Martial Art: Collapse Mountain!

In the end, Chen Yi agreed to Xiao Wan'er's "request," promising to look after Xiao Wuge for a while.

Consider it repayment for the fine food and care he'd received from the Xiao family.

But he made it clear upfront: Xiao Wuge could stay in Chunhe Garden and wasn't allowed to run around, but he wouldn't be responsible for teaching him any random nonsense.

Xiao Wan'er nodded in agreement, gave Xiao Wuge a few instructions, then left with Shen Huatang.

"Eldest Miss, why do you value the second son-in-law so highly?"

After holding it in for a long time, only once they'd passed through the central courtyard gate did Shen Huatang blurt out: "In Huatang's view, even if he has some learning, he's far inferior to the several tutors in the mansion, not to mention his character is so..."

Vulgar.

Though Shen Huatang didn't say it aloud, Xiao Wan'er naturally understood.

Walking gracefully toward a residence on the right side of the central courtyard, she replied in a gentle tone:

"I don't need him to teach Wuge knowledge. I just want Wuge to stay by his side and learn his way of handling people and affairs through daily exposure."

"This..."

"Huatang, you've been with our Xiao family for quite some time now. You should know that next spring, Wuge will set out for Jinling as a hostage."

"You mean," Shen Huatang's heart stirred as realization dawned, "you want Young Master Wuge to conduct himself in Jinling like the second son-in-law?"

"Yes," Xiao Wan'er nodded slightly, her bright eyes lowered, her tone carrying a hint of gravity:

"The Xiao family now has only him as the sole bloodline of the direct line. I don't ask him to be ambitious; I only hope he can spend ten years in Jinling safely and without incident."

"My brother-in-law does have some learning, but what I value more is his easygoing nature. If Wuge can learn even a tenth of that, he'll have far fewer troubles in Jinling."

"Miss, forgive me, Huatang spoke out of turn."

"It's fine."

Xiao Wan'er let out a soft laugh, pushed open the courtyard gate, and walked slowly inside.

Shen Huatang watched her enter, then silently stood guard outside the door, holding her sword with both arms crossed as she looked up at the sky.

Master was right—born into a wealthy family, it looks like flowers and brocade, but inside it's still a tangled mess.

Inside the courtyard.

"Wan'er, have you arranged everything for Wuge?"

Old Marquis Xiao Yuan, dressed in a simple long robe, reclined in a lounge chair. Though his frame was broad and sturdy, the sickly pallor on his face was still visible.

After bowing to the three elders on the other side, Xiao Wan'er replied, "It's all arranged. He'll be staying with Second Sister's husband for the time being."

Xiao Yuan paused. "Everything in the mansion is your decision. Arrange it as you see fit."

With that, he turned to his old friends and praised with a smile: "This granddaughter of mine is the most meticulous. With her around, the mansion is much more peaceful."

"You old bastard are truly blessed. This old man is envious." A gray-robed elder stroked his beard and said:

"Strange, isn't it? Heng'er also has your Xiao family blood, but I really can't say what's so well-behaved about him."

"Elder Zhang, blood ties are one thing, but you also need a good teacher."

"Are you saying the tutors in my Duke's Mansion don't know how to teach?"

"That's how it is..."

Seeing these venerable old men bickering with each other, Xiao Wan'er didn't linger. She told Xiao Yuan to rest well and then took her leave.

After she left.

Xiao Yuan let out a soft sigh, causing the other elders to stop talking.

"Old Xiao, don't dwell on all that messy stuff. What matters most now is taking care of your health." Elder Zhang tugged at his beard.

"That's true, but..."

Xiao Yuan didn't finish. Instead, he turned and said, "Brother Xuan, earlier you said His Majesty has shown great favor to the Chen family, and that our Xiao family would suffer because of it. Why is that?"

"You've been living in Shuzhou for so long, you wouldn't know," Elder Zhang said gravely. "In this imperial examination, His Majesty personally appointed the Eldest Son of the Chen Family as Top Scholar. Those scholars made quite a fuss for a long time."

"Oh?"

"Nothing more than that his virtue and talent don't match his position..."

The sky was growing late.

The hazy setting sun hung like a massive wheel of light on the western horizon, shining down on Chunhe Garden.

But unlike the sky, the three people in the pavilion were buzzing with excitement.

"Second brother-in-law, look! I caught another fish!"

"Sister Xiao Die, bring the fish basket over..."

Xiao Wuge seemed to be on a hot streak, catching five carp in one afternoon.

What's worse, his gear was even simpler than Chen Yi's—he'd just found a small bamboo pole, tied a string to it, imitating what Chen Yi called "Jiang Taigong," tied a piece of meat to the end, and tossed it into the pond.

No justice—he could still catch fish like this?

Chen Yi looked enviously at the fish basket beside him, then silently put away his fishing rod.

"Second brother-in-law, not fishing anymore?" Xiao Wuge noticed his movement and stood up as well, looking like he would follow wherever Chen Yi went.

Chen Yi did his best to calm his mind and said in a level tone, "Fishing is a minor path. I need to go seek the Great Dao."

"Brother-in-law, what is the Great Dao? Teach me?"

"Time to eat. Xiao Die, go see what's for dinner..."

Chen Yi couldn't actually explain what the Great Dao was. He was purely worried that if he kept fishing, he'd get so jealous he'd snatch Xiao Wuge's fish basket.

While waiting for his stomach to be filled, Chen Yi lounged lazily in a reclining chair, watching the slanting sunlight spill across the pond's beauty, and asked casually:

"Wan'er-jie went on a long trip this time. Where to?"

"She said she wanted to buy some gifts for Grandfather and went east to Jingzhou." Xiao Wuge sat up straight, his small face taut.

Though young, his mind was remarkably mature.

Even at this age, he had proper posture whether sitting or standing, and he spoke and acted without hesitation—clearly trained from childhood.

In contrast, Chen Yi came across as lazy and relaxed, always wearing a gentle smile that made him look harmless.

"Oh, why does your sister always wear that cloak?"

Summer was nearly here, yet Xiao Wan'er still wore that bulky cloak. Just looking at it felt hot.

Xiao Wuge didn't hide it and said bluntly, "Eldest Sister has been frail and sickly since she was young. Every year she goes to Black Mountain Dojo to recuperate."

Chen Yi understood now. No wonder her complexion was slightly pale and her voice lacked strength.

After a few more idle remarks, he asked the question on his mind: "Speaking of which, why did your sister let you stay at Chunhe Garden?"

There were plenty of courtyards in the estate, and the Old Marquis was still around. Logically, this Young Marquis shouldn't be following him around.

Xiao Wuge hesitated briefly. "My sister told me not to tell you. She wants me to learn how to conduct myself from you."

"..." Chen Yi let out a wry laugh. "Next time, you don't have to be quite so honest."

Learn how to conduct himself from him? Did Xiao Wan'er have a grudge against Xiao Wuge or something?

That was some poor judgment.

"Brother-in-law," Xiao Wuge looked up at him, unaware of his thoughts, "that night, Brother Heir Apparent called you a 'runaway groom.' Why weren't you angry when you heard it?"

"How do you know I wasn't angry?"

"I could tell. If you were angry, you would have charged up right away and beaten him up with me."

"Well, I really wasn't that angry," Chen Yi thought for a moment. "I just feel that whatever has already happened, whether the outcome is good or bad, should be accepted calmly."

Besides, it was just a name. It didn't affect his eating, drinking, or having fun.

"And then correct your mistakes afterward?" Xiao Wuge's small face showed a thoughtful expression. "No one is a sage—who can avoid mistakes? Right?"

"Right, but there's another saying after that: 'It is never too late to mend,'" Chen Yi saw Xiao Die approaching with the food, so he stood up and patted his shoulder. "Let's eat first. It's getting late. Tomorrow, brother-in-law will take you out to play."

"Okay."

Xiao Wuge silently memorized those words, thinking to himself that his brother-in-law really did say astonishing things, just like his sister had said. Even the several tutors rarely spoke such simple, straightforward maxims.

After dinner.

Xiao Die made the bed for Xiao Wuge in the side room next to Chen Yi's, attended to him until he rested, and then came to the Study Room.

"Son-in-law, do you want to rest?"

"I'll sleep after I finish writing."

Chen Yi stood at the desk, swapped for a small Wolf-hair Brush, and practiced Running Script.

Compared to the rough and upright Wei Qing script, Running Script was clearly more free-spirited. Every stroke was natural and expressive, the brush tip moving with the mood's weight and pace.

Seeing him not look up, Xiao Die quietly stood by his side, grinding ink while watching the characters, and asked in confusion:

"Son-in-law, your calligraphy style has changed?"

"It's indeed worse."

"No, no... I mean, it's better. Prettier."

Chen Yi glanced at her but didn't explain the change. He knew clearly that his Running Script was far inferior to Wei Qing's.

Seeing him fall silent, Xiao Die looked around as if searching for something. Not finding the page of Graceful Spirit Ode, she breathed a slight sigh of relief.

It seemed the son-in-law also knew that piece of Lyrics shouldn't be shown to others.

That put her at ease.

After watching for a while, hearing the first drum of the night, Xiao Die said, "Son-in-law, I'll fetch water for you first."

"Okay."

Chen Yi finished writing and looked it over, frowning slightly—but only for a moment before his brow smoothed.

"Going from Initial Glimpse to Proficient Level in two days—that speed counts as lightning fast."

After that, Chen Yi bathed, changed into casual clothes, and returned to his room.

He extinguished the candle in the room, glanced at the moonlight outside the window, and thought of the "Hidden Guard" he had discovered today. Then he began to stretch his limbs.

He then assumed the stance of the Great Spear Stance Cultivation, his body motionless as he breathed long and steadily. The Qi within him stirred, pulling at his muscles, tendons, and skin.

"If I don't want someone to shatter my peaceful life, I must strengthen myself."

An hour later.

Chen Yi ended his stance, drenched in sweat. He patted his hot, firm chest, found a few pieces of meat he had prepared earlier, and began to eat.

After a brief rest, he rose and began practicing the fist techniques from memory in the narrow room.

Before long, a flicker of light appeared before his eyes:

[Practice of Fist Technique · Collapse Mountain (Mysterious Rank) successful. Level: Initial Glimpse]

[Martial Path · Fist: Not Yet Initiated 0/1 (Points Available)]