[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback":3,"chapter-rising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback-rising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback-chapter-32":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising from Obscurity: My Martial Path Comeback",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2265867,4424,"Chapter 32","rising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback-chapter-32",32,"\u003Cp>The sixteenth day of the first month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the dock of Linhu Village, many villagers had come to see him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Chen, shouldering his pack, bade farewell to his parents and boarded the fishing boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Light the firecrackers!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the village chief’s command, Gu Fei was the first to ignite the firecrackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crackling firecrackers startled numerous birds; amid the smoke, Lin Chen waved goodbye to his parents and the villagers, only lowering his hand once the fishing boat had vanished completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now, in a sense, the entire village’s hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carried not only his family’s expectations but also those of every villager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must succeed in learning martial arts at the martial arts academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, let me row.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, Chen Di , just sit still—I’ll handle the oars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Liang, who was rowing, smiled and refused; though the journey from Linhu Village to the county dock was against the current, the fishing boat carried no catch—only a single passenger—and rowing was no hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the sixteenth day of the first month, Poyang Lake was bustling; many fishing boats had begun venturing out to fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the waterways, there were fishing boats, springtime pleasure boats, but mostly colorful boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today was the day for enrollment at the county martial arts academy; boys from every village who had cultivated essence within the past three years—especially those from Linhu—would choose to enter the city by colorful boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever the colorful boats passed, the fishermen on the fishing boats wore looks of envy; if any had their own children aboard, they would point at the colorful boats and urge their sons forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The belief that martial arts training was the path to distinction had taken deep root in every citizen of Poyang County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, Poyang County had enjoyed favorable weather and bountiful harvests; unless a family was extremely destitute, they would save silver to pay for their child’s academy enrollment fee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the village’s pride—the only one in a year to cultivate essence—the village chief had wanted to rent a colorful boat for Lin Chen, but Lin Chen declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Superstition was fine, but spending money on it was unnecessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, when passing temples and Taoist shrines, if he could skip the entrance fee and incense money, he would bow reverently; but if he had to pay for incense, he politely declined—he was a firm adherent of materialism!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year, he was the only one from the village going to the academy; renting a colorful boat was a waste—a single rental cost one tael.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One tael of silver could buy plenty of meat—wouldn’t that be tastier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the water, the boys aboard the colorful boats were full of spirit; even though spring chill still lingered, they stood on deck, unfazed by the cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the colorful boats, Lin Chen’s fishing boat looked shabby—only a red cloth tied to the bow, symbolizing good fortune and marking him as an academy recruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Lin Chen’s wishes, he didn’t even want the red cloth, but the village chief insisted, and his parents agreed, so he let his brother tie it on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, among all the colorful boats, his fishing boat with the red cloth stood out starkly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which village is that? Only tying one red cloth? Can’t even afford to rent a colorful boat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably only cultivated essence after three years—village doesn’t care much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boys on the colorful boats whispered among themselves; in their eyes, Lin Chen’s fishing boat with only a red cloth meant he was one of those who barely made it by the deadline—such people might not even open their dantian, and the village wouldn’t value them much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them had cultivated essence within two years; if they hadn’t done so by then, they gave up—very few persisted to the third year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivating essence within one year? That was beyond their dreams—it was the goal of wealthy youths from town, who typically rode horses into the city, rarely taking colorful boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the city by colorful boat was the exclusive pride of village boys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, brother, why not join us on our boat?” one boy on a colorful boat called out cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No thanks,” Lin Chen replied with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colorful boats were large, but slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fishing boat was small, but not slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an hour and a half, Lin Chen saw the docks of Poyang County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the docks now, boats crowded thickly—large cargo ships, small nimble fishing boats, and mid-sized pleasure vessels weaving together into a vibrant aquatic scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the left waterway near the docks, colorful boats were drawing closer—this lane was reserved exclusively for academy recruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether cargo ships or pleasure boats, even those waiting long, dared not cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big brother, follow behind that colorful boat and move over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing several colorful boats heading left, Lin Chen reminded his brother; the fishing boat’s agility allowed it to slip between ranks, but Lin Chen didn’t let him do it—there was no need to rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Lin Liang began rowing to position the fishing boat at the rear, the leading colorful boats jostled for priority, nearly colliding; the boys on board glared at each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion quickly drew the attention of the government patrol boats; two patrol boats approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on? Line up properly and don’t cause trouble!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One boy, emboldened, explained: “They’re cutting into our line—we got here first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bullshit—we arrived first!” countered a boy on another colorful boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier barked again; his sharp gaze silenced the boys, though they still glared at each other defiantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fall back to the rear. And you—this fishing boat…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier began organizing the colorful boats; his gaze fell on the fishing boat behind them, paused for a moment, then said: “Your boat goes first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Liang, still in line, was slow to react; once he realized the soldier meant them, he immediately beamed and rowed forward, a sight that angered several boys on the colorful boats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why let that fishing boat go first? It came last!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because I’m in charge of waterway order—if anyone causes trouble, I’ll report your names to the Wuzheng Office.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xiuyong gave a light snort; his words instantly silenced the boys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boys weren’t afraid of the government—but they feared the Wuzheng Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Great Liang law, if any academy or martial arts school student committed a crime, the government must notify the Wuzheng Office before sentencing; only after the Wuzheng Office revokes their student status can they be imprisoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your colorful boats are too large—letting the fishing boat go first won’t delay anyone,” Lin Xiuyong announced loudly now that order had returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the crowd quiet, Lin Liang rowed the fishing boat through the colorful boats toward shore; as it passed the patrol boat, Lin Chen nodded respectfully to Lin Xiuyong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xiuyong returned the nod with a smile, even a slightly warmer one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This attitude made Lin Chen pause—he vaguely felt the soldier was trying to curry favor with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imaginary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldier probably just thought the small fishing boat could pass first without delay—he was overthinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the fishing boat passed, one colorful boat moved to proceed; Lin Xiuyong immediately barked: “What are you doing? Wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The colorful boat halted; Lin Xiuyong turned to confirm the fishing boat had reached shore, then gave the signal to proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Ge , what’s going on? What’s the deal with the boy on that fishing boat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the patrol boat, another soldier asked quietly—he had recently joined the city gate guard and was temporarily assigned to help maintain order at the dock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t believe the excuse that the small fishing boat wouldn’t delay anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last year, this one was personally escorted into the city by a Wutang instructor; now he’s probably already opened his dantian—Ge Tou himself said so. Can these boys compare?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xiuyong lowered his voice; his words stunned his companion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already opened his dantian? And he came on a fishing boat?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe he doesn’t want to draw attention. Either way, we can’t afford to offend someone like him—doing him a favor and building goodwill is only wise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Xiuyong understood what his companion meant by “couldn’t tell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that he looked ordinary—he meant the sheer shabbiness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hiding one’s brilliance, concealing one’s edge—that’s true strength,” Lin Xiuyong mentally justified Lin Chen’s fishing boat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me give you a tip: as gate guards, you must learn to read people. Look at this one—his clothes are plain, but just now, facing us, he was neither humble nor arrogant. That kind of person has inner confidence—don’t provoke him lightly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Lin Ge .”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only point this out because I find you agreeable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Entered the New Book Top 50—another chapter tonight. Requesting monthly votes and serial reads. Over the next few days, serial reads are crucial—thank you all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the new book period, serial reads are vital—please read daily. If you’re out of books to read, check my older works—the link is below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1522,"2026-06-19T20:25:56.550Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5a536899050aadd92e8ec58fbbd93b9210c66da9cb0f3b1fb2d3e1c1d4b4cef5","rising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback-chapter-33","rising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback-chapter-31",591,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-from-obscurity-my-martial-path-comeback-cover.jpg"]