Chapter 76: Immortal Path Visitor Comes, Acting Senile
As he gradually came into contact with the secrets of the Immortal Path and Path of Divinity.
Chen Shun’an naturally would not believe that just anyone with “transcendent” abilities was an Immortal.
Most likely, they were merely cultivators seeking up and down on the Immortal Path.
And obviously, besides Chen Shun’an, quite a few people present had also noticed the nun’s abnormality, their expressions all shocked, with various guesses.
“Brother Zheng, I wonder who this is…”
After inviting Liu Sui to take a seat on the high platform, Zhao Guangxi eyed the nun with a gaze full of shock and suspicion.
Zheng Shicheng had a reserved expression, chin slightly raised, and said,
“This is Tian Xuan Saint, who has cultivated in the deep mountains for many years. The Head of Yue Shan Daoist Academy paid three visits to her thatched cottage and invited her multiple times before she finally came out.”
At these words, not to mention Zhao Guangxi, even prominent figures like Liu Sui all stood up one after another.
“Greetings to Tian Xuan Saint!”
“We are so fortunate to behold the visage of an Immortal.”
“Virtuous Nephew Zheng, you’ve handled this matter properly! With such an Immortal Master attending the Spirit Official’s birthday celebration, it is a blessing for the people of Wuqing!”
Facing the crowd’s respectful and flattering words.
Tian Xuan Saint’s gaze remained calm as she faintly replied,
“I dare not claim the title of Immortal Master. I am merely a seeker who has just knocked on the door of immortality and obtained some Art of Longevity.”
Art of Longevity?
Hearing this, the crowd’s hearts burned with excitement, and they quickly invited Tian Xuan Saint to the main seat.
Seeing that Zheng Shicheng had stolen the spotlight, Zhao Guangxi hurriedly interjected,
“Lord Liu, today is the showdown fight between me, my sister Liu, and Brother Zheng of Wanlong Pounding House. We’re competing on popularity and pomp, so we still need you, my lord, to put in some effort and dispatch more fast class officers to maintain order.”
Liu Sui was the only official from Wuqing County Yamen present today.
At this moment, whether to favor his own daughter or to leave a good impression in front of Tian Xuan Saint, he agreed very readily,
“Don’t worry, Virtuous Nephew Zhao! If there’s trouble, call on the government offices. We’ll maintain public order!”
The Imperial Carriages had not yet arrived, and the people on the platform were either chatting in small groups or whispering behind their hands.
At this time,
A fast class officer in black uniform walked up to the high platform and whispered a few words in Liu Sui’s ear.
Liu Sui’s face darkened slightly, and he said: “Have the other Firework Bureaus in the county provide some support. This matter isn’t big or small; best not to slack off!”
The black-uniformed officer cupped his hands and stepped down from the platform.
A curious local gentry asked: “Lord Liu, what happened?”
Liu Sui smiled: “It’s not a big deal. It’s just that the firecrackers for Lingguan Temple the night after tomorrow are short on ‘Thunder Fire Golden Whip.’
‘Thunder Fire Golden Whip’ is complicated to make, and only a few Firework Bureaus in the county can produce it, but perhaps thieves have appeared, and quite a bit of the superior niter and sulfur from the Firework Bureaus has gone missing… Don’t worry, Old Ge, I’ve already sent people to handle it.”
The people on the platform were talking.
Below the high platform.
Chen Shun’an looked up at those so-called “big shots” and “Bai Shan Ren,” with the crowd surging, but his mind was somewhat wandering.
He thought of the sunken plums and floating melons, those round watermelons soaking in the pond.
His soles itched.
Wanted to step on them.
“Old Chen.”
A voice came, and Chen Shun’an turned to see Lin Shou Zhuo striding over, his arms swinging with steady qi and blood, unremarkable yet giving a sense of Return to Original Purity.
Only those toad eyes gleamed brightly, startlingly so.
Among the Six Thieves, the easiest to slay were the eye, ear, and nose thieves.
Moreover, increased eyesight and slaying the eye thief brought more direct and obvious improvements to martial path strength.
Therefore, most first-rate martial artists prioritized slaying the eye thief.
Seeing this,
Chen Shun’an’s heart stirred slightly, and he said,
“Instructor Lin, have you broken through to first-rate?!”
“Not quite yet.”
Lin Shou Zhuo smiled, lightly tapping the copper bowl of his dry tobacco pouch against his shoe sole.
“Landlord Zhao passed me the Inner Scenery Rotation True Cultivation Manual, but time was too short. Though my intent has been tempered, it’s still far from… Oh, these things are too distant for you; you’d not understand even if I explained.”
In high spirits from happy events, Lin Shou Zhuo rarely joked in front of Chen Shun’an and the others,
“Just think of me as unbeatable among second-rate, Lin Invincible!”
San Dezi, Scarred Liu, Sun Xiao, and others all cupped their fists and said,
“Congratulations, Instructor Lin!”
“The bitter end leads to sweetness; Instructor Lin has finally achieved his wish!”
“Good! With this, Weihang Street is finally about to produce a first-rate expert! I can go out and boast about it!”
Lin Shou Zhuo’s mouth corners curved up slightly; after chatting a few words with them, he went over to other acquaintances.
Chen Shun’an’s gaze flickered; why did it feel like Instructor Lin had come specifically to show off?
However, was it just the Inner Scenery Rotation True Cultivation Manual?
Chen Shun’an pondered inwardly.
Inner Scenery Rotation and Six Sceneries Rotation differed by one word, yet were worlds apart.
Inner Scenery was the Minor Heavenly Cycle, centered on a certain thief, using intent to connect the Ren and Du meridians before settling in the dantian to nourish strength.
While Six Sceneries was the Major Heavenly Cycle, centered on the rotation of the Six Thieves, covering the Nine Orifices and Hundred Meridians, three hundred sixty bone joints, eighty-four thousand pores, encompassing the whole body in a perfect circle to nourish strength.
In the early stages, the two might not differ much.
But as time passed, a huge gulf would form.
“However, ones like Instructor Lin are the norm.”
Being able to break through to first-rate with a True Cultivation Manual already made one a dragon or phoenix among men.
How could one ask for more?
After all, not everyone was as innately gifted as Chen Shun’an, enduring hardship tirelessly day and night to obtain Six Sceneries Rotation.
This was Heaven rewarding diligence.
Chen Shun’an sincerely felt happy for Instructor Lin.
……
After half a stick of incense.
The palanquin teams of Wanlong Pounding House and the water carriers had all arrived.
The Imperial Carriages were all uniformly adorned with Spirit Official Wang idols, competing in splendor on who was bigger and more eye-catching.
You have sunshade treasures, I have heavenly soldiers and generals escorting.
Your procession is grand with various dharma banners; mine has golden melons, axes, halberds, lanterns, incense burners, stacking everything shiny on top.
The Pounding House gang members and water carriers carrying the palanquins glared at each other, neither yielding.
And behind the palanquin carriers, there were some peddlers with shoulder poles selling goods, and commoners who had followed along the way.
There were also various street performers making money on the occasion, quickly finding a flat spot amid the crowd to perform magic tricks.
On the high platform, many looked toward Tian Xuan Saint.
Tian Xuan Saint said nothing, calm and composed.
The crowd then looked toward Liu Sui.
Only then did Liu Sui stand up tall, walk to the center of the high platform, and say some long-winded, boring formalities that put people to sleep.
Until even Tian Xuan Saint’s face twitched with hidden displeasure, then Liu Sui immediately said,
“Then let the two sides begin!”
The crowd below perked up.
Bang!
Bang!
Several muffled booms sounded.
Some lishi carried several large iron-sheet boxes onto the high platform.
As the crowd wondered,
The box lids opened, spilling out white, gold, and colorful glows, along with many martial arts manuals, Great Medicine treasures, stone bottles containing Five-wheel Water and Eight Treasures Mercury.
The crowd’s eyes were dazzled.
Zhao Guangxi said loudly,
“Every water carrier of our Water Station who wins a match gets the reward for that match! If you successfully defend the stage and become the champion in that category, there will be even greater rewards!”
According to the agreement, this showdown stage was divided into third-rate, second-rate, and first-rate, for a total of three matches.
Each match was subdivided into fist and palm, spear and staff（long weapons）, saber and sword（short weapons）, hardening technique, and leg and lightness skill, into five small stages.
Whoever wins three of the five stages wins that match.
Whoever wins two of the three matches wins the showdown stage.
It had somewhat the flavor of the martial examinations.
“Water Station is determined to win… really willing to spend!”
Many seeing this drew in cold breaths, feeling Zhao Guangxi’s resolve.
And Liu Ru Yue beside Zhao Guangxi also flashed a hint of heartache in her eyes.
The rewards in the big boxes included a share of hers!
Zhao Guangxi had the boldness to go into debt to back it.
She naturally couldn’t lag behind（forced）, gritting her teeth and even putting in her own dowry!
This showdown could only be won, not lost!
Zheng Shicheng seeing this, face darkened, but he showed no much panic.
Dang!
The gong rang out, and the deafening clamor quieted down.
A burly water carrier was the first to leap onto the fist and palm stage.
He first cupped fists to the crowd, then pointed at someone from the Pounding House, saying harshly,
“Zhang De, you used scooping rice as pretext to seduce my family’s wench, drugged me to aid your fun! Afterwards, you even plotted to swallow my family’s ancestral property. Dare you come up and fight me!”
So explosive right from the start?
Chen Shun’an immediately perked up.
Scarred Liu thought of something, his face darkening, feeling a strong sense of immersion.
The crowd also looked over.
“Fight then fight!”
Grilled on the fire, the man called Zhang De had no choice but to jump onto the stage.
Both were third-rate mid-stage strength.
After eight or nine exchanges, the burly water carrier suddenly surged with aura, revealing third-rate late-stage vast strength, punching Zhang De in the chest and roaring,
“Kill you first, then that wench!”
Zhang De spat a mouthful of blood mixed with organ fragments, rolled off the stage, and immediately stopped moving.
The onlookers retreated a few steps to avoid blood splattering their clothes.
The burly water carrier laughed a few times, didn’t defend the stage, jumped down immediately, went up to the platform to claim his reward, then hurried away.
Pounding House gang members quickly collected Zhang De’s corpse and carried it away.
Some lively commoners didn’t watch the showdown anymore, hurriedly followed the burly water carrier; when they couldn’t keep up, they even paid for donkey carts to chase quickly.
Even with a death, Liu Sui on the high platform remained unmoved, leisurely sipping tea.
This was gang strife; as long as it didn’t harm commoners, the government wouldn’t intervene.
……
With the burly water carrier setting the example, the other four stages immediately livened up.
Chen Shun’an was initially excited, wanting to see some fun.
But soon he became listless.
These stage fighters, even fighting viciously with white knives in and red knives out, couldn’t hide their crude martial skills and weak qi and blood.
They really couldn’t provide much sensory stimulation to this over-fifty old senior.
Not as good as the first match.
But overall, Water Station had the upper hand.
Landlord Zhao’s move had indeed flushed out some small fish.
Some water carriers who were usually amiable, playing dumb, had surging auras, all advanced one small realm.
Repeatedly turning the tables, dominating all around.
Zhao Guangxi nodded in satisfaction.
“Old Liu is up!”
Suddenly, Scarred Liu challenged the stage, big saber in hand, jumping onto it.
Chen Shun’an’s eyes brightened.
He saw Scarred Liu swing his big saber straight at the opponent’s head!
Truly a pair of South Mountain fierce tigers, two North Sea azure dragons, exceptionally fierce and brave!
Clang clang clang…
Two big sabers clashed, sparks flying.
Who knew the next moment, Scarred Liu ‘whooshed’ flung his long robe, a small knife appearing in his left hand, thrusting forward, targeting the opponent’s lower body!
Caught off guard, the man retreated in panic, but how could he dodge?
With a thud, the man fell backward off the stage, big saber dropped to the ground.
Some Pounding House gang members rushed to help him up, anxiously saying,
“Brother Peng, what’s wrong?! Brother Peng… Brother Peng, say something!”
After Scarred Liu, he defended two more matches successfully, then a strongman came to avenge that Brother Peng from earlier.
Scarred Liu saw the situation turn bad, timely jumped off the stage, covered in dirt, got up, patted his butt, and happily went up to claim the reward.
Many watching felt both chilled and envious.
Offspring-cutting tactic?
Walking back to Chen Shun’an’s side.
Scarred Liu said: “Brother Chen, I want to breakthrough to second-rate realm like you, quick! Revive my glory!”
Chen Shun’an said: “And then?”
Scarred Liu laughed: “Naturally, optimize and strengthen this sneaky fighting style, let others taste the pain too.”
Chen Shun’an and the others twitched their mouths hearing this.
Afterwards, several colleagues Chen Shun’an knew well went up to challenge stages one after another.
More wins than losses.
San Dezi didn’t participate, truly slacking off, seeking other paths.
In the end, the third-rate realm fights ended with Water Station victorious.
On the high platform.
Zheng Shicheng’s face was ashen.
Tian Xuan Saint was indifferent.
Zhao Guangxi laughed heartily, pulling out a somewhat chipped hollow iron ball from his pocket, spinning it whooshingly.
Liu Ru Yue’s mouth corners curved up, eyes like autumn water.
Moments later, below the platform was slightly cleared.
The palanquin carriers shouted in unison, shoulders straining to shake the carriages.
Advancing and retreating as one, switching shoulders left and right, dancing with fluttering ribbons and bouncing idols, as intermission entertainment.
Moments later, the second-rate martial artist stages were set up.
Even wider, farther from the commoners, fearing stray injuries.
Wan Niang returned from burning incense, buying several bowls of full ice bowls on the way—cool summer snacks made with almonds, melon, honeydew, peaches, and fruit lotus root—and distributed them to Chen Shun’an, San Dezi, Scarred Liu, and others.
“Thanks, sister.”
“Thanks, sister-in-law!”
San Dezi and Scarred Liu quickly took them, not daring to slight Wan Niang in the least.
That “sister-in-law” especially made Wan Niang’s heart bloom.
Chen Shun’an asked: “No trouble on the road?”
Wan Niang’s gaze dodged a bit, smiling: “What trouble could there be from burning incense and praying… Bro, hasn’t it reached you yet?”
“Not yet, soon.”
“Bro, be careful. We won’t compete with others; don’t hurt yourself.” Wan Niang showed worry.
“I know.”
As the two spoke.
Just as the stage was set up, a nimble figure like a flying eagle swooped from the Pounding House side, landing on the stage.
Under thirty years old, quite arrogant demeanor, but aura unstable, qi and blood floating.
He glanced sideways at the crowd below, cupped fists, and said,
“Who dares come lend a hand?”
Water Station’s second-rate experts saw this was a young newcomer who had just broken through to second-rate realm, skilled in lightness skill.
Realm unstable, yet came to show off.
Lame Cheng Bin seeing this, face lit with joy.
He was just worrying about no suitable opponent!
And the other Water Station folks, even many lightness skill experts under Liu Ru Yue, were tempted, all setting stances to rush the stage.
However, Chen Shun’an had already taken the lead, body lunging forward onto the stage.
Chen Shun’an cupped fists to Cheng Bin and others below, smiling,
“Chen Mou is a few years older than you all, legs and feet clumsy, eyes dim, plus the sun is fierce and I can’t endure; thinking to finish the fight early and go home for a nap. Please give this old face, brothers.”
Chen Shun’an decisively activated his innate talent—
Acting old and selling seniority.
