Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 126: The Past of the Jiang Family, the County Master Grants Characters (Subscription Request)

Two days later!
The county fights in ten counties ended.

This grand gathering of the new batch of martial arts students in Raozhou Prefecture came to an end.

The names of many people will begin to spread in martial arts schools in various counties from this competition.

Shen Ge from Qianshan County, Wang Hu from Wannian County... and the most talked about Lin Chen from Poyang County.

A fight between martial artists at the Awakening stage would not cause a stir among the martial artists in the entire Raozhou Prefecture, but some people still remembered these names.

Jiang Mansion!

There is a plaque with gold characters on a black background, with the words "Jiang Mansion" inscribed on it. The strokes are vigorous and powerful, and it shines brightly in the sunlight.

The mansion is magnificent, with stone lions on both sides of the gate more than one meter tall.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard on the quiet street, and finally stopped in front of the Jiang Mansion.

"The master is back!"

The gatekeeper, who came out to watch after hearing the sound of horse hooves, looked at the middle-aged man getting off the horse with an excited look on his face. He turned back and shouted towards the door, then quickly stepped forward and took the reins from the middle-aged man's hand.

The man had a tall and straight figure like a pine tree, a well-defined face, and deep, bright eyes. He dismounted his horse and walked into the mansion.

The backyard of the mansion.

Jiang Duanchao walked through the gate and went directly to the back garden of the mansion without going to the main lobby.

In the back garden, rockery, ponds, pavilions and towers are scattered around. At this moment, by the pond, a graceful woman is feeding the koi in the pond.

"My husband is back?"

"Madam, where is Qing'er? Didn't they say Qing'er is back from the martial arts academy?"

Jiang Duanchao didn't see his precious daughter and had a look of confusion on his face.

"Qing'er went to the martial arts academy early this morning. You're a step late this time."

Seeing the regret on her husband's face, Zhuang Min said angrily, "It seems that in your husband's eyes, there is only Qing'er. If Qing'er hadn't come back, your husband wouldn't want to return to this home."

"Madam, I don't mean that."

Hearing what his wife said, Jiang Duanchao immediately explained: "It is precisely because I miss you that I rushed back as soon as I finished my military duties."

"Really?"

"How could it be false?" Jiang Duanchao said with a smile.

"In that case, I will forgive you, my husband. I will ask the kitchen to make you a bowl of cistanche and tiger soup to help you relieve your fatigue along the way."

Jiang Duanchao paused, and facing his wife's mocking look, he had no choice but to agree.

"what is this?"

Jiang Duanchao looked at the rice paper on the table and asked, changing the subject.

"This was issued by the Military Affairs Department, and Qing'er brought it back. This time, the Military Affairs Department of Raozhou held a county competition, and it records the rankings of this year's students in the county competition."

"Really? Let me take a look."

Picking up the rice paper on the table, Jiang Duanchao glanced at it without any change in expression. To him, the fight between martial artists at the Awakening Realm was just a fight between children.

But when he saw one of the names, his pupils shrank.

This announcement document issued by the Military Affairs Department not only included the rankings of the counties in this county fight, but also the names of some students. Behind each student, the other party's martial arts school and hometown were recorded.

Jiang Duanchao's gaze fell on a young man named "Lin Chen".

Lin Chen: A student of Jingshui Martial Arts School and Zhenyue Martial Arts School in Poyang County, from Linhu Village.

The three words "Linhu Village" caught his attention.

Even without the words "Linhu Village", it would be hard for Jiang Duanchao not to notice the name Lin Chen. On this document, the information about Lin Chen was circled with cinnabar pen.

"This is from Qing'er. She said that Lin Chen and you, my husband, came from the same place. Qing'er stayed at Jingshui Martial Arts School for three months. Because of Lin Chen's background, she paid special attention to him. From Qing'er's tone, I can tell that she thinks highly of Lin Chen."

"What good things can come from Linhu Village?"

Jiang Duanchao snorted in disdain. Zhuang Min covered her mouth and smiled lightly, "So many years have passed, and you still can't let go of such a small matter. Qing'er asked me in a roundabout way why we never go back to Linhu Village. I was embarrassed to tell Qing'er that it was because your father was bullied by his peers in the village when he was a child, and he was afraid that he would recall these embarrassing things when he went back."

When it comes to Linhu Village, Jiang Duanchao's memories are indeed not very good.

His Jiang family ancestors went to Linhu Village to escape natural disasters. His generation was only the third generation. The Jiang family had few members, and he had no brothers. He was often bullied by other children of the same age in the village.

The reason why Jiang Duanchao didn't want to go back to Linhu Village was that he didn't want to see those guys. Although if he went back now, those kids of the same age as him would have become fathers now and would probably be respectful to him, he still felt uncomfortable.

"I am not afraid of losing face, but I was cheated by that old man Zhao Zanghu, and I feel resentful. Anyway, I exempt Linhu Village from school for ten years, which can be regarded as repaying the love for my hometown."

The old fellow Zhao Zanghu was really shrewd. On the day of his county examination, he actually brought dozens of villagers from Linhu Village into the city to cheer him up. He kept calling him the hope of the entire Linhu village and the pride of Linhu village.

Outsiders who were not in the know thought that he had a deep relationship with the villagers of Linhu Village and that their Jiang family was very popular in Linhu Village.

But in order to maintain his reputation, he couldn't come out and deny it.

In addition to the requirements of martial arts talent and strength, the Military Administration Department also takes into consideration the moral character of the students.

In the end, he had no choice but to pretend to have a very close relationship with Linhu Village. Who knew that the old man Zhao Zanghu would take advantage of the situation and let the villagers of Linhu Village publicize his talent and achievements in martial arts.

An expression of pride!

After graduating from high school, Zhao Zanghu led the villagers to beat drums and gongs from the county town to the town and then to the village. He also placed the tablets of his Jiang family ancestors in the ancestral hall.

If the ancestral tablets were in the ancestral hall of Linhu Village, he, as a descendant, would naturally have to come back often to worship his ancestors. In order to avoid having any more dealings with Linhu Village, he and the old man Zhao Zanghu had a tacit understanding. He obtained ten years of free admission to the martial arts hall for Linhu Village, and Zhao Zanghu asked him to take the ancestral tablets away from the ancestral hall.

To the outside world, the two men staged a touching story of young high school students giving back to their hometown elders. This kind of story is exactly what the people like to hear and what the Military Administration Department wants to see. It has a positive effect on people sending their children to learn martial arts.

"Husband, I don't think you really hate that Village Chief Zhao. At least the people of Linhu Village are really grateful to you, and Village Chief Zhao has also given you an image of being loyal and righteous."

Zhuang Min understood her husband. It wasn't that she really hated the village chief Zhao. She just felt unhappy about being plotted against.

If she really hated Village Chief Zhao, with her husband's methods and abilities, how could a mere village chief bear it?

Jiang Duanchao remained silent and did not continue the topic, but he remembered the name "Lin Chen" in his heart.

……

……

Poyang County.

Su Lingchuan brought everyone from the martial arts school back to Poyang County. As soon as they arrived at the Military Administration Department, He Ruyun showed up.

Poyang County won first place in the county competition. As the county magistrate, He Ruyun naturally came to congratulate.

Although this county examination is not as good as the provincial examination, it is not much different from the annual county examination.

Poyang County holds a county examination every two years. All students from major martial arts schools can participate. This is a top-notch competition among students from martial arts schools.

Getting first place in the county exam basically means being the first in all martial arts schools in the county.

Although the students' strength in this county competition is weaker than that in the county examination, in every county examination, the top ten are always close to the Lianzang realm in strength.

But there is a saying that goes, internal fighting is never as meaningful as external fighting.

Winning the county fight brings glory to Poyang County. In this respect, its significance is no less than that of the county examination.

"Lin Chen, I know about the county fight. You saved Poyang County from humiliation. Lord Su will reward you. I don't participate in martial arts education, so I can't reward you for martial arts training. I'll just give you some false reputation."

He Ruyun looked at Lin Chen and said with a smile: "I have written a calligraphy piece myself and will send it to Linhu Village tomorrow."

The county magistrate presented the calligraphy.

Fu Ang and others on the side showed envy on their faces. It was a great honor for the county magistrate to give a calligraphy as a gift.

It would be fine if he just gave the calligraphy as a gift in private, just to express his appreciation for a younger person as a ninth-rank expert.

But since the county magistrate said this in front of everyone and wanted to send him to Linhu Village, he must be going to the government office.

The constable struck a gong and walked along the four main streets, then arrived at the town, also circled the town, and then went to the village accompanied by the mayor and many local celebrities.

In the past, only the first place in the annual county examination could have this honor.

No, in the past, when someone won first place in the county examination, the county magistrate would at most order the beating of drums and gongs and send the good news, but this time, he was given a name, which was a bit more grand.

Su Lingchuan looked at He Ruyun with a smile. Senior Brother He is also a smart man.

Lin Chen won the first place in the county competition and met the requirements of genius. He has the potential to take off. If Senior Brother He gives him a name at this time, if Lin Chen really wants to rise to a higher level in the future, when people talk about his achievements in the martial arts hall, Senior Brother He's bestowal of a name will certainly be regarded as a good thing. "All the students have contributed a lot to this county competition. I will host a banquet in Lu Pavilion and invite you all today."

After He Ruyun said this, Fei Hong and others felt a little embarrassed. Young people are thin-skinned after all, and they could not contribute at all this time. If it were not for Senior Brother Lin, Poyang County would be laughed at.

But I still have to go to the banquet.

The blood deer in Luge is a precious bird meat, which is a great tonic for qi and blood.

Students from families like Fei Hong and Song Yu can only go a few times a month and cannot afford to eat more than that.

Since the county magistrate is the host, we must eat as much as we want.

……

……

Deer Pavilion.

The entire second floor is closed to outside visitors today.

There were twenty students including Lin Chen, eight hall masters, and warriors from the Military Administration Department and the government office, totaling six tables.

Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun sat at the main table, along with the deputy director, the yamen clerk, Zeng Qingyao, Tai Rubai, and two old men.

Zeng Qingyao and Tai Rubai were able to sit at the table naturally because of Lin Chen's help. The other six restaurant owners sat at another table.

Because of the presence of two adults and their respective hall masters, the students present just ate in silence and rarely talked.

Lin Chen was staring at the gilded copper pot in front of him. The red charcoal fire was licking the bottom of the pot, and thumb-sized blood deer meatballs were bubbling in the amber soup.

Charcoal hot pot.

Lin Chen didn't expect that there would be hot pot in Poyang County. It really proved the saying that delicious food exists in every era, it just depends on whether you can access it.

"Brother Lin, let me toast you. If it weren't for Brother Lin this time..."

Zhao Kang from the Mantis Martial Arts School, who was sitting at the same table with me, stood up and picked up the wine glass on the table, but stopped halfway through his words.

Telling the truth at this time would be too hurtful to everyone's dignity.

"Brother Zhao, you are too kind. I am also a student of Poyang County Martial Arts School. It is my duty to protect the dignity of Poyang County's martial arts."

Lin Chen stood up and had a drink with Zhao Kang.

Led by Zhao Kang, Fei Hong and others present also toasted Lin Chen. It was not that they did not know the etiquette and did not toast the two adults first, but they knew clearly that they were not qualified to toast the two adults.

In this whole audience, only Senior Brother Lin has this qualification.

After Fei Hong and his companions finished their toast, Fu Ang and his companions from the other two tables also ran over.

Lin Chen felt a little nervous when he saw his fellow disciples eager to make a move. If each of them had a cup, he would get tipsy even if he had a good alcohol tolerance.

Warriors have vigorous qi and blood, and their alcohol tolerance is indeed far beyond that of ordinary people.

But it is precisely because of this that the wine that ordinary people drink tastes as bland as water to warriors, so some businesses brew strong liquor specifically for warriors to drink.

Lu Ge provides this kind of strong liquor.

"I have already felt the kindness of all my fellow disciples, so you don't have to pay tribute to me one by one. On the first day I stepped into the martial arts hall, I set a goal for myself. Before I enter the realm of martial arts, I must persist in practicing every day. I didn't practice during the day, so I only have time left at night. If I drink any more, I'm afraid I won't be able to practice."

"Brother, I have persisted for half a year. You fellow disciples don't want your persistence to end here."

After hearing what Lin Chen said, the other students at the scene stopped coming forward to toast him, but instead admired Brother Lin even more in their hearts.

In the past six months, Senior Brother Lin has not missed a single day of practice. Thinking about myself, after breaking through the acupoints several times, I would invite three or five fellow disciples to get drunk in the name of celebration.

Compared with Senior Brother Lin, I am really ashamed.

"Yes, our Poyang County has not only produced a genius, but also a role model. Lin Chen is very good."

At the main table, an old man who was listening to Lin Chen's words had a very satisfied look on his face. The old man was an eighth-rank warrior and had once served as a county lord in a large county outside the prefecture. However, after his energy and blood declined, he retired and returned to his hometown in Poyang County to spend his remaining years in peace.

"Brother Xu is right. The emergence of a genius can inspire a group of young people, but it can also discourage a group of young people. However, a genius like Lin Chen is a blessing for the martial arts of Poyang County."

Another old man followed suit and said, "Although I am old, I have several disciples who are now serving in the Jiangnan Dao Wuzheng Hall. Since Lord Su has established Lin Chen as a role model for warriors in Poyang County, this matter should also be reported to the Wuzheng Hall."

Su Lingchuan was delighted when he heard this. Lord Zhang himself was not at a high level, but during his tenure in the Wuzheng Office, several talented young men emerged under his jurisdiction, one of whom held an important position in the Wuzheng Hall.

Everyone carries the sedan chair.

Regardless of whether that person recognizes the favor that Lord Xu did when he was the director of the Military Affairs Institute or not, my teacher reported it to the Military Affairs Office. If the Military Affairs Office wants to discuss it, I think they will say something good about it with the letter from Lord Xu.

The title of Jiangnan Dao student model is not just a simple commendation in a written notice. It involves the allocation of training resources to the Ministry of Martial Arts, so there will definitely be opposition from other prefectures.

"Lin Chen!"

He Ruyun waved at Lin Chen, and Lin Chen stood up and walked over.

"Let me introduce you. This is Master Xu, and this is Master Zhang. Both of you are extremely concerned about the martial arts of Poyang County, and you are very important to me."

"I would like to thank both of you for your kindness."

If Lin Chen did not humbly say that he was not worthy of such respect at this time, it would seem too hypocritical.

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

"I am devoted to martial arts training, and I dare not think about marriage before I enter the rank."

Lord Zhang listened to Lin Chen's answer and did not continue the topic. He encouraged Lin Chen a few more words and then stopped talking.

The banquet was over and it was already dark.

That night Lin Chen thought about it and decided to go directly to Wuyuan.

The dormitory courtyards of Jingshui Martial Arts School and Zhenyue Martial Arts School were too small and not very suitable for him to practice martial arts, especially since he had just obtained the Snake Shadow Bow and wanted to experiment with its power. The courtyard of Wuyuan would be more suitable.

What Lin Chen didn't expect was that just after he told Master Zeng and Master Tai where he was going and hadn't taken a few steps, a figure appeared in front of him and walked towards him.

"Zhao... Pavilion Master Zhao."

Looking at Master Zhao of the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School who came out from the corner, Lin Chen was a little confused. Judging from Master Zhao's expression, it seemed that he was waiting for him here specifically.

"Lin Chen, this museum owner is waiting for you here specially."

Zhao Qifeng looked at Lin Chen with a smile. From the day of the county fight, when Lin Chen showed his perfection in Iron Bone Skill, he felt extremely annoyed. He also realized instantly that Tai Rubai had set a trap for him.

If he had not promised in front of Tai Rubai that he would not admit Lin Chen to the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School even if Lin Chen practiced the Kuangfeng Leg, he would not have to be anxious and could have just waited for Lin Chen to come to the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School.

But he could imagine that after being confronted by Tai Rubai, Tai Rubai would definitely tell Lord Su what he said.

At that time, the Kuangfeng Leg martial arts school will still have to teach it to Lin Chen.

As a disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts School, it is normal for Lin Chen to have perfected the Water Cloud Palm. As a disciple of Zhenyue Martial Arts School, it is also reasonable for him to have perfected the Iron Bone Skill. But if he has perfected the Kuangfeng Leg, he will not be considered a disciple of the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School, and he will be scolded to death by the old school masters.

As for the fact that he has perfected the Qingfeng Palm but is not considered a disciple of the Qingfeng Martial Arts School, that is what the Qingfeng Martial Arts School deserves.

The person who tied the bell must untie it. He can only discuss the matter with Lin Chen in private before Tai Rubai finds Lord Su. Only then can there be a turning point in the matter.

As long as Lin Chen agrees to join the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School, Lord Su will definitely not say anything. As for Tai Rubai, just let him bark like a dog.

"Master Zhao, are you waiting for me?"

Lin Chen was a little surprised. His next step was indeed to learn the Kuangfeng Kick, but logically he should have gone to the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School himself. Why was Master Zhao more concerned about it than him?
"Lin Chen, I..."

"Ahem, I was wondering where Junior Brother Zhao had gone. Turns out he was here. Junior Brother Zhao had just left the table and said he was going to relieve himself and would come back to drink again. How did he end up here?"

Under the cover of night, Tai Rubai's figure approached from not far away, and Zhao Qifeng's face instantly turned dark.

"It's getting late, Lin Chen, you should go back early."

When Lin Chen saw Master Zhao's face darken, and then saw the teasing look in Master Tai's eyes, he guessed that there must be something going on between the two masters.

However, Master Tai has already taken me to see Lord Li, and he would never have any ill will towards me. It would be more beneficial for me to let me go now.

"Disciple takes leave."

Zhao Qifeng watched Lin Chen leave and opened his mouth several times, but was interrupted by Tai Rubai's cough.

He also understood that if he wanted Lin Chen to become a disciple of the Kuangfeng Martial Arts School, he would have to pay a heavy price this time.

Damn Tai Rubai.

Then drink it!
This time he wanted to let Tai Rubai know who was the number one wine god among the eight martial arts halls in Poyang County.

(End of this chapter)