Chapter 115: The Secret of Iron Bone Art

In the courtyard.

Tai Rubai poured tea himself, while Lin Chen and Li Yueshan sat at the table.

Outside the courtyard gate, Li An and Li Qi, father and daughter, did not enter—not because they were unwilling, nor because they were embarrassed, but because they dared not enter without Li Yueshan’s permission.

“Lin Chen, I have failed to discipline my household properly. I offer this tea as an apology.”

“Sir, you humiliate this humble boy.”

Lin Chen rose, refusing to accept it. Li Yueshan glanced at Tai Rubai beside him: “Little Tai, pour the tea.”

Tai Rubai’s hand trembled as he held the teapot—was he to pour tea for Lord Li, and then Lord Li would use the tea to apologize to Lin Chen?

He dared not.

“Must I pour it myself to show sincerity?”

At Li Yueshan’s words, Tai Rubai shook his head urgently. He was caught between two difficult choices. Seeing the old lord’s determined gaze, Lin Chen turned to the master: “Master, let this disciple pour the tea.”

Lin Chen understood: Li the Elder’s resolve was absolute—this tea must be drunk. If so, he would pour it himself.

Hearing this, Tai Rubai handed the teapot to Lin Chen as if passing off a burning hot potato.

“This tea, I offer as my apology to you.”

Lin Chen raised the teacup, no longer refusing, and drank it in one gulp.

Seeing Lin Chen’s action, Li Yueshan’s aged eyes held a flicker of appreciation.

Setting down the cup, Lin Chen picked up the teapot and poured tea for Li Yueshan: “I deeply thank you, Lord Li, for your guidance.”

“Lin Chen, Lord Li used his martial will for you. At his age, to wield martial will…”

“Little Tai, I’m old, not dead. If you can’t keep your mouth shut and stand here as an eyesore, go outside and keep company with my two useless offspring.”

Li Yueshan glared, and Tai Rubai’s face twisted with chagrin—but then he sighed in relief and walked toward the door.

Though he held little regard for Lord Li’s son, he clearly understood: the old lord had something to say to Lin Chen. His excuse about being an eyesore was merely a pretext.

Outside, Li An felt awkward seeing Tai Rubai. Tai Rubai, however, didn’t care—he nodded in greeting, then stood quietly, eyes downcast, hands clasped.

…

…

“I learned of your experience in my household. Originally, I brought my useless son and granddaughter, intending for Qi to apologize to you in person—but now I see no need.”

Li Yueshan cut straight to the point—that had been his original thought.

Since Tai Rubai brought this boy to the Li household, this boy must be the most exceptional disciple the Zhenyue Martial Hall has produced in twenty years.

For a county-level martial hall like Zhenyue, producing one qualified martial artist every one or two years is normal; with good fortune, even two or three.

Once every ten years or so, at least one student with potential for eighth-rank martial prowess emerges.

Originally, Li Yueshan assumed the boy Tai Rubai brought might have seventh-rank potential.

A seventh-rank martial artist—Li family could cultivate ties with him, and in a critical moment, he might lend a hand. But now, he abandoned that idea.

Lin Chen was puzzled—he could guess the old lord’s purpose in guiding him: to repay the Zhenyue Martial Hall’s debt, and to create a bond between himself and the Li family, so that when Lin Chen grew stronger, he might protect them.

“Your future will surpass mine. As long as you remember this favor, there is no need for you to associate closely with my descendants.”

Seeing Lin Chen’s confusion, Li Yueshan stroked his beard: “If your ceiling were merely seventh or sixth rank, then knowing each other would be mutually beneficial. Though my son is useless, I’ve spent years accumulating connections—perhaps I could aid you someday.”

“But I see your martial will is firm, your talent beyond question—your future will exceed mine. To draw too close to the Li family would harm them, especially my useless son—he would squander this favor long before I’m gone.”

Lin Chen understood—the hidden meaning behind the old lord’s words.

Favor.

Use it once, and it’s gone.

Especially as the other party’s status and strength rise, such favor becomes rarer, more precious, usable fewer times.

Zhenyue Martial Hall has had talented students before—but why did it never bring them to the Li household? Because they knew this favor could be used only once.

If you become ninth or eighth rank, then because of today’s guidance, should the Li family ever need your aid, you would not refuse.

This favor primarily serves to draw you and the Li family closer, for your families are equal in strength and status—and with mutual intent, Lin and Li families could become lifelong allies.

That requires both sides to nurture this favor, continually strengthening their bond.

But if you rise farther, higher—then this favor, this guidance from Lord Li, can be used by the Li family only once.

A strong person’s favor is extremely valuable.

Lord Li forbids his son and granddaughter from associating with you—after he’s gone, his son will hesitate to approach you.

After all, your experience in the Li household was not pleasant.

For ordinary troubles, the Li family will solve them themselves.

Thus, this favor remains preserved, growing more valuable as your strength and status rise.

Lord Li is betting on your future—he seeks to preserve this favor, giving you ample time to grow, unless the Li family faces mortal peril, or as today, when Zhenyue Martial Hall brought you here—should a genius emerge among his descendants, only then will they use this favor.

Mercenary?

Shrewd?

Lin Chen’s impression of the old lord did not worsen—he laid everything bare.

He was merely an old man concerned for his family’s future.

“I admire your devotion to your family’s descendants, Elder.”

At Lin Chen’s words, Li Yueshan’s smile deepened—he saw that Lin Chen understood.

From Tai Rubai, he already knew Lin Chen’s background and martial journey: a fisherman’s son, yet possessing such wisdom—remarkable.

No wonder his writing was sharp and brilliant, yet ended with hidden restraint.

“Lord Li, are you too generous with me? I’m still only at the Opening Meridians stage—how could I compare to you, Elder Li?”

Li Yueshan smiled faintly: “I judge people well. You have this potential—and on the Extreme Martial Path, you’ve already succeeded halfway.”

The Extreme Martial Path—even Li Yueshan dared not let his own descendants walk it.

With his connections and resources, he could provide ample aid for his heirs to reach Opening Meridians and Internal Organ Strengthening—but what after they qualify?

The Extreme Martial Path makes every stage far harder than for ordinary martial artists.

Only those with absolute self-confidence dare walk it.

“Little Bai told me your Raozhou Wuzheng Office has talent selection. I can guide you in martial arts, but I will not provide excessive cultivation resources.”

Li Yueshan smiled at Lin Chen: “Do you know why?”

“Lord Li’s guidance is already immense kindness—I dare not ask for more.”

Lin Chen spoke sincerely: the old lord’s vital energy was already declining; to stir his martial will and help Lin Chen grasp the essence of Iron Bone Art was no small cost.

“I withhold aid precisely because I understand your background. You follow the Wuzheng Office path—then walk it fully. Do not entangle yourself too deeply with noble families or clans.”

Li Yueshan’s aged eyes gleamed. Seeing Lin Chen lost in thought, he continued: “Within Great Li, whether noble families or humble commoners, all follow the Wuzheng Office path—but there are subtle differences. To the imperial court, you, a humble-born, signify clean lineage.”

Lin Chen froze—he hadn’t expected the old lord to explain so plainly.

So—the court officials distrusted noble family heirs?

“Human hearts change. When Great Li was founded, all were united—but now, with martial arts flourishing, some inevitably harbor other ambitions. Take me: I now think mostly of the Li family’s future. Noble clans think even more so.”

“The Wuzheng Office does not lack cultivation resources. Even if the Wuzheng Office lacks them, the Wuzheng Bureau lies beyond, and above it, the Wuzheng Force. Great Li has a complete training system—if you pass the assessments, you can ascend step by step.”

“Thank you, Lord Li, for your guidance—I will remember it well.” Lin Chen bowed deeply, then picked up the teapot and poured another cup for Li Yueshan.

“With your wit, you grasp things instantly—I need say no more.”

Li Yueshan sipped his tea: “Iron Bone Art is a hardening technique, yet its power far exceeds ordinary qualified martial arts. Do not abandon it once you reach perfection—keep cultivating. When you qualify, you’ll see its true strength.”

“Lord Li, are you saying…?”

“Iron Bone Art is actually a hardening technique meant only for qualified martial artists—it belongs to the middle-grade martial arts. In Great Li’s classification, martial arts are divided into three tiers: qualified-grade, middle-grade, and upper-grade.”

“Qualified-grade arts can be cultivated by Opening Meridians martial artists; middle-grade arts require qualification. But Zhenyue Martial Hall teaches you Iron Bone Art because it is divided into two volumes—the upper volume is qualified-grade, while the lower volume is middle-grade.”

“The lower volume of Iron Bone Art is called The Zhenyue Manuscript.”

Lin Chen was stunned—so the name of Zhenyue Martial Hall came from the lower volume of Iron Bone Art.

“Even the successive masters of Zhenyue Martial Hall did not know this. Among all its students, those who perfected Iron Bone Art are rarer than those who qualified.”

“Elder, where can I find the lower volume of Iron Bone Art?”

“Huangshan, in Huizhou Prefecture.”

(End of Chapter)