Chapter 397: Heroes of the World Come from Our Generation (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 397: Heroes of the World Are of My Generation (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Ma Liangcai held his father, Chen Yi, in great confidence.

Since arriving in the prefecture city from a remote mountain village in the Wutang region, everything he had heard and seen about Chen Yi’s deeds had only deepened his reverence.

The summer grain of the three towns had been raided; Zhanglin Pavilion in Jingzhou had come to its senses; the merchants in Jizhou had hoarded supplies for sale; and the most reckless of all—Liu Hong had ordered the Poison Sect to spread plague-borne toxins.

Some of these matters Ma Liangcai had witnessed firsthand, and even participated in, contributing only the barest of efforts.

In such circumstances, how could he fail to revere Chen Yi?

Moreover, Chen Yi had taken him as a disciple, imparting the Way of Medicine, allowing his path to medicine to begin, to mature.

“With a master like him, Lueruo will surely become a great talent someday.”

“Your master?”

The fortune-teller, or rather the man posing as a soothsayer—Bai Da Xian—studied him with a keen eye.

Then he turned his attention back to Yuan Lueruo, fingers pressing briefly against the thumbtucked in his sleeve.

“The Four Symbols technique, the Mysterious Wu calming essence method, the Great Spear Pole technique… some of these I recognize, or think I’ve seen them somewhere before.”

Bai Da Xian felt a sudden clarity: Ah, it must be him—Chen Yi.

No wonder this physician-saint of a man had such confidence in his abilities; his master was none other than Chen Yi.

So, Yuan Lueruo was Chen Yi’s disciple’s disciple… what a shame.

Bai Da Xian looked at Yuan Lueruo with a hint of regret.

He did not believe himself more suitable than Chen Yi to be Yuan Lueruo’s master.

Just perhaps.

For a raw jade like Yuan Lueruo, even a man of Bai Da Xian’s caliber might feel a stirring of admiration.

“Such a pity, such a pity…”

“I had intended to take Yuan Lueruo as a closed-door disciple, to teach him the Way of Zhong Wu, spending two years pouring his knowledge into him, adding to the foundation that would support the chaos yet to come in the Central Plains.”

“But he was taken by someone else first.”

“That lazy Chen Yi again.”

Bai Da Xian sighed, a mixture of envy and sorrow. Such a promising talent was right before him, yet he could not claim him.

Not just regret.

He feared Yuan Lueruo might be led down a wrong path by Chen Yi.

After all, as the saying goes: A disciple’s path mirrors his master’s.

If Yuan Lueruo achieved mastery, and then, like Chen Yi, chose to walk a narrow path himself, it would be all the more tragic.

Bai Da Xian pondered this, then cleared his throat and said, “A master-disciple relationship is a good thing. Old me…”

“Would you let your disciple study divination with me?”

Ma Liangcai shook his head immediately. “My disciple’s talents in medicine are exceptional. How could he waste time on divination and astrology?”

“That is a mistake.”

“All arts stem from one source. Learning another skill brings one step closer to the path ahead.”

“No, I will not.”

Bai Da Xian sighed, but pressed on, his voice soft. “Doctor Ma, divination and medicine are closely linked…”

“They may be linked, but I will not learn.”

Ma Liangcai did not wait for him to continue. He waved a dismissive hand. “Go, go—leave. Don’t linger here and distract my disciple from his practice.”

“…”

Seeing this, Bai Da Xian wore a bitter smile. My, this scholar-official truly has met his match in battle.

Irritated, he went straight to divining a hexagram for Ma Liangcai.

The result was favorable.

This man had spent his earlier years in vice and sloth, but his later years had been virtuous beyond measure.

To call him “wealthy and honored” would not be an overstatement.

Bai Da Xian muttered to himself, then declared, “I see the print on your face darkening. You will surely suffer a calamity of blood.”

Ma Liangcai immediately glared at him. “Who are you to curse me at random? Tell me, when and where will this blood calamity befall me?”

“It is happening now.”

Bai Da Xian traced a finger in the air, and suddenly Ma Liangcai stumbled, tripping over his own foot and bleeding from a split lip.

“See? I told you so.”

Ma Liangcai clutched his face, rose unsteadily, glancing at his foot and then at Bai Da Xian. “You…”

Before he could finish, Bai Da Xian snatched the hexagram tablet and fled.

In an instant, he vanished into the interior of the Bureau of Saving Lives Pharmacy.

Ma Liangcai stood frozen, then quickly followed, stumbling after him, muttering and cursing:

“That old thief, daring to plot against me, I—”

Yuan Lueruo, who had been watching, rushed over with ointment, pressing it to his bleeding lip.

“Master, don’t be angry. Don’t let anger harm your body.”

When Ma Liangcai saw her anxious expression, all anger melted away. He nodded, smiling gently.

“No anger, no anger. Such a person does not deserve my ire.”

Yuan Lueruo smiled, her face brightening, and gave him a comforting pat.

After Ma Liangcai wiped his lip, he returned to the pharmacy with a smile. Yuan Lueruo scanned the surrounding crowd, her brow furrowed with thought.

She had heard Bai Da Xian’s words, and though not surprised, she did not dismiss them.

In recent days, training with Chen Yi, she had come to understand certain truths.

For instance, her own talents were beyond the reach of most people.

In his master’s words, she was a once-in-a-thousand-years genius, her gifts as rare as they were extraordinary.

She herself had come to sense this truth.

Whatever she learned, she grasped swiftly.

The Way of Martial Arts, the Way of Medicine, the Way of Literature—all seemed to open before her with ease.

Even her cultivation had, on the previous day, broken through to the eighth grade, unimpeded.

“That old fellow must have been a senior adept,” she thought to herself.

Just as she was about to return to the pharmacy to continue her consultations, a new figure appeared before her.

She looked closely—it was the fortune-teller who had just departed.

“You... you... how have you returned?”

White Immortal glanced around the medicine hall, smiling as he spoke: “Innocent maiden, why couldn’t I come?”

Yuan Liu’er replied with solemnity: “Sir, please be lenient. Miss Liu has already found a master.”

White Immortal waved a dismissive hand. “I know, I know.”

“I’ve come to offer you a few words of counsel.”

“Sir, please go ahead.”

“You have great talent. In the future, never study under the scholar Cheng Yi. That man is lazy by nature—you must not follow his example.”

Yuan Liu’er paused slightly, clearly unprepared for such advice.

At the same time, she held no ill opinion of Master Cheng Yi, finding him kind-hearted and upright.

During her time at the Xiao family’s residence, Cheng Yi was often seen in the Spring Lotus Garden—fishing, painting, or playing the lute.

But that was merely the surface.

As far as she knew, every night, Cheng Yi would be occupied with matters concerning the Xiao family.

Like when the Wudang Sect had once spread plague throughout the city.

“Sir, please be lenient. Miss Liu does not find Master lazy at all. On the contrary, he is generous and virtuous, a man of integrity.”

White Immortal shook his head, saying no more: “Just remember, when you’ve cultivated sufficiently in the future...”

His heart stirred slightly. “Innocent maiden, have you heard of the great events soon to unfold in Shu Zhou?”

Yuan Liu’er looked puzzled. “Which event, exactly, does Sir refer to?”

“The largest, most stirring one.”

White Immortal, with intentional or unintentional grace, nodded toward the path behind him, gesturing to a wandering martial artist.

Yuan Liu’er understood, nodding: “Miss Liu has heard rumors—two senior martial artists are set to spar in Shu Zhou to test their skills.”

“Exactly.”

White Immortal lowered his voice: “Do you wish to go see for yourself?”

“Sir, please be lenient. Miss Liu has matters to attend to; she fears she may not be able to go.”

“Your master will also be there.”

“Your master?”

“Yes, indeed. Your master.”

White Immortal smiled warmly. “He not only plans to go—he may even have an opportunity to display some skills. You wouldn’t want to miss it?”

Yuan Liu’er hesitated slightly, still shaking her head: “Miss Liu will inquire with her master later. If he agrees, then Miss Liu will go.”

“This girl of yours...” White Immortal scratched his head, nearly revealing his identity, eager to let the master and disciple know they’d missed such a rare opportunity.

“If that’s the case, I’ll go speak to your master later, make some inquiry.”

Yuan Liu’er blinked. “Senior, do you know my master?”

“Know him? Of course I do.”

White Immortal nodded kindly: “In fact, we have some familial ties.”

His younger brother Li Wan’s disciple Xiao Jinghong was married to Cheng Yi’s wife.

Thus, he was, in a way, Xiao Jinghong’s maternal kin.

A distant relation, then.

Yuan Liu’er glanced at him, speaking with cautious trust: “Then, Senior, please proceed. Miss Liu has matters to attend to and must bid you farewell.”

She bowed slightly and returned to the medicine hall.

White Immortal watched her enter, muttering to himself, then drifted away from the eastern market.

Earlier that night, he had been calculating with Ye Guxian whether he might succeed them in upholding the martial way of the Central Plains. Now, seeing such a prodigious disciple as Yuan Liu’er, he was clearly elated.

If not for her master being Cheng Yi, he would have seized the chance to reclaim her for the Storm and Rain Pavilion.

“Such a fine talent—exceptional in spirit, nature, and aptitude—truly a remarkable find. He must teach her with dedication.”

“If he learns haphazardly himself, how could she avoid the same?”

The martial way forbade confusion.

Even those with greater talent could only advance two paths at once; beyond that, skill might falter.

Yet Yuan Liu’er had already mastered the martial, medical, and scholarly arts—clearly the next Cheng Yi.

White Immortal found himself wasting time.

After all, in two years’ time, the contest for the Hidden Immortal would commence, and the Central Plains urgently needed someone to rise to the occasion.

Otherwise...

As he pondered, a few surprised voices came from beside him.

“Master?”

“Master, it’s truly you.”

White Immortal turned, seeing several youths from the Storm and Rain Pavilion, their browss furrowed.

“Where have you come from?”

“We humbly report—we’ve come as instructed by your command. The Master once said the Central Plains would soon require your presence. We take his words to heart.”

Several young men in blue robes bowed respectfully: “We are unworthy to disturb the Master!”

Among them, a thin-faced youth spoke: “Master, we were summoned by Shu Master to temporarily garrison the Xiao family.”

“Garrison the Xiao family?”

White Immortal thought a moment, realizing it was likely Xiao Jinghong’s plan.

He shook his head inwardly, for Xiao family already had Cheng Yi—why need these mid-tier cultivators to stand guard?

He began to suspect Cheng Yi was being deliberately reserved.

The thin-faced youth continued: “And Master Shu, along with Tang Shu, have also arrived.”

“Shu? You mean Tang Shu?”

White Immortal’s eyes flickered upon hearing the name—he had noticed Tang Shu conversing with Shu Master earlier.

Listening a moment, he shook his head: “Very well. You two head to the Xiao family directly.”

The thin-faced youth hesitated, then asked: “Master, I’ve heard you’re to spar with the ‘Sword Lord of the Snow’...”

White Immortal glanced at him. “Want to see what’s happening?”

“Unable to conceal it, Master. We indeed wish to witness.”

Seeing the others eager to leave, White Immortal shook his head:

“Never mind.”

"There is no need to watch tonight's duel."

"With your level of talent, if you go there and witness the martial arts of certain individuals, I fear you will never make another stride in your cultivation for the rest of your lives."

Qin Xiuce was struck dumb. "Grandmaster..."

"Save your breath and get yourselves over to the Xiao family, posthaste."

"Yes..."

Hearing Grandmaster Bai put it so bluntly, Qin Xiuce and the others, though helpless, could only bow respectfully and resume their trek toward the Xiao estate.

Grandmaster Bai watched their indignant figures recede into the distance, thinking to himself that while these youngsters possessed decent enough talent, it all depended on who they were being compared to.

Yuan Liu'er required no mention.

Forget Qin Xiuce and his peers, even he himself fell short in comparison.

Even more outstanding were the few elite talents of the younger generation who were heading to the upper reaches of the Chishui River tonight.

If Qin Xiuce and the others were to witness those few exchange blows, he feared their martial hearts would shatter entirely.

At this thought, Grandmaster Bai smacked his lips and vanished into the bustling crowd.

"Moreover, when it comes to those few lads, even this old man feels eclipsed."

"Indeed, heroes arise from our generation in this world, yet a step into the martial realm accelerates the ravages of time..."

"There is no fighting old age, after all..."

...

The noon hour had just passed.

The sunlight was comfortably warm.

A gentle breeze drifted through the Spring Lotus Garden, causing the leaves of the flora to sway and flutter downward.

Chen Yi sat in a rocking chair, reading a book while sipping tea, thoroughly enjoying a carefree existence.

And yet.

Though he held the book, his mind was elsewhere, wandering through the events of the past few days.

Ever since Song Jinjian departed that night, he had vanished once more.

He and the members of the White Tiger Guard had kept a sharp lookout, yet they failed to uncover any trace of the man's whereabouts.

"I wonder if my wife has received the letter. Calculating the days, it should have arrived at Mengshui Pass by now."

Chen Yi muttered to himself, feeling entirely helpless.

With Song Jinjian absent and Cui Qingwu being the only one from the Qinghe Cui family out in the open—clearly uninvolved in those schemes—he remained in the dark.

Even if he wished to resolve the matter, he could not find his target.

Furthermore, for the past two days, he had gone to the Chishui River every night to spar with Ye Guxian.

Speaking of sparring.

Chen Yi was filled with indignation.

Granted, Ye Guxian had taught him the Shadowless Sword, but it was equally true that the man showed him absolutely no mercy.

For two consecutive days, two hours at a time, he had been completely suppressed.

This was despite the fact that Ye Guxian's cultivation and techniques were not vastly superior to his own.

Yet, he simply found no opening to strike.

He was like a headless fly, encountering walls at every turn, utterly incapable of breaking through Ye Guxian's suppression.

Even utilizing the Shadowless Sword yielded the same result.

Ultimately, it boiled down to his own cultivation and technical mastery being too shallow.

Musing over these thoughts, Chen Yi glanced at the sky, rising with the intention of returning to his chamber to continue practicing the Four Phenomena Technique.

Before he could step out of the pavilion, he caught a faint commotion drifting in from outside.

"...Young Master Qin, this is the inner residence."

"Over here is the Spring Lotus Garden, where the Second Young Mistress and the Son-in-law reside. Adjacent to it is the Jiaxing Court, where the Eldest Young Mistress is currently staying."

"I shall escort you all to meet them."

Wang Lixing?

Chen Yi turned his head toward the entrance of the Spring Lotus Garden. Listening for a brief moment, he identified the newcomer's identity—someone from the Wind and Rain Pavilion.

What was bound to come had finally arrived.

Previously, Shui Hetong had mentioned that Xiao Jinghong requested him to recruit several experts from the Wind and Rain Pavilion to guard the Xiao estate.

Half a month had passed since then, and they had finally arrived.

However...

Chen Yi subtly cast his Qi-gazing technique, only to discover that the cultivation levels of those individuals were not particularly high.

At most, they were on par with Shen Huatang. He could not comprehend what use such people would be to the Xiao family.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, a lazy female voice drifted over:

"Nephew Qin, wait a moment..."

(End of Chapter)