Grandmaster

He had not expected that just as he had secured a promising path for his fourth son, that boy would go and stir up such trouble, leaving him seething with irritation.

However, with a guest present, he could not afford to lose his composure. After a moment of thought, he said, "Tell the eldest, second, and third to come here and pay their respects to Thousand-Household Xia. As for that degenerate fourth son, tell him to pack his things; he will be heading to the Martial Guard Office with you all shortly."

At this moment, he felt such extreme disgust toward his fourth son that he did not even wish to see him again, wanting only to dispose of him as quickly as possible.

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

"I hope Brother Xia will forgive this display," Huang Xunjiu said, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

For a fifth-grade martial artist, even the softest whispers from a servant were perfectly audible to Xia Hong.

Xia Hong smiled indifferently, "Which household doesn't have a few troublesome matters?"

Even an honest official finds it difficult to settle family disputes; he had no interest in meddling in such messy affairs.

Before long, the three Huang brothers arrived.

Huang Qian appeared imposing and high-spirited, his brows filled with arrogance. Huang Rui had a look of resentment on his face, while Huang Jian had several lumps on his forehead smeared with brown medicinal wine, looking particularly comical.

Seeing the state of his third son, Huang Xunjiu's anger flared even more. He was furious not only at the fourth son's lack of filial piety and brotherly love but also at the third for failing to defeat an ordinary person who had never even studied martial arts—he wondered where all that practice in the Spirit Tiger Force had gone!

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

"Greetings, Thousand-Household Xia!"

The three hurriedly bowed in salute.

"No need for such formalities," Xia Hong said with a smile. "The three young masters are indeed talented individuals. You will surely have a bright future once you join my Martial Guard Office."

The three had long heard from their mother, He Yunrou, that they were to join the Martial Guard Office, so they were not surprised, though their expressions remained quite excited.

After all, martial arts were flourishing in this world, and the Martial Guard Office housed the world's most extensive collection of techniques, martial skills, and divine weapons. Entering the Martial Guard Office would be of great benefit to their future martial cultivation.

Of course, that was on the condition that they could avoid "field duty" and not have to risk their lives fighting the desperate outlaws of the martial world, focusing instead on logistics work to accumulate merit. Otherwise, it would be better not to join at all!

"Very well, once you have paid your respects, go pack your things and bid farewell to your mother. You will head to the Martial Guard Office with Thousand-Household Xia shortly," Huang Xunjiu waved his hand.

The three bowed once more and retreated from the main hall, making their way to He Yunrou's residence.

Inside the room, upon seeing Huang Jian with his head full of lumps, the forty-something, plump He Yunrou's eyes turned cold. She thought to herself, That base-born brat actually beat Jian'er like this. If I had known, I shouldn't have worried about the mistress's reputation and should have just killed him off long ago.

He Yunrou stood up and gently stroked Huang Jian's head, saying pityingly, "Does it still hurt?"

Huang Jian shook his head, gritting his teeth, "After the medicine, it doesn't hurt much anymore. I'm just frustrated. I could have beaten him, but that base-born brat launched a sneak attack, and I lost the initiative, which is why I got beaten."

Huang Rui spoke up, "Mother, should I take some men to vent Third Brother's anger now?"

"No," He Yunrou shook her head. "There is an honored guest in the manor now. It wouldn't do to cause a scene and make your father lose face. Wait until you have joined the Martial Guard Office."

She turned to look at Huang Qian, "Qian'er, once you enter the Martial Guard Office, your position will surely not be low. You can find an opportunity then to teach him a lesson..."

"Mother!" Before He Yunrou could finish, Huang Qian interrupted, saying with self-importance, "A person like him is beneath my notice. As long as he doesn't go around flaunting my name in the Martial Guard Office, that is enough. My eyes are set only on the Grandmaster realm; I care for nothing else."

The third grade of martial arts is the Grandmaster realm. A Grandmaster can split a city with a single strike, briefly traverse the skies, travel thousands of miles in a day, and suppress a population of millions in a prefecture single-handedly. It is a realm that countless martial artists crave.

"Good, good! Qian'er truly has great ambition!"

A look of gratification appeared on He Yunrou's face. Among her four biological sons, not counting the youngest, she favored the eldest the most. His talent was extraordinary; at such a young age, he was already a seventh-grade martial artist. In time, reaching the fifth or fourth grade was highly probable, and there was even a slim chance of breaking through to become a Grandmaster!

By then, she would be the mother of a Grandmaster. Who in the prefecture would dare not show her reverence and awe?

Even the Prefect would have to treat her with respect!

"Qian'er, focus on your cultivation. The family will do its best to provide the gold and pills you need," He Yunrou said. "As for Rui'er and Jian'er, you must be 'good' brothers when you are at the Guard Academy, and teach that base-born brat what filial piety and brotherly love mean."

Huang Rui and Huang Jian exchanged glances, both revealing smiles, "We understand, Mother!"

On the other side.

Huang Tian was somewhat surprised to learn he was about to be sent to the Martial Guard Office.

"Young Master, the Master has finally acted with justice! Not only did he not punish you, but he is even sending you to the Academy to study martial arts. Thank the heavens, thank the heavens!" Aunt Qin was overjoyed.

Huang Tian shook his head in silence.

He did not believe Huang Xunjiu had suddenly become just. His disgust for the original owner of this body was profound. If not for the fear of being branded a son-killer, he likely wouldn't even have provided the most basic food and clothing, leaving the original owner to fend for himself.

There must be another reason for this arrangement. Regardless, going to the Academy is a good thing. At the very least, I will be able to come into contact with the cultivation methods of this world.

Huang Tian's thoughts shifted as he looked at Heng'er and Aunt Qin, "With me leaving, your lives here will likely become difficult."

Aunt Qin was frank, "Don't worry, Young Master. The Mistress won't lower herself to vent her anger on lowly servants like us. At most, the other servants will ostracize us, but we've been through this for years; we're used to it."

A faint smile appeared on Heng'er's face, "It doesn't matter. Fourth Young Master, you must study martial arts well at the Academy. Once you have martial prowess, you won't be trapped in this tiny courtyard anymore."

Hearing this, Huang Tian rubbed Heng'er's head, "Just endure it in the manor for a while longer. I will eventually take you away from this cage."

Heng'er nodded repeatedly, and Aunt Qin felt comforted as well. Whether the Fourth Young Master could succeed in martial arts or not, the fact that he still cared for the two of them was enough. How could a servant dare to ask for more?

A moment later, Huang Tian took the travel bag Aunt Qin had prepared for him and walked along the small path toward a covered walkway. Before he could step onto it, he saw the three Huang brothers walking out from He Yunrou's residence at the corner of the corridor in the distance.

The three paused. Huang Jian's expression changed, and he was about to say something, but was stopped by the eldest, Huang Qian. He had no intention of doing anything; he simply held his head slightly high and walked past, while Huang Rui and Huang Jian followed with dark expressions.

Huang Tian: ...

Shaking his head, he walked at the back, unhurried.

After about half an incense stick's time, the group arrived at the front of the Huang Manor, where several vermilion-lacquered carriages were waiting. After waiting a short while longer, Huang Xunjiu walked out of the manor, accompanying Xia Hong.

As he passed by Huang Tian, Huang Xunjiu's gaze lingered for a moment. Seeing him standing tall and failing to bow or offer a greeting, his disgust deepened. He flicked his sleeves, turned to face Huang Qian, and patted the latter's shoulder with gratification, "Qian'er, cultivate well. The future of the Huang Family will ultimately depend on you."

Huang Qian's expression turned solemn, "I understand, Father!"

"Good! Let's depart!"

The three Huang brothers climbed into the carriages, and Huang Tian sat in the last one. As the whip cracked outside, the carriages began to move slowly, heading toward the Martial Guard Office in the east of the city.