Chapter 12: Sincerity Is the Ultimate Technique

After leaving his teacher’s residence, Lin Chen went to the kitchen and met Master Zhang.

Master Zhang readily agreed, teasing Lin Chen that when serving meat in the mess hall, he’d give him extra portions—as a favor to one of his own.

Master Zhang had also learned that Lin Chen’s strength had reached four hundred jin.

As the Wutang’s overseer, he learned of every minor development within the Wutang the moment it happened.

Lin Chen now had the potential to cultivate Essence Qi within two years.

Moreover, rumors suggested that the instructor had been giving Lin Chen special attention, making Master Zhang even more eager to cultivate a good relationship with him.

After bidding farewell to Master Zhang, Lin Chen left the mess hall and, on his way back to the dormitory, encountered Zhao Jingchuan and the other four.

Seeing them, Lin Chen stepped aside willingly.

“Lin brother, since today’s a day off, I’m treating everyone to a meal at my family’s tavern—why don’t you join us?”

Lin Chen hadn’t expected Zhao Jingchuan to initiate conversation with him; after a moment’s pause, he replied: “Then I won’t refuse your kindness.”

An opportunity to eat for free must not be missed.

Lu Yongfeng and the others glanced at Zhao Jingchuan in confusion—they couldn’t understand why he’d invited Lin Chen, even though Lin Chen’s strength had reached four hundred jin, it still paled in comparison to theirs.

But since Zhao Jingchuan was hosting today, none of them dared object.

As the group exited the Wutang gate, several students passed by; upon seeing Lin Chen walking with the five of them, they cast him strange glances.

Clearly, the students of the Wutang held the same opinion.

Though Lin Chen had shocked them today, he still lagged far behind Lu Yongfeng and the others.

Lin Chen walked silently at the back, listening as Zhao Jingchuan and the others discussed the county’s martial academies—he had nothing to add.

He could only sigh: this was the gap.

While most students struggled just to cultivate Essence Qi within two years, these men were already debating which county academy to join.

Cheng Ying aimed for the Seven Stars Martial Academy, while Xu Botao wanted the Zhenyue Martial Academy; they debated which was stronger, and the others occasionally chimed in with their own advice.

Lin Chen listened in silence; no one mentioned him, as if he’d been entirely ignored—and he was perfectly content. His goal was simply a free meal, and from their conversation, he’d gathered plenty of useful information.

The Seven Stars Martial Academy’s greatest strength was the Seven Stars Fist Art; the Zhenyue Martial Academy’s strongest discipline was its hardening techniques.

Fifteen minutes later, the group arrived at the Zhao family tavern.

Zhao Dongyang stood at the entrance; seeing his son and the others approach, he smiled warmly: “Jingchuan, these must be your fellow students.”

He’d arranged this meal himself and was already familiar with the backgrounds of these youths.

Lu Yongfeng—the heir to the Lu family pharmacy; Cheng Ying—the young master of the Cheng family textile shop…

Business required connections.

Lu Yongfeng and the others introduced themselves, addressing Zhao Dongyang as “Uncle Zhao” or “Elder Zhao.”

“Elder Zhao, this is Lin Chen.”

“Young Master Lin!”

After Lin Chen introduced himself, Zhao Dongyang’s eyes flickered with confusion—Jingchuan had never mentioned a student named “Lin Chen.”

But as a businessman, Zhao Dongyang showed no sign of it; he warmly ushered everyone inside, leading them straight to a private room upstairs.

The private room’s table already held six cold dishes.

Braised beef, star anise beans, fermented fish, pickled century eggs, cold-mixed wild greens, and a plate of pastries Lin Chen didn’t recognize.

Good heavens!

Just the cold dishes were more elaborate than his family’s entire meal.

Having been in this world for nearly a year, this was Lin Chen’s first time dining out; in his original body’s memories, the most delicious food had been the tofu pudding from the town’s tofu shop.

His original self would accompany his father to town to sell fish, and each time, his father would take him to the tofu shop, spend two cash coins on a bowl of tofu pudding—its fragrance, infused with lard and scallions, had been the most exquisite taste in his original self’s memory.

After everyone sat down, the others hesitated to pick up their chopsticks.

They hadn’t come for the cold dishes.

Lin Chen, however, picked up his chopsticks without hesitation and began eating.

The flavor was indeed excellent.

So this world wasn’t lacking in delicacies—only the poor couldn’t afford them.

Soon after, the waiter brought a large platter of meat; as it arrived, Lin Chen noticed Yan Dexing swallowing hard, and everyone else’s eyes locked onto the dish.

“Yesterday, hunters from Qingshan Village caught a black serow. Ganghao I was collecting wild game there, so I bought it—it’s excellent for replenishing blood and qi, eat your fill.”

Hearing Zhao Dongyang’s words, Lin Chen understood: the black serow meat was either extraordinarily delicious or a potent tonic—likely the latter.

If so, he wouldn’t hold back.

“Thank you, Elder Zhao—I’ll give it a try.”

While the others still hesitated, Lin Chen was the first to move his chopsticks, scooping a large piece of meat into his bowl.

Indeed, the black serow meat had a satisfying chew, with a lingering sweetness; soon, Lin Chen felt a warmth spreading through his abdomen.

So fast?

Lin Chen’s eyes flickered inwardly: “Panel!”

【Name: Lin Chen】

【Profession: Martial Artist】

【Blood Qi: 2008/3000】

【Destiny: [Water Flows Naturally]: In the First Stage of Martial Path, perseverance, gradual progress, unstoppable momentum—no bottlenecks.】

In mere breaths, his Blood Qi had increased by five points—this was the first time he’d seen Blood Qi rise within the same day.

Previously, Blood Qi only increased after waking the next morning.

Seeing Lin Chen begin eating—and especially seeing him reach for a second helping—the others dropped their pretense; if they waited any longer, the black serow meat would be gone.

Zhao Dongyang watched the youths devouring their food with a smile, unsurprised—black serow meat was a potent tonic, this single dish worth ten taels, and often impossible to buy.

“There’s also soup made from simmered black serow bones—try some later. I won’t disturb you; Jingchuan, keep your fellow students company.”

Zhao Dongyang knew his presence would stifle their conversation; without open talk, how could they grow closer?

With the elder gone, the atmosphere in the room relaxed; Yan Dexing opened his mouth to speak, only to find Lin Chen had already picked up a spoon to ladle soup.

His move prompted the others to follow suit; the room was filled only with the sounds of eating.

No one wanted to be left with nothing—not even a sip of broth.

“Lin brother, you never ate meals like this at home?”

When the soup was finished, Yan Dexing seized the chance to speak, his tone dripping with disdain.

“You all know my family is poor; at home, we ate only boiled stews. No seasoning, not even enough oil or salt—my mother hoarded even those. This is the first time I’ve tasted such a delicious dish—I lost my composure.”

Lin Chen’s sincere reply left Yan Dexing speechless—any further mockery died on his lips.

What?

Don’t you have any pride? Any dignity?

You just blurted out your family’s hardship so plainly?

The others, however, were moved by Lin Chen’s words.

They asked themselves: if they were Lin Chen, could they speak so openly?

“When Lin brother helped out in the mess hall, I admired him greatly—I admit, I couldn’t have done what he did.”

Zhao Jingchuan sighed; Lu Yongfeng and the others nodded in agreement—if they were Lin Chen, forced to serve food in the mess hall in front of familiar students, they’d never have the courage to do it.

“My family is destitute—I work in the mess hall just to earn beef for my cultivation.”

Lin Chen spoke with unwavering sincerity, no concealment; then he rose, bowed to them: “Because I am poor, I refuse to miss any chance to increase my Blood Qi. If I’ve been impolite, I apologize to you all.”

Before they could respond, he added: “To have eaten one such meal in this life is enough—I won’t trouble you further. I take my leave. Zhao brother, thank you for the feast!”

Lin Chen left with natural ease, but the moment he turned, his fleeting disappointment was caught by Lu Yongfeng and the others.

The room fell silent.

Moments later, Zhao Jingchuan sighed again: “Lin brother’s life hasn’t been easy—no one knows how much hardship he endured to increase his strength to four hundred jin.”

“Martial cultivation has never been easy. Today, Lin brother stands before us as proof of the difference between us and the children of county families,” Xu Botao nodded, deeply moved.

Seeing all eyes turn to him, Yan Dexing looked helpless: “I… I just said one thing—I didn’t mean anything else.”

Yan Dexing was frustrated—deeply frustrated.

Why were they blaming him? He hadn’t even said anything too harsh.

Outside the private room, Lin Chen’s lips curled slightly. You think you can outwit me, Yan brother? You’re still too green.

Do you understand now? Sincerity is the ultimate technique.

I only showed you a fraction—if I went all out, you’d wake up in the middle of the night and slap yourself, whispering: “I deserve to die.”

(End of Chapter)