Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 196
Chapter Title: Don't Go Too Far!
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Chen Shi's heart pounded wildly. Earlier, before he had taken Niangniang Shiji as his Divine Embryo, Li Tianqing had formed his Golden Core at the sixth revolution three days ahead of him. Later, after Chen Shi took Niangniang Shiji as his Divine Embryo, his cultivation progress quickly caught up to Li Tianqing.
With Niangniang Shiji as his Divine Embryo, his cultivation speed absolutely surpassed Li Tianqing's Purple Jade Divine Embryo!
And in this world, the only thing that could surpass a Purple Jade Divine Embryo was probably an Innate Dao Embryo!
Thus, he suspected that his stolen Innate Dao Embryo was likely on this Young Master of Yudu.
His emotions surged, and he found it somewhat hard to control himself.
This young master might very well be his enemy!
The enemy who had caused him to die eight years ago!
Pei the Scholar had been badly injured by Chen Shi's strike, which had damaged his heart and lungs. As he coughed, he said,
"I've never seen the young master manifest his Divine Embryo with my own eyes. His cultivation is profound and unfathomable; he's never shown his true strength in front of us.
I only heard others say that the young master's Divine Embryo is extraordinarily powerful—the strongest Divine Embryo in the world."
Is he a Purple Jade Divine Embryo? Or a Wenchang Divine Embryo?
Chen Shi asked, his voice even somewhat hoarse. "Or perhaps something even stronger, like an Innate Dao Embryo?"
Pei the Scholar shook his head and said,
"I wouldn't know that.
I only know that the young master learns any technique or spell incredibly quickly—he masters it as soon as he learns it.
Once, an old monk came to see the young master and taught him the Great Freedom Wheel King Divine Seal. After just two days, the young master had fully comprehended it. The old monk praised the young master's aptitude as one rarely seen in the world."
Chen Shi asked puzzledly,
"An old monk? Who was this old monk?"
Pei the Scholar said,
"I heard he was a high monk from the Great Nation-Protecting Temple, accompanied by a young monk. I don't remember his exact name."
Chen Shi's heart stirred.
"Master Bitter Bamboo?"
Pei the Scholar thought carefully and said,
"Everyone honors him as Zen Master, so it might be that name.
The old monk was very elderly, with sagging eyelids that drooped down, covering his eyes."
From his description, Chen Shi figured the old monk was most likely Master Bitter Bamboo.
Master Bitter Bamboo was an existence at the Great Vehicle Realm, the pinnacle of cultivation. The Great Freedom Wheel King Divine Seal he taught was undoubtedly extraordinary.
For the young master to fully comprehend it in just two days, his aptitude was indeed astonishing!
Master Bitter Bamboo's praise of his once-in-a-generation aptitude was no exaggeration.
Bitter Bamboo's strength was likely far superior to Cold Mountain Hermit's. The Wheel King Divine Seal he taught probably rivaled the Thousand-Li Flying Sword Technique that Cold Mountain Hermit had passed to him.
He frowned slightly. The Thousand-Li Flying Sword Technique concealed three spells merged together in an exquisitely ingenious manner.
Learning the first two spells wasn't difficult, but the challenge was that Cold Mountain Hermit hadn't taught the third.
Chen Shi had self-realized the third spell, completing the Thousand-Li Flying Sword Technique.
From this, the young master's aptitude and comprehension seemed comparable to Chen Shi's.
Chen Shi grew wary in his heart.
"There aren't many people who can match me—this young master is truly formidable!"
He was still curious about the young master's identity. Master Bitter Bamboo was an unparalleled expert from a Buddhist holy site like the Great Nation-Protecting Temple, yet he had taught him a profound seal upon meeting him. Clearly, this young master had an immense background!
Pei the Scholar said,
"After learning this Wheel King Divine Seal, the young master sparred with the young monk using it and defeated him in ten moves, leaving the monk utterly convinced of his loss.
The old monk said that since the young master had only cultivated it for two days, it wasn't a fair victory over his disciple—it was the Divine Embryo that won, not the seal.
The young master laughed heartily and admitted it."
Chen Shi's eyebrows twitched lightly.
The young master had defeated Monk Wuchen with the Wheel King Divine Seal. Monk Wuchen had killed General Xia Luoying in Gongzhou—though there was an element of ambush, he had slain him in just a few moves, demonstrating exceptional strength!
Though Xia Luoying was the son of Commander Xia, to hold the position of deputy general, his cultivation realm was likely at the Incarnation of God stage.
For Wuchen to kill him, he was probably at the Incarnation of God stage as well.
The young master defeating Wuchen—though his exact realm was unknown—Bitter Bamboo had said his Divine Embryo was superior, so their realms were likely similar. During the fight, his Divine Embryo outclassed Wuchen's, securing the victory!
Wuchen's Divine Embryo was second-grade, just below Purple Jade and Wenchang Divine Embryos—extremely powerful.
Pei the Scholar's knowledge wasn't extensive, so he didn't know the young master's Divine Embryo type. Seeing Chen Shi defeat him in one move at Golden Core seventh revolution, he said Chen Shi's Divine Embryo rivaled the young master's.
With only a third-grade Divine Embryo, he probably hadn't even seen a first-grade one in his life.
Chen Shi said,
"Do differences in Divine Embryo grades greatly affect the combat power of cultivators at the same realm?"
Pei the Scholar looked at him in astonishment and said,
"Of course they do! The greater the difference in grades, the greater the disparity in strength! You don't even know this basic knowledge? No one ever told you?"
Chen Shi shook his head and said,
"No.
I've only compared cultivation levels with people who have first-grade Divine Embryos; I've never compared with those who have lower-grade ones."
Recalling the cultivators he had killed these days, he said,
"I rarely needed a second move to kill them, so I didn't have time to compare."
Pei the Scholar was exasperated and snapped,
"A scholar may be killed but not humiliated! Chen, if you're going to shame me like this, just kill me!"
Chen Shi admired his integrity and, fearing he might actually die, quickly said,
"I'm not trying to humiliate you. Think about it—when I killed those few whose cultivation was higher than mine, how many moves did it take?"
Pei the Scholar was stunned.
Their group of seven had been surveilling Chen Shi to determine if he was the one who wiped out the Peace Gate. Unexpectedly, four had died mysteriously.
The remaining three had rushed to kill him without investigating further, but the peddler hadn't even withstood one move, dying under countless翠 bamboos.
Jiang Pingtian had fled, her fate unknown, but from Chen Shi's tone, she was probably dead too.
And Chen Shi had sat in the grand master's chair without moving.
In their one-on-one duel, Pei the Scholar had lost in one move. If Chen Shi hadn't held back, his finger would have pierced his skull on the first strike—death or blindness inevitable.
Indeed, Chen Shi hadn't needed a second move.
Pei the Scholar felt utterly heartbroken. It seemed Chen Shi truly wasn't humiliating him.
But it hurt even more than humiliation.
The grade of a Divine Embryo greatly affects a cultivator...
As Pei the Scholar began to speak, tears slid uncontrollably down his face. He choked up, and Chen Shi hurriedly said,
"Stand up first—don't kneel anymore... Sit in my grand master's chair and tell me slowly. I'll stand."
Chen Shi helped him up and seated him in the grand master's chair.
Pei the Scholar wiped away his tears with his sleeve, steadied his emotions, and said,
"The grade of a Divine Embryo has a tremendous impact on a cultivator.
In the early stages of cultivation, a cultivator's combat power relies mostly on their Divine Embryo.
Only after forming the primal spirit does the Divine Embryo's role diminish slightly. But when reaching the God Descent Realm, where one senses true gods beyond the heavens and receives divine power and insights from them, the Divine Embryo becomes immensely powerful again. High-grade Divine Embryos can even surpass the primal spirit—extraordinarily formidable!"
Chen Shi said in surprise,
"Why haven't I noticed how powerful Divine Embryos are?
He stopped himself mid-sentence.
The cultivators he'd fought were often killed in one or two moves—like Zhu Bajie eating ginseng fruit, one bite each, no time to savor the taste.
Even if those cultivators maximized their Divine Embryo's advantages, they had no chance to show it with instant death.
He hadn't asked what Divine Embryos they had, so no comparison possible.
Pei the Scholar said,
"Low-grade Divine Embryos offer limited enhancement to cultivators.
Below fifth-grade, they're third-rate; even forming a Golden Core is difficult.
Fourth-grade and above can form Golden Core and nascent souls, but to reach primal spirit or higher realms, a third-grade Divine Embryo is needed.
Those with second- or first-grade Divine Embryos face few realm restrictions and can cultivate to extremely high levels, even the Great Vehicle Realm."
Chen Shi was stunned.
Young Master Xiao had said Grandpa had a ninth-grade Divine Embryo—utterly third-rate. A first-grade Divine Embryo contained over 250 times the power of a ninth-grade one!
"Grandpa actually cultivated to this level with a ninth-grade Divine Embryo.
Chen Shi suddenly felt that Grandpa was incredible—breaking cultivation limits, contending with the world's powerhouses using a ninth-grade Divine Embryo. He was like a monumental stele!
Who is your family's young master? What's his name?
Chen Shi asked.
Pei the Scholar said,
"I don't know. We only address him as Young Master."
Hiding his identity? His deeds are often unseemly!
Chen Shi was puzzled. This young master wielded great power, yet needed no name—others simply called him Young Master.
"Young Master" had become his title. Even Master Bitter Bamboo of the Great Nation-Protecting Temple had to show him respect and teach him upon meeting.
What was this man's background?
From which noble family?
Where does the young master reside?
Chen Shi's eyes flickered as he asked. What properties does he own?
Pei the Scholar dared not conceal and said,
"How would a mere spy like me know all his properties? Every time I see the young master, it's at the Zheng Prince's Mansion in Yudu.
The young master treats us exceptionally well—rewards for merit, punishment for faults.
Techniques, spells, money, mansions, women, even promotions to office—he gives far more than other noble families.
Working under him, we willingly risk our lives."
"Zheng Prince's Mansion?"
Chen Shi pondered. Among the thirteen noble families that control the realm, none bore the surname Zheng.
Would the young master be surnamed Zheng?
"I keep my promises—if I said I won't kill you, I won't.
Chen Shi waved his hand. You can go."
Pei the Scholar hesitated and said,
"I've now betrayed the young master. Returning to the Zheng Prince's Mansion, I'll surely be punished.
But I'll still go back and report to the young master that you destroyed the Peace Gate and killed the six, including Jiang Pingtian.
Will you still let me go?"
Chen Shi laughed and said,
"Have you read too many books and gone foolish? Go back and you'll be punished! Flee and send a letter to the young master—he'll still learn I killed to silence them."
Pei the Scholar said solemnly,
"The young master treats me as a scholar; I repay him as one. I feared death and betrayed him under threat, but I remember his kindness. Even risking punishment, I'll report this to him! That is the way of a scholar!"
Chen Shi sneered,
"With power and wealth, buying loyalty is simple.
Pei the Scholar said,
"Chen Shi, your skills are superior, but you've misread the sages' teachings—you don't understand my righteousness and convictions!"
Chen Shi waved him off irritably and said,
"Go, hurry up! Before I change my mind!"
Pei the Scholar walked toward the door, then stopped and turned back.
"You're really not killing me? I'm really leaving!"
Chen Shi waved dismissively and said coldly,
"You accept small favors and forget greater justice, acting as a tiger's lackey.
I'm sparing you now, but next time we meet, you're dead.
Scram!"
Pei the Scholar departed.
Chen Shi flicked his finger, sending a yellow talisman flying up. It transformed into a yellow sparrow that flapped its wings and followed behind Pei the Scholar.
He wanted to see if Pei the Scholar would truly return to Yudu and report this to the young master, as he claimed.
Pei the Scholar went to the teahouse, retrieved his book case, shouldered it, and headed out of the city toward Yudu.
Chen Shi tracked him for over a hundred li, seeing him never deviate from the direction, before recalling the yellow sparrow.
"Blackie Pot, he sells his life for the young master's petty favors, unaware that the young master's ventures cost countless lives.
Like the Peace Gate—how many children did they harm?
Chen Shi sat down. Blackie Pot came over and sat beside him. Chen Shi said,
"I think this young master must die! Deceiving hearts with small favors, masquerading as great justice, blinding people to right and wrong, unable to distinguish good from evil—this young master is surely a human evil spirit!"
"Woof!"
Blackie Pot barked toward the collapsed wall.
Chen Shi said softly,
"I know he's very powerful, stronger than any enemy I've faced! His forces are likely vast; I might die before even seeing him.
But at Phoenix Ridge's back mountain, when I sent those children's souls to reincarnation, I promised them revenge. Only then did their resentments dissipate, allowing them to move on."
Blackie Pot tilted his head and looked at him puzzledly.
"Woof?"
Chen Shi stood and walked out, his gaze profound.
"As a talisman master, it is my duty to slay evils and exorcise spirits.
No matter how deeply this evil hides, I will eliminate it."
He stepped over the collapsed wall and entered the tavern across the way, heading straight to Governor Xu Jian's table. He pulled out the opposite chair and sat down, smiling at the approaching waiter.
"Add a set of bowls and chopsticks."
The waiter looked surprised and glanced at Xu Jian opposite.
Governor Xu smiled, watching Chen Shi, and nodded lightly.
The waiter hurried off.
Chen Shi said apologetically,
"Governor, you've invited me several times, but I've been in a critical breakthrough period of secluded cultivation these days and couldn't make it—I've failed your kindness, please forgive me.
This meal is on me."
Xu Jian laughed.
"Chen, why be so formal? You placed birds everywhere as eyes to monitor those spies' every move, planned their murders, and even sent birds to monitor me as well.
You were indeed very busy."
Chen Shi quickly apologized.
"I didn't mean to surveil you, Governor. I just released a yellow sparrow earlier and spotted you dining here by chance, so I came over presumptuously."
Xu Jian had no intention of pursuing it and laughed.
"Chen, you and I aren't outsiders.
Cold Mountain Hermit is my granduncle."
Chen Shi looked at him in surprise.
Cold Mountain Hermit came from one of the thirteen noble families, the Xu family—something he had never imagined!
"Many hermits hail from noble families.
Xu Jian smiled faintly. "Hermits seek different things from us officials. Some prodigies from noble families can't stand officialdom and aspire to a hermit's life, so they become hermits.
As long as hermits don't go too far, the court turns a blind eye."
The waiter brought the bowls and chopsticks.
Xu Jian continued,
"For instance, you killing people in Chen Manor—such matters the court can ignore."
At that moment, yamen runners from the prefectural office rushed over, shouting at the onlookers to clear the scene as they prepared to inspect it.
One runner spotted Xu Jian and Chen Shi, hurried over, and bowed.
"Sir, I heard there was a murder here and rushed over."
"Murder? What murder?
Xu Jian picked at his food without even raising an eyebrow.
"How have I not seen any murder?"
The runner understood, turned, and went to handle it.
Xu Jian laughed.
"On the other hand, if a hermit commits something like the金山 hanging corpses murder, the court must intervene.
The court hopes for peace in the realm, after all."
He set down his bowl and chopsticks, looking earnestly into Chen Shi's eyes.
"Chen Shi, like your grandpa, you have a stubborn streak. I can't buy you off.
Houses, women, treasures, a thousand mu of good land—none of it works! But can you give me this favor: during my tenure, in Xinxian Province, don't do anything too outrageous?"
Chen Shi picked up his bowl and chopsticks, took a bite, and said,
"As long as you govern without being too outrageous, Governor, how could a mere commoner like me be?"
Xu Jian looked at him seriously. After a moment, he leaned back and laughed.
"You're more reasonable than your grandpa.
Fine, I'll strive to be a good official! Now, what do you want?"
Chen Shi set down his bowl and chopsticks, looking earnestly into his eyes.
"How much do you know about the Young Master of Yudu, Governor?"