Chapter 58: Relieved
Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Relieved
Before returning to Lingxi, Chen Li went to the martial arts hall to visit his two sons.
In his four months back at the hall, Shouheng had completely refined the residual medicinal power of the Dragon Blood Bodhi Heart, successfully advancing to Blood Refining Great Success.
"Dad."
Seeing his father, Shouheng hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Master wants me to join the company heading to Lishui to fight the bandits. He says it’s... for experience."
He watched his father’s expression carefully, afraid he would object, and quickly added, "Master says that sparring in the hall won’t forge real skill. You have to get your hands bloody."
"Go, then. Be careful above all else. Listen more, watch more, do less, and don’t act on impulse."
Chen Li pondered briefly before nodding in agreement, but he still felt the need to add a warning. "If there’s danger, get away. Don’t be reckless. Stay hidden if you can. Only strike when you’re certain of success."
Fighting bandits was dangerous, but a flower raised in a greenhouse could never grow strong. It needed to face the storm.
’It would be good for Shouheng to go out and test himself,’ he thought.
Still worried, he added one last thing before he left. "Years ago, I made a little gadget for self-defense. Its power is underwhelming and not very useful against those in the Blood Refining Realm. But these bandits aren’t highly skilled in Martial Arts, so it should have a surprising effect. I’ll have someone send it over after I get back. Remember, do not use this unless it is a matter of life and death."
"Thank you, Dad."
Feeling his father’s worry and affection, Chen Shouheng felt a warmth spread through his chest, and his nose tingled with a rare emotion.
...
He arrived at Kao Mountain Martial Arts Hall.
In a corner of the courtyard.
Shouye was sitting shirtless on a stone bench under a tree.
Beside him, a young woman of about sixteen or seventeen was carefully applying medicine for him.
She had delicate features, and her eyes held a scholarly tranquility and gentleness that seemed somewhat out of place in the fierce environment of the martial arts hall.
Chen Li was quite far from them, but his Spiritual Sense was incredibly sharp, and with his ears filled with Inner Qi, he could hear their conversation instantly.
The young woman’s tone held a hint of complaint. "You used brute force again. My father says you have to know when to push and when to rest. Why don’t you ever listen?"
"It’s nothing," Shouye replied in a muffled voice, his head slightly lowered.
"’It’s nothing, it’s nothing’..." the young woman grumbled. "With your tendons and bones injured, how can you keep training? My father has already told you, for the Marrow Refining Realm, you must understand not only how to train, but also how to recuperate. I swear, I don’t know if you’ve heard a single word."
Shouye seemed embarrassed by her scolding and mumbled, "You’re right to lecture me, Senior Sister."
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling softly on the young woman’s lowered gaze and focused fingertips. It also landed on his tense back and the reddening tips of his ears.
Chen Li stood quietly to the side and didn’t interrupt.
He waited until the young woman had left before slowly approaching.
"Shouye."
Chen Li called out to his son cheerfully.
Chen Shouye looked up at the sound. Seeing his father, he immediately stood up. "Dad, what are you doing here?"
"I was making a grain delivery and decided to drop by," Chen Li asked with a teasing smile. "Who was that young lady just now?"
A flicker of awkwardness crossed Chen Shouye’s face, and he subconsciously avoided his father’s gaze. "She’s Master’s youngest daughter, Li Jinru."
"Master Li’s daughter?" Chen Li chuckled. "Does she practice Martial Arts too?"
Chen Shouye’s voice grew even quieter. "No, she’s studying medicine with her maternal grandfather."
"That’s good."
Seeing his son acting so unlike his usual self, Chen Li already had a pretty good idea of what was going on.
His eyes twinkling, he looked at his second son and asked, "So, what do you think of her?"
Chen Shouye’s face seemed to flush. He pursed his lips and whispered, "Senior Sister... she’s... she’s wonderful, of course."
Seeing his son’s reaction, Chen Li stopped teasing him. He patted his uninjured shoulder—it felt solid and strong—and asked, "How’s your training coming along?"
Chen Shouye answered truthfully, "Minor Achievement in Bone Marrow Cultivation. It will still be some time before Great Success."
"And the Bright King Technique?" Chen Li asked.
A rare hint of frustration surfaced on Chen Shouye’s face. "Not even a trace of Qi Sensing."
Chen Li nodded. It was notoriously difficult to even begin learning an Inner Power Heart Method, so this was to be expected.
Shouyue had been on the path of Inner Cultivation for a year and a half and still hadn’t reached the entry-level. Moreover, Shouye’s training was primarily focused on the Iron Mountain Lean.
He handed him the package filled with Nine-Turns Essence Rejuvenation Marrow Heart Pills and Vajra Bone-Forging Ointment, reminding him, "Don’t try to save them. If you run out, come home and get more. The family isn’t short on silver."
As their father, Chen Li knew very well that Shouye was different from Shouheng. Shouheng would proactively ask for things; that little rascal’s eyes would light up at the sight of anything good.
But Shouye would never open his mouth to ask. Though he surely wanted them, he preferred to earn them himself.
After leaving home during the Spring Festival, Shouye hadn’t returned, and the Elixirs and Medicated Ointment he’d brought with him were most likely long gone.
That’s why Chen Li had made a point to prepare and bring these medicines before he set out.
"Also, your Senior Sister is right. In martial arts, you must balance exertion and rest. Don’t end up truly damaging your foundation. Listen to her more. You’re blessed to have someone looking out for you so carefully. You must cherish that."
Chen Li added another meaningful reminder before he left.
A rare blush crept up Chen Shouye’s face, and he said nothing.
"Come home for a visit after you reach Blood Refining."
After giving this instruction, Chen Li left immediately.
The news about the Water Bandits, and about Ming’s Grain Shop buying up grain, left him feeling a little uneasy.
He spent the better part of the day in the county town purchasing goods, filling seven ox-carts to the brim before leading his people back to Lingxi.
...
「November.」
A biting wind carried flurries of snow.
In the bitter cold at the end of the year, the old clan head, Chen Xingjia, did not make it through the winter.
As the new clan head, Chen Li naturally had to preside over the funeral rites.
On the evening of the last day of the wake, the mourning guests had all departed. Only a dozen or so relatives remained in the memorial hall for the night vigil.
Just as Chen Li was preparing to go home, a slender, middle-aged man in a worn scholar’s robe suddenly blocked his path.
The man looked to be in his forties. His face was rather pale, and his eyes held a sense of panic and conflict unbefitting his age.
This was none other than Chen Xingjia’s youngest son, Chen Yongxiao, a man who had been all but forgotten by the clan.
"Li... Brother Li." Chen Yongxiao’s voice was a little hoarse, carrying the particular cadence of a scholar, yet it lacked confidence.
"Uncle Yongxiao?" Chen Li nodded slightly, greeting him in a calm tone.
Chen Yongxiao walked to Chen Li’s side and lowered his voice. "Brother Li, I... I have something I want to say to you alone."
Chen Li glanced at him, nodded, and led him to a side hall next to the memorial hall.
"Brother Li, you’re the clan head now. You have the final say in clan matters. Please, help me seek justice."
Chen Yongxiao hesitated and stammered for a long time before finally saying, "Acc-according to the laws of the land, when a father passes away, his fields and estate should... should be inherited by his sons."
Chen Li’s gaze sharpened, but he said nothing, merely watching him quietly.
Chen Yongxiao grew uncomfortable under Chen Li’s gaze and said hurriedly, "I know I haven’t been home these years, and I’ve hardly shown my father any filial piety. But... but that’s the law. Besides, my older brother is dead too, and Zhengtong, Zhengping... they didn’t even come back for their father’s and grandfather’s deaths! It’s as if there’s no one to carry on the line! This property should rightfully be mine!"
His voice grew more agitated, as if he were trying to hide his own insecurity with volume.
Chen Xingjia had three daughters and two sons in his lifetime.
Naturally, the three daughters who had married out of the family were not eligible to inherit the estate.
Initially, Chen Yongxiao would have indeed had the right of inheritance, just as he claimed.
But, he had been a live-in son-in-law!