Chapter 240: Secret
Chen Shun’an swam out from the water cave and headed straight toward the shore.
After swimming just a few li, the Silver Scholar and Jin Lin Mei, who had been dutifully keeping watch and patrolling for Chen Shun’an, swam up to him.
Tun Mengzi had recently been working with the martial artists from the Wuqing Stick Bureau, familiarizing themselves with the Iron Chain Shock Kill Formation, and was too busy to split themselves.
The two fish keenly sensed the divine might on Chen Shun’an that had surged even higher, and their awe of him deepened involuntarily.
The Silver Scholar said, “High God, the nearby waters have been thoroughly explored with no omissions. When shall we head to the Funiu Water Marsh and the depths of the Grand Canal?”
Jin Lin Mei said nothing, merely blowing bubbles to indicate she felt the same.
Chen Shun’an shook his head, patted the two fish on the head, and said,
“These days, keep an eye on the movements of the monsters in the water, especially those around the Funiu Water Marsh… As for the rest of the treasure-hunting explorations, put them on hold for now. In a few days, this god will enlighten you, transform you completely, and grant you divine wonders.”
Chen Shun’an casually painted a few more pictures with words, exciting the two fish like they had been injected with chicken blood. They escorted him all the way to the shallows, watching as Chen Shun’an leaped onto the sampan-like boat before reluctantly retreating slowly.
Back at the Three Forked Road.
The air was so cold it could freeze stones, breath turning to frost. Though the snow had cleared, the lead-gray sky still hung low, pressing down until one could hardly breathe.
Chen Shun’an, wearing a bamboo hat, passed by the dock.
A few days ago, it seemed another small-scale monster tide had erupted at the Three Forked Road. The ground still had uncleaned filthy blood, emitting a strong bloody smell.
Many rooftops had been torn open by immense force, rafters snapped like bones—some slanting in ice crevices, others half-buried in the snowdrifts.
Some cried, their kin buried in monster bellies.
Some laughed, having slain demons to claim great merit, even advancing further to reach the True Intent Realm.
Chen Shun’an turned a deaf ear to all this, head down as he walked past, showing no youthful hot-bloodedness or hatred of evil.
He knew exactly who was responsible for these human tragedies and the vast disparities in people’s fates.
The Sacred Dynasty was sick and could only be treated with ruthless surgery and strong medicine; other methods were useless.
“Master Chen.”
“Shopkeeper Chen.”
“Master Chen is out on the boat again?”
Passersby along the way all hurried with tense expressions, but many Tanka fishermen and martial artists, even while wiping blood from their bodies, stood to greet Chen Shun’an.
Chen Shun’an could name only a few; most were just familiar faces, and there were even quite a few unfamiliar visiting martial artists who, like the others, bowed respectfully to him with deferential expressions.
A man’s reputation precedes him like a tree’s shadow. Chen Shun’an had protected the Tanka fishermen, slain the Pig-Dragon, and then taken on several demon-slaying missions, completing them all smoothly.
Among them was even the great feat of combating General Huang.
All won through fists and blades in fierce combat.
Not a bit could be faked.
Chen Shun’an exchanged brief pleasantries before heading first to the public office, where he found Warehouse Keeper Fang and inquired about the recent monster tide situation.
The news was not optimistic.
Two days ago, in the shallow waters near the Three Forked Road, a monster comparable to a Slay Five Thieves expert had even emerged.
It led over a dozen intelligent water demons in an assault.
These monsters even employed simple tactics: the front ones feigned sleep to lure the enemy, while the rear ones circled around for ambush.
It was Leader Lu who unleashed divine might, revealing Slay Five Thieves strength to barely drive them back.
Warehouse Keeper Fang coughed twice, his face slightly pale, and said,
“Shopkeeper Chen, be prepared at any time. We might ride porpoises to the Funiu Water Marsh tomorrow… With Lesser Cold and Greater Cold freezing everything into one mass, the coldest Greater Cold of the year hasn’t arrived yet. Wuqing County can’t afford to wait, nor can it be delayed.”
After saying this, Warehouse Keeper Fang put on his felt hat and hurried away.
Chen Shun’an watched Warehouse Keeper Fang’s departing back with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
“Lu Jing has already reached Slay Five Thieves? Was it accumulated strength bursting forth, or some other opportunity?”
Moreover, Lu Jing had managed to turn the tide against a group of water demons, walking on water to repel that great demon comparable to a Slay Five Thieves martial artist.
This proved Lu Jing was no ordinary Slay Five Thieves martial artist; he had even touched the opportunity for Slay Sixth Thief!
“Strange. Last time during the combat of Zhao Guanghui, I didn’t notice he had such strength. Why has his power surged so dramatically in such a short time? I’ve slain the Mind Thief too—it’s hard to explain.”
Chen Shun’an looked suspicious as he gazed toward Lu Jing’s camp tent. After a slight hesitation, his figure flickered, becoming formless and shapeless. He altered others’ six senses and slipped toward Lu Jing’s camp tent without anyone noticing.
Let me sneak a peek.
……
Back to the Nine Great Families.
Along the way, there were grim-faced martial artists hurrying silently, and families dragging their belongings, relocating from the Banye Ferry Crossing to stay temporarily with relatives in the county.
Chen Shun’an found nothing unusual about Lu Jing.
He spent most of his time in the military camp, handling official documents and studying martial arts manuals.
Occasionally, he went out to the river bend to check on the integration between the porpoises and the martial artists.
The rest of the time, he cultivated silently, avoiding wine, women, and luxuries—nothing abnormal.
But precisely because there was nothing abnormal, that was the greatest abnormality!
Lu Jing had secrets!
In this Sacred Dynasty, where immortal fates abound, immortals seem to recline on white clouds or hide in famous mountains and rivers, yet are actually everywhere, mingling among the mundane populace.
Chen Shun’an had developed a conditioned response: whenever something seemed off, he assumed some shameless immortal was scheming from behind the scenes!
Too shameless, disregarding immortal virtue—lofty immortals fixated on fleecing ordinary mortals and martial artists.
There was even a specific 【Mist Gauze Heavenly Law】 arranging it all clearly!
Moreover, whether by coincidence or not.
Some of Lu Jing’s trusted aides had recently gone missing mysteriously, seemingly on secret missions.
For instance, Yun Ruo the Chasing Cloud Divine Assistance, who had always secretly loved Lu Jing, and Shi Yanzhi, the brother who had followed Lu Jing through countless life-and-death battles…
“Master has returned.”
As he pondered, Mother Liu’s familiar loud voice snapped Chen Shun’an out of his thoughts.
Mother Liu welcomed Chen Shun’an while calling a delicate maidservant to help him change clothes.
“Where is Wan Niang?”
Mother Liu did not enter the room but stood outside, bowing as she said,
“The eldest mistress is out on a house call, accompanied by the golden hairpins.”
Chen Shun’an nodded without saying more.
He did not care about women not showing their faces; after all, Wan Niang was straightforward and not some sheltered young lady confined to her chambers.
“Where is Qingchen?”
“In the Grape Courtyard.”
“Prepare bathwater to serve Qingchen for bathing. I’ll be there shortly.”
Chen Shun’an instructed.
Mother Liu understood immediately and bustled off to the kitchen.
As usual, preparing water and clothes was her job.
Moments later, he arrived at the Grape Courtyard.
He saw Qingchen, who seemed to have just bathed, her hair wet and reaching her waist, straight as a waterfall. She wore thin silk plain clothes and was applying lotion and drawing her brows at the mirror in the room.
She exuded a deeply feminine charm, revealing many coquettish girlish thoughts.
Yet she also carried the untouchable purity of one who kept constant company with a green lamp in a secluded ancient temple.
A calico cat lay lazily sprawled on her thigh.
Outside, heavy snow swirled; inside, warmth abounded.
It perfectly matched the line: “Soft firewood by the stream, warm felt rugs; I and my cat stay indoors.”
Seeing this, Chen Shun’an’s desire for the dao surged.
“Qingchen, please impart the dao.”
Qingchen’s long eyelashes trembled slightly, her cheeks blooming with peach-red glow like a brilliant evening sunset.
“Meow…”
The calico cat quickly ran out of the room, as if unable to stand the antics of these two-legged humans, and hid in the corner to groom itself.
At that moment, the warm pavilion was truly—
Spring dotting apricot and peach buds into red bloom, wind teasing willow greens into swaying waists.
……
“Has the master returned?”
Wan Niang got off the horse-drawn carriage, with the maidservant holding a small nanmu box following behind.
Wan Niang’s face was clouded with worry, appearing deeply troubled.
On this house call, she had personally seen unrest in Wuqing County.
The demon disasters outside the county were spilling over uncontrollably into the county itself.
Martial artists wounded on the Three Forked Road front lines were being carried into the county one after another, even putting a barefoot doctor like her to work, pouring out pots of paste medicine and powder medicine.
Hemostatic, blood-activating, life-saving pills and medicinal herbs had skyrocketing prices—without status, one truly couldn’t afford them.
Moreover, Wan Niang had heard that the young outstanding persons from Tongzhou City were all restless.
Instead of slaying demons, they galloped through the county streets, arranging duels.
They ate mountain delicacies and sea tastes, drank jade dew and nectar; leftovers were fed straight to dogs and pigs.
Moreover, Wan Niang vaguely heard that her own brother had been dragged into these young masters’ games, acting against his will to deliver water and pass messages for them.
Worry rose unbidden in Wan Niang’s heart.
Mother Liu hurried over and, hearing this, couldn’t help covering her mouth with a light laugh: “The master has returned, in the Grape Courtyard.”
Facing Wan Niang, Mother Liu was more familiar and less reverent.
Wan Niang vaguely understood something. Glancing at the still-bright sky, she showed a helpless expression and said,
“Don’t follow me. I’ll go to the Grape Courtyard to see.”
“Yes, eldest mistress.”
Upon arriving at the Grape Courtyard, Wan Niang heard banging and crashing from the warm pavilion, like sounds of smashing walls.
Wan Niang couldn’t help feeling sympathetic.
Her nominal little sister was really suffering.
So she quietly sat in the corner, opposite the calico cat.
One person and one cat, big eyes staring into small.
After half a shichen, the noises in the room eased slightly.
Wan Niang was about to call Mother Liu the maidservant for hot water to serve the two inside for bathing.
But the banging and crashing resumed.
Wan Niang sighed helplessly, picked up the calico cat, and waited again.
Another half shichen later.
Chen Shun’an seemed to have long sensed Wan Niang outside and calmly called out,
“Come in, Wan Niang.”
……
Letting Wan Niang scoop hot water with a gourd ladle and fetch silk cloth to wipe his body.
Chen Shun’an’s gaze coldly appraised the half-fainted, half-awake jade body sprawled across the bed.
He had always harbored some doubts about Qingchen’s origins.
Qingchen was an immortal seed. Though not as dazzlingly brilliant as Scholar Ma, her aptitude and wisdom were “slightly superior” even to Chen Shun’an’s.
In the eyes of immortals, she was top-tier talent.
How could she have drifted for years, passed through several hands, and still retained her virginity before falling into Chen Shun’an’s possession?
Yet, regarding her own background and family, Qingchen had not lied.
After all, the tangible wishes born from reproductive worship could not be faked.
Qingchen did not like to cry out.
But her wishes were many.
