Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

Lingxi, the Chen Mansion.

Compared to the sensation caused by his eldest son, Shouheng, taking first place in the County Examination, the news of his second son, Chen Shouye, becoming a Martial Scholar created much smaller waves.

But for the Chen Family, it was still an occasion worthy of celebration.

Chen Li brought his younger children—Shoujing, Shouyue, and Shoucheng—home from Jing Mountain Bamboo Forest Village, and the mansion bustled with excitement for several days.

Not only did members of the Chen Family clan come to offer their congratulations, but some of the local gentry they rarely associated with also came to their door with gifts.

For a time, an endless stream of horses and carriages lined the front of the Chen Mansion.

Chen Li’s father-in-law, Song Zijian, and his family, along with his older sister, Chen Yao, and brother-in-law, Bai Shixuan, and their family, also arrived on the day of the main banquet.

As the guests gradually dispersed, only close family and friends remained in the mansion to talk.

Mrs. Chen and Chen Li’s wife, Song Ying, invited his father-in-law’s family and his sister’s family into the inner courtyard for tea.

When Chen Li returned to the inner courtyard, all eyes fell on him.

His father-in-law, Song Zijian, cleared his throat and began, "My dear son-in-law, seeing Shouheng and Shouye become so accomplished one after another truly gratifies us elders."

He paused, then shifted the topic, his tone casual. "Speaking of which, Shouyue is seventeen this year, isn’t she? It’s about time to think about her marriage. Do you and Ying’er have any plans?"

Bai Shixuan chimed in from the side, "That’s right. Shouyue is the eldest daughter of the family. Her marriage certainly requires early consideration. It would be best to find a family we know well, to forge even closer ties."

Chen Li glanced at the two families and knew exactly what they were up to.

The two families were working in concert. They feigned concern for Shouyue’s marriage, but their underlying intention was clear: they wanted to marry her to a suitable young man from either the Song or Bai Family.

Chen Li felt an immediate sense of aversion.

Setting aside his personal aversion to marriage between close relatives, it was also a poor strategy for the family’s long-term development.

His expression remained placid as he replied calmly, "Ying’er and I have our own plans for Shouyue’s marriage. We will not allow her to be wronged."

The smile on Song Zijian’s face froze. He clearly hadn’t expected such a direct refusal.

Mrs. Chen spoke up from the side. "Li, your in-laws have a point. Shouyue is getting older, it’s time..."

"Mother..."

Chen Li cut his mother off. "As her father, I will of course give Shouyue’s marriage my full attention. But I will not go against her wishes; we must ask her what she wants. There is no need for my father-in-law, sister, and brother-in-law to trouble themselves over this matter."

With things said so plainly, the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Song Zijian looked embarrassed, and Bai Shixuan shifted uncomfortably.

The other members of the Chen Family remained silent and composed.

Chen Li had been the head of the Chen Family for years. If he didn’t give his approval, no one dared to act on their own.

In the tense atmosphere, his sister Chen Yao decided to take the plunge and speak directly. "Li Zi, since you have your own ideas for Shouyue’s marriage, we won’t press the matter. But I did come today with something else to ask of you."

Chen Li looked at his sister, gesturing for her to continue.

Chen Yao’s voice was filled with hope. "My youngest son is thirteen this year, and it’s not right for him to be fooling around all day. I was wondering... could he come here to learn martial arts?"

The moment she finished, Song Zijian saw an opportunity to save face and chimed in, "My dear son-in-law, my eldest grandson is fourteen this year. It would be for the best if he could come here and train with your family."

’So this was their real reason for coming today,’ Chen Li thought. ’They want to send their children to the Chen Family to learn martial arts.’

’They must have been inspired by Shouheng and Shouye both earning titles.’

Chen Li frowned. "There are martial arts academies in Jingshan County Town, and their tuition is reasonable. Shouheng and Shouye also built their foundations at an academy. Wouldn’t it be more suitable for you and Father-in-law to send the boys there directly?"

Chen Yao said sheepishly, "Li Zi, we’ve already asked around. Very few disciples from those town academies ever manage to become Martial Scholars. For Shouheng and Shouye to have achieved so much at their age, you must have some special family training methods. It has to be better than any outside academy. We were just hoping our boy could benefit from your guidance and receive some of the true teachings..."

Song Zijian nodded eagerly, his tone a mixture of helplessness and hope. "Exactly. My dear son-in-law, we’re all one family. If the younger generation prospers, they can support one another. Wouldn’t you agree?"

The Bai Family’s situation had improved greatly since they began helping the Chen Family transport medicinal ingredients. Supporting one child’s martial arts training would be a strain, but it was still within their means.

His father-in-law Song Zijian’s family, however, was in a much more difficult situation.

Song Zijian himself was only a Scholar, and with just a few dozen acres of poor farmland, it was already a struggle to support his large family.

He had originally pinned all his hopes on his two sons passing the provincial examinations to become Scholars, but unfortunately, this world’s literary Imperial Examination was even more competitive and difficult than the Martial Examination.

His two sons were nearly forty but still remained Scholars, with scant hope of ever advancing.

It now seemed he had transferred his hopes to his grandchildren, intending for them to take the path of the Martial Examination to find another way forward.

Since both families had spoken with such heartfelt sincerity, it would be difficult to refuse them outright without damaging their relationship.

But Chen Li had no intention of turning the Chen Family into a charitable hall for his relatives, supporting a group of lazy, unambitious freeloaders who relied on nothing but their blood ties.

He mulled it over for a moment before saying, "Since my sister and father-in-law have asked, they may come."

Expressions of relieved joy instantly appeared on the faces of Song Zijian, Chen Yao, and the others.

But Chen Li’s tone immediately shifted. "However, a few things must be made clear first. I have agreed, so any child from your two families who is of the right age and genuinely wants to learn martial arts is welcome. But they must follow the rules."

"First, they will be treated the same as all other disciples in the family. Their share of Medicinal Cuisine will be allotted according to a quota; there will be no special privileges."

"Second, they must obey the family’s instructors. They will be tested annually, and only those who pass may continue their training."

"Third, and most importantly, if any of them lack ambition, don’t blame me for being harsh. The family will not continue to house them. These three points must be understood."

Hearing this, Song Zijian and Chen Yao were stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

They had only hoped to send one or two children to be trained. They never expected Chen Li to be so generous as to allow all eligible children to come. It was a wonderful surprise.

As for the rules, they seemed strict, but they understood that only by learning real skills would the children be of any help to their families.

"My dear son-in-law, your considerations are thorough, and rightly so. If those little rascals don’t strive to improve, you won’t even have to say the word. I’ll drag them home myself," Song Zijian said, his beard trembling with excitement.

"I’ll make sure they follow the rules strictly. They won’t bring you any shame," Chen Yao added, her face beaming. She pulled her husband, Bai Shixuan, to thank him as well.

With the matter settled, the atmosphere in the hall once again became relaxed and warm.

The guests all departed.

After several days of commotion, the Chen Mansion finally fell silent.

In the study, Chen Li sat alone, flipping through reports from Qian Laibao and the recent sales ledgers.

A soft knock came at the door.

"Father, are you resting?"

It was Chen Shouheng.

"Come in."

Chen Li set down the ledger in his hands.

Chen Shouheng pushed the door open and closed it behind him.

He walked to the desk and stood there, silent.

"What is it?"

Chen Li asked.

"Father, there is something I wish to discuss with you."

A trace of hesitation on his face, Chen Shouheng said in a low voice, "After much thought, I’ve decided I want to go to the capital for the examinations next March."

Chen Li looked up at his eldest son but didn’t give his opinion. Instead, he asked, "What’s your goal? Are you confident you can take the top spot?"

A bitter smile touched Chen Shouheng’s lips as he answered honestly, "Father, I dare not dream of taking the top spot. I only hope to give it my all. It would be a blessing just to make it into the First Class."

"I see."

Chen Li remained noncommittal. "And how is your martial arts progressing?"

"If the supply of medicinal ingredients is sufficient, I estimate that with a year of arduous training, I should be able to reach the Void Transformation stage by next March."

When the topic turned to martial arts, Chen Shouheng’s expression grew serious, a hint of worry creasing his brow. "But my martial arts have obvious weaknesses. The Tiger Subduing Fist and Dragon Suppressing Palm are not exactly profound skills. More importantly, I have yet to comprehend a True Martial Dao. When I fight, I often have to rely on my raw cultivation to overwhelm opponents, which is a major hidden danger."

He paused, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Furthermore, in the metropolitan and palace examinations, while one’s cultivation level accounts for the majority—about sixty percent—the other forty percent tests one’s knowledge of policy, military strategy, and other academic subjects. I spent little time at the He Niu Martial Arts Academy, so I didn’t focus enough on these areas. My foundation is shallow. I’ll be at a significant disadvantage compared to the other candidates."

The study fell into a brief silence.

After a moment, Chen Li said, "If you are determined to place in the First Class, then in two days, you will pack your things, take Shouye with you, and go train at the He Niu Martial Arts Academy."

Chen Shouheng’s head snapped up, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Father! How can we possibly do that?"

"And why not?"

Chen Li simply smiled, unconcerned.

Chen Shouheng said, "The family has so many complicated matters to attend to right now, and you need all the help you can get. Plus, Shuwei is pregnant. If Shouye and I leave now, won’t all the family’s affairs, both internal and external, fall entirely on you and Mother? Father, perhaps I should wait another two years. It won’t be too late to go to the capital after things have settled down and Shuwei has delivered the baby."

His words were earnest, his heart filled with genuine worry.

The Chen Family’s enterprises were expanding, and people were needed to manage them at every turn.

No matter how capable his father was, he couldn’t be everywhere at once.

If he and Shouye were to leave, his parents would be hard-pressed to find even one capable helper.

Seeing his eldest son’s anxious expression, Chen Li felt a sense of warmth and shook his head. "Shouheng, it pleases me greatly that you worry for the family. Our affairs are many, but there will always be a way to manage them."

"But your future, and Shouye’s, concerns the very future of the Chen Family. It is even more important. Go without worry. As long as I am here, I will not let matters at home hold you back. As for when you go to the capital, I will respect your decision."

"Father..."

Chen Shouheng’s throat tightened. His lips parted, but the thousand words caught in his chest ultimately transformed into a single, deep bow. "I... will not let you down."

「Three days later.」

Early in the morning, a carriage stood ready before the Chen Mansion.

Chen Li had packed all of the family’s remaining 1,300 taels of gold, along with most of the Sweet Wind Jade Dew Heaven-Repairing Creation Pills from the storeroom, and gave them to Chen Shouheng and Chen Shouye.

"Focus on your training. Don’t worry about things at home."

Chen Li instructed.

"We will remember!"

The brothers bid farewell to their parents, wives, and children, then turned and boarded the carriage.

The carriage wheels began to turn, slowly carrying them away from Lingxi.