"I will not fail this mission, Father!" Li Mengchao puffed out his chest, his eyes shining with confidence.

In his eyes, a Dark Energy Martial Artist—even one hailed as invincible—could only face defeat before a Half-Step Huajin practitioner like himself. After all, he too had once been hailed as invincible at the Dark Energy stage. But if his current self were to fight his former self, he doubted his past self could last even ten moves.

In the main hall, the charcoal fire burned brightly, casting shifting light and shadow on the faces of the father and son.

...

「Afternoon.」

On the training grounds in the front courtyard of Sun’s Martial Arts Hall in Chengping Square.

Growing hot from his practice, Yang Jing stripped off his shirt. His bare upper body revealed bronze skin that gleamed under the sun, every inch of muscle bulging and rippling with the movements of his Mountain-Shattering Fist, unleashing astonishing power.

His fists howled through the air with a heavy, tearing sound, and the force of his blows sent the packed snow on the ground scattering.

He could clearly feel that the Dark Energy of his Mountain-Shattering Fist was nearly at its limit, only a fine line away from the Peak of Dark Energy.

His Inner Strength circulated ever more smoothly through his meridians. When he threw a punch, he could faintly hear a light resonance as his bones vibrated in tune with his Inner Strength—a sign that his Dark Energy was nearing completion.

’Huajin...’

Yang Jing repeated the word in his mind, a fervent glint in his eye.

As long as his Mountain-Shattering Fist broke through the Peak of Dark Energy, he could ride the momentum into the Huajin realm and experience the marvel of Inner Strength permeating his body and tempering his flesh.

At the thought, his punches grew even more forceful. As his fists flew in a blur, they seemed to carry the might of a shattering mountain.

During a break, Yang Jing picked up a towel to wipe his sweat, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward the inner courtyard.

His master had returned that morning and gone straight into the inner courtyard. He hadn’t emerged since, nor had he stopped by the training grounds to instruct the disciples as usual.

Yang Jing could guess his master was distraught. He himself had learned some inside information from Qi Yun about the infighting among the six great families of Yuhe County, and it had sent a chill down his spine. He resolved then and there to never get entangled in the conflicts of these powerful clans.

Because of this, Yang Jing knew Lin Yue had brought his fate upon himself. But even though Lin Yue had courted his own doom, he was still a Core Disciple whom his master had personally trained. For him to meet such an end, his master must be both heartbroken and disappointed.

Yang Jing sighed softly, pushing the thoughts from his mind.

’The path of the Martial Dao is fraught with peril. Sometimes, the choices you make are more important than talent.’

He shook his head, centered himself once more, and began practicing Turbulent Wave Kicks to loosen up.

His legs blurred like lightning, whipping up the lingering snow as his techniques grew increasingly fierce.

Just then, a servant disciple from the front gate hurried in. He jogged all the way to the inner courtyard, only to emerge moments later, his face etched with anxiety.

Immediately after, the servant disciple led in a middle-aged man wearing a long, brocade robe.

The man was fair-complexioned and wore a jade thumb ring. He looked like the steward of a wealthy household.

He followed the servant disciple inside, a hint of hesitation and trepidation in his eyes.

Yang Jing raised an eyebrow slightly, then looked away and resumed his kicking practice.

’This man’s visit is almost certainly about what happened with Lin Yue this morning. I just wonder which family sent him.’

It wasn’t long before the middle-aged, steward-like man emerged from the inner courtyard.

Unlike the arrogance he’d shown on his way in, the man’s face was now pale. A thin layer of sweat beaded on his forehead, and his steps were unsteady. He stumbled out of the Martial Arts Hall’s main gate in a half-run, as if he’d received a terrible shock inside, not even daring to glance back.

"What happened?"

"That man looked like the Li Family’s steward. A steward from one of the six great families is an important figure."

"What’s going on? Isn’t that the Li Family’s steward? Why did it look like he was fleeing in a panic?"

The disciples on the training grounds began to whisper among themselves, as some had recognized the man.

Yang Jing stopped his practice as well, his mind filled with questions.

’What could have happened in the inner courtyard to frighten the steward of the Li Family, one of the six great clans, so badly?’

As he was lost in thought, Sun Ningxiang emerged from the Moon Gate of the inner courtyard.

She wore a crisp, cyan martial uniform. Her face, which usually held a gentle smile, was now grave, her fine brows furrowed with worry.

"Second Sister, Third Brother, Yang Jing, Zhang Han, Luo Yun, Song Kang, Lin Fuxiang. Come with me to the inner courtyard. Father has instructions for you."

Her gaze swept across the training grounds as she named Yang Jing, Qi Yun, Zhao Wenzheng, and four other Mingjin Disciples who had distinguished themselves in daily practice.

Yang Jing’s heart sank.

’Judging by his senior sister’s expression, this is serious.’

He exchanged a look with Qi Yun and saw the same confusion in her eyes. They then hurried to catch up with Sun Ningxiang, heading toward the inner courtyard.

The atmosphere in the inner courtyard, once they passed through the Moon Gate, was far more oppressive than usual. Even the birds in the covered walkways were silent. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Yang Jing’s own heart clenched with apprehension. He had a growing feeling that something important was about to happen.