After Shu Suwan left, Yu Yongnian silently brewed tea, while Lin Chen stood respectfully to the side, curiosity evident on his face.
Yu Yongnian noticed this, coughed lightly, and explained, "When I was studying martial arts back then, I was fortunate enough to spend three months at the martial academy in Raozhou Prefecture. Inspector Shu was also studying martial arts at the academy at that time—she is my senior sister."
"This matter was originally the fault of those martial halls for violating the rules first. Inspector Shu cannot tolerate such things, so she definitely wouldn't ignore it. That's why I brought you to see Inspector Shu."
After Yu Yongnian explained the reason, Lin Chen suddenly understood and showed an "I see now" expression.
As for whether he truly believed everything his instructor said, only Lin Chen himself knew.
He put on that enlightened expression to spare his instructor any embarrassment—after all, the tea had been brewed over ten times already, and the liquid had long since become as clear as water.
"What are you master and disciple doing here?"
Just as Yu Yongnian was brewing the thirteenth pot of tea, Shu Suwan's figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard.
"Senior Sister!"
"Inspector Shu."
Shu Suwan's gaze fell on Lin Chen as she spoke directly, "Qingfeng Martial Hall is willing to take you in as a disciple, but they don't have enough Awakening Pill slots. They will borrow a slot from Jingshui Martial Hall. For this reason, you will need to stay at Jingshui Martial Hall for half a year. Are you willing?"
"I am willing."
"Improper!"
Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian reacted differently. Lin Chen accepted gladly—he didn't really mind which martial hall he belonged to.
Yu Yongnian frowned. "Jingshui Martial Hall has mostly female disciples. I'm afraid—"
"What, do you have prejudice against women practicing martial arts?"
With that one sentence, Shu Suwan pressed him down. Yu Yongnian immediately changed his tone. "Senior Sister misunderstands. That's not what I meant. It's just that youths are impulsive by nature…"
In Yu Yongnian's view, Jingshui Martial Hall was not a good place.
A gentle land is a hero's grave.
Among a group of female disciples, Lin Chen, as the only male disciple, would inevitably have every move scrutinized and magnified.
More importantly, there was a lot of petty conflict among disciples at Jingshui Martial Hall… He had heard back when he was at the martial hall that disputes among the female disciples there were frequent, which was not conducive to Lin Chen focusing on martial arts cultivation.
"Instructor Yu, it's fine for me to go to Jingshui Martial Hall. It's only for half a year anyway."
Lin Chen himself had no resistance to it. Jingshui Martial Hall was fine.
He knew what his instructor was worried about—nothing more than fearing that he would be blinded by female beauty and lose his drive on the path of martial arts.
But what kind of beauty hadn't he seen?
In his previous life, so many women flirted with him through videos, all kinds of suggestive temptations. He had always viewed them with a critical eye and never watched the same video twice.
The customs of this world toward women were not as strict as ancient times, but they were nowhere near as open as his previous life. It wouldn't shake his determination to practice martial arts.
Shu Suwan was very satisfied. "In that case, go report to Qingfeng Martial Hall first, then head to Jingshui Martial Hall."
"Yes."
Lin Chen agreed and was about to bid farewell to his instructor, but his instructor stood up as well.
"Senior Sister, I—"
"Junior Brother, don't leave yet. Having Jingshui Martial Hall give up an Awakening Pill slot this time means owing them a favor. I've already arranged to meet the hall master of Jingshui Martial Hall. Accompany me to see them."
As soon as Shu Suwan saw Yu Yongnian stand up, she immediately spoke to stop him from leaving.
It wasn't easy to get him to come by on his own initiative—there was no way she would let him leave so easily.
Lin Chen glanced sideways at his instructor, then at Inspector Shu. He saw through a bit of what was going on.
Inspector Shu was deliberately keeping Instructor Yu.
From his perspective, Inspector Shu was beautiful and an inspector on top of that… This was Instructor Yu's good fortune.
"Instructor, Inspector Shu, I'll go report to Qingfeng Martial Hall first."
"Go. If you need anything, you can come to Shu Residence on Ruilin Alley."
Shu Suwan spoke with a smile, very satisfied with Lin Chen's tactfulness.
...
...
Qingfeng Martial Hall.
Lin Chen arrived at the martial hall again and was once more led by the gatekeeper to the reception hall he had visited before.
He felt no resentment at all.
Being looked down upon by the martial hall was partly his own fault. The other party was just doing things by the book. After all, the fact that he had destiny-based enhancement was far too unbelievable. If he didn't take the initiative to say it, no one would ever imagine it.
Seeing Zhao Ce again, Lin Chen still bowed respectfully.
"Disciple Lin Chen greets Instructor Zhao."
"Mm."
Seeing Lin Chen's respectful demeanor, Zhao Ce's expression softened a bit. He wasn't targeting Lin Chen personally. It was just that he had rejected Lin Chen earlier and now had to accept him—his pride couldn't quite take it.
"Your situation has already been explained to me by Hall Master Qi. Later, go to the Martial Arts Pavilion to collect your martial arts manual."
Zhao Ce nodded faintly and left after saying this. But when he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped. "Previously rejecting you was not intentional targeting. The hall's slots were indeed full. You should also know how hard-won your slot is. Do not harbor resentment. Focus on learning martial arts."
"This disciple wouldn't dare."
He harbored no resentment, but he also wouldn't develop too deep a sense of belonging to the martial hall.
Lin Chen lowered his gaze. When he raised his head again, Zhao Ce was already gone. His expression showed no change as he followed a nearby attendant toward the Martial Arts Pavilion.
Inside the Martial Arts Pavilion, an instructor verified Lin Chen's identity token and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Zhao didn't process your disciple identity plaque?"
After joining Qingfeng Martial Hall, every disciple would have a plaque engraved, worn daily as proof of identity.
"No. Instructor Zhao told me to come collect the Qingfeng Palm manual," Lin Chen answered truthfully.
The instructor looked Lin Chen over, a thoughtful look on his face. After a moment, he said, "In that case, wait here for a bit."
After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the instructor brought out a manual.
"This is the Qingfeng Palm manual. Return it in one month. Do not lose it, and do not leak it."
The instructor's tone wasn't harsh, but Lin Chen didn't dare to take it lightly.
He never even considered leaking martial arts.
Over the years, the eight major martial halls had taken in countless disciples. Many people throughout Poyang County knew the martial arts techniques of the halls. Yet to this day, those techniques had never spread openly—because the disciples didn't dare.
The martial halls kept rosters of their disciples. If a non-disciple were found using a martial hall's techniques, the Martial Affairs Office would investigate thoroughly. No one could withstand the punishments of the Martial Affairs Office without confessing.
After bidding farewell to the instructor, Lin Chen left Qingfeng Martial Hall directly and headed for Jingshui Martial Hall.
...
...
At the gate of Jingshui Martial Hall.
Lin Chen reported his name. While waiting at the entrance, a woman walked out of the gate. She stopped when she saw Lin Chen, curiosity in her beautiful eyes.
"You are?"
"Senior Sister, this junior brother is here to report to the martial hall."
Lin Chen didn't know her status, but judging by her appearance, she was likely a senior sister.
Her hair flowed like a waterfall, a few loose strands gently falling across her forehead. Hearing Lin Chen's words, her bright eyes blinked a few times, adding a hint of unconscious allure.
"Our martial hall actually has a male disciple now? That's really rare. My name is Chen Yan. How should I address you, junior brother?"
"Lin Chen greets Senior Sister Chen."
"Junior Brother Lin, what are you standing here for?"
"I already explained the situation to the gatekeeper. He went to inform an instructor, so I'm waiting here," Lin Chen answered honestly.
"Why wait? I'll take you to see the instructor. Come with me, junior brother."
Chen Yan was very enthusiastic. She even reached out as if to grab Lin Chen's hand. Lin Chen subtly avoided it. "Then I'll trouble Senior Sister."
The two entered the gate. As she led the way, Chen Yan introduced the martial hall to Lin Chen.
"See that corridor over there? Going that way leads directly to the dormitory area. And the training grounds ahead—that's the Grade A training ground. Usually only disciples who've been here three years go there. You new disciples train in the Grade C training ground."
Chen Yan was very talkative, chatting nonstop along the way.
Lin Chen felt quite emotional. Jingshui Martial Hall was really nice—look how enthusiastic Senior Sister Chen was. Unlike Qingfeng Martial Hall, which was cold from top to bottom.
Too bad he wasn't truly a disciple of Jingshui Martial Hall.
"I'll take Junior Brother Lin to register first and collect your disciple identity plaque."
"No… no need to collect a disciple identity plaque."
Lin Chen quickly stopped her. He was only affiliated with Jingshui Martial Hall, not truly one of its disciples.
"Senior Sister Chen, my situation is a bit complicated. Just take me directly to the instructor in charge of recruitment."
Chen Yan studied Lin Chen for a moment, then smiled brightly. "Alright, then I'll take you straight to the Martial Arts Pavilion."
Every martial hall had a Martial Arts Pavilion. Jingshui Martial Hall was no exception.
"That's the Martial Arts Pavilion ahead. Junior Brother, you're probably here to collect the Awakening Pill, right?" Chen Yan asked confidently.
"Yes."
"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin. To celebrate you stepping into the Awakening Realm, today I'll treat you to a meal."
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. Senior Sister Chen was a little too enthusiastic.
Treating him to a meal?
A benevolent senior sister falling from the sky?
After pondering for a moment, Lin Chen declined, "How could I let Senior Sister treat—"
As he said this half-sentence, Lin Chen noticed a slight gleam in Senior Sister Chen's eyes. A sudden guess rose in his heart.
Could it be that Senior Sister Chen had been waiting here specifically for him?
With that thought, Lin Chen changed his tone. "It should be this junior brother treating Senior Sister. It's just that I came in a hurry this time and didn't bring any silver. Today I'll shamelessly mooch off Senior Sister, and another day I'll return the favor."
Chen Yan's smile instantly stiffened.
Shamelessly mooch off her for a meal?
You really are shameless enough.
No money? You could still invite me another day. How could you have the nerve to say you'd mooch off me?
How did you even say that out loud?
These past few days, she had been guarding the gate every day, just to coax these new junior sisters into eating at the Four Great Martial Restaurants.
The signature dishes there were all qi-and-blood nourishing poultry meat, but the prices were extremely high—far beyond what ordinary disciples could afford. However, disciples who could cultivate vital energy within a year could still afford a few meals a year.
Over the past few days, she had already mooched three meals, without a single failure.
Only with this junior brother did it fail.
"Junior Brother is joking. What's mooching or not? Whoever treats, it's still a treat," Chen Yan forced a smile. "I'll take you to the Martial Arts Pavilion first. We'll talk about eating later."
"Sorry to trouble Senior Sister."
This time, Chen Yan said nothing along the way.
If she talked any more, her mouth would go dry, and she'd probably not even earn back the price of a cup of tea.
"Junior Brother Lin, this is the Martial Arts Pavilion. I won't go in. I'll wait for you here."
Lin Chen understood. The moment he stepped into the pavilion, Senior Sister Chen would turn around and leave.
He didn't expose her. After all, she had indeed guided him and introduced the martial hall.
In his previous life, this was called service. Paying for service was normal.
Unfortunately, he had no money and could only freeload off Senior Sister Chen.
No—wrong.
Freeload her service.
Crossing the threshold of the Martial Arts Pavilion, Lin Chen subconsciously looked back. Senior Sister Chen's figure was already gone.
Lin Chen: …
She left that quickly?
Not even finishing the act?
As he sighed, Lin Chen understood even more clearly the hardships of the martial path.
Senior Sister Chen was clearly already in the Awakening Realm, yet she lowered herself for the sake of one meal, nearly resorting to seduction.
If not for lacking money in martial cultivation, why would she do this?