Chapter 124: Mid-Stage |
Du Lingchuan could see clearly that the Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear Chen Qing had just practiced was definitely not just a beginner's grasp. It was at least at the major achievement realm.
This made his heart tighten, "When did that Old Peng get such a good seedling under his tutelage? If he were truly his personally transmitted disciple, with that old fellow's temperament, he should have been beating drums and gongs everywhere to announce it, running to me to show off! How have I never heard of this?"
Once this thought arose, Du Lingchuan couldn't restrain himself. Before the tower ship had even stabilized, he spoke in a deep voice, "Is that a Five Terraces Sect disciple ahead? This old man is Du Lingchuan of Xuanjia Gate! What you just practiced, was it that Old Peng Zhen's Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear? Observing your spear momentum, you've already grasped its essence. Could you be a new personally transmitted disciple Old Peng recently took in?"
His tone carried a trace of urgency, extremely concerned about his old rival's movements.
River-Severing Spear Du Lingchuan!?
This person was also a renowned expert in Yunlin Prefecture, ranking among the top five in Xuanjia Gate.
"Five Terraces Sect Qingmu Courtyard disciple Chen Qing, here under Elder Shen Xiuyong's orders to guard this waterway!"
Hearing this, Chen Qing cupped his fists and called out loudly, "What this disciple practiced is indeed the Mountain Suppressing Prison Spear. This spear technique was graciously included in the sect's Martial Repository. It was comprehended by this disciple on his own, not personally transmitted by Courtyard Master Peng."
"Qingmu Courtyard? Comprehended on your own?"
He was in excellent spirits, his tone becoming light and teasing, "Old Peng, oh Old Peng! Your Kunti Courtyard sits on a treasure mountain yet lets pearls gather dust! Such a fine seedling was under your nose, practicing the spear to major achievement on his own, yet you were completely unaware? Haha! If he finds out, he'll probably beat his chest and stamp his feet, so angry he won't be able to eat for three days!"
Thinking of his old rival's possible expression upon missing such talent, Du Lingchuan felt thoroughly comfortable, more refreshing than drinking ice spring water on the hottest summer day.
The more he looked at Chen Qing, the more pleasing he found him. He commented, "A year for the blade, a month for the staff, a lifetime for the spear! The spear is the king of all weapons, most difficult to master! Among the younger generation in Yunlin Prefecture, quite a few practice blade or sword. Some worthy of mention include Nie Shanshan and Yan Yaoyang, but in the way of the spear..."
He paused, with several parts pride and disdain, "Those who can catch this old man's eye can be counted on one hand! Those so-called elites under that Old Peng Zhen are just so-so."
His gaze looked piercingly at Chen Qing as he praised without reservation, "You, young man, are quite good! Though not personally taught by Peng Zhen, this spear foundation already shows some grandeur! Much stronger than those useless disciples of his!"
This last sentence was clearly the main point.
Chen Qing quickly cupped his fists humbly, "Senior Du praises too much. This disciple doesn't dare accept such praise. Courtyard Master Peng's spear technique is divine. This disciple merely picked up the wisdom of predecessors, drawing a gourd by looking at it. How would I dare compare with the senior brothers from Kunti Courtyard?"
Kunti Courtyard did indeed have several disciples with considerable spear technique accomplishments. That Li Lei seemed to have also reached major achievement realm.
However, Chen Qing's spear technique had actually reached perfection.
Whether martial arts moves were exquisite or not, if not personally demonstrated, others found it very difficult to discern.
Chen Qing knew this well in his heart and naturally wouldn't deliberately reveal it.
Hearing this, Du Lingchuan was in excellent spirits and waved his hand carelessly.
At this moment, Chen Qing noticed quite a few people on the Xuanjia Gate treasure ship who looked shaken, dressed in various clothing. Most had merchant attire, with a few martial artists. Each face showed exhaustion and the terror of having survived a disaster.
Chen Qing asked, "Senior Du, these people on your sect's ship are...?"
Du Lingchuan's expression became serious as he said in a deep voice, "These are all hostages the Nine Waves Island water bandits kidnapped from various places. They were imprisoned in a hidden water dungeon in the back mountain. When we cleared out the remnant bandits last night, we discovered them and rescued them together. We're preparing to send them to the prefectural city for settlement to see if we can find their families."
Hostages?
Chen Qing's heart stirred. He immediately thought of Wu Manqing's request.
He quickly cupped his fists, "Senior Du, this disciple was entrusted by someone to search for a young martial artist named 'Wu Feng,' about twenty years old, with six-form root bone, from a branch of the Wu family in Yunlin Prefecture. I wonder if he might be among these people?"
"Oh? Wu Feng?"
Du Lingchuan looked toward a disciple behind him, "Zhenshan, go inquire whether this person is present."
"Yes, Master!"
That chief disciple at mid-stage embracing elixir strength acknowledged the order, turning to quickly walk into the cabin.
Before long, Tang Zhenshan emerged with a youth being supported by two Xuanjia disciples.
That youth's face was pale as paper, his aura listless. His chest was wrapped in blood-soaked bandages, and one leg also seemed injured, making walking difficult. It was Wu Feng!
Though gravely injured and weak, a trace of the will to survive still remained in his eyes.
"Are you Executive Chen?"
Seeing Chen Qing at the bow, Wu Feng's dim eyes lit with a trace of faint light.
The Wu family people naturally recognized their own retainer.
Chen Qing quickly leaped onto the Xuanjia Gate tower ship, coming before Wu Feng.
He swiftly took out a jade bottle from his bosom, pouring out a emerald-green pill emanating a peculiar clear fragrance. This was the healing sacred medicine Hundred Fragrance Pill worth one hundred silver taels per pill.
Chen Qing had bought several pills to keep on hand for emergencies.
"Take it!"
Chen Qing placed the pill in Wu Feng's mouth. At the same time, his palm pressed on his back. Gentle Qingmu Longevity true qi slowly transferred in, helping to dissolve the medicine's power and nourish the damaged meridians and organs.
The vigorous life force contained in Qingmu true qi had miraculous effects for healing injuries.
As the medicine's power spread, combined with the nourishment of Qingmu true qi, a trace of color finally appeared on Wu Feng's pale face. His breath also stabilized somewhat. Looking at Chen Qing gratefully, he said weakly, "Many... many thanks, Executive Chen!"
"Rest and heal peacefully."
Chen Qing nodded, then turned to Du Lingchuan and Tang Zhenshan, "Senior Du, Senior Brother Tang, great kindness needs no thanks! This youth is an important member of the Wu family. May I ask if your honorable sect could send him to the Wu family residence in the prefectural city on the way!"
As he spoke, he took out a thousand-tael bank note he had already prepared from his bosom, "A small token of appreciation, nothing worth mentioning. Please consider it buying some warming wine for all the senior brothers on the road. I hope you'll accept it."
Tang Zhenshan glanced at his master Du Lingchuan.
Du Lingchuan was currently in good spirits and nodded slightly.
Only then did Tang Zhenshan accept the bank note, a trace of a smile appearing on his face as he politely demurred, "Junior Brother Chen is too courteous. Eliminating demons and protecting the righteous, rescuing the innocent, these are our duties. However, since junior brother shows such sincerity, we would be remiss to refuse."
He discretely tucked the bank note into his bosom.
"As it should be. Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Tang and all the brothers!" Chen Qing cupped his fists again.
Du Lingchuan watched Chen Qing handle matters thoroughly, his evaluation of him rising another notch in his heart.
Thinking that Peng Zhen still didn't know such an unpolished jade was hidden right under his nose made him feel even more pleased.
He stroked his beard and smiled, "Rest assured, our Xuanjia Gate will definitely safely deliver this person to the Wu family. You're guarding here, so also be more careful."
Du Lingchuan planned to visit Five Terraces Sect when he had time next, so he could properly mock Peng Zhen.
Thinking of this, the smile on his face couldn't be restrained.
"Thank you for senior's care and affection. This disciple understands." Chen Qing responded respectfully.
The Xuanjia Gate tower ship set sail again, slowly departing from the waterway toward the prefectural city.
Chen Qing stood at the bow, watching until it disappeared into the wind and snow.
The wind and snow gradually ceased. The towering flames and deafening shouts of battle from Nine Waves Island finally fell silent.
In just a few short days, the bandit nest of Nine Waves Island that had entrenched the waters for years had turned to scorched earth. The Zheng family that had been illustrious in Yunlin Prefecture for a hundred years had also vanished like smoke, leaving only devastation and wreckage everywhere, making one sigh endlessly.
The scattered remnant resistance on the island was completely extinguished. Most of the bandit chiefs and Zheng family core members were executed, but a small number of fish still slipped through the net, fleeing into the vast depths of Qianchuan Marsh. Like water drops entering the sea, they were difficult to find again.
The four major sects' treasure ships shuttled ceaselessly. Box after box, bag after bag of wealth, manuals, pills, and weapons were cleared from the ruins, continuously transported to their respective sects.
Gold, silver, and jewels dazzled in the sunlight. Secret manuals and classics gave off the fragrance of ink. Medicine bottles and jars were dazzling to behold. Gleaming weapons piled up like mountains.
However, discerning people all knew these were merely the tip of the iceberg floating on the water's surface, meat soup the four major sects distributed to their disciples and allies.
The core wealth and secrets that truly devoured the enormous foundation the Zheng family and Nine Waves Island had accumulated over several hundred years had long been completely divided up by the first batch of True Aura giants who acted and their core forces.
Who got the greatest benefits?
No one knew, and no one dared ask.
This storm seemed to have subsided, but the undercurrents it triggered were only just beginning to surge.
This day, Shen Xiuyong stepped onto Chen Qing's treasure ship.
The habitually lazy smile on his face had vanished without a trace, replaced by a trace of heartache.
"Martial nephew."
Shen Xiuyong's voice was low, lacking its usual teasing, "Pack up and prepare for the return journey. This matter is concluded. No need to guard any longer."
Chen Qing's heart sank slightly. He had a premonition of bad news, but still asked, "Elder Shen, on the island...?"
Shen Xiuyong took a deep breath and slowly said, "Xiao Ruize... his death has been confirmed. Along with him perished Lin Wei and three other Lihuo Courtyard elite disciples."
Though Chen Qing had already guessed when he discovered Zuo Feng impersonating Junior Brother Wang, hearing with his own ears the news of Lihuo Courtyard's chief disciple Xiao Ruize's death still made his heart sink heavily.
Xiao Ruize, the leading figure of this generation in Lihuo Courtyard, at the peak of mid-stage embracing elixir strength, a genius with prospects of attacking True Aura in the future, had actually met such an end here!
Along with Lin Wei and several other disciples with considerable potential... For Lihuo Courtyard, this was absolutely a devastating blow!
Within Five Terraces Sect, a huge storm was probably brewing.
"Is there any news about who did it?" Chen Qing asked.
A cold glint flashed in Shen Xiuyong's eyes, also carrying deep wariness, "The aura remaining at the scene... was blood evil True Aura! The one who acted, nine out of ten chances, was that old demon Zuo Feng! Not only have his injuries healed, he actually dared to sneak back to the island, and was even bold enough to act against our Five Terraces disciples!"
He paused, his tone becoming even more grave, "There's another matter... The Liu family's treasure ship was discovered in the three-prefecture border waters leading to Fengle Prefecture. Empty of people, with traces of intense combat on the ship. The remaining blood qi... matched Liu Han. Someone glimpsed from afar that it seemed to be Zuo Feng controlling that ship to leave. Liu Han's fate is probably grim."
"Now the Liu family has gone mad. Large numbers of experts have poured out, frantically searching along the waterways for Liu Han's whereabouts and Zuo Feng's traces."
Chen Qing remained silent.
Liu Han had fallen into the river and been finished off by him. His corpse had sunk to the river bottom. It would be strange if the Liu family could find it.
And Zuo Feng, taking Zheng Hui with him, had probably long since fled far away, changed his appearance, and gone into hiding.
The Liu family's grievance would probably find it very difficult to locate the actual culprit.
Zuo Feng had thoroughly muddied these waters.
"When water is too clear, there are no fish."
Shen Xiuyong took a deep breath, "Behemoths like the Zheng family and Nine Waves Island, with roots entangled for hundreds of years, wanting to uproot them completely and eradicate them utterly? How easy is that?"
"There will always be a few fish that slip through the net, taking hatred and secrets to lie dormant. This time being able to destroy their main body and severely damage their foundation is already rare."
"Pack for a moment. We'll prepare to set sail and return."
Chen Qing nodded, saying no more.
The two each piloted their treasure ships, leaving this chaotic water region and heading toward Five Terraces Sect.
For safety's sake, Chen Qing followed behind Shen Xiuyong's treasure ship the entire way.
By evening, Chen Qing finally returned to the fishing ground. His taut heartstrings truly relaxed.
The fishing ground people came forward one after another to report on affairs during this period.
"Executive, you've finally returned!"
Old Zhao rubbed his hands, "While you were away these days, everyone was on edge, afraid that the Nine Waves Island situation might spill over here. Fortunately, everything was peaceful."
Sun Xiaomiao immediately added, "The winter hunt has been successfully completed, Executive! Thanks to your blessings, this year the ice froze thick and solid. The treasure fish were also full-bodied. The harvest was twenty percent more than previous years! All the treasure fish, clam pearls, and jade lotus stamens have been sorted into storage according to the rules. The accounts are clear, just waiting for your return to review."
He handed over a thick account ledger.
Wang Shuisheng, Jiang Feng, Lin Tao, and the others also supplemented information about daily patrols and maintenance of the fishing ground. Everything was orderly, without any exotic beast intrusions or unusual incidents.
Chen Qing listened carefully, leafing through the accounts.
Seeing that during his absence, everyone could still manage this place in perfect order with a bountiful winter hunt harvest, he was quite satisfied.
"Thank you all for your hard work!"
Chen Qing closed the ledger, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "All of you were able to stabilize the fishing ground and successfully complete the winter hunt. Your contributions are significant. Old Zhao, according to past practice, take thirty percent of the winter hunt's extra earnings to distribute among everyone. Sun Xiaomiao, the accounts are done clearly, a reward of fifty silver taels. Everyone else, twenty taels each, plus three days of rotating rest!"
"Thank you for Executive's grace!"
Hearing this, everyone's faces immediately bloomed with delighted smiles. They responded in unison. Days of worry and exhaustion were swept away.
The fishing ground's atmosphere instantly became lively.
After everyone received their reward money and dispersed happily, the small courtyard regained its tranquility.
Chen Qing had just prepared to return to his room when footsteps came from outside the courtyard.
The visitor was Wu Yuanhua.
His expression currently carried several parts of loss.
He walked into the courtyard, cupping his fists toward Chen Qing, "Senior Brother Chen."
Chen Qing stood and gestured for him to sit, instructing Liu He to pour a cup of hot tea, "Junior Brother Wu, your injuries haven't healed. Why did you come over? Is there something?"
Wu Yuanhua held the warm teacup in both hands. After a moment of silence, he said in a low voice, "Senior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Xiao... and Senior Sister Lin... they're both gone, aren't they?"
Chen Qing sighed in his heart and nodded, "Yes. The sect has confirmed it. Senior Brother Xiao fell to the Demon Sect's Zuo Feng's vicious hands. Senior Sister Lin... also couldn't escape."
Wu Yuanhua's body trembled almost imperceptibly.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, his eye sockets were already reddened.
"Senior Brother Xiao... he saved my life."
Wu Yuanhua sighed, "That time in the depths of Qianchuan Marsh, if Senior Brother Xiao hadn't arrived in time... I would have died long ago. He was also genuinely sincere toward fellow sect members. And Senior Sister Lin... she..."
He seemed unable to continue, his tone carrying several parts of choking.
Previously they had eaten and chatted together. In the blink of an eye, those senior brothers and sisters were separated by life and death. It truly made one uncomfortable.
Seeing this, Chen Qing patted Wu Yuanhua's shoulder, "The departed have departed. Accept my condolences."
After quite a while, Wu Yuanhua spoke again, his tone filled with indescribable bitterness and confusion:
"But... Senior Brother Chen!"
Wu Yuanhua's voice carried thick indignation, "Song Ming came back! That fellow not only came back alive, I heard on the island he made a killing! Earned more than we could by working ourselves to death at the fishing ground for years! What is Song Ming? Someone who seeks profit and avoids harm, skilled at scheming, who runs faster than anyone when trouble comes! At the critical moment..."
He suddenly raised his head, looking straight at Chen Qing, "Senior Brother Chen! Tell me why? Why do you fight desperately, working hard, yet in the end gain so little, while Song Ming can make a killing!?"
Wu Yuanhua's tone was full of the frustration and injustice he felt on Chen Qing's behalf.
Chen Qing was silent for a moment, then said flatly, "Perhaps... Senior Brother Song had better luck."
He probably hadn't yet seen that treasure ship moored in the waters, otherwise he wouldn't think this way.
"Ah..." Wu Yuanhua sighed heavily, his voice full of dejection and resentment, "Could it be that in this world... the saying truly applies that good people don't live long, but scourges last a thousand years!?"
Chen Qing: "..."
Wu Yuanhua rambled on venting for a long time before finally leaving.
Chen Qing watched Wu Yuanhua's departing figure, thinking of Xiao Ruize and Lin Wei's tragic deaths, thinking of the scene of Zuo Feng killing Liu Han.
"In this world, I must hurry to improve my strength."
Genius!?
What does a genius who hasn't grown up count for!?
Two days later, South Marsh Fishing Ground No. 7 was covered under thick white snow, a scene of tranquility.
Chen Qing sat cross-legged on a cushion in the center of the small room, the latest issue of Martial World Anecdotes Record spread in his hands.
The front page was still about the aftermath of the Nine Waves Island incident: "Xuanjia and Five Terraces join hands to clear out Nine Waves Island. Zheng family destroyed, remnants flee!"
The secondary page listed in detail some of the executed bandit chiefs and Zheng family core members. Among them, the names of Zheng Yuankui, Nine Waves Island's great chief, and second chief were prominently listed.
Only after names like Zheng Hui and some elder retainers was marked: fled, wanted.
Regarding the deaths of Xiao Ruize, Lin Wei, and others, there were only a few sparse words: Several elite disciples of Five Terraces Sect's Lihuo Courtyard unfortunately encountered Demon Sect expert Zuo Feng's ambush and heroically sacrificed themselves.
Briefly passing over it, yet it carried heavy bloody atmosphere.
"Liu family young master Liu Han went missing in Nine Waves Island waters. The Liu family is making every effort to search."
This news also stirred no small waves. You must know that Liu Han was the Liu family's young master, and moreover one of the Five Heroes and Seven Talents. Raised from childhood as the next family head under the family's internal power struggles.
Now he had disappeared. How could this not cause ripples?
Especially since the Liu family was currently Yunlin Prefecture's only top-tier family.
A single thread moves the whole web.
Chen Qing's gaze swept over the tabloid, his heart calm as still water.
He closed it and set it aside.
"The Yunlin branch altar still hasn't shown itself. I don't know how much longer peace will last."
Chen Qing pondered secretly, "First break through to mid-stage embracing elixir strength in seclusion."
His gaze fell on the neatly stacked wealth chests in the corner.
The gains from the Nine Waves Island journey, plus Liu Han's passage toll and subsequent accumulated extortion, though not counted in detail, were definitely an astonishing fortune, enough to support his cultivation needs for a very long time ahead.
Chen Qing summoned Old Zhao, Sun Xiaomiao, and others, briefly instructing, "Fishing ground affairs, proceed as usual. If there are important matters, do not disturb unless urgent. I need to enter seclusion for a period."
"Yes, Executive!"
Everyone responded in unison.
Chen Qing lit a stick of mind-calming incense. Blue smoke curled upward, making the room even more tranquil.
He sat cross-legged in meditation, his mind sinking into his dantian qi sea.
Vast Qingmu true qi surged within his dantian like a vibrant green long river.
At the thought's command, the true qi circulation speed suddenly increased. Countless streams of Qingmu true qi continuously gathered into his body through the pores all over his body, merging into the qi sea's long river.
Sun rose and moon set. Accumulated snow melted and covered again. A month and a half's time quietly passed.
Inside the small room, Chen Qing seemed to have transformed into a statue, his breath long and dense, life force contained within.
The Qingmu true qi within his body had grown to a nearly overflowing state, roaring through the twelve orthodox meridians, attacking the barrier of that solid fourth orthodox meridian.
"Boom...!"
As if thunder sounded in his mind!
The Qingmu true qi accumulated to the extreme, under Chen Qing's full mental urging, rushed toward the barrier of the fourth orthodox meridian!
"Crack!"
The fourth orthodox meridian, suddenly opened!
In that instant, an unprecedented sense of smoothness swept through his entire body!
Four orthodox meridians, head to tail connected, formed a perfect small circulation!
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed]
[Qingmu Longevity Formula: Third Layer (1/3000)]
His dantian qi sea churned violently!
The Qingmu true qi that had already approached saturation, at the instant of breaking through to the third layer, as if injected with a completely new source, instantly surged!
Both quality and quantity leaped simultaneously!
The newly born third layer Qingmu true qi had a deeper hue, contained more pure and vast life force.
It was like a surging green flood, madly circulating in the just-formed four meridian small circulation. Each circulation brought further refinement and strengthening of the true qi.
Mid-stage embracing elixir strength, achieved naturally!
Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes.