Chapter 9: You Call This A Poetry Duel?
Two days later.
The sun had already set like a forge, but the courtyard still retained the restless residual heat.
“Hoo!”
“Tch!”
“Hoo!”
“Tch!”
Chen Shun’an had not taken off his clothes and was practicing Meat Flying Immortal in the courtyard.
His figure was like a pine tree, his feet lightly tapping the Plum Blossom Stakes in the courtyard, his toes slightly hooked, with only the tips of his shoes touching the edges of the stakes. But no matter how he leaped and dodged, he remained as steady as Mount Tai, maintaining a certain balance.
His clothes fluttered with the wind, disturbing the airflow, yet also becoming part of the cultivation.
The qi in Chen Shun’an’s Dantian surged downward, flowing through his legs and into the Yongquan points on the soles of his feet.
Whoosh!
Several fallen leaves were swept up by the gust of wind.
His figure vanished from the spot, and on each Plum Blossom Stake, only faint footsteps could be heard.
He suddenly flipped upside down, his body like a roaming dragon piercing through clouds, appearing and disappearing abruptly.
Kick, step, tap, leap—various basic Movement Techniques executed with skillful proficiency.
The practice of lightness skill like Meat Flying Immortal requires many external tools and equipment.
Such as wooden stakes, bow rooms, jumping platforms, iron clothes, lead tiles.
When Chen Shun’an first started practicing, he had sandbags of twenty or thirty jin tied to his legs, persisting for several years before barely getting started.
Now he needed Plum Blossom Stakes.
As for second-rate and above, he even needed Dragon Roaming Stakes, riverside reeds, and pouring rain, using the natural heaven and earth as the training ground.
Suddenly!
Chen Shun’an only felt his heart pumping intensify, surging with turbulent scorching hot blood, and the qi in his Dantian also began to burn.
He delivered a whip kick with a light crack, an invisible force rippling outward, forming clear spiral airflow outside his trouser leg.
If it struck a person, it would be no surprise if it cracked bones!
Chen Shun’an stopped his movements, feeling the strength in his body, his face showing surprise.
“Qi hot as charcoal, strength exiting with a sound—has my strength recovered to its peak moment?!”
Martial Artists below Grandmaster are still flesh and blood bodies, their strength affected by birth, aging, sickness, death, and even their current state of intent.
Fists fear the young and strong—it’s not just talk.
Chen Shun’an had already slid from his peak state for many years.
And now, in less than three short days, he had returned to the peak.
Faster than Chen Shun’an had anticipated, by a day!
Not only because his recent food had caught up in nutrition, but most importantly…
Divine Aspect·Qing Ji was still exerting force!
His Wei Zhong Great Tendon was still growing, thriving!
At a subtle yet unending momentum speed, continuing to climb, transforming Chen Shun’an’s body structure!
“Know Destiny at fifty—I can count myself as having grasped my own Mandate of Heaven.”
Chen Shun’an’s heart burned hot.
At this rate, soon in three days, late in five days, Chen Shun’an could break through to second-rate, merging Jade Tree.
Merge Jade Tree, hang Treasure Robe.
This is a saying in internal fist techniques: inwardly observing the shell, viewing bones as crystalline trunks, muscles and fascia as loose clothing.
Treasure Robe hanging on Jade Tree, muscles like soft gauze draping down, which can eliminate muscle tension and also shake bone joints, quenching bones and strengthening flesh!
It also subtly contains Daoist profound principles.
A second-rate Warrior strikes casually with muscles and bones resounding together, ten-tenths strength, every part of the body from limbs and bones exerting force in unison!
It can be said that any second-rate Warrior whose state has not slipped can crush any third-rate Warrior.
Even geniuses can’t!
Unless this genius holds a sharp weapon, has archers providing cover, occupies all heavenly timing and earthly advantage, traps the second-rate Warrior in a narrow space with no escape, only then might they win.
“In three days, I can join the ranks of Instructor Lin? Probably not—Instructor Lin has already achieved Great Accomplishment in Jade Tree, only lacking quenching of the skull… still need to practice!”
Burning ambition flared in Chen Shun’an’s eyes.
But it quickly dimmed and converged, becoming turbid as before, showing no trace.
“Herbs. It’s time to put medicinal baths on the schedule—might even shorten the breakthrough time, and after second-rate, taking various Great Medicines is routine.”
“Hoo! The coffin money saved for ten years probably can’t be kept… but money is meant to be spent, the faster it’s spent, the faster my strength improves!”
Chen Shun’an fell into a happy dilemma.
These two days delivering Blessed Water had accumulated 17 points of Wish, still far from 100 points of Wish.
Mainly as Chen Shun’an had anticipated, clients don’t buy water every day; there are gaps in usage.
Fortunately, these two days, using the excuse of helping out, he delivered some remote and rundown clients for the other Water Carriers, sending out a few more loads of Blessed Water.
This made up for the daily Wish deficit.
“This is still too unstable. If only I could be like Instructor Lin and the others, responsible for delivering to Influential Families, restaurants, and shops.
Their daily water consumption is huge and stable. I only need to develop one ‘benefactor’ for a steady daily source of Wish.”
As the restless thought arose, Chen Shun’an immediately became alert.
“Haste Makes Waste—better slow than hasty. Take it slow, learn to befriend time.”
Chen Shun’an, seasoned by various sufferings, deeply knew that only by living could there be a future, and only in the future were there variables.
Be patient.
……
The next day.
Chou day clashes with Wei, yin will be on duty.
Signs of fake willow little person Affliction—avoid impulsive decisions.
The sky was slightly bright.
Instinct awakened him, Chen Shun’an opened his eyes, and an unusual sensation came.
One pillar holding up the sky!
Chen Shun’an immediately beamed with joy, almost unable to hold back his laughter.
He got up, dressed, and walked to the courtyard.
Cicada Chirp through the night, ground steaming with summer heat.
The weather grew hotter, and Wan Niang’s clothing became cooler.
Especially since she didn’t treat Chen Shun’an as an outsider, shaking her thin plain clothes, her wheat-colored skin covered in fine sweat beads, hips swaying lightly.
During a break from eating, Wan Niang noticed Chen Shun’an’s slightly scorching gaze.
She was as usual, her eyes showing mischievous intent, grabbing Chen Shun’an’s hand,
“Bro, if you wanna do it, just—”
Wan Niang’s voice cut off abruptly, feeling as if she had grabbed a hard lump.
Chen Shun’an stood unmoved, his arm firm and unshiftable; her fierce pull instead made her stumble.
Chen Shun’an felt secretly pleased inwardly, but on his face showed some helplessness as he said,
“Wan Niang, you’re a grown woman now, still so frivolous. I’m your brother.”
After steadying herself, Wan Niang immediately retorted: “Cousin. No blood relation.”
Chen Shun’an chuckled lightly, said no more, and swept the steamed meat, smoked fish, and egg congee on the table clean.
Only then did he take his pipe, hang the Tai Sui Brocade Bag close to his body, and walk out with steady steps, neither too close nor too far.
Chen Shun’an reached the stone steps at the door, paused his figure, and suddenly spoke.
“Maybe sometime later.”
Wan Niang dazedly watched Chen Shun’an’s back disappear at the end of the steaming smoke.
She grew more confused.
“Why is Bro getting tougher? Could he be having a second spring?”
……
Crossing Weihang Street, just entering the alley.
Familiar clamor and splashing water sounds came head-on.
Several Water Carriers had already arrived early for duty.
Greetings.
Pushing carts, scooping water.
Ah Hua, on night watch with his other partner, notified Chen Shun’an and the others, then went off duty one after another.
Ah Hua looked spirited and energetic, the more he stayed up late, the more energetic he got.
His partner, the Water Carrier in his early forties, had a face full of exhaustion, resentment and shift fatigue intertwined, almost overflowing.
“Youth is truly wonderful…”
Chen Shun’an sighed silently.
San Dezi had been secretive these two days, disappearing after delivering water; they only exchanged glances.
Chen Shun’an saw his qi and blood ruddy, spittle flying like nails when speaking, not like someone starving, so he didn’t interfere further.
The well’s retaliation against the Pounding House had not yet moved.
Or rather, it had already started, but had not yet affected ordinary Water Carriers like Chen Shun’an.
Because Chen Shun’an keenly noticed that Instructor Lin’s aura grew deeper and colder day by day; at noon occasionally practicing fist in the Water Station, his fist strength was like a knife, each punch fiercer than the last.
Wiping his inner Divine Intent, accumulating battle intent, preparing for something.
Crossing familiar streets.
Chen Shun’an occasionally stopped to sing Blessed Songs and deliver water to old clients.
Soon, at Silver Ingot Bridge, a rundown large courtyard appeared before Chen Shun’an.
Scholar Ma was indeed a scholar, of excellent character, knowing gratitude and repaying it.
These two days, he nagged about Chen Shun’an’s merits every day.
Steadily providing 2 points of Wish, twice what others give!
Chen Shun’an naturally paid special attention to Scholar Ma, treating him as lush green leeks, tending daily and cultivating well.
“Hm?!”
Suddenly, Chen Shun’an’s gaze sharpened, brows furrowing darkly.
He saw outside the large courtyard, three smirking Qing Pi standing crookedly, casually sweeping the alley a few times with brooms, then blocking the courtyard gate demanding ‘cleaning fee’.
“It’s West County Old Song’s Huo.”
Chen Shun’an recognized their origins.
Due to the Grand Canal passing through Tongzhou Wuqing County, the county gathered all sorts of people from three teachings and nine streams, various demons and ghosts.
Chai Gang, porters, Fish Market, Bao Ju…
The Four Great Huo were one of them.
Huo means a bunch of people crowding in one rundown house, around one iron pot and stacks of broken bowls, making a living together as ruffians.
The leader calls himself ‘Fortress Lord’, with several Generals under him, commanding hundreds of Qing Pi, claiming to be one Huo.
Change into a suit of clothes, weigh and divide gold and silver.
And this West County Old Song was one of the Four Great Fortress Lords, monopolizing many bully-and-extort businesses in West County.
Sweeping markets, begging for luck, selling junk; even mountain goods from rural hill folk must be handed to them for unloading and weighing, then wholesaled to various apothecaries and medical halls, taking the buy-sell margin and demanding handling fees.
Neighbors could only counter with simple direct curses—may your son be born without an asshole.
Notably, these demons and ghosts, including the Four Great Huo, liked to set their ‘headquarters’ at Banye Ferry Crossing.
Making Banye Ferry Crossing not only commercially prosperous but also a big dyeing vat, with all sorts of people.
Right in the midst of collecting cleaning fees.
These three Qing Pi suddenly saw Chen Shun’an and were stunned.
Then the leader, a young man with a small braid topknot, big rebel bone, few hairs but face full of pockmarks, came up, cupping hands in three bows to Chen Shun’an, grinning,
“Magpie called this morning, sure enough a Noble Person arrives—it’s Master Chen from Weihang Street! Auspicious to you, Master Chen! Eaten yet?”
This guy, nicknamed Qing Pi Ma, Chen Shun’an knew him too.
Chen Shun’an smiled without reaching his eyes, saying,
“Who might it be—oh, it’s Master Ma. I dare not be Master Chen; you’re the master. What’s this, blocking me for?”
Chen Shun’an instinctively disliked this group from the Huo.
No other reason—though they dominated the Water Station like water tyrants, ruthless in actions, daring to fight and strive.
At least they followed Rules!
But these Huo and Qing Pi didn’t follow Rules!
They competed in guts and ruthlessness, vying to jump into oil pots, rolling over nail boards one by one!
One moment calling you brother, the next who knows which tendon twitched, suddenly finding you an eyesore and wanting to fight you for no reason.
Anyway, just trouble!
And Chen Shun’an disliked trouble the most.
“It’s like this, Master Chen, lemme discuss something with ya.”
Qing Pi Ma grinned cheekily, seemingly oblivious to Chen Shun’an’s unfriendly tone.
“The folks and this big courtyard nearby are all broke. You collect water fees later, wait till we collect cleaning fees and squeeze out their oil first, yeah?”
“You’re from the Water Station, tyrants of the Capital! No one dares owe your water fees, but us earning hard money—if we don’t chase door-to-door, not one of these villains pays up voluntarily!”
Qing Pi Ma rubbed his hands, bending and bowing, face full of fawning smile,
“Whaddya say, Master Chen~”
Chen Shun’an hadn’t spoken yet.
At the large courtyard gate, Scholar Ma carried a yellow cloth bookbag, several thread-bound books under his arm, hurrying along head down.
He muttered some poetry, seemingly heading to a literary gathering.
“Paid your money? Get back!”
One Qing Pi suddenly kicked out; Scholar Ma cried “Ouch” and fell dog-eat-dirt, brushes and mounted paper scattering everywhere.
Scholar Ma felt his chest burning painfully, not yet reacting.
But his wife, the old woman, immediately dropped her needlework, gripped a Kitchen Knife, face fierce as she gritted teeth and charged,
“Dare hit my man, I won’t live today!!”
The two Qing Pi, seeing this, flew into rage.
These villains not only refused to submit but dared resist?!
“Enough!”
An angry roar thundered.
Everyone froze in place.
The two Qing Pi turned to look.
Chen Shun’an’s face showed icy coldness as he said,
“Scram.”
Qing Pi Ma in front of him was stunned, his fawning smile stiffening.
“Alrighty, Master Chen, you collect water fees, we’ll withdraw first.”
Qing Pi Ma struggled to maintain his expression, mouth twitching slightly, turned and left the alley.
The other two Qing Pi, seeing this, said nothing more and slunk after him.
“Thanks, Master Chen.”
“Master Chen is righteous… Right, my Turbid Water just ran out, buy two buckets.”
“These damn Huo, collecting cleaning fees every few days—can people still live?”
After comforting the neighbors and courtyard residents left and right, Chen Shun’an helped up Scholar Ma, who sat on the ground unable to stand for a long time.
Strength flowed from his palm, qi and blood gathering in Chen Shun’an’s palm, successively patting Scholar Ma’s Jiaji acupoint, Dazhui acupoint, Lieque acupoint.
Scholar Ma sat on the stool, let out a long hiccup, finally catching his breath.
“Sister-in-law Ma, put away the Kitchen Knife.” Chen Shun’an looked at the old woman.
Sister-in-law Ma sighed, then slowly limped back inside, pouring a bowl of water for Scholar Ma.
“Brother Shun An, gotta thank you again.”
Scholar Ma was quite open-minded, picking up the scattered books on the ground.
“You’re heading out today?”
“Yeah, got a date with some amateur performers at Zuoling Yi Wen’s mansion for poetry contest—sigh, didn’t check the almanac before going out today.”
“Oh? Scholar Ma, you actually know Zuoling Yi Wen?”
Chen Shun’an was somewhat surprised.
This Zuoling Yi Wen was a figure of some standing in Wuqing County, a fallen Imperial Clan Descendant, ancestors Bai Shan Ren, holding the Zuoling seal, commanding three hundred, responsible for fields, soldier registers, and lawsuits in West County of Wuqing County.
That was a proper Sacred Dynasty official post!
Also one of the Four Uniques in Tongzhou City’s Five Monsters, Four Uniques, Three Leaders—spear unique!
Scholar Ma: “Knew him from early years. His poetry and songs are no good, lost to me. So every few days he has me over to his mansion, listening to opera while contesting poetry; we’re amateur performer buddies.”
At this, Scholar Ma said embarrassedly: “Also to mooch some food and drink, you know…”
Still gotta be scholars—this is called connections!
As for mooching food… scholars doing that call it mooching?!
Chen Shun’an shook his head, also helping pick up the books and ink brush on Mounted Paper not yet dry on the ground.
Suddenly,
Chen Shun’an’s gaze sharpened.
“Flood furnace great smelting body, forging things without count, divine mechanism changes from within, regulate breath and listen to quiet void.”
“Jade Tree in clouds hanging dragon robe, Six Thieves traceless, slaying mad again.”
“A thing before heaven and earth, formless originally desolate, can lord over myriad phenomena, not following Four Seasons wither.”
…
He saw on the Mounted Paper recorded some profound sentences somewhat familiar yet extremely strange to Chen Shun’an.
Just glancing made Chen Shun’an feel awe like looking up at high mountains, insignificance like an ant seeing the blue sky.
Flood furnace great smelting body?
How was this like the Great Accomplishment Fist that Instructor Lin practiced?
Jade Tree in clouds, Six Thieves traceless—doesn’t this correspond to martial path second-rate and first-rate realms?
And that ‘A thing before heaven and earth…’, just silently reading in his heart made spiritual light flash in Chen Shun’an’s mind, infinite wisdom bursting forth.
Chen Shun’an looked at Scholar Ma, gaze horrified.
“Wait! Your poetry contests—are you contesting this stuff?
