Grandmaster

He hadn't expected that, just after finding his fourth son a good way out, the boy would go and get himself into trouble. It infuriated him.

But with a guest present, he couldn't let his temper show too much. After thinking it over, he said, "Have the eldest, second, and third come over to pay their respects to Xia the Thousand-Household. As for that wretch, the fourth, tell him to pack his things. He'll go with them to the Martial Guard Office shortly."

At that moment, he loathed his fourth son so much that he didn't even want to see him again. He just wanted to get him out of the house as soon as possible.

The servant received the order and immediately went to notify them one by one.

"Sorry you had to see that, Brother Xia," Huang Xunjiu said awkwardly.

For a fifth-rank martial artist, no matter how softly a servant spoke, Xia Hong could hear every word.

Xia Hong smiled, unconcerned. "Every household has its share of troublesome affairs."

It was hard for an upright official to judge family affairs. He had no interest in getting involved in that godforsaken mess.

Before long, the three Huang brothers arrived.

Huang Qian cut a dashing figure, pride filling his eyes and brows. Huang Rui's face was full of resentment, while Huang Jian had several lumps swelling on his forehead. The brown medicinal wine smeared over them made him look especially ridiculous.

Seeing his third son's appearance, Huang Xunjiu grew even angrier. He was furious at his fourth son for showing no respect for his elders, and at his third son for failing to beat even an ordinary person who had never trained in martial arts. Just what had he been doing with his Spirit Tiger Force?!

"Why haven't you paid your respects to Xia the Thousand-Household?!"

"Greetings, Xia the Thousand-Household!"

The three hurriedly bowed.

"No need for formalities." Xia Hong smiled warmly. "The three young masters are indeed fine-looking men. Once you join the Martial Guard, you'll have a bright future ahead of you."

Their mother, He Yunrou, had already told them that they would be joining the Martial Guard, so they weren't surprised. Even so, their faces were alight with excitement.

After all, the Martial Path flourished in this world, and the Martial Guard housed the richest collection of cultivation methods, martial techniques, and divine weapons anywhere under Heaven. Joining the Martial Guard would greatly benefit their future cultivation.

Of course, that was only if they could avoid "field duty"—if they didn't have to risk their lives fighting the desperate outlaws of the martial world, and could instead handle some behind-the-scenes work that earned merit. Otherwise, they might as well not join the Martial Guard at all!

"Good. Now that you've paid your respects, go pack your things and bid your mother farewell. You'll accompany Xia the Thousand-Household to the Martial Guard Office shortly." Huang Xunjiu waved a hand.

The three bowed once more, then backed out of the main hall and went to He Yunrou's quarters.

Inside the room, the moment He Yunrou—over forty and rather plump—saw Huang Jian with his head covered in lumps, her gaze turned cold. That little bastard actually did this to Jian'er. If I'd known, I shouldn't have worried about the principal wife's dignity. I should've killed him long ago and been done with it.

He Yunrou rose and gently stroked Huang Jian's head, her voice full of tenderness. "Does it still hurt?"

Huang Jian shook his head, gritting his teeth. "After putting on the medicine, it doesn't hurt much. I'm just furious. I could've beaten him, but that bastard ambushed me. I lost the initiative, and that's why he got the better of me."

Huang Rui spoke up. "Mother, why don't I take some men and avenge Third Brother right now?"

"No." He Yunrou shook her head. "There's an honored guest in the manor. We can't cause trouble and make your father lose face. We'll deal with it after you've joined the Martial Guard."

She turned to Huang Qian. "Qian'er, once you join the Martial Guard, your rank and authority will certainly be high. Then you can find a chance to teach—"

"Mother!" Huang Qian interrupted before she could finish, his expression aloof. "People like him don't even register in my eyes. As long as he doesn't use my name to swagger around the Martial Guard, that's all I care about. My eyes are fixed solely on the Grandmaster realm. Nothing else matters to me."

Third-rank martial artists were Grandmasters. A Grandmaster's single strike could split a city; they could soar through the sky for a short time and travel thousands of miles in a day. One person could hold an entire commandery of tens of millions in check, their power awe-inspiring in every direction. It was a realm countless martial artists yearned for with all their hearts.

"Wonderful, wonderful. Qian'er, you truly have grand ambitions!"

He Yunrou's face filled with satisfaction. Of her four sons, she loved the eldest most—never mind the youngest, who was still a child. He was extraordinarily gifted, already a seventh-rank martial artist at such a young age. Given time, he could reach fifth rank, and perhaps even fourth. There was even a slim chance he might break through and become a Grandmaster!

Then she would be the mother of a Grandmaster. Who in the commandery city would dare not revere her?

Even the commandery governor would have to treat her with courtesy and respect!

"Qian'er, focus on your cultivation. The family will do all it can to provide the money and pills you need," He Yunrou said. "As for Rui'er and Jian'er, once you're at the Guard Academy, be 'good' older brothers and teach that little bastard what it means to honor his elders."

Huang Rui and Huang Jian exchanged glances, both smiling. "We understand, Mother!"

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Huang Tian was a little surprised to learn that he was about to be sent to the Martial Guard.

"Young Master, Master has finally done something fair and upright! He's not only spared you punishment, he's sending you to the Guard Academy to train in martial arts. Thank Heaven, thank Heaven!" Aunt Qin exclaimed, overjoyed.

Huang Tian shook his head without a word.

He didn't believe Huang Xunjiu had suddenly become fair and upright. Huang Xunjiu had deeply loathed his original self. If he hadn't feared being branded a son-killer, he probably wouldn't even have provided the bare necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. He would have left his original self to fend for himself.

There must be another reason for this arrangement. Still, going to the Guard Academy is a good thing. At least there, I'll be able to learn this world's cultivation methods.

Huang Tian's thoughts shifted. He looked at Heng'er and Aunt Qin. "Now that I'm leaving, I'm afraid things will be difficult for you."

Aunt Qin was frank. "Don't worry, Young Master. Madam would never lower herself to take her anger out on lowly servants like us. At most, the other servants will ostracize us. But it's been that way for years, so we're used to it."

A faint smile appeared on Heng'er's face. "It's all right. Fourth Young Master should study martial arts hard at the Guard Academy. Once you have martial arts skills, you won't be trapped in this little courtyard anymore."

Huang Tian heard her and rubbed Heng'er's head. "For now, endure things in the manor a little longer. I'll take you both out of this cage later."

Heng'er nodded repeatedly, and Aunt Qin felt comforted as well. Whether or not Fourth Young Master managed to master the Martial Path, at least he still remembered the two of them. That was already more than enough. How could servants like them dare ask for anything more?

A short while later, Huang Tian picked up the bundle Aunt Qin had prepared for him and followed the path to a covered walkway. Before he reached it, he spotted the three Huang brothers coming from He Yunrou's quarters at the far end, where the walkway turned.

The three froze. Huang Jian's expression changed, and he looked as if he wanted to say something, but the eldest, Huang Qian, reached out to stop him. He had no intention of doing anything; he merely held his chin slightly high and walked straight past. Huang Rui and Huang Jian followed quickly, their faces dark.

Huang Tian: ...

He shook his head and walked behind them at an unhurried pace.

About half a joss stick later, they arrived at the gates of Huang Manor. Several vermilion-lacquered carriages were waiting outside. After a short while, Huang Xunjiu emerged from the manor with Xia Hong.

As he passed Huang Tian, Huang Xunjiu's gaze lingered for an instant. Seeing him standing tall without bowing or greeting him, his resentment deepened. He turned away with a flick of his sleeve, faced Huang Qian, and patted him on the shoulder with approval. "Qian'er, train hard. In the end, our Huang Family will rely on you."

Huang Qian's expression turned solemn. "I understand!"

"Good! Let's be off!"

The three Huang brothers climbed into the carriages. Huang Tian sat in the last one. He heard a crack of the whip outside, and the carriage slowly began to move, heading east toward the Martial Guard Office.