23: Personal disciple

Inside the hall, Museum Master Zhao Zheng looked at Chen Linsheng, the admiration in his eyes completely undisguised.

He stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Linsheng, who else is in your family? What is your background?"

Chen Linsheng's heart tightened, knowing this was a necessary investigation. Just as he was about to answer, Third Martial Sister stepped forward and spoke coolly, "Master, regarding the background and origins of the newly admitted apprentices, this Disciple has already compiled a preliminary report according to routine."

Saying this, she took a thin booklet from her sleeve, turned to a page, and read aloud:

"Chen Linsheng, sixteen years old, a native of Xiaohe Village, under Qinghe County. His parents died early, and his eldest brother also perished in military service. He lives only with his widowed sister-in-law, Lady Su. His background is clean; three generations have been honest Herb Gathering people, with no ties to the major city forces or the Greenwood Dao. Previously, due to pressure from the autumn tax, he gathered and sold herbs to overcome difficulties. This is recorded and shows no abnormality."

Third Martial Sister closed the booklet and added, "According to the investigation, before he entered the Martial Arts Museum, his main range of activity was confined to the mountains and villages, and his social circle was simple."

Hearing this, the last trace of doubt vanished from Zhao Zheng's face. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! Good! Clean background, exceptional talent, and resolute Heart-Nature—he ought to be my Disciple!"

Chen Linsheng also sighed in relief. He had been worried that the Medicine Gang affair might implicate him, but it seemed the Martial Arts Museum's investigation mainly focused on family background and general whereabouts, without delving into deep details.

"Let's go. Follow me out."

Zhao Zheng was in high spirits and led the way toward the door.

Chen Linsheng, Shi Poyue, Third Martial Sister, and Fourth Martial Sister followed closely behind.

Seeing the Museum Master personally leading Chen Linsheng and several core Personal Disciples onto the Training Grounds, the previously noisy area instantly fell silent.

All the apprentices, whether from humble or wealthy families, subconsciously straightened their backs, their gaze focused on the Museum Master. They vaguely sensed what was coming, especially when they saw Chen Linsheng standing calmly beside the Museum Master.

"Gather!"

Head Senior Brother Shi Poyue shouted in a deep voice.

Everyone quickly lined up and stood straight.

Zhao Zheng's gaze was like lightning, sweeping across the entire field. Everyone caught in his gaze involuntarily became nervous.

He spoke slowly, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Today, I have an announcement. Apprentice Chen Linsheng, fifteen days after entering the museum, has Cultivated the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique to the realm of Minor Achievement!"

"What? Fifteen days?"

"Minor Achievement?! How is that possible!"

"Did I hear that correctly?"

As soon as the words fell, the Training Grounds erupted as if a pot had boiled over, with gasps, shouts of disbelief, and sharp intakes of breath rising one after another!

Whether they were wealthy scions or Disciples from humble backgrounds, their faces were filled with disbelief.

Especially the wealthy scions; they knew their progress was already fast due to Medicinal Pill assistance, but they felt they were still far from Minor Achievement.

As for the Disciples from humble backgrounds, they felt like they were listening to a celestial scripture. Zhang Yang's pupils contracted sharply. He stared fixedly at Chen Linsheng, his fists unconsciously clenched, his face burning. He had just been smugly celebrating his impending entry and making a bet... Zhao Zheng slightly raised his hand, suppressing the noise, and continued, "Such talent is truly rare! According to the Martial Arts Museum rules, anyone who reaches Minor Achievement within one month can become a Personal Disciple. This Museum Master accepts Chen Linsheng as a Personal Disciple today!"

Personal Disciple!

These four words hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer!

The status of a Personal Disciple and an ordinary formal Disciple was worlds apart. It meant receiving personal guidance from the Museum Master, gaining access to the most core Legacy, and receiving resource allocation that was incomparable!

This was the identity that most people present dreamed of but could not obtain!

Instantly, countless gazes fell upon Chen Linsheng, filled with intense envy, shock, and unconcealed jealousy.

Among the Disciples from humble backgrounds, some felt vicarious honor, but more felt a complex bitterness: Why him and not me?

The wealthy scions also put away their previous sense of superiority, their expressions serious, knowing that the Martial Arts Museum now had a figure they had to face head-on, or even look up to.

Just then, from the ranks of the wealthy scions, Liu Mingyu took a deep breath, stepped forward, cupped his hands toward the Museum Master and Chen Linsheng respectively, and announced loudly, "Congratulations to the Museum Master for gaining such an excellent Disciple! Congratulations, Senior Brother Chen!"

His attitude changed extremely quickly; he immediately addressed Chen Linsheng as "Senior Brother."

He then turned to the crowd and said frankly:

"Just now, Junior Brother Zhang Yang and I made a bet on who would achieve a Breakthrough first. Now Senior Brother Chen has taken the lead and stepped into Minor Achievement. According to the bet, I have lost. Regarding that three-courtyard residence in the west of the city, I, Liu Mingyu, will honor the bet. I will immediately send someone to deliver the land deed and house deed to Senior Brother Chen. Consider it a congratulatory gift for Senior Brother Chen's promotion to Personal Disciple!"

His words were extremely clever; he both fulfilled the bet and seized the opportunity to befriend the newly promoted Personal Disciple, turning a potentially awkward situation into a favor.

Chen Linsheng was slightly stunned, not expecting such a pleasant surprise.

He couldn't help but look at Museum Master Zhao Zheng.

A trace of approval flashed in Zhao Zheng's eyes. He nodded to Liu Mingyu and said, "Mingyu, this action is honorable and very good. A Martial Artist values promises, but must also understand how to judge the situation. You have done well."

Receiving praise from the Museum Master, Liu Mingyu felt reassured and respectfully withdrew.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yang's face was a mix of green and red. His bet ended in utter defeat before he even had the qualification to participate.

"Today's matter is concluded. All of you, diligently Cultivate and do not slack off!"

After Zhao Zheng finished speaking, he led Chen Linsheng and the others back to the rear courtyard.

Returning to the small hall, Zhao Zheng said to Chen Linsheng, "Linsheng, you have been promoted today, and your mind must be unsettled. I grant you one day of leave to handle worldly affairs and settle your Heart-Nature. Come see me here at this time tomorrow. I will impart to you the offensive fighting style that complements the Hunyuan Pile Posture Technique—the Hunyuan Palm."

"Thank you, Master!" Chen Linsheng suppressed his excitement and bowed.

"Poyue, take your Junior Brother to collect all the items belonging to a Personal Disciple."

"Yes, Master."

Chen Linsheng followed Head Senior Brother Shi Poyue out. The benefits for a Personal Disciple were quite generous: two sets of well-made cyan martial attire embroidered with the characters "exerting might," one bottle containing ten "Blood-Activating Pellets," one bottle containing five "Body Tempering Pills," and twenty taels of silver for settling expenses.

Afterward, Shi Poyue took him to the Martial Armory.

Personal Disciples could choose one weapon from the first floor of the Martial Armory.

Chen Linsheng pondered briefly and did not choose a saber or sword, but instead selected a long spear forged from solid iron.

His Cleaver Technique had already reached Perfection. He could quickly Master any weapon, and the long spear was the king of all weapons, making it more suitable for the complex situations he might face in the future.

After collecting all the items, holding the clothes, Medicinal Pills, and the long spear, Shi Poyue looked at Chen Linsheng and asked with a smile:

"Junior Brother Chen, how do you plan to handle the residence Liu Mingyu lost to you? Do you want to bring your family members to live in the county town? After all, as a Personal Disciple, it is safer and more convenient for your family to live near the Martial Arts Museum."

Hearing this, Chen Linsheng nodded affirmatively with almost no hesitation:

"Thank you for the reminder, Head Senior Brother, that was my intention as well. Although the countryside is nice, I really can't feel at ease leaving my sister-in-law alone at home."

Thinking of Su Wan, his heart filled with tenderness and concern.

Shi Poyue smiled knowingly and said cheerfully:

"Since that's the case, I have nothing pressing today, so I'll accompany you on a trip to Xiaohe Village to help you settle things. With the Martial Arts Museum stepping forward, no one will dare to make trouble over trivial matters."

Chen Linsheng felt grateful, knowing that Head Senior Brother was showing goodwill and giving him face. He happily cupped his hands and said, "Then I shall trouble Head Senior Brother!"