Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 145 Little Wolf Cub, Old Fox

Chen Shunan and Xu Hong walked to the side.

Sun Xiao and Shui San'er took out pills to treat and bandage the wounds of Fang Ge and the others.

As for the two bodies of the fallen soldiers, they will have to be carried back to Sanchakou for cremation later.

Beside the official road, under an abandoned teahouse.

Xu Hong planted his gun on the ground, crossed his arms, and glanced sideways at Chen Shunan, saying...

"Tell me the truth, was it you who comprehended the Six Scenery Diagram with that powerful finger gesture on the Flying Immortal Stele that day?"

Several months ago, when a vibrant young finger appeared on the Flying Immortal Stele in the Zhang Mansion, the entire Zhang Mansion was thrown into chaos.

Overjoyed, Master Zhang almost choked on his breath. Afterwards, he immediately conducted a thorough investigation of all the younger generations in the mansion to see who had left the powerful finger.

Old Zhang, who came from the main branch of the family in Tongzhou and was in charge of the annual examinations for the various collateral branches, was somewhat puzzled and muttered to himself.

I have a feeling that there is more to this matter than meets the eye, and the strong finger on the Flying Immortal Stele is a bit strange.

After some investigation, it was discovered that none of the young people under the age of thirty in the Zhang household matched the description!

That day was Old Madam Zhang's birthday, and there were many people and dignitaries present. To prevent any members of the Zhang family from leaving midway, Master Zhang expanded the scope of the investigation, based on the family genealogy, and even sent people to each other's homes to investigate them one by one.

In the end, it still wasn’t found!

The more this happened, the more uneasy Xu Hong became.

Only he and his wife knew that there was another person who slipped through the net that day: the son-in-law Chen Shunan, who also visited the Flying Immortal Stele!
Although he was too old, Chen Shunan didn't seem like a prodigy or a martial arts genius...

But what if!
The Flying Immortal Stele is, after all, an inanimate object; who knows if it might malfunction?!
Just as Xu Hong and the old lady were hesitating about whether to reveal Chen Shunan's secret visit to the stone tablet,

It seemed that something had happened to the Zhang family in Tongzhou. Old Master Zhang and Zhang Xiangling immediately got up and rushed back to Tongzhou overnight.

This matter was thus delayed.

Until a few days ago, Xu Hong received news that after decades, Wuqing County had produced another Venerable Three-Person Martial Body, and it was none other than Shui San'er, Chen Shun'an. Xu Hong couldn't sit still any longer!

Today, I am here on the orders of the old lady to find out Chen Shunan's background!
After all, the Zhang family martial artist whose identity is unknown and who practices the Six Scenery Revolving True Skill Diagram is related to whether the Zhang family can pass this year's family examination and maintain its status.

If it really is Chen Shunan...

"Old Master Zhang didn't know whether to be surprised or delighted..."

Xu Hong thought to himself.

A strange bird's mournful cry echoed through the air. The roof of the teahouse was broken, and a few withered vines hung down, swaying gently in the wind.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shunan frowned, neither confirming nor denying, but simply asking out of curiosity,

"Brother Xu, why does the Zhang family attach such importance to the Flying Immortal Stele and why did Zijin point it out? They even went so far as to compile a family genealogy and investigate collateral branches."

Chen Shunan had vaguely heard rumors about it, but he didn't know the inside story.

After all, Old Master Zhang disliked him quite a bit, so Chen Shunan naturally wouldn't make a fool of himself by rushing towards him.

"This matter concerns the Zhang family's examination. The powerful finger marks left on the Flying Immortal Stele are left by all the martial artists who have comprehended the Six Scenery Diagram over the hundreds of years since the Zhang family was established..."

Xu Hong no longer concealed anything and told him everything.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shunan's heart stirred.

The Zhang family of Tongzhou is a leading family in Tongzhou City and even the entire Shuntian Prefecture.

Most importantly, Aoshan Taoist Temple, one of the four major Taoist temples in Tongzhou, has a deep relationship with the Zhang family.

Aoshan Taoist Academy was built by the prefect of Shuntian Prefecture hundreds of years ago, and the Zhang family ancestor was among the first students of Aoshan Taoist Academy.

Nowadays, many of the direct descendants of the Zhang family are studying at the Aoshan Taoist Academy.

Unlike Yueshan Taoist Academy, Aoshan Taoist Academy seems to place more emphasis on martial arts. Most of the students who graduated from Aoshan Taoist Academy entered officialdom through the military examination or joined the army and were assigned to military camps in various prefectures and border regions.

Xu Hong was a graduate of Aoshan Taoist Academy.

"Behind the four major mortars and the Heavenly Xuan Holy Maiden stands the Yue Mountain Taoist Academy; while behind the Zhang Family Village and the Zhang Family, it seems to be the Ao Mountain Taoist Academy."

Chen Shunan's mind raced with a thousand thoughts, feeling as if he had faintly touched the true heaven of the entire Tongzhou city.

People from all walks of life, from noble families to the four tyrants of the capital, all seem to be influenced by these four academies as long as they cannot escape the territory of Tongzhou.

They are everywhere.

Or rather, they are the instigators of everything, the heirs of the privileged class.

"What about our Shuiwozi? Which Taoist academy or power is behind us? These academies each have quotas for transcending the mortal realm and ascending to immortality. Are there differences in the methods and paths used to obtain these quotas?"

"The Azure Gang Fireworks belong to the Azure Gang Sect, and the Divine Might Purple Thunder Cannon belongs to the Huaguang Method. These three methods and two sects seem to be different immortal lineages. Do the four major academies also correspond to different lineages?"

Chen Shunan suddenly realized that some of his careless choices would have profound consequences.

Chen Shunan hesitated for a moment, then said,

"Since this matter is so important, why is it Brother Xu who is going to great lengths, while the Zhang family and the Zhang family are so indifferent? Logically speaking, it should be Old Master Zhang, or even a renowned elder of the Zhang family, or a certain person who has come to oversee this matter."

Chen Shunan's implication was that Xu Hong was 'not qualified'.

Chen Shunan's idea was also very simple.

If you don't see a rabbit, don't let go of the hawk.

Since you don't know how to choose, let someone who does tell you how to choose.

Chen Shunan will make another judgment.

Before this, the main approach was to neither take initiative nor refuse.

Upon hearing this, Xu Hong's heart stirred.

Brother Shun'an, does this mean you've tacitly agreed?

Xu Hong gave Chen Shunan a deep look and said,
“In that case, someone from Tongzhou will come in another day and ask you this question again on my behalf.”

Having said that, Xu Hong turned and walked away, gun in hand, as swift as a startled swan; one moment he was right in front of him, the next he was on the opposite hilltop. A faint voice drifted over, but it only rang in Chen Shunan's ears—

"Be careful of that Junjian named Li Yaozu; he's up to no good and seemed to be trying to shift the blame earlier..."

Xu Hong traveled a great distance to come here, seemingly only to find an answer.

Chen Shunan gazed at the starlight and moonlight, watching Xu Hong's figure disappear, lost in thought.

"As expected of a martial arts graduate, even with my current strength, I can't see through Brother Xu's cultivation level. As for Li Yaozu..."

Chen Shunan turned around and looked at the young figure on the official road who had inherited the dark skin of fishermen and was busy treating his brothers' wounds.

They were so energetic and loyal.

It bears a resemblance to an old friend.

He vaguely remembered that the ill-fated couple that Jinzhen Li had mentioned had a son whom they had raised with great difficulty. He was studying martial arts at the Liangjiang Military Academy and his name seemed to be Li Yaozu.

"I wonder how that ill-fated couple is doing now? They've had a son of exceptional talent; it's like their ancestors' graves are emitting auspicious smoke..."

Chen Shunan suppressed his thoughts and strode toward the official road.

Chen Shunan was also extremely curious about the "people from Tongzhou" that Xu Hong mentioned.

What makes Xu Hong so cautious is not a martial arts master, but something else...?

A true cultivator?
……

"Senior Chen, my name is Li Yaozu. I am very grateful for your great kindness today. Otherwise, my brothers and I would probably be in grave danger."

Sun Xiao and the others continued pushing the cart on their way. Li Yaozu walked to Chen Shunan's side, clasped his hands in a salute, and said...

"If you need anything in the future, please feel free to use my services!"

Chen Shunan feigned confusion and said,
"Huh? What do you mean by that, Nephew Li? I, Chen, have done nothing."

Li Yaozu looked ashamed and said, "To tell you the truth, I was attacked by that water monkey just now. Because of the urgency of the situation, I couldn't defend myself, so I thought of luring the monster here so that I could join forces with Senior Chen to slay the demon..."

"Fortunately, Scholar Xu appeared in time. Scholar Xu came here because of you, senior. I am deeply grateful for your kindness."

Brother Fang, having taken the pill and with his qi and blood circulating smoothly, also came over and said in a deep voice.

“Brother Chen, this matter is not anyone else’s fault, but my fault. If you want to blame me, I will take full responsibility! I have accumulated one fourth-class minor merit and three fifth-class minor merits in recent days, and I am willing to give them all to you, Brother Chen.”

"I also have two minor merits!"

"This can't be blamed on Yaozu and Brother Fang. If anyone should be punished, we should all be punished together!"

"Yes, we share the good times and the bad!"

Chen Shunan glanced at the agitated Junjian, his smile unchanged, but a hint of fierceness flashed in his eyes.

Whether Li Yaozu's actions were unintentional or deliberate, he has put Chen in an awkward position...

Young people these days are so cunning.

Chen Shunan said righteously, "Whatever you all say is for the sake of the common people and the people of Wuqing, to slay demons and protect the righteous path. There is no question of crime or transgression. It is my honor to be able to do my bit..."

Upon hearing this, Brother Fang was shocked. He never expected that there would be such a chivalrous person in Shuiwozi, a person who was dedicated to the country and its people.

Brother Fang said in a deep voice, "Brother Chen, I've decided to be your friend!"

Li Yaozu also seemed to soften his stance.

For a time, the atmosphere among everyone was harmonious, and they got along very well.

Li Yaozu, leveraging his identity as a fisherman from Jindu, quickly built a close relationship with Sun Xiao and other fishermen, even exchanging tips on fishing and setting traps.

A little wolf cub, dressed in a warm and honest coat.

An old fox, also hypocritical and opportunistic.

Humans can sometimes be more terrifying than demons.

……

Upon arriving at Banno Tsuto, the group of Shui San'er parted ways with the Jun Jian group.

Chen Shunan and the others continued pushing the cart to deliver water, heading towards the pharmacy.

Fang and the others returned to the crossroads to report back.

As for the corpse of the water monkey and the corresponding merit, Fang Ge and the others were naturally too embarrassed to ask for it. They had already agreed to transfer the task they had received to Chen Shunan. He only needed to go to the Sanchakou office to verify it, and that would count as his merit.

Chen Shunan had no objection to this.

Upon arriving at the pharmacy, I checked my waist tag to verify my identity.

It was the same master with the square nose, large ears, and thick beard who came to guide them.

"Brother Chen."

"Brother Juan."

Juan had obviously already received the news that Chen Shunan was in charge of delivering the water. He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled broadly.

Chen Shunan is now almost a true martial artist, and deserves to be treated with respect by Hu An.

The group carried water into the pharmacy.

It's the same familiar glass house and alchemy room.

However, Chen Shunan noticed that the wailing and howling of the demons coming from under his feet were more numerous and faster.

Even in the alchemy room, five or six demons were openly imprisoned.

It's clear that this large pharmacy also made a small fortune from the war.

(End of this chapter)