Chapter 13
Translator:
Lordbluefire
Editor:
Lordbluefire
Zhen Nantian looked at the keeper and spoke with indifference, “You’ve done your best, but you’re old. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
“Grandpa, what’s going on?” Zhen Zhilan was perplexed.
The keeper also seemed to be confused, not understanding the meaning behind these words.
Letting out a sigh, Zhen Nantian took out the ball of paper, saying, “What that young man said wasn’t wrong. You know nothing about martial skills!”
What?
The problem was in the area of martial skills?
The keeper recalled the 200 words on the martial skill, saying, “Old Shrine Master, I’ve been wronged! Judging from the 200 words in this book, the movements, stances, and connections are all very mediocre! It’s definitely inferior! I still have this little bit of judgment!”
“Is that so? Try practicing the martial skill based on it,” the Old Shrine Master said.
The keeper stood up and tried to cultivate the 200-words martial skill based on his memory.
Despite being a medium constellation stage expert and having attempted many great martial skills, he was unable to perform the moves which he thought could be easily performed in a smooth and connected manner. It was as if something was lacking.
“I’ll give it a try!” Zhen Zhilan was inspired to give it a try and volunteered herself.
She also felt that the martial skill was very normal and should be very easy to acquire.
However, even though she was practicing it based on what was written, her actions were extremely clumsy, not even comparable to the keeper’s level.
“What’s going on? The moves seem to be easily connected, but why can’t I perform them in succession smoothly?” Zhen Zhilan was unable to accept this and made a few more attempts. However, she didn’t make any progress at all.
Zhen Nantian kept the ball of paper and said, “Martial skills are segregated into three tiers. inferior martial skills are simple and ordinary, advance martial skills are deep and profound, and supreme martial skills simplify what’s complicated.”
“This martial skill is a supreme martial skill. It seems ordinary but holds great unfathomable mysteries. Take a look at it seriously!” Zhen Nantian demonstrated the martial skill on the spot.
His inner force was surging and turbulent, gathering in his nine fingers. He struck out in succession.
As the streams of inner force shot out, they hit onto the fake mountain in the distance.
Sharp ‘pffft pffft pffft’ sounds rang out, and nine deep holes were created in succession.
The great prowess caused both the keeper and Zhen Zhilan to draw in a cold gasp.
“High-grade martial skill?” The keeper’s eyes were wide open and his mouth agape.
Zhen Nantian drew back his stance and shook his head. “To be exact, it’s a supreme martial skill amongst the mid-grade martial skills. It’s extremely close to a high-grade martial skill.”
“Is there anything else you’d like to ask?” Zhen Nantian looked toward the keeper.
Bitterness filled up on the latter’s face as he said, “Thank you Old Shrine Master for your teachings and thank you for having nurtured me for so many years. This old man shall take his leave!”
To think that he had mistaken a supreme martial skill that was close to the high-grade tier as an inferior low-grade martial skill.
This mistake could be said to be a humiliation to him as a treasure examiner.
Even if the Shrine didn’t chase him off, he wouldn’t have the pride to stay here anyway.
While feeling that this was a great pity, Zhen Zhilan mumbled, “How did that guy get his hands on so many deep and profound martial skills?”
There was first the extremely brilliant cultivation art, then there was this [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] that only had 200 words.
“Then what are you still waiting for?” Zhen Nantian stuffed the materials and Thunderfire Char into her hands.
Zhen Zhilan stood there for a while. Then, her eyes lit up and she immediately gave chase.
She caught up to the departing Xia Qingchen at the Shrine’s entrance.
“Young… Young Master, hold on!” She had wanted to say “young kid”, but she changed the way she addressed him at the very last moment.
Xia Qingchen turned. When he saw that it was her, he stood there, waiting for her to run over. “Is anything the matter?”
“Here!” Zhen Zhilan handed him the materials and the Thunderfire Char.
Xia Qingchen was a little perplexed. What was the identity of this young lady called Zhilan? How was she able to freely take things away from the counter?
“What do you want?” Xia Qingchen asked her.
Zhen Zhilan’s eyes were filled with anticipation. “Martial skill! I want that martial skill that can strike out nine holes!”
She didn’t know the name of the martial skill, so she could only gesture it by imitating her grandfather’s movements.
Having a strong yearning for the martial skill, yet seemingly clumsy, this look added a hint of honesty to her proud and graceful disposition.
“You’re referring to the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum]?” Xia Qingchen said, “But I only have half of it.”
Half?
That would be sufficient!
The value of half a supreme mid-grade martial skill that was comparable to high-grade martial skills far exceeded these materials given to him.
“Alright!”
Xia Qingchen wrote it out on the spot, got the things he needed, and then left.
Zhen Zhilan brought back half of the martial skill, wearing an elated expression.
Zhen Nantian had been waiting for her and went up to ask, “Did you ask him?”
“I did, I did! Look!” Zhen Zhilan happily brought the martial skill over.
However, Zhen Nantian was stunned. “Who told you to ask him for the martial skill? I meant for you to ask for his name and background, to make friends with him! Don’t tell me that you didn’t even get his name.”
If they were to befriend Xia Qingchen, it wouldn’t be hard for them to trade for his martial skills in the future.
He might even know how to improve the [Fragmented Heaven-Mending Scroll], or even fix his twisted martial meridians!
That was the most important thing!
“Ahh? I… forgot.” Zhen Zhilan rubbed her hands together in guilt, lowering her head in embarrassment.
Her mind was filled with the [Traversing Snow, Flowering Plum] after seeing how amazing the martial skill’s prowess was.
“Sigh! You… I… Aiyah!” Zhen Nantian stomped his foot, feeling exasperated at her failure. He blew at his mustache and glared, asking, “Then why are you standing here for? Why aren’t you chasing after him?”
“Oh!” Zhen Zhilan felt so aggrieved that she looked like a pitiful kitten. She shrank her neck and then turned to chase after Xia Qingchen.
However, after so much time had passed, Xia Qingchen had long left the place.
She looked around at the door, feeling both anxious and helpless. How was she going to explain things to her grandfather?
“Miss Zhen! How can you bear to leave the house? Is there anything I can help you with?” A wealthy-looking middle-aged man walked over while she was looking anxious.
He was dressed in expensive clothes, had a big round stomach, and led a few bodyguards at the major constellation stage.
His gaze was filled with tactfulness and unscrupulousness.
At a glance, it was clear that he was an important character in the city. However, he had lowered his stand in front of Zhen Zhilan.
She was the granddaughter of the martial path legend and the current Shrine Master’s precious daughter. Who would dare show her disrespect?
“Oh, it’s you. Father’s inside.” Zhen Zhilan threw a glance and recognized him.
This wealthy-looking middle-aged man was the owner of the Immortal Pavilion in the city, Wang Bahu.
Back then when her father wasn’t the Shrine Master yet, he had been by her father’s side, working as his attendant.
When her father took over the Shrine, he sent this guy off to let him become independent. With his identity as the Shrine Master’s attendant, he created a business for himself and founded Lone Cloud City’s most luxurious Immortal Pavilion.
“There’s no hurry for me to look for the Shrine Master. If Miss Zhen has something urgent, I can help you first.”
If he didn’t try to get into her good books now, his glorious days would be over after she succeeded the position of Shrine Mistress.
Zhen Zhilan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Did you guys see a young man passing by earlier? He is about the same age as me and is tall and skinny.”
Wang Bahu thought about it for a while before saying, “Was it the guy who was talking to Miss Zhen at the door earlier?”
He had seen from afar that Zhen Zhilan was talking to Xia Qingchen at the Shrine’s door and paid more attention to Xia Qingchen.
“That’s right, that’s right, that’s right! That’s him! Do you know who he is?” Zhen Zhilan was overjoyed and quickly asked.
Wang Bahu said without thinking, “I do. He’s Xia Qingchen!”
Xia Qingchen had been so scared that he had fainted amid the martial pavilion’s examinations, becoming the joke of the city.
Wang Bahu often attended all sorts of banquets. He had heard Xia Qingchen’s name from chats over drinking so many times that he had gotten sick of it. How could he not know his name?
Therefore, he had recognized Xia Qingchen straightaway.
“Who? Xia Qingchen?” Zhen Zhilan was stunned. Even someone like her who cultivated in the Shrine and didn’t leave its area had heard of Xia Qingchen’s hopelessness.
How could the good-for-nothing Xia Qingchen and the deep, unfathomable guy just now be the same person?