Chapter 21: The Martial Path Has Never Been Fair (Requesting Follow Reads)

Early morning!

【Name: Lin Chen】

【Occupation: Martial Artist】

【Blood Qi: 4150/5000】

【Destiny: [Water Finds Its Channel]: In the First Stage of Martial Dao, persistent effort, gradual progress, and unstoppable momentum eliminate all bottlenecks.】

Since he cultivated essence, his blood qi increased by a thousand on the first day, then dropped back to fifty points daily thereafter.

The two-day break granted by the instructor had ended; after informing his family, Lin Chen set out for town.

On the way out of the village, villagers greeted him warmly, and Lin Chen smiled and responded to each one in turn—only once he left the borders of Linhu Village did he quicken his pace.

When he arrived at the martial hall, the training ground was eerily empty, with not a single student in sight; he did not linger there but headed straight for Instructor Yu’s courtyard.

Lin Chen knocked on the door, and Instructor Yu’s voice came from inside: “Enter.”

Pushing open the gate, Lin Chen glanced around but saw no sign of Instructor Yu; however, the door to the main chamber was open.

“Take a look at the papers on the table,” came the voice from within.

“Yes.”

Hearing Instructor Yu’s instruction, Lin Chen walked to the stone table, picked up the papers, and after a quick scan, understood why he was asked to read them first.

The papers contained information on the eight county martial academies.

【Iron Blood Martial Academy: Specializes in Iron Crash Fist—a brutal, aggressive style with the highest offensive power among the eight academies, emphasizing raw strength overpowering technique; every year, Iron Blood produces at least three students ranked in the top three of the county martial competition.】

Seeing the description of Iron Blood Martial Academy, Lin Chen’s pupils contracted slightly—this academy was clearly the strongest, and its applicant numbers should be the highest.

【Iron Blood Martial Academy’s annual applicant count does not rank in the top three, solely because Iron Crash Fist requires rare medicinal aids—costs too high for ordinary wealthy families to afford.】

Whoa!

Lin Chen winced—the content was written by Instructor Yu, meaning “ordinary wealthy families” referred to people like Zhao Jingchuan and other rich townsfolk.

If even Zhao Jingchuan’s family couldn’t afford it, he certainly couldn’t.

His gaze moved downward.

【Seven Stars Martial Academy: Specializes in Seven Stars Fist—though less brutal than Iron Crash Fist, it is balanced by a complementary footwork technique…】

【Thunder Mountain Martial Academy focuses on Iron Bone Art, a hardening technique with superior durability, but like Iron Blood, it requires rare medicinal aids.】

【Gale Martial Academy specializes in Gale Leg Technique…】

【Cloud Veil Martial Academy specializes in body movement techniques…】

【Mantis Martial Academy: Specializes in Mantis Fist—less brutal than Iron Crash Fist, less agile than Seven Stars Fist, but excels in tendon and bone flexibility, requiring minimal medicinal aids, offering steady, reliable progress.】

Lin Chen marked Mantis Martial Academy—Instructor Yu’s description suited him perfectly: more time, less money.

【Clear Wind Martial Academy: Specializes in Clear Wind Palm—initial power is weak, but grows stronger over time; advantage: later-stage expenses barely exceed early-stage costs; disadvantage: initial power lags behind other academies’ techniques.】

“Clear Wind Martial Academy can also be added to the shortlist.”

【Still Water Martial Academy: Specializes in Water Cloud Palm—emphasizes softness overcoming hardness, with elegant, graceful movements; disadvantage: weakest power among the eight academies; advantage: overwhelmingly female students.】

Seeing Instructor Yu’s description of Still Water Martial Academy, Lin Chen’s lip twitched—so this academy was essentially a girls’ school.

…

…

When Lin Chen finished reading the introductions to the eight academies, Yu Yongnian stepped out from the chamber.

“Finished reading?”

“Disciple has finished.”

“What are your thoughts?”

Lin Chen paused, then said: “My family is modest. Based on the information here, Iron Blood and Thunder Mountain are unsuitable for me; Clear Wind and Mantis are more appropriate.”

Yu Yongnian nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

He was pleased with Lin Chen’s answer.

Not only because he himself had recommended these two academies.

But because Lin Chen, despite being the first student in the martial hall to cultivate essence, had not grown arrogant or lost his bearings.

Though Lin Chen was the first in the martial hall to cultivate essence, his martial difficulties had not improved much.

The problem: lack of money.

“Mantis Fist requires the least expenditure, but its power is the weakest among the eight academies—it’s acceptable for internal academy sparring, but you’ll be at a severe disadvantage against students from other academies.”

“In contrast, Clear Wind Palm’s initial power is weak, but once mastered, it can match Iron Crash Fist. Your temperament is calm and patient—you can endure the slow start. Clear Wind Martial Academy suits you best.”

Hearing the instructor’s analysis, Lin Chen nodded in agreement—Instructor Yu had truly considered his situation and performance at the martial hall to recommend the most suitable academy.

“Then I’ll enroll in Clear Wind Martial Academy.”

“I went to Clear Wind Martial Academy the day before yesterday—they’ve already agreed to accept you. Today, come with me.”

Yu Yongnian smiled faintly—he did not tell Lin Chen that he himself had once graduated from Clear Wind Martial Academy, fearing it might influence Lin Chen’s decision.

…

…

Fifteen minutes later, Lin Chen rode with Yu Yongnian out of Keh River Town, heading toward Poyang County.

Lin Chen had never ridden a horse before, but his agility far surpassed ordinary people; under Yu Yongnian’s guidance, he learned quickly, and after a short ride, he became fully comfortable—speed increased steadily.

The journey from Keh River Town to Poyang County normally took five hours on foot; many villagers chose to take a boat to the county dock to save time.

But with a horse, travel was much faster.

In just one hour, Lin Chen reached the walls of Poyang County.

The towering city walls stood three zhang high.

Standing atop his horse, Lin Chen gazed upward—the city gate rose with soaring eaves, carved beams, painted rafters, exuding grandeur.

Pedestrians, carts, and horses flowed continuously through the gate, while several soldiers stood guard, spears in hand, swords at their belts, checking every entrant’s identity token.

These soldiers had full blood qi and piercing eyes—Lin Chen realized they were likely Opening Meridian cultivators.

Even city gate guards were Opening Meridian cultivators—clearly, martial cultivation in Poyang County, and throughout the entire Liang Empire, was thriving.

“Though these gate guards are Opening Meridian, barring extraordinary circumstances, they’ll never advance beyond three or four meridians opened; only a few reach five.”

Seeing Lin Chen’s interest in the soldiers, Yu Yongnian explained: “You haven’t opened any meridians yet, but once you join an academy and receive the Opening Meridian Elixir, you’ll enter the Opening Meridian realm. Within three years at the academy, you’ll open at least five meridians.”

“County regulations state: if you open ten meridians, you qualify for a government post with a salary; these gate guards receive no salary—they only skim a bit from entry fees.”

Lin Chen understood—the government posts were permanent positions, while these guards were more like contract workers with no guaranteed income.

As Lin Chen and five others passed through the gate, the soldiers’ piercing gazes softened, even smiling slightly; Lin Chen instinctively nodded in return.

Beside the gate, a large wooden box received copper coins from every entrant.

Poyang County required three copper coins from locals, ten from outsiders, and additional fees for merchants transporting goods.

Beside the box sat a wooden table, where a man rested his saber, cracking sunflower seeds; upon seeing Yu Yongnian, he stood, bowed, then glanced at Lin Chen: “Instructor Yu, bringing your prized disciple into the city for the academy? Keh River Town will soon produce another martial genius.”

“Your praise is excessive, Brother Ge.”

Yu Yongnian replied humbly; after a few brief words, he led Lin Chen away.

Lin Chen realized: this man was the only official with a government post—minimum Opening Meridian Ten, possibly more.

Once Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian disappeared into the city streets, one young soldier asked curiously: “Captain, the academies don’t start enrolling new students until next year, right?”

“You know nothing. Those who enroll in spring won’t amount to much—they’re just like you. But students who cultivate essence within a year? The eight academies recruit them early, give them Opening Meridian Elixirs, and they instantly enter the Opening Meridian realm. In three years, they’ll open ten meridians easily—they’ll reach your level the moment they graduate.”

“Ten meridians in three years?” The other soldiers stared in shock.

“Captain, isn’t that unfair to other students?”

“Unfair? Students who cultivate essence in a year come from wealthy families—they spend at least sixty to seventy taels, sometimes more. If you had that money, you could do the same. With the elixir and family funding, wouldn’t your progress be lightning-fast? Just remember this boy’s face—don’t offend him, or you’ll bring trouble.”

The young soldier’s expression darkened—he had trained at the county martial hall, but his family suffered misfortune, leaving no money to continue; after one year, he left, spending three years to cultivate essence.

The academy’s enrollment fee was twenty taels—he couldn’t afford it. Even if he had the silver, he wouldn’t have spent it on the academy; instead, he saved for years, then spent more years to open his meridians.

At the start of the year, through a distant relative’s connection, he secured this guard post.

The martial path, for him, was over.

PS: Brothers, we’re in PK at midnight—many readers know: in this batch, 24 new novels compete, and only the top eight advance. Advancement depends on follow-reads—the number of readers who read the latest chapter within 24 hours. If we win, Jiudeng will add an extra chapter!

(End of Chapter)