Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 23: Drinking with a kindred spirit, I owe someone a favor.
At Maolin Restaurant, in a private room, the table was laden with delicacies, and people were toasting and exchanging drinks.

Wang Fu was a martial artist with a good appetite, and even though he was in poor health, he still ate quite a lot. But compared to Chen Jin, he immediately paled in comparison.

He was certain that the person sitting across from him now was no longer the frail classmate he once was.

There must be a huge secret about Chen Jin.

At some point, or perhaps in the dead of night, Wang Fu even harbored a fleeting fantasy: that Chen Jin, like Meiniang, might also be wearing a mask...

However, this wild speculation was eventually put to rest.

Because Chen Jin saved his life.

Wang Fu preferred to believe that Chen Jin had obtained some kind of divine favor.

Legend has it that a chance encounter with immortals is rare and precious; once a drink or a bite is taken, it belongs to whoever seeks it, and no one else can take it away.

Those who are fortunate enough to have this connection are blessed with good fortune, and those who befriend them will find it an honor.

During the meal, serious matters were not discussed. Only after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill did they begin to enjoy tea and chat.

The servant, A-Ping, stood guard outside; only the two of them were in the private room.

Chen Jin inquired about the affairs of the martial arts world, and when he came to Wang Fu's strengths, Wang Fu spoke eloquently about them.

It's not that Wang Fu was particularly knowledgeable or well-traveled, but compared to Chen Jin, he had indeed visited a wider range of places and seen more things.

At least, I've been to places like Koryofu.

Chen Jin, to this day, has only been wandering around the Maoxian area.

Because Maoxian County is a superior county, the provincial examination does not need to be held in the prefectural city; it can be taken locally.

In this way, local candidates save a lot of time and travel expenses.

Chen Jin used to be devoted to studying the classics; later, he moved to the mountains and became a "recluse," which narrowed his horizons.

What makes him stronger than Wang Fu is that he has already embarked on the path of cultivation and has learned a method of weapon crafting.

As the saying goes, "Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles." The world outside is so big; you should always go out and see it.

Each of these different people represents a different world of life.

Especially for someone like Wang Fu, whose life was full of excitement, his good background meant he had a wealth of experience.

Communicating with others opens a window, allowing you to see new things, which is itself a form of learning.

This perfectly aligns with the saying of the sages: "Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me."

Chen Jin agreed to assist Shi Qifeng in forging the sword, partly to increase the success rate of the heavy sword, and partly because it was a rare learning opportunity.

Although analyzing the original runes gave me a lot of knowledge about weapon crafting, it was all theoretical and I hadn't had any practical experience yet. What I learned from books was never enough.

Wang Fu talked at length, and for a moment, he felt that a thousand cups of wine were not enough when drinking with a bosom friend. So he instructed A Ping to have the restaurant prepare another feast of fine wine and food.

This time, let's not worry about the rules; let's drink and talk at the same time.

Chen Jin drank one glass of wine after another, but his eyes grew brighter and brighter.

He hadn't actually drunk much before, mainly because alcohol wasn't cheap, so his alcohol tolerance was practically nonexistent. However, after cultivating the "Six Qi Correct Position Method," his internal organs were continuously strengthened as his cultivation progressed, and he seemed to have gained the ability to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

On the other hand, Wang Fu had drunk too much and was already quite tipsy, his tongue even becoming swollen.

Chen Jin suddenly asked, "Brother Wang, your family is wealthy and you have a wide circle of friends. Besides your friends in the martial arts world, you must also have connections with the wealthy and powerful families in the city, and even the officials."

Wang Fu replied, “In business, relationships are mostly superficial, involving drinking and feasting, nothing more than a show, not worth mentioning. As for the government and officials, the so-called favors and bribes all require money. Every household, every gift, whether it's a festival or a birthday banquet, must be prepared perfectly. Having done these things for so long, if you make a mistake even once, you will offend people and suffer bad consequences. It's truly like walking on thin ice, having to be careful at every turn, it's very difficult.”

At this point, he sighed, "Brother Chen, don't be fooled by my family's success and how well we seem to get along with everyone. That's because nothing bad has happened yet. If things were to fall apart one day, I wonder how many people would kick us when we're down. Especially those officials. In my opinion, officials are the most callous, heartless, and least trustworthy."

That last sentence was clearly a drunken rant.

There were only the two of them in the private room. After drinking, they gradually let their guard down.

Wang Fu continued, “My parents forced me to study and take the imperial examinations, just so I could also become an official and become a support for the family. But I really don’t like it. Being hypocritical to those below and groveling to those above is exhausting. It’s far better to be a wandering knight-errant, living a life of chivalry and vengeance.”

Chen Jin's eyes flashed: "Officials are indeed not trustworthy. Recently, something happened in my family."

"Oh, what's the matter?"

Wang Fu asked, indicating that he was somewhat drunk, but not truly so.

Chen Jin then told the story of how his uncle had spent money to buy an unofficial position in the government, but the job was not done, he couldn't get his money back, and instead his leg was broken.

After listening, Wang Fu scratched his head: "Is that so? Don't you know that Zhao Zhubu is about to be promoted and will soon be the magistrate of Yi County next door?"

Chen Jin shook his head: "I don't know."

Such inside information is unknown to outsiders unless they are officials or well-informed.

Strictly speaking, ordinary people who have never been to a government office in their entire lives have no idea what those officials look like.

At their level, the only people they could interact with were clerks and bailiffs.

Wang Fu then said, "He's about to leave, so how could he possibly send someone into the yamen?"

Chen Jin frowned: "Then he still takes money from people?"

Wang Fu lowered his voice: "I heard that the Zhao family spent a lot of money to bribe officials in order to get promoted to county magistrate, and they are now heavily in debt. My father said that he once went to a banquet at the Zhao family's house and presented them with a generous gift."

"I see. In that case, it seems my family won't get our money back."

“Brother Chen, I think this matter was not instigated by Chief Clerk Zhao, but rather that Steward Zhao was using his position to extort money. But even if he cheated you out of money, he broke your uncle's leg, which is outrageous! Here’s what I’ll do, I’ll find an opportunity to see Chief Clerk Zhao and ask him for an explanation.”

Chen Jin looked at him and said, "Won't you offend someone by asking like that?"

Wang Fu laughed and said, "I'm not here to interrogate you, nor would I dare to be so. Don't worry, my family still has some connections with him. When Zhao, the magistrate, sees me, he calls me 'nephew.' It's nothing to report something."

Chen Jin nodded: "No matter what, I owe you a favor."

Wang Fu blinked: "Your tone immediately reminds me of Linghu Xueli. Alas, after returning to the city, I immediately dispatched people to search everywhere, but we couldn't find him. I wonder where this true fox spirit went. Perhaps he has already left and returned to Qingqiu Cave Heaven. I deeply regret it."

He could never shake off that yearning for immortality.

(End of this chapter)