Chapter Thirteen: Breakthrough

With the aid of the elixirs, Jiang Fan's cultivation advanced rapidly; on average, he completed the training of one illustration every two days and mastered the increased power thoroughly.

In the courtyard.

“Father, I can’t break through the fourth level of the Surging Fist. Where am I lacking?” Jiang Fan asked after practicing his boxing technique.

In the Jiang family, Jiang Zheng'an ranked among the top three in understanding the Surging Fist. With such a distinguished teacher, Jiang Fan would not let this opportunity slip by.

Smack!

Jiang Zheng'an did not reply with words but instead threw a punch. The speed of his strike surpassed Jiang Fan’s reaction; in his eyes, he saw only his father’s arm move, and a distant boulder exploded with a thunderous bang, followed by the roar of air being torn apart.

“What did you sense?” Jiang Zheng'an turned to ask.

“Fierce and unstoppable!” Jiang Fan exclaimed in awe.

If that punch had landed on him, he would surely have been reduced to a mist of blood.

“Indeed, it’s fierceness!” Jiang Zheng'an nodded. “Just now, I used true energy to reinforce my body, and with the Surging Fist’s force application technique, I unleashed four times my usual power. Even innate cultivators would fall to a single blow! That punch was fiercely unstoppable, crushing all obstacles—this is the essence of the first three levels of the Surging Fist!”

“But, excessive fierceness can lead to ruin. Though the Surging Fist emphasizes strength, after reaching its peak, it transforms from fierceness to softness. Combining hardness and softness, nurturing strength with gentleness, allows the fierceness to transcend and advance further, while also containing softness within to prevent self-harm.”

“The fourth level of the Surging Fist requires comprehending the gentle force within the fierce.”

“No amount of words can compare to personal experience and insight!”

“Xiao Fan, I’ll use the fourth-level technique. Pay close attention!”

Jiang Zheng'an spoke, then struck Jiang Fan’s shoulder with a punch. Though it carried only a few hundred pounds of force, by employing the fourth-level method, it exploded with five times the power—reaching several thousand pounds, forcing Jiang Fan to stagger back a few steps.

Jiang Zheng'an stood unmoving, hands clasped behind his back, watching his son.

With that punch, he had demonstrated the wonders of hardness and softness.

“At the peak of fierceness, it transforms into gentle force. Softness rotates, borrowing and lending strength, harmonizing yin and yang. The fierceness advances, yet with softness circulating within, it avoids harming the self.”

Jiang Fan steadied himself and carefully savored the experience.

He closed his eyes, immersing himself in the realization.

His original self was clever, and he was no less so. His comprehension was naturally extraordinary.

With his father’s meticulous explanation and direct experience, one foot had already stepped into the fourth level of the Surging Fist.

Swish!

He opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in his gaze. He took a step forward, twisted his waist, and threw a punch that erupted with a sonic boom and thunderous roar.

Pa! Pa! Pa!

Jiang Fan unleashed a series of over ten punches, then paused slightly as his momentum surged, and he delivered a final punch ahead.

At that moment, Jiang Zheng'an stepped forward, raised his arm, and opened his palm, catching Jiang Fan’s fist.

The force rippled out, stirring a gust that scattered dust throughout the courtyard.

“Within fierceness, there’s a hint of gentleness—outer hardness, inner softness. Xiao Fan, you’ve already entered the fourth level of the Surging Fist. With further refinement, you’ll naturally achieve perfection!” Jiang Zheng'an, after sensing it, was quite pleased.

“If I didn’t have a good father, how could I learn so quickly!” Jiang Fan laughed. “Father, thank you for everything!”

“Hahaha, your father is truly gratified!” Jiang Zheng'an laughed heartily.

Father and son—one teaching earnestly, the other learning eagerly—soon it was time for a meal.

At the dining table.

“How is Xiao Fan’s strength?” Nangong Yue inquired.

“Very good. In his generation, many have higher realms, but few can match his combat power!” Jiang Zheng'an smiled. “At the competition in three days, he will surely astound everyone!”

“The clan’s major competition?” Jiang Fan was taken aback. “Father, isn’t it held every June? Why is it so early this year?”

“There’s been a sharp increase in river demon disturbances lately—something big may be coming. Your grandfather decided to move the competition forward to see how your generation has improved, and to bestow elixirs and weapons to strengthen everyone in case something sudden happens.” Jiang Zheng'an’s smile faded, his expression tinged with worry.

“Is the situation really that dire?”

“Yes. Three villages, eighty miles west of the county city, were wiped out yesterday.” Jiang Zheng'an said with pain, “Those damned beasts!”

“Three villages slaughtered?” Jiang Fan was shocked. “That’s a direct challenge to imperial law!”

“Demon beasts eating people is common, but slaughtering villages will draw the court’s attention!” Jiang Zheng'an explained. “Our county city, with its rivers, has many water demons, but they never dared to wipe out villages—at most, they would prey on a lone traveler. This time, it’s different. River demons are roaming everywhere, and whole villages are being massacred. It seems they intend to invade the county city!”

“The river demons have always been monitored and things have been peaceful for so long—why this sudden calamity? Is there something in the county city that the river demons covet?” Jiang Fan speculated.

Jiang Zheng'an shook his head. “I don’t know. But early this morning, the county governor sent his personal guards to investigate and take the opportunity to kill some river demons. Who knows what the outcome was?”

“I fear it won’t be good,” Jiang Fan said with concern.

“It should be fine,” Jiang Zheng'an replied. “Though the personal guard is small in number, they are the strongest unit in the city, and a Daoist commander is accompanying them.”

Jiang Fan remained pessimistic.

River demons slaughtering three villages at once was clearly abnormal.

After lunch, Jiang Zheng'an and Nangong Yue hurried off to oversee the Treasure Pavilion.

That afternoon, Jiang Shan brought news: the county governor’s personal guard investigating the massacre had been slaughtered—not a single one returned.

“Not a single one?” Jiang Fan’s heart raced.

Jiang Shan shook his head. “Not one! The news hasn’t spread yet, but the big families in the city know, and everyone is anxious. Ninth brother, I have a feeling chaos is imminent. Don’t leave home these days!”

“And be careful of Second Uncle’s household. I feel something’s off over there!” With a final warning, Jiang Shan departed.

Jiang Fan sat cross-legged beneath a tree, taking deep breaths. After a moment, he calmed his mind and returned to his cultivation.

Cultivation—that was the most important thing.

As the sun set behind the western hills, he sensed something was amiss.

“Xiao Qing, why haven’t you brought the tea yet? Xiao Qian, where’s my wash water?” Jiang Fan called, but received no reply.

He was startled. It dawned on him that not long after Jiang Shan left, the two young maids had also gone out to the garden, perhaps to chat with their friends among the servants—one of their few pleasures.

Normally, they would have returned early.

But today, the sun had already set, and they were still gone.

“Could it be...?” Jiang Fan felt an ominous premonition.

Footsteps sounded—his parents had returned.

“Weren’t you supposed to stay out tonight?” Jiang Fan asked.

“Your second uncle called us back—there’s something important to discuss, so we couldn’t refuse,” Jiang Zheng'an said. “Where are those two girls?”

“They’ve been out a long time and haven’t returned. I was about to go look for them!” Jiang Fan replied. “I’ll go search, just in case something happened!”

“You stay here—don’t go anywhere!” Jiang Zheng'an ordered sternly. “The girls know what’s important. They wouldn’t leave the estate. I’ll have the servants look for them.”

Before they could say more, a servant arrived, urging them to the main hall.