https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-198-The-Cold-Northern-Path-s-Rising-Talents/13026253/
Chapter 199: Pure Land
Chapter 199: Pure Land
"I heard that the New Talent Register is sold in other counties and prefectures too. Big brother, you've truly become famous throughout the world."
Chen Yue stood beside her brother, Chen Mu, holding the New Talent Register in her hands. She looked at the page that recorded Chen Mu's information, then glanced at him, admiration shining in her lively, large eyes.
This was her brother, a peerless genius, who had achieved so much in such a short time, that he was now renowned throughout the entire Yu Prefecture, and even in the eleven states of the Cold Northern Path, he was considered an exceptional talent.
"I wouldn't say I've become famous throughout the world. In Yu Prefecture, I might have gained some recognition, but after all, I'm only ranked twenty-seventh."
Chen Mu spoke casually.
He didn't really care about these empty titles, and he didn't think it was a good thing to be ranked and publicized throughout the eleven states of the Cold Northern Path. The more attention he attracted, the more trouble it would bring.
But on the other hand, a true martial arts master wouldn't care about fame, nor would they be afraid of it. Without the martial will to dominate the world, one might even doubt their own abilities and be hesitant to bear the burden of a mere title. How could one then aspire to become a martial arts grandmaster or an unparalleled martial sage? Perhaps the Five Viscera and Six Organs Realm wasn't enough.
But to enter the Six Organs Realm and break through the body's 'Mystic Pass', one needed more than just a solid foundation. They also required the martial arts intention cultivated through their own practice, as well as the martial will accumulated along the way. Body, mind, and technique—all three were indispensable, and only when they merged into one could they break through the Mystic Pass, perceive all mysteries, and strive for the grandmaster title.
"That's the twenty-seventh rank in the entire eleven states of the Cold Northern Path."
Chen Yue blinked.
Just the Yu Prefecture alone spanned thousands of miles, and it took her half a month to travel to and from Anyu County. As for Yu Prefecture, it was even more vast, spanning ten thousand miles, and the Cold Northern Path encompassed a total of eleven states, home to countless commoners.
"Yes, in this huge Yu Prefecture, there's only one person ranked higher than Brother Mu."
Yu Ru nodded in agreement, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Chen Mu.
Chen Mu smiled and continued flipping through the New Talent Register until he reached the last page. Then, closing the book, he said, "This New Talent Register only includes those under thirty years old and below the Six Organs Realm. Although those listed here have some talent, compared to the Gale Wind Rankings, it's not much."
During turbulent times, the cream of the crop rises to the top.
The New Talent Register is updated every three to five years, and the figures listed are mostly replaced. The next generation of martial arts prodigies are no less impressive than the current one. In contrast, those at the top of the Six Organs Realm on the Gale Wind Rankings are often near-grandmasters, even if they haven't officially attained the title. Their abilities are almost on par with grandmasters, and their rankings rarely change for years, sometimes even a decade.
Chen Mu didn't think much of the fame from the New Talent Register. At the very least, he believed that to be considered a renowned figure in the eleven states of the Cold Northern Path, one would need to be ranked on the Gale Wind Rankings, like Yan Jingqing.
Speaking of which, Chen Mu handed the book to Chen Yue.
Then, he turned and headed to his own residence, changing into a simple set of plain clothes before making his way to the eastern residence.
In the mansion where Xu Hongyu lived, within a small courtyard, Xiao He was wearing a gray training outfit, practicing a set of punches to strengthen her body.
"Huff, huff."
With each breath, her movements were precise and measured.
Although her waist was slender and delicate, as if boneless, when she exerted force, the wind howled with each punch, and each stretch was steady and powerful. She appeared petite and curvy, but in reality, she could squat and lift hundreds of pounds of stone locks, and a single slender finger could support her entire weight.
Xiao He was focused on her martial arts practice, and after a series of punches and stretches, she lifted one leg from behind, stretching it upwards until it touched her spine. She stood on one foot, her body perfectly balanced without a hint of wobbling. Even if a cup of water were placed on her head, it wouldn't spill a drop, and faint white mist rose from her body.
However, just at that moment—
Xiao He suddenly felt an itch behind her ear, as if a leaf had fallen on her neck.
Her reaction was swift; she shrank forward while maintaining the position of her right leg against her spine, but her left leg exerted force, and she spun in mid-air, kicking towards the back of her neck.
But what she kicked wasn't a leaf; it was a piece of dogtail grass plucked from somewhere, and Chen Mu held the tip of it in his hand. He admired Xiao He's mid-air kick with a glance and then said, "Your martial arts skills are impressive. You should be close to achieving the Easy Sinew Transformation, right?"
Xiao He's mid-air kick shattered the tip of the dogtail grass, and she landed steadily. Then, looking at Chen Mu with delight, she asked, "When did you return, brother-in-law?"
"Just now."
Chen Mu replied casually, "Isn't Hongyu here?"
"Miss Xu went to the Demon Slayer Bureau."
Xiao He replied with a playful tone, and her eyes glistened with admiration as she looked at Chen Mu. "Miss Xu has been eagerly awaiting your return, day and night. This time, you've become famous throughout Yu Prefecture."
Xiao He still remembered the first time she met Chen Mu. She had thought that Xu Hongyu's judgment was accurate, and Chen Mu indeed seemed capable and talented. But as Chen Mu rose to prominence, her perception of him changed time and again, until now, facing Chen Mu, she couldn't help but feel a little restrained.
After all, Chen Mu was no longer the young man who needed her care and guidance. He had become a towering tree that even the entire Yu family couldn't hide, and this tree had yet to reach its full height.
Chen Mu noticed Xiao He's restraint, and a smile appeared on his face. He had grown accustomed to countless people showing him respect outside, but he still hoped that those closest to him, Chen Yue, Yu Ru, and even Xiao He, wouldn't be restrained in his presence.
"Hongyu is waiting for me to come back..."
"And you?"
As Chen Mu spoke, he leaned in slightly, examining the fine beads of sweat on Xiao He's forehead, a result of her diligent cultivation. He whispered to her, "Auntie, Uncle..."
Xiao He, standing so close to Chen Mu, felt her cheeks flush with a deep crimson. Beneath her delicate skin, a faint blush emerged, and for a moment, her usual quick wit vanished, leaving only her racing heart and a sense of uncertainty.
She had witnessed Chen Mu's journey from humble beginnings to the present, his brilliance shining through despite the veil of the vast Yu Prefecture. Reflecting on his progress always felt surreal, like a dream. Xiao He, too, had come from humble origins, and the myriad emotions she felt for Chen Mu—admiration, affection, and respect—all blended together, leaving her powerless to resist him.
Merely thinking about Chen Mu sweeping through the ranks of true disciples along the Qingping River, earning fame throughout the Cold Northern Path, and then considering that she, as his personal attendant, would accompany Hongyu Xu into her marriage, made her body feel warm and sticky.
At this moment, Chen Mu gently lifted her chin, and all her thoughts momentarily scattered.
Chen Mu found her reaction amusing and smiled softly, saying, "I remember you used to be quite good at flirting with me. How come you've become like Ru now?"
Xiao He looked up at Chen Mu, her cheeks tinged with shyness, and her eyes glistening with emotion. She replied, "That was before. Now... I wouldn't dare flirt with you, Uncle."
Now, she was afraid that Chen Mu would ignore her, reject her. How dare she be bold? In front of Chen Mu, she was even more well-behaved than she was in front of Hongyu Xu.
Chen Mu observed her demeanor with a smile and said, "Come here."
Xiao He was already standing close to Chen Mu, and upon hearing his words, she took a small step forward.
"A little closer," Chen Mu said again.
Xiao He hesitated and moved a little closer, her eyes slightly flustered as she looked up at Chen Mu. "Uncle, I'm sweating... Um..."
In a 1619 book, there's not a single mistake!
Unlike Hongyu Xu's cool and refreshing aura, Xiao He felt warmer and more inviting. Her eyes held a mix of shyness and joy, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she actively responded to Chen Mu.
A moment later, Chen Mu looked at Xiao He, whose eyes still held a hint of bewilderment. He spoke softly, "Hongyu treats you like a sister. After you accompany her into marriage, everything will be just like before."
"Yes, I'll listen to you, Uncle," Xiao He said, looking at Chen Mu.
Just then, Chen Mu's gaze shifted slightly, as if he had sensed something. Smiling, he asked, "After that, whose instructions will you follow first, mine or Hongyu's?"
"Er..." Xiao He faltered.
Coincidentally, at that moment, Hongyu Xu entered the courtyard, dressed in the official uniform of the Deputy Director of the Demon Slayer Bureau.
Xiao He also heard Hongyu Xu's arrival, and her usual quick wit returned. She said, "Uncle and Miss Xu, may your love last forever, and may you be one in heart and body. Uncle's instructions are Miss Xu's instructions, and Miss Xu's instructions are Uncle's instructions. Listening to Uncle is listening to Miss Xu, and listening to Miss Xu is listening to Uncle..." She scurried off to prepare tea and snacks for Uncle and Miss Xu, feeling a bit embarrassed as she passed by Hongyu Xu.
Hongyu Xu, however, didn't seem to notice anything. She looked at Chen Mu with a hint of reproach in her eyes and said, "Are you bullying Xiao He?"
Although she was curious about whom Xiao He would listen to first.
Chen Mu smiled and asked, "Do you feel sorry for her?"
"Xiao He probably wishes to be bullied by you. Why would you feel sorry for her?" Hongyu Xu replied.
She walked up to Chen Mu and looked at him, her clear and elegant eyes showing a hint of concern. "You're in charge of the Qingping River region. I heard this trip wasn't without its challenges..."
"They're just minor setbacks. Nothing serious. Have you been promoted to Deputy Director?" Chen Mu asked, noticing the Deputy Director's uniform Hongyu Xu was wearing. It didn't quite suit her as well as her previous uniform as the Chief Inspector or the white uniform of the White Guard.
"After I displayed the Water Abyss Intention, Director Meng promoted me to Deputy Director," Hongyu Xu explained, noticing that Chen Mu had been examining her attire.
Chen Mu said, "It's nothing. The Deputy Director's uniform is a bit too heavy. Lighter-colored clothing would be more suitable."
Hongyu Xu glanced at Chen Mu, her cheeks slightly flushed, and looked away, saying softly, "Then, I'll change into something lighter for you..."
Observing the beauty before him, Chen Mu's senses extended to Xiao He, who was secretly watching from outside the courtyard. He thought of his sisters, Chen Yue and Yu Ru, but at this moment, his heart was filled not with lust, but with a warm and tender feeling.
In this chaotic world, this was his only sanctuary.
No matter how the world changed, no matter what the future held, he didn't want this small sanctuary to be destroyed in any way.
But to protect it, he had to rely on Yan Jingqing, and on the Seven Mysteries Sect, just as he had once relied on the Yu Family. Now, he was relying on the larger vessel of the Seven Mysteries Sect, drifting with the tides of the world.
He had surpassed numerous true disciples of various sects, including Meng Dan Yun and Gu Hong, but he never felt a hint of arrogance.
However, just a few years ago, he was still a lowly minor official at the bottom of the hierarchy. Now, his reputation had spread beyond the Yu Prefecture, and he remained humble and confident, relying on his own abilities to steadily advance.
The path ahead would be the same—in a world of chaos, with no solid ground to stand on, he would continue to forge ahead, sword in hand.
(End of Chapter)
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