Chapter 458: Wave Pavilion
Chapter 458: Wave Pavilion
On the sixth day of the new year, Chen Chuan woke up from his slumber, and with the relaxation of the past two days, the effects of the memory potion emerged once more.
In this vision, the woman with light brown hair appeared again, embracing her arms and conversing with another person.
The man exuded a distinct air of a high-ranking company executive, his expression stern as if admonishing or persuading.
The location was unclear, perhaps on a plank road with red lanterns floating in the sky, occasionally accompanied by the sound of firecrackers.
Chen Chuan glanced around, wondering if it was the Lunar New Year. No wonder this memory surfaced at this time.
His mother, in this vision, seemed to be leaning against a railing to the side, not paying attention to their conversation, except for the occasional sound of the woman's irritable voice.
After a while, the woman stormed back, and the executive seemed to want to chase after her, but Chen Chuan's mother stepped forward, blocking the way, preventing the executive from pursuing further. He turned and left instead.
After they left, Chen Chuan's mother and the brown-haired woman began to converse, walking towards the edge of a cliff. He didn't recognize the place, but he noted the words on the nearby cliff wall, planning to look them up once he returned to the Central City.
The conversation between the two women slightly piqued his interest.
Although they had spoken at length, the brown-haired woman never mentioned her identity or background. This time, however, she stated that she wouldn't be returning to the company.
Chen Chuan pondered this, thinking that the woman might be a high-ranking executive of a company, and his mother could be responsible for her security. However, the specific company remained unclear.
But then he remembered the card his parents had left behind, and he wondered if there might be a connection between the two.
As he was thinking, sporadic firecracker sounds echoed outside.
He glanced outside, deciding not to exert himself trying to guess anymore. With more memories, he believed he would uncover the specific clues.
After getting dressed, he went out to freshen up. Today, he was going to visit the Chen family for the New Year, so he needed to leave early.
During the Lunar New Year in Great Shun, Gong Zhanxin, the heir to the old royal family of the Foreign Islands, under the commission of the Ferris Wheel Corporation, personally visited the main hall of the Wave Pavilion on Erwen Island.
Accompanied by several retainers and followers of the High Heaven Sect, he entered the hall amidst the watchful eyes of the disciples of the Wave Pavilion, all dressed in combat uniforms.
An hour later, he emerged from the hall and spoke to the Ferris Wheel Corporation representative waiting outside, "Master Feng He has agreed to send his most accomplished disciple, Chengsheng Jian."
"The most accomplished?" The Ferris Wheel Corporation representative questioned, "Shouldn't it be the most outstanding?"
Yingzhuo Gang, the retainer standing by, spoke sternly, "Please mind your words, my lord. Before you stands the current head of the Gong family, Gong Wang Dadian."
The company representative bowed slightly, "Please forgive me, I meant no disrespect to the Gong family."
Gong Zhanxin didn't mind, maintaining his elegant demeanor, "You are here on company business, for the well-being of the Foreign Islands. Our goals are aligned."
"Thank you for your understanding," the representative replied.
Gong Zhanxin continued, "Initially, I wanted Master Feng He to send his most outstanding disciple."
"Then why didn't Master Feng He agree?"
As Yingzhuo Gang glared angrily once more, the company representative apologized and bowed again, "My lord, please forgive me. I was just anxious because this time the target is different. We've had failures before, and we don't want to burden you with another journey."
Gong Zhanxin said, "Thank you for considering our well-being, but..." He didn't hesitate to speak his mind, "Although the Gong family still holds some influence, we don't have absolute control over the Wave Pavilion. If they are willing to honor this commitment, it's because they want to keep their promise. I cannot make decisions on their behalf."
The company representative thought for a moment, then said, "Can't we change their minds?"
Gong Zhanxin shook his head lightly.
"I understand," the representative said, "I will report this truthfully to the company." With that, he left with his entourage.
After they departed, Yingzhuo Gang turned with his sword, "My lord, this company representative is too disrespectful. They clearly need your help, yet they show no reverence for you."
Gong Zhanxin seemed to take it in stride, "Isn't it obvious? If they truly respected me, I wouldn't have to come here at their request."
He turned back, gazing towards the direction of the Wave Pavilion, and said calmly, "Even the Wave Pavilion uses our Gong family's name as a shield. They are not as loyal as they seem."
Yingzhuo Gang spoke with indignation, "A bunch of traitors!"
"Yingzhuo, you don't understand," Gong Zhanxin sighed, "On the Foreign Islands, those who survived from the old era and are still thriving, who among them doesn't carry shame and disgrace? It's the same for you and me."
Gong Zhanxin lamented, "Loyal and righteous people are long gone."
The Ferris Wheel Corporation's representative returned to the ship at the port and immediately began sending telegrams. Soon, the headquarters received the message.
After careful consideration, they deemed the candidate suitable, as theoretically, he was the most appropriate person the Wave Pavilion could send at that time.
Some of the older disciples of the Wave Pavilion were either well-known or had already entered the Convergence Zone. Those who entered Great Shun would undoubtedly be under close surveillance, while those in the Convergence Zone were on missions, making it difficult for them to return.
However, Chengsheng Jian was different. Despite his lack of fame outside, he possessed considerable skill, and since his modest success at the age of fourteen, he had been challenging renowned figures on the Foreign Islands under an alias, a rare choice as those on the islands often went to great lengths to gain fame.
Jian Chengsheng, who had suffered numerous defeats in his early years, had not lost a single battle since the age of fifteen. Even among his peers, he was said to be a rare opponent. The Wave Pavilion, in sending this disciple, was demonstrating their sincerity.
On the southern beach of Erwen Island, a young man, seemingly around eighteen or nineteen years old, stood atop a reef by the sea, holding a long sword at his waist with one hand. He faced the crashing waves.
With his hair tied in a bun and dressed in ancient blue robes that billowed in the sea breeze, his skin was rough, and his hands and feet were thick. Yet, there was an air about him that was hard to ignore, a determination in his eyes as if he could conquer the raging waves and turn back the tide.
"Sheng Jun, the master of the Wave Pavilion requests your return."
Jian Chengsheng turned around, bowed slightly to the messenger, and then leaped down from the reef, making his way back.
The Wave Pavilion was built on a small hill, where the sound of the surging sea could be heard year-round. In front of the pavilion, two crimson blossom trees were planted, their petals scattering and covering the road ahead like splattered blood.
Before the mountain path stood a pavilion with the characters "Wave Pavilion" written on a stone plaque by the road, exuding an aura as if the waves were about to crash upon it.
Passing the pavilion, one ascended to the main hall, walking on wooden planked corridors until reaching the central hall. On both sides, servants held up bamboo curtains with bamboo poles, and Jian Chengsheng removed his shoes, stepping onto the polished wooden floor. He approached the front, bowed in ancient etiquette, and respectfully said, "Master."
On the wall of the hall hung a large scroll with the words "Thunder Hearing" written on it, and below it sat Feng He Shou, the master of the Wave Pavilion, leaning against the wall.
Feng He Shou had long hair that fell to the ground, and his thin body seemed unusually tall, appearing to be around two meters tall even while sitting.
As Jian Chengsheng approached him, the contrast in their sizes made him seem like a child.
Feng He Shou said, "I was planning to send you to the Convergence Zone for training, where you could learn the next level of skills. But we made a promise to the Gong family's royal lineage that whenever they invite a direct descendant, we will send at least one outstanding disciple to assist them."
Jian Chengsheng listened silently.
Feng He Shou continued, "Now they need to eliminate a powerful opponent from Dashing, and I plan to send you."
Jian Chengsheng, maintaining his composure, asked, "Shouldn't the best disciple be Brother Bian Yue or Brother San Cheng?"
Feng He Shou replied, "They are not as good as you."
"But to defeat the enemy, shouldn't we send the best disciple?" Jian Chengsheng questioned.
Feng He Shou explained, "Among the twenty-one traditional pavilions of the Foreign Islands, only three remain today. The Wave Pavilion's survival is not solely due to our strength but also our ability to make the right choices. If I were the past of the Wave Pavilion, your senior brothers would be its present, and you, its future. I entrust our future to the Gong family, which is the Wave Pavilion's honor."
"I understand," Jian Chengsheng said, bowing deeply.
Feng He Shou said, "I grant you the reputation of the Wave Pavilion. If you return, you can carve your name on the bamboo stone behind the pavilion. If you die, there will be a place for your name on the memorial stone."
Jian Chengsheng raised his head and said solemnly, "Please, Master, listen for the sound of my return in the pavilion. I will bring my name back."
At this moment, a servant girl approached with quick steps, carrying a large bowl of medicine wine with a pungent smell. She placed it before Feng He Shou.
Feng He Shou said, "Drink this bowl of wine."
Without hesitation, Jian Chengsheng picked up the bowl and drank, but after a while, he started to feel itchy all over.
He rubbed his hand and noticed the calluses peeling off, and the rough skin on his body and face, weathered by years of sea breeze, began to shed layer by layer, revealing fair skin beneath.
Within a short time, he transformed into a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth, looking a few years younger.
Only his determined gaze remained unchanged, and even those familiar with him might have difficulty recognizing him at first glance.
Feng He Shou explained, "Even though you've never used your real name and your appearance has been hidden, it's still possible for people to investigate and identify you. This is the 'Baby White Wine' sent by the Ferris Wheel Corporation. It will make your skin as delicate as a newborn baby's, allowing you to enter Dashing looking two or three years younger."
Feng He Shou continued, "You don't need to bring anything else. The Ferris Wheel Corporation has prepared everything for you. You only need to take your sword and the sword techniques I've taught you."
"You may go," Feng He Shou said.
Jian Chengsheng bowed respectfully and then stood up, holding his long sword at his waist, and walked out. As he passed the Wave Pavilion, a voice called out from behind, "Hey, kid."
He turned to see a disheveled, limping old man with messy hair. The old man, the gatekeeper of the Wave Pavilion, bowed slightly and said, "Senior."
The old man said to him, "Reputation is something only the living care about, so stay alive and come back. Don't die on me."
Jian Chengsheng didn't respond but bowed and continued walking with steady steps towards the ship docked by the sea.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
