Chapter 100: Stone Rhinoceros In The Well, Water Delivery Rules
That night, Chen Shun’an unusually slept in. By the time he woke, it was broad daylight, with sunlight falling on his face from the dilapidated window.
Mysterious light flashed within his eyes, so bright that even the sunlight could not diminish its brilliance.
Soon, as Chen Shun’an controlled himself, the mysterious light in his eyes receded, and they returned to their murky, bloodshot appearance.
Chen Shun’an stood up, feeling an unprecedented sense of lightness.
His energy was abundant, his mind clear, and his condition was excellent.
Hmm, my in-law brother is also doing great.
No worse than the younger generation!
“Yesterday I requested half a day off, and today I was absent without leave… Hmph, it’s not that I’m arrogant about my talent, but everything must make way for improving my strength.”
Chen Shun’an silently left the rice barn and first went to Chaodou Hutong to see Wan Niang, to prevent her from worrying, before he hurried to the Grit Well.
His colleagues didn’t ask much; they had even proactively helped him deliver water twice.
Shopkeeper Li simply inquired if Chen Shun’an had encountered any trouble.
Instructor Lin scrutinized Chen Shun’an, and seeing he was unharmed, said no more.
However, San Dezi gave him a meaningful smile, joking that Chen Shun’an should take care of his health.
Scarred Liu remained silent, pushing his cart. He wanted to deliver more water to save money, accumulate enough resources for a breakthrough, and reach the Second-rate Realm to regain his vigor!
Chen Shun’an was busy all day, and at the same time, he was gradually becoming familiar with and adapting to his greatly increased mental strength.
Deep night.
Chen Shun’an, carrying the Heavenly Immortal Blood Rupture Pill and the Five-wheel Water, returned to the abandoned rice barn.
Strike while the iron is hot; since he could already break through his realm and add points to become stronger, why would Chen Shun’an delay?
His Mud Pill was opened, his comprehension was excellent, and his mental strength greatly increased.
Tonight, the Nose Thief will be slain!
…
The next day, during the Hai hour.
At the Grit Well on Weihang Street, Chen Shun’an arrived a quarter of an hour early.
He wore Python Fang Boots, had two short knives with sharp blades at his waist, and carried a Tiger Head Staff on his shoulder.
He was dressed in a blue cloth jacket over a vest, with leg wraps, and in his belt and sleeves, he concealed Gold Coin Darts, as well as several pills and poisons for activating blood circulation and treating injuries.
He even brought the Chicken Head Pearl, for fear of accidentally entering a miasma-filled forest and being ambushed.
While it couldn’t be said he was armed to the teeth, he had brought out all his most prized possessions.
Coupled with the opening of his Mud Pill and the slaying of the Body, Eye, and Nose thieves.
This escort mission for the Eight Treasures Mercury had too many unknowns; Chen Shun’an had to go all out!
“Instructor Lin, before everyone arrives, please guide me a bit. When I assume this stance with my feet in line, I always feel a blockage of stagnant energy in my Dantian.”
“Stagnant energy, nonsense! Bean-curd meal, a fart’s whiff. Eat fewer fried soybeans, you brat!”
“Instructor Lin, every time I practice Standing Meditation and mobilize my Qi and Blood Seed, it takes several breaths longer. What’s the reason?”
“You don’t even understand this? Useless! Do it like this, then like that, understand?”
“Oh, oh, oh…”
Under the well shed, Instructor Lin Shou Zhuo had one foot on a stool, a pipe in his mouth, and his brows furrowed into a knot, unhesitatingly scolding those who sought his advice.
“Instructor Lin, my realm is stuck at the Second-rate Mid Stage, and there’s been no progress for a long time. Could you take a look…”
Sun Xiao arrived shortly after Chen Shun’an. Seeing the situation, he quickly walked under the well shed and said, with a hint of flattery,
Since Instructor Lin had a good relationship with Sun Xiao, his brows relaxed, and he said calmly,
“Oh, actually, there’s no problem. You’re simply useless, and you’ll never reach the Second-rate Late Stage in this lifetime.”
Sun Xiao’s face immediately turned as dark as an iron pot, and he stood frozen. If it were before, even if Instructor Lin were invincible among Second-rate experts, he would have retorted a few words.
But now, he could only offer a wry smile.
I shouldn’t have opened my mouth!
Seeing this, Chen Shun’an was moved. He walked under the well shed, stood beside Instructor Lin Shou Zhuo, and asked,
“Instructor Lin, I dare to ask, what is the miraculous effect after you slew the Eye Thief? And how should my future cultivation proceed?”
The stones from other hills can polish the jade. First-rate cultivation is not something that can be accomplished without leaving one’s home.
As the closest First-rate expert to Chen Shun’an, Chen Shun’an naturally wanted to gain insight and test Instructor Lin’s strength from up close.
Instructor Lin raised his eyelids and, after a moment of thought, said,
“I won’t hide it from you all. Ever since I slew the Eye Thief, my Great Accomplishment Fist has gradually reached its zenith. The minor accomplishment uses fists, resorting to brute force; the great accomplishment uses the eyes, blinding one’s opponents!”
Having said this, Instructor Lin suddenly raised his voice and roared,
“Look at my eyes, all of you!”
Chen Shun’an and the others instinctively looked.
They saw a terrifying light emanating from Instructor Lin’s triangular eyes, instantly captivating everyone’s minds. Everything in heaven and earth seemed to lose its color.
“Hoo!!”
“Just now, I… I couldn’t move!”
“It was like being stared at by a ferocious beast. I clearly felt impending doom, yet I stood rooted to the spot, waiting to be slaughtered… Is this ‘eye-witnessing’? How terrifying…”
Several breaths later, Instructor Lin withdrew the terrifying light from his eyes.
Only then did everyone break free from the Eye-witnessing technique, stepping back several paces, their faces pale.
Even so, many felt a surge of excitement in their hearts, as if their blood were boiling.
However, no First-rate expert was willing to impart their knowledge so generously, allowing everyone to experience the pressure of a First-rate expert in advance.
This was the camaraderie and bond of fellow villagers.
Even if Instructor Lin were to be transferred from the Grit Well to another important position in the future, he would still maintain a connection with the Water Carrier of the Grit Well through incense.
Instructor Lin said, “As for subsequent cultivation. Heh, although my aptitude is slightly inferior, and the number of bone resonances is far less than that of He Qiang and others, I will still let you know that First-rate cultivation lies in intent, in divine intent!
When intent is strong, the body becomes strong. I have been accumulating power in the Second-rate Realm for many years, becoming unrivaled and cultivating an indomitable martial intent. Once I break through to the First-rate Realm, it will be time for it to blossom and bear fruit.”
Instructor Lin extinguished his pipe, walked out of the well shed, stretched his muscles and bones, emitting crackling sounds,
“At the slowest, it will take three years; at the fastest, two years, and I will be able to slay the second thief! Even the third thief will only take three to four years!”
Sun Xiao’s eyes were filled with deep envy as he heard this.
“As expected of Instructor Lin. Truly a dragon returning to the sea and a tiger returning to the mountain; his future is boundless…”
Cheng Bin lamented, “Alas, I’m crippled and cannot see the scenery of the First-rate Realm. Instructor Lin, you must go higher and farther for me, for us, and witness the scenery beyond the martial path.”
The others also had various expressions, some in awe, some in contemplation, and so on.
Chen Shun’an, upon hearing this, was somewhat surprised.
Another two years?
That slow?
In two years, I might even be the lord of the Great Marsh.
No, it’s not that Instructor Lin is slow.
On the contrary, Instructor Lin’s speed is considered above average among First-rate martial artists.
“It’s because I am an Elderly Heavenly Pride, and I cannot be judged by conventional standards.”
Chen Shun’an thought to himself.
“Alright, enough talk, let’s deliver water!”
Instructor Lin took off his short jacket, revealing his firm, lean muscles, and then looked at Chen Shun’an, saying,
“Old Chen, you’ll go down the well with me to retrieve the Eight Treasures Mercury!”
“There are five rules for this water delivery.”
“The first rule I will teach you is: Only two people go down the well. Those with shallow fate and little fortune must not touch the water.”
“You fell into the well and survived, and even opened your apertures and broke through your realm, which is a sign of sufficient fate and great fortune. It is perfect for you to go down the well with me!”
Sun Xiao, Cheng Bin, and the others exchanged glances, their faces filled with worry, as if they were concerned about something.
But they said nothing more.
…
Chen Shun’an had gone down the well many times before; he had even spent a night in the Grit Well during his last fall.
However, he had never expected that
The Eight Treasures Mercury was actually produced from the bottom of the Grit Well?
Gurgle…
Chen Shun’an and Instructor Lin stripped down to their loincloths, with a hemp rope and an empty water pouch tied around their waists.
Then, taking a deep breath, the two of them submerged into the water.
The well water was bone-chillingly cold. As their fingers brushed against the well wall, the moss felt slimy and icy.
Initially, the water was relatively clear, and their vision extended about ten feet.
But as Chen Shun’an dived deeper, the light dimmed, impurities increased, and their vision became more blurred.
Only the murky well bottom ahead remained visible, like some primeval beast with its mouth agape, quietly waiting for Chen Shun’an to arrive, giving him a sense of oppressive and chaotic unease.
Occasionally, a crucian carp or even a turtle would swim past, but they would immediately disappear into the dark depths in fright.
These were intentionally raised to determine if the well water had been poisoned.
Instructor Lin swam at the forefront and quickly reached the bottom. His fingers felt around in the silt, stirring up a large amount of dregs.
Chen Shun’an instinctively kept his distance, clinging to the stone crevices of the well wall with his limbs, like a gecko on its side, his muscles tense.
Chen Shun’an was curious about what exactly lay at the bottom of the well.
Where did the Five-wheel Water and Eight Treasures Mercury come from?
Suddenly, Instructor Lin’s fingertips touched a rough stone wall. His eyes lit up, and he turned to wave at Chen Shun’an.
Then, he noticed Chen Shun’an’s posture, as if facing a great enemy and ready to flee at any moment, and couldn’t help but twitch his lips.
Chen Shun’an swam over.
The silt was swept away, and the murky water gradually settled, allowing them to barely see.
At the bottom of the well, near the vertical wall, was a stone rhinoceros about the size of a human head!
It was ancient and rustic, the same color as the silt, covered in peculiar cloud patterns and water channels, and it lay quietly crouched at the bottom of the well, having been there for who knows how many years.
Chen Shun’an noticed that the direction the stone rhinoceros’s head was facing… was towards the Capital City!
Chen Shun’an was somewhat taken aback.
The stone rhinoceros suppressing the water, eternally guarding the well bottom, gazing towards the Capital City. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed related to supernatural events!
Instructor Lin and Chen Shun’an placed their arms on the stone rhinoceros and channeled the strength from their abdomens, slowly moving it aside.
The sound of iron chains being dragged, with a dull clanging, echoed. Under the stone rhinoceros, a rusty, arm-thick iron chain was attached.
And at the other end of the iron chain, beneath the stone rhinoceros, there was another hidden space, which seemed to be empty!
Water flowed, pitch black, like a cave.
As the stone rhinoceros was moved and the iron chain was pulled, various strange, sharp cries and low hums emanated from behind the cave.
The sounds disturbed their minds, making them dizzy and lightheaded, giving them the illusion of wanting to leap into the cave.
Fortunately, the stone rhinoceros was not large, and the cave was even smaller, making it difficult for a normal person to squeeze into it.
Seeing this scene, Chen Shun’an showed a look of surprise.
Strange!
The iron chain of the Dragon Locking Well was locked from the outside, as if fearing something inside might escape.
This locked stone rhinoceros, with the chain facing inward and only a narrow opening, seemed as if it feared something from the outside might crawl in?
A few breaths later, a fierce current of water surged from the other side of the pitch-black cave.
Like a flood dragon spitting a pearl, a dense, silver-glowing Eight Treasures Mercury emerged from it.
Instructor Lin, quick-handed, took a water pouch and fitted it over the mercury.
This water pouch was specially made with a mechanism. As Instructor Lin squeezed the opening, it expelled all other impure water, leaving only the Eight Treasures Mercury.
The amount of Eight Treasures Mercury ejected from the cave varied; sometimes it was only a few drops, and other times it was almost a gurgling stream.
Chen Shun’an and Instructor Lin worked like a relay team, filling one water pouch, swimming to the surface, and handing it into a wooden bucket for Sun Xiao and the others to pull up.
Then they would return with a new water pouch to continue filling it.
This continued until after a full quarter of an hour, when the pitch-black cave beneath the stone rhinoceros showed no further activity and no more Eight Treasures Mercury was ejected.
Only then did the two of them work together to move the stone rhinoceros back, concealing the cave once more.
The strange melodies and weird sounds that had echoed in their ears gradually dissipated.
