This Door Can Stay Closed, Right?

After Chen Yi finished practicing, he realized that the side room was too cramped for him to properly unleash the Collapsing Mountain Fist.

Fortunately, this sort of fist-form practice did not consume strength. As long as his movements met the standard, it counted as training.

He then raised "Martial Dao · Fist" to Beginner, leaving him with 6 Fortune.

The next instant, an inexplicable piece of profound knowledge about the Fist Dao appeared in his mind.

Chen Yi moved his limbs, surveying his surroundings as he absorbed the contents of that profound knowledge.

In this world, aside from one's own Cultivation Base—physical body and true qi—the most important aspect of the Martial Path was technique, including fist and kick arts, body movement techniques and footwork, and all manner of weapons.

At the same time, the body's force and true qi served as the foundation, while techniques were the outward manifestation of strength. Beyond that came true Martial Dao intent—such as Fist Intent, Sword Intent, and so on.

"Fist techniques are arts, Fist Intent is the Dao. Enter the Dao through arts, wield arts through the Dao... Yet I am the opposite. I comprehend the Fist Dao first, then cultivate fist techniques."

"Different roads lead to the same destination. As long as I can make progress, that is enough."

"Besides, some so-called Heavenly Pride of the Martial Path are born with awakened spiritual insight. They comprehend true intent early, cross beyond the realm of techniques, and enter the Dao Realm directly."

Moreover, Chen Yi learned from "Martial Dao · Fist" that every technique required sufficient Cultivation Base to unleash its full power.

For a cultivator in the Ninth Rank Realm like him, even if he comprehended true intent, he could not use it freely. Otherwise, at best his Cultivation Base would regress; at worst, he would damage his foundation or shorten his lifespan.

Having understood this, Chen Yi made up his mind. He lightly left the Wooden Tower and headed deep into the Bamboo Grove by the pond.

The second night watch had just passed. In less than two hours, it would be midnight—enough time for him to practice the Collapsing Mountain Fist several times.

"The Collapsing Mountain Fist emphasizes momentum and force, placing fierce strength above all else. It excels at close-range combat. Fists, feet, elbows, knees—all can become killing moves. Its footwork is swift as the wind."

"Opening stance, supporting the heavens..."

Thinking over the general principles of the Collapsing Mountain Fist, Chen Yi practiced every form.

At first, he trained its shape, memorizing the sequence. Then he broke down each move one by one, integrating the fist techniques, footwork, breathing, and use of force into them.

With the profound guidance of Beginner-level "Martial Dao · Fist," just as when he had previously practiced calligraphy and Stake Training, his initial progress was extremely rapid.

In only an hour, he was already performing the fist technique with convincing form.

Combined with his current Ninth Rank · Lower cultivation, the strength of an ox coursing through his body made him look rather intimidating.

Chen Yi practiced the Collapsing Mountain Fist five times before stopping to regulate his breathing.

"I'm still far from it."

The Collapsing Mountain Fist at merely the Initial Glimpse stage had only its outer form. Anyone with even a little Martial Path cultivation would not be bluffed by his fist technique. It would be more convenient to simply rely on brute force.

Still, it was a good beginning.

Clang!

Just then, the sound of gongs and drums rang out beyond the door. Chen Yi knew it was midnight, so he wiped away his sweat and headed toward the Wooden Tower.

As he walked, he summoned the system and looked it over:

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: Minor accomplishment (0/100)

Cultivation Technique: Great Spear Stance Cultivation [Mystic Grade] (Skilled)

Martial Dao · Fist: Beginner (0/10)

Fist Technique: Collapse Mountain [Mystic Grade] (Initial Glimpse)

Fortune: 6

[Daily Intelligence · Yellow Grade, Middle Rank: Just after dawn, in Yanhuaxiang south of Shuzhou City, Xiucai Liu Man was caught inside Lihong Courtesan House by his first wife after spending the night away from home. Can obtain a tiny amount of Fortune.]

"South of the City..."

Seeing the contents of today's intelligence, Chen Yi curled his lips slightly. His first destination after being allowed to leave the mansion was the willow-lined lanes of Yanhuaxiang. Truly...

Tsk. Fortunately, he was only going to watch the show.

The next day, just after two in the morning.

Chen Yi was sleeping groggily when Wang Lixing woke him up to practice Stake Training.

But unlike before, because he had worked too hard the previous night, he looked exhausted the moment he raised his arms.

"Son-in-law," Wang Lixing said with a frown, earnestly advising him, "I know some words may be unpleasant to hear, but I must say them."

"Though you are the Marquis's mansion's live-in son-in-law, you are indeed a member of the Marquis's mansion, and Second Miss's husband."

"If you continue without any desire to improve, word will spread and people will laugh at you. They may even think the Marquis's mansion's Family Rules are lax."

Chen Yi yawned and wiped the corners of his eyes. "I understand, but last night, well... the Young Marquis kept me awake. I did not sleep well, so please forgive me."

Wang Lixing froze. "The Young Marquis?"

He glanced in the direction of the Wooden Tower. "The Young Marquis is in Chunhe Garden?"

"You didn't know?"

"I was unaware. Yesterday, Eldest Miss received a letter from Second Miss and told us that we no longer needed to guard Chunhe Garden."

"Is that so?" Chen Yi became even more confident. "You have no idea—last night, the Young Marquis ground his teeth and let out..."

"Second brother-in-law, did I grind my teeth last night?"

Just then, Xiao Wuge walked over fully dressed and asked.

Upon seeing him, Wang Lixing immediately dropped to one knee and bowed. "This subordinate, Wang Lixing, greets the Young Marquis."

"No need for formalities, no need for formalities." Xiao Wuge waved his hand, then looked at Chen Yi with embarrassment. "The wet nurse never mentioned it before. Brother-in-law, please forgive me."

"It's nothing. Perhaps I'm simply not used to it yet. It'll be fine tonight."

Seeing the person in question arrive, Chen Yi hurriedly changed the subject and became much more serious about his stance.

Yet Xiao Die at the side was full of doubts.

Why had she not heard the Young Marquis grinding his teeth last night?

After morning training ended, they ate breakfast.

Chen Yi then said he wanted to go out for a walk. But he had barely left Chunhe Garden when he noticed movement behind him.

He turned back for a look.

Not only was Xiao Die following him, but Young Marquis Xiao Wuge and several Armored Soldiers were trailing close behind as well.

Chen Yi covered his forehead. "My fault for not making myself clear. You don't need to follow me. I'll be fine taking a walk alone."

With so many people heading together to watch the lively scene outside a brothel, what was there left for him to be cautious about?

Xiao Die covered her mouth and laughed. "Son-in-law, have you forgotten? Eldest Miss previously instructed me that I must follow you."

Xiao Wuge nodded as well. "Eldest sister told me the same thing. No matter where brother-in-law goes, she told me to follow."

"Even if I leave the mansion?" Chen Yi looked at him. "You are the Young Marquis of the Marquis's mansion. If you go out so casually, what if you encounter danger?"

Even he, a live-in son-in-law, had to be careful, much less the direct grandson of Marquis Dingyuan.

"Not afraid. I have them." Xiao Wuge pointed at the Armored Soldiers behind him and said with a grin, "Brother-in-law, I used to go out often too."

Chen Yi looked at those Armored Soldiers. "Just... dressed like that?"

It had to be said, this truly gave one a sense of security. Within Shuzhou, there were probably very few who dared openly provoke Marquis Dingyuan.

"Go change into casual clothes." Xiao Wuge immediately understood what he meant and ordered them like a little adult.

"Yes, Young Marquis!"

Seeing this, Chen Yi could only accept it.

"Xiao Die, bring more fruits and pastries. We can eat them on the road."

"Yes, Son-in-law."

Not long afterward.

The group quietly left the Marquis's residence in a carriage bearing a Marquis of Military Banner.

"Son-in-law, where are you planning to go for a walk?"

"South of the City."

Xiao Die's smile froze. She looked at him, then at Xiao Wuge's face full of curiosity. After a long while, she squeezed out a sentence:

"Son-in-law, can we perhaps not leave through this door today?"

Chen Yi knew she had gotten the wrong idea. He grinned, revealing two rows of gleaming teeth.

"I'm taking you to see something lively. Don't 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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