Chapter 132 Naval Master Xuanwu 2
Xuanwu!
The name flashed through my mind like lightning.
At the same time, Asahi's past words also surged up from the depths of my mind.
Asaho has a plan for healing her soul's trauma, but that plan can only be realized in the post-apocalyptic era. To be precise, her method requires the use of the body tissue of the post-apocalyptic demon "Genbu".
Since the Great Demon is the form of a powerful being at the Great Impermanence level who has fallen into the karmic demon state, it must have been famous long before the end of the world. In the past, we struggled to find a correspondence between it and the Great Impermanence of this era, but now we have finally heard clues related to "Xuanwu".
Firstly, the Xuanwu of this era is not yet the Great Demon, and the healing method mentioned by Asaho is just hearsay and lacks details; secondly, is this Water Master Xuanwu really the Great Demon Xuanwu? Isn't the Water Master Xuanwu the Great Impermanence?
No, as Mr. Zhu also said, many people believe that the Water Master Xuanwu may become the Great Impermanence in the future... In other words, he really did become the Great Impermanence in the future and eventually became a great demon? This possibility seems very high.
Seeing that my reaction was off, Mr. Zhu asked solemnly, "Zhuang Cheng, have you ever heard of the person Xuanwu?"
"I've heard a little about it," I said casually, then continued, "Sir, I have a question."
Seeing this, he didn't press me about my unusual reaction, but nodded in acknowledgment.
"I can understand why the navy faked their death after the failed assassination attempt on Xuanming, and even changed their identity to become Xuanwu, but how do you know the truth?" I asked. "Does this have anything to do with your earlier promise to introduce me to Xuanwu?"
“Yes, Grandpa, our family is actually connected with someone like Xuanwu?” Zhu Shi was probably very interested in Xuanwu for the same reason as me.
"..." Ma Zao remained silent and listened, but her gaze became focused.
"There is a connection. Although it's not deep, it's useful enough," Mr. Zhu explained. "To be precise, the person connected to the navy... and Xuanwu is our Zhu family ancestor, Zhu Yi. It is said that Zhu Yi once did Xuanwu a great favor, and the latter left his token in the Zhu family. Zhu Yi himself and his descendants can use this token to contact Xuanwu and ask Xuanwu to make a miraculous elixir for them."
"During Zhu Yijian's lifetime, this kind of token was not a particularly important treasure to the Zhu family. Not only was it never used, but it was also accidentally lost by the Zhu family and even completely forgotten."
"Xuanwu himself seemed to have not forgotten this matter. After faking his death, perhaps worried that the descendants of the Zhu family would also think that he had died, he came to my door. After hearing that the token was lost, he even sent a replacement to the Zhu family. It was only then that I learned about the connection between the Zhu family and Xuanwu."
"He can actually report this token lost and get a replacement?" Zhu Shi said.
But my attention was drawn to something else: "Xuanwu must have been seriously injured after his failed assassination attempt on Xuanming... When he came to see you, had he already healed his injuries?"
“Even Xuanwu probably can’t completely heal the wounds caused by the Xuanming Fire. However, from what I’ve seen, his condition doesn’t seem like serious injury. He’s probably controlled the damage to a certain extent,” Old Master Zhu replied.
In other words, even if Xuanwu cannot completely cure the Xuanming Fire, he is at least not helpless against it—he should be able to heal Mazao's soul trauma.
Since Elder Zhu brought up the existence of the Xuanwu token, he must have been prepared to use it with me. And through our previous conversation, I already knew the value of "asking Xuanwu for help once." Clearly, this was an attempt to do me a favor. Once I accepted, I would be morally unable to refuse the Zhu family's request.
But is it necessary for me to hesitate about this?
To heal Ma Zao's emotional wounds, I'm willing to pay any price. Besides, if Zhu Shi and Chang'an encounter difficulties and need my help, I'll definitely do my best to assist them. So this is practically a risk-free deal for me—no, calling it a "deal" is too harsh. Let's not think too much about it and just accept the favor.
Old Master Zhu seemed to confirm my intentions with his eyes, and he added, "I hope you don't misunderstand. The reason I mentioned the existence of the Xuanwu token to you is to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings between us in the future. For example, if I hadn't mentioned it here, would you have thought that my Zhu family was holding back from you? I didn't really mean to introduce you to Xuanwu; that would be far too dangerous."
"It's Mazao who needs healing for her soul trauma. Why don't we just have me or Grandpa take the token and bring Mazao to meet Xuanwu?" Zhu Shi suggested.
“It’s no use.” Old Mr. Zhu shook his head. “A person like Xuanwu can already see more or less the direction of fate and cause and effect, coupled with his extremely deep obsession with fire ability users… After seeing this little girl, he will definitely realize Zhuang Cheng’s existence.”
“Sir, please introduce Xuanwu to us,” I said.
"Are you sure? I must tell you beforehand that although Xuanwu is at the same Great Completion stage as you, his strength is far greater than that of the former great demon Yinyue, not to mention that he also possesses a powerful technique capable of killing Da Wuchang..."
“It’s alright. Since he’s so obsessed with fire-type users, and even dared to assassinate Xuanming, then even if I don’t go looking for him, unless I live in hiding and keep a low profile, he’ll eventually come looking for me. Rather than that, I might as well take the initiative to contact him while he might still be recovering from his injuries,” I said. “Besides, even if I really can’t beat him, can’t I at least run away?”
In truth, I had no intention of running away at all. Possessing the ultimate technique that once harmed the Great Impermanence Xuanming? Having an inexplicable obsession with fire-wielding individuals? These words certainly made me wary and cautious, yet they also stirred an inexplicable anticipation within me.
I'm absolutely not a battle maniac, nor did I ever intend to pick a fight like a troublemaker. However, this is someone I need to interact with to heal Asaha's emotional wounds. To ask me to give up this opportunity because I'm afraid of them is simply absurd. And if they insist on attacking me, I'll have no choice but to reluctantly fight them, right?
I wanted to put myself in danger and find out what I was capable of.
Mr. Zhu seemed to have given this much thought. He repeatedly confirmed my resolve and finally nodded, "I understand. Although you haven't accepted the Zhu family's offer of allegiance yet, I will prioritize your wishes. We will proceed as you wish."
Zhu Shi didn't try to persuade me like my grandfather had. She knew I would never back down on this matter. She just said worriedly, "Won't Xuanwu renege on the token because of Zhuang Cheng?"
"You can rest assured about that. Xuanwu values his promises above all else. Even if he has a conflict with Zhuang Cheng, he will never forget his promise to make elixirs for the holder of the token," said Old Master Zhu.
"When will Xuanwu arrive?" I asked.
"The meeting place will be designated by Xuanwu. As for the time..." After thinking for a moment, Mr. Zhu said, "In order to prevent being tracked by divination magic, the new token that Xuanwu reported lost and replaced for the Zhu family is more focused on security than communication efficiency. It is estimated that it will take about half a month to receive a reply from Xuanwu."
Half a month... Hearing this, I could only suppress my impulse for the time being.
"Can you be patient until then?" Zhu Shiyi asked Ma Zao in a gentle voice, like an older sister. In fact, she could indeed be considered Ma Zao's older sister.
Mazao looked at me silently and nodded vigorously.
Mr. Zhu glanced at Ma Zao and suddenly asked me, "Speaking of which, I heard that this little girl is living with you now?"
"Yes." I didn't know why the other person suddenly brought this up.
Mr. Zhu said with a serious expression, "Although the young girl is still young, it's not very appropriate for you two, a man and a woman, to live together. Would you like to move into our house together? As you can see, the Zhu family mansion has many empty rooms, which will make it easier for you to meet my granddaughter in the future. Oh, and you can also meet Chang'an while you're at it. Aren't you good friends?"
Zhu Shi said in surprise, "Although I also think it's not good for them to be alone together, Grandpa, isn't your suggestion a bit too sudden?"
Grandpa Zhu turned to look at his granddaughter, then sighed deeply and said, "Little Shi, you and your mother are becoming more and more alike..."
"Huh?...Thank you?" Zhu Shi was completely confused.
In the end, I politely declined Mr. Zhu's suggestion. Given Asao's jinxed nature, it was inconvenient for her to live under the same roof with so many people, while I, of course, wanted to stay with Asao.
Mr. Zhu could only regretfully give up for the time being, saying that I could come and stay anytime as long as I changed my mind. Then he looked at Zhu Shi and said, "Your communication with the one who cast the Yama Sword seems to be going very smoothly lately. I will teach you how to communicate further later. Remember to prepare for the next stage of your cultivation."
"Yes," Zhu Shi replied solemnly.
“Well then, it’s time for us to say goodbye,” I said.
Mr. Zhu nodded, then led us to retrieve the head of the monster's creator, and then to the warehouse to get medicine to treat soul trauma. Finally, he said to Zhu Shi, "Go see them off."
After parting ways with Mr. Zhu, we left the villa and walked through the garden under Zhu Shi's guidance, arriving at the iron gate of the Zhu family mansion.
I can say I've achieved all my goals for this trip. I retrieved the monster's head, satisfied my curiosity about the Zhu family mansion, obtained clues to curing Ma Zao, and even learned about Ying Lingyun's past. If there's anything missing, it's that I didn't see Chang'an. Perhaps it's better if we don't meet for now.
However, one thing is one thing, but I was still curious about the current situation in Chang'an, so I asked Zhu Shi about it.
She replied, "My brother is probably meditating under Grandpa's guidance right now. This is in preparation for breaking the seal on his demonic bloodline and related memories soon."
"Has the seal not been broken yet?" I asked.
“Yes, we can never do too much preparation for this. We must be extremely careful.” She revealed a stern expression. “Otherwise, my brother will lose control again and become a monster driven by his cannibalistic instincts.”
(End of this chapter)
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