Chapter 494: Chapter 45: Northern Border War Ignites (Part 2)

"At that time, the teacher was also in the Northern Garrison Army..."

Jia Nanzhu’s eyes carried a sense of reminiscence, back then, he was only a Sixth-Grade Martial Artist, and like several other senior brothers, had written his will to his family, willing not to withdraw unless the Northern Border Demon Race was completely annihilated in this battle.

But it was the State Preceptor of Han Kingdom’s action that made Liang give up.

Twenty years ago, Liang was not yet strong enough to fight on multiple fronts, and it was uncertain whether Han Kingdom would personally intervene in the end.

"Teacher, what is Han Kingdom’s purpose in doing this?"

"Among the Nine Kingdoms, except for Han Kingdom, each of the other Eight Kingdoms has had a period of rise, but most of them weakened after one or two centuries, while only Han Kingdom has remained perpetually strong, because Han Kingdom chooses to support weaker nations."

Jia Nanzhu noticed Lin Chen’s puzzlement and explained, "During the previous dynasty of Great Chu, why did Han Kingdom help the Grand Ancestor Emperor? It wasn’t out of kindness, but rather because Han Kingdom didn’t want to see other countries become powerful after occupying our Liang’s territories. For Han Kingdom, whenever one of the other Eight Kingdoms starts to rise, it suppresses that kingdom by supporting countries around it to counter it."

"What a strategy."

Lin Chen’s eyes showed a look of contemplation, and Han Kingdom’s style reminded him of a certain country from his past life.

Suppressing the rising nations and supporting the weaker ones to achieve a balance so they can always reap the benefits like a fisherman catching fish.

"The Martial Arts Garden published the Hidden Dragon List and reached agreements with various countries, stating that all the hundred geniuses on the Hidden Dragon List will be under the protection of the Martial Arts Garden, and no country shall assassinate these listed geniuses. No kingdom dares to ignore the existence of the Martial Arts Garden."

Jia Nanzhu looked at Lin Chen, "This time, with the Flame Dynasty’s news being revealed, you geniuses are not only representatives of potential but also the foundation of confidence for each nation."

"Once the Flame Dynasty arrives, it is highly probable that the real determinant of a nation’s direction will be you geniuses. As long as our Liang has enough Martial Path geniuses, the other countries will remain apprehensive."

"Return to Canglan Martial Arts Academy, and Dean Hua will quickly help you reach the Seventh, Eighth, or even Entering the Grade stage."

Lin Chen understood what his teacher meant, that other countries now have to fear not only First-Grade Martial Artists but also geniuses like them.

If he could ascend to the first rank of the Celestial List, other countries would have to consider the possibility that if they became hostile to Liang, the powers of the Flame Dynasty might come for him, and he would use the Martial Artists of Flame Dynasty against them.

"Alright, I will return to Canglan Martial Arts Academy tomorrow."

...

...

That night, within the Martial Arts Garden, Lin Chen met many of his junior brothers.

Lu Yongfeng and Zhao Jingchuan, who had already broken through the Viscera-Refining stage, as well as Yu Fei, Gu Shan, and Fu Ang...

The faces of everyone were full of excitement, just because an hour ago, the Raozhou Prefecture issued a document informing all the people of Raozhou Prefecture about the Northern Border war situation.

"Senior Brother Lin, I really can’t wait to go to the Northern Border and join the army to fight against the Demon Race."

"That’s right, those Demon Races caused chaos in Jiangnan Dao back then, and we weren’t even born at that time. Now, we finally have the chance to reclaim it from the Northern Border Demon Race."

Gu Shan nodded heavily. When Liang no longer concealed the matters of the Demon Race, Lord Kong personally went to Jiangnan Dao to pay homage to the predecessors who died fighting the Demon Race. This hidden history planted a kind of drive in the heart of every Jiangnan Dao youth.

"Fellow Junior Brothers!"

Lin Chen looked at everyone’s excited expressions and raised his hand to stop the others who wanted to continue speaking: "Everyone, believe in the Imperial Court, believe in those seniors and lords, with them in place, there will be no problem at Liang’s Northern Border."

"I understand everyone’s feelings, even I can’t wait to go to the Northern Border, drink the blood of the Demon Race with laughter, to commemorate the millions of dead from my Jiangnan Dao and those heroic predecessors who sacrificed themselves."

"For us, we must strive to practice hard and aim to enter the Grade as soon as possible."

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s words, Gu Shan and others calmed down. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Senior Brother Lin is right, our strength is still too weak."

Though Viscera-Refining Martial Artists could deal with the Demon Race, it was mostly due to their numerical advantage. To truly eliminate the Demon Race relied more on the Grade-Entering Martial Artists.

After sending off Gu Shan and the others, Lin Chen looked at the bright moon in the sky and suddenly thought that the Demon Race’s invasion of the Northern Border might not be a bad thing for Liang. At least it spurred the younger generation to work harder on the Martial Path.

Of course, this is only if it is just the Northern Border Demon Race and no other changes occur afterward.

...

...

Seven days later!

At Canglan Martial Arts Academy, Lin Chen returned, and before he could see Dean Hua, he first ran into Fang Zhan.

"Senior Brother Lin, Junior Brother Xiao has returned to the Northern Border."

Returned to the Northern Border?

Lin Chen’s pupils contracted sharply, could it be that Junior Brother Xiao really had something to do with the Xiao Family of the Northern Border?

"Senior Brother Lin, before Junior Brother Xiao left, he asked me to apologize to you. It wasn’t his intention to hide his true identity, but he just didn’t want to cause trouble for the academy. Junior Brother Xiao is not named Xiao Huohuo, his real name is Xiao Yaojin, the Young Master of Northern Garrison Marquis Mansion."

Fang Zhan spoke slowly, with the invasion of the Northern Border Demon Race, Xiao Yaojin couldn’t stay in Canglan Martial Arts Academy. He left for the Northern Border the day after he learned of the news.

"The Young Master of Northern Garrison Marquis Mansion?"

Hearing Fang Zhan’s words, Lin Chen’s eyes were filled with shock. He had thought Junior Brother Xiao might be related to the Northern Garrison Marquis Mansion but never expected him to be the Young Master.

"Then what about you, Junior Brother Fang?"

Thinking of the familiarity between Junior Brother Xiao and Junior Brother Fang, it was clear their family elders knew each other.

"I am from the Southern Fang Family, my grandfather is Fang Funan."

Fang Funan?

This name was not unfamiliar to Lin Chen.

North Xiao, South Fang!

The two great families of Liang.

Fang Funan, a First-Grade General, stationed at Liang’s southern region, is the Sea-Stabilizing Needle of Liang’s south, with a prestige no less than the Old Marquis of the Northern Garrison.

"I didn’t expect that there were two third-generation heirs hiding by my side."

Lin Chen chuckled bitterly, seeing the puzzled look in Fang Zhan’s eyes, he didn’t explain the meaning of "third generation," thinking Junior Brother Fang would figure it out himself later.

"Senior Brother Lin, it wasn’t my intention to hide my identity either, but once I entered the Martial Arts Academy, I was just a disciple of the academy, and family credentials counted for nothing here."

"I understand, I don’t blame you."

Lin Chen patted Fang Zhan’s shoulder and smiled, "Let’s head back first. I have to see the dean."

"Alright, Senior Brother, I will take my leave then."

After Fang Zhan’s departure, Lin Chen did not immediately seek out Senior Sister but went to the dean’s courtyard instead.

"You’re back?"

Hua Qianwu looked at Lin Chen returning with a smile on his face, "This trip to Lingxiao City was worth it, Hou Zhantian sent me multiple letters, claiming that Canglan Martial Arts Academy can name any condition they want if they’re willing to let you go."

"Dean Hou has high regards for this disciple."

Lin Chen smiled, not expecting that Dean Hou would even mention this to his own dean.

"Don’t underestimate yourself." Hua Qianwu waved his hand, "Your teacher has already told me about your situation in Poyang County. Now that you have reached the Sixth Transformation, it’s time to start considering the Seventh, Eighth, and even the Ninth Transformation."

"The energy of Canglan Mountain can help you achieve the Seventh Transformation. Originally, I was planning to reserve it for when you reach the Nine Revolutions, but now with unexpected changes, the priority is to enhance your strength first."

The unexpected change, Lin Chen knew in his heart, referred to the Northern Border Demon Race’s invasion.

"Thank you, Dean."

"Tomorrow, I will take you to the Canglan Mountain Range."

Hua Qianwu’s words stunned Lin Chen, was it that urgent?

"The Martial Arts Garden has made an agreement with the Nine Kingdoms, where the top ten of the Earth List can go to the Yunze Land in Ze Kingdom in three months."

"Yunze Land?"

"Yunze Land is a sacred place in Ze Kingdom, where the mist contains energy which can assist you in the Eighth Transformation. This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for you."

Hua Qianwu smiled faintly, "The training plan for the geniuses on the list set by the Martial Arts Garden coincidentally gives you a perfect opportunity."

Is it really coincidental?

A thought suddenly emerged in Lin Chen’s mind, that the Martial Arts Garden’s arrangement seemed almost as if it was intentionally designed for him.

However, this thought only lingered in his mind for a moment before Lin Chen dismissed it.

Even if the Martial Arts Garden favored him, it’s impossible for them to set such a training plan specifically for him.

The geniuses favored by the Martial Arts Garden should not be limited to himself alone.