Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

After Qian Laibao left, Chen Li got up and went straight to find his wife, Song Ying.

Seeing her husband walk in with a furrowed brow, Song Ying knew it must be something important and went to greet him. "Husband, what’s wrong?"

Chen Li got straight to the point, relaying the news from Qian Laibao and giving his instructions. "I need you to make arrangements at once. Have the family’s Textile Workshop go into full-scale silk production. You can raise the wages appropriately; we must do whatever it takes to boost their motivation."

Song Ying was clearly stunned by the news as well. She nodded and said, "I understand. I’ll go make the arrangements right away."

"And one more thing..."

Chen Li continued his instructions. "The Textile Workshop needs to expand, too. If we’re short-staffed, recruit more nimble-fingered women from the Lingxi Five Villages as temporary help. If any of them are reliable, hardworking, and willing to stay on, you can hire them as permanent workers at your discretion. Their wages and benefits can be based on our usual standards. The bottom line is, we need to ramp up production speed as fast as possible."

"Alright."

Song Ying agreed, her mind already calculating which villages had women with the best skills and which families she could recruit from.

After his wife left, Chen Li turned, exited the inner courtyard, and went to find Zhou Shuwei.

Zhou Shuwei rose to her feet. "What are your instructions, Father?"

"Shuwei."

Chen Li said, "I need you to go to the Commandery City. Oversee the Liyang Textile Workshop and get it fully operational as soon as possible. If they’re short-staffed, recruit more people. Also, if the workshop has the capacity, see if you can use the Sun Family’s old residence to expand it. When Shouheng gets back, I’ll send him to help you."

Zhou Shuwei’s mind was sharp, and she understood at once. "Yes, Father. I’ll pack my things and head for Liyang immediately."

With the arrangements made, Chen Li felt a little more at ease.

Several days later, a travel-worn Chen Shouheng returned home, a hint of relief in his eyes.

He went straight to Chen Li to report back.

"So, how did it go?"

Chen Li asked.

"It went quite smoothly."

Chen Shouheng replied, "Master has agreed to intervene on our behalf. With him involved, we’ll face much less resistance. Also, through his connections, I was able to contact five of my martial brothers. They are all willing to join our family as Guests. Here is the list with their basic information."

Chen Li took the booklet, looked through it carefully, and gave a slight nod. "Then recruit them."

Chen Shouheng hesitated, a thoughtful look on his face. "It’s just... Master has a personal, and rather presumptuous, request."

"Speak freely."

"Master hopes the family can make an exception and teach the Inner Qi Heart Method to his youngest son ahead of time. He clarified that his son will not accept the position of a Guest, but Master himself has pledged to serve the family in his son’s stead."

After speaking, Chen Shouheng carefully watched his father’s expression.

A flicker of understanding passed through Chen Li’s eyes. ’So that’s his game.’

It wasn’t hard for him to guess Zhou Zhen’s motives.

Zhou Zhen himself had failed to break through to the Spirit Realm three times and had already given up hope of any further advancement on the Martial Dao.

For a man of his age and with his mindset, already at the peak of Qi Realm Perfection, to serve as a Guest for a Noble Family just to obtain an Inner Qi Heart Method and Medicinal Cuisine that were no longer useful to him... he naturally had no interest. He couldn’t bring himself to suffer such a loss of face.

This move, aside from granting Shouheng’s request, was also meant to pave the way for his youngest son.

His eldest son had entered the Tiger Subduing Temple years ago. And though he had become a Spirit Realm expert, entering the Empty Gate meant severing all worldly ties, making it impossible for him to carry on the Zhou Family lineage.

Zhou Zhen would never allow his youngest son to enter the Empty Gate as well.

His refusal to let his youngest son serve directly as a Guest was simply because he wanted the boy to follow the proper path of the Imperial Examination.

After all, once someone was branded as a Guest, even if they later passed the Imperial Examination and entered the world of officialdom, they would inevitably be seen as a subordinate of a certain powerful family, limiting their future prospects.

Zhou Zhen wanted his younger son to start with a clean slate, to win an untainted Official Position for himself.

After a moment of contemplation, Chen Li looked up at his expectant son. His mind was made up.

’The Inner Qi Heart Method is no longer a core secret that the Chen Family absolutely cannot share with outsiders.’

’Exchanging it for Zhou Zhen’s dedicated support is an acceptable trade.’

’Besides, Zhou Zhen’s guidance of Shouheng back then had indirectly helped set me on my own Martial Dao path. That karmic debt of mentorship deserves to be repaid.’

’And Zhou Zhen’s willingness to help personally, to the best of his ability... his value in that capacity might not be any less than that of a regular Guest.’

Chen Li looked at his eldest son and said, "Tell your master that the Inner Qi Heart Method can be passed to his youngest son. As for the matter in Ping County, we’ll be counting on his diligent efforts."

Hearing this, a look of joyful relief washed over Chen Shouheng’s face. He gave a deep bow. "On my master’s behalf, I thank you, Father!"

Chen Li waved a hand. "We’re father and son. There’s no need for such formalities between us."

He then changed the subject, briefly telling him about the news from Qian Laibao, his decision to sell some of their silk inventory, and his arrangements for Song Ying and Zhou Shuwei to go all-out in expanding their production capacity.

"...You need to head to Liyang Commandery City as soon as possible. You’ll be in charge of both production and sales. If any problems arise, you have my authority to make decisions as you see fit."

Chen Shouheng frowned at first, clearly not understanding why his father would sell their silk at a time like this, but he didn’t ask any questions. He simply gave a solemn reply, "Don’t worry, Father."

...

Ten days later, his second son, Shouye, also returned home from Qingshui County, covered in dust from his journey.

"Father, I’ve made some headway on the matter in Qingshui County."

Chen Shouye reported, "Through Miss Liu’s connections, three senior brothers from Zhuifeng Martial Arts Hall are willing to pledge their loyalty to the Chen Family and serve as Guests. One of them is named Zuo Hong. You may have heard Elder Brother mention him; they are acquainted. His Cultivation has reached the Meridian Passage."

He paused briefly before asking, "By our standards, he qualifies to be treated as an Honored Guest. But... whether we should accept him is a decision for you to make, Father."

Chen Li understood his second son’s hesitation.

For an ordinary, unaffiliated cultivator in the Jianghu, breaking through the barrier to the Spirit Realm without the aid of an Inner Qi Heart Method or precious Medicinal Cuisine is nigh impossible.

Since Zuo Hong had already reached the Spirit Realm, it meant he must have previously served some other power and benefited from their resources and training.

His origins, whether he had truly severed ties with his former patrons, and his real reason for joining the Chen Family—all these things had to be carefully investigated.

Rashly making him an Honored Guest could create hidden problems down the line.

"Have you used A Dream of Millet Porridge to investigate his background?"

Chen Li asked.

Chen Shouye shook his head. "I did consider it. But Zuo Hong is quite close with Miss Liu, and I didn’t want to use such a measure rashly, lest it cause a misunderstanding and create bad blood."

Qingshui County was far from Lingxi. Having a Spirit Realm expert familiar with the local area stationed there would be a great advantage.

But if he harbored ill intentions, the consequences could be disastrous.

After weighing the options for a moment, Chen Li said, "We can accept him for now. But since he’s new and his background is unclear, don’t entrust him with any core responsibilities yet. Let him participate in the affairs of Qingshui County, but you will remain in charge of all key decisions and the accounts."

Chen Shouye listened carefully and replied, "Yes, Father. I will proceed with caution and observe his actions."

After settling the matter of recruiting Guests, Chen Li changed the subject to another important issue. "Right now, your top priority is to prepare for the Martial Arts Examination County Trial in the third month. You cannot afford to be complacent."

A smile touched Chen Shouye’s lips. "Don’t worry, Father, I understand."

He was already a Divine Hall Grandmaster, and Shouheng had already explained the details of the County and Provincial Examinations to him. With his current Cultivation, passing the County Examination was a certainty. Even taking the top spot would be effortless.

Chen Li gazed at his second son and instructed, "During this County Examination, you absolutely must not reveal your true strength. In the arena, suppress your Cultivation to the First Level of the Spirit Realm. As for the top position, if you can avoid fighting for it, do so. Just aim for an upper-middle rank and ensure you advance. That’s all that matters."

Chen Shouye was taken aback. "Father, why?"

"This may seem unfair to you, but for the sake of the family’s long-term future, I have no choice."

Chen Li explained, "Winning the top spot, becoming the Jieyuan—those titles are certainly impressive, but they also make you a target for everyone. Your elder brother, Shouheng, once trained at the He Niu Martial Arts Academy. Outsiders can attribute his breakthrough to the Divine Hall level to the academy’s training and his good fortune."

"But if both of you brothers reach the Divine Hall level before you’re even twenty, it would be utterly sensational if word got out. Outsiders would inevitably speculate that our Chen Family possesses some Secret Treasure or Secret Technique for achieving rapid breakthroughs."

"’Innocence is not a defense for a man carrying a priceless treasure.’ Once we’re targeted by scheming individuals or factions, the Chen Family will never know a day of peace. A good reputation is important, but the family’s safety and survival are far more critical than empty fame. Hiding your strength now is crucial for protecting the family. I hope you understand."

If he hadn’t already promised Shouye, Chen Li would have preferred that he not participate in the County Examination at all this year.

After all, he already knew the Court had sent the Duke of England. Even if the Duke was only here for silk, keeping a low profile was the wisest course of action.

Chen Shouye took a deep breath, pushing aside his disappointment. "Your foresight is profound, Father. I understand. I will be careful and will not, under any circumstances, reveal my true Cultivation."

Chen Li said no more.

On the second day of the second month, the day the dragon raises its head.

All of nature was reawakening, and the farming season was beginning.

After arranging all the family’s affairs for the year, Chen Li took his three youngest children—Chen Shoujing, Chen Shouyue, and Chen Shoucheng—and departed to live in Jing Mountain Bamboo Forest Village.

This was partly for the children’s education, but more importantly, the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi on Mirror Mountain was far denser than in Lingxi.

For him, the most important thing was to fill the meridians and Acupoints throughout his body with Primordial Qi as soon as possible, so that he could manifest his own principles and ascend to the Dharma Aspect realm.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the third month arrived.

The Martial Arts Examination County Trial for Liyang County was held as scheduled.

The training grounds were packed, and the air was filled with a cacophony of voices.

Chen Shouye stood among the candidates, dressed in crisp martial arts attire.

The first two trials—the tripod-lifting strength test and the Martial Array—posed no difficulty for him. He passed both with ease, performing just well enough to scrape by without attracting any undue attention.

Then came the final trial: the arena matches.

In the third round, Chen Shouye was matched against a young Martial Artist who was also keeping his Cultivation suppressed to around the First Level of the Spirit Realm.

The two exchanged blows, their fight appearing quite "intense."

In the end, Chen Shouye deliberately revealed an opening, pretending his stamina was failing. He was forced off the platform by a single move from his opponent. Cupping his hands in concession, he admitted defeat, ultimately placing only seventh.

The matter should have ended there. Chen Shouye hadn’t drawn much attention, which was exactly what Chen Li had intended.

But things rarely go as planned.

On the high platform, a middle-aged man with a lean face and a piercing gaze, dressed in a brand-new fourth Grade official robe, was looking down thoughtfully at the arena below.

He was the new Governor of Liyang, recently appointed by the Court and having just arrived at his post.

The new Governor’s gaze lingered on Chen Shouye for a long time.

With a faint, unreadable smile, he turned to the sour-faced County Captain Zhao Yuanhong beside him and asked, "Captain Zhao, who is that defeated young man in the blue robes down there?"

Zhao Yuanhong, still seething with resentment because this man had snatched the Governor’s position that had been within his grasp, replied curtly, "My Lord, that is Chen Shouye, the second son of the Jingshan Chen Family."

The new Governor paid no mind to Zhao Yuanhong’s attitude, his interest piqued instead by the name "Jingshan Chen Family."

He immediately ordered a government constable, "Go and fetch this Chen Shouye’s registration papers. I want to see them."

The government constable took the order and quickly returned with the papers.

The new Governor took the documents and flipped directly to Chen Shouye’s page.

When his gaze swept over the line reading, "Age: Nineteen," his fingers paused for a fraction of a second.

Nineteen?

A Divine Hall Grandmaster?!

The playful smile vanished from his face, replaced by a sharp glint in his eyes.

Although Chen Shouye had suppressed his strength extremely well in the arena, how could someone at the Governor’s level—the Divine Intent Pass—fail to see through the ruse?

’A nineteen-year-old Divine Hall Grandmaster from a mere gentry family?’

’And his elder brother, Chen Shouheng, is also a Divine Hall Grandmaster.’

’This is simply unheard-of!’

’The Chen Family... there is definitely something more to them!’

He raised his head, the faint smile on his lips turning deep and meaningful.