Chapter 645 - 358: Sharp Edge Revealed
Chapter 645: Chapter 358: Sharp Edge Revealed
First was his identity—he was Xiao Jinghong’s senior brother from the same sect. Naturally, this meant he had some connection to Chen Yi himself.
Second, Shui Hetong’s background was deep enough. Aside from Immortal Bai, he also had the Wind and Rain Tower, one of the top factions in the Jianghu. There were some things he was perfectly capable of doing.
As Chen Yi’s mind raced, he looked at Shui Hetong and continued, "Brother Shui, what do you plan to use to move me this time?"
He had already decided to agree to a sparring match with Shui Hetong. Aside from his previous thoughts, what changed his mind was his unexpected encounter with the General tonight.
It made him realize that the White Tiger Guard’s plotting in Shu State had not stopped. What the General said seemed sincere, but the unmentioned "Fledgling" and Chen Yunfan definitely hid deeper schemes behind them.
Adding to that the mystery of Ma Shuhan’s death and the person hiding behind him, it all made Chen Yi take precautions. If he could get the help of Shui Hetong and the Wind and Rain Tower, no matter how the situation in Shu State changed, he should be able to stabilize it.
Hearing this, a somewhat bitter smile appeared on Shui Hetong’s demonically handsome face. "Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell my junior sister about you?"
Chen Yi remained unmoved. "If you were going to tell her, you would have done so already. Why bother having Elder Lone Immortal Ye come find me? Brother Shui, the same threat won’t work on me twice."
Shui Hetong thought about it. "Then, like Elder Ye, I’ll help you with one... thing within my power."
There was no point in worrying over a mountain of debt. He had already promised Xiao Jinghong to help look after the Xiao Family recently. At this moment, he wasn’t afraid of taking on a few more tasks.
Chen Yi glanced at him sideways. "Brother Shui, how do your Martial Arts Cultivation and Techniques compare to Elder Ye’s?"
Shui Hetong paused slightly. "Naturally, I’m inferior."
As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized what Chen Yi meant and immediately said between laughter and tears, "Brother Liu Wu, you truly live up to being a scholar."
Chen Yi smiled without a word. Seeing this, Shui Hetong pondered for a moment before nodding helplessly. "Three things."
Chen Yi nodded at once, his steps not stopping as he headed directly north. As he walked, he said, "Then come with me. I know a secluded place."
Having made his decision, Chen Yi stopped dragging his feet and directly led Shui Hetong toward Puyin Temple, three hundred miles outside the city.
Shui Hetong hurriedly kept up. Along the way, the two subconsciously concealed their tracks to prevent being discovered by the Jianghu People hiding in Shu State.
While traveling, Chen Yi indirectly inquired about the situations of the Wind and Rain Tower, Immortal Bai, and the others.
Shui Hetong was completely forthcoming. "When my master founded the Wind and Rain Tower, he didn’t think too much about it. He just wanted a place to settle down and take in a few legacy disciples.
"It was my Eldest Senior Brother, Qin Shuangchi, who took in several disciples and followers while my master was wandering the world, gradually expanding the Wind and Rain Tower.
"Today, counting myself, there are eight Tower Lords and thousands of members.
"Although our Martial Arts Realms differ, there is no shortage of people with Upper Three Grades Cultivation like me."
As Shui Hetong hurried along behind him, he lowered his voice and said with a smile, "This time, Junior Sister Xiao wanted to find a few experts to station at the Xiao Family, and naturally, I wouldn’t refuse. However, most of those people are in the heart of the Central Plains and will take some time to arrive. That is why I’m temporarily staying in the Prefecture City."
Speaking of this, Shui Hetong turned his head to look at Chen Yi, a smile appearing on his face. "If my junior sister knew about you, I imagine she wouldn’t have done something so redundant."
Although Chen Yi’s Cultivation was currently slightly weaker than his own, his Martial Arts Realm was so high that even Immortal Bai had praised it. Ordinary Jianghu People, and even Upper Three Grades Martial Artists like the "Jackal" Du Cang or the Five Poison Sect’s Yan Jingchen, were no match for him.
It was just that... Shui Hetong probably harbored the same desire to sit back and watch the show as his master, Immortal Bai, so he hadn’t told Xiao Jinghong.
Chen Yi curled his lip. "It’s not my place to question Madam’s affairs, nor will I interfere." If the people sent by the Wind and Rain Tower were highly skilled, it would actually save him a lot of trouble.
Hearing this, Shui Hetong couldn’t help but ask curiously, "You practice Martial Arts and the Medical Dao, yet you’ve never thought about making a name for yourself in the Jianghu?"
Chen Yi shook his head without a second thought. "No." Wouldn’t it be beautiful to stay in the Spring Lotus Garden every day, fishing, drinking tea, and playing chess?
Shui Hetong couldn’t understand his mindset. With a bit of a sigh, he said, "If the people in the Jianghu shared your thoughts, there would probably be far fewer disputes."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is the Jianghu very chaotic?" Being in Shu State, he had only previously seen the Evil Demonic Dao like the Five Poison Sect and the Illusory Sound Sect appearing here to do some underhanded things. Otherwise, he really hadn’t noticed any chaotic Jianghu disputes arising.
Shui Hetong nodded and explained, "After all, Shu State is far from the heartland of the Central Plains, and with the Mountain Race nearby, ordinary Jianghu People don’t dare cause trouble here ostentatiously.
"But in the Central Plains Region, especially in Jing State, Ji State, You State, and the Northern State, factions stand in great numbers and the personnel are a mixed bag, breeding sects and gangs of all sizes.
"For fame and profit, mutual subjugation and internal strife happen constantly."
Hearing this, a few chess pieces seemingly landed onto the chessboard in Chen Yi’s mind that spanned across Great Wei’s Nine States and Three Prefectures. Regardless of state capitals, they were all black and white pieces.
Unaware of the shifts in his heart and spirit, Shui Hetong continued, "The older generation said that wherever there are people, there is the Jianghu.
"Some want to take the lead in Martial Arts, some want to fight for power and influence, some want to make a name for themselves, and others want to uphold justice.
"Amidst all this chaos, many disasters are born."
Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully. "Just like the matter between Elder Lone Immortal Ye and the Le Family of Ji State."
Shui Hetong voiced his agreement. "Elder Ye’s family had a conflict with the Le Family, which resulted in his entire family being massacred.
"When he wanted to take revenge after breaking through in his Sword Dao, not even a ’Hidden Immortal’ would step forward to stop him.
"Fortunately, he eventually figured things out on his own and only executed the chief culprit. He didn’t create too much slaughter, which can be considered a silver lining in the misfortune."
Shui Hetong sighed. "When will the cycle of vengeance ever end? As long as people exist, disputes will never cease."
Chen Yi could not agree, but he also couldn’t be bothered to argue with him.
After a moment of silence, Shui Hetong brought up another person—someone named Song Jinjian.
"Speaking of Elder Ye, I have to mention another Swordsman. I wonder if Brother Liu Wu has heard the name Song Jinjian?"
Chen Yi recalled for a moment, then shook his head, saying he hadn’t.
Shui Hetong didn’t find this surprising and continued, "Song Jinjian... well, he is a Swordsman with extremely high hopes of breaking through the First Grade and stepping into the ranks of a Grandmaster.
"Back when he made a name for himself in the Jianghu, someone once said he would soon be equally famous as Monarch Xue Jian, possessing a Cultivation Realm capable of challenging Elder Ye.
"However, because of a few incidents, he eventually chose to distance himself from the Jianghu and became an Honored Elder for the Qinghe Cui Family."
Chen Yi’s heart stirred. "The Qinghe Cui Family?"
Shui Hetong nodded, his footsteps never stopping as a somewhat complex look surfaced in his eyes. Reminiscence, regret, and more. "Back when he became world-renowned, because of some blood on his hands, he was betrayed and thrust into a perilous situation. He almost died there.
"Later, he was saved by the Qinghe Cui Family and invited to be an Honored Guest Tributor, which was when he gradually faded from the Jianghu..."
Shui Hetong babbled on about the matters between him and Song Jinjian. Things like how they met and sparred when he was traveling through the Capital Prefecture, or how he felt sorry for Song Jinjian being holed up in the Cui family’s home, and so on.
At the end, Shui Hetong suddenly added, "Yesterday at noon, I actually met with Song Jinjian when I first arrived in Shu State."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly. "He’s currently in Shu State?" His heart stirred slightly as he followed up, "Is it because of Cui Qingwu?"
Shui Hetong nodded with a smile. "That’s what he told me. He said he was guarding Miss Cui on her return to Qinghe. However..."
Chen Yi was waiting to hear the rest of it, but saw him shake his head and say it was nothing, so he didn’t press the matter.
The Qinghe Cui Family and the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family were in-laws. Not only did Chen Xuanji marry Cui Yu from a branch of the Cui family, but Chen Yunfan was also engaged to the eldest daughter of the Cui family, Cui Qingwu. He figured the two families probably shared the same opinion on certain matters.
However... Chen Yi faintly felt a sense of awkwardness, as if he had overlooked something. But after careful calculation, he was certain that he had a pretty good grasp of the current situation in Shu State. Therefore, he only silently memorized the name Song Jinjian.
Not long after, the two arrived at Puyin Temple. Or rather, the Puyin Temple that had been completely reduced to ruins.
Shui Hetong looked around and said in realization, "This is the place where you fought Du Cang to the death. No wonder it looks somewhat familiar."
Chen Yi ignored the surrounding ruined walls and broken debris, gesturing to him. "Enough idle chatter.
"Come!"