Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 174: Chapter 45: Jiang Family’s Past, Calligraphy Bestowed by the County Magistrate

With Zhao Kang leading the way, Fei Hong and the others at the table also raised their glasses to Lin Chen. It’s not that they didn’t know etiquette or didn’t toast the two lords first, but rather they knew they weren’t qualified to toast them yet.

In the whole venue, only Senior Brother Lin had that qualification.

After Fei Hong and the others had finished toasting, Fu Ang and those from the other two tables also followed suit.

Lin Chen glanced at the eager junior brothers and felt a bit overwhelmed. If he drank a glass with each of them, no matter how good his alcohol tolerance was, he would be slightly tipsy.

Martial artists have vigorous Qi Blood, and their alcohol tolerance is indeed much higher than ordinary people.

But precisely because of this, the alcohol that ordinary people drink feels as weak as water to martial artists, so businesses have brewed strong liquor specifically for them.

What Lu Pavilion provides is exactly this kind of strong liquor.

”I’ve felt the goodwill of you junior brothers already, there’s no need to toast me one by one. On the first day I stepped into the Martial Arts Hall, I once set a goal for myself: before Entering the Grade, I must persist in training daily. I didn’t have the chance to train during the day, only the night is left, and if I keep drinking, I’m afraid I won’t be able to train tonight.”

”I’ve persisted for half a year, and you junior brothers surely don’t want my perseverance to end here.”

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s words, the other trainees at the scene ceased to come forward to toast, and their respect for Senior Brother Lin grew even more.

In half a year, Senior Brother Lin hadn’t missed a day of training. When they thought of themselves, after breaking through the acupoints a few times, they would find three or five senior brothers to drink and celebrate until they were drunk.

Compared to Senior Brother Lin, they felt truly ashamed.

”Indeed, not only does Poyang County have a genius, but also an exemplar. Lin Chen is very good.”

At the main table, listening to Lin Chen’s words, an elder looked satisfied. The elder was an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist, who once served as the County Magistrate of a large outer mansion. It was only after his Qi Blood weakened that he retired and returned to his hometown in Poyang County.

”What Senior Brother Xu said is correct—a genius can motivate a group of youngsters, but can also discourage some. However, a genius like Lin Chen is a blessing for the Martial Path of Poyang County.”

Another elder also spoke up: ”Although I’m old, there are a few of my disciples who are now serving in the Jiangnan Dao Martial Affairs Hall. Since Lord Su has made Lin Chen the exemplar martial artist of Poyang County, this should be reported to the Martial Affairs Hall.”

Su Lingchuan felt a joy in his heart upon hearing these words. Although Lord Zhang himself hadn’t reached a high realm, during his term as the Director of the Martial Affairs Office, several talented young people emerged under his jurisdiction. One of them held an important position in the Martial Affairs Hall.

Many hands make light work.

No matter if that person acknowledges the gratitude of when Lord Xu was the Director of the Martial Affairs Office, if the mentor reports to the Martial Affairs Hall, and if the Martial Affairs Hall deliberates, with Lord Xu writing a letter, they might also say a few good words.

Being the model student of Jiangnan Dao isn’t just a simple commendation; it involves a shift in the Martial Affairs Hall’s allocation of training resources, which will undoubtedly meet with opposition from other mansions.

”Lin Chen!”

He Ruyun beckoned to Lin Chen, and Lin Chen got up and walked over.

”Let me introduce you; this is Lord Xu, and this is Lord Zhang. Both lords are very concerned about the Martial Path of Poyang County and think highly of you.”

”This junior thanks the lords for their kindness.”

Lin Chen didn’t humbly say he couldn’t bear such importance at this moment, as that would be too hypocritical.

”Young talent, are you engaged?” Lord Xu looked at Lin Chen and asked with a smile.

”This junior focuses solely on martial arts and dares not consider marriage matters before Entering the Grade.”

Lord Zhang, hearing Lin Chen’s response, didn’t continue on this topic and, after encouraging Lin Chen a few more words, fell silent.

As the banquet ended, the sky had already darkened.

That night, Lin Chen thought about it and decided to go directly to the Martial Arts Garden.

The dormitory courtyards of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall and Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall were too small, not suitable for his martial practice, especially since he had just acquired the Snake Shadow Bow and wanted to test its power. The courtyard of the Martial Arts Garden was more appropriate.

What Lin Chen didn’t expect was that just after explaining his whereabouts to Hall Master Zeng and Hall Master Tai and before taking a few steps, a figure walked towards him.

”Zhao... Hall Master Zhao.”

Seeing Hall Master Zhao of the Gale Martial Arts Hall coming out from the corner, Lin Chen was a bit puzzled, as Zhao appeared to be waiting specifically for him.

”Lin Chen, I’ve been waiting for you specially.”

Zhao Qifeng smiled at Lin Chen. Ever since the county competition when Lin Chen showed the Perfection in Iron Bone Skill, Zhao had been extremely frustrated and instantly realized that Tai Rubai had dug a pit for him.

If he hadn’t vowed to Tai Rubai that even if Lin Chen learned the Gale Leg, Gale Martial Arts Hall wouldn’t recruit him, he could have just waited for Lin to come to Gale Martial Arts Hall.

But after Tai Rubai set him up, he could imagine that Tai would definitely inform Lord Su of his words then.

At that time, Gale Martial Arts Hall would still have to teach Lin Chen the Gale Leg.

Since Lin Chen practiced Water Cloud Palm perfectly as a disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, and Iron Bone Skill as a disciple of Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, it made sense. But if he practiced Gale Leg perfectly and wasn’t a disciple of Gale Martial Arts Hall, the old hall masters would criticize him harshly.

As for achieving Perfection in Clear Wind Palm and not being a Clear Wind Martial Arts Hall disciple, well, that was Clear Wind’s own fault.

To remove the bell, one needs to tie the bell. Zhao could only privately talk to Lin Chen before Tai Rubai approached Lord Su for a resolution to occur.

As long as Lin Chen agreed to join Gale Martial Arts Hall, Lord Su certainly wouldn’t object, and as for Tai Rubai, let him bark away.

”Hall Master Zhao specifically waiting for this junior?”

Lin Chen was a bit surprised, as he was indeed planning to learn Gale Leg next. Logically, he should’ve gone to Gale Martial Arts Hall himself, so why was Hall Master Zhao so proactive?

”Lin Chen, I...”

”Ahem, ahem. I was wondering where Junior Brother Zhao went. Turns out you’re here. Junior Brother Zhao just left the banquet saying he’d just relieve himself and return. How did you end up here?”

Under the night sky, Tai Rubai’s figure came walking from not far away, and Zhao Qifeng’s expression immediately darkened.

”It’s getting late. Lin Chen, you should head back early.”

Seeing Hall Master Zhao’s darkened face and Hall Master Tai’s teasing look, Lin Chen guessed something was up between the two Hall Masters.

But since Hall Master Tai had already taken him to Lord Li, he wouldn’t harm him. Now, urging him to leave was likely more beneficial to him.

”Disciple takes leave.”

Zhao Qifeng watched Lin Chen leave, trying to speak several times, but was interrupted by Tai Rubai’s coughing.

He also realized that to make Lin Chen a disciple of Gale Martial Arts Hall, he might have to pay a hefty price this time.

Damn Tai Rubai.

Then let’s drink!

This time he intended to show Tai Rubai who was truly the Number-One Drinking God of the Eight Great Martial Arts Halls in Poyang County.