Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Facing

Guo Wei was already famous.

Especially around Wine Street.

Chu Lingguang had already added to his fame on three separate occasions.

Guo Wei no longer cared much for his reputation around Wine Street, especially since this recent bout of fame was focused mainly on Chu Lingguang. The title “future Martial Arts Scholar” filled him with anxiety for Chu Lingguang’s Martial Arts Examination two months away.

Thus, Chu Lingguang only received a little over ten Favor Points this time.

As Chu Lingguang checked his status panel, Guo Wei was busy handling the aftermath for him. He worried Tie Zhennan would interfere and make things incredibly difficult for Chu Lingguang during the Martial Arts Examination.

Favor Points: 186

Tidal Breathing Technique (300/300)

Turtle Breath Technique (61/500)

Heaven and Earth Technique (102/1000)

Continuous Slash Saber Technique (51/300)

(Remaining Lifespan: 97 years)

After a moment of thought, Chu Lingguang decided to spend all his Favor Points on the Continuous Slash Saber Technique. This technique was a special skill that utilized the principle of Borrowing Strength, where its Five Blades Continuous Slash grew stronger with each consecutive strike. If he mastered this core principle, he could apply the skill to his other Kung Fu as well.

’If this “future Martial Arts Scholar” reputation really makes me a public target, this Saber Technique will serve as a good safeguard,’ he reasoned.

His status panel updated.

Favor Points: None

Continuous Slash Saber Technique (237/300)

Although the value increased, Chu Lingguang didn’t experience a Flash of Inspiration. To completely master the Continuous Slash Saber Technique, he had to do more than just raise the number; he needed to activate it himself.

It had been the same for the Iron Mountain Saber Technique and the Basic Thirteen Spear Techniques, as well as for Skillful Force. Once a skill was successfully activated and its value brought to Perfection, the lethality it produced would far exceed that of an ordinary person.

The next morning, Chu Lingguang trained as usual.

The value for his Skillful Force had already reached Perfection.

However, of its three layers of power, he had only activated the first. The remaining two layers were still vague, so Chu Lingguang could only try to activate them through repetitive practice.

Guo Wei had his people keep an eye on the surroundings.

「Two days later」

Guo Wei’s expression was grave. Over in Qinghe County, the title of Chu Lingguang as a “future Martial Arts Scholar” was already spreading. Regardless of whether Tie Zhennan was interfering, Chu Lingguang’s fame seemed to have spread through several nearby counties in just a few days.

All sorts of opinions were being voiced.

Guo Wei himself felt the pressure.

With his reputation spreading so widely, if Chu Lingguang were to fail the Provincial Examination, both he and his master would become laughingstocks. Even though Guo Wei had taught Yang Shaorong, people would fixate on Chu Lingguang’s failure and never let it go.

“Congratulations, Master Guo.”

Chief Ma paid a sudden visit to congratulate Guo Wei on taking such a fine disciple, saying he wanted to meet Chu Lingguang. Guo Wei made an excuse to put him off, personally saw Chief Ma out, and earnestly warned him not to visit the Martial Arts Hall again before the Daoist Examination.

As he was leaving, Chief Ma said, “Many people from the martial arts world have come to Baiyang County recently. I heard that Lin Yuanfu, a candidate who failed the last Provincial Examination in Qinghe County, has already gone to Liu Family Gully.”

“Thank you for the warning.”

Guo Wei’s expression was grave; he understood Chief Ma’s meaning. After seeing the man off, he watched the students training in the front courtyard and the Inner Courtyard. He made a decision: he would temporarily dismiss everyone and close the Martial Arts Hall for three months. It would only reopen for classes after the Daoist Examination was over.

He also had Guo Fang hang a sign on the gate reading, “Closed to Visitors.”

Of course, before dismissing the students, Guo Wei gave each of them some individual pointers to soothe their feelings. He instructed them not to forget to practice the Iron Mountain Fist at home, reminding them that with persistent training, they could sooner or later develop Fist Force just like Chu Lingguang.

“Dad, there’s someone at the gate,” Guo Fang said.

“I’m not seeing anyone. Tell them to leave,” Guo Wei said without hesitation.

“I did, but they won’t leave,” Guo Fang complained.

“Then ignore them. Let them wait at the gate,” Guo Wei snorted.

「The next day」

“Master Guo!”

…

Shortly after dawn, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu were awakened by shouting from outside the gate.

“Dad, a crowd of people is outside, clamoring to see you,” Guo Fang said angrily.

“Master, I think they’re here for Junior Brother,” Hei Hu said after going out to investigate.

“Master, I’m sorry.”

Chu Lingguang knew that his title of “future Martial Arts Scholar” was what had caused all this trouble.

“No one can resist the lure of fame and fortune. I overestimated the decency of these people. I should have taken you and Hei Hu away to hide for a few days,” Guo Wei sighed.

After finding out more, he discovered that among the people blocking the gate were not only candidates who had failed the last Provincial Examination, but also several who had passed the last Daoist Examination. These men would be participating in next year’s Provincial Examination. On one hand, they wanted to test their own strength; on the other, they wanted to use Chu Lingguang to make a name for themselves.

“Master, why don’t you let me go out and face them?” Hei Hu asked, eager for a fight.

For over a year, Chu Lingguang had been the one earning fame for Guo Wei, while Hei Hu had yet to bring his master any real honor. The outside world called him astonishingly talented, but the one who repeatedly made Guo Wei proud was Chu Lingguang. Deep down, Hei Hu was resentful.

“You’d only go out there and make a fool of yourself!” Guo Wei said, his face dark.

Hei Hu still couldn’t overcome his impetuous and overeager temperament.

“I was wrong, Master.”

Hei Hu lowered his head and stepped back.

“Dad, that crowd is blocking the gate and won’t leave. All the neighbors are gathering to watch. What should we do?” Guo Fang asked, conflicted.

Guo Wei turned to look at Chu Lingguang.

Chu Lingguang quickly said, “Master, I’ll do whatever you ask.”

“This isn’t your fault. I have a plan. You and Hei Hu go wait in the Inner Courtyard,” Guo Wei sighed.

Chu Lingguang had always been calm and composed. Aside from not being particularly quick-witted, he handled things well. Guo Wei knew he couldn’t be blamed.

However, now that things had escalated to this point, Guo Wei knew a confrontation was unavoidable. There were some things Chu Lingguang would have to face himself.

“Yes, Master.”

Chu Lingguang nodded and obediently went to the Inner Courtyard with Hei Hu.

“Open the gate.”

Guo Wei went out personally to face the crowd at the gate.

「Fifteen minutes later」

Two men followed Guo Wei inside. He led them to the Inner Courtyard.

Waiting in the Inner Courtyard, Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu saw the strangers enter and stood up, their eyes fixed on them.

“This is Lin Yuanfu from Qinghe County,” Guo Wei said, gesturing to a dark-skinned young man. “His Dragon Stick Technique is unpredictable and ever-changing. In the last Provincial Examination, he was just one place shy of passing.”

“A pleasure to meet you both,” Lin Yuanfu said, clasping his fist.

“Greetings, Lin.”

Chu Lingguang and Hei Hu exchanged a glance and replied in unison, clasping their fists.

“And this is a martial arts candidate from our own Baiyang County, Teng Qingshan,” Guo Wei said, gesturing to the other man. “He placed twenty-third in the last Daoist Examination, ahead of Da Wu and Xiao Wu.”

Teng Qingshan was tall and powerfully built. He held a Long Spear, and his eyes held an unyielding sharpness. It was clear at a glance that he was a fiercely competitive person.

“Which of you is Chu Lingguang?” Teng Qingshan asked, cupping one fist in his other hand.

“I am,” Chu Lingguang said, stepping forward.

Upon hearing this, a fierce light flashed in Teng Qingshan’s eyes, like a hungry wolf finding its prey. Lin Yuanfu, standing to the side, looked on with great interest. The two of them had traveled a long way to cross hands with Chu Lingguang and were itching for a fight.

Chu Lingguang frowned slightly. He did not enjoy being targeted like this.

“Lin Guang is right in front of you,” Guo Wei said, as if they had struck some kind of deal. “But we have an agreement: no matter who wins, you two will deal with any trouble that comes after this.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep