Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy!

Rising Sun Pavilion!

At this moment, Meng Xing and six or seven other new students looked rather distressed.

"Just received the news, the Sihe Martial Arts Academy from Zheng Kingdom and Qingyun Martial Arts Academy had an exchange, Qingyun Martial Arts Academy suffered a great defeat, and the Capital Martial Arts Academy also lost to Xiang Kingdom’s Pilgrim Martial Arts Academy. The next target of these two academies is likely to be Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy."

Hao Jifeng from Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy looked very serious; these two academies came prepared this time.

There are some things he can’t tell his disciples yet. Not long ago, both Xiang Kingdom and Zheng Kingdom had clashes at the border with Liang, but they didn’t gain any advantage, and retreated in shame, leaving behind hundreds of corpses.

This matter is only known to the high-level of the Imperial Court and the Military Department, but the local chief officers of each province have been given secret messages, and the status of the Martial Arts Academy Director is not lower than that of the Mansion Master of Xingdao, so they naturally would be informed.

Three days ago, the Pilgrim Martial Arts Academy of Xiang Kingdom, led by a vice-president, visited the Capital Martial Arts Academy for a martial exchange. Similarly, Zheng Kingdom’s Sihe Martial Arts Academy also led a delegation to Qingyun Martial Arts Academy, making it difficult not to relate these events to the border conflict.

Xiang Kingdom and Zheng Kingdom lost face at the border and want to regain it through the Martial Arts Academy.

The ranking competition of the Nine Countries Martial Arts Academy always represents the strength of the young generation of the Nine Kingdoms. The common people and martial artists of Liang do not know the ranking results of the Nine Countries Martial Arts Academy because the Four Great Martial Arts Academies of Liang consistently rank low, and naturally, the Imperial Court does not publicize them much.

But it’s different for the other countries, especially those ranked at the top. To promote their martial prowess as superior to the others, the academy ranking competitions are publicized nationwide.

"Dean Hao, how many moves did Kong Qing exchange with the opponent?" Meng Xing looked up and asked.

Kong Qing is the top disciple of this generation in Qingyun Martial Arts Academy. From the encounter between Kong Qing and the opponent, Meng Xing can roughly judge the disciple’s strength from Zheng Kingdom’s Sihe Martial Arts Academy.

"Thirty moves!"

When Hao Jifeng said this, the countenance of the other disciples present turned even gloomier.

The name of Kong Qing is well-known; even before refining the viscera, his genius reputation had spread beyond the capital, reaching even Xingdao where they were.

"Kong Qing was defeated in thirty moves, and Zhang Ming only lasted ten moves!"

This statement was like a heavy blow to the hearts of the disciples present. Zhang Ming is the top disciple of the new batch at the Capital Martial Arts Academy, with strength comparable to Kong Qing.

"Dean Hao, if that’s the case, I’m afraid I can’t defeat the opponent either."

Meng Xing had confidence in his strength, believing he was not inferior to Kong Qing and Zhang Ming. However, he wouldn’t arrogantly assume he could defeat both Kong Qing and Zhang Ming within thirty moves.

"If even Senior Brother Meng isn’t a match, who else in the academy could be?"

"Does this mean if these two academies come to our Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, our academy would also follow the footsteps of Qingyun and the Capital Martial Arts Academy?"

Within the Four Great Martial Arts Academies of Liang, losing to other academies is unpleasant, but it’s an internal affair after all. Now that the opponents are coming to challenge, if they lose again, especially to Zheng and Xiang Kingdoms, it would be a great humiliation.

The disciples present all come from martial arts families and knew a bit about the relations among the Nine Kingdoms.

"Dean Hao, can’t we refuse?"

A disciple spoke up, but the moment he did, he was met with scornful looks from the others.

Admitting defeat before a fight is even more disgraceful.

Does he really think Zheng and Xiang Kingdoms are benevolent? If the academy dares to refuse, these two would probably return home and heavily propagate that Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy didn’t dare to compete.

They wouldn’t even need to return to their country; Lingxiao City, being the largest city in Liang, already gathers martial artists from the Nine Kingdoms. In the taverns and teahouses, news of significant events across countries spreads every day.

In less than a day, this news would spread throughout Lingxiao City, and Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy would be ridiculed to the point of being unable to hold its head high.

"Do your best."

Hao Jifeng sighed lightly. He informed Meng Xing and the other disciples, hoping they would work harder these days to see if they could improve their strength a bit more, but he didn’t hold high hopes.

Meng Xing saw the look of disappointment on Dean Hao’s face, pondered for a while, and said, "Dean Hao, I actually think there is one person who might be a match for those two academies."

"Who?"

"Senior Brother Lin."

Back at Canglan Martial Arts Academy, during his battle with Senior Brother Lin, besides himself, no one knew the process.

He didn’t like lying, but he didn’t want too many people to know about such a humiliating matter either.

He could only withstand three moves from Senior Brother Lin!

The reason it lasted as long as it did was because he saw that Senior Brother Lin gave him opportunities; otherwise, the battle could have ended much sooner. Secondly, he used the family secret technique, the cost of which was lying in bed for seven days, directly returning from Eastward Path to Lingxiao City while bedridden.

Moreover, this secret technique has usage limits, being only usable once every three months. Even if he wanted to use it again, not enough time had passed, and forcibly using it would ruin his martial foundation.

"Lin Chen from Canglan Martial Arts Academy?"

Hao Jifeng looked deeply at Meng Xing. Back when Meng Xing lost to Lin Chen at Canglan Martial Arts Academy, he didn’t inquire much.

Lin Chen won, which didn’t surprise him, as he was hailed as a genius surpassing Pei Qingming.

Choosing to go to Canglan Martial Arts Academy for an exchange was also because Meng Xing wanted to fight Lin Chen, and the academy granted Meng Xing’s request.

"Senior Brother Meng, even if Lin Chen..."

"In Martial Path, ability defines precedence; even if Senior Brother Lin isn’t from our Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, calling him Senior Brother isn’t inappropriate."

Meng Xing directly interrupted Fu Ze. Fu Ze was startled, but under Meng Xing’s gaze, he changed his wording: "Even though Senior Brother Lin might match those two disciples, he is not a disciple of our Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy."

"I mean to say, even if our Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy loses, it doesn’t matter. When those two challenge Canglan Martial Arts Academy, Senior Brother Lin will reclaim pride for Liang."

Hiss!

When Hao Jifeng heard Meng Xing’s words, his old eyes suddenly contracted; Meng Xing reminded him!

Due to Lin Chen joining Canglan Martial Arts Academy, this term, the number of genius students they recruited was ten percent less than the previous term, and they were all promising.

If all three of their academies were to lose to Sihe and Pilgrim Martial Arts Academies, and in the end, Canglan Martial Arts Academy turned the tide and defeated these two academies, saving face for Liang...

He could imagine that, given the nature of Hua Qianwu, that old fellow, he would probably publicize this matter until everyone knew.

Come next year’s recruitment...

Once this situation occurs, next year those three would only be able to pick up what Canglan Martial Arts Academy does not want.

"Meng Xing, do you have such high expectations for Lin Chen, believing that Lin Chen can defeat his opponents?"

Hao Jifeng’s expression was very serious. Meng Xing thought for a moment and held up three fingers.

What does Senior Brother Meng mean by holding up three fingers?

"Senior Brother Meng, are you saying Lin Chen... Senior Brother Lin has a thirty-percent chance of winning?" a disciple guessed.

"To be honest, during my fight with Senior Brother Lin, I lost in three moves."

Hao Jifeng: ...

Fu Ze: ...

Other disciples: ...

The entire Rising Sun Pavilion fell silent.

After a long pause, Hao Jifeng stared intently at Meng Xing and asked, "Meng Xing, is this true?"

"Dean Hao, there’s no reason for me to lie about such an embarrassing matter."

Seeing Meng Xing’s wry smile, Hao Jifeng believed that Meng Xing was telling the truth, and the other disciples, especially Fu Ze, had looks of disbelief on their faces.

He was just outside the courtyard at the time, never expecting Senior Brother Meng would lose to Lin Chen in just three moves.

"Senior Brother Meng, but wasn’t I outside the courtyard hearing noise for quite a while?"

"Senior Brother Lin spared me some face. If Senior Brother Lin had gone all out, he could have defeated me in three moves. But he didn’t; instead, he allowed me the opportunity to display my Fist Technique and waited until I was clearly outmatched before he ended the fight."

Fu Ze fell silent. He somewhat understood why Senior Brother Meng’s attitude toward Lin Chen had changed dramatically upon leaving the yard, greeting him with the respect of "Senior Brother" even though they were not from the same academy.

It turned out Lin Chen allowed Senior Brother Meng into the courtyard to compete, preventing others from observing to preserve Senior Brother Meng’s dignity.

If he were in Senior Brother Meng’s shoes, he’d feel grateful to Lin Chen as well.

"This incident I am aware of, but let’s not mention it outside."

Hao Jifeng instructed Meng Xing and the others to leave, while he stayed in the pavilion, stroking his beard and musing over something.

If Lin Chen could indeed defeat the young martial artists from the two kingdoms, the academy could certainly maneuver a bit, though that old fellow Hua Qianwu might not be so willing to let someone go.

This matter needs to be discussed with the director.

...

...

"Senior Brother Lin, have you heard?"

"What?"

Lin Chen, coming out of his own courtyard, looked puzzled as he heard Fang Zhan speaking.

"The Pilgrim Martial Arts Academy from the Xiang Kingdom and the Sihe Martial Arts Academy from the Zheng Kingdom have sent people to our Liang Capital to spar with Qingyun Martial Arts Academy and the Capital City Martial Arts Academy. Both Qingyun and the Capital City Martial Arts Academy suffered defeats, and quite disastrous ones at that."

"Is that so?"

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. Having been at the academy for almost three months, he had gained some understanding of it.

The Martial Arts Academies usually engage in martial exchanges within Liang among its four academies before the new year, and after the new year, academies from other countries come for exchanges. Of course, Liang’s academies can also visit other countries.

These usually occur after the new year and typically not until the new students are nearly six months into their training. Now, it’s been less than three months, and the academies from the Xiang and Zheng Kingdoms have sent people, which is indeed unusual.

"Fourteen days ago, the Zheng and Xiang Kingdoms provoked issues at our Liang border but were repelled by our Liang Military Department’s veterans. Feeling humiliated, they now seek to regain face through martial exchange."

Xiao Yaojin, stepping out of his courtyard at that moment, provided clarity to Lin Chen’s confusion.

As the young marquis of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yaojin did not come to Canglan Martial Arts Academy alone; guards accompanied him, maintaining correspondence with the marquis’s mansion through letters. Although the border conflict did not occur in the Northern Border, the Xiao Family was surely informed.

"Does the Zheng and Xiang Kingdoms often clash with our Liang at the border?" Lin Chen asked curiously.

"No."

Xiao Yaojin shook his head: "It’s been almost ten years since Xiang Kingdom clashed with our Liang. As for the Zheng Kingdom, this conflict is due to the Imperial Court’s proclamation about the Demon Race’s past atrocities against Liang, with many demons residing in Zheng, the common folk there hold deep animosity towards Zheng, leading to their disgruntled retaliation."

"Zheng Kingdom only dares to play small tricks, not daring to engage in genuine warfare."

Fang Zhan sneered disdainfully at the Zheng Kingdom.

This group relying on beasts could hardly be considered human; they were beast-men.

"Since Xiang Kingdom hasn’t clashed with our Liang for ten years, why this time—could they have formed an alliance with Zheng Kingdom?"

"Probably not." Xiao Yaojin pondered and explained: "Our Liang is sandwiched between Zheng and Xiang. Before clashing with us, they probably did not form an alliance; my elders speculate there might be changes in the Snow Territory."

"Snow Territory?"

This was yet another place Lin Chen had not heard of.

"Senior Brother Lin, the Snow Territory is the border area between our Liang and Xiang Kingdom; it’s extremely cold, uninhabited, and filled with snowy mountains." Fang Zhan explained to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen nodded, understanding that such an uninhabitable frigid land served well as a neutral border between the two nations.

"Prior to the conflict, Xiang Kingdom certainly didn’t ally with Zheng Kingdom, but they might have reached some agreements afterward; otherwise, those two academies wouldn’t have headed to the capital simultaneously."

Lin Chen agreed with Xiao Yaojin’s assessment.

Though such national affairs were still too distant for him, as he was merely a humble Viscera-Refining Martial Artist.

"Junior Brother Lin, the director requests your presence at the main hall!"

Just as Lin Chen and Xiao Yaojin finished their exchange, preparing to continue ascending Canglan Peak, a disciple from the academy came to deliver the message.