Chapter 50: Investing Before Success

The backyard of the dormitory!

Lin Chen began to consider whether to first cultivate the Water Cloud Palm or the Flying Swallow Scripture.

The advantage of cultivating the Water Cloud Palm is that the more proficient you become, the greater your edge in the monthly internal martial arts contest.

Those senior sisters all used the Water Cloud Palm; understanding it would let me better counter them.

The benefit of cultivating the Flying Swallow Scripture is equally clear: its body technique would let me maximize the ethereal quality of the Clear Wind Palm.

Both offer clear advantages.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lin Chen decided to cultivate the Flying Swallow Scripture.

Improving his combat ability as soon as possible was the immediate priority.

“Besides cultivating the Flying Swallow Scripture, I also need to break through to the Three Orifices realm as soon as possible. With Sister Li and the others’ progress, they may open four orifices by month’s start.”

The martial arts hall only had five top-tier student slots. Lin Chen estimated: Jiang Qing was alone at the top—he couldn’t compete for her slot. The second tier consisted of Fu Jingya, Gu Qingqing, and Kong Lingyun; challenging them for a slot would be extremely difficult.

His real competitors were the senior sisters like Li Xue, who had opened three orifices when they first entered the hall. Three days ago, Li Xue and the others had already opened four orifices. Within the remaining fifteen days, they might not reach five orifices—that was his chance.

The honor board outside the cafeteria gave Lin Chen insight into the cultivation levels of those senior sisters.

“I need to visit Master Kong again.”

……

……

In the courtyard, Kong Yinglei was at a loss for words upon seeing Lin Chen return.

“Are you leaving the martial arts hall?”

“Disciple is cultivating the Flying Swallow Scripture, but the dorm courtyard is too cramped. I wish to request temporary leave from the hall until month’s start, then return.”

After hearing Lin Chen’s request, Kong Yinglei paused. According to hall rules, new students were not permitted to leave for extended periods within their first half-year.

But she understood Lin Chen’s unusual circumstances—and why he chose the Flying Swallow Scripture: to prepare for the upcoming internal contest.

“Since you’ve chosen to return to your village to cultivate the Flying Swallow Scripture, don’t wander about. Focus entirely on training in the village.”

Lin Chen readily agreed. After bidding farewell to Master Kong, he returned to his dorm, packed two sets of clothes, judged his Purple Orifice Pills sufficient, bought no supplies, and left the hall directly.

After leaving the hall, Lin Chen didn’t head home immediately. Instead, he went to Yunyin Martial Arts Hall and asked the gatekeeper to deliver a message to Zhao Jingchuan.

He and Zhao Jingchuan and the others had made a gathering pact; he needed to inform them he was returning to the village.

Soon, Zhao Jingchuan appeared at the hall’s entrance.

“Senior Lin, what’s this?”

Seeing Lin Chen carrying a bundle, Zhao Jingchuan looked puzzled.

“I’m returning to the village for about ten days. I came to tell you—I won’t be able to meet with you this month. Please pass the word to Senior Lu and Senior Cheng.”

Zhao Jingchuan frowned, stepped closer, and lowered his voice: “Senior Lin, have you run into trouble? If I can help, say the word.”

Lin Chen looked at Zhao Jingchuan’s concerned expression, hesitated, then said: “I’m now a formal disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.”

“Jingshui Martial Arts Hall? But Senior Lin, aren’t you a disciple of Qingfeng Martial Arts Hall?”

Back in Linhu Village, to make it easier for Zhao Jingchuan and the others to contact him, Lin Chen had told them he was a Qingfeng disciple temporarily assigned to Jingshui.

“It’s complicated—can’t be explained in a few words. You only need to know I’m now a disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.”

Lin Chen had no intention of publicizing why he’d switched from Qingfeng to Jingshui—it wasn’t something honorable.

Zhao Jingchuan’s face darkened with thought. After a long pause, he said: “If Senior Lin needs silver temporarily, I still have some. I’m sure Senior Lu and Senior Cheng can chip in too.”

In Zhao Jingchuan’s mind, the only thing separating Senior Lin from the hall’s elite disciples was his humble family background.

So the underlying cause was likely financial.

Hearing Zhao Jingchuan’s words, Lin Chen felt warmth in his chest. He patted Zhao Jingchuan’s shoulder and smiled: “If I truly run out of silver, I won’t be polite with you, Junior Zhao.”

Help in emergencies, not chronic poverty!

Lin Chen understood this well. If he were in dire need, he could ask Junior Zhao and the others for silver once to tide him over—but only once. The Dao path demanded constant silver. These three juniors’ families could barely afford one Zhi Orifice Pill per month.

“Alright. Since Senior Lin is returning to the village, why not stop by the town? I’ll write a letter to my father—could you deliver it for me?”

“Of course.”

“Then please wait a moment, Senior Lin.”

Zhao Jingchuan returned to the hall and came out again after a few minutes, handing Lin Chen an envelope.

“Thank you, Senior.”

“Junior Zhao, go back inside. Don’t see me off—I’m just returning to the village to train. I’ll still come to the county.”

Seeing Zhao Jingchuan’s intent to escort him, Lin Chen smiled and waved him back. He turned and left.

……

……

Kaohe Town!

Lin Chen rode his horse into town, returned it to the stable, and headed for Zhao’s Wine House.

“Young man, is your proprietor here?”

“Who seeks Zhao?”

Lin Chen entered the wine house and had barely spoken when the curtain to the inner chamber was pulled aside—Zhao Dongyang appeared.

“Young Lin?”

Zhao Dongyang stared, startled, then stepped forward warmly: “Young Lin, aren’t you at the county martial arts hall?”

“Uncle Zhao, I’m returning home. Junior Zhao heard the news and asked me to deliver a letter for you.”

Seeing the envelope from Lin Chen’s chest, Zhao Dongyang’s eyes flickered with doubt—Jingchuan had already written home six days ago. Why another letter so soon?

But as a merchant, Zhao Dongyang never showed suspicion on his face. He smiled, took the letter, and said: “Thank you, young man. Judging by the sun, you haven’t eaten yet…”

He turned to a serving boy: “Have the kitchen prepare a few of our signature dishes.”

“Uncle, no need to trouble yourself—I can still make it home in time.”

“No!” Zhao Dongyang’s tone was firm. “You’re eating lunch here today. Do you think my wine house’s food isn’t good enough?”

“The dishes at your home? I tasted them once last time and still remember the flavor days later.”

“Then it’s settled. Eat first, then leave. No rush. And since you returned suddenly, you probably didn’t notify your family. It’s peak farming season—they likely haven’t prepared a meal.”

During spring plowing, Zhao Dongyang knew well: villagers were all busy in the fields. Most families had women bring meals out to the fields at noon.

“Then I won’t refuse your kindness, Uncle.”

Lin Chen didn’t overdo politeness. Eating in town before returning home was indeed more practical.

“Don’t speak so formally, Young Lin. Jingchuan told me—he has many senior brothers in the martial hall, but admires none more than you.”

As Zhao Dongyang spoke, he felt a pang of emotion. According to Jingchuan’s private words, not just he, but the sons of the Lu and Chen families also deeply respected Lin Chen.

A fisherman’s son achieving this level of respect proved his exceptional nature.

Such a person, if no misfortune struck, would surely achieve great things on the Dao path.

Seeing Zhao Dongyang lead him toward a private room, Lin Chen stopped and said: “Uncle, I’m alone. I’ll eat in the main hall. No need for a private room.”

Zhao Dongyang hesitated. Seeing Lin Chen wasn’t being polite, and as a merchant, he knew excessive warmth could cause discomfort.

“Alright. Sit here. I’ll have the kitchen prepare a few cold appetizers. Later, I’ll join you for a drink.”

In the main hall, several patrons noticed Zhao Dongyang’s warm treatment of Lin Chen and turned their gazes toward him, curious.

They wondered: who was this boy, to earn such attention from Zhao Dongyang?

The town’s wealthy families were few, and they knew all their sons. This youth was unfamiliar.

Lin Chen paid no mind to their stares. His gaze was fixed on a man entering with two baskets.

“Big brother!”

Seeing his elder brother carry two baskets of fish into the wine house, Lin Chen first thought he’d mistaken his eyes—but as a martial artist, his vision was flawless. It was truly his brother.

“Little brother?”

Lin Liang heard the familiar voice and turned instinctively. Seeing his younger brother seated at the table, he was equally startled.

“Big brother, what’s this?”

Lin Chen stepped forward to ask, though he’d already guessed the answer.

“Little brother, the day after you entered the martial hall, Master Zhao came to our home. He said our fish could be delivered directly to his wine house—for a better price than selling to the fish stalls.”

Lin Liang grinned, then lowered his voice: “Father was suspicious at first—why would Master Zhao treat us so well? But Mother saw clearly: he’s helping us because of you. Isn’t Master Zhao’s son the one who trains with you, Young Master Zhao?”

“Yes. Junior Zhao is indeed Uncle Zhao’s son. Uncle Zhao isn’t just the shopkeeper—he’s the proprietor.”

Lin Chen explained. Many proprietors hired managers, but Uncle Zhao ran the wine house himself. Lin Chen guessed it wasn’t that he couldn’t afford a manager—he simply enjoyed the bustling, welcoming atmosphere.

“Young Master Lin, you’ve arrived just in time.”

Zhao Jingchuan emerged from the kitchen carrying two cold dishes. Seeing Lin Liang and Lin Chen standing together, he gave a glance to a serving boy, who immediately rushed forward to take the bamboo pole.

“Brother Lin, let me help you.”

“No, no, no! I can manage myself!”

Seeing his brother flustered, Lin Chen held his hand: “Big brother, let the boy take the fish inside. I haven’t been home in months—I miss Father and Mother. Sit down and tell me what’s been happening at home.”

(End of Chapter)