Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 111: The Threshold of a Noble Family

Raozhou Prefecture is adjacent to Quzhou Prefecture to the east.

Poyang County is located on the north side of Raozhou Prefecture.

The two horses left from the gate of Poyang County, raising a cloud of yellow sand, and soon disappeared deep into the official road.

It would take two days to travel from Poyang County to Quzhou Prefecture even if one rode at full speed day and night.

Lin Chen rode his horse behind Master Tai, galloping all the way.

This was his first time traveling far away. He saw many caravans along the official road. These caravans were guarded by warriors, and they looked wary when they saw the two men.

"Master Tai, does the caravan need warriors to escort it?"

Seeing several caravans being guarded by warriors in a row, Lin Chen became curious, because according to what Lord Su and Lord He said, martial arts were flourishing in Daliang, so logically there shouldn't be many bandits and robbers.

Tai Rubai smiled and said, "With warriors guarding, naturally no one would intercept the goods. If there were no warriors, the caravan would be so conspicuous that there might be warriors with evil intentions."

Lin Chen understood. Raozhou Prefecture should not have any major bandit problems, but there were many warriors. If an adult walked on the street with a piece of gold, no one would rob it. But if it was a child, the pedestrians on the street who had originally been indifferent would probably be tempted.

For businessmen, there is no need to take this risk.

"If the caravan did not hire warriors and encountered robbers, as long as no one was killed, the government would generally not investigate too much."

Tai Rubai made a comment and Lin Chen's eyes widened. He understood Master Tai's subtext.

This is a collusion between officials and bandits...

No, it can't be considered collusion between officials and bandits. It can only be said that it creates a way for warriors to make money, and everyone knows it tacitly.

Not every warrior can get a job in the government. If they spend a generation's savings learning martial arts, they may not even be able to find a job in the end. Although these warriors are not very strong, they are still powerful to ordinary people.

At that time, these warriors will inevitably become unstable factors.

Caravans had to hire warriors for protection, which gave the warriors a way to make a living.

Lin Chen even guessed in his mind that some warriors worked as guards during the day, and then turned their heads to work as robbers at night, specifically robbing caravans that did not hire warriors as guards.

It's not necessarily because of greed for goods, but to keep the bodyguard job going.

This is almost the same principle as keeping an enemy to protect oneself.

In Poyang County, many warriors from the caravans would stop and salute Tai Rubai when they saw him. Lin Chen glanced at the figures of these warriors and knew that they were disciples from Zhenyue Martial Arts School.

The disciples of Zhenyue Martial Arts School, known as the most popular martial arts school for bodyguards, are indeed not as famous as they seem.

However, after leaving the territory of Poyang County, the caravan became more wary of the two men. Most of the warriors who were protecting the caravan were not from Poyang County and did not know Tai Rubai.

Have a safe journey.

Later on, looking at the same repetitive scenery, Lin Chen lost interest in it and just continued on his way in silence.

Two days later, the dusty Lin Chen and Tai Rubai appeared in front of the city gate of Quzhou Prefecture.

The city gate of Quzhou Prefecture stands majestically, like an insurmountable pass.

The huge city gates had sixteen openings, and there was a constant stream of traffic. Several lines of people were snaking out, stretching for a mile.

Tai Rubai took Lin Chen and walked directly along the middle road, which was also the road with the least people queuing.

A channel exclusively for warriors.

Only awakened warriors can pass through.

"This is Daliang's preferential treatment for warriors like us. Quzhou Prefecture is like this, and our Raozhou Prefecture is the same. But if you bring a caravan, you can't take this road."

Tai Rubai explained to Lin Chen and turned a blind eye to the envious looks from the people waiting in line in other passages on both sides. He had seen such looks many times.

The two entered the city, and Tai Rubai said with a smile: "Go take a bath first, change into clean clothes, and then go to the Li Mansion to ask to see Lord Li."

"Bath?"

So you are exhausted from the journey, why not have a spa treatment?

Is he going to experience the customs of this world?
But soon Lin Chen realized that he was overthinking. Master Tai took him to an inn and booked two rooms.

Lin Chen smiled, thinking about it, even if Master Tai came to Quzhou Prefecture in the past and would find a program to relieve his fatigue, he would never bring himself with him.

After all, he is the owner of the museum, so he still needs to pay attention to his image in front of his student.

The inn waiter boiled some hot water for Lin Chen, and he took a hot bath to get rid of his fatigue. He walked out of the room feeling refreshed, and Tai Rubai was already waiting in the front yard.

"The Li Mansion is some distance from here, let's go."

……

……

Li Mansion in Quzhou.

As the Li Mansion is home to a sixth-rank expert, the mansion is extremely magnificent.

Even the doorman is an enlightened warrior.

Tai Rubai reported his identity and was led by the doorman to a side hall to wait.

"Don't be nervous. Lord Li is a kind person, especially when it comes to the younger generation. When you see Lord Li later, you can answer the question truthfully."

The main hall of the Li Mansion.

Li Shunan frowned slightly as he listened to the doorman's report.

He knew about Zhenyue Martial Arts School. When his father was young, he practiced Henglian Kung Fu. Hearing that the Henglian Kung Fu of Zhenyue Martial Arts School in Poyang County was unique, he went there to study.

After staying in Zhenyue Martial Arts School for a year, my father returned to Quzhou. However, because of the close relationship with Zhenyue Martial Arts School, whenever the master Tai of Zhenyue Martial Arts School came to visit at the end of the year in previous years, my father would personally receive him.

"My father is out visiting friends today. He will stay at the farm downstairs. Please arrange for them to stay at the mansion first. I will leave now."

Li An thought about it and realized that the owner of Zhenyue Martial Arts School had only been practicing internal skills for so many years and had not yet broken through to the entry level. He was not worthy of meeting him.

Just because my father has a relationship with Zhenyue Martial Arts School doesn’t mean the Li family also has a relationship with it.

The people from Zhenyue Martial Arts School are also ignorant. Over the years, they have only visited my father. Apart from coming to give gifts on my father's birthday, no one has ever come to give gifts to congratulate him on any other happy events of the Li family.

"Dad, are there guests at home?"

Just as Li An was making arrangements, a young girl walked in.

"How did Qi'er know?"

"When I just returned home, I saw someone in the side hall."

"Guests from Poyang County."

"Poyang County, is it in Raozhou Prefecture? Do we have relatives in Poyang County?" Li Qi asked curiously.

"They are not relatives of our Li family. They are the owner of the martial arts school. Your grandfather studied at the martial arts school in Poyang County for a period of time. They are here to visit your grandfather. However, your grandfather is out visiting friends today and will probably be back very late. Let them stay at your house for one night and let your grandfather know tomorrow."

"Is that so?" Li Qi was a little curious: "I saw a boy about my age, he should be a student of the martial arts school. Why did the owner of the martial arts school bring this boy here?" "Either he is a descendant who wants to show off in front of your grandfather, or he is a student of the martial arts school and should have good martial arts talent, so he was brought here for your grandfather to meet."

Li An smiled slightly. He had nothing to hide from his daughter. After learning from the doorman that Master Tai had brought a young man with him, he could already guess what was going on.

This is also the reason why he does not plan to meet her. He will wait until his father comes back. If his father gives him any reward, the relationship will end there.

"I don't care about these things, Dad. I have invited a few good friends to visit my house today."

"Okay, I'll notify the kitchen and prepare a colorful feather chicken for you."

……

……

"That person just now should be Mr. Li's granddaughter."

In the side hall of the gatehouse, Tai Rubai looked at the girl who just jumped in. After the girl left, he whispered to Lin Chen.

"Master Tai, have you never seen the descendants of Lord Li?"

Lin Chen was a little surprised. Master Tai had said on the way here that he would visit Lord Li at the Li Mansion every year at the end of the year. After coming here for so many years, he should have met Lord Li's family.

"Lord Li has a close relationship with Zhenyue Martial Arts School. I came to the Li Mansion because I am the owner of Zhenyue Martial Arts School, and I represent the close relationship between Zhenyue Martial Arts School and Lord Li. If I go to meet Lord Li's descendants and make friends with them, it would be like using the close relationship between the martial arts school and Lord Li to build my own network."

Tai Rubai looked at Lin Chen deeply. This relationship has been maintained by four generations of masters of Zhenyue Martial Arts School, and no master has ever used this relationship to seek personal gain.

"Except for Lord Li's birthday, my Zhenyue Martial Arts School never participates in other happy events of the Li family."

"Over the years, Lord Li has received me precisely for this reason. This favor can only be used once."

After hearing what Master Tai said, Lin Chen understood.

What is Lord Li's identity? He is a sixth-rank martial arts expert. If he had been an official in the court, he would be one level higher than the director of the Military Administration Department.

Favors from such an important figure are extremely valuable, but there is only one chance.

Moreover, if Master Tai and the previous masters had selfish motives, I am afraid that Lord Li would have cut off this relationship long ago.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master."

Lin Chen was sincerely grateful. It was such a precious opportunity, but Master Tai used this favor on himself. His love for him was no less than that for Jingshui Martial Arts School.

"Your talent in martial arts is worth using this favor. The martial arts school has produced promising students in the past. Take your junior brother Gu for example. He is the most promising one in the martial arts school in the past five years, but he is still a little short."

Such a precious favor, although Tai Rubai is the owner of the museum, the decision cannot be made by one person.

After leaving the Wuzheng Institute, he met the old owner, who was also his master, and also met several seniors in the martial arts school. Everyone agreed to use this favor for Lin Chen, so he brought Lin Chen to Quzhou Prefecture to meet Lord Li.

Lin Chen and Tai Rubai didn't chat for too long. This was the side hall of the gatehouse, and there were many people around, so it was not convenient to say more.

Soon, footsteps were heard, and the doorman came back, followed by a steward.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. The master is out visiting friends today and is not at home. I will arrange for you to stay at home first. I have sent someone to pass a message to the master. I will inform you when he comes back."

When Tai Rubai heard the doorman's words, he knew that Lord Li was not at home today, and the eldest son of the Li family should be in charge.

In the past, if Lord Li was not at home, he would not stay at the Li Mansion. He would find an inn outside to stay for one night and come to visit again tomorrow.

However, this time he brought Lin Chen to ask Lord Li for advice. When Lord Li received the letter, he wanted to see Lin Chen as soon as possible. He couldn't let Lord Li wait at home.

"Please take care of your business."

The Li Mansion was very large. Lin Chen followed the steward through several courtyards and corridors, and finally arrived at a quiet little courtyard.

The two courtyards are not big, but they have everything they need.

Lin Chen looked at the weapon rack in the corner of the courtyard, which was filled with a variety of weapons including swords, spears, swords and halberds.

The guests who can stay at the Li family are basically warriors, and this yard is like a small training ground.

Master Tai lived next door. Lin Chen entered his yard, walked around, and then came to the yard.

Even when he was away from home, he didn't plan to stop practicing.

It is not convenient to practice the Iron Bone Skill, but my Water Cloud Palm is not yet perfect, so I can continue practicing it.

The Water Cloud Palm was like a raging sea, and the sound of the waves lingered in the yard. Tai Rubai in the next yard listened to the noise with a look of satisfaction on his face.

It's rare to be so successful at such a young age and still be so hardworking!

Tai Rubai did not stay in the yard. He walked out of the yard and wanted to say hello to Lin Chen, but when he thought that Lin Chen was practicing, he gave up.

He also has several old friends in Quzhou Prefecture, and it is still early today, so he can go out and visit them.

After giving a few instructions to the servant at the door, he walked towards the entrance of Li's mansion.

……

……

"Sister Wang, you can stay in this yard today. It's quiet here. I'll call you later."

In the guest room area, Li Qi brought a woman and, under the guidance of a servant, walked into the courtyard next door where Lin Chen was.

However, as soon as they entered the yard, they heard noises coming from next door. Li Qi frowned and asked, "Are there guests next door?"

"It was arranged by Deacon Zhang. It is said that the guests are from Poyang County."

After hearing the servant's answer, Li Qi remembered what her father had said before and knew who was living there.

"Go knock on the door and tell them not to make any noise once you enter the Li residence."

Li Qi didn't care about someone who couldn't even see his father.

"Sister Qi, that's not necessary. Just change the courtyard for me." The woman next to her tried to dissuade him with a smile.

"Sister Wang, there are daffodils planted in this yard. Sister Wang, you like daffodils the most. I picked this yard especially for you."

When the woman saw the daffodils planted in the flowerbed in the yard, she finally stopped objecting.

The courtyard next door.

Hearing the knock on the door, Lin Chen stopped practicing, but before he could respond, the gate was pushed open.

"Guest, no noise is allowed in the Li residence, and you'd better not practice martial arts."

Hearing the servant's words, Lin Chen was stunned. If cultivation is not allowed in the Li Mansion, then what are the purposes of these weapon racks in the yard? Are they just for show?

"Thanks for the reminder, I understand."

But Lin Chen still nodded and agreed. He was the guest, and since the host had this rule, he had to abide by it.

Even though this servant's behavior is very rude.

As a third-rank official serving the prime minister, the servants in Li's mansion probably didn't think much of their guest from the county town.

(End of this chapter)