28: Traditional martial arts are used to join the army, while traditional arts are used to take charge of the family.
A faint glimmer of tears filled Chen Chuanwen's eyes. He nodded heavily and said to his elder brother:
"Big Brother, don't worry! I'll take good care of Father, Mother, and Ah Jie. You must take care of yourself!"
Chen Chuanwu nodded. He patted the head of the dejected Chuanjie beside him and said with a smile:
"Chuanjie, you must practice your martial arts well. If I find out you've been slacking off when I return, I'll spank your bottom!"
Chen Chuanjie stepped forward and hugged his elder brother's arm, nodding vigorously as he whispered:
"Big Brother, you must come back safely!"
Beside them, Yi Lian and Wang Juan secretly wiped away their tears, their hearts filled with worry for their beloved son and husband.
"Alright, you two women should stop crying. Chuanwu is leaving tomorrow, so we'll have a reunion dinner today. Go and get it ready!"
Although Chen Changsheng was worried about Chuanwu, he knew he couldn't let Chuanwu leave with a heavy heart; all the weeping and wailing was unseemly.
As the others went to prepare the meal, Chen Changsheng kept Chuanwu behind and exhorted him:
"Chuanwu, I know your martial arts are excellent, but in the army, you must remember that there is always someone stronger. You must not lack caution!"
"Especially since I heard that Immortals are participating this time. If you face an Immortal, you must hide. If you can't hide, then show weakness. Whatever they want or want to know, just tell them!"
"Remember, military merits and treasures are secondary. Coming back alive is the top priority!"
Chen Changsheng was worried that Chuanwu, in his youthful vigor, would charge headlong into danger when it arose.
"Father, don't worry. I know my limits. Juaner and the child in her womb are waiting for my return!"
Chuanwu nodded heavily. Perhaps because he was about to become a father, he seemed less impulsive and more composed now.
"As long as... as long as you understand. Go talk to Juan and your mother; don't let them worry too much about you!"
Seeing that Chuanwu had taken his advice to heart, Chen Changsheng patted his shoulder. The once rigid Chuanwu now had a touch of softness to him, making him look more like a responsible man!
That evening, the whole family gathered for a reunion dinner. At the table, Yi Lian told embarrassing stories from Chuanwu's childhood, making everyone laugh.
But at the thought of Chuanwu going to the battlefield soon, the two women's eyes turned red.
Afterward, Chen Changsheng left Chuanwu and his wife alone so they could spend more time together and talk.
He comforted the weeping Yi Lian, telling her that Chuanwu's martial arts were strong and that nothing would happen to him; he would surely return safely.
In truth, Chen Changsheng was also uncertain. In a battlefield where Immortals were involved, what could a mere Bone Refining Realm practitioner do!
The next day, everyone saw Chuanwu off as he mounted his horse to head to the county town for assembly. Not only Chen Changsheng's family, but also Wang Yong's family and Master Li Wen from the Iron Spear Martial Arts School in the county town came to see him off.
"Everyone, rest assured, I will definitely return safely!"
Chuanwu said to the crowd with cupped fists. Then, he walked over to Wang Juan, took her in his arms, and said:
"Take care of yourself and the child. Wait for my return..."
Wang Juan was now sobbing uncontrollably. Chuanwu kowtowed once more to Chen Changsheng and Yi Lian, then steeled his heart, mounted his horse, and rode toward the recruitment assembly point.
"Thank you all for coming to see my Chuanwu off to the army!"
Chen Changsheng said to the crowd with cupped fists, and everyone comforted him, telling him not to worry.
A moment later, the crowd dispersed. Chen Changsheng called Chuanwen to his side and said:
"Chuanwen, your sister-in-law is pregnant and needs someone to look after her. Bring her home from the county town and hire a reliable Maidservant."
Chuanwen nodded first, then frowned and said:
"Father, Big Brother has joined the army. What about our family business...?"
Chen Changsheng laughed heartily, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. With a hint of coldness in his voice, he said:
"Whether it's selling tea or trading wine, our family will go all out!"
"The Chen family still has you! Now that your brother is gone, can't you uphold our family's reputation?"
Chen Chuanwen felt a weight on his shoulders, but he knew this was a responsibility he had to shoulder after his brother's departure.
"Father, don't worry. Our Chen family is no longer the small farming household of the past. If anyone dares to reach out their claws, I'll chop off their hands!"
Chen Changsheng nodded. He was well aware of Chuanwen's ruthlessness; by putting him in charge of the family business, anyone who dared to covet it would only suffer more.
"Father, County Commandant Liu Jiang's home was raided. He had eight hundred mu of land, and the people at the County Yamen are looking for a buyer!"
"If we can secure those eight hundred mu of land, our Chen family can grow tea and grain for brewing wine. Our family will surely prosper!"
Chen Chuanwu had managed relationships in the county town for a long time, so he had some understanding of the news from the County Yamen!
Chen Changsheng frowned. He had also heard a little about this; the auction of County Commandant Liu Jiang's property was reportedly being handled by Immortal Official Baili Ce.
An Immortal Official... Chen Changsheng had never dealt with Cultivators before. Who knew what kind of temperament they had!
"Chuanwen, don't worry about this for now. I'll go to the County Yamen myself to test the waters."
Chen Chuanwen nodded and began arranging for people to bring Wang Juan home.
A month later, Chuanwu had gone to the army, and the remaining family members had to go on with their lives, gradually adapting.
Chen Changsheng was currently standing at the entrance of the County Yamen, chatting with a Minor Clerk.
"I wonder if the Immortal Official is busy with official business. Does he have any time?"
Chen Changsheng asked the Minor Clerk beside him while they chatted.
"To be honest, I really don't know about the Immortal Official's affairs. I've already sent someone to ask."
The Minor Clerk was also somewhat helpless. The Immortal Official's status in the county town was second only to the County Magistrate; how could a mere clerk like him have access to him?
"Master Chen, the Immortal Official happens to be free. He told me to bring you in!"
Just then, the Minor Clerk who had gone to report returned, bringing good news to Chen Changsheng.
"Thank you both for your help! I'll head in now!"
Chen Changsheng hurriedly took out two pieces of broken silver from his sleeve and handed them to the clerks. Their smiles immediately widened.
As the saying goes, it's easy to see the King of Hell, but hard to deal with the little devils.
Chen Changsheng only gave a few taels of silver to look after the clerks, but they could lend him a hand at a critical moment.
For instance, in seeking an audience with the Immortal Official, if it were someone else, the clerks might prefer to avoid trouble and not bother reporting it.
Having given the silver, Chen Changsheng was led into the County Yamen.
Deep within the County Yamen was an elegant garden, complete with rockeries and ponds, looking very exquisite.
In a pavilion by the pond, a young man was feeding the red carp.
"This humble commoner, Chen Changsheng, greets the Immortal Official!"
As soon as Chen Changsheng saw Baili Ce's face, he was startled.
He hadn't expected that the young man he had seen in the village back then was actually the "Ruthless Immortal Official" who was the talk of the town's influential families.
"Master Chen, come over. This isn't the first time we've met, so why be so formal?"
Baili Ce clearly recognized Chen Changsheng as well. He looked at him with a smile and made an inviting gesture!