Chapter 14: Clouds in the Palm, Heaven's Thunder in Three Feet

Zhao Xing was happy, but Lady Cai was not.

She wanted to hide the meat for next time, but it had already gone into the pot and couldn't be fished back out, so she simply added more — otherwise wouldn't Zheng go hungry? The child had already started practicing martial arts, and the nutrition had to keep up.

"Eat, eat, eat, stuff that mud-leg to death." Lady Cai glared viciously at the pot, tapping the chopping board with a clatter, as if this piece of meat were Zhao Xing.

The commotion in the kitchen clearly grew louder, but no one noticed.

Because Zhao Ruide was in the yard teaching Zhao Zheng martial arts.

He was holding a stance, and no one knew how long he had been standing — he remained perfectly still, like a green pine.

Though he was nearly sixty, his breathing was still long and steady, his qi and blood like mercury, and the density of his Pang Yuan Qi far surpassed Zhao Xing's.

"Mountain-Sitting Art — standing like sitting on a mountain. This martial artist's stance art barely counts as middle three ranks, yet he's practiced it until it feels like a top-rank technique. Looks like with enough honing, even minor arts can produce great power." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Whether martial arts or spells, one can break through fixed grades and gain new insights — one could say there is no limit.

Of course, in the current version, such cases are rare. First, because the channels for acquiring spells and martial arts are plentiful — once one reaches 'Nine Revolutions' (full mastery), one basically moves on to cultivate higher-level ones. Second, the rules of heaven and earth impose limits; only in a revival version would such situations become common.

Zhao Ruide stood his stance earnestly, posture proper, Pang Yuan Qi flowing in and out with each breath. Beside him, Zhao Zheng was completely lackadaisical.

One moment wiggling his feet, the next twisting his waist, scratching his ears and cheeks — his mind wasn't on this at all.

Seeing Zhao Xing return, his eyes immediately lit up, as if he'd finally found an excuse to stop practicing: "Big brother's back! Big brother! Father, you two chat! I'll go get you some Mao Jin!"

This little rascal wasn't sincerely fond of him at all — he purely wanted to dodge martial arts training!

Right now, even if you led a dog over, he'd call it 'brother.' This little fellow was sharp!

Having said that, he got up and slipped away at once.

"Come back! Who said you could move?!" Zhao Ruide barked.

Zhao Zheng ran off with a grin, completely disregarding Zhao Ruide's words.

Zhao Xing found the sight amusing. It was rare for a father to teach his son martial arts, because he simply couldn't bear to use heavy hands. Moreover, Zhao Ruide had his son late in life and doted on Zhao Zheng greatly — at most he'd say a few harsh words. How could one train like that?

"Zhao Zheng, come here."

"Huh? Big brother…" Zhao Zheng stood in place, somewhat torn.

"One, two~~"

"Coming, coming!" Zhao Zheng gave a start and ran over immediately.

"Father hasn't said it's over — why are you running? Keep standing!"

Zhao Zheng's little face immediately fell, his brows drooping as he stood beside Zhao Ruide, unwilling and reluctant.

"Bend your knees, chest out, hands positioned properly!" Zhao Xing unceremoniously kicked Zhao Zheng in the back of the knee.

"I'm standing properly, big brother, I'm standing properly." Zhao Zheng didn't dare get angry and even put on a flattering smile.

Zhao Ruide simply pretended not to see his younger son's worthless appearance.

But one couldn't really blame Zhao Zheng.

He had his mother to spoil him and his father to dote on him — even when he was naughty or made mistakes, no one had ever truly raised a hand to hit him.

Only this big brother was different — he really beat him, and in the most painful ways possible.

If he complained to father, father would still only say a few words.

If he complained to mother, mother would actually say she couldn't out-talk him!

Though they shared no blood, there was somehow a sense of bloodline suppression.

The result was that now whenever Zhao Zheng saw Zhao Xing, he was as meek as a quail.

Dinner was eaten in the yard. Zhao Ruide wasn't so particular, and Lady Cai had been a singing girl by origin, so she didn't care about such minor proprieties either — the yard was cool, so they ate in the yard.

With Zhao Xing present, Zhao Zheng was much more well-behaved at the table, but after eating for a while he still couldn't sit still: "Mom, I'm hot."

Though he said it to Lady Cai, Zhao Zheng's eyes looked expectantly at his big brother.

"Mom will fan you." Lady Cai immediately put down her chopsticks to fetch a palm-leaf fan.

"No need for that trouble." Zhao Xing pointed a finger, and dark clouds immediately appeared overhead, just blocking the setting sun's rays.

At the same time a cool breeze arrived, and this sight made Zhao Zheng's eyes shine brightly.

Even Zhao Ruide was somewhat surprised: "You've already learned to summon wind? And these clouds are much bigger too."

Zhao Xing nodded and said: "I've made some progress recently."

It was more than 'some progress' — Zhao Xing's 【Moving Clouds】 now had a proficiency exceeding 5000. In insider terms, that was Moving Clouds Five Revolutions, capable of covering five thousand meters.

Zhao Ruide was a man of experience. He clearly sensed the spell's improvement, and looking at his adopted son's manner, this casual, understated air was also quite different from before.

"Is there hope of being appointed to office this year?"

Zhao Xing set down his bowl and chopsticks: "An eighty percent chance."

Zhao Ruide asked: "What's the missing twenty percent?"

Zhao Xing considered: "A good teacher, and a recommender."

Although Xue Wenzhong had agreed to take him as a disciple, the formal apprenticeship hadn't been announced yet, so how much effort the old Minister of Agriculture would put into recommending him was unknown. Besides, the old Minister of Agriculture alone might not be enough.

Appointment to office mainly depended on the examination, but recommendations also carried some weight — especially when several candidates had tied or nearly tied scores.

Zhao Ruide nodded and didn't press further.

But over the next few days, Zhao Xing noticed the meals at home had suddenly jumped up a level — mostly dishes that nourished Pang Yuan Qi.

At the Agricultural Ministry, just as the sky was faintly light, Zhao Xing had already arrived at Xue Wenzhong's Sophora and Willow Courtyard.

"Boom-crack~" "Boom-crack!"

A dark cloud, only three meters square, hovered five meters above Zhao Xing's head.

The sound of thunder was incessant, and the lightning's glow made Zhao Xing's face flicker between light and dark.

After a moment, the dark cloud dispersed.

Zhao Xing checked his panel.

【Thunder Strike: Beginner Spell】

【Progress: (3005/9999)】

【Effect: With Cloud-Walking as a prerequisite, thunder can be sounded within the clouds.】

"Thunder has already reached three revolutions, and the power keeps growing stronger. Old Si Nong really is a treasure of a grandpa." Zhao Xing could not help but sigh.

Just a few days ago he had only just learned 【Thunder】, and in only a few days it had already reached three revolutions.

Such rapid progress, apart from the blessing of the Dao Embryo Pill and fortune, was also greatly aided by Xue Wenzhong's dedicated guidance.

For instance, just now, Xue Wenzhong had him keep 【Cloud-Walking】 controlled to about three meters, and then cast 【Thunder】. This method of casting placed a great demand on control, but the training effect was enormous.

In other words, the proficiency gained was very high!

"Cloud-Walking in the palm, three-foot heavenly thunder—this is something I figured out on my own." In Xue Wenzhong's palm, clouds appeared, and thunder serpents rolled within them.

"The imperial court transmits ten thousand methods, and anyone may learn them. But finding the best, the most optimal, the most suitable method of casting for oneself—that is what makes a 'technique.'"

"Think it over carefully. In the morning, stay in the back courtyard and think and practice at the same time. After class I will come by from time to time to check. I heard you scored top-grade on the Lesser Heat examination a few days ago—do not grow arrogant. Between you and the outstanding students of the other courtyards, there is still a great gap. Every one of those thirty on the top list is stronger than you."

"Yes, student will keep it in mind." Zhao Xing cupped his hands in a bow.