Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 670: Chapter 154: Growth Before Departure

That night, Jiang Duanchao and Lin Chen talked for two hours.

Although Lin Chen suspected that his father-in-law was afraid he would climb over the wall, he was deeply touched by the heartfelt advice given by the elder.

Since his own parents were ordinary fishermen and didn’t understand much about the martial path, they didn’t give him much guidance when he set out, fearing that they might say something wrong that could affect him.

But now, his father-in-law compensated for that by offering the diligent advice and survival tips that a senior should give to a younger family member when they set out on their travels.

The Flame Dynasty, to put it plainly, is like an expanded version of the Nine Kingdoms.

Some principles are universal.

Do not act rashly out of momentary anger.

When traveling, try to avoid making enemies.

But if it really can’t be avoided, then strike ruthlessly. Once the ties are severed, do not show mercy.

Enemies will never appreciate your leniency.

...

...

Next morning, at dawn.

Lin Chen and Jiang Qing left the Jiang Mansion to head to the Shu Mansion on another street.

At the gates of the Shu Mansion, seeing Instructor Yu and the teacher’s wife standing there, Lin Chen grasped Jiang Qing’s hand and quickly walked forward.

"Instructor Yu, is there an honored guest at the Shu Mansion today?"

Yu Yongnian, seeing his disciple’s puzzled expression, laughed and said, "You two are the honored guests, and we are here waiting for your arrival."

In fact, before they set out, the steward of the Jiang Mansion had already sent a servant ahead to inform the Shu Mansion.

"It’s not customary for an instructor to wait for their disciple."

Lin Chen smiled, but Yu Yongnian stroked his beard and said, "An instructor doesn’t wait for his disciple, but for someone who can turn the tide for Liang, as a citizen of Liang, it’s only right to welcome them."

Lin Chen: ...

Beside him, Shu Suwan stepped forward and took Jiang Qing’s hand: "Don’t mind these two men’s matters, come inside with teacher’s wife."

...

...

Lin Chen visited the Shu Mansion, and apart from Yu Yongnian and his wife, no one else received him.

The Shu Family was aware of Lin Chen’s visit, but wisely did not intrude on the gathering between master and student.

If Lin Chen were the same as before, just a young prodigy, the Shu Family might have approached to make his acquaintance, but now Lin Chen was beyond their reach.

To approach him would only cause annoyance.

"Instructor, I’m still only Ninth Grade, but thanks to you, I might later reach the Eighth Grade. On the martial path, there’s not much more you can impart to me."

Yu Yongnian and Lin Chen sat in the courtyard pavilion, while teacher’s wife Shu Suwan whispered women’s gossip with Jiang Qing not far off. Watching, Lin Chen occasionally saw Jiang Qing blush.

"When do you plan to depart for the Flame Dynasty?"

"In seven days."

Lin Chen did not hide anything from his instructor.

"Seven days later..." Yu Yongnian pondered for a moment: "I won’t go to send you off then."

Yu Yongnian could imagine that on the day Lin Chen left for the Flame Dynasty, there would surely be many people seeing him off, including those big figures from the imperial court. As someone who was merely Lin Chen’s instructor at the Martial Hall, he wouldn’t mingle with those prominent figures.

Unless he wanted to use Lin Chen to gain many personal benefits, showing to others his close master-student relationship with Lin Chen and thus getting more resources from the influential figures in Liang.

"How could I trouble the instructor to see me off? This time, I plan to keep my departure for the Flame Dynasty low-key."

"Hmm."

Yu Yongnian nodded. He knew his disciple was not one to seek the limelight.

"But I do have a suggestion, you could write another letter."

"Write a letter?"

"Back then, after you became a model for the Jiangnan Dao martial path students, the letter you wrote, ’Gift to Junior Brothers of the Jiangnan’, spread throughout the entire Liang. As I am responsible for investigating the trend of martial arts education across regions in the Military Affairs Hall, your letter had a great impact on the younger generation."

The position assigned to Yu Yongnian in the Military Affairs Hall was leisurely, which he himself requested, as he didn’t want to be the Director of a Martial Affairs Office.

"To be honest, your letter made the youths of Jiangnan Dao much more resolute in their martial studies compared to previous years, and now the emergence of the Flame Dynasty offers the youths of Liang a broader martial horizon, but also a blow."

Lin Chen pondered, recalling the conversations he had with Junior Brother Lu and others, he could sense what his instructor was saying.

"I’ll consider it."

"You are now the role model in martial studies for determined young minds throughout Liang. Consider it a final encouragement to them."

Yu Yongnian nodded with a smile, knowing that when Lin Chen said he’d "consider it," he was likely agreeing.

As for the literary skill...

Someone who could write ’Gift to Junior Brothers of the Jiangnan’ wouldn’t find writing an article challenging.

...

In the evening, Lin Chen and Jiang Qing had dinner at the Shu Mansion and were escorted to the gate by Yu Yongnian and his wife after the meal.

Yu Yongnian waved, and did not lower his hand until the figure of the young man disappeared at the end of the street.

"Seeing you as poor yet determined, tirelessly practicing, you are truly a noble child from a low-class family, a rarity in the world."

"You should use this gold as a boat and oar, ride the waves on the sea of martial arts, seek the dragon’s pearl, and achieve greatness."

Yu Yongnian murmured, recalling how years ago he had used these words to inspire Lin Chen, not expecting that in just a few short years, Lin Chen would achieve it.

Shu Suwan looked at her husband. Although he was reluctant to capitalize on Lin Chen’s success for the benefit of Liang, and didn’t want to discuss his interactions with Lin Chen with others, she knew in her husband’s heart, Lin Chen was his greatest pride.

And because of Lin Chen, many children of aristocrats wished to have her husband as their teacher, but he turned them all away.