Chapter 9. Priorities Over Arithmetic (3)

"Lord of the household, the heir has arrived."

"Let him in."

The door opened, and Yan Hozheng and Yan Zhiping entered.

As they entered, it felt as if the temperature in the lord's room rose. The intense heat emanating from Yan Hozheng was remarkable.

"Father."

"Sit down."

Two cups of warm tea were already on the table, the rising steam and the fragrance of the tea were very pleasant.

Yan Wei glanced at Yan Zhiping. His gaze was a silent question: Why did you come when I only called the first one?

Yan Zhiping scratched his head, looking embarrassed.

"I didn't get to greet you today."

It was a weak excuse.

"Sit down together."

Yan Zhiping sighed in relief and sat next to Yan Hozheng.

Yan Wei pushed a teacup towards Yan Zhiping, but the distracted Yan Zhiping didn't notice.

Yan Wei looked Yan Hozheng up and down and nodded.

"You seem to have done well."

"My legs are still trembling."

It was a joke, but Yan Wei's expression didn't change.

"If you work hard and become a master who can unify Jing, Qi, and Shen, you will be able to practice the Horse Stance for four days and nights."

"If I become that good, I won't have time to practice the Horse Stance."

Yan Zhiping subtly elbowed Yan Hozheng, thinking he was being too disrespectful to their father.

However, Yan Wei didn't take issue with Yan Hozheng's words.

"Why did you call us? To check our homework?"

"Let me be clear, it wasn't homework but punishment. I thought you had properly reflected, but it seems you only exhausted your body."

"I don't think my nature will change even if I die."

It was a heartfelt statement, and it made sense coming from someone who had experienced death.

Punishment only has meaning when one repents. However, once a punishment is given, it can't be taken back, so Yan Wei didn't criticize Yan Hozheng further.

"I didn't get to ask you about the incident with the Nangong family. You want to learn the Bila Zhen Jue?"

"Yes, that's right."

Yan Zhiping was surprised and looked at his brother. He hadn't expected him to mention this to their father.

But he also understood. His brother had mastered the Biyan Heart Method, so it was time to start learning the family's martial arts.

Yan Wei spoke in a stern tone.

"The Bila Zhen Jue is one of the Five Great Skills of our main house. However, without a solid foundation, learning it is meaningless. Do you understand this?"

"Of course."

Yan Wei sensed strong confidence in Yan Hozheng's response.

"Have you mastered the Nine Layers of the Biyan Heart Method?"

Yan Hozheng silently extended his wrist, thinking it was better to check directly than to talk.

Yan Wei, who had been quietly observing his son, placed his hand on the wrist.

'Hmm?'

Yan Wei's eyes changed.

The vigorous flow of Jing Qi, the majority of the meridians in the head and limbs open.

"When did this happen?"

"The morning I left the investigation hall."

Yan Wei checked Yan Hozheng's internal state again.

He realized something.

"The flow of Jing Qi is unfamiliar. It seems you didn't gradually awaken and adapt it to your body, but rather had a sudden enlightenment."

Yan Hozheng's eyes sparkled.

'Indeed, he is remarkable.'

Yan Wei could determine how Yan Hozheng had mastered the heart method by observing the flow of Jing Qi, the blood circulation, and the traces of the meridians.

This was not an easy task. Even a high-level master might have overlooked these details if their senses weren't sharp.

Yan Hozheng glanced at Yan Zhiping.

Yan Zhiping's face was filled with confusion. He wondered why his father needed to check something he already knew.

'Yan Zhiping inherited his father's sensitivity.'

In comparison, Yan Hozheng felt his own talent was lacking. His father's and brother's sensitivity had developed through countless battles and constant threats to survival.

He was clearly different from his father and brother.

"You have overcome the confusion caused by Qi. Did you approach the heart method academically?"

"It just analyzed itself."

"Steadily digging deep into one path is important, but when it doesn't work, exploring other paths is also a good method. Well done."

"…!"

Yan Hozheng's eyes widened. Yan Zhiping's mouth dropped open.

It was the first time they had heard their father say "well done."

Even Yan Zhiping, who was considered the most talented in the family, had never received praise from Yan Wei. Yan Wei was stingy with praise and harsh with criticism.

For the brothers, this was a significant moment.

"Good. I will allow you to practice the Five Great Skills."

"Thank you."

"Is there a specific reason you chose the Bila Zhen Jue?"

Yan Hozheng nodded.

"It seems to suit me the best."

The Five Great Skills of the Yan family each had their own characteristics, but they were all of similar level and difficulty.

Ultimately, which of the five skills to learn was a personal choice.

After a moment of silence, Yan Wei spoke again.

"I have a question."

"Yes."

"I am only now allowing you to practice the Five Great Skills. As the lord of the household, no one can practice them without my permission."

"I understand."

"Yet, you told the gate guards to prepare to learn the Bila Zhen Jue."

Yan Wei wasn't scolding Yan Hozheng for being presumptuous.

"Do you know the incantations of the Bila Zhen Jue?"

Indeed.

The Five Great Skills cannot be learned without the lord's permission, meaning the incantations have not been leaked outside the family.

Yet, the eldest son had said he would prepare to learn the Bila Zhen Jue.

After a pause, Yan Hozheng spoke.

"It's not just the Bila Zhen Jue."

"Hmm?"

"I know all the incantations of the Five Great Skills."

This time, even Yan Wei was surprised. His eyes widened slightly, revealing his astonishment.

Of course, Yan Zhiping looked as if he was about to faint.

"You know all the incantations of the Five Great Skills?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Father taught me."

During an attack on the family by a group of enemies.

While the brave warriors of the Yan family were bleeding and fighting on the front lines, Yan Wei taught the incantations of the Five Great Skills to his two sons.

Of course, there wasn't enough time to memorize all the incantations. Yan Wei gave the original five volumes to Yan Hozheng and the copies to Yan Zhiping, instructing them to flee.

However, Yan Zhiping was unlucky. He died in a fierce battle with experts who had blocked their escape route.

Yan Hozheng fled with tears of blood. At that moment, he wanted to avenge his brother, but the reality of his powerlessness and the responsibility to revive the Yan family led him into the forest.

Three months later.

Yan Hozheng met his master and dominated the black path after several years.

"Did you enter the Martial Arts Library?"

The Martial Arts Library was where the Yan family stored their martial arts manuals. It was also heavily guarded by the family's top warriors.

"I have never entered without permission."

"Then how?"

Yan Hozheng looked at Yan Wei steadily.

"Father showed me."

"What?"

Yan Hozheng wanted to tell everything.

That he had returned from the future, how the future would change, and the life he had lived.

He really wanted to tell his father everything.

Yan Hozheng clenched his fist.

'Not yet.'

He might not believe him, and even if he did, now wasn't the time. That's what he thought.

"Did I show you the manuals of the Five Great Skills? When?"

"When I was young, didn't you take me to the Martial Arts Library several times?"

Yan Wei furrowed his brows.

"When you were young… you mean when you just started learning martial arts?"

"Yes."

"Do you still remember the incantations you saw back then?"

"Yes."

Ultimately, he had to lie.

In reality, Yan Hozheng's memory was several times better than when he was young. His brain and upper dantian had been deeply cultivated, so this was natural.

He felt guilty about deceiving his father, but he thought it was necessary.

'This is for the future.'

The highest martial arts of the Yan family were not the Five Great Skills.

Rather, one needed to know all the Five Great Skills to master the highest martial arts of the Yan family.

Yan Hozheng's claim to know all the incantations of the Five Great Skills was a strategic move for the future. He planned to master the secret techniques after achieving the Bila Zhen Jue.

One needed to master the secret techniques to become the best.

"Remembering the incantations of martial arts from over ten years ago…"

Yan Wei shook his head.

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

"What use would the Five Great Skills be to someone who struggles with basic skills?"

"Now that you have mastered the heart method, you can talk about it?"

"Yes."

It felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Even the incantation of one martial art is over a thousand characters."

Yan Wei shook his head.

"Your memory is quite remarkable."

One unexpected thing was that Yan Wei didn't ask Yan Hozheng to prove it.

"Even if you know all the incantations of the Five Great Skills, is there any reason to learn them urgently? If you weren't trying to show off your memory, there seems to be no urgent need."

There is.

He only said it in his heart. Of course, Yan Hozheng couldn't say it out loud.

"I just wanted to learn as soon as possible."

"When learning a great skill, a calm mind and a cautious approach are necessary. Remember that."

"Understood."

Yan Wei leaned back in his chair.

"Good. I will allow you to practice the Bila Zhen Jue."

"Thank you."

"Come here before breakfast tomorrow. I will guide you through the basics of the heart method and the transformation of the Biyan Qi into Bila Zhen Qi."

"Understood."

Although practicing alone would be faster, he followed his father's instructions.

There are things that must be followed, no matter how urgent the situation. For Yan Hozheng, it was a promise and affection with his family.

'Just get some help at the beginning, and I'll do the rest myself.'

If this small help allows him to have a few more words with his father, it's enough.

Gradually, slowly, getting closer to each other. At least in this life, he won't leave any regrets with his family.

"Go and take care of your business."

"Ah, I have one more question."

"What is it?"

"Has the Nangong family contacted us?"

He asked out of curiosity, but the answer was surprising.

"Yes."

Yan Hozheng frowned.

"Contacted us? Did they apologize?"

"It wasn't an apology from the head of the household."

"Of course not. The distance to Anhui is considerable. It's impossible in terms of time."

"However, a personal letter from the head of the branch came. It apologized for the incident and the rudeness of my nephew."

The head of the branch sent a personal apology letter overnight?

Yan Hozheng's eyes suddenly turned cold.

'This is not good.'

A hot-tempered person can apologize quickly?

It's possible. But Nangong Dashi was the head of the branch and the younger brother of the head of the household. Even without a just cause, he wouldn't apologize so quickly.

"Is he planning something?"

Yan Hozheng muttered to himself.

Yan Wei's gaze, looking at Yan Hozheng, was not as strict as before.

"I will handle this matter. You may leave now."

"Understood."

Yan Hozheng and Yan Zhiping bowed respectfully and left.

Yan Wei, looking at the cold tea, drained the cup that had been on Yan Hozheng's seat.

Leaning back in his chair, Yan Wei's face remained stern.

"It didn't take twenty years."