Chen Yi finished practicing, and realized that it was difficult to fully execute the Collapsing Mountain Fist for cultivation within the side room.
Fortunately, practicing the fist stances like this without using physical strength only required the standard of his movements to be considered complete.
Then he upgraded "Martial Dao · Fist" to Initial Glimpse, leaving six points of Fortune.
The next moment, a profundity of the Fist Dao abruptly appeared in his mind.
Chen Yi moved his hands and feet, sizing up his surroundings while comprehending the content within that passage of profundity.
In the martial dao of this world, aside from one's own Cultivation Base-flesh and true qi-the most important things were techniques, including fists and kicks, body movement and footwork, and all kinds of weapons.
At the same time, physical exertion and true qi served as the foundation, techniques were the external manifestation of strength, and following that came martial dao true intention-such as fist intent, sword intent, and so on.
Fist techniques are the art, fist intent is the Dao; enter the Dao through art, drive art with the Dao... My order is the reverse, taking Fist Dao first, and cultivating fist techniques afterward.
All roads lead to the same destination; it is good to have progress.
Besides, those so-called martial dao Heavenly Pride are born with awakened spiritual intelligence, grasping true intention early on, bypassing the realm of art, and entering the Dao Realm directly.
Additionally, Chen Yi learned from "Martial Dao · Fist" that all techniques required support from a Cultivation Base to unleash their full power.
Practitioners in the Ninth Rank Realm like him could not casually display their true intentions even if they comprehended them, otherwise light consequences would involve a regression in Cultivation Base, and heavy ones would damage their foundation or lifespan.
Understanding these things, Chen Yi made his decision, then lightly stepped out of the wooden tower and came to the depths of the bamboo grove by the pond.
At this moment the second watch drum had sounded, and in less than an hour it would be the Zi hour, which was enough for him to practice the Collapsing Mountain Fist a few times.
"The Collapsing Mountain Fist emphasizes momentum and force, taking fierce and violent as priority, and excels at close-in grappling. Fists, kicks, elbows, knees, and the like can all be used as fatal moves, and the footwork seeks swiftness like the wind."
"Starting posture, propping up the heavens..."
Chen Yi thought of the general synopsis of the Collapsing Mountain Fist, practicing each form.
At first he practiced its shape, firmly memorizing the routine, and then he dissected them one by one, integrating fist techniques, footwork, breathing, and the use of physical exertion into them.
With the profound guidance of the Initial Glimpse level of "Martial Dao · Fist", just like his previous practice of calligraphy and stake training, his early progress was extremely rapid.
Only an hour passed, and he was already executing this set of fist techniques in a decent manner.
Matched with his current Cultivation Base of the Ninth Rank · Lower Tier, when he exerted his bovine strength, it looked quite imposing indeed.
Chen Yi practiced the Collapsing Mountain Fist five times in a row, then stopped to regulate his breath.
"There is still a long way to go."
A Collapsing Mountain Fist that only had an Initial Glimpse was all show and no substance; anyone with some martial dao Cultivation Base would not be bluffed by his fist techniques, and it was still inferior to directly using brute force for convenience.
Still, it was a good beginning after all.
"Clang!"
At that moment, the sound of gongs and drums rang out from outside the gate, and Chen Yi knew the time had reached the Zi hour, so he wiped his sweat and walked toward the wooden tower.
As he walked, he summoned the system to browse:
Name: Chen Yi Cultivation Base: Ninth Rank · Lower Way of Calligraphy: Great Accomplishment (0/1000) Calligraphy: Wei Qing (Proficient), Running Script (Skilled) Martial Dao · Body: Small Accomplishment (0/100) Cultivation Technique: Great Spear Stance Cultivation [Mystic Grade] (Skilled) Martial Dao · Fist: Initial Glimpse (0/10) Fist Technique: Collapse Mountain [Mystic Grade] (Initial Glimpse) Fortune: 6
[Daily Intelligence · Yellow Grade Middle Rank: Just past the Mao hour, in Yanhuaxiang south of Shuzhou City, Xiucai Liu Man is cornered inside the Lihong Courtesan House by his lawful wife for staying out all night. Can obtain a trace amount of Fortune.]
"South of the city..."
Seeing the content of today's intelligence, Chen Yi cursed inwardly. Was this seeing that his days in the Marquis's mansion were going too well?
A place like a brothel-for him, a matrilocal son-in-law, and moreover a matrilocal son-in-law who had called off a wedding, to go there, would he not be cursed to death...
If he died, he died; to go-he would just sneak over quietly.
The next day, just past the Chou hour.
Chen Yi was still half asleep when Wang Lixing woke him up to practice stake training.
However, unlike before, because he had exerted himself too much last night, as soon as he raised his hands he wore a drowsy expression.
"Son-in-law," Wang Lixing said with a frown, using earnest and well-meaning words to advise him, "I know some words are unpleasant to hear, but I must speak."
"Even though you are a matrilocal son-in-law of the Marquis's mansion, you are indeed a member of the Marquis's mansion, and furthermore the husband of Second Miss."
"If you are so unmotivated and word of it spreads, it will make people laugh, and may even make people feel that the family rules of the Marquis's mansion are not strict."
Chen Yi yawned and wiped the corners of his eyes, "I know, but last night, you see... I was kept awake by the Young Marquis grinding his teeth, and didn't sleep well. Do not blame me, do not blame me."
Wang Lixing was stunned, "The Young Marquis?"
He looked toward the wooden tower, "The Young Marquis is in Chunhe Garden?"
"You didn't know?"
"This subordinate is indeed unaware. Yesterday Eldest Miss received a letter from Second Miss, and told the rest of us that we no longer needed to guard Chunhe Garden."
"So that's how it is," Chen Yi gained even more confidence, "You have no idea how the Young Marquis ground his teeth and released..."
"Second brother-in-law, did I grind my teeth last night?"
Just at that moment, Xiao Wuge walked over, properly dressed, and asked.
Seeing him approach, Wang Lixing immediately knelt on one knee and bowed in salute: "This subordinate Wang Lixing greets the Young Marquis."
"No need for formalities, no need for formalities," Xiao Wuge waved a hand, then looked at Chen Yi with a bashful expression and said, "Earlier I did not hear my wet nurse mention this; brother-in-law, please forgive me."
"It is no trouble. Perhaps I am just not used to it yet, and tonight will be fine."
Seeing the principal personage arrive, Chen Yi hurriedly changed the subject, and his stake training became much more earnest.
Only Xiao Die on the other side was filled with confusion.
How come she had not heard any movement of the Young Marquis grinding his teeth last night?
Morning exercise ended, and the group partook in breakfast.
Chen Yi then announced he wanted to go out for a stroll, but no sooner had he stepped out of Chunhe Garden than he noticed movement behind him.
He turned around and glanced.
Not only was Xiao Die following, but the Young Marquis Xiao Wuge and several armored guards were trailing closely behind him.
Chen Yi covered his forehead, "My fault for not making it clear. You don't need to follow; I'm just going out for a stroll by myself."
With so many people going together to watch the fun at the entrance of a brothel, what was there for him to be careful about anymore?
Xiao Die covered her mouth and smiled, "Son-in-law, you forgot. Eldest Miss gave instructions earlier that I must follow you."
Xiao Wuge likewise nodded, "Eldest Sister gave me the exact same instruction. Wherever brother-in-law goes, I am to follow."
"Out of the mansion as well?" Chen Yi looked at him. "As the Young Marquis of the mansion, if you just go out casually like this, what will happen if you encounter danger?"
Even a matrilocal son-in-law like him had to be careful, let alone the direct grandson of Marquis Dingyuan.
"I'm not afraid; they are here." Xiao Wuge pointed at the armored guards behind him and chuckled, "Brother-in-law, I used to go out often in the past."
Chen Yi glanced at those armored guards, "Just-just dressed like this?"
Whether he wanted to say it or not, dressing like this indeed gave one a strong sense of security. In the territory of Shuzhou, probably very few people dared to brazenly provoke Marquis Dingyuan.
"Go change into casual clothes." Xiao Wuge immediately understood his meaning, and commanded like a little adult.
"Understood, Young Marquis!"
Seeing this, Chen Yi had no choice but to accept it.
"Xiao Die, bring along some extra melon fruits and pastries for us to eat on the way."
"Understood, son-in-law."
Not long after.
The group boarded a carriage hung with a banner of the Marquis of Military Banner and quietly left the mansion.
"Son-in-law, where are you going for a stroll?"
"South of the city."
Xiao Die's smile froze. She looked at him, and then looked at Xiao Wuge who wore a look of eager curiosity, before finally squeezing out a sentence after a long while:
"Son-in-law, can we not go out through this gate today?"
Chen Yi knew she had misunderstood, and he parted his lips to reveal two rows of sparkling teeth:
"I am taking you to see some excitement; there is no need to worry."
How could she not worry, son-in-law?
The Young Marquis was still so young, what if... Heavens, Xiao Die was going to be punished!
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