Chapter 197: Dignity Lies Only on the Edge of the Sword

Kehetown.

For these past few days, Zhang Zhang Dingfeng had been accompanying Luo Wen and the other three, which was unusual for a deputy director of the Wuzheng Office—but knowing that Commissioner Kong was coming, he had simply stayed in Kehetown to wait.

Compared to Zhang Zhang Dingfeng's leisure, Luo Wen and the other three were now enduring great torment.

Upon returning to Linhu Village, they had been barred at the village entrance and had not even seen Lin Chen's face.

As Joining Wuyuan enrollment instructors, they had never been ignored like this before.

If it had been any other student, they would have walked away long ago.

The Joining Wuyuan does not lack a single gifted youth.

But one remark from Zhang Zhang Dingfeng left them with no outlet for their anger.

"Didn't your Joining Wuyuan once wait outside the Pei residence for months when Pei Pei Qingming was being recruited?"

If Lin Chen had merely left his name on Mount Dengwudao three times, they could have retorted that he had no grounds to compare himself with Pei Pei Qingming—but Lin Chen had left his name on Mount Dengwudao three times, and on his final attempt had defeated Pei Pei Qingming himself, leaving them speechless.

"Director Zhang, what brings you here today?"

Seeing that Zhang Zhang Dingfeng had not invited them for tea as usual, and after meeting someone, had instead walked toward the town's entrance, Luo Wen couldn't help asking.

"Commissioner Kong is arriving in Kehetown personally. As deputy director of the Wuzheng Office for Jiangnan Province, I must go to greet him."

"Commissioner Kong? Which Commissioner Kong?"

Zhang Zhang Dingfeng snapped, "In our Great Liang, which other Commissioner Kong would warrant me going out to greet?"

Hearing this, Luo Wen froze, his pupils contracting sharply: "The Wuzheng Force's Minister Kong?"

Zhang Zhang Dingfeng paid no heed to Luo Wen and walked on toward Kehetown's entrance. He had finally realized: to recruit Lin Chen, Luo Wen and the others were not qualified. The Joining Wuyuan must at least send a vice director in person—even if Jiangnan Province wished to negotiate terms with the Joining Wuyuan, those talks could be held with a vice director.

Besides, Lin Lin Shixiong Shao had already arranged the plan; there was no need for him to sit here daily drinking tea with these three.

Seeing Zhang Zhang Dingfeng depart, Luo Wen could no longer sit still. When Ye Yuan and Song Song Zhixue learned from Luo Wen that Commissioner Kong had arrived, they too rushed to join him at the town entrance.

"The three of you stay in the courtyard and keep drinking tea."

Seeing Luo Wen and the others following behind, Zhang Zhang Dingfeng halted and turned to them with a puzzled look. "That is Commissioner Kong's request."

Commissioner Kong?

Luo Wen and the others had not expected Commissioner Kong to forbid their greeting; their expressions darkened.

Their dark expressions were not born of resentment toward Commissioner Kong, but of unease.

Though the Joining Wuyuan did not fall under Commissioner Kong's jurisdiction, his status was different—he was a Rank One cultivator. Not allowing them to greet him was a major matter.

The three exchanged glances and all understood where the problem lay.

Their joint pressure on Lin Chen had likely angered Commissioner Kong.

Zhang Zhang Dingfeng paid no mind to their expressions. Though the Joining Wuyuan was not under the Wuzheng Force's control, it still existed to cultivate martial talents for Great Liang. These three had conspired to pressure Lin Chen—after so many years, some in the Joining Wuyuan had changed their hearts, truly treating themselves as the martial academy of all nine states.

…

…

Linhu Village entrance.

Lin Chen soon spotted a procession and noticed the white-haired, elderly man at its forefront.

"Student Jia Jia Nanzhu bows before Commissioner Kong."

Hearing his teacher's words, Lin Chen froze—was his teacher this Commissioner Kong's disciple?

Then, by that logic, he was the disciple's disciple?

So how should he address him?

"Disciple Lin Chen bows before Master's Master."

After a moment's hesitation, Lin Chen spoke. Whether his understanding was correct or not, children's words were harmless.

To these powerful figures, his age made him nothing but a brash boy—even if he erred, it mattered little.

At Lin Chen's words, the entire gathering fell silent.

On horseback, Kong Zhao Qifeng's aged face twitched. After a long pause, he said, "You've misaddressed me. I have no master-disciple bond with your teacher."

"Ah!"

Lin Chen stared in surprise at his own teacher—no master-disciple bond? Then why did his teacher call himself "student"?

"Ahem, when I first attained mid-grade cultivator status, I once attended Commissioner Kong's lectures and gained much insight."

Jia Jia Nanzhu had not anticipated his disciple would pull such a move—his skin was thicker than his own! He had dared call himself "student," and now the boy had the audacity to call himself "disciple's disciple."

A textbook case of climbing the ladder.

But don't anger Commissioner Kong into thinking Jia Jia Nanzhu had secretly instructed Lin Chen to say this.

"One who transmits the Dao, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts is a teacher. My teacher calling himself 'student' is reasonable; as my teacher's disciple, calling Commissioner Kong 'Master's Master' is not wrong."

"Excellent—'One who transmits the Dao, imparts knowledge, and resolves doubts is a teacher.' You speak well."

Kong Zhao Qifeng burst into laughter. His laughter eased the tension; everyone breathed a sigh of relief—Commissioner Kong was not angry.

Su Su Lingchuan, standing at the back of the crowd, also exhaled. This kid Lin Chen really had guts—Commissioner Kong was no ordinary man.

"Lin Chen, show me around your Linhu Village. Everyone else… stay outside and don't disturb the villagers."

Kong Zhao Qifeng dismounted, glanced back at Shao Shao Jingshan, who nodded—he understood the Commissioner wished to speak privately with Lin Chen.

"Yes!"

Lin Chen showed no fear, softly agreeing, and led the elder into the village, while the others waited at the entrance.

The villagers of Linhu Village had no idea a great figure had arrived; they merely glanced curiously at Lin Chen escorting the old man but said nothing.

"Rise with the sun, rest with its setting—your Linhu Village is indeed a tranquil place."

Hearing this, Lin Chen merely smiled. He understood Commissioner Kong's mindset—like many city dwellers in his past life who longed for rural life.

But they longed only for the scenery: golden fields of rapeseed flowers, orderly green rice seedlings—never the farmers' toil, rising before dawn and returning after dusk, hoes on their shoulders.

"If Commissioner finds Linhu Village worthy, perhaps stay a few days."

"What, are you implying I came here only to rush away?"

Kong Zhao Qifeng fixed his gaze on Lin Chen, who replied, "I merely thought that with your status and position, you are burdened with state affairs and have little time to rest."

"You… don't sound like a fisherman's son."

Kong Zhao Qifeng's aged eyes fixed on Lin Chen, who felt as if his very soul were being stripped bare. The Commissioner's gaze held no sharp pressure, yet its depth seemed capable of piercing through all things.

"Since childhood, I loved reading and listening to storytellers. Their tales most often revolved around nobles. Hearing them so often, I learned a little—but some storytellers had never even seen nobles live. Their stories sounded fascinating at first, but once you understood more, you saw the flaws everywhere."

"Oh? Tell me."

"Once, a storyteller described a noble's sixtieth birthday banquet, filled entirely with meat dishes—pork, beef, mutton, chicken, duck, goose… At the time, I thought this noble's feast was extraordinary. But later, when I began cultivating and entered a martial hall, I learned that beyond poultry, there were many precious bird meats, let alone demon meat…"

Lin Chen's lips curled slightly: "That storyteller claimed the noble was a prefect of an entire prefecture. Now, looking back, it's almost laughable—poor people truly shouldn't fabricate stories, especially about nobles." Kong Zhao Qifeng smiled—this tale was amusing.

"In the end, it's because Poyang County is too poor. Common folk have little exposure. My teacher told me that in other provinces, even ordinary people know about bird meats—but I didn't learn until I was sixteen and entered a martial hall that rare bird meats could replenish qi and blood."

Lin Chen stole a glance at Commissioner Kong's expression. Seeing no change, he continued: "My teacher told me Jiangnan Province was once a prosperous land, producing many martial cultivators. But due to certain reasons, it gradually declined, and now it's the lowest of all provinces. Had the Wuzheng Force not cared for Jiangnan, its martial arts would have vanished entirely within a century."

Begging for pity!

Not bluntly.

It required skillful wording.

After gaining his teacher's approval, Lin Chen had considered how to voice his grievances to this Commissioner.

If this problem existed, it couldn't be Commissioner Kong's fault—whose fault was it?

The ancestors' fault?

Kong Zhao Qifeng's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was clear: Shao Shao Jingshan and the others dared not beg for pity directly before him, so they sent this boy to speak. Facing a junior, a Rank One cultivator like himself could hardly fly into a rage.

"And regarding the Joining Wuyuan matter, I—"

"I already know. Since you were wronged at the Joining Wuyuan, just ignore them."

Kong Zhao Qifeng cut him off. The boy had good eloquence—if he kept talking, he might go on for half an hour. He truly had little time to spend in Linhu Village. His personal visit was primarily because he needed to come to Jiangnan Province to announce something important.

"Since your teacher mentioned Jiangnan was once prosperous and martial arts flourished, do you know why it has now fallen to the bottom?"

"My teacher never explained the reason." Lin Chen shook his head.

"Because Jiangnan Province endured the Demon Race War. To completely exterminate the demon race, Great Liang drove all demon clans into the deep mountains and lakes of Jiangnan. In this sense, the other provinces of Great Liang owe Jiangnan a debt."

"The Demon Race War happened in Jiangnan?"

Lin Chen froze—he had never imagined this. So the people of Jiangnan had made tremendous sacrifices for the entire Great Liang.

"You've been to the special training grounds; you should already know about the demon race. You must also know why the common people of Great Liang remain unaware of their existence."

"Yes."

Kong Zhao Qifeng fixed his gaze on Lin Chen: "Lately, the imperial court has been bitterly divided over whether to inform the people of the demon race's existence. Tell me your opinion."

"My opinion?" Lin Chen pointed at himself, helplessly: "You overestimate me, my lord. I am merely a brash boy with no understanding of state affairs—I dare not speculate."

"Speak freely. Only I am here—do you fear I'll sell you out? You're young, yet you hesitate like an old bureaucrat—no vigor at all."

Kong Zhao Qifeng's face hardened as he suddenly rebuked him. Lin Chen remained unmoved, merely bowing: "You are right, my lord. I am indeed cautious, overly careful. I wish to guide the affairs of state and stir the written word… but I cannot."

"My family is poor. My father is a village fisherman; my mother is a village woman. If I am not careful, one wrong word offending a noble—any Rank cultivator's wrath would be more than I can bear. My path so far has been like walking on thin ice; I dare not take a single misstep."

Watching Lin Chen's stubborn expression, Kong Zhao Qifeng's eyes softened slightly—poor families truly had it hard.

"My purpose in coming to Jiangnan, besides meeting you, is to pay respects to the martyrs who fell in battle against the demon race."

Kong Zhao Qifeng no longer pressed Lin Chen. Hearing this, Lin Chen's eyes sharpened—he instantly understood the Commissioner's implication.

The Wuzheng Force Minister, a Rank One powerhouse, personally coming to Jiangnan to honor those who died fighting the demon race—Great Liang's court had clearly decided to inform the people of the demon race's existence.

"Your wisdom, my lord!"

Lin Chen immediately voiced strong agreement. For Jiangnan, this was good news.

"The court has no objection to announcing the demon race's existence. The only unresolved issue is how to announce it. Some suggest revealing only the demon race's existence, omitting the harm they once inflicted on our people, to avoid panic. What do you think?"

"I believe it is inappropriate."

Since this Official Kong had said this much, Lin Chen knew he could no longer evade the matter.

"What's wrong with it?"

"It would be profoundly unjust to the elders who sacrificed their lives for Jiangnan Dao and all of Liang in its war against the demon races. Only when the people understand the harm the demon races once inflicted upon Liang will they truly revere those who fought and died against them."

Lin Chen's gaze burned brightly; before Official Kong could ask further, he continued: "As for whether this might cause panic? I believe there's no need to worry. Take me as an example—when I first heard of the demon races, I was indeed shocked, but I felt no fear. After learning from elders and senior officials how the demon races harmed Liang, I felt only deep hatred—I would tear their skins and break their bones if I encountered them."

"Hmm, I've heard you slew a snake demon."

Before arriving, Kong Zhao Qifeng had already reviewed every piece of information about Lin Chen, including his slaying of the snake demon.

"But have you considered that Liang borders several other nations, and among them, Zheng and Zhuang both harbor demon races? If we loudly proclaim the harm demon races inflicted upon Liang, won't that damage relations with our neighboring states?"

Hearing this, Lin Chen couldn't help but laugh—screw neighborly relations.

In his past life, he'd met fools who constantly told him to let go of hatred and look forward.

"Between nations, I believe there is no such thing as 'relations'—only strength and weakness. If Liang is strong, even if neighboring states are displeased, what can they do? If Liang is weak, even if we do nothing, will neighboring states truly live in peace with us?"

"Peace between two nations is never maintained by sentiment or official documents—it exists only when both sides are evenly matched, or when one side dares not act due to other constraints."

Kong Zhao Qifeng's pupils contracted; his aged eyes fixed tightly on Lin Chen: "Who taught you such words?"

"No one taught me. If I must say someone did, perhaps it was the books I've read—I drew this conclusion myself. Between nations, disputes are settled not by reason, but by force; dignity rests only upon the blade's edge."

Lin Chen met his gaze calmly. Though he had only been in this world for a year, he truly felt a sense of belonging to Liang. Liang was stable and had given him an environment to advance in martial cultivation. In this year, he had gained family, fellow disciples, instructors, teachers…

If he could, he naturally wished for Liang to flourish forever.

"Reason lies only in the fist; dignity rests only upon the blade's edge…"

Kong Zhao Qifeng savored Lin Chen's words, his eyes gleaming. After a long pause, he said: "Let this be heard only by me. Do not repeat it to anyone who is not close to you."

"I understand. I only mentioned it to you—if I'm wrong, consider it the babbling of a child." Lin Chen grinned.

"It's not mere child's babble—it's just not the right time to say it, especially since you're going to the Martial Academy. If these words spread, your chance at the Academy may vanish."

The Martial Academy was jointly funded by all nine nations; if the other eight learned of Lin Chen's words, they would pressure the Academy to reject him.

"Thank you for the warning, Master. I'll remember it."

Lin Chen nodded firmly. Seeing that Lin Chen understood his meaning, Kong Zhao Qifeng dropped the subject and shifted tone: "You've left your name on Mount Dengwudao four times—you must have received the Martial Seal. I won't give you the Mount Dengwudao jade pendant; the Martial Seal is far superior."

The jade pendant was issued by the Wuzheng Force to geniuses who left their names on Mount Dengwudao once. Those who left their names twice received the Martial Seal automatically.

"Master, what is the use of the Martial Seal? And what are Martial Points?"

Earlier, Official Shao had merely mentioned "Martial Fortune" in a cryptic manner. Now that Official Kong was here, Lin Chen wouldn't miss the chance to clarify.

"Carry the Martial Seal on your person—it benefits your cultivation. But the extent of the benefit varies by individual. According to the founding emperor, it relates to Martial Fortune, yet Martial Fortune is too vague and elusive. None of us, save the founding emperor, have ever understood it."

"As for Martial Points, they are used for the next two stages of Mount Dengwudao. The second stage, called the Training Ground, enhances your comprehension. It greatly aids in grasping martial arts and breaking through realm barriers."

Hearing this, Lin Chen blinked—wasn't this just a massive upgrade of his title 【Black to the End】?

"The mysteries of Mount Dengwudao you'll experience for yourself. I've heard you created a palm technique—show it to me."

(End of Chapter)