Swords emerge from the human world

Chapter 28: A Trial and Error Made Effortless
"Brother Chen, what exactly are you thinking?"

Upon hearing Chen Jin suddenly inquire about Zhao Zhubu's whereabouts, Wang Fu was alarmed and his expression immediately changed.

Chen Jin frankly replied, "I just wanted to see if I could have a chance to talk to Zhao Zhubu in person. If he is promoted and leaves, I'm afraid I won't be able to see him again."

"I see……"

Wang Fu breathed a slight sigh of relief and asked, "You mean you want me to act as a middleman and introduce you two?"

Chen Jin shook his head: "There's no need to trouble you any further. I think it would be more beneficial for the parties involved to meet directly. Besides, you've already done enough for this matter, and I don't want you to be caught in the middle."

"That's nothing... So you're implying you're planning to pay a visit? But Brother Chen, I don't think you'll be able to get in and see Magistrate Zhao. The Zhao family's threshold isn't exactly high, but it's not low either."

"Hehe, we have to give it a try, right?"

Wang Fu was at a loss and said, "According to the information I received, after the Ghost Festival, Zhao Zhubu will set off for Yi County to take up his post. Today is July 13th, there are only a few days left. So if you want to see him, you have to hurry."

"Is it already July 13th? Time flies."

"Yes, but Brother Chen, can you tell me what you could do even if you met with Magistrate Zhao? He wouldn't listen to your reasoning."

Chen Jin grinned: "I'll propose a condition that he can't refuse."

"A condition you can't refuse?"

Wang Fu was greatly puzzled.

Chen Jin then asked, "If he gets promoted, won't his whole family have to move away?"

Wang Fu replied, "Not so soon. He will take some trusted followers to Yixian first, and then bring his family over after they are settled."

"I see, thank you for clearing up my doubts, Brother Wang."

Chen Jin bowed to him.

Wang Fu wanted to subtly probe and find out more details.

At this moment, another servant of the Wang family, Quan, ran over and reported, "Young master, people from Datang Township have come, saying they are looking for Young Master Chen Jin."

Chen Jin was startled. He looked up and saw Chen Zhi following behind him. He thought to himself, "Brother Zhi has come to the city to find me. Could it be that something has happened at home?"

He immediately stood up and went to meet her.

"Oh, young man, what happened to you? You look like this!"

Upon seeing Chen Jin's disheveled appearance, Chen Zhi was taken aback. After taking in the environment of the martial arts school, he became even more suspicious.

I thought Chen Jin would be buried in his studies in the city, but this scene looks more like he's selling himself into slavery and doing hard labor here.

"Could it be that Chen Jin earned that money by selling himself into servitude?"

Thinking of this, Chen Zhi felt very uneasy.

Chen Jin asked, "Zhi-ge'er, what brings you here?"

Chen Zhi suppressed his doubts: "The Ghost Festival is approaching, and the family will be holding a sacrificial ceremony. Father sent me to tell you to go back and burn incense and worship the gods. Don't miss it."

Chen Jin nodded: "Actually, I would have gone back even if you hadn't come. Let's go then."

While carrying the books on his back, he said to Shi Qifeng, "Master Shi, I'll leave the sword case to you."

Shi Qifeng hurriedly replied, "Don't worry, sir, I will definitely take care of it."

He had considered going along, but since Chen Jin had given the order and the heavy sword was left at the martial arts school, he should first finish what he was doing.

Chen Jin smiled and then bid farewell to Wang Fu.

When he learned that Wang Fu was about to leave the city and return to his hometown, he felt a great sense of relief and breathed a sigh of relief.

He dared not imagine what would happen after Chen Jin went to the Zhao family. If he lost control and offended Zhao, the consequences would be unimaginable, and he might be thrown into prison.

When that time came, Wang Fu couldn't just stand by and watch someone die, which put him in a real dilemma.

Now things are fine. Chen Jin needs to go home to pay respects to his ancestors. After a few days, when Zhao Zhubu leaves Maoxian, the two sides will not have a chance to meet again. It would be best if they could both be well and nothing happened.

Now, Chen Jin went out and saw a mule cart with a canopy parked outside the gate.

For convenience and to maintain appearances, Chen Zhi specially rented a nice car from the Zhou family for this trip to the city, which cost a full three hundred coins.

I never expected to see Chen Jin like this. He was not only unkempt, but also slovenly. He didn't care about his reputation at all. It was outrageous.

Chen Jin got into the car, lay down on the spot, and said, "Brother Zhi, I'm going to sleep for a while." It seemed like he hadn't slept for several days, and he fell asleep in a moment.

Chen Zhi: "..."

Despite having many questions in his mind, he couldn't bring himself to ask them. He could only crack the whip and drive the mule cart out of the city to return to his hometown.

An hour later, I arrived home. Seeing that it was still early, I wasn't in a hurry to return the car. After all, the rental fee was for the whole day, and I had already paid. Wouldn't it be a waste not to use it a little longer?

Besides, Chen Jin was still asleep in the carriage, fast asleep, and I couldn't bear to wake him.

"Ah Zhi, where's Xiao Lang? Isn't he coming back?"

After entering the room, Chen Yuan asked.

After a period of medication and rest, his leg injury has greatly improved. Although he is still unable to walk on his own, at least he will not be left with a disability.

Chen Zhi recounted what had happened, and Chen Yuan listened in stunned silence.

"Dad, what do you think he's doing?"

"How would I know? Sigh, I'll ask him properly when he wakes up."

Chen Jin slept soundly until evening before waking up to find his niece, Chen Min, fanning him with a palm-leaf fan.

"Uncle Lang, you're awake."

Looking at her face, Chen Jin slapped his forehead: "Oh dear, I forgot to buy you a sugar figurine."

Chen Min smiled and said, "Uncle Lang works hard in the city, it's alright if you don't buy the sugar figurines."

What a sensible and well-behaved little guy.

Chen Jin got up and got out of the car. He went back to the east room and started fetching water to wash up.

While washing his face, his aunt, Chen Yangshi, brought over two sets of new clothes, saying that Wang Fu had given him two bolts of cloth when he went to the countryside, and one of them, blue cloth, was perfect for making clothes. So she and her daughter-in-law, Su Su, worked together to sew two sets, both for Chen Jin.

Because Chen Jin was a scholar, he would lose face if he didn't have new clothes to wear when he went out or met guests.

After washing her body and changing into a blue dress, she looked completely refreshed from head to toe.

However, forging the sword consumed a great deal of his mental energy, leaving him looking haggard and unable to fully recover in a short time.

Dinner was plentiful. To welcome him home, we specially killed an old hen to make soup and bought a lot of meat and vegetables.

After the meal, Chen Yuan asked Chen Jin for advice.

Having experienced the leg-breaking incident, he no longer considered himself the head of the family, but began to respect Chen Jin's attitude and opinions.

The attitudes of Chen Zhi and others toward Chen Jin also underwent a subtle change.

If Chen Jin hadn't provided the money, and if he hadn't met Wang Fu, this family would probably have collapsed long ago.

"At the martial arts school, I learned martial arts from others, made friends, and learned some skills and techniques."

Chen Jin's answer was perfectly reasonable: "Uncle, don't worry, it won't interfere with your studies."

In the past, Chen Yuan would have definitely blown his beard and glared, loudly scolding him for "not doing his proper job"; but now, he realized that his old ways were outdated and he could no longer control Chen Jin, so he could only give him some instructions, and then change the subject, saying that they would go to the local temple to perform a worship ceremony the next day.

Everyone in the village is required to participate.

"Has the mountain god been invited into the earth god temple?"

Upon hearing this news, Chen Jin was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized: "So it actually escaped down the mountain. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, only to have it come to me without any effort."

Chen Yuan asked in confusion, "Young man, what are you talking about?"

Chen Jin smiled and said, "It's nothing, Uncle. You should rest. I'm going to sleep too."

Back in the east room, after reading an article, he immediately began to meditate and practice breathing exercises.

Time passed quickly, and night fell, when all was quiet.

A figure quietly left, heading out of the village.

A dog barked, but quickly fell silent.

(End of this chapter)