Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 232 - 67: Targeting Lin Chen (Part 3)

"Since the knife is sharpened, it must be used." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Father, my concern is that Lord Xing has just arrived at Raozhou Prefecture. He might be cautious or choose to handle the matter privately because of Lin Chen’s talent."

Pa!

A chess piece fell on the board with a crisp sound from Huo Zhong.

"The Li Family disclosed to me that Xing Huaifeng and Li Yuan were Advanced Scholars in the same year."

Huo Kang slightly opened his mouth, "Was Xing Huaifeng’s appointment as Director of the Military Affairs Department in Raozhou Prefecture due to the Li Family’s influence?"

"Otherwise, how do you think Xing Huaifeng managed to become Director of the Military Affairs Department? In a whole prefecture, there are quite a few Seventh-Grade Martial Artists, but there’s only one Director."

"If that’s the case, Lin Chen’s unfilial reputation will be confirmed. Even if there’s more to it, forget about competing for the top student model of Jiangnan Dao."

"When you strike a snake, you must kill it. Not only will he have no chance in competing for the Jiangnan Dao top student model, but his qualification for the future Martial Arts Examination must also be revoked."

Huo Zhong glanced at his son. Lin Chen’s martial arts talent is evident. What the Huo Family plans today won’t remain hidden once Shu’Er and Li Zhe are wed. If Lin Chen rises, it could be a major threat to the Huo Family in the future.

Revoking his Martial Arts Examination qualification means Lin Chen will no longer obtain resources from the Martial Affairs Office and the Military Affairs Department for cultivation. Given his family’s standing, he’ll only reach Refining the Viscera in his lifetime.

After a few years, arrange for Lin Chen to quietly disappear. Nobody will risk offending the rising Huo Family for a fallen genius.

"We must also thank the Old Marquis’s demise. If it weren’t for his passing, a few capable of competing for the Director position would have gone to the Northern Border. Even with the Li Family’s backing, Xing Huaifeng might not have secured the Director position of the Military Affairs Department in Raozhou Prefecture."

Riding on the favorable winds, the Huo Family ascends to Qingyun. For this alone, I should offer a few more incense sticks to the Old Marquis when the time comes.

...

...

In Poyang County, He Ruyun was shocked to receive the report that the Director of the Military Affairs Department, along with numerous office directors, was headed to Poyang County.

This newly appointed Director, calculating the time, should have just taken office. Yet, he’s visiting Poyang County right away?

Reflecting on his conversation with Su Lingchuan a few days earlier, He Ruyun had a hunch that Lord Xing might have malevolent intentions.

"My lord, there’s someone at the gate asking to see you. It’s someone closely associated with Lord Su."

Upon hearing this from his subordinate, He Ruyun immediately waved his hand, "Let him in."

Shortly after, a trusted subordinate of Su Lingchuan hurried in, "Lord He, our lord instructed me to inform you that this time, Lord Xing is targeting Lin Chen."

"Targeting Lin Chen? Explain clearly!"

If it was aimed at Su Lingchuan, He Ruyun would have to consider whether to get involved. But with Lin Chen being the target, there’s no need for such deliberation.

He is the County Magistrate of Poyang; Lin Chen is from Poyang County. Having an outstanding martial artist in his jurisdiction is a significant achievement credited to the Martial Affairs Office, but as County Magistrate, he can gain some credit too.

The critical point is that the Director of the Military Affairs Department has no authority over him. His superior is the Prefect of Raozhou Prefecture.

He had also investigated Lord Xing’s background. Although a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, he was over sixty, likely to remain at this level in his lifetime. Furthermore, his family, the Xing Family, produced only one Ninth-Grade Martial Artist before his time.

"Lin Ming personally accused Lin Chen of being unfilial?"

He Ruyun pondered briefly, recalling that subordinates had reported an issue involving a cousin of Lin Chen with a human trafficking case. They sought his directive on whether to conduct a city-wide search for the cousin.

At the time, considering Lin Chen’s reputation, he had not given a formal order, allowing subordinates to infer his intention.

No need for a city-wide search for Lin Chen’s cousin, but if he appeared voluntarily, he should indeed be arrested.

"Inform Chief You, since the criminal has shown up, go and apprehend him swiftly."

Su Lingchuan’s trusted subordinate instantly understood He Ruyun’s intent to delay, buying more time.

"One task need not trouble two masters. I will handle the delay here; you head to Linhu Village. The village chief there is a wise man. Once informed, he’ll know what to do."

"Thank you, my lord," Su Lingchuan’s trusted subordinate replied excitedly.

...

...

"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhang."

Elsewhere, Su Lingchuan, just having entered the city from North City, glanced at Xing Huaifeng, who was several dozen yards ahead, and quietly thanked Zhang Wangshan beside him.

The city was bustling with people. Although Xing Huaifeng was Seventh-Grade, his Qi Blood was waning with age, preventing him from overhearing their conversation at such a distance.

He managed to relay the information to his confidant due to a delay in borrowing horses from the Military Affairs Department’s stables, which were unexpectedly short of horses.

Typically, the Military Affairs Department’s stables are adequately provisioned. Su Lingchuan was well aware, knowing that the stable manager was a distant relative of Zhang Wangshan.

"Though I lost to you in the county competition and feel unreconciled, I wholeheartedly admire Lin Chen. Such talent should not be destroyed by certain individuals."

Zhang Wangshan whispered. After the county competition ended, Shen Ge expressed interest in learning more about Lin Chen. Zhang Wangshan had sent someone to gather information, moved even by Lin Chen’s martial arts journey.

Su Lingchuan nodded, "I won’t let them succeed."

"Lord Xing Huaifeng probably never crossed paths with Lin Chen, suggesting hidden motives," Zhang Wangshan indicated Huaifeng’s silhouette with a nod, while a spark flashed in Su Lingchuan’s eyes, thinking of the Huo Family in Raozhou Prefecture.