https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-314-Arrival-in-the-Capital-Preparations-for-the-Midyear-Competition/12990967/
Chapter 313: Support in the Midst of Snow for Su Chen
Chapter 313: Support in the Midst of Snow for Su Chen
Upon hearing Gu Feng's words, Elder Shangxuan's face was filled with a smile.
This was the Gu Feng he knew.
A disciple like this would be capable of shouldering great responsibilities in the future.
If one couldn't face their own mistakes with equanimity in their youth, who knew how stubborn they would become as they aged.
"With you thinking this way, I can rest assured.
As long as there are young people like you in the Celestial Capital, our sect won't decline."
For a massive sect to collapse, there was a high chance that internal issues had arisen.
As long as the younger generation of the sect had such a mindset, Elder Shangxuan believed that the sect could be passed down for thousands of years.
"The Midyear Competition will be postponed by a few days and set for the 19th of June.
You can rest for two days before setting off."
"Besides you and Su Chen, we also need to arrange for two more disciples to participate in the Midyear Competition.
You can decide on the candidates."
Gu Feng accepted the task and then left Elder Shangxuan's courtyard.
Even though he had been given this task, Gu Feng didn't plan to push his younger sister into it.
The Midyear Competition was a place for the top disciples of the various sects in the Great Zhou to compete.
Gu Wei and Gu Yu were still far from being qualified.
Gu Feng turned his gaze towards the older disciples.
They were at least at the Seventh Stage Perfected Realm or the Sixth Stage Beginner Realm.
Compared to them, their talents and potential might not be considered exceptionally top-notch, but at least their strength was sufficient.
The departure date was set for three days later.
During these three days, Su Chen stayed at home to consolidate his own strength and realm.
In reality, he didn't feel like there was much to consolidate.
The Sixth Stage Middle Rank, compared to the Sixth Stage Beginner, required a more stable state for the practitioner.
On the contrary, during the Sixth Stage Beginner Realm, he had to work hard to consolidate his realm.
Upon entering the Middle Rank, he felt much more relaxed.
Without needing to spend too much effort on consolidating his strength and realm, he could devote more time to his family.
After the Celestial Capital's front line advanced, the city's commerce became even more prosperous.
Additionally, due to the reclamation of many wastelands on the front line, the city's grain production increased significantly this year.
Many surrounding towns and numerous merchants now chose to come to the Celestial Capital.
They brought goods to sell and also purchased items to take back.
With the two-way trade, these merchants made a considerable profit.
This also contributed to the city's thriving economy.
Su Chen and his younger sister were strolling through the Celestial Capital when they noticed how lively the city had become.
Today, they had intentionally left their mother at home.
With their mother around, she would either not allow his sister to buy something or not let her wear something.
Although their family had become much wealthier, their mother still preferred a hard life and was reluctant to enjoy their good fortune.
People of that generation seemed to have this mindset.
On the east side of the Celestial Capital, this area was known as the East Market.
Various types of goods were neatly arranged in different zones for sale.
Accompanying his sister as they wandered, they encountered a wide variety of items.
From scholarly artifacts to livestock and birds, there was an abundance of choices.
It seemed like they could buy whatever they wanted.
His sister stopped at a stall, her gaze drawn to a hairpin.
It was adorned with red gemstones, appearing exquisite.
Just as she reached out to touch it, Su Chen pulled her away, taking her elsewhere.
"There are still many sand particles in the gaps of that silver hairpin.
Although it has been cleaned thoroughly, some areas still have remnants, which are visible."
As expected, that item was most likely dug up from the ground."
Hearing these words, his sister didn't fully understand Su Chen's implication.
She probably thought that being dug up from the ground didn't affect its quality.
As long as it was cleaned, it should be fine.
"When I say it was dug up from the ground, I mean this item was likely stolen from a tomb.
There's a high chance it was taken from a dead body."
This time, Su Chen didn't finish his sentence.
His sister's skin broke out in goosebumps.
"Brother, please stop talking."
She finally understood why Su Chen didn't want her to touch that item.
Noticing his sister's interest in various accessories, Su Chen decided to take her to a gold shop.
Although the prices here were higher than outside, it was at least more reassuring.
The shop was established there, and it wasn't easy for them to run away.
He had earned these resources to provide a better life for his family.
He custom-ordered a hairpin and a bracelet for his sister and, while he was at it, also picked out two items for his mother.
It was only at times like these that Su Chen truly felt the significance of earning resources.
After buying some accessories, Su Chen took his sister to get some new clothes made.
As girls grew older, they became more concerned about their appearance.
Their mother always dressed his sister in coarse cloth, and Su Chen wanted his sister to have a better life.
Seeing her happiness made him happy too.
After placing these orders, Su Chen took his sister to buy some snacks and sweets.
He bought slightly more to take home.
While shopping, Su Chen also gave his sister some silver taels.
His sister was no longer the little kid she used to be; she needed to learn how to manage and spend money wisely.
There were times when she wanted to buy something privately, but she didn't have the money.
Su Chen thought for a moment and decided to give his sister some money regularly.
He also taught her how to plan and use it reasonably.
In a teahouse in the distance, Jin Pu and Jin Chao, the grandfather and grandson, frowned as they watched the scene before them.
"Who is the woman beside Su Chen?
They seem a little too close for comfort."
Jin Pu's words carried a hint of concern, as he still intended to push Jin Yue towards Su Chen.
This situation caught him off guard.
Jin Chao, standing nearby, shook his head upon hearing this.
"That girl is Su Chen's younger sister, who grew up with him under the same roof. They have a very close relationship."
Hearing that she was his sister, Jin Pu felt slightly relieved.
"Have you been in touch with Su Chen recently? What did he say about the two pills you returned?"
Jin Chao shook his head helplessly.
"These days, Su Chen refuses to see me.
His family doesn't welcome me either, and it's difficult to even meet him.
When I bump into him on the road, he won't even exchange a word with me."
Jin Pu couldn't help but scoff at this.
"Look at you and your good-for-nothing father, what have you two been up to?
The Shen family has been researching that jade pill, who knows how far they've gotten."
Jin Pu's scolding seemed to have no effect on Jin Chao, who just shrugged slightly, seemingly unaffected.
"Yesterday, I chatted with Yue'er, and she and Su Chen are quite distant now.
She can't even have a proper conversation with him."
Jin Pu wasn't surprised by this.
"If you miss an opportunity, it's not easy to get it back.
If it were me, the way you've treated me, I'd respond with an even worse attitude."
Jin Chao remained silent, as he truly had no solution at the moment.
Unable to even talk to Su Chen, what else could he do?
How could he retrieve the pills?
Seeing Jin Chao's reaction, Jin Pu scoffed again.
"If you can't figure out a solution, this matter might remain unresolved. You need to be more flexible."
Jin Chao turned to look at his grandfather.
Since his grandfather had said this, it meant he already had an idea in mind.
"Do you know about the Midyear Competition in the capital?"
Seeing Jin Chao shake his head, Jin Pu almost scolded him.
"The list of participants from various sects for this year's Midyear Competition has been announced.
Su Chen is confirmed to participate.
According to my sources, Su Chen's participation in this competition is mainly due to Yunyang Sect's influence.
Because of Su Chen, Yunyang Sect's reputation has suffered greatly since last year.
This Midyear Competition is their chance to reveal Su Chen's true strength."
"But what does this have to do with us?" Jin Chao asked weakly, but before he could finish, his grandfather glared at him.
"When someone is on the rise, showing goodwill is called flattering and fawning.
But when someone is down, showing goodwill is called helping in times of need and being righteous.
Since Tian Gang City is letting Su Chen participate in this competition, they are essentially giving up on him.
I've learned from your father that Su Chen's martial arts skills are average.
The hype around him is all due to Tian Gang City's influence.
Yunyang Sect's careful planning will surely expose his true colors.
When everyone else has abandoned and belittled him, we will step in to lend a helping hand.
Our Jin family will firmly stand by his side.
What would he think of us then? Is there still a need to hold grudges against him?"
Upon hearing his grandfather's words, Jin Chao's eyes lit up slightly.
If they could offer Su Chen timely assistance when he was at his lowest, they could quickly gain his goodwill.
This plan seemed feasible.
"Seeing your reaction, can you handle these matters and find a proper solution?"
Jin Chao wanted to refute his grandfather's complaint.
He was just a junior in the Jin family, and the sect's intelligence wasn't shared with him.
How could he know that Su Chen was going to participate in the Midyear Competition in the capital?
How could he know that Yunyang Sect wanted to ruin Su Chen's reputation?
Although it was due to other factors, his grandfather made it seem like it was Jin Chao's incompetence.
Jin Chao didn't argue with his grandfather.
If he spoke up, he might get scolded again.
"Tian Gang City will probably depart for the capital in a couple of days.
You and Yue'er should return to Yinchuan City. You two siblings can go to the capital with your parents to watch the competition.
Someone will teach you how to handle the situation and show your sincerity."
With that, Jin Pu left the teahouse.
Jin Chao remained, still pondering over the plan.
Jin Chao still had some doubts.
Tian Gang City knew that Su Chen would be targeted by Yunyang Sect and his reputation would be ruined.
It might even affect Tian Gang City's reputation.
Then why let Su Chen go?
Is it really impossible to refuse?
Jin Chao felt something was amiss, but he didn't have much suspicion.
After all, he didn't have much information, and there might be deeper reasons.
Moreover, many times, various forces had to make difficult choices.
Thinking of this, Jin Chao couldn't help but wonder.
Did Tian Gang City know about Su Chen's acquaintance with a top-tier alchemist?
(End of Chapter)
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