Chapter 145: Little Wolf Cub, Old Fox
Chen Shun’an and Xu Hong walked to one side.
Sun Xiao and Water Carrier waited while taking out pills to heal and bandage the wounds of Brother Fang and the others.
As for the corpses of the two sacrificed soldiers, they could only be carried back to Three Forked Road for cremation later.
By the Official Road, under an abandoned tea shed.
Xu Hong planted his gun on the ground, crossed his arms, and glanced obliquely at Chen Shun’an, saying,
“Tell the truth. That day, the Forceful Finger on the Flying Immortal Tablet and the comprehension of the Six Sceneries Diagram—was it you?”
Several months ago, when a vibrant young Forceful Finger appeared on the Flying Immortal Tablet at Zhang Mansion, the entire mansion was thrown into chaos.
Master Zhang was so overjoyed that he nearly choked in surprise. Afterward, he urgently investigated all the younger generation in the mansion to see who left it.
However, Old Zhang, who came from the Tongzhou main family to oversee this year’s examinations for the various branch families, was somewhat puzzled and muttered to himself.
He always felt there was something suspicious about the matter, that the Forceful Finger on the Flying Immortal Tablet was odd.
After a thorough investigation, they found that none of the young people under thirty in the entire Zhang Mansion matched!
That day was Old Lady Zhang’s birthday, with many people and eyes everywhere, and distinguished guests gathered. To prevent any Zhang family disciples from leaving midway, Master Zhang expanded the scope of the investigation, even sending people to their homes based on the family registry for individual checks.
The result was still nothing found!
And the more this went on, the more uneasy Xu Hong became.
Only he and the old lady knew there was one fish that slipped the net that day—the son-in-law Chen Shun’an, who had also observed the Flying Immortal Tablet!
Although his age didn’t match, and Chen Shun’an didn’t seem like someone with exceptional talent or a martial path monster…
But what if!
The Flying Immortal Tablet was just a dead object after all—who knew if it could make a mistake?!
But just as Xu Hong and the old lady hesitated over whether to reveal that Chen Shun’an had secretly viewed the stone tablet.
Something seemed to have happened with the Tongzhou Zhang Family. Old Zhang and Zhang Xiangling immediately set off and rushed back to Tongzhou overnight.
The matter was thus delayed.
Until just a few days ago, when Xu Hong received the news that after decades, Wuqing County had produced another Three Refinements Martial Body—and it was none other than a mere Water Carrier, Chen Shun’an—Xu Hong could no longer sit still!
Today, he had come on Old Lady Zhang’s orders to probe Chen Shun’an’s background!
After all, that unidentified martial artist from Zhang Mansion who practiced the Six Sceneries Rotation True Cultivation Manual was key to whether Zhang Mansion could pass this year’s main family examination and preserve its status.
If it really was Chen Shun’an…
“Old Master Zhang doesn’t know whether to be shocked or delighted…”
Xu Hong thought to himself.
A mournful cry from a strange bird echoed shrilly. The tea shed’s roof was broken and leaking, with a few withered vines hanging down, swaying lightly in the wind.
Chen Shun’an frowned upon hearing this, neither admitting nor denying it, but asked curiously,
“Brother Xu, why does Zhang Mansion place such importance on the Forceful Finger on the Flying Immortal Tablet? They even checked the family registry and investigated the branch families?”
Chen Shun’an had vaguely heard related rumors but didn’t know the inside story.
After all, Old Master Zhang didn’t like him much, so Chen Shun’an naturally wouldn’t go seeking trouble by jumping in front of him.
“This matter concerns the Zhang Family’s examination. The Forceful Finger left on the Flying Immortal Tablet belongs to all the martial artists who have comprehended the Six Sceneries Diagram over the hundreds of years since the Zhang Family was established…”
Xu Hong no longer concealed it and told him everything.
Chen Shun’an’s heart stirred upon hearing this.
The Tongzhou Zhang Family was one of the top families in Tongzhou City and even all of Shuntian Prefecture.
Most crucially, one of Tongzhou’s Four Great Daoist Academies, Ao Shan Daoist Academy, had deep ties with the Zhang Family.
Ao Shan Daoist Academy was built by the Shuntian Prefect hundreds of years ago, and the Zhang Family ancestor was one of its first students.
Many of the current Zhang Family direct descendants were studying at Ao Shan Daoist Academy.
Unlike Yue Shan Daoist Academy, Ao Shan Daoist Academy seemed to place greater emphasis on martial arts. Its graduates often entered officialdom as Martial Scholars, or joined the military and were stationed in state garrisons or the Border Region.
Xu Hong was a graduate of Ao Shan Daoist Academy.
“Behind the Four Great Pounding Houses and Tian Xuan Saint is Yue Shan Daoist Academy; behind Zhang Family Village and the Zhang Family seems to be Ao Shan Daoist Academy.”
Thoughts raced through Chen Shun’an’s mind as he felt he had vaguely touched upon the true powers of all of Tongzhou City.
Be it the three teachings and nine classes, noble families, or the Four Overlords of the Capital—as long as they couldn’t escape Tongzhou’s domain, they all seemed influenced by these Four Great Daoist Academies.
They were everywhere.
Or rather, they were the instigators of everything, the beneficiary class.
“What about us Water Station? Which Daoist Academy or force stands behind it? These Daoist Academies each have quotas for Shed Mortal Coil and Ascend to Immortality—do the quotas differ in methods and paths?”
“Azure Gang Yang Huo belongs to Azure Gang Sect, Divine Might Purple Thunder Cannon is from Huaguang Method—these three methods and two teachings seem to be different Immortal Path lineages. Do the Four Great Daoist Academies correspond to different lineages as well?”
Chen Shun’an suddenly realized that some of his casual choices could have profound impacts.
Chen Shun’an hesitated somewhat and pondered before saying,
“Since this matter is so important, why is Brother Xu the one running around tirelessly? Doesn’t Zhang Mansion or the Zhang Family care? Logically, it should be Old Master Zhang or some famous elder from the Zhang Family, perhaps with true inheritance, overseeing it.”
Chen Shun’an’s implication was that Xu Hong was “not qualified.”
And Chen Shun’an’s thinking was simple.
No eagle without a rabbit.
Since he didn’t know how to choose, let those in the know come tell him how to choose.
Then Chen Shun’an would make his judgment.
Until then, play it neither proactive nor rejecting.
Xu Hong’s heart stirred upon hearing this.
Brother Shun’an, is this an admission?
Xu Hong looked deeply at Chen Shun’an and said,
“In that case, someone from Tongzhou will come another day and ask you this question again on my behalf.”
With that, Xu Hong turned, lifted his gun, and left—like a startled swan, near at hand one moment, appearing on the opposite hilltop the next.
A voice drifted over faintly, sounding only in Chen Shun’an’s ear—
“Be careful of that soldier named Li Yaozu. His intentions are impure; he seemed to want to shift blame earlier…”
Xu Hong had come specially from a hundred li away, seemingly just to seek an answer.
Chen Shun’an gazed at Xu Hong’s figure fading under the star and moonlight, pondering in his heart.
“As expected of a Martial Scholar. With my current strength, I can’t even see through Brother Xu’s realm. As for Li Yaozu…”
Chen Shun’an turned back and looked toward the young figure on the Official Road, who had inherited the dark skin of fishermen and was busy tending to his brothers’ wounds.
He was so full of youthful vigor and loyal to his comrades.
Somewhat similar to an old acquaintance.
He vaguely remembered that the unfortunate couple Golden Needle Li mentioned, who had raised their son through hardship, had him practicing martial arts at Liangjiang Military Academy, and his name was Li Yaozu.
“I wonder how that unfortunate couple is now? With a prodigy in the family, it’s like green smoke rising from the ancestral grave…”
Chen Shun’an suppressed his thoughts and strode toward the Official Road.
Chen Shun’an was also extremely curious about the “person from Tongzhou” Xu Hong mentioned.
Someone worthy of such caution from Xu Hong—was it a Martial Dao Grandmaster, or…
A true cultivator?
…
“Senior Chen, this junior Li Yaozu thanks you for your great kindness today. Otherwise, our group of brothers would likely have met with disaster.”
Sun Xiao and the others continued pushing the carts on the road, while Li Yaozu walked to Chen Shun’an’s side, cupping his fists in salute, saying,
“If you need anything in the future, please command this junior!”
Chen Shun’an pretended to be puzzled and said,
“Ah? What does Virtuous Nephew Li mean? Chen Mou didn’t do anything.”
Li Yaozu showed shame on his face and said: “To be honest, earlier when attacked by that Water Monkey, in the urgency, I couldn’t hold out and wanted to lure the monster here to join Senior Chen in slaying it…”
“Fortunately, Xu the Martial Scholar arrived in time, and he came here because of Senior. This junior is deeply grateful for this kindness.”
Brother Fang had taken the pill and circulated Qi and Blood, now recovered, and walked over at this moment, saying gravely,
“Brother Chen, this was no one’s fault but mine. If Brother Chen wants to blame someone, I’ll take it all! These days, I’ve accumulated one Fourth-Class Minor Merit and three Fifth-Class Minor Merits, and I’m willing to transfer them all to Brother Chen.”
“I have two minor merits too!”
“How can we blame Yaozu and Brother Fang? If punishment, then all of us together!”
“Right, share fortune and hardship alike!”
Chen Shun’an looked at the stirred-up soldiers, his face smiling unchanged, but a flash of sternness in his eyes.
This Li Yaozu, whether unintentional or deliberate, had put Chen Mou in an awkward spot…
Young people nowadays have so many schemes.
Chen Shun’an said righteously: “What are you all saying? We’re all slaying demons and protecting the people of Wuqing County—there’s no sin or fault. For Chen Mou to contribute a little is my honor…”
At these words, Brother Fang’s expression shook. He never expected such a great hero for country and people to exist among the Water Station folk.
Brother Fang said gravely: “Brother Chen, you’re my friend from now on!”
Li Yaozu also subtly relaxed.
In an instant, the group was harmonious and grew close.
Li Yaozu, leveraging his Jindu fisherman identity, quickly bonded with Sun Xiao and the Water Carriers, even exchanging fishing and trap-setting techniques.
A little wolf cub cloaked in warm and honest garb.
An old fox pretending righteousness and steering with the wind.
People sometimes seem more terrifying than demons.
…
Upon reaching Banye Ferry Crossing, the Water Carriers parted ways with the soldiers.
Chen Shun’an and the others continued pushing carts to deliver water toward the Great Pharmacy.
Brother Fang and the others returned to Three Forked Road to report.
As for the Water Monkey corpse and corresponding merit, Brother Fang and the others naturally wouldn’t take it, agreeing to transfer the claimed task to Chen Shun’an’s name. He just needed to verify at the Three Forked Road office, and it would count as his merit.
Chen Shun’an had no objection to this.
Arriving at the Great Pharmacy, they checked their waist tokens to verify identities.
It was still that square-nosed, big-eared, thick-bearded True Intent Master who came to receive them.
“Brother Chen.”
“Brother Hu An.”
Hu An had clearly received prior notice that this water delivery was led by Chen Shun’an. He stepped forward, cupped his hands proactively, full of smiles.
Now, Chen Shun’an could almost be treated as a True Intent Martial Artist, worthy of Hu An’s courteous reception.
The group carried the water into the pharmacy.
Still the familiar glass room, the Alchemy Room.
But Chen Shun’an noticed that the demon wails and howls from underfoot were more numerous and sharper.
Even in the Alchemy Room, five or six demons were openly imprisoned.
It was clear the Great Pharmacy had made a small ‘war profit’.
