Chapter 93: The Ultimate Cultivation Path of the Opening Acupoints Realm

Wuzhengsuo.

Lin Chen returned to Wuzhengsuo again; this time, he did not wait for notification as he had when first arriving with Instructor Yu.

The gatekeeper clearly recognized him and warmly led him into Wuzhengsuo, straight toward the main hall.

In the main hall, Su Lingchuan stood with his hands behind his back, admiring a high mountain landscape ink painting hanging on the wall.

“Disciple Lin Chen of Jingshui Martial Hall, greetings to Elder Su.”

Su Lingchuan turned around, smiling warmly at Lin Chen: “A young genius—my Poyang County truly produces outstanding talent.”

Lin Chen lowered his head modestly, not daring to respond.

Following Master Zeng’s advice, he only needed to fulfill two things: listen to whatever Elder Su said, but never give any easy commitment.

“I reviewed your records. From your entry into the Martial Hall to your current status at the martial hall, I realized you are the very first beneficiary of the incentive and work-study regulations I established with Inspector Shu.”

Lin Chen’s expression was sincere: “Had it not been for Elder Su’s initial encouragement, I doubt I would have reached today.”

Su Lingchuan waved his hand: “Don’t say such things to me. Your success comes from yourself. Had you relied on me or the martial hall, you wouldn’t be a disciple of Jingshui Martial Hall today.”

Clearly, Su Lingchuan understood thoroughly the conflict between Lin Chen and Qingfeng Martial Hall.

One night was enough for him to learn everything.

“I summoned you here for three matters. First, your first-place reward will be delivered to you upon your departure from Wuzhengsuo. Second, regarding Wuzheng Office’s genius regulations—did Zeng Qingyao inform you?”

So Master Zeng’s full name was Zeng Qingyao; Lin Chen silently noted it and replied quickly: “Master mentioned it—complete a martial art to perfection within half a year, and I qualify under Wuzheng Office’s genius regulations.”

Su Lingchuan nodded: “Zeng Qingyao knows the genius regulations, but not the details. Wuzheng Office provides special training and all cultivation resources for qualified genius disciples—but only for three months, beginning every July.”

Short-term intensive training?

Lin Chen found the perfect term.

“More detailed information will be given to you by Wuzheng Office personnel when they come to fetch you. I won’t elaborate further here.”

As he spoke, Su Lingchuan felt a flicker of unease—he didn’t actually know how Wuzheng Office trained genius disciples. That was their secret.

He knew even this much only because, as Wuzhengsuo director, his position granted him this vague information.

“Third matter: my subordinates reported that your former Martial Hall instructor wrote you two letters. Someone found them and delivered them to Wuzhengsuo. The two letters are on the table—take them.”

Lin Chen had noticed the two letters on the side table when entering the hall.

Picking up the letters, he glanced at the seals—already broken. He believed Elder Su wouldn’t have read their contents; the most likely culprit was the thief who opened them, otherwise he wouldn’t have handed them to the government office.

“Your instructor is quite interesting—wrote you two letters. Can you guess why?”

“My instructor truly cared deeply. He feared I might grow arrogant if I ranked too high, so he wrote to counsel me; he also feared I might lose my drive if I ranked too low, so he wrote to encourage me. Had no accident occurred, I would have received only one letter.”

Lin Chen didn’t hide anything—he explained exactly why Instructor Yu had written the two letters.

“Hahaha!”

Su Lingchuan burst into loud laughter: “What a remarkable instructor-disciple pair—truly a model for all instructors in Poyang County!”

Listening to Elder Su’s laughter, Lin Chen felt as if he were watching an actor’s performance—though this actor’s acting was poor, overly exaggerated.

“Lin Chen!”

Su Lingchuan’s smile vanished instantly. His expression turned solemn, his demeanor imposing like a divine statue. He spoke gravely: “Let me ask you: did you and Yu Yongnian privately establish a master-disciple bond?”

The pressure of a ninth-rank martial artist surged forth; his gaze seemed to pierce Lin Chen’s soul. Lin Chen remained calm and replied: “My lord, no.”

「

Su Lingchuan’s eyes blazed as he pressed further: “Do you and Yu Yongnian share any financial entanglements or familial ties?”

“My lord, before the Martial Hall, I had never met my instructor. My family has no kinship with him. As for financial ties—my family is poor. Had it not been for his compassion and your work-study policy, I couldn’t even afford beef.”

Hearing this, Su Lingchuan smiled. He had seen Lin Chen’s Martial Hall records—he had issued the work-study policy after Yu Yongnian assigned Lin Chen chores. But who cared about such trivial details?

Good. He was even more satisfied with Lin Chen.

“Yu Yongnian, as your instructor, cared for you deeply, acted with great thoughtfulness, asked for nothing in return. You, in turn, respected him sincerely and treated him with honesty.”

“The two of you are the very model of martial learning in Poyang County—worthy of admiration and emulation by all. I shall report this to Wuzheng Office so the entire Rao Prefecture knows Poyang County has such a virtuous instructor and worthy disciple.”

With that, Su Lingchuan looked at Lin Chen: “I have a humble request.”

“My lord, speak.”

Lin Chen grew wary, remembering Master Zeng’s warning—he dared not agree hastily.

“I wish to excerpt and publish portions of your instructor’s letters on official notices for all martial halls to read—possibly even issued by Wuzheng Office.”

Headline on the local official media?

In an instant, Lin Chen understood why Elder Su had put on this entire performance.

He and Instructor Yu were the exemplary instructor-disciple pair—and since Elder Su oversaw martial affairs in Poyang County, this would be his achievement.

“I dare not decide on my instructor’s letters without his permission. I beg your understanding, my lord.”

Hearing Lin Chen’s reply, Su Lingchuan’s eyes brightened with further approval. If Lin Chen wasn’t foolish, he’d know this was a great advantage. If you’re a model, shouldn’t you be rewarded?

Wuzheng Office, even Rao Prefecture, would bestow honors. That Lin Chen considered Yu Yongnian’s wishes before accepting such benefits showed true respect for his instructor.

If earlier he had considered publicizing their story for personal gain, now he truly believed Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian deserved this honor.

The bond between master and disciple was precious.

Still, he was certain Yu Yongnian wouldn’t refuse—even if he cared nothing for fame, he’d agree for his disciple’s sake. It would merely require a letter from Lin Chen, a few days’ delay.

“Very well. Let this decision wait until you’ve consulted your instructor.”

Su Lingchuan’s aura receded, and he smiled: “Official matters concluded. Now, let’s speak privately—do you have a plan for your future martial path?”

“I was just about to ask Elder Su for advice. Given my current situation, how should I proceed?”

Speaking of his own affairs, Lin Chen remembered Master Zeng’s instructions and spoke frankly, laying out his current dilemma.

In truth, with his panel and his [Destiny Pattern], he already had a rough plan for his future martial path.

But with Elder Su’s experience to guide him, he could adjust his cultivation strategy accordingly.

Su Lingchuan understood perfectly—Zeng Qingyao had never entered the ranks, and Jingshui Martial Hall had never produced a disciple who perfected a martial art so quickly. He was uncertain of Lin Chen’s future progress and had deliberately summoned him to seek advice.

Not only did he greatly admire Lin Chen, but as Wuzhengsuo director, he bore the duty of guiding county disciples in martial arts.

“Qingfeng Palm focuses on the upper body, opening twenty-four acupoints. The eight acupoints you must open next lie in the lower body—Qingfeng Palm can no longer aid you significantly. Progress will slow. Be prepared.”

Lin Chen nodded. He had already learned this from Master Kong.

“I reviewed Jingshui Martial Hall’s report: your Water Cloud Palm is also at minor mastery, and you achieved it far faster than Qingfeng Palm. Is this true?”

“True.”

Su Lingchuan’s eyes gleamed: “If so, I have a method to accelerate your progress through these next eight acupoints. But I wonder—do you dare try it?”

“I beg your guidance,” Lin Chen bowed, without hesitation.

“Go to Zhenyue Martial Hall and cultivate their Iron Bones Art. If your talent isn’t limited to Qingfeng Palm and Water Cloud Palm—if you possess high talent across all martial arts—Iron Bones Art will shorten the time to open acupoints seven through sixteen.”

“Cultivate Iron Bones Art?”

Lin Chen had never expected this advice from Elder Su.

Would Zhenyue Martial Hall allow…

That wasn’t an issue. Su Lingchuan was director of Wuzhengsuo. If he said so, Zhenyue Martial Hall wouldn’t object.

“You know Iron Bones Art is difficult. If your talent for it is insufficient, you’ll waste money and time. Better to steadily advance with Qingfeng Palm.”

Su Lingchuan stared intently at Lin Chen: “Whether to take this path is your choice.”

Lin Chen fell into thought, then raised his eyes: “My lord, if my talent for Iron Bones Art is sufficient, are its benefits limited to faster progress?”

Clever!

Su Lingchuan mentally praised Lin Chen. Had Lin Chen’s life history not been spotless and verifiable, he’d have doubted whether he was truly a fisherman’s son.

"There exists an ultimate cultivation path in the Opening Acupoints realm. Precisely because it is ultimate, very few succeed—so ordinary disciples know nothing of it. But know this: if you achieve it, you’ll have one foot already stepped into the ranked realm."

(End of chapter)