Shock

In another corner of the Front Courtyard, Lin Yue was also practicing the Mountain Collapse Fist.

His stances remained textbook-perfect, and his Fist Wind still carried a measure of ferocity. But the Hidden Strength experts beside him, Xu Hong and Qi Yun, could both tell that his internal energy circulated unsteadily. An almost imperceptible sluggishness marred the transitions between his moves. His usual composure was gone, replaced by a hint of disorder.

Bang!

His fist struck the wooden post, but the force veered slightly off course, leaving only a shallow dent in the wood.

Lin Yue abruptly withdrew his fist, his brows tightly knitted. The frustration in his heart was a tangled ball of thread he could not unravel.

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. All the guests had been prominent young talents from the county.

During the banquet, Xiao Wenxuan had been particularly warm toward him, every word hinting at a desire to draw him in. He had even smiled and offered to introduce Lin Yue to his younger sister, Xiao Yue.

Xiao Yue... Lin Yue recalled the woman who had appeared briefly at the banquet. With her exquisite features and gentle bearing, she truly was a rare beauty. The Xiao Family's influence went without saying. Marrying into their family would undoubtedly be a shortcut to soaring straight into the clouds.

Yet 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 surpassed even that Xiao Family Young Lady's.

More importantly, if he married Senior Sister Ningxiang, the right to inherit the Sun Clan Martial Arts School would most likely fall to him.

His master's insights into transforming strength and the school's connections and resources would all become sources of support.

For precisely that reason, he had hesitated over Xiao Wenxuan's matchmaking offer again and again, then finally declined politely.

Yet after refusing, he could not help regretting it.

How deep were the Xiao Family's reserves? The resources they could provide to help him break through to transforming strength alone were beyond anything the Sun Clan Martial Arts School could offer.

Transforming strength... How many martial artists dreamed of reaching that realm?

With the Xiao Family's support, his chances of breaking through to transforming strength would improve by at least thirty percent.

And whenever he recalled that Xiao Family Young Lady's delicate beauty, he could not help feeling as though a cat's claws were scratching at his heart.

"I should have agreed first. Even stalling would have been better..." Lin Yue muttered, driving his fist into the wooden post with a muffled thud.

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

He could not even concentrate on his boxing. His internal energy darted wildly through his meridians, almost disrupting his breathing.

He took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and assumed the opening stance again.

But when his gaze happened to sweep across Yang Jing nearby, whose steady, focused movements carried solid hidden strength in every punch and kick, Lin Yue's frustration grew.

An ordinary registered disciple who had once been utterly unremarkable had now become a Hidden Strength expert and even received special guidance from their master.

Meanwhile, he was standing here agonizing over romantic attachments and family interests...

Nearly an hour later.

The Moon Gate swung open with a creak, and Sun Yong emerged from the Inner Courtyard in plain training clothes, his steps steady.

His gaze swept over the disciples in the courtyard. Seeing most of them immersed in training, beads of sweat rolling down their temples, he stroked his beard and nodded.

Only when he caught sight of Lin Yue did Sun Yong's brows furrow slightly. Even Xu Hong and Qi Yun could tell something was wrong with Lin Yue, so naturally Sun Yong saw it at a glance. His Mountain Collapse Fist was scattered, his internal energy faltering intermittently. His mind was clearly elsewhere.

Sun Ningxiang followed behind him with a food carrier. She went to the stone table in the courtyard and handed out the mung bean soup inside.

"It's hot. Have some to cool yourselves down." Her voice was gentle, the hands offering the bowls fair and slender. The disciples accepted them with words of thanks, their eyes full of respect.

A few younger disciples were too embarrassed to look directly at her. Blushing, they lowered their heads and sipped their soup, though they could not keep the corners of their mouths from rising. In their hearts, their master's daughter was like the moon in the heavens-beautiful, pure, and gentle.

Sun Yong first approached a disciple practicing the Mountain Collapse Fist and pressed a hand against his shoulder. "Sink your shoulders and drop your elbows. Your Fist Wind is too hollow. You're using your arms to generate force. Let it come from your waist."

As he spoke, he turned his wrist lightly, bringing a steady force into play. The disciple instantly felt as though a thousand pounds had been added beneath his fist, and his movements became much steadier.

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

Yang Jing was just reaching the closing movement of the Mountain Collapse Fist, his Fist Wind striking the wooden post with hidden strength wrapped in its rushing wind.

With a thump, the wooden post actually swayed slightly.

Sun Yong nodded faintly. He could feel that the force in Yang Jing's punches had become more concentrated than a few days earlier, and that his hidden strength flowed ever more smoothly. He could not help praising him. "Good. You can release and withdraw your hidden strength at will. It's thirty percent steadier than when you first broke through. Remember, hidden strength isn't the end. Only when you can project your inner force completely beyond your body without losing any of its power will you have touched the threshold of transforming strength."

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

Sun Yong murmured an acknowledgment, then headed toward Xu Hong and Qi Yun.

Yang Jing turned back to his training. Amid the flurry of fists, sweat dripped along his jawline and struck the ground, spreading into small damp patches. His eyes, however, shone with startling brightness.

Elsewhere.

After instructing a few more disciples, Sun Yong finally approached Lin Yue, his expression already dark.

Lin Yue was halfway through a set of punches. Seeing his master approach, he hurriedly stopped, but his unsettled mind almost caused his breathing to go awry as he withdrew the move. His body swayed slightly.

"Stop." Sun Yong's voice held a sharp edge. "What do you call this training? Your punches aren't punches, and your strength isn't strength!" He pointed at the dents in the wooden post. "Your inner force is scattered and unfocused. How have you been training lately? You've actually regressed instead of improving!"

Lin Yue bit his lip, feeling terribly wronged.

He wanted to say that he had rejected the Xiao Family for Sun Ningxiang. He wanted to say that his thoughts were unsettled because he was concerned about the school's future. But when the words reached his lips, all that emerged was a subdued, "I know I was wrong."

"You know you were wrong? I don't think you understand at all!" Sun Yong raised his voice. "You have the best root bone in this school. You have a strong chance of reaching transforming strength, perhaps even going higher. But look at yourself now-your mind is wandering, and stray thoughts are running rampant! The martial path is like rowing against the current: if you don't advance, you fall back. Keep slacking like this, and you'll only harm yourself!"

He looked at Lin Yue, frustrated that iron would not become steel, and pointed toward Yang Jing nearby. "Look at Yang Jing. His root bone isn't as good as yours, but he works ten times harder. After breaking through to hidden strength, he didn't relax in the slightest. He's pushing himself even harder than before. If he keeps training like that, he may well amount to something. And you? You think having good root bone gives you the right to slack off?"

Lin Yue followed his master's gaze toward Yang Jing. He saw him striking the wooden post over and over, putting all his strength into every punch. His sweat-soaked clothes clung tightly to his back, outlining its solid muscles.

An inexplicable anger suddenly flared in his heart. Was Master deliberately using Yang Jing to put me down? But how could he know how much I've sacrificed for Senior Sister Ningxiang and the school? I turned down the chance to become the Xiao Family's son-in-law!

"I... I'll change." Lin Yue lowered his head, his voice subdued, while secretly clenching his fists inside his sleeves.

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

Lin Yue nodded. He took a deep breath, suppressed his frustration and anger, then sank his waist, settled into a horse stance, and assumed the opening posture of the Mountain Collapse Fist again.

This time, he forced himself not to think about the Xiao Family's overtures or ponder Sun Ningxiang's attitude. He focused solely on the course of his punches and the circulation of his internal energy.

He threw a punch. Although his internal energy did not flow as smoothly as usual, it was far steadier than before.

Then came Mountain Collapse. He drove the movement from his waist and abdomen, the wind from his fist sweeping across the ground and stirring several fallen leaves. At last, some of his former presence returned.

Sun Yong stood quietly beside him. Seeing Lin Yue gradually collect himself and recover some order in his movements, his tightly knitted brows slowly relaxed, and he gave a slight nod.

Throughout the Sun Clan Martial Arts School, Lin Yue was unquestionably first in terms of root bone and aptitude.

Sun Yong had placed tremendous hopes in him. He had even long been planning to make his intentions clear once Lin Yue advanced another step and betroth Ningxiang to him.

It would be both an acknowledgment of Lin Yue and a provision for the school's future. With a disciple like him inheriting its legacy, the Sun Clan Martial Arts School could secure its footing in Yuhe County.

That was precisely why he could not tolerate Lin Yue slacking off.

Now that Lin Yue had recognized his mistake and regained his focus, most of Sun Yong's anger faded, and he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

In another part of the Front Courtyard.

Yang Jing was completely oblivious to the commotion.

He was immersed in his boxing, incorporating Sun Yong's earlier guidance into his movements bit by bit.

With every punch, he felt the subtle shifts in his hidden strength, sometimes gathering it across his fist, sometimes sending it through his fingertips, striving to release and withdraw his inner force at will.

The Parade Ground Trial in just over twenty days weighed on his heart like a mountain, yet it also became his strongest driving force.

He knew that although his foundation was solid, he had only been training for a short time. He had to race against every moment to hone his strength. Even one more measure of progress would give him one more measure of confidence on the parade ground.

Sun Yong continued strolling through the Front Courtyard, occasionally offering a few words of instruction. Only when he passed Lin Yue did his steps pause briefly, the expectations in his eyes deepening.

As dusk closed in, Yang Jing left the school's gates and headed toward Tongyi Ward with his old cloth bag on his back.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill, setting the lanterns along the street swaying. He considered how to bring his family into the city.

The countryside was growing increasingly chaotic. A few days earlier, he had heard that a band of vicious bandits had appeared at Ten-Mile Slope outside the city. They even dared to rob passing merchant caravans, leaving ordinary farming families in constant fear.

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

The courtyard in Tongyi Ward is small, but we could squeeze everyone in. Still, there's no need to crowd together, and it would make training inconvenient. I can just rent a place nearby when the time comes, Yang Jing thought. In times like these, renting is better than buying. Who knows how bad the chaos will get?

As he thought, he reached his courtyard gate.

By the hazy moonlight, he saw three or four people standing outside. They wore respectable silk clothes, with jade pendants at their waists. They did not look like gang members, but they were unmistakably strangers.

Yang Jing paused, his brows creasing slightly. Had another fool come looking for trouble? He quietly set his hidden strength in motion and walked slowly toward them.

"Would you be Young Master Yang Jing?" Their leader was a man in his fifties, with a kindly face and a shrewd gleam in his eyes. Seeing Yang Jing approach, he hurriedly cupped his hands and smiled. "I am Wang Weijie of the Wang Family, second in seniority within the family. Our family head is my elder brother. Forgive this unannounced visit. I've come to invite you to join the Wang Family as a guest retainer."

Someone beside him added, "Though the Wang Family isn't among the Six Great Families, we own considerable property in the city and have substantial wealth. We hope you would honor us by accepting."

Yang Jing understood. They had come to offer him an honorary appointment.

He shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Second Master Wang, but I've already agreed to join another family. I'm afraid I must disappoint you."

Second Master Wang's smile remained unchanged. "Won't you reconsider, Young Master Yang? The terms we offer may be no worse than anyone else's. Why not hear them first?"

"There's no need." Yang Jing waved a hand, his tone firm. "Since I've already given my word, I won't change my mind. Hearing your terms would only put me in a difficult position and cause needless trouble."

He had always been that way. Once he made a decision, he would not easily waver.

Besides, the Liu Family Medical Hall had treated him well, and Liu Maolin had shown him genuine sincerity. He had no reason to chase something new the moment it caught his eye.

Seeing his firm resolve, Second Master Wang knew further persuasion would be useless. He could only sigh. "In that case, we won't trouble you any longer, Young Master Yang. If anything changes in the future, the Wang Family's doors will always be open to you."

With that, he shook his head and departed with his men, full of regret.

Yang Jing watched their retreating figures, then opened the courtyard gate and went inside.

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

News of his breakthrough to hidden strength really had spread. Even families from the Inner City were coming to his door.

In a room in the rear courtyard of the Zhao Clan Escort Agency.

Candlelight flickered, illuminating the writing in the account book.

Zhao Yuman was checking the recent accounts for escort fees, her fingertip tracing rows of figures, her expression focused.

Qing He brewed a cup of hot tea beside her. Just as she was about to hand it over, the door creaked open.

Zhao Yuman looked up at the sound and saw her elder brother, Zhao Feng, stride inside. His face wore a rare look of delight, and even his normally measured steps seemed hurried.

Qing He hastily bowed. "Greetings, Escort Captain."

Zhao Feng was the Zhao Family's eldest young master, but he seldom allowed people to address him as such, preferring "Escort Captain."

"Brother? Is something wrong this late at night?" Zhao Yuman put down her brush and looked at him in puzzlement.

Zhao Feng did not bother sitting down and went straight to the point. "Manman, did Liu Maolin from the Liu Family Medical Hall introduce a martial artist named Yang Jing to you a while ago?"

Zhao Yuman froze briefly, then nodded. "Yes, he did. What about him?"

"He's broken through to hidden strength!" Zhao Feng's voice rang with irrepressible excitement, exploding through the room like a thunderclap.

Clatter-

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

She sat rigid in her chair as though struck by an immobilizing spell. The color drained visibly from her face, leaving it white as paper in an instant.

"H-hidden strength? Brother, you must be mistaken. He only has low-grade root bone." Her voice was dry and rough, like sandpaper scraping.

How was that possible?