Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 10 Taking advantage of the situation
Scholar Ma packed up all his books, stood up, and casually remarked,
"Otherwise what? Aren't these all the eight-legged essays recorded in the 'Collected Annotations on the Four Books'? They are the general outline of the imperial examination questions... Brother Chen, you can't be unaware of that, can you?"

Yeah, why wouldn't I know?
Chen Shunan's face turned pale.

He had been in the Changbai Holy Dynasty for over thirty years, and had long since dulled his sharp edges and blended into the world.

Logically speaking, even if one had never taken the imperial examinations and was solely focused on martial arts, one would still have heard of or known some of the strategies and writings related to the examinations.

But now, upon closer reflection, it's all a blank!
He even suspected that if he hadn't taken charge of the imperial edict and ascended to godhood, he would still be kept in the dark.

It seemed that an invisible yet powerful force permeated the entire Changbai Holy Dynasty, obscuring the perception of Chen Shunan and many others.

Chen Shunan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of terror and helplessness reminiscent of when he was fleeing for his life in Longnan, facing a thousand-foot-high torrent that stretched to the sky as if the heavens were collapsing.

What exactly is the Changbai Holy Dynasty?!

Scholars like Ma Xiucai actually read Taoist scriptures and military strategies?!

Chen Shunan barely managed to suppress the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

Seeing that Scholar Ma had accepted his blessed water, a thought suddenly popped into his mind.

Chen Shunan blurted out his debut.
"Please teach me, Master Ma! There are still some things I don't understand about martial arts. After the Jade Tree hangs the treasure robe, since one can transform internal energy into qi and use qi to vibrate the joints, can one start with the less important, smaller joints first?"
With such fragile skull and internal organs, wouldn't something really go wrong with just a tremor from a second-rate martial artist's internal energy?
There are hundreds, even thousands, of martial arts styles in the world. My "Flesh Flying Immortal" and others' "Great Achievement Fist"—will they ultimately lead to the same destination, or will they share the same origin?

Upon hearing this, Scholar Ma couldn't help but open his mouth, his face showing a look of confusion.
"Brother Shun'an, what nonsense are you spouting? I've never practiced martial arts; I'm just a scholar with no strength to even kill a chicken. How would I know anything about circulating qi and blood, or cultivating the Jade Tree Treasure Robe..."

Chen Shunan's eyes showed disappointment.

A true word is passed on, and a thousand volumes of books are falsely passed on.

Even for Chen Shun'an, who has now descended from the heavens and possesses supernatural powers, the lack of a master is an extremely difficult matter.

He was indeed desperate and grasping at straws.

But then, Scholar Ma changed the subject and said,
"However, the jade tree and precious robe that you mentioned, Brother Shun'an, are quite similar to the Great Learning volume in the Four Books Annotated."

“Evan Zolling once wrote a poem, debating its meaning: ‘Joints are like gears, pondering the power within, muscles are like startled snakes, steps are like a whirlwind.’”

……

"Brother Ma, are we just going to let it go like this?"

At the entrance of a somewhat deserted alley on Yinding Street, three men, including Qingpi and Ma, squatted against the wall, eyeing the passersby with hostility.

Qingpi Ma spat fiercely, glancing sideways at the person next to him.
"What else can we do? You're planning to teach that old geezer a lesson? Putting aside his background as a hoodlum, do you really think you can beat him with your pathetic skills?"

The man chuckled sheepishly and said, "I was just asking... Shall we go?"

The green-skinned man's eyes gleamed with ferocity as he muttered curses.

"Why would I leave! If I can't afford to offend Old Man Chen, can't I at least control those troublemakers? Old Man Chen has six or seven water delivery customers on Yinding Street. I'll go to each of them to clean and put up window paper, and then ask for some payment afterward."

Even if we appeal to the Emperor himself, we'd still have a reason to complain!

Perhaps it was a brilliant idea.

The wrinkles on Qingpi Ma's face quickly smoothed out, his scalp shone with oil, and each pockmark became bright and rosy.

"Yeah! It's all thanks to your brother Ma that we have brains!"

"Yes! Brother Ma is incredibly smart!"

"..."

……

Until they left the tenement.

Chen Shunan was still somewhat dazed.

To think that he, a third-rate martial artist and local tyrant, would be instructed in martial arts by a poor, penniless scholar who had never practiced martial arts.
And they even made it sound so convincing!

Chen Shunan nodded vigorously!
In particular, Ma Xiucai's words, although they did not directly answer Chen Shunan's questions about martial arts, had a unique charm that was insightful and pointed directly to the essence of martial arts.

"No matter what... Ma Xiucai is a talented person and should be under my command. I must support and take good care of him, and even develop him into a believer in the future."

However, green hemp?

Chen Shunan suddenly thought of something, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

This person has obstructed my divine path.

……

"What? Uncle Chen, you're saying someone's bullying you?!"

As dusk settled and the summer heat lingered, Ahua, wielding a tiger-headed staff, had just stepped into the alley when he overheard Chen Shunan's 'casual' complaints and grievances.

Chen Shunan turned around and saw Ahua, who looked like a hunched old man, shrouded in Ahua's elongated shadow.

Chen Shunan forced a smile: "No, Ahua, don't worry about it. Just keep watch."

boom!
The tiger-headed stick struck the ground heavily, smashing a small dent into the bricks and stones.

Ahua said solemnly.
"Uncle Chen, your affairs are my affairs! Thanks to your past care, I was able to gain a foothold in Jingwozi as a reserve position... If anyone bullies you, I must intervene!"

"Uncle Chen, tell me, who is it?"

Chen Shunan's lips moved as if he hesitated, but after a moment he finally sighed and said...
"It was a bunch of thugs from Xixian County. The leader was called Qingpi Ma. They took advantage of my old age and weakness and wanted to collect the cleaning fee first before I could collect the water fee... Although I scolded them away, they must still resent me deep down. Who knows what dirty tricks they're planning to use against me!"

"what?!"

Ahua was filled with righteous indignation and immediately became angry.

"I'm going to settle accounts with them right now!"

"No, no!"

Chen Shunan immediately stopped Ahua and explained in detail,

"It's already dark. Qingpi Ma and the others must have returned to the kitchen. They outnumber us, so why would we risk anything?"

"Qingpi Ma would loiter around Yinding Street every day at 7:45 AM, usually in groups of three. First, he would forcibly buy mountain goods, and then he would go door-to-door extorting money. You could lie in ambush, or stand on the walls or rooftops and pour boiling water, hot oil, bricks, or knives down on him, the more ruthless the better..."

"Then, after you show yourself, first introduce yourself and reveal your identity as someone from Shuiwozi to prevent others from interfering. Then, throw lime and use a full set of stick techniques to beat them thoroughly. If you can win, then fight; if you can't, then retreat!"

"Your 'Startled Sparrow Skill' has already reached a certain level of proficiency, and it is your advantage. Do not abandon your strengths and pursue your weaknesses."

Even the most clueless person like Ahua realized what was going on at this moment.

At this moment, he looked at Chen Shunan with a hint of fear in his eyes.

"Uncle Chen, you haven't tried all of these methods, have you?"

Chen Shunan waved his hand and said, "How could that be? I heard it from storytellers. Whether it works or not, we'll know once we try it."

Ah Hua knew that Chen Shunan had a habit of going to the tea house for tea every day after work.

"Alright! I'll give it a try!"

Ahua was eager and impatient.

Chen Shunan said a few more words of encouragement, then turned to feel ashamed and said, "I'm too old and useless now, Ahua, you will definitely achieve great things in the future," before slowly leaving.

Outside the alley entrance, several elderly water carriers looked at Chen Shunan with a hesitant expression.

The others clearly saw that Chen Shunan was using Ahua as a pawn.

Chen Shunan said meaningfully,

"The Chinese are good, but they've been on the bench for too long. We need to give younger people a chance."

Everyone was stunned.

For a temporary worker like Ahua to become a permanent employee, he either has to outlive the older workers and create a vacancy.

Either they achieve outstanding results time and again, and are promoted beyond the usual procedures.

Moreover, how dare a mere ordinary potter negotiate with the well-dweller and insist on order?

court death!

Everyone seemed to understand something, exchanged glances, and burst into laughter.

Young people should suffer more!

It's just a shame that we old folks have to bear the burden... as a safety net!
If the old folks can't handle it, there are still Inoue, Instructor Hayashi, and others.

Everyone is laughing.

Chen Shunan was also smiling.

Having lived half his life, Chen Shunan has learned one thing besides patience.

That is, leveraging existing momentum.

(End of this chapter)