Hearing Chen Chuan point out flaws in her fighting techniques to her face, Fang Zhuoying showed not the slightest hint of denial or vexation. Instead, she asked with utmost earnestness, "I would be deeply grateful for your guidance, Mr. Chen!"
She knew very well that anyone who reached the level of a martial artist possessed extraordinary comprehension and insight into fighting techniques.
The hallmark of the Wujian School was an unrelenting drive to uncover one's own vulnerabilities—seeking them in debate, in daily cultivation, and in direct combat. No matter how high a level one attained, this philosophy held true. Thus, she genuinely welcomed others pointing out her shortcomings.
Chen Chuan said, "Examining one's weaknesses and constantly correcting existing flaws is the right approach. Yet whether one can truly adhere to this principle in practice requires countless trials and tempering. The problem, however, lies in whether what you correct is genuinely a weakness. Discerning and judging that is where the key lies."
Fang Zhuoying nodded in agreement. She understood what Chen Chuan meant. On the surface, so long as a fighter showed progress, in their eyes, they must have rectified their errors and shortcomings.
This seemed sound enough, but certain vulnerabilities could not be seen in the immediate present. As a result, what one believed to have mended might well be nothing more than feedback born of an eagerness for quick results, which might not necessarily aid future growth.
In truth, predecessors of the Wujian School had expounded on this, but when it came to mastering it, the limitations of their own level had left them with only theories and no concrete method. Consequently, even she could not articulate it clearly, capable only of sensing it in a vague manner.
This in itself could be considered a defect. Yet hearing Chen Chuan's words now, she had a strong premonition that the opportunity to bridge this gap had finally arrived.
Chen Chuan said, "What is beneficial? What is detrimental? Different practitioners have different views and answers; there is no way to generalize. I trust Senior understands this better than I do. However, there is a way to make them clearly understand how changes made in certain areas during cultivation will affect them."
Fang Zhuoying looked at Chen Chuan and asked with deep sincerity, "Mr. Chen, may I ask how this is done?"
Chen Chuan said, "It is very simple: meet flaw with flaw, and respond to the seamless with the seamed." He then shared an internal reflection breathing technique modified from the breath aperture breathing.
After listening, Fang Zhuoying immediately recognized that this was a breathing technique allowing one to deeply inspect one's own deficiencies.
When the mutated tissues in the body progressed and evolved in a certain direction, other parts would yield corresponding feedback. This told you that whatever change you made would inevitably produce effects elsewhere; there was no true elimination of flaws, only flaws continually shifting form.
Once this was understood, whether by consulting mentors or through self-tempering, one could judge the path one needed to take based on one's own requirements, rather than blindly and solely fixating on so-called flaw elimination.
In this world, there had never been a truly seamless art; mending one flaw inevitably gave rise to another. This supplied the missing link that the Wujian School had been unable to complete or articulate concretely.
It could well be said to open up a brand-new path.
Fang Zhuoying felt heartfelt admiration. Merely by watching the students spar—and perhaps having learned a bit from Yu Zhen—Chen Chuan had deduced all of this in an instant. He truly lived up to the title of martial artist.
Yet in reality, not every martial artist was capable of doing so.
Chen Chuan had deeply experienced the techniques Yu Zhen demonstrated through the memory transmission, grasping the core characteristics of this fighting lineage. Moreover, the Zhouyuan Jin technique he practiced allowed him to effortlessly experience and observe both its flaws and its strengths.
Had it been anyone else, they might have managed to patch it, but would have surely introduced extensive changes. There was no way a simple breathing technique alone could resolve the shortcomings while seamlessly integrating into the original techniques and theories.
That notebook was something his mother in this life had given to her teacher, and he was now offering this in return.
Fang Zhuoying said, "Mr. Chen, I don't know how long you will stay in Ba'erketu, but I hope to host you for a while longer."
Chen Chuan said, "I will stay in the Biesa Khanate for a few days, but not too long." Carefully stowing the notebook away, he stood up and bowed slightly. "Thank you for the information, Senior. I shall take my leave for today."
Rising to her feet, Fang Zhuoying returned the courtesy with a solemn, respectful demeanor.
Not wishing to expose his identity, Chen Chuan did not let Fang Zhuoying see him out. He emerged alone from the bozhang and walked over toward the hired security squad outside.
Just then, a loud shout suddenly rang out, followed by clamoring from the crowd. Next, he saw a great swath of the surrounding people fall prostrate, pressing their foreheads to the ground—the members of the hired security squad among them.
All of these people were Ba'erketu locals.
Then, something that continuously spewed colored smoke—looking like a small airship on the surface, but more resembling an oval hot-air balloon—flew across the distant sky. Beneath it hung a blue, boat-shaped gondola. As it passed overhead, the people prostrated on the ground remained entirely motionless.
Chen Chuan watched it above until the craft flew away. Only when a cry rose from the roadside did the people stand back up. The escort officer walked over and explained, "That is their guardian deity—the martial artist currently residing in Ba'erketu Center City."
Just then, someone in the hired squad called out to them twice.
Chen Chuan asked, "What did he say?"
The escort officer said, "He said that you saw their guardian deity the moment you arrived, sir, and offered blessings of good fortune." In his heart, though, he scoffed: The man standing before me is a martial artist himself—does he need your blessings?
Chen Chuan, however, turned his head and thanked the squad member. The man evidently understood the words, raising his firearm with visible delight.
Chen Chuan glanced once more at the receding flying craft. He knew full well that this figure's appearance here was no coincidence. For him to come here, the Great Shun government had surely communicated with the upper echelons of the Biesa Khanate in advance; their martial artists could not possibly be unprepared.
This was the other party showing that he knew Chen Chuan had arrived, coming by to offer a greeting.
He pondered for a moment. Now that his personal business was settled, he could proceed with the other matter. He instructed the escort officer to send a telegram to contact his liaison. There was no need to hide anything from this person, as the contact was essentially an open representative of the General Affairs Bureau.
The escort officer was efficient. After a wait of about half an hour, the liaison rushed over. With a touch of awe, he greeted Chen Chuan, "Mr. Chen, I have been ordered to brief you on the situation."
Chen Chuan said, "I heard the general background beforehand. An item sent from the Norland Northern League of Nations was detained by opposition forces while passing through here?"
The liaison said, "Indeed. Due to its unique nature, the item was not transported by air, but overland. The earlier leg went smoothly enough, but trouble arose once it reached the Biesa Khanate.
"Although the Biesa Khanate covers a fairly large territory, its population is sparse. Since the dawn of the New Era, only three martial artists have emerged here. Thanks to the robust support of our Great Shun government, it managed to avoid being annexed by the Palanio Faith Region.
"Among these three martial artists, one leaned toward the Western Continent and was driven away by the other two. Another is a staunch nativist who is thoroughly displeased with the Khanate drawing too close to Great Shun, often voicing discontent toward us.
"When the item arrived this time, under the watch of the martial artist aligned with us, everything should have gone smoothly. However, this nativist intervened directly and detained the item, demanding that Great Shun agree to several of his conditions before returning it. The martial artist aligned with us was reluctant to clash with him, hoping to resolve the matter through mediation, and asked us to grant him some time. And so, the matter has been at an impasse for two months."
Chen Chuan understood. Martial artists were indeed reluctant to come to blows lightly, let alone two hailing from the same country. If the one leaning toward Great Shun were to fight, not only would it take a physical toll, but the resulting reputation would hardly sound favorable.
Yet the Great Shun government's patience was bound to have limits. Even if he hadn't come, they likely would have dispatched someone else eventually to deal with it.
He asked, "What is the item?"
The liaison said, "A fragment of a jade tablet. It was taken abroad by an imperial clansman of a former dynasty and, as a rare treasure from the Eastern Continent, placed in the shrine hall of the Western Continent's emperor at the time."
At that moment, something suddenly crossed Chen Chuan's mind.
"The Jiuhe Gui?"
The liaison nodded.
"So it's that thing."
Chen Chuan understood at once. No wonder the Great Shun government wanted it back. During the era of the Eastern Continent's first Old Dynasty, when the nine lands were united and the realm was brought under one order, white jade manifested from the heavens during an altar sacrifice. Lightning then carved its inscriptions, while golden fire forged and adorned it, giving birth to a jade tablet that symbolized sovereign authority.
Yet a mere three-plus centuries later, it was smashed during a palace coup, allegedly shattering into six pieces. Ever since, any Old Dynasty that secured the jade would use it to proclaim their legitimacy.
It was now widely believed to be an exceptionally high-grade and peculiar relic, growing active or tranquil as the Period of Cold Silence and Period of Flux alternated. The moment it was shattered had coincided with the onset of an extended Period of Cold Silence in ancient history.
The liaison said, "After Great Shun was founded, negotiations with Norland were held several times, offering concessions in exchange for its return. This back-and-forth went on for over thirty years amid numerous obstacles, until Norland finally agreed last year to return it..."
Listening to his explanation, Chen Chuan learned that there had also been considerable opposition within Norland against returning the piece. The journey here had been plagued with setbacks, and the overall situation was exceedingly convoluted; being stalled here was merely a continuation of that struggle.
He asked, "Where is the item currently?"
The liaison immediately produced a map and tapped several times on a circled area.
"Here. We have informants and embedded operatives within the Biesa Khanate. According to intelligence, that martial artist is staying right here—Shahran, in the Wind Desert."
Chen Chuan glanced at it. Given his status, each additional day he stayed increased the risk of exposure. This matter could not be delayed; the sooner it was resolved, the better. He made a prompt decision: "Very well. I will head over and retrieve it right now."
Chapter 829