Chapter 263: Chapter 185: The Convention Begins, Fame Across the Country, Unrecognized by His Contemporaries, Ling Yun is Only Acknowledged for His Greatness at the Outset - 2
This was the centennial celebration of the Xia Country, an event watched by millions. Even citizens of smaller nations would tune in via their phones or computers to watch the live broadcast.
"Minister Xiao."
After parking in a designated lot, Jiang Shu led his parents and family toward Shengjing Gate, where he greeted Minister Xiao with a handshake.
A perceptive middle-aged man quickly led Jiang Shu’s family to a designated courtyard to rest.
"There’s been a major development," Minister Xiao began. "Recently, a small nation experienced significant turmoil. Several Fifth Rank Mutant Beasts have broken out from its stabilized B-grade Heaven and Earth Secret Realm. It seems the news about Heaven and Earth Secret Realms can no longer be suppressed. Therefore, the higher-ups intend to use this grand assembly to fully disclose information about them."
"Wang Yan, the Martial Saint, is currently en route to that nation. The leaders hope that you, Martial Saint Jiang, can also lend your support in a few days."
"Within B-grade Heaven and Earth Secret Realms lie B-grade relics. These are opportunities no major country would want to miss. The Freedom Country has also dispatched Fifth Rank genetic warriors. Once the turmoil from the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm is resolved, the division of any treasures from the relics will depend entirely on each party’s capabilities."
"This was also the tacit understanding between our Xia Country and the Freedom Country: to resolve conflicts through martial arts and genetics."
Plans can never keep up with changes.
Minister Xiao finished speaking in one breath and looked toward Jiang Shu.
At present, the only Martial Saints publicly announced by the Xia Country were Wang Yan and Jiang Shu.
With Wang Yan en route to the small nation, Jiang Shu was needed to make a grand appearance in the grand assembly’s military parade.
"Alright."
Jiang Shu didn’t hesitate at all, nodding in agreement.
The B-grade Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, even with Fifth Rank Mutant Beasts, posed no lethal threat to him. Even if he couldn’t defeat them, ensuring his own survival would be no issue.
Moreover, he wanted to personally enter the relics to see what this so-called relic civilization was truly like.
What was displayed at the Xia Country’s research institute was merely a fraction of the truth.
How could that compare to understanding gained firsthand, on-site?
"Before the grand assembly begins, there will be a military parade. Martial Saint Jiang, you will be positioned at the center of the [Martial Arts Era] float. At that time, an introduction to your life will also be broadcast. Of course, there will be some minor adjustments to this biography. For instance, the battle in Fusang would certainly not be disclosed publicly."
Hearing Jiang Shu’s decisive agreement, Minister Xiao inwardly sighed in relief and began to detail what Jiang Shu needed to be aware of for the grand assembly’s military parade.
「Two days later.」
The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky.
Nearly all of the nation’s over one billion people were seated before televisions, computers, or phones, tuned into the live broadcast of the grand assembly’s military parade.
「Ji City.」
The Jiang Family.
"Didn’t Second Brother say Jiang Shu would appear in the parade today? When will they show him on camera?"
Jiang Yongren turned on the large TV and sat on the sofa, legs crossed. This centennial celebration is such a grand affair. My nephew Jiang Shu might be skilled in martial arts, but he’ll probably only get a fleeting moment on camera. He’ll be like any other soldier in the parade, nothing special. Besides, Second Brother was being so cryptic, and Dad is making a mountain out of a molehill. So he received a special Merit? In a country as vast as Xia, Merits are a dime a dozen. It’s nothing to make a fuss about. Only generals are likely to get significant screen time.
"’Dad... please, say less,’ Jiang Hongfei interjected, emerging from the kitchen with tea. As someone within the system, he understood the government’s emphasis on Martial Arts far better than his family. Though his own position wasn’t high enough to know the true extent of his cousin’s Martial Arts Realm, it was blindingly obvious that Jiang Shu’s current standing was something their family couldn’t hope to achieve in ten lifetimes, no matter how hard they tried. Even if he only appears for a second, why say such things and risk offending them?"
"You..."
Jiang Yongren started to say something but reconsidered and remained silent. For some reason, ever since Second Brother’s son started making a name for himself, he couldn’t help but feel dissatisfied with his own son. Forget about his career advancement in the system. It’d be better for him to get married and have children soon.
He silently made his decision.
Just then, the First Leader’s powerful and majestic voice boomed from the television: "The military parade ceremony now begins!"
The camera angle shifted, revealing impeccably organized troops on the screen.
"Standard-bearers, take your positions!"
Rows of standard-bearers, each holding a long spear, marched in perfect unison, their footsteps sounding as one.
The announcer’s voice followed, seamlessly introducing each segment.
Jiang Shu’s grandfather coughed lightly. "Watch the TV and talk less," he chided, sipping his tea. It was rare for him to scold them.
People of his generation were typically the most patriotic. Even if his grandson wasn’t going to appear, he would have watched the entire ceremony from start to finish, not missing a single frame.
This is a symbol of our nation’s strength!
"If only I could be in Shengjing... that would be so wonderful..."
Twenty minutes passed. As the First Leader reviewed the troops, the camera panned over vast crowds of people. Jiang Shu’s grandfather sighed involuntarily.
He, too, wished he could be in Shengjing, cheering loudly among the crowd.
"Even if you were there, you wouldn’t be able to get in..." Jiang Yongren muttered under his breath. He knew perfectly well that when his father spoke of being in Shengjing, he didn’t just mean taking a plane or high-speed train. He meant being part of the crowd, witnessing this grand spectacle firsthand. And if you don’t have the status, who can possibly get into that crowd? Never mind that Second Brother and his family are in Shengjing; they’re probably just cooped up in a hotel watching the live broadcast. It’s less comfortable than being at home.
Muttering inwardly, he scrolled through his phone, occasionally glancing at the television.
However, just as he assumed the broadcast would proceed with the usual introductions of various military divisions and weaponry, the announcer’s voice took on a solemn tone:
"Martial Arts leads the way! Martial Arts consolidates strength!"
"The Martial Arts Phalanx makes its stunning debut, heralding the start of the procession! Leading the float is none other than Jiang Shu, Martial Saint! Martial Saint Jiang hails from Ji City. He began practicing Martial Arts in his third year of high school, earned direct admission to Jiangnan Academy, single-handedly ventured into a Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, and achieved a breakthrough in his Martial Arts Realm within half a year... He is the foremost figure in our Xia Country’s Martial Arts!"
The live broadcast camera focused on Jiang Shu’s face for several full minutes.
He held his head slightly high, long hair cascading over his shoulders, resembling a Banished Immortal of this era.
The dozen or so Dan Energy Great Grandmasters arrayed behind him, like stars escorting the moon, further highlighted his extraordinary and imposing presence.
THUD.
Jiang Yongren’s teacup slipped from his grasp and hit the floor. Hot tea splashed onto his foot, yet he uttered no sound, his gaze utterly transfixed on the television screen.
Is this... Jiang Shu?
Jiang Shu, the Martial Saint!
The moment Jiang Shu appeared, every student from Ji City’s Fifth High School felt their minds go blank.
As the first student admitted to Jiangnan Academy based on Martial Arts proficiency, Jiang Shu had become a legend in their high school. But time erodes all accolades. Many newer students believed he’d only been admitted to the academy for achieving full qi and blood circulation because Martial Arts was still in its infancy then. Now, one had to be at least a Ming Energy Martial Artist to gain entry. The standards were worlds apart. Thus, in the eyes of some uninformed students who didn’t truly understand Martial Arts, while Jiang Shu undoubtedly possessed great talent, they believed it was the timing—the era—that had propelled him to fame. Even his victory in the National University Martial Arts Genius Tournament was considered a stroke of luck. After all, the strongest contender at the time was Shang Jibei.
But now, with Jiang Shu’s appearance and the resounding title "Jiang Martial Saint," all such doubts were utterly shattered.
The progression of Martial Arts and its various realms were now common knowledge among all practitioners.
If a Grandmaster was like the distant, lofty moon, then a Martial Saint was the sun itself—a cosmic blaze too brilliant to behold directly!
The number one figure in Xia Country’s Martial Arts.
Everyone watching the live broadcast, whether they knew Jiang Shu or not, felt as if they were dreaming, scarcely able to believe their eyes.
In that instant, countless people began frantically searching for Jiang Shu’s biography online.
A Martial Arts Doctor from Jiangnan Academy.
A Grandmaster at the mere age of eighteen.
Holder of a Special Class Merit.
A Gang Energy Martial Saint!
Any single one of these achievements would be enough for an ordinary person to boast about for a lifetime. And now, all these accolades belonged to a young man barely twenty years of age.
People often fail to recognize nascent greatness, only acknowledging it once it has reached towering heights.