Chapter 42 of 100

Chapter 42

17 min read4,157 words

After everyone left, only two people deliberately lagged behind and stayed. One was tall and the other was slim, both with blood flowing under their skin, much stronger than the others.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

The madam lowered her head and sipped her tea, speaking casually.

"Madam, will Yang Ji really fall for it if we send so many people to guard the Zhenwu Hall?"

The tall guard asked. He actually didn't quite agree with this, but since the madam had made the decision, it wasn't his place to oppose it.

"He will definitely fall for it."

The madam raised her eyebrows and suddenly looked up, her eyes flashing with a cold light:

"There are only a few months left. If he doesn't want to be expelled from the clan, he will have to try to break into the Zhenwu Hall once he reaches the tenth stage of the Breathing Technique. No matter how many guards I send, he will definitely go."

"The madam is right. If that little brat wants to reach the Martial Dao realm, he must enter the Zhenwu Hall to comprehend the Fist Intent Unity Diagram. The only unexpected thing is whether Yang Ji will inherit a Fist Intent Unity Diagram from his master, the Sunlit Martial King."

The slim guard said, his eyes showing a thoughtful expression.

"Sunlit Martial King..."

The madam's expression suddenly changed, her face turning dark.

The mysterious death of the head steward Zhou on the mountain had been a topic of private discussion and suspicion among everyone. Many people thought that since Zhou didn't know martial arts, even though Yang Ji and the madam were at odds, no one suspected Yang Ji.

This matter had always been a pain in the madam's heart. Only a few people knew the truth, and these two were among them.

The hall was deathly silent.

"Don't think too much about this matter."

After a long pause, the madam's cold voice was heard:

"The Fist Intent Unity Diagram is the foundation of the clan. Without the strength of a Martial Scholar or above, it's impossible to draw this picture. When our clan's ancestor became a Martial Scholar, he spent half of his blood qi to create the painting in the Zhenwu Hall. In the small border region of Pingchuan County, there aren't that many Martial Scholars. This Sunlit Martial King definitely doesn't have such high cultivation."

The madam held a high position and knew many secrets of the clan. The fact that there was only one painting in the "Zhenwu Hall" among all the "martial artists" of the Yang clan was enough to explain the issue.

"Has the gate guard found anything?"

The madam suddenly asked.

"No. The guards say that Yang Ji has suddenly reduced his outings. They have been guarding the gate, and recently they haven't seen that little brat go out much, which seems unusual."

The tall guard said.

"Madam, as you instructed, none of our people have disturbed Yang Ji to avoid alarming him. So we don't know what he has been doing recently. However, our people noticed that Yang Ji's windows and doors are always closed, and he doesn't open them. It seems he is up to something."

The other guard added.

"Windows and doors closed..."

The madam frowned, thought for a moment, and then "understood," coldly smiling:

"What else can that boy do? For over eight years, he has secretly read and practiced writing behind my back, thinking I didn't know. The literary examination is in two months. He must be reviewing and preparing for the exam."

"Your words have reminded me, Lü Liang, Lü Shun. I have a task for you. Rent all the horses and carriages, not a single one should be left out. In the border region, there are many mountains. From the Yang family to Pingchuan City, there are steep mountains and winding roads. Without horses, it would take over a month to walk. The literary examination requires registration a month in advance. If he can't arrive on time, he will lose his eligibility. — Even if he has studied hard for eight years, I will make sure he gains nothing."

The madam smiled coldly.

The two were shocked and looked at each other. The madam's calculations were so precise that they hadn't even considered this. It was something they hadn't thought of or expected.

"Yes, Madam. We will take care of it."

The two accepted the order.

"However, this is still not enough."

The madam pondered for a moment and immediately said:

"Recently, there have been rumors that the Red Eyebrows have been active in the mountains leading to Pingchuan City. Check if it's true. If confirmed, give them Yang Ji's portrait and ask them to take action!"

"Ah!!"

The two gasped, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. The madam, to deal with Yang Ji, was actually going to ask the Red Eyebrows for help, which was something no one had expected.

The two wanted to advise, but the madam stared down at them, her gaze cold and her intention clear.

"Yes, Madam."

The two accepted the order and left.

After the two left, the madam was alone, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. After a moment, she came to her senses, extended her wrist, and took out a rolled-up painting from a hidden compartment in the sandalwood table, a painting that had been stored for who knows how long.

The madam held both ends of the painting and slowly unrolled it, revealing a large ink-painted "fist" in the painting...

...

Days passed quietly and productively.

Yang Ji sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes fixed on the Fist Intent Unity Diagram on the wall. The fist in the painting was rough and grand, gradually expanding, and an overwhelming pressure seemed to crush everything.

Yang Ji remained still, but beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Buzz!"

Suddenly, the "fist" in his eyes became clearer, and a green, worm-like pattern slowly emerged, revealing pulsating blood vessels.

In an instant, it no longer seemed like a painted fist but a real, flesh-and-blood iron fist.

"Buzz!"

Yang Ji's mind buzzed, and he felt a powerful will, pure and righteous, destroying everything, radiating from the painting.

"He's coming..."

Yang Ji's heart trembled, his spirit becoming more focused, fully sensing the pure will in the painting. Unlike before, when he saw the fist, Yang Ji could clearly feel that this was the consciousness of a martial artist, though vague, it exuded a profound and righteous aura, as if nothing in the world could stop it.

Whatever stood in the way of this iron fist would be crushed like an ant trying to shake a tree!

Yang Ji remained still, resisting the overwhelming will of the iron fist. Sweat dripped from his forehead, and his blood heated up with the mental struggle.

The feeling was indescribable, as if he were carrying an increasingly heavy mountain on his back.

After an unknown amount of time, the iron fist in Yang Ji's eyes gradually blurred, and his body trembled as his vision pulled away.

"Phew!"

Yang Ji took a deep breath, noticing a puddle of water beneath him, his clothes drenched in sweat, and his body exhausted.

"This time, I lasted ten more breaths than last time."

Yang Ji thought to himself, a cool energy flowing from his brow, spreading throughout his body, and the pain in his head quickly disappearing. However, the heat in his body couldn't dissipate.

Yang Ji had been comprehending the "Fist Intent Unity" for some time. He gradually discovered that as he resisted this will, his own will seemed to be gradually scattered and integrated into his blood. Recently, he had noticed that his blood was becoming increasingly agitated.

Each time he finished, Yang Ji felt warm all over, and this sensation was becoming more and more noticeable...

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