Chapter 37

Yang Ji had never thought that behind the grand red lanterns of that year, there could be such profound implications.

Wu Xiuren!

These three words carried an immense weight.

In the Great Han Dynasty, every level of the military examination was extraordinarily fierce. Although only a few thousand people participated in the "Wu Tongsheng" examination, many times that number had already been eliminated before it even began.

As for the "Wu Xiuren" competition, it was even more intense. It was not an exaggeration to say it was a selection of the best from the best, "one in ten thousand"!

According to Yang Ji's understanding, to pass the imperial examination for "Wu Xiuren," one needed at least the cultivation of the third level of martial arts.

This was almost on par with "Zhou the Chief Steward," and the eldest son, Yang Xuanlan, had achieved this at just fifteen years old!

At fifteen, while Yang Ji was still striving to enter the martial arts realm, Yang Xuanlan had already passed the "Wu Xiuren" examination. Although Yang Ji had been suppressed for eight years, Yang Xuanlan's talent was still shocking.

"Impossible! How could such a big event not have any wind of it in the clan?"

Yang Ji exclaimed in surprise.

"This was the eldest son's decision. The First Lady originally wanted to celebrate grandly, but the eldest son opposed it. He said that a mere Wu Xiuren was not worth celebrating. His ambitions are as high as the sky, aiming for the rank of Martial Saint. He doesn't even look at a Wu Xiuren. The First Lady couldn't persuade him, so in the end, they only hung red lanterns in the mansion as a token gesture. — This matter is known by the upper echelons of the three major clans!"

Yang Meng paused, looking at Yang Ji earnestly:

"Yang Ji, I really hope you will consider this carefully. The First Lady is not easy to overthrow. Even if you succeed, do you think the eldest son will just watch his mother be overthrown by you? The eldest son passed the Wu Xiuren examination six years ago. With his talent and effort, he is probably not far from passing the 'Wu Juren' examination, or he might have already passed it. — Yang Ji, do you still have confidence now?"

The shed was silent, with only the crackling of the lamp on the table, creating a very oppressive atmosphere.

Yang Ji lowered his head and remained silent.

This was the first time he had heard news about the eldest son of the Yang clan. Yang Ji wanted to tell Yang Meng that he didn't care, but he knew that would be self-deception.

In this world where martial arts were revered, the titles of the Great Han Dynasty held an incomparable status. Wu Tongsheng, Wu Xiuren, Wu Juren... each rank was of great importance and admired by all!

Wu Juren!

This was a title that countless martial artists dreamed of. Just thinking about it made Yang Ji feel a huge, suffocating pressure.

The Yang clan had produced only three "Wu Juren" in a hundred years. If Yang Xuanlan succeeded, he would be the fourth "Wu Juren" in the history of the Yang clan, holding unparalleled weight within the clan!

The gap!

The enormous gap!

While Yang Ji was still struggling to reach the tenth level of breathing, the Yang clan might produce its fourth "Wu Juren."

"No matter what, I will not back down!"

After a long silence, Yang Ji suddenly raised his head and said resolutely:

"Throughout my journey, my path has never been smooth. Those who help themselves will be helped by heaven. Eight years ago, I did not accept help from others, and eight years later, it is the same. Whether Yang Xuanlan is a Wu Xiuren or a Wu Juren, it makes no difference to me."

Seeing this, Yang Meng knew there was no possibility of mediation. After completely giving up, he developed a newfound respect for Yang Ji.

Yang Ji clearly knew that the eldest son had extraordinary talent and strength far beyond the ordinary, yet he still had this kind of courage. This alone was not something an ordinary person could match.

"Since that's the case, I won't say more."

Yang Meng stood up:

"Yang Ji, you are different from us. If there are no unexpected events, your talent will likely surpass many of us. However, you must be very careful with the First Lady. Earlier, I received news that there was a disturbance in the 'Zhenwu Hall.' It seems someone infiltrated, but the details are unclear. However, the First Lady has already sent people to take over. The Zhenwu Hall is of great importance, so you must pay attention! I only hope I am overthinking it."

"Zhenwu Hall!"

Yang Ji was startled and immediately became alert.

When he was very young, he had heard that the "Zhenwu Hall" contained a mysterious scroll passed down by the ancestors. Any disciple who reached the tenth level of breathing could enter the "Zhenwu Hall" to view this scroll, and no one, including the elders, could obstruct them.

Only by comprehending the mysteries of the scroll could one truly enter the martial arts realm. This was the foundation of the clan and its greatest secret.

"Yang Meng, have you been to the Zhenwu Hall? What secrets does it hold?"

Yang Ji asked.

"Ha, it's hard to describe. You'll understand when you see it for yourself. I can only tell you that the scroll is the true work of the ancestors, called the 'Fist Intent Unity Diagram'!"

Yang Meng said and quickly left.

However, Yang Ji's mind was in turmoil, unable to calm down. His current realm was not yet sufficient to enter the "Zhenwu Hall" and view the mysterious scroll that had been passed down for a hundred years, but he would eventually have to go in.

"The Zhenwu Hall is the place of the ancestors. Even the elders must show the utmost respect, burning three incense sticks before leaving. This is a place no one dares to interfere with. How could that poisonous woman dare to meddle there?"

Yang Ji had a bad feeling, but he didn't believe the First Lady had the audacity to tamper with such a place.

"Never mind, everything will fall into place. With my current strength, even if the scroll were in front of me, I couldn't cultivate it. Instead of worrying about these things, I should focus on my cultivation and deal with it when I enter the Zhenwu Hall."

Yang Ji thought this and then calmed down.

He blew out the lamp and went to bed.

...

In the inner chambers of the Yang clan, the lights were bright.

An old man with white hair stood before the First Lady.

"First Lady, this goes against the ancestral rules. The Zhenwu Hall is of great importance to the clan, and no one should interfere. This is the ancestral rule!"

The old man said, his expression agitated.

"Hmph! The 'Fist Intent Unity Diagram' is the true work of the ancestors. I took over the Zhenwu Hall to prevent outsiders from stealing it. How does this violate the ancestral rules!"

The First Lady, adorned with gold hairpins, sat high above, her tone cold.

Around her, several guards, all her trusted subordinates, were trembling with caution. The First Lady was always cold and distant, and since the death of Zhou the Chief Steward, her demeanor had become even more icy.

Now, even her closest subordinates were wary.

"First Lady, there was just a fleeting shadow in the Zhenwu Hall. Whether it was a thief or an outsider is still uncertain. The clan's upper echelons must not interfere with the Zhenwu Hall. This precedent must not be set!"

The old man said.

"Hmph!"

The First Lady coldly snorted, her face icy:

"I sent people to protect the Zhenwu Hall, and even the elders haven't said anything. What right do you, a mere Zhenwu Hall keeper, have to oppose me?"

"This precedent must not be set!"

The old keeper said.

"Are you trying to oppose me?"

The First Lady said coldly.

"This..."

The old keeper was silent. As a mere Zhenwu Hall keeper, he dared not oppose the powerful First Lady, but he had his duties...

Seeing this, the First Lady's frown eased slightly.

"You have a nephew, don't you?"

The First Lady lifted the teacup beside her, took a sip, and said casually:

"The clan has always valued talent. Providing more resources to capable people for cultivation is a decision I can make. You are a smart person, you should know what to do, right?"

The old keeper was silent, his eyes flickering, hesitating to speak. Finally, he sighed deeply and left with a gloomy expression.

"Madam, the Zhenwu Hall is a special place. Our actions may invite much criticism. Moreover, the Zhenwu Hall cannot be sealed forever. Is this... worth the cost?"

After the old keeper left, a trusted subordinate spoke cautiously.

"Hmph! Who said I want to seal the Zhenwu Hall forever!"

The First Lady's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and she coldly glanced at him, slowly standing up from her seat.

"Then what do you mean, Madam?"

The guards looked at the First Lady in unison.

"Within four months, no one is to enter the Zhenwu Hall. Without the 'Fist Intent Unity Diagram,' that little brat will never reach the martial arts realm before he turns sixteen. This time, I will completely expel Yang Ji from the clan, making his life worse than death!"

The First Lady's voice was harsh and her expression fierce, her whole body trembling with anger.

Everyone was secretly alarmed. The First Lady rarely showed such anger, but since the incident with Zhou the Chief Steward, she had become unpredictable.

"I wonder what the relationship between Zhou the Chief Steward and the First Lady is."

Everyone thought secretly.

"First Lady, should we send people to deal with Yang Ji? His strength is not high. Any martial artist of the martial arts realm can easily kill him. There will be no problem."

A tall, thin guard suggested.

"No!"

To everyone's surprise, the First Lady firmly rejected the suggestion: "From now on, no one is to harm Yang Ji!"

"Ah!"

Everyone was stunned. This was not the First Lady's usual style.

The First Lady ignored their reactions. She took a deep breath, remembering what Zhou the Chief Steward had said to her before he died. Apart from her and Zhou the Chief Steward, no one knew that Yang Ji had a "mysterious expert" behind him.

This was originally just a guess, but with Zhou the Chief Steward's death, the guess had become a certainty. If Yang Ji were killed, no one knew if the "Fiery Sun Martial King" would lose control and attack the Yang clan.

"From now on, give him his silver as usual, without a single cent less. Tell the people below not to cause trouble. Within four months, without my order, anyone who acts on their own will be severely punished! — As for that little brat, we will deal with him when the eldest son returns!"

"Yes!"

Everyone was startled and responded in unison.

... [Please recommend and collect. New book, hope for your support. Huangfu thanks everyone.]