Chapter Three: Yang Deyi

Yang Ze was momentarily stunned. He truly could not fathom what remedy his father was peddling today. In his memory, he had never seen Yang Yuanzhen act like this before.

Seeing Yang Ze unresponsive, Yang Yuanzhen’s gaze flickered and he said, “What’s wrong? Is a strict father not allowed to be kind to his own child?”

“No, no, it’s just that I have so many questions, I don’t know where to start,” Yang Ze hastily explained, even donning a thoughtful expression.

After a moment’s silence, Yang Yuanzhen said, “Since that’s the case, I’ll explain the Sea Heart Technique to you. After all, martial arts are built on internal cultivation techniques, and the Sea Heart Technique is our Yang family’s secret art. Ask whatever you don’t understand.”

A glimmer flashed in Yang Ze’s eyes. “Father, could you demonstrate the complete Sea Heart Technique for me?”

At these words, Yang Yuanzhen’s gaze took on a different hue. Unflinching, Yang Ze met his father’s eyes.

“Very well, I’ll show you the full Sea Heart Technique.”

Without refusal, Yang Yuanzhen sat cross-legged on a cushion in the room and began circulating his energy. The aura around him started to ripple, his presence gradually growing stronger.

Yang Ze stepped back a few paces, his gaze fixed on Yang Yuanzhen. After barely more than ten breaths, a trace of delight appeared deep in his eyes.

Though he didn’t have the discernment to fully see through his father’s cultivation, from his days spent observing the gray figure within the black stone, Yang Yuanzhen’s mastery of the Sea Heart Technique was inferior to that of the gray figure.

“I’ve struck gold—the technique in my hands is truly the perfect Sea Heart Technique!” Yang Ze was inwardly elated, but none of this showed on his face.

Not long after, Yang Yuanzhen finished his demonstration. He wasn’t the least bit worried that Yang Ze would master the Sea Heart Technique just by watching. After all, no genius in this world could learn an internal cultivation method merely by observation.

Unaware of Yang Ze’s true purpose, Yang Yuanzhen patiently answered several questions Yang Ze posed about cultivating the Sea Heart Technique.

Half an hour passed before the exchange concluded.

“Father’s guidance today will save me from many detours in the future. Thank you, Father. But may I ask, what brings you here today?” Yang Ze changed the subject, for he hadn’t forgotten his father’s original purpose.

At this, Yang Yuanzhen’s expression grew solemn, and what he said next made Yang Ze’s face change drastically.

“It’s like this—the family has an idle property in the North City. I want you to manage it. As for compensation, you will not be shortchanged; you’ll receive the highest possible remuneration.

“Moreover, I’ll ensure you get the lion’s share of the profits, and I’ll assign eight skilled Qi-Gathering experts to assist you. Old Xie can go with you as well—his skills are among the best in the family, so your safety will be assured.

“With this, after a few years, you’ll have accumulated more than enough wealth to last a lifetime.”

“Why? Why is Father doing this?” Yang Ze’s tone brimmed with confusion. He truly didn’t understand why it had to be this way, leaving him no room for negotiation. It was a direct assignment.

Yang Yuanzhen had come not to discuss, but to announce. He was giving Yang Ze no chance.

Was this a move to expel him from the family? According to his father’s plan, he would manage the property for a few years, and after that, his return would be near impossible.

Although Old Xie had hinted at something beforehand, Yang Ze had never imagined things would go this far.

Yang Yuanzhen’s expression grew complicated before he finally spoke.

“I hadn’t planned to tell you, but you’d learn of this sooner or later. Since you’re asking now, I’ll tell you.

“Six months from now, the Wuyang Martial Institute will be holding entrance examinations in Yuyang City. Our Yang family has received one coveted spot for the assessment. I’ve decided to select one of you three brothers to compete. If one of you passes, you will become a disciple of the Wuyang Martial Institute!”

When he spoke these last words, an unmistakable wave of emotion colored Yang Yuanzhen’s voice. Though he quickly regained his composure, Yang Ze caught it.

At first, Yang Ze didn’t grasp the significance, but realization dawned quickly—his breath grew rapid.

In this world, so different from his previous life, the Tianwu Dynasty was a land where martial cultivation flourished and nearly everyone knew of martial arts. With the prosperity of martial culture, countless people honed their skills, and it was said that true experts could fly through the skies and vanish into the earth, far beyond the reach of ordinary folk.

Some of these formidable martial artists had established their own sects and institutions—martial academies among them. To join one offered the hope of becoming truly powerful.

But joining a martial academy was no easy feat. In Yang Ze’s memory, he’d never heard of any academy coming to Yuyang City to recruit disciples. Such institutions seemed impossibly distant.

Even if the Yang family held some standing in Yuyang City, they were still far from the level of the martial academies.

Now, fully aware of the significance of the single spot his father spoke of, Yang Ze realized it would inevitably spark fierce competition.

The Yang family’s assessment slot would be hotly contested, for passing could change one’s life forever.

But he soon understood that his father had already decided who would get this spot among the three brothers.

“This news cost me dearly to obtain,” Yang Yuanzhen said, his tone resolute. “For our family, this spot is invaluable.

“Few families in Yuyang City have a chance at the assessment. This time, our Yang family must seize this opportunity and send a son to the Wuyang Martial Institute!”

As the color drained from Yang Ze’s face and then gradually returned to calm, Yang Yuanzhen knew his son understood. It was better to make things clear now, rather than let trouble brew.

“When your eldest brother leaves, you will be the most outstanding among my sons. With you here, your third brother’s prospects will be stifled. It’s best for you to go out and temper yourself early. I’ll do my best to see your path is smooth. If you manage the property well, it’s not impossible to secure you a post with the authorities.”

Yang Yuanzhen’s words were light, but he knew Yang Ze would likely be angry. He could only do so much.

“Father, my third brother is only ten years old. Have you already arranged all of this for him?” Yang Ze’s tone was calm. He thought of his younger brother Yang Shan, born after his father remarried. Their mother had died years ago.

Yang Shan, as the son of Yang Yuanzhen’s beloved new wife, naturally received his father’s favor.

If Yang Hai entered the martial academy, he could not lead the family. The position of family head would go to Yang Shan, and Yang Ze would be forced to leave—this was all part of his father’s plan.

“Zer, your stepmother’s family has significant holdings in the city. Only with your third brother at the helm can the family truly thrive. I hope you understand.”

“And what of the martial academy spot? Do I have no hope at all?”

“Your eldest brother’s talent far surpasses yours. We only have one spot—we must send our best candidate.”

“What if I defeat my eldest brother?”

“That’s impossible. His skills have reached a high level. Among your peers in Yuyang City, few can best him. You should let go of that idea.”

“I can accept everything Father has arranged, but I ask one thing in return.”

“Speak. As long as it’s not unreasonable, I’ll grant it.”

“I want to train in the Black Tiger Saber Technique, and three months from now, I wish to challenge my eldest brother. No matter the outcome, I will accept whatever is decided.”

Yang Ze voiced his request. Yang Yuanzhen hesitated but ultimately agreed, convinced that Yang Ze stood no chance of defeating Yang Hai.

He passed the Black Tiger Saber Technique on to Yang Ze, realizing his son must have learned that Yang Hai was practicing it as well—and wanted a fair match.

Yang Yuanzhen left, and Yang Ze’s heart was a tumult of emotions. The joy of his recent breakthrough was now entirely gone.

Things had come to the point where there was no turning back. All he could do was give it his all.

With his mysterious advantage, if he could enter the martial academy, he might truly become a great power in his own right. He did not wish to let this opportunity slip by. In this world, if a chance presented itself, one had to seize it.

With the black stone, defeating Yang Hai in three months was not out of reach. If he won, and his father changed his mind, the spot would be his.

Even if that failed, with the Black Tiger Saber Technique and the Sea Heart Technique, his chances of carving out his own place in Yuyang City would greatly improve.

After all that had happened that morning, Yang Ze no longer felt like meditating. Instead, he went out to the courtyard to practice his boxing.

As his strength increased, his blows grew sharper. Each punch drew the air taut, creating a whistle of wind.

He didn’t stop. Blow after blow, he struck—not with any profound technique, but with the basic boxing drills he had practiced as a child. Yet now, they looked truly powerful in his hands.

He continued until the sun dipped beyond the courtyard, and only then, drenched in sweat, did he return to his room to cultivate.

...

The next day, Yang Ze left his quarters. Having been here a month, he hadn’t explored the manor and decided to take a walk.

No sooner had he opened his door than he found a young man in black martial attire, about his own age, standing outside. The youth wore gray and, on seeing Yang Ze, gave him a smile—a smile that was anything but friendly.

“Well, looks like I came at just the right time. Who would’ve thought our cowardly Second Young Master would dare show his face today?” The gray-clad young man spoke first.

“Yang Deyi, I’m not in the mood for your games,” Yang Ze replied, his eyes full of disdain. This was Yang Deyi. Clearly, he’d heard about Yang Ze’s challenge to Yang Hai, and had come to stir trouble.

“What’s wrong? You dare challenge the eldest young master, but run from me? If you’re not up to it, you’d best quit now before you embarrass yourself in three months. Or do you want to spar with me first?” Yang Deyi said with open contempt.

Yang Ze, who had meant to walk away, stopped and looked at the arrogant Yang Deyi.

“Hope you won’t regret this. See you at the training ground,” he said, and headed for the martial arena set aside for practice bouts.

Yang Deyi hadn’t expected Yang Ze to accept, but having spoken, he couldn’t back down and hurried after.

By the time the two stood face to face on the martial stage, word had spread throughout the manor, and a crowd was gathering.

It was already big news for the unremarkable Yang Ze to appear on the martial stage after so many years, and even more so for him to challenge Yang Deyi.

On the stage, seeing the crowd, Yang Deyi was thrilled. He sensed his moment to shine had come—triumphing over an unloved second young master would surely boost his standing in the family.

His excitement made him tremble, and even before the fight began, he was already picturing the moment when Yang Ze would be flattened by his punch.