Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Master? Young Master!

”All the expenses for Young Master Chu Ming at Baiyuan Academy are covered as well.”

”Yes, they’re covered.”

”Not this, it’s about Master!” Hou Wuchun reminded again.

”Hmm, good disciple, rest assured, I, Shao Pengshu, will keep my word and definitely take you as my apprentice!”

”Indeed, Lord Shao will be your master from now on.”

”.....” Hou Wuchun couldn’t hold it any longer and stood up, taking a deep breath, ”Lord Shao, you said if I could transcribe the subsequent cultivation technique from Brother Chu, you would call Brother Chu master!”

The voice wasn’t loud, but it was exceptionally penetrating.

Shao Pengshu and Tan Hong, who were practicing their moves, immediately froze.

Shao Pengshu looked at Tan Hong without saying a word, as if asking: Did I say that?

And Tan Hong returned an uncertain look: Lord Shao, it seems you did say it.

Is this true?!

Shao Pengshu glanced towards the carriage through the curtain, seeing a tense, complex expression.

The cultivation technique on this paper not only continued the part presented by Hou Wuchun but also had more martial intent.

What does this mean?

It means that the young master sitting inside the carriage, whom he had been tirelessly persuading, has at least reached Great Success, or even Perfection, in the Tiger and Python Strength.

In other words, this young master wasn’t afraid to demonstrate the Tiger and Python Strength in front of them but had practiced an even more advanced Strength Technique, choosing not to demonstrate it openly.

He recalled Chu Ming’s previous answer to his inquiry: ”Only practiced for a few days, then didn’t practice it anymore,” referring to practicing the Tiger and Python Strength for only a few days before moving on to a more advanced technique, perhaps.

Reflecting on what he had said...

In an instant, Shao Pengshu’s expression became even more uneasy.

Yet, fortunately, it’s just a more advanced Strength Technique, not a Body Refining Technique; I can accept that...

Shao Pengshu consoled himself this way, looked up, cleared his throat, and said with a raised tone, ”It’s about time, we should hurry on our journey.”

Saying this, he grabbed Hou Wuchun, jumped onto the carriage, and nonchalantly took hold of the whip and reins.

If Tan Hong hadn’t caught him, Hou Wuchun would have faceplanted.

”Lord Shao, didn’t you just say you wanted to switch carriages with me?” Tan Hong glanced at the carriage and then at the paper in Shao Pengshu’s arms, feeling it was stuffed too carelessly, regardless of mixing the ink.

Shao Pengshu tightened the reins, ”Did I say that?”

”You did, Lord Shao. Hou Wuchun is your apprentice, and you want to personally guide him,” Tan Hong added.

Shao Pengshu hesitated while holding the reins, leaned slightly backward, ”Giddy up!”

According to this, my master should personally guide me too.....

...

Baiyuan County, West City.

Two carriages traveled along the broad cobblestone streets, lined with buildings that form large courtyards. Beyond the courtyard walls, one could see their lofty, upward-curving eaves and grey-tiled roofs.

The streets were sparse with pedestrians, most clad in traditional scholar robes.

This was Baiyuan County’s renowned academy district, home to the Baiyuan Academy.

The presence of the two carriages drew numerous curious gazes, albeit with a hint of distaste.

In the academy district, even the streets were usually quiet, making the sound of carriage wheels on cobblestone especially jarring.

However, as the onlookers noticed the drivers wearing the Criminal Defense Bureau’s Flying Fish Suit, they averted their eyes hastily, moving to the side of the road, avoiding further scrutiny.

Shao Pengshu drove the carriage to a stop in front of the academy at the end of the street.

Flanking the gate were a pair of majestic stone lions, their pedestals inscribed with poetry, seamlessly combining scholarly and majestic aura.

Above the main gate hung a massive plaque, engraved with the four bold characters ”Baiyuan Academy,” exuding a powerful and grand presence.

”Young master, we’ve arrived at Baiyuan Academy.” Shao Pengshu respectfully lifted the curtain.

He couldn’t bring himself to call him master, but directly addressing him as ’Chu Ming’ didn’t seem appropriate either. Calling him ’young master,’ as Instructor Fang did, seemed fitting.

Young master?

Whose son from the Criminal Defense Bureau?

The scholars watched from a distance with suspicions.

What is such a vulgar person doing at the academy!

Chu Ming stepped down from the carriage, carrying ”Poetry, Politics, and Military,” and a small bundle.

Finally, arrived.

”Hey, is that... Poetry, Politics, and Military he’s holding?” someone whispered.

”Seems so, could he be from the nearby town?”

”Would the Criminal Defense Bureau address someone from the town as young master?”

”Could he be a young master from the Baiyuan County entrance exam, coming to the academy now?”

There was a town entrance exam, and Baiyuan County had one too, with more slots for the academy.

”It’s possible.”

”...”

”Young master, Baiyuan Academy is different from the Criminal Defense Bureau; I’m not at liberty to enter...”

”Alright, thank you, Captain Shao and Captain Tan.” Chu Ming, holding ”Poetry, Politics, and Military,” nodded slightly, unable to clasp his hands in thanks.

”It’s no trouble, no trouble.”

As the two were about to board the carriage, Chu Ming’s voice came from behind, ”I will visit Captain Shao later to seek advice on Strength Technique.”

”...”

Shao Pengshu’s face showed a moment of embarrassment, and he solemnly clasped his hands.

”Brother Chu, I’m heading to the Criminal Defense Bureau first; I’ll visit you when I get a chance.” Hou Wuchun waved his hand.

”Alright.”

”Giddy up——”

The two carriages departed.

With ”Poetry, Politics, and Military” in his arms, Chu Ming entered the academy, amidst many gazes, immediately enveloped by a strong fragrance of ink, or rather, the scent of books.

The ancient and elegant hall garden and pavilions, the solemn and imposing colossal stone shadow wall, painted with landscapes, with undulating mountains and swirling clouds.

On either side of the shadow wall were two long covered corridors, bordered by flowers and plants, lush and full of different flavors.

”Excuse me, where can I register?” he stopped a scholar to inquire.

The scholar, not noticing Chu Ming was brought by the Criminal Defense Bureau, naturally wasn’t overly formal: ”Just call me Yann Cong. Brother, are you here to register? The entrance exam ended over ten days ago.”

”...Didn’t they say you could register anytime?” Chu Ming asked.

”You can, but coming late means missing quite a few classes, doesn’t it?” Seeing Chu Ming holding a book and carrying a bundle, the scholar kindly offered to lend a hand, continuing, ”May I know your name, brother? I’ll take you to register at the Lower Academy.”

”Um... I’m supposed to go to the Middle Courtyard.”

”Middle Courtyard?” The scholar paused, eyeing Chu Ming skeptically, ”Are you sure, brother?”

”Yes, the Middle Courtyard.”

”Goodbye.” Yann Cong stopped holding the book and turned to leave.

”...”

After a few steps, Yann Cong suddenly turned back, his eyes gleaming with something, a smile appearing on his face, ”Brother, tell me your name, and I’ll take you to register, how about it?”

Chu Ming looked at the scholar, thought for a moment, and felt there was no harm in divulging his name: ”Chu Ming.”

”Chu Ming...” Yann Cong’s smile widened, pointing to a small path on the left of the academy, ”Brother Chu, follow this path, turn left at the end, there will be a main road, at the end of the main road, through a gate, is the Middle Courtyard.”

”Thank you.”

”You’re welcome.”

Yann Cong watched Chu Ming’s departing figure, his smile growing larger, as if he had encountered a joyous event.

”Leaning on a bit of luck, skipping the Lower Academy to the Middle Courtyard, but late by more than ten days and missing lessons...”

”Heh, heh, the next academy advancement test is a good opportunity.”

Junior examinees like Chu Ming, who skipped the Lower Academy, often lacked experience and frequently became stepping stones for the older generation in the first round of academy advancement exams.