Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 537 - 70: The Meeting of Two Generations of Liang’s Celestial Prides (Part 2)

Pei Qingming smiled and spoke, while Lin Chen sheepishly rubbed his nose.

Some of his records seemed to have really made a name for himself by stepping over Senior Pei’s. Luckily, he didn’t go to Lingxiao Martial Arts Academy, otherwise, it would have really been hard to explain.

"Are you Lin Chen?"

Dai Qingqing’s charming eyes looked at Lin Chen with interest. In her view, Brother Pei was the most remarkable genius she had ever seen. Yet, she hadn’t expected that in just two short years, the records set by Brother Pei were all shattered by someone else.

This made her very curious about what was special about Lin Chen, the young man who broke Brother Pei’s records.

"I salute you, Senior..."

"No need to call me Senior, we are not that far apart in age. You can call me Brother Pei like Qingqing does, and call her Sister." Pei Qingming interrupted Lin Chen’s polite greeting with a smile: "If you call Qingqing Senior, she might get upset and think you’re calling her old."

"Then I’ll follow Brother Pei’s lead, greetings to Sister Qingqing."

Dai Qingqing nodded: "Having a future genius of Liang call me Sister is my honor. You can chat with Brother Pei, I’ll go prepare lunch for you."

"Thank you, Sister Qingqing."

Dai Qingqing walked into the bamboo grove while Pei Qingming led Lin Chen to stand on the slope beside the bamboo grove.

"Normally, there are some things that shouldn’t be told to martial artists of your age. However, given your potential and Liang’s nurturing of you, telling you ahead of time won’t hurt."

Pei Qingming spoke as Lin Chen listened attentively. He knew Brother Pei was about to inform him of some major events that had occurred recently.

"Five days ago, the Northern Garrison Marquis led our Liang army to the royal court of the Northern Border Demon Race. Without incident, this battle will completely exterminate them, establishing eternal stability for Liang’s Northern Border."

Lin Chen heard these words but did not smile; Brother Pei said "Without incident", so there was an incident?

"Then, three days ago, just as the Northern Garrison Marquis was about to launch a full assault on the demon court, the Han Kingdom suddenly intervened, demanding that Liang stop attacking the Northern Border Demon Race."

"On what grounds?"

Lin Chen’s face showed anger. The Northern Border Demon Race had plagued Liang for hundreds of years, not counting the previous dynasty. Now there’s a chance to eliminate them in one fell swoop, and just because of a word from Han Kingdom we are to give up?

Pei Qingming saw the anger on Lin Chen’s face; in fact, when he first heard this news, he was equally unable to suppress his fury.

"Because the martial resources Han Kingdom needs can only be provided by the Northern Border Demon Race. Exterminating them would affect Han’s martial resources, so they asked Liang to halt the attack."

This was the reason Han Kingdom wanted Liang to cease fire.

"They really do have the nerve to ask."

Lin Chen’s face showed a sarcastic expression. He understood clearly that this was just an excuse; the real reason was that Han wanted to preserve the Northern Border Demon Race because as long as they existed, Liang had to station troops at the northern border for defense and constantly face harassment from the demons.

"Brother Pei, did the Imperial Court agree?"

"Certainly not." Pei Qingming’s eyes held a chill: "In this battle against the Northern Border Demon Race, Liang has lost over two hundred middle-grade martial artists, nearly a thousand lower-grade martial artists, and countless Viscera-Refining Martial Artists. The Imperial Court is determined to end the Northern Border conflict with a decisive battle. At this point, why would we retreat? Not even the Han Kingdom, nor anyone else can stop Liang."

Over two hundred middle-grade martial artists, plus nearly a thousand lower-grade martial artists, Liang had invested twenty years’ worth of resources. If we give up midway, how would we face these fallen heroes?

"And what about Han Kingdom?"

"Han Kingdom didn’t actually fight Liang, but they directly cut off border trade with us, and with its immense influence, it compelled several other countries to sever ties with Liang."

Lin Chen realized that Zhao Kingdom sealing its border with Liang was under Han’s directive.

"Zhao Kingdom, Zheng Kingdom, Xiang Kingdom, these three have already cut off border communication with Liang. As for Ze Kingdom, Wu Kingdom, and Qi Kingdom, these three originally have no border with us, and the only one that does, Yan Kingdom, has yet to express a stance."

"Can Yan Kingdom withstand the pressure?"

"Though Yan Kingdom is just a small country, precisely because for years it has maintained open channels with all others, it can use this as a reason to delay sealing the border, but it likely won’t hold out for long."

Han Kingdom is very strong!

As the only major country among the Nine Kingdoms that has lasted for over a millennium without being toppled, even Pei Qingming must admit that Han’s martial power surpasses that of Liang.

"Brother Pei, why doesn’t Han just directly engage Liang in battle?"

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s question, Pei Qingming’s face bore a hint of ridicule: "This is the reason why Han can stand for a thousand years without falling. Over these millennia, the other Eight Kingdoms have all seen warfare and turmoil; take Liang for instance, experiencing multiple regime changes, and Han has been instigating these throughout."

"Han is very smart, never personally stepping in. Whenever a country starts to rise, they suppress it and support other countries in opposing it. In some ways, when the Grand Ancestor Emperor quickly rose, Han indeed provided assistance, but..."

Pei Qingming changed his tone: "Liang need not be grateful to Han. Han helped the Grand Ancestor Emperor not out of benevolence, but to use the opportunity to annex Liang’s lands, but the Grand Ancestor managed to withstand it, preventing Han’s scheme. Moreover, the aid Han gave to Liang, we repaid them double."