Chapter Twenty: A True Immortal Among Men

Just like possessing the Eyes of Truth!
Everyone was utterly impressed, bowing in admiration.
"His Highness Prince Jin is truly a marvel!"
"Too incredible!"
...
All night long, they praised Li Zhi.
Yet Li Zhi himself felt nothing at all, secretly cursing these fools: "If this were the modern era, even elementary school students could do it! You're only suited for hard labor, and there's no future for you!"
Unknowingly, dawn arrived.
It was time for school once again.
Li Lizhi ran over, "Brother Zhi, it's time to go to class!"
"I'm not going!"
"Huh? You want to skip class?" Li Lizhi exclaimed in surprise, "If Father finds out, he'll be angry!"
"I don't have time for lessons. Help me ask for leave, say I'm at home copying the Records of History! For the next two days, I won't be going to the imperial study!"
"Alright, then!"
Li Lizhi pouted, "Only you are special, daring even to skip class!"
After breakfast, Li Zhi continued to practice martial arts in the courtyard.
Though he no longer had weapons, a wooden sword sufficed.
The ban imposed by Li Shimin could not deter him.
Luo Tong watched with great interest.
At first, he paid little attention, assuming Li Zhi was simply swinging the sword aimlessly, but after a while, he sensed something was off.
Li Zhi practiced for over ten minutes, repeating the sword form three times!
Each repetition was identical!
This indicated a pattern, not random swinging!
"Interesting..." Luo Tong chuckled, snapping a branch and holding it, "Little Highness, let me practice with you!"
"Get lost!"
"Your martial skills are so superb, you even beat Cheng Yaojin, but look at me, barely three feet tall—how can I fight you? Are you deliberately mocking me?"
Li Zhi was speechless.
He had inexplicably traveled to the Tang Dynasty, from a social elite to a three-year-old child.
Shoulders too weak to lift, hands unable to carry, even wielding a wooden sword was exhausting.
"Little Highness, how could I dare mock you? I'm only curious about your sword technique and wish to learn. Rest assured, I won't use force!"
"Should we try?"
Li Zhi thought for a moment.
No exercise is better than actual combat!
She adopted an attacking stance, raising her sword, "Pretty boy, be sure to restrain yourself, don't injure me!"

"Heh heh... I won't hurt you!"
Luo Tong held the soft branch, assuming a defensive posture.
Li Zhi was to attack, he would defend!
Swish, swish, swish...
The two began to spar in the courtyard.
Li Zhi treated it as a true battle, cautious and focused.
Luo Tong smiled lightly, as if he barely noticed Li Zhi, his interest only momentary, wanting to exchange moves. If it came to real skill, he was a thousand percent confident.
Smack!
Just then, Luo Tong’s backside was struck by Li Zhi.
Though it didn’t hurt and carried no force, Li Zhi managed to land a hit despite his tight defense.
"This!"
"How is it possible?"
He admitted to underestimating his opponent, but Li Zhi was only three years old. Just started practicing swordsmanship—how could he break through and attack him? It was unbelievable!
Impossible!
He had to test again!
Luo Tong dispelled his arrogance, taking Li Zhi seriously! Yet, he still controlled his strength, matching Li Zhi in force and speed, only becoming more cautious in his moves.
Swish, swish, swish...
After a dozen exchanges!
Luo Tong’s abdomen was struck again!
This time, he was fully serious, yet the weak Li Zhi still managed to attack him. What did this show? It meant Li Zhi’s sword technique was far superior to his!
"Little Highness, what sword form is this? How is it so powerful?"
"Is it?"
"Yes, yes!"
Luo Tong said, "I was careful, yet your wooden sword still struck me. If it were a real blade, I would have fallen to your sword!"
...
Li Zhi was secretly delighted, "It seems the Nine Solitary Swords is truly a profound sword art. Even Luo Tong can't defend against it, let alone others. And I’m only three, practicing for less than two days. If I grow older and master it, its power will multiply!"
In the parlor.
The Empress Zhangsun sensed something unusual and called out, "Zhi'er, what are you two discussing?"
"Your Majesty, do you know where Prince Jin’s sword form comes from?" Luo Tong, seeing Li Zhi silent, asked the Empress instead.
"What’s the matter? Is something wrong?"
"No! The Prince’s sword technique is extraordinary, I’d like to learn as well..." Luo Tong already coveted it.
For him, acquiring advanced martial skills was above all else!
Especially sword arts!
The Luo family excelled at spear, invincible on the battlefield. But in daily life, he couldn't always carry his silver spear. Should assassins strike, a sword would be more practical.
Empress Zhangsun did not know where Li Zhi’s sword art came from and didn’t care much, responding amiably, "If you like it, let him teach you!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Luo Tong was overjoyed.
However...
Would Li Zhi teach him?
"Pretty boy, I always thought you were thin-skinned, how can you shamelessly ask for this? This sword art was bestowed by a master, it cannot be taught lightly!"
"Uh!"
Luo Tong felt an inexplicable anxiety, "Your Highness, please teach me!"
"I'm only a three-year-old child, what can I teach you?"
"Your Highness is too modest. Just your sword form—when you grow older, you’ll surely be a master. I simply can’t defend against it!"
...
Their conversation reached Empress Zhangsun’s ears.
She too felt strange.
How did Li Zhi acquire martial skills?
And who was this so-called master?
To get to the truth, she called Li Zhi over, "Zhi'er, tell me honestly... have you met anyone recently?"
"No!"
"Still denying it—what about the master?"
Li Zhi was speechless. The lie thrown out casually was taken seriously by Empress Zhangsun. He could only smile wryly, "Mother, I was just fooling the pretty boy!"
"Then where did your sword technique come from? You seemed to beat Luo Tong just now!"
"He let me win!"
Li Zhi smiled and ran back to the courtyard to continue practicing.
He paid no heed to Empress Zhangsun’s questioning or Luo Tong’s request.
...
At noon.
Li Lizhi returned from class.
She heard of Li Zhi’s profound sword art.
It was all Luo Tong’s doing, hoping to get the sword moves through Li Lizhi!
He persuaded Li Lizhi to pry into Li Zhi.
In the parlor, Li Lizhi brought a plate of iced pears, handing Li Zhi a slice, "Brother Zhi, is it tasty?"
"Tasty!"
"I have a small request, can you grant it?"
"What request? We’re siblings, if you need anything, I’ll help!" Li Zhi patted his chest.
"If you say so, it’s easy!" she smiled sweetly, "I hear you’re highly skilled, know some sword art—could you teach me? I love martial arts too! If Father hadn’t stopped me, I’d be a martial arts master by now!"