Chapter 14: Can I Just Not Step Out of This Door?

Chapter 14: Can't I Ever Step Outside This Door?

After finishing his practice, Chen Yi realized that the wing room was far too cramped to fully unleash the Mount-Collapsing Fist.

Fortunately, this sort of effortless refinement of the fist frames required only the absolute precision of his movements to count as a completed session.

He then promoted "Martial Dao: Fist" to the entry level, leaving himself with 6 points of destiny.

The next moment, a sudden rush of profound martial insights manifested vividly within his mind.

Chen Yi stretched his limbs, observing his surroundings while absorbing the essence of that sudden enlightenment.

In this world, apart from one's own cultivation—the physical body and true qi—the most crucial element of the martial path was technique, spanning fist and foot, movement and footwork, and all manners of weaponry.

At the same time, physical vigor and true qi served as the foundation, technique was the external manifestation of strength, and beyond that lay the true intent of the martial path—such as fist intent, sword intent, and the like.

"Fist technique is the art; fist intent is the Dao. One enters the Dao through art, and commands art through the Dao... Yet my path is reversed, prioritizing the Dao of the fist before refining its art."

"Different paths lead to the same destination; so long as there is progress, it is well."

"Moreover, those so-called paragons of martial arts are born with awakened spiritual wisdom, comprehending true intent early on, leaping past the realm of art to step directly into the domain of the Dao."

Furthermore, from his entry-level insight into "Martial Dao: Fist," Chen Yi learned that any technique required sufficient cultivation to exert its full might.

A cultivator of the Ninth Realm like himself could not simply unleash true intent at will, even if he understood it; otherwise, light consequences meant a regression in cultivation, while severe ones meant damage to his very foundation or lifespan.

Having grasped these truths, Chen Yi made up his mind, lightly stepping out of the wooden pavilion and venturing deep into the bamboo grove by the pond.

By now, the second watch had already been struck, and with less than an hour remaining before midnight, it was enough time for him to practice the Mount-Collapsing Fist a few more times.

"The Mount-Collapsing Fist emphasizes momentum and force, prioritizing fierce momentum, and excels in close-quarters combat where fists, feet, elbows, and knees can all serve as lethal strikes, with footwork as swift as the wind."

"First form, Supporting the Heavens..."

Recalling the general canon of the Mount-Collapsing Fist, Chen Yi practiced each posture.

In the beginning, he practiced its form, committing the routines to memory, before dismantling them one by one to integrate the fist strikes, footwork, breathing, and the utilization of physical force.

Guided by the profound entry-level insights of "Martial Dao: Fist," much like his prior practice with calligraphy and the stance cultivation, his initial progress was exceptionally swift.

With only an hour passing, he was already performing the fist technique with a respectable semblance of form.

Complemented by his current cultivation at the lower tier of the Ninth Realm, the brute strength he unleashed was quite intimidating to behold.

Chen Yi performed the Mount-Collapsing Fist five times in succession before pausing to regulate his breathing.

"I am still a long way off."

This mere glimpse into the threshold of the Mount-Collapsing Fist was entirely superficial; anyone with even a modicum of martial cultivation would easily see through it, making it far less practical than simply relying on raw, brute force.

Still, it was a good beginning nonetheless.

"Clang!"

Right at that moment, the sound of gongs and drums echoed from outside the gates. Knowing it was now midnight, Chen Yi wiped away his sweat and walked back toward the wooden pavilion.

As he walked, he summoned the system to look through it:

Name: Chen Yi

Cultivation: Ninth Realm, Lower Tier

Calligraphy Dao: Grand Achievement (0/1000)

Calligraphy: Wei Qing Style (Proficient), Running Script (Practiced)

Martial Dao: Body: Minor Achievement (0/100)

Cultivation Method: Great Spear Stance [Mystic Grade] (Practiced)

Martial Dao: Fist: Entry Level (0/10)

Fist Technique: Mount-Collapsing Fist [Mystic Grade] (Glimmer of Understanding)

Destiny: 6

[Daily Intelligence · Mortal Grade, Medium Quality: Just past the hour of the Rabbit, in the courtesan alleys of southern Shuzhou City, the scholar Liu Man was cornered inside the Lihong Brothel by his legal wife for staying out all night. A minuscule amount of destiny can be obtained.]

"The south of the city..."

Seeing the contents of today's intelligence, Chen Yi curled his lips slightly; his very first stop upon being lifted from confinement was a pleasure quarter, truly...

Tsk, fortunately, he was only going to watch the drama unfold.

...

The next day, just past the hour of the Ox.

Chen Yi was still fast asleep in a daze when he was roused by Wang Lixing to practice his stance cultivation.

Unlike before, however, because he had exerted himself too much the previous night, his arms rose only to reveal a thoroughly exhausted expression.

"Young Master," Wang Lixing said with a frown, advising him with earnest sincerity, "I know some words may be unpleasant to hear, but I must speak them."

"Though you are a matrilocal son-in-law of the Marquis's estate, you are indeed a member of this household, and more importantly, the husband of the Second Miss."

"If you show such a lack of ambition, it will invite ridicule if word spreads, and it might even lead others to believe the discipline of the Marquis's estate is lax."

Chen Yi let out a yawn, wiping the corners of his eyes. "I understand. But last night, you see... I was kept awake by the Young Marquis's noise. Forgive me for not sleeping well."

Wang Lixing was taken aback. "The Young Marquis?"

He glanced toward the wooden pavilion. "The Young Marquis is inside the Spring Lotus Garden?"

"You didn't know?"

"This subordinate was unaware. Yesterday, the Eldest Miss received a letter from the Second Miss, instructing us that we no longer needed to guard the Spring Lotus Garden."

"So that's how it is," Chen Yi said, feeling much more confident. "You have no idea how much the Young Marquis was grinding his teeth and passing—"

"Second Brother-in-law, did I grind my teeth last night?"

Just then, Xiao Wuge walked over, fully dressed and proper, as he inquired.

Seeing him approach, Wang Lixing immediately dropped to one knee and bowed in salute: "This subordinate, Wang Lixing, pays respects to the Young Marquis."

"No need for ceremonies," Xiao Wuge waved his hand, then looked at Chen Yi with a face full of bashfulness. "My wet nurse never mentioned this to me before, please bear with me, Brother-in-law."

"It is no matter, perhaps I am simply not used to it yet. It will be fine tonight."

Seeing the person in question arrive, Chen Yi quickly changed the subject, standing his stance with far greater seriousness.

Yet, off to the side, Xiaodie's mind was filled with complete bewilderment.

How had she not heard any sound of the Young Marquis grinding his teeth last night?

Once the morning practice concluded, the group finished their morning meal.

Chen Yi announced that he wished to step out for a stroll, but to his surprise, before he had walked very far from the Spring Lotus Garden, he sensed movement behind him.

He turned his head to look back.

Not only was Xiaodie following him, but the Young Marquis Xiao Wuge and several armored guards were trailing his footsteps in lockstep.

Chen Yi held his forehead. "Blame me for not making myself clear. There is no need for you all to follow. I can just go for a stroll by myself."

With so many people heading to the brothel doors together just to watch a spectacle, what was the point of him being discreet?

Xiaodie covered her mouth and giggled, "Young Master, have you forgotten? The Eldest Miss gave strict instructions before that I must follow you."

Xiao Wuge likewise nodded in agreement: "Eldest Sister exhorted me in the same manner, telling me to follow Brother-in-law wherever he goes."

"May we also go out?" Chen Yi looked at him, "As the young lord of Hou Mansion, if you go about so casually and happen to encounter danger, what will you do?"

A son-in-law like him, even he had to be cautious. And this was the legitimate grandson of the Marquis of Dingyuan.

"I'm not afraid, we have them," Xiao Gun pointed to the armored soldiers behind him, smiling, "Brother, I used to go out often before."

Chen Yi glanced at those soldiers, "Why, why such simple attire?"

It was hard not to say that this way did indeed feel safe. In the territory of Shu, how many people dared to openly provoke the Marquis of Dingyuan?

"Change into proper clothes," Xiao Gun immediately understood, commanding like a little master.

"Yes, young lord!"

Seeing this, Chen Yi had no choice but to agree.

"Little Diao, bring more fruits, cakes, and snacks, save some for along the way."

"Okay, brother-in-law."

Not long after, the group boarded a horse carriage flying the Wuou banner and left Hou Mansion quietly.

"Brother-in-law, where are you taking me today?"

"South of the city."

Little Diao's smile froze, looked at him, then at Xiao Gun's eager face, and after a while managed to say, "Brother-in-law, can we not go out today?"

Chen Yi knew she had misunderstood, showing off two rows of shining teeth:

"To show you some sights, don't worry."

Can one really not worry, brother-in-law?

The young master is still so young, what if—oh my, what if Little Diao gets scolded!

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