Chapter 327: Kong Zhao Qifeng: You Don

If it had been only once, Dai Dai Yuxi wouldn't have thought it coincidence.

But counting this time, it's now the third time, and with someone trying to buy her family's pharmacy, she couldn't help but suspect someone was deliberately targeting it.

The goal, naturally, was to make the pharmacy unprofitable, forcing them to sell.

This pharmacy was left by her grandfather, operated for thirty years—it was the foundation of the Dai family's standing in the capital; how could they possibly sell it?

Once sold, the Dai family would struggle to survive in the capital, and soon they'd likely have to flee the city entirely.

The capital is vast, and living here is hard.

When her grandfather was alive, the Dai family's fortunes were decent, but after his death, with no mid-rank martial artist to hold the line, her father and uncles spent much of the family's savings yet failed to break through to mid-rank, and the family gradually declined.

Fortunately, the pharmacy remained; thanks to its thirty-year reputation, monthly income, though far from its peak, still covered family expenses and the martial training needs of the younger generation.

The pharmacy must not be sold.

"Miss Dai, how should we handle this now? The young master can't resolve it—should we report it to the government office?"

The crowd gathering around was growing larger, which was bad for the pharmacy; the first time, bystanders, trusting the pharmacy's long-standing reputation, weren't affected, but if this kept happening, martial artists in the city would begin to doubt the pharmacy's integrity.

Dai Dai Yuxi furrowed her brow—what made this hardest was proving the pharmacy's innocence.

The pharmacy had reported the matter to officials twice before, but although the officers took the troublemakers away, they never cleared the pharmacy's name; rumors had even spread that the pharmacy used connections to drive these troublemakers out of the capital.

"If Grandfather Dai were still alive, none of these people would dare act so recklessly."

"Grandfather passed away nearly a decade ago; the Dai family has little influence left in the government office."

Dai Dai Yuxi's eyes held helplessness—even if the capital's government office was fair, countless events occurred daily, including martial artist conflicts; the officers were overwhelmed every day. To clear the pharmacy's name, they'd need a full investigation into the troublemakers, let alone that those behind this surely had connections within the government office.

A few years before Grandfather's death, the family still had some influence, but after he passed, as her father and uncles failed to break through to mid-rank, many of those connections faded.

"I'll go handle it."

Dai Dai Yuxi descended from the second floor, glanced at everyone present, then spoke: "Gentlemen, my Dai family's pharmacy has operated for decades without ever selling inferior goods. My grandfather once said the reason we named it Dai Family Pharmacy was to warn future generations: if we ever deceived customers, the world would point at our backs in scorn, and my grandfather Dai Dai Jingfeng's name would be spat upon."

After speaking, Dai Dai Yuxi gazed at the signboard above the shop's entrance; beneath "Dai Family Pharmacy" was an engraved seal bearing the characters "Jing Feng."

Lin Chen, who had been watching from the crowd, froze at the name Dai Dai Jingfeng—he had never met the man, yet the name had long been etched in his memory.

【In the 275th year of the Great Liang, on my fiftieth birthday, my hometown elders came bearing gifts; recalling the past, I leave behind one martial will. My hometown elders carried it back to our homeland for future talents. Once opened, you must apply your qi to this scroll within ten breaths—the martial will will manifest. Do not miss it… Dai Dai Jingfeng leaves this!】

Back then, he had found this martial will left by Dai Dai Jingfeng in the Zhou family's home; relying on it, he perfected the Clear Wind Palm and ultimately won first place in the martial academy competition.

He had never met the man, yet owed him a debt.

Though this elder Dai hadn't left the martial will for him, it had ultimately aided him.

He wouldn't actively seek out this elder Dai, but if he ever met the elder or his descendants, he'd be willing to repay this debt.

But was this Dai Dai Jingfeng of the Dai Family Pharmacy the same person as that elder Dai?

People with identical names weren't unheard of.

It was now the 300th year of Great Liang; this elder Dai would be seventy-five years old. For a mid-rank martial artist, though his blood and qi had begun to decline, he wasn't yet at the end of his lifespan.

The average lifespan of a mid-rank martial artist was around eighty, many living to ninety or even a hundred.

But this Dai Dai Jingfeng of the Dai Family Pharmacy, from his granddaughter's words, had already passed away.

"Let's go to the Wuzheng Force first."

Whether the two Dai Jingfengs were the same person—he'd ask after meeting Lord Kong at the Wuzheng Force. He also needed to confirm whether the Dai family's descendants truly sold inferior elixirs; if their character was poor, he'd repay this "debt" and be done.

…

…

After a long look at Dai Dai Yuxi and the signboard, Lin Chen stopped lingering and headed straight for the Wuzheng Force, no longer strolling leisurely but moving with purpose.

At the entrance of the Wuzheng Force, Lin Chen's gaze was drawn to the characters on the red walls on either side.

Left: Great Liang's Martial Dao Flourishes.

Right: The People All Become Dragons.

The two lines were bold and powerful; because he had long practiced the "Fast Ascension to Heaven Scroll," Lin Chen had some understanding of calligraphy, and merely seeing these two lines caused his blood and qi to stir involuntarily.

His blood boiled!

The calligrapher of these lines was a master, and the characters themselves could influence martial artists.

"When Senior Su and Senior He spoke before, they said that after founding the Wuzheng Force, the founding emperor personally inscribed these words: 'May Great Liang's Martial Dao flourish; may our people all become dragons.' Could these be the founding emperor's own brushwork?"

Lin Chen silently observed the two lines; his blood and qi moved spontaneously, continuously refining his body's acupoints until they all surged toward his dantian.

The several martial artists guarding the Wuzheng Force entrance noticed Lin Chen standing motionless in the courtyard. Two of them exchanged glances and stepped toward him, about to speak.

"Stop!"

But as they took a few steps, a voice came from behind; upon seeing the middle-aged man emerge from the main gate, they quickly bowed: "Lord Chu."

"Don't disturb him."

Chu Chu Zining watched the boy standing motionless in the courtyard, his eyes gleaming. He had already received word that Lin Chen had come to the capital with students from the Jingdu Martial Academy and Qingyun Martial Academy, and had been informed when their ship arrived at the dock.

He had waited at the gate precisely because he expected Lin Chen's arrival.

As a close aide of Lord Kong of the Wuzheng Force and a mid-rank martial artist himself, within the entire Wuzheng Force, only the Wuzheng Director and the upper-rank lords merited his personal greeting at the gate—no one else had such privilege.

Yet now, he had come out himself to greet Lin Chen—not because Lord Kong had asked, but because he had decided it himself.

Lin Chen deserved this.

In this year's Yan Kingdom martial academy rankings, Lin Chen had brought glory to Great Liang; his battles across Great Liang had spread throughout the nation, and now, as Great Liang was on the brink of full-scale war with Han Kingdom, Lin Chen's crushing victory over Han's prodigy, securing first place on the Dragon's Nest Heavenly List, had dramatically boosted Great Liang's morale.

Han Kingdom had long been the undisputed leader among the nine nations.

Though many in the imperial court had not openly voiced opinions, privately many doubted whether Great Liang should wage war against Han—not out of fear of death, but due to concern over Han's overwhelming strength. For a thousand years, other nations had challenged Han repeatedly, and all had failed, none even engaging Han in open battle before being defeated.

This long-standing perception had instilled a deep fear of Han among many martial artists; Lin Chen's battles in the rankings had shown everyone that Han was not invincible—its young prodigies could be effortlessly crushed.

Added to this, Pei Pei Qingming had recently appeared in Yan Kingdom, fighting a rank-one martial artist of Yan and holding his own, once again greatly boosting Great Liang's martial spirit. Now, the court's stance on war with Han had shifted dramatically.

"He's gained insight from observing the founding emperor's brushwork—don't disturb him."

Seeing the guards' puzzled expressions, Chu Chu Zining whispered an explanation.

"Gained insight?"

The two guards were stunned. They saw these two lines every day; at first, they had felt their blood boil with excitement, but now they were accustomed to them—could merely staring at a few characters really lead to martial insight?

Chu Chu Zining could guess what they were thinking; honestly, he himself had been shocked. According to the secret letter sent back by Lord Hou, Lin Chen had broken from ninth rank to seventh rank while in Yan Kingdom.

In such a short time, leaping two ranks—he had been stunned when he read the letter.

And now, only a few days later, he's gained insight again?

It's as if his martial strength improved as easily as drinking water.

"Lord Chu, who is this?"

The two guards stared intently at Lin Chen; they now realized Chu Chu Zining hadn't just happened to come out—he had come specifically for this boy.

To have Lord Chu personally greet someone at the gate—this had always been reserved for upper-rank martial artists. What was this boy's background, that Lord Chu would greet him so personally?

"This is the top young genius of Great Liang, the number one on the Dragon's Nest Heavenly List. Can you guess who?"

The two guards rolled their eyes inwardly, but their gazes toward Lin Chen burned with heat and curiosity.

Did they even need to guess?

Who else but Lin Chen from Jiangnan Province could hold both titles?

The Dragon's Nest List had been updated yesterday; the name at the top of the Heavenly List was unmistakably Lin Chen.

Now they understood why Lord Chu had come out to greet a boy—given this boy's potential, he truly deserved such a reception.

After fifteen minutes, Lin Chen's body glowed with internal red light, a powerful aura rippling outward, then his expression cleared.

"Lin Chen, what insights did you gain?"

Hearing the question, Lin Chen turned to the gate and saw Chu Chu Zining's smile; he nodded: "Disciple gained some insight."

Indeed, just some—observing the founding emperor's two lines had advanced him further on the Zhenyue Scripture; his body refinement had reached 4.5, up by 0.2.

"Come with me. Lord Kong is waiting."

Chu Chu Zining didn't press for details—this wasn't the place to speak. He led Lin Chen straight through the academy gate and stopped before a courtyard.

"Lord, Lin Chen has arrived."

"Hmm, come in."

From within the courtyard came Kong Zhao Qifeng's gentle voice; Chu Chu Zining then opened the gate and stepped in with Lin Chen.

"Lord Kong."

Seeing Kong Zhao Qifeng standing in the courtyard, Lin Chen smiled and spoke.

"Your journey to Yan Kingdom went very well."

Kong Zhao Qifeng smiled; Lin Chen's trip to Yan Kingdom wasn't just "very well"—it had delighted him immensely.

"Lord, you won't believe it—just now, Lin Chen gained insight merely by observing the founding emperor's brushwork at the Wuzheng Force entrance."

Chu Chu Zining recounted Lin Chen's recent breakthrough.

"Oh? That happened? When Pei Pei Qingming first came to the Wuzheng Force, he too gained insight—you're not letting your brother Pei monopolize the glory, are you?"

Kong Zhao Qifeng recalled Pei Pei Qingming's recent words about Lin Chen.

"The higher Lin Shi-di's martial talent, the happier I am—but Lin Shi-di is clearly aiming to break every record I once set. The waves behind push the waves ahead; he's going to smash this old wave onto the shore."

Kong Zhao Qifeng knew Pei Pei Qingming was joking, but the thought of Lin Chen now stealing the very title Pei Pei Qingming once held—the only one to gain insight before the Wuzheng Force entrance—made him curious: what would Pei Pei Qingming's face look like when he returned and learned of this?

"I still have a long way to go compared to Brother Pei," Lin Chen said, scratching his head apologetically.

Beside him, Chu Chu Zining's lip twitched. A long way?

If they meant current strength, yes—Lin Chen was only seventh rank, while Pei Pei Qingming was nearly rank-one. But if they meant potential, the gap wasn't so clear.

At least Pei Pei Qingming hadn't reached seventh rank at this age.

After some light chatter, Kong Zhao Qifeng turned serious: "Have you considered staying in the capital?"

"Are you worried about my safety?"

"Safety and danger are secondary; the main point is that in the capital, you can gain some martial cultivation insights."

Hearing this, Lin Chen pondered for a moment: the capital was the second most prosperous place in Liang, after Lord Lingxiao City, and possessed depths of heritage that Lord Lingxiao City lacked—but he had little desire to stay in the capital.

As for gaining martial cultivation insights, with Mount Dengwudao available, facing the martial geniuses of the Yan Imperial Court and their extraordinarily refined martial arts, the Nine States could not possibly compare.

"My lord, if there's no urgent matter, I plan to return to Canglan Joining Wuyuan or Poyang County."

"Very well."

Kong Zhao Qifeng agreed, his expression showing no surprise—he seemed to have anticipated Lin Chen's choice.

"But you must stay in the capital for a while. Besides me, several others wish to meet you, this great talent of Liang, and finally, you must enter the imperial palace to meet His Majesty."

When mentioning meeting His Majesty, Kong Zhao Qifeng's aged eyes suddenly blinked: "On this front, you've already surpassed Pei Pei Qingming. When Pei Pei Qingming first came to the capital, he wasn't even summoned by His Majesty."

Lin Chen:...

Lin Chen hadn't expected Master Kong to joke with him about Brother Pei.

As for His Majesty wanting to meet him, he assumed it was because he cultivated the same technique as the founding emperor; the Liang imperial family held an exalted status and rarely received outsiders, except for a few first-rank officials.

(End of Chapter)