At Chen Mo's words, the maid obediently nodded, then turned and left.
After the maid had gone, Chen Lan hurried over when she heard the news.
She took Chen Mo by the arm and looked him up and down. Seeing no wounds, she finally let out a sigh of relief. "A-Mo, I heard you really passed the Martial Examination and became a Martial Scholar?"
Chen Mo smiled and shook his head. "The results aren't out yet. It's too early to say for sure."
Saying it was too early to say for sure meant it was all but certain.
Chen Lan smiled with delight. "If you become a Martial Scholar, then you'll bring honor to our..."
As she spoke, her eyes suddenly dimmed.
Bring honor to their family? The old master didn't even acknowledge them.
Chen Lan quickly recovered her smile. "If you become a Martial Scholar, I'll be able to bask in your glory from now on!"
Chen Mo smiled warmly in return. "Sis, you deserve to. You've taken such good care of me all these years. You could bask in my glory as much as you like, and it still wouldn't be enough."
At his words, Chen Lan's eyes unconsciously grew moist.
Just then, a shrill voice rang out.
"Well, well! The Chen Martial Master is up early today!"
Chen Mo looked toward the voice and saw that Wu Laoer's round figure hadn't even stepped into the courtyard, yet his voice had already arrived.
Wu Zheng walked up to Chen Mo, rubbed his hands together in front of himself, and said, "The Chen Martial Master is a young hero. I've decided to host a family banquet today to welcome you!"
Chen Mo immediately replied, "The Red List for the Martial Examination isn't out yet. The result is still unknown."
Wu Zheng waved a hand. "With the Chen Martial Master's dazzling performance in the Martial Examination, whether you make the list is no longer important. Your name is already known throughout Anyang County, and the Wu Family shares in your glory."
Wu Zheng's posturing made Chen Mo uncomfortable, but after thinking it over, he decided this wasn't the right time to fall out with him.
Besides, the higher Chen Mo's "standing" in the Wu Family, the safer Chen Lan would be.
"In that case, I thank the head of the Wu Family."
Chen Mo clasped his hands in salute.
Just then, a hurried patter of footsteps sounded in the distance. A Wu Family steward came running over and stopped in front of them, panting.
"C-Chen Martial Master... y-you made the list! Eighth place!"
After pausing for breath twice, he managed to get the words out. Chen Mo's expression remained calm; the ranking was about what he had expected.
Wu Zheng, on the other hand, jumped up in delight as if he were the one who had made the list.
"I told you! The Chen Martial Master was certain to make the list. We'll hold a banquet in the Wu Family's main hall at the hour of the Monkey today. I hope the Chen Martial Master will honor us with your presence!"
Chen Mo clasped his hands again. "You're too kind, Head of the Wu Family."
After speaking, Wu Zheng left on the pretext of making preparations for the banquet.
A little while later.
Wu Zhiai came over and immediately congratulated Chen Mo on making the Red List.
Then she brought up Wu Zheng. "Did Wu Laoer come to curry favor with you?"
Chen Mo didn't hide a thing. He recounted Wu Zheng's every word and deed.
Wu Zhiai furrowed her brow slightly. "And were you moved by all his enthusiasm?"
Chen Mo promptly made it clear that he and Wu Zheng weren't truly on the same side.
Wu Zhiai burst out laughing. "I'm teasing you! Wu Zheng never lifted a finger unless there was something in it for him. Now that you're a Martial Scholar, of course he's going to fawn over you. You don't need to humor him too much, but you don't need to deliberately snub him, either."
Wu Zhiai's thoughts were just like Chen Mo's.
Chen Mo glanced around, then invited her inside to sit.
He told her about Liu Zongsheng's attempt to recruit him, then explained what had happened during the attack last night.
He waited for her answer.
Wu Zhiai's eyes flickered, and her expression turned grave.
This matter concerned her safety, as well as the Wu Family's survival.
If she made the wrong bet, Wu Zhiai would be doomed beyond redemption.
On one side was the local power in Black River Town; on the other was a fresh-faced young man just starting out.
The choice seemed self-evident.
After pondering for a few breaths, she raised her eyes to Chen Mo and smiled. "From the first day we met, I told you we were bound together—sharing glory in prosperity and ruin in calamity. You becoming a Martial Scholar brings honor to me, too. And if the Black Tiger Hall is hunting you, don't worry. I won't abandon you."
"Aren't you worried about the Black Tiger Hall's retaliation?"
Chen Mo asked tentatively.
Wu Zhiai tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I am. But in my position, even without you, I'd already be at odds with the Zhao Family. Adding the Black Tiger Hall doesn't make much difference."
Hearing this, Chen Mo suddenly bowed to her.
"What are you doing?" Wu Zhiai asked suspiciously.
Chen Mo answered frankly. "If I run into danger, please take care of my sister for me. And until danger finds me, I'll look after the Wu Family."
He possessed the Mountain and Water Cultivation technique and ought to hide somewhere, quietly building up his strength. But after thinking it through, he realized that the technique required resources. Staying close to the Wu Family meant he wouldn't have to worry about acquiring them.
"Sis Ai, please help me buy some more Crude Iron and Refined Iron. I have a use for them."
Wu Zhiai's eyes shifted. "The cultivation technique you practice is connected to making weapons, isn't it?"
Chen Mo froze for a moment, then regained his composure. "I just... like practicing my boxing while forging iron."
Wu Zhiai didn't call him out. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
With that, she turned and left.
Chen Mo watched her go, deep in thought.
A little while later.
After finishing breakfast, he received donations from a steady stream of wealthy households he barely knew. Some gave eight or nine taels of silver, others only one or two.
The visitors filled his courtyard, their chatter lively.
They called it a donation, but in truth, they were cultivating a favorable connection for themselves.
A favorable connection with a Martial Scholar whose name was known throughout the county was worth a few taels of silver.
Once they had all left, he counted the money. There were forty-five taels in total. For a poor family, that could last ten years if they pinched pennies and lived frugally.
Even with his monthly expenses now greatly increased, it would still last him several months.
"The Wu Family will provide nourishing food and medicinal supplements. I'll save this money and buy a house in the county seat later."
He murmured to himself.
Buying a house in the county seat, even on the outskirts, was a dream every poor child had cherished since childhood.
At dusk, the sky was streaked with glowing clouds.
A large table had been set in the Wu Family's main hall, laden with delicacies.
Wu Laoda and Wu Laoer had invited several relatives from the extended family to join them. The more people they invited, the greater the honor they showed the newly appointed Martial Scholar.
As the meal went on, the wine was passed around three times.
Wu Duan pointed to the platter of meat at the center of the table. "This is wild venison, stewed for three hours with medicinal supplements. It's very beneficial for a Martial Master's training. Please, help yourself, Chen Martial Master."
Chen Mo nodded slightly and thanked him.
He picked up a piece with his chopsticks and ate it. Sure enough, a medicinal force unfurled from the venison and seeped into his internal organs.
Besides the venison, there were many other dishes Chen Mo had never seen before—even in his previous life.
"Wu Duan and Wu Zheng may be useless at most things, but they've spared no expense on this meal."
He thought to himself.
Just as everyone was raising their cups and chopsticks, a voice as loud as a bell suddenly rang out.
"The Chen Martial Master has made the Red List. Why wasn't I invited to join the feast?"
A series of heavy footsteps followed, and Zhao Huayuan walked into the main hall, appearing before everyone.
Wu Duan and Wu Zheng turned deathly pale at the sight and sprang to their feet.
Before you continue