Beyond Everyone's Expectations

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, eight months had passed. Zhao Ping'an turned three.

At three years old, one could have their innate bone structure measured.

That day, Jiang Manor spent a fortune to invite the renowned master of bone-structure appraisal—Daoist He—into the manor to assess Zhao Ping'an's innate bone structure.

Measuring one's innate bone structure was extremely important. Only by knowing one's bone structure and physique could one teach according to their aptitude. It also guided the use of heavenly treasures to strengthen one's foundation. Otherwise, if one practiced cultivation methods or Martial Arts that conflicted with their bone structure and physique, not only would twice the effort yield half the result, but they could even cripple themselves through training.

Everyone in Jiang Manor eagerly awaited Zhao Ping'an's appraisal result. Some even guessed that he possessed one of the most supreme battle physiques spoken of in ancient legends.

Jiang Shuyue had great confidence in Zhao Ping'an's innate bone structure, but she could not help feeling nervous.

Back then, her husband's family had despised her for being unable to bear a child born with an excellent innate foundation. She had endured demands that she abort the child, been Demoted to Concubine, and been forced out of the Zhennan Marquis Estate, among other things.

She wanted to slap Zhao Yingpeng and the Zhennan Marquis Dowager hard across the face, make them realize their mistake and regret it, and make the Zhennan Marquis Dowager and Zhao Yingpeng personally come to beg her and her son to return.

Throughout White Emperor City, many people were also awaiting Zhao Ping'an's appraisal result. The gambling houses had even opened betting pools for it.

Such a Child Prodigy naturally made everyone intensely curious about his innate bone structure.

Inside Jiang Manor, in a room with its doors shut.

Daoist He touched and pressed Zhao Ping'an all over, even channeling True Essence into him to investigate.

Jiang Shuyue and Jiang Wen stood nearby watching, their expressions both expectant and tense.

Daoist He's brow furrowed tighter and tighter, as though he believed he had made a mistake in his assessment.

He measured him again and again, finally confirming that he truly had not assessed him incorrectly.

He finished the examination, turned around, and said regretfully to Jiang Shuyue, "Madam Jiang, your son's innate bone structure is Normal Quality. He has a Mortal Body."

"How could that be?" Jiang Shuyue cried out involuntarily, utterly unwilling to believe it.

Jiang Wen's expression changed drastically as well. In disbelief, he said, "Daoist He, please trouble yourself to measure him once more."

His words clearly implied that Daoist He had made an error.

Daoist He let out a soft sigh. "This humble Daoist is also very surprised, and deeply regrets it for your son. However, your son truly has a Mortal Body. This humble Daoist has measured him repeatedly. I guarantee with my years of reputation that the assessment is correct."

Jiang Shuyue staggered back two steps, her body swaying as though she might collapse. She could not accept that Zhao Ping'an had a Mortal Body.

Seeing how deeply Jiang Shuyue had been struck, Zhao Ping'an hurried forward to support her and called out guiltily, "Mother."

Jiang Shuyue came back to her senses and hurriedly pulled Zhao Ping'an tightly into her arms. Tears streamed down her face as she comforted him, "Ping'an, don't be sad. Mother believes you were born extraordinary and will surely achieve great things. Don't be afraid. Mother is here. Mother is here..."

Listening to Mother's words of comfort, spoken as she forced herself to remain strong, Zhao Ping'an could not help hugging her tighter. His heart was filled with guilt, and his eyes reddened. "I'm sorry, Mother."

To conceal the fact that he possessed the Ancient Sacred Body, he could only use "Mortal Body" to deceive everyone, including Jiang Shuyue, leaving her full of disappointment and sorrow.

"You have done nothing to wrong Mother. You have wronged no one." Jiang Shuyue crouched down, her jade-like hand stroking Zhao Ping'an's face. She looked directly into his eyes, giving him strength with her gaze, and said firmly, "You are excellent. You are clever. At such a young age, you have already become an Alchemist, a Talisman Master, and an Artifact Refiner. You have Photographic Memory, and one day of Martial Arts training for you surpasses years of training for others. Mother has always been proud of you."

Watching his daughter and grandson, Jiang Wen felt miserable. He only felt that Heaven was far too unfair. Why did it have to torment his daughter so cruelly?

He comforted Jiang Shuyue, "Yue'er, Ping'an having a Mortal Body may not be a bad thing. At least he can live safely and peacefully."

Jiang Shuyue suppressed her emotions, stood up, and replied to her father, "Dad is right."

"Ping'an, though you have a Mortal Body, you are exceptionally intelligent and possess outstanding comprehension. A Mortal Body can still practice Martial Arts and cultivate. So long as you are willing to work hard, you will surely achieve something in the future," Jiang Wen told Zhao Ping'an again. "Therefore, you must never give up on yourself."

Zhao Ping'an answered seriously, "Grandfather's teachings are correct. Ping'an will remember them."

Seeing Zhao Ping'an accept that he had a Mortal Body with such composure, Jiang Wen felt greatly comforted, but also even more heartbroken for him.

At that moment, Daoist He spoke up. "Actually, you need not make his innate bone structure public. This humble Daoist will keep it strictly confidential."

"There is no need to hide it," Zhao Ping'an interjected. "It is what it is."

He then said to Jiang Wen and Jiang Shuyue, "Grandfather, Mother, I do not wish to hide that I have a Mortal Body."

"Fine, we won't hide it," Jiang Shuyue agreed sorrowfully.

Daoist He could not help praising him. "Young Master Zhao, not only are you precocious, but your temperament is exceptional. Even with a Mortal Body, you will surely be extraordinary in the future."

"May your auspicious words come true, Master." Zhao Ping'an cupped his hands, calm and unruffled.

Once they had decided to announce the result, the door opened. Jiang Wen and Daoist He walked out first, while Jiang Shuyue held Zhao Ping'an's little hand as they followed.

His uncles and aunts, standing at the very front, immediately stepped forward. Their faces were full of smiles and anticipation as they prepared to ask.

Yet the next moment, they saw the grave expressions on Jiang Wen and Jiang Shuyue's faces. Jiang Shuyue's eyes were even red, bearing traces of tears. Their hearts skipped a beat, and they forcibly swallowed the words already at their lips.

The other people of Jiang Manor crowded forward as well, eager to hear the result.

However, sharp-eyed people had also noticed that something was wrong.

"Daoist He, please announce it," Jiang Wen said to him.

Facing the dense crowd in the courtyard, Daoist He announced, "Zhao Ping'an's innate bone structure is Normal Quality. He has a Mortal Body."

Ah!!!!!!

Everyone was utterly shocked and found it impossible to believe. They thought they had heard wrong.

Even those who had already sensed something was amiss were greatly startled, because they had thought that no matter how poor Zhao Ping'an's bone structure was, it would at least be above average. They had only assumed it had failed to reach the supreme-grade bone structure everyone expected, or even the legendary battle physique.

"Daoist He, did you make a mistake in your assessment? How could Cousin Young Master possibly have a Mortal Body?" Chen Donglai angrily demanded in a loud voice from the crowd.

As Chen Donglai voiced his doubts, everyone else immediately began talking over one another. "That's right, did you make a mistake?"

"Cousin Young Master is extraordinarily intelligent. Before he was even two, he had already become an Alchemist, a Talisman Master, and an Artifact Refiner. If he has a Mortal Body, then who doesn't?"

"What bone-structure appraisal master? He's clearly a great swindler!"

Daoist He had no choice but to raise his voice. "This humble Daoist guarantees with his years of reputation that Zhao Ping'an's innate bone structure was assessed correctly."

Unfortunately, the crowd before him remained in an uproar, and the curses continued without end.

"Silence!" Jiang Wen shouted in a deep voice.

The noise finally stopped quickly, and the silence that followed was so complete that a falling needle could be heard.

Jiang Wen said nothing. Feeling somewhat exhausted and powerless, he merely waved a hand forward. "Everyone, disperse."

Only then did everyone realize that Zhao Ping'an, on whom they had placed such high hopes, truly had a Mortal Body. He was an utterly ordinary person—not a Saint reincarnated, and not even comparable to many others.

Every one of them was filled with disappointment.

The news that Zhao Ping'an had a Mortal Body spread throughout the city at an astonishing speed that very day. Everyone thought it was a rumor and asked around repeatedly, only to find that he really did have a Mortal Body.

For a time, the entire city was in an uproar, with all kinds of conspiracy theories emerging.

Some claimed that the Jiang Family had fabricated Zhao Ping'an's previous image as a Child Prodigy, and that Zhao Ping'an could not refine pills, draw talismans, or refine artifacts at all.

Some said the Jiang Family wanted to keep a low profile and did not want Zhao Ping'an to stand out like a tree in the forest, inviting the wind to destroy it. They had deliberately released the false news that Zhao Ping'an had a Mortal Body, when in truth he might possess one of the most supreme battle physiques from legend.

Some even claimed that the Jiang Family had joined forces with the gambling houses, releasing the false news that Zhao Ping'an had a Mortal Body in order to swallow all the bets, with the Jiang Family and the gambling houses splitting the profits fifty-fifty.

Beyond all the conspiracy theories, Zhao Ping'an had become the greatest laughingstock in the streets and alleys of White Emperor City, a subject for people to joke about over tea and after meals.

When the news that Zhao Ping'an had a Mortal Body reached the Zhennan Marquis Estate, the Zhennan Marquis Dowager could not help letting out a strange, hearty laugh.

Over the past two or three years, whenever she heard how extraordinary Zhao Ping'an was, she had never believed it at all, yet she could not help feeling some pressure deep down.

She did not want people to criticize her behind her back for being blind and unable to recognize worth.

After laughing for quite some time, the Zhennan Marquis Dowager finally stopped and ordered the maidservant beside her, "Go summon Yingpeng."

The maidservant answered, "Yes," and immediately went to fetch Zhao Yingpeng.

After an Incense Stick, Zhao Yingpeng arrived. "Mother, what instructions do you have for your son?"

"It is nothing much." As the Zhennan Marquis Dowager sipped fragrant tea, she said in a deliberately calm and detached manner, "I just heard that the bastard born by that lowly Jiang Shuyue had his innate bone structure assessed."

At those words, Zhao Yingpeng's expression shifted slightly. Only then did he recall that Zhao Ping'an was already three years old.

However, he did not immediately ask what Zhao Ping'an's innate bone structure was like. In any case, it could not be anything good.

The Zhennan Marquis Dowager waited a long while, yet Zhao Yingpeng still did not ask. Unable to restrain herself, she said, "Normal Quality bone structure. A Mortal Body."

"A Mortal Body?" Zhao Yingpeng asked somewhat incredulously.

He was his son, after all. How could he be such trash?

The Zhennan Marquis Dowager straightened her back and snorted coldly. "A Mortal Body indeed! Back then, I kindly told that lowly woman to abort the fetus, yet she resented me for being cruel. And now? She has become the laughingstock of the entire city!"

A trace of anger appeared on Zhao Yingpeng's face. It was not directed at the Zhennan Marquis Dowager, but at Jiang Shuyue and Zhao Ping'an for disgracing him throughout all of White Emperor City.

If Zhao Ping'an had been standing before him, he would have simply slapped him to death, saving himself from further humiliation!

The next day, Qiushui happily approached Su Yingluo, who sat cross-legged on a cloud bed chanting scriptures. She bowed and reported, "Young lady, this Servant Girl has already sent people to seize Daoist He and interrogate him. That bastard truly has a Mortal Body, without a doubt."

Su Yingluo merely raised her eyes to glance at Qiushui before lowering them again. She did not interrupt her silent recitation of Buddhist scriptures in the slightest. Her beautiful and sacred face appeared neither joyful nor sorrowful, detached from worldly contention.

Qiushui continued, "Though that bastard has a Mortal Body, he still has some cleverness. Should we send someone to send him on his way after some time, lest future trouble arise?"

"Amitabha." Su Yingluo stopped chanting the scriptures and said compassionately, "The Buddha is merciful, and Heaven cherishes life. Let him fend for himself."

"Yes." Qiushui bowed to accept the order, then could not help sighing. "Young lady truly has the heart of a bodhisattva. If that bastard knew, he ought to be overwhelmed with gratitude."