16: Chapter 16 Third Life, Reborn as the Boss of the Opponent's Family (Part 3)

"Alright, this here is the foundation of the sword techniques collected by our Chen family."

Great-Uncle stroked his graying beard, a hint of imperceptible pride on his face, as he pointed to a quaint wooden bookshelf beside him.

"I suggest you choose one of the three on the left to practice. These are the inherited sword techniques of our Chen family; not only are they of the highest grade, but they also possess a complete lineage that leads directly to the Profound Grade, unlike those miscellaneous volumes on the right."

Chen Shi looked over. Above the bookshelf, the two large characters for 'Sword Technique' were written, dividing it into left and right sections with a stark contrast.

The three sword technique manuals on the left were arranged quite neatly, though the corners were slightly curled, and the color of the covers had faded somewhat from repeated flipping.

They were the Cold Star Sword Technique, the Kuji Sword Technique, and the Lueying Sword Technique, all of which were High-Grade Yellow Rank.

The three volumes on the right appeared much more desolate, with a thin layer of dust even settling on their covers.

These were the Mid-Grade Yellow Rank Huifeng Sword Technique and Yueying Sword Technique, as well as the thin volume on the very edge, the Low-Grade Yellow Rank Sunset Sword Technique Fragment.

"See the difference?" Great-Uncle's voice deepened, carrying a hint of reminiscence and pride.

"If you can master all three of our Chen family's inherited sword techniques and comprehend that trace of the 'Autumnal Susha' true intent within them, you will be qualified to switch to practicing their superior lineage, the Susha Sword Manual, which can reach the power of Low-Grade Profound Rank!"

He paused, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "However, our Chen family's lineage is incomplete. Within the Spirit Sword Sect, the full version of the Susha Sword Manual is High-Grade Profound Rank.

One needs to master the two missing volumes, the Canfeng Sword Technique and the Xifeng Sword Technique, and then experience life-and-death realizations to truly cultivate the 'Autumn Killing' artistic conception that extinguishes life, unleashing the full power of the High-Grade Profound Rank.

And artistic conception is the heaven-and-earth difference between the Profound and Yellow Ranks.

Yellow Rank martial arts only possess the 'form' or 'momentum' of a related artistic conception, appearing similar but lacking the essence."

Soon, his tone turned solemn again: "Even so, this lineage of our Chen family is the most supreme treasure in Pantie City.

It was only because our ancestor performed great meritorious service in the Spirit Sword Sect years ago that we were permitted to teach it within the family. You must be extremely cautious with it."

After speaking, Great-Uncle glanced at the three neglected volumes on the right, especially the fragment, and shook his head: "As for those on the right, they are either ordinary collections or of unknown origin.

Like that Sunset Sword Technique Fragment, it was something I obtained by chance during a training journey when I was young; it is suspected to be a residual move of a basic sword technique from some distant holy land.

Unfortunately, it is too incomplete. Even after deduction and completion, it only has the effect of a Low-Grade Yellow Rank, so I have just left it here to fill the space. You must never choose it out of curiosity and waste your years in vain."

Chen Shi nodded in instruction, stepped forward a few paces, and carefully flipped through them one by one.

These books placed on the bookshelf were only brief summaries, stating the characteristics and general path of the sword techniques in a few words.

After reading through them in turn, he quickly gained a general understanding of these six sword techniques.

He was not stubborn enough to insist on choosing the Sunset Sword Technique Fragment, which seemed to have an extraordinary origin. After all, he had some self-awareness regarding the 10 points of comprehension he had allocated this time.

Although this Sunset Sword Technique Fragment clearly had a big secret, a well-ordered family inherited sword technique offered a much broader horizon!

He pointed directly at a sword technique on the left and said to the old man: "Great-Uncle, I have made my choice. I will select this Cold Star Sword Technique."

"Mm, a wise choice."

Seeing this, Great-Uncle showed a look of satisfaction on his face. He turned and took a hand-copied volume from a locked hidden compartment behind the bookshelf and solemnly handed it to Chen Shi.

"Family rules dictate that such important secret manuals cannot be passed on privately. After you take it back, you must memorize it as soon as possible and return it."

"Many thanks, Great-Uncle. Your grandson understands."

Chen Shi solemnly received the secret manual with both hands, tucked it close to his body, and after bowing to Great-Uncle once more, walked outside.

Soon, he went down to the first floor and stopped at the Hansha Town archives section.

Several stewards who were busy in other areas saw him stop and hurriedly approached: "Second Young Master, do you need to look up any records? This servant can search for you."

Chen Shi waved his hand: "Step back. This young master is just looking around." After speaking, he pulled out a few books at random and started flipping through them.

After reading for a while, he pretended to inadvertently pull out a volume labeled 'Great Wu Dynasty 2020-2030 Records' and began to read it in detail.

His death in his previous life was roughly in 2026, so he figured that a conflict over Iron Skin Realm resources among the subordinate forces would likely be recorded to some extent.

Soon, he found the record as he wished.

[March 14th, the subordinate Liegu Martial Arts Hall branch in Hansha Town and the local Houshan Martial Arts Hall branch broke out in conflict over the 'iron thread vine'.

The local Liegu Martial Arts Hall used weapons to launch a sneak attack in violation of the rules during the battle, but still suffered defeat, disgracing the prestige of our Chen family.

The team leader, Head Instructor Zhang Shan, received heavy punishment and was sent to the mines to dig. The branch master, Chen Ping, was found negligent and fined one year's salary.]

Seeing this, Chen Shi paused.

That dog Zhang Shan had already been seriously injured when he fled, and later he was heavily punished by the Chen family and sent to mine; he was likely dead or crippled by now after all these years.

But that old dog Chen Ping only received a painless one-year salary fine. An Iron Skin Realm martial artist, it seems, still held some weight.

Moreover, he was surnamed Chen, though Chen Shi had no impression of him; he must be a collateral branch of the Chen family. Just wait, once this young master figures out a way to arrange for you.

Although his own death had nothing to do with this "high and mighty" martial arts hall master, times were different now. If he didn't arrange for him, wouldn't his position as the Second Young Master of the direct line of the Chen family be in vain?

Steadying his mind, Chen Shi continued to read.

[A month after the 'iron thread vine' was seized by the Houshan Martial Arts Hall, Hall Master Zhou Yue of the Houshan Martial Arts Hall successfully used it to break through to the mid-stage of the Iron Skin Realm, while the team instructor, Instructor Wang Zhong, failed to break through to the Iron Skin Realm.

Hall Master Zhou Yue was transferred back to Pantie City, and Wang Ming, who was at the initial stage of the Iron Skin Realm, took over as the Hall Master of the Houshan Martial Arts Hall in Hansha Town. The situation in Hansha Town did not change.

When leaving, he took away several family members, including a seven-year-old child]

Chen Shi was slightly stunned; his master had actually failed to break through!

He figured it must have been due to the hidden injuries left from that battle, coupled with his own passing, which caused flaws in his master's state of mind.

He was then puzzled by the last paragraph. After all, as far as he knew, when Hall Master Zhou Yue was in Hansha Town, just like his master, Instructor Wang Zhong, he had no wives or children.

Moreover, looking at the description, it sounded a bit like his own family from his previous life.

As for why he would take away his family, Chen Shi had a guess.

It was likely that he feared that after he left, his wife and children would be retaliated against by people from the Liegu Martial Arts Hall if left in Hansha Town, especially since he had played a crucial role in that battle.

And with his master, Instructor Wang Zhong, failing to break through, and the new Hall Master, Wang Ming, having no connection to him, if he had just left, his family would definitely have faced retaliation.

Thinking about it this way, this Hall Master Zhou Yue was a decent man.

Chen Shi sighed slightly, feeling a bit of gratitude in his heart.

It seemed that in this life, he would have to find a way to repay him, but now was not the time.