Chapter 623: Talu
Chapter 623: Talu
After receiving the news, Chen Chuan clarified the situation and immediately left his room, heading to the residence of the Security Officer. The officer warmly led him to a private pier.
Moored at the pier was a sailboat, with a tanned and muscular man as its boatman. His face was full of wrinkles, making him appear elderly, but his physical condition suggested he was not yet forty years old.
According to the Security Officer's introduction, the boatman was originally a resident of Fei Guang Island. Although his family had moved to Luo Wang Island, he was very familiar with the area, so there was no need for concern.
Chen Chuan noticed that the boatman seemed somewhat reluctant, but also appeared to be fearful of the Security Officer, making him seem a bit forced.
He smiled and walked onto the boat, sitting down inside.
The Security Officer removed his hat and waved it at Chen Chuan, wishing him a safe journey.
Chen Chuan nodded in response.
As an out-of-town tourist, he was mentally prepared to be taken advantage of and had already thought of how to handle any issues. However, the boatman did not play any tricks.
In fact, it was common for residents and officials of various islands to take advantage of tourists. Not doing so would be unusual, but this boatman didn't dare to do so in front of Chen Chuan.
The Security Officer had been in his position for a long time and had seen many travelers coming and going, so he was very perceptive. At a glance, he could tell that Chen Chuan was a powerful fighter.
He dared not take advantage of ordinary tourists, but if he tried to swindle a fighter, he might find his entire family killed the next day.
This was not an empty threat. The previous officer had died in such a manner, so he had learned his lesson. He avoided offending fighters whenever possible, especially since Chen Chuan was even willing to pay.
As the sailboat swayed out to sea, a chirping sound came from the sky, and Chao Ming followed behind in the sky.
After sailing for over half an hour, the island of Luo Wang behind them became smaller in their line of sight. Suddenly, the seawater began to churn violently, causing the sailboat to lurch. The boatman was startled and immediately prostrated himself on the deck, muttering, "Elru, Elru."
Chen Chuan, who had been on Luo Wang Island for the past few days, knew that "Elru" was the name of the legendary sea monster. However, it was strange that the boatman did not invoke the name of the goddess but instead prayed to the sea monster.
The sudden tremors in the seawater were unexpected and didn't seem like an earthquake. The wind on the sea was also normal...
Could it be something beneath the sea?
Chen Chuan glanced around thoughtfully.
After a few minutes, the seawater returned to normal, and the boatman stood up, still muttering to himself. After a while, he wiped his mouth and continued rowing.
There were many reefs and small islands near Luo Wang Island, and numerous boats traveled back and forth. At that moment, near a small island, many sailboats with oars were circling around, seemingly searching for something.
Chen Chuan asked, "What are they doing?"
The boatman, speaking in stiff Dashi language, replied, "They're salvaging a ring."
Chen Chuan inquired further and learned that a traveler had dropped a wedding ring into the sea and promised a reward of 50,000 Jian Yuan coins to whoever retrieved it. Therefore, most people were trying their luck.
50,000 was no small amount; it was a significant sum even in the Central City, so it was no wonder so many people were attracted. Chen Chuan smiled and asked the boatman, "Haven't you tried your luck?"
The boatman shook his head and said indifferently, "For over twenty years, the goddess has never blessed me." After that, he remained silent.
The sailboat had set off before five in the morning, and by ten, a volcanic island appeared on the horizon.
The boatman pointed forward and said, "Fei Guang Island."
Chen Chuan stood up and looked into the distance, where a conical crater was visible. Thick mist rose from the island, making it appear like a volcanic eruption from afar, explaining why the locals were reluctant to go there.
That was his destination.
The boatman saw that Chen Chuan stood steadily, unaffected by the rocking of the boat, and a hint of reverence appeared in his eyes. Around noon, the boat finally approached the island.
Chen Chuan could now clearly see the colorful coral beneath the crystal-clear seawater and the lush vegetation surrounding the conical crater.
As they neared the island, the boatman lowered the sail and switched to rowing. Finally, they docked on a beach with a mixture of sand and rocks.
Chen Chuan took out a stack of Jian Yuan coins and handed them to the boatman, saying, "Thank you. I'll be staying here for a while. You can go back now."
The boatman was taken aback, clearly not expecting Chen Chuan to pay for the arrangement made by the Security Officer. A genuine smile appeared on his face, and he said after a moment's thought, "You can follow the pebble path or the signs if there's no path. That will lead you to the islanders, and they'll give you directions."
Chen Chuan thanked him again and leaped off the boat, landing on the sandy beach. The wind blowing from the island was strong and carried a cool breeze from the distant forest.
He glanced around and located the pebble path about a kilometer away.
He didn't rush towards the direction but made a gesture. After a moment, the sound of flapping wings echoed, and Morning Cry descended from the sky, landing in front of him and approaching.
He reached out and patted Morning Cry, then took out a nutrition bar from his pocket and peeled it open to feed the bird. He also produced a special water bottle and gave it some water. After a short rest, Morning Cry took flight again, soaring into the sky.
He himself consumed a few nutrition bars and replenished his fluids before heading in the direction the boatman had indicated, soon spotting the signpost the boatman had mentioned.
The signpost was made from polished bones tied together, with its pointed end directing towards a specific direction. The path beneath his feet extended forward, leading deep into the forest.
He unsheathed the Snow Lady Saber and followed the indicated direction. The pebble path was intermittent, sometimes appearing and sometimes not, but consistent signposts ensured he didn't stray from the right path.
After walking for about seven or eight kilometers, he reached a grass corridor where a young man with a bare upper body emerged, revealing his handsome muscles and dark, glossy skin.
In his hand was a stick painted with colorful oil, and upon seeing him, the young man spoke fluently in Da Shun Yu, "Sir, ahead is private territory. If you're here for sightseeing, you can go that way." He pointed in a direction with his stick, "There's a village that can accommodate you."
Chen Chuan said, "I'm here to see Talu."
This Talu was a member of the Pureline Sect, the heir of Single Stream Pavilion on Ro Wang Island, one of the Twenty-one Pavilions. According to the original rules of the Grand Alliance, if a lineage from the Ancient Era failed to produce a warrior for three generations, or sixty years, the lineage would no longer be recognized by the Grand Alliance.
The inherited martial resources, including those above the Third Limit, had to be handed over to the Grand Alliance, which, in turn, would provide corresponding monetary or material compensation.
This rule was later adopted by various governments and companies.
However, over a hundred years ago, even before the establishment of the Grand Alliance, Single Stream Pavilion had already ceased to produce warriors. According to the lineage's own explanation, this was because the inherited rift had disappeared since the Ancient Era, making it impossible for warriors to inherit the profound secrets of the pavilion.
In reality, the rift hadn't truly vanished but had merely shifted its location, leading to the eventual demise of the entire martial arts pavilion. But in a twist of fate, the rift was eventually discovered by a persistent seeker, the current master of Talu. This master later joined the Pureline Sect and willingly offered the rift for use by worthy cultivators within the sect.
Hearing Chen Chuan mention Talu, the young man became alert, "Do you know Talu?"
Chen Chuan said, "Please tell him that Specialist sent me."
The young man looked at him, whistled, and after a moment, a skinny and small but agile boy ran over. He pointed at Chen Chuan and whispered something in the native language, to which the boy nodded and darted into the woods, disappearing quickly.
Chen Chuan waited for about ten minutes when an elder with a headband and loose-fitting cloth emerged. The young man immediately bowed, "Elder."
The elder approached Chen Chuan, clasped his fists, and spoke politely in fluent Da Shun Yu, "Does the guest know Specialist? May I ask for proof?"
Chen Chuan took out the Pig-Nosed Dragon from his pocket, and upon seeing it, the elder's expression immediately turned reverent. He bowed and said, "Guest, please follow me." As he spoke, he took a step to the side and gestured for Chen Chuan to follow.
Chen Chuan nodded and followed the elder. After crossing a small stream, they ascended a gentle slope into the mountains, and after a few hundred meters, they reached an open area.
Here, there were many ancient buildings constructed from stones, seemingly dating back many years. The paint on them had mostly peeled off, and the decorative perforations were now only remnants of decayed wood. However, the intricate patterns on the ground tiles and the weathered stone carvings still hinted at their former elegance.
In the open space in front of the buildings stood a tall woman, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a fit figure and a flushed face, exuding an attractive appearance.
She wore a white training outfit, her skin a bronze hue, and her eyes, beneath thick eyebrows, sparkled with vitality. At that moment, she was instructing a group of young people, including several teenagers and children.
This must be Talu.
Talu was just a title, and each generation that inherited the lineage of Single Stream Pavilion would abandon their birth name and adopt this moniker.
Chen Chuan didn't rush to disturb her but stood under the nearby shaded corridor. The elder brought him coconut juice and local fruits, which he gratefully accepted.
After about half an hour, Talu finished her instruction. She pressed her thumbs together, then joined her palms and let out a clear, crisp shout. Everyone responded by mimicking her gesture and shouting back, then bowed to her before dispersing.
After they left, Talu approached Chen Chuan.
...
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(End of Chapter)
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