Han Feng continued, "Since you have practiced your family's ancient martial arts, why can't you record the cultivation method so that future generations can continue to practice it?"
Liu Shanhe smiled sadly: "The so-called cultivation methods are not written records in the traditional sense, but cultivation stones passed down through generations. They can only be effective when placed in a special cultivation room."
"So... ancient martial arts techniques simply cannot be recorded in writing?" Han Feng raised his head, his eyes flashing with disbelief.
Liu Shanhe slowly nodded, the wrinkles on his neck smoothing out with the movement: "The cultivation room contains the 'essence' left by our ancestors. How much each clansman can comprehend depends entirely on their individual talent." A look of reminiscence appeared in the old man's eyes, "When I was sixteen, I sat in the family's cultivation room for seven days, and in the end, I only managed to grasp a wisp of the supreme truth left by our ancestors."
Han Feng's thoughts returned to the explanation Zero had given him. This explanation completely overturned his understanding of martial arts. Those so-called secret manuals and mental techniques were nothing more than superficial records made by later generations based on their own insights. The true essence could not be put into words at all.
"No wonder the Nangong family went to great lengths to steal the cultivation stone..." Han Feng murmured.
"Indeed." A flicker of pain crossed Liu Shanhe's eyes. "Losing the cultivation room is tantamount to severing our bloodline. The true essence of my Liu family's [Azure Nether Technique] is forever sealed within that stolen cultivation stone."
The dim light in the stone chamber cast dappled shadows on the old man's face. Han Feng noticed that as Liu Shanhe spoke, his right hand unconsciously went to his left chest, where there was a hideous scar that stretched from his collarbone to his heart—a wound left from the great battle against the Nangong family years ago.
Silence filled the stone chamber. Han Feng looked at this once-powerful ancient martial arts expert, now just an ordinary old man worrying about his granddaughter. He suddenly understood why Liu Shanhe had told him these secrets; this wasn't just casual conversation, but a request.
Sure enough, Liu Shanhe suddenly sat up straight, his aged body exuding an astonishing aura at that moment: "Han Feng, this old man has a request."
The air in the stone chamber seemed to freeze. Han Feng felt a jolt of electricity run down his spine. He put down his teacup and met the old man's sharp gaze: "Please speak."
"I'm old." Liu Shanhe's voice was soft, yet every word carried immense weight. "Even with boundless hatred for the Nangong family, I'm powerless to reclaim our ancestral martial arts techniques. It's already a miracle that the Liu family can live peacefully and continue its lineage in the secular world." His tone shifted, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "But some stubborn old fogies in the clan still dream of returning to the ancient martial arts world! They even dare to try and use Meng Ran as a bargaining chip to form a marriage alliance with the Nangong family, hoping to achieve their goal of returning to the cultivation chamber."
With a "crack," the teacup in Liu Shanhe's hand shattered. Han Feng saw the bulging veins on the old man's hand, a testament to suppressed rage.
"They... want to use Meng Ran as a stepping stone in marriage?" Han Feng's voice suddenly turned cold.
Liu Shanhe gave Han Feng a deep look: "The Chen family of Jiangnan, the Gongsun family of Mobei, and even..." The old man's Adam's apple bobbed, "...a branch of the Nangong family."
Han Feng's pupils suddenly contracted. The Nangong family, the mortal enemies of the Liu family, their hands stained with the Liu family's blood. How could their elders be so utterly depraved as to consider a marriage alliance with their enemy?
"What I'm saying now is already in the minority within the Liu family ancestral hall." Liu Shanhe gave a bitter smile, his wrinkles appearing even deeper. "Therefore, as Mengran's grandfather, I beg you..."
The old man suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Han Feng. This action caught Han Feng off guard, and he quickly stood up to help Liu Shanhe: "Grandpa Liu! You're making me feel so bad."
"Take good care of Mengran." Liu Shanhe raised his head, a strange light flashing in his cloudy eyes. "If that day ever comes, I, this old man, will fight to the death to prevent them from succeeding!"
Han Feng felt a wave of suffocation. The bowing old man before him was not only Liu Mengran's closest relative, but also a powerful figure in ancient martial arts and the current head of the Liu family. For him to set aside all dignity and take such a step, just how dangerous was the situation?
Memories of both lifetimes surged through Han Feng's mind. In his past life, Liu Mengran paid the ultimate price for him, relentlessly eliminating the murderers who had killed her. Her resolute expression before death overlapped with her smiling profile in this life. A burning emotion welled up in his chest, breaking through all the shackles of reason.
"Could it be that the Liu family in the previous life also encountered such a thing, and Mengran also refused to comply even at the cost of her life, which led to what happened later?" Han Feng wondered to himself.
"Grandpa Liu." Han Feng took a step back and solemnly performed a disciple's salute. "I, Han Feng, swear on my life that I will not allow anyone to harm Meng Ran, nor will I allow her to do anything against her conscience."
This promise was too heavy a burden. So heavy that it might mean making an enemy of the entire ancient martial arts world, so heavy that it might mean facing those legendary cultivators head-on. But Han Feng spoke without hesitation, because he knew that some things were worth protecting with two lifetimes.
Liu Shanhe straightened up, carefully examining Han Feng's young yet resolute face. After a long while, the old man's lips curled up slightly: "I can see that Meng Ran has feelings for you." He paused, a sly glint in his eyes, "And I can also see that you're deeply in love with her."
Han Feng's ears burned, but he didn't deny it. The incense in the stone chamber suddenly became stronger, as if adding a touch of romance to this silent confession.
"I hope this old man hasn't misjudged you." Liu Shanhe led Han Feng out of the stone chamber and back into the courtyard. He gestured for Han Feng to sit down and poured him a cup of fresh tea. "Drink your tea; it'll become bitter when it gets cold."
Han Feng took the teacup with both hands and suddenly asked, "Grandpa Liu, when will those clan elders... take action at the earliest?"
"There are still three years left, exactly when Mengran turns twenty-two." Liu Shanhe took a sip of tea. "According to tradition, on that day, all the women in the family who turn twenty-two must plan their development for the next three years. It's also... the perfect time to announce Mengran's engagement, because among the women of this generation, only Mengran is worthy of it."
"Three more years, is that right...?" Han Feng quickly calculated the progress in his mind, as well as the completion time of the system task.
"It seems like there's not enough time, is there?" Liu Shanhe looked at him with a half-smile.
Han Feng shook his head, a resolute flame igniting in his eyes: "That's enough."
"Three years is enough. I will not let anyone affect Mengran. In this life, she can only belong to me." The moment he spoke, a powerful aura seemed to surge from Han Feng.
"Ding, congratulations host, you have completed the hidden mission. The reward will be issued soon." At this moment, Zero's voice came from his mind.
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