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

Chapter 18 Solve the doubts
"Replying to Manager Li, I, Chen, am in my year of bad luck..."

Chen Shunan then used the same rhetoric he used when delivering blessed water, speaking in a methodical and logical manner.

Chen Shunan had long anticipated that Inoue would discover this matter.

He didn't even instruct Ma Xiucai, Xiao Kongzi, and others to keep the secret.

After all, this matter cannot be kept secret.

Chen Shunan will eventually expand his 'scale' and reap more blessings and even incense offerings.

It's better to guide than to block; naturally, we should lay the groundwork early.

Upon hearing this, Manager Li nodded in understanding, but the look in his eyes remained unchanged.

Clearly, he already knew the details, but he just wanted to hear what Chen Shunan had to say.

"That's alright, it's a small matter. But Old Chen, you're a veteran of the well, you naturally know... you absolutely mustn't let the master's important matters be delayed!"

What important matter could the employer possibly have?
It's simply a matter of not reducing the money earned from selling water.

Chen Shunan nodded: "I understand this matter. Thank you for your guidance, Manager Li."

Seeing that Manager Li had sat back down behind the elm table under the shed, Chen Shunan's eyes flickered, and he suddenly stepped forward.

"Manager Li, I would like to take advantage of my age and ask for a water delivery job from a major customer."

"Oh? Which customer?"

"Beneath the overpass, the Li family of the Golden Snake!"

As soon as the sound came out, the alley suddenly fell silent.

Only the leather rope on the edge of the well, used by the couple to forcefully draw water, continued to groan intermittently.

But soon, as the well water was poured into the water tank, churning and splashing, all the sounds disappeared.

Many people looked at Sun Xiao.

Sun Xiao's face also darkened.

The Li family of Jinshe were descended from the chief transport officer of Shishi Temple, one of the "Four Temples and Six Departments" of the Canal Transport Gang.

He practiced snake boxing and snake steps, and was known as the "Golden Snake Gentleman".

At its peak, he controlled the canal transport of grain from three prefectures, commanding over a thousand boatmen, and was respected by both the legitimate and criminal worlds.

Even the magistrate of Wuqing County had to address him politely as "General Manager Li".

Unfortunately, the Golden Snake Swordsman's reputation was ruined in his later years. He was implicated in the "Battle to Subdue the Evil Sword of Mount Shu, in which His Majesty established nine great military achievements," and was suspected of colluding with heretics and aiding the evil sword.

He was torn apart by five horses, 90% of his family property was confiscated, and he almost had his entire family executed.

Now, the Li family is no longer as prosperous as it once was.

He ran a small general store on the street, guarding a three-courtyard house, and occasionally sold some of his ancestral property.

There were about twenty people in the mansion, from top to bottom.

They were just getting by.

The reason Sun Xiao's face was gloomy was because...

There's no other reason than that the Jinshe Li family was originally his client!

But then Chen Shunan continued speaking,

"Of course, Mr. Chen dared not steal his lover's property and was willing to give the Ma Ji Dried Fruit Shop on Yinding Street, the Chen family of Jinhua Tower, and the Ma family to Brother Sun Xiao."

Chen Shunan clasped his hands in greeting to Sun Xiao,
"The abbot of Tanzhe Temple instructed Mr. Chen that he should give away a lot of blessed water this year, and that he should not give it away indiscriminately, but should only give it to families with good fortune..."

The Li family is, after all, a century-old family with a long history and abundant blessings. I hope Brother Sun Xiao will grant us some face.

Upon hearing this, Sun Xiao's expression immediately softened considerably.

Ma's Dried Fruit Shop, the Chen family of Jinhualou, and the Ma family were all good customers. They used a lot of water, were generous, and were not far from Weiheng Street.

If you calculate it, he actually made a small profit.

Chen Shunan's words gave Sun Xiao both substance and face.

Although Sun Xiao was a little puzzled, why was even the delivery of blessed water so particular, and why did he have to be picky?
However, since the people of the Holy Dynasty were generally 'superstitious,' Sun Xiao didn't ask any more questions.

Furthermore, Chen Shunan's exceptional agility, coupled with the high regard in which Instructor Lin held him in high regard...

Sun Xiao nodded and said, "If that's the case, then we'll do as Brother Chen says."

Chen Shunan was overjoyed and expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

Since both Sun Xiao and Chen Shunan, the two parties involved, had agreed, Manager Li naturally had no reason to ruin the harmony over such a trivial matter.

With a wave of his hand, he switched the two men's water delivery duties and recorded it in the register.

"Brother Chen, I delivered water to the Li family yesterday. I'll pass by and tell them later. They use water every three to four days, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow at the earliest."

Sun Xiao added another sentence.

Chen Shunan said seriously, "Then I'll have to trouble Brother Sun Xiao to make the trip."

After the water carriers dispersed, Chen Shunan pushed the water cart and delivered water to each house.

Chen Shunan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The Jinshe Li family was a family of good fortune that he had long coveted. They had a clean family tradition and a considerable number of members. However, due to the decline of their family fortune, they were struggling to make ends meet.

I imagine they won't refuse my request to deliver blessed water.

If he could gain the Li family's support, Chen Shunan's daily desires would increase dramatically!

It was worth it for Chen Shunan to be shameless and seize the opportunity to ask for it back.

Even if it means owing someone a favor.

But the more you owe someone a favor, the closer you become.

To build relationships, one can proactively incur favors.

……

Dark clouds rolled like ink but failed to obscure the mountains; only a sliver of sun shone brightly.

At noon, dark clouds suddenly gathered and a strong wind howled, as if a heavy rain was about to fall.

Chen Shunan went to the Erhunpu restaurant in Guaizao Alley for lunch as usual.

The air was stuffy and hot, offering no relief from the heat.

Walking through the corridor filled with the smoke of firewood cooking, Chen Shunan sat down in his usual spot.

Fusheng was not seen.

Many of the Shui San'er looked at Chen Shun'an with suspicion and glanced at him furtively.

Chen Shunan acted as if he didn't notice anything amiss, chatting naturally with the boatman at the same table.

A short while later, Instructor Lin, Sun Xiao, and others also entered the restaurant.

The boatmen greeted him with the same familiar enthusiasm.

Coach Lin remained expressionless as always. He paused when he reached Chen Shunan's table.

"Old Chen, come over for a meal today, and I'll tell you about... the bottleneck of second-rate cultivation!"

Upon hearing this, the group of Shui San'er showed complicated expressions.

His eyes held both envy and a hint of resentment.

Yesterday, everyone was crammed into the stuffy, cramped outer dining room, so why did you go to a private room today, Old Chen?

All that boasting and small talk is fake and empty.

But having Coach Lin personally guide you is a real benefit!

Chen Shunan was secretly delighted.

When you're sleepy, I'll bring you a pillow.

With Coach Lin providing one-on-one instruction, isn't that better than spending money to go to a martial arts school?
Chen Shunan exchanged a few polite words with the people at the table, then quickly got up and went into the private room.

A cool breeze blew in through the half-open window, bringing a refreshing coolness that was quite the opposite of what was in the lobby.

An old pearwood octagonal table sits in the center, with round wooden stools bearing the marks of time, and the surrounding walls are covered with faded bluish-gray wallpaper.

Although simple, it is clean and tidy.

There were only five people sitting at the Eight Immortals table, including Instructor Lin.

Chen Shunan sat down in the seat closest to the door.

Sun Xiao was sitting next to Chen Shunan, nodding and smiling.

The shopkeeper of the two-meat shop lifted the curtain and saw Chen Shunan inside, his eyes showing surprise.

"Same as usual, just with a larger portion, enough for six people!"

After Sun Xiao finished ordering, the shopkeeper tactfully walked out.

While waiting for the food to be served.

Instructor Lin picked up the celadon bowl and took a sip of the cool tea.

"Old Chen, how many fighting techniques are recorded in your second-rate cultivation method, 'Flesh Immortal'?"

Chen Shunan did not hide anything and said, "Thirty-six kinds."

Upon hearing this, Sun Xiao and the others looked on in amazement.

It truly lives up to its reputation as a superior martial art.

Mid-level martial arts are considered good if they have eighteen different fighting techniques.

Apart from Instructor Lin and Chen Shun'an, everyone else in the private room was at the intermediate level in martial arts.

Instructor Lin nodded and said, "As expected of the Zhang family's tradition, my Dachengquan only has forty-two fighting techniques."

Seeing Coach Lin's nonchalant demeanor, Chen Shunan, Sun Xiao, and the others' lips twitched.

If it weren't for the fact that I couldn't beat you...

Noticing the expressions on everyone's faces, Instructor Lin's expression darkened.

"Dissatisfied?"

"I'm totally convinced!!"

Sun Xiao and the others successively gave in.

Instructor Lin snorted coldly, downed his cup of cold tea in one gulp, and continued speaking to Chen Shunan.
"Judging from your speed during the day, I reckon you've already replenished your qi and blood, and are about to temper your bones. According to your 'Flesh Immortal' manual, there are thirty-six fighting methods. Refining the first twelve is the mid-stage of the second-rate; refining the middle twelve is the late-stage of the second-rate; and refining all thirty-six is ​​the perfection of the second-rate?"

"Instructor Lin's insights are truly profound; I, Chen, am deeply impressed..."

Chen Shunan quickly offered a flattering remark.

Although Coach Lin's expression remained unchanged, a hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

After all, flattery will get you everywhere, and no one can escape its allure.

Coach Lin: "But that's just the surface! Training methods and fighting methods are not separate. The second-rate stage can be divided into three steps: 'Dragon Returns to the Sea,' 'Chasing Pearls to Obtain Essence,' and 'Jade Threads Connect the Robes'!"

As he said this, Instructor Lin began to move.

The veins in his arms moved like dragons, and as they rubbed and squeezed, they produced a faint sound like a dragon's roar.

The next moment, all these sounds disappeared.

That dragon-like power seemed to have completely seeped into his bones, and Instructor Lin became like rotten wood, devoid of any spirit, and even his breathing and heartbeat almost disappeared.

"The strength of the three streams is exceptionally fierce, and is the result of constant torment and tempering. However, the human body is made of flesh and blood, and is further harmed by the desires and lusts of the five grains. If this continues, it will lead to the five strains and seven injuries. How can this last long?"
Therefore, after reaching the second-rate realm, the first step is 'concealment'! The sound of bones resounding like thunder vibrates the marrow, awakening the hidden malevolent energy and strength throughout the body!

Then, by storing it within the bone marrow, it can not only nourish the body but also distribute external forces to the limbs and bones, allowing the skeleton to bear the burden and preventing injury to the flesh!

Chen Shunan's eyes suddenly lit up!
So that's how it is. He only knew about hiding blood before, but he didn't know why he was hiding blood.

Chen Shun was completely focused, leaning slightly forward.

Although Sun Xiao and the others were all second-rate martial artists, they still showed a solemn expression at this moment.

They are clearly taking this opportunity to identify and address any shortcomings.

But after Lin finished speaking, his spine twitched, as if rotten wood had come back to life.

In an instant, his skin and flesh began to churn, bursting forth with unimaginable vitality and energy. His entire body swelled and stood tall, almost like a raging giant ape.

In a daze, Chen Shunan even saw Lin Jiaotou's golden and jade-like frame, like a surging blue wave, from which the seed of blood and qi that had been hidden for many days flew out.

The Qi seed chases through all the major orifices, joints, and meridians of the body. Wherever it passes, it spreads out in wisps of warmth, nourishing and healing the body.

In the end, these seeds of qi and blood spread and coiled around Lin Jiaotou's skeleton, forming a kind of vein, connecting with each other, generating light and mist, and transforming into a bright and shining robe!
"The stored qi and blood are like a dragon pearl. When mobilized, they can not only unleash earth-shattering power, but also strengthen the foundation and eliminate hidden injuries."

In the end, it can even form a jade shroud that is impervious to swords and spears, unaffected by water and fire, and can even lock in the flow of vital energy, extending life to one hundred and twenty!

Overwhelmed by Coach Lin's terrifying aura, everyone present turned pale, and for a brief moment even lost control of their bodies, becoming fish on a chopping board.

Only Chen Shunan, with the secret talisman in his mind emitting a faint light, easily tore through Lin Jiaotou's imposing aura.

However, Chen Shunan's subtle control over the blood and qi in his face revealed a pale complexion.

After a few breaths,
Instructor Lin dissipated his martial arts and reverted to his old farmer appearance. Chen Shunan, Sun Xiao, and the others were jolted awake, gasping for breath...

"These three steps represent the realm and the method of practice. Generally speaking, each fighting method corresponds to a seed of qi and blood, and to a joint of the jade-like garment."

The more advanced the cultivation technique, the more diverse the fighting methods, the stronger the qi and blood, the more robust the physique, and the tighter and more flawless the jade-like garment!

At this point, Instructor Lin grinned and looked at Chen Shunan, saying...

"I hope that one day, your thirty-six-way fighting style can break my Jade Linked Robe."

Upon hearing this, Sun Xiao and the others laughed.

It was just a joke by Coach Lin.

It was already incredibly fortunate that Old Chen was able to break through to the second-rate realm.

Defeat Coach Lin?
That's rather absurd.

(End of this chapter)