Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 517 - 56: Four Great Clans Contest

Coastal County.

It was bustling with activity.

As the nearest county city to the coast, Coastal County attracted numerous martial artists heading to the sea to search for treasures.

After entering the city, even while in the carriage, Lin Chen could hear the sound of something cutting through the air above his head, indicating that martial artists were entering the city directly from the sky.

Lin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. He had read in books about other kingdoms that, except for Liang, martial artists who had entered the grade were afforded a certain privilege, allowing them to fly into the city.

The only exception was in a nation’s capital or important cities, where there were requirements for the martial artists’ tier.

However, in Liang, unless in an emergency, no martial artist could directly fly into the city; they had to enter on foot through the city gates.

The carriage moved along the street, and pedestrians on both sides stepped aside willingly to let it pass.

Half a two-hour later, the carriage entered a mansion through a side gate.

"Young Master Gu, we have arrived."

"Thank you, elder."

Lin Chen got off the carriage and expressed his gratitude to the old man.

"Young Master Gu, please rest in the courtyard, I’ll notify the young lady."

The old man nodded with a smile and turned to leave the courtyard.

A cup of tea’s time later, footsteps could be heard at the courtyard entrance. However, upon seeing the figures appearing at the entrance, Lin Chen’s pupils constricted slightly.

"Sir!"

At the entrance, Yu Qing saw Lin Chen, and tears instantly rolled down her face.

"Miss Dan, what does this mean?"

Lin Chen looked solemnly at Dan Muqing, who sighed and said, "Brother Gu, the Zhuang family found out you helped the Yu family and went to the medical clinic to capture Yu Shan. I was a step late and could only bring back Yu Qing and her brother."

"Helping the Yu family was just something I did casually."

"For you, Brother Gu, it was just a casual act, but the Zhuang family sees it differently."

Dan Muqing had already learned from Yu Qing how Lin Chen was involved with her and her brother, and she found herself feeling a touch of admiration for Lin Chen.

In the Zhao Kingdom, very few Grade-Entering Martial Artists cared about the life or death of a lowly fisherman. At most, they would save them if they happened to encounter them. If compassionate, they might give some silver taels, but they would never send them to a medical clinic.

Yet at the same time, Dan Muqing was also puzzled. She initially thought Gu Fei’s family had encountered some changes, leading to financial strain, but if that were the case, how would he give ten gold coins to a family he had no prior connection to?

Giving ten gold coins casually is not a sign of financial strain at all.

But if not financially strained, why sell the Canglan Pearl?

Unless Gu Fei had many Canglan Pearls and didn’t care about having one more or one less.

But Dan Muqing then dismissed this thought, as even her family’s Treasure Vault only had thirty Canglan Pearls.

It wasn’t that her family lacked money, but because Canglan Pearls were scarce and couldn’t meet the consumption needs of martial artists. Although the shop sold them for one hundred gold coins, most of the time there was no stock.

Lin Chen didn’t know that giving Yu Qing ten gold coins caused Dan Muqing a stomach full of confusion, but at this moment, he was filled with anger, especially upon seeing the tear-stained face of Yu Qing.

He saved Yu Shan, but because of him, Yu Shan fell back into danger.

"I’m sorry!"

Lin Chen looked at Yu Qing, who quickly wiped away her tears upon hearing this, and said, "Lord Gu, I don’t blame you. If it weren’t for your timely rescue, my brother would have died long ago."

Yu Qing did not blame Lin Chen. She knew very well that if it weren’t for Lord Gu, her elder brother would have long perished at the hands of the Fish Monster, let alone that this Lord Gu had also given her family so much silver coins.

She hated... hated the Zhuang family.

"You look a bit tired, you should go and rest."

Seeing Yu Qing shaking her head as she wiped her tears, Lin Chen was silent for a while before speaking.

"Miss Yu, your family has encountered misfortune, and I fear your brother cannot do without you."

Dan Muqing spoke up from the side, knowing that Gu Fei had something to discuss with her privately.

Yu Qing nodded and left the courtyard under the maid’s guidance. Lin Chen watched Yu Qing’s departing figure and then looked at Dan Muqing, "How is Yu Shan now?"

"Dead!"

Lin Chen’s pupils shrank abruptly. The Zhuang family captured Yu Shan, thinking there was a connection between him and the Yu family, and wanted to use Yu Shan to lure him out. Why would they kill Yu Shan before he was drawn out?

"The Zhuang family didn’t think you would show up for Yu Shan’s sake. Capturing Yu Shan was just to vent their anger, and Yu Shan was already injured; he died not long after being taken by the Zhuang family."

Dan Muqing sighed lightly, and Lin Chen suddenly understood...

The Zhuang family’s analysis was correct; regardless of whether he had ties to the Yu family, he wouldn’t fall into a trap for Yu Shan’s sake.

"Miss Dan, you mentioned the competition among the four families earlier. Could you elaborate on that?"

For Lin Chen, he initially had no intention of getting involved in the various grudges and disputes of the prominent families in Zhao Kingdom; he only wanted to return to Liang quickly.

However, the matter of Yu Shan made him change his mind.

"Brother Gu, since you need to know, I shall tell you everything I can."

Upon hearing Lin Chen mention the grand competition of the four families, a hint of delight appeared in Dan Muqing’s charming eyes. It seemed that the actions of the Zhuang Family had completely enraged Gu Fei.

"In Coastal County, my Dan Family, the Zhuang Family, and two other families are collectively known as the Four Great Families. It’s not just because the strength of our four families is the strongest, but another reason is that our four ancestors once inherited from the same sect."

As Dan Muqing’s red lips moved, Lin Chen came to understand what the contest among the four great families was about.

Zhao Kingdom is different from Liang; the Zhao Royal Family does not directly govern the counties.

The Royal Family only set up a Revenue Department in each county. As long as each county submits the taxes and resources to the Royal Family on time, it’s enough.

As for which force governs the county city, the Royal Family does not care.

The ancestors of the Four Great Families in Coastal County were brothers from the same sect hundreds of years ago. The sect disbanded after an incident, and these four brothers settled in Coastal County and established their own families.

Due to being from the same sect, the Four Great Families initially united to deal with other forces. In less than a few decades, they became the four strongest forces in Coastal County.

Originally, there were other forces in Coastal County, and the Four Great Families could work together. But as other forces were either destroyed or subdued, Coastal County fell into the hands of the Four Great Families, which led to conflicts of interest among them.

However, the Four Great Families didn’t choose to wage an all-out war to decide the dominance of Coastal County. Firstly, they feared that during their internal conflict, other forces from other counties might take advantage of the situation. Secondly, the strength of the Four Great Families was quite similar, and none had the power to swallow the other.

In the end, the four families negotiated and adopted another method for distributing interests.

Competition!

The Four Great Families hold a competition every ten years, allowing descendants under twenty from each family to participate, and finally, divide the resources of Coastal County according to their ranking.

Initially, only the descendants of each family were allowed to compete. But due to this rule, before the competition began, it was common for the descendants, especially the genius disciples, to be assassinated.

Although each family knew it must be done by one of the other three, because they couldn’t determine which one, they had to endure it.

Moreover, since everyone did this, no one was innocent.

In the initial rounds of competition, the genius disciples of the Four Great Families perished quickly, and if this continued, the Four Great Families themselves would decline.

Therefore, the Four Great Families eventually changed the competition rules, allowing each family to enlist young geniuses from other families to participate.

Each family has a total of ten competition slots, but no more than five can be from other families.

"How is the competition conducted?"

"We head to the Ancestral Land, the site of our ancestors’ sect. There are many Demon Beasts there. The more beasts you kill and the more valuable the Demon Cores you gather, the higher your points and ranking."

Hunting Demon Beasts?

Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly. He had initially thought the competition would be like a ring match.

"Brother Gu, I am not boasting. In every competition of our Four Great Families, many Martial Artists vie for these slots. The Demon Beasts in the ruins are significantly weaker than those outside, and there are no Middle Grade beasts. As long as you don’t venture into the depths, most you encounter are lone Ninth Grade beasts."

"Upon entering the ruins, the Demon Cores of the beasts killed by the foreign Martial Artists will not be reclaimed by our Four Great Families."

Dan Muqing looked at Lin Chen, and he nodded. If Dan Muqing was truthful, the ruins would indeed attract many Martial Artists.

The Demon Beasts across the Nine Kingdoms mostly live in packs, residing in the mountains. Many have Middle or even Upper Grade Demon Race experts overseeing them. To hunt beasts for Demon Cores is perilous, risking your life with a single slip.

But in the Ancestral Land of the Four Great Families, the beasts are solitary without Middle Grade ones. Even encountering stronger beasts, one could escape if unable to kill.

It’s practically a naturally ideal adventure ground.

"Miss Dan, according to your information, finding five genius disciples from other families to join shouldn’t be difficult for the Dan Family."

"For ordinary foreign disciples, it’s not difficult."

Dan Muqing shook her head: "But the ruins have a seal permitting only Martial Artists under twenty to enter. Those over twenty cannot go inside. That’s why I asked Brother Gu about his age earlier."

"If Brother Gu is willing to represent my Dan Family in this competition, feel free to state your conditions."

Hope appeared in Dan Muqing’s eyes. Initially, she felt Gu Fei had the potential, but after Zhuang Xin and his brother were counter-killed, she was now certain Gu Fei definitely deserved a slot.

"When does the competition begin?" Lin Chen didn’t rush to agree but asked, "Since the Zhuang Family has a warrant out for me, what if my identity is exposed during the competition?"

"The competition starts in five days. Don’t worry about the Zhuang Family. With the protection of the Dan Family, they can’t do anything to you."

"I need a guarantee."

"I can swear by the name of the Dan Family ancestors."

Dan Muqing raised her hand without hesitation, swearing solemnly in front of Lin Chen.

After her oath, Lin Chen nodded: "I can participate in this competition."