Rise from a Poor Family: My Martial Arts Counterattack

Chapter 251 Lin Chen: My Inextricable Bond with the Ancestral Hall (Second Update)

Poyang County!
Inside the martial arts hall, Su Lingchuan leisurely sipped tea in the courtyard, looking at the list of students submitted by the martial arts school.

The number of students at the martial arts academy has increased several times this year, and the number of disciples at the martial arts school has also doubled compared to last year.

As the director of the Military Affairs Office, he felt no pressure regarding this year's education and rehabilitation assessment.

Given the quality of students from Poyang County, it is undoubtedly the best in the entire prefecture.

Not to mention that the martial arts resources of Jiangnan Province were tilted towards Raozhou Prefecture, and Raozhou Prefecture tilted the most martial arts resources towards Poyang County.

In the words of the heads of the military administration offices in other counties, even if a pig were to hold the position of head of the military administration office in Poyang County, it would still be the best position in the entire prefecture.

“Jealousy, this is blatant jealousy of me.”

Su Lingchuan leisurely sipped the fragrant tea in his cup, dismissing the rumor as mere jealousy from the directors.

My current leisure is entirely thanks to my discerning eye last year.

Thinking of this, Su Lingchuan instructed his advisors: "Reports have come back from Lingxiao City that Lin Chen defeated Yu Beichen, bringing glory to the martial arts of our Great Liang. Issue a public announcement about this and post it in all the martial arts schools and academies."

"Sir, you're too late."

The staff member looked at him strangely, and Su Lingchuan asked in confusion, "What do you mean by that?"

"Two hours ago, the Poyang County government issued an official document, which was posted at the government office and city gates. Given the situation of the major martial arts schools, especially Jing Shui Martial Arts School, Zhen Yue Martial Arts School, and Kuang Feng Martial Arts School, they have probably already taken action."

Su Lingchuan muttered in dissatisfaction, "Senior Brother He is deliberately stealing my Martial Arts Department's work. What does Lin Chen have to do with him?"

More than two months ago, news of Lin Chen's victory over the Four Harmony Martial Academy and the Pilgrimage Martial Academy in Lingxiao City reached back. At that time, he was enjoying the moon with He Ruyun. He originally planned to have the office issue an announcement the next day, but to his surprise, Senior Brother He had the yamen runners post the official document and congratulatory notice after the moon viewing ended.

"My lord, Lord He doesn't think so."

The advisor smiled slightly. In Lord He's eyes, Lin Chen did come from a martial arts school, but now he had graduated from the school and had little to do with the Martial Arts Administration anymore.

Conversely, Lin Chen is from Poyang County, and as the magistrate of Poyang County, it is perfectly reasonable for Lord He to issue an official document given that such a genius emerged from his jurisdiction.

My master and Lord He are about the same.

“Since Senior Brother He has already issued the official document, there is no need for the Martial Affairs Office to issue another one. Just post it in front of the Martial Affairs Office and send five hundred taels to the Lin family in the name of the Martial Affairs Office as a reward.”

The aide was taken aback: "Sir, it's understandable for the county government to send silver to the Lin family as a reward, but Lin Chen has already left the martial arts school. If we give him a reward, it might cause gossip."

It is only reasonable for the county magistrate to reward the family of a martial arts prodigy who emerged from the local area.

The Martial Arts Administration is only responsible for the disciples in the martial arts school and martial arts hall. It is a bit unreasonable to give rewards to the disciples who graduate and leave.

Do you think anyone would dare to criticize me?

Su Lingchuan looked at his advisor. His advisor was meticulous, considered things thoroughly, and always tried to do things according to the rules, which indeed saved him a lot of mistakes during his tenure.

But in the end, his vision was still too short-sighted. No one would criticize him for giving the Lin family a reward of silver.

Even if the other directors of the military police stations were jealous of him, they would have to consider using this matter as a pretext, lest it offend Lin Chen if it reached his ears.

Because of Lin Chen, the value of the resources obtained by the Martial Arts Bureau this year is far more than five hundred taels. The martial arts resources of the entire Poyang County are several times that of the past, and their value is close to one hundred thousand taels of silver.

For this reason alone, no one would say anything if he gave the Lin family a reward of five hundred taels of silver.

"I will personally go to Linhu Village and deliver it to the Lin family."

"My subordinate understands."

The staff nodded and began to make arrangements.

For Su Lingchuan, the main purpose of going to Linhu Village was not to visit Lin Chen's parents.

Lin Chen's parents were just ordinary people, which would have made them feel very constrained in the past. His real purpose in going to Linhu Village was to see Lord Jia.

Although Lord Jia has resigned from his official position in the Military Affairs Department, he was once the deputy director. Most importantly, Lord Jia's martial arts prowess is undeniable, and there are many cultivation-related questions that can be asked of him.

……

……

Linhu Village!
Su Lingchuan traveled light, bringing only his staff and two subordinates.

"Sir, I saw people from the county government."

As the carriage entered Linhu Village, the advisor spoke up. Su Lingchuan's pupils contracted slightly. Senior Brother He was far too eager to improve.

The appearance of county officials in Linhu Village could only mean one thing: Brother He had also come to Linhu Village.

Su Lingchuan thought for a moment and instructed his advisor, "You should deliver this five hundred taels of silver to the Lin family. If I were to go myself, I'm afraid it would make Lin Chen's parents feel a bit awkward."

"Yes, my lord."

The advisor agreed, but there was doubt in his eyes. The adults had come to Linhu Village in person, but Lin Chen's parents were nowhere to be seen. Wasn't this trip to Linhu Village a waste?
Su Lingchuan knew what his advisors were wondering about, but Lord Jia was living in seclusion in Linhu Village. Currently, only he and He Ruyun knew Lord Jia's identity in the entire Poyang County. Even if his advisors wouldn't reveal it to others, they couldn't tell him without Lord Jia's permission.

The lakeside in Linhu Village has undergone a dramatic transformation compared to a year ago.

The road is paved with bluestone and inlaid with round pebbles. There are no dead trees dragged out of the lake by fishing nets, and there is no fishy smell. If it weren't for the fishermen fishing in the lake and the fishing boats moored at the dock, everyone would probably think that this place is a dock for sightseeing on the lake.

In the entire Linhu Village, only two places are the cleanest.

One place is by the lake, and the other is the road in front of the Lin family's house.

"An elder in the village is a treasure."

As Su Lingchuan walked along the bluestone path, he was filled with emotion. He realized that Lord Jia's willingness to stay in Linhu Village was not only due to the village's pleasant scenery, but also inseparable from the management of Village Chief Zhao Zanghu.

In typical lakeside fishing villages, the lakeside is not usually this clean. Aside from fish scales and other debris, there is always a fishy smell and flying insects.

If the lakeside in Linhu Village were also in such a mess, even if Lord Jia wanted to stay in Poyang County, he would not stay in Linhu Village, but would choose to find a quiet house in the county town.

Martial artists may not be particular about details, but that doesn't mean they have no requirements for their living environment.

Upon arriving at the lakeside villa where Lord Jia resided, Su Lingchuan was suddenly stunned, somewhat unable to believe what he was seeing.

Lord Jia's villa was a fenced courtyard with some flowering branches wrapped around it, but at this time of year the branches had all withered, and through the gaps in the fence one could see what was happening inside the courtyard.

A few moments later, the courtyard gate opened, and a young boy stood smiling in front of it.

"Lord Su, the teacher requests your presence!"

"Lin Chen, when did you get back?"

Su Lingchuan quickened his pace and stepped forward, a look of surprise on his face. He had just received news that Lin Chen had defeated the three Yu Beichen brothers in Lingxiao City, and now Lin Chen had returned to Linhu Village.

"I just arrived this morning. I was planning to visit my teacher first, and then go to the Military Administration Office to see the Lord."

There's no need for such formalities between us.

Su Lingchuan waved his hand. With Lin Chen's current status, although his strength was not as good as his, his position was far above his as the director. He was no longer worthy of the title "requesting an audience".

“When I was studying at the martial arts school, you took great care of me. This is something that cannot be changed by my improved status. In my heart, you will always be an elder.”

Upon hearing Lin Chen's words, Su Lingchuan was taken aback, then patted Lin Chen on the shoulder, his meaning unspoken.

It is truly rare that Lin Chen, now at his current status, can be considered a martial arts genius of the Great Liang, still shows such respect to me and retains his childlike innocence.

Lin Chen led Su Lingchuan into the villa. Su Lingchuan and Jia Nanzhu exchanged greetings and then saw He Ruyun.

Because of Lin Chen's arrival, He Ruyun and Su Lingchuan focused more on Lin Chen this time. Lin Chen didn't hide anything and briefly recounted what happened from his trip to Canglan Martial Academy to his journey to Lingxiao City.

Especially the battles in Lingxiao City, even though Lin Chen spoke of them casually, still stirred the hearts of Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun. A true martial artist should be like this!

Both of them once harbored lofty ambitions and dreamed of making a name for themselves in the world of martial arts.

But once they left the county town and the prefectural city, they discovered that there were many martial artists more talented than them.

Jia Nanzhu listened quietly with a smile, without interrupting Lin Chen's story. Lin Chen, Su Lingchuan, and He Ruyun chatted more.

Half an hour passed, and Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun exchanged a glance before getting up to take their leave.

From their conversation, the two knew that Lin Chen had only recently returned to Linhu Village, and they figured he must have some private things to discuss with Lord Jia.

Lin Chen got up to see the two off, stopping only after they had walked a distance from the villa.

"Lin Chen, are you going back to visit the martial arts school now that you're back?"

"Yes, I will go to the martial arts school in the city later."

Lin Chen nodded. Now that he was back, he would definitely go to the martial arts school. However, he wouldn't make a big fuss about it. Instead, he would meet with the school's owners and Junior Brother Zhao and the others in private.

"Alright, once we reach the county town, be sure to inform me, and I will host a welcome banquet for you."

"My lord, there is no need for this."

"I know you are a low-key person, and all the people who have come are acquaintances, so it will save you the trouble of visiting them one by one."

Su Lingchuan smiled slightly and, without waiting for Lin Chen's reply, said, "This matter is decided then, and there's no need to send anything further."

Lin Chen smiled wryly, watching Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun walk away until their figures disappeared from sight, before turning around and walking back to the villa.

……

……

"Senior Brother He, you go to Linhu Village more often than I do."

"What do you mean by that, Junior Brother Su?"

He Ruyun looked puzzled: "As the magistrate of Poyang County, it is my duty to inspect the area under my jurisdiction. On the contrary, Junior Brother Su seems to have no reason to come to Linhu Village."

Su Lingchuan's lips twitched slightly: "Lord Jia is a retired official of my Military Affairs Department, so he can be considered my elder. It is only natural for me, as the director, to come and pay him a visit."

The two looked at each other and then laughed.

Everyone wants to improve!
It's not just about ability, but also about official position.

……

……

"Sent away?"

"Yes, Lord Su is very hospitable. He will hold a welcome banquet for me after I enter the city."

Lin Chen shook his head with a wry smile. Jia Nanzhu smiled and said, "Su Lingchuan is a smart man. He knows that you don't want to attract too much attention this time, so he will only arrange for some people you know to come to the welcome banquet."

Lin Chen nodded: "Lord Su is indeed very sensible."

"Is there a reason for this trip back to Poyang County?"

"Teacher, what have you guessed?"

Jia Nanzhu stroked his beard and said, "It's not an easy route from Lingxiao City to Poyang County and then to Canglan Martial Academy. You've only been away from home for less than half a year, so it's not like you're homesick so soon."

"Teacher, you are so insightful, nothing can be hidden from you."

Lin Chen offered a flattering remark: "I met Elder Zhao of the Martial Garden in Lingxiao City. Elder Zhao said he would give me martial arts resources for the sixth level and asked me to wait at the Martial Garden in Poyang County."

"Sixth-tier resources?"

Jia Nanzhu's old eyes gleamed: "With the foundation of the Martial Garden, it is indeed possible to obtain sixth-level resources. As for sending you back to Poyang County, it is probably because Lingxiao City is now a gathering place for forces from various countries. If you break through in Lingxiao City, it will be too conspicuous."

"Yes, Elder Zhao also told his disciple the same thing."

"Old ginger is spicier," Lin Chen thought to himself, marveling at how his teacher had guessed the reason after he had only mentioned it briefly.

"Besides that, if there's anything else you want to say to the teacher, don't hold back. Now that there are no outsiders, just say it all."

"Teacher, do you know why the people from the three islands of the Spratly Islands came to challenge us this time, but our Great Liang did not send any stronger geniuses to meet them?"

When serious matters were mentioned, Lin Chen's expression also became serious, as did Jia Nanzhu's. Although he was in Linhu Village, his senior brother Shao from the Martial Affairs Department had arranged for someone to deliver letters to him, so he would know about major events in Daliang as soon as they happened.

The three islands of Nansha sent people to challenge Lingxiao City, but in reality only the disciples of Lingxiao Martial Academy were sent to fight. If his own disciples had not stepped forward, this struggle would have ultimately fulfilled the plan of the five tribes of Guanzhong. He couldn't understand why Lord Kong did nothing about it.

Is there some hidden story behind this?

"Yes, this matter should be related to the Yan Dynasty..."

Lin Chen told his teacher everything Elder Zhao had told him, except for the fact that the Martial Garden Master and the Great Liang Emperor were fellow disciples.

"I see!"

Jia Nanzhu suddenly understood, and the doubts in his heart were resolved.

"No wonder Lord Kong didn't get involved in this matter in the end. The five clans of Guanzhong probably also learned about it and took this opportunity to pressure Lord Kong. If it weren't for your appearance, the five clans of Guanzhong would have already achieved their goal."

"Does the teacher think that Master Kong will eventually compromise and change his mind?"

Faced with his disciple's question, Jia Nanzhu did not give an answer, but instead asked in return, "In your opinion, does the Ministry of Military Affairs need to be changed?"

Should the Ministry of Military Affairs be reformed?
Lin Chen remained silent; he couldn't offer an answer either.

From his perspective, he only wanted to leave a way out for those from poor families, but if things didn't change, what if the Yan Dynasty really appeared?

"This is not something you should be thinking about. If you have a preference, then work hard to improve your strength. The stronger you are, the more support you can give Lord Kong."

Jia Nanzhu knew what his disciple was struggling with, but he believed that with his disciple's victory over the three Yu Beichen brothers in Lingxiao City, Lord Kong already had a solution to break the deadlock.

"Focus on your cultivation. Elder Zhao was right about one thing: all you can do is improve yourself. There's nothing else you can do. If the sky falls, Lord Kong and the others will hold it up. At worst, we old bones will take care of it."

Lin Chen was taken aback and looked at his teacher, but he didn't expect that his teacher's face would turn angry the next moment.

"I think you've been getting a bit cocky lately, you just don't realize it."

"teacher……"

"You're just a low-ranking martial artist. How much can you participate in the major affairs of the nine kingdoms, and what can you control? You've spent so much time thinking about this matter all the way here. Do you really think you're a martial arts genius of the Great Liang Dynasty and can represent the fate of the Great Liang Dynasty now?"

This was the first time Lin Chen had ever heard his teacher speak to him so harshly. Since he had known his teacher, the teacher had always praised him and spoken in a gentle tone.

"Disciple knows his mistake."

"After you see your parents, go to the ancestral hall and stay there for the night to calm your mind."

Lin Chen paused for a moment when he heard that they were going to the ancestral hall.

"Why, don't you want to?"

"Disciples don't dare."

Lin Chen quickly shook his head. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but when he thought of the ancestral hall, he thought of the old village chief. Every time he returned to the village, the old village chief would make him go to worship the ancestors. This time he returned quietly, thinking that he wouldn't need to go to the ancestral hall, but he didn't expect that he still couldn't escape it.

(End of this chapter)