Chapter Nine: The World We Inhabit

His memories were gradually pieced together during the meal. Through his idle chatter with Li Changsheng, Feng Jingzhe gained a general understanding of the world he now inhabited.

First of all, this was a place that belonged to none of the feudal dynasties known to him from history. The initial unification of China was still accomplished by an emperor named Ying Zheng, whose Great Qin Empire lasted only a dozen years. Next came the Han dynasty founded by Liu Bang, followed by the division of the realm into three parts.

The turning point in history began after the chaos of the Five Barbarians. The one who donned the yellow imperial robes was not Zhao Kuangyin. The new regime was established by seven brothers from humble beginnings, who rose in rebellion and transformed a small refuge for refugees into a formidable power. They expelled the barbarian invaders, restored order to China, and ultimately founded a dynasty called Great Wei.

Feng Nangtian, Feng Jingzhe’s father, was the leader among those seven. He had been conferred the title of Grand General Who Guards the Nation, commanding all the armies of the land, and his noble rank had reached the highest possible, an extraordinary prince not of imperial blood.

Yet, Feng Nangtian, determined to settle the border threats once and for all, launched a full-scale war against the steppe regime, but met his end in defeat. Afterwards, the Feng family’s eldest son, Feng Shuangjiang, led the national forces to avenge his father, only to fall on the steppe as well.

Three years later, the victorious steppe wolf-slaves struck back at Great Wei. The second son, Feng Bailu, led troops in defense but died when the city fell. Three wars left the elite forces of Great Wei nearly annihilated, and the name of the Feng family was nailed to the pillar of shame.

Their hereditary noble title was whittled down with each defeat, from an extraordinary prince to the current viscount. The orphaned and widowed remnants of the Feng family could no longer endure the scorn and curses of officials and commoners alike, so they were forced to leave the capital, Chang’an, and return to Pingyang City.

At that time, Feng Jingzhe was only an eight-year-old child. If not for this imperial marriage decree, he would still be in Pingyang, living as a wastrel, spending his days in idle amusements.

As Li Changsheng recounted this brief family history, Feng Jingzhe could smell the thick stench of conspiracy. If he hadn’t happened to cross over last night, the Feng family would likely have been extinguished for good.

He could easily imagine the despair that would engulf the mother and daughter in distant Pingyang when they saw the corpse bloated in the river, transformed into a grotesque spectacle.

“Alas… The Feng family is down to just me, the sole heir. I wonder what kind of woman my future bride will be…”

“Master, you can rest easy on that! I’ve made inquiries—your future bride is quite the remarkable figure!”

“Eight thousand against ten thousand! Even the little brats peeing by the roadside know about that…”

Feng Jingzhe was less than enthusiastic, and this was precisely what he feared most.

In his previous life, he had been confined by rules and regulations: first in the orphanage, and then even more so in the army. Now that he had a second chance at life, he longed for freedom and an unburdened existence.

Yet his bride-to-be was a woman of war—a commander. The thought of it gave him a headache.

“Master, eight thousand against ten thousand only proves the lady is brilliant in military affairs. But back in Chang’an, without troops, things are different. What I wanted to mention is another formidable aspect of hers. No, ‘terrifying’ would be more accurate!”

“What’s so terrifying? Don’t tell me she transforms into a Super Saiyan on the night of the full moon? Stop being mysterious! Just spit it out…”

Feng Jingzhe picked at the meat on the chicken bone; most of the food on the table had ended up in his stomach.

“Po Jun Realm! Our future lady is not only a master of strategy, but she’s a top expert in the Po Jun Realm!”

“Po Jun Realm? Are you kidding? Did you get the wrong script, and is there a ‘Earthly Immortal’ next?”

Feng Jingzhe tossed aside the chicken bone, his hand no longer reaching for the food. The expression on Li Changsheng’s face suggested this was no joke.

“Master, that level is called the Zhi Ge Realm, but those who reach it are practically like earthly immortals…”

Seeing Li Changsheng so earnest, Feng Jingzhe became serious.

“Tell me in detail. Everything you know. Why have I never heard of any of this?”

Neither in his merged memories nor in the soul of the original host was there any knowledge of Po Jun or Zhi Ge Realms.

“Master, madam and young lady never allowed you to practice martial arts, nor permitted me to mention these matters in your presence. You simply had no exposure!”

Li Changsheng hesitated, but reasoned that once the future lady entered the household, everything Feng Jingzhe wasn’t supposed to know would soon be within his reach. Sooner or later, so it wouldn’t hurt to explain; when the young lady found out, it likely wouldn’t end in a beating.

“Master, Po Jun Realm and Zhi Ge Realm are two divisions in martial cultivation. Before them are the Bronze Skin Realm and Stone-Splitting Realm.”

Li Changsheng took a chicken bone, snapped it to reveal a sharp tip, then, under Feng Jingzhe’s astonished gaze, jabbed it forcefully into the back of his hand.

Crack—

The sharp bone tip broke instantly, yet Li Changsheng’s skin was unscathed.

“Damn… Old Li! So you’re the one who’s been hiding real depth all along…”

Li Changsheng scratched his head sheepishly.

“Master, you overpraise me! I’m nowhere near that level…”

“Don’t be so modest! That bone was sharp as a knife. You jabbed it so hard and nothing happened. You’re impressive, you know…”

Feng Jingzhe couldn’t deny that this display had truly amazed him.

“I only broke through to the Bronze Skin Realm last month after arriving in Chang’an. Right now, I can handle chicken bones, but if I faced real blades, I’d still bleed.”

“That’s still incredible! If trained to the extreme, wouldn’t you be invulnerable to blades and spears? That’s the legendary Iron Shirt!”

“It’s not that exaggerated! Bronze Skin only makes the flesh tougher. If struck or stabbed by weapons, injuries might be half as severe. My skills aren’t enough to withstand two punches from the young lady… I can maybe handle a few ordinary folks…”

“What? Is Feng Xiaoman really that strong?”

Feng Jingzhe blurted this out instinctively, and goosebumps broke out all over him. A fear born of blood kin surged through his body—a natural suppression of brother by sister. Memories flashed before him, and even in this tightly sealed room, he felt a chill.

“Master, don’t get cocky! If you dare call the young lady by her full name, don’t drag me down with you when you die…”

Li Changsheng shuddered as well. Just thinking of that woman wielding a rolling pin and chasing dozens of people down three streets made his hair stand on end.

“Ahem… What’s there to be afraid of! Feng Xiaoman’s days of tyrannical rule are numbered! Didn’t you say my future wife is a Po Jun master? I’m determined to live off her, and if Feng Xiaoman dares to make trouble, I’ll have my wife put her in her place…”

With that realization, Feng Jingzhe suddenly felt confident again…