From the club, returning to the Liu family manor, it was already dusk, and Jun Bufan bid farewell and returned to the Jun family.
After dinner, Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan strolled leisurely along the lake within the manor. Liu Ruyan asked, "Yunlong, can I start practicing specific martial arts moves now?"
Xiao Yunlong nodded, "It is indeed time. However, I must admit with shame that I do not have specific martial arts moves."
"You don't?" Liu Ruyan clearly didn't believe him.
"I do have some, but I promised that senior that I cannot pass them on without his permission, so..." Xiao Yunlong smiled apologetically.
"So that's how it is. I've heard of such things. Martial arts in the jianghu value lineage the most, and techniques are often only passed down to one's own disciples. So I can understand that," Liu Ruyan said with a smile.
Xiao Yunlong thought for a moment, then said, "How about this? I can demonstrate the Bagua Youlong Palm for you. I can also teach you the Dali Jingang Palm, which Cao Kun used today, after I've refined it. With these two sets of martial arts, as long as you practice them to the point of perfection, you can completely achieve the level of a Hua Jin Grandmaster!"
Liu Ruyan frowned slightly and said, "Bagua Youlong Palm, isn't that Jun Bufan's martial art? If I learn it, will there be any issues?"
"No, it's not like Jun Bufan is passing it on. Even if the Bagua Sect has something to say about it, that will be a matter for the future," Xiao Yunlong said with a smile.
"Alright then, I'll learn it!" Liu Ruyan nodded with a smile.
After their walk, the two returned to the courtyard of the main villa. The stars were bright and the moonlight was clear. Xiao Yunlong began to teach the Bagua Youlong Palm in the courtyard.
In fact, Xiao Yunlong hadn't lied. He hadn't practiced specific martial arts moves. When that mysterious old man taught him martial arts, he only explained the general principles, like a grand outline. Besides that, there was the mysterious and powerful Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique.
This grand outline involved issues of lineage, which Xiao Yunlong found difficult to pass on. Of course, it was also thanks to this grand outline that his strength advanced by leaps and bounds, especially after cultivating the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique, his comprehension of martial arts reached a new level.
Often, after just one viewing of someone else performing a technique, Xiao Yunlong could perfectly recall the opponent's martial arts moves and even identify their shortcomings and flaws.
For example, Jun Bufan's Bagua Youlong Palm, and Cao Kun's imitation of Dali Jingang Palm.
Xiao Yunlong first explained the entire technique, emphasizing the key points of the Bagua Youlong Palm.
Liu Ruyan's comprehension was quite outstanding. After only two explanations, she was able to fully memorize it.
Then Xiao Yunlong began to demonstrate. He only demonstrated twice, and Liu Ruyan was able to remember about seventy to eighty percent of it.
"Alright, now you can practice and learn. There are no shortcuts from this point on; it requires constant repetition. Of course, the process of practice will also help you improve your control over qi, as they are mutually beneficial," Xiao Yunlong said.
"Okay, Yunlong. I will work hard from now on and strive to master this palm technique quickly. That way, when I go to the film set, I'll have some self-preservation ability if anything happens," Liu Ruyan said.
"Then practice well. If you don't understand anything, ask me. I'll go up to the attic to refine the Dali Jingang Palm technique!"
After Xiao Yunlong finished giving instructions, he went upstairs.
Liu Ruyan began practicing the palm technique in the courtyard. At first, her movements were very slow and clumsy. Although she had the overall framework in her mind, her mind understanding it didn't mean her body could do it, and even if her body could, she still had to practice repeatedly.
Only by forming muscle memory and then achieving proficiency, and finally reaching perfection, could she progress further.
Liu Ruyan wasn't in a hurry. She assumed a stance and practiced diligently according to her memory...
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong was in the attic, sitting motionlessly in a chair on the balcony. However, a storm of deduction was raging in his mind.
At this moment, Xiao Yunlong's memory was like frames of a movie, infinitely slowed down, playing back the Dali Jingang Palm technique used by Cao Kun.
As he deduced and refined it repeatedly, a complete version, almost identical to the original, of the Dali Jingang Palm technique soon took shape.
"It should be like this. This final version, compared to Cao Kun's, will likely be much more powerful."
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly, then began to cultivate the Three Thousand Divine Kingdoms technique.
Time trickled by. At this moment, Cao Kun and the two English gentlemen, who now looked like stray dogs, finally returned to the Cao family in Yancheng in a sorry state.
Yancheng was adjacent to Sucheng, also a city under the jurisdiction of Jiangdong Province. The Cao family was the undisputed behemoth in Yancheng.
In fact, before Cao Kun and the others had returned, the Cao family had already received the news. At this time, the entire Cao family compound was brightly lit.
The patriarch, Cao Wushang, Cao Kun's father, paced back and forth in the courtyard with a furious expression, his hands clasped behind his back.
The other direct descendants of the Cao family, including several invited elder masters, were either in the main hall or standing under the eaves. However, no one spoke, and the atmosphere was very oppressive.
Finally, Cao Kun and the two elders entered, supported by servants. Cao Wushang rushed forward to ask, "How is it, Kun'er? Are you alright?"
The other Cao family disciples also came forward to see what was happening.
Cao Kun's lips were already pale. He gritted his teeth and grunted, "Father, my hand is broken, and I've disgraced our Cao family. We must get revenge, no matter what!"
"Damn it, how dare he touch Cao Wushang's son? He must be out of his mind. Kun'er, hurry and get treated and bandaged!"
As Cao Wushang spoke, he quickly gestured to a doctor who was already prepared.
The doctor immediately stepped forward, helped Cao Kun, and went to the west wing.
Cao Wushang then turned to the two elder masters he had specially invited and asked, "You two are master experts I specially invited. How did you both end up injured like this? Who is the opponent? Is their skill truly that strong?"
One elder sighed and said, "The opponent was a young man in his early twenties. We don't know his background, but he is indeed very strong. We were no match for him at all."
"It is said that you were defeated by him in a single move?" Cao Wushang asked, his eyes wide.
The two elders felt their faces burn with shame. However, many people had witnessed it, so they couldn't deny it. They sighed and said, "It's shameful to say, after practicing martial arts for most of our lives, we never expected to be inferior to a mere youngster, and to be so severely injured by him in a single move."
Although they didn't directly answer, it was an indirect confirmation. Cao Wushang was stunned on the spot, his face filled with shock.
One elder suddenly said, "By the way, although we don't know the young man's background, he was with Jun Bufan, a direct descendant of the Jun family, and their relationship seemed to be quite close. It is said that Young Master Cao Kun's initial conflict was also with Jun Bufan. You can ask Young Master Kun about this, Patriarch Cao."
"Alright, no matter what, thank you, gentlemen. Otherwise, Kun'er might not have returned alive. You two are also seriously injured, so please go and recuperate first."
Cao Wushang waved his hand slightly, and the two elders turned and walked away.
At this moment, a burly middle-aged man stepped forward quickly, gritted his teeth, and snorted, "Brother, we absolutely cannot let Kun'er's matter go. When has our Cao family ever suffered such humiliation? The Jun family in Sucheng is simply too overbearing and arrogant!"
Cao Wushang slowly narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth, "The Jun family in Sucheng. Kun'er's revenge must be taken. Not only must it be taken, but according to secret intelligence, several elder masters of the Jun family in Sucheng offended a mysterious and powerful expert. Including the Jun family's coach at the Jiangdong Martial Alliance, they were all wiped out. Now the entire Jun family is leaderless, and it is the perfect time to strike."
The burly middle-aged man, Cao Wuji, said, "Big brother, do you mean we should take this opportunity to attack the Jun family in Sucheng and destroy the Jun family in one fell swoop, expanding our Cao family's influence into Sucheng?"
"Exactly. In fact, I had this idea the day before yesterday, but I couldn't find an opportunity. Now it seems that Kun'er's injury has come at the right time. As the saying goes, a blessing in disguise. Although Kun'er's hand is broken, it has given us a reason and excuse to act against the Jun family!" Cao Wushang said with a grin.
At this moment, an elder of the Cao family with white hair and beard stepped forward and said, "Attacking the Jun family in Sucheng is naturally not a problem. As you said, this is indeed a rare opportunity for our Cao family. However, executing this matter is not as easy as it seems."
Cao Wuji couldn't help but say, "Third Uncle, now that the Jun family's elder masters are all dead, especially that old fellow who was the coach for the Jun family in the Jiangdong Martial Alliance, it shouldn't be difficult for our Cao family's power to destroy the Jun family, right?"
The Cao family elder shook his head and smiled, "You're thinking too simply. Our influence is mainly concentrated in Yancheng, while the Jun family is in Sucheng. If our Cao family wants to extend its reach into Sucheng, won't the Liang family, the foremost ancient clan in Sucheng, have other ideas? After all, Liang Minghui of the Liang family is the Director of the Sucheng City Defense Bureau. Can he stand by and watch us encroach upon Sucheng's territory?"
"This is true. We cannot ignore the Liang family. However, before we make a move, we can ask our second brother, or Kun'er's uncle, to inform Liang Minghui first and see what the Liang family's attitude is. At most, after we destroy the Jun family, we can share some of the profits with the Liang family!" Cao Wushang said in a deep voice.
"This plan is feasible. If the Liang family agrees, then there shouldn't be too many problems with our action against the Jun family in Sucheng!" The Cao family elder nodded slightly.
"In that case, I will call Kun'er's uncle now and ask him to come over. My second brother is a commander in the Jiangdong City Lord's Mansion, and it's probably inconvenient for him right now."
After Cao Wushang finished speaking, he took out his phone and made a call.
Not long after, Cao Kun's uncle, Geng Bingfa, arrived.
Although Geng Bingfa was the Director of the City Defense Bureau in Yancheng, the Cao family was a very powerful ancient clan in Yancheng. Moreover, the second son of the Cao family was a commander in the Jiangdong City Lord's Mansion. Therefore, upon receiving the news, Geng Bingfa dared not delay and rushed over.
In fact, for such large clans, various forces were intertwined, forming a community of interests. The Cao family's influence, in a broad sense, naturally included Geng Bingfa.
"Brother-in-law, why are you calling me here so urgently in the middle of the night? Is there something important?" Geng Bingfa asked immediately after getting out of the car.
"Let's talk in the study!" Cao Wushang beckoned, and then several important members of the Cao family turned and went to the study.
After listening to Cao Wushang's explanation, Geng Bingfa frowned slightly and pondered, "The Liang family in Sucheng is actually in a similar situation to our Cao family in Yancheng. Although Liang Minghui, the Director of the Sucheng City Defense Bureau, is not much himself, he has a son, named Liang Bendao, who holds a position in a key department in the capital. Therefore, the Liang family may not agree to this matter."
Cao Wushang smiled and said, "Don't jump to conclusions. I don't believe the Liang family has no ambition to annex the Jun family during this opportunity. However, they are an ancient clan in Sucheng, and it's not convenient for them to be too overt. If our Cao family makes the move, then the Liang family, hidden in the dark, won't have to worry about what people in Sucheng will say."
Geng Bingfa pondered for a moment, then nodded, "Alright, I'll make a call to Liang Minghui now to try."
The call was quickly connected, and to the surprise of the Cao family members, Liang Minghui actually agreed directly.
"Brother Minghui, so your Liang family agrees?" Geng Bingfa asked again.
"We agree. Our Liang family has no objections and will not participate in it. You know, I, Liang Minghui, have limited abilities and no ambitions. I just want to guard my own small piece of land. Moreover, my son has already established himself in the capital, and our Liang family plans to focus on the capital. We are preparing to let go of Sucheng."
Liang Minghui said on the phone.
"I see. Then congratulations, Brother Minghui. I didn't expect your Liang family to be ready to enter the capital so quickly. You have a good son!" Geng Bingfa sighed.
"In fact, this is also due to my limited personal ability. Otherwise, why would I not touch the fat meat that is the Jun family? Alright, I have other matters to attend to. You can handle the Jun family as you see fit. My Liang family guarantees that we will not participate. Goodbye."
After Liang Minghui hung up the phone, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a cold smile, "Cao family, oh Cao family, I didn't expect you to even set your sights on the Jun family. If it were usual, it would be fine. But this matter involves Mr. Xiao. If you dare to make a move, you might not even know how you died!"