I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 40: Stirring the Heavens

“Can’t succeed…” The Seventh Young Master stuttered, seemingly unable to comprehend his mother’s words. “What do you mean?”

“Can’t succeed means he simply won’t,” the Madam replied coolly, her gaze fixed on the floating tea leaves in her cup. “Ling Crane Technique isn’t a martial art for ordinary mortals.”

“But didn’t Instructor Xu say that it allows one to cultivate the Dao through martial arts and enter the Immortal Sect?”

“Cultivate the Dao through martial arts?” The Madam’s lips curved into a faintly mocking smile. “More like a case of mistaken cause and effect, a figment of mortal imagination.”

“Why?” The Seventh Young Master’s expression darkened further.

“It’s not that practicing this martial art leads to the Immortal Sect; it’s that only those who are already in the Immortal Sect can practice it.”

Seeing her son’s puzzled expression, the Madam elaborated, “Do you know the origin of Ling Crane Technique?”

“People always say the Immortal Sect selects candidates based on their talent. But what is this talent?”

“Spirit roots?”

“Yes, spirit roots are critical, but beyond that, the Immortal Sect values another quality: Dao Physique. The most exceptional geniuses in the Immortal Sect are often those with both a single spirit root and an innate Dao Physique,” the Madam explained. “While a Dao Physique is typically innate, some powerful cultivators have devised methods to cultivate one postnatally.”

“Ling Crane Technique is…?” The Seventh Young Master seemed intrigued.

“What are you imagining? A martial art couldn’t possibly accomplish such a feat. However, Ling Crane Technique was indeed designed based on one particular innate Dao Physique. Its effects are perhaps less than a tenth of the original physique’s potential, and it’s only effective during the early stages of cultivation.”

“If it’s only useful during the early stages, and mortals can’t practice it, then what’s the point of this martial art?” The Seventh Young Master pointed out the contradiction.

“While practicing such techniques doesn’t require cultivation, understanding them does demand extraordinary perception,” the Madam explained. “For example, Ling Crane Technique requires the practitioner to observe countless species of birds across the world. How could an ordinary mortal accomplish that?”

Still perplexed, the Seventh Young Master listened as the Madam continued, “Martial arts like these were originally created by powerful cultivators to train their descendants.”

“These descendants could summon at least Nascent Soul-level cultivators to employ the Mirror Blossom Water Moon technique to project myriad avian species for observation.”

Fixing her gaze on the Seventh Young Master, she added, “Can Zheng Fa do that?”

The Seventh Young Master understood. “So, from the beginning, Mother knew Zheng Fa couldn’t succeed?”

“Yes.”

“Then why? If you knew from the start that he would fail, why did you give him Ling Crane Technique?”

The Madam didn’t seem to hear his anger. Her eyes returned to her tea, and with a gentle swirl of her right hand, the tea leaves swayed and drifted helplessly with the ripples.

“Back then, Instructor Xu achieved mastery in twenty years and started dreaming of leaving the Zhao household to make his mark in the martial world,” she said, seemingly changing the subject. “I didn’t want to suppress him through authority and risk ruining our relationship, so I gave him Ling Crane Technique. And after that… he spent the next twenty years content as the Zhao family’s instructor.”

The Seventh Young Master looked at his mother with a mixture of comprehension and confusion.

“Failure made him realize that his talent wasn’t extraordinary. He accepted reality—and his fate.”

“Zheng Fa… is the same?”

“Yes.” The Madam’s eyes were cold as they met the Seventh Young Master’s. “He has better talent, but also greater ambition—and far less respect for you.”

The Seventh Young Master finally lost his patience. “Mother, I haven’t cared about that!”

“But I care!” The Madam’s voice rose, sharp and resolute. “If he lacks the potential to join the Immortal Sect, I can tolerate his ambition. But if he has it, I won’t!”

“I’ll tell him everything!” The Seventh Young Master stood abruptly.

“Zhao Jingfan!” The Madam’s tone was commanding. “You are the master; he is the servant! Zheng Fa is your hand, your leg. He is to assist you in managing the Zhao family and help you gain entry into the Immortal Sect.”

“But I will not allow him to climb onto my son’s shoulders! You may forget your status, but he must not!”

The Seventh Young Master stared at his mother, his cheeks puffed with pent-up frustration, but he couldn’t argue. In the end, he stormed out in silence.

The teacup on the table was still steaming. The Madam watched her son’s departing figure in silence for a long time.

“Madam,” the maid cautiously spoke up, “don’t be angry with the Young Master. He’s just kind-hearted.”

“Kind-hearted? I say he’s just stupid!” The Madam scoffed, sitting down heavily. “He’s been an idiot since he was a child!”

“His father went off fooling around with women and ended up having a bunch of illegitimate sons. And what did he do? He ran over to play the little brother for them! Got himself duped and didn’t even realize it!”

“Then he got a bit smarter and started clinging to his sister, following her everywhere like a shadow! When she left for the Immortal Sect, he cried like a baby and even dragged his pillow and blanket to her room to sleep for a whole year, just like a little girl!”

Her face was cold as she continued her tirade. “Does he hate me for separating him from his sister? If he had ambitions of his own, I might actually be happy. But no, he resents me for keeping him away from her!”

The maid kept her head down, too scared to speak.

The Madam didn’t stop. “And now, with his sour, unfriendly face, he’s constantly offending people. He acts all smart, but the moment he sees a servant he likes, he spills his heart out to them!”

“Madam, didn’t you once say that as long as you’re here to guide him, it’s fine if the Young Master remains a little naïve?” The maid hesitated but couldn’t help but ask.

Hearing this, the Madam rubbed her temples. “His sister sent a letter. She says she’s coming back early and plans to figure out a way to get this fool into the Immortal Sect.”

“The Eldest Miss?” The maid’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful news!”

“Wonderful, my foot!” The Madam snapped. “With his brain? What’s he going to do without someone to protect him in the Immortal Sect?”

“Is that why you…”

“Zheng Fa’s a good seedling—he has talent, a steady temperament, though he’s a bit arrogant. I plan to have him accompany the Young Master to the Immortal Sect so I can feel at ease.” The Madam shook her head. “But before that, I need to prune this seedling a bit. Unfortunately, I may have been a little too hasty.”

The maid sighed, understanding her meaning. “Madam, you truly are devoted to the Young Master’s well-being.”

“I must have owed him a great debt in a past life to have borne him in this one,” the Madam said with a sigh. “I only fear… if the Young Master tells Zheng Fa the truth, he’ll harbor resentment.”

“Resentment? And who would he resent? Me, of course.” The Madam smiled, her gaze drifting toward the training grounds. “But isn’t my fool of a son about to sell me out to comfort him? Shouldn’t Zheng Fa be even more grateful to his Young Master? The more villainous I appear, the more virtuous my son will seem, won’t he?”

“But Madam, the Young Master doesn’t understand your intentions, and Zheng Fa may hate you…”

“I don’t need them to understand; I just need them to be well. As for Zheng Fa? A servant’s hatred? That’s a burden I can bear.” The Madam blew on the floating tea leaves in her cup, utterly indifferent.

After a long silence, the maid hesitantly asked, “But what if… what if Zheng Fa’s talent is truly extraordinary, and he soars to greatness in the Immortal Sect one day? What then?”

“What then?” The Madam chuckled. “My foolish son has done nothing but shower him with kindness and sincerity. If Zheng Fa forgets that and strikes back, what kind of person would he be? No, if he truly has such talent, I would welcome it!”

Having said this, her expression suddenly changed. She frowned, tilting her head as if listening intently, her eyes fixed on the training grounds.

A faint crane’s cry echoed from the distance. It started melodiously, but quickly rose in intensity, becoming sharp and piercing, as if it could shatter the heavens. Overhead, the white clouds began to churn, rolling like ocean waves beneath the cry’s force.

Throughout Jingzhou City, people raised their heads, searching the sky with curiosity, trying to locate the source of the sound.

The Madam’s hand trembled. Her teacup fell to the ground, spilling its contents. She didn’t even notice as she murmured, “He succeeded?”

The maid bowed her head, looking at the spilled tea leaves floating aimlessly in the puddle on the floor. She let out a deep sigh.

Madam, you don’t look like someone happy to see him succeed.

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