Chapter 131 Naval Master Xuanwu 1

According to common sense, it is simply inconceivable that a collective force would pledge allegiance to a single individual, especially when the former is a wealthy family with enormous assets, while the latter is merely a "young and inexperienced person."

However, as Zhu Shi once told me, in Luoshan, in the world of demon hunters, an exceptionally strong individual is an army in themselves, and even a lone wolf is equivalent to a force. Therefore, if we interpret the current situation not as a "wealthy family" seeking refuge with a "newly emerged young man," but rather as a "weak force" hoping to merge into a "powerful force," then it makes much more sense.

In the past, I simply accepted and digested Zhu Shi's remarks as new knowledge. Although I could understand that it was information closely related to myself, it ultimately lacked a sense of reality. After all, I have lived as an ordinary person for nearly twenty years. If someone suddenly tells me how high my "social status" is, it is difficult for me to immediately connect with that on an emotional level.

Now, seeing Mr. Zhu solemnly make this application to me, a sense of reality surged into my heart like a hard reef suddenly emerging from the water.

I couldn't help but look at Zhu Shi beside me; she was equally at a loss. Clearly, Mr. Zhu hadn't informed her beforehand about this topic. She was completely unprepared, lost and confused, even looking at me with pleading eyes.

Seeing this, I made a decision.

“Zhu Shi, Chang’an, and I are friends,” I told Mr. Zhu.

The latter nodded slightly: "So?"

“So if you need my help, I will do my best to help. And when I have difficulties, I will also ask you for help,” I said. “But it has nothing to do with who has sided with whom, or who has become whose henchman, or who is above or below whom…it has nothing to do with those things.”

“I understand what you mean.” Old Master Zhu nodded. “But the reality is that your power is overwhelmingly greater than that of the Zhu family as a whole. You don’t even need to accept the Zhu family’s allegiance. You only need to express to the outside world that my granddaughter and that boy Chang’an have a good relationship with you, and the Zhu family will be able to benefit from your protection in the future.”

"This is a real benefit, an unequal relationship that is obvious to everyone. You can even claim to be above the Zhu family, and no one will object."

"The enemies the Zhu family can't handle, you can; and the enemies you can't handle, the Zhu family can't handle. The only help we can offer you in the future will ultimately be logistical support that's too complicated for you. And as you continue to grow stronger, this gap will only widen."

"If this isn't us siding with you, then what is it?"

I immediately countered with, "Are you saying that the shift from an equal relationship to a superior-subordinate relationship between me and my friend was an inevitable and natural outcome?"

“Exactly.” He nodded.

"Since it's destined and natural, there's nothing wrong with continuing to be friends for now," I said. "Maybe the outcome will be different from what you expect?"

“Aren’t you going to argue with me?” he asked.

"To be honest, I don't really care. No matter how my relationship with my friends changes in other people's eyes, that's their business. I just need to be myself. As for whether my friends think the same way as me—" I said, glancing at Zhu Shi, "that's up to my friends to decide, and I trust them."

"Mmm-hmm!" Zhu Shi nodded vigorously.

Mr. Zhu glanced at his granddaughter, seemingly speechless.

"Let's leave this topic here for now and discuss it again when we have the chance," he said. "Next, let's talk about healing."

This is referring to Asahi's emotional trauma, right?

When the topic turned to her, Mazao seemed to take a second or two to react, belatedly pulling her attention away from the tea stems in her teacup. She was like a child dragged into an adult conversation but unable to understand the dialogue, only able to stare blankly to pass the time. She seemed to naturally raise her head, feigning seriousness as if she were listening attentively. I suddenly felt a strong urge to test her on where we were in the conversation.

“Our Zhu family has stored some special medicines that can cure soul burns. You can take any of them from the warehouse and just follow the instructions to use them on this little girl,” said Mr. Zhu. “However, according to my granddaughter, the soul damage this little girl suffered is similar to the legendary Xuanming Fire, so the medicines provided by our Zhu family can only have a mitigating effect. To completely cure her, we must find another way.”

"Sir, may I ask what this method is?" I humbly inquired.

He stroked his goatee, pondered for a moment, and said, "...Although the Zhu family has no solution, I can introduce you to someone who might be able to. However..."

"But?" I asked.

“This person is extremely dangerous,” he said.

"Danger...is it dangerous for Zhuang Cheng?" Zhu Shi asked curiously. "But with Zhuang Cheng's strength, there shouldn't be many powerful individuals who could pose a threat to him, right?"

Mr. Zhu said in a deep voice, "Unfortunately, this person is a powerful figure who could pose a threat to him."

Upon hearing this, I became extremely interested. Zhu Shi had a thorough understanding of my power level, and Old Master Zhu had heard about me from Zhu Shi and had also assessed my level based on my previous performance. Even Old Master Zhu said that I posed a threat, meaning my abilities must far surpass those of the monster creator.

Perhaps this time I will finally be able to meet someone who can rival me?

"Who is that?" I asked.

“His former name was ‘Shui Shi’,” Mr. Zhu said. “You may not have heard of this name, but he was once a very famous figure in the world of Witchers.”

Upon hearing this, I looked at Zhu Shi. This was the first time I'd heard this name, but Zhu Shi likely knew it. Sure enough, she reacted immediately, though her reaction could only be described as horrified.

"The navy? Isn't he already dead?"

She blurted it out, then, seeing my confusion, explained, "This naval commander used to be a demon hunter who roamed outside of Luoshan, and like you, he was a 'heretical and unpredictable' individual. Legend has it that he possessed unparalleled alchemy skills, and the elixirs he created were powerful enough to revive the dead and heal the wounded. Many people have received his help and owe him a debt of gratitude."

"He sounds like a kind and benevolent person," I said. "Why would someone like that be considered extremely dangerous?"

“It’s not dangerous for ordinary witchers…” she said. “It is said that the Water Master has lived for more than three hundred years and has left behind many legends among the people. When you were collecting folk tales and ghost stories before, you must have heard legends like ‘a kind-hearted god passing by bestowed elixirs and cured the villagers’ incurable diseases’, right? He is the prototype of some of them.”

"Even to many demon hunters, the image of the water spirit is no different from that of a 'passing deity' in such legends. Some demon hunters even regard an encounter with the water spirit as a blessing from heaven. Not to mention the danger, there are countless demon hunters who have heard that the water spirit is passing by and have made a special trip to visit it."

"However, there is a legend about the Navy Commander, the truth of which is unknown. It is said that his entire family was slaughtered by a fire-wielding individual, and ever since then, whenever he encounters a fire-wielding individual, he goes mad and loses his mind, transforming into a demon to kill them..."

“That’s fake news.” Mr. Zhu seemed to have some truth to it, “but it’s not surprising that he harbors such hostility toward fire-type users, which would arouse such suspicion.”

"Then why is he at odds with the fire-elemental user? And..." I wondered, "Just how powerful is he?"

"Regarding your previous question, I don't know much. I only know that he seems to be searching for a specific fire-wielding user, believing he must kill them at all costs. However, aside from the fact that 'the target has the ability to manipulate fire,' he knows nothing else about the target, so he chose to kill every fire-wielding user he found," said Mr. Zhu. "As for his power level..."

“Three years ago, when Xuanming was still the Great Impermanence of Luoshan, the navy infiltrated the Luoshan headquarters and launched an assassination attempt on Xuanming,” Zhu Shi said. “As far as I know, he injured Xuanming in that battle and was ultimately burned to ashes by Xuanming’s own hands…”

As he continued, Zhu Shi looked at his grandfather, who shook his head and said, "He didn't die, but escaped with serious injuries and went into hiding. In order to prevent assassination by the Xuanming believers, he spread the news of his death to the outside world."

Xuanming actually has followers? That makes sense; he's said to be a fire god who has survived from mythological times. Since he's a god, it's normal for him to have followers.

I analyzed the information given by Mr. Zhu: "To be able to harm someone as unpredictable as Xuanming and escape from the brink of death... could the navy also be unpredictable?"

"Losing to Xuanming and running away" is not shameful. When Xuanming betrayed Luoshan, Da Wuchang was seriously injured by him, and there was even a Da Wuchang who was killed by him.

"He's not the Great Impermanence. Although many believe he might become the Great Impermanence in the future, he wasn't at least not when he assassinated Xuanming. It's just that it's said he has a way to use a move at the level of the Great Impermanence. That's probably why he thought he might be able to kill Xuanming," said Old Master Zhu. "Also, he's not called Shui Shi now. Perhaps to avoid being tracked down by divination magic, he even abandoned his former name. As for his current name, I remember it's called..."

After a moment of recollection, he said a name.

A name that caught me completely off guard.

“—'Xuanwu',” he said. “He is 'Xuanwu' now.”

(End of this chapter)