5.

To the East of the main Yang manor, there lies an old building. Compared to the appearance of Yang manor or any other buildings, this place appeared old. Throughout the years, other buildings got renovated, yet this building remained the same, untouched by anyone.

This was a three-story building covered in some vines. The area of two hundred meters around it was covered with flowers and fruit trees. Even though it didn't look impressive, it was one of the most heavily guarded places in the Yang family.

In front of this building, Yang Ze was standing silently, looking at the plaque that was hanging above him.

"Yang Library."

The library of the family is divided into three floors.

The first floor, where basic knowledge and miscellaneous books are placed. The second floor, where martial arts are placed. And the third floor, where internal arts are placed.

Since the day he came here, the only source of his knowledge was the fragmented memories of the previous body owner. Those memories were playing like a movie in his mind, so instead of living them, he was just observing them. This was perhaps his biggest source of indifference towards the Yang family and others.

Walking toward the library, Yang Ze's eyes were attracted by an old man who was sitting at the entrance of the building. The old man was sitting on the chair with his eyes closed. A bamboo table was placed in front of him, on which a thick book was placed.

"Oh, its second young master."

Noticing the arrival of the person, the old man opened his eyes before opening the register and entering the name of Yang Ze.

"En."

After a nod, Yang Ze stepped inside the library.

On the first floor, rows, and rows of bookshelves were placed. Some of them were empty, while others were filled with all kinds of books. There wasn't any particular order in which they were kept, so one needed to spend much time here if he was looking for a particular book.

Looking at the books, Yang Ze was stunned for a moment before stepping up to the second floor. Right now he needed to confirm one of his hypotheses.

On the second floor, there was only one bookshelf that was divided into four layers and placed in the middle of the room. The rest of the room that should have been empty was filled with wooden benches and tables.

Since it was already noon, there weren't many people sitting there. Even the fewer who were sitting didn't bother to pay any attention to Yang Ze.

Picking up a book from the shelf, Yang Ze noticed the words written on it.

'Black Tiger Blade Technique.'

In addition to Internal arts, there are also martial arts in the family. If internal arts are a means to increase one's strength, then martial arts are a means to fight others.

The reason why the Yang family could occupy a place in the Yuyang city is mainly because of Seaheart Art along with its two other martial arts. One of which is the Black Tiger Blade Technique.

In the Black Tiger Blade Technique, there are only three moves. This is a martial arts that is meant for pure offense. Only by giving up evasion and defense can one show its true strength.

The first move is 'Tiger Kills'.

The second move is 'Tiger Roar'.

The third move is 'Fierce Tiger Descend The Mountain.'

Even though it sounds very powerful, it is just three moves with different trajectories and techniques.

It is said that if the three moves are performed in succession, defeating someone in the same realm is not a problem.

A powerful blade technique like this wasn't like any other common martial arts, but was divided into three grades.

Introduction, small accomplishment, great accomplishment, and three realms.

The introduction is the beginning of this martial art when one is able to perform three moves, even if it's clumsy and takes a long time.

Small accomplishment is when one is able to perform three moves simultaneously.

Great accomplishment is when one can understand the essence of the skill.

As for the matter of three realms, there wasn't anything written in the book. In the entire family, there were only a handful of people who were able to practice this art to great accomplishment.

As far as he knows, his elder brother Yang Hai has been practicing this art for over a decade and achieved small accomplishment just a few months ago. Even for someone as talented as Yang Hai, this process took over a decade. From here, one could imagine the difficulty of practicing this art for an ordinary person.

Most of the people who are practicing this art only reach small accomplishment after twenty years of hard work.

Flipping over the book, Yang Ze felt his mind go numb after looking at all those densely packed words and illustrations.

Taking a deep breath, he sat in the chair by the window and started reading the book.

By the time Yang Ze finished the book, it was already evening. After placing the book back on the shelf, he slowly walked out of the library before heading home. During the entire time, there was a smile on his face as he was staring at the screen in front of him.

"Sure enough."

------------------------------------------------------

{Name : Yang Ze}

{Realm : Qi Condensing}

{XP : 0/300}

{Technique : Seaheart Art First Layer}

{Martial Arts : Black Tiger Blade Technique 'Introduction'} [0/100]

{Efficiency : 100 XP/day}

{Level : 1} (0/10 spirit stones needed to upgrade)

--------------------------------------------------------

Looking at the newly added Martial Arts, Yang Ze nodded with a smile. The good thing about this Blade technique was that it was easy to get started. It didn't matter how much time you took, but you should be able to do all three techniques. For Yang Ze, who was in Qi condensing stage and possessing a strong body, this wasn't a difficult task.

"Should I practice this first?"

After making up his mind, Yang Ze picked up a stick from his yard and got into the position. The first technique was to rush forward and take a swing that cuts from the downward horizon to the upward. The second technique was just after it to rotate your entire body and then use its force to cut horizontally.

"Haaah."

After a loud shout, Yang Ze rushed forward and suddenly bent before raising the stick. His entire body was up in the air for a moment. During this short time, he wanted to perform the second technique of rotating his body and taking a swing, but to his dismay, he couldn't even move his hands, much less rotate his body.

"Fucking hell."

After cursing for a good two minutes, he gritted his teeth and tried again.

It was almost midnight before he fell to the ground panting like a dog. Right now, his entire body was drenched in sweat. After stepping into the qi condensing his stamina was far above average, yet this blade technique was enough to tire him to death.

"Second young master, it is time for dinner."

Yang Ze's train of thoughts was interrupted by the voice of the old Xie.

Nodding his head, Yang Ze stood up and walked inside the house. He needed to take a bath before dinner.

Looking at the departing back of Yang Ze, old Xie was silent for a long time before walking back to the main manor.

...

Inside the main manor, there was a luxurious room located in the center. The room was filled with all kinds of luxuries that one could dream of. There were various paintings on the walls, curtains that were softer than silk, tables, and chairs that were crafted delicately upon which plates of fruits were placed. Illuminating the room were dimly lit paper lanterns that were giving off a hazy feeling.

In the middle of the room, a man who seemed to be in his early twenties was sitting on a chair drinking tea silently. In front of him was an old man kneeling on the ground. If Yang Ze was here, he would have surely recognized the old Xie that was kneeling on the ground.

"So, my little brother still hasn't given up on the martial arts huh?"

This young man was the most talented youth of the family and the elder brother of Yang Ze, Yang Hai.

"The second young master knew that there was no hope of cultivation, so he gave up on it and started practicing martial arts."

"Interesting. So, how is his talent in martial arts?"

Chuckling, Yang Hai took a sip before asking in a leisurely tone.

"Extremely ordinary, young master. He tried the Black Tiger blade technique from evening till night, but there was absolutely no progress."

After taking another sip of the tea, Yang Hai nodded before speaking again.

"Let's hope there won't be any surprises. As for you old Xie, you have done everything I asked for. Once Yang Ze is thrown out of the family, you can take your retirement. I have already given a restaurant to your daughter and son-in-law in the northern district of the city."

"Thank you. Thank you, Young Master."

Old Xie kept bowing to the person in front of him for a long time. In the Yang family, once you learned the martial arts, you weren't allowed to quit the family. The old Xie who spent almost his entire life in the family fighting for benefits, now just wanted to quit and live a life free of worries.

In the entire family, if there was one person who could help him with that, it was the young master in front of him. It was his promise of freeing him that made him betray the second young master, Yang Ze.

Even though he did this, there wasn't any embarrassment on his face, only relief.