When Mu Tian returned to Golden Pivot Court, he passed through Martial Arts Arena, walked around the main hall, stopped in front of the Court Master quiet room, and knocked gently on the door.
"Come in."
Shen Hao crouched behind a long desk, writing and reviewing official documents without raising his head.
Mu Tian bowed. "Court Master, the disciple has sent a message to Soaring Wood Court."
"What did he say?"
Mu Tian paused and repeated Chen Jianghe's original words, "Junior brother Chen said that he has been busy practicing recently and needs to consolidate his realm, so he has no time to come. I asked my disciple to thank Court Master for his kindness."
The pen tip pauses slightly.
Shen Hao raised his eyes, and his curious gaze fell on Mu Tian's face. "Rejected?"
"Yes." Mu Tian bowed his head, "The disciple also specifically mentioned Court Master's friendship with Master Li in the past, but he---- still did not change his words.
There was a brief silence in the quiet room.
Shen Hao put down the pen and leaned back on the chair. He looked at the old locust tree outside the window, with a complicated look in his eyes.
"I would rather miss the opportunity than take risks. This guy----is he so cautious? Senior brother, if you were like this back then...
He whispered to himself in a low voice, with a bit of surprise, a bit of confusion, and a hint of appreciation that even he himself was not aware of.
True Essence Realm The insights of a strong man, this is an opportunity that many Huajin disciples dream of.
Golden Pivot Court Spear Intent's true biography of Zhenyuan's marksmanship is a secret that has never been leaked.
He Shen Hao personally invited me, gave me steps, sincerity, and an opportunity that no one else could ask for.
But that junior Soaring Wood Court was unmoved.
"It's quite interesting." Shen Hao murmured.
He remembered a line in the secret report - "One person and one shot, we selected Caoshui Gang. Three of them were at the peak of their transformational energy, and three of them were at their peak of transformational energy. Kill them all."
Then I remembered the earlier file - "Black Wind Cave battle, escaped from the pursuit of Gang Jin bandit leader, and returned with key information."
Be cautious.
Decisive.
Don't be greedy for merit, don't make rash advances, and don't be dazzled by benefits.
This kind of character, coupled with that kind of talent for marksmanship----
Shen Hao suddenly felt a little dazed.
Senior brother, what kind of apprentice did you teach?
"Court Master?" Mu Tian asked cautiously.
Shen Hao came to his senses and waved his hand. "I got it, go down."
Mu Tian bowed and retreated.
Shen Hao suddenly felt a surge of complex emotions in his heart.
Of course he knows why Chen Jianghe refused, Sun Hongyao died at Black Wind Cave, Sun Yuhai is still worried about it, and Golden Pivot Court's attitude towards Chen Jianghe is very subtle. Shen Hao knows all these, but he is still Court Master after all.
If he opens his mouth to protect someone, Sun Yuhai will have to swallow his grievance no matter how great it is.
But so what?
Chen Jianghe doesn't believe him.
In other words, this young man who came out of the Yilin County martial arts school did not dare to bet his fortune and life on the phrase "it may not be a bad intention."
Shen Hao Close your eyes.
He remembered twenty years ago, when senior brother Li Chengyue was still here.
At that time, Golden Pivot Court didn't have so many twists and turns, and there weren't so many hearts and minds separated from each other.
Between brothers and sisters, if you believe, you believe, if you don't believe, you don't believe.
Shen Hao Open your eyes.
He took out a secret report from his sleeve.
This was just delivered this afternoon, and contains clues about the activities of the remnants of Sun-Moon Divine Cult around Changxi Prefecture.
The fact that Black Wolf cast Sun-Moon Demonic Art in Black Wind Cave has been confirmed by many elders of the Criminal Law Hall.
The emergence of demonic power is certainly not an isolated case.
Xingyi Sect, as one of the five sects of Changxi, has the responsibility to investigate this matter thoroughly to prevent the catastrophe from a hundred years ago from happening again.
This matter needs to be discussed with Soaring Wood Court.
Han Shuitian is over seventy years old, and among the Xingyi Sect, he has the highest seniority and the most experience.
As for Chen Jianghe----
His trip was for official business, not because of Li Chengyue, let alone the young disciple who refused his invitation.
He just---- wanted to see.
Let's see how capable the apprentice taught by Li Chengyue is.
Shen Hao was silent for a moment and walked towards the door.
"I'm going to Soaring Wood Court." He said to the disciple guarding the door, "There is no need to follow."
He paused and added, as if to convince himself. "My trip is for official business and not because of Li Chengyue. If this son's marksmanship talent is buried in Soaring Wood Court, it is really Xingyi Sect's fault."
After that, he strode away.
Disciple Peak West side, Shangfang courtyard.
Shen Hao stopped at the edge of the bamboo forest.
His eyes passed through the sparse bamboo leaves and fell on the figure who was practicing gun shooting in the courtyard.
Chen Jianghe In the center of the Independent Courtyard, his eyes were slightly closed, and his whole body was calm. He was holding the gun very steadily, with the tip of the gun pointed diagonally at the ground, and the tail of the gun pressed against his waist. The whole person was like a clay and wood sculpture.
Suddenly, the gun moved.
Without warning, without any preparation, the tip of the spear suddenly bounced up, like a poisonous snake that had been dormant for a long time and suddenly raised its head!
One stab!
The gun light pierced the air and emitted a very subtle scream.
Three feet away, a leaf blown down by the wind was accurately penetrated by the tip of a spear and nailed to the blue brick of the courtyard wall.
The leaf veins are intact, the mesophyll is intact, and there is only a small hole in the middle.
Shen Hao's pupils suddenly shrank.
He has been immersed in marksmanship for forty years, how could he not see the weight of this shot?
Accurate, fast and stable.
Three words are simple to say, but to achieve perfection is as difficult as reaching the sky.
What frightened him even more was the posture of Chen Jianghe when he took out the gun. There were no extraneous movements, no fancy stances, no deliberate exertion of force. He just raised his hand, took out the gun, and then retracted the gun. It was all natural, as if the shot was a part of his body.
Shen Hao took half a step forward involuntarily, staring at the figure in green.
Chen Jianghe didn't notice that someone was secretly observing. After all, it was a secret observation from a strong True Essence Realm, and he was completely immersed in practicing his gun.
The shot just now was <Heaven Pivot Breaking Formation Spear> the third type Meteor Chasing the Moon".
This style emphasizes the integration of speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness. The gun comes out like Meteor Chasing the Moon, moving forward without any retreat.
He has practiced it three thousand times.
After three thousand times, he finally figured out the secret of this style.
Not enough, not enough.
He lowered his waist again, held the gun, and drew it!
"Chi"
Another shot, another leaf nailed to the wall.
Shen Hao's eyelids jumped at the sight.
He could see that this shot was faster than the previous one.
Although it's just a little faster, in the eyes of a real master, it's the difference between life and death. What's even more frightening is that Chen Jianghe is not practicing "but practicing".
He was adjusting every shot.
The angle of the wrist, the degree of twisting of the waist and hips, the timing of gathering strength, the trajectory of the spear tip——
He repeated the same action over and over again, each time more precise, smoother and more deadly than the last.
Shen Hao suddenly remembered the scene when he was practicing gunplay when he was young.
The master said, "Heaven Pivot Breaking Formation Spear, nine killing moves. Each move needs to be practiced thousands of times before you can enter the palace."
He practiced.
It took three years to get started, five years to achieve success, and ten years to truly understand the "indomitable" Spear Intent.
But this young man in front of me----
Three months.
With just one volume of secrets printed from Armory and just by exploring on his own, he was able to reach this level with Heaven Pivot Breaking Formation Spear.
Shen Hao closed his eyes.
A thought flashed through his mind: If this kid had entered Golden Pivot Court back then, if someone had given him guidance, if someone had given him some advice, what would he have been like now?
He opened his eyes, and when he looked at the figure in the courtyard, there was something complicated in his eyes that even he couldn't explain.
In the courtyard, Chen Jianghe put his gun away and stood.
He did not continue practicing, but stood there, closing his eyes and meditating.
A moment later, he fired again, this time faster than all the previous guns!
The gun light pierced the air and faintly brought out a light cyan trail!
That is the phenomenon caused by the force being condensed to the extreme and friction with the air!
Three feet away, a fallen leaf shattered into powder the moment it was touched by the light of the spear!
Shen Hao's breathing was stagnant.
"The gun light penetrates three feet through the body----"
He murmured and repeated the words in the secret report. Now that he saw it with his own eyes, he truly understood the weight of these six words.
At the peak of his strength, the spear light penetrated three feet through his body.
This means that Chen Jianghe's marksmanship level is infinitely close to the threshold of controlling a gun with one's mind.
One step further is Gang Jin.
One step further is to use Gang Qi to activate the gun light to kill enemies from a distance.
That is a state that many gun warriors cannot reach after decades of hard training.
And he is only eighteen years old. He has only been in the profession for three months.
Shen Hao Suddenly regretted it.
On the list of candidates for the inner sect, he was so decisive when he crossed out the three words "Chen Jianghe" with his pen. Thinking about it now, he was really stupid!
Five Forms Root Bone, the teacher inherited the old grudge.
These two reasons seemed sufficient to him at the time.
But now he looked at the figure in green standing with a gun in the courtyard, and he realized that what he had missed might be a genius who would make Golden Pivot Court proud of the five courtyards for decades to come.
"Wizard----" Shen Hao whispered to himself, his voice bitter, "He is really a wizard with marksmanship."
He stood there and didn't move for a long time. It wasn't until a gust of mountain wind blew by and the bamboo leaves rustled that he suddenly came back to his senses, took a deep breath, and turned around to leave.
Hundred Herb Peak deep, Han Shuitian residence.
This is a very simple courtyard, with green tiles and white walls, surrounded by bamboo fences. The courtyard is filled with various medicinal herbs, with a strong medicinal fragrance, mixed with the curls of sandalwood, which is refreshing.
Shen Hao Pushed open the ajar gate, crossed the path, and stopped in front of the main hall door.
The door of the hall is open. The light in the room is dim, only a green lamp on the long table reflects the old figure sitting cross-legged on the futon.
Han Shuitian is dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, with white beard and hair, a pale face, slightly closed eyes, and long breathing.
Shen Hao stepped into the hall, cupped his fists and saluted. "Uncle Han."
Han Shuitian slowly opened his eyes, his weathered eyes were surprisingly bright in the dim light. "Shen Court Master, you are such a rare visitor."
Shen Hao sat down on the futon in front of the case and got straight to the point. "Uncle Han, this disciple is here because of Sun-Moon Divine Cult's business."
Han Shuitian's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Black Wind Cave That bandit leader is practicing Sun-Moon Demonic Art." Shen Hao continued, "Criminal Law Hall has been confirmed. Demonic Sect's remnants are probably not alone in this world. I want to ask my uncle for help."
Han Shuitian After a moment of silence, he raised his hand and gently flicked the wick of the blue lamp on the table. The firelight swayed, making the light and shadow on his face flicker.
"It's about the Demonic Sect," he said slowly, with a calm voice, "When you want to take action, just call the old man. If you want to kill someone, the old man can still kill with his old bones."
He paused and his eyes returned to Shen Hao's face. "As for other trivial matters, please don't disturb the purity."
Shen Hao was startled.
Shen Hao didn't expect Han Shuitian to refuse so simply: "Uncle Han----"
"Shen Court Master." Han Shuitian interrupted him, "Old man has been in seclusion for many years and has long since stopped caring about worldly affairs. Demonic Sect is now alive and will be dealt with by the elders of his own sect. You came to see him not just for this matter, right?"
Shen Hao Silence.
Han Shuitian looked at him, and an imperceptible light flashed in those old, cloudy eyes.
Shen Hao took a deep breath. "When I came here today, I passed by Soaring Wood Court disciple's residence. I saw a young man practicing a gun.
Han Shuitian said nothing.
"Chen Jianghe." Shen Hao continued, "Li Chengyue's apprentice. He joined Soaring Wood Court three months ago, Five Forms Root Bone, and became stronger at the age of eighteen."
He paused, and there was a hint of complexity in his voice. "He has practiced Heaven Pivot Breaking Formation Spear to a small degree."
There was a brief silence in the room.
Han Shuitian still had his eyes closed, his face calm.
"Uncle Han." Shen Hao looked at him, "This boy is extremely talented in marksmanship. If he stays with Soaring Wood Court, he may be delayed. The disciple is willing to make an exception and accept him into Golden Pivot Court, and teach the true marksmanship in person."
Han Shuitian slowly opened his eyes.
He looked at Shen Hao, his gaze was so calm that it was almost empty, but it made Shen Hao feel an inexplicable chill down his spine.
"Shen Court Master." Han Shuitian said lightly, "When you crossed out Chen Jianghe's name, did you ever think about today?"
Shen Hao's complexion changed slightly.
"Now that I see someone who is successful in marksmanship, I show such an attitude of cherishing his talent." Han Shuitian looked at him, his voice was not high, but every word was like a needle. "When Golden Pivot Court was drawing up the roster, I thought he was Five Forms Root Bone, because he inherited the old grudge from his teacher. Now that he has shown promise, how can he show his attitude of cherishing his talent?"
Shen Hao opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Han Shuitian's hand.
Those turbid old eyes suddenly burst out with a captivating light!
"Don't explain." Han Shuitian's old eyes were full of ridicule at this moment, "I have lived for seventy-three years, what have I not seen?"
"I know all about your Shen Hao thoughts."
"When Li Chengyue was seriously injured and left the mountain, you had a resentment in your heart. This resentment has been held in for twenty years and turned into a thorn. It is stuck in your heart and cannot be pulled out."
"So you don't like Li Chengyue's apprentice no matter how you look at him."
He stared at Shen Hao and said word by word, "Shen Hao, ask yourself, do you really think that he is weak, or do you think that his master is Li Chengyue?"
"Uncle Master----" Shen Hao said, his voice bitter.
"Shut up." Han Shuitian interrupted him, "I haven't finished speaking yet."
Han Shuitian stared at Shen Hao, his turbid old eyes full of anger at this moment. "Now that someone has made a difference, why should I show respect for my talent?!"
"If you want to learn from each other, let's learn from each other. If you want to rob someone, then rob them. If you want to be an old man, you can't do it?!"
He did not expect that Han Shuitian, who usually did not care about worldly affairs and practiced in seclusion, would be so angry for Chen Jianghe.
"Uncle Han, please calm down." He said quickly, "This disciple has no intention of offending----"
"Calm down?" Han Shuitian sneered, "Why should I be angry? Soaring Wood Court accepted him because he paid enough money and complied with the rules of our Lord's vitality. Everything in the world has a glimmer of vitality. Financial resources are vitality, perseverance is vitality, and opportunity is also vitality. If he can grasp this thread, it is his destiny.
"Now he is practicing in my Soaring Wood Court, getting along well with that girl Shu Ling, and has no quarrel with my disciples. Although this old man is useless, I still have some ability to protect my disciples. Do you want to give it a try?!"
Shen Hao was speechless.
Han Shuitian looked at Shen Hao: "Shen Court Master, let's go. I have written down the matter of Sun-Moon Divine Cult. There is no need to mention other matters."
Shen Hao sat on the futon and was silent for a long time.
He knows that Han Shuitian is right. He was the one who personally crossed Chen Jianghe off the candidate list. Now that he sees someone who is successful in marksmanship, he shamelessly asks for someone——
Shen Hao smiled bitterly, stood up, cupped his fists and bowed to Han Shuitian: "Uncle Han taught you a lesson. Disciple----Farewell."
He turned around and walked towards the door. His footsteps paused slightly the moment he crossed the threshold.
He turned back and looked at the old figure illuminated by the green lamp. Han Shuitian was still sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, his face as calm as an ancient well.
Shen Hao opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end he didn't say a word. He stepped out of the courtyard and walked slowly back along the bluestone path he came from.
When passing by the west side of Disciple Peak, he stopped again. In that small courtyard, the shadow of the gun still did not stop.
Chen Jianghe is still practicing. Over and over again, shot after shot. Each shot is faster, more accurate, and harder than the previous shot.
Shen Hao stood at the edge of the bamboo forest and watched quietly.
He saw the long spear turning into afterimages in the moonlight, saw the fallen leaves pierced by the spear's light falling like snowflakes, and saw the figure in green moving around tirelessly in the center of the courtyard.
He looked at it for a long time.
It took so long that the moon climbed to the top of the sky, so long that the man in the courtyard finally put away his gun and stood up, so long that he didn't even know how long he stood there.
Then, he turned and left, his steps slower and heavier than when he came.
In the night, he was walking alone on the mountain path, surrounded by only the sound of insects and wind.
He suddenly remembered another young man practicing his gun many years ago.
I practice this way over and over again, tirelessly.
This is also how the gun shines like lightning, piercing fallen leaves with precision.
That person later became Golden Pivot Court's most dazzling genius and his Shen Hao most respected senior brother.
Later, the man left the mountain seriously injured and never came back.
Shen Hao Close your eyes.
A voice seemed to ring in his ears. It was himself twenty years ago, asking Li Chengyue: "Senior Brother, why are you so harsh on Junior Brother Jiang Tianjun? He has no bones, no matter how well he trains, what can he do?"
Li Chengyue's answer is still clearly remembered by him, "The bones were given by his parents, and the skills were developed by himself. If he is willing to work hard, he can achieve the achievements of the nine shapes in the five shapes. If he is not willing to work hard, the nine shapes will be useless."
Shen Hao opened his eyes, looked at the dark courtyard, and suddenly felt a tightness in his chest.
He thought of the figure practicing spear in the courtyard just now. In three months, he practiced Heaven Pivot Breaking Formation Spear to a small degree with only rubbings. What kind of talent is this? What kind of character is this?
He didn't know. But he knew that such a disciple should have joined Golden Pivot Court, should have been taught the true spear technique under his Shen Hao seat, and might be able to carry the banner of Golden Pivot Court in the future.
But now----Chen Jianghe is Soaring Wood Court's person.
He paid the money and entered Soaring Wood Court.
The only intersection between him and Golden Pivot Court was Sun Hongyao who died in Black Wind Cave, Sun Yuhai who was bitter about it, and Court Master Shen Hao who crossed out his name.
Shen Hao suddenly smiled.
There was bitterness in that smile, self-deprecation, and an indescribable exhaustion.
He turned around and walked in the direction of Golden Pivot Court.
After taking three steps, he suddenly stopped and turned around.
The small courtyard was still dark, standing quietly in the moonlight.
Shen Hao took one last look and murmured in a low voice, "Senior brother----you have gained a good apprentice."
He turned and left.
This time, there was no looking back.