Chapter 458: Wave Pavilion
Chapter 458: Wave Pavilion
On the sixth day of the New Year, Chen Chuan woke up early from his slumber, and with the relaxation of the past two days, the memory potion's effects surfaced once again.
In this vision, the auburn-haired woman appeared again, her arms crossed as she conversed with another person.
The other individual exuded the aura of a high-ranking corporate executive, their expression stern as if admonishing or persuading.
The setting was unclear, perhaps on a boardwalk with red lanterns floating in the sky, occasionally accompanied by the sound of firecrackers.
Chen Chuan glanced at the scene, wondering if it was the New Year. No wonder this memory surfaced at this time.
His mother, in this vision, seemed to be leaning against a nearby railing, not paying attention to their conversation, except for the occasional irritable noises from the woman.
After a while, the woman stormed back, and the executive seemed to want to pursue her. But Chen Chuan's mother stepped forward and blocked her path, preventing the executive from following. He eventually gave up and turned to leave.
After they left, Chen Chuan's mother engaged in a conversation with the auburn-haired woman, and they walked together to the edge of a cliff. He didn't recognize the place, but he noted the words on the nearby cliff wall, intending to look them up once he returned to Central City.
At that moment, something in their conversation caught his attention.
Although they had spoken at length, the woman had never mentioned her identity or background. But this time, 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, and his mother could be responsible for her security. However, he wasn't sure which company it was.
But then he remembered the card left by his parents, and he wondered if there was a connection between the two.
As he was thinking, sporadic firecrackers sounded outside.
He glanced outside, got out of bed, and decided not to waste time guessing. He believed that with more subsequent memories, the specific clues would become clearer.
After getting dressed, he went out to freshen up. Today, he was going to visit Cheng Zitong's family for the New Year, so he needed to leave early.
During the New Year festivities in Daxun, Gong Zhanxin, the direct heir of the old royal family of the Oceanic Nations, personally visited the Wave Pavilion's main hall on Erwen Island, commissioned by the Ferris Wheel Corporation.
Accompanied by several chancellors and high-ranking members of the High Heaven Sect, he entered the hall under the watchful eyes of the disciples from the Fighting Gym, all dressed in martial combat uniforms.
An hour later, he emerged from the hall and spoke to the waiting representative of the Ferris Wheel Corporation, "The master of the Feng He Pavilion has agreed. He will send his most accomplished disciple, Jian Chengsheng."
"The most accomplished?" The Ferris Wheel Corporation's representative couldn't help but question, "Shouldn't it be the most outstanding?"
The chancellor standing beside him, Gang Yingzhuo, spoke sternly, "Please pay attention to your words, the person before you is the current head of the Gong Clan, the Gong King Pavilion."
The company representative bowed slightly, "Please forgive me, I meant no disrespect to the Gong Clan."
Gong Zhanxin didn't mind. He maintained his elegant demeanor and smiled, "Your mission is for the company's affairs and the well-being of the Oceanic Nations. Our goals are aligned."
"Thank you for your understanding, Pavilion Master."
Gong Zhanxin replied, "Initially, I did intend to ask the master of the Feng He Pavilion to send his most outstanding disciple."
"Then why didn't the master agree?"
As Gang Yingzhuo glared angrily once more, the company representative apologized and bowed again, "Pavilion Master, please forgive me. I was just a bit anxious because this time, the objective is different. We have already experienced failure before, and we don't want to burden you with another journey."
Gong Zhanxin said, "Thank you for considering our well-being, but..." He spoke without hesitation, "Although the Gong Clan still holds some influence, it doesn't have absolute control over the Wave Pavilion. If the Wave Pavilion is willing to give us face and honor their commitment, I cannot make decisions on their behalf."
The company representative thought for a moment and then said, "Can't it be changed?"
Gong Zhanxin shook his head lightly.
"I understand. I will report this truthfully to the company." After saying this, the company representative left with his entourage.
Once they were gone, Gang Yingzhuo turned with his sword in hand, "Pavilion Master, this company representative is extremely impolite. They clearly need your help, yet they show such disrespect."
Gong Zhanxin, however, seemed to take it in stride, "Isn't this an obvious matter? 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 lightly, "Even the Wave Pavilion, aren't they using the Gong Clan's name as a shield? They aren't as loyal and just as they seem."
Gang Yingzhuo spoke angrily, "A bunch of traitors and rebels."
"Gang Ying, you don't understand. On the Oceanic Nations, anyone who survived from the old era and is still doing well, who isn't carrying shame and disgrace? You and I are no different."
Gong Zhanxin sighed, "Loyal and just people are long gone."
The Ferris Wheel Corporation's representative returned to the ship at the port and immediately sent a telegram. The headquarters soon received the message.
After a careful assessment, they found the candidate to be suitable, as theoretically, he was the most appropriate person the Wave Pavilion could send at the moment.
Some of the older disciples of the Wave Pavilion were either well-known or had already entered the Convergence Zone. If they came to Daxun, they would be under strict surveillance, and those in the Convergence Zone were on missions, making it difficult for them to return temporarily.
Jian Chengsheng was different. He wasn't famous outside, but he wasn't lacking in strength. Since he had achieved some success at the age of fourteen, he had been challenging famous figures across the Oceanic Nations, using only aliases. This was rare, as people on the Oceanic Nations often went to great lengths to gain fame.
At the beginning, he suffered numerous defeats, but since the age of fifteen, he had never lost again. It is said that even among his peers, he rarely encountered a formidable opponent. The fact that the Wave Pavilion sent this disciple showed their sincerity.
On the southern beach of the Erwen Island, a young man who looked eighteen or nineteen stood on a reef by the sea, holding a long sword with one hand at his waist, gazing at the surging waves.
He wore his hair in a bun and was dressed in ancient attire from a bygone era. His blue robe fluttered in the sea breeze, and his skin was rather coarse. His palms were broad, but his face exuded a charm that was hard to ignore. His eyes always held a sense of determination, as if he could conquer the raging waves and defy the tides.
"Sheng Jun, the Master asks you to return."
Jian Chengsheng turned around and bowed to the attendant who delivered the message, then leaped off the reef and headed back.
The Wave Pavilion was built on a small hill, where the sound of the roaring waves could be heard all year round. In front of the pavilion, two crimson flower trees were planted, and their petals fell like splashes of blood, covering the road ahead.
Before the mountain path stood an arch gate, and beside it was a large stone engraved with the words "Wave Tide." The atmosphere was majestic, as if the waves were surging towards it.
After passing through the arch gate, he arrived at the upper level and walked along the wooden corridor. He reached the main hall, where on both sides, attendants used bamboo poles to lift bamboo curtains. Jian Chengsheng removed his shoes and stepped onto the polished wooden floor. He walked to the front and bowed in the ancient ritual, saying respectfully, "Teacher."
On the wall of the main hall hung a large calligraphy scroll with the words "Thunder Listener." Below it, seated in a leaning posture, was the master of the Wave Pavilion, Feng Heshou.
He was a tall man with long hair cascading down to the ground, and he looked exceptionally tall, appearing to be around two meters tall even when seated.
When Jian Chengsheng stood before him, the contrast in their physiques made Jian Chengsheng seem like a child.
There is one 6, one 9, one book, and one bar, and there is no mistake in this version!
Feng Heshou said, "I originally planned to send you to the Convergence Zone for training. It's only there that you can learn the next stage of skills. However, we once made a promise to the Gong Clan's royal family that as long as they send an invitation, we will dispatch at least one outstanding disciple to serve them."
Jian Chengsheng listened silently.
Feng Heshou said, "Now they need to eliminate a fighter from Daxun. I intend to send you."
Jian Chengsheng calmly replied, "Teacher, shouldn't the best disciple be Senior Brother Bian Yue and Senior Brother San Cheng?"
Feng Heshou said, "At your age, they are not as good as you."
"But if we're going to defeat the enemy, shouldn't we send the best disciple?"
Feng Heshou said, "Among the various islands in the outer sea, there are twenty-one traditional pavilions, but only three remain today. The Wave Pavilion still holds its ground not solely because of its martial prowess but because we understand the importance of adaptability.
If I were the past of the Wave Pavilion, your senior brothers would be its present, and you would be its future. I entrust the future to the Gong Clan, which is the greatest loyalty of the Wave Pavilion."
"I understand," Jian Chengsheng said with a deep bow.
Feng Heshou said, "I permit you to carry the reputation of the Wave Pavilion. If you return, you can have your name engraved on the bamboo stone behind the pavilion. If you die, there will be a place for you on the Martyr's Monument."
Jian Chengsheng raised his head and said solemnly, "Please allow me to bring back the name of the future from the pavilion."
At this moment, a maid approached with small steps, carrying a large bowl of medicine that emitted a pungent odor. She placed it in front of Jian Chengsheng.
Feng Heshou said, "Drink this bowl of medicine."
Without hesitation, Jian Chengsheng picked up the bowl and drank it down. After a while, he began to feel itchy all over.
He scratched himself and found that the calluses on his hands started to peel off. The rough skin on his body and face, weathered by the sea breeze for years, also began to fall off, revealing fair skin underneath.
In a short while, he transformed into a handsome young man with rosy lips and white teeth, which was actually his original appearance, but he seemed to have aged two or three years younger.
Even those who knew him well would find it difficult to recognize him at first glance.
Feng Heshou said, "Although your biometric information has never been recorded by Daxun, and you use an alias when challenging outside, it's still possible for people to trace and identify you.
This is the 'Baby White Wine' from Skywheel Corporation. It can make your skin as delicate and tender as a newborn baby, allowing you to enter Daxun two years younger than your actual age."
Then he said, "You don't need to bring anything. The people from Skywheel Corporation have prepared everything for you. You only need to bring your sword and the sword technique I taught you.
You can go now."
"Disciple takes leave," Jian Chengsheng said with a bow.
Jian Chengsheng bowed respectfully, then stood up and walked out, holding the long sword at his waist. As he passed by the stone of the Wave Pavilion, a voice called out from behind, "Hey, kid."
He turned around and saw a limping old man with messy hair. His clothes were untidy, and he was the gatekeeper of the Wave Pavilion. Jian Chengsheng bowed and said, "Senior."
The old man said to him, "Reputation is something that only the living care about. So, live well and come back. Don't die on me."
Jian Chengsheng did not respond but bowed and strode forward with a firm gait towards the ship docked by the sea.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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