Chapter 212: Chapter 128: Fiercely Practicing the Realm
Seeing Shen Qingshuang and Min Wei suddenly appear, Mu Xiaowan grew even more bashful and hurriedly broke free from Chen Cheng’s embrace.
"Brother Cheng, Senior Brother Min and Senior Sister Shen must have something to discuss with you. I’ll head back now."
Chen Cheng was also reluctant to see her go and said softly, "Alright. I’ll come see you again in a few days."
"Okay." Feeling the deep affection in Chen Cheng’s words, Mu Xiaowan’s heart swelled with joy. She agreed, then walked toward the courtyard exit with a spring in her step.
As she passed by Min Wei and Shen Qingshuang, she gave them a slight bow.
"Senior Brother Min, Senior Sister Shen."
Min Wei scratched his head, smiling sheepishly. "Xiaowan, you and Junior Brother Chen rarely get to see each other. I’m afraid I’ve interrupted you."
He was a straightforward, unfiltered man, and his direct words made Mu Xiaowan even more embarrassed. Murmuring that he wasn’t interrupting, she practically fled, quickening her pace as she left.
Shen Qingshuang watched Mu Xiaowan leave, wanting to call out to her, but the words died on her lips. She had actually come to the Zheng Martial Arts Hall to find Mu Xiaowan; hearing that Chen Cheng was also present was a coincidence that made her hurry over.
"Hah, Xiaowan is just too shy. What’s there to be embarrassed about, meeting with her own husband?
When I was young, if I didn’t see my wife for even three days, I’d miss her like crazy."
Min Wei grunted, then turned to see Shen Qingshuang lost in thought. He asked, puzzled, "Junior Sister Shen, didn’t you say you had business with Xiaowan? How come you didn’t say anything to her?"
Shen Qingshuang snapped out of her daze, shook her head, and said casually, "It’s something Junior Brother Chen can likely decide for Xiaowan. Speaking with him will be just the same."
Min Wei nodded. "That’s true. Junior Brother Chen and Xiaowan are husband and wife, so it really is the same."
Just then, Chen Cheng walked over. Min Wei gave him a nod and went straight into the study.
In his opinion, Chen Cheng had spent so much time in the study because he’d likely never seen so many books and found it fascinating. ’He’s probably flipped through more than half the books in here.’
Their master, Mr. Zheng, always liked things to be tidy. He felt he had to go straighten up, putting the disarranged books back in order.
"Senior Sister Shen, you were looking for me?" Chen Cheng asked.
Shen Qingshuang did have something on her mind, but it wasn’t something that could be explained in a few words. She feigned a casual air and said, "I heard Junior Brother Chen was looking at our master’s Powerful Eagle Claw Skill Fundamental Diagram. Did you gain any insights?"
Chen Cheng answered nonchalantly, "It was certainly fruitful to be able to observe the Fundamental Diagram of a Superior Technique."
"The Fundamental Diagram of a Superior Technique contains the Supreme Dao, so being able to study it in advance is a great opportunity.
Only our master would allow it; anyone else would never let a disciple view it so easily."
Shen Qingshuang nodded, then abruptly changed the subject. "However, I must remind you that the most important part of Martial Arts Cultivation is building a solid foundation. You mustn’t get ahead of yourself.
You should focus on your Cultivation of the Powerful Eagle Claw Skill and develop your Momentum as quickly as possible. Only after you’ve mastered Momentum will observing the Fundamental Diagram truly be of any help."
Of course, Chen Cheng wasn’t about to tell her he had already developed the Powerful Claw Stance. He said humbly, "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister. I will keep it in mind."
Chen Cheng’s perpetually humble demeanor greatly pleased Shen Qingshuang. She had always admired his calm and steady personality. Compared to his outstanding aptitude for the Martial Dao, this mindset toward Cultivating Martial Dao was even more valuable.
’With an attitude like his,’ she thought, ’if he’d been born into a great clan like our Shen Family and nurtured with our resources, he’d surely be a top Celestial Pride in Linji City.’
After this private thought, Shen Qingshuang said in a friendly tone, "Junior Brother Chen, you must be hungry after a whole day. How about we grab a meal together?"
"Alright." Chen Cheng gave a slight nod, agreeing. ’Shen Qingshuang sought me out, so she definitely needs something. This "meal" is likely just an excuse to find a convenient place to talk.’
The two of them left the Zheng Martial Arts Hall, boarded the Shen Family’s luxurious carriage, and arrived at a grand restaurant in the southwest corner of the Inner City.
Shen Qingshuang led Chen Cheng directly up to the second floor and into a lavishly decorated private room.
Seeing Chen Cheng remain so calm and collected, Shen Qingshuang once again praised him inwardly before saying:
"Junior Brother Chen, you’ve probably guessed that this restaurant is one of the Shen Family’s properties.
Not just this restaurant, but this entire neighborhood is home to members of the Shen Clan and the families affiliated with us. Aside from patrols by the Inner City Guard Department Officials, the Shen Family also has its own guards on duty. It’s very safe here."
"I’ve heard the Inner City is exceptionally safe," Chen Cheng replied with a slight nod, then waited for her to continue.
But Shen Qingshuang suddenly seemed in no hurry. She ordered the waiter to bring out their dishes. She must have heard about Chen Cheng’s large appetite, as she ordered a great deal of food, including a special order of ten catties of Demon Beast Meat.
Chen Cheng hadn’t eaten all day and was indeed starving. The moment the waiter served the dishes, he dug in without restraint. In less than a quarter of an hour, he had swept through the entire table of food like a storm.
Shen Qingshuang, however, remained lost in thought and barely ate. When she saw that Chen Cheng had eaten his fill and was now looking at her, she finally spoke. "Before the end of the year, Yan Jian will be married to the granddaughter of one of the Shen Family Elders."
After saying this, Shen Qingshuang fell silent, her beautiful eyes fixed on Chen Cheng, gauging his reaction.
Chen Cheng was quite surprised. The granddaughter of a Shen Family Elder would be one of the family’s Direct Descendants. Even if she wasn’t groomed with the same focus as someone like Shen Qingshuang, she was by no means an ordinary person. In Linji City, she would be considered a woman of exceptionally high status.
’So that guy Yan Jian is finally going to make it big!’
Beyond his surprise, Chen Cheng felt a flicker of doubt. Given Yan Jian’s love of showing off, he should have been the first to boast extravagantly to Chen Cheng after latching onto such a powerful connection as the Shen Family.
’It seems that guy is starting to keep secrets from me. He probably wants to wait until after the wedding to really rub it in my face and give me a huge shock.’
