Chapter 48: Officially Becoming a Disciple of Jing Shui Martial Hall

Jing Shui Martial Hall!

After finishing his meal in the cafeteria, Lin Chen returned to the dormitory and, as he stepped into the dorm area, saw a laborer pacing outside his door.

“Young Master Lin, Master Kong has asked me to summon you.”

The laborer, spotting Lin Chen, hurried over at once.

“Master Kong wants to see me? Please lead the way, young man.”

Following the laborer, Lin Chen wondered why Master Kong would summon him now.

It was no wonder he suspected something—this timing was too coincidental.

Master Kong had ignored him for days, yet the moment he returned from Qing Feng Martial Hall, Master Kong called for him.

Could Master Chen have informed Master Kong of his situation, trying to get him sent back to Qing Feng Martial Hall?

With these doubts in mind, the laborer led Lin Chen to Master Kong’s courtyard.

The gate stood open; Lin Chen stepped inside and saw Master Kong standing in the yard.

“Disciple Lin Chen bows before Master Kong.”

Kong Yinglei looked at Lin Chen entering, remembered her sister’s words, and a complex glint flashed in her eyes as she said gravely: “Lin Chen, I’ve called you here to inform you that Qing Feng Martial Hall has revoked your Class-A student status.”

Lin Chen’s pupils contracted; shock crossed his face.

They revoked his Class-A status?

He had clearly sensed Master Chen’s warmth and high regard for him.

“Master Kong, could there be a misunderstanding? Today I went to Qing Feng Martial Hall and explained my situation to Master Chen.”

Lin Chen thought of one possibility: a timing mismatch between the two halls.

It was likely Qing Feng Martial Hall had already decided to revoke his Class-A status and notified Jing Shui Martial Hall before he even met Master Chen—and Master Chen’s changed attitude toward him was still unknown to Jing Shui Martial Hall.

“How so?” Kong Yinglei asked curiously.

“Today I went to Qing Feng Martial Hall because I had reached proficiency in Qing Feng Palm, and I met Master Chen…”

Lin Chen briefly recounted his visit to Qing Feng Martial Hall, emphasizing Master Chen’s changed attitude toward him.

“You’ve reached proficiency in Qing Feng Palm?”

Kong Yinglei’s attention fixed on Lin Chen’s opening words; her gaze swept over him, and inwardly she admired her sister’s insight.

No wonder her elder sister had correctly guessed Qi He’s intentions.

Qi He, despite Lin Chen’s exceptional talent in Qing Feng Palm, still revoked his Class-A status—his vision was too narrow, fixated only on this year’s few martial hall duels.

“What a pity.”

Kong Yinglei sighed softly: “There is no misunderstanding as you suppose. Qing Feng Martial Hall sent word just fifteen minutes ago—by then, you had already met Master Chen.”

Fifteen minutes ago?

Lin Chen frowned. Given the distance between Qing Feng and Jing Shui Martial Halls, it usually took thirty minutes to deliver a message—and he had lingered in the cafeteria. So Qing Feng must have sent the message after he left.

Yet he still couldn’t believe it—if they were still going to revoke his status, why would Master Chen personally demonstrate the Swallow Sword Art to him?

“This year’s martial hall duels differ from past years. In previous years, your talent in Qing Feng Palm would have secured you Class-A status. But this year, the eight halls compete every three months for ranking, and talent matters less than money.”

Kong Yinglei laid bare Qing Feng Martial Hall’s true motives; Lin Chen’s eyes flickered—he understood her meaning.

Talent had lost to silver.

Unless he could display extraordinary talent—but his current level wasn’t enough.

“According to what you say, Master Chen holds you in high regard yet couldn’t grant you Class-A status—he must feel guilty and will likely guide you closely in Qing Feng Palm as compensation.”

Lin Chen’s brow remained furrowed. Once Qing Feng Palm reached proficiency, progress relied mostly on personal insight—and the manual Master Chen left him contained detailed descriptions of the next stages.

What he needed more than anything was the Class-A student status.

“Master Kong, may I boldly ask—does Jing Shui Martial Hall still have any Class-A status slots open?”

After a long silence, Lin Chen’s sudden question startled Kong Yinglei; her eyes gleamed: “Currently, only Jiang Qing holds the Class-A status in Jing Shui Martial Hall. But you are not yet a formal disciple here.”

“I wish to join Jing Shui Martial Hall!”

Now it was Kong Yinglei’s turn to hesitate. Though she admired Lin Chen’s diligence, as vice-director, she had to weigh the hall’s interests.

Class-A status—even for families like Fu Jingya’s—was fiercely coveted: saving twenty-five taels a month, nearly a thousand taels over three years.

If one’s goal was only the Opening Meridian realm, it might not matter—but beyond that lay Organ Strengthening, with far greater expenses. Even after reaching late Opening Meridian, one might find ways to earn silver, yet most martial artists earned less than they spent on cultivation.

Take herself: though she was an Organ Strengthening cultivator, she had only two hundred odd taels. She remained as vice-director partly out of loyalty to the hall, partly for the cultivation resources provided by the Wuzheng Office.

“You know your talent lies in Qing Feng Palm, but not necessarily in Water Cloud Palm. Though I value talent, as vice-director, my decisions must be justifiable to all.”

Kong Yinglei fixed Lin Chen with a piercing gaze: “If you spoke out of momentary impulse, then let this matter end here.”

Hearing this, Lin Chen’s hope rose—Master Kong hadn’t shut the door completely; there was still a chance.

“Master Kong, I speak not on impulse. I was never welcomed at Qing Feng Martial Hall—you know this well.”

Kong Yinglei knew full well what Lin Chen meant: he had been rejected by Qing Feng Martial Hall originally, and only later admitted because Qi He owed Shu Xun Cha Shi a favor.

Such a disciple was never truly valued by Qing Feng Martial Hall.

“Even if you join Jing Shui Martial Hall, I cannot guarantee you’ll receive Class-A status. But I can offer you a chance: at the beginning of next month, your cohort will hold an internal duel. The top five will earn Class-A status.”

“Will you still join Jing Shui Martial Hall?”

“I will!”

Without hesitation, Lin Chen accepted.

He wanted this chance—Jing Shui Martial Hall, at least, hadn’t denied him outright like Qing Feng Martial Hall had.

“Good. Tomorrow I will communicate with Qing Feng Martial Hall to make you a formal disciple of Jing Shui Martial Hall.”

Kong Yinglei was pleased with Lin Chen’s response. Her eyes flickered, and she added softly: “For others, switching martial halls requires approval from the Wuzheng Office—but you don’t need it.”

“Is it because of Shu Xun Cha Shi?”

Lin Chen guessed instinctively. Though Shu Xun Cha Shi had left, he must still have some influence in the Wuzheng Office.

“Because Qing Feng Martial Hall never registered your disciple status with the Wuzheng Office—you likely don’t even have their disciple token.”

Lin Chen: …

PS: My daughter suddenly had an allergic reaction. I’m taking her to the hospital now, so I’m posting today’s chapter early—in case I get too busy and forget!

(End of Chapter)