Vol. 1 - Ch. 178 - A Duty to Fulfill

Words : 1405 Updated : Oct 12th, 2025

???? Join Our Discord! Before the words had even finished leaving his mouth, the burly man suddenly noticed the stone block he was holding above his head had grown unexpectedly heavier. A moment later, he realized—someone was standing on it. Letting out a furious roar, he summoned every ounce of strength and blood energy within him, attempting to hurl the figure off. But before he could exert force, a deafening explosion erupted above. The shockwave blasted downward, and the stone block in his grasp disintegrated into dust and shards mid-air. As the fragments rained down, the burly man finally caught a clear glimpse of the person who had stood atop him. It was a young man with a calm, detached expression, dressed in the same uniform as Chen Yihu and the others. His presence did not radiate visible power, but the man instinctively understood the truth—he knew just how solid that stone block had been. Even if he could swing it with ease, it was only due to years of training and the advantage of a unique martial art technique. For the stone to be destroyed so effortlessly, the newcomer's strength had to far exceed his own. Glancing at Chen Yihu, who still waited patiently in front of him, the man's fierce expression faded. Straightening, he gave a solemn nod. “I'll go. I must.” “To teach the children of nobles is a duty I, Ma Heng, cannot refuse!” Chen Yihu smiled warmly. “It's wonderful that you feel this way. Please.” As they departed, Ma Heng couldn’t help but glance upward again, only to find the mysterious figure had vanished without a trace. After witnessing such power firsthand, Ma Heng knew, deep in his heart, that this journey to the Chen clan was no longer a choice—it was an obligation. As he left the courtyard, his face clouded with worry. Behind him, his wife and children watched with anxious eyes. Within just a day, Chen Yihu had succeeded in gathering everyone on the list. Though a few bumps had occurred along the way, the final outcome had remained unchanged. For the clan's future, occasional forceful tactics and a show of strength were not only acceptable—they were necessary. … In the clan square, the assembled guests stood with varied expressions. Each had assumed they were the only one summoned, but upon arriving, they realized several others had been brought in as well. Among them were martial artists and commoners alike. As the group entered the Chen clan estate and saw martial practitioners moving to and fro, they began to grasp the truth. Though located in a remote region, the Chen clan was far from weak. That realization brought unease. A clan with such dominance—should they become displeased—could endanger lives with little effort. This fear, and the desire not to live beneath another’s thumb, had driven many to settle in this remote land, hoping to escape the influence of powerful clans. And yet, it seemed no place was far enough. Before long, Chen Xingzhen arrived, flanked by several clan members. Seeing him approach, the newcomers quickly steadied themselves, sensing that the old man before them held an extraordinary status. “I am Chen Xingzhen, the current patriarch of the Chen clan.” Upon hearing his introduction, their expressions grew more serious. None dared take him lightly. “Our clan has long heard of your reputations,” Chen Xingzhen continued. “It was out of necessity that we invited you here today. The foundation of our clan is shallow, and our clan is still young. With few people and little access to learned teachers, we’ve struggled greatly. But with your support, the Chen clan is bound to flourish.” No one seemed surprised. After all, Chen Yihu had already explained their purpose before bringing them here. Still, when they glanced at the weathered wooden house nearby—its surface marked by the wear of decades—their faces flickered with doubt. For a clan that claimed to be newly established, the structure seemed too old. And then there were the martial artists coming and going, the distant laughter of children echoing across the grounds. Sparse population? Really? Compared to their own small households, the Chen clan already looked thriving. Though many held such skepticism, the presence of so many martial artists surrounding them kept their lips sealed. Chen Xingzhen smiled gently. “We have invited you here to share your knowledge and martial expertise. Rest assured, you will not have come for nothing. The clan will provide each of you with ample rice and daily necessities, including clothing. Your personal freedoms will not be restricted. In addition, we will also supply ten jin of blood rice every month.” When they heard about the food and clothing, some inwardly scoffed. Those who had chosen to settle here had long since learned to fend for themselves. As if simple provisions would move them... However, when they heard about the ten kilograms of Blood Rice, everyone was visibly astonished. Upon arriving at Chaotic Burial Mountain, they had already learned what Blood Rice was—though called rice, it was in truth a rare cultivation resource, something that could temper and strengthen a martial artist’s body. Such resources were typically the lifeblood of a powerful clan, strictly controlled and carefully rationed. Outsiders had no chance of obtaining any, and even members of the clan might not receive much. And yet now, this Chen Clan Leader was offering ten kilograms per month! Though the number of people present was small—only seven or eight—this still amounted to seventy or eighty kilograms of Blood Rice each month. Over time, that was no trivial cost. A middle-aged man immediately stepped forward and voiced his skepticism. “Clan Leader Chen, is this true? Can you really provide ten kilograms of Blood Rice to each of us every month?” Before Chen Xingzhen could reply, a clan member standing behind her snorted coldly. “Hmph. The clan leader’s word is law—why would it be false? Even our household servants receive two kilograms of Blood Rice each month!” Chen Xingzhen merely smiled in silence. Seeing her calm demeanor, the guests no longer doubted her and instead fell into thoughtful silence. It was said that the Chen clan could sell a single kilogram of Blood Rice for as much as thirty jade coins. Ten kilograms equaled three hundred jade coins. Yet they were not foolish enough to trade such a precious resource for mere coin. Even those among them who had already reached the Blood Coagulation Realm might choose not to use it themselves, but instead pass it to their juniors—helping the younger generation lay a solid foundation in martial arts. If they were to join another clan, they would be considered nobodies—not even worthy of resources like this, let alone being entrusted with any position of value. And the Chen clan didn’t restrict their personal freedom. That said, a few of them still harbored concerns. These powerful clans were often ruthless. Even if they were granted Blood Rice, would they truly have the fortune to use it? One misstep could cost them their lives. But upon reflection, what choice did they truly have now? Their fates were no longer in their own hands. Life or death, gain or loss—all would be decided by others. Up ahead, Chen Xingzhen didn’t interrupt their thoughts. She simply stood quietly, waiting for their answer. Soon, a burly man stepped forward. No longer hesitant, he cupped his hands and said solemnly, “Since Clan Leader Chen holds Ma in such regard, then Ma shall not fail that trust. I will teach all I know without reservation.” With one person taking the lead, the other martial artists no longer hesitated. One by one, they voiced their agreement, each swearing to hold nothing back. Only the few scholars—the ones brought to teach general knowledge—remained uncertain. They had no cultivation realms, no martial power to speak of. They were ordinary people, and two of them were even unmarried. Blood Rice, to them, held little practical use. Yet they understood well that under such circumstances, refusal might mean risking their lives. Hello readers! Read up to 12 advance chapters by joining us on Patreon! Support us and read ahead[Join Patreon]Enjoying the story? Help more readers discover it by leaving a rating and reviews on NovelUpdate! Every review counts. [Rate on NovelUpdate]Thanks for your support and happy reading!

Vol. 1 - Ch. 178 - A Duty to Fulfill

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