Seeing the soldiers’ reverence for Instructor Jia, Lin Chen thought to himself, if Instructor Jia were rely a skilled instructor, he wouldn’t command such respect from these soldiers.
"First, bathe and change in this courtyard. In a while, I’ll take you to et Lord Shao."
Entering the Military Affairs Hall, Jia Nanzhu led Lin Chen to a courtyard. Originally, they could have reached Hongdu Prefecture in a day by boat, but due to Lin Chen wearing the Reversed Scale Armor, in order to help him adapt to it, Jia Nanzhu chose to travel by land, taking two days to reach Hongdu Prefecture.
The journey could be described as arduous, especially for Lin Chen, as it was truly like moving forward under a heavy load.
In the courtyard, there was a private bathing room with hot water already prepared. Lin Chen bathed and grood himself. Just as he stepped out of the bathing room, two maids approached, holding feather fans.
"Young Master Lin, we have been ordered to style your hair."
Style my hair?
Lin Chen hadn’t really thought about this. In Liang, there was no requirent for citizens to keep long hair, and most village youths like him kept their hair short, as long hair was not suitable for work.
However, since entering the Martial Arts Hall, it had been more than a year since he last cut his hair, so it had indeed grown quite long.
Yet as a martial artist, he possessed the ability to heat his scalp with Qi Blood, making his hair dry quickly.
"Then I’ll trouble you."
Considering Instructor Jia had him bathe in the courtyard, these two maids must have been arranged by Instructor Jia as well, so Lin Chen didn’t refuse. He sat down on a chair, and the two won began to comb his tangled hair.
"No need to make it so elaborate, just sothing simple is fine."
After a quarter of an hour, seeing the two won still not finished, Lin Chen grew a bit impatient, although the touch of their fingers on his scalp was indeed pleasant, indulgence breeds laziness...
"Young Master Lin, Lord Jia instructed us to give you a proper grooming."
The girl on the left smiled as she spoke, though her hands moved faster. Lin Chen raised an eyebrow—Instructor Jia had instructed to groom him well?
Lin Chen thought of a possibility and didn’t say anything further.
Two quarters of an hour later, the hair was styled. The two won tied a ribbon onto Lin Chen, and he changed into brand-new attire.
"Young Master Lin, would you like to take a look in the mirror?"
The maid brought over a bronze mirror, and Lin Chen glanced at it. Well now... indeed, clothes make the man. He did look a bit more handso than usual.
His looks were only slightly inferior to those subscribed by the audience.
"Young Master Lin, please follow us."
All dressed up, the two won led Lin Chen out of the courtyard, through several corridors, eventually arriving before a hall.
At the foot of the hall’s steps stood soldiers on guard, solemn and dignified.
When Lin Chen reached the foot of the steps with the two won, they curtsied to Lin Chen before withdrawing with smiles.
"Lin Chen, disciple of Jingshui Martial Arts Hall, Mountain Suppressing Martial Arts Hall, and Gale Martial Arts Hall in Poyang County, Raozhou Prefecture has arrived!"
The middle-aged man standing at the top of the steps saw Lin Chen’s figure and smiled. The next mont, he shouted loudly. Lin Chen’s eyes narrowed; it seed he guessed right. This eting with Lord Shao of the Military Affairs Hall was in a highly official setting.
"Enter!"
Shortly after, a commanding voice resonated from within the hall.
"Lin Chen, go ahead."
The middle-aged man smiled at Lin Chen as he spoke. Lin Chen clasped his fist in salute, then adjusted the creases in his clothes, striding up the steps.
Inside the hall, there were ten people. Lin Chen spotted Instructor Jia, and to his shock, Instructor Jia was sitting in a prominent position, second only to the elder in the chief seat.
"Announce it."
Shao Jingshan saw Lin Chen enter and spoke calmly. As his voice fell, Jia Nanzhu produced a blue proclamation.
[Hereby it is announced that Lin Chen of Poyang County, Raozhou Prefecture, Jiangnan Dao entered the Martial Hall in Kaohe Town in the Liang Calendar year 298...]
Jia Nanzhu read slowly, detailing Lin Chen’s experiences since entering the Martial Hall.
First in the Martial Hall, first in the martial arts contests, first in the county competition, first in the special training ground contests, na recorded on the Martial Arts Mountain...
[After deliberation by the Military Affairs Hall, Lin Chen is bestowed with the title of "Model Martial Arts Student of Jiangnan Dao," proclaid throughout Jiangnan Dao...]
As Jia Nanzhu recited, the eyes of all martial arts powerhouses present focused on Lin Chen. Seeing Lin Chen stand tall, unperturbed by honor or disgrace, they wore expressions of approval.
To remain so composed at his age, in the face of such honor, was indeed rare.
It was expected that the competition for the model student of Jiangnan Dao would not conclude until the end of the year, yet after rely three months, it had already settled.
"Lin Chen, aren’t you going to thank Lord Shao?"
Jia Nanzhu finished reading and smiled at Lin Chen, who was just about to bow in gratitude when Shao Jingshan suddenly waved his hand: "Don’t hurry to express gratitude yet; I still need you to do sothing."
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