Chapter 300: Chapter 129: Buying a House in the Inner City, The Master’s Identity, The Five Sects of Jintai
His tone shifted, and a profound look flashed in his eyes. "When your injuries have healed, there’s something I need to tell you."
"Yes, Master." Yang Jing didn’t know what his master wanted to discuss, but he nodded in acknowledgment.
He could feel that the scrape on his neck had already scabbed over. It was only slightly tender to the touch and would be fully healed in a couple of days.
As for the minor internal injuries from the explosion’s shockwave, they were also healing steadily, nourished by his Indestructible True Skill. He would be fully recovered in three days at most.
This was the benefit of a True Skill-level body-strengthening technique. Its defensive power was astonishing, and its recovery rate far surpassed that of ordinary martial arts. It was what had allowed him to escape such a perilous situation in one piece.
Yang Jing sat in his chair, thought for a moment, and said, "Master, now that Li Hongyu is gone and the matter with the River Gang is settled, I’m planning to move my family out of here."
He already felt guilty for troubling his master and Senior Sister Ning Xiang with his family’s care. Now that the situation was stable, it was time to make other arrangements.
Sun Yong waved a dismissive hand. "That courtyard was just sitting empty. You can all keep living there. There’s no rush to move out."
He was a straightforward man and never concerned himself with such trivialities.
"Thank you, Master." Yang Jing gave a slight bow. "I’ve already asked Housekeeper Zhou of the County Government to keep an eye out for a residence in the Inner City. I plan to move my family there as soon as things are settled."
Sun Yong nodded upon hearing this. "With your current strength and status, it won’t be a problem to secure a residence in the Inner City. Security is much tighter there; it’s certainly safer than the Outer City. Moving is a good idea."
After talking a while longer, Yang Jing stood up. "Then I shall take my leave, Master. I’m going to check on my family."
"Go on," Sun Yong said with a wave.
Yang Jing left the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall and walked straight to the courtyard next door.
Just as he pushed open the gate, he saw his grandfather and grandmother sitting under the covered porch, enjoying the sun. His mother and aunt were gathered around a stone table with Sun Ningxiang, all busy with needlework. Soft laughter drifted over from time to time, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
"Jing, you’re back?" Liu Cui Ling was the first to see him. A smile immediately lit up her face as she beckoned him over. "Come, sit down! Ning Xiang just brought us some osmanthus cakes she made, and they’re delicious."
Sun Ningxiang also stood up, smiling at Yang Jing. "Now that you’re back, Junior Brother, I’ll head back to the Martial Arts Hall."
After bidding farewell to the Yang Family, she left with her empty basket.
Yang Jing sat down at the stone table, chatting idly with his family for a while before they all had lunch together.
Several simple, home-cooked dishes were laid out on the large square table. Sun Ningxiang’s osmanthus cakes had been cut into small pieces and arranged on a plate, releasing a sweet, delicate aroma.
Yang Jing noticed that although his grandfather was smiling, an unconcealable shadow of worry lingered in his eyes.
He knew at once. ’It must be because of Father and my uncle.’
They had left to escort provisions to the front lines in Caozhou over a year ago, and there had been no word from them since. War-torn lands were treacherous and unpredictable; it was only natural for the family to be worried sick.
Yang Jing sighed inwardly.
He was a Huajin Powerhouse now, a prominent figure in Yuhe County. Yet, when it came to the war in Caozhou, he was utterly powerless to help.
Caozhou was a vast, war-torn region. Rushing off to search for them alone would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, and he might even put himself in grave danger.
"Oh, right, Brother Jing," Yang An mumbled while gobbling down his coarse rice, "we’re almost out of Exotic Beast Meat. When do you think you can go get some more?"
Yang Jing had nearly finished all the high-grade Exotic Beast Meat two days ago, but he hadn’t restocked it because he had been at the River Gang Stronghold.
Yang Jing paused, his chopsticks hovering over a dish. "I’ll go to the Exotic Beast Pavilion in the Inner City this afternoon and bring some back."
After lunch, Yang Jing sat with his family for a bit longer before getting up and heading to the Sun’s Martial Arts Hall next door.
On the training grounds in the front courtyard, disciples were training diligently. The air was filled with the sounds of their shouts and the whistle of fists and feet slicing through the air.
Yang Jing walked to the edge of the grounds, stretched his limbs, and began to practice the Mountain-Shattering Fist.
His fist strikes had grown heavier and more powerful. Each punch he threw carried the faint sound of wind and thunder as Inner Strength flowed through his meridians, merging with his qi and blood. His movements were flawlessly fluid, showing a clear improvement from before.
After finishing the set, he was panting slightly, fine beads of sweat dotting his forehead.
He had just sat down on a stone bench to catch his breath when a clean-cut young man approached him. It was Jiang Haoyang.
"Senior Brother Yang, that ’Mountain-Cleaving’ move... I feel like I’m not generating power correctly. Could you give me some pointers?" Jiang Haoyang’s eyes were filled with admiration as he cupped his fist with an earnest look.
Yang Jing stood and patiently instructed, "’Mountain-Cleaving’ is about coordinating your waist and stance. Your Inner Strength must originate from your Dantian, travel up your spine, and be channeled to the edge of your fist. You can’t just rely on arm strength... Watch. This is the correct way to generate force."
As he spoke, he demonstrated the technique in slow motion, showing him the key to proper force generation.
Many of the nearby disciples saw Yang Jing instructing Jiang Haoyang and couldn’t help but look over with envy.
Yang Jing was now a genuine Huajin Powerhouse. A single word of advice from him was worth more than months of solitary training. It was an incredible opportunity.
Jiang Haoyang listened with rapt attention, nodding repeatedly. As soon as Yang Jing finished, he eagerly moved to the side and began practicing the move over and over, following the guidance he’d received.
His brow was furrowed in concentration as he tried to grasp the principles of generating force, completely unaware that his clothes were soaked through with sweat.
After countless repetitions, Jiang Haoyang threw a punch and suddenly felt a blockage within him release. A faint but distinct surge of Qi Force flowed down his arm. His fist slammed into the wooden stake before him with a heavy THUD, striking with noticeably more power than before.
"I did it! I’ve broken through to Manifested Strength!"
