Upon hearing the Venerable Hou Ye’s words, the atmosphere in the courtyard subtly shifted.

Heavy Profound Ming Guang’s diligent leg-massaging slowed involuntarily.

Heavy Profound Zun Ben’s mood, previously quite cheerful, took a turn. While Wang Yiwu and his own father had, in less than a year, utterly disrupted his carefully laid plans – a truly vexing matter – the letter sent back from Sword Edge Mountain in Xia Country, a victory report from the Heaven Mansion congratulating him, had genuinely lifted his spirits. Especially today, with three generations of the family gathered in joyful harmony, idly chatting about family affairs, it was a rare and happy moment in life. He had truly stolen half a day of leisure from the turbulent currents of existence.

But then, the Venerable Hou Ye had spoken…

The Supervisor Ruan who could converse with the Marquis of Bo Wang as equals was naturally Ruan Xu, the Supervisor of the Qin Tian Jian. The Star Gazing Tower, that renowned edifice in Lin Zi, belonged to the Qin Tian Jian. Even the morning bell that signaled the start of the Purple Extreme Hall’s early court was rung by those from the Qin Tian Jian.

To many, this was an incredibly mysterious yamen. And truth be told, they rarely involved themselves in political matters. However, those with true influence knew the weight the Qin Tian Jian held.

Yet, to speak of it again, the Qin Tian Jian’s status was transcendent, and Supervisor Ruan Xu was not someone readily accessible. Had it not been for the Venerable Hou Ye’s lifelong military career, his high virtue, and immense prestige, the descendants of the household might not even have had the “opportunity” to visit Supervisor Ruan’s daughter.

But even this “opportunity” wasn’t something everyone desired.

At that moment, Heavy Profound Zun was lazily seated on the stone steps, his left hand resting on his left knee, holding a rolled scroll that hung loosely. He listened with half an ear to his father and grandfather’s desultory chat. His right elbow propped on his right knee, supporting his angular, sharp chin, he gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

Suddenly hearing that sentence, he merely tugged at the corner of his mouth, a faint laugh escaping his lips. “Even Supervisor Ruan cannot teach her properly, it suggests she is beyond help. It is better that this grandson not waste his efforts.”

Heavy Profound Ming Guang’s hand slowed even further…

Though he often thought things through in a somewhat simplistic manner, he was far from a fool. Especially after spending over sixty years under the tutelage of the Venerable Hou Ye, his ability to discern moods and intentions was quite honed.

The atmosphere now was becoming quite perilous…

The Venerable Hou Ye’s expression was unreadable, his tone neither light nor heavy as he uttered a single sentence: “The rules passed down by our ancestors. Even if a descendant possesses great prospects, they should still show respect.”

“Grandfather,” Heavy Profound Zun brought his gaze back, removing the hand that had been propped on his knee. The scroll in his left hand made a half-turn. In the sunlight, he chuckled. “In truth, I’ve never quite understood what ‘rules’ are.”

“A rule, a tool for drawing circles. A square, a tool for drawing squares. How is it that these two tools become ‘rules’ that all must follow?”

“Who set these rules? Were they inherently correct? Did their rules truly draw circles, and their squares truly draw squares?”

“Generations of heavenly talents have come and gone! Each generation has its own unique grace and style, and each generation, its own rules,”

“As long as I am strong enough, strong enough to surpass all others. One day, I too can say…”

He held the book in his left hand, drawing a circle in the air, and laughed, “This, is a square.”

The courtyard within the Marquis of Bo Wang’s residence was not particularly quiet at this time. The household slaves went about their duties, some walking by, others tending to the flowers and plants. In short, everyone was occupied with their own tasks, seemingly oblivious to the conversation between the masters of the household.

But the atmosphere had solidified.

Heavy Profound Cloud Wave, having served his entire life in the military, held significant prestige within the army. Even the God of War, Jiang Mengxiong, showed him considerable respect. Speaking of the past, he had supported the family; looking to the future, he had raised exceptional children. After Heavy Profound Ming Tu refused to lead troops, it was Heavy Profound Cloud Wave who, in order to regain the Qi Emperor’s trust, donned his old armor and, with a body long past its peak, went to war for the country, fighting on the Qi-Xia battlefield. Looking across the entire Qi Country, few could match his qualifications.

Within the Heavy Profound family, his word was law. What he said, was.

But Heavy Profound Zun clearly possessed his own distinct views.

Heavy Profound Ming Guang, as a responsible and capable father, and at the same time, a clever and filial son, caught between these two identities, naturally could not remain silent in this situation. He had to maintain stability within the Heavy Profound family, dispel the contradictory atmosphere between grandfather and grandson, and push the Heavy Profound family towards a more long-term and brighter future, allowing himself to play more freely… but that was a digression.

In short, he needed to step forward.

“Cough.” Heavy Profound Ming Guang cleared his throat. “Let me say a few words on this matter…”

The Venerable Hou Ye suddenly rose from his lounge chair, nearly sending Heavy Profound Ming Guang, who was seated on a stool, tumbling over. He glared at Heavy Profound Ming Guang, a twilight lion still possessing his inherent majesty.

“Pinch, pinch, pinch! You don’t even have a bit of strength in your hands, what are you pinching a fart for! Did I tell you to eat less at your meals? I had four sons, and you’re the only rice bucket!”

After scolding him, he flicked his robe sleeves and strode away in a rush of anger.

Heavy Profound Ming Guang blinked, looking quite aggrieved at the Venerable Hou Ye’s retreating figure, then turned his head to look at his promising son.

Heavy Profound Zun silently unfolded the scroll, holding it upright to shield his face.

Knowing the preciousness of this period, no friends, not even those as close as Zheng Shangming, came to disturb him. Even those exceptionally close, like Yan Fu, refrained from their usual frequent invitations.

Jiang Wang immersed himself fully in cultivation, continuing until the sixth day after the Master Ceremony.

That was the time to go to the Point General Platform.

The Point General Platform was located in the west of the city. In days gone by, when troops went to war, the commander-in-chief would stand upon this platform to assign generals and arrange formations, hence the name “Point General Platform.”

Below the Point General Platform lay a vast drill ground. All of Qi Country’s elite troops, including those that had perished, had once been reviewed here. Therefore, this place was solemn and filled with a fierce, soldierly aura that simply would not dissipate.

Standing on the platform and looking out, one could easily imagine the scene of soldiers lined up below, banners fluttering everywhere. That thick soldierly aura could also easily convey the atmosphere of war.

Jiang Wang had been to the battlefield and was not uncomfortable in this place. And Silver Armor Frost Spear Ji Zhaonan felt right at home on this ground, moving with ease. Compared to them, the white-robed Heavy Profound Zun seemed less suited to the environment, but he was not awkward at all. Instead, he possessed a sense of composed elegance even amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

The form of the Point General Platform was quite simple, essentially just a high platform with no cover or concealment, not even a railing. Only the platform itself bore numerous sword marks, knife marks, and spear marks – it was said that many of Qi Country’s famous generals had performed martial arts on this platform, leaving behind these traces.

As the years passed, time wore away all charm. But the direction, strength, and subtle variations of the traces left behind could, with one’s own understanding, be slightly restored.

Jiang Wang, Ji Zhaonan, and Heavy Profound Zun had little to say to each other, and even less in company. So they each occupied a corner of the platform, appreciating the imprints left behind, attempting to mentally recreate the scenes of those famous generals’ martial arts performances.

When the current Court Discussant Doctor Yi Xingchen arrived after the court session had ended, he saw such a scene: the three of them stood in a triangle formation, back to back. Ji Zhaonan stood straight, his eyes fixed on the ground, the long spear named Shao Hua in his hand trembling slightly. There was no sound, no wind, as if he was mentally sparring with those famous generals. Heavy Profound Zun stood with his hands behind his back, deeply absorbed. And Jiang Qingyang, simply squatted on the ground, like an old farmer inspecting the soil, using only the pads of his fingers to feel the traces left by the martial arts performances.