Shock

In another corner of the front courtyard, Lin Yue was also practicing the Mountain Collapse Fist.

His stances were still standard, and his punches carried a measure of fierce power, but Xu Hong and Qi Yun, both Hidden Strength experts nearby, could see that his Internal Energy was circulating somewhat unsteadily. There was also an almost imperceptible stagnation in the transitions between his moves. Gone was his usual composure; in its place was a trace of disorder.

Bang!

His fist slammed into the wooden post, yet the force went slightly off course, leaving only a shallow dent in the wood.

Lin Yue abruptly withdrew his fist, his brows knitted tight. The vexation in his heart was like a tangled ball of thread, impossible to sort out.

His mind was filled with last night's banquet.

It had been hosted by Xiao Wenxuan, the third young master of the Xiao Family, one of Yuhe County's six great families. Those in attendance were all prominent young talents of the county.

During the feast, Xiao Wenxuan had been particularly warm toward him, his words brimming with the intent to win him over. He had even smiled and said he would introduce his younger sister, Xiao Yue, to him.

Xiao Yue... Lin Yue recalled the woman who had briefly appeared at the banquet. Her features had been exquisite and her bearing gentle; she was indeed a rare beauty. And there was no need to mention the Xiao Family's influence. If he could marry into the Xiao Family, it would undoubtedly be a shortcut to soaring through the ranks.

But his heart had long been set on his senior sister, Sun Ningxiang.

Senior Sister Ningxiang was his master's only daughter—gentle and intelligent, with soft, lovely features. Her beauty even surpassed that young lady of the Xiao Family.

More importantly, if he could marry Senior Sister Ningxiang, the inheritance of the Sun Clan Martial Arts School would most likely fall into his hands in the future.

His master's Transforming Strength insights and the martial arts school's connections and resources would all become his support.

It was precisely because of this that, when faced with Xiao Wenxuan's matchmaking, he had hesitated time and again before finally declining tactfully.

But after refusing, he could not help regretting it.

Just how deep were the Xiao Family's foundations? The resources alone that could help him break through into Transforming Strength were beyond anything the Sun Clan Martial Arts School could compare with.

Transforming Strength... how many martial artists dreamed of reaching that realm?

With the Xiao Family's support, his chances of breaking through into Transforming Strength could increase by at least thirty percent.

And whenever he thought of that Xiao Family young lady's delicate beauty, it felt as if a cat's claw were scratching at his heart.

"I really should have agreed first. Even if I just dragged it out..." Lin Yue muttered, driving a fist into the wooden post with a dull thud.

He wanted the Xiao Family's support, yet could not bear to give up Sun Ningxiang or the martial arts school's inheritance. The two thoughts tugged back and forth in his mind, leaving him restless and distracted.

He could not even focus on his fist practice. Internal Energy ran wild through his meridians, and he nearly suffered a deviation of breath.

He drew a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down before once again assuming his opening stance.

Yet when his gaze inadvertently swept toward the distance and landed on Yang Jing's steady, focused figure—every punch and kick imbued with solid Hidden Strength—the irritation in Lin Yue's heart grew even stronger.

A formerly inconspicuous ordinary registered disciple had now become a Hidden Strength expert and even received his master's special guidance.

While he himself was here, agonizing over love and family interests...

A little less than half an hour later.

With a creak, the moon gate was pushed open. Sun Yong, dressed in a plain training outfit, strode steadily out from the inner courtyard.

His gaze swept over the disciples in the courtyard. Seeing that most were cultivating diligently, with beads of sweat rolling down from their temples, he could not help stroking his beard and nodding.

Only when he caught sight of Lin Yue did Sun Yong's brows furrow slightly. Even Xu Hong and Qi Yun could tell that something was wrong with Lin Yue's condition; Sun Yong naturally saw it at a glance. Lin Yue's Mountain Collapse Fist had become scattered and disorderly, his Internal Energy cutting in and out. Clearly, his mind was elsewhere.

Sun Ningxiang followed behind carrying a food box. When she reached the stone table in the courtyard, she distributed the mung bean soup inside to everyone.

"It's hot. Have some to cool yourselves down." Her voice was soft, and the hand offering the bowls was fair and slender. The disciples accepted the bowls one after another, all offering their thanks, their eyes filled with respect.

A few of the younger disciples were too embarrassed to look directly at her. Blushing, they lowered their heads and sipped their soup in small mouthfuls, though the corners of their lips could not help curling up. In their hearts, their master's daughter was like the moon in the sky—beautiful, pure, and gentle.

Sun Yong first walked over to a disciple practicing the Mountain Collapse Fist and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Sink your shoulders, drop your elbows. Your punch force is too hollow. You're using your arms to exert strength—let the force come from your waist."

As he spoke, he lightly turned his wrist, carrying a steady force with the motion. The disciple immediately felt as though his fist had gained a thousand pounds of weight, and his movements became far more stable.

After guiding several disciples, Sun Yong came to Yang Jing's side.

Yang Jing was just finishing the closing movement of the Mountain Collapse Fist, his punch force wrapped in Hidden Strength as it smashed into the wooden post.

With a bang, the wooden post actually swayed slightly.

Sun Yong nodded faintly. He could sense that the force in Yang Jing's punches had become more condensed than it had been several days ago, while his Hidden Strength circulation had also grown increasingly smooth and complete. He could not help praising him. "Not bad. Your Hidden Strength can be drawn in and released freely—you're thirty percent steadier than when you first broke through. Remember, Hidden Strength is not the end. Only when you can send force completely through the body, with its power undiminished in the slightest, can you be said to have touched the threshold of Transforming Strength."

Yang Jing bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Sun Yong gave a grunt of acknowledgment, then walked toward Xu Hong and Qi Yun.

Yang Jing turned and continued practicing. As his fist shadows danced, sweat dripped from his jawline and struck the ground, spreading into small patches of dampness, yet his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.

Elsewhere.

After guiding several more disciples, Sun Yong finally came before Lin Yue, his expression already darkened.

Lin Yue had just worked through half a set of punches. Seeing his master approach, he hurriedly withdrew his stance, but with his mind unsettled, he nearly suffered a deviation of breath as he closed the move, and his body swayed slightly.

"Stop." Sun Yong's voice carried a hint of severity. "What exactly are you practicing? Your fists are no longer fists, and your force is no longer force!" He pointed at the dent in the wooden post. "Your force is chaotic and cannot be concentrated. How have you been training these past days? Not only have you failed to improve, you've actually regressed?"

Lin Yue bit his lip, feeling deeply wronged.

He wanted to say that he had rejected the Xiao Family because of Sun Ningxiang. He wanted to say that his heart was in turmoil because he was concerned for the martial arts school's future. But when the words reached his lips, they turned only into a muffled sentence. "This disciple knows his mistake."

"You know your mistake? I think you don't know your mistake at all!" Sun Yong's voice rose. "Your innate talent is the best in this school. You have every hope of breaking through into Transforming Strength, perhaps even going further. But look at yourself now—your thoughts are drifting, your mind is full of distractions! The martial path is like rowing upstream: if you do not advance, you fall back. If you continue to slack off like this, the one you harm in the end will be yourself!"

He looked at Lin Yue as though iron had failed to become steel, then pointed at Yang Jing in the distance. "Look at Yang Jing. His innate talent is inferior to yours, yet he works ten times harder. After breaking through into Hidden Strength, not only did he not slacken, he pushed himself even harder than before. If he keeps training like this, he may not be unable to make something of himself. And you? You dare to be lazy just because your innate talent is good?"

Lin Yue followed his master's gaze toward Yang Jing and saw him hammering the wooden post with punch after punch, every strike thrown with all his strength. His sweat-soaked clothes clung tightly to his back, outlining the solid lines of his body.

An inexplicable blaze of anger suddenly surged up in his heart. Did his master deliberately use Yang Jing to pressure him? But how could his master know how much he had sacrificed for Senior Sister Ningxiang, for the martial arts school? He had turned down the chance to become the Xiao Family's son-in-law!

"This disciple... this disciple will change." Lin Yue lowered his head, his voice muffled, though his fists quietly clenched within his sleeves.

"Mm. Keep training," Sun Yong said gravely.

Lin Yue nodded. He took a deep breath, suppressed the irritation and fury in his heart, lowered his stance again, and assumed the opening posture of the Mountain Collapse Fist.

This time, he forced himself not to think about the Xiao Family's recruitment, nor dwell on Sun Ningxiang's attitude. He focused solely on the flow of the fist forms and Internal Energy.

He threw a punch. Though his Internal Energy was not as smooth as usual, it was far steadier than before.

Then came another form—"Mountain Crumble." Power surged from his waist and abdomen, and the forceful wind raised by his fist swept over the ground, stirring up several fallen leaves. At last, it carried a little of its former imposing air.

Sun Yong stood quietly to one side and watched. Seeing Lin Yue gradually gather his focus and restore some order to his forms, his tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and he gave a slight nod.

In the entire Sun Clan Martial Arts School, when it came to natural physique and talent, Lin Yue was unquestionably the best.

Sun Yong had placed immense hopes on him. He had even long planned in his heart that, once Lin Yue took another step forward, he would formally make it clear and betroth Ningxiang to him.

It would both acknowledge Lin Yue and provide for the martial arts school's future. Only with a disciple like Lin Yue inheriting his mantle could the Sun Clan Martial Arts School gain a firm foothold in Yuhe County.

That was precisely why he could not bear to see Lin Yue slack off.

Now that he saw Lin Yue recognize his mistake and correct it, returning his focus to training, the anger in Sun Yong's heart dissipated by more than half. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Elsewhere in the front courtyard.

Yang Jing was completely unaware of the commotion over here.

He was immersed in his fist forms, incorporating Sun Yong's earlier guidance into his techniques bit by bit.

With every punch, he felt out the minute changes of Hidden Strength—at times gathering it on the face of his fist, at times sending it through his fingertips—striving to make his force rise and withdraw as his heart commanded.

The Parade Ground Trial more than twenty days away weighed on his heart like a great mountain, yet it had also become his strongest driving force.

He knew that although his foundation was solid, his training time was still short. He had to race against every second to hone his strength. Even a fraction more progress would give him a fraction better chance of victory on the parade ground.

Sun Yong continued pacing through the front courtyard, occasionally offering a few pointers. Yet whenever he passed Lin Yue, his steps would pause briefly, and the expectation in his eyes deepened by another measure.

As dusk settled, Yang Jing walked out through the martial arts school's gates, carrying his old cloth bundle on his back as he headed toward Tongyi Ward.

The evening breeze held a trace of chill, making the lanterns along the street sway unsteadily. He was considering how to bring his family into the city.

The countryside was becoming more chaotic by the day. A few days ago, he had heard that a band of vicious bandits had appeared at Ten-Mile Slope outside the city. They even dared rob passing merchant caravans, leaving ordinary farmers in constant fear.

He was now a Hidden Strength martial artist, capable of protecting his family. There was no reason to let them remain in the countryside, living in dread.

"This courtyard in Tongyi Ward may be small, but if we squeeze in, it can fit us. Still, there's no need to squeeze together, and it wouldn't be convenient for me to practice martial arts. When the time comes, I can simply rent a place nearby." Yang Jing pondered to himself. "In times like these, buying a house is worse than renting one. Who knows how chaotic things will become later on?"

As he thought, he had already arrived before his own courtyard gate.

By the hazy moonlight, he saw three or four people standing outside. They wore respectable silk garments and had jade pendants at their waists. They did not look like gang members, but they nevertheless carried the air of strangers.

Yang Jing halted, his brows knitting slightly. Could it be some blind fool looking for trouble again? He secretly circulated his Hidden Strength and slowly walked over.

"Would this be Young Master Yang Jing?" The leader was an old man in his fifties. His face was kindly, but his eyes held a trace of shrewdness. Seeing Yang Jing approach, he quickly cupped his hands and smiled. "I am Wang Weijie of the Wang Family, second in my clan. The Wang Family's patriarch is my elder brother. I have come uninvited to ask Young Master Yang to join my Wang Family as a guest retainer."

Someone beside him added, "Though our Wang Family is not among the six great families, we possess considerable holdings within the city and abundant wealth. We would like to invite Young Master Yang to accept the position."

Yang Jing understood. They had come to recruit him for a nominal post.

He shook his head. "Thank you for your regard, Second Master Wang, but I have already promised another family. I fear I must disappoint your kind intentions."

The smile on Second Master Wang's face did not change. He continued, "Will Young Master Yang not consider it again? The terms offered by my Wang Family may not be worse than those of the other family. Why not hear them first?"

"No need." Yang Jing waved his hand, his tone resolute. "Since I have already given someone my word, I will not change my mind. If I hear your esteemed household's terms, it will only put me in an awkward position and add needless vexation."

That was simply his nature. Once he made up his mind, he would not easily waver.

Besides, the Liu Family Medical Hall had treated him well, and Liu Maolin had dealt with him in all sincerity. He had no reason to abandon one thing for another.

Seeing his firm attitude, Second Master Wang knew there was no point in further persuasion. He could only sigh. "In that case, we shall not disturb Young Master Yang any longer. Should circumstances change in the future, the doors of my Wang Family will always stand open for you."

With that, he shook his head and left regretfully with his men.

Yang Jing watched their retreating backs, then opened the courtyard gate and entered.

Leaning against the back of the gate, he let out a soft breath.

News of his breakthrough into Hidden Strength had indeed spread. Even families from the Inner City had come knocking at his door.

Zhao Clan Escort Agency, in a room in the rear courtyard.

The candle flame flickered, illuminating the writing in the account books with perfect clarity.

Zhao Yuman was lowering her head as she checked the recent escort payment accounts, her fingertips passing over line after line of figures, her expression focused.

Qing He brewed a cup of hot tea at the side and had just begun to hand it over when the door creaked open.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Yuman looked up and saw her brother Zhao Feng striding inside. Rare joy was written across his face, and even his ordinarily steady steps seemed somewhat hurried.

Qing He quickly bowed. "Greetings, Escort Leader."

Zhao Feng was the Zhao Family's eldest young master, but he rarely allowed others to address him as young master, preferring instead to be called Escort Leader.

"Brother? What brings you here so late?" Zhao Yuman set down her brush and looked at him with some puzzlement.

Zhao Feng did not even pause to sit down. Getting straight to the point, he asked, "Manman, some time ago, did Liu Maolin from the Liu Family Medical Hall introduce you to a martial artist named Yang Jing?"

Zhao Yuman froze for a moment, then nodded. "That did happen. Why?"

"He broke through to Hidden Strength!" Zhao Feng's voice carried irrepressible excitement, exploding through the room like a thunderclap.

Clang—

The brush in Zhao Yuman's hand suddenly fell onto the account book, ink instantly bleeding into a black blot.

It was as if she had been struck by an immobilization spell, her whole body frozen in the chair. The color drained visibly from her face, and in an instant she was pale as paper.

"Hidden... Hidden Strength? Brother, you must be mistaken, right? He only has a low-grade root bone." Her voice was dry as sandpaper scraping together.

How was that possible?