Secret Manual

Whoosh—

Just as Chen Wu was examining the secret manual titled Nine Chapters of Profound Origin, someone pushed the door open.

No one had announced the visitor, and the Heir, sensing an intruder, instinctively prepared to fly into a rage.

"You—" Upon seeing the man's face, the Heir instantly wilted. "Father, Father—"

"You still have the nerve to call me Father!" Duke Chen roared, raising a hand as if to strike, but his heart softened at the last moment. His palm slowed, merely tapping the Heir on the head instead. "Where is that carriage clock of mine?"

"It's, it's right here!" The Heir stood at attention, completely devoid of the swagger he had displayed in front of Old Liu.

The Duke glanced sideways at the carriage clock and waved for a servant to take it away.

"When will you ever let me worry less?"

"I was just taking it out to play with..." The Heir lowered his head deeply.

"Who is that?"

Duke Chen finally noticed there was a stranger in the room.

Seeing that he could no longer hide, Chen Wu stepped forward to offer a salute.

The Heir signaled frantically at Chen Wu, clearly not wanting him to mention the repair of the carriage clock.

"Reporting to the Duke, this humble one was invited here by the Heir." In an instant, Chen Wu had his story ready.

"Who are you?"

"This humble one is Chen Wu. The Heir saw my story in the newspaper, became interested, and summoned me for a few questions."

Seeing that Chen Wu's reply was seamless, the Heir couldn't help but nod at him.

"Chen Wu..." Duke Chen recalled. "Oh, you're the one who killed the Jade-Faced Killing God, aren't you?"

"Yes, yes, exactly!" The Heir hurried behind the Duke and began massaging his shoulders. "I was just curious about such a young hero, a model for the Great Shun, so I invited Chen Yimin over."

The Duke's anger dissipated. "You have good luck! This Jade-Faced Killing God committed so many major crimes that everyone from top to bottom attached great importance to him. Your commendation for Chen Yimin was only supposed to go to the Ministry of Rites, but when the Emperor heard of it, he personally signed off on it."

"This humble one is unworthy of the honor."

"Ah—Emperor Taizong once said that luck is also a form of strength," the Duke said. "During the Battle of Jingzhou, had Lekedehun not been arrogant and reckless, even with Emperor Taizong as a Grandmaster, he would not have had the chance to slay him in a single battle. It shows that those who achieve great things must possess great fortune."

Having said this, he turned back to the Heir. "This man is a lucky charm; you should associate with him more often and stop hanging around with those riff-raff friends of yours."

"Yes, yes, yes." The Heir nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

Following this, the Duke asked Chen Wu about his martial arts cultivation and where he lived, taking the opportunity to test Chen Wu's knowledge. Chen Wu answered everything according to the cover story he had prepared with Old Liu.

He claimed to be from Jiuyuan Prefecture, that his parents had died early, and that he survived solely on the support of his uncle, Old Liu. He said his martial arts were family inheritances and that he had only reached the Meridian-Opening Realm. He also claimed to have read widely, including some Western books, answering every question with fluid ease.

Hearing of Chen Wu's tragic yet inspiring background, and seeing that the young man spoke with such clarity and logic, the Duke felt more and more that Chen Wu was a true talent.

Seeing that it was getting late, he told Chen Wu to head back.

After Chen Wu took his leave, the Duke turned to the Heir and said, "You're no good at martial arts, and you don't seem to have the head for literature either; you're only good at cockfighting and dog-racing. I've thought it over—the way you are, you can only go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to eat, drink, and play with Western nobles to build connections. I don't expect you to achieve anything, just don't cause any trouble. When you're older, you can just preside over sacrifices for the Emperor and host the Enrong Banquet."

The Heir looked a bit unconvinced. "Father, isn't that fine? Didn't you get by the same way?"

"You scoundrel!" the Duke scolded. "Do you think a future like that only requires you to lie back and coast?"

"I don't expect you to achieve anything, just don't cause any trouble. Those eight words are something your father has lived by his whole life," the Duke said earnestly. "We nobles may be born into high status, but if we truly want to land safely, we need talented people to assist us so we don't make any major mistakes."

"This Chen Wu is a talent. Get closer to him. If there is ever anything that needs to be done in the future, this man will be useful."

Early the next morning, Chen Wu finished his vegetarian meal and was practicing his sword in the doorway. Suddenly, a group of people surrounded someone as they walked toward him.

Chen Wu quickly sheathed his sword and looked closely; it was the Duke's Heir.

What was going on?

As Chen Wu wondered, the Heir stepped forward quickly.

"Chen Wu—"

"Heir!"

Chen Wu was about to salute, but the Heir interrupted him.

"I didn't expect you to live here," the Heir said with a smile. "Your uncle told me you didn't like crowds, but I thought he was just making excuses."

"I am honored that you came to see me, Heir. May I ask what brings you here?"

"Oh, it's my father!" The Heir shook his head. "He said you were a talent and told me to get closer to you."

"I am unworthy of such praise!"

"What's this about being worthy or unworthy?" The Heir waved a hand. "I'm just playing the part of Lord Mengchang from the books, performing a bit of 'respecting the wise and lowering oneself' for my father to see."

"Look, guess what I brought you?"

A servant suddenly handed over a package. Chen Wu took it and, at the Heir's gesture, opened it.

It was filled with over twenty secret manuals!

"I didn't know which secret manual you had your eye on yesterday, so I just brought them all for you!"

Father, Your Grace, you truly are my father—

Chen Wu couldn't help but shout in his heart!

"This... many thanks, Your Grace."

"What's there to thank? I have no use for them anyway."

Chen Wu took the manuals into his room, then came back out to see the young lord: "The room is cramped, so I won't invite Your Grace inside."

"Fine—" the young lord said, "then take me for a stroll around this temple!"

"I've rarely been to Yan'an Prefecture before, and I've certainly never been to Lingshan Temple. I must have a good look around today."

"No problem, I know this place like the back of my hand." Having accepted the manuals from the young lord, Chen Wu took full responsibility.

Upon hearing Chen Wu say this, the young lord suddenly put on a mysterious expression: "I heard that the former abbot of this temple had three illegitimate children. Is that true?"

Chen Wu found it amusing; it seemed everyone loved a bit of gossip.

Wang Jiuyuan, who had supposedly "returned to his hometown," appeared at Jinheng Watch Shop at this moment.

Old Liu's expression was grave: "What is the situation over there?"

"They are quite sincere!" Wang Jiuyuan said, "Are the people ready?"

"They can set off today."

"Good, it's best to go and scout the path first."

"What?" The young lord was momentarily surprised, "You're saying this matter was exposed by the current abbot?"

"I heard it from an editor at the Yanhe Daily." Chen Wu nodded.

"I never would have guessed!" The young lord shook his head, "This Lingshan Temple is comparable to our noble houses."

"Previously, in the household of the Duke Tang, someone leaked their sordid secrets to the newspapers. It caused such an uproar that the Emperor was furious enough to strip them of their title."

So such things really happen!

"If you ask me, what's the point?" the young lord said, "For us nobles, no matter how much we strive, that's just how it is. Why make such a scene and end up looking so unsightly?"

Chen Wu understood; this young lord likely had no brothers competing with him, otherwise, he wouldn't speak so dismissively, standing on the sidelines without feeling the pain.