Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 307 - 94: Apprenticeship

The courtyard of the Military Affairs Hall.

Lin Chen did not stay in the main hall all the time. He left after discussions about him were concluded. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

As the Military Affairs Hall responsible for the entire Jiangnan Dao, it was impossible to hold a meeting specifically for Lin Chen. This time, when Shao Jingshan gathered the directors of the Military Affairs Departments from various prefectures, there were certainly other official matters to attend to.

A quarter of an hour later.

Jia Nanzhu appeared in the courtyard.

Lin Chen saluted and said, "Instructor Jia, you’ve kept it from me for a long time."

"Kept it from you?" Jia Nanzhu looked puzzled.

"How could an instructor have such a prominent seat in the main hall?"

Hearing this, Jia Nanzhu smiled slightly and said, "Before I went to the special training ground, I indeed held a significant position in the Military Affairs Hall. But before I met you, I had already resigned. Now, I’m just an ordinary instructor under the Military Affairs Hall."

An ordinary instructor indeed!

Lin Chen’s mouth twitched slightly; such words were on par with the unassuming Ge Letian.

"I have good news for you. The Military Affairs Department has not announced your second recognition on the Martial Arts Mountain because they want to see if you can achieve a third recognition on the Martial Arts Mountain."

"A third recognition?"

This time, Lin Chen didn’t feign modesty but pondered for a moment before saying, "I am confident about it."

Having consecutively gained recognition at the eighteenth and nineteenth acupoints, to say that he couldn’t get recognized at later acupoints would be overly modest, and excessive modesty is insincere.

"I also believe that the likelihood of you getting recognized again on the Martial Arts Mountain is very high."

Jia Nanzhu nodded, acknowledging Lin Chen’s confidence.

"For your upcoming training, do you intend to stay in Hongdu Prefecture, or return to Poyang County?"

"I wish to return to Poyang County."

Having lived in Poyang County for so many years, he was still accustomed to it, and there were many familiar people in Poyang County.

"Want to return home in glory?"

"I’m not quite at the point of returning home in glory yet."

Lin Chen scratched his head in embarrassment. To say he didn’t have such thoughts would be untrue.

He wasn’t a saint. Showing off a bit was still somewhat satisfying. In fact, to some extent, returning home in glory was one of the motivations for his martial arts practice and struggles.

"Title on the Golden List of the Martial Arts Examination used to be considered returning home in glory, but gaining recognition on the Martial Arts Mountain is even more difficult than earning a title on the Golden List. It’s just that in terms of strength, there is some disparity with the Martial Arts Examination."

Jia Nanzhu explained with a smile. Recognition on the Martial Arts Mountain might only occur once every few years, or even every ten years, whereas the Martial Arts Examination takes place every three years, or sometimes every two years.

In each session of the Martial Arts Examination, there are about a dozen advanced scholars emerging from Jiangnan Dao, and across the entire Liang, about two hundred advanced scholars can earn a title on the Golden List.

In terms of numbers and timing, the difficulty of gaining recognition on the Martial Arts Mountain far surpasses that of the Martial Arts Examination.

This is also why the Traveling Mansion in Jiangnan Dao issued a document instructing the Raozhou Prefecture to erect a ’Martial Encouragement Stele’ for Lin Chen. In the Martial Arts Examination, only those who achieved first-class results have the qualifications to erect a ceremonial arch, and to erect a stele, one must be one of the top three.

"I just remembered something interesting. Currently, among the martial artists in Jiangnan Dao, there is only one who received three stone steles from the Imperial Court. With your potential, you might have a chance to receive two stone steles. If you have other opportunities in the future, you might be able to catch up with this predecessor."

"Three stone steles? Can’t I just get recognized on the Martial Arts Mountain three times?"

Jia Nanzhu snorted lightly, "Do you think steles from the Imperial Court are so easily granted? The highest reward for academy students is this Martial Encouragement Stele, and one can only receive it once. Even if you get recognized at every acupoint realm on the Martial Arts Mountain afterwards, the Imperial Court won’t send you a second Martial Encouragement Stele. To receive a second one, you must enter the top three in the Martial Arts Examination. Throughout Jiangnan Dao, those who can receive two steles from the Imperial Court before Entering the Grade are exceedingly rare."

"I see."

Lin Chen suddenly understood. On second thought, it made sense. If recognition earned a stele each time, the Martial Encouragement Stele would be too cheap.

"Originally, becoming the exemplar Martial Arts student in Jiangnan Dao would earn you a Martial Encouragement Stele, but since you already have one, the Traveling Mansion in Jiangnan Dao naturally won’t grant you a second Martial Encouragement Stele. The rules of Liang are such that the same stele can only be received once."

"I’m not very concerned about these things..."

"Wrong!"

Jia Nanzhu’s expression turned serious, "The steles from the Imperial Court are Liang’s highest awards to a martial artist besides training resources. Do not underestimate the Martial Encouragement Stele. It’s not just an honor. As long as this stele exists, the Director of the Poyang County Martial Affairs Office will visit your home every year. Regarding any matters related to martial arts education in Raozhou Prefecture, should there be any new developments, the Military Affairs Department will issue documents to you, seeking your opinion. As for policies issued by the Poyang County Martial Affairs Office, you can directly veto them."

"Regarding yourself, with this stele, once you Enter the Grade, you can directly hold a position in a government office, without needing to participate in the Martial Arts Examination. Also, the contribution points needed for redeeming treasures from the Imperial Court’s Treasure Vault will have discounts compared to others. However, this isn’t the most important aspect of the Martial Encouragement Stele. The most important aspect of the Martial Encouragement Stele... I’ll tell you more after you Enter the Grade..."

"Junior Brother Jia, no need to hide it. The most important aspect of the Martial Encouragement Stele is that in some regions within Liang, only those who meet certain conditions can enter."

Shao Jingshan appeared at the entrance of the courtyard, striding in.

"Disciple greets Lord Shao."

Lin Chen quickly saluted, and Shao Jingshan waved his hand, "There were some secrets I wanted to wait and tell you after you Enter the Grade. But with your potential in the Martial Path, entering the grade should be no problem. There’s no harm in telling you now, Junior Brother Jia, it doesn’t break any rules."