Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Liang’s Capital City!

This is Lin Chen’s first visit to the Capital City.

The city walls, built with bluish-grey basalt, stretch for dozens of miles. The surface of the bricks is covered with marks from blades and swords, along with scorched black fire marks, silently narrating the battles that have taken place here.

The watchtowers on the wall stand like spines on the back of a giant beast, and the cold iron crossbows for defending the city glint with cold light in the morning sun, with crossbow arrows as thick as a grown man’s arm.

The only difference from Lin Chen’s imagination is that the Capital City does not have a moat.

”Senior Brother Lin, does the Capital City differ from what you imagined?” Kong Qing stood beside Lin Chen, smiling as he asked.

After returning to Lingxiao City from the Yan Kingdom, the disciples of various martial arts academies returned to their respective academies. The disciples of the Canglan Martial Arts Academy also returned under the guidance of Vice Director Chen Shan.

However, Lin Chen was stopped by Hou Zhantian. There were people in the capital who wanted to see him, so he needed to visit the Capital City. Hence, Lin Chen accompanied the disciples from the Qingyun Martial Arts Academy and the Kyoto Martial Arts Academy to the Capital City.

”In terms of prosperity, it seems not as grand as Lingxiao City, but it carries more depth and foundation.”

Lin Chen answered honestly. Lingxiao City seemed very prosperous to him, whether it was the city gates or the high-rise buildings seen from afar, all appeared extremely magnificent and grand. In comparison, the Capital City, apart from its majestic city gates, did not have buildings taller than the city walls.

”Your judgment is very accurate, Senior Brother Lin. Lingxiao City is the first city of Liang in terms of prosperity due to its seaside location, attracting martial artists and trade from the Nine Kingdoms. However, the Capital City, because of its location, cannot compare to Lingxiao City in this aspect. Lingxiao City was gradually built up with prosperity during the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s reign, making its depth indeed a bit lacking compared to the Capital City.”

”The Capital City has been the capital of six dynasties, including our Liang, making it seven dynasties altogether.”

”As for high-rise buildings... there are only two buildings in the entire Capital City that exceed the city walls. One is a watchtower within the military camp in the city, and the other is the Military Affairs Department.”

Walking alongside, Kong Qing introduced the situation of the Capital City to Lin Chen: ”Years ago, the Grand Ancestor Emperor dismantled some high-rise buildings left by the previous dynasty, which were built to showcase the royal family’s prestige, leaving only these two. The purpose of the watchtower is self-evident, and the Military Affairs Department surpassing the city wall was the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s way of highlighting the department’s status.”

”The Military Affairs Department governs the Martial Path of the entire domain, nurturing Liang’s young martial talents. Its importance far surpasses the royal family and the imperial court and can be equated with defending the territory.”

Lin Chen nodded, understanding the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s intention.

A watchtower represents the safety of Liang, linking the importance of the Military Affairs Department with the country’s foundation. This prevents any unworthy descendants or individuals from altering national policies after his reign.

As long as these two buildings are the only ones taller than the city wall in the Capital City, no one dares to act otherwise, because it would be universally opposed.

The citizens of the Capital City see these two buildings daily. Such constant exposure ingrains the importance of the Military Affairs Department deeply into their hearts. Those from outside the Capital City, whether martial artists or civilians, will naturally learn of this importance if they visit, through the impressions of the local citizens or martial artists.

The Grand Ancestor Emperor used this method, letting all of Liang’s martial artists and citizens recognize the significance of the Military Affairs Department, which is indeed a stroke of genius.

Lin Chen admired the Grand Ancestor Emperor more and more now. This was an emperor who surpassed any founding monarch on this land before.

”The Grand Ancestor Emperor came from the Flame Dynasty and knew that compared to the Flame Dynasty, the Nine Kingdoms were merely a small island, so he never harbored the idea of a family dominion.”

Thinking of the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s background, Lin Chen could understand why he was different from other founding emperors. Other founding emperors throughout history, including those of other kingdoms, regarded the Nine Kingdoms as the entire world, with their vision confined to this area. Hence, they focused on establishing family dominions to preserve their family’s rule.

Quickly, after entering the city.

Lin Chen parted ways with Kong Qing and the others.

”Senior Brother Lin, you must visit me at Qingyun Martial Arts Academy and let me show a little hospitality as a host.”

”Alright.”

Watching Kong Qing return to the Kyoto Martial Arts Academy, and Zhang Ming from Qingyun Martial Arts Academy also bidding farewell to Lin Chen, the senior brothers from both academies warmly invited Lin Chen to visit their academies as a guest.

After the ranking competition in the Yan Kingdom, Lin Chen had firmly established himself as the top of the Hidden Dragon List and the Celestial List. These people no longer regarded him merely as a rising star.

Furthermore, during the battle at Jiefeng Valley, if not for Lin Chen’s initial archery, killing many disciples of the Zheng Kingdom, the sacrifices among their disciples would have been greater.

After saying goodbye to the disciples of the two academies, Lin Chen declined the offer of being escorted by the vice directors of Qingyun and Kyoto Martial Arts Academies, deciding to go to the Military Affairs Department by himself.

The Military Affairs Department is located between the two academies, separated by just one street. As the tallest building in the Capital City, he could even find it without asking for directions.

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As he walked, Lin Chen admired the unique features of the streets in the Capital City, his mind unusually relaxed.

Walking around in the Capital City, he need not worry about his own safety.

After a while, Lin Chen’s attention was drawn by a noisy sound ahead. Not far down the street, many people had gathered in front of a shop. Curious, Lin Chen walked over, glancing first at the name of the shop.

Dai Family Apothecary.

”My brother became like this after taking a pill from your shop. Your Dai Family Apothecary must give an explanation.”

”Impossible, our Dai Family Apothecary has been operating in the Capital City for thirty years, and our pills have never had a problem.”

A young man stood in front of the shop, his face full of anger.

”Just because there were no problems before doesn’t mean there aren’t any now. Everyone knows that your Dai Family’s Fire-Dispersion Pill contains a primary ingredient from Half Moon Lotus, which only Zhao Kingdom has. Now that Zhao Kingdom has cut trade with our Liang, your Dai Family’s Fire-Dispersion Pill surely lacked this main ingredient, leading to my brother’s mishap.”

”Zhao Kingdom only recently ended trade with our Liang. We stocked up a lot of Half Moon Lotus early last year and are not lacking it, so stop the nonsense. If you don’t believe, I can take you to the Dai Family’s warehouse to check. If still unsatisfied, we can submit the pill for inspection by the government office.”

”You’ve planned this all along, producing a batch of good pills and a bad one. You don’t dare to sell the bad ones to martial artists with connections, but knowing my brother isn’t from the Capital City, you sell the bad ones to him.”

Dai Yuze was furious upon hearing this. Their apothecary’s pills have never been sub-standard; this person was clearly trying to tarnish their apothecary’s reputation.

Upstairs in the apothecary, behind a window facing the street, a young woman’s face was cold. Soon, a middle-aged man came in.

”Uncle Chen, how is the investigation?”

”Miss, these two are indeed not from the Capital City and bought a Fire-Dispersion Pill from the apothecary. After returning to the inn where they stayed, cries were heard soon afterwards according to the innkeeper. An inn waiter said when he rushed into the room, he found one person lying on the bed frothing at the mouth, while the other was calling for help.”

”Did this person indeed take the Fire-Dispersion Pill?”

”This point cannot be verified. The Fire-Dispersion Pill is meant to dispel fire toxins within a martial artist’s body. The man on the ground had bloodshot eyes, indicating he indeed had fire toxins. Is Miss suggesting the man did not take the pill?”

Dai Yuxi had a cold smile on her face: ”Our Dai Family’s Fire-Dispersion Pill has been sold in the Capital City for twenty years without any issue. Also, we’ve never sold sub-standard products. Last month, someone wanted to buy our apothecary, and this month there have been three similar incidents. How is it possible for such coincidences to occur in the world?”