Chapter 2

The next early morning.

"Grandfather." Hong Lie bowed and greeted, and Hong Shengri, sitting in the center of the family banquet hall, waved his hand slightly: "Sit down and have breakfast."

"Yes." Just as Hong Lie sat down, a girl of thirteen or fourteen, with a ponytail and dressed in a spirited boyish outfit, walked in.

"Grandfather."

"Lan'er has come, let's eat together." Hong Shengri saw his granddaughter and a smile appeared on his face.

Hong Yilan greeted her elder brother and then sat down next to Hong Lie.

The servants brought in a light and delicious breakfast, and the three of them ate in silence, not speaking.

Hong Shengri looked at the vast banquet hall, where only the three of them were eating, and felt a sense of desolation in his heart. In the Four Pillars of Wudu, which family did not have a large and prosperous family? Only he, Hong Shengri... The old man shook his head secretly.

To be honest, he had three children, but the whereabouts of his eldest son, Hong Chengye, were now a matter of sighs, and it was better not to mention it.

His second son, Hong Chenglüe, and his wife died for the country seven years ago.

His youngest daughter, Hong Chengyao, went missing in a battle with the Northern Dijiong five years ago.

Since the youngest daughter went missing, his old wife had been in a deathly seclusion and had not come out yet.

Hong Shengri understood his wife's good intentions, but he felt bitter in his heart: What good would it do if this old woman really advanced to the First Rank of Unity? The Hong family is already like this...

Hong Lie was drinking the white porridge in his bowl when he suddenly sensed something. He looked up, and his grandfather was looking at him, but his gaze quickly moved away.

However, several times after that, his grandfather looked at him intentionally or unintentionally. Hong Lie understood in his heart and said proactively: "Grandfather, the injuries of my second brother yesterday seemed serious, but they were not life-threatening. When I went to see him last night, he had already recovered a lot."

Hong Shengri visibly relaxed, but he said angrily: "This good-for-nothing, it would be better if he died outside, so he wouldn't disgrace our Hong family!" As he said this, he fiercely ate a few mouthfuls of rice.

On the side, his younger sister, Hong Yilan, also curled her lip when mentioning her second brother, with a look of disdain.

Hong Lie thought for a moment and still said: "Grandfather, I feel that after this injury, my second brother is different from before. Perhaps he has truly repented."

"Hmph!" Hong Shengri snorted heavily: "Don't say good things about that little good-for-nothing! Repent? How many bad and stupid things has he done over the years? If he could truly repent, the sun would rise in the west!"

Hong Yilan also looked disbelieving, but she did not argue with her elder brother.

Just then, the second steward, Hong An, came in anxiously: "Master, Young Master, Miss, please come and see, the Second Young Master has gone mad again..."

Hong Shengri, as expected, just glared fiercely at Hong Lie. Hong Lie's face turned red; he had just said that his second brother seemed to have repented, but now Hong Yu was causing trouble again.

"What good things has that good-for-nothing done this time?" Hong Shengri remained unmoved. Hong Yu had once offended the imperial carriage, flirted with a Daoist saintess, and even tried to seize military honors, doing all sorts of bad things. No matter what he did, Hong Shengri was not surprised at all.

Hong An said helplessly: "The Second Young Master has broken into the Military Book Repository! Master, you ordered that no one can enter the Military Book Repository without your command!"

The Military Book Repository was the Hong family's library, but it only contained extremely precious martial arts classics! In the Great Xia Dynasty, martial artists were divided into nine ranks, and martial arts classics were also divided into nine ranks. To reach a higher realm, one must first have the corresponding level of martial arts classics.

A Ninth Rank martial classic could never cultivate to an Eighth Rank.

And over the years, Grandfather Hong had fought in battles and collected countless martial arts classics, with at least Sixth Rank or above stored in the Military Book Repository. Any one of them, if released, would cause a bloody frenzy in the Great Xia territory.

When the Military Book Repository was established, it was a great achievement for the Hong family, intended to benefit future generations. However, no one expected that by the third generation, the Hong family was almost on the brink of extinction.

The Military Book Repository was originally prepared for future generations, so from the eldest son Hong Chengye to the youngest granddaughter Hong Yilan, they all had the right to enter and study the martial arts classics. However, four years ago, the wastrel Hong Yu, due to financial difficulties, broke into the Military Book Repository and stole a precious Third Rank martial arts classic, the *Xuanyuan Demon Fire Break*!

This Third Rank martial arts classic, if auctioned, would be worth at least three million taels of silver, but Hong Yu sold it for ten thousand taels of silver.

Later, although Grandfather Hong was furious, the person who secretly bought the *Xuanyuan Demon Fire Break* out of fear of the Hong family's power, returned the classic. However, the cultivation method had already spread, and that person must have secretly copied it.

This incident enraged Hong Shengri, who personally beat Hong Yu half to death and then announced that from now on, no one could enter the Military Book Repository without his command.

In reality, Hong Lie and Hong Yilan immediately received authorization from their grandfather, but Hong Yu was excluded.

Now, Hong Yu had actually broken into the Military Book Repository again, and Hong Shengri's face turned dark: "What does this little good-for-nothing want to do? Is he short of money again? Didn't he have the ability to seize merchants' property? Why is he coming back to target the family's classics!"

Hong Lie sighed inwardly; his grandfather knew everything, and his second brother's affairs could not be hidden from him.

Hong Shengri finished his porridge in one gulp, wiped his mouth, and strode out: "I'll beat this wretch to death!"

...

Hong Yu had already rushed into the Military Book Repository. Originally, there were three hundred elite soldiers from the Wu Lie Corps guarding it, and four Third Rank experts from the Hong family were stationed there. However, how could these people really stop Hong Yu?

Although Hong Yu was a notorious wastrel and a good-for-nothing, he was still the bloodline of Grandfather Hong. They might stop him a bit, but if someone else beat him, Grandfather Hong would surely be furious like a cat with its tail stepped on.

Especially these four Third Rank experts, who knew that last night, Grandfather Hong, though seemingly calm, had secretly mobilized many experts to investigate the incident of Hong Yu's injury.

Grandfather Hong had been low-key for years, and his temper seemed to have improved. Such a large-scale mobilization of experts had not happened for four or five years.

Hong Yu ignored those who tried to stop him and walked in on his own. He was sure they would not really use force, so he successfully entered the Military Book Repository, though not without some difficulty.

Then, he drove everyone out, closed the door, and sat down in the Military Book Repository, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

In his previous life, he had always been cautious, with no background or family, in a society where "rotational sexual relationships" were common, and ordinary people could not resist even a little bit of power.

In such an environment, who would not be cautious and careful?

Hong Yu was even more so. Just now, he had rushed in without any hesitation, feeling a sense of complete freedom, like a person who had been curled up for too long suddenly stretching out, the comfort was indescribable.

A thought came to his mind: perhaps in this life, he did not have to live as he did in his previous life. He could act on his impulses, be honest with himself, and only need to be without guilt towards heaven and earth, and without shame towards his family and clan. The rest, he could live a life of passion and revenge, boldly and freely!

...

He looked around. The Military Book Repository was vast, fifteen zhang long and ten zhang wide. Huge iron pillars stood inside, supporting steel beams.

Around each iron pillar, six massive iron bookshelves surrounded it, filled with ancient books and bamboo slips.

These huge iron pillars and bookshelves naturally divided the entire Military Book Repository into several areas. In the center of these areas, there might be an ancient stone stele carved with a cultivation method from ancient times; or a seven-story tower, with layers stacked up, and at the top, a legendary cultivation method left by a supreme strongman; or a sturdy cage made of deep-sea mystic iron, imprisoning a world-shaking demonic cultivation method!

Grandfather Hong had fought and conquered for decades, was incorruptible, and had no other hobbies except for his obsession with martial arts. He had collected a large number of martial techniques and cultivation methods over the years, and his subordinates had also deliberately presented them to curry favor. The Military Book Repository of the Hong family had accumulated a vast number of martial techniques and cultivation methods, each one priceless!

Standing there, the numerous profound martial techniques and cultivation methods seemed to touch something inside Hong Yu.

The Sami Dharma Image, hidden in a certain acupoint, slowly raised its head, opened its eyes, and instantly a golden light filled Hong Yu's eyes.

This was just Hong Yu's perception; to outsiders, his eyes showed no change.

Among the numerous classics, some "floated" in his eyes, while others remained as immovable as rocks in water!

It was clear at a glance!

Hong Yu had a realization: his "clear sight" was a special ability brought by the Sami Dharma Image. The ones that floated were those he could "strike" with the brick and wooden fish, while those that remained immovable were clearly not.

When Hong Yu woke up this morning, he suddenly thought that the brick could strike out a Sami Dharma Image from the *Miyen Jing*. If he used other classics, such as martial techniques, would there be any effect?

In his room, there were a few old books, some miscellaneous collections of Confucian texts. Hong Yu had already tried them with no response, but he did not give up. He skipped breakfast and rushed to the Military Book Repository.

Among the floating classics, there were high and low ranks, and the same was true for those that remained immovable. This meant that the effect of the brick was not related to the rank.

When he thought of this, a word suddenly came to his mind: "karma"!

Those that remained immovable had not yet reached the right karma with him.

He wandered through the Military Book Repository and, without realizing it, came to an area. In the center of this area, there was an ancient bronze table, on which a bookshelf made of gold and silver was placed, holding a jade scroll in a very noble manner.

The jade slips were two fingers wide, made of the finest white jade, smooth and giving a false impression that touching them would feel like holding a handful of sheep fat.

The jade slips were bound together with a golden rope made of nine strands of gold thread. Just from these external features, it was clear that this jade scroll was one of the most precious classics in the entire Military Book Repository!

And from Hong Yu's memory, this was indeed the case.

This jade scroll was the First Rank martial art, the *Northern Wasteland True Scripture*. Hong Shengri had relied on this top martial art to become the first general of the Great Xia Dynasty, establishing his status as a Second Rank Spirit Opening supreme strongman!

In the Qingyuan Continent, martial artists were divided into nine ranks, but below the ninth rank, there were countless unranked martial artists.

Those who only practiced martial techniques and had not condensed martial qi were all classified as unranked. Although there were vast differences in strength among the unranked, no one was interested in dividing them into detailed ranks.

Corresponding to the nine ranks of martial artists, cultivation methods were also divided into nine ranks. The evaluation of cultivation methods was based on their "potential," meaning that only by practicing a First Rank cultivation method was it possible to reach the First Rank Unity realm. However, practicing a First Rank cultivation method did not guarantee reaching the First Rank Unity.

But if you practiced a Second Rank cultivation method, it almost completely cut off the possibility of reaching the First Rank Unity.

Hong Yu reached out and picked up the jade scroll, unable to resist touching it. The exquisite jade indeed felt excellent. He gently unfolded it, and ancient characters jumped into his eyes, explaining a profound and grand martial concept.

The current Hong Yu was no longer the wastrel he used to be. He rushed into the Military Book Repository not to steal martial arts classics to sell for money, but to truly see these precious items that had made the Hong family what it was.

Reading line by line, Hong Yu felt dizzy and his head ached. He came from a world of technological civilization, where traditional values had declined, and he was completely unfamiliar with the basic principles of martial arts, acupoints, and meridians mentioned in the classics.

For example, he might know the names of acupoints and meridians, but he had no idea where they were or what they were used for.

After a while, Hong Yu was already dizzy and his eyes blurred, and he shook his head with a bitter smile. He reached into his pocket, and the hard brick gave him a bit of confidence.

Just as he was about to take out the brick, a roar came from outside: "Little good-for-nothing, get out here now!"

Hong Yu was startled; it was his "grandfather's" voice.

The two heavy iron doors of the Military Book Repository creaked open, and Hong Shengri's tall figure appeared at the entrance. Even at home, he still carried his broad and heavy *Sun Seizing Treasure Saber*. At this moment, his hair and beard stood on end, his eyes glaring, and his hand on the hilt of his saber, a majestic aura like a flood or a mountain surged forward, pressing down on Hong Yu, making it hard for him to breathe. His already weak body almost collapsed under the pressure!

Grandfather was really furious, completely disregarding the feelings of others. The two Third Rank Manifested Saints who entered with Hong Shengri also stepped back, and Hong Lie and Hong Yilan retreated several steps to avoid the pressure from their grandfather. Hong Lie, thinking of Hong Yu facing his grandfather, couldn't help but shout: "Grandfather, the second one can't take it..."

Hong Yu was about to sit on the ground, but something in an unknown acupoint inside his body, the Sami Dharma Image, suddenly moved its lips, and a faint Buddhist chant seemed to come from it. Golden light sand spread from its mouth, circulating around Hong Yu's body.

Hong Yu immediately felt the pressure lighten, and his breathing became smooth. Standing in front of his grandfather, a mighty warrior, he straightened his body, like an ancient pine tree!

Hong Shengri's face remained angry, but he was somewhat surprised in his heart.

This grandson was a good-for-nothing, who usually cowered like a mouse in front of a cat. Today, under his furious anger, his Second Rank Spirit Opening cultivation and the killing aura honed from thousands of battles surged out, and he expected his grandson to either wet his pants or collapse on the spot.

The old general had once, during a campaign, shocked an army of thirty thousand with his anger!

Even seasoned veterans could not withstand Hong Shengri's aura, let alone a wastrel like Hong Yu?

But today, Hong Yu stood tall in front of him, with no trace of his usual cowardice, but a hint of guilt and stubbornness in his eyes!

Hong Shengri did not need guilt; the Hong family was a military family, and military families did not believe in tears, only in achievements! Hong Yu did not have to take responsibility for his past actions, but he must repay with the best results in the future!

Seeing the hint of stubbornness, Hong Shengri was somewhat suspicious: Could this little rascal really have changed after a severe beating? If so, he should not have been overly protected in the past and should have let him be beaten earlier.

"Hmph!" The old man snorted, and his aura suddenly dissipated. The two Third Rank Manifested Saints, who had been using martial qi to resist the old man's pressure, staggered without an opponent.

On the contrary, Hong Yu in front of Hong Shengri remained unmoved, calm and composed.

Inside Hong Yu, the Sami Dharma Image slowly stopped chanting, and the golden light mist gathered back, forming a cloud of light around it.

Hong Yu had not felt anything special during his sleep last night, but now he was surprised by the power of the Sami Dharma Image, amazed at how powerful it was!

"What are you doing in the Military Book Repository!?" Hong Shengri asked sternly.

Hong Lie behind him breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that his grandfather would beat him without a word. His second brother was weak and had just been injured, and he could not withstand another beating.

Hong Yu bowed slightly to the old man: "I want to borrow some classics."

"Borrow?" The old man's face showed a mocking smile: "Not short of money again, are you?"

Hong Yu was helpless; the matter was done by the original owner, but now it was all on him.

"If Grandfather is worried, I can come to the Military Book Repository every day and read here. Before I leave, I will ask the experts guarding this place to count the number of classics. Only when the numbers match will I be allowed to leave. But they cannot disturb me while I read."

The old man's beard twitched: "You really want to read?"

"Really."

Hong Shengri's face showed no expression, but in his heart, he was muttering: This little rascal wants to read? My second grandson can read? When has this little brat ever been so diligent? If he had been this hardworking, he wouldn't have ended up like this!

Standing there, Hong Yu could not quite understand his grandfather's thoughts. He was worried that the original owner's "deep sins" would make the old man distrust him, making it difficult to carry out his plans.

Hong Shengri waved his hand: "Alright, do as you say. Remember, read honestly and don't have any tricks. If anything happens, I'll break your dog legs!"

"Yes, sir." Hong Yu was delighted and bowed obediently. He still had some resistance to his identity and could not call him "grandfather" or "grandson."

"Hong Shen!" Hong Shengri shouted, and one of the four Third Rank Manifested Saints guarding the Military Book Repository stepped forward, saluting: "I'm here, sir!"

"From now on, you will watch this little good-for-nothing."

"Yes, sir."

Hong Shengri finished his arrangements, snorted, and left. As he turned to leave, a strange joy rose in his heart: Could this little rascal really have improved?

Hong Yu, the wastrel second generation, was a thorn in the side of the Hong family. In the past