Almost Fell for It

After Shu Suwan left, Yu Yongnian silently steeped tea while Lin Chen stood respectfully to the side, a curious expression on his face.

Yu Yongnian saw it and cleared his throat, explaining, "When I first started learning martial arts, I was fortunate enough to spend three months at the Martial Arts Academy in Raozhou Prefecture. Inspector Shu was also studying martial arts there at the time; she was my Senior Sister."

"This matter is inherently due to these Martial Arts Halls violating the rules first. Inspector Shu cannot tolerate any injustice and certainly wouldn't ignore it, which is why I brought you to find her."

Yu Yongnian explained the reason, and Lin Chen suddenly understood, a look of realization on his face.

As for whether he truly believed what Instructor Yu said, only he himself knew.

He put on a look of sudden understanding to save the Instructor from embarrassment. The tea had been steeped ten times over, and the brew had become practically clear water.

"What are you two master and disciple doing?"

Just as Yu Yongnian was steeping the thirteenth pot of tea, Shu Suwan's figure appeared at the courtyard gate.

"Senior Sister!"

"Inspector Shu."

Shu Suwan's gaze fell on Lin Chen, and she said directly, "Clearwind Martial Arts Hall is willing to accept you as a disciple, but Clearwind Martial Arts Hall doesn't have enough Aperture Opening Pill slots for students. We will borrow a slot from Still Water Martial Arts Academy. For this, you will need to stay at Still Water Martial Arts Academy for half a year. Are you willing?"

"This disciple is willing."

"Improper!"

Lin Chen and Instructor Yu, this master and disciple pair, had different reactions. Lin Chen readily accepted, not particularly caring which Martial Arts Hall's disciple he became.

Yu Yongnian, however, frowned slightly: "Still Water Martial Arts Academy has mostly female disciples, I'm afraid..."

"What, do you have a prejudice against us women learning martial arts?"

Shu Suwan's single sentence was a rebuke, and Yu Yongnian immediately changed his tune: "Senior Sister misunderstands, this Junior Brother didn't mean that, it's just youthful temperament..."

In Yu Yongnian's view, Still Water Martial Arts Academy was not a good place.

A gentle embrace, a hero's grave.

Among a group of female students, Lin Chen, as the only male student, would undoubtedly have his every move watched and magnified.

Most importantly, there was a lot of conflict among the students at Still Water Martial Arts Academy... they were always prone to being petty. When he was at the Martial Arts Hall, he had heard that there were many conflicts among the female students at Still Water Martial Arts Academy, which would be unfavorable to Lin Chen diligently practicing martial arts.

"Instructor Yu, this disciple can go to Still Water Martial Arts Academy as well. After all, it's only for half a year."

Lin Chen didn't have much resistance; Still Water Martial Arts Academy was fine too.

He knew what Instructor Yu was worried about – nothing more than fearing that he would be captivated by female beauty and lose his drive on the Martial Path.

But what kind of beauty had he not seen?

In his previous life, so many women in videos had winked at him, various suggestive temptations, yet he had only viewed them with a critical eye and wouldn't even watch the same video twice.

Although the social atmosphere in this world wasn't as strict towards women as in ancient times, it wasn't as open as in his previous life. It couldn't shake his determination to learn martial arts.

Shu Suwan was very satisfied: "Since that's the case, you should first report to Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, and then go to Still Water Martial Arts Academy."

"Yes."

Lin Chen agreed and was about to bid farewell to his instructor, but he didn't expect his instructor to also get up.

"Senior Sister, Junior Brother, I..."

"Junior Brother, don't leave. Getting Still Water Martial Arts Academy to provide an Aperture Opening Pill student slot this time means we owe them a favor. I've arranged to meet with the Hall Master of Still Water Martial Arts Academy. Junior Brother, accompany me to meet them."

Seeing Yu Yongnian stand up, Shu Suwan immediately spoke, stopping her Junior Brother from leaving.

He had finally come to visit on his own initiative; there was no way she would let him leave so easily.

Lin Chen glanced out of the corner of his eye at his instructor, and then at Inspector Shu. He saw a bit of understanding.

Inspector Shu specifically wanted to keep Instructor Yu.

From his perspective, Inspector Shu was beautiful and an inspector... this was Instructor Yu's good fortune.

"Instructor, Inspector Shu, this disciple will go to Clearwind Martial Arts Hall to report first."

"Go ahead. If anything happens, you can come to the Shu Residence in Ruilin Lane."

Shu Suwan said with a smile, very satisfied with Lin Chen's understanding.

Clearwind Martial Arts Hall.

Lin Chen arrived at the Martial Arts Hall again and was led by the doorman to the reception hall he had been to before.

He didn't show any indignation.

Being underestimated by the Martial Arts Hall was also due to his own reasons. The other party was also just doing their job. After all, the matter of him having Destiny enhancement was too unbelievable. If he didn't actively say it, no one would think of it.

Meeting Zhao Ce again, Lin Chen still bowed respectfully.

"This disciple greets Instructor Zhao." He was very respectful.

"Mm."

Seeing Lin Chen's respectful appearance, Zhao Ce's expression improved slightly compared to just now. He wasn't targeting Lin Chen; it was just that he had refused Lin Chen just moments ago and now had to accept him, which made him lose some face.

"Hall Master Qi has already informed me of your situation. You can go to the Martial Arts Pavilion later to collect a martial arts manual."

Zhao Ce nodded faintly. After saying this, he turned to leave. However, when he reached the doorway, he suddenly stopped: "My previous refusal was not intentional. The Martial Arts Hall's spots were indeed full. You should also know how difficult it was to get this spot. Don't hold grudges, and study martial arts well."

"This disciple wouldn't dare."

Although he didn't hold grudges, he also wouldn't feel a deep sense of belonging to the Martial Arts Hall.

Lin Chen lowered his eyes. By the time he looked up again, Zhao Ce had already left. His face showed no change in expression as he followed a servant to the Martial Arts Pavilion.

An instructor in the Martial Arts Pavilion verified Lin Chen's identity plaque and asked curiously, "Senior Brother Zhao didn't get you a student identity plaque?"

Every student at Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, after joining, would have a student plaque carved. They would wear it daily as a symbol of their status as a Martial Arts Hall student.

"No, Instructor Zhao told me to come to the Martial Arts Hall to collect the Clear Wind Palm manual," Lin Chen answered honestly.

The instructor who spoke glanced at Lin Chen, a contemplative look on his face. After a while, he said, "Since that's the case, please wait here for a moment."

About fifteen minutes later, the instructor brought out a manual.

"This is the Clear Wind Palm manual. Return it in one month. Do not lose it, and absolutely do not leak it."

The instructor's tone wasn't severe, but Lin Chen didn't dare to be careless in the slightest.

Leaking martial arts techniques was something he had never even considered.

Over the years, the eight major Martial Arts Halls had accepted many students. Many people in the entire Poyang County knew the martial arts techniques of the various Martial Arts Halls. Yet, why hadn't these martial arts techniques been leaked until now? It was because the students didn't dare to do so.

The Martial Arts Hall had a list of students. If a non-Martial Arts Hall student were to use a Martial Arts Hall's martial arts technique, the Martial Arts Administration would investigate thoroughly. No one could withstand the punishments of the Martial Arts Administration without confessing.

After saying goodbye to the instructor, Lin Chen left Clearwind Martial Arts Hall directly and headed to Still Water Martial Arts Academy.

At the main gate of Still Water Martial Arts Academy.

Lin Chen reported his name. While waiting at the entrance, a woman walked out from the gate. When she saw Lin Chen, she stopped, a look of curiosity in her beautiful eyes.

"You are?"

"Senior Sister, this Junior Brother is here to report to the Martial Arts Hall."

Lin Chen didn't know who this woman was, but judging by her appearance, she seemed to be a Senior Sister.

The woman's hair cascaded like a waterfall, a few stray strands gently falling across her forehead. Hearing Lin Chen's words, her beautiful eyes blinked a few times, adding a touch of unintentional charm.

"We actually have a male student at our Martial Arts Hall. That's truly rare. My name is Chen Yan. What should I call you, Junior Brother?"

"Lin Chen greets Senior Sister Chen."

"Why is Junior Brother Lin standing here?"

"I just explained the situation to the doorkeeper, and the doorkeeper went to notify the instructor. This Junior Brother is waiting here," Lin Chen answered honestly.

"Why wait? I'll take Junior Brother to find the instructor. Come with me, Junior Brother."

Chen Yan was very enthusiastic and even stepped forward to take Lin Chen's hand. Lin Chen subtly dodged. "Then I'll trouble Senior Sister."

The two entered the main gate. As Chen Yan led the way, she introduced the Martial Arts Hall's situation to Lin Chen.

"See that corridor over there? You can go directly to the dormitory area from there, and also the training ground ahead, which is Area A training ground. Generally, students in their third year at the Martial Arts Hall come here. Your new batch of students will go to the Area C training ground."

Chen Yan was very enthusiastic and talked non-stop along the way.

Lin Chen felt very emotional. Still Water Martial Arts Academy was really good. Look how enthusiastic Senior Sister Chen was, unlike Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, which was cold from top to bottom.

It was a pity that he wasn't a true disciple of Still Water Martial Arts Academy.

"I'll take Junior Brother Lin to register first and collect the Martial Arts Hall student identity plaque."

"No... no need to collect a student identity plaque."

Lin Chen quickly stopped her. He was affiliated with Still Water Martial Arts Academy but wasn't considered a disciple.

"Senior Sister Chen, this Junior Brother's situation is a bit complicated. Senior Sister can just take me to the instructor responsible for recruiting students."

Chen Yan's beautiful eyes examined Lin Chen for a moment, then she smiled brightly. "Alright, then I'll take Junior Brother directly to the Martial Arts Pavilion."

Every Martial Arts Hall had a Martial Arts Pavilion, and Still Water Martial Arts Academy was no exception.

"The Martial Arts Pavilion is up ahead. Junior Brother likely needs to collect an Aperture Opening Pill, right?" Chen Yan asked confidently.

"Yes."

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Lin. To celebrate Junior Brother Lin entering the Aperture Opening Realm later, I, your Senior Sister, will treat you to a meal today."

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. This Senior Sister Chen was too enthusiastic.

She even wanted to treat him to a meal?

A good Senior Sister dropping from the sky?

After pondering for a moment, Lin Chen politely refused, "How can I let Senior Sister treat me..."

After saying this half-sentence, Lin Chen noticed that this Senior Sister Chen's eyes brightened. A guess suddenly emerged in his mind.

Could this Senior Sister be waiting here for him?

Thinking this, Lin Chen changed the subject. "A junior brother should treat his senior sister to a meal, but I came to the Martial Arts Hall in a hurry this time and didn't bring any money. I'll shamelessly sponge a meal off Senior Sister today and host a banquet for you another day."

Chen Yan's smile instantly froze. Shamelessly sponge a meal off me?

You really are shamelessly enough.

You didn't bring money, but you could still treat me another day. How can you have the nerve to say you're sponging a meal off me?

How could you even say that?

She had been waiting by the Martial Arts Hall entrance every day for the past few days, precisely hoping to trick these new junior sisters into eating at the Four Great Martial Towers.

The signature dishes at the Four Great Martial Towers were all highly nourishing poultry meats for Qi and Blood. However, the prices were extremely expensive, unaffordable for ordinary students. But students who could cultivate Essence Energy within a year could afford a few meals there, even if they were the worst among them.

She had already sponged three meals in the past few days, without a single failure.

Only with this junior brother did it fail.

"Junior Brother is joking. There's no such thing as sponging. It doesn't matter who treats," Chen Yan forced a smile. "I'll take Junior Brother to the Martial Arts Pavilion first. We can talk about eating later."

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

This time, Chen Yan didn't say a word along the way.

If she talked too much, her mouth would dry out, and she probably wouldn't even earn back the cost of a cup of tea.

"Junior Brother Lin, this is the Martial Arts Pavilion. I won't go in, Senior Sister. I'll wait for Junior Brother here."

Lin Chen knew exactly what was happening. The moment he stepped into the Martial Arts Pavilion, Senior Sister Chen would turn around and leave. He didn't expose her. After all, she had indeed led the way for him and explained some things about the Martial Arts Hall.

In his previous life, this would be called service, and paying for services was normal.

Unfortunately, he had no money, so he could only freeload off Senior Sister Chen.

Bah!

Wrong. He was freeloading off Senior Sister Chen's service.

Stepping over the threshold of the Martial Arts Pavilion, Lin Chen subconsciously looked back. Senior Sister Chen's figure was already gone.

Lin Chen: ...

Leaving so quickly?

Not even finishing the act?

Amidst his emotions, Lin Chen understood even more how difficult the Martial Path was.

This Senior Sister Chen was clearly in the Aperture Opening Realm, yet she lowered herself just for a meal, almost to the point of seducing him.

If she hadn't run out of money from practicing martial arts, why would she do this?

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