Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 508: Chapter 462 How Many Innate Martial Artists Does Da Rong Have?

Chongshan Pass, the front hall of the Marquis Mansion.

At this moment, Yang Zhenshan was receiving a guest, and his guest was none other than Ji Zhen, the Sect Leader of the Hengdao Sect.

In the hall, after exchanging pleasantries, Yang Zhenshan and Ji Zhen took their respective seats as host and guest, with Ji Hai standing behind Ji Zhen, and only Yang Mingcheng by Yang Zhenshan’s side.

Holding his cup of tea, Yang Zhenshan said with a beaming smile, ”I have long admired Mr. Ji’s great reputation; meeting you today truly brings joy to my junior self!”

Ji Zhen was almost eighty years old, over twenty years senior to Yang Zhenshan, so it was only fitting for him to refer to himself as a junior.

His admiration for Ji Zhen was not mere flattery. As the number one expert in Liaodong and with the Hengdao Sect dominating Jizhou, both Ji Zhen and the Hengdao Sect enjoyed a very good reputation in Liaodong.

Reputation might be biased, but for decades, Ji Zhen and the Hengdao Sect have been well-regarded, which speaks volumes about their honorable conduct.

Having dealt with Ji Hai many times, Yang Zhenshan had seen enough to recognize the good nature of the Hengdao Sect through the cooperation with the Tenglong Guard and Chongshan Town over the years.

To say that Ji Zhen was a heroic figure was no exaggeration.

Thus, Yang Zhenshan truly held Ji Zhen in high esteem.

”Marquis Zhenshan guards the frontier, ensuring the safety of countless citizens and rescuing them from peril. You are indeed a model for us martial artists! For me to meet the Marquis is a great honor!” Ji Zhen, stroking his snow-white beard, said.

The two exchanged glances and burst into hearty laughter.

Once the laughter subsided, Yang Zhenshan took a light sip of tea before posing a question: ”Mr. Ji, have you already stepped into the Innate Realm?”

At that remark, the atmosphere in the hall fell silent.

Ji Zhen stroked his beard with a calm demeanor, while Ji Hai looked at Ji Zhen’s silver hair with gleaming eyes.

Indeed, Ji Hai did not know whether his master had achieved a breakthrough to the Innate Realm. Despite his suspicions, Ji Zhen had never confirmed it to him, leaving him uncertain.

As for Yang Mingcheng, he watched Ji Zhen with curiosity. Yang Zhenshan had told him that Ji Zhen might have reached the Innate Realm, and now seeing the man in person, his curiosity was piqued.

After all, he was facing what he thought was the first Innate Martial Artist he had ever met, or the second to be precise, as he was unaware that Yang Zhenshan had already made the breakthrough.

Ji Zhen gave a small smile, ”Compared to the Marquis, I am still a step behind.”

Yang Zhenshan chuckled, ”It’s not about speed; what matters is crossing the threshold.”

Ji Hai, taken aback, then suddenly looked up at Yang Zhenshan with an incredulous expression.

The statement implied that both had broken through to the Innate Realm.

If only Ji Zhen had announced his own breakthrough, Ji Hai would have been more joyous than surprised. Learning that Yang Zhenshan, too, was an Innate Martial Artist, left him only in shock!

”Dad is an Innate Martial Artist?” Yang Mingcheng’s reaction lagged, and he couldn’t help asking.

”Yes, how old are you? There’s no need for such a fuss!” scolded Yang Zhenshan as he glanced at his naïve son, contrasting him with Ji Hai who, though astonished, showed no intention of interrupting.

”Ha ha, Ming Cheng is straightforward and sincere; having such a disciple, I do envy you!” Ji Zhen looked at Yang Mingcheng with full admiration.

Simplicity and sincerity are not flaws; on the contrary, they are the most trustworthy traits to those close to us.

In martial arts, simplicity and sincerity are among the best of qualities, as the path of martial arts requires one to be down-to-earth. Those who are too clever might not thrive in martial arts.

In contrast, those who are straightforward and sincere can go much further.

Sincerity begets sincerity; in martial arts, if one is sincere, martial arts will also be sincere in return.

Though there’s a saying, ’Once a teacher, always a father,’ in truth, the bond of father and son is often closer than that of master and disciple.

Ji Zhen, having no children of his own, held his disciple as his closest kin.

That’s why disciples like Yang Mingcheng were his most favored.