Half a Poem Will Do

Just as he had expected!

After twenty draws, the little Origin Force in Chen Shi'an's body was completely exhausted. He could only continue once it recovered.

Although Origin Force recovered on its own, the pace was agonizingly slow.

A full quarter of an hour passed, yet less than a thirtieth had recovered-not even enough for a single draw.

At this rate, what year of the monkey and month of the horse would it be before he reached six hundred thousand draws?

"..."

Chen Shi'an tilted his head toward the sky, almost bursting into tears.

Meanwhile, thanks to the habit he had developed over the past few days, he kept drawing the Horizontal Saber in his hand without thinking, even with ten thousand horses stampeding through his heart and his Origin Force still depleted.

Suddenly, to his delight, he discovered that the draw count on the Mysterious Stone Stele had increased by one.

It worked without Origin Force too?

His spirits soared, and his draws abruptly quickened.

Soon, he reached a conclusion:

Drawing without Origin Force did indeed increase the count on the stele, but sixty draws only counted as one!

By that calculation, he would need another eighteen million draws to become a Second-Rank Martial Artist.

The thought of that number made his scalp prickle.

After that brief setback, he drew a deep breath, and determination immediately returned to his eyes.

Whether in his previous life or this one, how many people of humble birth struggled all their lives without ever getting a chance to rise above the crowd?

Now that an opportunity lay before him, with danger looming at any moment, what did he have to mope about?

It's just drawing a saber, isn't it? Bring it on! Time to grind! Who's afraid of whom?

Excited about becoming a Ranked Martial Artist, Chen Shi'an felt no urge to sleep and spent four straight hours drawing his saber beneath the willow.

Only when the midnight hours were nearly over did drowsiness set in, and he finally stopped.

He no longer counted his draws, lest the numbers affect his mindset. He simply buried himself in the grind.

Meanwhile, his Origin Force had recovered. To his delight, he also discovered that it had grown considerably, now supporting twenty-one draws.

His flagging spirits instantly soared.

What did a low starting point matter? As long as there was growth, there was hope!

In excellent spirits, Chen Shi'an was about to return to his room to sleep when he suddenly remembered something.

He walked slowly to the courtyard wall, leaped over it with ease, then traveled another quarter of a kilometer to a deserted alley.

Taking a light breath, he slowly lowered his right hand onto the saber's hilt and poured all his Origin Force into the blade.

Suddenly, cold light flashed. He whipped out his saber and slashed down at the stone slab before him.

Clang!

A fissure half an inch wide split the hard, half-foot-thick slab.

The edges were ragged, and stone chips flew everywhere.

Wang Tianye's slash earlier that day had left a full inch-wide fissure in the slab, with smooth, even edges and not a single stone chip.

The comparison told Chen Shi'an that, although they were both First-Rank Martial Artists, he lagged far behind Wang Tianye in both strength and control.

Moreover, that single slash had drained every last drop of his Origin Force again.

Still, he was not discouraged in the slightest.

Face the gap head-on, and keep grinding.

Upon waking the next day, Chen Shi'an immediately checked the Origin Force in his body.

He discovered that the Origin Force spent cutting the slab last night had recovered, but had not increased.

Clearly, only Origin Force consumed through drawing his saber would grow.

When he got up and stepped outside, Chen Tiantian had already left for school, and Su Qingrou was also away. Food was being kept warm in the kitchen.

After making an offering to the temple of his stomach and practicing the Army-Breaking Saber Technique three times, he was ready to resume drawing when he heard someone approaching the courtyard.

Since becoming a First-Rank Martial Artist, Chen Shi'an's senses had sharpened greatly. He detected the visitor even though she was still several dozen feet from the courtyard.

Judging by her footsteps, it was probably a woman, but not Su Qingrou.

A moment later, a soft knock sounded.

"Come in. The door isn't barred."

Chen Shi'an spoke quietly.

Soon, the door opened, and a slender figure stepped over the threshold. It was Fang Ruyu.

Chen Shi'an was mildly surprised, a questioning look in his eyes.

Fang Ruyu hurried into the courtyard and looked around.

When her gaze fell on Chen Shi'an, puzzlement appeared in her eyes. She felt he was somewhat different from before, but could not pinpoint exactly what had changed.

"If you have something to say, say it. My sister-in-law isn't here," Chen Shi'an said flatly, his face utterly expressionless.

Fang Ruyu hesitated briefly. "Chen Shi'an, I didn't want to come and bother you either.

"But Dean Lu has already asked me several times when you're going to see him."

Displeasure appeared on Chen Shi'an's face. "Didn't I tell you already? I'd definitely pay him a visit within half a month."

Fang Ruyu looked troubled. "I passed that on, but Dean Lu is very impatient. He needs to know exactly when."

Chen Shi'an frowned, weighing his options.

Fang Ruyu's eyes turned pleading. "Chen Shi'an, if you're going to help someone, see it through. Please, help me one more time.

"I'll definitely repay you someday."

Chen Shi'an lifted his eyelids slightly. "Fang Ruyu, if I'd wanted repayment from you, you wouldn't have kept either your silver or your body last time."

Fang Ruyu's face tightened. "That's not what I meant. This opportunity is too important to me. If I can..."

Chen Shi'an interrupted her quietly. "Go back first. Tell Dean Lu I'll visit the Windrise Martial Academy at noon today."

Wild delight appeared on Fang Ruyu's face. "Chen Shi'an, thank you!"

Chen Shi'an waved a hand lightly. "This is as far as I can help you. Consider every tie between us severed for good.

"Whether you get what you want will depend entirely on your own fate and fortune."

Having said his piece, he turned and walked straight to the willow.

Fang Ruyu stared blankly at his tall, slender back beneath the willow, suddenly feeling an oppressive tightness in her chest. Only after a long while did she turn to leave.

Her steps were noticeably heavier than when she had arrived.

Crossing the threshold, she looked up at the white clouds in the sky:

Was I really wrong?

No!

I wasn't wrong. To survive in the Desolate Ruins, if I didn't seize every chance to climb higher, I'd never get ahead.

I'd forever be a lamb awaiting slaughter, with the butcher's blade ready to fall at any moment.

Chen Shi'an, I admit I misjudged you. You're outstanding.

But that's only compared with ordinary people.

In the Desolate Ruins, anyone who fails to become a Ranked Martial Artist is just an ant.

You've helped me. One day, when I become a Ranked Martial Artist, I'll keep you safe for the rest of your life.

Drawing a deep breath, Fang Ruyu's gaze grew resolute. When she walked on, her steps were noticeably lighter.

Chen Shi'an had not gone straight to the academy because he wanted to let Su Qingrou know before leaving, so she would not worry.

It was nearly noon when Su Qingrou returned. She had gone to buy earthenware jars.

To earn the silver for Chen Shi'an's marriage sooner, she had noticeably increased her chili sauce production, and her supply of jars could no longer keep up.

"Brother-in-law, quite a bit of the chili sauce fermenting in the cellar has been there long enough. When are you planning to sell it?"

Su Qingrou looked worried. "I only see silver going out, not coming in. I'm getting nervous."

Chen Shi'an took six taels of silver from inside his robe and handed them over. "Sister-in-law, I have it under control. Don't worry. Just keep making your chili sauce."

Su Qingrou accepted the silver without protest, but remained deeply worried.

Chen Shi'an smiled faintly. "Haven't some neighbors come to buy chili sauce these past few days?

"I did a rough count. At least half the neighbors who've tasted our chili sauce decided to buy some.

"And that auntie from the Yang Family stubbornly insisted she wouldn't buy any that day, but ended up buying three jars at once."

Su Qingrou interjected, "If we're relying on the neighbors to buy it, when will we ever recoup our costs and turn a profit?"

Chen Shi'an's smile remained, his confidence brimming. "The fact that so many neighbors are buying proves there's a market for our chili sauce. Making silver is a sure thing."

Without waiting for Su Qingrou to respond, he continued, "Sister-in-law, I have something to take care of outside."

"Aren't you eating lunch?" Su Qingrou asked hastily.

But before she could finish speaking, Chen Shi'an had already crossed the threshold and disappeared.

Half an hour before noon, Fang Ruyu could no longer contain herself. She went near the Windrise Martial Academy's main gate and waited restlessly, gazing into the distance.

Finally, seven or eight minutes before noon, Chen Shi'an came strolling over.

Before the disciple guarding the gate could stop him, Fang Ruyu hurried forward to greet him and led him into the academy.

She led him all the way to Lu Chenyang's courtyard before stopping. "Dean Lu is waiting inside. Go in on your own."

"Aren't you coming in?" Chen Shi'an asked quietly.

Fang Ruyu smiled sweetly. "Without a summons from the dean, we disciples aren't permitted inside."

Chen Shi'an nodded and stepped forward.

After six steps, Fang Ruyu's voice sounded behind him. "Chen Shi'an, I'll always remember this kindness."

Chen Shi'an looked back with a faint smile, then strode into the courtyard.

When he was still six paces from the courtyard, the gate opened with a creak. The tall old man with the character for "slave" tattooed on his face emerged and gestured for him to enter.

"Sorry for the trouble, sir." Chen Shi'an bowed respectfully and followed the old man into the courtyard.

On seeing Chen Shi'an again, Lu Chenyang did not remain seated in his chair. Instead, he greeted him with a smile. "Young friend Chen, why have you only come now? I've been waiting day and night, hoping every day you'd come to my door."

Chen Shi'an hastily apologized. "I'm at fault for keeping you waiting, Dean Lu.

"But I hadn't managed to recall a complete poem. How could I dare come and disturb you?

"Still, Miss Fang Ruyu visited several times. It would have been discourteous to refuse, so I had no choice but to come."

At those words, Lu Chenyang's smile visibly faded somewhat, and a hint of coldness emanated from him.

Chen Shi'an hastily added, "I've remembered half a poem, so I came to present it to you first."

"Half a poem will do."

Delight appeared on Lu Chenyang's face. He warmly pulled Chen Shi'an to the desk, personally spreading paper and grinding ink for him. "Quickly, young friend Chen, write down the half you've remembered. Let me feast my eyes on it."

Chen Shi'an took the wolf-hair brush, his strokes racing like dragons and snakes. Soon, he had written two lines of large characters, full of vigor and rich with ink.

Lu Chenyang's eyes lit up, and he recited aloud:

"Clouds call to mind her robes, flowers call to mind her face; spring winds brush the railing, dew gleams rich with grace."

"Wonderful! Truly wonderful! What towering talent could have written such poetry?"

"Ah! What a terrible pity. Had this man not died, I would certainly have hired him as an instructor at the academy and served him with the respect of a disciple!"

After a bout of regretful sighing, he turned his gaze to Chen Shi'an. "Young friend Chen, can you truly not remember the last two lines?"

Chen Shi'an looked regretful. "I'd actually remembered a few words and fragments from those two lines, and was just about to recall them completely, but..."

At that point, he heaved a long sigh and stopped.

"What is it? What happened?" Lu Chenyang asked urgently.

Chen Shi'an looked troubled. "Dean Lu, I don't dare say."

Lu Chenyang snorted coldly. "Don't dare? You're an honored guest of mine now. What could you possibly need to fear in Windrise Stronghold? Whatever it is, tell me at once!"

Chen Shi'an stammered, his gaze evasive.

Lu Chenyang frowned. "Even if you won't say it, I can guess. Wang Tianye, wasn't it?"

Only then did Chen Shi'an nod lightly. "A few days ago, I was racking my brains over the last two lines when Commander Wang suddenly came to my house.

"He said Dean Lu could only protect me for a little while, and even split a stone slab in our courtyard in two with his saber.

"His blade came down right beside my body. Those words and fragments I'd finally recalled were instantly scared clean out of my head. Afterward, no matter what I did, I couldn't remember them."

"How dare he! That Wang Tianye!"

Lu Chenyang flew into a rage, cold light flashing in his eyes. "Does he no longer even respect me?

"It seems that unless I teach you an unforgettable lesson, you won't know how much you truly weigh!"

Chen Shi'an hastily said, "Dean Lu, please calm your anger.

"If you punish Commander Wang, he'll inevitably vent his anger on our Chen Family.

"Ants like us can be wiped out with a wave of Commander Wang's hand."

Lu Chenyang's eyes shifted slightly. "Don't worry. I know how far to go. I promise you that after today, Wang Tianye won't dare trouble your Chen Family in the slightest."

Wild delight appeared on Chen Shi'an's face, and he hastily bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Dean Lu."

Lu Chenyang lifted his eyelids slightly. "Young friend Chen, to protect your Chen Family, I'm willing to make an enemy of Wang Tianye.

"You must hurry along with those last two lines."

Chen Shi'an promptly replied, "Rest assured, Dean Lu. As long as Commander Wang doesn't come to harass us, I should be able to recall the last two lines very soon."

The corners of Lu Chenyang's mouth rose slightly. "Then I'll give you another ten days. That should be enough, shouldn't it?"

Chen Shi'an looked troubled. "Dean Lu, after all, this is something I memorized two years ago. Recalling it..."

Lu Chenyang held up five fingers and said calmly, "Then I'll give you another five days. Half a month is the limit of my patience.

"If half a month still isn't enough, I'm afraid you won't remember it no matter how much time I give you."

By the end, a distinct chill had crept into his voice.

Chen Shi'an's expression changed. He nodded firmly. "Rest assured, Dean Lu. Even if I have to go without sleep or rest for the next half month, I'll remember those poems!"

With Lu Chenyang's assurance, Wang Tianye would not dare act rashly for at least half a month. The Chen Family's safety was secure for the time being.

Half a month was neither long nor short, but it was enough time to set plenty of things in motion.

He had to deal with the threat of Wang Tianye, and he also had to start tackling the problem of making a living.

He now had less than two taels of silver left on him.

Su Qingrou was making chili sauce every day, and every day, more silver was being spent.

Before the silver ran out, Chen Su Ji chili sauce had to make a name for itself in Windrise Stronghold.

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