Sword from the Immortal Mountain

Chapter 55: Asking about Chen Guiyang
(It's the author's fault. I wrote it too late last night, too hastily, and got off topic. The protagonist didn't leave without saying goodbye, so I made some changes. Please let me know. The setting of this side story is a long-term foreshadowing and can promote the development of the plot.)
With a creaky sound, the wooden door opened and Chen Jin walked out.

He did not come here on purpose to test the Hu father and daughter. There was no point or necessity for that.

It was simply because I had consumed a lot of energy last night and needed to rest, so I slept past the hour.

Seeing him come out, Mr. Hu stood solemnly with his hands hanging down, greeted him, and then winked at his daughter.

The girl opened her bright eyes, looked Chen Jin up and down, then bowed and called out, "Hello, teacher."

Chen Jin glanced at her and saw that her figure and temperament had undergone tremendous changes. Now she looked like a 15 or 16-year-old, innocent girl, with a pure and simple beauty that was not tainted by the dust.

He said immediately: "I didn't teach you anything. I am not your teacher."

The girl blinked and saluted again: "Hello, sir."

Chen Jin didn't bother to bother with the question of address, and asked directly: "Master, do you have anything to eat?"

When he got up, he was so hungry that he could eat a whole cow.

Mr. Hu said hurriedly: "Yes, yes, please wait a moment."

Get out quickly and order Brother Hu San and others to hurry up.

By the time Chen Jin finished washing up, plates of fine meals were ready and brought directly to the small hall in the villa.

Mr. Hu didn't know what Chen Jin's taste was, but he just asked the kitchen to prepare all the good ingredients at home and arrange them.

Chen Jin didn't hesitate and started to eat with relish.

So full plates go in and empty plates come out, like a revolving lantern.

Mr. Hu was not surprised by this. In his mind, he had long regarded Chen Jin as a hermit and a kind of immortal on earth.

How tall is a master?
How powerful are the gods?
Eat more, it's no big deal.

Mr. Hu once saw a strange man who was eating a whole cow at a table.

In comparison, Chen Jin is undoubtedly much more elegant.

During this time, the Hu father and daughter tactfully waited in the pavilion outside and did not go in to join them for dinner or anything.

Red tape is obviously inappropriate, and if you use too much of it, it will only create resentment.

About half an hour later, Chen Jin finally filled his stomach and invited Mr. Hu to come in for tea and chat.

It seems like the guest has taken over the host's position.

Mr. Hu didn't care about those things. He brought his daughter here today, intending to have her become his disciple, but from Chen Jin's tone, it seemed that he was not willing to formally accept him as a disciple.

There is nothing we can do about it. We dare not force it, and we must not pester her and ruin the relationship.

He had to go in alone and sit down in front of Chen Jin, feeling inexplicably restrained.

Chen Jin took a sip of tea leisurely and praised: "This tea is good."

Mr. Hu remembered it immediately and said, "Sir, you helped my daughter get rid of her wildness and return to normal. I am very grateful. If you have anything to say, just let me know."

Chen Jin nodded slightly: "I do have something to ask for your help."

"But it doesn't matter."

Mr. Hu immediately perked up.

The so-called interpersonal relationship can only be maintained if there is give and take. Otherwise, it will be like a flowing flower and will soon disappear into thin air.

Chen Jin asked, "You are well-spoken. I heard that you are from another place and live here. Is it the capital or a big prefecture? Is the surname Hu a fake one?"

Mr. Hu replied, "To be honest, our surname is Linghu, and we are from the Qingqiu clan. It is also an ancient clan tradition, so our bloodline is somewhat special. And this bloodline has always been passed down to females, not males. Now that it has fallen to my daughter, many troubles have arisen."

"Not all women are like this, right?" "Indeed, there are different levels of different types, it's hard to describe in a few words."

As it concerns racial bloodline tradition, it is a matter of utmost privacy, and Mr. Hu is obviously unwilling to elaborate on it.

Chen Jin said, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to find out your family's details, but I want to ask you something."

Mr. Hu hurriedly said, "Please ask, sir. Although I am not a learned man, I have traveled a lot and have some knowledge. I will tell you everything I know."

Chen Jin got straight to the point: "Is there a large Chen clan in Gaozhou County?"

Upon hearing this, Hu Yuanwai was startled, but quickly reacted: "Yes, its hall name is 'Changle', and it is one of the four major halls of the Chen family. It has a population of tens of thousands and is quite prosperous."

"Oh, which four?"

"Changle Hall, Xin'an Hall, Longchuan Hall, Yongxing Hall."

Mr. Hu answered honestly, feeling quite puzzled. As a person of an outsider, it felt strange for him to impart this knowledge to Chen Jin.

Could it be that the "Chen" in Chen Jin is also a fake surname?

When going out, especially for those who travel around the world, it is common to hide one's real name or report a false name. Especially for those who have committed crimes, a fake name can help them escape arrest and avoid a lot of trouble. As for portraits, they are too distorted and of little use.

However, does a person like Chen Jin also need a nickname?

Can't figure it out.

Chen Jin asked again: "Has the official ever dealt with the people from Changle Hall in Gaozhou County?"

Mr. Hu thought for a while and said, "There are some, but we are not close friends. There is another man named Chen, but I am not sure whether he belongs to Changle Hall."

In social relationships, when it comes to family genealogy, it is a more serious matter, and is often used only when making marriage plans or deepening friendships. It is not a matter of just saying hello and loudly declaring that you are from a certain family when introducing yourself.

Moreover, no matter what surname a family is, apart from the main family, there are too many side branches below it, just like the countless roots of a big tree.

It would be good if there is a family tree query, you can trace the origin and check it clearly.

However, some clans in small places have lost their family trees due to their age or accidents, or even do not exist at all. They have become drifting leaves, and no one can tell how their family came about.

For example, Chen Zexiang is like this. Although he has a family tree, it is only a small book that records the five generations of people in the village, and there is nothing above that.

The village head Chen Jiande kept talking about rebuilding the family tree.

However, in this dynasty, compiling a family tree was an extremely solemn matter, and it was not enough to just write down the names casually.

Various studies, various contacts, various approvals...

It costs an unknown amount to do it well.

Chen Zexiang does not have such human, material and financial resources.

Unless a great figure emerges from a family's ancestral grave, it would be possible for him to preside over and make this matter happen.

Chen Jin asked again, "Has the gentleman ever heard of a man named 'Chen Guiyang'? He should be a young man."

Mr. Hu shook his head: "No."

He thought about it carefully again: "Regarding the Chen family of Changle Hall, there are some outstanding young men. I have impressions of several of them. But I can be sure that there is no one named 'Chen Guiyang'. If they are playboys, there are too many of them, so it is hard to say. But if you want to find this person, I can send someone to help inquire."

Chen Jin was just waiting for this sentence: "Okay."

Mr. Hu was also very happy. He had the opportunity to do things for the other party, so the relationship between them was established.

No matter who that "Chen Guiyang" is, and there is no need to ask what the relationship between Chen Jin and Chen Guiyang is, as long as the person is found, it will be a achievement.

(End of this chapter)