Chapter 234 - 232: A Man’s Name Is Like a Tree’s Shadow
"Hm?" Song Changming’s observation was exceptionally keen; he discovered that this scroll seemed to have hidden secrets within the landscape painting without being aware!
If it weren’t for his strong spiritual power, he truly wouldn’t have found the unusual aspects of this scroll.
"I’m not quite sure either; perhaps it’s all written in the letter." Song Ping’an scratched his head, saying.
Song Changming put away the scroll and then opened the letter sent by Liang Zhao Long, quickly browsing through it.
Soon, he understood the crux of the matter.
"The Chu Family’s martial technique inheritance, the Third Grade True Yang Technique..." Song Changming instantly became more invested in the scroll in his hands.
After all, this is a Third Grade martial technique; its rarity in terms of grade is few and far between in the entire Da Han World.
In fact, before this, Song Changming had never heard of martial techniques of this grade.
Presumably, besides the Chu Imperial Family that has inherited techniques for thousands of years, only those Hidden Sects might possess such high-grade martial techniques.
If the Da Han Dynasty eventually collapses and the Chu Family walks towards its demise, there will undoubtedly be countless people coveting this Third Grade martial technique.
It’s likely that most people didn’t expect that although the Chu Family still exists, amidst the internal turmoil within the Imperial Palace, someone dared and managed to steal the scroll that holds the secret of a Third Grade martial technique.
Undoubtedly, Ning Xinhu rose for only a few years yet was able to be declared the Thief Sage, not without reason.
Even if it was by sheer coincidence that he got his hands on it, it is still quite remarkable.
After all, that was the Imperial Palace, once the most strictly guarded high place in all of Da Han.
Though there were occasional rumors in the past about some Glazed Cups and Luminous Pearls stolen from the Imperial Palace, not to mention the truth being hard to verify, compared to the currently stolen item, those stolen things are simply inconsequential.
Liang Zhao Long later successfully plotted and captured that Thief Sage, hence the scroll in Song Changming’s hands is genuine!
However, it’s said that the content of the imperial family’s Third Grade True Yang Technique is hidden within two scrolls, the Mountain and River Painting as the Earth Scroll, and the Star River Painting as the Heaven Scroll.
Only by possessing both the Heaven and Earth scrolls can one obtain this Imperial family’s ’Supreme Divine Skill’!
And because of this, the Golden Pavilion Sect is about to go to war with the Changming Association.
Honestly speaking, with the current strength of the Changming Association and the network accumulated by Liang Zhao Long, even if Song Changming stays out of it, the Golden Pavilion Sect might not be able to overcome the all-out Changming Association!
The Changming Association nowadays is akin to a hidden dragon in the abyss, quite low-key.
Very few know the full extent of the Changming Association, even its members have little knowledge of the entire composition of the Changming Association, let alone outsiders.
Song Changming knows well that the current energy possessed by the Changming Association is absolutely on par with the tier of first-rate major sects in Jianghu.
With Extreme Realm Martial Artists, Qi Refining Experts, and even strong allies to be found, it does not fear the Golden Pavilion Sect.
However, while that’s said, Song Changming can’t sit idly by, letting Liang Zhao Long fight tooth and nail outside because of the scroll in his hand.
Prompting Song Ping’an to bring paper and pen, Song Changming drafted a few words on white paper.
"I remember the Golden Pavilion Sect is in Dongcang Prefecture, not far from Wangyue Prefecture." Song Changming suddenly asked.
"Yes, not far." Song Ping’an nodded.
"Then send this letter to the Golden Pavilion Sect; if they don’t cease, promptly report back." Song Changming handed the letter he just wrote to Song Ping’an, saying.
"Alright!" Song Ping’an understood and took the letter away into the night.
Several days later.
Outside Dongcang County City, Golden Palace Peak.
The major Jianghu sect, Golden Pavilion Sect, has established its martial lineage here.
Sect Leader Wu Ce is also a well-known figure in the area, a Qi Cultivation Realm powerhouse.
Thanks to him, the sect has made its way into first-rate Jianghu circles.
At this moment, Wu Ce looked at the letter in his hand, his expression flickering between unsure and contemplative.
For a while, he finally let out a long breath, barely squeezing out a smile, saying: "Earlier I didn’t know, not intending to offend, as it’s the intention of that person, our Golden Pavilion Sect won’t interfere in this matter further, rest assured."
"Good, with Sect Leader’s words, that’s enough." Song Ping’an nodded and bid farewell, about to stride away.
Many Golden Palace Sect members around looked at Song Ping’an with adverse expressions.
Seeing him about to leave, someone finally couldn’t hold back, stopping Song Ping’an and looking at Wu Ce, cried out.
"Sect Leader, we’ve already clashed with the Changming Association, it can’t end like this!"
"Indeed, is our Golden Pavilion Sect afraid of that small association? If this matter gets out, how can we stand in Jianghu again!"
"This battle cannot retreat, Sect Leader!"
The disciples hadn’t seen the letter, only knowing Song Ping’an had come and their Sect Leader instantly softened, filled with indignation.
"This man is cunning and sinister; I say, grab him first!" Another disciple glared at Song Ping’an, seeming poised to draw their blade to seize him.
Song Ping’an looked at this group of disciples and found it amusing.
"You don’t seem to understand the situation?"
With that, his inner qi suddenly surged around him, kicking up a fierce wind.
That is precisely Song Changming’s Wind Dragon Blade Intent!
The immense pressure caused the bodies of the Golden Pavilion Sect members to momentarily freeze, with some even showing expressions of fear.
They hadn’t expected that this messenger could actually be a Qi Refining powerhouse?!
It’s known in the Jianghu that disciples from hidden major sects rarely travel outside, and known Qi Refining powerhouses are extremely rare.
None of them recognized this unknown Qi Refining powerhouse, Song Ping’an.
If they had known beforehand, they would have never acted this way.
The sect leader Wu Ce at the back was not really surprised.
At the first glance of Song Ping’an, he already sensed that this person was a Qi Refining Martial Artist like him.
Of course, on the outside, he still pretended to scold his subordinates angrily, apologizing to Song Ping’an.
Song Ping’an cast one last glance at the sect leader, retracted his sword intent, the fierce wind ceased, and without another word, he turned and left.
The remaining Golden Pavilion Sect members looked at each other, unsure of what to say.
"Sect Leader, are we really going to let it go like this?" an elder with a white beard asked.
It was evident that he held a high position within the sect; only he dared to ask further questions at this moment.
Wu Ce returned to his seat of honor, slapped the letter onto the table, and said with a sullen face, "See for yourself."
The white-bearded elder stepped forward for a glance, and his previously squinted eyes suddenly widened.
"This matter ends here. --Song Changming."
These few words made his heart pound intensely a few times.
"Song Changming... could he be that Dragon Blade Guest from the Celestial List?!" The white-bearded elder had the answer in his heart and couldn’t help but ask.
"Dispatching a Qi Refining Martial Artist to deliver a letter with such skill and signing this name, who else could it be?" Wu Ce replied in a muffled voice.
The Celestial List of Zhuji Pavilion; they naturally kept a close watch on it.
The hundred people on the Celestial List were not completely memorized, but mostly remembered.
Especially those martial artists who have been on the list for a long time; they remember them clearly.
Ever since Song Changming first ascended to the top of the Earth List years ago, he was already famous in the Da Han Martial Realm.
Over the years, as a constant presence on the Celestial List, it’s hard for him not to be remembered.
A person’s fame is like a tree’s shadow.
Now the name Song Changming is enough to inspire awe and even make people shudder with fear!
Many times, Song Changming doesn’t even need to appear personally; a simple letter and a minor warning can solve the problem.
"In any case, for now, we will pause dealings with the Changming Association and discuss the matter further later..." Wu Ce said, then left with a flick of his sleeve.
Taking advantage of the imperial court’s preoccupation with its own affairs, he wanted to seize this rare opportunity to acquire this valuable hidden martial technique of the imperial family.
But now, with the entrance of the Celestial List powerhouse Song Changming, his entire plan was disrupted, making it impossible for him to be happy.
He does not want to give up the Third Grade Martial Technique, yet dares not offend Song Changming.
On the Celestial List, the vast majority of powerful martial artists come from hidden major sects, and they don’t even have time to practice their own sect’s precious martial techniques, so their interest in the Chu Imperial Family’s martial arts inheritance is not that high.
Only Song Changming is an exception.
Although he was ranked sixty-second on the Celestial List by Zhuji Pavilion, he is not of hidden major sect origin but rose from humble beginnings as a minor figure.
Having no ancient martial art inheritance, he achieved his current strength and Jianghu status step by step on his own, earning high recognition from Zhuji Pavilion.
To outsiders, Song Changming’s martial arts journey seems like a miraculous fairy tale, full of legendary elements, making it unbelievable, yet he is real.
In the history of the Da Han Dynasty, martial artists like Song Changming are extremely rare.
Precisely because Song Changming does not have a major sect’s martial arts inheritance, his interest in the Chu Imperial Family’s martial arts transmission makes logical sense.
Having such a competitor like Song Changming leaves this Golden Pavilion Sect Leader feeling helpless and powerless.
Although he is also on the Earth List, it’s because of this that he is more aware of the massive strength gap between himself and those Celestial List powerhouses.
Reason tells him he cannot become an enemy of Song Changming!
In the past few years, there have been formidable characters who provoked Song Changming, but eventually, they all became part of his impressive record, helping him climb step by step up the Celestial List.
Even if the Golden Pavilion Sect Leader is reluctant, he must restrain himself.
If he acts on impulse, not only might he lose his life, but the entire Golden Pavilion Sect might also have to follow him in destruction!
Thus.
A battle originally requiring the Changming Association’s full engagement, possibly ending in heavy casualties, was raised high and set down gently, silently resolved by Song Changming.
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