Great Dao Lord through Deducing Myriad Arts

Let’s start with analyzing the source text to build contextual understanding.

Literary genre: This appears to be a Chinese cultivation/martial arts web novel (wuxia or xianxia)

Language style: Casual narration with dialogue, focusing on martial arts and cultivation-related themes

Tone: Mostly serious with some humorous elements

Plot keywords: martial arts, cultivation, internal energy, conspiracy, secret organizations, training

Characters (with gender):

- Wu Liangchen (武良辰) - male, a martial artist in training, seemingly dedicated and hardworking

- Yang Lian’Er (杨莲儿) - female, appears to be Wu Liangchen’s employer, possibly a noblewoman or influential figure

- Aunt Fan (樊姨/樊姐) - female, seems to be associated with a secret organization called "Heartless Dao"

- Yan Zongtai (严宗泰) - male, appears to be Yan Yuhe’s brother and of some status

- Yan Yuhe/Yuhua (严雨荷) - female, Yan Zongtai’s sister, training at Long Wind Martial Arts Hall

- Gao Kai (高凯) - male, seems to be working for Yan Zongtai

- Zhu Chao (朱超) - male, training at Long Wind Martial Arts Hall, interested in Yan Yuhe

- Yu Changfeng (于长风) - male, master of Long Wind Martial Arts Hall, a Minor Third Realm martial artist

- Zhao Hui (赵辉) - male, nicknamed "Drunken Eagle Eye", investigating something

Organizations:

- Long Wind Martial Arts Hall (长风武馆)

- Five Blessings Hall (五福堂)

- Heartless Dao (无情道) - seems to be a secret organization or cult

Now I’ll proceed with the translation while following all the guidelines provided.

I note that Yan Yuhe and Yan Yuhua appear to be the same person - the glossary lists 严雨荷 as Yan Yuhua, so I’ll use that name consistently.

I’ll now translate the content line by line, ensuring I adhere to all the rules, especially the glossary terms.

Although Long Wind Martial Arts Hall wasn’t the most famous or powerful in Dinghai City, the Long Wind Palm technique was quite extraordinary, and its master Yu Changfeng was a Minor Third Realm Martial Artist who had already cultivated primordial energy.

That was why Yan Zongtai had pulled strings to get his sister in—specifically so she could learn the eighteen forms of the Long Wind Palm.

"Not yet. That Yu Changfeng said that to practice the palm technique, I need to hold the Long Wind stance for at least three months first," said Yan Yuhua.

Yan Zongtai nodded. "That does make sense."

"Makes sense my ass! I don’t want to go anymore, especially since there’s this guy named Zhu Chao who keeps pestering me nonstop. It’s driving me crazy," Yan Yuhua complained.

Yan Zongtai frowned slightly, then seemed to recall something and called out sternly, "Gao Kai!"

Gao Kai, who had been waiting outside the door, hurriedly entered.

"Young master!"

"I recall you have a cousin at Long Wind Martial Arts Hall. His name is Zhu Chao, correct?"

Gao Kai nodded awkwardly. "Yes!"

In his heart, he was cursing Zhu Chao for being pig-headed. He had warned him before not to pursue Yan Yuhua because she was completely out of his league, but he wouldn’t listen. Now look what happened.

"Since that’s the case, tell him to abandon these inappropriate thoughts, or else..."

"Yes, I promise I’ll tell him!" Gao Kai hurriedly bowed his head in agreement.

"Now tell me, what have you found out?" Yan Zongtai knew that if Gao Kai dared to come see him, he must have made some progress.

"Young master, I sought out a master, and after his investigation, he suspects there might be only one perpetrator behind this."

"Oh?" Yan Zongtai was surprised by this news.

"Are you certain?"

"That’s what he claimed, at least. He also said if we give him three days, he should be able to find some clues."

"Good, you’ve done well. If he truly finds any leads, there will be a handsome reward," Yan Zongtai praised him, which was rare.

Gao Kai appeared very excited, repeatedly nodding in acknowledgment before backing out of the room.

"Brother, this Gao Kai is quite capable, isn’t he?" Yan Yuhua said with a smile.

"Hehe, with men like him, you need to know how to use them. When discipline is needed, you must be harsh, then offer some benefits afterward. Only then will they serve you wholeheartedly," Yan Zongtai said calmly.

Meanwhile, the eagle-eyed Zhao Hui was also working on the case.

After returning from the ruins of the Five Blessings Hall carriage depot, he had done three things: first, he went to his usual tavern to pay off his tab, then found a small bathhouse for a good soak.

After his bath, he visited a familiar master for a thorough treatment including foot care and cupping therapy.

By the time he left the bathhouse, Zhao Hui had completely transformed his appearance.

The previously slovenly middle-aged man had vanished, replaced by a vigorous, strapping fellow in his prime.

Afterward, he went to the lawless district and began... visiting brothels.

While the famous "Divine Eagle" was losing himself in the bustling excitement of the lawless district, someone else was also at an establishment in the same area.

Aunt Fan sat at a table, slowly sipping her tea.

The room was decorated with elegant simplicity. Outside the window stood a clump of bamboo, and on the table sat an incense burner, its wisps of smoke drifting about, creating a serene atmosphere.

After some time, a sudden breeze stirred outside, rustling the bamboo leaves, and a figure abruptly appeared in the room.

Aunt Fan sighed, "There’s a perfectly good door. Why insist on coming through the window?"

The figure sat down opposite Aunt Fan, revealing a man in his thirties.

The man had somewhat effeminate features and wore makeup. Just sitting there, he exuded a cloying fragrance.

"Sister Fan is joking again. I’m a martial arts master after all—how could I enter through doors like ordinary people?" the man said with a smile.

Aunt Fan couldn’t help but sigh again. "Enough small talk. Tell me, what’s the current situation?"

"Everything is developing well. Our sect has established dozens of secret bases, and we’ve gained over ten thousand followers and disciples. And this is just the beginning. As more refugees arrive, our growth will only accelerate."

Aunt Fan nodded. "Thank you for your hard work, Left Protector!"

"No need for such formality, Sister Fan. It’s all for the development of our Divine Dao—no hardship at all. But how is the young lady doing now?"

Aunt Fan shook her head. "The Dinghai magistrate we bribed is about to take office, so all factions are testing the waters these days."

"I said from the beginning that we shouldn’t have let the young lady perform in public. Now it’s hard for her to extract herself, isn’t it? Why not just withdraw completely?" the man suggested.

"What do you know? The young lady is tempering herself through worldly affairs. Without this, she couldn’t achieve the highest accomplishment."

"That remains our most important goal. Compared to this, everything else must take a back seat. Do you understand?" Aunt Fan said very seriously.

"Fine, so what do you need us to do?" the man asked.

"You’ve just entered the city. For now, do nothing. The Great Yan government and various factions in Dinghai City already know that our Heartless Dao is planning something big, so they’re investigating intensely."

"Stay hidden here for now. This place is one of our bases and relatively safe."

"Are there any sisters here?" the man’s eyes lit up.

Aunt Fan frowned. "Listen, these women are all believers of our Heartless Dao. Don’t get any ideas."

"Do I look like that kind of person? I just enjoy being around these young ladies, that’s all," the man smiled.

"Besides yourself, how many others have entered the city?"

"Just me for now. Several Incense Masters should be arriving later."

"Good. When they arrive, notify me immediately, and I’ll arrange places for them to hide."

"Understood!"

"If there’s any urgent business during this time, you can contact me through the girls here, but it’s best not to move around unnecessarily."

"Come on, Sister Fan, this isn’t my first mission. No need for all these instructions," the man said with a smile.

"But this time is different. The Great Yan Dynasty places great importance on Dinghai City, so they’ll spare no effort. Being extra cautious won’t hurt."

Having said this, Aunt Fan got up and left.

She had waited anxiously for two days just to meet with this man.

Now that everything was going smoothly, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders and hurried back to North City without delay.

At the same time, in Mirror Alley in North City, Wu Liangchen was training hard under lamplight in the practice yard.

In the two days since his Leg Skill had advanced, Wu Liangchen had worked out many new combat techniques.

Now he finally had time to test these ideas.

While he was practicing, Yang Lian’Er sat bored in a pavilion in the backyard, watching that seemingly tireless figure in the practice yard, and let out a long yawn. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

This guy... was really no fun at all.

He had spent the entire day in the practice yard, and after dinner, when she had hoped to convince him to go out and have some fun—especially since without Aunt Fan watching her, Yang Lian’Er felt free to be a bit mischievous—he had flatly refused her before she could even finish speaking, then rushed back to the practice yard where he continued making all those clanging noises.

What a waste of such a handsome face.

She regretted being captivated by his looks and choosing a good-looking carriage driver just for eye candy.

Who knew he’d be so boring! Yang Lian’Er thought resentfully.