Section 18: The Three Elders Regard Chu Yun with New Respect
Author: Gu Zhenren
February 9, 2013
Every elder deserves respect. Those who endure the worldly affairs and live to such an age are not simple. As the saying goes, an elder at home is like a treasure. The experience of the elders is a valuable asset to be sought, learned from, and taken as a reference by the younger generation.
Especially the Old Red Spear, Old Fish King, and Old Monkey Joe, who have all returned safely from the battlefield, possess even more profound life experience. After hearing about the Heavenly Treasure Shop, all three elders displayed an unprecedented seriousness.
When Chu Yun inquired, the Old Red Spear replied in a deep voice, “Ordinary shops wouldn’t do such things. This Heavenly Treasure Shop is unusual; it emits a sinister aura. My intuition tells me they might be spies for pirates.”
“Pirate spies?” Chu Yun stammered.
Old Monkey Joe explained, “The geographical environment of our Archipelago is incredibly complex. Various islands are intertwined, with reefs everywhere, shifting shipping lanes, and numerous vessels, which breeds a lot of pirates. For pirates to rob passing ships, they need sources of information. Organized pirate forces often send spies to the islands to gather intel.”
“Pirates…” Chu Yun murmured. He hadn’t considered that angle. He had spent his previous life of twenty-three years exploring and uncovering mysteries. He was an expert in adventure and treasure hunting, but when it came to pursuing pirates, he naturally lacked experience.
“Strange, if they are pirate spies, why are they gathering information about our Shu Island? Our Shu Island is known for its might and bravery among the Archipelago, but we don’t have significant wealth. Our largest fleet isn’t a merchant convoy, but the Island Lord’s navy,” the Old Fish King said with a frown.
“Regardless, let the young man lead us to see. This matter cannot be taken lightly.” The Old Red Spear, decisive and swift, stood up as he spoke.
“Alright,” Chu Yun replied readily, leading the way.
The Ghost Scorpion Bat was arguably the most powerful wild Demonic Beast in the outer reaches of the forest. Larger Demonic Beasts rarely encroached on its territory. Furthermore, since the Ghost Scorpion Bat only fed on blood and not flesh, and was nocturnal, the corpses at the scene were remarkably well-preserved when the four arrived.
The first thing they encountered was a corpse with a large hole ripped through its chest, emitting a foul stench.
“This was killed by a Sharp Claw Monkey, a swift death in one strike!” Old Monkey Joe stroked his goatee, his eyes gleaming. He was all too familiar with this kind of injury.
“Chirp chirp chirp!” On his shoulder, a small Sharp Claw Monkey jumped around. This was Old Monkey Joe’s Demonic Beast, also a Sharp Claw Monkey. He owned a grove of copper bell coconut trees, and these tall trees required the Sharp Claw Monkey to climb and harvest coconuts for him.
“At night, a Sharp Claw Monkey attacked from the trees and killed one person. Subsequently, the Heavenly Treasure Shop’s men killed the Sharp Claw Monkey,” the Old Red Spear said, squatting down. As if unaffected by the pungent odor in the air, he began to meticulously examine the corpse.
Chu Yun also squatted down, not missing this excellent learning opportunity. He wanted to see how the Old Red Spear deduced information from a corpse.
After a thorough examination, the Old Red Spear found only a few trivial items, nothing that could prove his suspicions. Then, under Chu Yun’s curious gaze, the Old Red Spear removed the corpse’s clothes and, after taking a mouthful of wine, sprayed it onto the wound on the chest.
“What are you doing?” Chu Yun’s eyes widened. Seeing no change, he could no longer contain his curiosity and asked.
“Every pirate faction has tattoos to signify their identity. And pirate spies also have hidden tattoos. When wine is splashed, they will become visible,” the Old Red Spear replied patiently.
“I see,” Chu Yun nodded, his face serious.
A glint of admiration flashed in the Old Red Spear’s eyes. “This corpse stinks terribly, yet this young fellow Chu Yun can endure it. What patience!” He didn’t know that Chu Yun, in his previous life, had frequented all sorts of perilous places during his explorations. The stench of this corpse was nothing new to Chu Yun; he remained as calm as ever.
“Although this corpse has no tattoo, it doesn’t mean he isn’t a pirate spy. Pirate spies are usually very cunning; they develop some unwitting accomplices to conceal their identities. Let’s go examine other bodies,” the Old Red Spear said, standing up with a sigh.
“Okay, I remember they went this way.”
Chu Yun continued to lead the way. Shortly after, they discovered two corpses that had been burned beyond recognition, blackened all over.
“These were caused by a swarm of Firefly Spiders,” the Old Red Spear frowned. Even if these corpses had tattoos, they wouldn’t be able to find them.
The four moved forward. After a while, they finally arrived at the territory of the Ghost Scorpion Bat. There, they found eight corpses, six of whom had been killed by the Ghost Scorpion Bats and drained of their vital essence. The other two had their heads severed. Severed bodies lay scattered, and the ground was stained dark red with blood.
The three elders were moved by the sight.
The Old Red Spear suddenly turned and asked Chu Yun, “Youngster, did you kill these two?”
“Yes, after the Ghost Scorpion Bats were full, they let these two go. Since they came to hunt me, I thought, why let them escape so easily? I used my broadsword to finish them,” Chu Yun said, rubbing his nose and smiling casually.
A moment of silence followed. The three elders exchanged surprised glances. When Chu Yun had initially recounted the events, he hadn’t gone into detail, and the elders’ attention had been captured by the news itself. It was only upon seeing the actual scene that they realized the complexity of the situation.
Chu Yun, this thirteen-year-old youngster, had actually killed two people with a saber? The three elders, seasoned combatants themselves, observed that the scene hadn’t been overly disturbed. With a little deduction, they could vividly reconstruct Chu Yun’s actions, from the surprise attack to the killing, bringing them close to the truth.
The three elders were shaken! Seeing is believing. If they hadn’t personally arrived at this location and witnessed it, no one would have believed that Chu Yun, a thirteen-year-old young man, could achieve so much! Killing two people, from the planning to the surprise attack, and then to the decisive blow, showcasing ruthless courage and heroic spirit, would surely leave ordinary people dumbfounded. Even the three elders were stirred by the scene.
“What a sharp saber!” After a long pause, the Old Red Spear was the first to speak, breaking the silence with that single sentence. His eyes were fixed on the wounds of the two headless corpses, flashing with keen light. Although he praised the saber, he was actually referring to Chu Yun. The sharpest saber in the world, in the hands of a timid person, could never kill anyone. They wouldn’t dare. But Chu Yun dared! Not only did he dare, but he could also do it, and do it beautifully! A fatal blow, giving the opponent no chance. If the first strike failed, he would be in grave danger. Such Saber Techniques were imbued with a spirit of courage and iron. This spirit was not unfamiliar to the Old Red Spear; it was the spirit of the military. Thus, it resonated with the three of them.
“Nine big men, two Beast Masters eliminated by you alone. You good boy, brave and resourceful!” At this moment, Old Monkey Joe also reacted, clapping Chu Yun heartily on the shoulder and laughing loudly.
The Old Fish King nodded in agreement, saying with deep feeling, “Designing to lure the enemy is wisdom. Striking to kill the enemy is courage. Chu Yun, at such a young age, is both wise and brave. Remarkable! Remarkable!”
Chu Yun, praised to his face, could only smile somewhat awkwardly. He didn’t think much of it; in his previous life, he had navigated through all sorts of dangerous and desperate situations, facing near-death experiences. The risks then were far greater than this battle. The three elders, unaware that he was a reincarnated soul, now looked at him with a changed gaze. Their previous affection was now mingled with much more recognition and admiration.
“This bearded man is a Beast Master. His status is not low. Whether he is a pirate spy or not, the answer likely lies with him.” After speaking, the Old Red Spear took a mouthful of strong liquor and sprayed it onto the man’s chest.
*Pfft.* This time, the man’s previously smooth chest immediately changed! A tattoo appeared! Evil black patterns depicted a lifelike lone wolf. It seemed to wander through the wilderness, its blood-red eyes half-open, exuding a cunning and ferocious aura. Black wolf, blood-red eyes.
“Ah, this tattoo!” The Old Red Spear cried out in surprise.
“Feral Wolf!” The Old Fish King and Old Monkey Joe were both deeply shaken.
“Feral Wolf, it’s the Feral Wolf pirate group!” Chu Yun cried out inwardly, his heart trembling. He was no stranger to that name. His adoptive father, Shu Tianhao, had died at the hands of this pirate group in his previous life! He never expected this name to reappear in this life! So soon! Chu Yun clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with ferocity.
The appearance of the Feral Wolf tattoo sent a wave of shock and unease through everyone.
“Mad Lion, Scarlet Tiger, Feral Wolf… things have become troublesome,” the Old Red Spear said, his face grave as water, his voice deep.
Old Monkey Joe frowned. “The Feral Wolf pirate group is infamous. They’ve infiltrated our Shu Island this time. They must have a purpose.”
“What should we do? The Island Lord is currently out on patrol. This information must be reported to him. Let’s return immediately!” the Old Fish King said.
“Agreed!”
Without delay, such critical military intelligence had to be reported immediately, or great calamity would befall the entire island. The three elders understood the gravity of the situation and immediately agreed to return to Shu Harbor to report.
“Chu Yun, you’ve performed a great service this time by discovering such important military intelligence in advance. You also eliminated so many of their men. The Island Lord will surely reward you upon his return. You should go back to the Salt Field Manor and prepare for your coming-of-age ceremony assessment. Leave this matter to us three.” Before they left, the Old Red Spear patted Chu Yun’s shoulder and instructed him, his tone containing a hint of comfort.
Chu Yun’s expression was not entirely calm, but he knew that at his current insignificant position and low strength, he couldn’t help. Moreover, the coming-of-age ceremony was crucial to his plans. He rationally nodded and agreed.
);.
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