Chapter 458 - 218: Punishment (Part 4)
"In these two years, I can also guide you on some Sword Intent and the specifics of reaching the Sword Immortal Realm."
Upon hearing this, Shen Wen’an was quite tempted.
But then, after hesitating for a moment, he spoke, "The Spirit Crystals on me need to be sent back home immediately, so that Chongming and the others can quickly improve their strength..."
"This matter can be easily settled."
Huang Lingshan displayed a strange smile on her face.
...
At the barrier between Danzhou and Yangnao Land.
Shen Wen’an arrived controlling his sword, and indeed saw that the Old Man with a Conical Hat was still sitting cross-legged on the boulder as usual.
He slightly cupped his hands in salute.
The Old Man with a Conical Hat slowly raised his head and chuckled softly.
"Have you taken care of everything?"
"About to head back?"
Shen Wen’an cautiously cupped his hands and said, "Not quite, junior just came to have a look."
Have a look?
The Old Man with a Conical Hat showed some confusion, and just as he was about to speak, he noticed a figure suddenly appear at the barrier.
The newcomer was Shen Chongming.
As soon as he crossed the barrier, Shen Chongming noticed his third uncle, Shen Wen’an, and the Old Man with a Conical Hat.
Previously, in the Communication Stone message, Shen Wen’an had already explained the general identity of this old man to him.
Upon meeting now, Shen Chongming was visibly a bit nervous.
This was a terrifying strong practitioner suspected to be in the Nascent Soul Realm.
Needless to say a breath, even a glance from him might be enough to kill.
"Senior."
After respectfully cupping his hands, Shen Chongming came over to Shen Wen’an’s side.
Upon this meeting of uncle and nephew, Shen Wen’an wasted no words and directly handed over the Storage Bag containing seven hundred Spirit Crystals and the Soul-Slaying Sword Secret Skill among other items.
"Take these things and go back as soon as possible. Tell your grandfather that Third Uncle will stay in Danzhou for two years, seeking a way out for our Shen Family."
"What needed to be said, I left in a Jade Scroll."
After Shen Chongming nodded, he did not dare to linger, only said, "Third Uncle, take care," and then promptly entered the barrier and disappeared.
This scene left the Old Man with a Conical Hat on the nearby boulder a bit stunned.
"Heh... heh heh..."
After a moment of surprise, the old man couldn’t help but shake his head with a laugh.
"You young one, truly know how to exploit loopholes."
Seeing this, Shen Wen’an appeared a bit nervous and respectfully cupped his hands, "Senior only said that no cultivator is allowed to pass the barrier; this action by junior should not be against your will, right?"
The Old Man with a Conical Hat, smiling, quietly watched him for a moment and then nodded slightly, "Naturally, it’s not."
"However..."
"Having let you exploit a loophole, this old man’s dignity feels a bit tarnished, so there must be some form of punishment."
Hearing this, Shen Wen’an’s heart sank, yet he dared not make any move.
He knew very well that with the old man’s strength capable of killing Golden Core Realm cultivators with a single finger, he could not escape from him no matter what.
Since he mentioned only punishment and not taking his life, complying might mean no harm would come. Rebelling, however, could provoke displeasure and truly end him here.
"Please mete out your punishment, Senior."
Shen Wen’an respectfully cupped his hands, his stance sincerely earnest and obedient.
The Old Man with a Conical Hat looked at him with a smiling gaze, showing no trace of anger.
"You little guy indeed..."
"Fine, I’ll punish you by having you accompany this old man for a game of chess for the next six months."
With a slight thought, the Old Man with a Conical Hat gently waved his hand.
Suddenly, a chess table and a cushion appeared atop the boulder.
Before Shen Wen’an could react, he felt a force restraining everything about him.
His body uncontrollably flew towards the boulder and landed on the cushion.
At that moment, he finally understood how insignificant his prideful strength was in the face of this Old Man with a Conical Hat.
The other party made no deliberate actions, yet easily subdued all of his abilities.
If killing intent was truly stirred, not even a finger would need to move.
"Senior, this junior does not understand the Chess Dao."
After landing on the cushion and regaining control of his body, Shen Wen’an did not entertain any thought of escaping.
"If you don’t understand, you must learn."
"The great path has three thousand ways; the Chess Dao is by no means restricted merely to the confines of a small chessboard."
"Three hundred and sixty-one points, representing life and death, fortune and misfortune, cause and effect, transformation..."
"Each chess piece represents your choices, interests, and foresight."
"A cultivator, understanding gains and losses, discerning choices, knowing self-interest, can achieve the great path."
"I’ve digressed."
With a slight smile, he picked up a white jade chess piece and placed it on one of the points on the board.
"For a chess player, Qi is life."
"Where there is Qi, there is life; this piece surrounded by Qi represents thriving life."
"Like this..."
He waved his hand and took four black stones from the chess box before Shen Wen’an, placing them around the white piece.
"With the Qi gone, this white piece loses its vitality, marking a path to death."
"The Chess Player must always be aware of their own vitality and retreating path, making key choices to step beyond immediate gains and losses to oversee the bigger picture."
...
It was unclear whether the Old Man with a Conical Hat truly was very bored or if there was another intention as he began to slowly lecture the basics of the Chess Dao to the novice Shen Wen’an.
Shen Wen’an understood that for the next six months, he would likely face monotonous days, with no alternative but to apply himself diligently in learning.
...
Yunshui City.
Upon returning to Black Water Pavilion, Shen Chongming suddenly noticed a long-missed and familiar figure seated in front of his grandfather, Shen Yuan.
"Father!?"
He was momentarily stunned, then joyfully approached.
Shen Wenxing slowly turned around, seeing his son with a face full of joy.
"I heard from your grandfather that you went to Danzhou?"
Shen Chongming nodded, seating himself cross-legged on the cushion on the other side of the desk.
"How was it?"
"Did you meet that mysterious strong practitioner?"
Shen Yuan asked in a deep voice.
Just a day prior, Shen Wen’an, far away in Danzhou, suddenly sent a message via Communication Stone.