Fist Imprints and an Attempt

In court, after Vice Minister of the Department of State Affairs Xiao Boling finished reading the letter, he stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, General Cen's words are certainly reasonable, but this can only hold them off for a while. We can use the lives of our soldiers to wear them down and kill Creation Realm Martial Warriors, but the sacrifice would be immense. Unless the problem of the Red River Palace Master is resolved, I fear the Southern Army will find it difficult to launch a successful counteroffensive."

Jian'an Emperor Zhao Yongxu sighed. "So it should be. Minister Chen, the God-Demon Weapon should be finished soon, should it not?"

Minister of Works Chen Mou said, "It is expected to be roughly completed within this month."

Zhao Yongxu rose to his feet. "Inform Us once the God-Demon Weapon is roughly complete."

If they used the God-Demon Weapon as a bargaining chip to persuade the Zhengyi Sect again, Daoist Bi would surely agree to act.

With the God-Demon Weapon, Daoist Bi would have the strength to fight the Red River Palace Master, and she would no longer have any misgivings.

Wei Country's greatest threat and Chu Country's greatest reliance would then be solved as easily as splitting bamboo.

The Southern Army would also have room to display its strength.

The rest would be much easier to discuss.

Only... this God-Demon Weapon...

What a pity.

Zhao Yongxu suddenly felt somewhat unwilling to accept it.

Clear Breeze Pavilion, rear courtyard.

As usual, Chen Xuerong came to the palace to teach Zhao Hongming some Martial Arts.

During this period, she had adjusted the way she taught.

Giving a man a fish was not as good as teaching him how to fish.

Chen Xuerong gradually reduced the practical combat and move instruction, instead beginning to instill in him certain Martial Arts theories, from which Zhao Hongming benefited greatly.

At that moment, a tree stump more than a meter tall stood in the open space of the rear courtyard.

It was thick enough for one person to wrap both arms around, and its exterior was covered in a layer of iron sheeting roughly two inches thick.

At Chen Xuerong's request, Zhao Hongming had specifically ordered someone to make it.

"Your Highness, I have already explained the various theories behind the clever application of force we discussed before."

Chen Xuerong walked up to the stump and continued, "I also know a little of the Mountain Shaking Fist. Today, I shall use its ninth form to demonstrate what clever force truly is."

She touched the cold iron-clad stump, then steadied herself and circulated her True Qi. Her right hand clenched into a fist, which she drew back to her waist before suddenly striking forward.

A dull thud rang out.

Chen Xuerong's seemingly light punch left an imprint on the stump's iron plating.

The mark was shallow, merely an outline.

"This is what pure physical strength can achieve when used with clever force. It may not necessarily injure a Martial Warrior, but one punch would still be enough to cripple an ordinary person with no martial training," Chen Xuerong said truthfully.

With a smile on his face, Zhao Hongming asked curiously, "What if Miss Chen used her full strength? What would happen if you added all eighteen forms of the Mountain Shaking Fist?"

"Your Highness wishes to see?"

Zhao Hongming nodded. "This Prince has always been curious about the Martial Dao, so I hope Miss Chen will not begrudge me your instruction."

"I would not dare call it instruction. Since Your Highness is interested, then I shall throw another punch with True Qi."

After saying that, Chen Xuerong adjusted her breathing and abruptly retreated. Her gaze sharpened, and her feet suddenly exerted force. A fierce upward punch crashed into the iron plating.

Bang!

A fist imprint nearly an inch deep appeared in the iron sheet, and even the encased stump showed a faint crack.

Zhao Hongming's teeth ached just listening to it.

If that punch landed on a person, even flesh and blood would likely be pierced through.

"Your Highness, this is how a true Martial Warrior throws a punch." Chen Xuerong let out a breath.

"Impressive, impressive. This Prince will give it a try as well."

With great interest, Zhao Hongming imitated Chen Xuerong and used purely physical strength to perform the ninth form of the Mountain Shaking Fist.

A thud sounded.

His fist struck the iron plating around the stump without leaving even the faintest mark.

Chen Xuerong had long expected such a result, and she comforted him, "Your Highness, do not be anxious. Take it slowly. Your body has not fully developed yet. Once you grow a little older and gain more strength, you will become like me as well."

"Mm." Zhao Hongming nodded, not caring in the slightest.

Just then, Wang Bao hurried over with Gao Yanshi and said, "Your Highness, word has come from the Imperial Clan Court. Tomorrow morning, we are to leave the Imperial Palace and reside elsewhere temporarily. Your Highness should make preparations early."

Zhao Hongming nodded in response. "This Prince understands. Tomorrow morning, we shall follow the Imperial Clan Court's arrangements. Inform Guard Chang as well."

"This servant understands." Wang Bao bowed and acknowledged the order. Gao Yanshi behind him followed suit, then withdrew together with Wang Bao.

As for Jian'an Emperor's decision to have princes like them, who had not yet left the palace, depart from the Imperial Palace, Zhao Hongming had already learned of it long ago from eavesdropping around the palace halls.

After several days of preparations, the Imperial Clan Court had likely arranged everything already.

So when he heard Wang Bao had come to notify him, he had already been mentally prepared.

He just did not know where the Imperial Clan Court would assign him.

Having listened to Wang Bao's words from the side, Chen Xuerong fell into thought. After a while, she raised her head and said, "Your Highness, since you are leaving the palace tomorrow morning, you must still have many matters to attend to. This humble lady will not disturb you any longer."

"Miss Chen, thank you for your efforts."

"Farewell."

After Chen Xuerong left, Zhao Hongming was the only one remaining in the rear courtyard.

He walked over to the wooden post and crouched down.

Zhao Hongming placed his hand in the palm print Chen Xuerong had made earlier, about an inch deep.

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind. A streak of silver shot out from the room and, with a whoosh, plunged into the iron plating.

The arrowhead only sank in a tiny bit.

Zhao Hongming pulled it out with a single tug.

He calculated inwardly that if he used Divine Soul Power, it would not be able to pierce the armor.

Curiosity stirred in Zhao Hongming's heart. Then what effect would it have if I struck with True Intent? Let's try it!

He retreated two steps, circulated his breath, and his True Intent surged throughout his body, enveloping him.

A layer of black light covered both fists.

The eighteenth form of the Mountain Shaking Fist suddenly struck, landing upon the iron plating.

Bang.

A palm print appeared on the wooden post, another inch deeper than Chen Xuerong's.

Zhao Hongming furrowed his brows, somewhat dissatisfied.

"Let's try the Wrathful Mountain Skill."

After several days of ceaseless practice, Zhao Hongming had fully mastered the Wrathful Mountain Skill.

His thoughts stirred slightly. Maintaining the state of the Mountain Shaking Fist, he mobilized all the Qi and Blood in his body and directed it into both fists.

At once, the muscles in his arms seemed to come alive, writhing before swelling up, like ancient dragons coiled across his arms.

Zhao Hongming let out a low shout. His left leg stepped forward, waist and stance becoming one as his right fist abruptly exerted force, throwing a savage punch.

The instant his fist touched the iron plating, the Wrathful Mountain Skill erupted.

The might contained within his Qi and Blood, amassed to its utmost limit, followed his fist and crashed onto the wooden post.

BOOM!

With a tremendous blast, the iron-clad wooden post before him shattered completely beneath Zhao Hongming's single punch.

Countless shards of iron and chunks of wood shot in all directions, embedding deeply into the ground and walls.

Zhao Hongming was startled by his own move.

He had not expected the Mountain Shaking Fist to possess such power with the enhancement of the Wrathful Mountain Skill.

It was as though it truly possessed the power to shake mountains.

After the punch, Zhao Hongming's arms returned to their original appearance.

At the same time, the Qi and Blood he had expended rapidly recovered under the nourishment of the Eternal Youth True Intent.

He did not even feel the slightest trace of fatigue.

"This..."

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