Chapter 603 - 112: Kong Qifeng: You Just Don’t Want Pei Qingming to Outshine Everyone
Chapter 603: Chapter 112: Kong Qifeng: You Just Don’t Want Pei Qingming to Outshine Everyone
"Back when Lord Su and Lord He mentioned the creation of the Military Affairs Department, the Grand Ancestor Emperor personally penned his calligraphy, wishing for all the people of Liang to be as dragons and for the Martial Path of Liang to flourish. Could these two lines indeed be left by the Grand Ancestor Emperor?"
Lin Chen quietly observed these two lines of writing, as the Qi Blood within his body began circulating independently, continuously tempering his acupoints throughout, finally surging entirely towards his Dantian.
In front of the Military Affairs Department, several martial artists responsible for guarding it saw Lin Chen standing motionless at the plaza. Two of them exchanged glances and walked toward Lin Chen, about to inquire.
"Stop!"
Just as the two took a few steps, a voice came from behind. Seeing the middle-aged man walking out from the main entrance, they hastily greeted him. "Lord Chu."
"Do not disturb him."
Chu Zining saw the young man standing utterly still in the plaza, a gleam in his eye. He had already received news of Lin Chen’s visit to the capital with the disciples of the Capital Martial Arts Academy and Qingyun Martial Arts Academy. Reports were also sent when their ship arrived at the port.
He estimated that Lin Chen would be arriving at the Military Affairs Department and deliberately waited at the entrance.
As one close to Lord Kong of the Military Affairs Department and a Middle-Grade Martial Artist himself, throughout the Department, apart from the Martial Affairs Lord of the Upper-Grade Realm, there were not many with the qualification to be personally welcomed by him at the gate.
But now, he came out personally to welcome Lin Chen, not at the behest of Lord Kong, but of his own accord.
Lin Chen is worth this gesture.
This time, in the martial academy ranking competition of the Yan Kingdom, Lin Chen brought great prestige to Liang. His battles within Liang had spread throughout the entire country. Now, when Liang and the Han Kingdom were on the verge of all-out war, Lin Chen overshadowed the talents of the Han Kingdom, capturing first place on the Hidden Dragon List and uplifting the morale of Liang significantly.
The Han Kingdom, after all, had long stood as the leader among the Nine Kingdoms.
Although many in the Imperial Court did not openly express it, privately, many believed that Liang should not go to war with the Han Kingdom, not out of fear, but due to concern over the Han Kingdom’s formidable strength.
For thousands of years, other nations have attempted challenges against the Han Kingdom, only to fail without engaging them directly.
This long-standing belief seeded a fear of the Han Kingdom, but Lin Chen’s battles in the ranking competition showed that the Han Kingdom was not as daunting as perceived, with its young generation’s talents easily crushed by him.
Moreover, Pei Qingming’s recent appearance in the Yan Kingdom, where he competed against a First-Grade Martial Artist of Yan and remained unscathed, further bolstered the morale of Liang’s martial artists and significantly shifted the attitude within the Imperial Court regarding going to war with the Han Kingdom.
"He must have had some enlightenment from viewing the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s writing; do not disturb him."
Chu Zining noticed the confusion in the eyes of the two guarding martial artists and softly explained.
"Some enlightenment?"
The two martial artists were stunned. The two lines left by the Grand Ancestor Emperor were something they saw every day. Initially, they found it stirring, but over time became accustomed to it. Could viewing a few words indeed bring enlightenment in the Martial Path?
Chu Zining could deduce what the two were thinking from their expressions. Honestly, he was shocked as well. According to the secret message from Lord Hou transmitted back to the Military Affairs Department, Lin Chen had made a breakthrough from Ninth to Seventh Grade while in the Yan Kingdom.
Crossing two grades in such a short time left him stunned when he saw the message.
And now, within a few days, he has gained more enlightenment?
Truly, advancing in the Martial Path seems as easy as drinking water for him.
"Lord Chu, who is he?"
The two curious martial artists stared at Lin Chen, realizing that Lord Chu’s presence at the door was no coincidence but specifically to welcome this young man.
For Lord Chu to personally greet someone at the door, usually reserved for Upper-Grade Martial Artists, who was this youth to warrant such an honor?
"This is our Liang’s number one young talent, and current first on the Hidden Dragon and Celestial Lists; guess who?"
The two martial artists internally rolled their eyes, but their gaze toward Lin Chen was filled with heat and inquiry.
Guessing wasn’t necessary.
Who else could hold these titles than Lin Chen from Jiangnan Dao?
The Hidden Dragon List was updated just yesterday, prominently featuring Lin Chen at the top of the Celestial List.
Their understanding grew as they realized why Lord Chu personally came out to welcome this young man. With his potential, he was undoubtedly worthy of such attention from Lord Chu.
A quarter of an hour later, Lin Chen’s body emitted an inner red glow, powerful presence sweeping around, and his expression cleared.
"Lin Chen, have you gained anything?"
Hearing someone inquire, Lin Chen looked towards the doorway, seeing Chu Zining’s smiling face, and nodded, "This disciple has gained some insight."
Indeed, it was some insight; observing the two lines left by the Grand Ancestor Emperor provided further progress on the Mountain Suppressing Chart and brought his Body Tempering to 4.5, an increase of 0.2.
"Come with me; Lord Kong is already waiting for you."
Chu Zining didn’t delve into details; it was not the place for conversation. He led Lin Chen directly past the Martial Arts Academy’s gate, finally stopping before a courtyard.
"Lord, Lin Chen has arrived."
"Hmm, come in."
Within the courtyard came the gentle voice of Kong Qifeng, as Chu Zining ushered Lin Chen inside.
"Lord Kong."
Looking at Kong Qifeng standing in the courtyard, Lin Chen greeted with a smile.
"This trip to the Yan Kingdom was rather successful."
With a smile on his face, Kong Qifeng felt exceedingly satisfied, as Lin Chen’s journey to the Yan Kingdom was not just successful but commendably so.
"Lord, you wouldn’t believe that Lin Chen just had another enlightenment while looking at the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s calligraphy at the Military Affairs Department’s entrance."
Chu Zining recounted Lin Chen’s recent fortune to Kong Qifeng on the side.
"Oh, is that so? When Pei Qingming first visited the Military Affairs Department, he also had some enlightenment. You truly don’t shy away from upstaging your Brother Pei."
Kong Qifeng recalled Pei Qingming’s conversation about Lin Chen during his recent visit to the Military Affairs Department.
"The higher Lin Junior Brother’s talent in the Martial Path, the more gratified I feel. But Lin Junior Brother, you seem determined to break the records I set in the past, sending waves from the back of the Yangtze to overtake the previous ones, leaving me, the old wave, to crash on the shore."
Kong Qifeng knew Pei Qingming was joking, but considering Lin Chen had now claimed the title of enlightenment at the Military Affairs Department’s entrance, which Pei Qingming once held solely, he became curious about how Pei Qingming would react upon learning this when he returned.
"There is still a significant gap between Brother Pei and me." Lin Chen, slightly embarrassed, scratched his head in explanation.
Chu Zining at the side twitched slightly at those words. A significant gap?
If referring to present strength, then yes, Lin Chen was still at Seventh Grade, while Pei Qingming was nearly a First-Grade, but comparing potential, such assumptions about discrepancies might be unfounded.
At least at that age, Pei Qingming had no Seventh-Grade Martial Artist prowess.
After some small talk, Kong Qifeng turned serious, "Have you considered staying in the Capital next?"
"Is the lord concerned about my safety?"
"Safety is secondary; primarily, staying in the Capital could broaden your Martial Path insights."
On hearing this, Lin Chen pondered briefly. The Capital was the second most prosperous place in Liang after Lingxiao City, with a foundation unlike any in Lingxiao City. Yet, he wasn’t particularly inclined to stay in the Capital.
As for broadening Martial Path insights, he had Martial Arts Mountain, facing the Martial Arts geniuses of the Flame Dynasty, with exquisite Martial Arts Techniques far beyond comparison to the Nine Kingdoms.
"Lord, if there’s nothing crucial, I plan to return to Canglan Martial Arts Academy or Poyang County."
"Alright."
Kong Qifeng consented, displaying no surprise, seemingly having anticipated Lin Chen’s decision.
"However, you need to stay in the Capital for a while; besides me, several others wish to meet this Liang’s prodigy, and eventually, you must enter the Imperial Palace to meet His Majesty."
Mentioning meeting His Majesty made Kong Qifeng’s aged eyes flicker, "In this aspect, you’ve already surpassed Pei Qingming. When Pei Qingming first came to the Capital, he did not receive an audience with His Majesty."
Lin Chen: ...
Lin Chen did not expect Lord Kong to jest about him and Brother Pei.
The Emperor wishing to meet him possibly owed to both practicing the same Cultivation Technique as the Grand Ancestor Emperor. The Royal Family of Liang held an exalted place, typically only conferring with a few First-Grade figures, seldom meeting outsiders otherwise.