Chapter 463: Chapter 207: Treacherous Jianghu, Infinite Evolution
"Master!"
Chu Lingguang returned to Yang Shaorong’s General’s Mansion.
He arrived just in time to see Guo Wei teaching Yang Shaorong’s son the Iron Mountain Fist.
Yang Shaorong had been personally taught by Guo Wei. Following their time at the Qiling Governor’s Mansion, Guo Wei and Hei Hu had been staying here.
The rift between the master and disciple had been mended during their last encounter.
Guo Wei had forgiven Yang Shaorong, and in doing so, had also forgiven himself.
However, the rumors about them had not disappeared. Many people still believed the chasm between Guo Wei and Yang Shaorong was because Yang Shaorong had failed to help Guo Wei rescue Guo Xiaotian.
Even Guo Fang used this as an excuse to brush the matter aside.
At first, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu didn’t understand why Guo Wei wouldn’t explain. Only after learning the truth did they realize the difficult position Guo Wei was in; he wanted to protect Guo Fang’s reputation without destroying Yang Shaorong’s future.
It was difficult to be both loyal and filial.
If Yang Shaorong’s break with Guo Wei was framed as being due to his inability to rescue Guo Xiaotian, outsiders would sympathize with Guo Wei but also understand Yang Shaorong’s position. After all, Guo Xiaotian had committed a grave error, and as a Military General of the Court, Yang Shaorong’s hands were somewhat tied.
But if people learned that the conflict between him and Guo Wei was because he had broken his vow and failed to marry Guo Fang, then whether in the officialdom or in the Jianghu, everyone would despise Yang Shaorong. Even if he and Wei Fanghua were truly in love and he wasn’t driven by greed or vanity, others wouldn’t accept it. They would forever see him as a treacherous and ungrateful man who broke his word.
Therefore, Guo Wei had never brought the secret out into the open. In the past, when Yang Shaorong was serving as a Captain in South City, Guo Wei would even stay with him for a few days if he was passing through, just to prevent outside speculation from affecting Yang Shaorong’s career.
Yang Shaorong, his heart heavy with guilt, would have Wei Fanghua stay in the military barracks whenever Guo Wei visited to prevent them from meeting. Fortunately, all of that was in the past.
Now, a harmonious atmosphere filled the General’s Mansion.
Wei Fanghua had specially gone out to buy Guo Wei a basket of grapes, including several varieties like Red Globes, Kyoho, Summer Black, and Jasmine Scent. She had also prepared several plates of raisins.
Yang Xiaoning was quite talented. That, combined with what he had picked up through observation, meant that after just a few days, he could already perform the Iron Mountain Fist with considerable proficiency.
However, he was still young, and the most important thing at this stage was to build a solid foundation. So after a few rounds of the Iron Mountain Fist, Guo Wei had Yang Xiaoning start practicing the Pile Skill.
The Pile Skill looked simple, but achieving results required months and years of accumulated effort. Yang Xiaoning’s brows were tightly furrowed, his young, tender face etched with a look of pain.
Watching from the side, Wei Fanghua’s heart ached for him, but she didn’t dare make a sound.
For Guo Wei to teach Yang Xiaoning Kung Fu was a continuation of the school’s legacy; moreover, it was the greatest sign of his approval for her and Yang Shaorong. Even though her Wei Family possessed more profound techniques, Wei Fanghua knew her place at that moment. She simply attended to them carefully from the side, encouraging Yang Xiaoning to persevere with her eyes.
Just then, a cry of "Master!" broke the atmosphere.
"Lin Guang."
Guo Wei looked surprised. There were still seven days until the start of the Provincial Examination. Why had Chu Lingguang returned early?
"Junior Brother!"
Hei Hu and Wang Chao, who were sparring with their Martial Arts nearby, stopped at the same time and walked over when they saw Chu Lingguang return.
Hei Hu’s aptitude was far superior to Wang Chao’s. Coupled with the fact that he had been receiving Guo Wei’s strict guidance recently, he had already awakened more than a dozen streams of Dragon Elephant Power and successfully activated the third layer of his Dharma Aspect. At the same time, he had condensed a Qi Vortex in his abdomen, forming a spiral and stepping into the Skilled Level of the Qi Sea Realm.
He had come from behind, and his strength now surpassed Wang Chao’s.
Guo Wei asserted that as long as he could overcome his impulsive and restless nature, it shouldn’t be difficult for him to pass this year’s Martial Arts Examination for the Provincial Examination.
"Your disciple pays his respects, Master."
Chu Lingguang knelt in greeting.
Upon returning from a journey, it was customary to kneel before one’s master. Guo Wei, however, didn’t care for such formalities and had repeatedly told Chu Lingguang to dispense with the unnecessary ceremony. But whether it was Chu Lingguang, Wang Chao, or the others, they meticulously observed this etiquette every time they returned to see him.
"You’ve returned early. You must have made some progress," Guo Wei said with a smile.
"Yes. I have awakened a power from within my Dantian," Chu Lingguang reported truthfully.
"Good! Come, follow me to the rear courtyard."
Guo Wei was overjoyed.
Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Hei Hu and Wang Chao and ordered, "You two, come as well."
Then he turned to Yang Xiaoning and admonished, "Yang Xiaoning, practice your Pile Skill properly. Your grandmaster didn’t give you permission to rest, so no slacking."
"Yes!"
Hei Hu and Wang Chao hurried to follow. Yang Xiaoning, feeling wronged, nodded. After Guo Wei and the others had entered the rear courtyard, Yang Xiaoning mumbled aggrievedly, "Mother, training is so hard. Grandmaster’s teaching isn’t nearly as good as Uncle’s."
"Silence!"
Wei Fanghua had originally intended to comfort him, but her expression hardened at his words and she immediately scolded him. After glancing toward the rear courtyard, she stepped forward and corrected him, "Your grandmaster is a figure renowned far and wide. He has come a long way to pass his Martial Arts down to you. You must study humbly and diligently. Remember not to disappoint him, do you understand?"
"I... I understand."
Yang Xiaoning nodded, still feeling wronged.
Wei Fanghua continued with a stern face, "If you ever dare to speak ill of your grandmaster again, I will not forgive you. You will skip lunch today."
"Yes."
Yang Xiaoning choked out, finally losing control as tears streamed down his face.
"Hold back those tears. Don’t disgrace the name of your father, your grandmaster, or even your uncle," Wei Fanghua scolded him again.
"Yes!"
Yang Xiaoning had never seen his mother so stern. Though his young heart was filled with grievances, he was frightened enough to hold back his tears and didn’t dare to speak out of turn again.
「The rear courtyard.」
