Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 148: Chapter 33: The Secret of the Iron Bone Skill

In the courtyard.

Tai Rubai personally poured the tea. Lin Chen and Li Yueshan sat at the table.

Outside the courtyard gate, Li An and Li Qi, the father and daughter, did not enter. It was not because they were unwilling or embarrassed to enter, but because they had not received permission from Li Yueshan, and they dared not enter without authorization.

”Lin Chen, it is my lack of teaching. I apologize to you with this tea.”

”My Lord, you flatter me too much.”

Lin Chen stood up but did not dare to accept, and Li Yueshan glanced at Tai Rubai beside him: ”Tai, pour the tea.”

Tai Rubai’s hand shook as he held the teapot. Was he to pour tea for Lord Li, who would then use tea to apologize to Lin Chen?

He didn’t dare either.

”Does it have to be me who pours it to show sincerity?”

As Li Yueshan said this, Tai Rubai shook his head quickly. He found himself in a dilemma, and Lin Chen saw Elder Li’s determined gaze and said to the Hall Master, ”Master, let me pour the tea.”

Lin Chen understood that Elder Li was very resolute, and that this cup of tea must be drunk; therefore, he decided to pour it himself.

Hearing what Lin Chen said, Tai Rubai quickly handed the teapot to Lin Chen as if it were a hot potato.

”With this cup of tea, I apologize to you.”

Lin Chen raised the teacup and did not refuse. He drank it all in one go.

Seeing Lin Chen’s action, admiration appeared in Li Yueshan’s old eyes.

After putting down the teacup, Lin Chen picked up the teapot and poured tea for Li Yueshan: ”I will always remember Lord Li’s guidance.”

”Lin Chen, Lord Li even used his Martial Path Will for you. At his age, using Martial Path Will...”

”Tai, I may be old, but I’m not dead. If you can’t keep your mouth shut, you’d better leave and join my two good-for-nothing kin outside.”

Li Yueshan glared with his old eyes. Tai Rubai wore an embarrassed expression but soon felt relieved and walked towards the door.

Although he didn’t think much of Lord Li’s son, it was clear that Lord Li had more to say to Lin Chen and used an excuse to ask him to leave.

Outside, Li An felt a bit awkward seeing Tai Rubai, but Tai Rubai was indifferent, nodding and greeting him, then minding his own business.

...

...

”I learned of your experience at the mansion. Originally, I intended to bring my useless son and granddaughter to have Qi’er apologize to you in person, but now I think it’s unnecessary.”

Li Yueshan did not beat around the bush and spoke frankly.

Tai Rubai bringing a young man to the Li Mansion meant that this young man was undoubtedly the best disciple of the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall in the past twenty years.

In martial arts halls like the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, a Grade-Entering Martial Artist emerges every one or two years, and if lucky, two or three may appear.

Every ten or so years, at least one student with the potential of an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist will appear.

Originally, Li Yueshan thought that the young man brought by Tai Rubai was highly likely to have the potential of a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist.

A Seventh-Grade Martial Artist could be a significant ally for the Li Family, but he abandoned this idea now.

Lin Chen was a bit puzzled. He could guess that Elder Li’s guidance was not only to repay a favor to the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall but also to foster a relationship so that, in the future when he grew strong, he could protect the Li Family.

”Your future will surpass mine. Just remember this favor; you needn’t have too much involvement with my descendants.”

Seeing Lin Chen’s confusion, Li Yueshan didn’t conceal his thoughts and said stroking his beard: ”If your potential were only Seventh or Sixth Grade, knowing my descendants would be mutually beneficial. Though my son may not be competent, I have accumulated a fair share of connections over the years, which might help you in the future.”

”But considering your steadfast Martial Path and undeniable talent, your achievements will exceed mine. Being too close to my family might not benefit us, especially given my inept son, who might squander this favor early on.”

Lin Chen suddenly understood the deeper meaning behind Elder Li’s words.

A favor!

Used once, it’s diminished.

Especially as the other party’s status and strength increase, this favor becomes even more precious and can be used less frequently.

Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall had talented students before, but they never brought them to the Li Mansion because they knew such a favor could only be used once.

If he becomes Ninth or Eighth Grade in the future, with today’s guidance from Elder Li, should the Li Family face any issues and come to him for assistance, he would naturally not refuse.

This favor mainly serves to strengthen ties between himself and the Li Family. As both families’ power and status are on par, the Lin and Li Families could evolve into lifelong allies if both sides are willing.

This requires both sides to leverage this favor to continuously engage and promote their mutual relationship.

However, if I walk further and rise higher, this debt of guidance from Elder Lord Li, this favor from the Li Family, can only be used once.

A favor from a strong person is extremely valuable.

Elder Lord Li refrains from letting his son and that granddaughter of his interact with me. Once Elder Lord Li passes, his son might feel awkward seeking me out easily.

After all, my experience at the Li Mansion wasn’t pleasant.

Typically difficult matters, the Li Family would solve on their own.

Thus, this favor can be preserved, and as my strength and status rise, this favor also becomes more valuable.

Elder Lord Li gambles on my future, intending to keep this favor, giving me enough time to grow, unless the Li Family faces a life-or-death crisis, or like today when the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall took me to the Li Mansion, one day the Li Family descendants also produce a genius and then use this favor.

Scheming?

Wise?

Lin Chen’s opinion of Elder Lord Li hasn’t worsened, as he laid everything on the table.

Merely an old man worrying about his family’s descendants.

”Elder’s care for the family’s future generations is admirable to the younger generation.”

As Lin Chen said this, Li Yueshan’s smile grew wider, indicating that Lin Chen understood his point.

From Tai Rubai, he already knew about Lin Chen’s family background and martial arts experience. As a fisherman’s son, having such wisdom is commendable.

It’s no wonder the pen’s edge is so sharp, yet at the end, he can keep the edge concealed.

”Lord Li, aren’t you favoring me too much? I’m still just at Opening the Acupoints, how can I compare with Elder Lord Li?”

Li Yueshan smiled slightly: ”I have a keen eye for people. You have this kind of potential, and on the extreme martial arts path, you have already succeeded half way.”

The extreme martial arts path, even Li Yueshan dares not let his descendants walk this path.

With his connections and resources, his descendants could have enough resources for Opening the Acupoints and Refining the Viscera, but after Entering the Grade...?

The extreme martial arts path makes every realm much more difficult than for ordinary martial artists.

Only those with great confidence in themselves dare walk this path.

”Bai mentioned to me that Raozhou Prefecture’s Military Affairs Department has a talent adjustment policy. I can guide you in martial arts, but I won’t give you too much help in cultivation resources.”

Li Yueshan smiled as he looked at Lin Chen: ”Do you know why?”

”Lord Li’s guidance is already extraordinarily generous to me, how could I dare to expect more.”

Lin Chen spoke sincerely; Elder Lord Li’s Qi Blood is already declining, and to arouse the Martial Path Will to help him grasp the true meaning of Iron Bone Technique, the price paid must not have been small.

”The reason I don’t give you resources is precisely because I’ve made this decision after understanding your family background. You’ve taken the path of the Military Affairs Department system, so continue on this path without getting involved too much with certain aristocratic families.”

Li Yueshan’s old eyes sparkled, seeing the thoughtful look on Lin Chen’s face, he continued: ”In the realm of Liang, no matter if from noble families or low-class families, they all take the path of the Military Affairs Department, but there are subtle differences among them, and for the Imperial Court, a low-class disciple like you means a clean reputation.”

Lin Chen was taken aback, as he didn’t expect Elder Lord Li to speak so directly.

So, is it that the officials at the Imperial Court are cautious of the aristocratic family descendants?

”People’s hearts tend to change. At the founding of Liang, the ruler and the people were united, but now that martial arts flourish in Liang, there are always some with other thoughts. Take me, for example, I now consider the future of the Li Family, and the aristocratic families do so even more.”

”The Military Affairs Department doesn’t lack cultivation resources. Even if they did, there’s the Military Affairs Hall above, and further up, the Military Affairs Department. In Liang, we have a complete training system for students, as long as you can pass the assessments, you can rise step by step.”

”Thank you for your guidance, Lord Li. I will keep it in my heart,” Lin Chen earnestly replied, simultaneously picking up the teapot and pouring another cup of tea for Li Yueshan.

”With your intelligence, you understand with a single clue, so I won’t elaborate further.”

Li Yueshan took a sip of tea: ”The Iron Bone Technique is a horizontal cultivation method, but its power far exceeds an ordinary Grade-Entering Technique. Do not think that once you’ve perfected it, you can neglect it. You must continue to cultivate it, and once you enter the grade, you will realize the true power of the Iron Bone Technique.”

”Lord Li, do you mean...?”

”The Iron Bone Technique is actually a horizontal training method for Grade-Entering Martial Artists and belongs to a middle-grade martial arts technique. According to Liang’s classification of martial arts techniques, these are divided into three levels: Grade-Entering Technique, Middle-Grade Technique, and Upper-Grade Technique.”

”A Grade-Entering Technique can be cultivated by martial artists at Opening the Acupoints, while a Middle-Grade Technique can only be cultivated by Grade-Entering Martial Artists. However, the reason the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall teaches you the Iron Bone Technique is because it is divided into two volumes. The upper volume is at the grade-entering level, while the lower volume is at the middle-grade level.”

”The lower volume of the Iron Bone Technique is called the ’Mountain Suppressing Chart.’

Lin Chen was astonished, realizing that the origin of the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall’s name comes from the lower volume of the Iron Bone Technique.

”Even the past Hall Masters of the Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall don’t know this, and among all the students throughout its history, those who can cultivate the Iron Bone Technique to perfection are rarer than the number of Entering Grade students.”

”Senior, where can the lower volume of the Iron Bone Technique be found?”

”Huizhou Prefecture, Huang Mountain!”