Bullying You Because You Were Poor and Young

"Clan Leader."

"The Garrison General holds an exalted position. Even the Prefect must show him respect. I'm merely a martial academy disciple who has not even reached Sixth-Rank Martial Master—how could I possibly have the qualifications to meet him, let alone offend him?" Wu Yuan asked in return.

Wu Qiming stared at Wu Yuan, trying to find some clue in his eyes.

Unfortunately, all he saw was calm.

"Then why did General Xu suddenly invite me to his banquet tonight and specifically instruct that I bring you along?" Wu Qiming explained the reason.

Wu Yuan immediately understood.

The four great powers of Li City Prefecture were the Prefect, the Prefectural Assistant, the Prefectural Commandant, and the Garrison General.

The first three were led by the Prefect and controlled Li City's authority. Though the Garrison General seemingly could not interfere in local affairs, the absolute military force he commanded—six hundred Nanmeng Army soldiers—made even the Prefect unwilling to clash with him.

When such a great figure hosted a private banquet, he would ordinarily invite only the top ten elite clans of Li City.

The Wu Clan? They did not even rank among the top hundred clans!

Naturally, Wu Qiming believed Wu Yuan had offended the Garrison General. Otherwise, why would they suddenly receive an invitation?

"Clan Leader, if you insist on linking me with General Xu, it can only be because of my competition with Xu Yuanhan..." Wu Yuan spoke evenly, swiftly explaining his "grudge" with Xu Yuanhan.

In truth, the two could hardly be said to have any grudge. They had rarely crossed paths in the past.

However.

Each prefectural martial academy had only one annual slot to enter Cloud Martial Hall!

This was a contest of interests.

"Cloud Martial Hall? First place in the competition?" Wu Qiming had secured his position as clan leader through no small measure of shrewdness. In an instant, he understood the cause and effect.

With the Garrison General's influence, sending his son into Hengyun Sect would be effortless!

But how could an ordinary sect disciple compare to a Cloud Martial Hall disciple?

As the sect's highest-level martial academy, Cloud Martial Hall gave its disciples all manner of resources and martial arts manuals ten times greater than those available to ordinary disciples.

"Wu Yuan, you will attend the banquet with me shortly. No matter what happens, do not act rashly without my signal," Wu Qiming said in a low voice. "Do you understand?"

"Clan Leader, I understand." Wu Yuan smiled. "I cannot afford to provoke the Garrison General. Neither can our Wu Clan. For my mother and younger sister, for the clan, no matter how great the humiliation, I will endure it."

The Garrison General? At the peak of his previous life, why would Wu Yuan have cared?

But.

Circumstances were stronger than men. No matter how superb Wu Yuan's Martial Arts Technique was, he could not overcome a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist across a gap of dozens of times in physical strength.

Therefore, when one's strength was insufficient, one had to endure what needed enduring.

What was more, Wu Yuan had to consider his family's safety.

"Wu Yuan, you needn't worry too much. The Martial Academy Grand Competition involves many interests, and General Xu may not dare interfere," Wu Qiming said softly. "Perhaps he invited us for some other matter."

Wu Yuan nodded without arguing.

Some other matter?

The possibility was far too small!

"Let's go. We mustn't arrive too late." Wu Qiming motioned to the coachman in the distance, who slowly drove the carriage over.

Whoosh!

With a tap of his toes, Wu Yuan leaped into the carriage compartment.

A trace of concern showed on Wu Qiming's face as he climbed into the carriage step by step using the mounting stool. As the head of a clan, he had to maintain the proper bearing.

Xu Manor was magnificent and resplendent, its lights blazing.

As guests of relatively low standing, Wu Qiming conscientiously brought Wu Yuan early. There was none of the anticipated harassment; Xu Manor's steward politely led them to seats at the end, serving tea and pastries.

Time passed, and guests streamed in like clouds. Great figures rarely seen in Li City on ordinary days arrived one after another.

In the end.

Even the Prefect and Prefectural Assistant came, and General Xu personally appeared to welcome them.

This banquet truly allowed Wu Yuan to witness the standard of this world's "upper society."

Dance music followed one after another, while the singing girls were seductive without being vulgar.

All kinds of delicacies rarely seen even on the streets were brought out continuously as well.

Such an extravagant and vast banquet left even clan leader Wu Qiming somewhat restrained. It exceeded his imagination; even the Wu Clan's main branch anniversary celebration could not compare to today.

Wu Yuan, however, did not care much.

As the night wore on, Wu Yuan grew increasingly drowsy, for in his previous life he had seen dance and music a hundred times more exquisite and attended banquets more than ten times as luxurious.

"This world surpasses ancient dynasties by far. This is only a prefectural city; there are also prefectural capitals with populations of several million. Yet no matter how extravagant or grand they are, they likely cannot compare to a Supernet celebration formed through the 'Metaverse.'" Wu Yuan watched coldly.

The music ended and the guests dispersed.

The banquet lasted until nightfall. At last, Wu Yuan and Wu Qiming received the steward's separate invitation to speak in the side hall.

Both of them understood.

It had come!

Xu Manor covered dozens of acres. Beyond the residence lay artificial hills and covered walkways, waterside pavilions and towers. Yet the deeper they went, the simpler the arrangements and decorations became, and the stronger the grim, murderous air of a military formation grew.

"Clan Leader Wu, Young Master Wu, this way, please." Steward Xu, mild-faced and dressed in purple robes, led the two onward.

They entered the side hall.

Unlike the bustle of the front hall, this place was rather quiet.

"Wu Qiming pays respects to General Xu and greets Dean Zhang." Wu Qiming first bowed respectfully, then straightened and gave another slight bow.

Wu Yuan followed suit.

The only thing that surprised Wu Yuan somewhat was that the martial academy dean was here as well.

"Clan Leader Wu, you are too courteous. Please, sit."

General Xu's voice was like a great bell. He was powerfully built, and his square face bore an eighty-percent resemblance to Xu Yuanhan's.

Though he wore casual clothes, the invisible aura around him felt to Wu Yuan like a Fierce Beast, more terrifying even than the martial academy dean, Zhang Da, beside him!

Hengyun Sect Law: Only those above Fourth-Rank Martial Artist could serve as a prefectural city's Garrison General.

The Thirteen Prefectures of the Central Land had nine ranks of martial arts!

Ninth-Rank, Eighth-Rank, and Seventh-Rank were collectively called Martial Warriors. Ordinary people could hope to reach them through training their muscles and bones.

Sixth-Rank could be called Martial Master, marking one's true entry through the gates of martial arts.

Upon reaching Fifth-Rank, one had entered the hall and joined the stream. Anywhere under heaven, one could be called a Proficient Expert!

As for Fourth-Rank Martial Artists?

At the peak of my previous life, my pure physical qualities likely did not even compare to this General Xu's. This thought flashed through Wu Yuan's mind.

In terms of physique, humans of the Central Land World were far stronger. An adult man could easily possess the strength of a thousand jin.

"I have long heard that the martial academy produced a martial arts genius this year who has 'opened his apertures.' Today, I finally have the chance to meet him." General Xu smiled, his gaze falling on Wu Yuan.

"Before the General, I dare not call him a genius," Wu Qiming hurriedly said.

"Brother Wu need not be modest. Among all the martial academy disciples I have seen over the years, Wu Yuan ranks among the foremost," the Black Robed Elder Zhang Da beside him said with a chuckle.

"It is Dean Zhang who taught him well," Wu Qiming said.

"A master can lead one to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. Without Wu Yuan's own efforts, I could not teach him even if I wanted to," Dean Zhang said with a smile.

The more Wu Qiming listened, the more puzzled he became.

Wu Yuan's martial arts talent was dazzling—that was true. Especially over the past month or so, his rate of progress had been simply terrifying.

Yet no matter how high his talent, it was not strength. He had not even reached Sixth-Rank Martial Master, so why were the dignified Garrison General and martial academy dean praising him one after another?

One had to know.

These two were both true martial arts powerhouses!

"General Xu, Dean Zhang." Wu Qiming smiled with a hint of flattery. "You summoned Wu Yuan and me here this time because there must be an important matter. Please, give your instructions."

He asked directly.

"Very well, then I'll speak plainly." Dean Zhang's face carried a trace of solemnity. "This year's Martial Academy Grand Competition is about to begin. With Wu Yuan's strength, he has a strong chance of taking first place and subsequently entering Cloud Martial Hall to cultivate."

"However, if you enter Cloud Martial Hall now, you will only be an ordinary disciple."

"Next year marks the three-hundredth anniversary of our Hengyun Sect, an occasion of great importance to the sect."

"Therefore, General Xu, the Prefect, and I have discussed this. We hope that you, Wu Yuan, can forgo this year's competition and cultivate for another year at the Prefectural Sect Martial Academy! A year from now, your strength will certainly be greater than it is today. You will have every hope of competing for Number One of the Four Prefectures in the Prefectures Grand Competition. If you then enter Cloud Martial Hall as the top-ranked candidate, it will be the glory of all Li City! You will also receive more cultivation resources. It would suit you quite well." Dean Zhang's attitude was sincere.

After the first-place disciples from martial academies across the various regions entered Cloud Martial Hall, they would compete once more in what was called the Prefectures Grand Competition.

The so-called Four Prefectures referred to the four prefectural territories once governed by Hengyun Sect.

Taking first place meant becoming the most outstanding disciple admitted by Cloud Martial Hall that year. Naturally, one would receive great attention, especially as it coincided with the sect's three-hundredth anniversary celebration.

Dean Zhang's words sounded lofty and righteous.

But how could Wu Qiming and Wu Yuan fail to understand the deeper meaning?

Hengyun Sect Law: Those over sixteen could not enter Cloud Martial Hall.

Xu Yuanhan was already fifteen this year.

If this were truly for Wu Yuan's benefit, why invite the two of them to Xu Manor's banquet? Why would the Garrison General need to appear? One had to know that, by law, the General's Mansion could not interfere in martial academy affairs.

All of this was merely using the banquet's display of power to instill awe in Wu Qiming and Wu Yuan, so they would not dare refuse lightly.

"Dean Zhang."

Wu Qiming gritted his teeth and lowered his head. "It is not that Wu Yuan is unwilling to bring glory to the martial academy, but his family circumstances are poor, and our Wu Clan is merely a small house. We cannot fully support him. Without outside resources, even if he cultivated in the martial academy for another year, he would likely struggle to contend for Number One of the Four Prefectures. It would be better for him to enter Cloud Martial Hall this year. Once he grows in the future, he will still be the glory of Li City."

Wu Yuan looked at Wu Qiming with slight astonishment. The clan leader actually had the courage to refuse?

"You don't trust me?" Zhang Da narrowed his eyes slightly, and his aura shifted faintly.

Sweat faintly seeped from Wu Qiming's forehead. He felt as if a fierce tiger were staring at him.

"It is not that I do not trust you, but martial cultivation is like rowing upstream: if one does not advance, one falls back. Entering Cloud Martial Hall a year late would affect Wu Yuan too greatly." Wu Qiming hardened his heart.

He knew refusal would bring great trouble.

But in his heart, Wu Yuan's future was more important!

"Clan Leader Wu plans deeply for Wu Yuan. Xu admires that." General Xu spoke in a gentle voice. "However, if Wu Yuan brings glory to Li City, Li City will not ignore his efforts. We will grant five thousand taels of silver to provide for Wu Yuan's cultivation needs over this year."

As he spoke, General Xu glanced to the side.

Creak— The side door opened, and a servant respectfully presented a large stack of banknotes. Every note was marked "Hundred Taels," with the words "Starry Group" printed in the corner as an anti-counterfeiting mark.

Five thousand taels? Wu Qiming's breath caught!

Wu Yuan's gaze shifted as well.

For all branches of the Li City Wu Clan combined to gather such an enormous sum, they would have to sell off their family property.

This was a huge sum!

"Wu Yuan, are you willing?" General Xu looked directly at Wu Yuan.

PS: During the new book period, two chapters a day.