Chapter 8

The night was deep, and Yang Ji carefully checked the doors and windows several times, making sure no one was outside before he began to examine his body.

So much strange had happened that night, Yang Ji needed to thoroughly check his body.

"Breathing is strong, heart and lungs are normal, limbs are fine, no discomfort at all."

Yang Ji moved his limbs, everything was normal.

"Strength has greatly increased, at least twice as much as before. The interval between breaths has also significantly extended, and it seems my body has grown a bit taller..."

Yang Ji practiced a few punches under the light. There were no specific techniques, purely to test his strength.

"From the test results, it's at least... Breathing Sixth Level!"

Yang Ji stopped, stunned, hearing his heart pounding in his chest, getting faster and faster.

Actually, he had already sensed something when he fought with Yang Yong. But when it was truly confirmed, he couldn't help but feel excited, his heart racing.

Yang Ji closed his eyes silently. Although he couldn't see anything, in his mind, it was as if a huge 'iceberg' appeared before him, and he was only seeing a small part of it.

After a moment, Yang Ji continued to examine his body.

Taking off his clothes, Yang Ji finally understood what he had felt before.

"My skin..."

Yang Ji looked down, shocked at what he saw.

All over his body were cracked and rough patches of skin, like the bark of an old tree. Yang Ji's feeling was right; what he had peeled off earlier was a piece of his old skin.

Under these old, rough patches, smooth and white new skin was revealed.

"What is going on?"

Yang Ji was stunned. He even noticed that the calluses on his hands, which had formed from years of holding a pen, had all fallen off. Now, he felt like a delicate young master with soft and tender skin.

A complete transformation!

Yang Ji had heard of such things before. It was said that consuming certain precious natural treasures could have this effect, fundamentally improving a person's constitution in a short time, allowing them to undergo changes that would normally take years.

But he hadn't consumed anything like that, had he?

Yang Ji quickly reviewed the events of the day in his mind, but found nothing.

Nothing happens without a reason, Yang Ji knew clearly that there must be something he had overlooked.

"Could it be... Yang Erniu?!"

Suddenly, Yang Ji's eyelids twitched, and he remembered something.

He recalled that before leaving, he had picked up a stone from Yang Erniu's stall.

According to Yang Erniu, it was a "meteor" that had fallen from the sky, which he was selling on the street for one tael of silver, and for which he had been beaten up.

Yang Ji didn't believe it at first, but after thinking about it, he realized that apart from Yang Erniu's "meteor," there was nothing else unusual.

"Could it be... he was telling the truth?"

Yang Ji looked incredulous.

He reached into his pocket, but his hand found nothing. The stone was gone, leaving only some broken fragments. He could still feel the residual heat on them.

"What happened?"

Yang Ji was dumbfounded.

After thinking for a long time, Yang Ji finally calmed down.

Whatever had happened, some things were certain. The stone couldn't have disappeared for no reason, and the residual heat on the fragments was definitely not caused by his body temperature.

Without a doubt, the key was the "stone" he had obtained from Yang Erniu. Or, as Yang Erniu called it, "star iron."

"No wonder Yang Erniu was so unusual. It turns out he wasn't selling a stone, but star iron for one tael of silver. This is absolutely valuable... It's laughable that we all thought he was lying. He was the most clear-headed one. We couldn't recognize a gem when we saw one!"

Recalling the past, Yang Ji felt a flush of embarrassment.

He had thought, like the ruffians, that what Yang Erniu had was just an ordinary stone. Thinking of Yang Erniu's trust in him, he felt a pang of guilt.

"There are still many unclear things about this. I need to find Yang Erniu and ask him more."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

After figuring out the reason for the changes in his body, Yang Ji examined himself again. Apart from the increased strength and improved constitution, he found nothing else, except for a strange feeling on his forehead, as if something was there but not clearly.

Seeing that it was still early, Yang Ji decided to go back to bed.

"Damn!"

Suddenly, Yang Ji remembered something.

"Today, I was so focused on dealing with Yang Yong that I forgot the clan's strict prohibition on private duels. If Yang Yong spreads this, Madam will definitely not let this opportunity pass."

Thinking of this, Yang Ji's face turned pale, and he broke out in a cold sweat. For years, he had been cautious to avoid giving Madam any leverage, but he had made such a "big mistake" this time.

"Enough, enough... What's done is done. Regret is too late. A man must stand up for what he believes in. Liang Bo was bullied to such an extent, and I endured it. What kind of man would I be if I didn't act? If it comes to it, I'll face Madam tomorrow and deal with whatever comes."

Yang Ji steeled his resolve and closed his eyes to sleep.

...

"Yang Ji, you're in trouble. Come with us."

Early in the morning, two imposing and fierce clan guards burst in, their voices like thunder, shaking the house.

Their temples were high and prominent, their skin glowing with a bloody hue, and their sharp eyes like knives, all signs of powerful martial arts cultivation.

"It's the guards from the Discipline Hall!"

Yang Ji recognized them immediately.

"Wait, I'll get dressed."

Yang Ji dressed calmly, reviewing his plan from the night before in his mind.

"Lead the way."

A moment later, Yang Ji said calmly.

The two guards were slightly surprised but said nothing, turning to leave.

...

Outside, the cold frost was biting, and the wind was colder than the day before.

Passing through several archways, Yang Ji finally entered the heart of the clan after eight years. Along the way, many people glared at him.

"He's dead for sure!"

"He's fallen into Madam's hands this time!"

"He'll suffer for bullying a clan member."

"He dared to hit Yang Yong? He must have lost his mind!"

"I'm just curious, this kid used to be smart. Why is he so 'brave' now? He knows the clan forbids private duels, yet he still broke the rules."

"Is he really capable of injuring Yang Yong?"

"Who knows? Yang Yong is a good-for-nothing. It's not surprising he got beaten. But Madam, I heard she brought a law expert..."

"Law expert? That kid is in for a rough time!"

"Just wait and see the show."

...

The crowd pointed and whispered, clearly enjoying his misfortune. Though they were of the same clan, Yang Ji and they were in completely different circles, with no common ground or affection.

Hearing their comments, Yang Ji's forehead veins throbbed, but he suppressed his anger.

"This clan is no longer a place I can stay. If I get the chance, I will leave here."

Yang Ji thought to himself.

On the west side of the Yang clan, a tall and imposing mansion stood with a closed gate. A large sign read "Discipline Hall," giving off a chilling and intimidating atmosphere.

Pushing the door open, he saw two rows of guards as strong as iron towers, their faces expressionless, adding to the solemnity.

At the top of the hall, four high chairs were placed, and a middle-aged woman with a fierce expression sat in one, unmoving. Behind her stood a middle-aged steward.

The woman had a golden winged headdress, a fair complexion, and a cup of tea in her hand. Her eyes were half-closed, giving her an unpredictable and profound air.

Beside her, three respected elders stood, their presence slightly diminished.

"Madam!"

Yang Ji looked at the middle-aged woman on the high chair, a deep hatred flashing in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He stepped forward and entered the Discipline Hall.

For a moment, as he stepped into the Discipline Hall, Yang Ji thought he heard a faint sobbing, but it disappeared when he listened closely.

"What does this woman want? Why are there three elders?"

Yang Ji's mind raced. This was definitely an over-the-top setup.

"Yang Ji greets the elders."

Yang Ji bowed, completely ignoring the "Madam" beside them.

"Heh, good..."

The three elders smiled and nodded, gesturing for him to rise. But before they could speak, a cold and harsh voice interrupted them.

"Beast, kneel down!"

The sudden shout startled even the three elders.

On the high chair, the "Madam's" eyes, which had been half-closed, were now wide open. Her fair face was cold, and her sharp gaze was chilling, as if she could pierce through Yang Ji.

"Hmph! Here we go."

Yang Ji thought to himself, knowing that "Madam" was about to start her attack.

"Yang Ji only bows to heaven, earth, parents, and ancestors. I will not kneel to anyone else. Who do you want me to kneel to, Madam?"

Yang Ji's eyes blazed with anger, standing firm and unyielding.

"Ungrateful wretch, are you still not willing to admit your fault?"

"Madam" said coldly, her eyes like a predator's.

"What fault do I have?"

Yang Ji said loudly.

"Hmph, good!" Madam laughed in anger, raising her eyes. "You beat up Yang Yong, harmed a clan member, and the evidence is clear. You still dare to argue. — Guards, slap him!"

"Yes!"

The two guards, with cold expressions, stepped forward.

"Who dares!"

Yang Ji was also angry, shouting, "You say I beat up Yang Yong and harmed a clan member. Fine, if you can answer my questions, I will willingly accept the clan's punishment!"

He turned his gaze to the three elders, waiting for their response.

The guards wouldn't listen to him, but his respectful attitude toward the three elders was not without reason.

"This... You can step back. What do you want to ask, Yang Ji?"

The three elders, feeling uncomfortable under Yang Ji's gaze, finally waved their hands, dismissing the guards.

"You say I beat up a clan member—Who can testify?"

Yang Ji's eyes were stern as he looked at the high chair.

"Yang Yong's two guards testified. Are you still going to deny it?"

"Madam" said coldly from her high position.

"Who else?"

Yang Ji asked.

"No one else."

The elders answered for her.

"Hmph! Those two guards are Yang Yong's men. Their words are not credible. Madam, don't you understand such a simple principle?"

Yang Ji said sarcastically.

Yesterday, he had seen clearly that it was dark, and there was no one else around except for him, Liang Bo, Yang Yong, and the two guards. That's why he was so confident.

"Little beast, the clan has already had a doctor examine Yang Yong. His injuries are severe, and he is still bedridden. This is undeniable. Yang Ji, are you saying that Yang Yong injured himself?"

"Madam" said with a cold expression, her voice icy.

"I don't know if Yang Yong injured himself, but I want to know where he was injured."

Yang Ji said.

"According to Yang Yong, it was outside your residence."

One of the elders said.

Since the matter was already public, there was no reason to hide it.

"Madam, I just want to ask one thing—Yang Yong and I have no prior relationship. What was he doing at my place in the middle of the night?"

Yang Ji asked sharply.

"This—"

The elders were speechless, exchanging glances, seeing shock in each other's eyes.

[Today's chapter is updated. Urgently requesting your support with recommendations. New book period, seeking recommendations and collections!]