After running through the forms, Chen Yi realized his room was too cramped to properly practice the Mountain Shattering Fist.
Fortunately, this kind of practice didn't require any force. As long as his movements were precise, it counted as a completed session.
He then raised 'Martial Arts·Punch' to entry-level, leaving him with 6 Opportunity points.
The next moment, a profound understanding of the Fist Dao abruptly emerged in his mind.
Chen Yi stretched his limbs, glancing around as he absorbed the contents of this newfound insight.
In the Martial Arts of this world, besides one's personal cultivation—the physical body and True Qi—the most important aspect was technique. This included fist and foot styles, body and footwork techniques, and various weapon skills.
The body's Qi Force and True Qi served as the foundation, while technique was the external manifestation of one's power. Beyond that lay True Martial Intent—such as Fist Intent, Sword Intent, and the like.
'Fist Technique is the Skill, and Fist Intent is the Dao. One enters the Dao through Skill and guides the Skill with the Dao... but I'm doing it in reverse. I'm starting with the Fist Dao, then cultivating fist techniques.'
'The paths are different, but the destination is the same. As long as I'm improving, it's good.'
'Besides, some so-called Martial Arts prodigies are born with awakened spiritual acuity, allowing them to grasp True Intent at a young age, skip the realm of Skill, and directly enter the Dao Realm.'
Chen Yi also learned from 'Martial Arts·Punch' that unleashing the full power of any technique required the support of one's cultivation.
A Ninth Grade Realm cultivator like him couldn't casually use True Intent even if he grasped it. The backlash could cause his cultivation to regress at best, or damage his foundation and shorten his lifespan at worst.
With this understanding, Chen Yi made up his mind. He slipped out of the wooden house and headed deep into the bamboo grove by the pond.
The drum for the second watch had already sounded. It would be the Zi hour in less than an hour, which gave him enough time to practice the Mountain Shattering Fist several times.
'The Mountain Shattering Fist emphasizes momentum and power. It prioritizes ferocious strength and excels at close-quarters combat. Fists, feet, elbows, and knees can all be used as killing blows, and its footwork is as swift as the wind.'
'The opening move: Upholding the Sky...'
Recalling the core principles of the Mountain Shattering Fist, Chen Yi practiced each form.
First, he practiced the shapes, memorizing the sequences. Then, he broke them down one by one, integrating the fist technique, footwork, breathing, and use of Qi Force.
Guided by the profound insight from his entry-level 'Martial Arts·Punch,' his initial progress was incredibly fast, just as it had been when he'd practiced Calligraphy and the Pile Skill.
After just one hour, he could already perform the entire set of fist techniques in a fairly decent manner.
Combined with his current Lower Ninth Grade cultivation, his brute strength made for a rather intimidating display.
Chen Yi performed the Mountain Shattering Fist five times before stopping to regulate his breathing.
'I'm still a long way off.'
His Mountain Shattering Fist was merely at the Initial Insight stage; it was all form and no substance. Anyone with a bit of Martial Arts Cultivation wouldn't be fooled by his technique. He might as well just use brute force.
'Still, it's a good start.'
CLANG!
Just then, the sound of a gong echoed from outside. Chen Yi knew it was the Zi hour. He wiped the sweat from his brow and headed back to the wooden house.
As he walked, he called up the system to take a look:
Name: Chen Yi
Cultivation: Lower Ninth Grade
Calligraphy Dao: Great Success (0/1000)
Calligraphy: Wei Qing (Mastery), Cursive Script (Proficient)
Martial Arts·Body: Minor Success (0/100)
Cultivation Technique: Big Spear Pile Skill [Profound Tier] (Proficient)
Martial Arts·Punch: Entry-level (0/10)
Fist Technique: Mountain Shattering Fist [Profound Tier] (Initial Insight)
Opportunity: 6
[Daily Intel · Yellow-level Middle Grade: Just after the Mao hour, in Yanhua Lane of South City, Shu State, the Scholar Liu Man was cornered in the Li Hong Courtyard by his wife for not returning home last night. A minuscule amount of Opportunity can be obtained.]
'South City...'
Seeing the contents of today's intel, Chen Yi pursed his lips. 'His first stop after being allowed out of the mansion is a brothel... really...'
'Tsk. Good thing I'm just going to watch the show.'
...
「The next day, just after the Chou hour.」
Chen Yi was still half-asleep when Wang Lixing woke him to practice the Pile Skill.
Unlike before, however, he looked utterly exhausted the moment he raised his arms, a result of overexerting himself the previous night.
"Sir," Wang Lixing said with a frown, his tone earnest and pleading. "I know this might be unpleasant to hear, but I have to say it."
"Although you are a live-in son-in-law of the Marquis's Mansion, you are still a member of this household, and more importantly, the Second Miss's husband."
"If you continue to be so unmotivated, word will get out and you'll become a laughingstock. It could even reflect poorly on the Marquis's Mansion, making people think our discipline is lax."
Chen Yi yawned and rubbed his eyes. "I know, I know. But last night... the Young Master kept me up. It's not my fault I didn't get enough sleep."
Wang Lixing faltered. "The Young Master?"
He glanced toward the wooden house. "The Young Master is in the Spring Lotus Garden?"
"You don't know?"
"I was not aware. Yesterday, the Eldest Miss received a letter from the Second Miss and ordered us to stop guarding the Spring Lotus Garden."
"Is that so," Chen Yi said, feeling more confident. "You have no idea. The Young Master was grinding his teeth and farting all night..."
"Brother-in-law, did I grind my teeth last night?"
Just then, a neatly dressed Xiao Wuge walked over and asked.
Seeing him approach, Wang Lixing immediately dropped to one knee and bowed. "Your subordinate, Wang Lixing, greets the Young Master."
"At ease, at ease," Xiao Wuge said with a wave of his hand. He then turned to Chen Yi with a sheepish look. "My nanny never mentioned that before. My apologies, Brother-in-law."
"It's nothing. Perhaps I'm just not used to it. I'm sure it'll be fine tonight."
With the subject of his complaint now present, Chen Yi quickly changed the topic and focused on his Stand Form practice with newfound seriousness.
Xiaodie, however, was thoroughly confused.
'Why didn't I hear the Young Master grinding his teeth last night?'
After morning practice ended, they had breakfast.
Chen Yi announced he was going out for a walk, but he hadn't gotten far from the Spring Lotus Garden before he sensed movement behind him.
He glanced back.
Not only was Xiaodie following him, but the Young Master, Xiao Wuge, and several Armored Warriors were trailing close behind as well.
Chen Yi slapped a hand to his forehead. "My fault, I wasn't clear. You don't have to follow me. I'm just going out for a walk by myself."
'If this whole entourage goes to a brothel to watch the drama unfold, what's the point of me being discreet?'
Xiaodie covered her mouth with her hand to hide a smile. "Sir, have you forgotten? The Eldest Miss specifically instructed me to follow you at all times."
Xiao Wuge nodded in agreement. "My eldest sister told me the same thing. She said I have to follow you wherever you go, Brother-in-law."
"Even outside the mansion?" Chen Yi asked him. "You're the Young Master of the Marquis's Mansion. What if you run into danger going out so casually?"
'Even he, a mere live-in son-in-law, had to be careful, let alone the direct grandson of Duke Dingyuan.'
"Don't worry, I have them," Xiao Wuge said, pointing to the Armored Warriors behind him with a grin. "Besides, Brother-in-law, I used to go out all the time."
Chen Yi glanced at the Armored Warriors. "Just... wearing that?"
'Have to admit, it certainly gave one a sense of security. In all of Shu State, few would dare to openly provoke Duke Dingyuan.'
"Go change into plain clothes," Xiao Wuge ordered, instantly understanding Chen Yi's meaning and acting like a little adult.
"Yes, Young Master!"
Seeing this, Chen Yi had no choice but to relent.
"Xiaodie, pack some extra fruit and pastries for the road."
"Yes, Sir."
「Not long after.」
The group "discreetly" left the Marquis's Mansion in a carriage flying the flag of a Marquis Wu.
"Sir, where are we heading?"
"South City."
Xiaodie's smile froze on her face. She glanced at him, then at Xiao Wuge's inquisitive expression, and finally managed to choke out a sentence:
"Sir... maybe we don't have to go out today?"
Chen Yi knew she had gotten the wrong idea. He grinned, revealing two rows of pearly white teeth.
"I'm just taking you to watch some drama. Don't worry."
'How can I not worry, Sir?'
'The Young Master is so young! What if... Oh, heavens, I'm going to be punished for this!'