Chapter 9: I Choose to Lie Flat
Why does it feel like this posture was deliberately arranged? Ji Huo stepped in front of his bargain father, clasped his hands together, and after holding back for a long while, managed to squeeze out a single sentence:
“Father.”
He could clearly sense the connection between their bloodlines; it was far more effective than any ritual of blood recognition. Moreover, since Ji Xiong was a grandmaster, he should be able to feel this bond as well.
Ji Xiong lifted his head, carefully examining the slender youth before him, especially his gentle and handsome face, which bore a resemblance to his eldest son and, even more so, to his long-deceased wife.
He pondered for a moment, his voice deep as he said:
“Since they’ve brought you here, you must know you are my son, of my blood.”
Ji Huo nodded, his voice calm:
“I know.”
“There’s no need for worry, you are indeed my son. I’ve already confirmed it,” Ji Xiong added, trying to reassure him. “As a grandmaster, I felt the connection between us as soon as you walked in.”
“Oh?” Ji Huo raised his brows, feigning curiosity.
Ji Xiong tossed aside the little booklet he had, clearly annoyed by it, sat up straight, and spoke in a lecturing tone:
“Once you reach grandmaster level, you gain a sense of harmony with heaven and earth, and a warrior’s intuition awakens—many things become clear. Though it’s hard to explain, the feeling is real.”
“Oh.” Ji Huo’s face remained impassive.
The study fell silent.
Ji Xiong looked at him, he looked back at Ji Xiong; neither could find a topic to speak on, and the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
“Now that you’re here, settle down and live in the residence. You’ve wandered outside for years, it must have been tough. If you ever wish to pursue something, just let me know,” Ji Xiong finally managed to say after much effort.
“Oh.”
“Don’t abuse your status as the son of the Flying Bear General to act recklessly or oppress the people. If I find out, I’ll break your legs.”
“Oh.”
“Respect your elder brother. Jun Hong is a good child—if you don’t understand something, ask him.”
“Oh.”
And again, silence descended, the atmosphere awkward.
Ji Huo muttered inwardly—though these were a father’s words to his son, he couldn’t help but feel his bargain father had really struggled to say them, completely lacking any parenting experience!
“Do you have any questions?” Ji Xiong, unable to find a topic, finally asked.
Knowing his long-lost child was still alive and about to return, Ji Xiong had imagined many scenarios for their reunion. Even if this youngest son cried and clung to him, he could lecture him about how men don’t easily shed tears, and it would be acceptable.
But this brat was just too calm!
Damn it, nothing like he imagined!
How was he supposed to establish his stern father image?
Ji Huo tilted his head and asked, “How did my mother die?”
The study plunged into a quiet stillness. Ji Xiong’s stern face softened slightly as he replied calmly:
“Hunted by enemies, she developed an illness. You were separated from us because of it. For years, she remained sorrowful and eventually passed.”
“And the enemies?”
“Killed.”
“Then nothing else.” Ji Huo responded.
The atmosphere grew awkward once more.
Altogether, not even half an incense stick’s worth of conversation had passed, and Ji Xiong felt the reunion between father and son lost for years shouldn’t be like this. At least, in the stories passed around the market, it would take two or three chapters!
“Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?” Ji Xiong asked again.
Ji Huo hesitated for two seconds, then tentatively asked, “Can I just take it easy?”
Ji Xiong was silent for two seconds, carefully considering, “Hmm… You’ve wandered for years, wanting to relax now is normal. And afterwards? What do you want to do?”
“I choose to take it easy.”
“I’ll find a tutor to teach you to read and write, you can take the civil service exams and become an official—how about that?”
“I choose to take it easy.”
“Join the Flying Bear Army, start as a soldier, command troops, conquer cities, expand territory, and achieve great feats—how about that?”
“I choose to take it easy.”
The room fell silent once more. After a few seconds, Ji Xiong tried again:
“How about business?”
“I choose to take it easy.”
This brat!
Utterly infuriating!
Outside, suddenly the wind whipped up, clouds drifted in and darkened the sky, but only over this small patch above the residence.
Ji Jun Hong lounged lazily in a deck chair, glanced at the clouds, and chuckled softly, “I wonder what Second Brother said—Father’s temper seems to have flared up.”
Inside the study, silence reigned again.
“Have you practiced martial arts?” Ji Xiong asked quietly.
This brat—he just couldn’t feel satisfied unless he gave him a beating, plus it would help his stern father image.
He ought to discipline him!
“I’ve learned some basic boxing and kicking,” Ji Huo replied casually.
Suddenly, his vision blurred, darkness engulfed everything. Ji Xiong stood before him, and the overwhelming pressure felt like a mountain crashing down.
It was as if he faced a primordial beast—wild, savage, bloodthirsty—the terrifying aura enveloped him.
Ji Xiong reached out, his hand forming a claw, grasping toward Ji Huo’s face.
This simple move made Ji Huo feel as if every inch of space around him was sealed off, the air thick as a mire, impossible to move.
Is this what a Martial Grandmaster is?!
An absolute expert?
A sudden urge flashed in Ji Huo’s eyes to throw caution aside and unleash his strength against his father, but he suppressed it instantly.
Suddenly, he clenched his fist and punched toward Ji Xiong’s palm—using only his physical strength, no martial arts.
Ji Xiong’s eyes flashed with delight. Even with all the space locked down by his pressure, his son could still throw a punch unaffected! Such skill, already far beyond his peers!
Fist and claw collided in mid-air.
Crack! Crack!
The cement tiles beneath Ji Huo’s feet shattered into several pieces, spiderweb cracks spreading rapidly.
Ji Huo swayed slightly, but managed to withstand the blow.
Ji Xiong’s delight grew more obvious. Though he hadn’t used internal force or gone all out, few in the world could withstand one of his claws.
Wait!
This brat just said he only knew basic boxing and kicking? This is basic?
Damn it!
He needs a beating!
Ji Huo was equally astonished. He hadn't used internal force, but he had mastered at least twenty or thirty body-training techniques to their peak—even if they were low-grade, their sheer number made him almost inhuman. With such a constitution, he could be fired from a cannon and punch a hole through a city wall, yet he still struggled to resist his father’s claw?
Damn it!
Trying to beat his son at first meeting—not fit to be a father!
I’ll show him!
Both locked eyes, and simultaneously exerted force.
Crack! Crack!
The cracks beneath Ji Huo’s feet widened, even small fissures spreading under Ji Xiong’s feet.
At the collision of fist and claw, the air itself seemed to twist, the power so intense it caused high-frequency vibrations.
“Ahem! Father, are you finished talking? I’ll take Second Brother to see his quarters.” A slightly helpless voice came from outside the door—it was Ji Jun Hong.