Chapter 10: Borrowing Momentum
Scholar Ma packed up all his books, stood up, and said casually with an ordinary expression,
“Otherwise? Aren’t these all the Eight-legged Essays recorded in Commentaries on Chapters and Sentences of the Four Books? They are the general outline of the Imperial Examination question bank… Brother Chen, you wouldn’t not know that, would you?”
Right, why wouldn’t I know?
Chen Shun’an’s face turned pale.
He had transmigrated to the Changbai Sacred Dynasty for over thirty years, long since grinding away his edges and blending light and dust.
Logically speaking, even if he had never taken the Imperial Examinations and focused solely on the Martial Path, he should have at least heard of and known some strategies for the Imperial Examination policy essays.
But now, thinking carefully, it was a complete blank!
He even suspected that if not for him holding the Precious Proclamation and ascending to Divine Status, he would still be kept in the dark.
It seemed that some invisible and overwhelming force permeated the entire Changbai Sacred Dynasty, obscuring the perceptions of Chen Shun’an and many others.
Chen Shun’an suddenly felt a chill down his spine, a sense of terror and helplessness like when he was fleeing for his life in Longnan, facing a thousand-zhang flood wave connecting heaven and earth, as if the sky itself was collapsing.
What the hell is the Changbai Sacred Dynasty?!
A scholar like Scholar Ma actually studies Daoist Scriptures and Military Strategies?!
Chen Shun’an barely suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart.
Seeing Scholar Ma accept his Blessed Water, a thought suddenly surged in his mind.
Chen Shun’an blurted out,
“Please teach me, Teacher Ma! In the Martial Path, there are still unclear points for me. After the Jade Tree hangs the Treasure Robe, since Internal Energy can be transformed into Qi to vibrate the Bone Joints with Qi, could we prioritize starting from the less important Fine Bone Joints?
The skull and Organs are so fragile; with just a Second-rate Martial Artist’s single breath of Internal Energy vibrating them, will there really be no problem?
There are hundreds and thousands of Martial Path schools in the world; my Meat Flying Immortal and others’ Great Accomplishment Fist—will they converge from different paths to the same end, or be of the same root and same source?”
Hearing this, Scholar Ma couldn’t help but open his mouth, his face showing confusion,
“What nonsense are you saying, Brother Shun An? I’ve never practiced Martial Arts; I’m just a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken—how would I know about circulating Qi and Blood or nurturing the Jade Tree Treasure Robe…”
Chen Shun’an’s eyes showed disappointment.
True Inheritance is one sentence; false transmission is ten thousand books.
Without Master Succession, even for Chen Shun’an who had now chosen Qing Ji and whose legs grew armor and horses, it was an extremely thorny matter.
He was indeed taking desperate measures.
Who knew Scholar Ma would change his tone and say,
“However, Brother Shun An, the Jade Tree Treasure Robe you mentioned is quite similar to the volume on the Great Learning in Commentaries on Chapters and Sentences of the Four Books.”
“Zuoling Yi Wen once wrote a poem debating its meaning: ‘Joints Like Machine Wheels, Grasp the Intended Strength, Muscles Like Startled Snakes, Steps Sweep Like Wind Over Mats.’”
……
“Brother Ma, just let it go like this?”
At a slightly deserted Alley Entrance on Silver Ingot Street, Qing Pi Ma and his two companions squatted against the wall, eyeing passing pedestrians with hostile gazes.
Qing Pi Ma spat viciously, glancing sideways at the person beside him,
“Otherwise what? You gonna make a move and teach that old geezer a lesson? Forget his Water Station identity—even with your third-rate Cultivation Method, can you beat him?”
The man gave a wry smile: “I was just asking… so we leave?”
Qing Pi Ma’s eyes flashed with ferocity, cursing under his breath,
“Leave my ass! Can’t mess with Old Man Chen, but can’t I deal with those villains? Old Man Chen has six or seven Water Delivery clients around Silver Ingot Street; I’ll go door-to-door cleaning, pasting window paper, then demand Reward afterward.
Even if they complain to His Majesty the Emperor, I’ll have justice on my side!”
Perhaps thinking of the clever idea.
The wrinkles on Qing Pi Ma’s face smoothed out quickly, the top of his head gleaming with oil, every pockmark becoming vividly red and lustrous.
“Right! Still, Brother Ma has the brains!”
“Yes! Brother Ma is truly brilliant!”
“……”
……
Until leaving the big courtyard.
Chen Shun’an was still somewhat dazed.
To think that he, a dignified Third-rate Warrior and boss of the Water Station, was instructed in Martial Arts by a powerless, never-practiced poor scholar?
And it sounded so convincing!
Making Chen Shun’an nod like pounding garlic!
Especially those words from Scholar Ma—though not directly addressing Chen Shun’an’s Martial Arts doubts, they had a peculiar charm of overlooking from a high vantage, pointing straight to the Essence of the Martial Path.
“No matter what… Scholar Ma is a Great Talent; he should join my command, and I must support and care for him well, even develop him into a Devout Believer someday.”
However, Qing Pi Ma?
Chen Shun’an suddenly thought of something, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
This man has already blocked my Path of Divinity.
……
“What? Uncle Chen, you’re saying someone bullied you?!”
Dusk was falling, the summer heat unrelenting.
Ah Hua held the Tiger Head Staff, his burly frame just entering the alley when he happened to hear Chen Shun’an’s ‘casual’ complaint.
Chen Shun’an turned his head, seeing Ah Hua; he looked like a hunched little old man shrouded in Ah Hua’s elongated shadow.
Chen Shun’an forced a smile: “No, Ah Hua, don’t worry—just keep good night watch.”
Bang!
The Tiger Head Staff thudded heavily on the ground, cracking the bricks into a small pit.
Ah Hua said solemnly,
“Uncle Chen, your matters are my matters! Thanks to your past care, I could secure a Provisional position at the Water Station… If someone’s bullying you, I must step in!”
“Uncle Chen, who is it?”
Chen Shun’an’s lips moved, seeming hesitant, then sighed deeply and said,
“A few Huo from West County, led by Qing Pi Ma, bullying me as an old powerless man—wanting Cleaning Fee first before I can collect Water Fee… I cursed them away, but they’re surely resentful and plotting some vicious trick!”
“What?!”
Ah Hua was filled with righteous indignation and flew into a rage on the spot.
“I’ll go settle accounts with them right now!”
“No, no!”
Chen Shun’an immediately stopped Ah Hua and explained patiently,
“It’s dark now; Qing Pi Ma and his gang must be back at the Huo house—they’re many and strong; why take risks?”
“Qing Pi Ma shows up around Silver Ingot Street every Chen hour quarter, usually in groups of three: first extorting Mountain Goods, then door-to-door blackmail. You can ambush nearby, or stand on walls or roofs pouring boiling water or hot oil, throwing bricks or blades—whatever’s ruthless…
“Then reveal yourself, declare your identity from the Water Station to deter interference. Throw Lime, unleash a full set of staff techniques—fight if you can win, retreat if not!”
“Your Startled Sparrow Skill has reached some proficiency—it’s your advantage; don’t abandon strengths for weaknesses.”
Even a hothead like Ah Hua realized what was happening.
Looking at Chen Shun’an now with some horror in his eyes.
“Uncle Chen, you haven’t used all these tricks yourself, have you?”
Chen Shun’an waved his hand: “Of course not; I heard them from storytellers—whether they work, just try and see.”
Ah Hua knew Chen Shun’an had a habit of going to the Teahouse for Clear Tea after shifts.
“Good! I’ll give it a try!”
Ah Hua rubbed his fists eagerly.
Chen Shun’an said a few encouraging words, then humbly remarked ‘I’m old and useless now; you’ll surely become a Great Talent someday’ before slowly leaving.
Outside the Alley Entrance, a few elderly Water Carriers watched Chen Shun’an, wanting to speak but hesitating.
They clearly saw Chen Shun’an using Ah Hua as a tool.
Chen Shun’an said meaningfully,
“Ah Hua’s not bad; he’s been Provisional too long—gotta give the young man a chance.”
Everyone suddenly understood.
For a ‘temp worker’ like Ah Hua to go permanent, either outlast the old guys until a spot opens,
or rack up standout merits for exceptional promotion.
Moreover, a mere ordinary Huo daring to negotiate terms and order with the Water Station?
Courting death!
Everyone seemed to get it, exchanging glances before bursting into laughter.
Time to toughen up the youngster a bit!
Let us old folks enjoy… the safety net!
If the old folks can’t hold it, there’s still the Well, Instructor Lin, and others.
Everyone was laughing.
Chen Shun’an was also laughing.
Having lived half a lifetime, besides patience, Chen Shun’an had learned one thing.
That was, borrowing momentum.
