Chapter 99 of 100

Chapter 99. The Inevitability Born of Coincidence (5)

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Yan Hozheng bowed.

"I have returned, Father."

"Hmm."

Yan Wei nodded.

"Rise."

"Yes."

Yan Hozheng stood up and straightened his clothes. He still looked rough, as if he had continued training on his way back, with his clothes torn and dirty in places.

Despite the guest beside him, he really couldn't help but ask.

"Did you train on your way back?"

"Yes."

It was said with a matter-of-fact tone.

Yan Wei was satisfied with his son's straightforward answer. A martial artist must always maintain the best physical condition, no matter where or when. At the same time, they should hone their skills day by day to reach the pinnacle. Most martial artists neglect this obvious training and perseverance, but his son was different.

He adheres to the basics and follows the truth. His son is destined to achieve great things. In fact, he has already become a great person.

'He's incredible.'

Words that people couldn't bring themselves to say out loud. Yan Wei's eyes showed genuine surprise as he looked at Yan Hozheng.

'When did he grow so much?'

His vigorous training had made his inner energy unstable, as if he had pushed his inner strength to the limit.

Even so, he was still this strong.

When he approached, walking as naturally as water flowing, it felt like looking at a rock solid to the core. His inner energy might be unstable, but the qi flowing through his body was unwavering.

At first glance, he seemed no different from before, but Yan Wei could sense the terrifying explosive power emanating from his son's body.

And those eyes.

Even before leaving the family, his eyes showed no wavering, but now they were like steel, indicating no doubt in the path he pursued.

'Heart (心), Qi (氣), Body (體). He has cultivated all of them without any shortcomings.'

Yan Wei spoke.

"They say a man must go out into the world to become an adult. It seems this trip to the Central Plains has greatly benefited you."

It was a roundabout compliment. Yan Hozheng shook his head.

"I still have a long way to go. I shouldn't be satisfied with just this."

At least his personality remained the same, if not more stubborn.

Yan Hozheng's martial arts skills were no longer a matter of seniority. Among peak experts, there are different levels. Judging by the external qi Yan Hozheng emitted, it was astonishingly comparable to the elders of the Nine Great Sects and Six Great Families.

Even as his father, Yan Wei found it hard to understand the speed of his growth. It was unprecedented.

'But what about that qi?'

The cultivation of the Crimson Silk Technique was already at the ninth level.

That was impressive, but what was truly astonishing was the unique aura enveloping the Crimson Silk Qi. There were not one but three of them.

Each was distinctive yet did not harm the others, forming a continuous flow of inner strength.

After carefully examining his son's body, Yan Wei asked.

"Did you gain some fortuitous encounters?"

Yan Hozheng smiled and answered.

"Every meeting and every challenge is a fortuitous encounter. Compared to that, they are insignificant."

"Nice words."

There were many aspects of Yan Hozheng's inner strength and martial arts skills to observe. Yan Wei decided to discuss them later.

"And..."

Yan Wei looked at Mo Bei.

She was quite tall for a woman, with a slender build and long limbs. At first glance, she appeared extremely flexible.

Her skin was tanned from the sun but had no blemishes, and she was a beautiful woman with clear features and a healthy appearance.

But her appearance was not the most important thing.

A glint of recognition appeared in Yan Wei's eyes.

'A high-level expert?'

To his surprise, the woman his son brought was also a high-level expert.

Not just any high-level expert. Her inner strength was even greater than Yan Hozheng's, almost on par with a supreme expert.

It was unclear how she had acquired such immense inner strength, but more than half of it was scattered throughout her body, making it unusable at the moment.

'Outstanding inner strength, but her skills...'

Seeing her unstable inner energy, it seemed she had undergone similar intense training. However, overall, she gave the impression of being somewhat dull.

'Below Huizhen.'

Her inner strength surpassed Yan Hozheng's, but her actual skills were inferior.

At Yan Wei's level, he could gauge an opponent's skills just by looking. This woman, while a martial artist, lacked the sharpness of a true expert.

'Still, she's impressive, especially considering her age.'

Yan Hozheng nudged Mo Bei with his elbow.

Mo Bei, realizing her mistake, bowed.

"My name is... no, Mo Bei."

"Mo Bei?"

"Yes."

Yan Wei tilted his head.

'An unusual name.'

So what? Many people have unusual names, especially in the martial world.

"Are you a friend of Hozheng?"

Mo Bei hesitated.

Yan Hozheng quickly answered.

"Yes, she is."

"Is that so?"

His voice lacked the usual modulation but seemed slightly weaker.

But only for a moment.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Mo. I am Hozheng's father."

"V-very nice to meet you."

Mo Bei was overwhelmed.

'Incredible!'

She had never seen a high-level expert like Yan Wei.

He emitted no aura, but that was just the surface. Inside, there was a massive, divine sword as grand as the peak of Mount Tai.

He was shockingly powerful. The moment she sensed his overwhelming aura, her entire body froze, unable to move a finger.

'Even Gong Tian and Quzhu wouldn't stand a chance!'

That was an understatement.

Even all the archers who participated in the Divine Arrow Competition combined couldn't defeat him. Before he perfected the Nine Dragon Heaven Splitting Bow, they wouldn't even be able to draw their bows.

Yan Wei noticed the bow and quiver at Mo Bei's waist.

"You seem to be skilled in archery."

"Um? Oh, yes! That's right!"

It was an unusually loud response for Mo Bei.

Yan Hozheng frowned, wondering why she was acting this way.

Yan Wei nodded.

"You are quite skilled. Since you are Hozheng's friend, treat her as one of us."

"Yes!"

"..."

"Ahem."

Yan Wei cleared his throat to dispel the awkward atmosphere and asked Yan Hozheng.

"Why did you bring a friend with you?"

"I have a favor to ask, Father."

"A favor?"

Yan Hozheng pointed at Mo Bei.

"Can this girl stay at the main residence from now on?"

Yan Wei's eyes flashed.

At the same time, Mo Bei's face turned pale. Just the change in Yan Wei's gaze made her shiver.

"Are you suggesting we take her in as a family member?"

"Yes. If it's too much of a burden, she can stay in the guest quarters..."

"Nonsense."

Yan Wei firmly shook his head.

"I don't know the details, but as Hozheng's friend, she should be treated as a distinguished guest."

"Ah, yes."

Yan Wei turned to Mo Bei.

"Do you have any other connections?"

"Um? Oh, no!"

For Mo Bei, this could be a rather depressing question, but coming from Yan Wei, it was natural to accept it. His presence was that overwhelming.

"If you have nowhere else to go, consider the Yan family your home."

"..."