CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 93: GENIUS_2

Chen Ku took the deeds to the house and land and said to Wu Gui, "Next, I’ll need to trouble you once more. Please find me a cook, two maids—one to take care of the child and another for the elderly—as well as four Long-term Workers. Once they are hired, I can go to the countryside to bring my mother and the others here."

"Rest assured, Shopkeeper; I’ll handle this matter."

Wu Gui agreed.

Chen Ku returned to Medicine King Hall. Today he visited Butcher Court, but there were no Demons to slaughter.

Shang Yunfang had prepared his exclamations for half the day. Achieving Inner Qi in just two or three days, such talent...

If it were not for the fact that he had no initiation technique, he’d almost wish to transfer all his Skill directly to Chen Ku.

Chen Ku accepted the compliments, then paid his respects to Shang Yunfang before he began practicing his knife techniques and footwork.

「Soon, evening arrived.」

...

Fragrance Pavilion was still adorned with familiar high-hanging lanterns, festooned with lights, resembling the festivities of New Year’s celebration, with all visitors either wealthy or noble. But unlike last time, this time, Chen Ku, adorned in Medicine King Hall’s embroidered satin robe, didn’t need to announce his arrival. The protectors at the entrance of Fragrance Pavilion immediately bowed obsequiously, "Shopkeeper Chen has arrived, please come in! Quick, please!"

As Chen Ku entered, he asked, "Who has already arrived inside?"

"Young Master Jiang and Official Chai came early, also Scholar Zhang, Langui Fang’s Young Master Zhou, the Registrar from the county government office’s Miss Wang... You are the sixth to arrive."

Chen Ku nodded and casually tossed some Small Change of Silver to the man, saying, "Understood, I’ll make my own way there."

Before he even reached the private room’s entrance, the others inside heard his approach and came out to meet him.

Chai Tiangui was the first to surge forward, with a bright and friendly smile, promptly offering his congratulations, "Brother Chen, Brother Chen, what sort of Jiao Long are you that you have such good fortune every day? Just a few days ago, you were accepted as a Disciple by two grand masters, and moreover as a Direct Disciple of Master Yang... And now, in just two or three days, you’ve broken through to Inner Qi! It’s also the same day as Brother Jiang’s good news; truly, joy upon joy!"

Facing this major sponsor, Chen Ku stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting, "Official Chai, congratulations to us both."

Chai Tiangui asked kindly, "I heard you were finding a house for your family..."

Chen Ku quickly replied, "I’ve already purchased it."

He truly feared that the man would present him another mansion, and such favors, accumulating one after the other, would become overwhelmingly great.

Chai Tiangui revealed a hint of regret upon hearing this.

Ever since the news of Yang Luochen taking Chen Ku as his Disciple broke, he knew that any future association with Chen Ku, and any gold or Silver he spent, would be an investment that wouldn’t incur a loss. Moreover, today another explosive chip had been added. Having attained Inner Qi just three to four days after receiving the Cultivation Technique, such a person was bound to become Baojiao County’s figurehead; nothing could make him doubt that.

"Come, sit down, sit down, this meal is on me." Since today brings Chen Ku’s good news, and his status is no longer what it once was, it’s only right that I pay for this meal; I can’t let others...

"Younger brother, I was just saying the same thing, but... Official Chai had already taken care of the bill for today," said Jiang Shaoyou with a laugh, signaling an inescapable generosity, "He didn’t even give us a chance to spend a penny."

"What are you talking about? This is my, Chai Tiangui’s, stronghold! Is there any chance for others to treat guests here?"

Laughter rang out among the seven individuals.

Soon, the last three guests arrived; they were the same three people from last time who held the highest status.

Leading them was Sui Qingfang, the daughter of a Counselor, followed by Qi Renwang, the son of County Magistrate Qi, and lastly, a Military Scholar from the previous year named Zhou Bing.

Scholar Zhang stood up, intending to let Sui Qingfang take the head seat again. But unexpectedly, Sui Qingfang, looking at Chen Ku with her clear voice and a gentle, courteous expression, said, "Last time, since I had broken through to Inner Qi, I took the main seat. This time, since it’s the good fortune of Brother Chen and Brother Jiang, naturally, they should be the ones sitting there."

"That’s correct." Chai Tiangui then rose and invited Chen Ku and Jiang Shaoyou to the center seats.

Chen Ku didn’t decline, though he was somewhat dazed.

He remembered the last time he had sat at a separate table, merely listening to the conversations of these young masters and misses of nobility. He hadn’t expected that, in such a short period, he would not only move to this table but also take a primary seat. Once seated, their conversations became his own.

Unlike last time, Chen Ku now had considerably more experience, particularly concerning the Demon People of Taiping Path, so he engaged in some of these discussions.

And unlike before, when he might sit for half a day without anyone speaking to him, this time, whenever he wanted to rest for a bit or have something to eat, someone would take the initiative to start a conversation with him.

It was Sui Qingfang.

"Brother Chen, how old are you this year?" Sui Qingfang asked curiously, blinking.

"I was born in the summer; after the New Year, I’ll be eighteen by nominal age," Chen Ku replied. He was referring to the age of this body.

"Chen... you’re only seventeen? So young."

Sui Qingfang’s beautiful eyes widened slightly in surprise. "At seventeen, you already have the Root Bone of the Irresistible Power of Four Elephants and have achieved Inner Qi. It seems that at next spring’s martial examination, Chen Ku, you are set to distinguish yourself greatly."

"Hm? ’Distinguish himself greatly’?" Chai Tiangui interjected. He wiped his mouth with a silk handkerchief and then boasted about Chen Ku, "A seventeen-year-old with Inner Qi and the innate Four Symbols Power! By then, he will absolutely dominate his peers, right? It’s safe to say that among next year’s Military Scholar spots, one is definitely reserved for Chen Ku, without a doubt."

However, Sui Qingfang then spoke seriously, "You don’t realize, next spring’s martial examination is going to be quite unusual. Many geniuses who are not from Baojiao County will be coming to participate."

Chen Ku was distinctly surprised. What does it mean that people not from Baojiao County are coming?

Jiang Shaoyou also looked towards Sui Qingfang with concern. His happiness from attaining Inner Qi was precisely for the purpose of becoming a Military Scholar...