Chapter Forty-Six: A Meeting of Minds

On the mountainside behind Beihai City, at the Chen family ancestral tombs.

The vast expanse of the Chen family’s burial grounds was, at this moment, occupied by only two men—Chen Yulei and his younger brother, Chen Yuxuan. Each held a cup of wine, kneeling together before a simple white stone marker. The headstone, set among the Chen family graves, was devoid of ornamentation or grandeur. Weathered by the relentless march of time, it bore traces of rust and a scattering of tiny cracks. Upon it were inscribed just seven bold black characters:

“The Grave of Elder Brother Chen Yulin.”

This headstone was not erected by the brothers themselves. Forty-nine years ago, some minor families of Beihai, who had once benefitted from the Chen family’s kindness, spirited away Chen Yulin’s body in secret, defying the Qian family, and quietly buried him here with this modest marker. But being of small means and little influence, they dared not make a spectacle of the funeral, nor did they risk crafting a stone of any splendor.

Even so, the brothers were deeply grateful to those lesser families who, having received the Chen family’s favor, did not turn a blind eye in their time of ruin. Furthermore, when Chen Yulei returned after many years to revive his household, those same families offered invaluable assistance.

Over the years, the brothers had certainly considered relocating their elder brother’s resting place to somewhere more fitting, but always abandoned the idea.

Firstly, they wished not to let the departed be disturbed.

Secondly, it served as a reminder for their clan—a scar of the calamity that nearly wiped them out.

“Elder brother, I have come with our younger brother to see you,” Chen Yulei declared, raising his cup with both hands toward the weathered stone, his voice bright though his eyes were veiled with tears.

Chen Yuxuan trembled with excitement, his hands shaking so violently that half the wine spilled onto his fingers. Overcome with emotion, he cried out to the stone, “Brother, Heaven has not forgotten the Chen family! At last, I have the chance to avenge your death and clear our disgrace!”

In the next instant, he collapsed fully to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, his cup’s wine wholly poured before the headstone.

Chen Yulei, witnessing this, made no move. He simply held his empty goblet toward the stone in silent communion.

…

Today, within the Qian family residence, a figure had arrived—one whose identity was known only to the Qian, yet whose fame stretched across Lingzhou and the human world alike.

The prodigy of the human race, the Fourth Prince of the Eastern Ridge Wang clan: Wang Hong.

“Your Highness, please, have a seat!” Qian Zhouliang, who had been awaiting him in the main hall, greeted Wang Hong with a dazzling smile that stretched his corpse-like face into something even more frightful.

Wang Hong, clad as ever in golden robes, his features as sharply hewn as if carved by a blade, responded with a gentle, refreshing smile. “You’re too kind, Elder Qian. I hope you’ve been well.”

Qian Zhouliang’s smile grew no less ghastly as he replied, “This old body of mine can still hold out…”

“Glad to hear it, but you should take better care of yourself!” Wang Hong interrupted without ceremony, causing the old man’s expression to darken. Without another glance, Wang Hong snapped his fingers toward the doorway and called out, “Bring in the New Year’s gifts!”

At this, Qian Zhouliang’s countenance softened, then brightened with growing delight.

“The head of the Eastern Ridge Wang clan sends the complete text of the ‘Great Luo True Scripture’ to the venerable Qian as a token of friendship,” Wang Hong announced, his lips curling in satisfaction as he watched the old man’s reaction.

It was no wonder Qian Zhouliang was so elated. The ‘Great Luo True Scripture’ was the ultimate art of the Wang clan—only the most eminent or powerful among them could hope to study even the first volume. The complete scripture was reserved for the clan head alone.

It took Qian Zhouliang a long moment to calm his joy, but when he spoke, his words were measured and shrewd: “Master Wang, you are most generous. Might I ask your purpose in this?”

He did not rush to accept the scripture. A man who has lived centuries is not so easily deceived by windfalls from the sky.

Wang Hong did not answer directly, but asked, “Are you interested in unifying the South Sea?”

As head of one of the dominant families, it would be a lie to deny such ambition. Yet Qian Zhouliang evaded with a question of his own: “Your Highness, must we still speak in circles?”

Wang Hong smiled and revealed his true aim. “My father is greatly interested in that remarkable artifact.”

At these words, Qian Zhouliang narrowed his eyes. He had not expected that, despite the utmost secrecy of the three great families, their actions had not escaped the eyes of the Wang clan. Still, it seemed this visit would bring only benefit to the Qian family. He sighed. “Truly, the Eastern Ridge Wang clan is in a league of its own… but—”

He abruptly broke off.

Seeing this, Wang Hong pressed him, “But what?”

Qian Zhouliang replied, “The artifact is no longer in our hands.”

Wang Hong’s curiosity was piqued. “Why do you say so, Elder?”

Qian Zhouliang made no attempt to hide the truth, recounting the morning’s secret meeting. “At dawn today, our three families met in secret to decide the artifact’s ownership. The result: the Chen family prevailed.”

Wang Hong asked, smiling, “I assume the three families sought the artifact in hopes of resisting our Wang clan?”

Qian Zhouliang responded in kind, “Your Wang clan already dominates Lingzhou, and you, Your Highness, are a rare genius, the pride of the human race. We three families could not oppose you, so we took this risk.”

Wang Hong laughed. “There’s no need for such words. In fact, this gives us all the more reason to work together, does it not?”

Qian Zhouliang’s eyes narrowed. “Indeed, Your Highness speaks truly.”

Wang Hong ventured, “If I am not mistaken, the Chen family will make their move tonight?”

Qian Zhouliang inclined his head. “Your Highness is most astute.”

…

Wang Hong continued, “Then let us see if you, Elder Qian, can lead the Qian family to unify the South Sea tonight.”

Qian Zhouliang replied, “The entire Qian family will do all in our power to assist Your Highness.”

“Success or failure hinges on this. I’ll take my leave now,” Wang Hong said, rising and departing the chamber, leaving Qian Zhouliang alone, caressing the complete ‘Great Luo True Scripture’ with a lover’s devotion. Left undisturbed, he might have remained there for ages, for only those at his level could truly appreciate the scripture’s value.

To reach even higher mastery was as hard as scaling the heavens—no, harder still.

The ‘Great Luo True Scripture’ was the Wang clan’s supreme art, and only the clan’s head could study it in full. He had to admit, the heads of the Wang clan for generations were on a level far above his own. Some of this might be attributed to natural talent, but he was convinced the greater part lay in the difference in cultivation methods.

Such was the extraordinary power of the ‘Great Luo True Scripture’.

Just then, Qian Jiashun, who had been waiting outside, entered and eyed the scripture in his father’s hands with curiosity. “Father, can it be that this is truly the complete ‘Great Luo True Scripture’?”

He could scarcely believe the Wang clan would give up the whole text.

Qian Zhouliang put the scripture away and smiled. “Of course it isn’t genuine. The Wang clan would never hand over the real thing. However…”

He trailed off.

Qian Jiashun pressed eagerly, “However, what, Father?”

Qian Zhouliang chuckled. “A fake or incomplete scripture could never fool my eyes.”

“So is this real or not, Father?” Qian Jiashun asked, anxious.

“It is real,” Qian Zhouliang replied with certainty.

At this, Qian Jiashun’s heart gave a sudden jolt.

But before he could dwell on it, Qian Zhouliang added, “Still, I am sure that sly Wang Haoran has left a few traps. In time, I’ll study it carefully and break them.”

Only then did Qian Jiashun breathe easy.