Around noon, Yang Jing grew tired from training and went to catch his breath beside the courtyard wall. His gaze swept across the front courtyard, where many unfamiliar faces were practicing, stirring a faint sense of wistfulness.
Over the past six months, many familiar faces had left. Most disciples who had trained for years without seeing any hope decided they would never break through to bright strength, packed their belongings, and departed.
Such was the martial path. Few could persevere to the very end.
Sometimes, giving up in time and cutting one's losses was the wiser choice. Yet for someone who practiced martial arts, that surrender undoubtedly dealt a crushing blow to the heart.
Yang Jing clearly had poor root bone, yet he still trained like a madman. In many people's eyes, his diligence was either worthy of respect and admiration, or proof that he was simply a fool.
While he was resting, Fourth Senior Brother Liu Maolin came through the Martial Arts Hall's entrance. His gaze swept across the front courtyard, quickly finding Yang Jing, and he walked over with a somewhat mysterious smile.
"Junior Brother, let me show you something."
He took a rolled painting from inside his robe and unfurled it. It was a meticulously rendered portrait of a beauty dressed in fitted martial attire. Her eyes were bright and clear, and though she lacked any powder-and-rouge prettiness, she possessed a gallant air of her own.
"Senior Brother, what's this?" Yang Jing asked, puzzled.
"This is Zhao Yuman, the third young lady of the Zhao Clan Escort Agency," Liu Maolin introduced her, pointing at the painting. "Her family's agency often does business with our Liu Family Medical Hall, so I know her. She's a woman, but she's more capable than most men. She handles much of the agency's business these days, and she's straightforward, too."
He paused, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "Most importantly, she's still single. I thought the two of you might suit each other, so I wanted to make an introduction. What do you think?"
Yang Jing stared at the woman in the painting, momentarily stunned.
He had thought Liu Maolin's words the previous night were drunken banter. He hadn't expected him to mean them, and for a moment, he didn't know what to do.
"She's the young lady of an escort agency. I'm afraid she wouldn't think much of me." Yang Jing scratched his head. He was penniless now, with little more than a small courtyard house in Tongyi Ward to his name. He truly felt he wasn't good enough for her.
"Junior Brother, you're belittling yourself." Liu Maolin patted Yang Jing's arm. "You're almost at bright strength peak now. Whether or not you ever break through to hidden strength, a bright strength peak expert is still rare. Among the younger generation, you're already one of the best."
Liu Maolin continued, looking at Yang Jing, "Besides, you're dependable, diligent, and hardworking. What's lacking? And however fine the Zhao Family's third young lady may be, she's still a woman. The escort agency won't be handed to her. In the future, the Zhao Family will simply give her a dowry and marry her off. The two of you are a perfect match."
After listening, Yang Jing fell silent for a moment.
He remembered his grandfather's, grandmother's, and mother's reminders during his last visit home. He also knew he would have to face the matter of starting a family sooner or later. There was no avoiding it.
Finally, he raised his head. "Thank you for thinking of me, Senior Brother. Then... sorry for the trouble of arranging it. Whether it works out or not, let fate decide."
Seeing Yang Jing relent, Liu Maolin immediately smiled. "That's the spirit! Just wait. I'll find a chance to speak to the Zhao Family in the next couple of days and get you a definite answer. Wait for your senior brother's good news! Hahaha."
As he spoke, he rolled up the painting and tucked it back into his robe, then said enthusiastically, "Since we have some time, how about exchanging a few moves? It'll give you some practice, and you'll feel more confident when you meet the girl!"
Yang Jing agreed with a smile.
Liu Maolin removed his outer robe, and the two stepped onto an open patch of ground in the courtyard and took their stances.
Before they could exchange blows, they saw Qi Yun waving nearby. She called to Liu Maolin, "Fourth Junior Brother, Master wants you."
Liu Maolin lowered his fists and told Yang Jing, "Keep practicing, Junior Brother. I'll go see what he wants. We can spar later."
With that, Liu Maolin hurried toward the inner courtyard.
Yang Jing nodded and began practicing the Mountain Collapse Fist by himself.
Soon afterward, Third Senior Brother Zhao Wenzheng arrived as well, coming through the main entrance and hurrying toward the inner courtyard.
Yang Jing paid no further attention. He settled his mind and continued practicing, the whistling Fist Wind of his Mountain Collapse Fist shutting out everything around him.
About an incense stick's time later, the Moon Gate to the inner courtyard opened.
Sun Yong personally led the way, followed by Xu Hong, Qi Yun, Zhao Wenzheng, Liu Maolin, Lin Yue, and two other bright strength disciples.
All eight wore fitted martial attire and solemn expressions. Clearly, they were heading out.
"They must be going to spar with another martial arts school, right?"
"They're all the backbone of our school!"
"If only I could be one of them. Going into battle on behalf of the school-just thinking about it feels glorious!"
The disciples training in the front courtyard stopped one after another, watching the eight departing figures with envy in their eyes.
Disciples who could accompany the school master to other martial arts schools for sparring matches were undoubtedly the core and public face of the Sun Clan Martial Arts School.
Yang Jing also paused to look, then continued practicing his fists with undivided attention.
Other people's glory had nothing to do with him. Only the fists in his hands and the strength within his body could protect him and his family!
He was drawing ever closer to bright strength peak. Once he reached it, he would naturally break through to hidden strength next.
For him now, nothing mattered more than breaking through to hidden strength!
Two nights later.
In the small courtyard house in Tongyi Ward.
Moonlight spilled across the courtyard, illuminating Yang Jing's darting figure.
The Fist Wind of his Mountain Collapse Fist churned the night, more urgent than usual.
After a while, Yang Jing slowly stopped and steadied his breathing.
He slowly opened his eyes. With a thought, the system panel's data appeared before him-
[Mountain Collapse Fist, minor achievement (486/500)] [Surging Wave Leg, initiation (177/200)]
Looking at the data on the system panel, Yang Jing felt his heart burn with excitement.
After months of diligent, grueling training, eating fierce beast meat every day and spending who knew how much silver, he had finally reached the verge of breaking through to hidden strength.
The desire to break through to hidden strength blazed like a fierce fire in his heart.
These days, he deliberately took a detour through Guang'an Ward. He always saw members of the Righteousness Gang questioning people in the streets and alleys, their eyes fierce and sharp, as though searching for clues.
There was no need to guess. The Righteousness Gang was surely still investigating the whereabouts of the Great Fortune Gang's treasure.
Every time Yang Jing passed through, he held his breath, hoping to learn more-to see how far the Righteousness Gang's investigation had progressed and whether they might discover him.
That hidden threat lodged in his heart like a thorn.
Only by breaking through to hidden strength as quickly as possible could he finally escape these days of constant dread.
Hidden strength and bright strength seemed only a word apart, yet the gulf between them was as vast as heaven and earth.
A hidden strength expert could project internal energy beyond the body, and ordinary blades could scarcely injure him. Even if the Righteousness Gang had two bright strength peak experts, they would be no more than clay chickens and earthen dogs in his eyes then.
Moreover, hidden strength experts were few and far between throughout Yuhe County. Every one was a core pillar of a major martial arts school or the mainstay of a large gang.
Once he stepped into that realm, his standing in the Sun Clan Martial Arts School would inevitably rise like a boat on a swelling tide. At the very least, his master would give him a couple more pointers each day.
The main reason Yang Jing was approaching bright strength peak so quickly after breaking through to bright strength-even progressing faster than before that breakthrough-was his ample dietary nourishment. Next came Sun Yong's guidance once or twice each day.
Before breaking through to bright strength, Yang Jing had barely been able to afford horse meat. Afterward, he had first become affiliated with the Liu Family Medical Hall, then come into a windfall, allowing him to nourish himself with large quantities of fierce beast meat. Ordinary people could not withstand such potent nourishment. Yang Jing managed only because he trained so hard, though he suspected it might also have something to do with the system panel.
As far as he knew, Liu Maolin had once eaten three pounds of bear meat in a single sitting and immediately suffered a nosebleed. His body couldn't endure such intense nourishment.
Yet Yang Jing had long been eating at least three pounds of fierce beast meat every day, including even more potent tiger meat. He only felt brimming with the vigor of dragons and tigers, never suffering Liu Maolin's inability to bear such rich nourishment.
Of course, that was merely Yang Jing's speculation. Whether his ability to eat so much truly had anything to do with the system panel would require further experimentation later.
On the martial path, guidance from those who had gone before was equally vital.
If someone could master a martial art without a teacher's instruction, the martial path would be far too easy.
Several times, when Sun Yong had gone out and was absent from the school, Yang Jing had been unable to resolve questions that arose during his practice. His training became less efficient, and his progress figures for those days dropped considerably.
Once I break through to hidden strength, I'll be a core disciple even within the school. I don't expect Master to teach me the way he teaches Lin Yue. Just a little more guidance each day would make a substantial difference to my progress.
Yang Jing slowly clenched his fists. He could feel the blood and qi surging within him, seemingly drawing ever closer to a limit.
Beneath the moonlight, his figure moved again, his punches fiercer and more urgent than before.
Peace and Prosperity Ward.
The night was deep, but a lamp still burned in a study in the Zhao Clan Escort Agency's rear courtyard.
Zhao Yuman, the Zhao Family's third young lady, sat before a rosewood desk. Her fingertips brushed across an open ledger, her brows slightly furrowed.
The agency's escort losses this month were twenty percent higher than last month's. She needed to go over the accounts carefully.
She wore a plain blouse and skirt. Without the crisp martial attire she wore during the day, she looked a little more serene.
Beside her, her maid Qing He held freshly brewed pre-rain Longjing tea and said softly, "Miss, take a break. You've been reading for almost two hours."
Zhao Yuman closed the ledger and rubbed between her brows, accepting the teacup. "Mm, set it down."
Qing He put down the tea tray. After hesitating, she still spoke. "Miss, Young Master Liu sent someone to ask this afternoon. About that Yang Jing he mentioned. What do you think...?"
Zhao Yuman's hand paused around the teacup. Her eyes remained calm as she said indifferently, "Send a reply. Tell him I'm not interested."
"Do you feel he's unsuitable in some way?" Qing He asked curiously. "I heard he's a bright strength expert, and fairly outstanding at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School."
"A bright strength expert is certainly decent." Zhao Yuman gently blew at the tea froth, her tone indifferent. "But his root bone is what it is. I hear he has low-grade root bone? With that aptitude, bright strength peak is his limit. He'll hardly make any further progress. The agency needs someone who can shoulder responsibility, not a martial artist who can only walk a few steps."
With that, she set down her teacup and gazed into the darkness beyond the window. "I'll wait a little longer. If I still haven't met anyone more suitable in a few years, perhaps he could be an alternative. For now, he isn't enough."
Qing He hurriedly nodded. "You're right, Miss. Someone with low-grade root bone truly isn't worthy of you. I'll give the Liu Family your answer first thing tomorrow morning."
Zhao Yuman said nothing more. She picked up the ledger again and tapped the words "losses" lightly with her fingertip, her thoughts returning to the agency's business.
As for the name Yang Jing, it was merely a passing breeze by her ear, leaving not the slightest trace in her heart.
The following afternoon.
Liu Maolin hurried to the Sun Clan Martial Arts School in Chengping Ward and found Yang Jing practicing strikes against a post in the front courtyard. Looking apologetic, he rubbed his hands together, struggling to speak. "Junior Brother, about the Zhao Family's third young lady... I asked her. She... she doesn't think it's a suitable match."
He paused, then hurried to add, apparently afraid Yang Jing would be hurt, "Don't take it to heart. Her refusal only means her standards are high-er, she's blind to your worth. It isn't necessarily anything wrong with you."
Liu Maolin stumbled over his words, then walked around to Yang Jing's other side and continued, "Besides, there are plenty of good girls here in Yuhe. I'll keep looking for you. I'll definitely find someone more suitable than her!"
Yang Jing lowered his fists, beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks from his forehead. He wiped his face and smiled. "It's fine, Senior Brother. It was always a matter of fate. If we're not suited to each other, then so be it. You needn't worry about it."
"I'm glad you can see it that way." Liu Maolin sighed in relief, immediately patting his chest in assurance. "Don't worry. Leave this to me. I'll definitely find you a good one!"
Yang Jing smiled without pursuing the subject. After chatting with Liu Maolin for a while, he turned back toward the wooden post.
To him, the matter had always been optional. His thoughts remained on his fist technique. The hidden strength realm now almost within reach was what truly occupied his heart.
In the blink of an eye, another two days passed.
In Yang Jing's small courtyard house in Tongyi Ward.
The night was deep, and the courtyard was silent save for the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Yang Jing sat beside the stone table, having just swallowed the last piece of tiger meat.
The warm meat juices slid into his belly, and that familiar heat swiftly spread through his limbs and bones. Every inch of his muscles and bones seemed to relax beneath its soothing warmth.
He stood and flexed his wrists, clearly sensing that the bright strength within him was already like an arrow on a fully drawn bow, poised to fly.
It was a wondrous sensation, like a pot of water about to boil, needing only that final bit of heat. Yang Jing vaguely felt that he might break through to hidden strength tomorrow. If he stayed up all night, he might even break through tonight!
Then, with a thought from Yang Jing, the system panel's data appeared before his eyes.
[Mountain Collapse Fist, minor achievement (499/500)] [Surging Wave Leg, initiation (193/200)]
To break through to hidden strength as soon as possible, Yang Jing had all but set aside his Surging Wave Leg practice lately, pouring all his energy into the Mountain Collapse Fist.
Now, he felt as though he could reach bright strength peak at any moment. Once he did, his next step would be to break through to hidden strength!
Ordinary martial artists could remain stuck at bright strength peak for three or five years, or even a lifetime, without glimpsing the threshold of hidden strength. But Yang Jing was different!
The word "bottleneck" did not exist on Yang Jing's path of cultivation. As long as he trained his current realm to its limit, he would naturally break through.
The Righteousness Gang had never stopped investigating Guang'an Ward and the surrounding wards these past days. Though their search had not reached him, it weighed on his heart like a stone.
Yang Jing clenched his fists, his decision already made.
He would simply forgo sleep tonight and use the abundant potency of the tiger meat to push through in one unstoppable surge.
Once he entered hidden strength, those members of the Righteousness Gang would be nothing to fear.
Before you continue