Martial Saint: Starting with Accumulating Experience

"Mother, what brings you here?"

When Li Shuxian saw his mother come in, he quickly straightened up, and Lin Jingshu also quickly got up and wiped the tears off her cheeks.

The fourth wife did not respond to Li Shuxian, but instead gave Lin Jingshu a wink: "You go out first, my son and I have something to talk about."

"Mother, Jing Shu is not an outsider..."

Li Shuxian had barely opened his mouth when his mother glared at him, forcing him to lower his head and yield. Seeing this, Lin Jingshu lowered her head to cover her tear-reddened eyes, bowed to the madam, and slowly left the room.

"Thump"

The door closed.

The fourth wife slowly spoke: "They're not even married yet, and they're already hugging and cuddling. What kind of behavior is this?"

She wasn't scolding her precious son, but rather Lin Jingshu, who had just left; her words were full of disdain.

"Mother, it's a done deal anyway, so it's nothing."

"It's not even close to being done yet."

Hearing his mother's words, Li Shuxian was taken aback and asked, "Mother, are you dissatisfied with Jing Shu?"

When her son asked, the fourth wife decided to be frank: "Son, I'm doing this for your own good. What use is Lin Jingshu besides being pretty? She's just a pretty face."

"But she's all alone now, how can I abandon her? What will others think of me?" Li Shuxian frowned.

"Wouldn't that make me look like a despicable person who betrayed their beloved after passing the imperial examination?"

"That's not what I meant. Look, you've already achieved the highest rank in the provincial examination, and next year you could certainly try for the top rank in the metropolitan examination or the imperial examination. How could little Lin Jingshu be a match for you?"

"You should know that nowadays, there are so many people coming to propose marriage that they're practically wearing down our doorstep. Even people from Jiangzhou Prefecture are coming to ask if you're ready for marriage."

"And the canal gang that supports your father, many of them with daughters have come to ask about it. I don't really understand what those leaders and flag masters are, but your father said they are all big shots."

Li Shuxian remained silent for a long time.

The fourth wife then pressed her advantage, saying, "Compared to Lin Jingshu, she is only pretty and has no other redeeming qualities. You can keep her as a concubine. As for the principal wife, I advise you to reconsider."

"Mother, how can you say such a thing? Aren't you most annoyed by Father's philandering?"

The head of the Li family had many wives and concubines, but among his children, Li Shuxian was the most outstanding.

The fourth wife was able to wield power in the Li family precisely because of her son's excellence; otherwise, who would care about a fourth wife?

Strictly speaking, Li Shuxian was born out of wedlock and was not qualified to be the young master of the family.

But rules are made by people.

"How can that be the same! You're my son, and I'm doing this all for your own good."

Li Shuxian frowned.

He understood that his mother was right. After becoming the top scholar in the provincial examination, his status changed instantly. During the time after the results were announced in the provincial capital, even several officials from Jiangzhou Prefecture held banquets to entertain him.

As a result, her father's influence within the gang also increased somewhat.

Thinking about it this way, Lin Jingshu really is not presentable, and they are not a good match.

Seeing that her son had taken her words to heart, the fourth wife was overjoyed. Looking at her "great talent" with doting affection, she smiled and said:

"Take your time to think it over. Whatever decision you make, I will follow your lead. You'll make me proud in this provincial examination. When you go out, everyone will envy me for having such a son."

"Look at the sons your concubines have, none of them are as successful as you. They must be furious."

"Mother, we're all family."

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say..."

The mother and son chatted for a while longer before the fourth wife got up to leave, mentioning one more thing before she left:

"I've heard that the head of the Cheng family has a granddaughter who is extremely beautiful. Her looks and figure are no less than Lin Jingshu's. I'll arrange something for you."

"Cheng Yuan was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) in his early years. If you can succeed, it will definitely help your future career. You should think about it carefully."

After saying this, the fourth wife pushed open the door and left.

She kept her eyes straight ahead, completely ignoring Lin Jingshu who was waiting behind the door.

Lin Jingshu re-entered the room, nervously asking, "Shuxian, does Mother have some kind of problem with me?"

It must be said that Lin Jingshu was extremely beautiful. She had just cried, and her eyelashes still held traces of tears. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and she looked like a pear blossom in spring rain, charming and touching.

"No, you're overthinking it. It's just that Mother has been in a bad mood lately."

"Then about our marriage..."

"I was just about to tell you this, but I need to prepare for the imperial examination in the capital next spring, so I'm afraid the wedding will have to be postponed..."

......

......

On the other side of Pingcheng.

Chen Feng received an invitation letter at the martial arts school, signed by Cheng Yuan, the head of the Cheng family.

"I have heard from my daughter that she was in danger the day before yesterday, and it was thanks to my nephew Chen that she was able to save her from the hands of evil people. I am extremely grateful for this."

"I have long neglected social engagements. Now, several of my students have passed the provincial examinations, bringing glory to our family. Therefore, I am hosting a family banquet. If you, my dear nephew, have any spare time, I would like to meet with you to express my gratitude for your kindness in saving my daughter..."

The letter ended with the date of the family dinner.

Chen Feng finished reading.

The letter simply stated that Cheng Yuan had returned to the city and he wanted to thank him, but the fact that he was invited to a family banquet showed how much the Cheng family valued him.

The letter mentioned celebrating the student's success in the imperial examination and thanking Chen Feng, but it was just a humble remark. The celebratory banquet had long since ended, and Chen Feng was well aware that the entire city of Pingcheng was bustling with activity for those few days.

This time, the main purpose was probably to take this opportunity to introduce Chen Feng to those newly appointed scholars, so that the young man could have more contact with them.

It should be noted that the status of a Juren (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is comparable to that of a martial arts master, and Chen Feng is still some distance away from the Qi Condensation Realm.

Chen Feng could sense the goodwill in the letter.

The words convey a sense of goodwill.

He had originally thought that scholars would be somewhat averse to martial artists, but it seems that was just a stereotype.

"Junior brother, what do you want?" Yao Xingzhi walked slowly over, carrying a wooden stick, with Lu Jinghong following behind him.

Upon seeing his senior brother, Chen Feng folded the letter in his hand and tucked it into his robes, saying:

"I've already spoken to my master about wanting to learn the Subduing Dragon Staff Technique, and he told me to come find you."

Logically speaking, one shouldn't bite off more than one can chew. Zhou Bingzhong disliked seeing his disciples learn too many martial arts, as it was too varied and might not necessarily improve their strength much. On the contrary, it could even affect their main cultivation method.

It would be better to hone your practical skills.

Or continue to refine your Qi and blood.

However, Chen Feng eventually brushed it off with the excuse that "the technique is the essence of the senior's martial arts, and one can use it to verify one's own path."

Zhou Bingzhong then relented, letting Chen Feng learn whatever he wanted, since he was extremely talented and could learn anything quickly without wasting too much time.

Yao Xingzhi's eyes lit up.

"Great! I've wanted to recruit you into the 'Sword Academy' for a long time. The Sword Academy is booming!"

"Second Senior Brother, that's not how it works. Junior Brother started by learning martial arts..."

Lu Jinghong had just opened his mouth when Yao Xingzhi interrupted him, "Once you learn the staff, you belong to the Staff Academy. In the future, when the two academies spar, Chen Feng will be on our side, otherwise you and Shan Yue will always bully your junior sister."

"How can you call it bullying? It was just a normal sparring match. Second Senior Brother talks about the boxing academy and the staff academy, but he seems to be thinking about forming cliques."

Lu Jinghong spoke with righteous indignation.

"I don't care. Either Chen Feng is from the Stick Academy, or I'll fight you two in the next inter-academy sparring session. You choose."

"Okay, okay, here you go."

Lu Jinghong quickly waved his hand, while his eyes darted around, and an idea popped into his head:

"Hey senior brother, do you think we could add a sword academy to our martial arts school? I remember Master also knows some swordsmanship."

Yao Xingzhi raised an eyebrow.

"Our martial arts school doesn't have a complete swordsmanship manual. The master only knows some routines. You can't go far by relying on that little bit of knowledge."

"At most, he'll reach the Qi and Blood Realm."

"I'm here for you."

Lu Jinghong patted his chest, making a solemn vow.

"I have some sword manuals at home for my disciples to learn, and my amazing sword strike at the competition that day was truly remarkable. I will definitely become the senior disciple of the Sword Academy then."

Lu Jinghong turned her head and looked at Chen Feng with a smile: "Junior brother, if you want to learn more techniques to prove your martial arts, you can also learn my Jinghong Sword Technique."

Chen Feng's lips twitched.

I politely declined my senior's suggestion.