Early the next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, the owner of An He Inn personally brought over breakfast—millet porridge, boiled eggs, and freshly steamed meat buns, all soft foods suitable for the elderly and children.
"Young Master Chen, the carriage is already waiting at the entrance. The martial hall just sent someone to ask when you'd arrive; they said the guests will be here soon." The owner smiled warmly. "Rest assured, I've already had the staff pack the dried salted fish and kelp you brought. We'll send them straight to the martial hall's kitchen later."
Chen Yuan thanked the owner, helped his family get ready, and supported his grandmother and grandfather into the carriage.
Old Zhou still drove the carriage. As they made their way to the martial hall, they saw many disciples in the hall's martial uniforms heading in the same direction. Whenever they saw the carriage, they all stepped aside and greeted him with smiles. "Good morning, Senior Disciple Brother Chen!"
When they arrived at the martial hall, Zhang Zhenshan was already waiting there. He wore a dark-blue instructor's martial uniform, and as soon as he saw Chen Yuan's family, he came forward to welcome them. "Little Junior Brother, you're here! The main hall has already been arranged, and the guests are resting in the side hall."
Chen Yuan supported his family and followed Zhang Zhenshan inside. The stone path through the martial hall was lined with Outer Court disciples, all dressed in matching gray martial uniforms. When they saw them approaching, they shouted in unison, "Welcome, Senior Disciple Brother Chen! Welcome, Senior Disciple Brother Chen's family!" Their voices rang out like thunder, making the locust tree leaves in the courtyard tremble faintly.
Xiao Li shrank into Lin Sanniang's arms in fright, then curiously poked her head out to look. Chen Tie Mao, meanwhile, straightened his back and swept his gaze over the disciples on both sides, pride showing on his face. He had spent his entire life fishing in the village and had never received such treatment. Now that his grandson had made something of himself, even the family was basking in the reflected glory.
Once they entered the Inner Court, the atmosphere became even more solemn.
The doors of the main hall stood open. Two large red lanterns hung outside, with the words "Apprenticeship Ceremony" written on them. At the center of the hall stood an incense table, upon which was enshrined the ancestral tablet of the martial hall. A pig's head, fresh fruit, and three cups of white wine were arranged before it. Four Inner Court disciples in blue martial uniforms stood on either side of the table. They were all senior disciples Chen Yuan had never met.
"That's Senior Disciple Brother Song Yun. He just hurried back from the Patrol Camp. The one beside him is Third Senior Disciple Li Wei, and the other is Fourth Senior Disciple Liu Qing. They specifically took leave to return for your apprenticeship ceremony." Zhang Zhenshan introduced them to Chen Yuan in a low voice.
"The people sitting beside the incense table are the Martial Hall Master's friends. On the left is Master Liu Tie of Hundred Refinements Iron Shop, and on the right is Old Master Hai of Sihai Shipping Company. They're both prominent figures in the county town."
Chen Yuan followed Zhang Zhenshan's gesture and looked over. Two elderly men sat beside the incense table. Master Liu Tie wore a black coarse-cloth jacket, his hands covered in calluses and his gaze sharp. Old Master Hai, meanwhile, wore a dark-blue silk robe and held a folding fan in his hand, his bearing refined and dignified. He was none other than the head of Sihai Shipping Company, whom Wang Meng had mentioned before.
Zhao Canghai wore a purple brocade robe and sat in the grand chair behind the incense table. He seemed several degrees more imposing than usual.
When he saw Chen Yuan's family, he gave a slight nod, then smiled at Liu Tie beside him. "Old Liu, this is the Chen Yuan I told you about. He's young, but his foundation is exceptionally solid."
Master Liu Tie looked at Chen Yuan and nodded. "Not bad. His qi and blood are abundant, and his skin and muscles are firm. He's a fine prospect for martial arts."
Old Master Hai smiled as well. "Hall Master Zhao has a good eye. A young man who can independently slay a Sea Beast right after breaking through is truly impressive. He'll certainly be someone who can shoulder responsibility in the future."
Chen Yuan's family all smiled with relief when they heard this. Lin Sanniang quietly tugged at Chen Yuan's sleeve and whispered, "Don't be nervous. Just do as Instructor Zhang tells you."
The apprenticeship ceremony began at Zhao Canghai's signal. Zhang Zhenshan walked before the incense table and called out loudly, "The apprenticeship ceremony begins. Disciple Chen Yuan, come forward and offer incense!"
Chen Yuan took the three incense sticks handed over by a nearby disciple. After lighting them, he bowed three times toward the ancestral tablet before placing the incense in the burner.
His movements were steady, without the slightest hint of panic. He had specially practiced several times with Zhang Zhenshan the night before, precisely because he feared making a mistake today.
"Disciple Chen Yuan, present your Apprenticeship Post!"
Chen Yuan pulled the Apprenticeship Post he had written from his robes, held it in both hands, and walked before Zhao Canghai. Bowing, he offered it to him. "Master, your disciple Chen Yuan wishes to enter your tutelage. I will strictly observe the rules of the school, diligently cultivate and train, and never fail your teachings!"
Zhao Canghai accepted the Apprenticeship Post and opened it for a look. Seeing the neat handwriting and earnest oath, he nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Since you have the heart to study martial arts and the resolve to protect your homeland, I shall accept you as my disciple."
"From today onward, you are the seventh Personal Disciple of Zhao Canghai. You must remember that 'virtue comes before martial prowess, and guarding comes before achievement.' You must not bully the weak with your strength, nor forget your roots and betray righteousness."
"Your disciple will remember your teachings, Master!" Chen Yuan bowed in response.
"Disciple Chen Yuan, offer tea!"
An Inner Court disciple came over carrying a tray, upon which sat a cup of warm tea.
Chen Yuan lifted the teacup with both hands and once more walked before Zhao Canghai. He knelt on both knees and raised the cup above his head. "Master, please have some tea!"
Zhao Canghai accepted the teacup and took a sip. Then he pulled a small blue-covered booklet from his robes and handed it to Chen Yuan. "These are notes on my cultivation from when I was young. I recorded quite a few crucial points where mistakes are easily made. Take it and study it carefully. It will benefit your cultivation."
Chen Yuan accepted the notes with both hands. The booklet felt heavy in his hands—not merely a cultivation journal, but the fruits of his master's painstaking effort. He hurriedly kowtowed. "Thank you, Master! This disciple will study it diligently!"
"Rise." Zhao Canghai helped Chen Yuan to his feet, then said to Song Yun and the others standing nearby, "You senior disciples must look after your little junior brother from now on. If there's anything he doesn't understand, guide him more."
"Yes, Master!" Song Yun and the others answered in unison. Senior Disciple Brother Song Yun stepped forward and handed Chen Yuan a short blade. "Little Junior Brother, this is the Patrol Camp's Armor Breaker. It can pierce the hide armor of low-level Demonic Beasts. Keep it for self-defense."
Third Senior Disciple Li Wei then handed over a cloth bundle. "There are some Demonic Beast scales I collected while at sea. You can use them to make an inner armor. It'll be lighter and more practical than ordinary iron armor."
Fourth Senior Disciple Liu Qing smiled and handed him an illustrated book. "This is the Near-Sea Demonic Beast Illustrated Manual. It records the weaknesses of common Demonic Beasts. You'll find it useful when you go out to sea in the future."
Wang Meng and Sun Yun squeezed their way over as well. Wang Meng handed him a wine gourd. "Little Junior Brother, this is my treasured vintage Sea Soul Wine. Have a sip after practicing martial arts—it can nourish your qi and blood!"
Sun Yun, meanwhile, handed him a sachet. "It contains herbs that repel mosquitoes and insects. You'll find it useful when practicing in summer."
Chen Yuan accepted everything one by one, warmth filling his heart. He had never expected his senior disciples to prepare gifts for him.
"Master's friends, please deliver your speeches!" Zhang Zhenshan called out loudly once more.
Master Liu Tie rose and walked before Chen Yuan, patting him on the shoulder. "Young man, practicing martial arts isn't just about training your strength; you must train your heart as well. You seem steady and capable of settling your mind. If you ever need a weapon forged, come to Hundred Refinements Iron Shop anytime. I'll make you the finest one!"
Old Master Hai also rose and said with a smile, "I trust Hall Master Zhao's disciple. If you ever want to go to sea for experience, or need a ship, come to Sihai Shipping Company anytime. I'll make the arrangements for you."
Zhao Canghai watched this scene with a smile on his face. "All right, the apprenticeship ceremony is complete! The kitchen has already prepared a feast. Come with me to the side hall and take your seats. Today, no one leaves sober!"
Everyone cheered and headed toward the side hall. Zhang Zhenshan invited Chen Yuan's family to the main table, where they sat beside Zhao Canghai.
During the banquet, Zhao Canghai occasionally placed food in Chen Tie Mao's and Zhang Shi's bowls. He also chatted with Chen Dahai about the Flying Swallow, saying that if they ever needed its Runes repaired, they could bring it back to the shipyard anytime, free of charge.
Chen Dahai hurriedly thanked him. "Thank you, Hall Master Zhao. You've taken such good care of Yuan'er. We truly don't know how to repay you."
"There's no need to repay me." Zhao Canghai smiled. "Chen Yuan is a fine prospect. I simply hate to see talent go to waste. If he makes something of himself in the future, that will be the finest repayment."
Xiao Li sat in Lin Sanniang's arms, holding the sachet Sun Yun had given her. She asked curiously, "Grandpa Zhao, can I come to the martial hall and learn martial arts too? I want to be like Brother and chase away Sea Beasts!"
Zhao Canghai was amused by Xiao Li's words. "Of course you can. Once you're a little older, if you still want to learn martial arts, come find me at the martial hall anytime. I'll have your brother teach you."
Xiao Li happily clapped her hands. "That's wonderful! Thank you, Grandpa Zhao!"
The banquet continued until the afternoon.
Chen Yuan accompanied his family, master, and senior disciples in conversation, listening to them talk about affairs in the county town, their cultivation insights, and their experiences fighting Demonic Beasts.
He learned many things that could not be learned in the martial hall, and he also gained a clearer understanding of the road ahead—first pass the County Examination and become a Martial Scholar, then strive to break through to the Tendon Changing Realm, take the Prefecture Examination, and become a martial artist capable of protecting his homeland.
The banquet finally ended as the sun sank toward the west.
Chen Yuan supported his family as they left the martial hall. Zhao Canghai and his senior disciples saw them out to the entrance.
"Yuan'er, starting tomorrow, come to the Inner Court and cultivate under my guidance. I'll teach you personally." Zhao Canghai reminded him, "The County Examination is still three months away. You must make the most of your time to prepare."
"Yes, Master!" Chen Yuan bowed in response.
Chen Yuan's family watched the scene and smiled, reassured.
Chen Tie Mao patted Chen Yuan on the shoulder. "Study properly under your master. Don't worry about matters at home. Your father and I will keep an eye on things. Rest easy."
"Grandfather, I understand." Chen Yuan nodded, determination filling his heart.
As the carriage traveled into the distance, Chen Yuan looked back at the martial hall. His master and senior disciples stood clearly visible in the evening light, while the vermilion gates flowed with a warm golden glow.
There would surely be wind and rain on the road ahead, but his gaze remained calm. The force within his body and the Tidal Stele in his Sea of Consciousness were his confidence.
His fingertips brushed the cover of the notes in his robes, and a conviction rang out in his chest—
Only by becoming stronger could he protect everything he wished to protect.
Before you continue