Chapter 324: The Minamoto Family’s Grand Fan Meet-and-greet, Little Shizuka’s Eldest Brother Turns 18 Years And 2,000 Months Old
“No harm done.”
After an extremely brief silence, Minamoto Shizuka withdrew her gaze.
She shook her head and sincerely offered a blessing to Shangshan Che: “I must also congratulate Shangshan Jun for taking another step toward even greater distances.”
“Such effort is beyond what we can achieve.”
After the Seed Battle ended, Minamoto Shizuka grew increasingly curious about Shangshan Che, so unusually, she took the initiative to have someone fetch his information and examine it one by one.
The result showed that before this year, Shangshan Che had been nothing more than a student with an utterly ordinary life trajectory.
In other words, he had caught up to and even surpassed someone like her—a child of a great family who had been exposed to Cultivation from a young age—in less than half a year.
The information stated that Shangshan Che was constantly Cultivating nonstop, even while walking, attending class, eating, or even sleeping.
Minamoto Shizuka, who was also hardworking but not to that extent, believed this claim.
The so-called strong are those who can overcome all difficulties and accomplish what ordinary people cannot.
Shangshan Che closed the car door, waved to the Driver, and watched the car leave.
He turned his head, stroked his chin while staring at Minamoto Shizuka: “Miss Gen, leaving me aside, it seems you have made considerable progress as well.”
After observing and pondering for a moment, Shangshan Che asked,
“Are you advancing toward Ghost God?”
“I can’t hide it from Shangshan Jun.” Minamoto Shizuka exhaled slightly, turning her body sideways. “Let’s walk and talk.”
“Very good.”
Shangshan Che then walked beside her—as for Two-Foot Adult, she had already slipped back into the Ksitigarbha Statue to play a single-player game when the car turned into a high-temperature Hell.
“In the Seed Battle a couple of days ago, although I gave up the incorrect Promotion gained from my sister’s help, I gained a personal, rudimentary understanding of the ‘Sea of Tribulation’ because of it.”
Minamoto Shizuka’s voice was very soft, but it was heard very clearly,
“Because of this relatively rare understanding, different from ordinary Ghost Gods, I began to slowly, bit by bit, carefully walk through the Sea of Tribulation.”
Hearing this, Shangshan Che understood what that slightly familiar sensation he had perceived from Minamoto Shizuka was.
—In the decisive battle of the Seed Battle, he had similarly sensed the “Sea of Tribulation” from Minamoto Shizuka.
It was just like raging waves then, but now it was calm as still waters.
“Impressive.”
Shangshan Che praised.
Thus… the Ghost God that Minamoto Shizuka had achieved would surely differ greatly from other Samurai, far from ordinary.
Behind the two, over a dozen black-clad bodyguards… or rather, the burly men now serving as “errand runners,” lowered their steps and followed silently.
After dozens of steps, Shangshan Che looked up, gazing at the massive tree overhead.
The dark Qing trunk was majestically inverted on the ground like a wooden giant dragon, with densely packed branches crisscrossing like knotted Qing veins and Muscle intertwined.
A gentle breeze blew, and countless tiny leaves swayed, shattering the sunlight with a rustling sound.
Like a living thing.
Just by looking, Shangshan Che could sense the heavy, mottled traces of years and the ancient, profound “Spirit” emanating from it.
Spirit Control Technique told him that the “living thing” in his perception was not an illusion but a real, existing fossil that would continue on.
“Spirit, huh…”
Shangshan Che gestured roughly and found that this giant tree gate was at least ten meters wide; from afar, it was completely imperceptible.
Minamoto Shizuka stood beside him without saying anything, probably too accustomed to it.
Shangshan Che sighed for a while, then stepped forward with considerable regret after being stopped from taking out his Mobile Phone to take a photo.
Not far ahead were the ninety-nine steps to climb leading to the Minamoto Family Main Road.
The steps were all paved with gray Stone Slabs, each with perfectly uniform length and height differences, without the slightest error.
The two ascended the steps.
Minamoto Shizuka stayed on the same step as him, while also observing him carefully with her peripheral vision.
—Compared to earlier, there was not the slightest trace of Qi and Blood leaking from Shangshan Che’s body; his demeanor had returned to plain and Normal, and even his exposed Body looked unremarkable, completely indistinguishable from an ordinary person.
If she didn’t recognize Shangshan Che’s face, she would probably overlook him as a random passerby at a glance.
But upon closer inspection, Minamoto Shizuka noticed that Shangshan Che’s seemingly ordinary skin was perfectly smooth, without a single pore.
“His Body has already reached the level of returning to simplicity, perfectly natural…”
This had nothing to do with the Palace of Flesh or the Four Great Ultimate Forms; it was a Physique realm that made others look up to him like a Mountain.
At this thought, Minamoto Shizuka couldn’t help but ask: “By the way, the method you used earlier to Circulate Qi and Blood…”
“Oh, that’s a method of controlling Qi and Blood that Lili Zi taught me.”
Shangshan Che’s thoughts detached from the steps underfoot, which were identical like copy-pasted, and he explained “Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound” and the “Method of Embracing the Core” to Minamoto Shizuka in an accessible and detailed manner.
He did not hold back or set traps for Minamoto Shizuka.
In Shangshan Che’s view, everyone exchanging Cultivation experiences and making mutual Progress was a good thing—the stronger Minamoto Shizuka became, the better opponent and friend she could be in the Future.
“I have learned much.”
After slowly climbing the ninety-nine steps, Minamoto Shizuka stopped, bowing deeply to Shangshan Che.
This action not only stunned the black-clad bodyguards preparing to climb the steps but also elicited soft gasps from the boy and girl peeking from farther away.
But only Minamoto Shizuka herself knew that this bow was not exaggerated at all.
Originally, she had only asked out of curiosity… but who would have thought Shangshan Che would generously reveal this entirely new method of Tempering the Body without reservation.
How generous.
“It’s a small matter.” Shangshan Che shook his head. “If Miss Gen can innovate after completing your Cultivation, that would truly be a good thing.”
“I will strive.”
After responding, Shangshan Che looked up and found that the Main Road connected to the steps stretched endlessly into the distance.
The Minamoto Family was somewhat unexpectedly large.
He had originally thought it was just a Small Village with a few hundred households; weren’t descriptions of ancient families in novels always like that?
Flanking the Main Road were sparsely scattered buildings, with more houses deeper in.
But strangely…
Shangshan Che blinked: “Miss Gen, why is there no one on this main road?”
Minamoto Shizuka explained,
“Because the place Shangshan Jun is going to is in the deepest mountains, and you must walk straight from the Minamoto Family entrance to the center.
So many of the younger members and servants along the way were temporarily cleared inside.”
“The elders still care about hospitality etiquette and such…”
Minamoto Shizuka paused, then added: “Originally, it wasn’t me receiving Shangshan Jun; it was just that there happened to be a small issue at home.”
Shangshan Che was taken aback and recalled what Nanjo Emi had told him: “Speaking of which, is it about that Your Excellency Gen Shinsui?”
Minamoto Shizuka’s expression stiffened slightly, her face visibly darkening.
But she still shook her head: “My sister just went out alone for Training and will return in a while.”
“I see.”
Seeing this, Shangshan Che didn’t press further and continued walking forward.
In the slightly awkward silence, he took the opportunity to glance at the Prompt after completing Embracing the Core.
【Due to holding the “Heart of Yaso no Katsuya” and Circulating Qi and Blood multiple times, your skill, Dan Embracing Progress +32!】
【Embracing the Core（68/100）→Embracing the Core（100/100）】
【You have completed the “Realm of Embracing the Core”!】
【Due to completing the “Realm of Embracing the Core”, your Physique +5, your control over your Body has greatly improved, your control over Qi and Blood has extremely greatly improved, and your speed of Cultivating Breathing Technique has greatly improved!】
After a slight smile in his heart, Shangshan Che looked straight ahead again.
No wonder “breathing” had become much easier.
He could even Circulate Qi and Blood while walking and study the Acupoints in his body—something utterly absurd.
But not long after, Shangshan Che heard a strange yet familiar voice from nearby.
“Let me go! Let me go! I already said this has nothing to do with me…”
“I won’t tell you anything urgh aaaah…”
“Break my throat, come save me…”
Shangshan Che and Minamoto Shizuka looked over together.
They saw several black-clad bodyguards politely and restrainedly “pushing” a Kimono beauty who was struggling against the air toward another part of the Minamoto Family.
The Kimono beauty, on the verge of throwing a tantrum, happened to swing her gaze over and met Shangshan Che standing in the middle of the road.
Shangshan Che slowly raised an eyebrow, recognizing who this “beauty” was.
Kyuuketsuin Kin.
The chaotic noises from one person instantly ceased; Kyuuketsuin Kin restrained all excess expressions and movements at a speed even Shangshan Che could hardly perceive, standing obediently in place and walking.
As if the earlier shouts were all an Illusion.
Only the bewildered circle of black-clad bodyguards and their subsequent grateful glances proved it was all real.
“What’s the situation?”
Shangshan Che asked puzzledly.
Minamoto Shizuka was silent for a moment before replying: “Actually, Kin has had a close relationship with my sister since childhood, so… well, she lets loose quite a bit when at the Minamoto Family.”
So that’s the Emotion.
Shangshan Che nodded and waved to Kyuuketsuin Kin, who was about to leave his sight: “Thanks for the Lemon Tea last time—”
Upon hearing this, she lowered her head even more and hurriedly quickened her pace to leave.
Shangshan Che: ?
But he didn’t pay too much attention to this little interlude and continued toward the deep mountains where Spider Cutter was located.
Shangshan Che looked around,
“The Minamoto Family houses have such a strong sense of the era; they’re not much different from styles one or two hundred, even three or four hundred years ago.”
Shangshan Che, who had personally experienced the Meiji, Edo, and Sengoku Period eras, sighed.
Not only that, but along the way, aside from the car at the Doorway, he saw no modern facilities.
After walking a few more minutes, Shangshan Che suddenly sensed dense gazes from behind the houses on both sides, the gaps between houses, and even farther tree clusters fixed on him.
He slowed his steps slightly, listening to the whispers of the “peepers.”
“Hey, Xiao Jia, this is the Shangshan Che who made my Mobile Phone vibration motor break from notifications in just one night? Tsk, I don’t think he’s that strong; not even as good as Brother Ling Tai and the others…”
“Zhi Jun, you secretly bought a Mobile Phone again!? What if you’re found out and your butt gets beaten to pieces…”
“Wow wow wow! Is that the focus now! I’m asking if this is Shangshan Che!”
……
“This Shangshan Che looks completely like an ordinary person everywhere.”
“You mean an ordinary person can beat Sister Shizuka?”
“Haohao, your reading comprehension is a talent… Go back quickly and re-study the national literature lesson ten times.
I just think a man like this beating Sister Shizuka is unlikely; it would be great if there was a Live Stream Video Recording.”
……
“Ling Tai, the one next to Shizuka is Your Excellency Shangshan, the Champion of the first Seed Battle in the Eastern Region?”
“Yes.”
“Very strong; even though not yet a Ghost God, there’s a gulf between him and us.”
“Who says otherwise.”
……
After looking around, Shangshan Che spotted children from both sides of the road peeking at him, from seven- or eight-year-old kids to boys and girls around Minamoto Shizuka’s age.
Their abilities to conceal their presence varied greatly, but he had discovered them all anyway.
Shangshan Che felt a bit playful.
So he subtly moved his fingers, condensing the black-red Qi Barrier in front of each person who had praised him into the words 【Hello】, and half a finger in front of the forehead of each who had questioned or slandered him.
Without exception, he flicked their foreheads.
Flick flick flick…
Crisp sounds rose and fell; the houses and tree clusters on both sides immediately erupted in a series of gasps.
This instantly demolished all the doubters completely.
Minamoto Shizuka sighed helplessly,
“Sorry, Shangshan Jun, there are just too many fools in the family…”
Shangshan Che smiled indifferently: “I heard most of them haven’t seen the Live Stream Video Recording, so it’s normal for them to think my Strength is insufficient.”
As the two were about to leave, a twin-tailed little Girl suddenly emerged from the tree cluster amid the wails of the Boy beside her and ran toward them.
“Xiao Jia! Xiao Jia! Running out now means you’ll get beaten later!”
But in just two steps, the Girl, whose physical fitness was better than an average Adult’s, reached Shangshan Che.
The Girl held a pen and Notebook in her hands.
She looked up, her big eyes blinking, and after bowing deeply, asked,
“Brother Shangshan, could you please sign for me?”
Without looking at the silent Minamoto Shizuka beside him, Shangshan Che smiled slightly at her,
“Of course.”
“But I’m a bit curious.”
After swiftly signing with Qi Barrier and Ink, Shangshan Che asked: “I didn’t sense that you like me earlier, little Sister, so why go out of your way to ask for my autograph?”
The Girl carefully took the Notebook, thanked him, and grinned,
“Because Zhi Jun really likes you, Brother Shangshan; yesterday he even ran to Brother Zhi’s place to print a photo and put it by his bed.”
“—Xiao Jia, the emotionless Sister Shizuka will definitely snitch, you’ve gotten me and Zhi in big trouble…”
She waved the Notebook in her hand: “This autograph is going to Zhi Jun to stick on the photo later!”
Shangshan Che let out a surprised sound, then saw the Boy in the tree cluster with a face one-third stunned, one-third joyful, and one-third ashen.
He laughed with immense Pleasantness, said goodbye to the Girl again, and continued forward.
The Stone Slab road was very long.
So long that after Shangshan Che could no longer hear the children’s voices behind, he had already witnessed three shifts in the Strength of the guards stationed along the road.
At first Three-Star, a bit further in Three-and-a-half Star…
Then, Ghost Gods.
Minamoto Shizuka,
“Shangshan Jun, the Bamboo Forest holding Spider Cutter is not far ahead.”
Shangshan Che nodded slightly to the two silent-as-stone Ghost God guards scrutinizing him, and continued into the increasingly sparse houses.
“So extravagant.”
He tsked twice inwardly.
But suddenly, Shangshan Che felt the surrounding air change, becoming immensely heavy.
No.
Shangshan Che, who had just been sighing, halted his steps.
—This heavy air hadn’t appeared suddenly; it permeated the entire Minamoto Family territory from the first step he took.
He had only just perceived it now.
Exhale…
Shangshan Che abruptly looked up, spotting the drowsy middle-aged man who had suddenly appeared in front of the distant Bamboo Forest.
In the previous instant, he wasn’t there.
Instinctively, Shangshan Che touched his neck, inexplicably feeling a chill deep into his bones.
His instinct told him this man’s blade…
Might be even faster and sharper than Fang Xiang Shi’s.
Shangshan Che exhaled and asked,
“Miss Gen, which uncle of yours is that?”
Minamoto Shizuka was silent for a long while before replying,
“That’s my Great-Grandfather.”
“In other words, my grandfather’s grandfather.”
The stubble-faced middle-aged man, hearing this, lifted his head, revealing neat white teeth, and energetically gave them a peace sign,
“That’s right, I’m Little Shizuka’s Eldest Brother at eighteen years and two thousand months old!”
“Shangshan little bro, please take care of me!”
