Master and Disciple Encourage Each Other

Ruilin Lane!

As Lin Chen arrived at the lane's entrance, he knew this must be the residential area for the wealthy and powerful in Poyang County.

The lane was paved with bluestone, and on either side stood grand residences with intricately carved beams and painted eaves, dazzling with splendor.

Following the nameplates on these residences, Lin Chen stopped when he reached the depths of the lane.

Shu Residence!

Inspector Shu's mansion.

Lin Chen didn't know if Instructor Yu was staying at Inspector Shu's residence; when he left, the instructor hadn't told him where he'd be staying in the county town.

But even if the instructor wasn't staying at the Shu Residence, Inspector Shu definitely knew where the instructor was living.

He went forward and knocked on the door!

After a few breaths, a maid opened the door.

"Excuse me, is this the residence of Inspector Shu?"

"Yes, young master, what can I do for you?"

"Disciple Lin Chen has come to pay his respects to Inspector Shu. I hope elder sister can help me inform him."

"You are Young Master Lin?"

When the maid heard Lin Chen report his name, she didn't go to announce him, but instead opened the door directly. This surprised Lin Chen somewhat.

Had Inspector Shu mentioned his name to the servants?

Following the maid through the main gate of the Shu Residence, the first thing that met Lin Chen's eyes was a screen wall carved with auspicious patterns.

Passing around the screen wall, he saw a spacious courtyard with surrounding corridors. Under the corridors were carved railings, exquisitely detailed. In the center of the courtyard, an ancient well lay quietly, its rim weathered, a witness to the mansion's long history.

The maid led Lin Chen into the main hall. After serving him fragrant tea, she excused herself and withdrew.

Lin Chen glanced around the main hall. The furnishings were simple yet dignified. The several grand chairs were all made of top-quality wood with exquisite carving. On the walls hung several landscape paintings, the brushstrokes fluid, the artistic conception profound.

He could understand these decorations if they were in a scholar's family.

But Inspector Shu was a Martial Artist.

Did Martial Artists also have a fondness for literature?

After the time it takes to steep a cup of tea, the maid returned, holding an envelope in her hand.

"Young Master Lin, my young lady and Mr. Yu left Poyang County a few days ago. Mr. Yu left a letter and asked me to give it to Young Master Lin."

Hearing the maid's words, Lin Chen was somewhat surprised. He took the letter but didn't rush to open it, instead asking, "What is elder sister's name?"

"Hua'er."

"Sister Hua'er, where did Instructor Yu go after leaving the county town? Could you possibly tell me?"

"Mr. Yu is going to participate in the Martial Examination and has left Poyang County. My young lady also resigned from her position as Inspector and went with Mr. Yu."

"Martial Examination?"

Lin Chen was truly shocked. His instructor was going to participate in the Martial Examination at this time?

After a moment's thought, he roughly guessed the reason.

Inspector Shu came from an extraordinary family background. The instructor was clearly not someone content to rely on someone else's wealth. Was he going to work hard and achieve success in the exams so he could propose to Inspector Shu's family?

Indeed, love inspires effort.

The instructor had already resigned himself to a comfortable life, but now he was fighting for love again.

"Young Master Lin, Mr. Yu specifically instructed when he left that if Young Master Lin came to the residence, besides giving you this letter, if you need anything, you can also stay at the residence. There are many guest rooms here."

"No need to trouble yourselves, I'll return to the Martial Arts Hall shortly."

Lin Chen shook his head and refused. He had come to report the good news to Instructor Yu. Since Instructor Yu wasn't here, he naturally wouldn't stay at the Shu Residence.

"Did the instructor say how long he would be gone this time?"

"I don't know that. Perhaps Mr. Yu mentioned it in the letter." Hua'er shook her head; she was just a maid and didn't know much.

Hearing Hua'er say this, Lin Chen no longer hesitated and opened the envelope he held.

[To My Disciple Lin Chen:]

[By the time you receive this letter, I will have already left Poyang County. Presumably, Hua'er has also informed you of my whereabouts. My Senior Sister and I are deeply in love and have sworn eternal vows.]

[However, my Senior Sister is from the Shu Family of Rao Prefecture, truly a prominent and esteemed family. Although my Senior Sister does not mind my humble status, I cannot let her endure the gossip of others. Thus, I have decided to participate in the Martial Examination. If I can obtain the rank of Juren, I will go to the Shu Residence to propose marriage...]

Seeing this, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn't expected the instructor to tell him, a junior, about these matters in the letter.

[The difficulty of the Martial Examination is like ascending to the heavens. In the past, those who passed the Martial Examination were all sons of prominent families, or prodigies carefully cultivated by Ranked Experts. For someone of my status and strength to attempt to pass the Martial Examination and become a Juren, if word gets out, it will only invite ridicule and be called a fool's dream.]

[However, I have made this resolve, firstly, to not fail my Senior Sister, and secondly, I have also been influenced by you. A youth from the village, with a pure heart, though without Silver Coins, still climbed to first place. If you are like this, why should I not be?]

Lin Chen somewhat understood why the instructor had to write about participating in the Martial Examination in the letter.

The instructor wrote entirely about why he was going to participate in the Martial Examination, but every word was meant to encourage him.

The competition the instructor faced in the Martial Examination was the same as what he faced in the Martial Arts Hall. If the instructor could ignore others' comments and their saying it was a fool's dream, then as a disciple, he should persevere even more in his cultivation at the Martial Arts Hall.

Master and disciple encourage each other!

[The path of martial arts is not achieved in a single day; it requires perseverance to reach the end. Do not be overly happy or sad about temporary gains or losses; do not become complacent or give up because of the success or failure of a single matter. Martial arts has no limits; if your heart is set on the light, the road ahead becomes clear, and wisdom arises.]

[Finally, borrowing your words, I share them with you for mutual encouragement: Plum blossoms exude fragrance from bitter cold, and a precious sword's edge comes from sharpening.]

[Though I have departed, my heart is still with you. May your future be bright and your spirit clear as a gentle breeze and bright moon.]

The contents of the letter ended here, but there was something else inside the envelope: a thin silver note for twenty taels.

Lin Chen's eyes were slightly red. He carefully folded the letter, put it back into the envelope, and tucked it inside the lining of his chest.

Instructor Yu could be said to be his first good teacher on the Martial Path. Even after leaving the county town, he still remembered him.

"I wish Instructor Yu success in the Martial Examination, may your name be on the golden list, and may you pluck the laurel branch from the toad palace."

After whispering a line in his heart, Lin Chen composed himself and cupped his fists towards Hua'er, saying, "Sister Hua'er, since Inspector Shu and the instructor are not here, I will take my leave."

After leaving the Shu Residence, Lin Chen did not rush back to the Martial Arts Hall. Instead, he went to a incense and candle shop and bought a coarsely carved mask painted with colorful lacquer.

Such ghost and deity masks were generally used in rituals and sacrifices and looked fierce. Lin Chen tried one on; the size fit his face well.

Holding the mask, Lin Chen went to the Martial Garden. Stepping onto the path shaded by lush trees, he put the mask from his waist onto his face.

Upon reaching the entrance of the Martial Garden, Lin Chen noticed quite a few people entering with masks. When he arrived at the arena plaza, a quick glance showed that more than half were wearing masks, and several even had the same mask as him.

It was truly...

Lin Chen felt a bit speechless. He had thought it strange why that incense and candle shop displayed more masks than incense and candles. It turned out they were all prepared for people like him.

Thanks to the reader Gan Chao Niu He for the reward. In response, a few readers said the pace is slow. Jiudeng has learned from the previous book, which went off track. This book is not the kind of traditional "cool" story where the protagonist just charges ahead. This book includes local customs, human relationships, and camaraderie among fellow students. What I hope for Lin Chen is that a hundred years from now, when he looks back on his youth, it won't just be the lonely figure practicing martial arts. Along the way, he should have a few people he can remember. Finally, I'd like to ask for monthly votes. It's the last day; how about pushing for two thousand votes? That would guarantee an extra hundred yuan.