Investing Before Success

Backyard of the dormitory!

Lin Chen began to consider whether to cultivate the Water Cloud Palm first or the Flying Swallow Art first.

The benefit of cultivating the Water Cloud Palm was that the more proficient he became with it, the more advantageous the Martial Arts Hall's internal competition at the beginning of the month would be for him.

Those Senior Sisters all used the Water Cloud Palm, so if he understood it, he would be better able to deal with them.

And the benefit of cultivating the Flying Swallow Art was also obvious. The boost from a movement technique would allow him to maximize the ethereal nature of the Clear Wind Palm.

Both had their advantages.

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Chen still decided to cultivate the Flying Swallow Art.

Improving his combat ability as quickly as possible was the top priority right now.

"Besides cultivating the Flying Swallow Art, I also need to break through to the three apertures realm as soon as possible. Based on Senior Sister Li and the others' progress, it's highly likely they will have opened four apertures by the beginning of the month."

The Martial Arts Hall only had five spots for Grade A Students. Lin Chen estimated that Senior Sister Jiang Qing was in a league of her own, so he couldn't snatch her spot. And Senior Sisters Fu Jingya, Gu Qingqing, and Kong Lingyun were in the second tier; it would also be difficult to compete with these three Senior Sisters for a spot.

His competitors were the Senior Sisters like Li Xue, who had opened three apertures when they first entered the Martial Arts Hall. As early as three days ago, Senior Sister Li and the others had already opened four apertures. They might not be able to break through to five apertures within the remaining fifteen days, which was his opportunity.

The honor roll outside the cafeteria gave Lin Chen a chance to understand the realms of those Senior Sisters.

"I need to go see Hall Master Kong again."

In the courtyard, seeing Lin Chen return after leaving, Kong Yinglei was also somewhat at a loss for words.

"You want to leave the Martial Arts Hall?"

"Disciple is cultivating the Flying Swallow Art, and the dormitory courtyard isn't large enough to practice it. So I'd like to apply to leave the Martial Arts Hall for a period and return at the beginning of the month."

After hearing Lin Chen's intention, Kong Yinglei pondered for a moment. According to the Martial Arts Hall's rules, new students were not allowed to leave the Martial Arts Hall for extended periods within the first six months.

But considering Lin Chen's special circumstances, and knowing why Lin Chen wanted to cultivate the Flying Swallow Art – to prepare for the Martial Arts Hall's internal competition at the beginning of the month – she understood.

"Since you've chosen to return to the village to cultivate the Flying Swallow Art, don't wander around outside. Focus on practicing martial arts in the village."

Lin Chen readily agreed. After bidding farewell to Hall Master Kong, he returned to his dormitory, packed two sets of clothes, estimated that the Nourishing Aperture Pills were sufficient, didn't buy any other supplies, and left the Martial Arts Hall directly.

After leaving the Martial Arts Hall, Lin Chen didn't rush back. Instead, he went to the Cloud Concealment Martial Arts Hall and troubled the doorman to deliver a message to Zhao Jingchuan.

He had a gathering planned with Zhao Jingchuan and the other three, and since he was returning to the village, he had to inform them.

Soon, Zhao Jingchuan appeared at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.

"Senior Brother Lin, what is this?"

Seeing the bag Lin Chen was carrying, Zhao Jingchuan looked puzzled.

"I'm returning to the village for ten days or so. I came to inform Junior Brother Zhao that I won't be able to gather with you all this month. When the time comes, Junior Brother Zhao, please pass the message on to Senior Brother Lu and Junior Brother Cheng."

Zhao Jingchuan frowned, stepped closer, and lowered his voice, "Senior Brother Lin, did something happen? If there's anything this Junior Brother can help with, please don't hesitate to say."

Lin Chen looked at Zhao Jingchuan's concerned expression and pondered for a while before saying, "I am now a formal disciple of the Still Water Martial Arts Academy."

"Still Water Martial Arts Academy? Senior Brother Lin, aren't you a disciple of the Clearwind Martial Arts Hall?"

When he was in Lakeside Village, in order for Zhao Jingchuan and the other two to contact him easily, Lin Chen had told them that although he was a disciple of the Clearwind Martial Arts Hall, he was temporarily assigned to the Still Water Martial Arts Academy.

"This matter is a bit complicated and cannot be explained in a few words. Junior Brother Zhao only needs to know that I am now a disciple of the Still Water Martial Arts Academy."

Lin Chen didn't plan to publicize why he went from being a disciple of the Clearwind Martial Arts Hall to a disciple of the Still Water Martial Arts Academy; after all, it wasn't a glorious matter.

Zhao Jingchuan's face showed a thoughtful expression. After a while, he said, "If Senior Brother Lin needs Silver Coins temporarily, I still have some here. I imagine Senior Brother Lu and Junior Brother Cheng can also scrape some together."

In Zhao Jingchuan's heart, the only difference between Senior Brother Lin and those influential disciples in the Martial Arts Hall was that he was at a disadvantage due to his ordinary family background.

So it was highly likely that the inside story was also related to Silver Coins.

When Lin Chen heard Zhao Jingchuan's words, his heart also warmed. Finally, he patted Zhao Jingchuan's shoulder and smiled, "If I truly reach the point of needing money, I won't be polite with Junior Brother Zhao."

Help in a crisis, not help the poor!

Lin Chen understood this very well. If he was in desperate need of money, he could ask Junior Brother Zhao and Senior Brother Lu for some silver to help him get by, but it could only be a one-time emergency loan. The path of a Martial Artist required a lot of Silver Coins, and the family backgrounds of the three Junior Brothers could only barely afford one bottle of Nourishing Aperture Pill per month at the Martial Arts Hall.

"Yes, Senior Brother Lin, since you're returning to the village, why not make a trip to the town? I'll write a letter to my father and trouble Senior Brother Lin to take it back for me."

"Okay."

"Then please wait a moment, Senior Brother Lin."

Zhao Jingchuan returned to the Martial Arts Hall and came out again after about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, handing the envelope to Lin Chen.

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

"Junior Brother Zhao, go on inside. No need to see me off. I'm just returning to the village to practice martial arts, it's not like I'm not coming back to the county town."

Seeing that Zhao Jingchuan intended to see him off, Lin Chen smiled faintly, waved for Zhao Jingchuan to go back, and he himself turned and left.

Riverbend Town!

Lin Chen rode his horse into town and returned it to the stable before heading to the Zhao Family Restaurant.

"Excuse me, is your owner around?"

"Who's asking for Zhao?"

Lin Chen entered the restaurant and had just spoken when the curtain leading to the inner hall was lifted, and Zhao Dongyang appeared.

"Nephew Lin?"

Zhao Dongyang was startled for a moment when he saw Lin Chen, then walked forward with a look of great enthusiasm. "Isn't Nephew Lin at the Martial Arts Hall in the county town?"

"Uncle Zhao, I need to go home for a visit. Junior Brother Zhao heard the news and asked me to bring you a letter."

Seeing the envelope Lin Chen took out from his chest, a hint of confusion flickered in Zhao Dongyang's eyes. Jingchuan had already written home six days ago. Why is he writing again so soon?

However, as a businessman, Zhao Dongyang naturally wouldn't show his confusion. He smiled and took the letter, saying, "Thank you, Nephew. Looking at the sun, Nephew Lin probably hasn't eaten yet..."

After speaking, Zhao Dongyang instructed the waiter next to him, "Have the kitchen fry up a few of our signature dishes."

"Uncle, there's no need to trouble yourself. I can still make it home in time if I leave now."

"That won't do!" Zhao Dongyang's attitude was quite firm. "You'll have lunch here with your uncle today. Does Nephew think the dishes at your uncle's restaurant aren't to your taste?"

"Uncle's dishes, I had a meal here last time and the taste lingered for days."

"Then that's settled. Eat before you go, there's no rush. Besides, you're returning suddenly, you probably haven't notified your family. It's busy farming season right now, so your family might not have prepared a meal."

During the busy spring plowing season, Zhao Dongyang knew very well that the villagers in the surrounding villages were busy farming. Most of the time, the whole family would go to the fields to work, and the women at home would cook the food and deliver it to the fields at noon.

"Then this junior will respectfully obey."

Lin Chen wasn't too sentimental either. It was indeed more suitable to have lunch in town before going back.

"Nephew Lin, there's no need for such formalities. My Jingchuan told me that among all his Senior and Junior Brothers at the Martial Arts Hall, he admires Nephew Lin the most."

As Zhao Dongyang said this, he felt a bit emotional. According to what Jingchuan had said privately, it wasn't just him, but also the young masters from the Lu family and Chen family who admired Lin Chen greatly.

For the son of a fisherman to achieve this was enough to prove his extraordinary qualities.

As long as there were no accidents in the future, someone like him could definitely achieve something in the martial arts world.

Seeing Zhao Dongyang leading him towards a private room, Lin Chen stopped and advised, "Uncle, I'm just one person. Dining in the main hall is fine, there's no need for a private room."

Zhao Dongyang pondered for a moment. Seeing that Lin Chen wasn't just being polite, and being a businessman himself, he knew that being overly enthusiastic could actually make people uncomfortable.

"Alright, then Nephew can sit here. I'll have the kitchen prepare a few cold dishes for you to enjoy with drinks, and I'll join you for a few cups later."

In the restaurant's main hall, there were many customers. Seeing Zhao Dongyang so enthusiastically entertaining Lin Chen, their gazes fell on Lin Chen with curious eyes.

They wondered about the background of this young man, who could make Zhao Dongyang so enthusiastic?

There were only a few prominent families in the city, and they had seen the young masters of these families. But the one before them was completely unfamiliar.

Lin Chen didn't pay attention to the probing eyes around him. His attention was drawn to the man carrying baskets at the entrance.

"Big Brother!"

Seeing his elder brother enter the restaurant carrying two baskets of fish, Lin Chen initially wondered if he was seeing things, but as a Martial Artist, his eyesight was definitely fine, so it was indeed his elder brother who had entered.

"Junior Brother Chen?"

Lin Liang heard a somewhat familiar voice and subconsciously turned his head. When he saw his younger brother sitting at a table, he was equally excited.

"Big Brother, what are you doing?"

Lin Chen walked up to ask, although he already had a guess in his heart.

"Junior Brother Chen, the day after you went to the Martial Arts Hall, Shopkeeper Zhao came to our house and said that the fish we catch from now on can be delivered to the restaurant, and the price is a bit higher than selling to the fish stall."

Lin Liang replied with a smile, while also lowering his voice. "Dad was worried at first why Shopkeeper Zhao was being so good to our family, but Mom saw it clearly. She said Shopkeeper Zhao was taking care of our family because of you, Junior Brother Chen. Is Shopkeeper Zhao's son the Young Master Zhao who practices martial arts with you?"

"Yes, Junior Brother Zhao is indeed Uncle Zhao's son. Uncle Zhao isn't just the restaurant's shopkeeper, he's also the owner."

Lin Chen explained to his elder brother. Many owners like to hire shopkeepers, but Uncle Zhao personally managed the restaurant. Lin Chen guessed it wasn't that he couldn't afford a shopkeeper, but rather that Uncle Zhao enjoyed the lively scene of welcoming and seeing off customers in the business.

"Young Master Lin is here, what a coincidence!"

Zhao Jingchuan, who came out of the kitchen carrying two plates of cold dishes, saw the two brothers, Lin Liang and Lin Chen, standing together. He gave a look to the waiter beside him, and the waiter reacted, quickly stepping forward to take Lin Liang's carrying pole.

"Brother Lin, let me help you."

"No, no, no, it's okay, I can do it myself."

Seeing his elder brother a bit flustered, Lin Chen pressed his brother's hand. "Big Brother, just let this young man help you carry the fish inside. I haven't been home in a few months, and I miss Dad and Mom too. Sit down and tell me about what's been happening at home recently."