Chapter 285: A Meeting of Two Generations of Daliang Prodigies

A long sword pierced the air!

A figure rushed rapidly toward Lin Chen.

With another slash of the sword, he swung toward the space behind him.

"Hmph!"

Lin Chen only heard a muffled groan from behind. When he turned back, he discovered the middle-aged man clutching his arm, with blood continuously dripping down from where his hand gripped it.

"This person violated the regulations of our Zhao Guo border blockade. I am acting in accordance with the law. Are you people of Liang Guo trying to challenge Zhao Guo and start a war?"

The middle-aged man looked toward Lin Chen's right, his face filled with anger. Only then did Lin Chen notice a young man standing beside him.

A young man dressed in green robes.

"Are you a son of our Daliang?"

"This junior is a son of Daliang."

Hearing Lin Chen's reply, the young man asked no more. He looked at the middle-aged Zhao Guo man opposite them: "To strike at a son of our Daliang and dare to pursue him across the national border—today, I shall sever one of your arms."

*Whoosh! *

The man swung his long sword again. Sword radiance flashed, and before Lin Chen could even see the sword light clearly, a scream came from the opposite side.

The middle-aged man's left arm fell to the ground.

"Ten breaths of time. If you do not roll out of our Daliang territory, then leave your life behind."

The young man spoke indifferently, his expression as calm as if he were speaking of a trivial matter.

Resentment filled the middle-aged man's eyes. As a Fifth Rank martial artist, having his arm severed by a single sword strike was a supreme humiliation. Yet, he knew even better that anyone capable of making him unable to react with a single strike must be at the Fourth Rank realm.

"Zhao Guo will remember this debt. If you Liang Guo want to make enemies of all nations, then just wait."

After throwing out a harsh threat, the middle-aged man picked up his severed arm from the ground and turned to slink away.

"Many thanks to you, my lord, for saving me."

Lin Chen looked at the man before him. For some reason, he felt the other party looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.

But for a powerhouse of this level, if he had truly seen him, he definitely would not have forgotten.

"You are a son of our Liang Guo; how could I sit by and watch? Zhao Guo thinks our Daliang is currently too busy to look elsewhere and wants to loot a burning house—they have miscalculated."

Hearing these words from the young man, Lin Chen felt a chill. Loot a burning house?

Could it be that something major had happened in Daliang?

"Senior, why did Zhao Guo suddenly blockade the border?"

The young man turned around, sizing Lin Chen up, and asked after a long moment: "What is your name?"

"This junior is Lin Chen."

The young man, whose expression had been plain, suddenly had a strange look on his face, and the corners of his eyes couldn't help but twitch a few times: "Lin Chen of Raozhou Prefecture in Jiangnan Circuit?"

"It is indeed this junior. Senior, do you know this junior?"

"I not only know you, but I also have some connection with you. Why don't you guess who I am?"

"Guess?"

Hearing this, Lin Chen carefully scrutinized the senior before him. Judging by his appearance, this senior was only in his early thirties, definitely under forty.

And since this senior asked him to guess, he must believe that he could figure it out from the existing conditions.

Thirty-something, uses a sword... strength suspected to be a standout among mid-rank martial artists...

Most importantly, he felt he looked familiar...

With many conditions converging, a name surfaced in Lin Chen's mind, and his eyes lit up: "You... are you Senior Pei Qingming?"

"Not bad, your mind is indeed agile."

Pei Qingming nodded with a chuckle, and after receiving confirmation from Pei Qingming, Lin Chen's face was filled with excitement.

This was Daliang's recognized number one genius of the last three hundred years.

Although he himself was also called a genius, it was only in terms of potential that he surpassed this Senior Pei.

"Senior Pei, why are you here?"

"This is not the place to talk. Come with me."

If it were anyone else, even a genius disciple of Daliang, Pei Qingming would not have wasted time; he had his own purpose for appearing here. But since this youth was Lin Chen, he was willing to delay for a while.

Lin Chen followed behind Pei Qingming, and the two headed toward the distance.

Along the way, Pei Qingming just walked in front, but his speed was not slow. Lin Chen did not dare to ask too much and had to go all out to follow behind.

With his current strength, going all out, he was only barely keeping up with Pei Qingming's pace. Seeing Senior Pei's leisurely stroll, Lin Chen secretly reminded himself that the path he had to walk in the Martial Way was still very long.

The gap between him and a true powerhouse was still very large.

"Not bad."

A quarter of an hour later, Pei Qingming stopped his steps and whispered a word.

He had deliberately increased his speed along the way. That Lin Chen, at his age, could still keep up with his pace without falling behind for too long, and without showing signs of running out of steam—this level of Qi and blood vigor was truly rare.

Since Daliang went to war with the Northern Frontier Demon Race, he had returned to Daliang and specifically went to Lingxiao Wu Yuan, where he also met Hou Yuanzhang.

It was the first time he had seen Hou Yuanzhang praise a youth so highly, especially when Hou Yuanzhang mentioned the level of Lin Chen's Qi and blood vigor, which was unprecedented since the founding of Daliang. At the time, he still had some doubts in his heart, always feeling that the Dean had exaggerated.

Now it seemed that Hou Yuanzhang had not exaggerated.

Lin Chen was startled by this "Not bad." Before he could react, a female figure walked out from the bamboo forest ahead.

"Brother Pei is back."

The woman had a serene smile on her face, but upon seeing Lin Chen following behind Pei Qingming, a trace of doubt appeared in the depths of her eyes.

"Qingqing, let me introduce you. This little guy is the one who broke all my records—Mount Wudao, Lingxiao Great Hall... I suppose the subsequent fastest realm breakthroughs won't be able to be kept either."

Pei Qingming spoke with a smile, and Lin Chen rubbed his nose in embarrassment.

Some of his records seemed to have truly been made by stepping on Senior Pei to gain fame. It was fortunate he hadn't gone to Lingxiao Wu Yuan, otherwise, it would have been truly impossible to explain.

"You are Lin Chen?"

Dai Qingqing's beautiful eyes sized Lin Chen up with great interest. In her eyes, Brother Pei was the most formidable genius she had ever seen, but she hadn't expected that in just these short two years, some of the records Brother Pei had created had all been broken by someone.

This also made her very curious about what was so special about the youth named Lin Chen who had broken Brother Pei's records.

"This junior has met..."

"No need for the 'junior' address. There isn't much difference in our ages. You can just follow Qingqing and call me Brother Pei, and you can call Qingqing 'Sister'."

Pei Qingming interrupted Lin Chen's polite address with a smile: "If you call Qingqing 'Senior', I'm afraid Qingqing will be unhappy, feeling that you've called her old."

"Then I will listen to Brother Pei. I have met Sister Qingqing."

Dai Qingqing nodded: "It is my honor to have Daliang's future genius call me 'Sister'. You and Brother Pei chat; I will go prepare lunch for you."

"Sorry to trouble you, Sister Qingqing."

Dai Qingqing walked into the bamboo forest, while Pei Qingming took Lin Chen to stand on a hillside to the side of the bamboo forest.

"If it were an ordinary martial artist of your age, some things shouldn't be told to you, but given your potential and Daliang's cultivation of you, it doesn't hurt to let you know in advance."

Pei Qingming spoke, and Lin Chen listened intently. He knew Brother Pei was about to inform him of some major events that had occurred recently.

"Five days ago, the Marquis of Zhenbei had already led our Daliang army to the Northern Frontier Demon Race's Royal Court. Barring any accidents, this battle will completely exterminate the Northern Frontier Demon Race and establish the eternal stability of our Daliang's Northern Frontier."

Hearing this, there was no joy on Lin Chen's face. Brother Pei said "barring any accidents," so did an accident occur?

"Then, just three days ago, when the Marquis of Zhenbei was preparing to launch a general offensive against the Demon Race's Royal Court, the Han Guo suddenly intervened, demanding our Daliang stop the attack on the Northern Frontier Demon Race."

"On what grounds?"

Anger appeared on Lin Chen's face. The Northern Frontier Demon Race had plagued Daliang for hundreds of years, not even counting the previous dynasty. Now that there was a chance to wipe them out in one fell swoop, just because of a word from Han Guo, our Daliang had to give up?

Pei Qingming saw the anger on Lin Chen's face. In fact, when he first learned of this news, he was also unable to suppress his own fury.

"Because the Martial Way resources Han Guo requires can only be provided to them by the Northern Frontier Demon Race. Wiping out the Northern Frontier Demon Race would affect Han Guo's Martial Way resources, so they demanded our Daliang stop the attack."

This was Han Guo's reason for making Daliang cease fire.

"They really have the nerve to say that."

A look of mockery appeared on Lin Chen's face. He knew very well that this was just an excuse Han Guo had casually found. The real reason was that Han Guo wanted to keep the Northern Frontier Demon Race. As long as the Northern Frontier Demon Race existed, Daliang would have to station troops in the north to guard, and would have to face harassment from the Northern Frontier Demon Race from time to time.

"Brother Pei, the Imperial Court didn't agree, did it?" "Naturally, they would not agree."

Coldness appeared in Pei Qingming's eyes: "In this battle against the Northern Frontier Demon Race, our Daliang lost over two hundred mid-rank martial artists and nearly a thousand low-rank martial artists. As for Organ Cultivation martial artists, they are countless. The entire Imperial Court held the determination to settle the Northern Frontier in one battle. At this point, how could they retreat? Let alone Han Guo, even anyone else could not stop our Daliang."

Over two hundred mid-rank martial artists, plus nearly a thousand low-rank martial artists—Daliang had brought out twenty years of its foundation. If they gave up halfway, how could they face these fallen martial artists?

"Then what about Han Guo?"

"Han Guo didn't actually move against our Daliang, but they directly cut off border trade with our Daliang, and relying on their powerful influence, they also made several other countries cut off dealings with our Daliang."

Lin Chen suddenly realized. Zhao Guo blockading the border with Daliang was under orders from Han Guo.

"Zhao Guo, Zheng Guo, and Xiang Guo—these three have already cut off border contact with our Daliang. As for Ze Guo, Wu Guo, and Qi Guo, these three never had a border with our Daliang to begin with. And the only one that has a border with our Daliang, Yan Guo, has not yet stated its position."

"Can Yan Guo withstand the pressure?"

"Although Yan Guo is a tiny country, precisely because Yan Guo has maintained smooth relations with all countries for many years, it can use this as a reason to delay the border blockade, but I imagine it won't be able to hold out for long."

Han Guo is very strong!

As the only great country among the nine that has existed for over a thousand years without being overthrown, even Pei Qingming had to admit that Han Guo's Martial Way strength was above Daliang's.

"Brother Pei, why doesn't Han Guo directly use force against our Daliang?"

Hearing Lin Chen ask this, a trace of mockery appeared on Pei Qingming's face: "This is the reason Han Guo has been able to stand for a thousand years without falling. Over these thousand years, the other eight countries have all erupted in war. Taking our Daliang as an example, it has even experienced several dynastic iterations, and Han Guo has been fueling the flames in all of them."

"Han Guo is very smart; they never take the field themselves. If any country starts to rise, they will suppress it and support other countries to resist. To a certain extent, when the Founding Emperor was able to rise rapidly, Han Guo did indeed provide assistance, but..."

Pei Qingming changed the subject: "Our Daliang does not need to be grateful to Han Guo. The reason Han Guo helped the Founding Emperor back then was just to use the opportunity to invade our Daliang's territory. It was just that the Founding Emperor held his ground, and in the end, didn't let Han Guo succeed. And the funding Han Guo provided our Daliang back then, our Daliang also repaid twofold."

"Lin Chen, this time our Daliang is determined to exterminate the Northern Frontier Demon Race. No matter what Han Guo wants to do, our Daliang will accompany them to the end. We have already endured the most bitter days of the last three hundred years. The Founding Emperor's generation did not bow to Han Guo, and our generation will not either."

Pei Qingming said this to Lin Chen because once the news of several countries blockading the border broke out, there would be many forces within Daliang whose interests were damaged who would be sarcastic, especially those who had clansmen in other countries. This time, with several countries blockading, their sons and daughters were all abroad and unable to return, so they were likely sitting on pins and needles.

Pei Qingming knew his own influence in Daliang. He could influence the young martial artists of this generation, and Lin Chen, as the number one genius of Daliang's new generation, would influence the martial artists of Daliang's new generation through his words and deeds.

If the old, middle, and young generations were of one mind, no matter how many schemes and tricks Han Guo employed, it would not affect Daliang.

"Brother Pei, I understand. I support the Imperial Court doing this."

Lin Chen nodded, also indicating his own attitude. This once-in-a-millennium opportunity to wipe out the Northern Frontier Demon Race must absolutely not be given up.

Let alone Han Guo just applying pressure; even if Han Guo wanted to move, Daliang should not give up.

In the end, Han Guo still didn't dare to move against Daliang, because Han Guo was accustomed to supporting other forces and was accustomed to being high and mighty, controlling the situation of the nine countries. Once they moved, perhaps Daliang would be defeated, but Han Guo would also suffer heavy damage.

Hearing Lin Chen's stance, a smile appeared on Pei Qingming's face.

Perhaps Lin Chen himself didn't know how much influence he had on Daliang's new generation of martial artists.

When he returned home, his nephew would mention Lin Chen in his speech, and even Lin Chen's "Letter to the Junior Brothers of Jiangnan" had spread throughout all of Daliang.

Each generation has its own objects of worship.

Lin Chen was the object of worship for Daliang's new generation of martial artists.

"Haven't finished chatting yet? The meal is ready. If you don't eat it, it will get cold."

Dai Qingqing's figure appeared at the bottom of the hillside. Looking at the two figures standing on the hillside, she raised a scroll in her hand.

In the scroll was a hillside, with two backs standing on it. Although the faces couldn't be seen, from the figures and appearance, it could be seen that this was a youth and a young man.

In the distance, the sun stretched their shadows long.

Seeing Lin Chen looking at the scroll in her hand, Dai Qingqing explained with a smile: "I saw you chatting very seriously and couldn't bear to disturb you, so I just drew a picture for you."

Drawing this picture was something Dai Qingqing had just prepared to call the two to dine, but she had been attracted by the scene of the two standing on the hillside chatting.

One was the number one genius of Daliang's young generation.

One was the number one genius of Daliang's new generation.

The two standing together was like a kind of inheritance.

And as a witness, she wanted to draw this scene down.

"Sister Qingqing's painting skills are very exquisite."

"Your Sister Qingqing likes to study painting when she has nothing to do. In terms of painting skills, there are not many in all of Daliang who can compare to your Sister Qingqing."

Pei Qingming also watched for a while and explained to Lin Chen.

"Brother Pei, stop gilding my face. My painting skills are still far from those masters."

After finishing lunch, Pei Qingming and Lin Chen went to the hillside again.

"I heard from Hou Yuanzhang that your chosen spirit weapon is a bow and arrow?"

"Yes."

Lin Chen took out the Long Yinggong from his waist, and Pei Qingming's gaze swept over: "Not bad, it's a good bow."

"Let me see your archery."

Hearing Pei Qingming's words, Lin Chen knew that Brother Pei was going to instruct him.

As Daliang's current number one genius in the Martial Way, Brother Pei's attainments in the Martial Way were likely not below his own teacher's. And like Brother Pei, he was already far ahead of his peers. Even his teacher and the Dean often couldn't accurately estimate his progress in the Martial Way.

On the contrary, Brother Pei, as someone who had been through it, could give him more experience.

"Brother Pei, please instruct me."

"Hmm."

Pei Qingming stood with his hands behind his back. Lin Chen held his breath and concentrated, his Qi and blood surging like a volcanic eruption. The Long Yinggong was drawn, and the bowstring emitted a low dragon's roar.

Just drawing the bow caused a dragon's roar to resound—this was something Lin Chen hadn't been able to do in the past.

In the past, only when he drew the Long Yinggong to the limit and shot the arrow would a dragon's roar resound.

The reason the Long Yinggong showed such a change was because his Qi and blood had improved, and his Qi and blood contained the energy of a flood dragon; the Long Yinggong felt more flood dragon energy.

At the same time, the golden figure in Lin Chen's dantian rotated, turning into three golden arrows that appeared on the bow.

Three arrows shot simultaneously—this was also something Lin Chen hadn't been able to do in the past.

Even though his Martial Way will had grown in the Canglan Palace, controlling Martial Way will was essentially controlling the spirit. He was able to shoot three arrows simultaneously thanks to the profoundness of the Qianji Lianshen Jue.

"Three arrows?"

Seeing Lin Chen instantly nock three arrows, a trace of surprise appeared in Pei Qingming's eyes.

*Whoosh! *

*Whoosh! *

*Whoosh! *

The next moment, Lin Chen's fingers lightly plucked, and the three arrows, wrapped in ice-blue air currents, broke through the air, forming a 'pin' shape, sealing the area around Pei Qingming.

"Not bad."

Pei Qingming whispered. When the three arrows reached him, he raised his right hand and pointed out three times in succession.

With three points, the three arrows instantly dissipated into nothingness.

Seeing this scene, Lin Chen's pupils contracted, and his figure retreated violently. Using the momentum of the retreat, the dragon's roar from the bowstring suddenly rose again, and his right hand nocked the bow continuously.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! *

Golden arrows shot out like a rainstorm, one after another.

Twelve arrows in a row. After shooting twelve arrows, Lin Chen put away the bow.

Going all out, shooting twelve arrows in the blink of an eye was already his limit.

Pei Qingming's pupils contracted slightly. Lin Chen being able to shoot twelve arrows in a row was something he hadn't expected. The power of each arrow was already close to the Eighth Rank. With twelve arrows in a row, he feared that even an Eighth Rank martial artist would be injured if caught off guard.

At Lin Chen's age, he hadn't had such strength.

Being surpassed by Lin Chen at the same age, a look of gratification appeared in Pei Qingming's eyes.

Daliang having such a rising genius was Daliang's fortune.

"Lin Chen, watch closely."

Pei Qingming's sword at his waist left its sheath. Lin Chen stared intently, but he failed to see Pei Qingming's sword-drawing posture, only seeing sword light flash across the air, and then, the world returned to tranquility.

The twelve arrows instantly dissipated into nothingness.

"Being able to force me to draw my sword—very good."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 286 =====