Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

Zhou Shuwei chuckled lightly, interrupting his question. "I earned the title of Martial Scholar many years ago. It’s just... a sudden disaster struck my family back then. My father and brothers all met with misfortune, and I had no choice but to abandon the Martial Dao and return to take up this burden."

She straightened up slightly, her gaze turning to the rockery in the courtyard. She sighed, a touch of sorrow in her voice. "The reason I’m bringing this up now is because... my second brother was ambushed by a giant sea monster at sea... and has gone missing. The main branch of the Zhou Family now has no one left in the Court."

She turned her gaze back to Chen Shouheng. "The foundation of a Noble Family lies in its Grandmasters, but even more so in having someone in the Court. If no one holds power for a long time, even the greatest family enterprise is just a castle in the air. Decline is only a matter of time. My original intention..."

Her voice paused there, and her eyes swept across Chen Shouheng’s face with a faintly resentful expression. "...was for you to marry into my Zhou Family, or at least form an alliance through marriage. With the Zhou Family’s resources, we could help you embark on an official career, which would allow the Zhou Family to hold on until the next generation. A pity... you don’t seem to have any such intention."

She sighed softly. The sound of her sigh weighed on Chen Shouheng’s heart, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

"Since you are unwilling, then I have no choice but to go and compete for it myself. As for the family business, it’s time Qingyi was put to the test. She’s spoiled and arrogant. If we keep indulging her, she’ll suffer a great loss one day."

Zhou Shuwei withdrew her gaze, her lazy demeanor returning. "The He Niu Martial Arts Academy is world-renowned; only Martial Scholars may enter. Inside, they not only teach Superior Martial Arts, but also have retired court ministers who give lectures. However, the Martial Arts Academy is not a peaceful place. The struggles between Noble Families are more brutal than you can imagine. That’s why I need a reliable companion, and you are the perfect fit."

Seeing Chen Shouheng fall silent with a thoughtful look on his face, Zhou Shuwei leaned forward slightly. Her voice was low but struck a critical point. "Young Master Chen, you mustn’t focus only on what’s right in front of you. Your ambition is the Martial Examination, to pursue an official career, am I correct?"

Chen Shouheng nodded subconsciously.

"Then are you aware that for the Martial Examination’s Provincial Examination, and especially for the Metropolitan Examination, the Court will thoroughly investigate the origin of your Martial Arts?"

Zhou Shuwei’s gaze was like a torch, as if it could see right through him. "The Tiger Subduing Fist you practice comes from the Tiger Subduing Temple. Its origin is clear, so that’s manageable. But what about your Inner Qi Heart Method? What is it called? From which school or sect does it originate?

"If you were just a commoner, it wouldn’t matter. As long as you didn’t steal it from some heritage, no one would bother you. But once you set foot on an official career path, all these problems will be magnified. Can you explain it clearly? ’A family heirloom’ is not an explanation. What is it called? Where was it passed down from? All of this needs to be explained.

"If someone with malicious intent frames you, claiming its origins are unknown, or even labels it as an Evil Demon Technique, how would you defend yourself? At that point, forget an official career—you might not even be able to protect your own life."

Chen Shouheng’s expression changed at her words.

’I’ve never thought about this aspect before.’

He was certain that the Dragon Suppressing and Tiger Subduing True Skill was by no means an Evil Demon Technique.

’But this Cultivation Technique was passed down by my father. Where did the lineage come from?’

’I have no idea! My father never told me.’

’It’s just as Zhou Shuwei said. Even being branded as someone who stole another’s heritage could easily block my path to an official career.’

Zhou Shuwei continued, "But if you enter the He Niu Martial Arts Academy, everything changes. All the Cultivation Techniques in the academy are certified by the Court, with impeccable pedigrees. Once you enter the academy, it’s equivalent to getting an official endorsement for all your skills. From then on, your origins will be clean, and no one will dare attack you on this point again. That is the first reason.

"Second, most of the lecturers at the Martial Arts Academy are retired grandees from the Hanlin Academy, Imperial Censors, or even the Six Ministries. Their students and old friends are spread throughout the government and the country; their influence is beyond your imagination. If you can win their favor and be accepted as a student, you will naturally have people to promote and look after you in your official career. A meteoric rise is no empty promise. How could you possibly gain this by shutting yourself away to train in Lingxi?"

She leaned back against her chair, resuming her posture of complete control. "One hundred thousand taels of silver to solve your family’s urgent crisis. Plus, this golden path to a brilliant future, clearing away all future troubles and paving a smooth road for you. All in exchange for those fifty thousand stones of hot-potato grain in your hands. Chen Shouheng, this offer from my Zhou Family is more than generous. Do you... still need to hesitate?"

Chen Shouheng was completely stunned.

He had originally only been thinking about exchanging the grain for money to buy land. He never expected that Zhou Shuwei’s words would unveil a completely different picture for him.

Yet, these issues were very real, and by no means alarmist talk.

’Although my father is powerful, he is ultimately lying low in the countryside. When it comes to matters of the Court, his reach is limited.’

’He Niu Martial Arts Academy... A Guard...’

His thoughts churned like boiling water, making it difficult to decide for a moment.

"This matter... is of truly great importance."

Chen Shouheng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and answered cautiously, "I must return home and report to my father before I can make a decision."

Seeing that he was moved but hadn’t agreed immediately, Zhou Shuwei didn’t press him. "Very well. A matter of this magnitude should indeed be discussed with your family. Enrollment is next March, so registration must be completed by February at the latest. I will await your good news at my mansion."

Her tone was relaxed, as if she were certain that Chen Li would ultimately make the choice she desired.

Chen Shouheng stood up and clasped his hands in a solemn salute. "Thank you, Patriarch, for your candid words. This junior takes his leave."

"Mm."

Zhou Shuwei grunted languidly in response and picked up the half-read book scroll again.

...

「Lingxi, the Chen Family study.」

The night was deep. An oil lamp cast the long shadows of two figures sitting opposite each other onto the wall.

Chen Shouheng recounted his trip to the Zhou Mansion, Zhou Shuwei’s conditions, and the deal for one hundred thousand taels of silver to his father, completely and without omitting a single detail.

"...Father, that is the situation."

After Chen Shouheng finished speaking, a deep silence fell over the study, broken only by the occasional, soft crackle of the lamp wick.

Chen Li sat upright in his chair, weighing the pros and cons.

’One hundred thousand taels of silver, plus the twenty-thousand-plus taels of silver we have at home, would indeed be enough to cover most of the cost of those four thousand acres of official land. It would solve our urgent crisis.’

’The Martial Arts Academy’s official endorsement would completely resolve the hidden problem of Shouheng’s Martial Arts origins, eliminating future troubles. That protective talisman is undoubtedly necessary.’

’The price would be placing Shouheng in an unknown Martial Arts Academy and into the midst of even more complex disputes between Noble Families, while also binding him to the Zhou Family to a certain extent.’

After a moment, Chen Li nodded in agreement. "The Zhou Family’s proposal has more advantages than disadvantages. You should go to the He Niu Martial Arts Academy; it will be good for your future. But you must know your limits. Prioritize your own safety in all matters. Don’t act rashly or become completely dependent on them."

Chen Shouheng felt a sense of relief and nodded solemnly. "Yes, Father. I understand."

Just then, the sound of hurried yet deliberately muffled footsteps came from outside the study, followed by a knock on the door.

"Come in." Chen Li frowned slightly.

The door was pushed open a crack.

A travel-worn Bai San poked his head in. "Master, Young Master. Something big has happened!"

Chen Li’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t chide him for the breach of etiquette. In a deep voice, he said, "Come in and talk. What’s happened?"