Chapter 200
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Zhang Xiaohua, upon hearing his words, darted away like a frightened stray dog, running out of the Assembly Hall in a flash.
Just as he exited, he nearly collided with Zhang Chengyue, who was holding a piece of paper in his hand.
Zhang Chengyue sidestepped to avoid the collision, glanced at Zhang Xiaohua’s hasty retreat, and shook his head with a smile before entering the hall.
Handing the paper to Ou Peng, Zhang Chengyue said: “Master, this disciple was careless and made a mistake. I ask for your punishment.”
Ou Peng took the paper, examined it carefully, then crumpled it into a ball. With a surge of inner energy in his palm, he shattered it into tiny fragments, scattering them to the ground with a casual flick of his hand.
Looking at Zhang Chengyue’s anxious expression, Ou Peng said: “It was careless, yes, but not truly a mistake. Even if this Air Floating Technique were to spread, no one would be able to master it. It’s of no concern.”
He then added: “Chengyue, you may return now. I have other matters to discuss with your senior martial uncle.”
Zhang Chengyue bowed and left the hall.
After watching Zhang Chengyue leave, Hu Yunyi turned to Ou Peng and asked: “Junior brother, do you think what Zhang Xiaohua said earlier was true?”
Ou Peng smiled and replied: “Absolutely true.”
After collecting his thoughts, Ou Peng continued: “When Zhang Xiaohu first joined the Lotus Escort Agency, they had already investigated the two brothers. Neither of them had ever left Guo Village before, nor had they practiced martial arts or had any opportunity to obtain martial arts manuals. Zhang Xiaohua, in particular, was said to have been extremely untalented when practicing fist techniques with He Tianshu. According to Yan’er, he couldn’t even master a single set of fist techniques. I had always treated it as a joke when she mentioned it. Yet, who would have thought this fool would have such fortuitous luck, managing to master this so-called Big Dipper Divine Fist?”
Hu Yunyi pondered aloud: “But this Big Dipper Divine Fist only has 108 moves, not the 360 moves of the Great Celestial Cycle Star Fist.”
Ou Peng replied: “What exactly comprises the 360 techniques of the Great Celestial Cycle Star Fist? No one knows. However, the 108 techniques of the Big Dipper Divine Fist are tangible and right before us. Even if it isn’t the Great Celestial Cycle Star Fist, its resemblance to the legends is remarkable. Treating it as a part of the Great Celestial Cycle Star Fist is entirely reasonable, isn’t it?”
Hu Yunyi nodded: “That’s true. However, the Big Dipper Divine Fist is a complete system on its own. Claiming it’s merely a part of another fist technique does feel a bit forced.”
Ou Peng laughed: “Elder brother, you’re getting too caught up in the details. Who cares if it is or isn’t the Great Celestial Cycle Star Fist? For thousands of years, no one has bothered to dispute it. Why should we? Besides, we now have the Big Dipper Divine Fist in our possession. What else matters?”
Hu Yunyi nodded again, agreeing: “You’re right, junior brother.”
After a moment, Hu Yunyi asked: “Why didn’t you take Zhang Xiaohua into the Piaomiao Sect just now?”
Ou Peng gave a wry smile and said: “Initially, I did consider it. However, we just recently took in his elder brother, and this has already stirred some talk within the sect. Taking in his younger brother as well would only amplify such discussions. While we needn’t fear the disciples’ gossip, repeatedly breaking the centuries-old recruitment traditions of the Piaomiao Sect would harm the sect’s long-term development. Last time, we could justify it as repaying a life-saving debt. But this time, taking in Zhang Xiaohua merely for winning a single match against Dalin Temple could dishearten the other disciples. Don’t be fooled by how well they treated Zhang Xiaohua today; if his presence were to threaten their interests or challenge their perceptions, his life here wouldn’t necessarily be easy.”
Ou Peng took a sip of tea and continued: “Moreover, Dalin Temple is watching us closely. After the competition, I immediately sent Shui Yupeng back to Luo River Gang to ensure nothing goes wrong there. If I were to suddenly take Zhang Xiaohua as a disciple of the Piaomiao Sect, it would surely raise their suspicions. They might even discern something we want to keep hidden. It’s not just about the Big Dipper Divine Fist; they could even shift their focus to Zhang Xiaohua’s hometown. Don’t forget, elder brother, Guo Village, where Zhang Xiaohua lives, isn’t far from Five-Claw Mountain. While we may act unintentionally, others observe with intention. We can’t afford to be careless.”
Hu Yunyi nodded in understanding.
Ou Peng added: “Besides, Xiaohua is already at Huanxi Villa, under Yan’er’s nose. How is that any different from being in the Piaomiao Sect? And didn’t you notice? He asked for my token to access the Medicine Hall’s books. How is that different from being one of our disciples? Even if he officially became one, he’d still be under He Tianshu’s tutelage. It makes no real difference.”
Hu Yunyi nodded once more. “Junior brother, your considerations are very thorough.”
Ou Peng sighed: “Ah, these are extraordinary times. This is precisely when our Piaomiao Sect must consolidate its strength. Everything needs to be done discreetly, only when absolutely necessary. Also, ensure that the transcription of the Big Dipper Divine Fist manual remains confidential. We mustn’t let any leaks occur.”
Hu Yunyi replied: “I’ll inform Chengyue about this once I leave. Well, junior brother, today’s trouble with Dalin Temple disrupting our martial gathering has certainly been taxing for you. Rest early.”
Ou Peng chuckled, “Elder brother, you’ve worked hard as well. You should rest soon too. However, without Dalin Temple’s provocation, the Zhang brothers wouldn’t have surfaced, and we wouldn’t have obtained the Big Dipper Divine Fist manual. It seems we’ve turned misfortune into a blessing. Furthermore, Monk Changgeng of Dalin Temple didn’t uncover anything significant about us. We’ve passed this trial unscathed—two birds with one stone, two birds with one stone.”
The two brothers left the Assembly Hall one after another, returning to rest, leaving the matter aside for now.
Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaohua, fully satisfied, returned to Zhang Xiaohu’s residence. This visit to the Assembly Hall had been immensely rewarding. Not only did he obtain a token granting him unrestricted access to the Medicine Hall, which would undoubtedly smooth his internal cultivation path in the future, but what thrilled him, even more, was the thousand taels of silver. Such a windfall could ensure his parents a life of comfort and stability. As he pondered this, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear. He had only asked for a hundred taels, but the sect master had shockingly given him ten thousand taels of gold, nearly scaring his cautious little heart to death.
Zhang Xiaohu wasn’t in the courtyard, likely pulled aside by Wen Wenhai for a private briefing. Having spent the past few days practicing only his fist techniques, Zhang Xiaohua had hardly touched his left-handed sword moves. This empty courtyard seemed like the perfect place to revisit his sword skills.
However, things seldom go as planned. Just as Zhang Xiaohua closed the small gate and stepped to the center of the courtyard, he heard someone running hurriedly to the gate. A rapid knocking followed, accompanied by loud shouting: “Zhang Xiaohua! Is Zhang Xiaohua here?”
Zhang Xiaohua was startled for a moment. Wasn’t that Nie Xiao’er’s voice? This fellow, after promising to teach him swordsmanship, had vanished without a trace. Why was he suddenly showing up here?
Hearing Nie Xiao’er’s urgency, Zhang Xiaohua quickly ran to open the door and greeted him with a smile: “Brother Xiao’er, why are you looking for me so late? If you’re here to teach me swordsmanship, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”
Nie Xiao’er, hearing Zhang Xiaohua’s remark, couldn’t help but think of how Zhang Xiaohua had fooled them for sword techniques before. Still, he merely gritted his teeth and said: “Something bad has happened! Zhang Xiaohua, come with me quickly to Huanxi Villa!”
Upon finishing his sentence, Nie Xiao’er grabbed Zhang Xiaohua’s left hand and tried to pull him outside.
Zhang Xiaohua, confused, did not follow. Instead, he exerted force with his left hand, pulling back. Despite Nie Xiao’er’s efforts to drag him out, Zhang Xiaohua stood firm, as steady as a boulder. Seeing that he couldn’t move him, Nie Xiao’er released his grip in frustration and exclaimed: “At a time like this, how can you not be anxious?”
Zhang Xiaohua, still puzzled, replied: “What exactly is going on? If you don’t explain, how can I know what to be anxious about?”
Nie Xiao’er, still flustered, said: “It’s too complicated to explain here. Just come back with me to Huanxi Villa, and I’ll explain on the way.”
Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and realized there wasn’t much else to do but comply.
On their way back to Huanxi Villa, Zhang Xiaohua finally pieced together what had happened. It turned out that for over a month, Nie Xiao’er and the others had been preparing in the Medicine Hall, aiming to perform well in the Martial Arts Competition. They had entrusted the care of the villa’s medicinal field to Zhang Xiaohua. However, after the tournament began, Zhang Xiaohua, having tidied up the field, entered Piaomiao Manor and ended up staying for several days, leaving the field untended.
Today marked Nie Xiao’er’s return to Huanxi Villa. After tidying up their quarters, they leisurely decided to check on the medicinal field, only to be utterly shocked by what they saw.
Beside the field, there was a small grass hut that hadn’t been there before. More worryingly, the medicinal herbs planted in the field looked withered and feeble. Many of them had turned yellow, showing clear signs of malnutrition. While there weren’t many weeds and the soil wasn’t dry, the state of the herbs left them baffled. They couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong.
Nie Xiao’er and the others immediately set to work, frantically pulling out the weeds from the medicinal field and watering the soil. Once they had done all they could, they stood there, staring at the sickly herbs, filled with worry. What could they possibly do now?
Suddenly, a thought struck all of them simultaneously: What does this have to do with us? When they left for Piaomiao Manor to prepare for the Martial Arts Competition, the medicinal field had been in perfect condition. It had only deteriorated after their return. If anyone were to assign blame, it might not necessarily fall on their shoulders.
However, Zhang Xiaohua wasn’t an official member of the Medicine Hall. He was merely helping them out in the field. To hold him fully accountable didn’t seem entirely fair, and he might not agree to it.
Still, the damage had been done, and the only thing they could do was to bring Zhang Xiaohua back and figure things out together.
When Zhang Xiaohua heard the story, he was alarmed. “The field was in perfect condition when I left! Before heading to Piaomiao Manor, I watered the plants and cleared all the weeds. The herbs don’t require daily watering, and the weeds have significantly decreased. I thought being away for just a few days wouldn’t be an issue. Even though my stay at Piaomiao Manor was longer than expected, it shouldn’t have caused such a serious problem. By the way, where’s Captain He?”
Nie Xiao’er replied: “We’ve already sent someone to find him. This is a serious issue, but we’ve never encountered something like this before. I don’t know if Captain He will be able to resolve it.”
Hearing that something had gone wrong at Huanxi Villa, Zhang Xiaohua didn’t need any further urging. He quickly followed Nie Xiao’er and hurried toward the villa.
By the time they arrived, night had fallen completely. Captain He Tianshu had returned earlier and was now carefully inspecting the medicinal field by torchlight. His brows were deeply furrowed as he scrutinized the ailing herbs.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
Orluros’s Vault of Secrets: If you liked the chapter feel free to donate 🙂 and if you find any errors in the translation please mention them in the comments here or in discord
