"Junior Brother Chen, look who's here!"
That day, a booming voice came from outside the gate of Listening Tide Courtyard. It sounded familiar—none other than Chen Yuan's Senior Disciple Brother, Wang Meng.
Chen Yuan opened his eyes, his sharp gaze drawn inward. He rose and opened the courtyard gate.
The bitter cold of winter had gradually receded, and the air had begun to carry a faint, elusive warmth, heralding the arrival of spring.
Lin Hai County had also grown especially bustling with the approaching County Examination.
Young martial artists from every town and village in the county, and even from farther away, had gathered here. The city's inns were packed, its taverns and teahouses buzzed with voices, and young people in close-fitting martial attire with fierce, robust auras could be seen everywhere.
Wang Meng's burly body blocked the doorway, a hearty smile spread across his face.
Behind him stood Chen Yuan's family: his grandfather, Chen Tie Mao; his father, Chen Dahai... and his little sister, Xiao Li, whom he was leading by the hand as she rose onto her tiptoes to peer inside!
"Grandfather... what brought you here?" Chen Yuan asked, both startled and delighted. He hurriedly welcomed his family into the courtyard.
Chen Tie Mao's face was flushed with vigor as he looked around the neat courtyard and nodded in satisfaction. "Brother Yuan's doing well at the martial arts school. He's kept this courtyard spick and span."
"Coach Wang specially went to the village to bring us here."
Lin Sanniang stepped forward and took her son's hand, looking him up and down with eyes full of pride.
"He said you'll be taking the County Examination tomorrow. It's a momentous occasion, so we came to cheer you on!"
Chen Dahai did not say much, but seeing his son's calm bearing