Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 268: Chapter 79: After Surveying Jiangnan Dao’s Three Thousand Martial Arts, One May Perceive the Foe’s Unmoved Intent (Bonus Chapter for the Alliance Leader)

Special Training Ground.

Lin Chen is undergoing a medicinal bath in the bamboo forest.

The medicinal liquid left by Senior Zhao had long been soaked through; the current liquid was concocted by Instructor Min and others.

Its effect was much inferior compared to Senior Zhao’s medicinal package, but Lin Chen did not mind. This medicinal liquid could not be bought even outside the Special Training Ground.

Of course, he also did not have the money to buy it.

While Lin Chen was soaking in the medicinal liquid, a carriage slowly entered the Special Training Ground.

Min Huanbo and five others personally greeted the arrival.

”Lord Jia.”

The Deputy Hall Chief of the Jiangnan Dao Martial Affairs Hall, overseeing the distribution of martial cultivation resources across Jiangnan Dao—not only in various prefectures but also in the Special Training Ground.

”I am not here to participate in the training at the Special Training Ground. My purpose here is solely Lin Chen; do whatever you usually do and do not mind me.”

”Then, let us take you to your quarters first, my lord.”

”Just take me directly to see Lin Chen.”

Jia Nanzhu declined, as he was here not for accommodations, but more importantly to meet this young man from a low-class family, Lin Chen.

”Lin Chen is in Senior Zhao’s bamboo forest undergoing a medicinal bath. I will take you there.”

Seeing that Lord Jia’s primary focus was Lin Chen, Min Huanbo and the others did not attempt to curry favor. Initially, they planned to gather the trainees to hear Lord Jia’s teachings to increase their motivation, but now this was out of the question.

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As the carriage approached the edge of the bamboo forest, Lin Chen heard the sound of its wheels and looked in the direction of the sound to see Instructor Min leading an elderly man with a distinct mustache, walking slowly toward him, with a carriage following them.

”Lin Chen, let me introduce you. This here is...”

”You can call me Instructor Jia. Do not get up, continue soaking,” the old man, Jia Nanzhu, interrupted Min Huanbo’s introduction with a chuckle, his elderly gaze increasingly satisfied upon looking at Lin Chen.

Even though the Qi Blood of the Opening Acupoints Realm is restrained, he has been focused on nurturing talent at the academy for years, and has gained some insights.

Qi Blood is restrained, but breathing and the eyes can convey much useful information.

Lin Chen’s eyes are lively, and his breathing is steady—this is a sign of momentum.

Seventeen acupoints opened, a sign of momentum; no wonder he has such achievements on Martial Arts Mountain.

”Disciple greets Lord Jia.”

Lin Chen would not treat him simply as an ordinary instructor; coming from the Martial Affairs Hall proves that he is not ordinary.

”Lin Chen, the assessment targets and rewards for trainees across Jiangnan Dao, including counties, are all set by Jia... Instructor Jia. This time, Instructor Jia came to the Special Training Ground to give you guidance on martial arts cultivation, providing you the opportunity to leave your name on Martial Arts Mountain.”

Since Lord Jia does not wish to reveal his identity, Min Huanbo uses a different expression. However, this suggestion leads Lin Chen to a misconception.

Isn’t this comparable to a provincial-level top-grade teacher in charge of setting exams? Maybe not a high-ranking official, but definitely an expert—at least in nurturing talent.

”Disciple thanks the Martial Affairs Hall for its care.”

Min Huanbo did not stay long; after introducing Jia Nanzhu’s identity, he left shortly thereafter.

”Continue soaking; the Special Training Ground may be open to providing martial resources, but they should not be wasted.”

Lin Chen felt a bit disrespectful lying in the big vat, intending to stand up, yet Jia Nanzhu raised a hand to stop him.

Letting Lin Chen continue soaking in the vat, Jia Nanzhu himself entered the bamboo house, glanced at various wooden carvings inside, selected one to examine for a long time, feeling quite satisfied.

Despite any shortcomings, Zhao Cangsheng indeed did profound research on martial artists’ Qi Blood.

Once Zhao Cangsheng emerged from the bamboo house, Lin Chen had finished soaking and stepped out of the vat.

”Done soaking? Then help me unload the books from the carriage.”

”Yes!”

Lin Chen agreed, opening the carriage only to be stunned—an entire carriage full of books.

This is a martial world, not a scholarly examination world; there exists no saying of being learned in five carts of books, leaving Lin Chen puzzled by Instructor Jia’s purpose of bringing so many books.

However, upon touching these books, Lin Chen realized they were indeed Secret Technique Manuals.

A carriage full of Secret Technique Manuals?

Ssss!

Lin Chen could not help but glance back at Instructor Jia, wondering if he had truly brought all the collection from the Martial Affairs Hall’s Library Pavilion?

Does the Martial Affairs Hall permit this?

”Move them all to your house; the yellow ones are Leg Techniques, the green ones are Body Techniques... remember not to mix the categories.”

Though Jia Nanzhu noticed Lin Chen’s astonishment, he did not explain. Years ago, he’d conceived an idea—not exactly to find a successor, but to emulate Zhao Cangsheng, verifying whether his envisioned method for nurturing talent was feasible.

The books in this carriage had been prepared for years.

When Lin Chen had moved all the books into the bamboo house, Jia Nanzhu smiled and said, ”How’s the Fear of Death Arrow practice going?”

Lin Chen hadn’t expected the first thing Instructor Jia would ask about was his archery skills; he thought the inquiry would be about Martial Arts Mountain.

”Disciple is dull-witted, the basics are not yet fully mastered.”

The Fear of Death Arrow is divided into a basic section and an advanced section. The basic section can’t be achieved just by having more Qi Blood; when it comes to archery, there truly are no shortcuts.

”The Mountain Suppressing Chart from the Huang Family hasn’t been delivered yet. Today, you should first look through the Secret Technique Manual on this paper slip, just observe the techniques, no need to practice.”

Jia Nanzhu handed Lin Chen a piece of paper with names of over twenty cultivation techniques.

”I will return tomorrow.”

Watching Instructor Jia leave, Lin Chen was puzzled. This Instructor Jia is quite odd; he didn’t ask about his situation at Martial Arts Mountain nor test his strength, but instead cared about his archery skills.

However, since the Military Affairs Hall arranged for this Instructor Jia to guide him, Instructor Jia must have exceptional abilities.

Returning to the bamboo house, Lin Chen began searching for the cultivation techniques listed on the piece of paper. Soon he found over twenty techniques and began studying them earnestly.

Flipping through books silently, Lin Chen soon immersed himself in the techniques outlined in the Secret Manual.

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”Lord Jia, do you mean to conduct special training for the other trainees?”

”Yes, Lin Chen will handle the archery. Those not hit will receive points.”

Upon hearing Lord Jia’s words, Min Huanbo and the other five exchanged glances; this wasn’t special training for the trainees, it was special training for Lin Chen!

”Alright, we will notify them right away.”

”Yes, starting tomorrow, let the trainees prepare.”

Jia Nanzhu estimated that for Lin Chen to finish reading these over twenty Secret Technique Manuals and memorize the techniques would take a day.

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...

The next day.

Lin Chen was momentarily stunned by Instructor Jia’s arrangement; letting him shoot arrows at other trainees for their special training?

It sounded more like special training for him, as if these junior disciples were going to be his practice targets.

”What, you don’t have confidence?”

”Instructor Jia, my archery is quite powerful; I’m afraid of injuring other trainees.”

His arrows could likely pierce through the bodies of fellow disciples easily. If they struck a limb, it was one thing, but if hitting the head, not even a deity could save them.

”All trainees will be equipped with armor on vital areas; no need to worry about these issues.”

”Disciple is willing to give it a try.”

Not causing serious harm, Lin Chen quickly agreed, his eyes showing eagerness to try.

Yesterday, he thought Instructor Jia wanted him to review so many cultivation techniques to help him internalize them.

Now it seemed he was mistaken.

Instructor Jia’s intention for him to understand these cultivation techniques was indeed for today’s special training.

Thinking about it, these junior disciples practiced the same techniques he reviewed yesterday. Understanding their techniques would enable him to anticipate their movements based on subtle changes in their posture, enhancing his archery through prediction.

”A true archer needs to predict an opponent’s movements. Learning the opponent’s Martial Arts Techniques allows you to sense the next move from slight changes in their body. Since you’ve chosen archery, you must achieve this skill.”

”Not only in archery, but in Martial Path battles, if you can predict the enemy’s moves, you’ll gain the upper hand, even if your realm is lower, you might still defeat a stronger foe.”

Jia Nanzhu looked at Lin Chen, not hiding the purpose of his arrangement.

It’s incredibly challenging to leave a name in Martial Arts Mountain.

All martial artists famous in Martial Arts Mountain possess remarkable talent. Not only is their individual strength formidable, they all have the ability to defeat stronger opponents with exceptional skills.

”Once there was an archery master whose arrows never missed. When he hadn’t yet released his arrow, no one dared move, and his mastery was formidable due to his ability to observe the slight sinking of an enemy’s shoulder to predict their upper body movements; observing the faint tremor of the enemy’s feet indicates changes in their lower body, thus anticipating every move.”

”Achieving this requires no shortcut, only through extensive reading of countless Martial Path books, understanding of various Martial Arts Techniques, and memorizing the subtle differences in techniques can you anticipate the enemy’s actions.”

”Your first task is to draw the bow twenty-nine times and hit the twenty-nine other trainees at the Special Training Ground.”

One arrow for each?

Lin Chen squinted his eyes; Instructor Jia truly held high expectations of him. If he were to ambush, it might be possible, but with the trainees forewarned, and after a few shots, they would certainly react; hitting them again would be far more difficult.

”What, lacking confidence?” Jia Nanzhu chuckled, ”This is just the simplest task.”

Provocation!

Lin Chen’s mouth curved into a smile, ”It’s not about lacking confidence, just worried about damaging the confidence of the junior disciples.”

Jia Nanzhu paused, then understood the meaning behind Lin Chen’s words.

”Better to face criticism now than lose life in future battles with the Demon Race or be humiliated during clashes with foreign martial artists. Being criticized by you, then striving forward out of shame, is far better.” Jia Nanzhu stroked his mustache with a smile, ”I’ll give you three days, if you succeed, I’ll reward you with a gift.”

PS: This Chapter is an additional one for Alliance Leader Yan Yici’s friend. Here’s to repaying one Chapter’s debt!