Squire Li

"The Black Mountain Gang! Do they really think my Chen Family is a soft persimmon they can squeeze whenever they please?"

Old Steward was so furious his hair stood on end. "Where are they now? I'll take some men and get your uncle's grievance heard."

"Old Steward, I'm afraid that wouldn't be proper."

Chen Qiuyu's face clearly showed her displeasure. "Once you've left the Lineage, how can you still rely on it?

"The Lineage's influence is limited. If every Chen Family member outside the family came asking for protection whenever they were bullied, in time it would harm the Chen Family's prestige. Now that the chaos has settled in, it's best not to meddle in unrelated matters."

A trace of sorrow crossed Old Steward's face. He reasoned with her patiently. "What do you mean, unrelated matters? A descendant of my Chen Family has been bullied, and you call that unrelated? It may not be proper, but rules are made by people. I've made up my mind!"

At that, Chen Qiuyu's expression darkened. Her apricot lips parted, but in the end, she said no more.

She merely shot Chen Han a cold, disdainful glance, as if he were utterly shameless, then left without another word.

Chen Han's face was full of gratitude. He looked at Old Steward. "Tomorrow—tomorrow they'll come looking for me again. I only ask that you come and help me hold them at bay then, Uncle."

"No problem. I'll bring some men over."

·····

In the bustling part of Black Lion City's inner city.

A carriage rolled slowly down the middle of the street, and passersby hurriedly stepped aside as it passed.

The carriage was clean, though not particularly lavish. It lacked the gold and silver finery of the city's powerful families, but made up for it in sturdiness and practicality.

Even so, everyone nearby knew that in these times, anyone who could afford to ride in a carriage was sure to be rich or powerful.

Squire Li, a man in his middle years, sat at one side of the carriage, his face clouded with worry. He spoke helplessly to his eldest son seated opposite him. "With disaster at our doorstep, the city's Dark Force Martial Artists have long since been taken on as private guards by the powerful. You want to learn martial arts, but the best your father can find you is a Bright Force Martial Artist."

Li Mubai fell silent.

He had been spoiled since childhood and disliked practicing martial arts. Deep down, he had even looked down on martial artists.

But now, with disaster at his doorstep, he finally understood that only by practicing martial arts, only by becoming strong himself, could he avoid being helpless in this chaotic age and losing his life amid the great waves that swept all away.

If the front lines collapsed, he would have no choice but to flee with his father and the rest of the family to another city. But the wilderness teemed with Exotic Beasts and evil ghosts, and the only protection they had was a few Bright Force Martial Artists.

How could they possibly feel safe? Even if they were lucky on the road, what if those martial artists grew too powerful to control, coveted his eldest sister and his family's wealth, and killed them for their possessions along the way?

That was why he wanted to learn martial arts! Even a single move or two would do. At least then, when fighting for his life, he'd have some means of intimidation. At least he wouldn't be a helpless weakling, left to be slaughtered at anyone's whim.

He had once hoped to find a Dark Force expert to teach him. Unfortunately, the city's powerful were so protective of their lives that they'd flung silver at the problem without a second thought, buying up nearly all the few remaining Dark Force experts in the city.

And as for anyone above Dark Force, there was even less chance. They'd simply thrown official posts at them and snatched them up!

"Bright Force... will do too. I just need to learn a few deadly moves for when my life's on the line. Anything will do!"

In the end, he gave in.

"Mm. Then when we get back, you can start with the stances alongside the family's guards."

Li Mubai nodded, but still felt reluctant. Could these Bright Force Martial Artists really teach a weak scholar like him a "killing technique" in such a short time?

He didn't know. But this was the last resort he'd been forced into. He had no choice.

"Squire Li, an old man up ahead says he wants to see you. He says he's a relative of yours."

Just then, the carriage came to an unexpected stop, and a servant riding alongside it reported through the window.

"A relative?"

Squire Li was puzzled. "Have him come over."

A few breaths later, an old man with graying hair appeared before him, wearing a suitably warm smile. Behind him stood a handsome young man with well-defined features.

The old man was the old shopkeeper who worked with Chen Han at the shop. The young man behind him was Chen Han.

"Mr. Squire Li."

Though the old shopkeeper and Squire Li were relatives, their connection went so far back that neither knew which generation it began with. The two families were barely related, so "Mr. Squire Li" was just the right way to address him.

"Oh, it's you. What do you need from me?"

The old shopkeeper chuckled. "Well, you see, this is one of the bookkeepers at your shop, Chen Han."

Chen Han stepped forward and cupped his hands in a deep bow.

"Oh?"

Squire Li furrowed his brow slightly. Could this kid have come to ask me for something, with the old man trying to make an introduction and smooth the way for him? He thinks rather highly of himself.

"Whatever it is, just say it," he said coldly.

He had never been particularly pleasant toward people like these.

Chen Han stepped forward and lowered his head. "Well, Mr. Squire Li, I used to be a Dark Force Martial Artist of the Chen Family's martial arts lineage. But one mishap ruined my body, and now I work at your shop."

A Dark Force Martial Artist?

Squire Li hadn't been interested in hearing Chen Han out and had been about to brush him off in a few words.

But a Dark Force Martial Artist had genuinely piqued his interest. His eyes narrowed slightly as he gave the handsome young man a fresh once-over.

His speech was measured, and he held himself as straight as a pine or cypress. He really was much easier on the eyes than some Bright Force Martial Artists.

Chen Han continued, "Mr. Squire Li gave me a job, and I'm deeply grateful. Tomorrow, a steward from my Lineage will visit my humble home. If you don't mind the place, Mr. Squire Li, you're welcome to come by for tea and a meal."

A steward of the Chen Family?

He'd heard of them. Stewards of martial arts families were elusive, and by nature disliked official circles. Normally, no matter how many connections you pulled, you couldn't get to meet them.

Yet tomorrow, he'd be able to sit down and speak with one.

Right now, he needed to build good ties with people in the martial arts world in preparation for the dangers he'd soon face.

This opportunity had come like charcoal in a snowstorm. It was beyond precious.

Li Mubai, sitting nearby, also lit up at those words. After hearing that Chen Han was a Dark Force Martial Artist despite being so young, he grew even more excited.

Though times had changed, a Dark Force Martial Artist still had valuable experience, something Bright Force Martial Artists couldn't match. Besides, if Chen Han were still a Dark Force Martial Artist, would they even have a chance to build ties with him?

"Good! Good! My dear nephew, Shopkeeper, come aboard the carriage and join me at my residence."

Chen Han was delighted. He'd heard earlier that the Li family had very few martial artists, and that their connections in the martial arts world couldn't compare to those of the city's top powerful families. The younger son wanted to learn martial arts, but they'd been unable to find a suitable teacher.

So, after Old Steward in the Lineage agreed to come lend his support, Chen Han had thought of using the opportunity to make an introduction.

That way, he could get another person to lend him their presence, making that scoundrel Hou Chun more wary of him, while also getting Squire Li to owe him a favor.

If he used this trick once, it would make him seem clever. But if he used it twice, people would start to despise him, and it would be far less effective.

Old Steward and Squire Li's goodwill was precious too. Once or twice, people would take him seriously. Three or four times, and he'd become a laughingstock.

In the end, he still had to grow strong himself.