Chapter 205: Mr. Chen Really Knows How to Insult People
Chapter 205: Mr. Chen Really Knows How to Insult People
The Yun Manor clan lands lay in utter disarray. What should have been a joyous 500th birthday celebration was thrown into chaos. With a single sword stroke leveling Yun Manor, Zhao Yuqing’s title as the “Demon Sovereign” grew ever more fearsome.
Word of this spread slowly. When asked about the cause, people could only shake their heads repeatedly, for few truly knew the details.
Likely because after Zhao Yuqing’s arrival, almost everyone present had already fled.
Whispers mentioned the name “Flowing Cloud Temple” here and there.
“What place is that?”
“No idea…”
But those who paid real attention deliberately investigated Yun Manor’s recent activities. Soon, they learned slivers of truth from one of Yun Manor’s Retainers.
An immortal Path Senior hid among mortals!
And the name “Flowing Cloud Temple” likely marked their sanctuary.
“They merely surrounded a mountain, and Yun Manor almost faced total destruction…”
“Experts included Tianji Mountain, the ancient dragon of the mortal world, Su Junhan from Mount Yun, and even Zhao Yuqing himself.”
“Who could possibly command such grand respect!”
People couldn’t help but shiver. The thought made everyone reconsider any seemingly ordinary mortal territory.
… Meanwhile, Chen Changsheng remained deep in slumber, unaware of all events unfolding outside.
Silence reigned absolute in the Southern Garden. Though akin to a small, sealed world, its tranquility sharply contrasted reality—no wind, no rain, only continuous sunshine, utterly still.
The profound peace itself stirred a strange unease.
This time, Chen Changsheng didn’t sleep long.
Perhaps pent-up matters weighed too heavily, robbing his rest of true comfort.
Upon waking, he gazed at the “serene” Southern Garden.
After a moment’s reflection, he walked to the study within the garden.
Ink, brush, paper, and inkstone lay ready. Chen Changsheng ground the inkstick, dipped his brush, and inscribed words onto the paper.
[I came through here, yet the questions troubling me remain unanswered. May the day come when I behold the Supreme Clarity and resolve the doubts in my heart.]
He placed the letter finished, on the table in the Main Hall.
Without further delay, he departed the Southern Garden.
The Thirty-Three Heavens returned to silence.
Chen Changsheng brought forth the Taiqing Slaying Sword. Now three swords hovered beside him: the Listening to Rain sword, his blade for the mortal world; the Yuqing sword, forged from a broken fragment; and the new Taiqing sword, obtained from the Southern Garden.
Pity their brilliance found few chances to shine.
He rarely ever fought.
The swords felt almost wasted.
Shaking off the thought, emerging above the Desolate Sea, Chen Changsheng fixed his gaze upon the realm beyond the “Great Wall.”
Even now, his vision pierced not what lay within.
The Laws of Heaven and Earth, all living beings.
Yu Xuan had crafted a world within a world. Using the Sutra of Rebirth as foundation, she harnessed sentient life itself to mend that same sutra.
This endeavor had persisted for millennia at least…
Chen Changsheng paused briefly. “Should I… enter?”
Risk shadowed the idea.
The rules within were stolen fragments from the outer Heaven and Earth, possibly incomplete. To intrude recklessly…
After careful thought, safer approaches seemed wiser.
His mind drifted to past knowledge.
“An External Incarnation, perhaps?”
His previous life held tales of such Divine Abilities. Though impossible in that old world, this one held promise.
“Need to consult someone knowledgeable…”
Truth be told, divine abilities and Daoist Arts weren’t his strength.
An image surfaced: the master skilled in Divination.
Tianji Mountain had stood through ages. Surely it housed records of profound Daoist Arts. Perhaps guidance waited there.
“Listening to Rain.”
“To Tianji Mountain.”
The Cultivation World stretched south of the Desolate Sea. Yet Tianji Mountain stood apart—sole Immortal Mountain piercing the skies north of those desolate waters.
The entire Northern Frontier held this single immortal peak, ruled solely by Tianji Mountain.
None in the Cultivation World could rival Tianji Mountain’s hidden depth.
Days passed on the journey. Finally, the cloud-wreathed Immortal Mountain materialized in Chen Changsheng’s sight.
Its state differed from before.
Security had intensified!
Not only did far more Patrolling Wanderers circle the mountain, even the protective Formation Array shimmered with thicker power.
“Has trouble struck?”
Chen Changsheng frowned. Something felt amiss.
Patrolling disciples outside saw the figure approaching by Sword Flight and paused, then rushed to meet him.
Unlike last time, Chen Changsheng didn’t barge straight in. He halted and clasped his hands. “Trouble yourselves with a report: Chen Changsheng seeks entry.”
“We recognize you, Senior.”
A disciple spoke. “You visited before.”
“That simplifies things.” Chen Changsheng smiled.
The disciple replied promptly. “Please wait briefly, Senior. I shall announce your arrival.”
“Very well.”
Chen Changsheng waited at the mountain gate for minutes.
A figure descended gracefully from the heights.
“Mr. Chen!”
Zhong Zhengyuan advanced, hands clasped respectfully. “This Zhong should have welcomed you sooner.”
Chen Changsheng studied him. “Master Zhong seems much recovered.”
Zhong Zhengyuan offered a weak smile. “Barely passable.”
“Mr. Chen, this way.”
Relief and cheer marked Zhong Zhengyuan’s bearing along the path, poorly concealed, as if delighted by Chen Changsheng’s return.
As they walked, Chen Changsheng asked, “Incident troubles you? This heightened security…”
“A minor affair, merely.”
Zhong Zhengyuan waved dismissively, offering no detail.
Tianji Mountain suppressed all news regarding the Forty-Nine Daoist Lamps. Investigation remained ongoing.
Zhong Zhengyuan posed his question. “Unless Zhong guesses wrong, Mr. Chen comes bearing serious need? How may he assist?”
Chen Changsheng hesitated, then chuckled lightly. “Cannot one visit freely?”
“Visit you may, always.”
Zhong Zhengyuan smiled wryly. “But truly, this fits not your style, Mr. Chen.”
He knew Chen Changsheng too well.
A man who shunned inconvenience; he never journeyed without pressing cause.
Chen Changsheng sighed, conceding defeat. “A matter requires aid…”
“I seek your counsel on divine abilities… Daoist Arts.”
Zhong Zhengyuan stumbled to a halt.
His eyes fixed upon Chen Changsheng in disbelief. Surely he misheard?
Seeking guidance on Daoist Arts?
What divine ability or Dao art could Chen Changsheng not comprehend?
“Mr. Chen jests?” Zhong Zhengyuan breathed.
Chen Changsheng coughed once. “Truthfully, this Chen lacks mastery in the Arts.”
The word jolted Zhong Zhengyuan.
“You… lack mastery?”
“Indeed.”
An earnest nod. Compared to the Arts of the Dao, his skills were indeed wanting.
His notable strengths were but the Decree Art and the Divine Decree of the Gods.
Zhong Zhengyuan managed a strained chuckle. “Heh… Mr. Chen truly understands the art of insult.”
“……”
Chen Changsheng clicked his tongue softly. “This Chen speaks true ignorance.”
The glance Zhong Zhengyuan cast him said volumes…
As if I’d fall for that.