Chapter 122: Trampling the Face

Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Trampling the Face

Night fell, and lights began to flicker on across the Panshi Sect. The talk about Chen Yue, however, had yet to die down.

Panshi Peak, within Meng Yu Jin’s courtyard.

The night was deep. A bright moon hung high in the sky, its cool, clear light spilling onto the courtyard’s stone tiles, draping the serene space in a silvery-white veil.

In the corner of the courtyard, a patch of green bamboo swayed gently in the night breeze, its leaves letting out a soft SHUSH.

Meng Yu Jin sat on a stone chair beneath an old locust tree. Before her sat a small, red clay stove, its fire burning brightly. The spring water in the ceramic kettle atop it had begun to boil, sending up delicate tendrils of white steam.

With practiced ease, she lifted the kettle. Rinsing the cups, washing the leaves, and finally, steeping the tea—the sequence was as fluid as flowing water. The elegant, lingering aroma of tea soon filled the courtyard.

Chen Yue and Liu Wenying stood respectfully nearby, awaiting Meng Yu Jin’s instructions.

Meng Yu Jin poured herself a cup of tea but didn’t drink it right away. She held the warm cup, her gaze fixed on Chen Yue, and spoke slowly, her voice crisp and serene:

"According to Sect rules, outer sect disciples can only access the First Three Layers of the Panshi Skill. Only after advancing to become an Inner Sect Disciple are you qualified to go to the Hidden Skills Pavilion and redeem the Heart Methods for the Fourth and Fifth Layers.

You should be aware of this already."

Chen Yue nodded. "I am aware."

Meng Yu Jin continued, "’But rules are not set in stone. The Sect restricts outer sect disciples from accessing higher-level Cultivation Techniques for two reasons. First, to assess a disciple’s character. Second, to prevent the techniques from being leaked and stolen by those with malicious intent.

However, if an elder in the sect with sufficient Cultivation is willing to act as a guarantor, the technique can be imparted early. In other words, I can serve as your guarantor and teach you the Heart Methods for the Fourth and Fifth Layers of the Panshi Skill ahead of schedule."

A look of understanding dawned on Chen Yue’s face.

Standing nearby, Liu Wenying couldn’t resist winking at Chen Yue. Her tone was smug and a little showy.

"Let me tell you, Junior Brother, I’ve almost fully grasped the Fourth Layer of the Panshi Skill! In just a little more time, I’ll have it completely mastered. After that, breaking through to the Marrow Refining Realm will be a piece of cake!"

Meng Yu Jin shot Liu Wenying a sidelong glance. "Is that something to be so proud of? Can you even beat Chen Yue?"

Liu Wenying froze. The smile on her face vanished in an instant. She pouted, her voice tinged with grievance and indignation.

"Master! How can you be like that? I’m focusing on raising my Cultivation first—Cultivation is the foundation! My Cultivation is definitely higher than his! Once I break through to the Marrow Refining Realm, my strength will skyrocket!"

Seeing Liu Wenying’s aggrieved yet defiant expression, Chen Yue couldn’t help but crack a small smile.

"Senior Sister is right. Your Cultivation is much higher than mine. I’ve only gotten by on the advantages of my Cultivation Technique and physique. In terms of accumulated cultivation, I’m truly no match for you."

At his words, Liu Wenying’s face immediately lit up. She patted Chen Yue’s shoulder, her expression seeming to say, ’I’ve got my eye on you, kid.’

"Junior Brother, you sure know the right things to say! If anyone in the Sect bullies you from now on, just tell them my name! Though... it might not be as effective as Master’s name, but hey, it’s still a name!"

Meng Yu Jin watched Liu Wenying and shook her head, a smile on her lips.

She set down her teacup, her expression turning serious once more. "Alright, that’s enough joking. Chen Yue, I will now impart to you the Heart Method for the Fourth Layer of the Panshi Skill. Listen closely."

Chen Yue’s smile vanished. He stood at attention, his expression solemn as he prepared to listen with his full concentration.

Meng Yu Jin began to slowly recite the mnemonic verses for the Heart Method of the Panshi Skill’s Fourth Layer. Her voice was not loud, yet every word was crystal clear. Each syllable seemed to carry a unique rhythm, merging with the night breeze, the stove’s fire, and the very essence of the world around them.

Meng Yu Jin did not simply recite the verses. Drawing on her own years of cultivation experience, she explained the meaning behind each line in a way that was both profound and easy to understand. She detailed the crucial junctures, the key points of focus, and the method for circulating every type of Power.

At critical junctures, she even rose to her feet to personally demonstrate certain movements, giving Chen Yue a more direct understanding of their intricacies.

Chen Yue was completely engrossed, not daring to let his focus waver for even a moment.

Within his body, the Heart Methods for the First Three Layers of the Vast Rock Skill, which he had already cultivated to Perfection, began to circulate and resonate on their own in response to Meng Yu Jin’s words, as if welcoming guidance to a higher level.

An hour slipped by without him noticing.

Only when Meng Yu Jin finished the final verse and raised her teacup to soothe her throat did Chen Yue slowly emerge from his state of deep immersion.

His mind felt perfectly clear. The frustrating feeling of knowing the path forward but being unable to take it—a feeling born from his lack of the Panshi Skill’s Fourth Layer—had now completely dissipated.

Meng Yu Jin set down her teacup, retrieved a thin, hand-copied booklet from within her robes, and handed it to Chen Yue.

The paper of the booklet was yellowed and its corners frayed. It was clearly old, yet it had been perfectly preserved.

"This is a handwritten copy of the Heart Method for the Panshi Skill’s Fourth Layer. It’s the version I used back when I was cultivating it, and I’ve marked it with some of my own insights and precautions.

Take it back, study it carefully, and master it as quickly as you can. Once you’ve learned it, return it to me. Do not let it circulate outside the Sect." Meng Yu Jin’s tone was grave.

Chen Yue accepted the manual with both hands and bowed deeply. "I understand, Master. I will not fail to live up to your expectations!"

Meng Yu Jin nodded and waved her hand. "Alright, it’s late, and you’ve had a long day. Go back and rest. Starting tomorrow, if you run into any problems with your cultivation, you can come find me here anytime."

"Yes, Master. I’ll take my leave."

Chen Yue bowed again, gave a nod to Liu Wenying, and then turned to leave the tranquil courtyard.

「Meanwhile, at Celestial Stone Peak.」

Celestial Stone Peak was located in the Panshi Sect’s Inner Sect grounds. It was home to the most outstanding of the Inner Sect Disciples.

Unlike the noisy, bustling outer sect area, Celestial Stone Peak was exceptionally quiet, with considerable distance separating each courtyard to ensure mutual privacy.

Inside one particularly spacious courtyard, the lights burned brightly. Zhao Zongzhen was there.

He sat in the seat of honor, his face grim. He held a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, showing no intention of drinking it.

Flanking him were five other Inner Sect Disciples. The weakest among them was at the Late Stage of the Marrow Refining Realm, and two had even reached the Peak of Marrow Refining Realm.

Xu Wen Pavilion and Xue Zijin were also among them, their expressions equally grim.

"That Chen Yue... he’s taken Meng Yu Jin as his master."

An Inner Sect Disciple was the first to break the silence, his tone heavy. "Meng Yu Jin is at the Peak of the Refining Organ Realm, and rumor has it she’s already attempting to break through to the Innate Acupoint Refining Realm. With her protecting Chen Yue, it won’t be easy to get to him."

"Hmph! So what about Meng Yu Jin?"

Another Inner Sect Disciple sneered, his tone defiant. "No matter how strong she is, she’s still just one person. Does our Mutual Aid Association not have experts in the Refining Organ Realm? She might be able to protect him for a day, but can she protect him for the rest of his life?"

"We can’t be so hasty."

Another spoke up, his tone more cautious. "She may be just one person, but she’s been in the Sect for many years. Her network and influence can’t be underestimated. If we really have a falling out with her, it won’t do us any good either."

Zhao Zongzhen listened to their debate without a word, his expression growing steadily darker.

Just then, the sound of steady footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard gate.

The steps were unhurried, yet they carried an intangible, oppressive weight, as if each one fell in time with the beating of their hearts.

The chatter in the courtyard died instantly. All eyes turned toward the gate.

A figure appeared in the gateway.

He was a man of about thirty, powerfully built with a square-jawed face, thick, blade-like eyebrows, and a gaze as sharp as a torch’s flame.

He wore the dark gray Inner Sect Disciple’s Robe, and the aura of his Qi Blood, radiating from beneath the fabric, felt both scorching and immense.

Refining Organ Realm. And clearly, he was far beyond the initial stage.

The very air in the courtyard seemed to thicken the moment he appeared.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Zhao Zongzhen immediately set down his teacup and rose. He cupped his fists in a salute, his voice laced with respect.

"Senior Brother Lin. You’re here."

Lin Junshi nodded, strode directly to the head of the table, and sat down without ceremony. He grabbed the teapot, poured himself a cup, and downed it in one gulp.

He slammed the cup back onto the table with a sharp CLACK. His gaze, like a hawk’s, swept over everyone present. His voice was low, dripping with unconcealed derision.

"I hear," he began, "that our Mutual Aid Association had its face ground into the dirt today by some brand-new outer sect disciple?"

At his words, the expressions of everyone present soured.

As one of those who had been there, Xue Zijin forced himself to nod. His voice was dry.

"Yes. Jiang Linkuo from the Law Enforcement Hall, along with an outer sect disciple named Cheng Jun... were killed on the Life and Death Platform in the Martial Arts Arena by someone named Chen Yue."

Lin Junshi’s gaze was like a pair of daggers, pinning Xue Zijin in place.

"You were there, weren’t you?" he pressed. "And you just stood by and watched it happen?"

Xue Zijin’s scalp prickled under that stare. He swallowed hard and struggled to explain.

"Senior Brother Lin, by the time we got there, Jiang Linkuo was already dead. Cheng Jun’s arms were shattered, his chest caved in... he was barely breathing.

Senior Brother Zhao tried to intervene, but that Chen Yue was completely unreasonable. He wouldn’t listen and killed Cheng Jun with a single punch right in front of all of us."

Lin Junshi let out a derisive snort, a sound filled with biting sarcasm.

He slowly turned his head, his gaze landing on the silent Zhao Zongzhen. His voice dripped with unconcealed disappointment and ridicule.

"So, in the end, you just stood there and watched... as an outer sect disciple trampled all over your dignity, and the dignity of our Mutual Aid Association?"

Zhao Zongzhen’s face went pale, then red. His fingers tightened around his teacup, but he was unable to utter a single word.

Xu Wen Pavilion, standing to the side, hesitated for a moment before speaking up.

"Senior Brother Lin, it happened on the Life and Death Platform! The platform has its own rules. Once someone steps onto it, outsiders have no right to interfere. Even if we had wanted to stop him, we..."

"And who says you couldn’t stop him?"

Lin Junshi whipped his head around and shot Xu Wen Pavilion a glare, cutting off his words.

Lin Junshi’s voice was sharp and aggressive, holding nothing back.

"So how did I hear that after killing Jiang Linkuo, the kid called you all out by name and dared you to get on the platform? Why didn’t you answer the challenge?"