Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 308 - 94: Apprenticeship

Jia Nanzhu shook his head: "Rules still cannot be broken."

The main reason is that I am not Senior Brother Shao, who, as the Hall Chief of the Jiangnan Dao Martial Affairs Hall, can naturally ignore some rules. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

It’s suitable for Senior Brother Shao to say this, but it’s not appropriate coming from me.

"Junior Brother Jia, you adhere to the rules too strictly."

Shao Jingshan replied with a smile, then turned his gaze to Lin Chen: "In our Liang, there are many Martial Arts Treasure Lands. Although there are risks, they can rapidly enhance a martial artist’s strength. Ordinary martial artists generally cannot access these areas, but with the Martial Refinement Stele, you can enter them."

Martial Arts Treasure Land?

The first thought that popped into Lin Chen’s mind was the Secret Realm.

There are risks, but it can rapidly enhance strength—couldn’t this be a Secret Realm?

"I can only tell you that some treasure lands can even allow a martial artist to advance by two grades overnight!"

Hearing Shao Jingshan’s words, Lin Chen’s eyes lit up, advancing by two grades overnight?

"Don’t think too much, Lord Shao is joking with you. Although Martial Arts Treasure Lands can accelerate training progress, it’s not that exaggerated. Lord Shao mentioned advancing by two grades overnight, but that’s because that senior was already on the brink of a breakthrough."

Jia Nanzhu saw Lin Chen’s eyes shining and explained the truth to him.

"Moreover, with your current strength, you can’t even enter the lowest-tier treasure land. Even the lowest-tier treasure land in our Liang requires the Refining Viscera Realm to enter. Your task now is to focus on breaking through to Refining the Viscera."

Lin Chen’s expression turned a bit wistful; he had been fantasizing about advancing two grades overnight, only to have his hopes ruthlessly dashed by Instructor Jia.

"Haha, Junior Brother Jia, you’re too dull. I wanted to give this kid something to hope for."

Shao Jingshan laughed heartily and then, after a while, reined in his laughter and looked at Lin Chen: "Some things I’m sure Junior Brother Jia has already told you, so I won’t repeat them. Do you want to stay in Hongdu Prefecture or return to Poyang County?"

"Disciple decides to return to Poyang County."

Hearing Lin Chen’s reply, Shao Jingshan turned his gaze to Jia Nanzhu.

"Senior Brother Shao, I have already resigned from my important position and would like to take a break. The scenery of Poyang Lake is beautiful, and it would be nice to stay for a while."

Jia Nanzhu understood the meaning in Senior Brother Shao’s eyes. If Lin Chen returns to Poyang County, he will go with him, ensuring that Lin Chen’s safety in Poyang County is not a concern.

If even I can’t protect Lin Chen, then staying in Hongdu Prefecture wouldn’t be safe either. Lin Chen can’t always be by Senior Brother Shao’s side.

"Instructor Jia?"

Lin Chen did not expect Instructor Jia to accompany him back to Poyang County. Originally, he thought that once Instructor Jia returned to the Martial Affairs Hall, his guidance mission would be completed.

"Lin Chen, although Junior Brother Jia doesn’t mind, I must tell you that Junior Brother Jia is the Deputy Director of the Jiangnan Dao Martial Affairs Hall. He specifically resigned from this position to guide you in the Special Training Ground."

Shao Jingshan noticed Lin Chen’s confusion and understood that Junior Brother Jia probably hadn’t told Lin Chen about this. Knowing Junior Brother Jia’s nature, he likely wouldn’t mention resigning as Deputy Director for Lin Chen’s sake.

Junior Brother Jia appreciated talent, so he took it upon himself to give him a push.

"Instructor Jia, you didn’t have to resign from the Deputy Director position at the Martial Affairs Hall for me. I..."

Upon hearing Lord Shao say that Instructor Jia resigned to guide him at the Special Training Ground, Lin Chen’s eyes constricted. It would be false to say he wasn’t moved.

"What virtue or ability do I have..."

"Enough, old man. I didn’t resign from the Martial Affairs Hall entirely for you. I’m also a bit weary, and my strength hasn’t improved over the years. Continuing in this position might annoy many people, so I might as well use the excuse of guiding you to leave in a dignified manner."

Jia Nanzhu waved his hand, stopping Lin Chen from continuing.

His words were three parts true and seven parts false.

The three parts true was that his strength had indeed begun to decline, and he had already had thoughts of resignation a few years ago, but he continued in his position because a suitable successor could not be found.

The one most qualified to succeed him was the Director of the Hongdu Prefecture, Jiang Zheng. However, because of the dispute between Lin Chen and Li Zhe, Qiu Rufeng ended up benefiting from it. Before his departure, Senior Brother Shao had asked him who should succeed him, and he recommended Qiu Rufeng.

The ones who benefited from Lin Chen were not only those Hall Masters and Instructors in Poyang County but also Qiu Rufeng, the Director of the Raozhou Prefecture Military Affairs Department, who was finally able to advance significantly.

"Instructor Jia, I still think..."

"Don’t be so sentimental. If you’re truly moved, let me ask you, how do I compare to your Instructor Yu?"

"Uh?"

Lin Chen was speechless for a moment, then replied after a pause: "Instructor Jia, Instructor Yu has a different significance for me. He is..."

"As long as you say that, it’s fine. If in your heart, I don’t compare to Instructor Yu, it means I haven’t done enough for you, and I must work harder."

Jia Nanzhu’s words left Lin Chen silent once again.

"Lin Chen, I have a suggestion. Since you feel undeserving, why not take Junior Brother Jia as your master? That way, you won’t feel unworthy."

Shao Jingshan suggested with a smile, and Lin Chen was stunned upon hearing it. He immediately glanced at Instructor Jia beside him, just in time to catch a glimpse of anticipation in Instructor Jia’s eyes.

"This Junior Brother Jia, he’s even shy about accepting a disciple. If I hadn’t given him a push, he might not have mentioned taking Lin Chen as a disciple on his own."

Not only was Lin Chen observing Jia Nanzhu’s expression, Shao Jingshan was also watching. When he saw that after he spoke, Junior Brother Jia’s eyes flickered, not daring to make immediate eye contact with Lin Chen, he couldn’t help but feel speechless.