Chapter 127: The Past of the Jiang Family, the County Magistrate Bestows a Calligraphy

Two days later!

The county duels of ten counties have ended.

This grand gathering of the new cohort of martial arts academy students in Raozhou Prefecture has now concluded.

Many names will begin to circulate among the martial arts academies of each county as a result of this competition.

Shen Ge of Yanshan County, Wang Hu of Wannian County… and most talked about of all, Lin Chen of Poyang County.

A duel among Open Gate cultivators would not stir the entire Raozhou Prefecture, but those with keen eyes still remembered these names.

Jiang Mansion!

The black plaque with golden characters bore the two words “Jiang Mansion,” its brushstrokes vigorous and powerful, gleaming under the sunlight.

The mansion exuded grandeur, with stone lions at its gate each taller than a man.

On the quiet street, hoofbeats suddenly rang out, coming to a halt before the Jiang Mansion.

“Master has returned!”

The gatekeeper, hearing the hoofbeats, stepped out to look—and upon seeing the middle-aged man dismount, his face flushed with excitement. He turned and shouted into the house, then hurried forward to take the man’s reins.

The man stood tall as a pine, his facial features sharp, his eyes deep and piercing. He dismounted and stepped into the mansion.

In the rear courtyard of the mansion.

Jiang Duanchao entered the gate, bypassed the main hall, and went straight to the garden in the back.

In the garden, rockeries, ponds, pavilions, and terraces were arranged with elegant precision. At the pond’s edge, a noble and elegant woman was feeding the koi.

“Husband, you’re back?”

“Wife, where is Qing’er? Wasn’t she supposed to have returned from the martial arts academy?”

Jiang Duanchao did not see his beloved daughter, and a look of confusion crossed his face.

“Qing’er left for the academy early this morning. You’ve returned a step too late.”

Seeing the regret on her husband’s face, Zhuang Min chided: “It seems in your eyes, only Qing’er matters. If she hadn’t returned, you wouldn’t even bother coming home.”

“Wife, that’s not what I meant.”

Hearing his wife’s words, Jiang Duanchao immediately explained: “Precisely because I miss you, I finished my military duties and rushed straight back.”

“Is that so?”

“How could it be false?” Jiang Duanchao chuckled.

“Then I’ll forgive you. I’ll have the kitchen prepare a stew of Cunrong and tiger meat for you—it’ll ease your journey’s fatigue.”

Jiang Duanchao froze. Facing his wife’s teasing gaze, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.

“What’s this?”

Jiang Duanchao looked at the parchment on the table and changed the subject.

“It’s an official notice from the Wuzheng Office—Qing’er brought it back. This time, the Raozhou Wuzheng Office held a county duel, and this document lists the rankings of this year’s academy students.”

“Is that so? Let me see.”

Picking up the parchment, Jiang Duanchao glanced over it. His expression didn’t change—duels among Open Gate cultivators were merely children’s squabbles to him.

But when he saw one particular name, his pupils contracted slightly.

The Wuzheng Office’s notice listed not only the rankings of each county in the duel, but also the names of certain students, with each student’s martial arts academy and hometown recorded beside them.

Jiang Duanchao’s gaze settled on a boy named “Lin Chen.”

Lin Chen: Jingshui Martial Arts Academy and Zhenyue Martial Arts Academy student, from Linhu Village.

The three characters “Linhu Village” caught his attention.

Even without those three characters, Jiang Duanchao would have struggled to miss Lin Chen’s name—on this document, Lin Chen’s entry had been circled in cinnabar ink.

“That’s Qing’er’s doing. She said Lin Chen is from the same place as you. When she stayed at Jingshui Martial Arts Academy for three months, she took special notice of him because of his background. From the way she spoke, she holds him in high regard.”

“What good could possibly come from Linhu Village?”

Jiang Duanchao snorted dismissively. Zhuang Min covered her mouth and smiled lightly: “All these years later, you still hold onto that little thing? Qing’er asked me indirectly why we never return to Linhu Village. I didn’t even dare tell her the truth—that your father was bullied by village boys when he was young, and you’re ashamed to revisit those humiliating memories.”

When it came to Linhu Village, Jiang Duanchao’s memories were indeed unpleasant.

His Jiang family had moved to Linhu Village generations ago to escape a natural disaster. By his generation, they were only the third. The Jiang family had always been small, and he had no siblings—he suffered constant bullying from village boys.

Jiang Duanchao refused to return to Linhu Village because he didn’t want to see those people. Even though, if he went back now, those same boys—now fathers themselves—would bow and scrape before him, he still felt uneasy.

“I’m not afraid of shame—I’m just bitter because Zhao Canghu tricked me. Giving Linhu Village ten years of free access to the academy is payment enough for the land that raised me.”

That old fox Zhao Canghu was cunning indeed. On the day of my county examination, he brought dozens of villagers from Linhu Village into the city to cheer me on, calling me “the hope of Linhu Village” and “Linhu Village’s pride” at every turn.

Outsiders, unaware of the truth, thought I had deep ties with the villagers, thought my Jiang family was beloved in Linhu Village.

But to preserve my reputation, I couldn’t publicly deny it.

The Wuzheng Office considers not only martial talent and strength in its students, but also their moral character.

In the end, I had no choice but to pretend I had an extremely close bond with Linhu Village. Who knew that old devil Zhao Canghu seized the opportunity—he had the villagers loudly proclaim my martial talents and achievements.

With an air of proud ownership!

After I passed the examination, Zhao Canghu led the villagers in drumming and gong-beating, parading from the county seat to the town, then to the village, and even placed my Jiang ancestors’ spirit tablets in the village ancestral hall.

If my ancestors’ tablets remained in Linhu Village’s ancestral hall, I, as their descendant, would be expected to return regularly for ancestral rites. To avoid further entanglement with Linhu Village, Zhao Canghu and I reached an unspoken agreement: I secured ten years of free academy access for Linhu Village, and he had the tablets removed from the hall.

To the public, we staged a touching tale of a young scholar rising to success and repaying his hometown. Such stories were precisely what the people loved—and what the Wuzheng Office wished to encourage, as they inspired families to send their children to train in martial arts.

“Husband, I don’t think you truly hate that Zhao village chief. At least the people of Linhu Village genuinely thank you, and Zhao Canghu gave you a reputation for loyalty and righteousness.”

Zhuang Min understood her husband. He didn’t truly hate Zhao Canghu—just resented being manipulated.

If he truly hated Zhao Canghu, with his power and influence, a mere village chief wouldn’t stand a chance.

Jiang Duanchao fell silent, no longer pursuing the topic—but he mentally noted the name “Lin Chen.”

……

……

Poyang County.

Su Lingchuan returned to Poyang County with the academy’s group. As soon as they arrived at the Wuzheng Office, He Ruyun appeared.

Having won first place in the county duel, He Ruyun, as County Magistrate, naturally came to offer congratulations.

Though this county duel paled beside the prefectural examination, it was nearly as significant as the annual county examination.

Poyang County held its county examination every two years, open to all academy students—it was the pinnacle competition among academy students.

The first-place finisher in the county examination was effectively the top martial arts student of the entire county that year.

Compared to the county examination, the students in this duel were weaker—each year’s top ten in the county examination were nearly at the Internal Organ Refining stage.

But as the saying goes: internal struggles mean less than external battles.

Winning the county duel brought glory to Poyang County—in that sense, its significance was no lesser than the county examination.

“Lin Chen, I’ve learned the full story of this duel. You turned the tide and spared Poyang County from disgrace. Master Su will reward you. As I don’t interfere in martial arts instruction, I can’t offer you cultivation rewards—but I can grant you honor.”

He Ruyun smiled at Lin Chen: “I’ve personally written a calligraphy piece. It will be delivered to Linhu Village tomorrow.”

The County Magistrate’s gift of calligraphy.

Fu Ang and others nearby wore expressions of envy—this was a great honor.

If it were merely a private gift, it would merely signify a ninth-rank cultivator’s appreciation for a junior.

But since the County Magistrate announced it publicly and declared it would be sent to Linhu Village, it would surely follow official protocol.

Constables would beat drums, parade through all four main streets, then proceed to the town, circling it once, and finally, escorted by the town head and local elders, travel to the village.

In the past, only the top scorer of the county examination received this honor.

No—previously, the county examination’s top scorer received a celebratory notice delivered with drumming and gong-beating, but this time it was a calligraphy gift—far more prestigious.

Su Lingchuan smiled at He Ruyun. His senior brother was indeed shrewd.

Lin Chen had won first place in the county duel and met the prodigy criteria—he was clearly on the rise. By bestowing this calligraphy now, He Ruyun ensured that when Lin Chen’s future achievements were recounted, this gift would be remembered as a legendary moment. “All students contributed greatly to this county duel. I am hosting a banquet at Lu Pavilion tonight to honor you all.”

At He Ruyun’s words, Fei Hong and others blushed. Youthful and modest, they knew they hadn’t contributed much—if not for Lin Shiwei, Poyang County would have been mocked.

Still, they would attend the banquet.

The blood deer meat at Lu Pavilion was a rare delicacy, rich in vital energy.

For students like Fei Hong and Song Yu, with their modest means, they could afford to eat there only a few times a month.

With the County Magistrate footing the bill, they could eat their fill.

……

……

Lu Pavilion.

The entire second floor was closed to outside guests today.

Lin Chen and the other twenty students, eight academy masters, plus Wuzheng Office and government office martial artists—six tables total.

Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun sat at the main table, along with the deputy director, the government office clerk, Zeng Qingyao and Tai Rubai, and two elderly men.

Zeng Qingyao and Tai Rubai could sit at the main table only because of Lin Chen’s glory—the other six academy masters sat at another table.

With two officials and their respective masters present, the students ate in silence, speaking little.

Lin Chen stared at the gilded copper pot before him, crimson coals licking its base, amber broth bubbling with blood deer meatballs the size of a thumb.

Hot pot.

Lin Chen hadn’t expected Poyang County to have hot pot. Indeed, as the saying goes: fine cuisine exists in every age—it’s just a matter of access.

“Lin Shiwei, I toast you. Without you this time…”

Zhao Kang of the Mantis Martial Arts Academy rose, raising his wine cup. But his words trailed off.

To speak the truth now would be too humiliating to everyone’s dignity.

“Zhao Shidi, you overstate it. I am but a student of Poyang County’s martial arts academy. Defending Poyang County’s martial honor is my duty.”

Lin Chen stood up and drank a cup with Zhao Kang.

With Zhao Kang leading, Fei Hong and the others at the table all raised their cups to Lin Chen—not because they were rude and neglected to toast the two officials first, but because they knew they lacked the status to toast those two officials.

Only Lin Shiwei had that status.

After Fei Hong and the others finished their toasts, Fu Ang and the others at the other two tables also came over.

Lin Chen watched the many junior brothers eager to toast him and felt overwhelmed—if each one offered a cup, even his excellent tolerance would leave him tipsy.

Warriors had robust blood and qi, so their alcohol tolerance far surpassed ordinary people’s.

But precisely because of this, ordinary people’s wine tasted watery to warriors, prompting merchants to brew special strong liquor for warriors.

Lu Ge served exactly this kind of strong liquor.

“I’ve felt the sincerity of all you junior brothers—no need to toast me one by one. On my very first day at the martial academy, I set myself a goal: before entering the ranks, I must train daily. I didn’t train today, so only tonight remains. If I keep drinking, I won’t be able to train.”

“I’ve stuck to this for half a year. I hope none of you junior brothers want my discipline to end here.”

Hearing this, the other students stopped lining up to toast him, yet their admiration for Lin Shiwei deepened.

For half a year, Lin Shiwei hadn’t missed a single day of training. Thinking of themselves, after a few breakthroughs in their acupoints, they’d gotten drunk with a few fellow junior brothers under the guise of celebration.

Compared to Lin Shiwei, they felt ashamed.

“Excellent. My Poyang County has not only produced a genius but also a model—Lin Chen is outstanding.”

At the main table, an old man listening to Lin Chen nodded with satisfaction. The old man was an eighth-rank warrior who had once served as county magistrate of an outer prefecture’s major county, but after his blood and qi declined, he retired to his hometown in Poyang County to spend his twilight years.

“Xu Shiwei speaks truly. A genius’s emergence can inspire a generation of youths, yet also discourage another. But a genius like Lin Chen is a blessing for Poyang County’s martial path.”

Another old man added: “Though I am old, I once had several disciples now serving in the Jiangnan Dao Wuzheng Office. Since Grand Secretary Su has made Lin Chen the model warrior of Poyang County, this matter should be reported to the Wuzheng Office.”

Hearing this, Su Lingchuan felt joy. This Zhang my lord , though low in realm, had produced several talented youths during his tenure as head of the Wuzhengsuo—one of whom now held a key position in the Wuzheng Office.

Everyone lifts a sedan chair.

Whether or not that person remembered Xu my lord ’s past favor as former head of the Wuzhengsuo, if his master reported to the Wuzheng Office, and they deliberated, Xu my lord ’s letter would surely earn Lin Chen a few kind words.

Being named Jiangnan Dao’s Model Student wasn’t just a simple commendation—it involved the Wuzheng Office’s allocation of training resources, and officials from other prefectures would surely object.

“Lin Chen!”

He Ruyun waved to Lin Chen, who rose and walked over.

“Let me introduce you—this is Xu my lord , and this is Zhang my lord . Both officials care deeply for Poyang County’s martial path and hold you in high regard.”

“Your humble disciple thanks both officials for your kindness.”

At this moment, Lin Chen didn’t feign modesty by claiming he didn’t deserve such regard—that would have seemed insincere.

“Young talent—have you taken a spouse?” Xu my lord asked, smiling.

“Your humble disciple devotes himself entirely to martial training. Before entering the ranks, I dare not consider marriage.”

Hearing Lin Chen’s reply, Zhang my lord did not press further, offering only a few words of encouragement before falling silent.

The banquet ended, and night had fallen.

That night, Lin Chen thought it over and decided to go directly to the Wuyuan.

The dormitories of Jingshui Martial Academy and Zhenyue Martial Academy were too small for his training, especially since he’d just acquired the Snake Shadow Bow and wished to test its power—the Wuyuan’s grounds were far more suitable.

Unexpectedly, after explaining his plans to Zeng Guanzhu and Tai Guanzhu, he hadn’t taken a few steps when a figure approached him.

“Zhao… Zhao Guanzhu.”

Seeing Zhao Guanzhu of the Storm Wind Martial Academy emerge from the corner, Lin Chen was puzzled—Zhao Guanzhu’s expression suggested he had been waiting for him specifically.

“Lin Chen, I’ve been waiting here for you on purpose.”

Zhao Qifeng smiled at Lin Chen. Since the county duel, when Lin Chen revealed his Iron Bones Art was complete, Zhao had been filled with regret and instantly realized Tai Rubai had set a trap for him.

Had he not boasted to Tai Rubai that even if Lin Chen trained Storm Wind Leg, he’d never admit him into Storm Wind Martial Academy, he could have waited patiently for Lin Chen to come to him.

But after Tai Rubai maneuvered him like this, he could imagine Tai Rubai would tell Grand Secretary Su of his words.

Then, Storm Wind Leg Academy would still have to teach Lin Chen.

As a Jingshui Martial Academy disciple, Lin Chen’s completion of Water Cloud Palm was normal; as a Zhenyue Martial Academy disciple, his completion of Iron Bones Art was understandable. But if he completed Storm Wind Leg yet wasn’t a Storm Wind Martial Academy disciple, the elder masters would scold him to death.

As for Qingfeng Palm being complete yet not belonging to Qingfeng Martial Academy—that was Qingfeng Martial Academy’s own fault.

To untie the knot, one must find the one who tied it. Only by privately securing Lin Chen’s agreement before Tai Rubai approached Su my lord could there be a chance.

If Lin Chen agreed to join Storm Wind Martial Academy, Grand Secretary Su wouldn’t object—and as for Tai Rubai, let him bark all he wanted.

“Zhao Guanzhu waited for me on purpose?”

Lin Chen was surprised. He did plan to learn Storm Wind Leg next, but logically, he should have gone to Storm Wind Martial Academy—why was Zhao Guanzhu more eager than he was?

“Lin Chen, I—”

“Cough, cough—I was wondering where Zhao Shidi had gone. Turns out he’s here. Zhao Shidi said he’d just step out to relieve himself and return to keep drinking—how did he end up here?”

Under the night, Tai Rubai’s figure approached from nearby. Zhao Qifeng’s face darkened instantly.

“It’s late. Lin Chen, return to your quarters soon.”

Seeing Zhao Guanzhu’s darkened face and Tai Guanzhu’s mocking expression, Lin Chen guessed something was amiss between the two.

But Tai Guanzhu had taken him to meet Li my lord —he meant no harm. Now telling him to leave likely favored him.

“Disciple takes leave.”

Zhao Qifeng watched Lin Chen depart, opening his mouth several times, but each time Tai Rubai’s cough interrupted him.

He understood: to make Lin Chen a Storm Wind Martial Academy disciple, he’d have to pay a heavy price this time.

Damned Tai Rubai.

Then let’s drink!

This time, he’d make Tai Rubai see who truly was Poyang County’s first wine god.

(End of Chapter)