Chapter 5: The Warm Bed Cherishes Only the Beloved Son

Leaning against the wall, Lu Xiao began to read by the light of a candle.

This martial technique was called "Spirit Wind Steps." It was a set of maneuvers designed to improve footwork and enhance one's speed.

A martial artist’s true strength is generally judged by three factors. First is their cultivation realm, which is the most important foundation. Given the same moves, a martial artist with a superior realm will naturally be several degrees stronger. Second is the profundity of their martial techniques. Third is their proficiency in footwork.

As Lu Xiao studied the "Spirit Wind Steps" carefully, he understood why his older brother had given it to him. The dangers and troubles he faced were mounting. The Matriarch and her circle did not even want him to participate in the Martial Academy’s entrance examination. As the test date drew nearer, the trouble he encountered would surely increase. His brother had gifted him this footwork technique in hopes that it would provide him with an extra layer of self-preservation, ensuring he would not be easily sabotaged by underhanded schemes.

After reading through it meticulously, Lu Xiao finished in less than an hour. "Spirit Wind Steps" was a very basic footwork technique, arguably even superficial, yet it was still more valuable than the original "Gang Qi Heart Sutra." After finishing, Lu Xiao focused his gaze. The title of the "Spirit Wind Steps" appeared in green. Since such a simple technique displayed green text, Lu Xiao speculated that items with green labels were of a quality lower than blue items.

It was getting late, and he felt somewhat weary, so Lu Xiao did not push himself further.

After a night’s rest, the first thing he did upon waking was to refine the "Spirit Wind Steps." Lu Xiao re-evaluated his abilities. By focusing his mind on various objects, he could see the color of their names; the value, from low to high, appeared to be grey, white, green, and blue. Perhaps there were higher tiers, but he had yet to encounter them.

Lu Xiao warmed up his leftovers from the previous day, which served as a relatively hearty breakfast. Around mid-morning, the servants from the Head Mistress’s quarters came to assign him chores again. But today, they had no time to spare; once the tasks were assigned, they left immediately. The Head Mistress’s biological son and daughter were returning today, and the servants had to be off to serve them well.

For once, Lu Xiao had a window of relative freedom. He took out the manual for "Spirit Wind Steps," which he had already refined once, and without hesitation, refined it again.

[Spirit Wind Steps +2]

After being refined to the second tier, the previously superficial technique now possessed several profound qualities. Lu Xiao quickly finished his chores and then headed out of the Marquis’s estate to a secluded spot to begin practicing the "Spirit Wind Steps."

[Spirit Wind Steps, Profound Art. Calm the heart and condense the breath; sense the spiritual rhythms of heaven and earth. Stand like a pine, sink the intent, channel the breath into the dantian to stabilize the roots. When the steps begin, be light as a swan’s feather, landing without a sound. Move like a shadow, unpredictable. Borrow the power of the wind in motion, with the speed of a lightning strike...]

Having read the unrefined version the night before, Lu Xiao could now better perceive the mysteries within the refined technique. Footwork is never just about increasing speed; swift movement is not the same as high-level footwork. True footwork involves the coordination of the entire body—the seamless integration of attacking, defending, and dodging. It requires precision and fluidity, keeping the entire body in a state of balance and stability. As these elements were perfected, his speed naturally increased as a result.

The original "Spirit Wind Steps" was more like a guide on how to walk steadily and save energy. Only after being refined twice did it finally resemble a technique meant for a practitioner.

The servants like Liu Wang did not come to disturb him today. Lu Xiao cherished this precious time and practiced the "Spirit Wind Steps" incessantly. Within two hours, he had already mastered the basics. His movements had become much lighter. He tried walking around, finding his steps effortless and airy. With a slight exertion, he leaped a distance even further than his previous full-force efforts.

After midday, Lu Zheng’s attendant, Er Niu, approached with a worried expression. Beside him was Dong He, a maidservant to the old Matriarch of the Lu family.

"Fourth Young Master, the silver the Eldest Young Master gave you yesterday... it seems you must return it," Er Niu said, his face showing helplessness as he glanced toward Dong He.

Lu Xiao didn't need these hints to understand. Clearly, the fact that his brother had given him money had reached the ears of the family elders. Since the maidservant accompanying the attendant was from the Matriarch’s side, the order to return the money was the Matriarch’s own.

Lu Xiao did not hesitate. He turned, went back to his small room, and retrieved the three taels of silver he had received the day before. Er Niu did not reach for the money; instead, Dong He stepped forward, took the silver, counted it, and left. Er Niu intended to leave as well, but Lu Xiao held him back.

"Was my brother scolded again?" Lu Xiao asked, frowning with a trace of guilt.

Er Niu did not hide the truth and nodded. "It must have been when he brought back the leftovers yesterday; some servants saw it and reported it to the Head Mistress. The Matriarch has been berating the Eldest Young Master, forcing him to admit if there were any other ways he was caring for you. I acted on my own and confessed about the money. Please, Fourth Young Master, do not blame me..."

Er Niu started to explain further, but Lu Xiao nodded, signaling his understanding. "I understand your intentions, Er Niu. Admitting to giving me some silver isn't a major issue. If they knew my brother had given me a martial technique, the Matriarch would be truly furious."

Seeing that Lu Xiao understood, Er Niu felt a little more at ease. Without delay, he hurried to catch up with Dong He.

Lu Xiao sat on the edge of his bed. Although he was a young master of the Marquis’s estate, his current treatment was truly abysmal. To force him into submission, the Matriarch and the others had tried every method they could think of. It was only because extracting his spiritual bone required his cooperation that they hadn't resorted to even harsher tactics. Anyone in the estate who tried to help him would be severely reprimanded.

In the North Courtyard pavilion, the Matriarch looked at the silver Dong He had handed over. Her face showed anger as she glared at Lu Zheng.

"Since you have the spare capacity to leave silver for him, it means the monthly allowance the estate gives you is too high. From now on, your allowance will be halved. If you have no proper business at home, go back to the academy early; don't come back here to cause trouble."

Hearing this, Lu Zheng could no longer contain what was on his mind. With a stern expression, he stepped forward. "Grandmother, the Fourth Brother is your grandson as well. Even if you are biased, you shouldn't treat him like this, should you?"

As a younger member of the Marquis’s family, he had no right to question his elders, but this time, Lu Zheng could not hold back. There were many servants around, and they were all shocked to hear these words. Those standing on the periphery quickly retreated, not wanting to be involved.

The Matriarch frowned and looked at Lu Zheng. "So you say I am biased and mistreat Lu Xiao? Let me ask you then, tell me if I should be biased. He eats our food and wears our clothes in this estate. He has no talent for martial arts, and he cannot grasp literary studies. The estate has given him so much, yet when asked to contribute, he makes every excuse! Given all that, what is wrong with me being biased toward others?"