someone to perform a ritual?"

"Alas, yes, we have," he sighed. "We've invited nuns from the mountains and monks, but she just hasn't shown any improvement. My poor master!" Wang Chengxing finished speaking with a sigh and was about to leave with his master's wife.

"Afflicted? Master's wife?" Chun Xiaoman's eyes lit up. She suddenly thought of a solution. If this matter went well, the other party might not just offer a simple pointer; they might offer their full assistance.

"Let's go." Chun Xiaoman hurriedly returned to the inn and began searching for someone among the guest rooms.

"Senior Brother Zhao Wu, you're so fast with the abacus; you calculated it clearly in an instant.""You're too kind. My family sells rice, so I naturally picked it up from a young age, by observing and listening.""Can you teach me how to use an abacus? I need to manage our finances properly. I feel that if we keep spending like this, we'll run out of money before we even reach my home."

Hearing the voices, Xiao Man pushed open the door beside her and saw the person she was looking for: Bai Lingmiao. She walked over, took Bai Lingmiao's hand, and led her out of the room into the corridor. After glancing around to ensure no one else was present, she lowered her voice and asked, "Are those things you told me that night true? Are you really a shaman now?"

"Of course. Why do you ask?" Bai Lingmiao looked at her friend with some confusion.

"Good. Come with me for a moment; I need your help with something."

By the time Xiao Man led Bai Lingmiao to the front of the escort agency, it was already dark. Seeing the large escort flag, Bai Lingmiao, who was holding a drum, seemed a bit timid. "Where is this place? Maybe we should come back tomorrow."

"We can't wait. Just do me a favor," Chun Xiaoman said, walking inside and causing another commotion.

After about fifteen minutes, in a reception room at the escort agency, Chun Xiaoman addressed the grim-faced, very serious-looking elderly man seated opposite her. "Elder," she said, "my friend here might truly be able to cure your wife's illness."

Zhao Qin, betraying no emotion, set down his teacup and observed the somewhat overly pale young woman not far away. Over the years, every possible method had been tried, but his wife remained unchanged. He had long since given up hope.

His yellowish eyes shifted towards Chun Xiaoman. With a wave of his hand, Wang Chengxing entered, carrying two taels of silver which he placed on Chun Xiaoman's table. "Miss, this is what you left behind; you forgot to take it," he said. "Please forgive us for alarming you today. As for my wife's condition, please don't trouble yourselves further. She is old, and all I wish now is for her to spend a few peaceful days by my side."