Chapter 122: Lin Chen: I Ask All Senior Brothers for Guidance (Request Subscription)

The training ground.

Zhang Qi was utterly arrogant, and the spectators on the viewing platform were divided into two extremes.

“It’s just a county-level contest—does Yanshan County really need to go this far?”

“Martial cultivation is inherently a struggle among the strong; if you’re weak, you should accept defeat. Besides, I heard there was a conflict between Poyang County and Yanshan County before the county contest—Poyang’s students injured one of Yanshan’s students, and now they’re seeking revenge.”

“If that’s the case, then it makes sense.”

In Yanshan County’s student area, the other students were also fired up; Zhang’s arrogance wasn’t just aimed at Poyang County—it was also aimed at Degao County and Yudong County from yesterday.

Because the county contest was delayed, the students from Degao and Yudong had mocked them relentlessly: “A fight between two bottom-tier counties, delayed again—what’s the point?”

Now, Brother Zhang had used his strength to show them: Yanshan County may have been at the bottom in past years, but that doesn’t mean we’re at the bottom this year.

The students from Degao and Yudong, especially Degao—the victors from yesterday—had lost their former air of superiority; Zhang’s displayed strength had left them stunned.

“Yanshan County has risen this year. With Zhang Qi this strong, and Shen Ge still untested, no county except Guangxin and Yongfeng can claim they’re certain to beat Yanshan.”

In the past, Poyang and Yanshan were at the bottom because they lacked top-tier students—their students’ strength was evenly matched, which was their weakness.

This year, Yanshan has produced Zhang Qi and Shen Ge, filling that gap; even against last year’s top-five county teams, they can still fight.

In comparison, Poyang County…

“All we can say is Poyang County is unlucky this year—caught up against a rising Yanshan County. Even facing Degao or Yudong yesterday, they wouldn’t have lost so badly.”

Many cultivated warriors cast their gazes toward Su Lingchuan; this Brother Su could only be called unfortunate.

As the crowd watched, Shen Ge had already chosen his opponents.

Except for Fu Jingya, he selected all eight of the remaining students: Fei Hong and the others.

Leaving Fu Jingya alone wasn’t out of chivalry—it was merely to preserve a shred of dignity for Poyang County.

The eight Poyang County masters were now grim-faced; eighteen students swept away by two opponents from the other side was a great humiliation.

“If Brother Lin were here, Yanshan County would never dare be so arrogant.”

Fu Ang muttered this, having just lost to Zhang Qi on the stage; as he finished speaking, his eyes instinctively scanned the crowd—and froze.

“Brother Lin!”

At Fu Ang’s shout, every Poyang County student turned toward the training ground’s entrance—including Zeng Qingyao and the other masters.

At the training ground’s entrance.

Lin Chen was explaining his identity to the Wuzheng Office guards: “Sir, this is my junior brother. I truly come from Poyang County.”

The cultivated-organ guard turned to look at Fu Ang, then allowed passage.

“Brother Lin, you’ve finally arrived!”

Fu Ang was ecstatic; he’d just lost on stage to Zhang Qi, his heart full of rage—and now seeing Lin Chen felt like seeing a savior.

The other students looked at Lin Chen with the same expression.

By now, every Poyang County student of this cohort had fully recognized Lin Chen’s strength.

At this moment, only Brother Lin could restore Poyang County’s honor.

“Apologies, I was delayed by an urgent matter.”

Lin Chen bowed to Zeng Qingyao, Tai Rubai, and the other eight masters; he hadn’t expected that accompanying Sister Jiang on an outing would nearly make him miss the county contest.

“Not too late!”

Zeng Qingyao spoke sternly; Tai Rubai finally smiled: “Zeng’s right—it’s not too late. The honor Poyang just lost, we’ll take back right now.”

“I will give it my all,” Lin Chen nodded.

Beside them, the other six masters looked puzzled; Lin Chen’s strength was indeed unmatched among Poyang’s students this year, but Zhang Qi and Shen Ge of Yanshan were no slouches—even Lin Chen might not defeat them.

“Brother Lin, I just want to ask one thing: how does Zhang Qi’s strength compare to yours?”

Fu Ang looked at Lin Chen with eager hope; Lin Chen paused, then said: “I haven’t seen Zhang Qi fight. He’s opened sixteen acupoints—his strength should be on par with mine.”

Relieved.

Hearing Lin Chen’s answer, Fu Ang’s heavy heart lifted.

The other students showed disappointment; they’d hoped Lin Chen would confidently declare he could crush Zhang Qi—but then they realized this answer was reasonable.

Zhang Qi had opened sixteen acupoints, and his Tiger Roar Fist was already perfected; everyone knew its power rivaled Iron Crash Fist. Lin Chen had only opened fourteen—holding his own against Zhang Qi was already impressive.

They didn’t ask for more: if Lin Chen could defeat ten Yanshan students—or even eleven or twelve—on the stage, Poyang’s honor would be preserved.

“What’s going on with Poyang? I see another person has joined.”

“How can Poyang’s students still smile? Who is this guy?”

As Lin Chen walked toward Poyang’s side, someone sharp-eyed spotted him; Su Lingchuan on the viewing platform saw him instantly and finally relaxed his stern expression.

But soon, all spectators’ attention was drawn back to the battle on the field.

Shen Ge, though only having opened fifteen acupoints, moved among Fei Hong and the others—all fourteen-acupoint opponents—as if they weren’t there, his palms unleashing waves of crimson light.

“Liao Yun Palm perfected!”

Someone in the crowd gasped.

The top warriors from other counties fixed their gazes on Shen Ge, their eyes filled with wariness. On Yanshan’s side, Zhang Qi smirked—he could feel the shock from his fellow students and the spectators behind him.

Brother Shen was the one he admired most.

If Brother Shen hadn’t perfected Liao Yun Palm, he wouldn’t have voluntarily stepped down from first place.

Poyang County was merely a stepping stone for him and Brother Shen—utterly insignificant.

“Brother Zhang, your Yanshan County has produced an extraordinary talent this year.”

“Liao Yun Palm is hard to master. To perfect it in such a short time—Shen Ge’s enlightenment is astonishing.”

Zhang Wangshan smiled at the exaggerated praise from the cultivated warriors beside him, yet he humbly replied: “Haha, Shen Ge’s enlightenment isn’t that remarkable.”

“It’s not remarkable at all—my Poyang County’s Lin Chen perfected Qing Feng Palm three months ago.”

Su Lingchuan couldn’t bear Zhang Wangshan’s false modesty; as soon as he spoke, Zhang Wangshan’s smile froze.

In martial enlightenment, Poyang County’s Lin Chen was indeed the strongest in the entire Raozhou Prefecture this year—perfecting Qing Feng Palm in three months was something even Guangxin County couldn’t match.

“Martial enlightenment matters, but combat isn’t decided by enlightenment alone—cultivation level determines true strength. Perfecting one technique merely means it suits you well; it doesn’t guarantee similar progress with other techniques.”

Zhang Wangshan countered; Su Lingchuan instinctively wanted to retort by mentioning Lin Chen’s perfected Iron Bones Art—but he held back.

Let Zhang Wangshan boast a little longer. When Lin Chen steps onto the stage, we’ll see if he can still smile.

In Guangxin County’s student area, two youths exchanged glances, both eyes gleaming with excitement.

If every county’s strength were like yesterday’s Yudong and Degao, they’d find it boring.

But Shen Ge’s displayed strength had thrilled them—Shen Ge was worth taking seriously.

“Liao Yun Palm perfected?”

Fu Ang’s mouth opened slightly; he instinctively turned to Lin Chen: “Brother Lin, how does Shen Ge’s strength compare to yours?”

“Not inferior to mine.”

Lin Chen’s answer didn’t surprise the others, but Fu Ang scratched his head, stunned—again this answer?

Could Lin Brother’s earlier reply not have been modesty at all—was he truly this confident?

Lin Chen didn’t know about Fu Ang’s inner turmoil; he gave this answer purely out of his cautious nature.

Never underestimate any opponent before fighting them—who can guarantee they don’t still hold back a secret technique?

After a stick of incense, the matches ended.

Even Fei Hong and the others fought with a take-them-down-with-me strategy—they still lost.

All eyes in the arena fixed on Shen Ge.

No one believed Shen Ge took longer to defeat Fei Hong and the others because he was weaker than Zhang Qi.

Zhang Qi defeated opponents with thirteen acupoints opened; Shen Ge’s opponents had fourteen. And unlike Zhang Qi, Shen Ge wasn’t even bruised.

Anyone with even basic insight could see a clear gap between Zhang Qi and Shen Ge.

“Poyang County is finished.”

“An entire county’s students defeated by two men—after this contest, Poyang’s last-place status will be cemented.”

The spectators whispered in sighs; the Poyang County warriors remained silent.

They wanted to argue—but had no words to refute.

The truth was plain: martial combat is decided by strength alone.

“Wait, why is there a male student still in Poyang?”

“What’s he doing stepping up? Does he think he can challenge Shen Ge?”

Poyang warriors who had been preparing to leave spotted the figure stepping onto the stage; several who’d watched the contest three months ago suddenly looked excited.

“It’s Lin Chen!”

“Poyang County hasn’t lost yet!”

Lin Chen?

“Is he the one who perfected Qing Feng Palm in three months—the Poyang County martial prodigy?”

“Perfecting Qing Feng Palm in three months—his martial enlightenment is terrifying.”

“Now this will be interesting.”

“Useless. His cultivation level is too low. Even if he’s talented, he can’t defeat all of Yanshan’s students alone—he can at best salvage a little honor for Poyang.”

Once Lin Chen’s identity was recognized, students from all counties took notice.

“Too bad his level is low—it won’t change the outcome,” Sheng Tao of Guangxin declared.

Other counties agreed.

No one doubted Lin Chen’s martial enlightenment—but under these circumstances, he couldn’t alter the result.

“Brothers, you’ve worked hard—now leave the rest to me.”

Lin Chen comforted the defeated Fei Hong and others, then stepped onto the center of the training ground, and finally turned his gaze toward Yanshan County, a faint smile curling his lips: “Lin Chen, disciple of Jingshui Martial Hall and Zhenyue Martial Hall of Poyang County, humbly seeks instruction from all senior brothers of Yanshan County.”

(End of Chapter)