Chapter 668 - 365: Liu Family Secret Technique (Part 2)
Chapter 668: Chapter 365: Liu Family Secret Technique (Part 2)
"This battle will be known throughout the world!"
She handed the stone tablet to Chu Qing once again:
"Unfortunately, the [One Sound Myriad Forms] not only demands extremely high aptitude, but also requires a profound understanding of musical lore.
"Since the passing of our ancestors, no one in the Celestial Sound Mansion has mastered this Divine Skill.
"We have only managed to grasp a fraction of its essence to create techniques like the [Hundred Blood Thousand Kill Song] to maintain our reputation..."
As she spoke, her face was filled with despondency.
Chu Qing looked at the stone tablet in his hands, and indeed, it was the Secret Manual of the [One Sound Myriad Forms].
It contained not only the Heart Method but also extremely complex music scores.
One sound is not merely one sound, myriad forms are far beyond myriad forms?
Chu Qing merely glanced through it, and his eyes slightly narrowed; this method was entirely different from the Celestial Dragon Eight Sounds.
Its grandeur was unparalleled, far from ordinary!
The old lady approached the third stone tablet, gently traced it, and softly said:
"This was created by our ancestor in his later years, with writings left on the stone tablet, named [Tone].
"It does not specify whether it is Inner Power or a music score; generations have studied it with no results... but our ancestor valued it greatly, meaning there is bound to be a secret within.
"Unfortunately, the descendants are far less insightful than the ancestors, unable to decipher its mysteries despite generations of study.
"Thus, it can only be put... upon the high shelf."
She handed this third stone tablet to Chu Qing as well, then said to him:
"If it weren’t for you, Celestial Melody City would be destroyed, and the Celestial Sound Mansion would be doomed.
"Although I have my grievances against your father, towards you... I have none.
"I had thought about how to compensate you for these twenty years, and now you have made such a great contribution, saving the entire Celestial Melody City.
"Though there are many disciples in the Liu Family, the core Martial Arts are never passed to outsiders, but with you, it is different.
"You may choose one of these three Martial Arts."
She pointed to the side, where there were no longer stone tablets but instead some extraordinary treasures:
"You may also choose one of these treasures."
Chu Qing looked at the three stone tablets in his hand, then glanced at the items on the shelf, pondered for a moment, and returned the [Tone] and [Supreme Celestial Sound], keeping the [One Sound Myriad Forms].
Then he approached the treasures, his gaze scanning each item, ultimately stopping at an ancient zither.
Touching his chin, Chu Qing smiled and said:
"This will do."
The old lady looked at where Chu Qing’s gaze rested, her eyes suddenly becoming extremely complex.
After gazing back at Chu Qing, she quietly asked:
"Once chosen, you cannot regret. Even if you cannot master it, you cannot return to exchange it..."
"Understood."
"This zither... contains murderous energy, and merely plucking a string will invoke a Heart Demon.
"Are you sure you want to choose it?"
"Such power, I must choose it."
"Very well."
The old lady had no intention of reneging:
"Copy the contents of the stone tablet, and take this Ancient Chapter Zither with you."
"Is this the Ancient Chapter Zither?"
Chu Qing was somewhat surprised.
"This zither is steeped in carnage... aside from the ancestors, no one else can wield it.
"Since you’ve chosen it, you must use it with caution and never be careless."
The old lady did not respond to Chu Qing’s words, merely giving a few warnings.
She then fetched ink, brush, paper, and inkstone for Chu Qing to copy the Secret Manual.
Chu Qing did not ask further, dipped the brush in ink, and began to transcribe.
When he finished, the old lady had already placed the zither in the zither box and approached Chu Qing:
"Consider this box a meeting gift for you; do not underestimate it.
"It is crafted by skilled artisans using millennium ironwood, invulnerable, impervious to fire and water, resistant to insects and ants, named Hidden Edge Iron Box, it opens from the top and can store one zither, one sword.
"It was made for a Martial World master of both zither and sword, but unfortunately, before acquiring it, he was killed by his enemies.
"The zither box passed through many hands and ended up in our Celestial Sound Mansion. We are skilled in zither but not sword, hence it stayed until now.
"I hear your Sword Technique is also remarkable; this should suit you perfectly."
Chu Qing smiled:
"Thank you, grandmother."
His words were light, but there was more sincerity in his speech.
The old lady’s face rarely showed a touch of kindness, but she sighed softly:
"If only your mother or uncle had your talent.
"How could Han Qiujun, that shameless brat, dare to act recklessly in our Celestial Melody City...
"The Three Mansions, the Three Mansions... In the past, there was no such Three Mansions? It was the Celestial Sound Mansion that reigned supreme!
"Alas, the predecessors plant the trees, the unfilial descendants cannot even sit in the shade."
The old lady’s resentment was all directed at Han Qiujun.
Though Han Qiujun was defeated, his Nine Stars Linked Pearls shone brilliantly in this battle, and it is anticipated that when the Martial World mentions today’s battle in the future, it will be about how Han Qiujun thoroughly defeated Celestial Sound and Liaoyuan Mansions, leaving nothing behind.
Actually, it wasn’t that the Celestial Sound Mansion was too weak, but rather later generations were too mediocre and incompetent.
The old lady’s dissatisfaction was precisely because of this.
After acquiring the good items, the old lady led Chu Qing out of the secret room. Once they returned to the courtyard, she waved her hand to dismiss Chu Qing promptly.
She was elderly and frail, and needed a good rest.
Chu Qing bid farewell to the elder respectfully, then left the courtyard carrying the Zither Box and Secret Manual.
As he stepped out, he saw Wu Qianhuan and others waiting outside the courtyard.
"Oh!"
Liu Qingyan caught sight of the box in Chu Qing’s hand:
"Cang Feng Iron Box! Grandmother gave it to you? I begged her for a long time, but she wouldn’t give it to me."
Chu Qing smiled:
"It’s not just the box."
He placed the box on the ground, shook his sleeve, and with a flick, the box opened. The Ancient Chapter Zither was influenced by his Inner Strength, flew out, and landed in his hand.
In that moment, Wu Qianhuan and Gentle as well as Su Ningzhen were fine, but Liu Qingyan gasped:
"This... Could this be... the Ancient Chapter Zither?"
She instinctively stepped forward, reaching out to touch.
But before she could touch the strings, she quickly stopped and took a deep breath, saying:
"Grandmother actually gave you the Ancient Chapter Zither... Do you know, this zither has intense malevolent energy, and a slightest mistake could evoke a Heart Demon, leading to going astray."
"I know."
Chu Qing nodded:
"That’s why I find it interesting."
"...What’s interesting? It’s obviously terrifying."
Liu Qingyan circled around Chu Qing twice, her gaze fixed on the zither, hesitating for a long time but didn’t dare to touch it.
Only then did Chu Qing put the zither away and looked at Su Ningzhen:
"Have you decided?"
"I have decided."
Su Ningzhen immediately nodded:
"I want to learn Sword Technique!"
"Sword Technique..."
Chu Qing smiled:
"My Sword Technique is not easy to learn. Are you really sure?"
"Yes!"
Su Ningzhen immediately nodded:
"I’m already skilled in Sword Technique, if I can’t even learn that... I have less confidence in others."
"Alright then."
Chu Qing nodded:
"Follow me."
He turned and walked away.
Liu Qingyan hurriedly asked:
"Can I go along too?"
"If you want to follow, follow."
Chu Qing’s voice reached them, and without hesitation, everyone followed behind Chu Qing.
Returning to their own courtyard, Chu Qing put away the items he had just acquired, then went to the courtyard and drew Injury Concealment from Wu Qianhuan’s hand.
With a flick of the sword tip:
"Watch closely."
One Sword Technique after another was displayed.
Watching intently, Su Ningzhen frowned.
The Sword Technique looked indeed exquisite, but it did not resemble the style when he performed it, every move mismatched.
He felt confused, but dared not be distracted, memorizing the Sword Technique intently.
When Chu Qing finished demonstrating, he asked softly:
"How was it? How much did you remember?"
"I... seven to eight tenths, maybe."
Su Ningzhen hesitated to answer.
After hearing this, Chu Qing looked at Wu Qianhuan.
Wu Qianhuan was stunned, then said:
"Nine tenths."
Chu Qing chuckled but said nothing, instead looked at Liu Qingyan.
Liu Qingyan chuckled:
"Two to three tenths, Sword Technique... feels too unfamiliar."
Chu Qing nodded, finally looking at Gentle.
Gentle exchanged a glance with him, thought for a moment and said:
"I didn’t remember any of it..."