Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

Zuo Hong chuckled. "Brother Chen, don’t be hasty. To find that Staff Technique expert, we first need to ask a Junior Sister to put in a good word for us. The man is a distant relative of hers. He suffered grave injuries years ago, and his cultivation was severely damaged.

Ever since, he’s been living in seclusion in Qingshui County, growing more withdrawn and refusing to see outsiders. But our Junior Sister did him a favor once, so she might be able to persuade him."

"I see."

Understanding dawned on Chen Shouheng.

The two entered the Zhuifeng Martial Arts Hall.

A short while later.

A woman appeared, dressed in a plain white dress, with a delicate air about her.

Chen Shouheng froze when he saw her.

He recognized this Junior Sister.

It was Liu Ruoyi, the woman who had placed in the top three alongside him during the County Examination all those years ago.

But what surprised him was that back then, Liu Ruoyi’s acupoint stimulation technique had been superb, and her cultivation had reached Qi Realm Perfection.

Two years had passed, yet her aura was still at Qi Realm Perfection. It seemed she hadn’t been able to break through to the Spirit Realm.

"Junior Sister Liu, this is Brother Chen Shouheng. I’m sure you remember him," Zuo Hong said, making the introduction.

"Brother Chen’s Martial Arts are extraordinary. How could I forget?"

Liu Ruoyi nodded slightly, looked at Chen Shouheng, and performed a curtsy. "Brother Chen, it’s good to see you’re well."

Chen Shouheng clasped his hands in return. "Miss Liu, it has been a long time."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he frankly stated the purpose of his visit.

After listening, Liu Ruoyi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. She pondered for a moment before slowly shaking her head. "Young Master Chen, it’s not that I am unwilling to help. It’s just... that elder relative of mine has a somewhat special identity, and his situation is rather troublesome.

If he were to leave Qingshui County for Lingxi, I’m afraid... it would bring unnecessary trouble to the Chen Family. It would be safer for you to find another renowned master in Lin County."

Hearing this, Chen Shouheng knew there must be a hidden story. Unwilling to give up this last hope so easily, he insisted, "Miss Liu, to be honest, even if I go to the martial arts halls in Lin County, there’s no guarantee any of them will agree. Besides, the journey is long, making the hope even more remote."

He paused, his tone sincere as he asked, "Please, Miss Liu, tell me plainly. What exactly is the trouble? Perhaps it’s not impossible to resolve."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Liu Ruoyi sighed softly and led Chen Shouheng to an inner hall.

Once they were alone, a complex look flashed in her bright eyes. She then lowered her voice. "Young Master Chen, are you aware of the Liu Family, one of the Five Greats and Seven Surnames of Jiangzhou?"

Chen Shouheng nodded. "I’ve heard a little about them."

Liu Ruoyi’s tone was calm, yet it held a trace of imperceptible sorrow. "That elder is a senior from the Eldest Branch of the Liu Family. He went into seclusion here because of an internal conflict."

"The Eldest Branch? An internal conflict?"

Chen Shouheng was surprised. He had never heard of such a family secret.

"Yes."

Liu Ruoyi nodded. "Thirty years ago, the Eldest Branch of the Liu Family was in decline. Three powerful collateral branches joined forces against them, sparking an internal war. In the end, the Eldest Branch was defeated. They suffered heavy casualties and their assets were completely carved up. Those three collateral branches are now extremely powerful. The Patriarch of one of them is even the honored County Captain of Liujang County. The other two branches also have many members holding important positions, both in and out of the Court."

She paused before continuing, "That elder relative of mine was a core figure of the Eldest Branch back then. During the conflict, he sustained a grievous injury that was difficult to heal, and his cultivation plummeted. For all these years, although those three branches haven’t tried to kill him, they have had people secretly monitoring his every move.

If he leaves Qingshui County for Mirror Mountain, those three families are bound to find out. When that happens, I’m afraid it will bring trouble upon the Chen Family. This is no small matter. I urge you to reconsider."

After she finished speaking, Liu Ruoyi watched Chen Shouheng quietly.

She had laid out the stakes clearly. An ordinary family would have shied away immediately upon hearing that a high-ranking official like a County Captain—a veritable Governor of his own domain—was involved.

However, Chen Shouheng’s reaction was not what she expected.

He showed no sign of fear or retreat. Instead, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes.

This was the first he had heard of the Liu Family’s internal conflict.

But it wasn’t his first run-in with the Liu Family.

Last year, he had clashed with the Liu Family over a land dispute at the Jingshan County Magistrate’s Office.

When he returned home this year, he also heard from his sister Shouyue that the Liu Family had reported them for not following the Court’s decree to convert rice paddies to mulberry fields.

As Chen Shouheng saw it, the feud between his family and the Liu Family had started long ago. Since they had already made an enemy of them, why fear one more point of contention? It was as the saying goes: when you have too many debts, you stop worrying; when you have too many lice, you stop itching.

He immediately said, "Miss Liu, as long as this elder is willing to teach his true skills, the Chen Family is not afraid of a little trouble. Please, take me to see him."

Liu Ruoyi stared at Chen Shouheng, stunned. After a moment of silence, she finally gave a slight nod. "Since you’ve made up your mind, Young Master Chen, please follow me."

...

Liu Ruoyi led Chen Shouheng to a somewhat dilapidated alley on the west side of Qingshui County Town.

They finally stopped before the gate to an old courtyard. Its paint was peeling and the wood grain was cracked.

She pushed open the creaking wooden gate.

The courtyard was not large and looked a bit messy, with a pile of firewood stacked in a corner.

An old man with graying hair, dressed in gray sackcloth and straw sandals, was hunched over. He was squatting by a millstone in the courtyard, stroking an old yellow dog that was dozing at his feet every now and then.

The old man’s face was weathered and his eyes looked cloudy, but the moment Chen Shouheng stepped through the gate, his eyelids seemed to lift almost imperceptibly.

"Third Grand-uncle."

Liu Ruoyi called out softly.

Hearing her voice, the old man slowly looked up. A gentle, kind smile appeared on his face when he saw Liu Ruoyi. "Ah, it’s Second Lass. What brings you to see this old man today?"

His gaze then fell on Chen Shouheng, and the faint smile vanished instantly. Replaced by a look of vigilance, he asked coolly, "And who is this young man?"

Liu Ruoyi introduced him. "Third Grand-uncle, this is Young Master Chen Shouheng of the Jingshan Chen Family."

Then, she turned to Chen Shouheng and said, "Young Master Chen, this is my Third Grand-uncle, Liu Zongying."

Chen Shouheng took a step forward and bowed respectfully. "This junior, Chen Shouheng, pays his respects to Elder Liu."

Liu Zongying merely gave a slight nod to acknowledge him before turning back to pet his old dog. His tone was cold. "My dilapidated courtyard rarely sees guests. Second Lass, you brought a friend. Is there something you need?"

Liu Ruoyi said softly, "Third Grand-uncle, Young Master Chen came specifically to visit you. He wishes to ask for your help."

Chen Shouheng said respectfully, "Elder Liu, forgive my presumption, but I wish to implore you to grace us with your presence at Mirror Mountain and serve as an instructor for my family."

"An instructor?"

Liu Zongying scoffed without turning his head, his voice thick with self-mockery. "Teach who? I’m just a cripple. What could I possibly teach anyone?"

He roughly scratched the old dog’s head, and the animal let out a few comfortable whimpers. "These days, the only thing I’m fit for is keeping this old fellow company. When his time comes, mine won’t be far behind... Teach someone? Teach them how to wait for death? Or how to squat in the sun?"

Chen Shouheng’s expression remained unchanged as he calmly replied, "Miss Liu has already told this junior everything about your situation, Elder Liu. I am fully aware of the causes and consequences involved."

Liu Zongying’s cloudy eyes widened slightly. He looked at Liu Ruoyi, who gave a small nod of confirmation. For the first time, a look of genuine surprise appeared on his face.

He began to study Chen Shouheng anew, looking him up and down as if trying to see right through him.

After a long moment.

Liu Zongying finally spoke, his voice filled with disbelief. "Kid, that Spirit Realm Cultivation of yours... your foundation is solid. It’s definitely not from some back-alley school. Who’s your master? Which old fossil taught you?

Or... is there some old master hiding in your family? Don’t tell me you were taught at a martial arts hall. A mere martial arts hall could never produce someone like you."

A chill went down Chen Shouheng’s spine. He hadn’t expected the man to discern the quality of his foundation just by looking at him.

However, he had no desire to reveal his family’s secrets, so he said vaguely, "This junior has only ever trained in martial arts at a hall to build my foundation."

Liu Zongying snorted, clearly unconvinced. "Do you think that just because my strength is gone, my eyes have failed me too? I can tell with one look that you’re not one of those geniuses with peerless talent and heaven-defying comprehension.

To reach the Spirit Realm at your age with such a solid foundation, you either had a renowned master who held nothing back and nurtured you carefully, or your family has its own Martial Dao legacy. You still want to hide things from me?"

"Please consider my offer, Elder Liu."

Chen Shouheng was unwilling to speak more about his family matters.

"Not talking?"

Liu Zongying grunted, then suddenly pointed at Liu Ruoyi. "You want to learn my skills? Fine. Marry her! If you do, this old man... I’ll teach you everything I know, every last trick up my sleeve. How about it?"

"Third Grand-uncle!"

Liu Ruoyi’s face instantly turned crimson. Flustered and embarrassed, she stomped her foot. "You... you’re getting more improper in your old age! What nonsense are you spouting?"

Liu Zongying’s playful expression vanished. He said to Liu Ruoyi, "Second Lass, don’t blame your Third Grand-uncle for meddling. It was I who implicated your father back then. Even after he joined a Sect, he was secretly schemed against because of me, and his three attempts to break through to the Spirit Realm all ended in failure.

It’s my fault—I failed the Eldest Branch and left you without even the family’s Martial Arts to learn. This kid has a good legacy. Stick with him. Have him teach you an Inner Qi Heart Method. In the future, you might just get a chance to claim a debt of blood from those three traitorous branches... Otherwise, breaking through to the Spirit Realm will be next to impossible for you."

He then looked at Chen Shouheng, his tone filled with absolute confidence. "Kid, don’t think you’re getting the short end of the stick. The origins of my Staff Technique are extraordinary... Hmph. In any case, it’s in no way inferior to the world’s top Martial Arts. Trading an Inner Qi Heart Method for it is no loss for you."

Chen Shouheng took a deep breath. He hadn’t expected such a condition. "Elder Liu, marriage is a serious matter, not a child’s game. It requires the consent of one’s parents and the words of a matchmaker. This junior dare not make such a decision on his own.

Furthermore, I came here today only with the sincere intention of hiring you, Elder, as a family instructor to teach my kin the Basic Staff Technique. I am not coveting your advanced Staff Technique, nor do I have any intention of marrying."

"You don’t want to learn my Staff Technique?" Liu Zongying was taken aback. A flash of anger crossed his face, as if he’d been slighted. He scoffed, "Arrogant! Do you have any idea about the origins of my Staff Technique? How profound it is? And you only want to learn the basics... If you only want the basics, why bother coming to me? Get out."

Chen Shouheng replied, neither servile nor overbearing, "Please calm your anger, Elder. I have heard it said that the power of Martial Arts lies not in the profoundness of its moves, but in the person who wields them. If you are truly unwilling, then this junior will take his leave."

Liu Zongying was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse and his tone had changed. "It’s not impossible for me to go to your home and be an instructor. But I have two conditions..."

"Please state them, Elder."

"First, five thousand taels... a year. Not a single coin less, or the deal is off."

He paused, glanced at Liu Ruoyi with a complicated expression, and added, "And one more promise... If Second Lass is in trouble in the future, you must protect her, at least once."

"Done."

Chen Shouheng nodded in agreement.