At a certain separate courtyard of the Northern Capital Jiang Clan.
The courtyard stretched deep, its ancient trees dense and imposing, while warm afternoon sunlight spilled across the flagstones.
This could well be called the most secluded courtyard in the Northern Capital Jiang Clan.
Ordinarily, no one ever came here, but today there was indeed a visitor.
The Jiang Family Servant guiding Xu Xiaoxiong brought her to the courtyard entrance. Without so much as glancing inside, he immediately bowed and took his leave.
Xu Xiaoxiong found this a little strange, but did not dwell on it. She simply pushed the courtyard gate gently open.
In the open space inside, a bare-chested figure was practicing punches and palm strikes, sweating like rain.
With every movement, sinews knotted and muscles bulged, each punch and palm strike whistling through the air.
Unfortunately, though the movements looked fierce, they carried a faint hollowness and stiffness, as though they held no real strength.
This man was none other than Jiang Gudong.
"Cousin Gudong!" Xu Xiaoxiong called, hurrying into the courtyard.
Jiang Gudong stopped short and whipped his head around. When he saw who had come, he looked somewhat surprised.
A flicker of panic flashed through his eyes and vanished.
"Xiaoxiong, you-what brings you here?"
Xu Xiaoxiong said, "Cousin, I heard everything that happened to you. Why did you hide it from me?!"
Jiang Gudong avoided her gaze, bent down to pick up his clothes, and threw them carelessly over himself.
He shrugged with feigned nonchalance. "There's nothing to hide. Something went-a little wrong with my cultivation. My foundation was badly damaged, and my cultivation regressed-"
"Xiaoxiong, from now on-I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you the way I used to."
3
Xu Xiaoxiong said, "Cousin, let me examine you."
At this, Jiang Gudong