Chapter 84: Doubts

Yuan Yu left following breakfast. Lin Xiao then tidied up, preparing to pay a visit to Chen’s Martial Arts Hall and the elderly Chen Jinsong.

However, he figured it would be a bit impolite to show up unannounced. So, he pulled out his phone, found the business card the old gentleman had given him during their last meeting, and dialed the number printed on it. The call connected almost immediately.

“Hello, sir. Do you remember me?”

“Who is this?” A somewhat puzzled, aged voice responded from the other end. But soon, realization dawned, accompanied by a hint of delight, “You’re that young man from the park the other day.”

“Indeed, sir. Your memory is impressive.”

“Do you have some free time today? I’ve been hoping you might visit. I’ve actually been looking forward to it these past few days,” Chen Jinsong said, his voice tinged with genuine eagerness.

He had been eagerly awaiting a follow-up. If not for being preoccupied with other matters, Chen Jinsong might have returned to the park himself, waiting patiently for Lin Xiao to appear.

Lin Xiao could clearly sense the older man’s enthusiasm through the phone. Though slightly puzzled by the eagerness, he had already intended to pay a visit, so he replied calmly, “That sounds good, sir. I’ll come by this morning.”

“Excellent, excellent. I’ll be waiting,” Chen Jinsong said, his voice brimming with excitement.

After ending the call, Lin Xiao changed into fresh clothes and set out. Around an hour later, he arrived at the address listed on the business card.

What stood before him was a vast, traditional-style mansion, sprawling across more than a thousand square meters. Though it wasn’t located in the heart of the city, the area was still considered urban. Owning such a massive estate here spoke not only of wealth but of influence.

The sheer scale of the property was a clear testament to the power and reach of Chen’s Martial Arts Hall in Jinghai City.

Above the mansion’s main entrance hung an aged wooden plaque, etched with four bold, swirling characters: Chen’s Martial Arts Hall.

The bold strokes were imbued with intense energy, powerful and resonating. Even a casual glance revealed the work of a master calligrapher.

Due to the secrecy surrounding ancient martial arts, in the eyes of ordinary people, the martial arts of the Xia Country gradually declined, transitioning into something more akin to a dance.

Still, the lineage of martial arts was long and enduring. Despite many people dismissing martial arts with a scoff, a significant number still found it intriguing.

Average martial arts academies typically provided instructions on physical conditioning and self-defense techniques. While it wouldn’t be fair to label them as fraudsters, their teachings only extend to ordinary combat techniques, far from what could be truly regarded as martial arts.

Yet, some academies had a deep-rooted history, originating from ancient times and persevering to this day, with unique skills and even practitioners of ancient martial arts. These institutions had thus maintained an undiminished legacy.

Unquestionably, Chen’s Martial Arts Hall was one such establishment with a venerable history. After all, an ordinary martial arts school would not be able to produce ancient martial artists, nor would it possess the necessary financial and influential prowess to maintain such an estate.

Lin Xiao stood at the door, taking a moment before knocking.

Before long, the door opened to reveal a tall young man in his twenties. He looked Lin Xiao over with a sharp, alert gaze.

“May I ask who you’re looking for?” the young man asked.

“I was invited. I have an appointment with an elderly gentleman,” Lin Xiao replied calmly.

“Oh, you’re him!” The young man’s posture relaxed, the tension in his gaze easing as curiosity took its place. He began subtly sizing Lin Xiao up.

“What is it?” Lin Xiao asked, a slight frown forming between his brows.

“My apologies,” the young man said quickly. “It’s just… my grandfather has been talking about you quite a bit lately.”

“I see.” Lin Xiao’s expression softened, the hint of displeasure fading from his face.

“Please, come in. We’ve been expecting you.” The young man stepped aside and motioned for Lin Xiao to enter.

With a cheerful, open demeanor, the young man shut the door behind Lin Xiao with a solid bang, then called out loudly, “Grandpa! The guest you’ve been talking about these past few days is here!”

At his words, two figures emerged from within the house.

The first was a frail old man who looked as though a strong breeze might knock him over. It was Chen Jinsong—the same gentleman Lin Xiao had met in the park.

The second was a middle-aged man who bore a strong resemblance to the elder. Likely in his forties, he had a commanding air about him. Tall and broad-shouldered, he carried himself with a presence as steady as a mountain. His gaze was sharp, his posture solid, radiating a quiet but unmistakable power.

In Lin Xiao’s perception, the middle-aged man was also an ancient martial artist, although his cultivation wasn’t particularly advanced. However, Lin Xiao wasn’t focused on this man, his attention was drawn to Chen Jinsong.

He already knew that the old man was an ancient martial artist, his cultivation significantly superior to that of the middle-aged man. But now, Chen Jinsong’s body seemed to have weakened countless times since their last encounter.

Despite his age, the practice of ancient martial arts had the virtue of promoting longevity, and it seemed impossible for him to become so weak in such a short time. This left Lin Xiao slightly puzzled.

“Young man, I’ll discuss my health with you later.” Perhaps sensing Lin Xiao’s confusion, Chen Jinsong laughed, “Now, let me introduce you to my son and grandson.”

The middle-aged man was Chen Jinsong’s son, named Chen Tianxing, while the young man who had opened the door was Chen Tianxing’s son, Chen Tianli.

The fact that the three generations of the Chen family were there to welcome him, coupled with Chen Jinsong’s visible decline, left Lin Xiao feeling both flattered and a bit apprehensive.

He and Chen Jinsong were merely acquaintances, both ancient martial artists, but this reception seemed rather extravagant. Lin Xiao also noticed that although Chen’s Martial Arts Hall was expansive, it was sparsely populated.

Apart from Chen Jinsong, Chen Tianxing, and Chen Tianli, he didn’t see anyone else.

Chen Tianxing offered an explanation with a smile, “Our school differs from others. We don’t have many students, nor do we offer lodging. The school isn’t open at this time.”

Lin Xiao nodded. That would explain why the gate of the Chen’s Martial Arts Hall had been closed when he arrived.

“Little brother Lin, I am your senior. If you don’t mind, you can address me as Uncle Chen,” Chen Tianxing suggested jovially, seeming to find Lin Xiao agreeable. “As fellow practitioners, let’s drop formalities and unnecessary pleasantries.”

“Alright, Uncle Chen, feel free to call me by my first name,” said Lin Xiao.

Though he was usually quiet and not adept at conversation, it didn’t mean he lacked interpersonal skills.

On a typical day, Lin Xiao appeared cold and distant, his expressions impassive. But that was simply because he was accustomed to concealing his emotions from others. Although young, Lin Xiao was a veteran of countless trials in the army, and his mental maturity was evident. He had his own set of principles for dealing with people.