Martial Saint through Reading

Feng Yuan had originally planned, during today’s Political Book class, to test Chu Ming’s abilities, and if his performance was too poor, he’d simply give up on the boy.

But to his surprise, before any test had begun, Chu Ming had already displayed, under another identity, a talent that astonished both him and County Magistrate Liuu!

The test... Political Book class!

Feng Yuan suddenly recalled something, suppressed the shock on his face, and cupped his hands slightly toward Tan Hong: "Captain Tan, this matter is of great importance. Please inform Judicial Officer Shao, and don’t, under any circumstance, let slip that Chu Ming is the scholar."

A sixteen-year-old youth, possessing the ability to deduce the "Mountain and Sea Great Wilderness Scripture · Mountain Scripture"—a genius of this caliber, if known to the wrong people, would cause endless trouble.

"Don’t worry, Lord Feng. Not a word about Chu Ming will be leaked."

He didn’t need Feng Yuan to say it—Tan Hong already knew what the scholar Chu Ming represented.

What’s more, even if Chu Ming weren’t that scholar, he and Shao Pengshu wouldn’t allow anything to happen to him.

Shao Pengshu’s promotion from Arresting Captain to Criminal Captain, and his own elevation from deputy to chief, was all due to the Blood Evil Sect in Liuu Town—Instructor Fang had credited them with all the merit.

He and Shao Pengshu had promised Instructor Fang to protect Chu Ming well.

Besides these two reasons, there was actually a third: the strength technique Chu Ming had previously given them.

After several days of practice, the Qi Blood they’d condensed within was now solidifying, and becoming even denser than that of ordinary martial artists.

Though only a faint trace, it left the two men desperate to know if there was more to the cultivation technique.

They thought about asking Fang Xiao, but due to his intimidating presence, Tan Hong and Shao Pengshu both felt Chu Ming was easier to approach.

"Mm, I’ll go find that boy!"

Feng Yuan wasted no more words, strode out of the courtyard in big steps, and headed straight for the Political Book class hall.

A moment later.

He frowned as he looked toward the assembled junior examinees in the hall, his gaze finally locking onto Ning Hao and Liang Yuan in the middle row.

The thick "Poetry, Politics, and Military" book stood tall in front of them both, hiding their faces from Feng Yuan’s view.

Which only made Feng Yuan think that Ning Hao and Liang Yuan were feeling guilty—too afraid to meet his eyes.

"Ningx Dahuan, Liang Xiaotong." He walked slowly to their side, his tone unfriendly amid the students’ confused stares.

Ningx Dahuan?

Liang Xiaotong?

The other junior examinees were even more puzzled—what sort of names was Lord Feng calling out?

Brute?! Young Scholar?!

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan jerked their heads up, alarm instantly flashing across their faces.

Mr. Feng knows about yesterday’s matter!

As expected, it was you brats!

With just a glance, Feng Yuan saw the answer in their eyes—the three in the gallery yesterday were none other than the three from Yunqi Courtyard!

"Where is he?" He stared coldly at Ning Hao and Liang Yuan, his voice ice-cold.

Where?

Xu He, up front, listened keenly—a flash of delight crossing his eyes.

Chu Ming didn’t come, and Lord Feng is angry.

The angrier he gets, the better!

Xiaang Changgu, hearing the interrogative tone, let the rarest hint of a cold sneer show on his face.

Luu Xian in the back row went even further—he could barely contain the smile at the corners of his mouth.

The moment Feng Yuan opened his mouth, Luu Xian felt a rush of satisfaction—like finally counterattacking after being suppressed for so long.

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan grew even more panicked at Feng Yuan’s questioning.

"Are you deaf or dumb?"

Feng Yuan snapped harshly, making both of them shudder.

Liang Yuan shrank back, surreptitiously nudging Ning Hao.

"Brother Chu... Junior Brother Chu, he, he went to Wenlan Hall."

Ning Hao, off guard, leaned a little closer to Feng Yuan by mistake and had no choice but to answer.

Wenlan Hall?

Upon hearing this, Xiaang Changgu and Xu He’s faces showed even more ridicule.

To skip Lord Feng’s class and run off to Wenlan Hall—that’s blatant disrespect!

But... it was also the best chance to make an impression.

Xu He immediately stood and bowed formally to Feng Yuan: "Lord, it’s getting late. We can’t let one examinee hold up the lesson..."

"Lesson? Lesson, my ass!"

Feng Yuan swished his sleeves forcefully, his gaze sharp as it swept the whole hall; all present hastily ducked their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Xu He froze on the spot, flustered and confused.

It was just a remark—how did Lord Feng get so furious?

"Each of you competes all day long, but in the end, you’re no match for him!" Feng Yuan strode to the door. "Reflect on yourselves!"

He threw the words behind him and hurried toward Wenlan Hall, leaving behind a group of thoroughly bewildered junior examinees.

Mr. Feng is skipping his lesson because Chu Ming didn’t show up?

Lord Feng is truly angry!

Chu Ming is finished.

But then—what did Lord Feng’s last words mean?

Among those present, apart from Ning Hao and Liang Yuan, everyone else guessed that this Chu Ming had really caused trouble.

Xu He was still dazed, until Xiaang Changgu’s voice sounded beside him: "Senior Brother Xu, Lord Feng is gone."

Gone?

Xu He wiped the sweat from his forehead, the fear fleeing his face, replaced by elation.

Lord Feng’s anger means serious consequences.

He glanced at Ning Hao and Liang Yuan, a trace of disdain flickering in his heart.

’Junior Brother Chu, you brought this on yourself. No one else to blame.’

Xu He turned and said to Xiaang Changgu, "Since Lord Feng can’t teach, let’s go keep studying the Mount... I mean, those texts."

...

Baiyuan Academy, Wenlan Hall.

"Chu Ming. Inner Courtyard, the innermost bookshelf, top shelf, far left—you’ll find what you want."

Shen Yu, clad in an ink shirt, sat in the center of the courtyard, leisurely sipping his tea.

"Thank you, Mr. Xie." Chu Ming bowed, preparing to enter.

"From now on, don’t call me Mister. Call me something else." Shen Yu took a sip of tea and said gently, "To be honest, you and I aren’t that far apart in age."

Not far apart in age?!

You’re well into your sixties, surely over forty years older than me—and that’s not ’not far apart’?

Chu Ming paused mid-step, turning back with a puzzled look.

"Call me Brother Shen, Old Brother Shen, or just Shen, that works too." Shen Yu’s face was utterly calm; he put down his cup, filled the one beside him, and with a nonchalant air said, "It’s been years since someone called me Brother Shen, or Shen."

Chu Ming glanced at the two cups on the stone table, pondering Shen Yu’s words—an odd feeling arising inside him.

"Old...Brother Shen?"

"Mm," Shen Yu’s eyes gleamed. He picked up one cup and handed it to Chu Ming, while taking another for himself. "Come, have some tea."

Judging by the scene, was this a tea ceremony for some secret brotherhood ritual?

"..."

Chu Ming shook his head. "I’m not thirsty."

With that, he turned and made his way toward the Inner Courtyard.

The Inner Courtyard wasn’t complicated—just a single path. At its end, he saw a small pavilion with a sign reading "Inner Courtyard."

Without stopping, Chu Ming stepped into the pavilion.

Rows of wooden bookshelves stood neatly on either side, a passageway down the middle; it looked much like a library from his previous life.

The lighting was a bit dim, and the air held a faint blend of scents—books, the fragrance of ink, and dust.

Looking along the shelves, there was some dust, but not much; the cleaning mustn’t have been too frequent.

Steadily, Chu Ming walked to the innermost side. Here, only one wooden bookshelf stood against the wall—with five tiers.