Chapter 144 Gift of a Book

Qin Xiaolin handed a book to Li Xi, smiling as he said, "I came across this book by chance, and I think it will be helpful to you."

Li Xi took the book and discovered it was the "Heart Sutra." Wasn't this exactly what Murong Xuan had always wanted? How did it end up in Qin Xiaolin's hands?

She looked at Qin Xiaolin with a questioning look in her eyes, "Brother Qin, this book?"

Qin Xiaolin explained, "This manual is extremely useful to you. Do you remember the unknown internal energy in your body? This manual can control the power in your body and use it for your own purposes."

She had previously thought that the power within her was already under her control, but as time went on, she vaguely realized that it was starting to become somewhat out of control.

Li Xi's heart pounded violently. She looked down at the "Heart Sutra" in her hands, a strange excitement welling up inside her.

She had always longed to master the power within her, and this book might just be the guide she was looking for.

"Brother Qin, how did you get this book?" Li Xi couldn't help but ask. She felt that the appearance of this book was too coincidental, as if it were an arrangement of fate.

Qin Xiaolin smiled gently, "Actually, this book was given to me by a master. He told me that it can help you better control your power. I don't know its specific function, but I think it should be very important to you."

Li Xi nodded silently; she could feel Qin Xiaolin's sincerity and concern.

She turned the pages of the book, and a faint scent of ink wafted out. The words flowed gracefully, like a clear spring flowing through her heart.

"Brother Qin, I really don't know how to thank you."

Qin Xiaolin gently patted Li Xi's shoulder, "There's no need for thanks between us."

He picked up the wine pot and poured Li Xi a full glass of wine, his tone tinged with regret, "It's a real pity that I couldn't come to congratulate you on the opening of the new store. Here, have a drink."

Li Xi picked up her wine glass and gently clinked it against Qin Xiaolin's. "Brother Qin, you're too kind."

The two exchanged a smile and drank it all in one gulp.

Behind the screen, Yu Luo gently plucked the strings of the guzheng, and the notes flowed out like spring water, melodious and graceful.

Qin Xiaolin and Li Xi's conversation continued, but Yu Luo's guzheng music quietly broke the silence of the room. The music was like a babbling brook or a gentle drizzle, carrying a sense of poignant beauty and sorrow.

Her fingertips danced across the strings, like a group of joyful sprites. The guzheng's tone was deep and melodious, as if telling ancient stories, drawing the listener in completely.

Li Xi and Qin Xiaolin poured each other quite a bit of wine.

The air was filled with the slightly intoxicating aroma of wine, and the two men's laughter echoed in the night.

Li Xi's face was flushed, and her eyes sparkled with a light that was completely different from usual. It was the release of the alcohol and the liberation of her mind.

Qin Xiaolin, on the other hand, remained calm, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if they held countless untold stories.

"Brother Qin, another cup!" Li Xi raised his wine cup, challenging Qin Xiaolin.

Qin Xiaolin smiled slightly, raised his wine glass and lightly clinked it with his, "Brother Li, it's not about the quantity of wine, but the depth of our friendship."

Upon hearing this, Li Xi laughed heartily, “Brother Qin is indeed a remarkable person. Wine is the medium, and affection is the bond. We are making friends over wine, but even more so, we are connecting with each other through affection.”

Qin Xiaolin nodded in agreement, “Indeed. Wine can intoxicate, and feelings can intoxicate the heart. Tonight, under this moonlight, we make friends over wine and connect with each other through feelings. It is truly one of the greatest pleasures in life.”

Li Xi couldn't help but sigh, "Brother Qin is absolutely right. This wine was well worth it, and this sentiment is even more precious. It's just a pity that time flies like water and cannot be stopped."

Their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still.

Li Xi's heart raced, and a strange feeling quietly grew within her. She tried to suppress her emotions and whispered, "Brother Qin, you must take good care of yourself."

Qin Xiaolin smiled slightly and nodded, "Don't worry, I will. You too, take good care of yourself."

After saying that, he stood up and prepared to leave.

Li Xi also stood up, watching his receding figure, a faint sadness welling up in her heart.

She knew that this parting might be the last time they would meet.

In the days that followed, Li Xi frequently traveled between Xishan Villa and Tingfeng Courtyard.

During the bright sunshine of the day, she followed her masters to learn the Eighteen Tai Chi Swords, her swordsmanship as agile as the wind and as swift as flowing clouds. At night, she immersed herself in the practice of the Heart Sutra, her mind tranquil and her will firm.

She hopes to continuously improve her martial arts skills and inner strength through this method, hoping to one day become a true martial arts master.

Meanwhile, the Taoist Master Jingxin was not idle either. He began to teach Li Xi some basic Taoist knowledge, such as Qi cultivation and health preservation.

One day, Li Xi was practicing swordsmanship when he suddenly had a flash of enlightenment, and his sword naturally executed a move.

This move was fluid and natural, without any trace of artifice, as if she had always known it.

"Master, what do you think of my move?" Li Xi said excitedly.

A hint of appreciation flashed in the eyes of the Taoist Master Jingxin. "You have already grasped the essence of this sword technique. You just need to keep refining it in the future."

"The essence?" Li Xi was puzzled.

"Yes, the essence. Each move of the Eighteen Tai Chi Swords has its own unique artistic conception, and the move you just used contained the meaning of Tai Chi," explained the Taoist Master Jingxin.

"The meaning of Tai Chi?" Li Xi still didn't quite understand.

"Let me explain slowly," said the Taoist Master Jingxin. "The meaning of Taiji is a state of mind where Wuji gives rise to Taiji, Taiji gives rise to Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang give rise to the Four Symbols, and the Four Symbols give rise to the Eight Trigrams. The move you just used has this meaning, so I say you have grasped the essence."

Li Xi remained silent after hearing this. She closed her eyes and carefully tried to understand the feeling of the move she had just made, hoping to comprehend the meaning of Tai Chi as described by the Taoist Master Jingxin.

After a long while, she opened her eyes, a look of enlightenment on her face. "I understand now. This sword technique may seem ordinary, but it contains endless variations. From nothing to something, from one to ten thousand, it is the essence of Tai Chi giving birth to all things."

"Very good. Your understanding of this sword technique has reached a new level." Master Jingxin nodded in satisfaction. "Next, you must practice continuously, allowing this artistic conception to be integrated into your sword technique and form your own style."

In the days that followed, Li Xi immersed herself in sword practice.

She practiced this sword technique repeatedly every day, from initial awkwardness to later proficiency, from initial ordinariness to later endless variations.

She gradually felt the charm of this sword manual and gradually understood the meaning of Tai Chi.