Chapter 63: Arrange Some Clear Wind Martial Hall Martial Artists for Him

Deep within the Wu Garden, a certain courtyard.

A young woman lay lazily on a luxury recliner, holding a sheet of paper.

“Lin Chen of Jing Shui Martial Hall, minor mastery of Clear Wind Palm—quite interesting.”

“Elder, should I investigate why this Lin Chen, a Jing Shui Martial Hall disciple, has mastered the Clear Wind Palm?”

The referee who had spoken with Lin Chen earlier now stood before the woman, bowing respectfully.

“No need.”

The woman raised her ivory-white arm: “It’s nothing significant. Just keep an eye on him. Arrange more martial artists for him—preferably ones from Clear Wind Martial Hall.”

A hint of amusement curled her lips: “Have the Clear Wind Martial Hall martial artists who’ve achieved minor mastery of the Clear Wind Palm fight him. Don’t reveal Lin Chen’s identity as a Jing Shui Martial Hall disciple.”

Yan He’an understood his elder’s intentions the moment he heard her words.

By having Clear Wind Martial Hall martial artists fight Lin Chen, they’d assume he was one of their own trainees, unaware they were training a disciple of Jing Shui Martial Hall.

The elder meant to stir up some trouble.

As her subordinate, he could only do his utmost to fulfill her wishes and ensure Lin Chen’s identity remained hidden.

…

…

Lin Chen hadn’t expected the Wu Garden to act so swiftly.

When he arrived at the Wu Garden the next day, the referee informed him three martial artists had already accepted his challenge.

Prize matches!

Martial artists could choose to fight publicly or privately.

A private match meant the battle wouldn’t take place on the arena, but elsewhere within the Wu Garden.

After some thought, Lin Chen decided on a private match.

The martial hall duels were coming soon; he didn’t want to reveal too much and draw attention from other martial hall trainees—this was one reason he wore his mask.

Inside the courtyard.

Lin Chen met his first opponent.

A thirty-year-old man, upon seeing Lin Chen’s mask, frowned slightly and asked: “Are you one of this year’s new trainees?”

Unless you were a new trainee, there was no reason to wear a mask.

“Mm.” Lin Chen replied.

“You—”

Yan He’an coughed beside him: “Cough. By the rules, you may only fight on the arena. No idle talk.”

The man fell silent, though puzzled: a new trainee from Clear Wind Martial Hall who’d achieved minor mastery of the Clear Wind Palm would surely be noticed by the hall—why come to the Wu Garden to challenge others?

Even if he sought to deepen his understanding of the Clear Wind Palm through combat, he could simply spar with the hall’s instructors or have senior trainees assigned to him.

There were plenty of trainees and instructors in Clear Wind Martial Hall who’d achieved minor mastery of the Clear Wind Palm.

Though puzzled, the man saw five taels of silver in his hand—why not take it?

Both climbed onto the arena. Lin Chen bowed, standing ready. The Wu Garden would cover his first prize money, but if he lost this first match, he’d have to pay for all future challenges himself.

He had no money—he couldn’t afford to lose.

“Though you’re my junior, I won’t hold back. Junior, watch out!”

As the man spoke, his body blurred forward like a ghost, closing the distance. His right hand formed a palm, gently pushing forward—a soft yet powerful force surged from his palm, forming an invisible wind blade aimed straight at Lin Chen’s chest.

Facing the attack, Lin Chen remained calm, a faint smile touching his lips. He shifted lightly, as if merging with the wind, evading the strike with perfect grace.

Simultaneously, his left hand rose, executing the Clear Wind Palm—but his technique differed entirely. A subtle rotation lingered within the palm wind.

“So he’s truly achieved minor mastery of the Clear Wind Palm!”

Li Muyun’s first strike missed, yet his face broke into a smile. His opening move had been a test. Now he saw: this junior, ten or more generations younger, matched him in proficiency with the Clear Wind Palm.

Clear Wind Martial Hall had produced a promising talent this year.

If so, he could afford to guide him further.

They exchanged blows, palm winds intertwining; the entire courtyard echoed with howling wind. Lin Chen sensed the man wasn’t going all out—he was sparring with him?

Lin Chen didn’t care what the man thought—he seized the opportunity.

Practicing the Clear Wind Palm alone versus using it in combat were two entirely different things. In battle, adaptability was key.

He gained much from observing the man’s palm strikes.

Especially now that night had fallen—the 【Pitch Black】 title activated, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the fight, tracing the patterns behind each strike.

Improve. Improve again!

Li Muyun watched his junior grow more fluid with each strike, his expression growing approving—until, after dozens of exchanges, his smile faltered.

He’d fallen into the rhythm of his junior’s palm strikes. Several attempts to break the flow had failed. If this continued, the advantage would shift—and he’d lose to this junior.

For Li Muyun, this was unacceptable.

He could guide his junior—but he couldn’t lose to him.

Five taels meant little to a martial artist who’d only opened four dantian points and had no hope of further advancement—but losing them would sting.

Lin Chen knew none of this. He only felt himself growing more fluent, his doubts about the Clear Wind Palm slowly dissolving.

Thirty breaths later!

As three consecutive palm strikes landed on his opponent, watching him tumble off the arena, Lin Chen broke from his focused state.

He’d won.

Lin Chen whispered inwardly: “Panel.”

【Clear Wind Palm: Minor Mastery (4/10)】

The Clear Wind Palm’s progress had increased by two points.

Li Muyun stared at the silent Lin Chen on the arena, his face darkening with irritation. This junior had no manners whatsoever.

“Farewell!”

Li Muyun stormed off, scowling. By the time Lin Chen realized what had happened, he didn’t know what to say.

“Shall you challenge the next opponent, Young Master?”

Yan He’an smiled cheerfully. He hadn’t trained the Clear Wind Palm, but he’d watched the battle clearly—he could sense Lin Chen’s Clear Wind Palm had improved further during the fight.

“Continue.” Lin Chen nodded.

Yan He’an smiled and stepped out of the courtyard. A few minutes later, he returned with another martial artist.

This time, the man asked no questions—immediately stepped onto the arena. Lin Chen bowed in greeting, then struck first.

Only after engaging did Lin Chen realize this was another Clear Wind Palm practitioner.

What a coincidence?

Lin Chen felt a pang of disappointment: though this man had also achieved minor mastery of the Clear Wind Palm, he was slightly weaker than the previous one. Yet his use of the technique “Whirlwind Sweeping Clouds” caught his eye.

“Whirlwind Sweeping Clouds” was a lethal move in the Clear Wind Palm, but it had a noticeable wind-up pause. This man had cleverly fused it with a thrusting punch, eliminating the move’s flaw.

One hundred breaths later, he defeated his opponent.

Lin Chen chose not to continue challenging—he opted to rest.

Two consecutive battles had left him bruised; several palm strikes had landed, and his internal qi was churning.

He calmed his breath, recalling the battles.

After fifteen minutes, Lin Chen looked at Yan He’an: “Senior, that’s enough for today.”

He had gained insight—he needed to reflect, not keep fighting.

“Very well. I’ll notify the other martial artists to return at this time tomorrow.”

Yan He’an’s expression remained unchanged, though he glanced at the sky and added: “If you don’t wish to return to your martial hall, you may rest here. The Wu Garden can provide you with a courtyard.”

Courtyards in the Wu Garden were reserved for those who had refined their organs—but Yan He’an was willing to make an exception for Lin Chen.

In other factions, a thirty-year-old organ-refined martial artist outweighed a sixteen-year-old with four dantian opened. But here, a thirty-year-old organ-refined martial artist meant less than a sixteen-year-old who’d achieved minor mastery of a technique.

Lin Chen paused, then nodded: “Thank you, Senior.”

Martial halls usually forbade trainees from staying overnight outside, but he’d once taken leave to train the Flying Swallow Scripture—so staying outside to train the Clear Wind Palm shouldn’t be an issue.

Rules, he knew well, applied only to ordinary trainees.

Like Jiang Sister—though the hall required trainees to wear training robes, she’d never worn one in public.

Soon, a maid from the Wu Garden led Lin Chen to a courtyard. Smaller than the one Zhao’s junior had taken him to, yet Lin Chen was satisfied—it was far larger than the dormitory courtyards provided by the martial hall.

Under cover of night!

Lin Chen stood in the courtyard, recalling the two battles, soon sinking into a state of perfect absorption.

The night remained silent, the palm winds whispering the boy’s effort.

And the leaves continuously falling from the trees.

【Clear Wind Palm: Minor Mastery (5/10)】

【Clear Wind Palm: Minor Mastery (6/10)】

…

…

PS: Brothers, the new book period is ending soon. Next week, I’ll be going naked—my editor says if I hold steady next week, they’ll arrange a recommendation. Next week is critical. Please vote for me—let me know you’re still here. Love you all.

(End of Chapter)