Chapter Forty-Five: Farewell

Chen Fan nodded gravely at Li Linliu and Zheng Zhong:
“I am willing to go to Yan Capital, but I still have some trivial matters to settle here in Feiling County, including my family and friends... It may take me half a day.”
Naturally, he could not say that he was unwilling to travel to Yan Capital. He had only just agreed to become a guest retainer of the Bao family, and there were matters concerning his sister-in-law and niece that made it impossible for him to simply leave!
Li Linliu nodded, smiling. “These are minor things. I will stay at the branch for a few more days. If you have any issues, come find me anytime. There should be nothing in Feiling County that I cannot resolve.”
Chen Fan hurriedly nodded in excitement.
After bidding farewell to Li Linliu,
a crowd gathered around him.
Disciples, familiar and unfamiliar, clustered around, offering congratulations.
Even Li Wen and Lin Qingyu, the two brightest stars of this martial meet, came forward of their own accord to congratulate Chen Fan on his victory.
Only after quite some time did Chen Fan manage to squeeze out of the crowd and join up with Bao Tianyou and the others.
It was only then that Bao Tianyou and his companions escorted Chen Fan away,
naturally pulling him toward Jiangshan Tower for a celebration…
This martial meet was the grandest in years, and Chen Fan’s youth and ability to defeat powerful foes and claim the championship was certainly cause for great celebration!

…

Meanwhile,
disciples from the major martial halls were discussing animatedly as they made their way home.
Chen Fan’s name became the central topic of nearly every martial hall disciple’s conversation.
His performance in the meet was simply too outstanding!
In truth, compared to him, Yan Linzu’s vigorous bloodline was an even greater asset, but unfortunately, he had lost to Chen Fan in the final match…

…

Black Tiger Gang.
“Chief, here is the information you asked me to collect on that Chen Fan kid!”
A refined man dressed in the manner of a scholar handed a document to You Shahu.
You Shahu frowned as he examined the document, his expression filled with disbelief:
“This Chen Fan is actually from our Black Tiger Gang’s territory, and he’s only been with White Cloud Martial Hall for less than three months? No one had ever seen him practicing martial arts before—how is that possible? If he has only trained for three months, how could he defeat Feng Yuancheng and Yan Linzu? That’s simply outrageous!”
The scholar shook his head with a wry smile:

“The facts are indeed as such. Chen Fan’s family is ordinary, his parents passed away, and his only brother disappeared not long ago. This kid used to work as a bookkeeper at Datong Trading Company, and apparently he’s quite sharp and capable. It’s just surprising that his family could afford the hefty tuition at White Cloud Martial Hall…”
After Chen Fan won the championship, he drew the attention of all the martial halls and noble families of Feiling County. Naturally, someone had already investigated everything about him.
And this investigation uncovered many astonishing details…
Before joining the martial hall, Chen Fan worked at Datong Trading Company, leaving early and returning late every day, with no time to train. Even before that, he had helped his brother with odd jobs, again with no time for martial arts.
“Could it be that Chen Fan, like Yan Linzu, possesses a special physique, born strong? But that doesn’t make sense; if he were naturally powerful, he should have shown signs much earlier…”
You Shahu frowned as he pored over the information, but soon he froze.
He had spotted a particular name.
Pi Liu.
“This kid has a feud with Pi Liu, and that…”
A flash of insight pierced through the haze in his mind.
“Could it be…”
But quickly, he shook his head again.
“No, it doesn’t add up. At that time, Chen Fan was still working at Datong Trading Company and hadn’t joined the martial hall. How could he have killed Pi Liu and his partner? Besides, Chen Fan is only thirteen or fourteen—he may not even have the courage to kill…”
Some common strength-training manuals are not rare; even without joining a martial hall, one could obtain them somehow. But there’s never been a case of someone becoming talented without training!
Chen Fan’s talent for ‘idling’ was, of course, his greatest cover.
Yet, though You Shahu dismissed his suspicions, he did not act idly. He turned to the scholar:
“Call a few brothers and pay Chen Fan a visit. Also, have someone keep an eye on him, see if he’s hiding any secrets…”
Though he found it hard to believe, he had to investigate before reaching any conclusions.

…

Jiangshan Tower.
At the banquet.
Chen Fan naturally told Bao Tianyou directly that he would soon leave Feiling County with Li Linliu, expressing his regret at not being able to serve as a guest retainer.
To his surprise, Bao Tianyou burst out laughing and flatly refused his resignation.
“The position of guest retainer in the Bao household will always be yours, and your monthly stipend will continue. Whenever you return, you may take up your duties! Of course, if you one day reach six or seven levels in martial arts, you may no longer care for such a minor post in my family…”
Chen Fan could not help but sigh.
He knew well that Bao Tianyou was seeking to win his loyalty, but he had to admit, he found the gesture deeply gratifying!

This time, Bao Tianyou had bought plenty of fine wine and made sure to have Chen Fan thoroughly indulged.
Though the wine was expensive, these wealthy scions hardly gave it a second thought.
It was not until night fell that Chen Fan was escorted home by Bao Tianyou’s household servants.
Yet Chen Fan, with his robust blood and energy, was hardly affected by the alcohol; his mind remained clear and unclouded.
That very night, he sought out his sister-in-law, informing her of his imminent departure for Yan Capital and asking her opinion, as well as whether she wished to go with him.
She shook her head and declined.
“Xiao Fan, you seek the martial path. We two burdens would only hinder you, and besides, your brother will return sooner or later. I’ll wait for him here…”
His sister-in-law was a traditional woman, still waiting for her husband’s return.
Chen Fan felt a pang in his heart, but could not bring himself to reveal the truth to her.
Little Chen Xi’s eyes were red with reluctance, “Daddy, I don’t want you to leave…”
Chen Fan picked up the little girl and said, “Daddy isn’t gone for good. Yan Capital isn’t far from Feiling County. Whenever I’m free, I’ll come back. If anyone bullies you, just go to Bao Mansion and ask Uncle Tianyou for help! Understand?”
With the Bao family’s strength in Feiling County, Chen Fan had no worries about the mother and daughter being bullied.
The little girl nodded repeatedly, holding back her tears as she looked up at her uncle.
Chen Fan pinched Chen Xi’s cheek, “When uncle comes back, he’ll buy you lots of presents!”

That night,
Chen Fan, once again wearing the old ring, climbed onto the rooftop, gazing at the starry sky.
Yet he still did not begin idling on the Star Body Tempering Art.
Instead, he set his mind to idling on the new techniques he had comprehended atop the arena.
With over a dozen extra techniques to master, it would take nearly a month to complete them all!
“Tomorrow I’ll go to White Cloud Martial Hall one last time, then I’ll leave Feiling County!”
He gazed silently at the familiar night sky, his heart complicated but his resolve firmer than ever.
He still knew very little of this martial world, only the talk of ten levels of martial arts, and the vastness of the Grand Qian Empire; beyond that, he was ignorant.
What sort of world was this truly? At last, he would have the chance to find out!