The Mid-Autumn Festival had just passed.

Chen Li suddenly received an invitation from Chen Yongquan, stating that his son, Zhengtong, had broken through to the Marrow Refining Realm and that he was holding a martial banquet to celebrate.

"He just reached Marrow Refining, and he’s already showing off," Chen Shouheng scoffed when he heard the news.

Chen Li asked why he said that.

It turned out that reaching the Marrow Refining Realm in External Cultivation meant one had at least mastered a style of Martial Arts to the level of Great Success. In the Jianghu, they would be considered a third-rate expert, capable of venturing out on their own.

Chen Li smiled and asked him, "Should I throw one for you, too?"

"Dad, I couldn’t stand the embarrassment," Chen Shouheng said, quickly waving his hands. He paused, then added, "If we’re going to have a banquet, it should be after I step into the Qi Realm."

Chen Li nodded. ’Although my eldest is mischievous and often acts improperly, he has basic judgment when it comes to important matters.’ "Ask Shouye to come along. We’ll pay them a visit tomorrow."

Chen Shouheng was surprised. "Dad, we’re actually going?"

"Of course, we’re going. They sent an invitation," Chen Li said with a smile.

...

「Several days later.」

It was already evening when Chen Li and his two sons stepped into Chen Yongquan’s residence.

Chen Yongquan’s residence had been purchased by his great-grandfather, who had passed the Martial Examination. Although it was also a courtyard with three main halls and three yards, it was much larger than Chen Li’s home.

Red lanterns hung high, illuminating the entire courtyard. The banquet was already set, and the various dishes exuded a tantalizing aroma.

Guests gathered in groups of three and five, their chatter and laughter rising and falling in a lively buzz.

A young man stood in the main hall. He wore a brand-new set of clothes with a bright red silk sash tied around his waist, making him look particularly sharp as he chatted and laughed with others.

It was none other than Chen Zhengtong.

Chen Yongquan stood at the front of the hall to welcome guests, his face beaming with pride.

When he saw Chen Li’s family enter, his eyes lit up. He walked over quickly and said in a booming voice, "Nephew Li, what a rare pleasure to have you here today!"

"Cousin Zhengtong has achieved success in his Martial Arts. Naturally, I had to come and offer my congratulations," Chen Li said, clasping his hands in a salute.

"Today is indeed a big day for Zhengtong."

Chen Yongquan laughed heartily, his eyes darting about as he asked, "I heard a few days ago, Nephew Li, that you also sent your second son to a martial arts hall. Is that true?"

"Yes!" Chen Li nodded. "The eldest went, and the second wanted to go too. As their father, I have to treat them both equally and not show favoritism."

"Nephew Li, it’s not my place to say, but paying a few dozen taels a year for a gift won’t get you anywhere. To practice Martial Arts, you have to be willing to spend a lot of silver."

A mocking look appeared in Chen Yongquan’s eyes as he lectured, "Look at Zhengtong. In just three years, he’s already achieved some success. In a few more years, after he matures a bit more, he can go take the Martial Examination."

"My sons are not so promising; I only hope they can find a way to make a living in the future. They can’t compare to Cousin Zhengtong, who is exceptionally talented and will surely have a great future," Chen Li said with a slight smile.

As they were speaking, someone else came to offer congratulations, so Chen Yongquan went to talk with them.

Chen Li took his two sons to an empty table and sat down.

Chen Shouheng whispered to Chen Shouye, "Second Brother, look at him acting like he’s already passed the Martial Examination. What a petty person enjoying his moment. One of these days, let’s team up and beat him until his head looks like a pig’s."

"Okay!" Chen Shouye’s eyes lit up, but then he shook his head. "But I’ve just started Force Cultivation. I can’t help you much, Big Brother."

"Are you stupid? Why would we fight him fair and square? We’ll just wait for a dark night and ambush him."

"But if word of something like that got out, it would be bad for our reputation."

"We can wear masks, and use sacks, or lime powder..."

"Don’t cause trouble."

Hearing his sons’ increasingly outrageous plans, Chen Li couldn’t help but intervene. He looked at his eldest and asked, "In a one-on-one fight, are you confident you could beat him?"

Chen Shouheng opened his mouth, then shook his head. "I also just broke through to Marrow Refining. A few years ago, the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts Hall and the Tingtiao Martial Arts Hall had some matches between members of the same Realm. There were wins and losses. If we’re not fighting to the death, we’d probably be evenly matched."

Chen Li pressed on, "Then in a normal match, how do you think you could win?"

Chen Shouheng looked troubled. He thought for a long while before saying, "It’s not very likely. Unless I ambush him."

Chen Li prompted him, "But what if he doesn’t know your Realm and underestimates you?"

"If he thinks I’m still at Force Cultivation, he’ll definitely look down on me. When he exposes an opening, I just need to strike with all my strength to win by surprise."

Chen Shouheng’s eyes lit up. "Dad, you’re so devious..."

"..."

Chen Li’s face darkened. ’This little rascal, what a way to talk.’

「During the banquet.」

Someone suggested that Chen Zhengtong should demonstrate his Martial Arts.

"I’m grateful for the kindness of all my friends and relatives, but a solo demonstration would be rather dull."

Chen Zhengtong’s eyes shifted, and he suddenly looked toward Chen Shouheng and Chen Shouye.

He approached Chen Li and said, "Brother Li, the guests are having a wonderful time tonight. Why not let Nephew Shouheng spar a few rounds with me to liven things up for everyone?"

Zhengtong’s face held a seemingly gentle smile, but his eyes concealed a trace of imperceptible contempt.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shouheng raised an eyebrow and was about to stand up and accept the challenge.

But Chen Li calmly placed a hand on his shoulder, a polite smile on his face. "Tong is joking. Shouheng has only learned the basics at the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts Hall. How could he dare to make a fool of himself in front of you? If he were to slip up, it would only spoil everyone’s fun."

Chen Yongquan walked over at that moment with a hearty laugh. "Nephew Li, you’re being too modest. It’s just a friendly spar, just for entertainment. Besides, as his clan uncle, I’ll look out for Shouheng."

Chen Shouheng looked at his father, and Chen Li gave an imperceptible nod.

Shouheng understood immediately, his expression instantly changing to one of nervousness mixed with feigned composure.

He stood up, his voice tinged with deliberate defiance. "Who’s scared? If you want to fight, let’s fight. But... Uncle Tong, you have to go easy on me. Don’t be a bully!"

Seeing Shouheng take the bait, a flicker of triumph flashed in Chen Zhengtong’s eyes. "Nephew Shouheng, rest assured. As your clan uncle, I know where to draw the line. Come now, everyone, make some space!"

Chen Shouheng took a deep breath, walked to the center of the clearing, and assumed the opening stance of the Tiger Subduing Fist, the "Tiger Crouching Stance." He deliberately controlled his breathing to seem unsteady, and his footwork and lower body appeared unstable.

Chen Zhengtong stood with his hands behind his back, his posture elegant, a confident smile on his face. "Nephew Shouheng, come at me. Let me see the subtleties of the Tiger Subduing Martial Arts Hall."

"My apologies!"

Shouheng let out a low shout, pushed off with his feet, and lunged forward. Executing a "Black Tiger Heart Stealing," his right fist whistled through the air as it shot straight for Chen Zhengtong’s chest.

The punch seemed ferocious, but in Chen Zhengtong’s eyes, both its speed and strength revealed a raw and insufficient Power. The path of the fist was straightforward, with no variation whatsoever.

The corner of Chen Zhengtong’s mouth curved into a disdainful arc. He had long heard from his family that Chen Shouheng, like him, had enrolled in a martial arts hall to study Martial Arts.

Even back then, he had looked down on Chen Shouheng. ’A minor landlord from a fallen family thinks he’s worthy of practicing Martial Arts?’

Furthermore, there had been some degree of resentment between Chen Li’s family and his own, stretching back to their great-grandfathers’ generation.