SNT Chapter 11: Sponsorship

Zhou Liang also walked over and patted Chen Qing's shoulder, "Not bad, keep up the good work."

Chen Qing hurriedly cupped his fists, "Yes, Master."

It had been a long time since he'd spoken alone with his master.

Zhou Liang said a few simple words, then turned and left.

After all, taking over two months to reach obvious strength showed truly limited future potential.

Subsequently, the other disciples also dispersed one by one.

Sun Shun asked with a smile, "Junior Brother Chen, how do you feel?"

"Pretty good." Chen Qing nodded. After breaking through to obvious strength, he felt his qi and blood flowing smoothly throughout his body, and his strength had increased considerably.

Sun Shun smiled, "These next few days I'll spar with you to help you quickly become familiar with using your strength."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Sun." Chen Qing pondered for a moment, then asked, "Senior Brother Sun, about these escort positions..."

Sun Shun immediately understood. For disciples from Chen Qing's background, once they broke through to obvious strength, the first priority was finding a faction to work for, as this was the only way to have money to continue paying tuition.

He hesitated, "The major powers like Li's Weapon Forging Shop, Far-Sight Escort Agency, and Harmony Hall have quite high thresholds for positions, which is somewhat troublesome. However, other places aren't difficult. I'll keep an eye out for you these next few days."

Li's Weapon Forging Shop and Far-Sight Escort Agency were established names in Gaolin County, filled with experts, and had extremely strict requirements for position holders. They usually only accepted elite disciples from martial halls or under martial masters.

Chen Qing cupped his fists again, "Then I'll trouble Senior Brother to take the effort."

Sun Shun hesitated for a moment, then still spoke up, "Junior Brother Chen, if you're willing, you might consider getting closer to other senior and junior brothers from wealthy families. Perhaps... you could receive some sponsorship."

Chen Qing's eyes showed a trace of confusion, "Sponsorship?"

Sun Shun slowly explained, "Thirty percent practice, seventy percent eating. Actually, the most important things in martial arts training are meat and medicinal supplements. The blood qi powder that Junior Sister Zhou just gave you, if taken daily, can increase cultivation speed by thirty percent. There are even more precious blood qi pills... I spend five taels of silver monthly just on medicinal supplements alone. How could the small salary from escort positions be enough?"

Seeing Chen Qing's silence, Sun Shun continued, "Now that you've reached obvious strength and have the opportunity to participate in martial examinations, you can be said to be a bamboo shoot that has broken through the soil. Perhaps some wealthy household might want to invest in you, providing you with meat and medicinal supplements. What these wealthy households let slip through their fingers would be enough for half a year of your tuition."

Hearing this, Chen Qing immediately understood.

He'd long heard that some wealthy households and major families in Gaolin County would sponsor martial artists, spending money and effort to help them participate in martial examinations, all to build good relationships.

They would sponsor dozens of people, and as long as one succeeded, they'd profit. Moreover, even if none succeeded, these martial artists would still owe them a favor, expanding their network of contacts and leaving behind a good reputation.

Sun Shun patiently explained, "Look at Senior Sister Luo and Junior Brother Zheng, they're both from wealthy families. One of their purposes in learning martial arts is to scout for good prospects."

"Senior Sister Luo's Luo family is one of the five major families in the inner city, with abundant financial resources and sponsorship amounts far exceeding ordinary wealthy households. However, her standards are quite high. Junior Brother Qin has received Luo family sponsorship and rarely has to worry about meat or medicinal supplements. Junior Brother Zheng comes from the Zheng family, which also has considerable wealth."

"Just like how I've always relied on sponsorship from Guo's Records, never lacking."

Chen Qing looked in the direction Sun Shun indicated.

Luo Qian and Zheng Ziqiao were both wealthy family disciples in the courtyard. This could be seen from their daily practice, as they were always surrounded by a group of people.

"Forget it."

Chen Qing shook his head.

When he'd just broken through, neither of them had even given him a proper look, clearly looking down on his aptitude.

Even if he shamelessly approached them, he probably wouldn't receive a warm reception.

Sun Shun wanted to persuade him further, but Chen Qing had already said seriously, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Senior Brother, but I'd rather focus on finding an escort position first."

Seeing his persuasion was fruitless, Sun Shun could only sigh and pat his shoulder.

...

Today, Chen Qing didn't practice extra. He headed home early.

Passing through the narrow alleys filled with the scents of fish and damp wood, the familiar outline of the connected boats of Mute Bay came into view.

"Search! Search every household!"

Several fierce-looking Golden River Gang members were questioning fishermen near the dock. The leader was a pockmarked man with triangular eyes scanning left and right.

This person was the gang leader's trusted subordinate, Pockmarked Liu.

This so-called search was just finding an excuse to ruthlessly "rake in" another haul.

Chen Qing calmly lowered his head, staying close to the shadows as he quickly skirted around those men and returned to his family's worn connected boat.

Pushing open the creaking cabin door, in the dim light, his mother Lady Han was anxiously wringing her hands.

"Mother, I'm back."

Chen Qing kept his voice as level as possible, "What are the Golden River Gang people doing?"

Lady Han sighed, lowering her voice, "What else could they be doing? Going back and forth questioning everyone, saying they want to root out Qian Biao's killer... What evil times, these days..."

Chen Qing nodded calmly on the surface, but ripples stirred in his heart.

"Qian Biao was killed by my own hand. I believe I was clean about it, thoroughly erasing all traces. For these gang lackeys to find any clues should be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"But what if? In this world, is there any such thing as absolute perfection?"

"This Pockmarked Liu, bringing people to search Mute Bay so openly... could he be coming for me?"

This feeling made him feel like he had thorns in his back. Chen Qing never harbored any lucky thoughts about anything.

He always prepared for the worst in everything.

"Why did you come back so early today?"

Lady Han put down the shuttle in her hands, glanced at Chen Qing, and said in a trembling voice, "Ah Qing... your complexion looks different? Could it be..."

Obvious strength was quite different from ordinary people. Vigorous qi and blood made the skin appear ruddy and lustrous, with bright and sharp eyes that ordinary people dared not meet directly.

Chen Qing stepped forward and grasped Lady Han's rough hands, nodding, "Mother, I succeeded. My first breakthrough attempt was successful."

"You succeeded?! Really... really succeeded?!"

Lady Han's lips trembled as she repeatedly confirmed, "Heaven has opened its eyes! The ancestors are protecting us! My son... my son has made something of himself!"

Chen Qing smiled, "From now on, I can continue learning martial arts with Master."

"Wonderful, truly wonderful."

Lady Han was so excited her hands shook, "Then... then you can participate in the martial examinations?"

The martial examinations were the easiest path for ordinary people learning martial arts to change their fate.

Once successful, their status would immediately undergo earth-shaking changes.

Even a martial scholar could have many taxes reduced, relieving enormous pressure in daily life.

If they passed the next level, they could not only hold an official position in Gaolin but also receive imperial stipends, and even county magistrates wouldn't require them to kowtow.

For common people, this was almost unimaginable.

Old Master Chen's greatest wish was for Chen Heng to succeed, allowing him to enjoy some comfort.

Chen Qing waved his hand, "Mother, with my current strength, participating in the martial examinations is still too difficult..."

Among the dozens of people at Zhou's courtyard who had reached obvious strength, only a few dared attempt the martial examinations.

This showed just how difficult success was.

However, he would need to start preparing for the martial examinations. Only by making a name in the martial examinations could he truly rise above his station.

Lady Han's heart quickly dimmed. She slowly sat back on the low stool and lowered her head, feeling a trace of guilt, "Success is good. It's mother who's useless, unable to help you..."

She couldn't continue, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Through three months of torment, she had watched Chen Qing practice desperately, seeing it all and feeling the pain in her heart.

Now that her son's future seemed to have a glimmer of light, she still couldn't help with anything.

Chen Qing consoled her, "Mother, now that I've reached obvious strength, I can take escort positions. You don't need to worry about these things."

"Escort positions can earn money?"

Lady Han murmured, hope rekindling in her eyes.

Chen Qing nodded.

Lady Han wiped her eyes and reached under the cabinet bottom to pull out a blue cloth bundle, "Today is a happy day, we should celebrate."

Chen Qing nodded. If he could eat more meat and take some blood qi powder, it would indeed speed up his progress.

Soon, Lady Han returned, carrying a small grass string with three small fish.

The fish weren't large, their tails still twitching slightly, clearly just caught and very fresh.

Lady Han sat on the boat deck, using the weak light to scale the small fish and remove their innards.

She carefully collected the fish bladders and some roe in a small bowl on the side, reluctant to throw away even the fish heads.

"Take one to your grandfather's house and tell him this good news while you're there."

Lady Han picked out a cleaned fish, "Mother will stew fish soup for you at home."

Chen Qing's brow furrowed slightly, "Mother, let's forget about it."

"Silly child, you don't understand."

Lady Han pressed the fish into Chen Qing's hands without allowing refusal, lowering her voice, "If your grandfather knew you succeeded on your first breakthrough attempt, he might be so happy that he'll think more highly of you in the future. We don't fight or compete, but if we don't try, will good fortune just fall from the sky?"

Chen Qing knew he couldn't argue with her, so he wrapped the fish in lotus leaves layer by layer before getting off the boat.

When he reached the vicinity of the Chen family's old house, Chen Qing's steps slowed.

He remembered his grandfather's cold words about his martial arts learning and his second aunt's calculating appearance.

Lady Han's intentions were good, but this fish... giving it to them, they might not appreciate it.

Looking at the fish wrapped tightly in lotus leaves in his hands, he had a sudden idea. Looking around to ensure no one was watching, he quickly hid the lotus leaf package in the dense root crevices of an old locust tree next to the old house, covering it with a few stones.

After doing this, he took a deep breath and walked empty-handed toward that mottled wooden door.

Soon, he arrived at the Chen family's old house.

"Knock knock!"

The old house's mottled wooden door produced dull sounds.

"Who is it?"

Old Master Chen's hoarse voice came from inside.

"Grandfather, it's me!"

The door creaked open. Old Master Chen squinted his dim eyes, and after seeing who it was, his expression darkened, "What brings you here today?"

Ever since learning that Chen Qing had gone to learn martial arts, the old man had been holding back his anger.

In his view, not informing him of such a major matter clearly showed a lack of "respect" for him.

Chen Qing entered empty-handed, "Grandfather."

"Come in."

Seeing his empty hands, Old Master Chen's expression darkened further, and his tone became even more distant.

He could see Second Aunt busy in the kitchen, but Second Uncle was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding in his room being lazy again.

Old Master Chen tapped his copper pipe and asked seemingly casually, "I heard you apprenticed under an old escort master?"

Chen Qing nodded, "Master used to work escorts, and now he's retired and teaching disciples at home."

Old Master Chen's brow furrowed into knots.

A retired escort master was either injured or old and frail. What could he possibly teach?

He took a deep puff and exhaled a cloud of smoke, "Learning martial arts requires meat at every meal, and money flows like water..."

His meaning was obvious, he wanted to persuade Chen Qing to give up martial arts.

After all, if martial arts training failed, all the money spent would be wasted.

Giving up now would be cutting losses in time.

Chen Qing nodded, "I will work hard."

Old Master Chen's brow furrowed slightly, "With your constitution, martial arts training is destined to have no great future. Better to honestly follow your father's path..."

His tone became somewhat stern.

Chen Qing said seriously, "Thank you for grandfather's teachings. Your grandson has already made up his mind."

"Fine!"

Hearing Chen Qing's words, Old Master Chen immediately felt somewhat angry, "Your father was such an honest man, and you're deliberately trying to anger me to death..."

Second Aunt came out wearing an apron, looking pained, "Ah Qing, your grandfather is doing this all for your good."

In her view, Chen Qing was just wasting money.

Chen Qing didn't hide anything, "Grandfather, Second Aunt, I've now reached obvious strength."

"What did you say?!"

Old Master Chen's movements paused, and a trace of surprise appeared in his aged eyes.

Obvious strength?!

He naturally knew what obvious strength meant. This represented truly stepping onto the martial path, not only being able to participate in martial examinations but also not having to worry about food and drink.

His good-for-nothing grandson had actually reached obvious strength?

Chen Qing repeated, "Grandfather, I've reached obvious strength and am qualified to participate in next year's martial examinations."

Second Aunt was also somewhat stunned.

Could this foolish boy Chen Qing really have fool's luck? Successfully breaking through on his first attempt?!

"Good! Good! Excellent!"

Old Master Chen suddenly burst into hearty laughter, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out.

He stood up tremblingly and vigorously patted Chen Qing's shoulder, "It's grandfather who was blind. I never expected our Chen family would produce another promising one!"

The slight displeasure about arriving empty-handed seemed to vanish instantly.

Chen Qing said, "Grandfather is too kind."

Second Aunt's eyes turned as she asked with feigned concern, "When did Ah Qing break through to obvious strength?"

Chen Qing replied calmly, "I just reached obvious strength today."

Hearing this, Second Aunt's tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly.

Based on Chen Qing's martial arts training time, he'd taken nearly three months to reach obvious strength. According to what Chen Heng had said, attempting a second breakthrough to hidden strength would be basically very difficult.

Old Master Chen's smile remained, but his eyes weren't as passionate as before.

Next, Chen Qing chatted with Old Master Chen.

Old Master Chen's attitude had changed dramatically, with his words carrying several degrees of concern.

Chen Qing looked at the time, "Grandfather, it's getting late, so I'll head back first."

"Look at this old fool."

Old Master Chen patted his own head, "You'd better go back quickly. If it gets dark, there'll be trouble."

In these times, few common people dared walk at night.

Chen Qing left the old house.

Old Master Chen watched Chen Qing's retreating figure, pondering in his heart.

Learning martial arts to participate in martial examinations wasn't easy and required money.

Although he'd accumulated quite a bit over these years, supporting Chen Heng's martial arts training was already stretching him thin, leaving him completely unable to bear Chen Qing's expenses.

"Father, Heng'er said that the later the first breakthrough..."

Second Aunt said casually from the side, "If luck is good, succeeding on the first breakthrough attempt is also normal..."

"I know."

Old Master Chen interrupted her, his voice hoarse.

How could he not understand? Compared to Chen Heng, Chen Qing's aptitude was clearly inferior by a level. His first breakthrough was also quite forced, and the possibility of further progress wasn't great.

Chen Heng had better hopes for a second breakthrough and better chances of achieving scholarly success.

He should put all resources on Chen Heng now.

"What a pity..."

Old Master Chen looked in the direction Chen Qing had departed and shook his head slightly.

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