Chapter 16: Thunderous Fiery Bear Fist

Before long, Ji Xiaoxiong emerged, dressed in his official robes. To be honest, with his hulking, mountain-like stature, even though the garments were tailored as large as possible, he still looked like a black bear spirit stuffed into human clothing.

A snort of laughter escaped Ji Huo.

Ji Xiaoxiong shot him a glance, gave a soft grunt, and strode toward the door. Ji Huo hurried after him.

Outside, two horses awaited, already prepared. Ji Xiaoxiong mounted one in a single bound; Ji Huo climbed deftly onto the other. At this, an approving glint flickered in Ji Xiaoxiong’s eyes, quickly concealed as he said in a deep voice, “If you wish to ride, go to the stables any time. You should train your body more often. No matter how talented you are, without diligent practice, you’ll be as useless as rotten wood.”

Ji Huo nodded, replying with a single word.

With a crack of their whips, the spirited horses neighed and thundered off toward the imperial palace.

Strictly speaking, galloping through the imperial city like this was forbidden, but perhaps it was a privilege reserved for the Bear General. Moreover, this road was nearly deserted, with only a few vendors setting up their breakfast stalls—no pedestrians to avoid.

Or perhaps it was simply that morning court began so early that everyone else was still abed, Ji Huo mused to himself.

Within the palace grounds, riding was no longer permitted. Ji Xiaoxiong led Ji Huo inside, stopping at a side hall. “Wait here. Once the morning court is over, His Majesty will summon you.”

A question hung in Ji Huo’s eyes. “Father, why drag me here so early?”

“You were idle anyway. Might as well cultivate the habit of early to bed and early to rise,” Ji Xiaoxiong replied with a stone face, though a trace of satisfaction flashed in his eyes—what a pleasure to educate the boy at last.

Ji Huo’s mouth twitched. “How long does morning court usually last?”

“It depends. If there’s not much to discuss, just the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn. But lately, with all the disputes among those old lords, it’ll probably be half an hour or more.”

“So I’m to wait here for most of an hour? Isn’t that a waste of time?”

Ji Xiaoxiong clapped his shoulder with a gruff curse. “I’ve wasted my mornings here for decades and you don’t hear me complaining!”

His voice was loud enough to draw the attention of passing officials, who looked over curiously.

“Ahem!” Ji Xiaoxiong coughed, withdrawing his hand to maintain his dignity. He impatiently fished out a book from his robe and tossed it to Ji Huo. “You’re idle anyway—read this.”

Ji Huo caught the book. As he read the title, his pupils contracted sharply:

Item: Secret Manual of the Thunderous Bear Fist
Grade: Earth-class, middle rank
Description: Shatter darkness with thunder, burn all with flame. Dominate the world!

Though I know item information is always unreliable, this description is strangely familiar.

“Father, this is…”

Ji Huo looked at Ji Xiaoxiong. He’d been considering how to acquire a high-level technique like this. Though he fancied himself already formidable, he lacked a signature, foundational martial art. Still, he hadn’t expected his cheap old man to hand him this earth-class manual so casually.

This technique was among the highest in the world. No one had ever seen a heaven-class martial art—no one even knew what it would look like.

Ji Xiaoxiong scratched his nose with a thick finger, looking for all the world like an ape picking at its nostrils. “You have no great ambition anyway. Your talent is decent, but this martial art takes at least ten years to master, even to reach minor accomplishment. Might as well give it to you early.”

A rush of mixed feelings surged in Ji Huo. Forcing them down, he asked lightly, “Is it really that hard?”

“Hard? Even with talent like mine, it took me ten years to channel inner energy with it,” Ji Xiaoxiong replied offhand. “In all the land, I alone have mastered this art. It’s my exclusive technique.”

“Your elder brother—well, you know his health. He’s frail, unfit for martial training, so he can’t study this manual. But you have the foundation. Still, if you’re lazy, it’ll take forever to learn. I only hope that years from now, you’ll achieve at least some mastery and keep the art from being lost.”

Ji Huo nodded seriously. “I understand, Father.”

“All right, take your time with it,” Ji Xiaoxiong said, striding into the main hall. But as he reached a corner, he shrank back, peering furtively at Ji Huo.

This brat, so lacking in ambition! Now that I’ve given him my treasured martial art, he’s probably so moved he wants to weep, desperate to bury himself in study. Once he realizes how profound the Thunderous Bear Fist is, and how hard it is to master, he’ll finally appreciate his father’s talent and perseverance. He’ll beg me to teach him—crying and calling me master!

Ji Xiaoxiong grinned, his face blooming like a chrysanthemum. But then he saw Ji Huo casually tuck the treasured manual into his robe and start idly looking around.

That boy! He’s infuriating! Ji Xiaoxiong nearly cursed aloud, itching to cuff his youngest son’s ears.

“Ahem, Lord Protector, what are you doing?” came a slightly puzzled voice from behind.

Ji Xiaoxiong jolted upright, turned, and smiled. “Grand Preceptor, it’s been a while.”

“Didn’t we just see each other at court yesterday?” Li Xiu replied, puzzled. He peered over Ji Xiaoxiong’s shoulder, but Ji Xiaoxiong sidestepped, blocking his view.

Li Xiu narrowed his eyes and shifted sideways.

Ji Xiaoxiong matched him, blocking again.

Li Xiu took three swift steps; Ji Xiaoxiong countered with a double step, still obstructing him.

“Grand Preceptor, Lord Protector, what are you two doing?” an official nearby asked in confusion.

“Hahaha, just greeting each other,” Ji Xiaoxiong laughed.

Li Xiu joined in, his shoulders bobbing side to side as he joked, “I hear this is the latest greeting in the martial world—we’re just following the trend.”

“Oh!” The official’s face lit with understanding. “So you’re practicing the ‘Kun Dance’? I’ve heard about it, but didn’t expect you two to have such refined tastes. Remarkable!”

“Hahahaha, indeed!”

“Keeping up with the times.”

Arm in arm, the two entered the main hall. As they walked, Li Xiu tried to glance back, but Ji Xiaoxiong blocked him relentlessly.

“What are you hiding? You think I won’t find out? If you block me now, I’ll just see for myself later!”

“I’m not letting you see!”

“If you don’t let me, I’ll divine it right here and now—I’ll even tell you the color of your underwear!”

“No need—I can just take them off and put them on your head.”

“Ruffian!”

“Charlatan!”

Ji Huo stood idly, but his mind was already immersed deep within. The martial arts learning icon was flashing brightly in his mind.

“Learn Thunderous Bear Fist!”

Instantly, he saw over a million cultivation points plummet at a staggering rate.

“Damn!”