Chen Dashan Comes Calling (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Chen Yuan left the scene of sycophantic flattery without a change in expression, retreating to a corner of the courtyard to continue practicing his Rock-Solid Stance Technique.

[Comprehension: 10]

[Root Bone: 44]

[Cultivation: None]

[Techniques]

[Rock-Solid Stance Technique (Entry): 279/500]

[Six Harmonies Mind Boxing (Entry): 221/500]

[Dao of Survival Points: 6]

[Evaluation: You do not show off, you do not provoke others, and you understand the principle of biding your time. You have caught a glimpse of the Dao of Survival. Daily Dao of Survival points +3]

Over the past half-month, he had continued to invest his Dao of Survival points into his Root Bone.

His current priority was to accumulate enough Qi and blood to break through the skin barrier as quickly as possible. The better his Root Bone, the faster his progress, and any lag in technique mastery could be compensated for with diligence.

Once he broke through the skin barrier, he could start investing in Comprehension to attempt to grasp Internal Force.

It was evident that with the improvement of his Root Bone and the increase in meat and medicinal supplements, his progress in his techniques had accelerated by a full fifty percent compared to the previous month.

At this rate, perhaps he could achieve a breakthrough on both fronts next month. Just keep surviving!

After finishing two rounds of the stance technique, Chen Yuan walked to the shade to rest. He had just taken a gulp of water when a young face ran over to ask for his guidance on the Rock-Solid Stance Technique.

This scene reminded him of a month and a half ago, when Liu Jin had run over to ask Song Qiao for advice.

The world is ever-changing, yet it moves in cycles.

Chen Yuan said indifferently, "Perform it once and let me see."

Since he was idle anyway, there was no harm in offering some pointers.

The youth's face instantly lit up with joy as he cupped his fists and said, "Many thanks, Senior Brother."

He had likely been turned away by the other senior brothers.

After providing some guidance, Chen Yuan stretched his muscles and bones, then went to find someone to spar with in Six Harmonies Mind Boxing.

Although Xu Heng looked down on him, his progress at Huo Academy was already above average. Coupled with his diligence and gentle nature, he still maintained a decent reputation.

Night fell over Lotus Lane, at the Chen Family home.

A family of four sat around the dinner table. There were four dishes on the table—one meat and three vegetable—which was already considered quite good.

Chen Kai picked through the food, selecting all the meat to eat for himself, complaining as he did so:

"Mother, why is the portion of meat still this small? It feels like there's even less than before. I am at a critical stage of accumulating Qi and blood; I need more and more blood-nourishing food."

Li looked distressed, sighing, "Kai'er, you've been wronged, but that Qian Bao of the Black Dragon Gang increased the protection money again this month..."

With one person practicing martial arts, the heavy burden fell entirely on the three of them.

Tuition was expensive, they had to spend two taels of silver every month at the martial arts hall for Body Strengthening Soup, and then there was the cost of meat.

The family savings that Chen Dahai and his son had accumulated over the years were rapidly depleting.

Chen Kai snorted coldly, "The Black Dragon Gang... once I successfully break through the barrier, I wonder if they'll still dare to be so arrogant."

Chen Dahai didn't even smoke his dry tobacco anymore; the wrinkles on his face deepened as he sighed:

"Little Kai, you must strive for success. Our family is counting on you."

Chen Kai waved his hand, grumbling, "Grandfather, if there were enough meat and you gave me another tael of silver each month, I am confident I could break through the barrier within two and a half months."

Once these words were spoken, both Chen Dahai and Chen Dashan fell silent.

The reality was cruel; they could not come up with that money.

If Chen Yuan were still here, perhaps things would be better. They could have made him sign a long-term contract at the docks and draw his wages in advance.

Thinking of this, Chen Dashan felt a surge of anger. That ungrateful beast Chen Yuan actually had some ability; he heard he was doing quite well for himself now.

A flash of greed crossed Chen Kai's eyes as he said, "Father, doesn't that guy Chen Yuan get a subsidy of five taels of silver every month? If we could get him to relent and give me two taels, wouldn't that be great? Besides, his cheap bones don't deserve to use so much."

Li shook her head immediately, looking worried, "That Chen Yuan is a madman now. Kai'er, if something happens to you... it's better not to provoke him."

Chen Dashan grew angry and snorted, "A woman's perspective! Are you scared already? I don't believe this rebellious son would dare to do anything outrageous. I'll beat him to death!"

Chen Kai nodded repeatedly, chiming in from the side, "Father is right. Chen Yuan is just trying to scare you. What is he? Does he dare to cripple me? Does he even have the ability? The government isn't just sitting around doing nothing!"

Chen Dahai's face grew even more sorrowful as he urged, "Don't go making trouble. Little Yuan hasn't had it easy either. If you talk to him nicely, perhaps he'll have a change of heart... that would be for the best."

He couldn't understand why both of his grandsons had the aptitude for martial arts, yet they couldn't get along.

If they could work together and support each other, producing two martial artists would surely bring glory to their family name. It was entirely possible for the Chen Family to develop into a minor clan.

Why did it have to come to a point of mutual destruction?

Chen Kai smiled coldly, "Grandfather, you think too highly of Chen Yuan. Someone as heartless and ungrateful as him, who would sever ties with his family over a trivial matter, would never appreciate anything you do, even if he became a martial artist. He might even turn around and bite you."

Chen Dahai sighed heavily and said no more.

Chen Dashan slammed the table and roared, "I raised this unfilial son for so long, and he thinks two taels and four mace can settle it? Selling him to the docks would fetch over a dozen taels of silver! I'll go settle the score with him myself tomorrow!"

He then looked at Li and instructed:

"You go to the Cheng Family at Hundred Herb Lane tomorrow to collect the debt. They want a free laborer? There's no such thing as a free lunch. Don't settle for anything less than five taels."

Seeing Chen Dashan so resolute, and bolstered by her son's earlier comfort, Li regained her usual arrogance.

She nodded heavily: "Kai'er, focus on your martial arts training. Tomorrow, Mother will get your silver back."

It was another ordinary day.

The process of martial arts training was grueling and monotonous, especially when one couldn't see any progress; it was the most agonizing part, easily leading to self-doubt and lethargy.

Chen Yuan practiced with vigor every day, partly due to his strong will, and partly because he could see his progress at any time, keeping him in a virtuous cycle.

At dinner time that day, someone called his name again, saying there was someone outside the courtyard looking for him.

Chen Yuan frowned slightly; the last time this happened, it was Li causing a scene.

Could it be her again?

Stepping out of the courtyard gate and seeing Chen Dashan's sullen face, his brows furrowed even deeper.

"Yo, still alive?" Chen Yuan greeted politely.

The single sentence made Chen Dashan's face flush red.

Already incensed and burning with rage, he cursed:

"Unfilial son! How dare you curse your father to death? I'll beat you to death!"

As he spoke, he took a large stride forward, swinging his fan-sized palm toward Chen Yuan's face.

He had to suppress him with sheer presence, and he didn't believe Chen Yuan would dare to fight back—he was his father, after all!

Chen Yuan smiled. So impulsive; he took the bait as soon as I spoke. Just as I intended.

He also pressed forward, his left hand splayed with fingers spread wide, the web of his hand rounded like an eagle's claw, precisely locking onto Chen Dashan's wrist.

Feeling the immense force and pain radiating from his wrist, Chen Dashan was shocked—this unfilial son actually dared to strike him!

He saw Chen Yuan twist his waist and turn, throwing his trapped right arm with a violent jerk. Chen Dashan felt the world spin, and with a thud, he slammed into the ground, seeing stars.

His wrist was in excruciating pain; it had already been dislocated.

Chen Dashan was shocked and furious, roaring in desperation: "Chen Yuan! You are no son of mine! You dare hit your own father! I'm going to report you to the authorities!"

Chen Yuan sneered: "I severed ties with you long ago. At best, you're just a thug who initiated a provocation. Do you think the authorities will arrest me, or you?"

Behind him, there was the old gatekeeper who could serve as a witness.

He said indifferently: "Uncle Wang, from now on, if he comes looking for me, just chase him away, same as that woman."

Seeing that Chen Yuan didn't even want to acknowledge him, Chen Dashan shouted angrily:

"Unfilial son! You think you can just walk away empty-handed and be done with it? You can never repay my kindness! Without ten taels of silver as a baseline, just wait until I ruin your reputation!"

As soon as these words were out, Chen Yuan's expression turned cold: "I remember making it very clear to Li: stop threatening me!"

He found this couple utterly ridiculous and stupid, racking their brains to squeeze money out of him, even at the cost of becoming enemies.

Did their dozen years of living together give them some kind of stereotypical impression of him?

Since that was the case, he had nothing more to say, coldly throwing out one last sentence:

"If you want to make trouble, I'll play along."

With that, he turned and walked into the courtyard, his eyes turning completely icy.