Chapter 24: It Was Him!?

The next day.

As dawn broke, Chen Yi and Chen Yuan were pulled from their beds. Upon inquiry, they learned that the eldest had snuck out quietly the night before, nearly frightening the maids to death that morning. It caused quite a stir, even disturbing Zhou Wanyi, who had been resting. Fortunately, she understood her son well enough to have everyone search the Fanghua Garden, which finally brought this "prank" to an end.

"Young Master Yuan, please don't play like this again; it’s enough to scare someone to death."
"When Chunlan checked the room this morning and found you missing, she nearly fainted. She is still kneeling outside the side chamber even now."

"Ah?" Chen Yuan was startled and hurriedly jumped up to run outside. As he ran, he reminded Chen Yi, "Second brother, I'm heading back first. Don't let yourself be late for your practice at the martial arts arena."
"Young Master Yuan, please run slowly..."

Watching the master and servant scramble away, Chen Yi couldn't help but laugh. However, as he recalled their idle chatter from the previous night, his smile gradually faded.
"Many things are not for us to decide. The only thing we can decide is that everything we do must be worthy of ourselves and our conscience."
Therefore, he could not guarantee he would be worthy of everyone.

The spring breeze blew gently, and the green willows offered shade, filling the Marquis of Wuan’s estate with a lush, vibrant vitality. This weather and scenery brought smiles to the faces of everyone in the manor. Especially after Chen Yi received the Emperor of Wei's favor the previous day, the entire household felt a sense of reflected glory. Even the usually stern and humorless Third Master, Chen Lide, had come to the martial arts arena after his shift to encourage Chen Yi.

At the same time, he spoke about the Xingwu Academy. "The academy was established by a temporary decree," Chen Lide said with a smile. "His Majesty intends to use the finest medicinal pills, the best training grounds, and the most exceptional cultivation techniques and classics to ensure you all pass the assessment for the Taixu Dao Sect."
"Yi’er, it is not just you; the two sons of Marquis Taishan, Wang Xidu, will be going, as well as the heirs of the Prince of Zhennan and the marquises under his command. Nearly all the offspring of the nobility above the rank of marquis will be there. You must be wary of the princes; they are the Emperor's own sons, so be careful."

Chen Yi nodded obediently, gaining a deeper understanding of the Xingwu Academy. Yet, the more he learned, the more he became convinced that the Emperor’s decision to exclude Chen Yuan must have had hidden reasons.

"Yi’er, finish your training early today and go back to prepare well," Chen Taixing said, patting his head. "Being away from home is different; you must not disgrace the Marquis’s house."
"Second Uncle, I will remember that." Chen Yi offered a wry smile inwardly, surprised that his elders took the Xingwu Academy so much more seriously than he did. Even little Chen Yuan, hiding not far away, winked at him and flexed his small fists—needless to say, he was telling him to do his best.

Soon, Chen Yi finished two cycles of his practice and stood up to stretch. He could feel the true energy in his body had reached the size of a grain of rice. According to Chen Taixing’s teaching, the mark of advancing from the lower stage to the middle stage of the Mortal Realm was for the true energy to reach the size of a bean. When he first heard such a vivid analogy, Chen Yi had dismissed it as overly simplistic. But after practicing the basic techniques, he found that as the true energy gathered in his lower abdomen, it was indeed growing step by step. He gained a new understanding of the phrase "dripping water wears through stone." Wasn't this cultivation of strengthening true energy exactly like that?

As he moved, the spacious martial arts arena was divided into hundreds of sections. Over a hundred members of the Chen family were separated into three tiers: the largest area, closest to the remains of the demon beast, was for the direct descendants like Chen Yi. Next were the collateral branches, and furthest away were the children of the estate’s servants.

At that moment, everyone was practicing martial arts. The younger ones were mostly practicing internal techniques, while those who had made some progress began learning fist and weapon forms. Those over ten years old were sparring, the sounds of their efforts echoing through the air.

"Cough, cough."
A slightly hoarse, aged cough broke Chen Yi’s concentration. He saw little Chen Yuan, who had also finished his practice, run over to the newcomer with a look of surprise.
"Grandfather, why are you here?"

Grandfather? Chen Yi’s heart stirred, and he looked over. A tall figure slowly stepped into the arena. He wore a sky-blue brocade robe, his gray-streaked hair tied in a bun with a crown, and his aged, wrinkled face looked somewhat pale. Perhaps due to injury or illness, he walked slowly, coughing from time to time. When little Chen Yuan threw himself at him, the old man, whose face had been stern, broke into a smile.

"My good grandson, did you miss your grandfather?"
"I did, but Mother wouldn't let me visit you," Chen Yuan said, hugging him and giggling.
"Your mother is being unfilial; you mustn't learn from her."
"Mother isn't like that at all."

The old man picked up Chen Yuan and nodded with a chuckle. "Fine, fine, my good grandson knows how to stand up for your mother."
"It's the truth." Chen Yuan pointed toward Chen Yi. "Grandfather, that is my second brother, Chen Yi."
Chen Yi, seeing the old man look his way, performed a respectful bow. "Grandfather."
This was the Marquis of Jingye, Zhou Cance?

"Good," Zhou Cance nodded with a smile, then turned to leave. "Yuan’er, how about coming back to my estate to stay for a few days?"
"That sounds great... but has Mother agreed?" Chen Yuan asked.
"Of course. Not only your mother, but the Old Madam of the Chen family has also agreed." As he walked, Zhou Cance continued, "Since the Emperor won't let you join that academy, we won't beg anyone. Grandfather will teach you himself."

*Hmm?* Chen Yi caught these words and frowned inwardly. Hearing this, it seemed the Marquis of Jingye was harboring some resentment. Could it be...

Just then, Chen Taixing realized what was happening and hurried over. "Old Marquis, please wait a moment."
"What? Are you planning to stop me?" Zhou Cance’s smile vanished, and in an instant, he regained the imposing aura of a martial marquis.
Chen Taixing gave a wry smile and bowed repeatedly. "I ask for your forgiveness, Marquis, but if you wish to take Yuan’er, you must wait for me to report back to the Old Madam."
"No need. I have already settled this with your Old Madam. From today on, Yuan’er will practice at the Zhou estate!"

Having said that, Zhou Cance turned to look at Chen Yi. His face carried a hint of coldness, and his cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened. "I think Chen Taiping’s days as a martial marquis are over; when even a baseborn son can rise to power, all sense of order is lost!"

The voice was thunderous. Yet, Chen Yi stood as if he hadn't heard, staring blankly into those cloudy eyes. A bolt of lightning seemed to strike his mind. *It’s him?!*

At that instant, he felt a sudden chill, followed immediately by a warmth, as a message appeared:
[At thirty-two years of age, you, with your budding mastery of the sword, have been struck by the killing intent of a powerful enemy; your emotions are slightly affected.]
[The enemy’s killing intent has been absorbed; influence neutralized. Counter-attack points +14.]