Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

Upon hearing Chen Mo speak, the maid nodded obediently and then turned to leave.

After the maid left, Chen Lan came upon hearing the news.

She lifted Chen Mo's arm and examined it closely, finding no injuries, before letting out a sigh of relief. "Amo, I heard you really passed the martial arts exam?"

Chen Mo smiled and shook his head, "The results aren't out yet, so it's too early to draw any conclusions."

It's hard to draw a conclusion, which means it's pretty close to the truth.

Chen Lan smiled with delight upon hearing this, "If you become a martial arts scholar, then you will bring glory to your family..."

At this point, her eyes suddenly dimmed.

Bringing glory to one's ancestors? The old man doesn't acknowledge that.

Chen Lan immediately smiled again, "If you become a martial arts scholar, I'll benefit from your success from now on!"

Chen Mo smiled knowingly, "Sister, you deserve it. You've taken such good care of me before, you deserve as much as you can."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lan's eyes involuntarily welled up with tears.

At that moment, a sharp sound rang out.

"Oh my, Master Chen is up so early!"

Chen Mo looked in the direction of the sound and saw that Wu Lao Er's round figure had not yet stepped into the yard when his voice arrived.

Wu Zheng walked up to Chen Mo, rubbed his hands together in front of him, and said, "Young hero Chen, today I'll host a welcome feast for you!"

Chen Mo immediately replied, "The list of successful candidates in the martial arts examination has not yet been released, and the results are still unknown."

Wu Zheng waved his hand, "Given Master Chen's outstanding performance in the martial arts examination, whether he makes the list or not is no longer important. Now that you are famous in Anyang County, the Wu family is also honored."

Chen Mo felt uncomfortable with Wu Zheng's pretentious attitude, but after thinking about it, he realized that now was not the time to turn against him.

Moreover, the higher his "status" in the Wu family, the safer Chen Lan would be.

"In that case, thank you very much, Patriarch Wu."

Chen Mo clasped his hands in thanks.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from afar, and a steward from the Wu family ran over quickly, stopping in front of the group to catch his breath.

"Master Chen...Master Chen...made it...made it on the list! He's eighth!"

He finished speaking in two breaths, and Chen Mo listened calmly, the ranking being similar to what he had expected.

Wu Zheng, standing to the side, jumped up with joy, as if he himself had been the one who had passed the exam.

"I knew it! Master Chen would definitely be on the list without a doubt. A banquet will be held at the Wu family's main hall at Shenshi (3-5 PM) today. We cordially invite Master Chen to attend!"

Chen Mo clasped his hands in a fist salute again, "Patriarch Wu, you are too kind."

After finishing his speech, Wu Zheng left under the pretext of preparing for the family dinner.

A short while later.

Wu Zhiai came here and immediately congratulated Chen Mo on being listed on the honor roll.

Then, she mentioned Wu Zheng, "Is Wu the Second trying to curry favor with you?"

Chen Mo made no attempt to hide anything and recounted everything Wu Zheng had said and done.

Wu Zhiai frowned slightly. "So you were moved by his enthusiasm?"

Chen Mo immediately pointed out that he and Wu Zheng were not truly of one mind.

Wu Zhiai chuckled after hearing this, "I was just teasing you! Wu Zheng is the kind of person who won't do anything without a profit. Now that you're a martial arts scholar, he'll naturally try to please you in every way. You don't need to be too eager to please him, nor do you need to deliberately ignore him."

Wu Zhiai's thoughts were exactly the same as Chen Mo's.

Chen Mo looked around and then invited her into the house to sit down.

He then recounted Liu Zongsheng's offer of recruitment and the attack he suffered the previous night.

Waiting for her answer.

Wu Zhiai's eyes flickered, and her expression turned serious.

This matter concerns her safety, and also the life and death of the Wu family.

If she makes the wrong bet, Wu Zhi'ai will be doomed.

On one side is the local tyrant of Heihe Town, and on the other side is a greenhorn just starting out.

The choice seems self-evident.

After pondering for a few moments, she looked up at Chen Mo and smiled, "From the first day I met you, I said that we were bound together, sharing both glory and misfortune. I am proud of you passing the martial arts exam, and I will not abandon you even if you are being hunted by the Black Tiger Gang."

"Aren't you worried about retaliation from the Black Tiger Gang?"

Chen Mo asked tentatively.

Wu Zhiai smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm afraid, but in my position, even without you, I'm still at odds with the Zhao family. Now, with the Black Tiger Hall added, it doesn't make much difference."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo suddenly bowed.

"What are you doing?" Wu Zhiai asked suspiciously.

Chen Mo frankly stated, "If I encounter any danger, you will take care of my sister for me. Before I encounter any danger, I will take care of the Wu family."

He possessed the Mountain and Water Nourishing Technique, and should have stayed somewhere to secretly develop and grow stronger. But upon closer reflection, he realized that the Mountain and Water Nourishing Technique required resources, and by being with the Wu family, he wouldn't have to worry about resources.

"Sister Ai, could you please help me buy some more crude and refined iron? I need it."

Wu Zhi'ai's eyes flickered, and she asked, "Is the cultivation technique you practice related to weapon forging?"

Chen Mo was taken aback, but quickly regained his composure. "I just... am used to practicing my fist techniques while forging iron."

Wu Zhiai didn't expose her, saying, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Chen Mo watched her departing figure, lost in thought.

A short while later.

After finishing his breakfast, he received donations from wealthy families he had never met before, ranging from eight or nine taels to one or two taels.

The place was packed with people.

While claiming to be providing financial assistance, they were actually trying to gain good karma for themselves.

A good deed done by a martial arts scholar who is famous throughout the county is worth several taels of silver.

After these people left, he counted the money, which totaled forty-five taels. For a poor family, this amount of money could last for ten years if they lived frugally.

Even with his current sharp increase in monthly expenses, he can still make ends meet for several months.

"The Wu family will provide the food and medicine supplements. Let's save this money and buy a house in the county town later."

He whispered.

Buying a house in the county town, or even in the suburbs, is a childhood dream for every child from a poor family.

At dusk, the afterglow of the sunset painted the sky with countless rays.

A large table was set up in the main hall of the Wu family home, laden with delicacies.

Wu Lao Da and Wu Lao Er invited some collateral relatives to sit down together. The more people they invited, the more face they were giving to the newly promoted martial arts scholar.

During the meal, after several rounds of drinks...

Wu Duan pointed to a bowl of meat in the center of the table and said, "This is wild venison, simmered with tonics for three hours. It is very beneficial for martial arts training. Martial Arts Master Chen, there is no need to be polite."

Chen Mo nodded slightly and said thank you.

He picked up a piece with his chopsticks and ate it. Sure enough, a medicinal power emanated from the venison and seeped into his internal organs.

Besides the venison, there were many other delicacies that Chen Mo had never seen before, not even in his previous life.

"Wu Duan and Wu Zheng may not be good at anything else, but they certainly spared no expense in preparing this meal."

He thought to himself.

Just as everyone was clinking glasses and raising their chopsticks, a loud, bell-like voice suddenly rang out.

"Master Chen has been honored with a place on the honor roll; why don't you invite this old man to take a seat?"

Immediately, a series of heavy footsteps sounded, and Zhao Huayuan walked to the main hall and appeared before everyone.

Upon seeing this, Wu Duan and Wu Zheng turned deathly pale and jumped to their feet.