Chapter 238
Chapter 238
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 238
Chapter Title: Everyone Has Their Own Special Skills
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This boat was a means of transportation hired by Fang Tan. While searching for traces of Chen Shi, he was unwilling to tread across the lake surface like Chen Shi or to fly through the air, so he hired a boat instead.
Flying was something that consumed magical power. Traveling by boat preserved one's magical power completely, so it was naturally a more relaxing option.
To recover consumed magical power, one had to refine it anew, which inevitably required absorbing the righteous qi of heaven and earth. That righteous qi was mixed with evil qi, and absorbing more of it increased the risk of one's own evil transformation by that much.
In the eyes of cultivators like Fang Tan who had achieved some success, there weren't many urgent matters in this world to begin with. Why rush?
At this moment, however, he circulated his magical power, sending the small boat flying through the air straight toward Chen Shi's location.
Fang Tan stood at the bow of the boat, the wind billowing his robes backward as if he were riding the wind itself.
The Saintess couldn't help but admire the profundity of his cultivation. In truth, one could cultivate many flight techniques at the Nascent Soul Realm. Though they couldn't fly far or fast, they still had their uses.
To control an object in flight like Fang Tan was doing would likely exhaust a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator's magical power in moments.
Sensing something in her heart, the Saintess said, "To roam the Blue Sea at dawn and return to Yingwu at dusk—this is the lifelong dream of every cultivator.
But who can truly achieve it? Merit Officer Fang, I never imagined your cultivation had reached such depths."
Fang Tan humbly replied,
"My cultivation is far inferior to the others in Fuzheng Pavilion. Guard Commander Wei and I share the rank of Merit Officer, yet his cultivation surpasses mine.
The twelve Staff Officers of the various bureaus each possess cultivation and strength no less than my own.
There are also two Recording Staff Officers whose abilities exceed mine.
And then the Chief Clerk, the Libationer, the Colonel Cavalier, and the Chief of Staff—they all possess realms superior to mine.
In Fuzheng Pavilion, I rank only in the middle or lower tiers."
He paused, then continued,
"The Young Master has won the hearts of the world, and Fuzheng Pavilion is filled with extraordinary talents.
This time, when the Young Master visited the Xu family in Lingzhou, the Xu elders treated him with great courtesy and petitioned the Xu ancestor to impart the Thousand-Li Flying Sword Technique to the Young Master."
The Saintess smiled. "When the Xu family meets the Young Master, they will surely be awed by his bearing."
Even as she said this, she recalled that Chen Shi was also proficient in the Xu family's Thousand-Li Flying Sword Technique, with which he had slain many experts under the Young Master. The Young Master's trip to Lingzhou this time was likely for that very technique.
Could it be that the Young Master harbored considerable wariness toward Chen Shi as well?
Fang Tan said, "I've heard you're searching for the Netherworld Spring Wandering Dragon Sword. That treasure, nurtured by a dragon vein, is indeed a rare divine object. If you could obtain it and present it to the Young Master, you would surely earn his heavy favor."
The Saintess sighed dimly. "Unfortunately, it was taken by Chen Shi."
Fang Tan laughed.
"The treasures he took will be spat back out.
West Capital fears Chen Shi precisely because many demons are sealed within his body. But Fuzheng Pavilion has plenty of ways to extract those demons from him, or even kill him without touching them.
Such things are mere minor techniques."
As the two spoke, they arrived at the shore of Great South Lake.
Upon seeing land, the Saintess finally breathed a sigh of relief.
For the past two days, she had been drifting on the lake, constantly worried she might starve or exhaust herself to death out there.
The small boat slowly descended to the dock by the shore. Fang Tan took money from his pouch and paid the boatman.
The boatman was grateful beyond measure. Not only had this guest paid him, but he had also taken him soaring through the skies—a truly rare good man.
The Saintess looked up, taking in the bridge before the village. On the side of the bridge were written the two characters "Water Mouth."
Water Mouth Village.
"I used the Shadow-Step Tracking Technique to follow Chen Shi's trail. It's right in this village."
Fang Tan ascended the stone steps and slowly crossed the bridge, chuckling. "As the saying goes, a goose leaves traces where it passes, and the wind leaves sounds where it blows. Even objects are like this—how much more so people? The Shadow-Step Tracking Technique recreates a person's footsteps to divine their movements."
The Saintess praised, "Merit Officer Fang's spells are truly profound and unfathomable."
Fang Tan smiled faintly, about to respond humbly, when suddenly he spotted a familiar figure standing on the bridge. His expression changed slightly as he exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Wei!"
The Saintess looked up and saw a scholarly man standing on the bridge, wearing a black Tang scarf hat and brown robes, a folded fan in his left hand—it was none other than the other Merit Officer of Fuzheng Pavilion, Wei Taize.
Fang Tan had thought himself the first to track down Chen Shi, but Wei Taize had arrived ahead of him. He couldn't help feeling a bit discouraged, forcing a bitter smile. "No matter what I do, I always lag one step behind Brother Wei.
No wonder in Fuzheng Pavilion, Brother Wei's seat is ahead of mine."
Wei Taize laughed. "Brother Fang, I'm just a few years older than you, so I sit ahead—not because my abilities truly surpass yours."
The Saintess.
He nodded slightly toward the Saintess.
The Saintess returned the courtesy, smiling. "I've long heard of the great names of Fuzheng Pavilion's One Fang and One Wei, the fierce generals who command battle arrays and close combat. Saintess Cao Xuan is fortunate to meet you both in person today."
Saintess overpraise.
Wei Taize humbly said, "Where have you come from, Brother Fang?"
Fang Tan had a good relationship with Wei Taize and replied, "I was originally at Great West Lake, searching for traces of the merfolk, planning to obtain the legendary merpearl to present to the Young Master. After a long fruitless search, I received news from the Moving Mountains Sect and rushed here overnight, covering fourteen hundred li."
"And where have you come from, Brother Wei?"
Wei Taize said, "I came from Great East Lake, seeking a legendary treasure ship to offer the Young Master as a birthday gift for his twenty-fourth year.
Upon receiving the news, I too rushed overnight, covering over a thousand li to get here.
Then I met with the few survivors of the Moving Mountains Sect and used a tracking method to find this place.
I never expected that just as I arrived, you two would show up as well."
The two exchanged smiles. Fang Tan said, "In that case, why don't we join forces to capture that Chen dog and restore clarity to the world!"
Wei Taize laughed heartily. "Good!"
The two immediately set off together, heading toward Ah Zhuo's home.
At this moment, Chen Shi was at the entrance of Ah Zhuo's home, about to head out with Qiao Hu and Qiao Wei.
After parting from the Saintess, he had hurried to Ah Zhuo's home in Water Mouth Village.
Though Sister Ah Ying was somewhat afraid of him, seeing that he was unharmed put her at ease, and she let him take the two children out to play for the afternoon before returning.
Chen Shi said to the two children,
"Every time I come to your house, your sister-in-law has me take you two out to play. Who knows what they're up to."
Qiao Hu said, "I know! They're stacking human pyramids! I've seen it!"
Qiao Wei said,
"What's fun about stacking pyramids? I can do a handstand!"
Qiao Hu refused to back down. "I can do somersaults!"
Chen Shi praised,
"You brothers each have your own special skills."
At that moment, his heart stirred. He looked toward the bridgehead, his gaze landing on the Saintess.
The Saintess wore an expression of helplessness.
Chen Shi's heart stirred again as his gaze swept over the two men beside her. In a soft voice, he said,
"Little Hu, Little Wei, head home."
In the courtyard, Auntie Ah Ying said to Ah Zhuo, "Hubby, yesterday when I went to the market, I saw a set of erotic paintings at the painting studio. I made a set of clothes in that style from the pictures. You're in luck today.
The kids are out. I'll go put them on—you secure the doors."
Ah Zhuo said,
"Every time Little Ten comes, you make him take the kids. It's too much trouble for him."
Auntie Ah Ying went inside to change. Her voice came from the room. "What else can we do? These two half-grown boys make a racket every day, not sleeping until midnight. When do we get time for husband-and-wife fun?"
Ah Zhuo was about to bolt the door when his ears twitched. He said, "Ah Ying, don't change. I have to go out.
Enemies have come from outside."
Auntie Ah Ying rushed out from the inner room in panic. "Enemies? Whose enemies? It's Chen Shi's enemies, isn't it? I told you he'd drag us down!"
Ah Zhuo said,
"Bring the kids back. I'll go deal with it."
Auntie Ah Ying blocked his way, refusing to let him go. "How many times has Chen Yindu dragged you into this? Every time you go out, you come back half-dead! I stay home alone, worried sick every day, afraid you won't come back one day! You can't go this time!"
Old Man Chen has only this one grandson."
Ah Zhuo said.
Auntie Ah Ying saw the look in his eyes and knew she couldn't dissuade him. Gritting her teeth, she rushed into the kitchen, grabbed two cleavers, handed one to Ah Zhuo, kept one for herself, and said fiercely, "If we go, we husband and wife go together!"
She stood protectively in front of Ah Zhuo, flung open the gate, and called out, "Little Hu, Little Wei, come home quick!"
She yanked the two children inside, bolted the door behind them, and charged up to Chen Shi, roaring,
"You, get behind me!"
She gripped her cleaver tightly, tensely watching the two top experts from Fuzheng Pavilion striding toward them.
Chen Shi was astonished. He turned doubtfully to Ah Zhuo and whispered, "Uncle Ah Zhuo, what cultivation does sister-in-law have?"
Ah Zhuo looked quite helpless and whispered back, "She never went to school. She can't even read."
Never gone to school meant no cultivation.
Chen Shi felt both amused and moved. "Auntie,"
"Go back—who told you to come up here!"
Auntie Ah Ying glared at him. Ah Zhuo wanted to step forward but got glared at too and had to stay behind her.
Wei Taize and Fang Tan walked side by side, smiles on their faces, their auras growing ever stronger.
Fang Tan appeared utterly relaxed and at ease, chuckling. "Chen Shi, you've committed countless evils. Today, you're doomed.
Why drag down women, children, and friends?"
Wei Taize said, "We two hail from the Young Master's Fuzheng Pavilion.
Fuzheng Pavilion aids the righteous path of heaven and earth. We do not slaughter the innocent indiscriminately.
As long as you step forward willingly, I won't harm this woman or this man."
Chen Shi hadn't yet spoken when suddenly a voice chanted from afar in a drawn-out recitative:
"Four years the dragon chariot guarded Mount Emei, iron steeds come from the west step by step delayed.
The Five Phases have not yet shifted the Han tripod, why wait for Qin masters to wield the Six Secrets? Brothers Wei and Fang, today
such excitement—why didn't you call on me?"
That voice was雄浑 to the extreme, like thunder rumbling from dozens of li away. In the span of those few words, the thunder grew nearer and nearer.
Dozens of li traversed in an instant!
By the time "call on me"
fell, a gale suddenly arose, whipping the willows along both banks of the river, bending trees this way and that.
As the gale subsided, a man had appeared before Fang Tan and Wei Taize. He was burly and robust, with a leopard head and ringed eyes, his voice booming like a great bell. He laughed heartily. "Brothers, Tang Balin offers his respects!"
Fang Tan laughed. "So it's Chief Clerk Tang! Chief Clerk Tang's cultivation grows ever more vigorous. Have you already reached the Body Fusion Realm?"
Tang Balin shook his head with a sigh.
"Not yet.
Though the Young Master bestowed a technique upon me and cleared the obstacles on my path forward, my talent is dull, and I still haven't comprehended the mysteries of the Body Fusion Realm."
His gaze swept over Auntie Ah Ying, then Ah Zhuo, finally landing on Chen Shi.
With a faint smile, he said,
"So this is Chen Shi? I thought he'd have three heads and six arms. He's nothing special.
What can a mere fledgling like this use to contend with the Young Master?"
Just then, a voice called from afar, "Three brothers, don't underestimate Chen Shi."
The three men's faces lit up with joy, calling out one after another, "Libationer Dou has arrived!"
Before their words finished, the newcomer had landed, calm and without fanfare, as light as breeze and cloud, as if he possessed no cultivation at all.
Yet the three, including Tang Balin, showed utmost respect to the arrival, bowing deeply. "We pay respects to Libationer Dou!"
The Saintess sighed inwardly. "Libationer Dou is here too. Chen Shi has no way out now.
Libationer Dou is a genius of unparalleled talent, a Body Fusion Realm grand expert who could easily serve as a regional governor.
Even if he joined a great clan, he'd be heavily favored!
At this level of cultivation, three generations of unbroken inheritance would equal a small clan!
With Libationer Dou here, he's cut off every path for Chen Shi!
Fuzheng Pavilion has dispatched its four great experts this time, clearly leaving Chen Shi no chance at life!"
Libationer Dou raised his hand. "We are all brothers of the same house. No need for such formality."
He glanced at Chen Shi and smiled. "This Chen Shi cannot be taken lightly.
In terms of cultivation, background, ability, appearance, talent, connections—he falls short of the Young Master in every way.
But demons are sealed within his body. If he dies at our hands, his demonic nature will erupt violently, the demons seizing his body. In the Archzhou Demon Calamity, he took first credit."
Chen Shi was astonished upon hearing this. "Demons sealed within me? How was I not aware?"
He was utterly shocked.
He had once suspected something was hidden inside him and had even used it to ambush Bitter Bamboo, but he never imagined it was demons!
Libationer Dou sighed, shaking his head. "He should have reflected on himself, yet he relies on demonic might
to rampage arrogantly, committing evils everywhere.
He thinks he can fight the Young Master to the death, yet in the Young Master's eyes, he's always been nothing but an ant."
Chen Shi paid it no mind.
At that moment, an elderly voice said, "Libationer Dou, do you have a way to deal with the demons inside him? Killing him would trigger a demon calamity, endangering millions of common folk—not the act of a righteous force."
Libationer Dou was moved. He bowed respectfully, head lowered. "Junior Dou pays respects to Cavalier Xi."
Fang Tan, Wei Taize, and Tang Balin also paled, becoming deferential as they bowed. "Juniors pay respects to Cavalier Xi!"
The Saintess's heart sank to the depths. A small skiff drifted down the river, an old man wearing a conical hat seated within, holding a fishing rod as he angled.
The arrival was Fuzheng Pavilion's Cavalier Xi.
The elusive Cavalier Xi, whose comings and goings were like a dragon's—seen but never fully glimpsed.
In Fuzheng Pavilion, his status was second only to the Chief of Staff, a peerless grandmaster.
His cultivation was immeasurably profound. Rumors said he had reached the Return to Void Realm, and some even claimed he had long entered the Great Vehicle Realm!
Libationer Dou was utterly deferential to the conical-hatted elder. "The method this junior can think of is to send Chen Shi to the underworld, then kill him there."
Cavalier Xi sat steadily in the skiff, gazing at the river surface, and chuckled. "That's a fine idea.
If he dies in the underworld, even if he undergoes demonic transformation, it will happen there.
Since you have a solution, what are you waiting for?"
With a faint smile, he added, "Don't let a mere minnow unsettle the Young Master's state of mind."
Libationer Dou straightened, looking at Chen Shi with a smile. "Indeed, a little minnow thrashing in the muddy village waters, unaware he's offended the true dragon and emperor—the Young Master. Why handle you personally when
he truly considers himself someone important?"
Wei Taize waved his folded fan, laughing.
The Saintess's face dimmed as she turned to leave.
"I've advised you, Chen Shi.
Unfortunately, my advice came too late.
You're inferior to the Young Master in every way. How can you fight him?"
She murmured inwardly.
At that moment, Chen Shi's voice rang out.
"You think I'm all alone with no one to rely on? You think only the Young Master has his own forces, and I have no kin or friends?
Uncle Ah Zhuo!"
The Saintess shook her head lightly upon hearing this, unwilling to watch.
That beekeeper lackey—what could he do?
Ah Zhuo's rough, callused hand rested on Auntie Ah Ying's shoulder. Auntie Ah Ying gripped her cleaver tightly and shouted, "Ah Zhuo, stay back! They won't touch you two until they put me down!"
Ah Zhuo stepped past her to stand in front, saying softly, "At ten years old, I apprenticed under Chen Yindu. I never went to school. All my skills were taught by him."
Above his head, the clear sky began to revolve, clouds swirling within it, circulating.
The Great Void Realm.
In the great realm, a pair of enormous eyes slowly opened, transforming into dazzling sun and moon in the void.
A torrent of momentum pressed down, making it hard for Fang Tan, Wei Taize, and the others to breathe.
"Over thirty years, I've followed him through countless perils, none surpassing today's by much."
In the Void Great Realm, a majestic primordial spirit sat enthroned, like an ancient deity, solemn and dignified.
In the river, Cavalier Xi's hand trembled violently, nearly losing grip on his fishing rod.
He had kicked an iron plate.
He thought inwardly.
This iron plate was terrifyingly solid!