Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

Chapter 265: Chapter 263: Resolution

It turned out that after Chen Shouheng became a Jieyuan, he didn’t return home directly.

Instead, he went back to the He Niu Martial Arts Academy.

Since its founding, the He Niu Martial Arts Academy had produced countless Jieyuan.

Therefore, while Chen Shouheng becoming a Jieyuan was a joyous occasion for the academy, it didn’t cause a huge sensation.

Chen Shouheng went back not only to share the good news with Master Duan Mengjing, but also to ask for her advice on whether he should go to the National Reserve Institute for further cultivation.

Duan Mengjing’s advice, however, was not to go for the time being.

The reason was simple: although the National Reserve Institute had more resources than He Niu Martial Arts Academy, it was filled with too many scions of the Royal Family, meritorious nobles, and Gate Valve Families.

Everything there was entangled with court politics.

For Chen Shouheng, getting involved too early was not necessarily a good thing.

Chen Shouheng agreed and took his leave.

Just as he was about to leave the Martial Arts Academy, he was intercepted by men sent by Zhang Luyan, who invited him for a meeting.

When Chen Shouheng arrived at his residence, Zhang Luyan’s attitude was completely different than before.

Not only did he return the three thousand taels of gold, but he also explained the reason.

Apparently, someone had reported to the Dean, accusing Chen Shouheng of using an academy mission as a pretext to stay away for an extended period, which violated the academy’s rules.

The Dean had then handed the matter over to the Dining Hall for handling.

When Zhang Luyan learned of this, he suppressed the matter.

He claimed that the three thousand taels of gold was the fee for him to handle this affair on Chen Shouheng’s behalf.

He hadn’t explained it at the time because he wanted to teach Chen Shouheng a lesson.

Now that Chen Shouheng had become a Jieyuan, he had brought glory to Guangye Hall.

So, the gold was being returned to him.

As for the handling fee from back then, Guangye Hall would cover it.

Although Zhang Luyan didn’t say who the accuser was, Chen Shouheng instantly guessed their identity.

Su Yancheng.

As Cao Wenxuan’s suitor, he was the most likely suspect.

Afterward, Zhang Luyan produced a Divine Intent Manual as a gift, saying it was a congratulatory present for achieving the rank of Jieyuan.

After listening to Shouheng’s account, Chen Li took the manual.

He opened it and began to read, word by word, line by line.

At first, his expression was calm, but as he read further, his brow furrowed slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes.

From a brief assessment, Chen Li judged that the contents of the manual seemed to have no major issues.

It even described a Divine Soul Secret Skill called the Intention Gathering Technique.

This technique used the Divine Soul as its foundation, allowing one to gather the True Intent scattered throughout the body, bit by bit. The Primordial Spirit would then devour and refine it, ultimately merging it with the Divine Sense.

This method was completely different from the "Refining Intent with Divinity" path recorded in Chen Li’s Immovable Vajra Bright King Technique. It followed a path of trickles gathering into a river.

’He actually forged a new path...’

Chen Li closed the manual, pondering in silence.

However, he already possessed a technique for Refining Intent with Divinity, and the True Intent in his Divine Sense was already more than halfway refined.

This technique of "Merging Spirit with Will" seemed rather useless to him, of little help.

What’s more, Zhang Luyan was someone who had previously made things difficult and extorted from them. How could such a sudden change in attitude be without reason?

His relationship with the Chen Family was by no means friendly.

No one could guarantee that the manual didn’t contain some hidden, imperceptible trap.

The path of cultivation was exceptionally perilous; one wrong step could lead to unimaginable consequences.

Chen Li would never rashly practice a Cultivation Technique of unknown origin, especially one gifted by someone who was more of an enemy than a friend.

Putting the manual away, he looked up at his eldest son, mused for a moment, and asked, "What do you make of Zhang Luyan’s actions?"

Chen Shouheng thought for a moment before replying, "I did indeed have conflicts with Su Yancheng, Cao Wenxuan, and others. Zhang Luyan’s wife is from the Cao Family, so perhaps that’s why he made things difficult for me. But now that I am a Jieyuan, my future prospects are completely different. He might be taking this opportunity to resolve our past unpleasantness and build a good rapport."

Chen Li shook his head noncommittally. "One must always be wary of others. Zhang Luyan has held a high position for a long time; he is a deep schemer and by no means an easy person to deal with. Today’s gesture may seem like an attempt to resolve old grievances, but how do we know it isn’t part of some other, more hidden plot?"

He paused, then added, "In any case, we must remain extremely vigilant with him. When dealing with such calculating people, you must be careful with every step. You absolutely cannot let your guard down just because things are going smoothly for a moment."

Chen Li’s words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Chen Shouheng.

Recalling the recent days filled with nothing but congratulations and flattery, he realized he had indeed been riding high on success and getting carried away. He grew inwardly vigilant and nodded. "Yes! Father, I will remember your teachings."

...

「Late at night.」

Chen Li, who was cultivating in his study, felt his closed eyes twitch slightly.

Within the perception of his Divine Sense, nine auras of varying strength silently slipped over the courtyard walls and landed inside.

He didn’t get up, merely waiting quietly.

A moment later, a soft knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

The study door was pushed open noiselessly. Elder Zhan walked in first, followed by eight figures—the Eight Generals of Wind Gate.

Their long journey had left their faces weathered, and they couldn’t help but look at Chen Li with complicated expressions.

Their leader, "Big Sister" Shi Yuheng, looked at Chen Li with a calm gaze and said in a cool voice, "Patriarch Chen, we have come as agreed."

"It’s been a long journey."

Chen Li nodded, his gaze sweeping over the eight of them.

Without another word, he took out an exquisite little white porcelain bottle and tossed it to them. "This is the temporary antidote."

The eyes of the few people behind Shi Yuheng instantly grew fervent.

On their journey here, the poison in their bodies had already begun to act up. They had relied solely on their profound Inner Qi to suppress it and make it this far.

Shi Yuheng took the porcelain bottle, uncorked it, took a light sniff, and carefully put it away.

"This medicine can only suppress the poison for three months."

Chen Li said calmly, "In two days, you will depart for Jiangzhou with Elder Zhan. You are to obey his arrangements on the road. Once you arrive in Jiangzhou and obtain the Divine Sense item, I will naturally detoxify you completely and release your ’Big Brother,’ Si Chenyin."

The terms were clear, with no room for negotiation.

The Eight Generals of Wind Gate exchanged glances. Finally, Shi Yuheng nodded on their behalf. "Very well. We will do our utmost to retrieve the treasure as quickly as possible. We hope Patriarch Chen will keep his word."

"Since I’ve made you a promise, I will naturally not go back on my word."

Chen Li summoned a servant to lead the Eight Generals of Wind Gate to the guest rooms in a side courtyard to rest.

Only Chen Li and Elder Zhan remained in the study.

Chen Li said, "You’ve worked hard on your journey, Elder Zhan. Please wait a moment."

He then had someone summon Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei.

Before long, the two arrived together.

The moment Zhou Shuwei entered and saw Elder Zhan, her beautiful eyes lit up with unconcealed excitement. "Elder Zhan! Your injuries... have they healed?"

A gentle smile appeared on Elder Zhan’s face as he cupped his fist. "Do not worry, Patriarch. My injuries are no longer serious. You, on the other hand, seem to have gotten thinner."

"That’s good..."

Zhou Shuwei then asked anxiously, "What about Qingyi? Is she safe?"

"Miss Qingyi has been settled in my old home. She is safe and sound. It’s just that..."

A trace of guilt flashed across Elder Zhan’s face, and his voice grew low. "I was incompetent. In the end, I failed to protect the Zhou Family’s foundation. I have truly failed the old Patriarch’s trust... I have failed you, Patriarch."

Zhou Shuwei said in a low voice, "Elder Zhan, please don’t say that. If you hadn’t risked your life to protect her, Qingyi would have long... The Zhou Family’s calamity was not your fault, nor mine."

She paused, then told him about how the Jiangzhou Textile Bureau was forcing them to deliver forty thousand bolts of silk within two months.

Then she added, "Fortunately, with Uncle’s help, we have already prepared the forty thousand bolts. Once they are delivered to the Jiangzhou Textile Bureau, the Zhou Family will at last be spared the fate of total ruin."

Hearing this, Elder Zhan looked at Chen Li in surprise.

Forty thousand bolts of silk was no small amount. The Chen Family had managed to gather it all in such a short time?

His reverence for this deeply hidden Patriarch grew by several degrees.

Chen Li spoke up. "Elder Zhan, tomorrow you will take the Eight Generals of Wind Gate and escort Shouheng and Shuwei to Jiangzhou. This journey is crucial to the Zhou Family’s survival. I’m counting on you."

Elder Zhan nodded. "Rest assured, Patriarch Chen. This is my duty. I will naturally do my utmost."

Zhou Shuwei hesitated for a moment, then, as if having made a decision, took a thick stack of deeds from her sleeve. She presented them to Chen Li with a solemn expression. "Uncle, the Zhou Family was only able to escape this disaster entirely thanks to your power."

"These are the Zhou Family’s property and land deeds. Since you have already paid the betrothal gift, Uncle, consider these Shuwei’s dowry and take them. Shuwei asks for nothing else, only that one day, Uncle, you will prepare a respectable dowry for Qingyi, so she will have something to rely on in the future."

Chen Li looked at Zhou Shuwei. Seeing the determination in her eyes, he didn’t refuse and said frankly, "Alright. Since this is your wish, I will accept it. As for Zhou Qingyi’s dowry, I promise you that as well."

His straightforward acceptance, in turn, put Zhou Shuwei’s heart at ease.

Hearing the words "betrothal gift" and "dowry," Elder Zhan, who was standing to the side, looked at Zhou Shuwei with a puzzled expression.

Zhou Shuwei’s pretty face flushed slightly. She glanced at Chen Shouheng beside her and explained to Elder Zhan with a touch of shyness, "Elder Zhan, Shouheng and I... we’re engaged. We’ll be married next month."

"Shuwei has no close elder relatives left in this world. When the time comes, I would like to ask you, Elder Zhan, to preside over the wedding in the capacity of my elder. I wonder if you would be willing?"

Elder Zhan was stunned at first, then a gratified smile spread across his face. He chuckled, "Of course I am willing. For the Patriarch to find such a fine match, the old Patriarch’s spirit in heaven will surely be gratified as well."

With the Zhou Family having suffered such a great disaster, for them to find a home with a family like the Chens, a great weight was finally lifted from his heart.

Chen Li said to Zhou Shuwei, "Shuwei, take Elder Zhan to rest for now. I have a few more things to discuss with Shouheng."

"Yes, Uncle."

Zhou Shuwei and Elder Zhan left the study together.

Only the father and son remained in the study.

Chen Li’s expression turned grave. He said to Chen Shouheng in a low voice, "Shouheng, tomorrow, leave with enough gold and silver. After you reach Jiangkou, go to the Oolong Tea House and find Bai San. There are still thirty thousand bolts of silk stored at the Jiangkou Pier."

Chen Shouheng’s heart stirred, and he asked, "Father, that batch of silk is...?"

Chen Li told him how the Liu Family had conspired with the Cao and He Families to swindle the silk from the Zhou Family, and what he had subsequently gained from annihilating the Liu Family.

Chen Shouheng was shaken. Only now did he realize his father had made so many arrangements in advance. He replied solemnly, "I understand."

Chen Li instructed, "This journey will be filled with all sorts of people. Along the way, have your uncle, Bai Shixuan, handle all external negotiations. You and Shuwei should keep a low profile as much as possible. Remember, don’t be rash if it’s something silver can solve. Safety is paramount."

"Father, rest assured. I have remembered."

Chen Shouheng nodded.

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