Jiang Chen

Anning Prefecture, White Cloud County.

Early morning. The sun rose, and all things stirred back to life.

On the bed, Jiang Chen's pale face turned as he opened his eyes in a daze.

In his mind, memories from his past and present lives were gradually merging.

"Ancient martial arts, the ruins on Kunlun Mountain, that mysterious ancient chart..."

In his previous life, he had been an ancient martial artist.

With the ancient martial arts traditions long since lost, he had ventured deep into the ruins on Kunlun Mountain to explore. There, he accidentally triggered a restriction and died.

"The Dagan Dynasty, martial arts training, danger in a Cursed House..."

In this life, he had been born into a merchant family.

Half a year ago, the Jiang Clan Ancestral Branch had examined the bones of boys of the appropriate age.

They had discovered that he possessed the bones for the martial path, so the clan sent him to train at a martial arts school.

But after entering the school, he became infatuated with a female disciple. He spent all day currying favor with her and completely neglected his training.

Yesterday, to play the hero, he had even ventured alone into a supposedly haunted Cursed House.

Unfortunately, he really did run into an evil spirit and nearly lost his life.

But it was also because of this that he awakened the wisdom of his past life. All things considered, it had been a blessing in disguise.

"The martial path!"

As the memories of his two lives merged, Jiang Chen sat halfway up, his eyes glinting.

The Martial Dynasty of Dagan had been founded on martial strength, and martial strength was held above all else.

This "martial" was not the martial arts of his previous life, but the [martial path]!

It was said that those who reached the pinnacle of the martial path could uproot mountains, overturn rivers and seas, fly through the sky, burrow through the earth, and even live for several hundred years...

The thought sent his heart surging.

The ancient martial arts path he had pursued in his previous life was utterly outclassed by the [martial path] of this life.

No, it wasn't even worth comparing.

Overturn rivers and seas!

Fly through the sky, burrow through the earth!

Live for several hundred years!

This was practically the stuff of myths!

Creak.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open.

A somewhat stout man entered with a gentle-looking woman.

"Chen'er?!"

Seeing Jiang Chen awake, Lin Shuyun was overjoyed and hurried to his side.

"Are you dizzy? Does anything else feel wrong?"

Jiang Sihai also hurried to the bedside. As he checked Jiang Chen's pulse, he asked his questions.

"Father, Mother, don't worry. I'm fine."

Jiang Chen came back to himself and gently shook his head.

Strangely enough, though he had encountered an evil spirit, his body seemed unharmed.

"Your Blood Qi is a little weak, but otherwise, there really doesn't seem to be a problem."

After examining him carefully, Jiang Sihai relaxed. But then his expression hardened, his disappointment plain.

"You brainless fool! Someone goads you a few times, and you'll go anywhere?"

When Jiang Chen had first been found to possess the bones for the martial path, Jiang Sihai had felt as if his ancestors' graves had sprouted green smoke. He had been filled with hope that Jiang Chen would make a name for himself on the martial path.

After all, in the Martial Dynasty of Dagan, absolute martial strength meant you could have anything.

As long as you were strong enough, even if you became ruler of the world, no one would dare object.

But over the past six months, Jiang Chen's actions had completely extinguished his hopes.

That little rascal must have come back in this life to collect a debt from him.

"Chen'er just woke up. Why say all that now?"

Seeing this, Lin Shuyun hurried to smooth things over, lest father and son start arguing again.

"Master, Third Grand-Elder is here."

Just then, a steward hurried in.

"Third Grand-Elder?"

Jiang Sihai was surprised.

Third Grand-Elder was the most senior elder in the Jiang Clan and the one who spoke for the clan.

Whenever there was business, he would summon Jiang Sihai to the clan. Why had he come in person today?

"Something important must have happened. Go to the main hall first, dear."

Lin Shuyun took the opportunity to say.

"Go to the storeroom and get two mountain ginseng roots. Make the young master a bowl of ginseng soup."

As Jiang Sihai left, he gave the steward an order.

His disappointment was genuine, but so was his concern.

After all, Jiang Chen was his only child. He couldn't let anything happen to his health.

"Yes, sir."

The steward went off to make the arrangements.

Your father just has a hard mouth.

Hearing Jiang Sihai's instructions, Lin Shuyun smiled.

"Mother, I'm fine now. You don't have to stay here."

Jiang Chen knew full well how much his parents cared about him.

"Then get some rest. I'll go make you ginseng soup."

Looking at Jiang Chen's pale face, Lin Shuyun also got up and left.

"Let's try the White Ape Stance."

Unable to hold himself back, Jiang Chen got dressed, climbed out of bed, and began practicing his stance right there.

His posture was rather unusual. His legs were slightly apart and bent, his back arched as if holding tension, and his arms hung halfway down, relaxed but not limp...

At a glance, he didn't look like an ordinary person taking a horse stance. He looked more like an ape sitting in stillness.

This stance technique was the White Ape Stance.

The first step on the martial path was Blood Qi!

Put simply, to become a martial artist, one had to gather martial Blood Qi.

What was martial Blood Qi?

It was a kind of Primordial Energy hidden within the body.

Invisible and untouchable.

Only those born with the bones for the martial path possessed Primordial Energy.

And to awaken that Primordial Energy, one had to practice a specific stance technique.

Thump~

As soon as Jiang Chen settled into the stance, an ethereal Dao note rang out deep within his mind.

In that instant, his consciousness was drawn inward, entering a state of "inner vision."

He saw a mysterious ancient chart floating silently in the depths of his Soul Sea.

The chart was pale purple, with chaotic Dao Patterns swirling across it. Three lines of ancient characters appeared:

[Myriad Dao Chart]

[Dao Master: Jiang Chen]

[Technique: White Ape Stance · Beginner 1%]

"This is... the ancient chart from the Kunlun ruins?!"

The moment he saw the mysterious chart, Jiang Chen immediately recognized it.

There was no mistaking it.

It was the same ancient chart he had discovered in the Kunlun Mountain ruins in his previous life.

Had this chart really followed him into his next life?

Or had he been able to reincarnate precisely because of this chart?

Thump!

As Jiang Chen pondered, the ethereal Dao note sounded again, and the Myriad Dao Chart shone with radiant light.

Then, a hazy figure appeared on the chart and assumed the White Ape Stance.

Next...

Insights into practicing the White Ape Stance emerged from the hazy figure, flowing endlessly into his Soul Sea.

Those insights felt just like having practiced the stance himself millions of times.

They were etched into his bones and carved into his soul.

[White Ape Stance experience +1]

Before ten breaths had passed, a line of faint text appeared on the Myriad Dao Chart.

[Technique: White Ape Stance · Beginner 2%]

The White Ape Stance's progress had increased.

Jiang Chen's posture shifted naturally, making tiny adjustments.

His comprehension had improved...

Was this the Myriad Dao Chart's ability?!

"This is practically a cheat!"

Even Jiang Chen couldn't keep his excitement from surging.

In just ten breaths, he had gained 1% experience.

Didn't that mean he could reach 100% beginner mastery of the White Ape Stance in just two hours?

The Jiang Clan's main hall.

"Third Grand-Elder, Seventh Grand-Elder, Second Uncle..."

Jiang Sihai hurried into the hall, only to find that all the clan elders had arrived.

"Ah, Sihai's here. Sit."

From the seat of honor, Jiang Guiyuan, his hair and beard completely white, beckoned with a smile.

Though he was already of advanced age, his face was ruddy and his eyes bright. There wasn't the slightest trace of old age about him.

That was the difference between martial artists and ordinary people.

Even when they grew old, a martial artist's physical foundation remained far stronger than an ordinary person's.

"Third Grand-Elder, you came in person. Has something happened in the clan?"

After serving Jiang Guiyuan tea, Jiang Sihai asked why he had come.

"City Lord Yu has left."

After taking a sip of tea, Jiang Guiyuan got straight to the point.

"City Lord Yu has left?"

"Does that mean the rumors are true? Is the imperial court really going to abandon Anning Prefecture?"

Jiang Sihai was shocked.

The Dagan Dynasty had stood for more than nine hundred years.

Once, the eight wildernesses had submitted and the four seas had flourished. It had been an age of prosperity fit to last a thousand years!

But ever since the Grand Ancestor passed away more than ten years ago, the imperial court's authority had steadily declined.

At first, unrest and rebellion had only appeared along the borders of the barbarian lands.

Later, the forces of various commanderies and counties gradually rose up in revolt, carving out territories and proclaiming themselves kings.

And now, they were even giving up a prosperous land like Anning Prefecture?

That was certainly no good news for them.

The Jiang Clan had been able to establish itself in the Prefecture City because it had secured the backing of the City Lord's Mansion!

"Officially, Anning Prefecture still belongs to the imperial court."

"But in practice, the Upper Sect will take over all the commanderies and counties in Anning Prefecture. White Cloud County will be no exception."

Jiang Guiyuan waved a hand, telling Jiang Sihai to calm down.

The situation in Anning Prefecture was still different from those lands in open revolt.

"The Upper Sect? The True Sun Sect?"

The only force in Anning Prefecture that could be called the Upper Sect was the True Sun Sect.

Though the True Sun Sect had only existed for a hundred years, its foundations were formidable, and its backing unfathomable. It was the undisputed giant of Anning Prefecture.

"Third Grand-Elder, can we find a way to get in touch with the True Sun Sect?"

Jiang Sihai proposed at once.

White Cloud County was a tangle of competing powers, all locked together like the teeth of a dog.

Without a patron, sooner or later the other forces would swallow them whole.

"I tried every connection I could, but they all came to nothing."

Jiang Guiyuan shook his head gently.

He had naturally thought of what Jiang Sihai had, and he had already put it into action.

Unfortunately, they were merely a small merchant family in White Cloud County. A behemoth like the True Sun Sect wouldn't give them a second glance.

"However, before leaving, City Lord Yu told us something."

Jiang Guiyuan continued.

"What is it?"

Jiang Sihai hurriedly asked.

"After the Upper Sect takes over Anning Prefecture, it will establish a City Guard in every prefecture and county to deal with unrest in each area."

"The City Guard's commandant will be appointed personally by the Upper Sect, but the other positions beneath him will be recruited locally."

"As for the recruitment requirements, candidates will be selected from the Martial Exam and the Martial Imperial Examination!"

Jiang Guiyuan revealed the news.

This was a sweeping, thorough shake-up that would engulf all of Anning Prefecture.

The True Sun Sect would use the City Guards in each area as anchors to construct a vast web of interests.

Those who made it to the table would get a share of the spoils in each area.

Those who didn't would become the spoils, carved up by the various factions.

Once this web took shape, the True Sun Sect would be Anning Prefecture's true emperor in all but name.

And for the Jiang Clan, this was also their only chance to turn things around.

If someone passed the Martial Exam and joined the City Guard, they could maintain a foothold in the Prefecture City.

If no one passed, they would have to consider moving away from the Prefecture City.

"The Martial Exam!"

"The Martial Imperial Examination!"

Hearing this, Jiang Sihai understood why Jiang Guiyuan had come in person.

The Martial Exam and the Martial Imperial Examination were systems established by the Grand Ancestor during his lifetime.

The Martial Exam was held once a year.

Any martial artist under eighteen could take it and earn academic honors.

The Martial Imperial Examination was held once every three years.

Martial artists under twenty-five who already held academic honors could take it.

Both the Martial Exam and the Martial Imperial Examination were intended to identify martial arts talent.

In the Jiang Clan's current generation, only two eligible clan members had the aptitude for martial arts.

One was Jiang Chen.

The other was Jiang Guiyuan's descendant, Jiang Xuan.

Both were fifteen years old.

Both had entered a martial arts school half a year ago.

Jiang Xuan had already reached the peak of the Three Qi and Blood Gates and was only a hair's breadth from the True Martial Realm. He was one of the school's elite disciples.

Jiang Chen, by contrast, was still stuck at the stance-training stage. The difference between them was like heaven and earth.

Jiang Guiyuan had come today because he wanted to pool the clan's resources and devote them to Jiang Xuan's cultivation.

"This year's Martial Exam concerns the survival of our Jiang Clan."

"So, after discussing it, us old fellows decided to support Xuan'er with all our strength. Every branch of the clan must contribute."

Sure enough, Seventh Granduncle, who had come with them, stated the purpose of their visit.

"Seventh Granduncle, may I ask exactly how much we're expected to contribute?"

When all the clan elders turned to look at him, Jiang Sihai had a bad feeling.

"Each household's situation is different, so the amount will vary. Sihai, your family's shops are doing well. From now on, you'll contribute five hundred taels of silver each month."

Seventh Granduncle replied.

"Five hundred taels?!"

Jiang Sihai's expression stiffened.

He'd known they would have to pay, but he hadn't expected them to bleed this much.

He'd already been pained by the three hundred taels he used to hand over. Now the amount had jumped to five hundred.

That came to six thousand taels a year.

It was the equivalent of handing over an entire year's earnings.

If business went poorly, he would have to dip into his savings as well.

"Sihai, I know your shops were bought with the lives of your grandfather and father. In principle, the clan has no right to interfere."

"But these are extraordinary times. If Xuan'er fails to place this year, our Jiang Clan will have no place in the Prefecture City from now on."

"As long as we get through these next few years, once Xuan'er joins the City Guard, what your family is giving up now will surely come back to you tenfold, even a hundredfold."

When Jiang Sihai didn't respond, the other clan elders all chimed in.

Not one of them mentioned Jiang Chen, but their meaning was unmistakable.

Jiang Chen was just along for the ride. Jiang Xuan was the clan's only hope.

"Fine. I'll hand over five hundred taels each month, on time."

Jiang Sihai understood the principle that when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.

If Jiang Chen had shown promise, he could still have argued his case.

Unfortunately...

"Then it's settled."

With the matter settled smoothly, Jiang Guiyuan and the others rose to take their leave.

"By the way, Sihai, the East District has been unsettled lately. There are thieves specifically targeting goods from the trading firms, so keep a close eye on things."

As he stepped through the front gate, Jiang Guiyuan seemed to remember something and turned back to warn him.

"I understand."

Jiang Sihai nodded.

He had noticed the recent turmoil in the city as well.

"Husband, what's wrong?"

Lin Shuyun, who had come from the kitchen, could tell that Jiang Sihai had something on his mind.

"White Cloud County is about to be turned upside down."

Jiang Sihai didn't hide their predicament and explained their situation.

"Five hundred taels of silver every month? What will happen to Chen'er?"

Lin Shuyun knew the state of their finances too.

Once they handed over that money, there would be nothing left for Jiang Chen's martial arts training.

As the saying went, "Poor scholars, rich martial artists."

Studying also cost money.

But compared with martial arts training, it was on an entirely different level.

Take Jiang Chen, for example. His monthly tuition alone cost twenty taels of silver.

Then there was his daily food, which couldn't be too poor.

Without enough nourishment, forcing himself to train in martial arts would be tantamount to courting death.

Besides that, he also needed hot compresses, massages, acupuncture, and other treatments from time to time.

That was because training damaged the body. Without proper treatment, those injuries would build up and become chronic.

Even by a conservative estimate, it would cost at least fifty taels of silver a month.

They still had quite a bit of savings, but they couldn't just live off them forever.

"Since Chen'er has no interest in martial arts, he might as well come back early and learn to manage the business. Once things settle down in a couple of years, we'll find him a wife."

Jiang Sihai no longer held the same fervent hopes for Jiang Chen that he'd had half a year ago.

Now, he only hoped Jiang Chen would get through life safely and start a family soon.

When Jiang Chen had been carried home yesterday, he'd nearly scared Jiang Sihai half to death.

Lin Shuyun knew how lazy Jiang Chen could be, too, and could only sigh helplessly.

"I'm going to check on the shops. Stay home and watch Chen'er. Don't let him wander off."

Remembering Jiang Guiyuan's warning, Jiang Sihai hurried out.