Chapter Eleven: Journey to the Martial Pavilion

Hu Mo looked at Uncle Fu with a beaming smile, and as soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a massive boulder had been hurled into a river, sending ripples and waves across its surface.

“Could it be that the master was right? Has the young master really awakened?” Uncle Fu’s heart surged with excitement, and suddenly, the words Hu Yihu had spoken to him echoed in his mind.

“If that boy suddenly wants to learn martial arts, just take him directly to the Martial Pavilion—no need to ask me.”

He had once thought such instructions were utterly unnecessary. How could Hu Mo possibly think of learning martial arts? It was nothing short of a cosmic joke! Yet now, faced with reality, he could not help but admire Hu Yihu’s uncanny foresight.

“What’s wrong? Is there truly no formidable combat arts or techniques in this vast Hu Manor?” Hu Mo wondered in silence, his mind awash with questions.

Although Uncle Fu was deeply moved, his face remained calm and composed. He cast a glance at Hu Mo’s tense expression; the more anxious Hu Mo was about the combat arts, the more certain Uncle Fu became that he wasn’t merely paying lip service this time.

“Young master, since you’ve asked, allow me to explain in detail,” Uncle Fu replied unhurriedly.

“You must know that combat arts and techniques are classified into three ranks—Heaven, Earth, and Mortal—each divided into low, middle, and high tiers. As a significant force in the secular world, Hu Manor naturally possesses some powerful arts and skills. Back then, the Marshal made his name with a mid-tier Earth-rank combat art, the Fire Dragon Formula, and an entry-level Earth-rank technique, the Fire Dragon Slash, shaking the world of Tianhuo and elevating the Hu family to its current status. After the Hu family’s rise, the Marshal scoured the land for arts and techniques, storing them in the Martial Pavilion for guards and descendants to study. If you’re interested, you can come with me to the Martial Pavilion right away.” Uncle Fu’s tone carried a hint of urgency, eager to bring Hu Mo along.

Hu Mo was somewhat dazed as he listened. The Martial Pavilion? A trove of combat arts and techniques? He suddenly felt as if all his ambitions might soon be realized. He could almost sense the hand of a king beckoning him, countless beauties awaiting his favor, and the thought nearly made him drool.

“Alright, what are we waiting for? Hurry and take me there!” Hu Mo was even more excited than Uncle Fu, leaping up like a wild dog freed from its leash, bolting from the room and nearly smashing the door in his haste.

It wasn’t that Hu Mo lacked composure or calm, but at this moment, he simply had no mind for restraint.

For days, he had been suppressing his urges. The Clear Heart Wandering Formula, combined with the Three Treasures, had accelerated his cultivation at an extraordinary rate. The battle energy within him—yes, he should call it battle energy now, adapting to local terms—had filled his meridians to the point of impending explosion. If he hadn’t stopped practicing the Clear Heart Wandering Formula, he would likely have died from his own battle energy bursting him apart.

What he needed most now was guidance—a path for cultivating his battle energy, a way to channel and breakthrough. Otherwise, he would forever be stuck at the ninth level of battle aura, which would be truly wretched.

“Young master, you’re too hasty! Wait for me!” Uncle Fu smiled wryly and shook his head, his figure vanishing mysteriously from the room.

The old and the young dashed across the grand courtyard of Hu Manor, causing maids and servants to quickly step aside, surprised by the chase unfolding before their eyes.

“Hey, isn’t this strange? Uncle Fu is chasing the young master? Did the young master cause trouble again, and Uncle Fu is trying to catch him?”

“You’re really bored. It’s not the first time—why be so surprised? Though he’s running fast today, so he must have done something big. I wonder which girl is the victim this time.” A group of servants huddled together, pointing and gossiping with regretful expressions—though secretly, they hoped Hu Mo would get a thorough beating.

If Hu Mo heard their words, he’d probably stop and beat them senseless. “What did I ever do to you? Must you slander me so?”

He was now running desperately, as if his heart were an arrow. Despite the distance, he soon arrived.

“The Martial Pavilion—so this is where the combat arts and techniques are kept. I thought it was a weapons store. Tsk tsk, even the memory of that guy defined it that way. Unbelievable!” Standing before the ancient, ornate pavilion, Hu Mo mused inwardly.

It wasn’t his fault; after all, the boy had been too playful in the past. Merely knowing there was a Martial Pavilion in Hu Manor was an achievement, let alone knowing what lay inside.

Uncle Fu appeared silently at Hu Mo’s side, smiling. “Young master, the Martial Pavilion holds all the combat arts and techniques the Marshal has gathered over the years. The strongest are the Fire Dragon Formula and Fire Dragon Slash.”

“What? The strongest are just those two? I thought there would be Heaven-rank ones…”

“Young master, are you joking?” Uncle Fu interrupted Hu Mo, annoyed, feeling dizzy from his words.

“Young master, do you think Heaven-rank arts and techniques are cabbages, growing everywhere? When the Marshal obtained that set, his luck was extraordinary. A mid-tier Earth-rank combat art is precious even among notable sects. For a secular noble house like ours to possess such an art and its matching Fire Dragon Slash technique is enough to make many jealous!” Uncle Fu spoke with gravity, deeply affected by Hu Mo’s words.

Hu Mo had deliberately said this, prompting Uncle Fu to reveal the truth.

He understood well—just as in the world of Dragon, where powerful skills like the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms and Six Meridian Sword are held by only a few sects, so in this world, powerful combat arts and techniques are monopolized by a handful of mighty sects. This was beyond doubt.

“Uncle Fu, your explanation makes sense. But what I don’t understand is, if our Hu family’s arts and techniques are so coveted, how has Hu Manor remained so peaceful for so many years?” Hu Mo was puzzled.

“That’s due to the Marshal’s good fortune. To be honest, he forbids anyone from speaking of this, but it’s only right you know. The Fire Dragon Formula and Fire Dragon Slash are exclusive arts of Fire God Valley, and the Marshal’s wife is the eldest daughter of the Valley Master. When she married the Marshal, this set became her dowry, granting him his current status. Because of this, Hu Manor falls within Fire God Valley’s protection. As one of the five greatest powers, others may not fear Hu Manor, but they are wary of Fire God Valley.” Uncle Fu’s tone was serious, but he seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Fire God Valley, showing a trace of resentment when mentioning its name.

Hu Mo didn’t ask further, but mused, “So that old man relied on this connection—no wonder it’s kept secret.”

As he thought, Hu Mo couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. The old man turned out to be living off his wife’s fortune.

“Uncle Fu, let’s go inside. I really want to see what the Fire Dragon Formula and Fire Dragon Slash look like!” Hu Mo, like a curious child, ran toward the Martial Pavilion.

“Young master, stop!” Uncle Fu shouted, and in the blink of an eye, caught Hu Mo after he’d taken just a few steps, yanking him back.

Hu Mo was about to protest when he saw flames erupting from where he’d just stood, scorching a tree over ten meters tall.

“Seriously? Is that necessary?” Cold sweat soaked Hu Mo’s shirt; it had been a close call. He knew his Three Treasures could protect him, but he didn’t want to reveal his power so soon. It was wise to keep some cards hidden in an unfamiliar world.

“Young master, don’t you know this is forbidden ground in Hu Manor? Recklessly charging in here could be deadly!” Uncle Fu wiped his brow. If anything happened to Hu Mo here, he’d be beyond redemption.

Hu Mo calmed down and scanned the area, realizing there were no guards nearby. For a forbidden place to lack guards meant it relied on something else. He felt uneasy and cursed himself silently—never again would he be so rash.

“Sorry, Uncle Fu. I’ve never been here before, so…” Hu Mo smiled ruefully, helpless.

“Young master, just be careful in the future. Remember, never be too hasty in anything you do—being too impatient leads to disaster!” Uncle Fu spoke with solemnity. Though Hu Mo was his master, Uncle Fu, having no children of his own, always regarded him as his grandson.

Hu Mo nodded earnestly, offering no protest to Uncle Fu’s advice.

“This place is protected by the Fire God Barrier, jointly set by the Marshal and twelve battle king-level experts. Without the special hand signs, entry is impossible. Just follow me.” Uncle Fu said calmly, joining his hands and forming several strange seals.

As the seals formed, Hu Mo sensed the air around them twist slightly, and soon a golden door appeared, flickering with firelight like a burning ring.

“Let’s go!” Uncle Fu shouted, grabbing Hu Mo and darting inside.

The moment they passed through, the door vanished completely, the distorted air rippling until it returned to calm.