Chapter Fourteen: The Guide

"Jiuzheng, that's enough!"
Jiu Yayu, furious, stepped forward and gave Jiuzheng a hard shove, attempting to push him aside.
No matter what, Su Ye was her guest, invited by her. To be humiliated like this right at the door was intolerable. She used considerable force.
Yet, Jiuzheng's feet remained firmly planted, not moving an inch.
"Heh!" Jiuzheng half-raised his hands in a carefree manner, as if to show he hadn't laid a finger on anyone. He looked at Su Ye and spoke in a deep voice, "Come back and act up in front of me once you have the guts to stand without hiding behind a woman! The renowned good-for-nothing from First High of Yangcheng, and you still want to climb up to our Jiu family? Or perhaps you hope to use us to help you deal with Fang Yuzhisha?"
Su Ye clenched his fists tightly, surprised Jiuzheng would utter such words.
Clearly, Jiuzheng knew Yuzhisha.
Thinking it through, it made sense. The Jiu family had wanted to invite Yuzhisha to this gathering; these scions of nobility likely all knew her. If that was the case, then Su Ye's reputation must have preceded him.
Su Ye replied in a low voice, "You're nothing but a product of the Jiu family. Without your young master status, not even the dog at your side would follow you! I broke through forty-one acupoints at twelve years old—what were you doing at twelve? What gives you the right to shout at me?"
"Hahaha, did everyone hear that? Hah! A worthless brat dares to swagger before me! I doubted Zhisha when she mentioned it, but it turns out there really is someone this bold. If you're so capable, why don't we spar right now?"
Jiuzheng clenched his fists, making them crack audibly.
At these gatherings, it was common for the young heirs to challenge each other. In fact, at the far end of the banquet hall, a small open area had been set aside for guests to display their skills.
Jiuzheng had heard Yuzhisha speak of Su Ye; he was determined to teach this reckless fool a lesson for her sake.
"You think I'm afraid of you?"
Su Ye stepped forward immediately. If he endured such humiliation without retaliating, he'd lose all respect for himself. With his current strength, he could easily defeat Song Dahai, the class monitor who had broken through nine acupoints; facing Jiuzheng, he should be able to hold his own.
He wondered, though, how many acupoints Jiuzheng had opened.
A deep, restless thought echoed within him: Power, oh power! When you lack it, so many are eager to stomp you into the ground!
Jian Muqian too was clearly furious. She grabbed Su Ye's arm and said, "Su Ye, don't be impulsive—Jiuzheng, as the host, how can you bully your sister's guest in front of everyone? The Jiu family truly knows how to treat their guests! This place is not worth our time any longer."
She pulled Su Ye toward the exit; although Su Ye had broken through one acupoint, fighting Jiuzheng here would be a foolish move.
"Su Ye, Instructor Jian! Please don't leave! He is who he is, I am myself!"
Jiu Yayu hurried to stop them, her voice trembling, as she whispered,
"Please, you must stay. Jiuzheng and I are half-siblings; they've always looked down on me since childhood. Tonight, he only wants to humiliate me. Please, don't go!"
Jiu Yayu suddenly turned and, raising her voice to the assembled guests, declared, "Since tonight is so lively, let me be the one to spar with you!"
Smack!
Jiu Yayu's leather shoe struck hard against the floor; her body sprang forward, and she jabbed directly at Jiuzheng's throat.
Jiuzheng gritted his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes. He twisted his arm back, grabbed her wrist, and bent it sharply.
Jiu Yayu's eyes widened; if her wrist were bent any further, it would surely be dislocated. Instinctively, she leapt upward, dissolving his force.
This brief exchange drew everyone's attention.
Many cried out in surprise, and a servant shouted in panic, "Young master, young miss, please stop fighting!"
"Quick, restrain them! Go fetch the master, hurry!"
Swish—
Jiuzheng deftly evaded Jiu Yayu, then launched a palm strike at Su Ye's face.
He shouted, "Kid, let me teach you a lesson."
"Come on!"
Su Ye shouted in reply, clenching his fist as the thunder source within him roared, as if lightning surged in his veins.
He unleashed a fierce punch!
Midway, he twisted his arm, aiming instead at Jiuzheng's wrist.
"Ah!" Jiuzheng gasped, feeling his wrist go numb, losing all sensation.
At that moment, Jiu Yayu spun and charged, kicking Jiuzheng in the back.
Bang!
Poor Jiuzheng was sent flying, crashing onto the long table, scattering delicacies everywhere.
"Stop—"
Just then, a commanding voice rang out, silencing the entire banquet.
Even Jiu Yayu and Jiuzheng instinctively stopped, quickly regaining their composure.
"Who gave you permission to fight here? Don't you know what day it is?"
A burly middle-aged man strode in, his face thunderous, eyes sharp as he scanned the mess.
"Father!"
Jiu Yayu and Jiuzheng stood at attention, calling out but offering no defense.
From the whispered conversations around, it was clear this was Jiushi Liang, the head of the family.
He glared at Jiuzheng, then at Jiu Yayu, finally restraining himself from further rebuke. Turning to a dignified elderly man in traditional attire, he forced a smile and said, "Master Yu, forgive us for the spectacle."
"Hahaha, not at all, not at all."
Master Yu appeared over seventy, his face weathered yet imposing, especially those deep, luminous eyes, giving him a spirited air.
Beside him stood several renowned martial artists, but their presence paled in comparison to his aura; he alone eclipsed all.
"Master Yu? Is that Yu Tianhua, the Guide?"
"Ah, it really is the Guide! Haha, greetings, Master Yu! We hope you won't hesitate to instruct us in cultivation!"
The crowd's attention shifted to Yu Tianhua, the Guide.
Tonight, most had come for him.
Jiushi Liang seized the opportunity, beckoning to Jiuzheng and Jiu Yayu, calling, "You two, I'll deal with you later! Hurry up and pay your respects to the Guide!"
Jiu Yayu stepped forward; she would not miss the chance to meet the Guide. She bowed respectfully, "Forgive us, Master Yu, for disturbing you. We were only sparring, but lost control and overturned everything."
Jiuzheng also stepped up, "Grandpa Yu, haha, your kindness reminds me of my own grandfather! We were waiting for you, but ended up sparring as we waited. By the way, Grandpa Yu, were there any issues with our moves just now? We hope for your guidance!"
Many onlookers secretly marveled.
Jiuzheng had deftly reframed a fight as a learning opportunity, immediately requesting the Guide's advice. His words turned the situation on its head.
Even Jiushi Liang gave him an approving look, chiming in, "Haha, let's see if this foolish child is fortunate enough to receive the master's instruction."
Yu Tianhua chuckled, his wrinkled face shifting, as he advised, "You, young man, are formidable! Talent is not bad! Just now, your moves were too forceful, but your foundation lacks strength. If you break through twenty acupoints in your lower body, you'll achieve a new level."
"Ha, thank you for your guidance, Grandpa Yu." Jiuzheng replied joyfully.
Though simple, every practitioner has 108 acupoints, and the order of breaking through matters greatly. Since the Guide urged him to focus on his lower body, he would do so.
The day he broke through twenty lower acupoints, he'd return for further instruction. With such guidance, his path was laid out!
Jiushi Liang laughed heartily, delighted by these words.
"And me, Master?" Jiu Yayu asked quickly.
Though considered a talent at school, when it came to acupoint cultivation, nothing could compare to a few words from the Guide.
"You have too many yin-type acupoints. Build your foundation well; don't just focus on technique," Yu Tianhua concluded, offering no further comment.
Jiu Yayu felt a pang of disappointment—her guidance ended here.
Jiuzheng curled his lips; it was well known that the Guide favored prodigies. With a casual remark, he'd dismissed Jiu Yayu, confirming she would not rise to greatness.
At that moment, Yu Tianhua suddenly turned to Su Ye, paused for several seconds, then slowly spoke, "As for you..."