PDLP Chapter 17 Leaving Home
Chapter 17 Leaving Home
Chen Xuan slowly unrolled the list and stared intently at it.
The top of the list were all renowned figures who had dominated Qingzhou for decades. His gaze moved down, and he saw his own name at number ninety-third.
"Ninety-three: Chen Xuan"
Comment: Though not yet twenty, his internal energy is pure and profound, and his foundation is solid. His palm techniques are fierce and unparalleled, with the hidden image of a dragon's roar, suggesting he may possess a unique skill.
In a single night in Qingyang, he slew two formidable enemies, Qiu Wanshan and Snake Elder, demonstrating astonishing combat prowess and immense potential. However, he is still young, lacking sufficient experience and reputation in the martial world, hence his current ranking at the bottom. Given time, he will surely become a force to be reckoned with.
"Ninety-third place..." Chen Xuan pondered.
The intelligence from the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion is indeed impressive. Only a few days after that great battle, they even noticed his palm technique, "Dragon's Roar."
Liu Wenyuan explained gently:
"Don't underestimate this list of heroes of Qingzhou. Those at the top of the list are all people who have been famous for decades, have profound inner strength, and are renowned throughout the state."
"It is already quite remarkable that you, young master, have made it straight to the list of successful candidates so early in your career."
"For example, the Sihai Escort Agency, which you used to work with frequently, has a chief escort, Master Guo Xiaotian, who has been in charge of Qingzhou for decades, yet he only ranks sixth on this list. Above that, every step is a step to the top."
Liu Wenyuan chatted for a few more minutes, mentioning that there would be a "Sword Appreciation and Treasure Appreciation Conference" in Qingzhou soon, led by Master Guo of the Sihai Escort Agency. Young talents and sect disciples from Qingzhou and even several surrounding states would attend, making it a grand event.
Then he took out a letter sealed with wax:
"This is a letter from Chief Escort Guo Xiaotian, entrusted to me to deliver to Young Master Chen. Old Master Guo is an old friend of one of the managers in the department, so I came to deliver it on his behalf since I was passing by."
Chen Zhan took the letter, opened it, read it, and handed it to Chen Xuan.
The letter was written by Guo Xiaotian himself, with bold and vigorous handwriting. He first praised Chen Xuan highly, and then formally invited him to attend the "Sword Appreciation and Treasure Appreciation Conference" at the Sihai Escort Agency in Qingzhou City on the fifteenth of this month.
The letter ended by mentioning that "a private banquet will be held after the meeting, and there are other important matters to discuss, concerning the recent turmoil in Qing and Yun prefectures. I hope my nephew can spare some time to meet with you."
The letter did not elaborate on the specifics of the "turmoil," but the words "Qing and Yun prefectures" stirred something within Chen Xuan. Yun prefecture was the very prefecture where his parents had last disappeared.
"Please pass this on, Mr. Liu. Please inform Chief Escort Guo that I, Chen, will certainly attend the meeting." Chen Xuan put away the letter.
Liu Wenyuan smiled and nodded, chatted for a few more minutes about the scenery of Qingzhou, and then got up to take his leave.
After seeing Liu Wenyuan off, Chen Zhan and Chen Xuan returned to the study.
"Xuan'er, Chief Escort Guo's letter has a hidden meaning. The turmoil in Qing and Yun prefectures is probably not as simple as it seems." Chen Zhan stroked his beard and pondered.
"Grandpa, I wish to attend the gathering."
"Chief镖头 Guo is an old acquaintance, this is a favor. It will also facilitate future cooperation in transporting medicinal herbs to the Chen family. Furthermore, he mentioned Yunzhou in his letter, and Yunzhou... might hold clues about the parents."
"Furthermore, Qingzhou is a major state in the Eastern Region, with excellent information dissemination, unlike Qingyang. If we want to find out or destroy the Shadow Pavilion and track down our parents, being trapped here will make little progress."
Seeing his serious expression, Chen Zhan knew his mind and said nothing more, only patting him on the shoulder: "It's good that you understand. Go and prepare. When do we leave?"
"Time is limited, so let's set it for three days from now."
In the afternoon, Chen Xuan found Su Wan, who was organizing medicinal herbs in the pharmacy, and told her about his trip to Qingzhou.
Upon hearing this, Su Wan put down the medicine scale in her hand, her clear eyes looking at Chen Xuan, seemingly surprised, yet also as if she had expected it.
The time they spent together made her deeply appreciate Chen Xuan's extraordinary qualities. His logical thinking and martial arts insights captivated her.
Qingyang City cannot contain Chen Xuan; sooner or later, he will go to a more distant place.
She raised her eyes, her gaze resolute: "Young Master, Wan'er requests to accompany you to Qingzhou. Firstly, your injuries are still healing, and you need someone to accompany you for recuperation."
"Firstly, I want to treat the young master's injuries, and secondly, I want to consult the larger library in Qingzhou, where I might find more records about the 'Hundred Herbs Garden' to find out the source of my father's poison and completely cure him so that he won't suffer any aftereffects."
"Thirdly..." Her voice was slightly lower, but clear.
"Wan'er has some knowledge of medicine and poisons; she may be able to help you identify risks and clarify clues. Please grant my request."
Chen Xuan hesitated for a moment, looking at the unwavering determination in her eyes, and knew that she had regarded this as a path she had to embark on.
He was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Alright. Thank you, Miss Su. We'll depart at dawn in three days."
"Thank you, young master." Su Wan's lips curved slightly, revealing a gentle yet sincere smile, like a spring stream that silently flows through people's hearts.
Chen Xuan returned to his courtyard and took out the white jade pendant he always wore close to his body.
The warm, smooth texture of the jade exudes a constant warmth in the palm of your hand.
Grandpa Chen said his parents cherished this item, but no one could fathom its secrets.
He ran his fingertips along the faint, almost invisible patterns on the back of the letter, his thoughts drifting to Qingzhou, the city he was about to visit, to Yunzhou mentioned in the letter, and to the mysterious traces of his parents and the secrets of the previous dynasty.
Outside the window, dusk was falling, and the city of Qingyang was draped in a hazy veil of twilight.
...
Three days later, at dawn.
As the gates of Qingyang City opened, a slightly worn-out blue-canopied carriage slowly drove out.
The driver was a sharp-looking young guard in his early twenties named Chen He. Inside the car, Chen Xuan and Su Wan sat facing each other.
Su Wan was still dressed in a simple dress, her hair in a simple bun. She had carefully put away the book "Study of Strange Herbs in Southern Xinjiang" and her father's notes, but now she had a small medicine box on her back.
Chen Xuan closed his eyes to rest, his breathing calm. He changed out of his signature blue robe and into an ordinary dark blue cloth garment, looking like a typical scholar on an outing.
There was no grand send-off; only Chen Zhan, Zhao Fu, and Doctor Su stood on the city wall, silently watching the carriage disappear at the end of the official road.
The carriage was quiet, with only the rumbling of wheels on the road.
Su Wan secretly glanced at Chen Xuan, who was resting with his eyes closed.
His profile was sharply defined, with a straight nose and long, drooping eyelashes that concealed all his sharpness, leaving only a reassuring calmness.
The morning light shone through the gaps in the carriage curtain, casting dappled shadows on his face.
Her heart skipped a beat for no reason, and she hurriedly looked away, pretending to tidy up her medicine box.
Chen Xuan seemed to sense something, slowly opened his eyes, and looked at her: "Miss Su, is something the matter?"
"No, it's nothing." Su Wan's cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly said, "It's just... Young Master's injuries have just healed, and after such a long journey, you need to rest more. If you feel unwell, please be sure to tell Wan'er."
"Yes, I will. Thank you for your trouble, Miss Su." Chen Xuan nodded, turning his gaze back to the scenery outside the car window.
The official road stretched forward, disappearing into the mist and distant mountains. A wider world of martial arts, more complex conflicts, and more mysteries and challenges lay ahead.
Qingyang has become the rear base; a new journey begins with this ordinary carriage heading towards Qingzhou.