Chapter 265 - 164: Bestowal
Chu Lingguang gained a great deal from this battle.
His fame had truly skyrocketed.
The next day, Feng Junyi took Wang Chao back to the Qiling Governor’s Mansion to report on their mission. Two days after that, with their mission successfully concluded, Emperor Yue Xuan, Chen Jin, and the others all bid their farewells.
Lian Junmiao and his group also took their leave around the same time.
Before she left, Liu Qingqing said, "Chu Lingguang, you defeated Samba, so the academy should have another round of rewards for you. I’m really looking forward to you participating in the provincial Martial Arts Examination in nine months. I even want to see you and Yan Zhen compete. Regardless of who wins or loses, you’re both heroes of our generation."
"Mm, we’ll see when the time comes."
Chu Lingguang rode Little Red Horse to see them off at the main road.
Afterward, he returned to the Martial Arts Hall with Hei Hu.
For the past few days, Chu Lingguang had been rushing between the Martial Arts Hall and Fengyue Building. He was busy drinking and celebrating with Emperor Yue Xuan, Lian Junmiao, and the others, sharing their experiences. At the same time, they all listened to Guo Wei’s analysis and lessons regarding the battle.
Everyone gained a great deal.
Now that he had seen them off, Chu Lingguang didn’t return to Liu Family Gully. Instead, he went back to the Martial Arts Hall. Ever since his victory over Samba, two separate groups of people from Liu Family Gully had already come to the Martial Arts Hall, asking when he would be back.
They said they had prepared a banquet and were just waiting to celebrate his victory.
Chu Lingguang had Guo Fang turn them away.
It wasn’t that he held a grudge; he just knew his priorities. Even if there was to be a feast, he first had to visit his Second Aunt’s family and Butcher Hu’s home. He couldn’t forget the people who had cheered him on back then.
’He would first take care of these relationships, earn a good amount of Favor Points, and then it wouldn’t be too late to return to Liu Family Gully. Of course, he also needed to adjust his attitude toward those people. If he let them think he was a pushover, they might be even worse the next time something similar happened.’
Chu Lingguang etched into his memory those who had been good to him.
Likewise, he would silently take note of those who bore him ill will and worked against him in the shadows.
One must have not only the compassion of a Bodhisattva, but also the fury of a Vajra.
And so, for the next few days, Chu Lingguang continued to stay at the Martial Arts Hall. This way, if Guo Wei needed to ask him anything, he could find him easily. However, Guo Wei could see that Chu Lingguang was busy navigating his relationships with relatives and the local townsfolk who had supported him, so he told Chu Lingguang to take care of these social obligations first.
Guo Wei didn’t ask about how Chu Lingguang had activated his third-level Dharma Aspect or comprehended Double Potential Energy Superposition.
「The next day at noon.」
「At the home of Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family.」
"Master Guo, thank you. If it weren’t for you, Lin Guang wouldn’t be where he is today, and my husband and I wouldn’t be able to share in his glory."
"Master Guo, I’ll drain my cup to show my respect."
Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family had prepared a feast to host Chu Lingguang and Guo Wei.
Chu Lingguang was an orphan, making Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family his only true relative. The couple had long wanted to host Guo Wei to thank him properly, but they had never dared to ask, nor could they have afforded anything good enough to serve him.
This time, with Chu Lingguang’s victory over Samba, his fame had truly soared. It was even more spectacular than his achievement of taking the top spot in the South City Martial Arts Examination. Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family first asked Chu Lingguang, and only after receiving his consent did she dare to invite Guo Wei.
Guo Wei treated Chu Lingguang like his own son, so how could he possibly refuse an invitation from Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family?
Master and disciple walked to Zhang Family Gully together and had a meal in Zhang Da’s humble, tile-roofed house. Guo Wei put on no airs at all. When he saw that Zhang Linghua was of marriageable age, he even offered to act as a matchmaker for her.
"I should be thanking you for letting me take on such a good disciple."
Guo Wei raised his cup and drank with the couple.
「After they had eaten and drunk their fill.」
Chu Lingguang and the couple walked Guo Wei out of Zhang Family Gully. Chu Lingguang said to him, "Master, I’d like to take my two younger cousins to visit Mr. Liu."
Before the great battle, countless people had thought Chu Lingguang was sure to lose and face utter ruin. But Mr. Liu had continued to treat his two cousins as kindly as always, and Chu Lingguang wanted to thank him in person.
"Good. And while you’re there, give the old gentleman my regards."
Guo Wei nodded and added, "Oh, right. I’ll have Hei Hu come over later to take your cousin for a stroll down Wine Street. You should ask her if she’s willing to go."
"Ah... Oh, alright. Thank you, Master."
Chu Lingguang was overjoyed; he understood the hidden meaning in Guo Wei’s words.
He had long wanted to play matchmaker for Zhang Linghua and Hei Hu but had been struggling with how to bring it up with Hei Hu.
After all, Hei Hu was not only from a minor landlord’s family, but he now held an official rank. It was practically a certainty that he would become a Martial Arts Scholar in the future. Even a prominent family like the Li Family of North City had proactively come to their door to propose a marriage.
Zhang Linghua, on the other hand, was gentle and virtuous, but her family was poor. Her only real asset was her cousin. That was why, even though he and Hei Hu were fellow disciples, Chu Lingguang didn’t know how to approach him about it.
Now, with Guo Wei acting as the matchmaker, as long as Hei Hu took a fancy to Zhang Linghua, the marriage was as good as settled.
"I’ll be heading back now."
"Take care, Master."
"Thank you, Master Guo."
’Guo Wei treated all of his disciples as his own sons. Hei Hu was young and impetuous; if he settled down and started a family soon, perhaps his temperament would improve.’
’More importantly, although Zhang Linghua came from a poor background, she was gentle and virtuous just like Mrs. Chu of the Zhang Family. She was hardworking, resilient, and the kind of good girl who knew how to run a household.’
’Of course, the most important factor was Chu Lingguang.’
’Now that Chu Lingguang’s fame had skyrocketed, the Imperial Court was certain to reward him. If Hei Hu married Zhang Linghua, his future relationship with Chu Lingguang would become even closer.’
’Master Hei would surely understand this and would definitely agree to the match.’
「A couple of hours later.」
Master Hei personally brought Hei Hu to Zhang Family Gully, carrying a large pile of gifts. He had initially been hesitant when he first learned that Guo Wei wanted to arrange a marriage for Hei Hu with Chu Lingguang’s cousin.