Song of Adolescence

Chapter 224 Fish and Dragons of the Deep Trench

Tang Lian was the top disciple of his generation in the Tang Clan and the only disciple of Tang Lianyue. Hence, he was already an exceptional master of the younger generation before he came to Snow Moon City. Later, he entered Snow Moon City and Baili Dongjun imparted his internal energy Encompass Heaven, his fist techniques Harness the Sea, his lightness skills Thousand Mile Drunk, and his palm techniques Burgeoning Ocean. Although these were all first-rate martial arts, he always felt more adept at using the Tang Clan hidden weapons. From Lei Wujie’s point of view, even though he’d seen Tang Lian use Baili Dongjun’s martial arts several times, they always seemed mediocre.

Xiao Se appeared to have noticed Lei Wujie’s question and he suddenly said, "Tang Lian has a calm temperament, but Baili Dongjun\'s martial arts emphasizes unfettered freedom. The two were not compatible so Tang Lian’s cultivation could never comprehend it fully."

"Then now?" Lei Wujie said with a start.

Xiao Se gathered his sleeves. "Now, Tang Lian wants to follow his heart. He wants to follow the principles of his heart to guard Snow Moon City. Then, he would have no choice but to let go of the debt of upbringing he feels for the Tang Clan. Looks like he intends to give up on Tang Clan’s martial arts and focus on cultivating Baili Dongjun’s martial arts."

"But, didn\'t you say that da-shixiong is calm by nature and not compatible with First Citymaster’s martial arts?" Lei Wujie was puzzled.

"What did you think of Tang Lian\'s fist move just now?" Xiao Se asked back.

Lei Wujie thought for a while and replied, "Very powerful. More powerful than every time he’d used it before."

Xiao Se nodded. "When Tang Lian made that decision, he was no longer the calm Tang Lian of before. Everything has changed, what’s more…"

"What\'s more?" Lei Wujie asked.

"The fish and dragons howled with sorrow from the deep trench, while the stars reflected on the water wavered and the sea was covered with fog on this long night. Some people see merely the sea, while others can see the realm," Xiao Se said slowly. "That day, you made a sword move in the Heavenly Realm. That was just the beginning. Before we return to Snow Moon City, you must at least enter the Heavenly Realm for real."

"But my two shifu…" Lei Wujie said in a daze.

"Yes, you have two excellent shifu. But, nature is the best shifu. Back then, Baili Dongjun left his master’s tutelage at the age of 19 and wandered all over. His martial arts were taught by Snow Moon City, but he achieved his present state by seeking out on his own." Xiao Se was rarely so interested and spoke so frankly with assurance.

Lei Wujie nodded. "I understand, this is what they mean by, a shifu shows you the door, but cultivation depends on yourself. Xiao Se, you talked so much but in the end, isn’t that all you had to say?"

Xiao Se snorted coldly, clearly expressing his disdain for this common saying.

"Sword rise!" Lei Wujie suddenly yelled, and the Heart sword flew out of its sheath and across the surface of the sea. Lei Wujie took a flying leap and caught the Heart sword above the sea. He tipped his toes on the water surface and swept high into the air. With a wave of his long sword, he stirred up a tidal wave on the sea.

"Wonderful, wonderful. It’s said that those who practice ultimate lightness skills can walk on water, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a miraculous skill as Lei-xiong’s." An elegant voice sounded. Xiao Se turned his head and saw Mu Chunfeng walking out from the cabin. He had uttered his praises when he saw the scene before him.

Xiao Se recalled that day when they were in the Buddhist land of the Western Regions, the monk, Wuxin, had used his Unheaven Wave Stepping Divine Skill and he also displayed such power. Back then, he also said that Lei Wujie was born with a naturally pure heart, a rare diamond. Presumably now that Lei Wujie could also display such divine skills, it must have something to do with Wuxin. The next time they met, he’d have to ask him about it.

Next time they met. Xiao Se thought of these four words in his heart, and couldn\'t help smiling bitterly. Will there really be a next time?

This entire scene was witnessed by Mu Chunfeng, and he cleared his throat. "Xiao-xiong, since the two of them have started their own cultivation, we should begin ours too."

Xiao Se turned his head and raised his clasped hands in a rare show of respect. "Thank you for the trouble."

The two walked back into the cabin and entered the study room. Mu Chunfeng took out a wooden box, reached out to open it, and inside was a roll of silver needles and small knives of various shapes. He sat down on the ground and said, "Remove your clothes."

Xiao Se took off his clothes, revealing the skin underneath.

Mu Chunfeng was startled. Although he had been mentally prepared, there were too many scars on Xiao Se\'s body. Unlike the scars found on soldiers who had been to war, the scars on Xiao Se’s body were all left from acupuncture treatments. The small pinholes, one after another, were densely packed and unbearable to see.

"These were all administered recently?" Mu Chunfeng asked.

Xiao Se nodded. "Yes, I was very near death at the time."

Mu Chunfeng touched those pinholes gently, his frown tightening, until finally, he exhaled with a sigh. "This skill is truly divine. I’m not as good as him."

"She is the disciple of Medicine King Xin Baicao, and the future Sect Leader of Medicine King Valley," Xiao Se said.

Mu Chunfeng had a flash. "I see, she’s the progeny of the Medicine King Valley. No wonder her medical skills are so divine. Xiao-xiong, I have a request."

"What request?" Xiao Se asked.

Mu Chunfeng said solemnly, "After we return to Beili in a few months, please recommend me so that I may ask that senior to be my teacher! I have admired the Medicine King Valley for a long time, but it’s a pity that the Medicine King Xin Baicao travels all over the world, and his whereabouts are unknown. But, if I can learn from his disciple, this Chunfeng will be content!"

Xiao Se was stunned for a moment, thinking of the little girl, Hua Jin, who always had a serious expression whenever she practiced her medicinal arts, and he chuckled. "No problem."

Seeing Xiao Se give his promise so straightforwardly, Mu Chunfeng was delighted. He waved his hand lightly and inserted three silver needles into Xiao Se\'s body. "Let\'s start the acupuncture treatment."

After a stick of incense, Mu Chunfeng kept his silver needles and wiped his head which was covered with sweat. "I knew that the injury must have been serious, but I didn’t know it was this bad. With my ability, two months is indeed my limit. Fortunately, that day, I didn\'t boast wildly. I just wondered, why didn’t you ask the genius doctor to come along with you? She should be able to prolong your life longer than me."

Xiao Se shook his head. "The sea is extremely dangerous. She has done enough and I can\'t let her take any further risk."

Mu Chunfeng nodded to express his understanding. Then, he frowned again and asked in a low voice, "I have a question but I’m not sure if I should ask it. Your near fatal injury was definitely recently inflicted. But, your meridians have been damaged for several years. If I may be so bold as to make a guess, your meridians were forcefully broken by someone using their internal strength. Who could have done this?"

Xiao Se hesitated for a while before he replied, "Wrath Sword Immortal, Yan Zhantian."

"Yan Zhantian?" Mu Chunfeng had naturally heard the name before.

"Yes. His martial arts is the most tyrannical of the people I’ve met. That day, we fought and it only took a moment before I was defeated. He pierced his sword energy into my body and I lost consciousness instantly. When I woke up again, although my shifu managed to save my life, he couldn’t cure my meridians," Xiao Se told the story in an even tone, but his heart was still full of resentment.

"No!" Mu Chunfeng interrupted him directly. "It couldn’t have been Yan Zhantian!"

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