Celestial Human Diagram

On the 6th day of the first lunar month, Chen Chuan awoke early from his dreams. After two days of relaxation, the effects of the Memory Potion had surfaced once again.

In this vision, the woman with light brown hair appeared again. She had her arms crossed and was speaking to another person.

This person had the distinct air of a company executive. His expression was very serious, as if he were either admonishing or trying to persuade her.

He didn’t know where this was. It looked like some sort of boardwalk, with red lanterns floating in the sky and the occasional sound of firecrackers.

He glanced around. ’Is this during the New Year? No wonder this memory surfaced now.’

His mother, in this body’s memory, was leaning against a nearby railing, not listening to their conversation. He could only occasionally hear the woman’s irritated voice.

A moment later, the woman stormed back. The company executive seemed to want to follow, but his mother took a step forward, blocking his path. The man ultimately didn’t pursue them and turned to leave.

After the man left, his mother and the brown-haired woman began to talk as they walked to the edge of a cliff. He didn’t recognize the place, but he memorized the characters on the face of a nearby cliff, planning to look them up once he returned to Central City.

At that moment, the content of their conversation caught his attention.

Although the two had spoken a lot before, the woman had never mentioned anything about her identity or background. This time, however, the woman said she wouldn’t go back to the company.

’It seems like this woman might be a high-level executive at some company, and my mother was probably in charge of her security,’ he thought. ’I just don’t know which company yet.’

But when he thought of the card his parents had left behind, he suspected there might be a connection between the two.

Just as he was thinking, the sporadic sound of firecrackers echoed from outside again.

He glanced over and got out of bed. ’No point in wracking my brains guessing. The specific clues should become clear as more memories surface.’

After getting dressed, he went out to wash up. He was going to Cheng Zitong’s house today to pay a New Year’s visit, so he needed to leave early.

During the New Year festival in Dashun, Gong Zhanxin, the direct heir of the old royal family of the Outer Ocean Islands, made a personal trip to the main branch of Langtao Hall on Erwen Island at the request of the Ferris Wheel Company.

Accompanied by several of his retainers and members of the Gao Tian Sect, he entered the hall under the watchful eyes of a crowd of Fighting Hall disciples clad in Martial Arts Uniforms.

One Hour later, he walked out of the hall and said to the Ferris Wheel Company representative waiting outside, "The Feng He Hall Master has agreed. He will send his most favored disciple of this generation, Jian Chengsheng."

"Most favored?"

The Ferris Wheel Company representative couldn’t help but question, "Shouldn’t it be the most outstanding?"

The retainer at his side, Gang Yingzhuo, spoke sternly, "Please watch your words. You are standing before the current head of the Gongshi family, the Palace King Hall."

The company representative bowed slightly. "Please forgive me. I meant no disrespect to the Gongshi."

Gong Zhanxin, however, didn’t seem to mind. He maintained his elegant demeanor and smiled. "Honored envoy, you act for the company’s affairs and for the well-being of the Outer Ocean Islands. Our goals are aligned."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty."

Gong Zhanxin said, "I did indeed initially ask the Feng He Hall Master to send his most outstanding disciple."

"Then why didn’t the Feng He Hall Master agree?"

As Gang Yingzhuo glared at him again, the company representative proactively apologized, bowing slightly once more. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am merely anxious. The target is different this time, and we have failed before. We do not wish to have you make this trip again because of it."

Gong Zhanxin said, "Thank you for your company’s consideration, but..." He stated frankly, "Although the Gongshi still have some influence, we hold no absolute authority over Langtao Hall. Langtao Hall is willing to give us face because they choose to honor their promise. I cannot make decisions on their behalf."

The company representative thought for a moment, then looked up. "Can it not be changed?"

Gong Zhanxin shook his head lightly.

"Understood. I will report this to the company exactly as it is." After speaking, the representative left with his people.

Once he was gone, Gang Yingzhuo turned around, his hand on his blade. "Your Majesty, that company representative was so impolite! They clearly rely on you to act on their behalf, yet they show you such disrespect."

But Gong Zhanxin seemed to see it clearly. "Isn’t it obvious? If they truly respected me, I wouldn’t have had to come here at their beck and call."

He turned his head to look in the direction of Langtao Hall and said faintly, "And Langtao Hall, are they not also using the Gongshi name as a shield? They aren’t as loyal and righteous as they appear, either."

Gang Yingzhuo said indignantly, "A pack of treacherous rebels."

"Gang Ying, you don’t understand. On the Outer Ocean Islands, anyone who managed to survive from the old era and still live well—which one of them doesn’t carry a stain of disgrace and shame? Just like you and I."

Gong Zhanxin sighed. "The truly loyal and righteous have long since vanished."

After the Ferris Wheel Company representative returned to the ship in the harbor, he immediately began sending a telegram. The head office received the message not long after.

After a careful evaluation, they deemed the candidate acceptable. In theory, he was already the most suitable person Langtao Hall could send at this time.

Some of Langtao Hall’s older disciples were either widely famous or had entered the Merging Land long ago. The former would be closely monitored the moment they entered Dashun, while the latter were on missions and would have difficulty returning on short notice.

Jian Chengsheng was different. He wasn’t well-known to the outside world, but he wasn’t without skill. Ever since achieving some success at the age of fourteen, he had traveled throughout the Outer Ocean Island Countries, challenging famous figures under an alias. This was rare, as people in the Outer Ocean would typically stop at nothing to make a name for themselves.

He suffered repeated defeats at first, but after the age of fifteen, he never lost again. It was said that even among his fellow disciples, he rarely met his match. For Langtao Hall to send this disciple, it couldn’t be said that they lacked sincerity.

「On the southern beach of Erwen Island」

A young man who looked to be eighteen or nineteen stood on a reef by the sea, one hand resting on the hilt of the Long Blade at his waist, watching the oncoming waves.

His hair was tied in a topknot, and he wore the ancient-style robes of a bygone era. The blue garment billowed in the sea breeze. His skin was rather coarse, and his hands and palms were broad, but his face had an air that was hard to ignore. His eyes always held a stubborn determination, as if he could conquer the raging waves and turn back the tide.

"Sheng Monarch, the Hall Master requests your presence."

Jian Chengsheng turned, gave the messenger a slight bow, then leaped off the reef and headed back along the path.

Langtao Hall was built on a small hill, where the sound of the surging sea could be heard year-round. Two rows of vibrant Scarlet Flower Trees were planted before the entrance, their petals scattering down and covering the path ahead like splatters of blood.

A gatehouse stood before the mountain path. Beside the path was a large stone inscribed with the two characters for "Langtao," exuding a powerful aura, as if the ocean waves were about to crash down.

Passing the gatehouse and ascending, he walked along a wooden-planked corridor until he reached the main hall’s grand viewing room. On either side, attendants held up bamboo curtains with poles. Jian Chengsheng removed his shoes, stepped onto the mirror-polished wooden floor, and walked to the very front. He bowed with ancient courtesy and said respectfully, "Teacher."

On the wall of the viewing room hung a massive scroll with two words: "Thunder Hearing." Below it, seated in a reclining posture, was the Master of Langtao Hall, Feng He Guardian.

He was a gaunt man with long, unbound hair that cascaded down to the floor. But he was unusually tall; just sitting there, he seemed to be around two meters in height.

Standing before him, Jian Chengsheng looked like a child by comparison.

Feng He Guardian said, "I had originally planned to send you to the Merging Land to train. Only there can you learn the skills for the next stage. However, we once made a promise to the Gong Royal Family. As long as the direct line of the Gongshi comes with a request, we will dispatch at least one outstanding disciple to serve them."

Jian Chengsheng listened in silence.

Feng He Guardian said, "They now need to eliminate a Fighter from Dashun. I intend to send you."

Jian Chengsheng said, neither arrogant nor impatient, "Teacher, aren’t your best disciples Senior Brother Henetsu and Senior Brother Mishiro?"

Feng He Guardian said, "At your age, they were not your equal."

"But if the goal is to defeat an enemy, shouldn’t you send the best disciple?"

Feng He Guardian said, "Of the Twenty-One Halls passed down since ancient times in the Outer Ocean Islands, only three remain. The reason Langtao Hall can still hold its place is not just because we rely on martial strength, but because we understand sacrifice.

If I am Langtao Hall’s past, and your senior brothers are its present, then you are Langtao Hall’s future. By entrusting the future to the Gongshi, Langtao Hall shows its greatest faith."

"I understand." Jian Chengsheng bowed deeply.

Feng He Guardian said, "I permit you to go forth bearing the name of Langtao Hall. If you return, you may carve your name on the bamboo stone behind the hall. If you are defeated and die, a place will be reserved for you on the Sacrifice Stele out front."

Jian Chengsheng raised his head and said solemnly, "Please listen for the sounds of the future from within the hall, Teacher. This disciple will bring my name back."

At this moment, a serving girl approached with small steps. She carried a large bowl of medicinal wine that gave off a pungent odor and placed it before Jian Chengsheng.

Feng He Guardian said, "Drink this bowl of wine."

Jian Chengsheng picked it up without hesitation and drank it down in one go. But after a moment, he began to feel his whole body tingle and itch.

He wiped his hand and found the old calluses starting to peel off. The coarse, weathered skin on his body and face, ravaged by years of sea wind, also began to fall away layer by layer, revealing fair skin underneath.

In just a moment, he transformed into a handsome young man with rosy lips and pearly teeth. This was, in fact, his original appearance, but he now looked two or three years younger.

Except for his eyes, which remained firm and resolute, even someone who knew him well would have trouble recognizing him at a glance.

Feng He Guardian said, "Although your biometric information has never been recorded by Dashun and you used an alias for your challenges abroad, you could still be investigated and recognized.

This is the ’White Infant Wine’ sent by the Ferris Wheel Company. It can make your skin as delicate and smooth as a newborn’s. You will be able to enter Dashun looking two years younger than you did before."

He then said, "You don’t need to pack anything. The people from the Ferris Wheel Company have prepared everything for you. You only need to bring your blade and the Saber Technique I taught you.

You may go."

"This disciple takes his leave."

Jian Chengsheng bowed respectfully, then stood and walked out, his hand on the Long Blade at his waist. As he walked past the Wave Stone, a voice called out from behind him, "Hey, kid."

He turned to see a limping old man with messy hair and shabby clothes. It was the gatekeeper of Langtao Hall. He bowed slightly and said, "Senior."

The old man said to him, "Fame is something only the living care about. So make sure you come back alive. Don’t you go dying on me."

Jian Chengsheng didn’t answer. He simply bowed, then strode with steady steps toward the ship moored at the seaside.

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