Becoming a Martial Master: Starting as a Swordsmith

Shen Chu nodded:

"This is good news. Miss Situ has worked hard these past few days."

"The second thing..."

Situ Aotian smiled and looked at Shen Chu with serious eyes.

"You promised your senior sister last time that you would join Qingyang Academy, so why don't you come back with us after the magistrate returns to his post?"

Shen Chu did not answer immediately.

He was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "I appreciate Miss Situ's kindness. But I promised the young master that I would stay in Changping County to help him rebuild the Li family. I cannot go back on my word. I can only go to Qingyang County after things are settled here."

Upon hearing this, Situ Aotian revealed a somewhat strange expression.

She tilted her head, looking at Shen Chu with a hint of confusion in her voice, "Huh? Didn't Senior Sister tell you?"

Shen Chu was taken aback: "Your senior sister? The young lady?"

"Yes." Situ Aotian nodded.

"It might not have been in time. My senior sister just sent a message today saying that Changping County is no longer suitable for the Li family to stay in. She told Master Li and Li Chengwen to pack their things and that they would set off with us for Qingyang County after we finished our business here. As for the Li family's business, there's no need to worry. She has already arranged accommodations and shops for them there."

Shen Chu was stunned upon hearing this.

He hadn't expected that although Li Qingning wasn't in Changping County, he had already made arrangements for his family's future.

In this way, it seems that his promise to Li Chengwen to stay in Changping County to help with the reconstruction is no longer necessary.

Seeing that Shen Chu's expression had softened, Situ Aotian pressed his advantage, saying, "Look, the Li family is moving to Qingyang County. There's no point in you staying in Changping County, is there? Why don't you come with me to Qingyang Academy? There are better cultivation resources and a wider world there. Don't you want to become stronger? Qingyang Academy is your best choice."

These words struck a chord with Shen Chu.

After experiencing the Red Lotus Rebellion and the war against the snake demon, he realized that the world was far more dangerous than he had imagined.

He needs to be stronger to protect himself!

He raised his head, met Situ Aotian's expectant gaze, and slowly nodded: "Alright, I'll go to Qingyang Academy with you."

"Alright! Words alone aren't enough; let's both sign and put our fingerprints on this!"

Seeing that Shen Chu had agreed, Situ Aotian was overjoyed.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chu was taken aback for a moment, then shook her head, both amused and exasperated.

"Miss Situ, do you really need to sign and put your fingerprint on this? Since I've already agreed, I naturally won't go back on my word."

Situ Aotian grinned and pulled out a prepared document from under the table. It was covered with densely written clauses and bore the vermilion seal of Qingyang Academy at the end.

Now all that's missing is a signature and a handprint.

She pushed the document in front of Shen Chu, handed her a calligraphy brush, and blinked, saying, "A verbal promise is no match for a written agreement. Sign it, sign it, and you'll be a member of Qingyang Academy. From now on, if you mention my name, I guarantee no one will dare to bully you."

Shen Chu sighed helplessly, took the pen, and neatly wrote his name at the end of the document, then pressed a bright red handprint on it.

Situ Aotian picked up the document, blew on the ink, carefully folded it, and put it in his pocket. His smile was even brighter than if he had found a treasure.

"That's more like it! My senior sister is overjoyed to find out you went there!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Shen Chu bid farewell to Situ Aotian, walked out of the county government gate, and headed back along the street.

They hadn't gone far when they encountered a group of people.

It was Uncle Li from the Longchuan Sword Sect, leading several disciples, who seemed to have just returned from an inspection tour of the west side of the city.

When Uncle Li saw Shen Chu, he paused, a slightly unnatural expression appearing on his face.

He hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and greeted Shen Chu, "Young Brother Shen, where are you headed?"

Shen Chu bowed and said, "Senior Li, I just came from the county government office. Miss Situ wanted to talk to me about something."

Uncle Li gave an "Oh," his gaze sweeping over Shen Chu's face before he suddenly lowered his voice and said:

"Um... Brother Shen, come with me for a moment, I have a few words I'd like to say to you."

Shen Chu had some doubts, but she still followed her Uncle Li to a quiet corner by the roadside.

Uncle Li looked around to make sure no one else was there before clearing his throat and speaking:

"Brother Shen, I won't beat around the bush. I saw your performance that night; your courage, skill, and ability to adapt to the situation were all top-notch. If you're willing to join our Longchuan Sword Sect, I can speak to the sect leader and have you directly accepted as a core disciple, enjoying the benefits of a core disciple. Not only will you receive a fixed monthly allocation of cultivation resources, but you'll also have a dedicated elder to guide your cultivation, and in the future, you'll have the opportunity to be recommended for further studies at a larger sect..."

Uncle Li went on and on about all the benefits of the Longchuan Sword Sect.

From cultivation resources to sect benefits, from elders who pass on skills to future development prospects,

He spoke with great enthusiasm and animated expression, as if afraid of missing any point that might move Shen Chu.

As Shen Chu listened, a sudden realization dawned on her.

No wonder Situ Aotian was in such a hurry to make him sign and put his fingerprint on the document. It turns out he had already anticipated that Uncle Li would try to poach him!

He couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions.

When he first transmigrated, he was just a homeless person wandering the streets, not even knowing where his next meal would come from.

Now, both Qingyang Academy and Longchuan Sword Sect, two major forces, are vying to extend olive branches to him.

Ultimately, all these changes are because he demonstrated sufficient strength.

This further strengthened his resolve to continuously improve his abilities.

In this world, only strength is the most powerful passport.

After Uncle Li finally finished speaking, Shen Chu bowed apologetically and said, "I am deeply grateful for Senior Li's kindness. However... I have already signed the admission documents for Qingyang Academy at the county government office, so I am afraid I cannot accept your invitation."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Li immediately became anxious:

"What?! You've already signed the enrollment papers?! Oh my, why are you in such a hurry! Is it because you had a falling out with Zhao Lingfei of our Longchuan Sword Sect in Qingyang County, that's why you're unwilling to come to our Longchuan Sword Sect?"

"Don't worry, I've already heard about it. It's just a minor disagreement! Besides, Zhao Lingfei will be leaving Qingyang County soon to cultivate at the upper sect, so you probably won't run into each other again. You don't need to worry about this at all!"