Chapter 823

The Jia family's inherited martial arts are said to be cultivable to the level of the Spirit-Refining Mirror.

However, aside from the two dukes Ning and Rong from back then, no one has actually reached this realm.

The martial realm of the two dukes Ning and Rong is said by some to be that of a grand master, and by others to be one grand master and one first-rank martial artist.

The claim of two grand masters is merely out of respect for the deceased dukes; in reality, they never achieved it.

Specifically, no one bothers to investigate further.

Even if the two dukes Ning and Rong were grand masters in their lifetime and the family's martial arts were extraordinarily exceptional, so what?

Looking at the Jia family today, the male heirs capable of heading the household: Ningguo Fu's Jia Zhen is a seventh-rank force-fed cultivator, and Jia Rong is unranked.

Rongguo Fu's Jia She is similarly a seventh-rank cultivator forged through hardship, on par with Jia Zhen.

Jia Zheng is the same, though unlike Jia Zhen and Jia She, he does not constantly indulge in wine and lust, draining his body; if he were to fight, he might possess the strength of a normal eighth-rank martial artist.

Down to the fourth generation: Jia Lian is unranked, Jia Cong is unranked, Jia Huan is unranked, and only Jia Baoyu is an eighth-rank martial artist.

In the fifth generation, Jia Lan is likewise unranked.

Among them, Jia Lan is still too young to begin martial training, and Jia Huan has just reached the age for it, so we can set them aside for now.

However, Jia Lian and Jia Cong, under normal circumstances, should have trained in martial arts for several years by now.

Yet they remain unranked, with only Jia Baoyu being an eighth-rank martial artist.

Why is this so?

As the Jia family's martial arts decline, it also reflects one thing: the Jia family no longer has sufficient financial resources to forcibly cultivate several seventh- or eighth-rank martial artists.

Of course, this does not mean the Jia family is already finished.

The Jia family's food, clothing, and daily expenses remain extraordinarily luxurious, maintaining the rank of royalty and nobility without any decline.

It is only on the path of martial arts that they have essentially declared abandonment.

A martial family that established itself through martial prowess now finds that among the Jia clan and their servants, not even a single Qi-refining martial artist can be found.

Even if the Jia family's inherited martial arts are extraordinarily exceptional, what use are they?

Having settled the matter with the servants, Tang Luo went to find Qin Keqing, and amidst her bewildered expression, he slipped her a copy of the "Great Power Monkey King Fist."

"Husband... husband," Qin Keqing said, not knowing what to say.

"If I'm not mistaken, you are actually an eighth-rank martial artist, aren't you?" Tang Luo said.

Qin Keqing startled, pressed her lips together, and admitted it.

"I can see your talent is not bad; this 'Great Power Monkey King Fist,' if you practice it diligently, you will surely become a grand master," Tang Luo said.

"This martial art—" Qin Keqing said helplessly.

In the present age, women practicing martial arts is naturally not considered anything remarkable.

But even if they practice, most of what they learn is that kind of lively and graceful, flashy martial art, primarily sword techniques.

Things like the Golden Bell Cover, Iron Cloth Shirt, and Iron Sand Palm—those are completely avoided.

Great Power Monkey King Fist.

Just hearing the name, it sounds inferior to something like Iron Sand Palm.

"This martial art is very powerful; with your talent, you will surely become a grand master," Tang Luo emphasized again. "Once you become a grand master, where in the world could you not go? Not to mention encountering someone like Jia Zhen, who is worse than pigs and dogs—you could slap him to death with one palm, and it would be no different from slapping a dog to death. Others would even cheer you on for killing a foolish dog."

Qin Keqing fell silent at once.

These words struck directly at her heart.

At the same time, she was astonished by her husband's strangeness.

"Rest assured, I won't turn you into a monkey," Tang Luo added.

In martial arts, those that include animal names are usually developed based on the animal's movements.

The techniques inevitably incorporate some animal postures, especially at the beginning, when they are basically imitations.

Things like tigers and cranes—well, that's fine, either mighty or graceful.

Even snakes often carry a hint of gloominess, barely qualifying as extraordinary.

This monkey fist—imagine a woman making monkey postures; just thinking about it feels hard to accept.

Fortunately, Tang Luo added that remark, and Qin Keqing flipped through it briefly, indeed seeing no monkey movements, and her mind was set at ease.

If Sun Wukong knew his improved martial art was being despised by people.

He would surely leap up and down, smashing a mountain with one punch to prove these people are blind.

Tang Luo gave Qin Keqing no pointers.

The Great Power Monkey King Fist emphasizes simplicity; anyone with average talent can practice it on their own.

No need for others to guide, and feeding techniques—there's nothing much to feed anyway.

The gap between the two is too great.

So, Tang Luo continued lying on the recliner in the courtyard, occasionally picking up grapes from beside him and tossing them into his mouth.

Enjoying the corruption of feudal society—normally, it would require maidens with delicate hands to feed him.

But almost everyone has been driven by Tang Luo to practice martial arts, and besides, this matter cannot be elaborated on, so it is dropped.

Just after lying down for a few minutes.

Amidst the gray mist came the sound of Ao Yu Lie shouting loudly: "Master, you definitely can't guess!"

"You think I can't guess?" Tang Luo countered.

"Um..." Ao Yu Lie shrank his neck outside, no longer beating around the bush: "I discovered that Feng Jie is actually a Qi-refining martial artist. Fourth-rank Qi-refining, no, at least a fourth-rank martial artist!"

"You say this Feng Jie—" Tang Luo was first stunned, then realized who Feng Jie was.

Ever since a certain Feng Jie appeared out of nowhere, she has thoroughly ruined this term.

Previously, "Feng Jie" was used to "describe" Wang Xifeng.

"She actually is a martial arts master," Tang Luo said, somewhat surprised.

A fourth-rank martial artist is indeed considered a master of martial arts.

"I didn't expect her to be the strongest of the Jia family," Ao Yulie said. "The men of the Jia family are completely useless."

Tang Luo gave him three days to take control of the Rongguo Mansion.

Ao Yulie naturally had to put in more effort; unlike Tang Luo, who could just charge through (actually just beating one person) and be done.

He needed to gain a deeper understanding of the various circumstances within the Rongguo Mansion.

Upon investigation, he actually discovered that Wang Xifeng was a hidden master.

Wang Xifeng is the wife of Jia Lian and the daughter-in-law of the main branch (Jia She) of the Rongguo Mansion.

She is of the same generation as Jia Huan and Jia Baoyu.

Yet, among Jia Baoyu's generation, she is still considered junior, not involved in household affairs, only knowing how to enjoy herself.

Wang Xifeng has already taken charge of the affairs of the Rongguo Mansion, making her a capable person there.

"Has she concealed her martial arts cultivation?" Tang Luo asked.

"Yes, everyone only knows she is a ninth-rank martial artist," Ao Yulie replied. "I never expected it—never expected it. Master, what do you think about us cooperating with her?"

"Whatever you want," Tang Luo said, merely hearing it without caring about such matters.

"Alright, then I'll give it a try," Ao Yulie said.

After a short while, amidst the gray mist, Ao Yulie returned again: "Master! Something serious has happened!"

"What? Unable to cooperate with someone and instead got beaten? That shouldn't be the case?" Tang Luo said.

With the ability of the Little White Dragon, subduing a fourth-rank martial artist is still effortless.

Even if it were a first-rank martial artist, he would only be unable to prevail in a direct frontal clash.

He has a hundred methods to deal with it, including but not limited to the divine abilities of "Third Senior Brother protects me," "Second Senior Brother, I've been beaten," "Senior Senior Brother, I've been beaten," and the killing move "Master, your most beloved Little White Dragon is being bullied!"

"No. I've discovered another hidden martial arts master," Ao Yulie said. "This time you definitely won't be able to guess who it is."

"Who?"

"Shi Taikun!"

"Shi? You mean Jia Baoyu's grandmother, Jia Mu?" Tang Luo said.

"Yes, exactly her!"

"..."

Now, within the entire Jia family, who holds the highest position is beyond doubt—Jia Mu.

She is the wife of Jia Codeshan, the ancestral matriarch of the Jia family, and holds a first-rank honorary title.

"Jia family female general?" Tang Luo said, somewhat speechless.

The Yang family female generals, at least, died almost to the last man of the Yang clan, then stepped forward, the whole family heroic and martyr-like.

But the male descendants of the Jia family are still alive and well.

As a result, the martial arts masters are one Wang Xifeng and one Jia Mu, advanced in years.

Embarrassing.

"Master, things have become troublesome. The Jia family appears to have declined in martial arts, a bunch of good-for-nothings with no promising future, yet they still stand firm—originally, the root lies here," Ao Yulie said.

"How so? Is this Shi Taikun's strength not insignificant?"

"Grand Master!" Ao Yulie affirmed, "Absolutely certain."

As a combat power unit, he is highly sensitive to strength realms and would certainly not make a mistake.

"Oh?" Tang Luo only then truly became interested.

In the entire Great Qian, there are no more than ten openly acknowledged Grand Masters, among whom two are from the imperial clan, three are imperial court sponsors, two are from the Great Qian court aristocratic families, and one is a recluse living among the clouds and cranes.

Only eight in total.

If Jia Mu is a Grand Master, then looking across the entire Great Qian, she would rank among the top ten.

Even if the younger generation is inadequate and martial arts have declined, as long as she lives one day, the Jia family has no reason to be in its current state; it should instead flourish several times over.

Additionally, there are two other aristocratic families with Grand Masters: one in the imperial capital, with the heavenly clan above them, thus somewhat restrained.

But it is still the heavenly clan first, me second in performance.

The other is the Zhen family of Jinling; there, describing the Zhen family as a "local emperor" is already belittling them.

"Does this Grand Master of hers have a problem?" Tang Luo asked.

"I didn't dare investigate deeply—this old woman has hidden herself so deeply," Ao Yulie said. "I worry about unexpected complications. However, there should definitely be a problem; I briefly sensed her aura—aged and frail, with depleted qi and blood. It is absolutely not what a normal Grand Master should have."

A normal Grand Master can live over a hundred years without issue.

Qi and blood only rapidly decline in the final few years of life.

Shi Taikun is in her early eighties; there is no reason for her qi and blood to have declined—she should still have at least ten years of prime combat time.

"Interesting, I'll come take a look," Tang Luo said.

"Alright, Master!" Ao Yulie accordingly handed over the troublesome task; at this time, as long as he sits beside and watches Master perform, it's enough.

Tang Luo stood up and directly headed toward the Rongguo Mansion.

The Ningguo and Rongguo Mansions are right next to each other, with small gates and paths connecting them in between.

But the estate is so large it's like a maze; Tang Luo, following convention, directly found a maid to lead the way.

Upon arriving at the Rongguo Mansion, he again found a maid from the Rongguo Mansion to lead the way.

Jia Mu, advanced in years, only enjoys family bliss, residing in the rear courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion, behind the residence of Lady Wang (wife of Jia Zheng).

After winding around and changing guides along the way, he finally arrived.

Fortunately, Jia Rong's status is not insignificant—he is the legitimate eldest son and only son of the Ningguo Mansion; otherwise, it would truly not be so easy to see Jia Mu.

Also, only Jia Baoyu can, at any time, rest in Jia Mu's lap and enjoy her affection.

When Tang Luo arrived, Jia Mu happened to be enjoying family bliss.

She sat casually on the warm kang, with the big-faced Jia Baoyu, whom Ao Yulie had mentioned, sticking close by her side.

Inside the room were Lady Wang, Wang Xifeng, the three young women, Lin, Xue, and others.

Everyone wore colorful clothes to entertain the elders, lively and cheerful, making Grandmother Jia exceedingly happy.

Ao Yulie, playing Jia Huan, stood in the corner, unremarkable.

As the maid announced, "Young Master Rong has arrived," Tang Luo stepped into the hall, his gaze casually sweeping over, finally settling on Grandmother Jia.

"Rong'er, how come you have time to visit me?" Grandmother Jia asked with a smile.

"Ancestor." Tang Luo gave a casual reply, then his tone shifted: "I have offended you."

After speaking, he paused for a second, giving people time to prepare, before acting.

Everyone saw "Jia Rong" extend his palm, and the entire hall instantly seemed to have heaven and earth inverted, as if completely controlled by that palm.

Tang Luo moved suddenly, but Wang Xifeng's reaction was extremely quick.

She sprang up instantly to strike and block, yet Tang Luo glanced over with one look.

Wang Xifeng's body trembled, the true qi within her suddenly churned into chaos, she stiffened completely—unable to strike, unable even to move a finger.

A fourth-rank martial artist, actually rendered motionless by a single glance.

Seeing Tang Luo's claw-like strike coming, Grandmother Jia, who had been merely an ordinary old woman, suddenly changed her aura.

Lightning-bright light burst from her eyes; she shoved aside the dazed Jia Baoyu beside her and reached out to grab.

The cane not far away flew into her hand, thrusting straight toward Tang Luo's palm!

This thrust filled the entire hall with sharp, piercing qi.

As if it would tear the whole hall to shreds.

Fortunately, the hall was entirely under Tang Luo's control; the sharp sword qi likewise, before it could truly pour forth, shattered with a boom.

The cane struck his palm and suddenly exploded.

Those fragments flew into the air, their power no less than hidden weapons—about to blast the hall into a thousand holes, and by the way turn a room full of charming, lovely girls into corpses.

Tang Luo drew his palm back, and the fragments instantly flew back in reverse.

In his hand they recondensed into the shape of a cane, which he took, then planted firmly on the ground.

The cane turned into a pile of powder and fell down.

Everything returned to calm and stillness, except the powder under Tang Luo's feet, which revealed what had just happened in that instant.

Grandmother Jia stared at Tang Luo with eyes wide in astonishment, her hair slightly disheveled.

Tang Luo, however, smiled: "Not bad, Ancestor—I dare call you the second of the Jia family."

Who is first?

Naturally, it's me, "Jia Rong"!