The courtyard was exceptionally quiet. The only sound was the rustling of wind through the pomegranate tree's leaves.
And there was a faint, foul stench in the air.
Huang Tian frowned deeply and lifted his foot from Huang Jian's head. It felt as if he'd really stepped in filth; even his boot was dirty. "You, come here and take this fool back. Don't let him foul up my peaceful courtyard."
The servant let out a huge sigh of relief. He hurried forward, hoisted Huang Jian onto his back, and, reeking of the stench, scampered out of the courtyard in short, quick steps.
"Fourth Brother, y-you're so amazing now?" Heng'er's little mouth hung open, her eyes round as saucers.
Aunt Qin, however, wasn't as curious and admiring as Heng'er. Her face creased with worry as she paced around the courtyard, sighing. "The Third Young Master has always been adored by Master and Madam. You've beaten him, Young Master. You've really brought disaster upon yourself!"
"It was only a small punishment. It's already good that I didn't kill him."
Huang Tian had considered simply killing Huang Jian, then going on a killing spree throughout Huang Manor. This body couldn't withstand the violent spiritual energy, but if he was willing to abandon it, he could still rapidly raise his cultivation by using a forbidden art. He believed that even Huang Xunjiu, the most powerful person in Huang Manor, might not be able to defeat him if he fought with everything he had.
But things hadn't reached that point. It was only a fool, a jealous woman, and three stupid sons. They weren't worth him risking his life without hesitation. They weren't worthy.
"Go about your own business without worrying. I know what I'm doing."
After Huang Tian finished speaking, he continued tempering his body with Thunder Sound. A low, rumbling thunder rolled continuously from within him.
Seeing that Huang Tian wasn't the least bit flustered, Aunt Qin's anxiety inexplicably eased. She took Heng'er to the kitchen to prepare some meat soup for him.
As the eastern courtyard gradually settled down, Huang Xunjiu was entertaining an honored guest in the main hall of Huang Manor: Xia Hong, a Thousand-Household Commander of the Martial Guard in Kunyun Prefecture.
Xia Hong wore a Kirin Robe. He had a square face, and when he wasn't speaking, his jaw was tightly clenched, giving him a stern, hard look. His palms were especially thick and calloused, clearly the result of practicing a formidable hand technique.
"I never imagined Brother Huang would be willing to send all four of his sons to my Martial Guard. Truly unexpected, and admirable." Xia Hong took a sip of tea and spoke slowly.
Huang Xunjiu smiled. "I've always been devoted to the imperial court. The Six Gates, the Martial Guard, and the Black Armor Army are all recruiting. No matter how reluctant I may be, I'm still willing to have my sons join and contribute what little they can."
His words sounded magnanimous, but in truth, he'd sensed that the atmosphere in the prefecture was off.
The Six Gates, the Martial Guard, and the Black Armor Army in Kunyun Prefecture were expanding their ranks, while the prefecture's five major sects were also recruiting on a large scale. It was clear they were preparing to oppose one another.
Rumors also circulated that the court intended to seize weapons throughout the land and suppress the major sects. The great and famous sects naturally wouldn't sit back and wait for death. They repeatedly sent people to assassinate—or even openly kill—court officials in various regions, leaving the people of all twenty-three provinces in turmoil.
With the situation nearly at the point of open hostility, choosing a side had become unavoidable. In particular, the Flying Swan Sect, one of Kunyun Prefecture's five major sects, had sent someone to approach Huang Xunjiu, making no secret of their desire for him to join them.
Huang Xunjiu had immediately refused in no uncertain terms. What a joke. All his wealth and property were in the prefectural city, where the official forces were the strongest. How could he possibly side with the five major sects?
Besides, his wife He Yunrou's father was a county deputy. The family's ties to the official side couldn't be shaken off; even if he joined the five major sects, they wouldn't truly trust him.
At the same time, the official authorities in the prefecture had also sent people to approach the city's powerful clans and wealthy merchants, asking them to choose a side. After a brief moment of thought, Huang Xunjiu decided to side with the authorities.
And he wasn't just going to side with them—he was going to throw himself in wholeheartedly! Except for his eight-year-old youngest son, he was sending all four of his sons to serve in the Martial Guard. Who in the entire city could be more loyal than him?
The reason he was sending all of them to the Martial Guard instead of spreading them among other government offices was, first, that it was one of the best places in the prefecture to practice the Martial Path. It lacked neither cultivation methods, martial techniques, nor divine weapons.
Second, the Huang Family had many relatives by marriage and old acquaintances working in the Prefecture Office, the Black Armor Army, the Six Gates, and other government offices. The only missing piece was the Martial Guard. Huang Xunjiu was taking this opportunity to fill in that last gap in his network of influence.
As for whether having all four sons serve in the Martial Guard would invite gossip, that was an entirely unnecessary worry. Kunyun Prefecture had a population of ten million, and the Martial Guard, responsible for monitoring and suppressing unrest throughout the regions, numbered several thousand. Along with the Six Gates, it was one of the two great violent institutions. It wasn't uncommon for four brothers—or even an entire family of three generations—to serve together.
Of course, he was sending his sons to the Martial Guard to show his allegiance and complete his network of influence, not to send them to the front lines to die. He'd invited Xia Hong today to make the necessary arrangements.
With an expression that suggested the gesture pained him, he drew a long, slender Jade Box from his sleeve and offered it to Xia Hong. "I must trouble you to look after my sons..."
Xia Hong's expression didn't change as he took the Jade Box and opened it. A refreshing fragrance wafted out. Inside lay a five-inch Golden Snow Ginseng, crystalline from tip to root. Its spiritual energy was rich and gentle; even for a fifth-rank martial artist like him, it was a precious treasure.
A look of emotion appeared on Xia Hong's face. He swiftly slipped the Golden Snow Ginseng into his sleeve. "Brother Huang, your sincerity is truly touching. Your wholehearted devotion to the nation is witnessed by Heaven and earth. We in the Martial Guard certainly won't let your sons be treated unfairly..."
He considered the matter for a moment before saying, "Your son Huang Qian is a seventh-rank martial artist, so he doesn't need to be tested. I can arrange for him to join the Merit Registry as a Merit Recorder, a position equivalent to a Hundred-Household Commander. It's a safe post well behind the lines, and it carries considerable authority.
"Huang Rui and Huang Jian both have some foundation. The former has reached the ninth rank, and the latter has developed strength. Depending on how things go, they can later be assigned to the Divine Weapon Bureau or the Archives. As for Huang Tian, he has no foundation in martial arts whatsoever. I'm afraid that even after two months, he might still be unable to develop strength..."
The Martial Guard recruited people in two ways. The first was for those with clean family backgrounds who were eighth-rank martial artists or above. They could join directly and take up a post.
The second was for those with clean family backgrounds who ranked below the eighth rank. Whether they were ninth-rank martial artists, had only developed strength, or were ordinary people, they all had to undergo a period of training at the Guard Academy, which was directly affiliated with the Martial Guard.
Ordinary people who failed to develop strength within two months were dismissed outright. They weren't even qualified to serve as laborers or clerks.
Those who developed strength but failed to reach the ninth rank within six months would be transferred to the lowest positions as laborers or clerks.
Those who reached the ninth rank but failed to reach the eighth rank within a year would become junior banner officers.
Those who reached the eighth rank would be appointed as banner officers directly; they didn't need to work their way up.
It could be said that for geniuses with strong Root Bone and comprehension, joining the Guard Academy was a genuine shortcut.
"He's not important. If he can't develop strength within two months, he can be dismissed. If he can, Brother Xia may arrange things as he sees fit."
At the mention of his fourth son, Huang Xunjiu's brow instinctively furrowed. He felt a little uneasy and didn't want to discuss him at length.
Noticing Huang Xunjiu's dislike of Huang Tian, Xia Hong understood. He smiled and said, "Then there shouldn't be any problems."
With one worry settled, Huang Xunjiu beamed. "Brother Xia, please have some tea."
"Please."
Both men had gotten what they wanted, and they sipped their tea in pleasant spirits. Just then, a noisy commotion broke out outside. Huang Xunjiu's expression immediately darkened, and he said to the servant waiting nearby, "Go see who's making all that noise."
The servant hurried off on his orders. Before long, he rushed back and whispered in Huang Xunjiu's ear, "The Fourth Young Master beat the Third Young Master badly. The Third Young Master was covered in blood and only woke up after fainting for a quarter of an hour. The Second Young Master couldn't bear to see it and wants to avenge him. He's gathering people to go to the eastern courtyard and beat the Fourth Young Master back..."
Huang Xunjiu's heart blazed with fury at the news. "That little beast! He actually dared to resort to violence!"
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