Martial Arts Arena!
Jiang Duanchao and Chu Ming stepped back, while Lin Chen and Jiang Cheng moved forward.
Zhuang Min and Shu Suwan stood to the side, not showing any worry on their faces. With Jiang Duanchao and Chu Ming present, even if Lin Chen and Jiang Cheng got heated, they could be stopped immediately.
"Brother Cheng will definitely win."
Chu Xi clenched her fists and murmured softly. Jiang Qing glanced at her but did not bother to argue.
There was no need to argue.
She believed in Junior Brother Lin’s strength.
"Junior Brother Lin, please!"
Jiang Cheng smiled at Lin Chen, who understood that he would not attack first. After all, he broke through to the Refining Viscera Realm before Lin Chen, and attacking first would lack grace.
"Senior Brother Jiang, please advise."
Lin Chen nodded. As the words lingered in the air, his figure shot out like an arrow from a bow. At the moment Lin Chen moved, Jiang Cheng’s expression became serious, and the muscles in his arms tensed, his eyes fixed intently ahead.
Unfortunately, Lin Chen’s speed was faster than he had imagined, especially as he approached, his figure disappeared like a ghost.
"Not good!"
Jiang Cheng’s pupils contracted sharply, but his reaction was swift. Although he couldn’t spot Lin Chen, he quickly arched his body, moved to the left, and punched towards the front left.
Bam!
Lin Chen appeared exactly on Jiang Cheng’s left side. The clash of fist and palm stirred up a dust storm on the blue stone slabs, and Jiang Cheng staggered back three steps.
"What fast body technique!"
Chu Ming watched with a surprised look in his eyes, not astonished by Lin Chen’s equal power with Jiang Cheng. Having his name on the Martial Arts Mountain’s honor roll seven times and stepping into the Refining Viscera Realm, he was naturally stronger than the average Refining Viscera Martial Artist. What surprised him was Lin Chen’s speed.
This speed was not typical for someone who had just entered the Refining Viscera Realm, especially to maneuver and change positions at such a speed.
"It’s just okay."
Jiang Duanchao looked calm. Chu Ming rolled his eyes, just okay? Back in your day, you didn’t have this speed.
But there’s nothing to be done; after all, Lin Chen might be Jiang Duanchao’s future son-in-law. The old man defending his future son-in-law is understandable.
In the arena!
Lin Chen was also surprised at Jiang Cheng’s reaction, able to accurately capture the change in his position. This was a body technique evolved after comprehending the Gale Leg.
Sure enough, the world should not be underestimated.
Compared to Lin Chen’s surprise, Jiang Cheng was momentarily shocked.
In that moment, he didn’t actually spot Lin Chen on the left side. It was purely by chance that he chose a direction in uncertainty, and it was a stroke of luck to hit the mark.
Lin Chen’s speed shocked him, but his power was even harder to believe.
That clash had numbed his fist. He had been refining his viscera for two months, his heart fully tempered, while Lin Chen had just entered the Refining Viscera Realm and likely hadn’t fully tempered his heart.
"Looks like I can’t hold back my strength; otherwise, I might lose unexpectedly."
Lin Chen’s figure arose again, the Wind and Cloud Palm fully unleashed. The martial arts arena echoed with wind and thunder. Everyone saw Jiang Cheng surrounded by palm shadows filling the sky.
Bam!
Bam!
Bam!
In a few short breaths, the two had exchanged several times. Each time, Jiang Cheng was forced back a few steps, shattering the blue stone slabs beneath him, kicking up a flurry of stones.
Throughout, facing Lin Chen’s ghostly figure and terrifying palm force, Jiang Cheng had no way to counter, only able to defensively withstand.
"Jiang Cheng lost."
Chu Ming sighed. Up until now, Jiang Cheng couldn’t even touch Lin Chen, and was outmatched both in speed and strength. There was no need for the fight to continue.
"Jiang Duanchao, you’ve found a good son-in-law."
"This kid is just okay, still far from meeting the standard to be my son-in-law."
As Jiang Duanchao said this, Chu Ming fell silent at once. He felt there was no need to argue further, or he would only make himself more uncomfortable.
"Stop now!"
Chu Ming’s figure flickered into the arena. Without any visible action, Lin Chen felt a terrifying force immobilize him. The same happened to Jiang Cheng on the other side.
Jiang Cheng’s face was pale. He glanced at Lin Chen and gave a bitter smile: "Junior Brother Lin is formidable, truly deserving to have his name on the Martial Path Mountain seven times. I concede defeat."
No choice but to concede.
Jiang Cheng could feel that although Lin Chen’s palm technique was terrifying, its attacks were not brutally aggressive, clearly holding back to save face, otherwise he would have been defeated faster.
No wonder he’s known as a genius comparable to Senior Pei. He’s just started Refining Viscera and already has such strength.
"Senior Brother Jiang, thank you for going easy."
Lin Chen also spoke with a smile. He certainly hadn’t exerted his full strength, only using the first four moves of the Wind and Cloud Palm.
"You men always know only to fight and kill, isn’t it better to tend to flowers?"
Zhuang Min spoke. Although her husband and Chu Ming bickered, the two families had great relations, and she didn’t want Jiang Cheng to feel awkward.
"Knowing that my sister-in-law loves gardening, I brought some flower seeds this time. See how forgetful I am, almost forgot about that."
Chu Ming also changed the topic, not discussing the duel further but chatting about flowers.
Jiang Family’s back garden.
Lin Chen and Jiang Qing strolled along the corridor.
"Junior Brother, when do you plan to go to Canglan Martial Arts Academy?"
Originally, Jiang Qing knew that her father might not want Lin Chen to go to Canglan Martial Arts Academy, but after today’s events, her father wouldn’t oppose it anymore.
"I’m not quite sure yet. Tomorrow, I need to go to Huang Mountain in Huizhou Prefecture with the Instructor first. The Mountain Suppressing Chart I practice is the cultivation technique of the Huang Family, and the Patriarch Huang instructed the Instructor to wait for me to reach the Refining Viscera Realm before going there."
Lin Chen briefly explained the Mountain Suppressing Chart he was cultivating and what the Instructor had said.
Jiang Qing blinked slightly. Since Junior Brother Lin was going to Huizhou Prefecture, he couldn’t go to Canglan Martial Arts Academy together with her.
"The Mountain Suppressing Chart is the Huang Family’s cultivation technique. They must have kept something private or have some cultivation secrets. This time, their intention in sending you to Huang Mountain is probably to share some cultivation secrets of the Mountain Suppressing Chart with you."
"Yes, that’s what I think as well."
"When the Huang Family initially gave you the Mountain Suppressing Chart, they did not tell you the secrets of cultivation. Back then, it was probably just to do a favor for the Military Affairs Hall. Now that you’ve made a name for yourself seven times on Martial Arts Mountain, showcasing your potential, the Huang Family is likely trying to draw you in."
Attracting young geniuses is best achieved through marriage.
The Huang Family certainly doesn’t lack girls of the same age as Junior Brother Lin. Even if they don’t have any direct lineage, they surely have some in the collateral branches.
"When the Patriarch Huang accepted my Instructor as a disciple, I suppose that makes me the disciple-grandson of the Patriarch, so there’s no need for further wooing."
Lin Chen smiled slightly, unaware of Jiang Qing’s thoughts at the moment, merely analyzing the situation.
The Huang Family doesn’t need to win him over; it’s highly likely that the cultivation secrets of the Mountain Suppressing Chart are related to Huang Mountain. According to Elder Lord Li, the Mountain Suppressing Chart was comprehended by a Huang Family ancestor who meditated in Huang Mountain for many years.
"Does Senior Sister remember the place where we led Junior Brother to comprehend the Water Cloud Palm?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Qing understood Lin Chen’s meaning and nodded slightly: "The Huang Family probably knows a special place that’s beneficial for cultivating the Mountain Suppressing Chart. So, it seems Junior Brother Lin indeed needs to go to Huang Mountain."
Understanding the relationship between Lin Chen and the Huang Family, as well as the purpose of sending Lin Chen to Huang Mountain, Jiang Qing’s worries subsided.
"When will Senior Sister leave for Canglan Martial Arts Academy?"
"In three days. By then, my father will take me to Canglan Martial Arts Academy."
Knowing that Jiang Qing’s future father-in-law will accompany her to Canglan Martial Arts Academy, Lin Chen was equally reassured.
Judging from the situation in Jiangnan Dao, the Liang is still quite safe, especially with such a Middle Grade master in the form of her father-in-law.
The two chatted for about a quarter of an hour when a servant came to notify that the kitchen had prepared the meals, prompting both to follow the servant to the dining courtyard, feeling slightly reluctant yet satisfied.
After the meal.
Lin Chen and his Master’s wife left the Jiang Mansion and returned to the Shu Mansion.
That evening, unexpectedly to Lin Chen, the Shu Family gave him considerable attention. Not only did his Master’s wife’s father appear, but her elder brother and several other stewards of the Shu Family were also present.
The meal was naturally enjoyable for both hosts and guests.
That night, Lin Chen trained in the Shu Family courtyard for two hours before returning to his room to rest.
The night passed without words.
Early next morning!
The dawn was just breaking.
Two horses rode out from the Shu Mansion, exiting the city and heading southeast.
It takes just a day’s journey from Raozhou Prefecture to Huizhou Prefecture, but entering Huizhou Prefecture’s territory to reach Huang Mountain requires another day’s journey.
The official road was bustling with people.
"Lin Chen, from the time you started martial arts, you’ve always been in the Martial Hall, then went to the Martial Academy... but now you’re mostly training under the Military Affairs Department. While I don’t have much more to teach you about martial arts cultivation, the martial arts world is not just the Military Affairs Department’s system. Once you step out, there’s an even broader martial arts world. Today, as your Instructor, I’ll teach you a lesson beyond the Military Affairs Department."
Yu Yongnian recalled the hardships and deceptions he experienced coming out from the Martial Academy back in the day, all valuable experiences.
Lin Chen, though gifted in martial arts, has a potential that might even allow him to Enter the Grade upon leaving the Martial Academy, yet some experiences are universally applicable.
"In the outside world, you must learn to read people, especially deducing the strength and background of others from subtle cues, and try not to provoke those stronger than yourself."
Yu Yongnian slowed his horse down, "Some people’s true strength cannot be discerned just by their attire, but rather you can tell from their posture."
Lin Chen listened attentively.
"Avoid the one-armed bladesman, the bearded gunman, solitary women..."
"Why is that?"
"Those who use blades are typically decisive and ruthless. The one-armed bladesman is even more so; such people either don’t strike or when they do, it’s to the death. Bearded gunmen are fierce as the spear embodies bravery and ferocity. Anyone with a beard is likely to have an impressive spear technique. As for solitary women... if a woman can walk alone in the martial arts realm, it already proves her capability."
"I understand, Instructor."
Lin Chen nodded. What the Instructor said resonated with the types of people not to mess with as mentioned in the martial arts novels he’d read in his previous life.
Monks, Taoists, widows, dwarfs, children...
Adding to those from later novels: the blind man playing erhu, the old man fishing, blacksmiths, odd jobs... should also be avoided.
Surnames Ye and Su... those from the four great families should not be provoked either...
Lin Chen had long summarized in his mind that the martial arts realm consisted of three types of people: seniors, seniors-in-training, and ants.
Those you can’t beat are seniors, those whose depth you can’t fathom are seniors-in-training, and those you can defeat are ants. Remembering this principle is enough.
While Lin Chen’s thoughts wandered, suddenly a commotion came from ahead. Lin Chen and his Instructor, Yu Yongnian, exchanged a glance and saw a crowd gathering on the official road ahead, so they slowed down their horses and gradually approached.

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