High Martial World: I Gain Passive Skills Daily-Chapter 56 - 55: Broad as a Valley, Wind and Rain at Guandu
Chen Kuang had never seen Shen Xingzhu’s true face beneath the azure silk, but he had an extremely deep impression of her eyes.
Just those beautiful eyes alone were enough for Shen Xingzhu to outshine the bright moon and chill the spring breeze.
Once seen, it was impossible to forget.
However, when those eyes appeared on an entirely different person, losing that divine-like dignity and compassion, it naturally took a moment to recognize them.
Chen Kuang found it somewhat unbelievable.
Both are surnamed Shen, and have such similar, almost identical eyes...
This Shen Meinan must have a significant relationship with Shen Xingzhu.
Most likely, they are sisters!
But... it was too bizarre.
Their personalities were almost completely opposite.
From Shen Meinan’s earlier behavior, she seemed almost without guile, her personality could be described with the words ’naive’ and ’playfully innocent’.
If they were sisters, then the personality difference was just too great.
But that was not the strangest part; Shen Xingzhu and Shen Meinan seemed to have a considerable age gap, and different environments could naturally lead to personality differences.
The most bewildering thing was, of so many people present, not a single one seemed aware...
They weren’t nameless nobodies, but after discussing Shen Xingzhu for a while, no one mentioned the nearby Shen Meinan.
If their relationship were apparent, at least someone would bring it up, or their expressions would change.
Yet they truly didn’t mention it at all.
Shen Xingzhu... concealed the relationship between them.
Chen Kuang’s eyes flickered.
He vaguely understood why Wen Si had sent him to this tower ship.
Regardless of the identities of the people before him, just Shen Meinan, who seemed like Shen Xingzhu’s sister, was of sufficient value.
To hide it, there must be some unspeakable reason.
What Chen Kuang needed was a handle against Shen Xingzhu, and the more the better...
Shen Meinan saw him silent for a long time and said, "Why aren’t you speaking?"
Chen Kuang remained calm: "I was thinking, you must be quite good-looking too."
"Oh... thank you."
Shen Meinan recalled praising a blind person for their looks earlier, knowing they couldn’t see, and felt a sudden pang of guilt, blinking and quickly changing the subject.
"Um... we’ve said everything, what’s your name?"
Chen Kuang thought for a moment and said:
"Just call me... Rugu."
Dunxi qiruopu, kuangxi qirugu.
In this world, families with some status also have the tradition of giving courtesy names. Chen Kuang, being almost of weak crown age, decided to give himself one.
Now wasn’t the time to get close with Shen Meinan, better to deal with the few people in front of him first.
Chen Kuang continued, "I’m just a loose cultivator, without sect or affiliation, and my cultivation level is only at the Enlightenment Realm. To be invited by Brother Lin truly surprises me."
"Friendships shouldn’t be judged by cultivation level; it should be mutually beneficial and enjoyable."
Lin Er You shook his head, raised his wine cup:
"When I was studying at Freedom Mountain, the teacher taught us the six arts of rites, music, archery, chariot riding, writing, and mathematics, saying those were the ways of a gentleman."
"Unfortunately, I was playful at the time, only thinking of seeing peach blossoms in the back mountain, dozing in class, and sneaking away after class, not learning a thing of what the teacher taught."
He chuckled awkwardly, then poured himself a drink, confidently said:
"However, while I didn’t learn, I definitely excel at appreciation!"
When Lin Er You mentioned this, he became enthused, eyes shining as he looked at Chen Kuang and said:
"Rugu, that song you played just now was truly excellent. I once listened to the Female Pavilion Master at the Celestial Sound Pavilion play a song that made tears wet the blue robe; your song could be compared to it."
He shook his fan in slight bewilderment: "But at that time, the Female Pavilion Master used a zither with fifty strings, how come your zither only has seven strings?"
"Could you please enlighten me, Rugu?"
"..."
Chen Kuang remained silent for a while, adjusting the Dragon’s Gums he was holding, and softly said, "This is a guqin."
"The one with fifty strings is a se."
Lin Er You’s confident expression instantly froze.
"Hahahahahaha..."
Zhou Yanwei laughed heartily, leaned forward and backward, and said to Chen Kuang, "Don’t be fooled by this guy’s seriousness, although he studied under Freedom Mountain, the teacher there teaches indiscriminately, accepting students without barriers."
"Regardless of talent, race, or background, as long as you plant a peach tree at Freedom Mountain for tuition, you can become a disciple."
"Our Eldest Young Master Lin, from a family specialized in selling divine spiritual treasures of the Wanlin Commerce Association, was forcibly sent to Freedom Mountain for transformation by his family."
Well then, turns out he’s a rich second-generation academic loser.
Chen Kuang twitched the corners of his mouth.
Divine spiritual treasures are rare among cultivators, not easily obtained, practically priceless yet without market availability.
And Lin Eryou’s family actually dealt in divine spiritual treasures.
High-level circles indeed.
No wonder there was such an impressive tower ship...
With this realization, Chen Kuang asked, "Earlier on the road, I heard many miscellaneous sounds. Is there still a lot of passengers on this ship?"
Lin Er You was startled, then realized, "Rugu is worried about different destinations?"
"Yes."
Chen Kuang nodded:
"I have some matters to attend afterward and might not disturb you for long. If the tower ship doesn’t dock before tomorrow, please give me a raft, Brother Lin."
Lin Er You, thinking it wouldn’t hurt to disclose, replied, "Though this tower ship belongs to my family, it’s temporarily chartered by Wind and Rain Pavilion to pick up someone from Guan Du Port, and should arrive by tonight."
He chuckled: "I’m just bringing friends over for a lake tour en route; despite this being a turbulent time, Dongting Lake happens to be most beautiful in autumn."
This Dongting Lake connects four or five major tributaries, extensive and comprehensive, serving as Jishao County’s water traffic hub.
Dongting Lake has two large ferry ports.
Wild Crossing serves civilian vessels for trade and fishing, while Guan Du Port is for official vessels, though some civilian organizations may be granted permission.
Chen Kuang wanted to go to Wild Crossing, but Guan Du Port was nearby, timing it right might make it possible.
"That’s conveniently on the way."
Chen Kuang thought again and asked: "Is Wind and Rain Pavilion also a cultivator sect?"
Qi Sibai raised an eyebrow, "Rugu, you don’t know?"
"Wind and Rain Pavilion is a local sect within Jishao County. But it’s only small in terms of numbers; its strength isn’t weak at all."
"The reason is that the Pavilion Master of Wind and Rain Pavilion, Di Wu..."
"...is a member of the Martial Saint Pavilion."
Martial Saint Pavilion?
Chen Kuang’s expression remained unchanged but he suddenly felt numb.
Hopefully... it wouldn’t be so unlucky?
He paused and asked, "Wind and Rain Pavilion chartering such an impressive tower ship must be for something important?"
Ming Yan replied, "Of course it’s for something important."
"The Civilization Official dispatched by Zhou Nation is about to take over Jishao County, and Wind and Rain Pavilion is set to pick him up, with even Di Wu arriving personally!"
Chen Kuang’s eyelid twitched: "That Di Wu... is currently on this tower ship?"
Lin Er You nodded: "Exactly."
Chen Kuang: "..."
