Free Web NovelChapter 499: Chapter 216: Sect Inheritance, A Heavy Burden and a Long Road
Becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster was the ultimate goal for every Martial Artist. Countless Martial Arts Scholars, weary of the court’s political struggles, would resign their posts and return to their hometowns to establish Martial Arts Halls. Their only wish was to train a few new Martial Arts Scholars, live out their golden years in peace, and achieve widespread fame.
However, the difficulty of becoming a Martial Arts Grandmaster was so immense that very few ever succeeded. Since the founding of the Great Yuan, Baiyang County had only produced one: Guo Wei.
During the two days that Guo Wei was under investigation and hosting Yu Wanshao, Chu Lingguang was busy earning all sorts of Favor Points. Now that he was a high-ranking graduate of the Provincial Examination, his future was limitless even in the eyes of Lord Xu. To the common folk, he was someone completely beyond their reach.
When the local villagers sought his help, a single word from him was enough to resolve the matter perfectly, as long as no lives were at stake. He could also swiftly settle minor land disputes.
Of course, this meant he frequently had to deal with Lord Xu.
Lord Xu helped him handle many neighborhood matters, and in return, Chu Lingguang treated Lord Xu to a banquet on Wine Street.
So far, the favors had been one-sided; Chu Lingguang had been asking Lord Xu for help, but Lord Xu had yet to ask for anything in return. However, Chu Lingguang soon found an opportunity. He learned that Lord Xu had a son who was preparing for the future Martial Arts Examination but didn’t know much about the Advanced Breathing Method.
He offered a few pointers based on his own knowledge and wrote down some of his personal insights, which he then gave to Lord Xu. Lord Xu was pleasantly surprised and deeply flattered. After that, he put his utmost effort into handling any matter Chu Lingguang brought to him.
In this way, Chu Lingguang not only earned a fine reputation in places like Liu Family Gully and Zhang Family Gully but also reaped a huge amount of Favor Points.
The day before he was to set off for the Imperial City, Guo Wei placed several thick books into Chu Lingguang’s hands. "Lin Guang," he said, "in here are some of the Martial Arts you have learned and some you have not. There are even some that I, your master, have never practiced. But these are the legacy of our school, passed down through generations. Every technique comes with detailed annotations and insights left by our predecessors. You must keep them safe. Under no circumstances can you allow them to be lost or damaged."
"Master... This is..."
Chu Lingguang was stunned. ’This is nothing less than him passing on the entire lineage.’
But seeing the firm, expectant look in Guo Wei’s eyes, Chu Lingguang said solemnly, "I will guard them with my life. Please rest assured, Master."
Guo Wei was entrusting him with the entire legacy of their school. After a moment of internal conflict, he accepted the books with both hands and kowtowed once more to Guo Wei.
"You are the disciple who has made me the proudest. Thank you."
Guo Wei watched in silence as Chu Lingguang kowtowed, only speaking after he had finished.
As his master spoke, a line of text appeared before Chu Lingguang.
(Repaid favor to Guo Wei. Acquired 31,311 Favor Points.)
This was the most Favor Points Chu Lingguang had ever received from a single person since arriving in this world. Guo Wei’s way of thanking him was to give him everything—the Secret Martial Arts Manuals of their entire school, along with the annotations for each technique and the insights left behind by their predecessors.
Clearly, Guo Wei was placing immense hope in him.
This legacy was a heavy burden, and the path ahead was long.
Chu Lingguang felt the pressure of this responsibility but said with unshakable resolve, "Master, I will learn every single Kung Fu in these books and ensure they are passed on."
Guo Wei jolted, his eyes growing moist. He nodded and said, "Good."
He knew Chu Lingguang was a man of his word. If he said he would learn every Kung Fu in those books and pass them down, he would do it.
He felt both gratified and a little guilty. Many of the Kung Fu techniques in the books were not particularly advanced. Given Chu Lingguang’s current status, he would have little use for them in the future.
Yet for the sake of the legacy, Chu Lingguang was willing to spend time learning every single technique, good or bad, to ensure it would be passed down and not die out with his master’s generation.
Guo Wei understood Chu Lingguang’s sentiment.
Afterward, Chu Lingguang returned to Liu Family Gully with the Secret Martial Arts Manuals.
That evening, Hei Hu and Master Hei came to his home for dinner. The wedding preparations for Hei Hu and Zhang Linghua were already underway, personally overseen by Guo Wei to ensure that Zhang Linghua would not be mistreated while Chu Lingguang was studying in the Imperial City.
After the wedding, Hei Hu was to take Zhang Linghua with him to his new post in South City. However, since they were newlyweds, Guo Wei pulled some strings to have his appointment delayed by two months.
He knew Hei Hu was hot-headed and feared that, once in South City without his supervision, he might neglect Zhang Linghua or even stir up trouble. So, he wanted Hei Hu and Zhang Linghua to use this time to try for a child.
He believed that once Hei Hu’s status changed, his temperament would follow. He hoped he would become more astute in his official career and not be used as someone’s pawn, which could bring trouble upon his family and his school.
「Early the next morning.」
Chu Lingguang, riding Little Red Horse, left Baiyang County with Yu Wanshao and his entourage. Butcher Hu, the villagers from Liu Family Gully and Zhang Family Gully, and the Wine Street Boss all came to see him off.
Chu Lingguang bade farewell to Butcher Hu, Li Yishan, and the others one by one. Carrying the Secret Martial Arts Manuals that Guo Wei had entrusted to him, he set off with Yu Wanshao’s party toward Jin City.
The Qiling Governor’s Mansion was in the north.
The Imperial City, however, was in the southeast.
They needed to cross the entire Southern Domain. A fast journey would take about ten days, while a slow one could take over half a month.
Chu Lingguang was heading to the Imperial City to study at the Imperial City Academy. The top three graduates from every region were scheduled to begin their studies on the same day, and the term was set to start in less than half a month.
Time was therefore incredibly precious, and Yu Wanshao dared not risk any delays. While they didn’t travel day and night, they certainly didn’t waste any time.
On the fifth day, the party boarded a ship to continue their journey by water. Chu Lingguang entrusted Little Red Horse to the crew to be fed and stabled. He was given a small private cabin, where he unpacked his bags and took out one of the Secret Martial Arts Manuals from Guo Wei to read it carefully.
