Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 106: Chapter 12: The Limit Path of Cultivation in the Opening Acupoints Realm

Martial Affairs Office.

Lin Chen came to the Martial Affairs Office once again, but this time it was not the same as when he waited for a report with Instructor Yu earlier.

The gatekeeper obviously recognized him and warmly led him into the Martial Affairs Office, heading straight for the main hall.

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

”Disciple Lin Chen of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, greets Lord Su.”

Su Lingchuan turned around, smiling at Lin Chen, ”A young genius indeed, our Poyang County truly is a place brimming with talents.”

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

In any case, according to Hall Master Zeng’s instructions, it was enough for him to do two things: listen to whatever Lord Su said, but never easily make a statement.

”I have reviewed your records from your time at the Martial Arts Hall to the Martial Arts Institute and realized that the incentive and work-study policies that I and Inspector Shu established back then have found their first beneficiary in you.”

Lin Chen looked earnest, ”If it weren’t for Lord Su’s initial encouragement, this disciple might not have made it to today.”

Su Lingchuan waved his hand, ”There’s no need to say such things to me. You’ve gotten to where you are today more by your own efforts. If you were relying on me or the Martial Hall, you wouldn’t be a disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall now.”

Clearly, Su Lingchuan was well aware of the entanglement between Lin Chen and the Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall.

A night’s time was enough for him to learn everything.

”The reason I called you here this time is for three matters. The first is the reward for being first. It will be delivered to you when you leave the Martial Affairs Office. The second matter is related to the genius policy of the Military Affairs Department. Has Zeng Qingyao informed you?”

So Hall Master Zeng’s full name was Zeng Qingyao. Lin Chen quietly noted this down, and quickly replied, ”The Hall Master mentioned it to me, that achieving perfection in one cultivation technique within six months would satisfy the genius policy of the Military Affairs Department.”

Su Lingchuan nodded, ”Zeng Qingyao knows about the genius policy, but not the specifics. The Military Affairs Department provides special training resources needed for cultivating to qualified genius students, but only for a period of three months, starting every July.”

Short-term special training?

Lin Chen thought of an appropriate term.

”More details will be provided when someone from the Military Affairs Department comes to take you there, so I won’t say much here.”

As he said this, there was a fleeting moment of unease in Su Lingchuan’s demeanor, as he too was unsure how the Military Affairs Department trained genius students — it was a secret of the department.

What he knew was owed to his position as the Director of the Martial Affairs Office, which granted him access to such scant information.

”As for the third matter, my subordinates reported to me that your instructor at the Martial Arts Hall wrote you two letters, which were found and turned in to us. The letters are on the table; you may take them.”

When Lin Chen entered the hall, he noticed the two letters placed on the table at the side.

Picking up the letters, Lin Chen noticed the seals had been broken. He believed Lord Su wouldn’t have peeked inside. It was most likely the thief who did, otherwise, why would they turn the letters over to the Government Office?

”Your instructor is indeed interesting, writing you two letters. Can you guess why?”

”Instructor sincerely cares for the disciple, fearing pride from winning and urging modesty through advice, or discouragement from poor performance, thereby encouraging determination in martial arts. If not for an accident, I would have only seen one of the letters.”

Lin Chen didn’t conceal the reason behind Instructor Yu’s two letters.

”Hahaha!”

Su Lingchuan suddenly laughed heartily, ”Such a fine pair of instructor and student, a model for instructors in our Poyang County.”

Listening to Lord Su’s laughter, Lin Chen had the impression of witnessing an actor’s performance, only Lord Su seemed to overact, with a noticeable flair for exaggeration.

”Lin Chen!”

Su Lingchuan’s smile vanished abruptly, his face stern and solemn, as dignified as a god, he asked deeply, ”I must ask you, did you and Yu Yongnian ever form a private master-disciple agreement?”

The pressure of a Ninth-Grade Martial Artist was released, his gaze seemed to pierce Lin Chen’s heart. Lin Chen, unfazed, replied, ”No, my lord.”

Su Lingchuan continued probing, eyes sharp, ”Do you have any interest entanglements or family ties with Yu Yongnian?”

”No, my lord. I did not know Instructor before the Martial Arts Hall, there’s no kinship between Instructor and my Lin Family, and as for any entanglements, my family is impoverished. If not for Instructor’s compassion and the work-study policy you issued, I couldn’t even afford beef.”

Hearing this, Su Lingchuan smiled slightly. He had reviewed Lin Chen’s information from the Martial Arts Hall, his work-study policy issued later, and Yu Yongnian first arranging work for Lin Chen, but who would care about these minor details?

Indeed, he was increasingly pleased with Lin Chen.

”Yu Yongnian, as an instructor, cares deeply for you, sincere and selfless. In turn, you show respect and honesty.”

”You two are truly role models of martial arts in Poyang County, worthy of respect and emulation by all. I must report this matter to the Military Affairs Department so that the whole Rao Mansion knows that Poyang County has such a virtuous teacher and a good student.”

Having said this, Su Lingchuan looked at Lin Chen: ”I have an impolite request?”

”Please, my lord, speak.”

Lin Chen became cautious, recalling Hall Master Zeng’s advice, and dared not agree lightly.

”I wish to excerpt some parts of the letter from your Instructor Yu to include in a public notice for the instructors and students at various martial arts halls to read, and it might even be issued by the Military Affairs Department.”

Make it to the top of the local official media headlines?

Just thinking for a moment, Lin Chen fully understood why Lord Su wanted to put on such a performance with him.

Instructor Yu and I are role models for instructors and students, and Lord Su oversees martial arts affairs in Poyang County; this is also part of Lord Su’s achievements.

”The letter from Instructor Yu to the disciple cannot be decided without the instructor’s permission. I hope my lord understands.”

Su Lingchuan heard Lin Chen’s answer and showed more appreciation in his eyes. As long as Lin Chen is not foolish, he should know that this matter is certainly beneficial to him. How can there be no rewards for being a role model?

By then, the Military Affairs Department and even Rao Mansion would commend them, and Lin Chen’s consideration for Yu Yongnian, holding onto his principles in the face of such benefits, is true respect for the instructor.

If previously he had thought of promoting Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian for personal gain, now in his heart, Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian are worthy of this honor.

The bond between teacher and student is truly precious.

However, he believes that Yu Yongnian would not refuse. Even if Yu Yongnian himself does not care about fame and fortune, he would agree for the sake of the disciple. It would only delay for a few days until Lin Chen writes a letter to inform him.

”Well then, let this matter wait until you ask your instructor before making a decision.”

Su Lingchuan’s demeanor became more restrained, and he smiled: ”Business is over, now let’s talk about some personal matters. Do you have any plans for your future martial arts path?”

”I wanted to ask Lord Su for guidance on how should I proceed with my martial arts path given my current situation?”

Talking about his own matters, Lin Chen remembered Hall Master Zeng’s instructions and straightforwardly shared the issues he was facing.

In fact, he had some general plans for his future martial path due to his life chart and the abilities available to him.

But if he could get advice from Lord Su, he could use it as a reference to adjust his future martial arts planning.

Su Lingchuan was clear as a mirror in his heart. Zeng Qingyao had not yet entered the grade, and Jingshui Martial Arts Hall had never had anyone who cultivated a technique to perfection in such a short time, so there was some uncertainty about Lin Chen’s progress on his martial arts path, which is why he specifically asked Lin Chen to seek his guidance.

Even without his current admiration for Lin Chen, as the director of the Martial Arts Institute, he had the duty to educate the county’s students in martial arts.

”The Clear Wind Palm is a martial art for the upper body, opening twenty-four points. The eight points you need to open next are on the lower body. The Clear Wind Palm will no longer provide much help, and your progress will slow down. Be mentally prepared.”

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

”I reviewed the situation reported by Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, and your Water Cloud Palm has also attained small success. Moreover, you have practiced Water Cloud Palm for a much shorter time compared to Clear Wind Palm. Is this true?”

”Indeed.”

Su Lingchuan’s eyes sparkled: ”If that’s the case, I could offer you a way to accelerate your progress on the upcoming eight acupoints, but it depends on whether you dare to try.”

”Please, my lord, guide me.” Lin Chen clasped his fists in a salute without any hesitation.

”Go to Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall to practice their Iron Bone Skill. If you not only have high comprehension in Clear Wind Palm and Water Cloud Palm but also in all techniques, practicing Iron Bone Skill can shorten your speed from Seven Acupoints to Sixteen Acupoints.”

”Practice Iron Bone Skill?”

Lin Chen was truly surprised that this was the path Lord Su suggested for him.

Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall would...

This is not an issue. Since Lord Su is the director of the Martial Affairs Office, there would certainly be no objections from Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall.

”The difficulty in cultivating Iron Bone Skill is something you should know. If your comprehension in Iron Bone Skill is insufficient, not only will you spend silver coins, but it will also waste time. It might be better to steadily use Clear Wind Palm to continue breaking through.”

Su Lingchuan looked at Lin Chen seriously: ”Therefore, whether or not to take this path is up to you to decide.”

Lin Chen fell into contemplation, and after a while, he looked up and asked, ”May I ask, my lord, if I practice Iron Bone Skill and my comprehension is sufficient, are the benefits more than just increasing the pace a little?”

Smart!

Su Lingchuan internally praised Lin Chen. If it weren’t for the fact that Lin Chen’s growth trajectory since birth was without issues and could withstand investigation, he would have doubted whether Lin Chen was truly the fisherman’s son.

”There exists an extreme practice path in the Opening Acupoints Realm. Precisely because it is an extreme path, very few succeed in it, hence ordinary students are unaware of it. Just know one thing: if you can achieve it, you will have one foot stepping into Entering the Grade.”