Chapter 11: Funding

Zhou Liang walked over and patted Chen Qing on the shoulder. "Not bad. Keep it up."

Chen Qing quickly cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Master."

It had been a long time since he had spoken to his master one-on-one.

Zhou Liang said a few brief words before turning to leave.

After all, taking over two months to reach the Mingjin stage meant his future potential was truly limited.

Shortly after, the other disciples dispersed as well.

Sun Shun asked with a smile, "Junior Brother Chen, how do you feel?"

"Not bad," Chen Qing nodded. After breaking through to Mingjin, he felt his blood and energy flowing smoothly throughout his body, and his strength had increased significantly.

Sun Shun laughed, "I'll spar with you over the next few days so you can get used to using your strength as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Sun." Chen Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "Senior Brother Sun, what about the part-time guard positions..."

Sun Shun understood immediately. For a disciple from a background like Chen Qing's, once they reached Mingjin, the first priority was to find a faction to work for so they could afford to continue paying their tuition.

He hesitated and said, "Major factions like the Forging Workshop, the Wangyuan Security Bureau, and the Renhe Hall have very high thresholds for hiring, which can be troublesome. However, it shouldn't be difficult to find something elsewhere. I'll keep an eye out for you these next few days."

The Forging Workshop and the Wangyuan Security Bureau were long-standing establishments in Gaolin County. They were filled with experts and had strict requirements for their guards, usually only accepting elite disciples from martial arts schools or those under established masters.

Chen Qing cupped his hands again. "Then I will trouble you, Senior Brother."

Sun Shun hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "Junior Brother Chen, if you have the mind for it, you might want to spend more time with the disciples from wealthy families. Perhaps... you could receive some sponsorship."

A look of confusion appeared in Chen Qing's eyes. "Sponsorship?"

Sun Shun explained slowly, "Training is thirty percent effort and seventy percent nutrition. In truth, the most important part of martial arts is meat and medicinal supplements. The Blood Qi Powder that Junior Sister Zhou gave you earlier—if taken daily, it can increase your cultivation speed by thirty percent. There are even more precious Blood Qi Pills. For me, the medicinal supplements alone cost five taels of silver a month. How could the meager wages from a part-time guard position ever be enough?"

Seeing Chen Qing remain silent, Sun Shun continued, "Now that you've reached Mingjin and have the opportunity to participate in the Martial Arts Examination, you're like a bamboo shoot that has just broken through the soil. Perhaps some wealthy families will want to invest in you and provide you with meat and supplements. Whatever leaks through their fingers would be enough to cover your tuition for half a year."

Hearing this, Chen Qing suddenly understood.

He had long heard that some wealthy families and major clans in Gaolin County would sponsor martial artists, providing money and effort to help them participate in the Martial Arts Examination, all to build goodwill.

They would sponsor dozens of people; if even one of them passed, it would be worth it. Besides, even if they didn't pass, these martial artists would still owe them a favor, helping to expand their connections and build a good reputation.

Sun Shun said patiently, "Look at Junior Sister Luo and Junior Brother Zheng. They are both from wealthy families. They have another purpose for learning martial arts: to scout for good talent."

"The Luo family, where Junior Sister Luo belongs, is one of the five major clans in the inner city. They have deep pockets, and their sponsorship amounts far exceed those of ordinary wealthy families. However, her standards are quite high. Junior Brother Qin received sponsorship from the Luo family, so he barely has to worry about meat or supplements. And Junior Brother Zheng comes from the Zheng family; their family foundation is also quite impressive."

"As for me, I have always relied on the Guo family's sponsorship, which has never been interrupted."

Chen Qing looked in the direction Sun Shun was pointing.

Luo Qian and Zheng Ziqiao were both wealthy disciples in the courtyard. It was evident during daily training that they were always surrounded by a group of people.

"Forget it."

Chen Qing shook his head.

When he broke through earlier, neither of them had even looked at him properly; clearly, they didn't think much of his aptitude.

Even if he were to shamelessly approach them, he likely wouldn't get a good reception.

Sun Shun wanted to persuade him further, but Chen Qing said seriously, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother, but I think it's more realistic for me to find a part-time guard position first."

Seeing that his persuasion was fruitless, Sun Shun could only sigh and pat him on the shoulder.

That day, Chen Qing did not do extra training and headed home early.

Passing through the narrow alleys filled with the scent of fish and damp wood, the familiar silhouette of the connected boats at Yazi Bay came into view.

"Search! Search every single house!"

Several fierce-looking members of the Golden River Gang were questioning fishermen near the pier. The man in the lead had a face covered in bumps and scars, his triangular eyes darting around.

This man was Liu Laizi, a trusted aide of the gang leader.

They called it a search, but it was just an excuse to find a reason to "rake in" some money.

Chen Qing lowered his head calmly, kept to the shadows, and quickly bypassed them, returning to his own dilapidated connected boat.

Pushing open the creaking cabin door, he saw his mother, Madam Han, wringing her hands anxiously in the dim light.

"Mother, I'm back."

Chen Qing kept his voice as steady as possible. "What are the Golden River Gang people doing?"

Madam Han sighed and lowered her voice. "What else could they be doing? They're questioning everyone over and over, saying they want to find the murderer who killed Qian Biao. It's a sin... this life..."

Chen Qing nodded calmly, but ripples stirred in his heart.

"I killed Qian Biao with my own hands. I believe I was clean and wiped away all traces. For these gang lackeys to find any clues should be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"But what if? In this world, what is ever truly seamless?"

"This Liu Laizi, bringing people to search Yazi Bay with such fanfare... could it be aimed at me?"

The feeling made him feel like he had needles pricking his back. Chen Qing never left anything to luck.

He always prepared for the worst.

"Why are you back so early today?"

Madam Han put down her shuttle, looked at Chen Qing, and said with a trembling voice, "A-Qing... your complexion looks different? Is it..."

The Mingjin stage was quite different from that of an ordinary person. With vigorous blood and energy, the skin became ruddy and lustrous, and the eyes became bright and sharp, to the point where ordinary people would not dare to meet his gaze.

Chen Qing stepped forward and took his mother's rough hands, nodding. "Mother, it's done. I succeeded in my first attempt at the barrier."

"It's done?! It's really, really done?!"

Madam Han's lips trembled as she confirmed it repeatedly. "Heaven has opened its eyes! The ancestors have blessed us! My son, my son has a future!"

Chen Qing smiled. "From now on, I can continue to learn martial arts from my master."

"That's great, that's truly great."

Madam Han's hands shook with excitement. "Then... then can you participate in the Martial Arts Examination?"

The Martial Arts Examination was the easiest path for an ordinary person to change their destiny.

Once one passed, their status would immediately undergo a earth-shaking change.

Even a Martial Scholar could be exempted from many taxes, relieving the immense pressure of daily life.

If one were to pass the provincial level, they could not only hold an official position in Gaolin but also eat the emperor's grain, and even be exempt from kneeling when seeing the county magistrate.

For ordinary people, it was unimaginable.

And the greatest wish of Old Master Chen was for Chen Heng to pass and let him enjoy a life of ease.

Chen Qing waved his hand. "Mother, with my current strength, participating in the Martial Arts Examination is still too much of a stretch..."

Out of the dozens of people in the Zhou courtyard who had reached Mingjin, very few dared to attempt the Martial Arts Examination.

From that, one could tell how difficult it was to pass.

However, he would now have to prepare for the exam. Only by making a name for himself there could he truly be considered to have made something of himself.

Madam Han's heart dimmed quickly. She slowly sat back down on the low stool and lowered her head, unable to help but feel a sense of guilt. "It's good that you succeeded. It's your mother who is useless and can't help you..."

She couldn't continue, her shoulders trembling slightly.

She had seen the three months of torment Chen Qing had endured, training with his life on the line, and it pained her heart.

Now that there was a glimmer of hope for her son's future, she couldn't help him at all.

Chen Qing comforted her, "Mother, I've reached Mingjin now, and I can take on guard work. You don't need to worry about these things."

"Can you earn money by working as a guard?"

Madam Han murmured, a spark of hope reigniting in her eyes.

Chen Qing nodded.

Madam Han wiped the corners of her eyes and pulled a blue cloth bundle from the bottom of the cabinet. "We should celebrate today."

Chen Qing nodded. If he could eat more meat and consume some Blood Qi Powder, it would indeed speed up his progress.

Before long, Madam Han returned, carrying three small fish tied with a piece of straw rope.

The fish were small, their tails still twitching slightly; they were clearly freshly caught.

Madam Han sat on the deck, using the faint light to scale and gut the fish.

She carefully collected the fish bladders and a bit of roe in a small bowl, not even wanting to throw away the fish heads.

"Send one to your grandfather's house and tell him the good news while you're at it."

Madam Han took a cleaned fish and said, "Mother will stew fish soup for you at home."

Chen Qing frowned slightly. "Mother, let's forget it."

"Silly child, you don't understand."

Madam Han insisted, stuffing the fish into Chen Qing's hands, her voice lowering. "If your grandfather knows you succeeded on your first attempt, who knows? He might be happy and think more highly of you in the future. We don't fight or grab, but if we don't try, how can we expect a pie to fall from the sky?"

Chen Qing knew he couldn't win, so he wrapped the fish in lotus leaves, layer upon layer, before leaving the boat.

When he reached the vicinity of the old Chen family residence, Chen Qing's pace slowed.

He remembered his grandfather's cold words about his martial arts training and his second aunt's calculating nature.

His mother's intentions were good, but the fish... if he gave it to them, they might not appreciate it.

Looking at the fish wrapped tightly in lotus leaves, his heart stirred. He looked left and right, and seeing no one, he quickly hid the lotus leaf bundle in the crevices of the dense roots of an old locust tree next to the old house, covering it slightly with a few stones.

After doing this, he walked toward the mottled wooden door empty-handed, taking a deep breath.

Before long, he arrived at the old Chen residence.

"Knock, knock!"

The mottled wooden door of the old house made a dull sound.

"Who is it?"

Old Master Chen's hoarse voice came from inside.

"Grandfather, it's me!"

The door creaked open. Old Master Chen squinted his dim eyes, and upon seeing who it was, his face darkened. "What made you think of coming today?"

Ever since he learned that Chen Qing was learning martial arts, the old man had been holding a grudge.

In his view, such a big matter should have been reported to him; clearly, Chen Qing did not "respect" him.

Chen Qing entered empty-handed. "Grandfather."

"Come in."

Seeing him empty-handed, Old Master Chen's face darkened further, and his tone became even colder.

His second aunt was busy in the kitchen, but his second uncle was nowhere to be seen; he was surely hiding in his room, being lazy.

Old Master Chen tapped his copper pipe and asked as if casually, "I heard you apprenticed under an old bodyguard?"

Chen Qing nodded. "Master worked as a bodyguard in his early years and has now retired to teach disciples at home."

Old Master Chen's brows knitted into a knot.

A retired bodyguard was either injured or old and frail; what kind of results could he teach?

He took a deep drag of his pipe and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Learning martial arts requires meat at every meal... the silver flows like water..."

His meaning was clear: he wanted to persuade Chen Qing to give up martial arts.

After all, if the martial arts training didn't succeed, all the money spent would be wasted.

Giving up now would be cutting his losses.

Chen Qing nodded. "I will work hard."

Old Master Chen frowned. "With your bone structure, you are destined to have no future in martial arts. It would be better to be honest and follow your father..."

His tone became somewhat stern.

Chen Qing said earnestly, "Thank you for your teachings, Grandfather, but I have already made up my mind."

"Good!"

Hearing this, Old Master Chen felt a surge of annoyance. "Your father was such an honest man. You are doing this on purpose to anger me to death..."

The second aunt came out wearing an apron, looking heartbroken. "A-Qing, your grandfather is doing this for your own good."

In her view, Chen Qing was just wasting money.

Chen Qing didn't hide it anymore. "Grandfather, Second Aunt, I have reached the Mingjin stage."

"What did you say!?"

Old Master Chen's hand paused, and a look of surprise appeared in his aged eyes.

Mingjin!?

He naturally knew what Mingjin meant. It meant truly stepping onto the path of martial arts, not only being able to participate in the Martial Arts Examination but also not having to worry about food and drink.

His own useless grandson had actually reached Mingjin?

Chen Qing repeated, "Grandfather, I have reached Mingjin and am qualified to participate in next year's Martial Arts Examination."

The second aunt was also somewhat stunned.

Could this silly boy Chen Qing really have the luck of the foolish? To have succeeded in his first attempt at the barrier by sheer luck!?

"Good! Good! Good!"

Old Master Chen suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.

He stood up shakily and patted Chen Qing's shoulder hard. "It was my old eyes that were dim. I didn't expect my Chen family to produce another promising one!"

The displeasure of him arriving empty-handed seemed to vanish in an instant.

Chen Qing said, "Grandfather is too kind."

The second aunt rolled her eyes and asked with feigned concern, "A-Qing, when did you break through to Mingjin?"

Chen Qing said calmly, "I only reached it today."

Hearing this, the second aunt's tense shoulders relaxed imperceptibly.

Judging by the time Chen Qing had been training, it had taken him nearly three months to reach Mingjin. According to what Chen Heng had said, it was basically very difficult to reach the Anjin stage on a second attempt.

Old Master Chen's smile remained, but his eyes were no longer as eager as before.

Afterward, Chen Qing chatted with Old Master Chen.

Old Master Chen's attitude had changed drastically, and his words were filled with a measure of concern.

Chen Qing checked the time and said, "Grandfather, it's getting late, so I'll head back first."

"Look at this old fool."

Old Master Chen patted his own head. "Go on back quickly. It'll be troublesome once it gets dark."

In this day and age, few ordinary people dared to walk the roads at night.

Chen Qing left the old house.

Old Master Chen watched Chen Qing's retreating figure and began to ponder.

Learning martial arts and participating in the Martial Arts Examination was not easy; it required silver.

Although he had saved quite a bit over the years, supporting Chen Heng's training had already stretched him thin; he simply had no ability to support Chen Qing.

"Father, Heng'er said that the later the first attempt at the barrier..."

The second aunt said quietly from the side, "If he's lucky, it's normal to succeed on the first attempt..."

"I know."

Old Master Chen interrupted her, his voice hoarse.

How could he not understand? Compared to Chen Heng, Chen Qing's aptitude was clearly a notch lower, and his success on the first attempt was very marginal; the possibility of him advancing further in the future was not high.

And Chen Heng had a better chance of succeeding on his second attempt, and a greater chance of achieving fame.

He should be putting all his resources into Chen Heng now.

"What a pity..."

Old Master Chen looked in the direction Chen Qing had left and shook his head slightly.