The blazing sun shone down on the Zhang Family courtyard.
Zhang Jian was drenched in sweat as he stood before the Plum Blossom Pillars grounded on Earth, his body moved swiftly, steady and fast.
After breaking through the bottleneck of the Nourishing Essence stage with his Celestial Spirit Inner Breath, Zhang Jian followed Zhang Yi's advice and sought guidance from Jian Yao on the Body Forging technique of the Three Yang Pillar.
With the Inner Cultivation Technique progressing as expected, Zhang Jian naturally was willing to explore the External Refining Body Technique.
If he had the talent, he certainly would cultivate both internally and externally.
On high platforms, several brawny Manor Guests watched this scene in astonishment. They could see that Zhang Jian was progressing rapidly.
In just a few days, he already stood firmly on the Three Yang Pillar.
Such talent and potential were rare among martial artists.
In fact, this was Zhang Jian deliberately holding back his skills.
The Fire Apricot had merged into his body, assisting his Body Forging, completely transforming his constitution.
Within him, the Celestial Spirit Child Skill circulated, and an astonishingly fiery power surged through his meridians, with faint crimson thunder sparks, containing a majestic force like a dormant volcano. As the Three Yang Pillar vibrated through his skin, muscles, and bones, it dispersed throughout his limbs, swiftly refining and stretching his muscles and bones.
...
It wasn't long before it became bustling at the entrance of the Zhang Family.
Rumors started in Fengxi County that the Zhang Family possessed Rice Mountain and Flour Mountain larger than Shuangfeng Mountain behind Fengxi.
Especially when it came to copper coins and taels of silver, each time they were hauled out by the cartload, forming a convoy stretching several miles.
This gave the Zhang Family the feeling of becoming the target of public criticism.
Many of the Zhang Family disciples were greatly annoyed by these rumors.
At this time, it was obvious that someone was targeting the Zhang Family.
Outside Fengxi County, the refugee tide grew larger. If unrest was triggered, the Zhang Family's industries would be easily impacted.
After the rumors, several of the Zhang Family elders couldn't sit still and returned to the Zhang Family, asking Zhang Yi to make a decision and not let the rumors continue to disrupt the Zhang Family's normal operations.
"Elders, there's no need to worry. I have an idea of who spread these rumors, but I assure you, they'll gain nothing and lose instead!"
"Clan Leader, with your words, we are reassured!"
"Indeed, the person spreading these rumors is truly despicable and must not be let off lightly!"
Zhang Jian stood at the gate, watching several elderly men, supported by some middle-aged men, emerge from the hall.
"Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle, Uncle Qi, Uncle Yu!"
Seeing these elders, Zhang Jian greeted them with a smile.
"So it's Brother Jian!"
The elderly men looked up and couldn't help but smile.
However, Zhang Jian didn't converse long with these elders. Zhang Yi called him over to handle the matter.
When Zhang Jian entered the hall, Zhang Yi was sipping tea, his expression calm and unworried about the outside rumors.
"Father!"
Zhang Jian gave a slight bow and spoke first.
Zhang Yi gently placed his cup down and, in a relaxed tone, asked.
"You already know about the rumors outside. I want to know, what do you think?"
This was both a test and possibly a lesson.
The implication was self-evident.
Zhang Jian's heart stirred, but he just smiled.
"Father, isn't it good that someone is bringing attention to our Zhang Family?"
Zhang Yi paused and asked: "What's your plan?"
Zhang Jian replied calmly: "Over the years, Father has been strengthening our Zhang Family's foundation. Our overt influence now rivals that of the County Commandery's County-Honored Clans, especially with Uncle Liu as an Advanced Scholar. In other words, we are not afraid of a few trivial rumors!"
"Every Noble Family has some heritage!"
"On the contrary, we can use these rumors to elevate our Zhang Family's influence to another level!"
"Oh, is that so? Why didn't I see it?" Zhang Yi asked, unfazed.
"Father is testing me!"
Zhang Jian smiled slightly.
"Now, with the refugee tide approaching, those spreading rumors merely want to use this opportunity to strike at the Zhang Family. But we can also use this opportunity to win over people's hearts and solidify our base!"
"We can spread the news ourselves, saying that our Zhang Family plans to set up Tong Che workshops and water mill workshops by the river, willing to take in some able refugees as a form of work-for-relief!"
"The idea is good, but how many refugees can we really gather this way?"
Zhang Yi shook his head.
Zhang Jian smiled cunningly and said, "But we can also use this opportunity, under the guise of protecting merchant fleets and safeguarding villagers, to fund and form a Guard Team for preventing bandits!"
Hearing this, Zhang Yi's eyes widened in restraint.
"How dare you! Do you know that forming such an armed guard privately can lead to execution?"
Zhang Jian argued: "Father, we are not recruiting private soldiers. We are preventing the refugee bandits from threatening the Zhang Family estate. I've heard recently many local residents are being disturbed by refugee bandits. Establishing such a guard team can help the Court reduce pressure, and we can fully 'disband' afterward!"
There was an unusual gleam in Zhang Jian's eyes. The Daqian Court prohibits local powers from recruiting private soldiers, and there are specific laws regarding it. But there are loopholes to exploit.
Whenever local situations become chaotic and banditry becomes rampant, local officials can temporarily enlist local civilians as soldiers to suppress bandits or grant certain aristocratic families permission to form guards to some extent.
Especially since the Zhang Family has a County Captain with military authority.
It wouldn't be hard to be flexible.
Zhang Yi gently stroked his beard, glancing at Zhang Jian: "Would you really 'disband'?"
Zhang Jian spoke: "Absolutely 'true'!"
Zhang Yi nodded: "That's good. Although this cannot harm us, you must also be cautious. Recently, there have been some ill-intentioned people around the Zhang Family. They are just reckless and need to be dealt with!"
Saying this, Zhang Yi's eyes flashed with a chill.
Zhang Jian was eager to try. Recently, his Celestial Spirit Child Skill had made progress, and he couldn't help but want some practical experience. But he quickly suppressed these thoughts.
It's not about being afraid, but with this talent, he'd be better off going to Zhang Yi's study to read a few more books.
Lately, he's been investigating the origin of unknown runes in a painting scroll.
He has already found some clues.
In Zhang Yi's library, he found a similar existence, called Ancient Golden Script, said to be the script created by ancient deities to explain the principles of Heaven and Earth, passed down through ages.
Fortunately, Zhang Yi's collection includes some classics related to Ancient Golden Script, but they are fragmented, and Zhang Jian can only diligently piece them together himself.