Chapter 13: Fist Technique: Mountain Crushing!

Chapter 13: Martial Arts: Collapse the Peak!

In the end, Chen Yi finally yielded to Xiao Wannü’s request, agreeing to look after Xiao Wugou for a time.

It was merely a compensation for the care he’d received from the Xiao family—good food, fine drink, and all the comforts of their household.

Yet he had made his conditions known: Xiao Wugou was to remain within the Spring Lotus Garden, not permitted to wander about freely, and he would not be responsible for teaching him any of the finer points of etiquette or skill.

Xiao Wannü nodded, accepting his terms, and after giving Xiao Wugou a few parting admonitions, led Shen Huatang away.

“My lady, why do you hold Young Cousin Xiao in such high regard?”

After enduring her silence for some time, Shen Huatang finally broke the restraint of her composure as they passed through the courtyard gate: “In Huatang’s estimation, even if he possesses some learning, he is far inferior to the gentlemen of the manor in both intellect and character—more so, his disposition is… sly and cunning.”

Xiao Wannü walked leisurely toward a courtyard near the main hall, her voice soft and measured as she replied:

“I do not require him to instruct Wugou in scholarship; I merely wish for Wugou to stay by his side, absorbing his conduct and manner through observation.”

“This…”

“Huatang, you’ve spent considerable time at my family’s estate, so you must understand that next spring, when Wugou sets out for Jianye, he will need to present himself as a man of refinement.”

“You mean…” Shen Huatang’s heart stirred slightly as comprehension dawned—“you wish for Young Master Xiao to appear in Jianye as Young Cousin Xiao does?”

“Exactly,” Xiao Wannü nodded slightly, her dark eyes lowered, her voice carrying a weight of solemn resolve:

“My family now has but one remaining direct heir. I do not demand he be particularly ambitious; I only hope he may safely remain in Jianye for ten full years.”

“My husband possesses some learning, yet I value above all his ability to adapt to circumstances. Should Wugou learn from him, he will encounter far fewer troubles once in Jianye.”

“My lady, Huatang has spoken too much.”

“Let it be so.”

Xiao Wannü smiled gently, pushed open the courtyard gate, and stepped inside with measured steps.

Shen Huatang watched her enter, then silently remained outside, gripping her long sword, leaning against it with her back against the blade, raising her head to gaze at the sky.

The master’s words rang true: born into a noble family, one may appear dazzling and prosperous on the surface, yet within there are still countless tangled threads of complication.

Inside the courtyard.

“Wannü, has the matter of Wugou been arranged?”

The elderly marquis Xiao, dressed in simple robes, leaned back on his lounge chair. Though his frame was broad and sturdy, the pallor of illness still clung to his face.

Xiao Wannü bowed respectfully to the three elders before replying: “It has been settled. He will remain in constant attendance upon Young Master Xiao for the time being.”

Xiao Far paused, then said: “All matters within the manor shall be left to your judgment. You may arrange as you see fit.”

Then, turning to the three elders, he smiled and praised: “My daughter is most meticulous. With her at the helm, peace prevails throughout the estate.”

“That old scoundrel of a life—he’s lucky indeed,” one elder, dressed in azure silk, stroked his beard. “Strange to say, even though Erhua shares our Xiao bloodline, I cannot say he is particularly obedient.”

“Old Master Zhang, blood relations alone do not guarantee virtue; one must also find a worthy teacher.”

“You old fool, do you mean to say none of the esteemed scholars in our household would teach him?”

“The truth is…”

As the four venerable elders continued their discourse, Xiao Wannü offered no further comment, merely instructed her father to rest well, and departed.

After her departure.

Xiao Far let out a soft sigh, causing the others to fall silent.

“Old Xiao, do not trouble yourself with such matters. Your priority must be to preserve your health.”

Zhang stroked his beard. “Words are true, yet…”

Xiao Far did not press further, instead turning to his brother: “Xiliu, you said the Emperor holds the Chen family in high esteem, and that this will bring hardship to our Xiao clan. Why is that?”

“You who have dwelt in Sichuan for so long must understand,” Zhang said gravely. “This time’s examination, the Emperor personally appointed Chen Daolang as the top scorer. These scholars have been causing quite a stir.”

“Oh? And what of that?”

“There is the matter of merit and virtue being out of order…”

…

As evening approached.

The golden sun hung low in the western sky, a vast orb casting its light across the Spring Lotus Garden.

Yet within the pavilion, three figures burned with fervor.

“Young Cousin, look—another catch!”

“Sister Xiao, fetch the fish basket quickly!”

Xiao Wugou seemed to have mastered the art, catching five carp in a single afternoon.

His equipment was even more rudimentary than Chen Yi’s—he had fashioned a small bamboo pole with string, tying a piece of meat to the end as the ‘Angler’s Hook’ taught by Chen Yi, and cast it into the pond.

How was this possible? Such a simple method could yield such results?

Chen Yi watched the fish basket beside him with envy, quietly reeling in his rod.

“Young Cousin, shall we stop now?” Xiao Wugou noticed his movement and rose as well, following him as though bound to his side.

Chen Yi did his utmost to steady his thoughts, speaking calmly: “Fishing is but a minor pursuit. I must seek a greater path.”

“Young Cousin, what is this ‘greater path’? Teach me.”

“It is time to eat, little sister. Let us see what we shall prepare for supper…”

Chen Yi could not articulate any ‘greater path’; he merely feared that if he continued fishing, he might grow jealous and seize Xiao Wugou’s fish basket.

In the interval before their hunger was sated, Chen Yi leaned lazily against the lounge chair, gazing at the sunset’s reflection on the pond, and casually inquired:

“Sister Xiao, where did you go on your recent journey?”

“It is said she seeks gifts for Grandfather, traveling east to Jingzhou,” Xiao Wugou replied, sitting upright with his small face taut with tension.

Though young in years, his mind was already mature. He sat with the bearing of one accustomed to discipline, stood with the posture of one trained in propriety, and spoke and acted without hesitation—clear signs of rigorous upbringing.

In contrast, Chen Yi belonged to the languid sort, always wearing a gentle smile, appearing harmless and unthreatening.

“Ah, why does she still wear that thick overcoat?”

The sun had grown hot, yet Xiao Wannü still draped herself in the heavy garment, which seemed to radiate heat.

Xiao Wugou did not conceal the truth: “My elder sister has been frail since childhood, and each year she retreats to the Wu Mountain Retreat for convalescence.”

Chen Yi nodded, understanding. No wonder her complexion was pale, her voice lacking strength.

After some idle chatter, he voiced his curiosity: “Tell me, how did she arrange for you to stay here in the Spring Lotus Garden?”

With so many courtyards within the manor, and Elder Marquis Xiao present, surely it would have been more proper for this young lord to remain under his protection.

Xiao Wugou hesitated briefly, then said: “She did not wish me to tell you. She wanted me to learn from you in matters of conduct and bearing.”

“…” Chen Yi laughed awkwardly, “We shall be more discreet in our honesty in the future.”

He studied the ways of the world, Xiao Wuan'er—was this woman harboring a grudge against Xiao Wugou, or what? This is so frustrating.

"Brother-in-law," Xiao Wugou asked, tilting his small face toward her without knowing what she was thinking: "That night, the Crown Prince said you were a 'runaway bride.' Why didn’t you get angry?"

"How do you know I wasn’t angry?"

"Because I can tell. If you were, you’d have rushed over immediately, come to me to beat him up."

"Well, I wasn’t exactly angry," Chen Yi thought. "I just figure that whatever’s already been done, regardless of the outcome, should be accepted wholeheartedly."

After all, it was just a title—it didn’t affect his meals, his pleasures, or his life.

"Then, if you make a mistake, you correct it afterward?" Xiao Wugou said, his expression thoughtful: "People aren’t saints—can any of them be flawless, right?"

"Right. Though there’s also a saying that knowing your mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue," Chen Yi said, glancing at Xiao Bie carrying in the food. He stood and patted Xiao Wugou’s shoulder. "Let’s eat first—evening’s grown late. Tomorrow, Brother-in-law will take you out to play."

"Alright."

Xiao Wugou mentally noted the words, thinking to himself that the Brother-in-law truly was as the Elder sister had said—always speaking in surprising, direct truths, even the most refined gentlemen rarely utter such plain sayings.

After finishing the evening meal, Xiao Bie prepared a bed for Xiao Wugou in the room next to Chen Yi, then went to the study to attend to him once he’d rested.

"Master, would you like to rest?"

"I’ll sleep once I finish writing."

Chen Yi stood at the desk, switching to a fine-haired wolf-hair brush to write in clerical script.

Compared to Wei Qing’s bold, upright characters, clerical script was far more freeform—each stroke flowing naturally, the brushwork varying in pressure and speed with his mood.

Xiao Bie noticed he wasn’t looking up, so she knelt beside him, grinding ink and watching the characters form, puzzled:

"Master, your handwriting has changed?"

"Indeed, it’s different."

"No, no—I mean, good, better."

Chen Yi glanced at her, offering no explanation for the shift, but it was clear his clerical script was far inferior to Wei Qing’s.

Xiao Bie saw he remained silent, so she looked around as if searching, and when she didn’t find that page of the "Song of the Consort," she let out a small breath of relief.

It seemed the Master also knew that poem wouldn’t be appropriate to display.

That settled her mind.

After a while, Xiao Bie heard the midnight bell ring and said: "Master, Xiao Bie will fetch you some water."

"Alright."

Chen Yi finished reviewing his writing, frowning slightly, then relaxing again.

"In two days, advancing from initial understanding to proficiency—that’s quite rapid."

Later, Chen Yi washed and changed his clothes, putting on casual robes and returning to the room.

He extinguished the candles, glanced at the moonlight outside, and began moving his limbs, thinking of his recent discovery of "Yinwei."

Then he assumed the stance for the "Great Cannon-Pole" technique, standing perfectly still, breathing long and deep as his internal energy stirred, drawing forth his strong bones and sinews.

"If one wishes to preserve a peaceful life, one must become strong oneself."

An hour later, Chen Yi finished the stance, drenched in sweat, patting his burning, solid chest and grabbing a few pre-prepared meat pieces to eat.

After a brief rest, he rose and practiced his martial arts in the cramped room, guided by memory.

In no time, light and shadow flickered before his eyes:

[Practicing Martial Arts · Collapse Peak (Mystic Level) Success, Level: Initial Insight]

[Martial Arts · Fist: Uninitiated 0/1 (Can add points)]

(Chapter End)