Chapter 205: Pear Blossom Teardrop Rain, exclusivity (1/2)

Chapter 205: Pear Blossom Teardrop Rain, exclusivity

Although this Pear Blossom Teardrop Rain paled in comparison to the Pear Blossom Rain Needles, Chu Xifeng wasn’t clear on its exact strength and speed. He only knew that young master Tang Li of the Tang Clan had personally created this weapon, so it couldn’t be that simple.

Chu Xifeng stood far away, his entire body on guard. Han Yunxi was still slowly loading the needles one by one, not anxious at all. But who knew that she’d stop after she was done halfway to press a switch? Immediately, three needles flew out at once like a flash of lightning towards Chu Xifeng.

Fortunately, Chu Xifeng had prepared himself ahead of time and swerved to avoid them, but a needle soon aimed for the location where he’d dodged to. Chu Xifeng leaned back and bent his waist to dodge again, but three more needles came flying towards the back of his head next! Of course, as Long Feiye’s constant bodyguard and most able assistant, Chu Xifeng still had a few moves left. He did a backflip and went airborne.

But then! At the same time he leapt up, three high-flying needles came to meet him. Their speed and strength were such that he had narrowly avoided them.

A close shave…

Chu Xifeng hissed, never expecting that Han Yunxi could predict where he’d dodge to next. He’d eavesdropped on His Highness and Tang Li’s conversations and knew that this woman was a waste at martial arts, which was why His Highness wasn’t teaching her about assassination weapons. The Duke of Qin also told Tang Li that there would never be a need for him to teach her either as long as he made her a weapon that could make up for her lack of strength and speed.

But judging by her natural talents now, was she really a waste?

As Chu Xifeng grew distracted, a dozen or so needles instantly poured down onto him like a rainstorm, tempestuous and imposing. This time, Chu Xifeng had no way to dodge. Instead, he was forced to counterattack. A sweep of his sword scattered half the needles, while a twist of his body turned the blade enough to block the rest with series of clatters. Seeing this, Han Yunxi wasn’t disappointed, but felt very satisfied. If these weapons could force Chu Xifeng to counterattack, then they were already worthy of praise. If she used them against ordinary guards, it should be enough to defend herself against killers. In terms of strength and speed, she was both pleased. Any future potential from this weapon would have to come from her own hard work as its owner.

Han Yunxi stayed her hand.

After making sure she had really stopped, Chu Xifeng landed on the ground, filled with praise. “Esteemed wangfei’s eye strength isn’t any inferior to that of those who practice martial arts.”

Even with a convenient weapon on hand, those with insufficient eye strength wouldn’t be able to manage such a feat. Han Yunxi was as happy as if she’d found a priceless treasure. Judging by this treasure’s power and speed, she could use it to replace her useless hands. Even if she wasn’t a waste, there was no guarantee she’d train up anything in a short amount of time. Why painstakingly practice when she had this now? If this was the future, it’d be called mechanization. With this in mind, Han Yunxi stopped wondering whether she was a waste at martial arts anymore.

“Where is His Highness?”

She hadn’t seen him for days, but not only did he not dislike her, he even gave her something this good. He’d taken a lot more care than she had expected, so she had to thank him in person.

“Your subordinate isn’t clear either. He should be back in a few days for the Spring Hunt,” Chu Xifeng really was clueless. He only felt that His Highness Duke of Qin had been acting abnormal these days, though he couldn’t say what was strange.

“Is he busy with the Duke of Kang’s matter? Has the opposition made a move?” Han Yunxi asked casually. Last time, Long Feiye had completely demolished his fortified mountain village. With the Duke of Kang’s personality, wouldn’t he counterattack?

To this day, Chu Xifeng still didn’t understand why His Highness trusted this woman so much, even giving her the Perplexing Butterfly Illusion to research. After some hesitation, he still shook his head and said he wasn’t clear. Han Yunxi was intelligent enough to stop probing once she saw Chu Xifeng’s reaction. She had the faint sense that Long Feiye carried some sort of secret, while this fellow Chu Xifeng didn’t regard her as a person on their side. But this was good, too. She didn’t want to know too many secrets, because the more one knew, the more dangerous it’d be! The Spring Hunt was very close by, so she’d see Long Feiye sooner or later.

After Chu Xifeng left, Han Yunxi went to the study. She was going to thoroughly refine this “Pear Blossom Teardrop Rain” so her abilities could reach the apex!

At this moment, Long Feiye stood up. He’d been sitting on the roof the entire time. His pupils were as callous and unfeeling as always, observing Han Yunxi like he would a subordinate. He thought, all I want is to foster this woman into an exclusive poisons master, that’s all.

Even so, that penetrating gaze held an aggressive air that even he himself hadn’t noticed. His gaze was still on the house after Han Yunxi walked inside. It took him a long time to pull away and leave.

Chu Xifeng assumed he’d be called back as target practice again, but Han Yunxi spent the next few days refining the Pear Blossom Teardrop Rain in her study without finding him once. He didn’t understand how she could improve upon an already perfect weapon. If she wanted to use it well, shouldn’t she practice with it more? Only Han Yunxi knew what she was doing in the study. One thing worth mentioning was that the detox system was still upgrading, but her energy was slowly returning to normal levels. She mused that the system was going to give her a pleasant surprise soon.

In a flash, the day of the Spring Hunt arrived.

The four hunts of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter were called sou, miao, xian, and shou1, respectively. Though the Spring Hunt was a grand event in Tianning Country, it wasn’t as ceremonious as the Autumn Hunt and didn’t take place in the hunting grounds. Circumstances changed every year, but it was usually held where there was fertile farmland. On one hand, it helped the farmers get rid of birds and beasts that trampled crops underfoot; on the other, it allowed the sons and younger brothers of the aristocracy and old, well-known families to stretch their limbs after wintertime and get moving. Meanwhile, the noble ladies and wealthy young misses got a chance to step out and enjoy the Spring flowers as well.