Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 151: Chapter 36: The Old Village Chief Who Worries Himself Sick

Linhu Village!

”Remember, don’t cause trouble. The prefecture city is not like the county. In the county, Chen can still help a little, but in the prefecture city, there are many big figures. If trouble arises, don’t go looking for Chen.”

”Be frugal with money. Don’t stay in inns; find a common bed at a foot shop. If it costs more than ten cents, don’t stay.”

At this moment, the old village chief, Zhao Canghe, was instructing the three villagers in front of him.

The county competition was held in the prefecture city, and Zhao Canghe certainly couldn’t take the whole village to cheer for Lin Chen like last time.

Besides, even if everyone went, they still couldn’t see the match.

He had already inquired with the town chief. This time, the competition was held in the prefecture city and inside the Military Affairs Department, where outsiders absolutely can’t get in.

Hence, he arranged for three villagers to go to the prefecture city, just to wait outside the Military Affairs Department. Once the county competition results were out, they would return to the village immediately to report the news.

If Lin Chen could achieve a good ranking this time, not only should they offer sacrifices to their ancestors, but it would also be time to renovate the ancestral hall a bit.

”Village chief, don’t worry. We definitely won’t cause trouble.”

A young man assured him. He was selected by the village chief, not because he had a good relationship with Lin Chen, but, as the village chief said, he was in good health and could ride back to report the news quickly.

Originally, the healthiest person in the village was Gu Fei, but Gu Fei was busy cultivating his Essence Qi and couldn’t spare the time.

As for whether or not to arrange for someone from the Lin Family to go, Zhao Canghe also pondered this but ultimately decided not to arrange it.

Lin Chen’s parents were certainly not suitable for the long journey to the prefecture city. As for Lin Chen’s elder brother, Lin Liang, out of caution, it was better not to go.

People don’t seek trouble, but trouble might find them.

Better to be safe than sorry.

If Lin Liang went to the prefecture city and encountered some trouble, given the brotherly bond between Lin Chen and Lin Liang, Lin Chen would inevitably seek revenge for his brother, adding turmoil.

But the three men in front of him were not closely related to Lin Chen. If they genuinely encountered trouble, Lin Chen would also carefully consider how to respond, rather than acting impulsively.

For these thoughts in his mind, Zhao Canghe would never speak them aloud. To the three villagers in front of him, the fact that the village chief had arranged for them to go to the prefecture city was a sign of his high regard for them.

”Go on.”

With a wave of his hand, Zhao Canghe let the three villagers leave and took out a book from his pocket. The title was ”Thirty Words of Advice to Poor Martial Artists.”

This book was one of several that Zhao Canghe had commissioned a county bookseller to collect from various places a short time ago. He had a few similar books in his house.

The reason for buying these books was simple. It wasn’t easy for Lin Chen to come from Linhu Village.

The book in his hand mentioned a point: If a martial artist from a low-class family achieves some success, they must advise their family not to cause trouble.

The book stated that many martial artists from poor backgrounds, upon achieving success on the Martial Path, had families who became arrogant and, as a result, offended powerful clans. They were oppressed by those clans and ultimately faded into obscurity.

Zhao Canghe deeply agreed with this. He knew the temperament of Father Lin and Mrs. Lin—they were not the domineering kind. If anything, Mrs. Lin just enjoyed a bit of vanity and liked to have the wives in the village say some nice, flattering things.

After reading these books, Zhao Canghe sternly warned the villagers that no one from Linhu Village was allowed to use Lin Chen’s name to do anything.

Having lived for so many years, Zhao Canghe saw through many things. Although it seemed like Lin Chen hadn’t brought any tangible benefits to the village yet, in reality, the entire village was already basking in Lin Chen’s glory.

Everyone had relatives in other villages, especially the young wives, who mostly came from outside the village. With Lin Chen emerging from Linhu, when the villagers visited their mothers-in-law’s homes in other villages, they spoke with more confidence, and at the dinner table, talking about Lin Chen was inevitable.

Zhao Canghe wasn’t a rigid person who lacked human touch. It was perfectly natural for villagers to boast a little and drink their fill when visiting relatives outside the village because of Lin Chen.

But talking about Lin Family’s private matters or using Lin Chen’s name to gain benefits or commit to something was not allowed.

If anyone dared to do so, they shouldn’t blame him, the village chief, for not sparing their feelings and expelling them from Linhu Village.

It’s not easy for a child from a low-class family to rise; they cannot be ruined by their own family or neighbors.

Having reached such an age, Zhao Canghe couldn’t help Lin Chen in the Martial Path, but he could protect Lin Chen’s home so that Lin Chen could dedicate himself fully to the Martial Path without any worries.

”Village chief, two more pleasure boats have arrived on the lake today.”

Zhao Canghe, who was reading in his courtyard, frowned upon hearing a villager come in to report the news. Ever since Lin Chen won first place in the monthly competition, more pleasure boats had appeared on their village waters.

There were rumors outside that Linhu Village had good feng shui, and some people came to enjoy the scenery by boat. Zhao Canghe didn’t stop them, but some had ulterior motives.

Recently, quite a few girls from well-off families appeared in Linhu Village.

At first, he thought these girls came for Lin Chen, but after hearing reports from villagers, he realized things weren’t that simple.

Some were actually interested in Lin Chen’s brother, Lin Liang.

”Looks like I need to visit the Lin Family and settle Lin Liang’s marriage. Otherwise, some people might not give up.”

”Village chief, why have you come? Please come inside and sit.”

Father Lin, holding a hoe and ready to head to the field, saw the village chief walking toward their house. He quickly turned around and instructed Mrs. Lin, ”The village chief is here. Do we have any tea brewed?”

”There is something I need to discuss with you and your wife. Is Liang home?”

”Our village is near the lake, and there are many pleasure boats. Liang has gone to teach the sons and daughters of wealthy families how to fish. He can earn thirty cents a day.”