Qin Shi shot Li Mufeng a glare and snorted, "Third Brother is perfectly fine; it must be you who encouraged him to join the Mei Manor!"

Li Mufeng could only force a bitter smile, shaking his head and sighing, but he offered no defense. He knew further talk was useless; his mother was determined to be unreasonable, and arguing was pointless.

Li Zhuzi waved his hand. "Enough, I approve of Third Brother going to the Mei Manor too!"

"Husband, you..." Qin Shi complained.

Li Zhuzi said in a deep voice, "A fine man’s ambition lies in the four directions... Third Brother is grown now; he can't always be tied to our side. He needs to go out and make his mark! Besides, the Mei Manor isn't far. He can return anytime, and if you miss him, you can just go see him!"

"Third Brother is still so young! What if he suffers, what if he gets bullied?!" Qin Shi looked at Li Muchen with worry, her delicate brows knitted.

Zhao Yiyi pursed her lips into a smile. "Mother, Little Uncle is so clever, and he has quite a bit of strength. Only he bullies others; who on earth could bully him?!"

"Exactly!" Li Mufeng quickly nodded in agreement.

Qin Shi immediately narrowed her eyes and smiled, reaching out to pat Li Muchen's smooth, round head proudly. "That’s true enough. With Third Brother’s intelligence, he won't suffer any loss!"

Li Muchen caught her hand and pulled it down from his head, smiling. "Mother, isn't Eldest Brother here? He’s a Deputy Steward, holding high office and authority. Just on my Eldest Brother's account, who would dare bully me?"

"Your Eldest Brother, oh..." Qin Shi shook her head, letting out a helpless sigh.

She shot Li Mufeng a glare, inwardly lamenting: Eldest Brother acts uprightly and rigidly; he would never bend the rules for family. Counting on him to look after Third Brother was utterly unreliable!

Li Mufeng hastily assured her, "Mother, don't worry, I won't let anyone bully Third Brother!"

Qin Shi rolled her eyes at him. "If Third Brother gets bullied, I’ll hold you accountable!"

"Yes, yes, rest assured, Mother!" Li Mufeng nodded quickly.

"So, that means you agree, Mother?" Li Muchen asked with a smile.

Qin Shi sighed. "You, your wings have hardened, always thinking of flying far away, despising this old woman. How could I possibly stop you from leaving!"

"Mother, here you go again!" Li Muchen managed a wry smile.

"Fine, fine, go if you want to go. Don't worry about this old woman!" Qin Shi waved her hand and declared resolutely.

Li Muchen smiled bitterly. When his mother threw a tantrum, she was truly incredibly willful, leaving one speechless.

He spoke a string of comforting words, then told a joke that made everyone erupt in laughter, and even Qin Shi couldn't help but smile. She finally relented and agreed.

The mother and son were an unusual pair. One moment it was maternal love and filial piety; the next, the mother was being stubborn and the son coaxing her. They shared a bond even closer than most mother-son relationships.

Li Mufeng secretly breathed a long sigh of relief. Little Brother was the capable one; in this household, only he could manage Mother. As for Mother's demanding nature, Li Mufeng simply couldn't cope, often left sweating profusely and feeling like an idiot.

The next morning, Li Mufeng woke up very early. As soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw his father slowly making gestures in the courtyard—it was the Dao Yin Shu (Guiding Technique) his Little Brother had taught him.

He stretched lazily, took a few deep breaths, and asked, "Father, where's Third Brother?"

"He went to the temple." Li Zhuzi’s expression was focused, his movements slow, drawing arcs languidly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face.

Li Mufeng stood respectfully to the side watching. This Dao Yin Shu, as Third Brother explained, was taught by his master, Great Master Xuankong, and its effects were extraordinary: strengthening the body and prolonging life.

However, to him, it looked awkward, dragging on too slowly, and one couldn't use force—it made him anxious. Although Third Brother had urged him repeatedly, Li Mufeng never learned it. Since entering the Mei Manor, he had practiced some rough martial arts, which were far superior for building physical strength.

His parents, though, practiced with relish, saying that after practicing, they felt completely refreshed, as if they’d had a hot bath, and their sleep had improved. They had persisted for over ten years.

This Dao Yin Shu truly worked. For the past decade, the elderly couple had been healthy, never catching any serious illnesses; in fact, they seemed to thrive more with age.

"Father!" Zhao Yiyi came out of the room, neat and tidy from head to toe, dressed in a goose-yellow silk shirt, looking exquisitely beautiful and emphasizing the delicate slimness of her waist.

She immediately busied herself, grabbing a broom to sweep the yard. She finished quickly and went inside to start cooking. Just then, Qin Shi entered the courtyard carrying a yoke balanced with two buckets of water.

Her figure was slender, as if a gust of wind could blow her away, yet she carried the yoke of water with surprising ease. Her steps were light, swinging her arms rhythmically, very graceful.

Li Mufeng hurried forward to take the yoke. "Mother, why are you doing this!"

Allowing Li Mufeng to take it, Qin Shi rubbed her shoulders and laughed. "For the past few years, Third Brother has carried the water. I stopped long ago. Trying it now, I really am getting old!"

"Mother, how old are you really!" Li Mufeng shook his head and quickly carried the water into the kitchen in two steps.

Qin Shi shot him a glance and smiled lightly. This Eldest Son truly didn't know how to speak; she wondered how he had become a Deputy Steward.

"You, you just like showing off!" Li Zhuzi slowly finished his posture, glancing at her.

Qin Shi chuckled. "Who was tossing and turning last night, unable to sleep soundly?"

Li Zhuzi grunted, then turned and went back into the room.

"Mother!" Li Muchen walked in, wearing a simple grey monk's robe, a string of prayer beads looped around his wrist, his shaven head gleaming, his eyes sharp and spirited.

"Third Brother, you're really going to the Mei Manor today?" Qin Shi went over and took his hand.

Seeing Li Muchen nod, she said resignedly, "No matter what, you have to come back to sleep here every night!"

Li Muchen smiled and agreed.

He had woken up early and already completed his morning practice at Chengjing Temple. Although he didn't strictly adhere to monastic rules, consuming meat and wine without abstaining, he never neglected his usual cultivation.

After eating, the two brothers left Li Family Village and headed toward Jinyang City.

The Mei Manor was located in the center of Jinyang City, a few hundred meters east of the Chaoran Tower, separated from the main thoroughfare by a single street. It was neither too desolate nor lacking in quiet seclusion.

Although Li Mufeng held the post of Deputy Steward at the Mei Manor, he kept professional and private matters separate, so Li Muchen had never visited before.

The two arrived before a majestic mansion. Li Muchen sized it up, murmuring his admiration internally.

The vermilion-lacquered gate was massive, twice the height and width of an ordinary residence. Standing before it, Li Muchen felt a chilling aura; rows of shining brass studs gleamed blindingly.

Four armed men stood guard before the gate—two young, two middle-aged—all stout, with bright eyes and imposing presence, looking as if they could draw their blades and kill at any moment.

A single glance from them was enough to make the faint-hearted break out in a cold sweat.

As the two approached the gate, the four men bowed respectfully. "Deputy Steward Li!"

Li Mufeng waved his hand, then turned with a smile to Li Muchen, who was still observing their surroundings. "Third Brother, we’ve arrived. Shall we go in?"

Li Muchen nodded and entered through the side gate east of the main vermilion door. As soon as he stepped across the threshold, his eyes lit up: it was a vast expanse of lake water, sparkling under the morning sun, instantly broadening his spirit.

Looking out, the misty waves stretched far, faint figures visible on the far shore, though indistinct. This lake was slightly larger than the entire Li Family Village.

In the center of the lake sat a small island, encircled by willows that sheltered structures—red walls and green tiles, pavilions and small kiosks faintly visible. A breeze blew, and thousands of soft willow branches swayed in unison, gracefully ethereal, like mist or smoke.

The lakeside was also ringed by willows. Looking down from above, the trees formed two concentric circles surrounding the vast lake in the middle—the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.

Centered around the lake, continuous buildings, towers, pavilions, rockeries, and trees lined the shore, half-hidden amongst each other, creating a setting of serene elegance.

Li Muchen exclaimed involuntarily, "What a magnificent place!"

Li Mufeng smiled, feeling a touch of pride. "This is the Mei Manor! This lake is called the Ming Lake!... Let's head towards the training grounds!"

Saying this, he strode west, passing through a doorway into a wide, open area where a sudden clamor and noise rushed toward them, completely contrasting the quietude outside.

This open space spanned over a hundred meters square, about the size of a modern football pitch. Hundreds of people were practicing martial arts, all brimming with energy, their gazes bright, emitting an imposing aura.

They maintained a distance from each other, each practicing their own style. Some were silent and still; others occasionally let out a shout; still others swung weapons, shouting continuously, appearing frenzied. The methods were varied and eccentric.

Li Muchen glanced across the practicing crowd, his gaze sweeping past the burly men on the central platform, finally stopping at the ground beneath his feet. He stared intently at the earth, as if scrutinizing intricate carvings.

The ground was tamped yellow earth. He recognized it immediately: this was Kunzhou Yellow Earth.

This type of Kunzhou Yellow Earth was uncommon in the Great Yan Dynasty and quite precious. It didn't turn muddy in the rain, nor did it kick up dust in the sun—it was like modern asphalt.

He couldn't quite understand why the training ground wasn't paved with bluestone bricks. Although bluestone bricks were not cheap, compared to Kunzhou Yellow Earth, they were a trifle.

"Third Brother, stop spacing out, let's go!" Li Mufeng pulled him.

"Oh, right." Li Muchen looked up and followed Li Mufeng along the central path, passing through the throng of practitioners until they reached the high platform in the center.

Suddenly, a loud shout burst forth like a thunderclap. Li Mufeng paused briefly, then continued walking. Li Muchen, however, acted as if he hadn't heard, his pace unbroken.

As he walked, he glanced aside. About ten steps away, a young man was swinging a broadsword, the blade flashing with cold, piercing intent.

Clearly, the youth hadn't done it intentionally; he had merely shouted out when his practice reached a fever pitch. Li Muchen quickly diverted his gaze and continued walking behind Li Mufeng to ascend the high platform.

The platform was square, over ten feet high, and about thirty meters long. A powerfully built man stood exactly in the center; at a glance, he resembled a standing black bear.

The man was immensely broad, slightly stooped in the back, with a face as flat as a pancake and dark, swarthy skin. Yet, his teeth were strikingly white, giving him a terrifying, eerie look.

He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking down at the crowd like an eagle surveying chicks.

Seeing Li Mufeng ascend, he cupped his hands in greeting and boomed with laughter. "Deputy Steward Li, you are a rare visitor!... Haha, is this your Third Brother?"

Li Mufeng returned the salute with cupped hands, very respectfully. "Commander Jin, this is my Third Brother, Li Muchen, Dharma name Zhanran."

"Greetings, Commander Jin," Li Muchen offered a formal salutation with joined hands.

Commander Jin returned the gesture, smiling. "Young Master Zhanran, no need for such formalities. Deputy Steward Li mentioned that the young master possesses innate divine strength and wishes to enter our manor, is that correct?"

Li Muchen nodded. "Precisely."

Commander Jin chuckled. "How about we have a friendly contest?"

"Good," Li Muchen replied, concise as ever.