Rise in the Martial Chaos: Starting From a Martial Arts School

He finally looked up at the Grand Elder. His voice was tinged with exhaustion, yet it held a newfound calm. "Grand Elder, in your opinion, what should we do?"

The Grand Elder’s eyes shifted. Instead of answering directly, he asked a question of his own. "Patriarch, what kind of person do you think this Yang Jing is? What is your assessment of him?"

Li Haitao pondered for a moment, his drumming fingers falling still. His voice was complex as he said, "A prodigy of heaven-sent talent."

Those words escaped his lips with a hint of reluctance, but also with undeniable certainty. "I’ve read his file. He’s only been practicing martial arts for two years. To go from a country boy who knew nothing to a Huajin Powerhouse... even those geniuses with the highest-grade root bones could never be this fast."

He paused, his brow furrowing even deeper. "His file says he has a Lower-Grade Root Bone, but you and I both know there must have been a mistake somewhere. To be able to walk a path in two years that takes others ten, twenty, or even a lifetime... he must possess some kind of terrifying, undiscovered talent."

The Grand Elder stroked his grizzled beard and slowly nodded. "Then do you think, with his talent, that it’s possible for him to reach the Qi Eating Realm in the future?"

The moment the three words "Qi Eating Realm" were spoken, the air inside the carriage seemed to freeze.

That was the realm above Huajin. Upon reaching the Qi Eating Realm, one could absorb the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. It was a true Washing of the Marrow, increasing one’s lifespan. Every move held immense power, far beyond what a Huajin Powerhouse could ever compare to.

Li Haitao fell silent, his expression incomparably grave.

He closed his eyes. The image of Yang Jing’s calm and composed figure on the stage flashed through his mind, along with the domineering power of the fist that had shattered the Vajra Hand Seal.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and gave a heavy nod. "Yes. And the possibility is extremely high."

"I think so as well." The Grand Elder’s voice was tinged with emotion. "The boy is already a Huajin Powerhouse. No one in Yuhe County can easily control him now. What’s more terrifying is his potential. If he truly steps into the Qi Eating Realm..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but both men understood its gravity.

If Yang Jing really did reach the Qi Eating Realm, the Li Family would face a true catastrophe, one more severe than any crisis recorded in their clan’s history.

"Therefore, we can only befriend this young man. We absolutely must not make an enemy of him." The Grand Elder’s tone was resolute.

Li Haitao’s lips moved. A tide of resentment surged within him, but he forcefully suppressed it.

He knew the Grand Elder was right. In the face of such absolute potential, temporary honor or disgrace was meaningless.

Yang Jing already deserved a place on his family’s list of most important individuals, perhaps even ranked above some veteran Huajin Powerhouses.

He nodded slowly. "The Grand Elder is right."

"In that case," a sharp glint flashed in the Grand Elder’s eyes, "in my opinion, we should pay the eighty thousand taels for the prize money as agreed. But we should also go a step further. Take another ten thousand taels of silver from the clan treasury and present it to Yang Jing as a separate gift."

Li Haitao’s head shot up, a look of astonishment in his eyes. "A separate gift? But..."

"You can’t catch a wolf without the bait," the Grand Elder cut him off. "This ten thousand taels isn’t an apology. It’s a ’congratulatory gift’ for his breakthrough to the Huajin Realm. On the surface, it shows the Li Family’s magnanimity. Behind the scenes, it’s a gesture of goodwill. Let him know that the Li Family are not sore losers and that we have no intention of being his enemy."

The carriage crossed a stone bridge, the river water gurgling below.

Li Haitao gazed at the fleeting scenery outside the window, weighing the Grand Elder’s words over and over in his mind.

’Ten thousand taels of silver isn’t a huge sum for the Li Family. Moreover, it could be used to build a good relationship with a powerhouse who might one day step into the Qi Eating Realm. In comparison, it seems... worth it.’

’Besides, we’re already putting up eighty thousand taels for the prize money. Why be stingy over another ten thousand?’

He took a deep breath and finally made his decision, giving the Grand Elder a solemn nod. "We will do as the Grand Elder suggests."

The atmosphere in the carriage finally seemed to relax a little.

The ninety thousand taels of silver they were about to give away still stung, but now it carried a much deeper, more far-reaching significance.

...

Chengping Square.

Sun Yong returned with a group of disciples from Sun’s Martial Arts Hall, all of them high-spirited and boisterous.

The excited footprints of the disciples still marked the bluestone path in front of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall.

The other disciples gathered in the front courtyard’s training grounds, still enthusiastically discussing the day’s fist-fighting tournament and Yang Jing’s breakthrough to the Huajin Realm.

Meanwhile, Sun Yong led Yang Jing into the inner courtyard.

Sun Ningxiang went to the kitchen to brew tea.

Sun Yong and Yang Jing entered the main hall and sat down.

Just as Sun Yong was about to say something, the sound of a servant disciple’s hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

"Hall Master! Senior Brother Yang!" The disciple’s face was flushed from running. He bowed at the courtyard entrance and said, "The Xiao Family... the Xiao Family sent someone! They said they want to invite Senior Brother Yang to a banquet tonight. The Xiao Family’s steward is still waiting outside the main gate for a reply."

Sun Yong’s hand, holding his teacup, paused. His brow furrowed slightly.

He glanced at Yang Jing, his tone somewhat grave. "The Xiao Family... they certainly are fast."

He mulled it over for a moment before speaking slowly. "Back then, Lin Yue got too close to the Xiao Family. The Li Family saw him as a thorn in their side and secretly crippled his Cultivation. The feuds between the six great families are tangled and complex; a single move can affect the entire situation."

Yang Jing listened quietly, understanding completely.

He knew a little about Lin Yue’s situation and certainly wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.

"You’re a Huajin Powerhouse now, a top figure in Yuhe County. You don’t need to be as constrained as Lin Yue was." Sun Yong’s tone lightened. "But as for the internal disputes of the six great families, it’s best not to get involved if you can help it. Avoid stirring up trouble for yourself."

"I understand," Yang Jing replied with a nod. "I will not get involved in their disputes."

He had always been cautious. With his current strength, he was already a target for various powers to either win over or be wary of. He needed to tread even more carefully.

Sun Yong nodded in satisfaction. "The Xiao Family’s banquet is likely just an attempt to win you over. Go if you want to, just remember to stay true to yourself. With your current status, no one in Yuhe County can force you to do anything you don’t want to do."

Just as Yang Jing was about to respond, another set of footsteps sounded from outside. A different servant disciple ran in, panting. "Hall Master! Senior Brother Yang! The Ye Family has sent someone too! They said they’d like to invite Senior Brother Yang over tonight and are preparing a banquet at their residence!"

Sun Yong raised an eyebrow. Before he could speak, a third servant disciple came stumbling into the courtyard. "Hall Master! Senior Brother Yang! The Lord County Magistrate has sent his steward with an invitation! He says he’s prepared a humble banquet in the top-floor private room at Jufu Pavilion tonight and wants to know if Senior Brother Yang is available."

This time, even Sun Yong couldn’t help but laugh. He shook his head and said, "It’s hardly been any time at all and you’ve already become a hot commodity. All the major powers want to treat you to a meal."

Yang Jing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. After a moment’s thought, he had an idea. "Perfect. I can’t refuse the Lord County Magistrate’s invitation, so I’ll use that as an excuse to decline the invitations from the Xiao and Ye families."

’This way, I won’t offend the County Magistrate and I can also avoid being courted by the other families. It’s the most appropriate solution.’

"That’s a good idea," Sun Yong said, standing up. "Come on, let’s go take a look. I’m guessing the entrance to the Martial Arts Hall is already packed with carriages."

The two of them walked out side-by-side as they spoke.

Just as they reached the Moon Gate, they saw a servant disciple running over, his face flushed with excitement. "Hall Master! Senior Brother Yang! Someone from the Li Family is here! They said they’re here to deliver the prize money... And, Patriarch Li came in person!"

Yang Jing and Sun Yong exchanged a look, and both saw a trace of astonishment in the other’s eyes.

’Normally, sending a steward to deliver prize money would be more than enough. For someone of Li Haitao’s status to come in person...?’

This was rather unexpected.

Sun Yong pondered for a moment, then seemed to figure something out. A faint smile touched his lips. "It seems the Patriarch of the Li Family has come to an understanding about a few things."

Yang Jing remained silent, his gaze calm as he looked toward the main gate.

’I’d like to see just what this Patriarch of the Li Family, who just lost the tournament, intends by personally delivering the prize money to our door.’

Yang Jing was wary of the Li Family, but he wasn’t afraid of them.

With his current strength, there were very few in Yuhe County who could make him feel fear.

’I’m curious to see what new trick the Li Family has up their sleeve this time.’