Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 141: Chapter 30: Deep Thresholds of Grand Mansions (Part 2)

Li An thought for a moment; the Hall Master of the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, after so many years, is still at Great Success in Viscera Cultivation and has not broken through to Entering the Grade. He is not worth a personal audience.

The incense ties between my father and the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall do not mean the Li Family shares the same bond with them.

The people of the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall are quite inconsiderate; over the years, they have only visited my father. Other than presenting gifts for my father’s birthday, the Li Family’s other joyous occasions have never seen them sending gifts or offering congratulations.

”Father, do we have guests at home?”

Just as Li An was making arrangements, a young girl walked in.

”How did Qi’Er know?”

”I saw someone in the side hall when I returned to the mansion just now.”

”Guests from Poyang County.”

”Poyang County? That’s over in Raozhou Prefecture. Do we have relatives in Poyang County?” Li Qi asked curiously.

”They are not relatives of the Li Family. The guests are the Hall Master of a martial arts school. Your grandfather studied at the martial arts school in Poyang County for a period. The Hall Master is visiting your grandfather, but since your grandfather has gone out to visit friends today, he may return very late. We will let the guests stay at the mansion for the night and inform your grandfather tomorrow.”

”I see.” Li Qi was a bit curious. ”I saw a young man of similar age to me. He should be a student at the martial arts school. What is the Hall Master planning to do with this young man?”

”He is probably a descendant, wanting to make a good impression before your grandfather. Alternatively, he is a promising martial arts student brought along to meet your grandfather.”

Li An smiled slightly. He did not hide anything from his daughter. Having learned from the gatekeeper that Hall Master Tai had brought a young man along, he could already guess the situation.

That is also the reason he does not plan to meet with them today. He will wait until his father returns, and if his father gives some reward, then these incense ties would also come to an end.

”I don’t concern myself with these matters. Father, I invited a few friends over as guests today.”

”Alright, I’ll notify the kitchen to prepare a Seven-Colored Feathered Spirit Chicken for you all.”

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...

”That girl just now should be Lord Li’s granddaughter.”

In the side hall of the gatehouse, Tai Rubai observed the girl who had just come bouncing in and only spoke softly to Lin Chen after she left.

”Hasn’t Hall Master Tai met Lord Li’s descendants before?”

Lin Chen was a bit surprised. Hall Master Tai had already mentioned on their way here that he visits the Li Mansion every year-end to pay respects to Lord Li, and after so many visits, he ought to have met Lord Li’s family.

”Because of the incense ties between Lord Li and the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, I visit the Li Mansion as the Hall Master of the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, representing the continuation of these ties. If I were to become friendly with Lord Li’s descendants, it would seem as if I’m using these ties for my personal network.”

Tai Rubai glanced deeply at Lin Chen. These incense ties have been maintained by four generations of Hall Masters at the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, and none have ever tried to leverage these ties for personal gain.

”Except for Lord Li’s birthday, our Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall never participates in other celebrations of the Li Family.”

”Over the years, it is precisely for this reason that Lord Li grants me audiences; this incense bond can only be used once.”

Upon hearing Hall Master Tai’s words, Lin Chen understood.

Lord Li’s status as a Sixth Grade Martial Arts Powerhouse, if he were continuously in office, he would rank above the Director of the Military Affairs Department.

Such a figure is incredibly valued, but there is only one opportunity to use it.

If Hall Master Tai or any previous Hall Masters had selfish motives, it is likely that Lord Li would have severed these ties long ago.

”Thank you for your generosity, Hall Master.”

Lin Chen expressed heartfelt gratitude. Such a precious opportunity is bestowed upon him by Hall Master Tai, which is a kindness no less than that shown by Jingshui Martial Arts Hall.

”Your martial arts talent warrants using this favor. In previous years, the martial arts hall has had promising students, like your Junior Brother Gu from this year; he was the most promising in the past five years, yet still lacking.”

Such a valuable favor, though Hall Master Tai is the master, cannot be decided by one person.

After leaving the Martial Affairs Office, he met with the old Hall Master, his mentor, and several seniors of the hall. They all agreed to bestow this favor upon Lin Chen, and hence, he brought Lin Chen to Quzhou Prefecture to visit Lord Li.

Lin Chen and Tai Rubai did not converse long. Since they were in the side hall of the gatehouse amidst many eyes and ears, it was inconvenient to speak further.

Soon, footsteps approached, and the gatekeeper returned followed by a steward.

”Apologies for keeping you waiting. The master is out visiting friends today and is not present at the mansion. I will first arrange accommodations for you at the mansion, and a message has been sent to the master. Once he returns, you will be informed.”

Upon hearing this, Tai Rubai knew that Lord Li was indeed not at the mansion today, and the person in charge was likely the eldest son of the Li Family.

In the past, if Lord Li was absent, he would not stay at the Li Mansion and would find an inn outside for the night, returning the next day to pay his respects.

However, this time he brought Lin Chen to seek guidance from Lord Li. When Lord Li receives the message and returns, it must be possible for him to meet Lin Chen immediately, rather than having Lin Chen wait at the mansion.

”Thank you, steward.”

The Li Mansion is enormous, and following the steward, Lin Chen passed through several courtyards and corridors, eventually reaching a tranquil small courtyard.

The two courtyards were not large, but though small, they had everything.

Lin Chen looked at the weapon racks set in a corner of the courtyard, filled with an array of weapons: swords, spears, sabers, and halberds.

Guests of the Li Family are mostly martial artists, so the courtyard served as a mini training ground.

Hall Master Tai stayed next door, and after taking a tour, Lin Chen found himself in the middle of the courtyard.

Even while traveling, he did not intend to cease training.

Despite the inconvenience in training Iron Bone Skill, his Water Cloud Palm was still unfinished and could continue to be practiced.

Water Cloud Palm, like a tempestuous sea, the sound of crashing waves echoed endlessly in the courtyard, bringing satisfaction to the face of Tai Rubai listening next door.

A young man tasting success yet maintaining such diligence is a rare find!

However, Tai Rubai did not linger in the courtyard. Thinking to greet Lin Chen but recalling he was training, he decided against it.

He also had a few old friends in Quzhou Prefecture and, as it was still early, thought to visit them.

Giving a few instructions to the servant at the gate, he headed toward the Li Mansion’s main entrance.

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...

”Sister Wang, you will stay in this courtyard today; it is quiet here. I will come fetch you later.”

In the guest area, Li Qi led a woman to the nearby courtyard where Lin Chen resided, guided by a servant.

However, upon entering the courtyard, they immediately heard sounds coming from the adjacent one, prompting Li Qi to frown slightly: ”Is there a guest next door?”

”Arranged by Steward Zhang, reportedly guests from Poyang County.”

Upon hearing the servant’s response, Li Qi recalled her father’s words, understanding who was staying there.

”Go and knock on the door, remind them that entering the Li Mansion demands no noise.”

Guests unable to meet even her father were not regarded by Li Qi.

”Sister Qi, there’s no need. Simply arrange for another courtyard for me,” the woman beside her smiled and advised.

”Sister Wang, this courtyard is planted with narcissus—your favorite flower. I specially chose this courtyard for you.”

The woman, seeing the few narcissus plants in the courtyard’s flowerbed, ultimately chose not to dissent.

In the adjacent courtyard.

Upon hearing the door knocking, Lin Chen ceased his training but did not respond before the door swung open.

”Guests, there is to be no noise within the Li Mansion, it is better for you to refrain from martial training.”

Hearing the servant’s words, Lin Chen hesitated, pondering the purpose of the weapon racks if training was restricted.

”Thank you for the reminder; I understand.”

Lin Chen nodded and complied, acknowledging that, as the guest, it was his role to observe the host’s rules.

Even though the servant’s manners were lacking in politeness.

At the prime minister’s gate are Third Grade officials; it seems the servants of the Li Mansion held little regard for a guest from the county.