Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

The Jiangzhou Riverway Government Office.

Though not as imposing as the Governor’s Mansion, it controlled the very lifeblood of the province’s waterways and possessed an impressive air of its own.

Nanjiang Admiral Mu Hongyuan walked into the rear courtyard with a brisk stride.

After being announced, Mu Hongyuan entered the room.

Governor Shen Chongwen was holding a conspicuous vermilion gift list, meticulously comparing it against a thick ledger on his desk. His brow was slightly furrowed as if deliberating something, his expression one of intense focus.

"This humble subordinate, Mu Hongyuan, pays his respects to the Lord Governor."

Mu Hongyuan stepped forward and bowed.

Shen Chongwen looked up at the sound of his voice. Seeing it was Mu Hongyuan, a smile touched his lips and he waved his hand. "Hongyuan, you’re here. No need for such formalities."

He pointed to a Grandmaster’s Chair to the side and said, "Sit. How are the suppression operations against the bandits along the Nanjiang going?"

"My Lord Governor."

Mu Hongyuan sat down as instructed and reported, "Of the three major groups of Water Bandits targeted for suppression last month, two have been completely crushed. Only the one holed up at Black Crocodile’s Mouth remains. Their leader is quite cunning and has been using the complex waterways to evade us.

I have attempted to suppress and pacify them several times, but with little effect. I was just about to request your permission, my Lord, to deploy the fast boats from the Water Dragon Camp to assist in an encircling dragnet."

Shen Chongwen nodded slightly. "This matter concerns the safety of this year’s grain transport to the north, so it must indeed be handled with care. As for deploying the Water Dragon Camp, I approve. You may draw up a detailed strategy and submit it to me first."

"As you command."

Mu Hongyuan’s spirits lifted.

With official business concluded, Mu Hongyuan was about to take his leave when Shen Chongwen stopped him. "Hongyuan, wait a moment. Speaking of which, something rather interesting has come up that I was just about to share with you."

Surprised, Mu Hongyuan couldn’t help but ask, "My Lord Governor, is there some important matter?"

Shen Chongwen smiled. "It’s not about the grain transport. This is the acceptance list for this year’s Provincial Martial Examination. The Lord Governor just sent someone to deliver it, instructing our Riverway Government Office to work with the relevant departments to check if any of these newly accepted Martial Scholars on the list have a criminal record or a sullied background."

"I see."

Mu Hongyuan nodded.

Background checks before acceptance into the Martial Examination were standard procedure for the Dynasty.

Since the Riverway Government Office also managed some of the naval armaments, participating in the joint review was part of its duties.

Shen Chongwen chuckled. "It’s quite a coincidence, Hongyuan. There’s a person on this year’s acceptance list who actually has a connection to our Riverway Government Office. And if we look closer, I’m afraid his connection to you is even deeper. The young man’s name is Chen Shouheng. Hongyuan, do you have any recollection of him?"

Mu Hongyuan froze. His body gave an imperceptible shudder, and his fingers subconsciously tightened.

Chen Shouheng!

Shen Chongwen didn’t notice Mu Hongyuan’s subtle loss of composure and continued with a smile, "At first, I just thought the name sounded familiar. Only after checking the archives did I remember. This young man is from Mirror Mountain. Years ago, during the Liyang bandit crisis, he assisted us in defeating the bandits. You recommended him for merit twice back then, and he received a medal of honor from the Court."

Mu Hongyuan’s throat felt a little dry. He forced a smile. "Your Lordship has an excellent memory... It is indeed him. This subordinate... remembers."

’How could he ever forget?’

Several years ago, his daughter, Mu Yuanying, had traveled to Mirror Mountain and formed a subtle, unspoken romantic bond with this young man.

The young man’s father had even proposed a marriage, but he had tactfully declined.

After his daughter returned, although she never said anything, she grew quieter by the day, often distracted even during her training.

Her young, lovesick heart was written all over her face.

’I never imagined that this young man would have quietly come so far, even managing to pass the examinations to become a Martial Scholar!’

Mu Hongyuan suppressed the turmoil in his heart and asked, "My Lord Governor, this young man... he’s already passed the Provincial Examination?"

Stroking his beard, Shen Chongwen nodded, his tone filled with admiration. "More than just passed. According to the Academic Administrator, the young man’s performance was astonishing. He ranked first in the first two levels. What’s even more remarkable is that at such a young age, his cultivation has already reached the Spirit Realm Second Level Profound Acupoint Level.

In this year’s Martial Examination, you can count the number of cultivators at the Spirit Realm on one hand. In the arena tournament two days from now, as long as nothing major goes wrong, his victory is all but guaranteed. This year’s Martial Champion Scholar, nine times out of ten, will be him."

"Champion Scholar?!"

Mu Hongyuan was completely stunned.

’The top scorer of a province’s Martial Examination... what does that signify?’

’This young man practically has one foot through the door to becoming an Advanced Scholar.’

’Becoming a Second-Class Scholar is virtually a foregone conclusion, and he even has a chance to compete for the titles of First-Class Scholar, Runner-up Scholar, or third-place scholar!’

He recalled how he had rejected their family’s marriage proposal all those years ago...

Mu Hongyuan’s face burned with shame.

’My daughter was clearly interested in the young man back then; she was just too shy as a young maiden to say it outright.’

’If I had just gone with the flow and agreed back then, wouldn’t I have gained an excellent son-in-law, and my daughter’s wish would have been fulfilled?’

The more he thought about it, the more he regretted his decision.

’The young man and my daughter already had a foundation of affection, and now his Martial Dao and future prospects are both incredibly bright. It was a match made in heaven, one I personally pushed away.’

Mu Hongyuan’s heart was a swirl of complicated emotions.

Just as he was wondering how to respond, Shen Chongwen changed the subject, asking casually, "By the way, Hongyuan, I’ve heard that this young man is... still unmarried."

Mu Hongyuan’s heart skipped a beat. He looked up at Shen Chongwen and saw him smiling with profound, unspoken meaning.

Shen Chongwen said, "Speaking of which, your daughter, Yuanying, is still unwed, is she not? Hongyuan, a talent like this, who you have a past with, is now poised to soar. On some matters, it’s fine to be a little more proactive."

Mu Hongyuan’s thoughts were in turmoil, but he forced a calm expression, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Lordship jests. As for my daughter’s marriage, this subordinate... has never been willing to force her. It must be what she herself wants."

Shen Chongwen smiled and said no more. "Indeed, matters concerning one’s children ultimately depend on fate. Very well, we’ll speak no more of this for now."

Though Mu Hongyuan had said as much, his mind was already racing with calculations.

’Shen Chongwen’s words seemed casual, but his intention to give guidance couldn’t have been more obvious.’

’Even the Lord Governor himself can see the young man’s potential and has taken the initiative to bring up marriage.’

’The young man is still unmarried, has a brilliant future ahead of him, and still shares a past affection with Yuanying...’

’How can I let such a good match slip away again?’

’If I wait until he actually becomes an Advanced Scholar and enters the Capital City, I’m afraid he’ll find my family’s status too low.’

’I must act now, while there’s still time.’

At this thought, Mu Hongyuan could no longer sit still. He stood, cupped his hands, and said, "My Lord Governor, if there are no other orders, this subordinate will take his leave to draw up the suppression strategy."

Not suspecting anything, Shen Chongwen waved his hand and said, "Go on, military affairs are important."

With hurried steps, Mu Hongyuan departed the Riverway Government Office.

...

Zhu Yu Pavilion.

After returning from Sin Island, Chen Shouheng had taken up residence here.

Unlike a common, noisy inn, this place was quiet and secluded, with a deep courtyard and the swaying shadows of bamboo.

He rented a superior room and secluded himself, focusing all his energy on recuperating and regulating his breathing.

Using A Dream of the South for two consecutive days, especially to weave that dream of revenge for Zhu Shizhao, had consumed far more of his Divine Sense than he had anticipated.

Upon his return, he had immediately gone to a nearby market to buy three days’ worth of dry rations, then returned to his room to calm his mind and spirit, circulating the Ahan Shouyi Heart Sutra to nourish his nearly depleted Divine Soul.

The sun rose and the moon set outside his window, but he remained completely oblivious.

During this time, his door was knocked upon countless times.

Some were fellow candidates he knew, coming to visit. Others had heard of his fame and wished to befriend him. There were even those who might have harbored ill intentions.

Chen Shouheng ignored them all.

Later, as the number of knockers grew and the disturbances became unbearable, he simply found the Shopkeeper and paid an extra twenty taels of silver.

He was silently moved to a superior room in a more secluded, separate courtyard in the back, strictly instructing the innkeeper not to reveal his whereabouts.

Only then did he finally get some peace and quiet to focus on his recovery.

「On the morning of the fourth day.」

Outside the Imperial Examination Hall, a clamorous din already filled the air.

The final level of the Martial Examination, the arena tournament, was to be held here.

The twenty-nine students who had passed the first two levels gathered at this place.

Chen Shouheng appeared on time, his aura having returned to a stable state.

After his identity was verified, he followed the crowd into the area in the center of the Imperial Examination Hall where a large, elevated arena had already been constructed.

The lot-drawing ceremony was brief and efficient.

The arena matches began immediately after.

The result, however, was unexpectedly... anticlimactic.

Chen Shouheng’s Spirit Realm Second Level Profound Acupoint Level cultivation demonstrated an overwhelming advantage.

Among the other candidates, only three had barely managed to step into the Spirit Realm First Level, Divine Hall Level. The rest were mostly still hovering at Qi Realm Perfection.

The difference in their strength was like the difference between the clouds and the mud.

In the first round, his opponent was a stout man at Qi Realm Perfection who wielded a saber.

Upon seeing that he had drawn Chen Shouheng, the man’s face soured. He gave a reluctant, cupped-hand salute, and as soon as the referee signaled the start, he simply leaped off the arena platform and forfeited.

In the second round, his opponent was the young man in black who had been coordinating with Li Jiyan.

He attacked with all his might, his swordsmanship fierce and sharp.

Chen Shouheng simply disarmed him of his Longsword and pushed him off the platform with a wave of Soft Strength.

The third round, the fourth round...

The situations were all largely the same.

No one could last more than three moves against Chen Shouheng.

His movements were concise and efficient. He would often strike second but land first, defeating his opponents in a single move. There was no suspense whatsoever.

The audience in the stands went from initial gasps of surprise to eventual acceptance, and finally, to a state of mild boredom.

The title of this year’s Martial Champion Scholar seemed to have lost all suspense long ago.

Li Jiyan stood at the other end of the arena, his expression so dark it looked like storm clouds were about to burst.

He also had a Spirit Realm First Level cultivation, and his journey defeating opponents had been relatively smooth.

But everyone knew in their hearts that between him and Chen Shouheng lay an insurmountable chasm.

He couldn’t accept it!

’My family paid a huge price for this Martial Examination, managing to learn of the changes in the test questions in advance so that I could prepare specifically for them.’

’I painstakingly planned all of this to win the title of Martial Champion Scholar and secure a precious spot to train at the National Reserve Institute in the Capital City.’

’Who would have thought a Chen Shouheng would appear out of nowhere and shatter all my plans?’

’And I haven’t been idle these past three days, either.’

’I tried every method I could think of, attempting to tamper with his food and drink. Even if it just made Chen Shouheng’s condition slightly worse, I held out a sliver of hope.’

’But damn him! The man is as cautious as a thousand-year-old tortoise! He stayed holed up in his room, not even taking a single step outside, rendering all my schemes useless.’

’Chen Shouheng!’

Li Jiyan ground his teeth, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes. ’You ruined my plans! Today, I’ll make you pay the price!’

The final duel began.

Li Jiyan pushed his cultivation to its absolute limit. Light from his sword fell like a waterfall as he unleashed it all in a desperate, all-or-nothing attack.

He knew he was no match, so his only hope was to throw the fight into chaos and find a fleeting opportunity.

Chen Shouheng weaved through the cascading sword light, dodging the killing blows by a hair’s breadth each time.

He could see that Li Jiyan was impatient and reckless, his form full of openings. He could have ended the fight easily.

But his opponent’s life-or-death desperation still made him act with caution.

After they exchanged several dozen moves, Li Jiyan was on the verge of defeat.

"SWISH!"

A faint streak of black light shot toward a vital acupoint on Chen Shouheng’s chest.

"Hidden weapons!"

"Despicable!"

The crowd below instantly erupted in gasps of shock and angry shouts.