Chapter 22: Heaven's Mandate (Combined)

Two days later.

Chen Yi got up early, dressed in a brand-new black martial arts suit with a red fur-trimmed robe draped over his shoulders by Lu Luo.

His shoulder-length hair was neatly tied back, and in the bronze mirror, his thick eyebrows and large eyes made him quite handsome.

"Young master, the weather has not warmed up yet; remember to put on your robe after you sweat," Lu Luo meticulously checked him from head to toe.

"I'll remember," Chen Yi said with a smile.

The time he was abducted during the Lantern Festival, aside from Xia Wanwan, the person who cried the most sorrowfully was nurse Lu Luo.

Moreover, having raised him with devoted care as if she were his own mother, Lu Luo's efforts were like a mother's love in Chen Yi's eyes.

Therefore, he sometimes found Xia Wanwan too gentle and easy to bully, but he never doubted Lu Luo.

"Let's go, Young Master. Mr. Ding is already waiting outside."

"Mm."

Chen Yi nodded, played with the Little Jade Sword, and walked out, heading to the Martial Arts Arena under Ding Sansi and others' escort.

Today was the official day he and Chen Yuan would start their martial arts training.

Indeed, ever since the end of the Foundation Establishment assessment for him and Chen Yuan, Uncle Tai Xing had been preparing.

But due to his injury and rest, along with Zhou Wanyi's impending childbirth, Yuan had stayed by her side until now.

It was only now that Chen Yi realized how complicated the rules of Marquis Mansion were.

Not to mention other things, just the rule forbidding female family members from approaching was enough to cause Xia Wanwan to sulk for a day.

Later, it took the Old Lady's reassuring words to dissuade her.

Otherwise, Xia Wanwan would definitely be following behind Chen Yi right now.

"Young Master Yi, good morning."

"Yi Er, make sure to listen to Second Young Master."

"Third Uncle Grandmother, grandson remembers."

Along the way, everyone from Marquis Mansion greeted him warmly, and Chen Yi responded to each, applying what he had learned from his etiquette lessons.

As he just passed through the main court, he saw from a distance that Tai Xing and Chen Lixin among several other uncle elders were already waiting outside the Martial Arts Arena.

It was evident that the people of Marquis Mansion placed great importance on him and Chen Yuan.

"Brother, come over here quickly."

Chen Yuan, who had already arrived, hopped towards him waving.

"Big brother, hold on; I'm coming."

Chen Yi responded with a smile and, as before, greeted each elder.

It was then that he noticed, aside from him and Chen Yuan, there were other kids who had just completed their Foundation Establishment evaluations.

Besides two who were children of the guards, the other four were the descendants of two uncles, Chen Lixin and Chen Lide.

"Let's go, come with me into the Martial Arts Arena."

With everyone present, Tai Xing urged the elders to leave first and led the children into the Martial Arts Arena.

Walking at the front of the group, Chen Yi thought about the fearsome demon inside and his face showed a hint of anticipation.

Although he wasn't afraid of the demon, the response of Tai Xing implied the children seeing it for the first time would be scared.

He believed the scene later would be quite interesting.

"Second brother, mother said there's a monster inside the Martial Arts Arena,"

At this moment, Chen Yuan tugged at him, his little face showing a fearful expression, and whispered: "We need to be careful."

Chen Yi glanced at him, thinking the elder is scared now.

He couldn't suppress his playful instinct and pretended to be nonchalant:

"Big brother, don't believe those silly things. This is Marquis Wu Mansion; if there really were a monster, father and the others would have killed it by now"

"Is that so?"

Chen Yuan paused in thought, then lifted his little head proudly: "Hmph, it's all Yang Shuang's nonsense, I'll have Mr. Ding punish them later."

"Mm."

Chen Yi stifled a laugh, vigorously nodding, "Even if there really was, big brother wouldn't be scared."

"Of course, I..."

Before completing his sentence, Chen Yuan stepped into the Martial Arts Arena and after a quick glance, froze completely.

This caused the children following closely behind to unintentionally bump into him. They were just about to apologize when they were stunned by the sight of the demon's corpse.

Watching their fearful and stunned expressions, Chen Yi secretly rejoiced.

Especially Chen Yuan, whom he had misled, had an utterly spectacular expression.

—His smile frozen, wanting to cry but not daring to.

Uncle Tai Xing watching from ahead couldn't help but chuckle.

Though he had witnessed many such scenes, this was the first time seeing Chen Yi being so mischievously bad, making him increasingly pleased with his nephew.

Meanwhile, the disciples who had already entered the Martial Arts Arena to practice martial arts were already eagerly waiting under the demon's body, all smiling broadly.

However, when they noticed Chen Yi among the children, they were a bit puzzled.

"Is that Young Master Yi? Why isn't he scared?"

"Did he not see the demon's corpse?"

"Those who don't fear the demon's presence because they haven't seen it are fools and should have been thrown out of the Martial Arts Arena already."

Two quarters of an hour later, those frightened children were moved to the martial arts field.

Although each of them was trembling with pale faces.

Except for Chen Yuan who had just changed back into fresh clothes.

He recovered quickly, not only gaining strength but his face was even more rosy and radiant—flushed with shame.

"Second, brother!"

As soon as Chen Yuan returned, he leaped towards Chen Yi, waving his little fists furiously.

"Yiya yiya, second brother, you said there was no monster!?"

"Give me back my pants, give me back my pants..."

Chen Yi, while shielding his head, burst into laughter.

He hadn't expected the elder to be scared enough to wet his pants, and was quite willing to "accept punishment".

After a while, Chen Yi repeatedly "admitted his faults", and promised to let Chen Yuan skip three days of studies to calm his "anger".

"Seeing as you're so well-behaved, big brother forgives you."