Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 179 - 47: First Battle with the Snake Monster
Nightfall!
The clamor faded away, and Linhu Village returned to tranquility.
The Lin Family courtyard.
"Lin Chen, I’ve finally cultivated my Essence Qi."
Gu Fei’s cheeks were flushed; he hadn’t skimped on the drinks today, but having cultivated his Essence Qi, his alcohol tolerance had improved significantly, and he remained clear-headed.
"I heard about it from Uncle Hai."
Today at the feast, when he offered a toast to the villagers, Gu Fei’s father had already mentioned this matter.
"Have you thought about which martial arts hall to go to?"
"Probably the Mantis Martial Arts Hall. Last time you analyzed the characteristics of the Eight Great Martial Arts Halls for me, and it seemed like only the Mantis Martial Arts Hall was suitable for me."
Gu Fei scratched his head. At the moment he cultivated his Essence Qi, he had fantasized about soaring to great heights upon entering a martial arts hall, just like Chen.
But under the dual blows from his father and the village chief, he came to terms with reality.
The Mantis Martial Arts Hall was most suitable for someone of his family background. As the village chief put it, "Lin Chen is promising. You should just focus on cultivating and breaking through realms, and later you can seek a position in the Government Office."
In the Government Office, ordinary positions are determined not by strength but by realm.
Opening the Acupoints at three places is the minimum threshold. As long as that’s achieved, even if the cultivation technique proficiency is abysmal, there’s a baseline to work with.
"Yes, going to the Mantis Martial Arts Hall is very suitable for you."
Lin Chen thought the same about the arrangement for Gu Fei with the Mantis Martial Arts Hall. Although he wasn’t familiar with the hall master or instructors there, he did know Zhao Kang quite well, and next year he’d have Zhao Kang look after and guide Gu Fei a bit.
"The village chief and my dad said the same. The village chief also said that if I don’t want to work in the Government Office, I could return to the village and take over as village chief."
Gu Fei chuckled. Lin Chen had a somewhat peculiar expression, thinking the words sounded familiar.
It seemed the village chief had said the same thing to his own eldest brother about succeeding as village chief in the future.
Is the old village chief just painting a big picture everywhere?
Telling everyone they have the bearing of a village chief?
"Forget about being the village chief. That’s reserved for Brother Liang. I’ll go to the Government Office as an official, count myself as a city person, and then marry a city wife, buy a house, and be satisfied with my life."
Lin Chen didn’t see any issue with Gu Fei’s life plan. Not everyone wants to explore the peak of the martial path in this world, like himself.
Leaving Linhu Village and entering the city!
For many young people in the village, this is their ultimate life goal.
Gu Fei stayed for a while and then left. As for the village chief, he wouldn’t be coming today; during tonight’s feast, several villagers had to help him back home after a considerable amount of drinks.
"Mom, Dad, when are we planning my brother’s wedding?"
With outsiders gone, Lin Chen glanced at his big brother and asked with a grin, "I saw Brother Liang and Sister Erya practically sticking together today."
Brother Lin Liang blushed as Mrs. Lin smilingly responded, "We’ve already had someone propose on our behalf. The wedding is set for the end of the year."
"The end of the year..."
Lin Chen estimated that he would be going for special training for the next three months, and he’d have enough time to make it back.
"Brother Chen, if you’re busy with martial arts training, you don’t have to worry."
"Brother, for your wedding, as your younger brother, I must attend. Don’t worry; I have plenty of time."
"Little Liang, your brother’s definitely going to attend your wedding. Your father-in-law didn’t have many demands, just that when you and Erya get married, your brother must be present. He wants to save face in front of relatives."
As soon as the matchmaker visited, the Chen Family immediately agreed to the marriage. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Many families in Linhu Village wish to marry their daughters into the Lin family. It’s not just about marrying the eldest son; even nephew Hui has many matchmakers offering their services.
"Your second aunt said that before Little Hui marries a girl, you should take a look first, and he should only marry if you approve."
Hearing his mother’s words, Lin Chen was somewhat speechless and furrowed his brow, "Second Aunt is talking nonsense. Hui’s marriage isn’t my marriage. Why should I approve it? It has to be someone Brother Hui likes. We Lin family are not some high-ranking family; as long as the girl is virtuous, that’s enough."
"Although we’re not a high-ranking family, we can’t just marry anyone into the family. It’s good to have your perspective."
Virtuous!
Mrs. Lin noted her son’s requirements. It’s not that she insists on her son’s input, but her sister-in-law was determined to hear her son’s opinion.
After chatting for a bit, Lin Chen left home, ready to head to the back mountain for martial arts practice.
In the backyard, Lin Chen first practiced Water Cloud Palm and Clear Wind Palm for a while, hoping to continue his previous fortuitous encounter at Three Ponds Mountain and merge the two techniques together.
Unfortunately, he still failed.
As for the Iron Bone Skill, to further advance, he could only endure the Thousand Hammer Map’s pounding at the Martial Arts Garden or seek the second volume of the "Mountain Suppressing Chart" over at Huang Mountain in Huizhou Prefecture.
After half a two-hour period, Lin Chen took out the Snake Shadow Bow again. Under the night sky, the bow’s body emitted a deep sheen.
Practicing archery had been a dream of Lin Chen’s in his past life.
Unlike many children of his age who fantasized about wielding swords after watching martial arts films, Chen preferred the bow.
Even when playing certain shooting games later, he didn’t like teaming up with others or directly engaging in close combat. He preferred being a lone sniper, enjoying the thrill of reaching the finals with zero kills.
One shot missed, and retreat a thousand miles!
Thinking about how opponents couldn’t catch him made him inexplicably satisfied.
This was one of the reasons he chose the Snake Shadow Bow from the Treasure Vault.
But he hadn’t anticipated the difficulty of mastering the Snake Shadow Bow. Up to now, he hadn’t been able to shoot an arrow three feet away with it.
