"Young Master Lin, it has been a few months since we last t, and you have truly left this old man in awe."
Yan He’an’s figure appeared at the courtyard gate, and beside him stood a boy about twelve or thirteen years old.
"I must thank Senior Yan for the grace of gifting the map."
Lin Chen humbly replied, his gaze falling on the young boy. Seeing Lin Chen’s eyes looking toward him, Yan He’an stepped aside to let the boy co forward and introduced, "This is my grandson, Yan Ping."
After the introduction, Yan He’an said to his grandson, "Ping’er, this is the Lin Chen, the one you admire most. Hurry and pay your respects."
"No need for that."
Lin Chen quickly raised his hand to stop him, saying, "Your teacher is my benefactor, and I am not worthy to receive such respect from your grandson. Ping’er, right? Just call Brother Lin."
"Brother Lin!"
Yan Ping, seeing Lin Chen, was very excited, his face turning bright red.
Turns out, Grandfather didn’t lie to him; Grandfather really knows Brother Lin.
For soone from his background, though he hasn’t started learning martial arts yet, he’s already familiar and involved with the Martial Path. Among his peers, the topic they discuss most now is Brother Lin’s deeds.
If Xinxin finds out that he has t Brother Lin, she would certainly want to play with him.
"Senior Yan... you didn’t ntion bringing young Ping along, I, as his brother, haven’t prepared a eting gift."
Lin Chen searched his person a few tis; besides silver tickets, he only had a Dragon Shadow Bow, which was not suitable as a eting gift for Senior Yan’s grandson.
"Haha, today Ping’er just happened to be with at the Martial Arts Garden. I didn’t expect Young Master Lin to co to the Martial Arts Garden as well, so I took advantage of the situation to bring Ping’er to et you. Just being able to et you once is more than enough, no need for a present."
"That won’t do; Ping’er called brother, so as his brother, I must give a eting gift... Ping’er, is there anything you want?"
Lin Chen looked down at Yan Ping, who shook his head, "Brother Lin, no need, just eting you makes very happy."
"Is it because your grandfather is here, so you feel shy to ask? Then I’ll owe you a eting gift for now."
Listening to Lin Chen and his grandson’s conversation, Yan He’an felt imnsely satisfied with Lin Chen.
Truth be told, he is rely a steward at the Martial Arts Garden. His status isn’t high, and even at his peak, his strength was no more than Ninth Grade, and it has declined significantly now.
As for his help toward Lin Chen, it was part of his duty. As a steward of the Martial Arts Garden, it’s his job to spot any talents among the martial artists who co to the Martial Arts Garden and make things easier for them. The reason Lin Chen later went through the Thousand Hamr Map’s training was because Elder Zhao had spoken on his behalf. He didn’t have the authority otherwise.
Even with such a small kindness, Lin Chen gave enough face to him as a grandfather in front of his grandson.
He had seen many talents who were modest and courteous before making a na for themselves. Yet, once they achieved success, they beca aloof and unwilling to associate with those they knew before, afraid others would learn about their humble and arduous past.
"Ping’er, you’ve t Young Master Lin. Now, go back to your mother. Grandfather and Young Master Lin have so matters to discuss."
"Alright." Yan Ping obediently responded, "Brother Lin, I’ll be going now."
"Okay."
Lin Chen patted Yan Ping’s head, smilingly watching him leave the courtyard.
"Young Master Lin, Elder Zhao left just a few days ago. But upon learning that you chose to attend Canglan Martial Arts Academy, he left this token for you. Once you reach the East Sea Path, you can use this token at the Martial Arts Garden there."
Yan He’an took out a piece of white jade token from his chest, and Lin Chen received it, waiting for Senior Yan’s explanation.
"Martial Arts Gardens are spread throughout Liang, and there is also one at the East Sea Path. This token contains three thousand contribution points."
"Three thousand contribution points?"
Lin Chen raised his eyebrows in surprise. When he first joined the Martial Arts Garden, he only had a hundred contribution points, which he used to exchange for a Martial Arts Qi Blood Notes.
"For mbers of the Martial Arts Garden, having over a thousand contribution points earns you a token, and Martial Arts Gardens across regions recognize the token rather than the person. So, don’t lose it, Young Master Lin."
Yan He’an reminded him and continued, "As for the three thousand contribution points, they were allocated to Young Master Lin by Elder Zhao."
"Why would Elder Zhao give three thousand contribution points?"
Though he had only ever heard of Elder Zhao, never t him, Lin Chen was very curious.
"To reward Young Master Lin for becoming the Jiangnan Dao student role model."
Even Yan He’an was not clear on so of the details. He only knew that Lin Chen’s achievent as the Jiangnan Dao student role model also benefited Elder Zhao, but the extent of those benefits was unknown to him.
Given what he knows about Elder Zhao, the benefits that led Elder Zhao to be so generous with three thousand contribution points must be substantial.
"This junior would very much like to et Elder Zhao."
"Haha, don’t worry, Young Master Lin. You’ll certainly have the opportunity in the future."
Yan He’an stroked his beard and chuckled. With Lin Chen’s talent in martial arts, eting Elder Zhao was only a matter of ti.
Had Elder Zhao not been so busy lately, spending little ti at the Martial Arts Garden, he would have t Lin Chen already.
Lin Chen and Yan He’an chatted for a while before taking his leave.
Feeling a bit hungry, he returned to Linhu Village to soak in dicinal liquids to replenish his Qi and blood.
However, as he was departing, a small incident occurred. The martial artists at the Martial Arts Garden, having heard of Lin Chen’s presence, all wanted a chance to see him. In the end, Lin Chen had to make an appearance, greeting these academy students and offering a few words of encouragent before he was able to leave.
On the boat back to the village, Lin Chen mused that, barring any surprises, the young martial artists of Poyang County in the coming years would look up to him as an example.
His actions and words would influence the young martial artists of Poyang County.
This is the honor of being a student role model, and it’s also a responsibility.
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