met free Chapter 16 Secrets
Chapter 16 Secrets
That night, the moonlight, like water, bathed the courtyard.
In Chen Zhan's small courtyard, a few light dishes and a pot of aged Shaoxing wine were laid out on a stone table. There were no servants to wait on them, only the grandfather and grandson sitting opposite each other.
After three cups of wine, Chen Zhan's face flushed, and he started talking non-stop.
"Xuan'er," he said, taking a sip of wine and gazing at the bright moon in the sky.
"Qingyang is now considered secure. But do you know what Qingyang City is compared to the rest of the world?"
Chen Xuan poured a full glass of wine for his grandfather and waited for what was to come.
"The world is vast and boundless. The ancients discussed it in terms of five directions, which are called the five regions: east, west, south, north, and center."
Chen Zhan dipped his finger in the wine and roughly sketched on the stone table.
"We are in the Eastern Region. The Eastern Region is divided into nine provinces. Our Qingyang is just a remote little town on the far east side of Qingzhou, backed by Yunling Mountain and facing a barren beach. In the past, apart from some medicinal herbs and mountain products, there was nothing that could catch the eye of those important figures."
"Go west, past the Yunling Mountains, and you'll reach the Western Regions. It's a land of Buddhism, with numerous temples and eminent monks. Their martial arts styles are also quite different from ours. I've heard they have strange methods like 'Indestructible Vajra' and 'Dragon Elephant Might'."
"The Southern Frontier is even more sinister. The Ten Thousand Mountains are filled with miasma, and the people there are skilled at controlling poisonous insects and witchcraft. Their sorcery is bizarre and impossible to guard against. I suspect that the 'Marrow-Corroding Poison' you were afflicted with is inextricably linked to the Southern Frontier."
"The northern desert is bitterly cold, the people are fierce and brave, their horsemanship is unparalleled, and they emphasize frontal assault and fearless advance."
"As for the Central Region..." Chen Zhan lowered his voice, his tone filled with awe.
"That's the center of the world, where the imperial city is located. The waters run deep, and the forces are deeply entrenched. Our Eastern Region's top sects and forces include things like the 'Azure Cloud Sect,' the 'Listening Rain Pavilion,' and the mysterious 'Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.'"
"It is said that the roots of these regions are all intricately connected to the Central Plains. In each region, there are legendary 'Martial Emperor' level figures who govern their respective areas like gods."
He sighed: "When I was young, your grandfather traveled to many places and saw a bit of the world. But the more I traveled, the more I felt insignificant."
"Our Chen family is just a scallion in Qingyang, barely a seedling in Qingzhou, and in the Eastern Region... we're practically roadside weeds."
"Black Wind Sect? They act like tyrants in Qingyang, but in Qingzhou they're just second- or third-rate. They only rely on the Shadow Pavilion backing them up."
"Shadow Pavilion...Grandpa, how much do you really know about Shadow Pavilion? Why are they keeping such a close eye on my Chen family?" Chen Xuan asked the most crucial question.
Chen Zhan put down his wine glass, his expression turning serious, and a look of reminiscence appeared in his eyes:
"The Shadow Pavilion... is a mysterious force that has only become active in the Eastern Region in the last two or three decades. Its tentacles are spread across various states, and it acts ruthlessly and mysteriously. They started targeting the Chen family after your parents left."
"I suspect that the secrets of the so-called jade pendant and other treasures are related to your mother."
"My mother?" Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat.
"Your mother..." Chen Zhan hesitated, then let out a long sigh.
"She came from an extraordinary background, and her demeanor and speech were far from those of an ordinary woman. Her acquaintance with your father was quite a serendipitous encounter. She seemed to know many secrets, and was particularly interested in ancient books and historical sites. Your father was influenced by her and became fascinated by them as well."
"In the days leading up to their departure, they often appeared worried and fearful, as if they were hiding from something."
"I asked him, and your father only vaguely said that he 'knew things he shouldn't have known,' and told me to take care of the family business and look after you. He also told me that if they didn't return in three years... then I shouldn't wait any longer."
Chen Zhan's old eyes were slightly red:
"Now, it's been more than three years... I secretly inquired and only got some scattered information. It said that when they last appeared, it seemed to have entered Yunzhou in our Eastern Region. Further west from there, it borders the Central Region. After that, it disappeared without a trace."
"And soon the Shadow Pavilion people began to appear in Qingyang, openly and secretly suppressing the Chen family and searching their mansion..."
Chen Xuan frowned. His parents probably didn't disappear by accident, but were forced to flee, and may even have met with some misfortune.
The root of all this lies in the mother's mysterious origins and the "secret" they discovered. Shadow Pavilion may be one of the culprits.
Although the clues are still vague, the direction is gradually becoming clearer.
Even if Chen Xuan doesn't cause trouble for the Shadow Pavilion, it doesn't mean they won't cause trouble for the Chen family. In that case, we might as well investigate to the end.
Parents, Shadow Pavilion, the previous dynasty, the jade pendant, the mysterious identity of the mother... these scattered beads will eventually be strung together by a single thread.
"Alright, let's not talk about these heavy things." Chen Zhan patted his hand and forced a smile.
"You've grown up now, and you're very capable. Grandpa believes in you. Come on, let's drink! Let's live for the moment!"
The two drank together and chatted about many things until the moon was high in the sky.
...
The next day
Just as Chen Xuan woke up and was about to pay his respects to the old man;
A series of hurried but deliberately light footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Zhao Fu's voice rang out from outside the door: "Young Master, Master invites you to the front hall. We have distinguished guests."
lobby.
Chen Zhan, dressed in a brand-new navy blue robe, his white hair meticulously combed, sat upright in the main seat. Upon seeing Chen Xuan enter, a smile appeared on his face, and he gestured to the guest seat below him:
"Xuan'er, come here. This is Mr. Liu, the steward of the Qingzhou branch of the 'Tianji Pavilion'."
In the guest seat sat a scholar who was about forty years old, with a thin face and three long strands of beard.
Upon seeing Chen Xuan enter, he immediately stood up, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply:
"I am Liu Wenyuan, a steward of the Tianji Pavilion in Qingzhou. I have taken the liberty of visiting you and would like to greet Young Master Chen."
"Mr. Liu, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat." Chen Xuan returned the greeting and sat down on the other side of the main seat.
Last night, Tianjige also talked with Elder Chen about this. In his previous life, he was similar to a reporter, someone who handled public opinion and had a very keen sense of smell.
Liu Wenyuan sat down again, and without any hesitation, took out a scroll bound with specially made silk from his sleeve and presented it with both hands:
"Young Master Chen's battle was earth-shattering, turning the tide of battle, and he has been selected for the latest 'Qingzhou Heroes List' for the first time. This is the latest list, specially presented to you, Young Master."
Chen Xuan took it, but did not open it immediately. He placed it aside and looked at Liu Wenyuan:
"Mr. Liu, I have a question for you, and I hope you will be kind enough to enlighten me."
"Please speak, young master."
"I have long heard that the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has issued a list to select the heroes of the world, and is renowned throughout the martial arts world. I, Chen, am from a remote border town and my knowledge is limited. Could you please explain a little about it?"
Liu Wenyuan seemed to have expected this, and explained gently.
"Our organization has established this ranking list to set a benchmark for martial artists across the land and to inspire future generations. The evaluation criteria are primarily based on a comprehensive consideration of three factors: combat record, influence, and potential."
"We supplement our intelligence gathering through our extensive network of informants across the land, and conduct monthly reviews and updates to ensure fairness. While we cannot claim to be completely without flaws, our credibility has remained relatively high over the centuries."
He paused, then continued, "As for the ranking system, the world is divided into five regions, and our organization has set up three levels of rankings within them."
"Firstly, there is the state ranking. For example, in Qingzhou, where you are, there is the 'Qingzhou Heroes Ranking,' which includes the most active and recognized outstanding figures in the state, regardless of age. This ranking is an important benchmark for measuring the reputation and strength of the heroes in a region."
Chen Xuan nodded, indicating that he understood.
"Secondly, there is the Domain Ranking. This is the core." Liu Wenyuan's expression became more solemn. "The Domain Ranking is divided into two: the Hidden Dragon Ranking and the Grandmaster Ranking."
"The Hidden Dragon Ranking lists the top 100 young talents under the age of 30 in the Eastern Region. This ranking is designed to encourage young talents across the land, and the competition is the fiercest and the changes are the most rapid."
"The Grandmaster Ranking has no age limit and includes, apart from those on the Heaven Ranking, the strongest individuals in our Eastern Region who are recognized as having reached the top level."
"This list usually has fifty members. Those who make it are all regional overlords, pillars of sects, or reclusive masters. To be able to enter the Grandmaster List means truly stepping into the top circle of the Eastern Region's martial arts world."
At this point, Liu Wenyuan's eyes revealed a look of admiration:
"As for the highest level, the Heavenly Ranking, also known as the Supreme Ranking."
"This list does not consider region; it only includes the ten people at the pinnacle of martial arts in the world. Those who can enter this list are almost mythical figures, possessing the ability to influence the course of the world."
"We often know that the 'Five Emperors' who govern the five regions are always at the top of the Heavenly Ranking. This ranking changes very slowly, and any addition or removal of any person on the Heavenly Ranking is a major event that shakes the world."
His words clearly outlined a complete ranking of martial arts from local to national levels, from rising stars to the pinnacle.
Chen Xuan understood that this ranking system was essentially a "power map" and "strength benchmark" for this martial arts world.