novelapdf Chapter 122 Inquiry
Chapter 122 Inquiry
Chapter 122 Inquiry
His master's words were truly heartfelt.
Shen An was somewhat moved.
In the martial arts world, although the title of master and disciple is important, how many people can truly be as devoted to each other as father and son?
He bowed deeply, his voice earnest: "This disciple will humbly obey Master's teachings!"
Zuo Lengchan nodded slightly, his gaze returning to the heavy sword, as if he were lost in thought.
Inside the main hall, only the crackling of candlelight and the howling of the mountain wind sweeping past the windows could be heard.
Shen An's mind raced, and an idea popped into her head uncontrollably.
My master had piercing eyes and a heart as vast as the sea.
He could see through the essence of my rudimentary sword techniques at a glance. Instead of criticizing me, he pointed out the way forward and even asked top experts like Lu Bai and Fei Bin to teach me.
Should I also frankly tell my master about my own "Lapis Lazuli Body Sun King Mantra"?
Although this technique was obtained from the Demonic Sect, it has absolutely no relation to it. On the contrary, it shares a similar essence with the powerful and vigorous spirit of the Songshan School of martial arts.
If I could receive some guidance from a grandmaster like my master, I might be able to break through the bottleneck more quickly and reach a higher level.
Even more so—if this method could be promoted throughout the sect, and everyone could cultivate an indestructible body, what an astonishing boost it would bring to the strength of the Songshan Sect!
Once this thought arises, it spreads like wildfire, becoming difficult to contain.
Shen An's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his breathing became slightly disordered.
He tried several times to speak up and reveal his practice of the "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill" and how it was integrated with the essential teachings of Buddhism, such as the "Mahavairocana Sutra".
But as he was about to speak, Qu Feiyan's cute yet somewhat dependent face suddenly appeared before his eyes.
No!
Shen Anxin felt a sudden chill, and that impulse vanished completely.
When discussing the Dragon Elephant Prajna Kung Fu, it's likely inseparable from the demonic sect.
He had previously planned to fabricate a story about falling off a cliff and gaining martial arts skills to deceive his master, but now he couldn't bring himself to say it and didn't want to do it anymore.
But right now, although he has gained his master's favor, how much weight does this regard really carry?
I'm afraid that in Master's eyes, Qu Yang and Qu Feiyan, this grandfather and granddaughter, will immediately become two pawns that can be used to make arrangements for Liu Zhengfeng and even the Sun Moon Cult.
My current worth is far from enough to make my master make an exception for me and save Qu Feiyan's life.
Moreover, his own "Lapis Lazuli Body Sun King Mantra" is not yet perfect and is currently only suitable for himself.
Once my martial arts skills have improved further, I can simplify this technique and make it more widely available. At that time, I will also have the strength to protect Feifei, and then it won't be too late to tell my master everything.
This internal struggle between heaven and man happened in an instant.
Shen An tried his best to calm himself down, lowered his head again, and swallowed back the words that were about to come out.
He thought he had concealed it perfectly, but little did he know that his subtle change had already been seen by Zuo Lengchan.
"What's wrong?"
Zuo Lengchan's voice was calm and even, revealing no emotion, yet it made Shen An's heart, which had just calmed down, jump into his throat again.
"Judging from your expression, you seem to have something to say, but you dare not say it."
"Do you think what I said just now was wrong, or is it that—you are hiding another secret?"
With a sudden bang, Shen An felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in his mind, and his back was immediately soaked with cold sweat.
He forced himself to remain calm, bowed, and said, "This disciple dares not! Master's teachings are all precious and insightful; this disciple is completely convinced and would never dare to have the slightest doubt."
"Oh?" Zuo Lengchan drawled, "Then it must be the latter."
He slowly walked back from beside the heavy sword, step by step, and strolled back to Shen An.
The invisible pressure was three times stronger than before, making it almost impossible for Shen An to breathe.
Shen An lowered his head even further, his heart filled with turbulent emotions.
He really didn't know how to deal with it.
Just as Shen An's heart sank to the bottom, thinking he could not escape this calamity, the mountain-like pressure suddenly dissipated.
Zuo Lengchan chuckled softly, a laugh tinged with self-mockery and the knowing wisdom of someone who had been through it all.
"Alright then." He waved his hand, his tone surprisingly gentle. "If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. You can tell me when you're ready."
Shen An suddenly looked up, staring in astonishment at Zuo Lengchan.
Zuo Lengchan stood with his hands behind his back: "What? Do you think that just because you've learned some martial arts I don't know about, I'll disown you as my disciple?"
He paused, his gaze drifting to the throne in the main hall, and said slowly, "If that's really the case, then my master would probably be the first to disown me."
"Master—" Shen An's voice was hoarse, his heart filled with mixed feelings, both moved and guilty.
"Alright," Zuo Lengchan interrupted him. "Let's leave this matter here."
He changed the subject, his expression turning solemn again: "Your return to the mountain this time is not only to test your martial arts progress, but also for a serious matter. Tell me again everything you did in Hengyang, in detail, without omitting a single thing."
Shen An's spirits lifted, and he quickly composed himself, giving a detailed account of the various intelligence gathered by the Hengshan Sect, the investigation into Liu Zhengfeng, and the eventual suspicion that Tian Boguang was associated with Liu Zhengfeng.
What he said was exactly the same as what he had reported in his previous letter and what Lu Bai had reported. Every detail was meticulously examined and every point seemed reasonable.
Zuo Lengchan listened quietly, without uttering a word, his face expressionless.
After Shen An finished speaking, he pondered for a moment before waving his hand and saying, "Okay, I understand. Go and rest now. If you have the energy tonight, you can go and find your Uncle Fei and ask him to give you some pointers."
"Yes, disciple takes his leave."
Shen An felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He bowed respectfully and then slowly withdrew from the main hall.
The heavy palace doors closed again.
Although the light outside the hall was gradually dimming, it was still bright, while inside the hall, it returned to a deep and dark atmosphere.
Zuo Lengchan stood alone in the center of the empty hall, motionless for a long time.
Shen An's report was similar to what Lu Bai had told him in the palace earlier.
But Zuo Lengchan didn't believe a single word of it.
The root of disbelief is not that Shen An's account has any omissions; on the contrary, it is precisely because the whole thing is too "perfect" that it seems fake.
Zuo Lengchan knew Liu Zhengfeng's character very well.
To let him associate with a scoundrel like Tian Boguang? It would be better to kill him quickly!
Is Shen An deliberately deceiving me?
Zuo Lengchan shook his head; the thought only flashed through his mind.
It shouldn't be that bad. It seems the child is still too young and inexperienced, doesn't understand Liu Zhengfeng, and has been misled by appearances.
Zuo Lengchan paced slowly, his thoughts turning to another matter—Shen An's martial arts skills.
During the examination, he noticed that Shen An's martial arts contained an indescribable and inexplicable artistic conception.
That was neither the martial arts of Mount Song nor the usual methods of the martial arts world.
It seems to have the influence of Buddhism, yet it is completely different from the Zen martial arts of its old neighbor, Shaolin Temple.
If Zuo Lengchan hadn't been so familiar with Shaolin martial arts that he could discern the differences at a glance, he probably would have suspected on the spot that this disciple had been secretly turned by the Shaolin Temple.