https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-828-Crossing-Borders-to-Foreign-Lands/12982957/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-830-The-Search-for-Self-Perfection/12982965/
Chapter 829: Seeking Answers from the Past
Chapter 829: Seeking Answers from the Past
The unusual changes outside had not gone unnoticed by the person deep within the bowl tent. The curtains in the spacious corridor were drawn aside, revealing a tall figure.
Chen Chuan saw a woman who appeared to be in her early twenties, with her hair tied in a single ponytail that reached down to her heels. She stood at an impressive height of over two meters, with a well-toned physique and a perfectly proportioned body. Her muscles and bones showed signs of rigorous training, and beneath her skin, there was an undeniable sense of power flowing like water.
This woman was the same one he had seen in the memory potion, and she hadn't changed much since then, indicating that her physical strength and abilities had remained at their peak.
Out of politeness, Chen Chuan refrained from using his fighter's field domain and spirit to observe her further. After a quick glance, he averted his gaze and nodded respectfully, saying, "Senior Fang."
Fang Zhuo Ying was visibly surprised. Chen Chuan had sent her a telegram beforehand, introducing himself as Yu Zhen's son. He had learned of her whereabouts from his senior martial sister, Ni, and wished to visit and seek her guidance on certain matters.
At first, she thought that this junior had come to learn fighting techniques from her.
She remembered Yu Zhen as a talented and determined disciple, qualities that she greatly admired. Assuming that Yu Zhen's son had come from abroad, she thought he might also have a passion for fighting techniques. She considered that if he truly possessed talent and perseverance, she would be willing to offer guidance and support.
However, when she saw him in person, she realized her assumptions were entirely wrong.
Although he had concealed his field domain, she could sense a powerful oppression emanating from him, causing her to shudder from the depths of her being.
This was a warning from the Transmutation Organization, urging her to stay away from someone who posed an extreme threat to her. It was not something she could control with her will, and the deeper her training in the Transmutation Organization, the stronger this perception became. She had encountered similar individuals before, so she knew exactly what it signified.
She gazed at Chen Chuan's youthful and handsome face, his eyes as dark as lacquer, and took a deep breath. With utmost seriousness, she exclaimed, "I never imagined that Yu Zhen's son would be a fighter!"
She continued, "If I had known a fighter was coming, I should have been better prepared. Please forgive my rudeness." With that, she clasped her hands in a respectful gesture and bowed slightly.
Chen Chuan shifted slightly to the side and returned the gesture, saying, "Senior Fang, your courtesy is overwhelming."
But Fang Zhuo Ying spoke with utmost seriousness, "Every fighter deserves the utmost respect, as it is our way of honoring their skills and power."
In the old era, fighters held an extraordinary status, often referred to as Martial Sages or Earth Immortals, representing the ultimate goal of numerous fighting styles.
Achieving this realm meant that one's body and spirit had endured unimaginable trials and tempering, reaching a state of true perfection.
Transcending this realm meant entering a different category, setting them apart from ordinary people, almost like a different species. Traditional etiquette no longer applied to such individuals, and their status far surpassed that of others.
She and Yu Zhen had a teacher-student relationship, but Chen Chuan did not share this connection with her. He had never received her grace or favor, and while he was polite, she couldn't take it too seriously, especially since she held a deep reverence for the path of fighting. She would not allow herself even a moment of disrespect when facing someone of such caliber.
She immediately wanted to close the bowl tent, decline to receive other guests, and light up the bowl lamps inside, a flower that bloomed only once every fifty years, used to express respect and reverence for esteemed guests.
Chen Chuan understood her intentions and quickly said, "Senior Fang, I have personal matters to attend to here and prefer to keep a low profile."
Fang Zhuo Ying realized her mistake and apologized, "I was being inconsiderate."
With her experience, she understood that a fighter's visit was not without reason. His visit to seek her guidance might have been an excuse, and she had recently heard about unresolved issues between the Besa Khanate and the Great Shun government. She suspected that his visit might be related to diplomatic matters between the two countries.
"Please, Mr. Chen, let's continue our conversation inside," she said solemnly.
Chen Chuan nodded, and with her invitation, he entered the inner tent and sat on a low-backed carpeted seat. Fang Zhuo Ying clapped her hands, and immediately, someone brought in a silver wine jug and a teapot, placing them on the side and lighting incense.
In Barkut, offering Kefir and rose tea to guests was customary, even at the most prestigious banquets. However, fighters typically abstained from alcohol, so she picked up the teapot and poured a cup of fragrant honey rose tea for Chen Chuan, then raised her cup in a gesture of respect.
Chen Chuan took a sip from the teacup, set it down, and said, "Senior Fang, I came here to inquire about my mother's past."
Fang Zhuo Ying asked, "Do you wish to know about Yu Zhen's disappearance?"
"Do you know, Senior?"
Fang Zhuoying spoke earnestly, "If Mr. Chen is asking about this matter, then I'm afraid you might be disappointed. At that time, although I was still in the country, I did hear about this incident, but I wasn't clear about the details."
"I've taught many students, but I only guide them onto the path of fighting. How they choose to walk that path afterward is not something I interfere with or inquire about excessively. At the time, I heard that Yu Zhen was in charge of a security mission, escorting an important figure, whose identity I wasn't aware of. I only knew that she and that person went missing together. I learned this from my other students, so these pieces of information may not be entirely accurate."
Chen Chuan nodded. This disappearance was also something he needed to clarify, but for now, he had to find another clue.
"From the information left behind in the past, I learned that my mother had invited a teacher to teach me fighting techniques, but this person never appeared. If they are still alive, they might know something," he said.
"And from the information, it seems that this teacher was on good terms with my mother and was very likely a fellow disciple from the past. So, I wanted to ask if you know which fellow disciple my mother had a closer relationship with."
Fang Zhuoying paused for a moment, then said, "Yu Zhen was very ambitious and had a regular relationship with many fellow disciples. But there were two people with whom she had a very close relationship—a brother and sister, the brother named Hao Ruihai and the sister named Hao Zhilan. The younger Hao sister had average talent, but her determination was comparable to Yu Zhen's. She had a very stubborn streak.
"Her brother, Hao Ruihai, had slightly higher talent and was more diligent in his practice, with a solid foundation. He was also honest and steady. The Hao siblings were very close to Yu Zhen, and as far as I know, they remained in contact later on. So, if Yu Zhen had asked you to find a teacher, and it was someone from my sect, then it should be them, or one of them."
Chen Chuan pondered for a moment. Regardless of whether these two were the teachers, the fact that they had a good relationship with his mother but never visited him after his parents' disappearance, and his aunt never mentioned them, suggested that there was something amiss.
Was it simply a matter of not wanting to come, or was there a danger they were trying to avoid? He asked, "Do you know where they are now, Senior?"
"Before I left the country, I heard that they had also been abroad for a period," Fang Zhuoying replied, "but according to the letters from some of my disciples, they seemed to have returned to Great Harmony later on. I haven't been in touch with them for about a decade."
She had been dedicated to promoting her own fighting techniques and philosophies, and over the past few decades, she had taught at least a hundred disciples. However, she wasn't particularly concerned about how her disciples developed afterward.
Although Chen Chuan didn't get an exact location from her, he was satisfied as long as he had specific names. After all, having a clear target made finding people much easier.
He expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Senior."
Fang Zhuoying said, "You're welcome, Mr. Chen. I'm just sharing what I already know. But there is one thing that you can take with you, please wait a moment."
She stood up, entered the inner room, and after a while, she came out and handed him a soft-bound notebook. "This is the notebook that your mother, Yu Zhen, wrote about her insights into fighting when she was studying with me. Later, when we parted ways, she left this notebook as a memento for me. But I think it's more appropriate for you to have it."
Chen Chuan took the notebook, opened it, and saw neat and elegant handwriting. Each stroke was carefully written, deeply etched, and just from the notebook, one could sense the writer's meticulousness and the strength, emotions, and willpower conveyed through it.
He touched the slightly indented words with his fingers, feeling the intensity and the emotions and willpower they carried. A sense of familiarity and resonance welled up within him.
He looked up and said, "Thank you, Senior. I'll take it with me."
"This should have been yours to begin with, Mr. Chen," Fang Zhuoying said earnestly.
At this moment, Chen Chuan said, "When I came earlier, I saw one of your disciples using a confrontational training technique. This technique is very profound and must have been summarized and refined by someone in the past. When practiced to a high level, it grants fighters an extremely strong body and a resilient spirit.
"Although there are many variations, they all revolve around one core principle—leaving no 'gaps'. Gaps refer to the continuity of fighting techniques and the spiritual cultivation within oneself. By eliminating gaps, one can break through and reach a state of seamlessness."
Upon hearing Chen Chuan mention fighting techniques, Fang Zhuoying's spirit lifted, and her demeanor became more positive, with a hint of fervor emanating from her.
She said sincerely, "Mr. Chen, you truly are a fighter, recognizing the core essence of our sect. That's right! The essence of our Uninterrupted Sect lies in the two words 'uninterrupted'."
Chen Chuan said, "But I feel that there's still something missing."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
