The heavy snow had just stopped, and Yujing City regained its hustle and bustle. The streets were filled with people coming and going, and various large shops were especially lively. For instance, the "Juyuan Lou" for wine, banquets, and food; the "Sanhua Lou" for girls; the "Songzhu Xuan" for writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones; the "Songjiang Pu" for silk and satin; the "Yigu Lou" for antiques and second-hand goods; the "Jinyu Tang" for jewels, etc. These were all the liveliest places in Yujing. Those who patronized these large shops included noble sons in fine clothes and on galloping horses, scholars in blue gowns, wealthy merchants, and a group of idle officials and scholars in the capital. Especially, it was already the twelfth lunar month and approaching the end of the year. The emperor was going to offer sacrifices to Heaven and receive envoys from various countries. The envoys from countries such as the Huoluo Kingdom in the Western Regions, the Yunmeng Kingdom in the East, the Yuantu Kingdom in the North, and the island countries like Shenfeng and Liuzhu in the South all stayed in the guesthouses of Yujing City. These people in strange and exotic clothes often came out to stroll and admire the prosperity of Yujing, the largest city of the Great Qian, adding even more excitement to the city. Twenty years ago, the Great Qian defeated the sudden attack of the cavalry of Yunmeng and counterattacked. Both sides made a covenant at the Qingsha Pass on the border and promised never to go to war again. Since then, the Great Qian Dynasty has been in a prosperous period and has become the largest dynasty and empire on the entire land. In the sixtieth year at the end of the year, the prosperous age of the Great Qian has reached its peak. Not to mention the hustle and bustle throughout Yujing City, the residence of the Marquis of Wuwen has also become lively. The servants began to clean, making every corner spotless, decorating with lanterns and streamers, and preparing for the New Year. However, regardless of the excitement both inside and outside the entire residence and the city, it had nothing to do with Hong Yi. Hong Yi had returned from Xishan, but his mind remained in the secluded valley there. In these ten-odd days, encountering the fox, teaching, organizing books, cultivating the soul and practicing martial arts, meeting Bai Ziyue, drinking and chatting for four or five days, it was all like a clear dream. When he returned to the marquis's residence at this time, he had a feeling as if he had been away for a lifetime. The marquis's residence was still the marquis's residence and had not changed because of his absence. The seven or eight hundred people in the entire residence were busy and enthusiastic, preparing for the New Year. Only his small room was cold and quiet, and no one came to visit, as if he was excluded. Those servants, stewards, maids, and guards would all be given rewards of some clothes and silver during the New Year, but it was not his turn. But now he had money and did not lack those. When Chunhu moved, she gave him ten red gold coins. Eighty percent gold could be exchanged for fifteen, let alone ten percent pure red gold. Ten red gold coins, if exchanged for silver at the "Jinyu Tang", could be exchanged for at least two hundred taels of silver. It was enough for Hong Yi to spend for a long time. "It's best that these people don't disturb me. I can close the door to practice martial arts and study. Besides, I've felt very comfortable recently, and my limbs feel much stronger." In the small room, Hong Yi stood with one leg in front and one behind, bent down, grabbed the tendons of his two thighs with both hands, and shook vigorously. With strength running through his thighs, suddenly, the two tendons of his thighs made a soft snapping sound. Then, he quickly changed hands and grabbed the muscles of his lower legs. With the same shake and release, he pressed his hand on his stomach and took a step forward. This movement, grabbing the thighs, grabbing the lower legs, pressing the stomach, and taking a step forward was like a big bull charging forward, not a simple step. This was precisely a movement in the "Ox Demon Headbutting" of the Ox Demon Strong Force Fist. Hong Yi performed several movements in a row and felt that the large tendons on his limbs, abdomen, chest, and back were obviously heating up and filled with a sense of strength. So he held his voice, rolled his tongue, pushed against his teeth, held his breath, concentrated his spirit on his arm and fist, and punched forward in the air. Hey! The large muscles of his whole body trembled at this punch. It seemed that some of their strength had gathered in his fist, giving him an indescribable numb and comfortable feeling of strength. "I'm no longer a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken. As long as I keep practicing like this, I'll become stronger and stronger." Hong Yi noticed the strength of his body and felt a sense of satisfaction and contentment in his heart, becoming more steadfast. "No wonder scholars practice archery and martial arts to strengthen their bodies, which can also strengthen their minds and enhance their self-confidence." Hong Yi finally understood why scholars also regarded riding and archery skills as important. It turned out that a strong body could also strengthen one's mind. When the body was strong, the mind would be at ease. Just like sailing in the sea, if the ship was extremely sturdy, the mind would naturally be at ease, allowing one to sit calmly and fish despite the rising waves. If the ship was not sturdy and the stable mind had no support, it would be afraid when the waves came. With a heart full of joy, Hong Yi sat in front of the table and opened a martial arts classic to continue reading and pondering. This martial arts classic was a collection of the Great Zen Temple and was annotated by a monk named Master Yinyue. Although many parts were incomplete and could not be practiced, some of the principles were very thorough, which could give Hong Yi a deeper understanding of the "Ox Demon Strong Force Fist". Not to mention, Hong Yi himself was a shrewd scholar and was best at inferring the author's meaning from the text. "I wonder if I have reached the level of a martial student? But I'm afraid not. I've only practiced for half a month. Although Ziyu's 'nectar' wine has nourished my body for four or five days and he has given me careful instructions, I still lack some proficiency." Hong Yi wondered in his heart if he had practiced to the point where the large muscles of his whole body were firm and full, reaching the level of a martial student set in the "Lecture Hall on Martial Arts" of the army. Suddenly, a steady footsteps were heard at the entrance of the small courtyard. "Who else would come to my small courtyard? Could it be the maid Xiaoning again?" Hong Yi pushed open the paper-pasted window and looked over, immediately shocked. "Old Steward?" The person who came was a white-haired old man dressed in black. Hong Yi recognized that this old man was the chief steward of the entire marquis's residence. He was neither from the First Madam Zhao's side, nor from the "Yunting Zhai" of the Second Madam, nor from the Third Madam's side. Instead, he was directly responsible to his father, Marquis Wuwen. Whenever Hong Xuanji dealt with government affairs in the imperial cabinet of the Forbidden City very late, it was this person who delivered clothes and food boxes. When Hong Yi opened the window with a creak, the old steward's eyes also looked over in an instant, seemingly synchronizing with the time Hong Yi opened the window, giving a sense of prescience. Seeing Hong Yi, the old steward stopped, nodded, and showed a smile: "Young Master Yi, the Marquis has returned and asks you to come over. He has something to say." Among the entire marquis's residence, the only person who was polite to him was this old steward. Of course, the old steward was polite to everyone. It was rumored that for so many years, no one had seen him get angry. "What? Father is back? Why did he call me? What does he have to say?" Hong Yi was very shocked in his heart. Although Marquis Wuwen was his father, he had met him only a few times. Among his more than ten siblings, he was the most insignificant and had the lowest status. It was impossible for Hong Xuanji to call him to speak. Sometimes Hong Yi even doubted if Hong Xuanji knew he had such a son. "Bad, this martial arts classic is prohibited. And it has the seal of the Great Zen Temple. If my father finds out... Fortunately, the others are well hidden, but it's too late to hide this one." Hong Yi suddenly thought of something and immediately decided to throw this martial arts classic into the brazier and set it on fire. He didn't trust leaving this book in the study. If he went out and someone came in and discovered this prohibited book, the trouble would be huge. And now it was too late to hide it properly. Marquis Wuwen Hong Xuanji governed the family with strict etiquette and laws, and the rules were very strict. One must arrive immediately when summoned, otherwise one would be punished by the family rules. Hong Yi knew that once, Hong Gui, the son of the Third Madam, got drunk. Coincidentally, Hong Xuanji returned and wanted to test his studies. The person sent to call him was late for a long time. As a result, he was punished by the family rules later, and his leg was broken. He lay in bed for half a year before recovering. Seeing the book burn out in the brazier, Hong Yi set his mind at ease. He got up, straightened his clothes, opened the door, and followed the old steward to see his father. Just as he went out, in the ashes of the martial arts classic that had been burned in the brazier, a slightly dark golden paper suddenly appeared. It was densely covered with small scriptures and pictures, seemingly like gold foil, but it was not burned by the fire.

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