Chapter 482: Elantra
Chapter 482: Elantra
After two minutes, Ding Mai pushed away the person beside him and stood up from the ground, looking towards Chen Chuan.
Although Chen Chuan had knocked him down, he didn't show any signs of resentment. Instead, he expressed admiration and walked up to Chen Chuan, saying, "Captain Chen, you're truly formidable. I, Old Ding, am impressed!"
Losing to an opponent is not shameful, but failing to face them with dignity and making excuses for oneself is. How can one expect to win against an opponent if they can't even get past this hurdle? It doesn't make sense.
Those present also felt that Chen Chuan had won with grace, as he had withstood Ding Mai head-on. Those who had sparred with Ding Mai or witnessed his skills had never seen such a tough fighting style. Not only Ding Mai, but they too felt impressed.
The young boy on the side ran to the dummy and examined it closely, glancing at Chen Chuan from time to time. His eyes were filled with admiration.
At this moment, Fang Zhixin seemed to receive a message. He nodded towards Chen Chuan and walked to the side, speaking a few words to the Interdimensional Link. After a while, he returned and addressed the crowd, "I'm sorry, but Teacher Chen has been invited to the Speaker's residence and won't be able to make it today."
The crowd didn't react much, as if they had anticipated this situation. Only the young boy beside them showed disappointment.
Fang Zhixin smiled and said, "Although Teacher Chen can't make it today, everyone here has received an invitation. There's a bar downstairs, so let's go for a drink. It's on me."
The crowd cheered in unison.
Chen Chuan looked around and noticed that during his spar with Ding Mai, another ten people had arrived. There were now nearly thirty people in the room, mostly young officers, with a few who seemed to come from influential backgrounds.
Although he hadn't seen Chen Bitong, Chen Chuan wasn't planning to leave. This was an opportunity to get to know people in this circle.
At this moment, Fang Zhixin intentionally invited him, "Captain Chen, do you have any official duties? Let's go together."
Ding Mai joined in, "Yes, I, Old Ding, admire Captain Chen. This time, the expenses are on me." He then turned to Fang Zhixin and said, "Don't compete with me."
Fang Zhixin smiled and led the group downstairs via the elevator.
Chen Chuan glanced back and saw the young boy looking dejected as he returned to the training ground, practicing alone.
He withdrew his gaze and left with the group.
They arrived at the tenth floor, where there was indeed a spacious and elegantly decorated bar. It was still early, around 10 a.m., and there were only a few customers. Their group occupied a corner, and it was evident that everyone had their own small circles, chatting in pairs or small groups.
Chen Chuan sat with Ding Mai and Fang Zhixin at a table.
The waiter immediately began serving drinks. The fighters from Wu Yi were teetotalers, but those from the military had no such restrictions. It was only during missions that they were prohibited from drinking.
Someone familiar with the place ordered, and the music in the bar's dance floor started. Ten girls with decorative implants entered and began singing and dancing to the lively music.
The officers applauded enthusiastically, but no one catcalled or whistled. They sat straight, most of them well-educated and conservative.
Chen Chuan ordered a drink and listened to a song. After the song ended, he clapped and turned to Ding Mai, asking, "Was that foreign martial art you used just now?"
Fang Zhixin smiled.
Ding Mai laughed and took a sip of his drink, saying, "Every time someone sees me use this martial art, they ask the same question. This technique is called 'Elantra-Teer,' which translates to 'Steel Stone Aura' in our language."
"Elantra?"
Chen Chuan asked, "The Federation of Elantra?"
Elantra was the name of the Federation of Elantra before its establishment. The land had historical ties with the Ancient Empire, and they had exchanged envoys in the past. The people there called themselves the 'Primordial Clan.'
Ding Mai took another sip of his drink and said, "Have you heard of 'Ceremonial Cup Day'?"
Chen Chuan recalled, "I think I have. It's said that during the founding of the Federation of Elantra, they invited the ancient people of Elantra to raise a ceremonial cup together, drinking in the light and water, and from then on, they shared the mountains and the earth. It's now a famous celebration."
"That's the Federation of Elantra's version."
Ding Mai showed disdain, "The truth is, when the Federation of Elantra was established, they invited the Primordial Clan, who had taught them ancient secret arts, to join them. However, they were refused. Out of mutual respect, a few highly respected religious leaders still attended the founding ceremony.
According to the ancient ways of the Primordial Clan, both sides would raise a ceremonial cup together, made from the earth's soil, water from the snow mountains, stones from the high mountains, and light from the sun, symbolizing reconciliation and sharing.
But when one of the religious leaders raised the cup, it suddenly shattered. The Federation of Elantra took offense, claiming that the Primordial Clan was humiliating them. They immediately arrested these religious leaders and declared war.
In an effort to rescue the religious high-ranking officials and prevent war, the Primordial Clan repeatedly negotiated with the Linaks Federation, who demanded twenty ancient martial art lineages as a condition.
After much deliberation, the Primordial Clan agreed to their terms.
As Ding Mai spoke, his voice deepened, carrying a hint of helplessness and resentment, seemingly resentful of their lack of assertiveness.
Chen Chuan asked, "When it comes to such a lineage, did the Elantra people agree so easily?"
Fang Zhixin, standing nearby, explained, "Before the establishment of the Linaks Federation, the Elantra people had engaged in a prolonged war with the Primordial Clan, nearly collapsing their nations. If it weren't for the Old Imperial Court providing occasional aid, they would have barely survived."
After the last emperor ascended the throne, he waged several wars westward, never paying attention to the Elantra across the ocean."
Ding Mai took another sip of wine, set down the cup, wiped his mouth, and said, "The Primordial Clan eventually handed over the highest lineages of the ancient arts—the Solar, Montane, and Raging River lineages—to the Linaks Federation."
Only the Terra Lineage, with its people's firm disagreement, crossed the ocean to offer their secret art to the Old Imperial Court. This secret art was then kept by the Old Imperial Court."
Upon receiving the secret art, the Linaks Federation, to show they weren't taking it for free, gave the Primordial Clan a pair of leather boots, a ceramic bowl, and a magnifying glass as compensation, declaring eternal friendship between them.
But just twenty years later, the Linaks Federation tore up the agreement, claiming the Primordial Clan hadn't handed over all the secret arts, deceiving them. They invaded the Primordial Clan's last territory, overthrew the religious altar, killed all religious personnel, enslaved the remaining Primordial Clan people after massacring many of them."
At that time, the Renzi Palace Rebellion was happening, with various Zongwang taking turns appearing, leaving no time or interest to interfere in matters far beyond the ocean.
The Old Empire, with its own secret arts, was too busy to pay special attention to the Terra Lineage, eventually forgetting about it. Later, after the Old Empire was overthrown, the government found the complete collection and promoted it among the descendants of the Primordial Clan."
Ding Mai exhaled forcefully and said, "The reason I study these martial arts techniques is because I have Elantra blood in me. My great-grandmother was once a high priestess of the Terra Lineage, but by then, the lineage was no longer intact. It was the military who found me and taught me."
He smiled, "And my dream is to one day retrieve all the stolen secret arts."
He laughed again, "Perhaps Captain Chen thinks I'm overreaching, but this is my genuine aspiration."
Chen Chuan said, "This isn't about overreaching. Having a goal and pursuing it steadfastly, step by step, is admirable, regardless of whether it's achievable. Who can predict the future? Perhaps Officer Ding will fulfill his wish sooner than expected."
Fang Zhixin raised his cup and said, "Then I'd like to toast to Brother Ding and Captain Chen, wishing you both achieve your heart's desires."
"Cheers!"
The three clinked their cups together and drank.
After finishing his drink, Fang Zhixin smiled and said, "Captain Chen, I saw you guiding Xiao Jin earlier?"
Chen Chuan asked, "Assistant Fang, do you mean the young man in the training hall?"
Fang Zhixin nodded, "Yes, Xiao Jin, he's Mr. Chen's youngest son."
Chen Chuan was slightly surprised. Mr. Chen was known as a teacher because he had taught many outstanding students. If Xiao Jin was his son, why did he seem to have never received proper combat guidance?
Fang Zhixin sighed, "Mr. Chen, do you know that he guarded the World Ring for over twenty years? He lost both his son and daughter on the frontline. Captain Chen, were you aware of this?"
Chen Chuan nodded slightly, "I've heard of it."
He had read Mr. Chen's file and was aware of this matter. Setting aside the question of whether Mr. Chen was an internal spy, this incident alone deserved respect and sympathy.
Chen Chuan thought for a moment, "Is it because of the past that Mr. Chen doesn't want his youngest son to follow the same path?"
Fang Zhixin shook his head, "No, it's not like that. Mr. Chen doesn't have such personal motives. He treats everyone, including his own son and students, equally."
He sighed lightly, "If he had taken better care of his senior brother and sister and not assigned them dangerous tasks, the outcome might have been different."
At that moment, a dance performance began on stage, with a more soothing melody. Several officers walked down and politely invited a few dancing girls to join them.
Chen Chuan glanced over and seeing neither of them intended to dance, he continued, "The real reason is that Xiao Jin doesn't have the same natural talent as his siblings."
Chen Chuan said, "Is that so? I think Xiao Jin is quite capable."
...
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(End of Chapter)
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