Heavenly Ascension Chronicles Chapter 1016: Lake Waiting for Dawn - Novel Cool

Chapter 1016: Lake Waiting for Dawn

Chapter 1016: Lake Waiting for Dawn

Cao Guiqi observed the visitor, noticing that he wasn't an elderly man. His age couldn't be too advanced, likely no more than forty or fifty. It seemed he had altered his appearance using implants.

"Hu Zhanshan" wasn't his real name; it was a term for those who used to hold fans and flatter the royal family, later evolving to refer to those who served the imperial family. This man was indirectly revealing his identity.

With a cold expression, he said, "I've seen your token, and I know your background. You should also be aware that I don't wish to have any dealings with you."

Hu Zhanshan bowed politely and said, "My master is aware of your predicament, which is why he hasn't bothered you all these years like those others.

However, there's one matter we must inquire about. I can assure you that if you can inform us about it, we will never disturb you again and will even find a way to restrain the others."

Cao Guiqi's expression softened slightly, and he asked, "What do you want to know?"

Hu Zhanshan raised his head, his eyes fixed on Cao Guiqi, and said, "When the imperial court hastily withdrew from the Confluence Land, due to the rush, they informed various branches of the royal family and relatives about the secret repositories that couldn't be evacuated in time. However, to prevent them from being seized, the exact locations of the secret repositories and the lock keys to open them were entrusted to specific individuals.

My master knows that you hold one of these lock keys, and he wishes to obtain it from you. My master is willing to offer a portion of 'Yang-sheng Water' in exchange."

Cao Guiqi remained silent, but Ding Shu suddenly looked up, his face showing a hint of excitement.

After waiting for a while, Hu Zhanshan saw that Cao Guiqi wasn't responding, so he sincerely added, "Cao Gongzi, we understand that you don't want to get involved in these matters. If that's the case, why hold onto something that could cause you trouble? It would be better to give it to us directly, allowing you to rid yourself of these disturbances. Why not do it?"

Cao Guiqi shook his head and said, "This time, you've come to the wrong person. My family, the Cao family, is not part of the royal family but merely an unfavored relative. How could we possibly have such things? I don't know about the secret repository you mentioned, nor do I know the whereabouts of the lock keys. If that's what you're asking, then I can't help you, and you may leave."

"Is that so?"

Hu Zhanshan pondered for a moment but didn't insist. Instead, he said, "In that case, I apologize for my presumption. But may we ask you to inquire about it? Even if you can only find out the whereabouts of the lock keys without seeing the actual items, we will still give you the 'Yang-sheng Water'."

Cao Guiqi shook his head and said, "Ding Shu, please see the guest out."

Ding Shu stepped forward and extended his hand, saying, "Zhanshan, please."

Hu Zhanshan took out a small Boundary Token and handed it to Ding Shu, saying, "I work in Jinbei Province. If you think of anything, you can use this to contact me at any time." After saying this, he bowed to the token and followed Ding Shu out.

Not long after, Ding Shu returned and said, "Young Master, the guest has been sent off."

Cao Guiqi picked up a book from the desk and started flipping through it as he said, "Ding Shu, what do you think?"

Ding Shu thought for a moment and replied, "Young Master, I believe they might not be after the secret repository. It's been there for so many years, and they probably know its location by now. They could probably enter without the key, but now they suddenly want to ask you for it. I wonder if..."

Upon hearing this, Cao Guiqi closed the book abruptly and said, "Ding Shu, you've made a good point."

He looked outside and said, "While there are many things in the secret repository, most of the valuable items have likely been taken away. What's left isn't worth them making such a fuss and taking risks to meet me. But there's one thing they probably won't give up, and it might be the real reason they're asking for the lock key..."

He sighed lightly, "The rift..."

There was a rift in the secret repository, and with it, many possibilities. The imperial family probably left it behind for future use rather than just for hiding things.

During this period, the fact that these people were urgently seeking the rift didn't bode well.

Ding Shu asked, "Young Master, what should we do?"

Cao Guiqi inquired, "Is your classmate still here?"

Ding Shu replied, "He hasn't returned yet." Usually, Chen Chuan would contact them by telegraph or telephone every month, but there hadn't been any communication for half a year. Ding Shu had also heard that Chen Chuan hadn't been seen for a long time, so he might not be in the city and could have gone to the Confluence Land.

After some thought, Ding Shu said, "Young Master, it's probably because Chen Chuan hasn't been seen for a long time that they've become bold. Otherwise, they wouldn't dare."

Cao Guiqi considered this and said, "Ding Shu, contact Mr. Gao and inform him about this matter. The rest is beyond our control."

When Chen Chuan left, he had asked Cao Guiqi to contact Mr. Gao if there were any issues. Someone would find a way to handle the situation if they sent the message there.

Ding Shu agreed, "Young Master, I'll contact Mr. Gao right away." He quickly made the arrangements and returned half an hour later.

At that moment, he saw that Cao Guiqi was still admiring the painting, 'A Thousand Birds over the Lake,' but his previous good mood seemed to have vanished. Ding Shu approached and took the initiative to speak, "Young Master, was the last bird in the painting completed later?"

"Master Cao Guiqi slowly unrolled the painting again, and after a while, he spoke, 'Master Haizhai had no heirs, so this painting ended up in the hands of his grandson, Master Zhu Boliang. This gentleman lived a life of poverty, his ambitions unfulfilled. Despite his vast knowledge, he never sought to curry favor with the powerful. There was a newly appointed senior official in the court who heard about this painting and wanted to forcefully buy it.'"

"Master Zhu didn't want to give it up, but he couldn't resist the other party's influence. So, one day, before taking the painting to the official's office, he painted a crestless rooster on it."

Uncle Ding was taken aback, "This...!"

"After that, the senior official never mentioned it again," Master Cao continued.

Uncle Ding suddenly felt a sense of regret. The significance of this painting lay in the thousand birds, and the missing crest on the rooster added a touch of imperfection and a sense of lingering beauty. However, the addition of the rooster at the bottom disrupted the overall atmosphere and aesthetics. For an official, a 'missing crest' was not a good omen."

He scanned the painting, looking for the last bird, "Young Master, where is the last one?"

Master Cao didn't respond; he just slowly unrolled the painting until the very end, revealing the rooster on the left side.

Uncle Ding was stunned; his eyes widened slightly. It was indeed a crestless rooster, but it stood tall, head held high, crowing towards the sun. Despite its missing crest, its wings were spread wide, exuding a powerful aura. The appearance of this rooster seemed to startle the long lake, causing the thousand birds to take flight, abruptly changing the focus of the painting. The style shifted from delicate and exquisite to bold and fiery, leaving viewers in awe. He couldn't help but praise it silently, 'What a masterpiece of a thousand birds!'

At that moment, Master Cao noticed a commentary written by a collector on the painting, and he recited it aloud, "The lake is not just a lake, it awaits the sunrise, its song heralding the dawn for all. How can we, as its witnesses, ever feel alone?"

Uncle Ding saw that Master Cao's gaze remained fixed on the painting, lingering for a long time. He sighed inwardly, thinking that it was a pity. If the young master had agreed, perhaps...

But then he shook his head. If it were before, he might have encouraged the young master to accept, but now, he would only advise him to stay away from these people.

Meanwhile, after their meal, Chen Chuan and Xu Xian took a special car back to the villa district.

During the meal, as they chatted casually, Xu Xian mentioned that not long after he had reported his status as a fighter to the Martial Arts Council, someone from Wansong Company had contacted him.

Chen Chuan was aware of the company's significant influence and its likely connection to the Martial Arts Council, possibly even with high-ranking officials. So, it wasn't surprising that they had reached out to Xu Xian.

Regarding the resources provided by the company's platform, Chen Chuan suggested that if Xu Xian had no other options, he could try acquiring them from the company as if it were a regular commission. However, he advised against getting too deeply involved.

This time, Xu Xian's breakthrough in the Eternal Observation Realm was not solely due to the guidance of the Xuanji master; the cultivation techniques from Wansong Company were also extremely valuable. Chen Chuan had intended to reference their cultivation techniques for his breakthrough.

He had also wondered if he could have achieved this without the Xuanji master's guidance. The answer was possibly, given his solid foundation. The Eternal Observation Realm could be attempted repeatedly as long as one could endure it, and if something felt wrong, one could stop and try again. However, this might consume more resources and potentially cause potential damage. Even if one eventually succeeded, it would undoubtedly waste a lot of time.

Slowing down at this step would inevitably lead to a slower pace in subsequent cultivation, and many things might have turned out differently.

Upon returning to the villa, Nianfuli was still on city patrol, and the two young ones were in the midst of their final exams at school. Only Yu Wan was at home. As it had been half a year since they last met, she asked with concern, "Brother Chen, you've been away for so long this time."

Chen Chuan smiled and said, "Auntie, it's my fault for worrying you. In the future, if there are similar situations, I'll make sure to find a way to send news home."

Yu Wan shook her head and looked at Chen Chuan. It was clear that he had taken care of himself before returning, and his spirit seemed even better than before. She said, "Auntie has your uncle to keep her company at home, so it's fine without news. But Brother Chen, you must take good care of yourself out there."

Chen Chuan felt a warmth in his chest, and he replied, "Auntie, I'll remember that."

Yu Wan knew he was working on something significant, so she didn't inquire further. After expressing her concern, she asked, "Brother Chen, Uncle said that the Yangzhi side will be connected to the field signal next month. Is this true?"

Chen Chuan nodded, "Auntie, it's true."

Once the Horizon project is connected, it will naturally expand outwards, first benefiting the surrounding counties and cities. Yangzhi, being the largest peripheral city in Jinbei Province, is naturally included in the first batch, and indeed, after half a year, the connection is almost complete.

As they were talking, the boundary token suddenly emitted a notification sound. Chen Chuan saw that it was Gao Ming and immediately accepted the call.

"Gao Ming, I've just arrived. Is there something urgent?"

Gao Ming replied, "Brother-in-law, there's news from the Cao family mansion, which you asked me to keep an eye on."

...

...

(End of Chapter)

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