[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult":3,"chapter-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-25":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Don't Mock the Poor Old Man: Gains a Year of Cultivation Every Day!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2312517,4520,"Chapter 25","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-25",25,"\u003Cp>Deep within the Zhang family mansion, in a chamber with doors and windows tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy, almost unyielding scent of medicine mingled with a faint tang of blood, swirling in the stagnant air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bed, Zhang Xu’s face was as pale as gold paper, eyes tightly closed, his chest wrapped in thick white cloth, faint stains of blood still seeping through; his lower body was neatly covered, concealing the grotesque wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath was faint; had it not been for the extremely slow rise and fall of his chest, he might as well have been dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the bed, an elderly man with white hair and a gaunt face slowly rose, withdrawing the final fine silver needle—from a point on Zhang Xu’s scalp, as thin as a cow’s hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements were steady, his fingertips trembling not at all, yet exhaustion lingered unmistakably in his furrowed brows from a night of desperate rescue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was Wang Qingshui, the famed physician of Anxi County, known for his miraculous hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At midnight, he had been urgently summoned by the Zhang household steward; despite the hefty payment, even he could not afford to slack off when faced with Zhang Xu’s horrifying injuries, and gave his all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qingshui wiped the fine sweat from his brow with a clean white cloth, carefully washed his hands, then turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang He had been standing in the shadows at the foot of the bed, his face grim, eyes locked fixedly on Wang Qingshui’s, as if trying to extract every micro-expression for clues to his son’s fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Zhang He stood a young man dressed in a light blue brocade robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was taller and more upright than Zhang Xu, his face bearing five-tenths resemblance, but with broader brows, a high nose bridge, less of Zhang Xu’s frivolous arrogance, more steadiness and competence—he was Zhang Tao, the eldest son of the Zhang family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Zhang Tao’s brows were also tightly furrowed, his gaze shifting between his unconscious brother and his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doctor Wang...” Zhang He’s voice broke the silence of the room, hoarse with restraint, “my son... how is his condition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Qingshui met Zhang He’s gaze, heavy as if dripping with water, and sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, carefully choosing his words, Wang Qingshui spoke cautiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Zhang, your son’s injuries are indeed severe. His chest suffered a tremendous impact—ribs shattered, internal organs ruptured and bleeding, compounded by near-drowning and asphyxiation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, observing Zhang He’s expression, then continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fortunately, treatment was timely. I have stabilized his heart meridian with the Golden Needle Passage technique, expelled the water from his lungs, and applied my secret medicinal formula both internally and externally. His pulse is weak now, but has stabilized.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With your Zhang family’s wealth, you surely have no shortage of tonic herbs. With proper rest, his life should be spared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But...” Wang Qingshui’s gaze involuntarily drifted to Zhang Xu’s lower body, covered by thick blankets, then added, “your son’s lower region suffered grievous trauma—he may never...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though phrased delicately, anyone who understood would know exactly what he meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xu was ruined. He would never be a man again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Wang Qingshui had finished speaking, a stifled roar erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Tao’s face flushed with rage, veins bulging on his forehead. He stepped forward, fists clenched till they cracked, as if ready to smash his fury into the air, playing the part of a devoted brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liu Qingshi and Su Chen are truly despicable—they let their daughter act like this, maiming my brother so horribly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They have no respect for the Zhang family at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will never forgive them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice roared with fury, though how much of it was genuine remained unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang He did not immediately respond to his eldest son’s outburst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remained where he stood, his figure like cast iron, his face shrouded in an impenetrable gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room held only Zhang Tao’s heavy breathing and Zhang Xu’s barely audible breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A suffocating silence stretched long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang He let out a deep sigh, placing a hand on Zhang Tao’s shoulder. “From now on, the Zhang family rests on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken, he seemed utterly exhausted, unwilling to remain in the room another moment, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the martial academy’s gatehouse, Jiang Ye had already risen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood before the window, his aged eyes gazing at the pale gray of dawn breaking the horizon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling last night’s absurd events, he still felt a dreamlike disorientation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when his mind involuntarily flashed upon Liu Yiyi’s usually cold, snow-white face—now flushed crimson last night—or Su Yan’s gentle, smiling eyes, that tender little mouth...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye cleared his throat awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously, he pressed his stiffening legs together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His old face could not help but warm slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans are like this: before experiencing it, he could live seventy years alone, his heart as still and pure as a well’s water, and not find it hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after last night’s “battle,” now that he had tasted the marrow, he could no longer control this aging body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is going to kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered silently, quickly shook his head, and forcibly banished those untimely, restless thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crisp morning air filled his lungs, bringing clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not dwell further, immediately took stance on the open ground before the gate, calmed his mind, and began practicing the Five Animal Fist, etched into his bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tiger crouches, deer sprints, bear leans, monkey climbs, bird soars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each movement, fluid and seamless, his intent sinking into the fist’s principles, blood and qi surging in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only through pure bodily control and precise force manipulation could he momentarily forget the chaotic thoughts and restless instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five Animal Fist proficiency +5.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five Animal Fist proficiency +5.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five Animal Fist proficiency...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About half an hour later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye slowly ended his stance, his aura full and harmonious; the sensation of power surging and fine control gained after last night’s breakthrough grew even clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Host: Jiang Ye\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifespan: 85\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation: Dark Force (Initial Stage)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destiny: Ascending the Divine Stairway [Effect 1: Extraordinary Comprehension]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mastered Wu Gong: Five Animal Fist [Mastery, 86\u002F1000]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mastered True Meaning: Tiger Moves Like Illness, Monkey Changes a Thousand Ways\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the system panel, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night’s breakthrough into Dark Force, the mastery of the fist, had granted him five more years of life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My strength still needs consolidation; blood and qi nourishment must not cease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling his blood and qi gradually settling, Jiang Ye thought inwardly, “I’ll buy some after closing today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The four Blood-Replenishing Pills taken from Xu Tao of the Wild Wolf Gang were all gone; to keep his cultivation from stalling, he needed to use the five thousand taels of silver to buy a substantial supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When daylight broke, Jiang Ye opened the martial academy’s gates and resumed his role as gatekeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, the first person to arrive today was not Shi Lei, but Lin Xiaohé.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl looked as if she had just run a short, hurried errand—her bangs damp, cheeks flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her hand, she tightly clutched a paper-wrapped bundle; warmth seeped through the paper, faintly carrying the scent of baked bread and toasted sesame—like freshly baked shaobing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good morning, Elder Jiang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she neared the gate, Lin Xiaohé unusually greeted Jiang Ye again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She did not rush into the academy as usual; instead, she stood hesitantly outside, her eyes flicking occasionally toward the long street, her fingers unconsciously twisting the paper parcel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Ye shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old man as sharp as he was, he knew instantly what Lin Xiaohé was up to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was waiting for Shi Lei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only say—this girl’s shamelessness had reached a remarkable level.\u003C\u002Fp>",1304,"2026-06-20T12:57:27.461Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a1becd4d11d95a6527f5f561310ea34b6c8d5657a92219d0a09961dc4c7537db","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-26","don-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-chapter-24",268,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdon-t-mock-the-poor-old-man-gains-a-year-of-cult-cover.jpg"]