28: Chapter 28 Fourth Life, All-in Failure? Watch Me Turn the Tide (Part 5)

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Wearing a grey cloth martial outfit, Wang Shi stood straight and reported to Zhongwu Hall, which was under the jurisdiction of the Guard Battalion, right on time.

His current body had just turned thirteen; his features still held the youthful innocence and refinement of a boy, but his eyes hid a composure that belied his age.

That was the experience accumulated over several lifetimes of reincarnation, which had long since smoothed away his impetuousness.

In front of Yingwu Hall, the bronze plaque was heated until it was slightly warm by the steam pipes extending from within the walls, and the eight large characters "The unyielding rock cannot be broken, loyalty and courage are unparalleled" were carved into the pillars on both sides.

From inside the hall came the dull hum of cylinders and pistons rising and falling, and wisps of white steam escaped through the gaps in the copper valves, mingling with the smell of rust and tempering ointment, permeating the morning breeze.

The martial arts instructor in charge of teaching was a scarred warrior at the peak of the Iron Skin Realm. He handed a yellowed silk scroll to him, with five vigorous characters written on the cover: Rock-Solid Skin Refining Method.

"This is the orthodox basic cultivation technique for the Tianhuang Princes Mansion guards, and it can be cultivated all the way to the peak of the Iron Skin Realm," the instructor said, his voice slightly hoarse.

"This technique emphasizes defense over offense, strengthening the muscles and skin to forge a defense as solid as a rock. It is better suited for the guards' formation tactics and is an exclusive technique meticulously polished by several generations of Grand Commanders of our Zhongwu Hall. It is not outstanding in one-on-one combat, but when it comes to protecting the master, providing support, or defending in formation, it has few rivals within the same realm."

Wang Shi received the silk scroll with both hands, his fingertips brushing over the rough texture of the paper, and replied with lowered eyes, "This disciple understands."

He knew clearly in his heart that this technique was tailor-made for training the Tianhuang Princes Mansion guards.

It did not require the ferocity to behead generals and seize flags, but rather the support as stable as Mount Tai, and the formation coordination to entrust one's back to one's comrades. It even required the "heroism" to sacrifice oneself to protect the master in times of crisis.

For a true genius, this might be a mediocre technique that limited their potential, but for him, it was the most secure foundation for his current standing.

From that day on, Wang Shi began his eight-year cultivation career at Yingwu Hall.

Life in the hall was dull but regular. Every day before dawn, he would rise to practice martial arts, tempering his skin and flesh to the hum of the steam forging press. In the afternoon, he would learn formation tactics and the rules of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion, and in the evening, he would sit cross-legged to circulate the energy of the "Rock-Solid Skin Refining Method."

Eight years was enough time for the disciples of the same cohort to grow from ignorant youths into strong warriors, and it was also enough for Wang Shi to establish a firm foothold in Yingwu Hall, relying on a mentality and experience far exceeding his peers.

He had a calm temperament and was thorough in his dealings. He was willing to work hard when practicing martial arts, never vied for credit when forming formations, and could always fill the gaps of his comrades at just the right moment.

Coupled with his habit of smiling when meeting people and his impeccable way of speaking and acting, he soon got along well with his peers, and even those collateral descendants of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion who were sent to the Guard Battalion for training were willing to associate with him.

Most of these collateral descendants did not have outstanding talent, and entering the Guard Battalion was not intended for them to become bottom-level guards, but rather to aim for future positions as leaders or officers. They were in need of a sensible, reliable, and capable deputy like Wang Shi by their side.

More than once, familiar collateral descendants would pat him on the shoulder after drinking, inviting him to follow them in the future and promising him the position of deputy team leader, their words full of solicitation.

But Wang Shi would only smile and raise his glass each time, slightly changing the subject, and never agreed to any of them.

He knew very well that following these collateral descendants might lead to a stable life, but it was destined to be impossible to climb to the peak and reach new heights. The investment in this life would be doomed to lose money, let alone taking revenge on the enemies from his previous life.

During these eight years, he had never broken contact with Liu Quan. He never missed a gift during holidays, and whenever good ointment or monthly allowances were issued in Yingwu Hall, he always picked the best ones to send to Liu Quan. On weekdays, he often helped Liu Quan run errands and handle miscellaneous tasks, appearing grateful, which had long since led Liu Quan to regard him as the most trusted junior.

Others only thought he was arrogant or hadn't decided which side to take, but no one knew that in these eight years, Wang Shi's gaze had never stopped in the small world of Yingwu Hall.

Taking advantage of his associations with collateral descendants and helping stewards run errands, he made inquiries and gradually understood the entire situation of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion clearly.

The current Tianhuang Prince was stationed in Huangyan Prefecture, holding the military and political power of the entire prefecture, and had five sons qualified to inherit the throne.

First Prince Xiao Jing was the legitimate eldest son, his mother was the legitimate daughter of the current Grand Marshal, his maternal family's influence was deeply rooted, and behind him stood the top nobles of the capital.

The East Courtyard where he resided was the most imposing place in the mansion besides the main courtyard. The gilded gate was open all day, and servants came and went in an endless stream. Even the servants who swept the floors wore silks and satins, and they walked with their chins held high.

Wang Shi had once delivered items to the gate of the East Courtyard for a steward and had seen First Prince Xiao Jing from afar.

This First Prince was dressed in brocade robes with a handsome face, smiling gently at the servants who bowed to him, but there was no warmth in his eyes, only the aloofness and guard carved into his bones.

This was a standard heir to the mansion, but he was not suitable for him.

Over the years, he had already inquired clearly that First Prince Xiao Jing was extremely calculating. The confidants around him were either death soldiers sent from the capital by his mother's family or old followers who had been with him for more than a decade; there was simply no room for outsiders to intervene.

Moreover, he was the legitimate eldest son and had the highest probability of inheriting the throne, so he never lacked sycophants, and it wouldn't be the turn of a bottom-level guard like Wang Shi.

Even if he broke his head trying to squeeze in, he would ultimately just be one of the countless transparent people in the East Courtyard, with absolutely no possibility of entering the core circle, let alone grasping power.

Second only to the First Prince was Second Prince Xiao Ze.

Second Prince Xiao Ze's mother was the most favored Noble Consort Lin in the mansion, and his uncle was the commander of the Huangyan Prefecture garrison, holding thirty thousand border troops and controlling the steam arsenal of the prefecture; he was a true local tyrant of Huangyan Prefecture.

Second Prince Xiao Ze was arrogant and temperamental. He frequently beat and scolded the servants in his courtyard and had even accidentally beaten a servant to death, only to settle it by paying a few dozen taels of silver in the end.

Those gathered around him were all sycophantic desperadoes who only recognized money and not people, with no trust to speak of.

Wang Shi knew very well that even if he approached Second Prince Xiao Ze, he would only be cannon fodder that could be pushed out to take the blame or discarded at any time, and he wouldn't even know how he died.

Among the remaining three princes, two were still young, and the oldest was only just eight years old; they were born at the wrong time and were destined to be unable to participate in this struggle for the throne.

It had long been rumored in the mansion that the Tianhuang Prince had touched the threshold of the Silver Marrow Realm and was in full retreat to make a breakthrough. Once he succeeded, according to the rules of the Tianhuang Princes Mansion, he would have to abdicate to the worthy and become the mansion's foundation, focusing solely on cultivation.

By then, the throne succession would be officially completed in a very short time, and everything would be settled.

And the last one was the recognized transparent person in the mansion, Third Prince Xiao Heng.

But only Wang Shi knew that this seemingly useless Third Prince was his only opportunity in this vast Tianhuang Princes Mansion.

He even faintly felt that the identity he had obtained from his starting 800 points of family background, walking out of the Third Prince's courtyard, had placed this only opportunity before him from the very beginning.