Matchmaking

Sun Yong finished explaining the final key to exerting Hidden Strength. Seeing that Yang Jing had committed every point to memory, he nodded in satisfaction.

He turned and went into the inner room, returning moments later with a small, lustrous white jade bottle. Its smooth, warm sheen made it clear that it was no cheap trinket.

"These are Foundation Cultivation Pills, a few I've saved up over time. Take them." Sun Yong handed the jade bottle to Yang Jing, his voice full of expectation. "These pills nourish blood and qi and harmonize internal energy. They're several times more effective than the fierce beast meat you usually eat, and they'll greatly help you consolidate your Hidden Strength realm."

Yang Jing took the jade bottle, feeling its slight heft. When he pulled out the stopper, a rich medicinal fragrance with a clean, bitter edge immediately wafted out. One breath of it made the Hidden Strength within him stir faintly, as though something were drawing it forth.

He quickly replaced the stopper and bowed. "Thank you for your generous gift, Master!"

"There's no need to thank me." Sun Yong waved a hand, looking at him with a mixture of emotion and conviction. "On the Martial Path, root bone is certainly paramount, but perseverance, comprehension, and opportunity matter just as much. Entering Hidden Strength on your first breakthrough attempt despite your low-grade root bone makes you an exceptional case. Keep training hard and don't grow lax. You may yet have a chance to touch Transforming Strength."

Transforming Strength!

Those words exploded like a thunderbolt in Yang Jing's heart.

A Transforming Strength martial artist stood among the handful of supreme experts in Yuhe County and even the surrounding counties. It was a realm many martial artists did not dare dream of.

He tightened his grip on the jade bottle, his palm growing slightly warm, and bowed solemnly once more. "I won't let you down, Master!"

Seeing the light kindled in his eyes, Sun Yong smiled with gratification. "Train well."

Then he raised his voice and called outside, "Ningxiang, come in for a moment."

Sun Ningxiang had just finished putting away the medicine bowls beneath the veranda. She answered and entered. Finding Yang Jing still in the room and the joy still lingering on her father's face, she asked in puzzlement, "Father, what did you need me for? Junior Brother Yang hasn't left yet?"

Her gaze moved between them. Something about the atmosphere felt unusual.

Sun Yong smiled. "Go to the Front Courtyard and bring Xu Hong, Qi Yun, Lin Yue, and Chen Wenzheng here. Oh, and see whether Liu Maolin is around. If he is, bring him too."

"All of them?" Sun Ningxiang was even more puzzled. "Father, did something happen?"

These were all the Hidden Strength disciples currently remaining at the Martial Arts Hall, its core disciples. Sun Yong generally summoned them together only when something important had happened.

"You'll know when they get here." Sun Yong offered no explanation, merely waving a hand. "Go on."

Though her stomach was full of questions, Sun Ningxiang did as he asked.

Before long, the door opened, and Sun Ningxiang led a group inside.

Xu Hong, Qi Yun, Lin Yue, and Chen Wenzheng stood shoulder to shoulder. Liu Maolin followed at the rear, his face still flushed from practicing his boxing.

Upon entering, they saw Yang Jing standing to one side and their master, Sun Yong, seated solemnly at the head of the room. They immediately fell silent and lined up properly.

"Master, you sent for us?" As Senior Brother, Xu Hong was the first to speak.

Lin Yue looked at Yang Jing with a probing gaze. Why has Yang Jing stayed in the Inner Courtyard so long? Why has Master even gone to the trouble of summoning all of us core disciples?

Qi Yun and Chen Wenzheng exchanged looks, while Liu Maolin scratched his head in bewilderment.

Everyone in the room turned questioning or searching eyes toward Sun Yong, waiting for him to speak.

Only Yang Jing had an inkling of his master's intentions. He stood calmly with his hands at his sides.

Sun Yong swept his gaze over them before settling on Qi Yun. Suddenly, he asked, "Qi Yun, are you betrothed?"

Qi Yun froze, not expecting such a question from her master. Her cheeks reddened slightly as she bowed. "No, Master."

Although her family was a prominent local lineage with exacting standards for its children's marriages, she had devoted herself to martial arts, leaving her marriage delayed.

Sun Yong smiled at her answer. He looked at Yang Jing, then back at Qi Yun. "Then what do you think of Yang Jing? You two are close in age. Though your temperaments differ, they complement each other. You seem a suitable match."

The room instantly became so quiet that a falling pin could have been heard.

Xu Hong's mouth fell open, and he even forgot to lower his clenched fist.

Chen Wenzheng's eyes went round. Clearly, he had never expected their master to summon them for this.

Liu Maolin nearly jumped in shock. Master wants to act as Yang Jing's matchmaker? And with Qi Yun, of all people?

Lin Yue's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Qi Yun recovered first. Her pretty face instantly flushed crimson, and her voice trembled with anger and embarrassment. "Master! What... what are you saying?"

She was both shocked and furious. Her family was a respected lineage in the county, and she had always set her sights high. Her future husband had to be a martial expert on the Martial Path stronger than she was, someone who would give her firmer standing within her family.

She looked up at Yang Jing, her gaze icy. "My elders have laid down many requirements for my marriage. One is that my prospective husband must be stronger than I am."

The implication was clear: with his current abilities, Yang Jing was not qualified to stand beside her.

Yang Jing hurriedly cupped his hands as well. "Master, absolutely not! Senior Sister Qi and I have incompatible temperaments. We truly wouldn't make a good match."

He had little affection for Qi Yun, who always held her eyes above her head and ordered her junior brothers and sisters around at the slightest whim, much less any desire to tie the marriage knot with her.

Sun Yong shook his head helplessly. Looking at Yang Jing, he spoke with a note of encouragement. "It seems you'll have to work harder. Although you've broken through to Hidden Strength, your strength is indeed still a little below Qi Yun's."

His words left everyone in the room stunned once more.

"Broken through to Hidden Strength?!"

"Yang Jing... has entered Hidden Strength?!"

Those words struck like thunder from a clear sky, leaving their minds ringing.

They had been so consumed by the shock of the proposed marriage that they had failed to react. Only after a moment of stunned silence did they grasp the crucial point in their master's words.

Xu Hong drew a sharp breath and looked Yang Jing up and down, unable to hide his astonishment. "Junior Brother Yang... have you really entered Hidden Strength?"

Countless people remained stuck at Bright Strength Peak, unable to cross that threshold even after exhausting an entire lifetime. Yet Yang Jing had broken through to Hidden Strength without a sound?

Chen Wenzheng murmured, "How is that possible... his root bone isn't exceptional. How could he..."

The embarrassment and anger on Qi Yun's face froze, replaced by disbelief.

She had always considered Yang Jing a blockhead who knew only how to bury himself in training. Developing some proficiency in Bright Strength should have been his limit, yet he had quietly broken through to Hidden Strength?

Doesn't that mean he might really catch up to me, given time?

After all, above Hidden Strength lay the realm of Transforming Strength martial masters. She had little confidence in reaching it herself and would very likely remain at Peak Hidden Strength for a long time, perhaps never breaking through to Transforming Strength in her lifetime.

She did not believe Yang Jing could luck his way into Transforming Strength either, only that he would reach Peak Hidden Strength sooner or later.

Lin Yue's gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared at Yang Jing, waves rising in his heart.

At the Martial Arts Hall, he had always been its most celebrated prodigy. Yang Jing's sudden emergence undoubtedly gave him another potential rival. Although he did not take this rival too seriously, Yang Jing's breakthrough to Hidden Strength had still far exceeded his expectations.

Only Liu Maolin broke into a broad grin after his initial shock, discreetly giving Yang Jing a thumbs-up. His brother had broken through to Hidden Strength. This was wonderful news!

With Sun Yong's announcement of Yang Jing's breakthrough, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly. Shock, scrutiny, wariness... all manner of gazes converged on Yang Jing, making him the center of attention.

"Yes, Yang Jing broke through to Hidden Strength yesterday. He has always trained diligently. Though he has only just broken through, his foundations are very solid," Sun Yong said with a nod.

Qi Yun stared at Yang Jing, her nails nearly digging into her palms.

Once the shock passed, an irrepressible anger flared from the depths of her heart.

Master actually put me and Yang Jing on the same level. This is an outright humiliation!

I come from a great lineage, with upper-middle-grade root bone. I've been cherished since childhood, and I'm a core disciple second only to Lin Yue here at the Martial Arts Hall. Why should I be tied to some country bumpkin with low-grade root bone?

He merely has low-grade root bone. What does a lucky breakthrough amount to?

She inwardly scoffed. On the Martial Path, root bone fixed one's destiny. Yang Jing had merely stumbled into a pile of dog-shit luck this time.

She recalled how Yang Jing used to lower his eyes obediently whenever he saw her, not even daring to speak loudly. He had desperately tried to curry favor with her, yet had not even been qualified to serve as her lackey.

Now he had actually prompted their master to consider marrying them. This left her feeling all the more stifled, and her gaze toward Yang Jing took on a further measure of disgust.

Chen Wenzheng and Xu Hong exchanged a glance, each seeing similar thoughts in the other's eyes.

Yang Jing's breakthrough to Hidden Strength was astonishing, certainly, but they were more inclined to believe it was luck. After all, reaching Bright Strength was already difficult for someone with low-grade root bone. Hidden Strength? He had probably stumbled upon some opportunity. It might not carry him far.

Only Liu Maolin could not hide the smile on his face.

He patted Yang Jing's arm, the force of the gesture carrying genuine delight. "You rascal, you really pulled it off!"

When he had arranged an honorary appointment for Yang Jing at the Medical Hall, he had not been seeking his potential or future prospects. He had valued his steady, reliable character. He had never imagined it would now bring such an unexpected windfall.

He understood better than anyone the weight a Hidden Strength martial artist carried. From now on, the Liu Family Medical Hall would have even firmer backing.

He was already planning to go back and speak to his father shortly. Yang Jing's monthly pay needed another increase, and his meat supply had to keep pace as well.

Given his friendship with Yang Jing and the fact that the Medical Hall had never treated him poorly, Yang Jing would never lightly leave for somewhere else.

Even if other factions tried to poach him, the Liu Family held the first move.

Yang Jing could feel the gazes of Qi Yun and the others, but he did not take them to heart.

He stood with lowered eyes, quietly sensing through his fingertips the Hidden Strength circulating within him. That was what truly mattered.

Sun Yong gave a light cough and turned toward Lin Yue. His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable weight. "Lin Yue, your mind has been rather scattered lately."

Lin Yue's heart tightened, and he instinctively straightened his back.

"Banquets hosted by the great lineages and social engagements in the market district have taken up too much of your time," Sun Yong said slowly. "Your root bone is the best in the school. High-grade root bone is a gift countless people could only dream of. You ought to devote more attention to training."

He glanced at Yang Jing beside him. "Learn from Yang Jing. Settle your mind and train. Don't let these distractions hold back your future."

Lin Yue's face alternated between red and white, and frustration filled his heart. He came from an ordinary background. Without his high-grade root bone, he would likely have been scraping together a bare living, struggling at the bottom of county society.

Later, his high-grade root bone had revealed its promise, and he had made a resounding name for himself at the Sun Clan Martial Arts School, attracting the attention of various powers in town. He had seized the opportunity to associate with the great local lineages and expand his connections. He had never expected his master to call him out publicly, much less compare him to Yang Jing, a man with low-grade root bone who had broken through by luck!

Yet he dared not argue. He could only lower his head and answer, "Yes, Master. I'll keep your teachings firmly in mind."

Seeing this, Sun Yong said no more on the matter. His gaze swept over them. "You are all the pillars of the Martial Arts Hall. From now on, support one another and stand united. Don't let petty matters damage your harmony. The road of Hidden Strength requires still more tempering. Go back and train diligently."

"Yes, Master," they answered in unison.

They filed out of the room. Qi Yun walked at the front with hurried steps, clearly still nursing her anger over what had happened.

Lin Yue followed close behind, his expression still unpleasant.

Xu Hong and Chen Wenzheng walked at the rear, discussing something in low voices and occasionally glancing at Yang Jing's retreating figure.

Only Liu Maolin sidled up to Yang Jing and whispered with a grin, "Well done, you rascal. Now even Master is holding you up as an example. I'll treat you later. We need to celebrate properly!"

Yang Jing smiled without saying much.

The Inner Courtyard.

The door closed, shutting out the sounds outside and leaving only Sun Yong and his daughter in the room.

Sun Ningxiang brewed a cup of hot tea and placed it before her father, sighing softly. "I really never imagined Junior Brother Yang would break through to Hidden Strength. He always trained so hard. At least his efforts weren't wasted."

Sun Yong took the tea, his fingertips rubbing the warm surface of the cup, and smiled. "Yes. Another Hidden Strength disciple is always a good thing for the Martial Arts Hall."

Thinking of what had just happened, he shook his head again. "Still, if Qi Yun and Yang Jing could have made a match of it, two Hidden Strength disciples tying the marriage knot would have added kinship to our existing bond at the Martial Arts Hall. A pity."

"Father, a marriage bond can't be forced." Sun Ningxiang smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Yang reached where he is today entirely through his own perseverance. I used to watch him arrive at the Martial Arts Hall before dawn every day and train until nightfall before going home. Back then, I thought how sad it would be if all that hardship came to nothing. Now it seems his hard work has finally borne fruit."

Listening to his daughter, Sun Yong looked at her face, and a thought suddenly stirred in his heart.

Ningxiang is gentle and understands medicine, while Yang Jing is steady and resolute. Perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad thing if they came together?

But no sooner had the thought surfaced than he suppressed it.

He looked out the window. Lin Yue's figure had just disappeared around the far end of the corridor, and he could not help pondering inwardly.

Lin Yue has high-grade root bone. His talent far surpasses Yang Jing's, and his future achievements are boundless. He has an excellent chance of breaking through to Transforming Strength. Besides, I can tell he has feelings for Ningxiang. If they marry, I can have Lin Yue take over the Martial Arts Hall when I grow old, and Ningxiang will have a good home. That is the best choice.

Yang Jing may be good, but his root bone is ultimately lacking. His ceiling is set.