9: Chapter 9's blow is something no ordinary person could withstand.

To appease the lineage of the Founding Emperor and demonstrate the continuity between the Founding Emperor and Emperor Taizong, Emperor Zhezong generously enfeoffed Zhao Shiji as the Duke of Jing.

After falling into the lake, Zhao Fangcai miraculously survived. As Zhao Shiji's only remaining descendant, he naturally became the heir to the Duke of Jing.

The fief of the Duke of Jing was in Suzhou.

Emperor Zhezong bestowed upon Zhao Shiji all the confiscated fields, residences, and shops of the Lu Family to demonstrate the vastness of imperial grace.

As for how he managed to acquire these from the current Prime Minister, Zhang Dun, no one knew.

The character 'Jing' carries the meaning of pacification and the absence of turmoil.

This precisely reflected Emperor Zhezong's stance.

On the day the Jing State Dukes Residence was completed, the plaque bearing its name was hung high, extremely conspicuous.

Nobles and dignitaries from Suzhou, local prestigious families, and even princes and aristocrats from the capital sent representatives to offer their congratulations.

One could say Zhao Shiji benefited from misfortune, yet he found little joy in it.

No one would be happy upon learning that the legitimate son they had raised for over twenty years was not their own flesh and blood.

If Zhao Fangcai hadn't arrived in time, he would have already lost his life to a bowl of poison.

Such a blow was not something an ordinary man could bear.

Therefore, he had been sullen lately, only managing forced smiles when facing congratulatory guests.

Fortunately, there was an Old Madam at home. Truly, an elder in the house is like a treasure.

The Old Madam was a woman from the military family, the Zhe Family, of the Great Song.

Zhao Fangcai lost his mother at a young age. That he could study and learn despite the stepmother Lu's disdain was entirely due to the Old Madam's support.

The arrangements for the new residence were very orderly.

The etiquette for receiving and seeing off guests was thorough and meticulous, with no mistakes whatsoever.

After hosting banquets for guests for three consecutive days, the Jing State Dukes Residence finally regained its former tranquility.

In the rear courtyard, supported by a maid and leaning on her cane, the Old Madam, in good spirits, was checking the received congratulatory gifts against the gift list alongside the servants.

'Accepting these gifts now means we must reciprocate in the future. This is the rule of courtesy and reciprocity,' the Old Madam instructed Zhao Shiji beside her as she checked.

'Your son understands,' Zhao Shiji replied numbly.

Just then, the steward entered and reported, 'Duke, Old Madam, there is a Young Master named Murong Fu at the gate requesting an audience.'

'Murong Fu?' Zhao Shiji repeated the name with some confusion.

The steward added, 'This Young Master says he comes from Canhe Manor at Swallows Nest outside the city.'

The Old Madam pondered, 'I seem to have heard that the Murong Family is a prominent Family in the Jianghu.'

'Someone from the Jianghu?' Upon hearing Murong Fu was from a Jianghu Family, Zhao Shiji immediately waved his hand, 'No audience! No audience!'

'Wait!' The Old Madam stopped the steward who was about to withdraw and instructed, 'Go and invite this Young Master in. I will see him.'

'Mother, knights-errant often rely on martial prowess to violate prohibitions. The court explicitly forbids association with Jianghu figures...' Zhao Shiji hurriedly tried to dissuade her.

The Old Madam struck the ground forcefully with her cane, giving him a cold glare, and said, 'You are far too rigid!'

Zhao Shiji was left speechless.

The Old Madam calmly stated, 'No matter how powerful an outsider is, it's difficult to suppress local forces. Since he has come specifically to visit, he clearly intends to establish connections. Refusing to see him would be an offense.'

'We have just arrived here. To establish a firm footing in Suzhou Prefecture, we must maintain good relations with both the secular officialdom and the Jianghu Martial Forest. Since you dislike dealing with Jianghu figures, matters of this nature will be handled by Fangcai from now on.'

'Yes!' Zhao Shiji replied respectfully.

Inside Canglang Pavilion, the cries of cranes could be heard continuously. Zhao Fang was practicing his fist techniques in the pavilion. His fist momentum was like a giant python churning, his Aura like waves, one after another, as if a thousand troops and ten thousand horses were charging.

He channeled his Qi to produce sound, causing his entire skeleton to emit noises, his limbs and every bone vibrating.

With one punch, though he used not a trace of Internal Energy, the boulder outside the pavilion, nearly the height of a man, shattered with a thunderous crash, breaking into pieces.

He slowly regulated his breathing, retracted his fist, and stood still. His eyes sparkled with vitality, only a fine layer of sweat beading on his forehead, his skin as warm and smooth as jade.

The saying 'a Young Master like jade' probably described someone just like this!

'Practicing fist techniques must achieve internal and external harmony and unity, comprehensively strengthening the skin, flesh, tendons, membranes, vessels, bones, and marrow. Only then can it be considered successful Foundation Establishment.' He silently contemplated for a moment, feeling that the effect of tempering his body through fist resonance had become very weak.

'The Founding Emperor Fist Canon is far less useful to me now than before. I need more exquisite martial arts that can train the Acupoints!'

Martial arts in Dragon State are divided into four Ranks: Heaven, Earth, Mysterious, and Yellow, each further divided into Upper, Medium, and Lower Grades.

The Founding Emperor Fist Canon belongs to the Medium Grade of the Yellow Rank, only slightly superior to those widely circulated, commonplace martial arts.

The reason martial arts have such hierarchical divisions is because the Realms each martial art can achieve differ in height.

During the Foundation Establishment stage, the Founding Emperor Fist Canon is not inferior to other divine arts. However, it is ultimately a martial art only suitable for the Foundation Establishment stage. It lacks depth and height, and in terms of exquisiteness, it is difficult to compare with other divine arts.

'Speaking of the martial arts of the Great Song's Martial Forest, the Langhuan Blessed Land holds the Northern Darkness Divine Art, outside Xiangyang lies the Nine Swords of Dugu, the Quanzhen Sect possesses the Nine Yin Manual, and the Carefree Sect has the Everlasting Youth Art.'

'The first two are relatively easier to obtain, the latter two are somewhat more troublesome.' Zhao Fang was deep in thought.

The steward entered the courtyard and reported, 'Young Master, there is a Young Master Murong Fu from the Jianghu requesting an audience. The Old Madam asks that you receive him.'

'Murong Fu?' Zhao Fang raised an eyebrow slightly and instructed, 'Bring him here!'

Outside the main gate of the Jing State Dukes Residence, Murong Fu was gently fanning himself with a folding fan. Dressed in splendid robes, the jade pendant at his waist swayed slightly with his movements. His demeanor was leisurely, his bearing elegant, possessing an extraordinary Aura.

By his side stood his two subordinates, Bao Butong and Feng Boe.

Feng Boe's face was full of puzzlement as he spoke, 'Young Master, this Duke of Jing is a relative of the imperial family. For us to visit his residence, isn't this...' He left his sentence unfinished, but the meaning was clear—it was like a mouse bringing a gift to a cat.

Murong Fu naturally understood what he meant and did not respond.

Bao Butong, however, retorted, 'Wrong, wrong! Fourth Brother Feng, the Young Master's move is precisely what the saying goes,

Entering the Tiger's Den，How can you catch a tiger cub?

(How can one catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair)!'

Murong Fu sank into contemplation. The Murong Family had resided in Suzhou for a long time, always aiming to restore the Yan Kingdom, and had long considered this place their territory.

Now, suddenly, a Duke of Jing with imperial clan status was stationed here. How could he remain seated? Had the Song imperial court detected the Murong Family's plans? Filled with worry, after much deliberation, he still decided to come personally to investigate.