Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Waves in Stalled Water

The following weeks became a strict routine for Gù Ti?nháo. Nights of agonizing cultivation, balanced by Tyrannical Art and Nine Cycles, followed by days of optimized physical training, information collection and maintenance of its facade of uselessness. Progress was slow, but steady. He could feel the force growing in his muscles and bones, a vitality that the body of the ancient Tiannháo had never known. More importantly, the locks on its meridians, although still formidable, seemed slightly less rigid, and the flow of Qi, although still a wire, was smoother and more responsive. He estimated that he was solidly approaching the Level 1 peak of Body Refinement, perhaps even touching the Level 2 threshold. He was still a long way from Level 3 required for sect examination, but was unimaginable progress for someone who had spent stagnant years. This subtle improvement, however, began to create small ripples. Its unhealthy paleness had decreased slightly, replaced by an almost imperceptible flushing of health. His posture, although he still deliberately bowed to it in public, was naturally more upright when he was alone. His eyes, once often empty or full of fear, now contained a calm and depth that occasionally leaked behind his mask of indifference. These changes have not gone completely unnoticed. Aunt Liu, the elderly servant, began to cast curious eyes at her, although she said nothing. Some lower-level servants who once completely ignored him now looked away as he passed, perhaps remembering the incident with Ah San or simply feeling an indefinable change in his aura. But the first real proof that his facade was beginning to crack came from an unexpected and unwanted fountain. The Gu Family, like many families of cultivators, had some rudimentary training areas within its complex. Most were reserved for leading disciples and talented members. However, there was a small training yard in the back, equipped with some stone weights, wooden dolls and a small open space, usually used by low-level guards or family members without much talent who still wanted to maintain minimal physical fitness. The ancient Tiannháo rarely went there, as it was often a place of humiliation. But the new Tiannáo saw an opportunity in him. Practicing the Acupuncture Point Stimulation Guide with real weights and wooden dolls would be much more effective than just doing basic exercises in your own patio. Choosing a schedule that he knew was generally quiet - mid-afternoon, when most were resting, or on other tasks - he headed to the back training yard. To his surprise, he was not empty. His second brother, Gù Tianf?ng, was there, punching a wooden doll with unnecessary ferocity, his face writhed in a frown. The heart of Tianháo sank. Tianf?ng was the most impulsive and cruel of the two brothers. An encounter with him rarely ended well for the ancient Tiannháo. He thought of retreating discreetly, but Tianf?ng had already seen him. The second brother's gaze swept Ti?nháo from top to bottom, a mixture of surprise and contempt forming in his eyes. Now, now," Tianf?ng stopped punching the puppet, a cruel smile spreading over his lips. If it's not my little brother worthless. What do you do here? Did you come to admire how a true cultivator trains? Or maybe the disease finally fried the little brain you had and you got lost?The old Tianáo would have stuttered, bowed down and run away. But Ti?nháo (Alex) took a deep breath, calming the instinctive apprehension that the body still felt in the presence of Tianf?ng. Second Brother," he greeted with a calm that he did not feel, keeping his voice neutral. I came to use the training yard. Tianf?ng let out a loud, unpleasant laugh. You? Training? What a joke! Are you going to try to lift a weight of stone and break your fragile bones? Or maybe you'll stumble over your feet and fall flat on your face? Get out of here, rubbish. This place is not for you. Ti?nháo did not move. He looked at his brother, his gaze firm. This courtyard is for the use of all family members who wish to train, according to Brother. I don't see his name on him. The calm and unexpectedly assertive response surprised Tianf?ng. He was accustomed to the abject submission of Ti?nháo. That slight resistance irritated him. Are you responding to me? Tianf?ng took a threatening step towards Ti?nháo, his aura of the Qi Core Realm (Initial Stage) pressing slightly. For the ancient Tianháo, this pressure would have been enough to make him retreat or even fall. But the new Ti?nháo, tempered by the pain of tyrannical art, only felt a slight discomfort. It seems like getting sick made you insolent. Maybe I need to remind you what your place is. Ti?nháo knew he was in a dangerous position. Tianf?ng was much stronger and would not hesitate to hurt him. But to retreat now would mean to return to the old dynamic, it would mean that all your effort to change was useless. I do not want confrontation, according to Brother," said Ti?nháo, his voice still calm, but with a touch of steel. I just want to use the training space, as is my right. If you are done, please excuse me. If not, we can share the space. It's big enough. Cold logic and refusal to be intimidated infuriated Tianf?ng. Right? What right is garbage like you? The only right you have is to stay out of my sight! He raised his hand, clearly intending to strike Ti?nháo. Ti?nháo did not retreat, but his muscles became tense, ready to try to dodge, although he knew his chances were minimal. He couldn't show fear. Tianf?ng! What do you think you are doing?"The cold, arrogant voice came from the entrance of the courtyard. Gù Tiany?, the First Young Master, was standing there, watching the scene with disapproval. Tianf?ng stopped, his hand still in the air, and turned to his older brother, a hint of resentment in his eyes. Older brother! This garbage was being insolent. I was just going to teach him a lesson. Tiany? cast a contemptuous look at Ti?nháo, as if looking at an insect, before turning his attention to Tianf?ng. Teaching a lesson? Wasting your time with him? Don't lower yourself to his level, Tianf?ng. We have more important things to worry about, such as our preparation for the sect exam. Let the garbage wallow in its own misery. Although the words were addressed to Tianf?ng, the humiliation was clearly aimed at both younger brothers. Tiany saw both as inferior, although Tianf?ng was useful and Ti?nháo was only a hindrance. Tianf?ng lowered his hand, clenching his fists, clearly frustrated at being interrupted, but without daring to challenge Tiany?. He cast a poisonous last look at Ti?nháo. You were lucky this time, rubbish. Next time... He turned around and left the courtyard, bumping purposely into Ti?nháo's shoulder as he passed, almost knocking him down. Tiany completely ignored Tiannháo and began to inspect the training puppets, as if the younger brother did not even exist. Ti?nháo straightened up, ignoring shoulder pain. He didn't say anything. Tiany's intervention had saved him from a beating, but the humiliation was almost worse. Both brothers saw him as less than nothing. But he also noticed something more. Tiany had noticed the interaction. Tianf?ng had noticed the change in his attitude. The ripples were growing. He didn't try to use the training yard that day. It would be too much to provoke. With one last look at Tiany's indifferent back, he turned around and left silently. As he walked back to his own courtyard, a cold determination solidified within him. The contempt of his brothers, the indifference of his father - they were the fuel that fed his inner furnace. Did they see it as garbage? Great. Let them continue to underestimate it. This would only make his eventual ascension even more shocking. He needed to get stronger. I needed to pass the exam. He needed to leave the Gu Family and build his own power, away from his suffocating gaze. Small victories, such as facing Ah San or Tianf?ng without retreating completely, were important to his own morale, but would not change his fundamental situation. Only real force would do that.