Chapter Sixty-Six: The Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence
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Crack!
Inside the classroom, it was as if a thunderclap had exploded out of thin air.
Invisible soundwaves rippled outward in all directions in an instant, making the windowsills quiver ever so slightly.
Standing in the corner of the room, Chen Feihuan’s expression had long since shifted from initial astonishment to numb resignation.
Fang Xiao’s reason for learning the “Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence” from her was simple—one can never have too many skills.
It was a sound and compelling reason, and since Chen Feihuan had already received the tuition fee, she naturally had no further objections.
But Fang Xiao was a complete beginner; it was impossible for him to jump straight into such an advanced whip technique.
Thus, Chen Feihuan followed the usual process.
She first taught him the most basic whip maneuvers: flick, coil, swing, sweep, hook, throw, point...
Soft whip techniques rely heavily on skill, especially in how one exerts and channels force, making them vastly different from most weapons.
Brute strength alone is useless with such a weapon!
Ordinarily, it takes months of diligent practice to truly master these foundational techniques.
Yet, when a soft, long whip was placed in Fang Xiao’s hands, he went from clumsy to adept, and then to effortlessly performing complex moves like coiling, hooking, throwing, and pointing—all within less than an hour!
Watching Fang Xiao flourish the whip with such artistry, even cracking it through the air to produce a thunderous boom, Chen Feihuan finally understood just how much weight Lin Chong’s praise of “genius” truly carried.
Crack!
Another loud, resounding snap.
Chen Feihuan could even feel faint shockwaves brush against her face.
“Stop!”
She could no longer maintain her composure and immediately called out.
At her word, Fang Xiao withdrew the whip he had just swung.
The supple length of the whip recoiled in an instant, wrapping itself in tight loops around his right arm.
Witnessing this, Chen Feihuan couldn’t help but bite her lip in secret.
The very maneuver Fang Xiao had just performed—reeling in the whip and coiling it around his arm in such a flourish—had taken her nearly two months to grasp, and her arm had been left covered in bruises!
Fang Xiao, on the other hand, executed it with effortless fluidity, as if the whip had already been tamed and transformed into a living serpent under his control.
Such talent nearly brought tears to Chen Feihuan’s eyes then and there.
“Instructor Chen?”
Fang Xiao’s respectful inquiry jolted the whip instructor from her daze.
She drew a long breath and smiled. “You’ve practiced very well. No wonder Instructor Lin favors you so highly. Next, I will teach you the Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence.”
Fang Xiao was taken aback. “So soon?”
He had expected that he’d have to spend at least a fortnight on the basics before learning this technique—one that was worth two hundred taels of silver.
He never imagined Chen Feihuan would be so eager!
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But then again—
Fang Xiao realized that learning whip techniques came even more easily to him than spearwork.
With a soft, long whip in his hand, there was no awkwardness or discomfort at all.
It felt as though he had spent years immersed in this weapon, and some deep-seated talent was now awakened within his blood.
The practice was sheer pleasure.
Fang Xiao guessed it might be because he was accustomed to handling utility belts.
“Exactly!” Chen Feihuan looked at Fang Xiao long and hard, then sighed. “Though the soft whip is among the Eighteen Arms, it’s never quite made it to the great halls of martial arts, nor can it become the true path of mastery.”
“Once you’ve mastered the Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence, don’t devote too much time to it.”
“Your focus should still be on spear techniques.”
If she could have a true disciple with Fang Xiao’s talent, she would laugh herself awake in her sleep.
But Chen Feihuan knew well the whip’s limitations, and she didn’t want Fang Xiao to stray down the wrong path.
“I understand,” Fang Xiao replied, sensing her sincerity and appreciation.
Her words came utterly from the heart.
A faint sense of gratitude rose within him.
Then, Chen Feihuan began to teach Fang Xiao the “Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence.”
It consisted of only seven forms, but these encompassed every whip technique, and the methods for channeling energy and gathering momentum were exquisite.
Chen Feihuan taught with utmost diligence, from techniques to mnemonic verses, and even demonstrated in person.
She treated Fang Xiao as if he were her own direct disciple.
Soon, the instructor realized that Fang Xiao’s talent for whipwork was even greater than she had first imagined.
He grasped everything instantly, understood with a word, and could even deduce and innovate on his own!
During practice, any mistake Fang Xiao made was never repeated once corrected.
By the end, Chen Feihuan was left speechless.
She was deeply thankful she had sent the other students to the training grounds earlier.
Otherwise, their confidence would have been utterly crushed by Fang Xiao’s display!
No wonder Lin Chong gave Fang Xiao extra lessons every day and even vacated his own courtyard for him!
“Instructor.”
Just as Chen Feihuan was lost in thought, a timid voice sounded from the doorway.
It was a round-faced girl with large eyes, her hair done up in two buns.
She said softly, “It’s almost noon. Should we continue practicing?”
Chen Feihuan was surprised. “Is it noon already?”
The round-faced girl nodded vigorously.
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Chen Feihuan gave a wry smile. “Time flies too quickly. Alright, I’ll head over now.”
Leaving all her disciples alone on the training ground, she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.
The whip instructor turned to Fang Xiao. “Wait here for me. I’ll be back soon.”
Fang Xiao saluted with cupped fists. “Yes, ma’am.”
Chen Feihuan hurried away.
But the round-faced girl did not follow her. Instead, she stood at the doorway, watching Fang Xiao curiously and asked, “Senior Brother Fang Xiao, what whip technique are you learning from the instructor?”
Fang Xiao was about to sit and rest, and answered reflexively, “The Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence.”
“What?” The round-faced girl’s eyes widened in astonishment. “That’s Instructor Chen’s secret art!”
“Is there a problem?” Fang Xiao wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled. “You can learn it too.”
“I could never manage it,” the girl shook her head repeatedly. “It’s too difficult!”
Is it really that hard?
Fang Xiao didn’t find the “Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence” difficult at all.
[Crimson Sun Manual]
[Master of All Arms, Immune to All Techniques, Impervious to All Evil]
[Tiger-Dragon Stance (Perfected)]
[Demon-Subduing Fist (Mastery): 0/80]
[Lin Family Spear (Mastery): 0/80]
[Long River Sunset Spear (Adept): 17/20]
[Soul-Stealing Whip of Impermanence (Beginner): 4/10]
[Experience: 85]
[……]
Given one more afternoon, he was certain he could reach proficiency in this whip technique.
Sensing Fang Xiao’s lack of concern, the round-faced girl looked a bit awkward. She pursed her lips and said, “Senior Brother, I’ll go now. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” Fang Xiao replied.
The girl walked a few steps, then glanced back at Fang Xiao in the classroom, as if she didn’t believe the rumors about his incompetence.
Fang Xiao was unaware of this.
He sat down on the floor.
After recovering some of his strength, he stood once again.
With a firm grip, he flicked the soft, long whip forward; in an instant, blossoms of whip shadows bloomed in the air.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Sharp, crisp explosions echoed one after another, unending.