Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 112: Chapter 16: May Every Liang Citizen Be as a Dragon

Work-study program, winning first in the duel, two letters...

Su Lingchuan slowly narrated, but omitted the fact that Lin Chen had mastered the Clear Wind Palm to perfection.

Initially, he hadn’t planned on hiding it, but since the instructor had arranged the duel between two counties, he decided to inform the instructor of this matter privately.

The director of the Martial Affairs Office present was visibly moved after hearing this.

Merely from Su Lingchuan’s account, the image of a low-class student who worked tirelessly on the Martial Path emerged vividly, along with the care and nurturing from the instructor towards the youngster. This kind of mentorship deeply moved them.

Everyone had progressed step by step from Qi Cultivation, and several among them who reached this point, couldn’t have done so without their mentors’ nurturing.

The only difference was that Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian were just ordinary young man and a common instructor, while their mentors were Grade-Entering Powerhouses.

But as the director of the Martial Affairs Office, he naturally had a sense of insight. It was precisely the ordinary background of the student and instructor that resonated with the wider student body.

This is the power of education!

As for why the fisherman’s son was able to win first in the duel, whether there was any trickery involved, a few of them did not doubt it.

If there were any trickery, Junior Brother Su would never dare mention it.

Though rare, there have been instances of low-class students rising up in the martial arts circles of Poyang County.

”Good!”

Qiu Rufeng squinted his old eyes and said in a loud voice: ”Back then, the Grand Ancestor Emperor ordered the establishment of the Military Affairs Department and granted his calligraphy: ’May my Liang thrive in the Martial Path, and may every citizen of Liang be like a dragon.’ This master and disciple duo, Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian, are a vivid manifestation of the Grand Ancestor’s grand vision in Raozhou Prefecture. Su Lingchuan, with such a master and disciple in your Poyang County, your role as director is not in vain, and you too contribute to martial education!”

Beside him, Zhang Wangshan and others looked at Su Lingchuan with strange expressions, as if Junior Brother Su had stumbled into a good thing.

The deep bond between master and disciple had nothing to do with Junior Brother Su.

Su Lingchuan hurriedly cupped his hands and respectfully said, ”Director, I don’t deserve such praise. I am merely reporting truthfully. If the deeds of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian can inspire more students to pursue the Martial Path and lead instructors to genuinely care for their students, it would be my honor, and I dare not claim credit.”

”Credit is credit, and the strategy of work-study is indeed excellent. Our Liang Martial Arts Hall is not like those of the noble families; it belongs to all citizens of Liang. The Military Affairs Department will announce across the prefecture, designating these two as exemplars of martial education, and each county must promote the work-study strategy to ensure that motivated youths are not left behind.”

”Yes!”

Chen Jing and others immediately agreed, acknowledging that the work-study program was indeed commendable. Furthermore, those willing to set aside their dignity to work in the Martial Hall must have a resolute heart for the Martial Path, and such students are indeed worth cultivating.

”If there’s nothing else, please return to your respective duties. This official hopes that the duel between the two counties in three months will bring some surprises to this official.”

Qiu Rufeng departed from behind the screen, while the others gathered around Su Lingchuan.

”Junior Brother Su has earned quite the credit for education this time, you must treat us.”

”Junior Brother Su, how does this work-study program operate? Can you provide a formal document for me to reference?”

Su Lingchuan responded with a smile, but the notion of treating was out of the question!

As the Director of the Martial Affairs Office, he should receive a hundred contribution points for this event, though the exact amount would be finalized once the Military Affairs Department verifies that there are no falsehoods and awards contribution points accordingly.

However, of those hundred contribution points, several dozen would have to be spent to fulfill a request by the Shu Family in a letter.

For these Grade-Entering officials, the authority granted by their official positions is not the main reason for their service. The genuine incentive to take on official roles is the contribution points from the government.

On the path of martial arts, not advancing is to fall behind.

After entering the grade, breaking through further requires more resources. Unless one belongs to a truly well-established noble family, most Grade-Entering Martial Artists find the best way to gather the necessary resources for cultivation is through government service, exchanging contribution points for needed items from the Imperial Court.

Materials for advancing Spirit Soldiers, martial arts pills, and various cultivation technique manuals—nothing is more complete than those from the Imperial Court Treasure Vault.

Seeing Su Lingchuan unyielding in attitude, Zhang Wangshan and several others did not continue to persist. Everyone rose and left the main hall, but Su Lingchuan did not leave the Military Affairs Department. Instead, he turned toward the courtyard where his instructor resided.

”Instructor!”

With no outsiders present, and seeing that his instructor had changed out of his official attire into civilian clothes, Su Lingchuan performed the disciple’s salute.

”Does Lin Chen have any other special qualities?” Qiu Rufeng asked calmly.

”Nothing escapes you, Instructor.”

”Your words were vague about Lin Chen’s realm and strength, glossing over them with a single sentence. How could I not understand your intentions? You must be trying to keep some things hidden for the county’s duel.”

”I am indeed curious, what unique qualities does this Lin Chen possess that make you go to such lengths to conceal?” Qiu Rufeng’s eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp gleam flashing within them.

Su Lingchuan chuckled and bowed, saying, ”Instructor, to be honest, Lin Chen managed to cultivate the Clear Wind Palm to the Realm of Perfection in just three months.”

Qiu Rufeng, who had remained indifferent until then, showed a sudden intensity in his eyes; the hand that was gently stroking his beard paused momentarily. He nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, ”To cultivate the Clear Wind Palm to perfection in three months, his comprehension of the Martial Path is indeed remarkable.”

”Instructor, that’s not all.” A glimmer of excitement flashed in Su Lingchuan’s eyes as he continued, ”Lin Chen has also cultivated the Water Cloud Palm to the Great Success Realm. This news was urgently reported by the Jingshui Martial Arts Hall before I arrived in the prefecture city.”