bookandnovel Chapter 97 The Messenger
Chapter 97 The Messenger
Zhang Tianxing lowered his hand.
He looked at Liu Sheng.
His tired eyes held a gentle and loving gaze.
It even carries a complex connotation of entrustment.
Zhang Tianxing slowly took out a scroll of ancient-colored silk painting with slightly worn edges from his sleeve.
Although it was not opened.
But Liu Sheng recognized it at a glance—it was the Bagua visualization diagram he had seen before!
"My little grand-disciple, keep this painting safe."
Zhang Tianxing handed over the silk painting.
Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng was greatly alarmed.
Although he didn't know what had gotten into his grandmaster, he didn't dare to answer and hurriedly called out:
"Grandmaster! This isn't Guo Wusheng's heirloom, the Guo family's map? How could you give it to me?"
He really couldn't understand why his grandmaster had used this diagram to break through his martial arts bottleneck. Even if it was no longer needed, shouldn't it have been returned to the Guo family?
To everyone's surprise, Zhang Tianxing shook his head weakly upon hearing this, his tone filled with sorrow and a sense of vicissitude:
"The Guo family... was wiped out by the imperial army in Guazhou. At that time... the righteous army couldn't get through, alas!"
Liu Sheng was struck dumb, frozen in place.
That descendant of Guo Wusheng suffered such a terrible fate!
The thought that his spiritual eyes might have some connection with Guo Wusheng, whom he had worshipped with the head of a wolf clan, made him feel quite emotional.
He caught his breath and quickly advised:
"That is precisely why this map should remain with our master. He needs it to break through to the Martial Saint realm. I am of meager strength, and possessing such a treasure would be a crime. I fear I cannot protect it properly and would be ashamed before the spirit of Martial Saint Guo in heaven."
Looking at Liu Sheng's anxious yet sincere face, Zhang Tianxing felt a flicker of comfort in his weary eyes, but it quickly turned into a deeper resolve.
He passed the diagram forward again.
"I don't need it anymore. This road... is almost at its end."
Zhang Tianxing paused, his gaze piercing through the cave, looking towards the distant and uncertain future:
"Next, Shazhou, and even the entire Hexi region, will likely undergo earth-shattering changes. If the situation deteriorates... things won't go as planned. I hope you can do me a favor."
Upon hearing this, Liu Sheng's heart sank. He had already discerned the entrustment in his grandmaster's words. He dared not refuse, and with trembling hands, he accepted the seemingly light but actually incredibly heavy visualization diagram.
"Master, please give your orders! I will do anything, even die for you!"
"If that day ever comes, go to Huangqu County and try to find a man named Guo Huan. He is from a branch of the Guo family in Guazhou and moved to Huangqu County for some reason in his early years. Once you find him, see if there is a child among his descendants who is destined for greatness and has the potential to succeed. If the child is of pure heart, then take him on the path of martial arts."
Zhang Tianxing spoke slowly, each word seemingly uttered with all his might:
"Once that child grows up to the eighth rank and has the strength to protect himself, then you should teach him this 'Eight Trigrams Visualization Diagram' and tell him about his family's origins."
I see, I see!
Grandmaster, this is to leave the last spark for the bloodline and inheritance of Guo Wusheng!
Liu Sheng instantly understood the profound meaning behind this entrustment. It was not merely about training a disciple and handing over a map; it was also the tragic wish of a martial saint's family.
Moreover, I really should say something about such a precious visualization.
"Disciple Liu Sheng, I humbly obey my master's command. If that day ever comes, I will do everything in my power to find Guo Huan and his descendants, protect their growth, and pass on their legacy. If I break this oath, may my path in martial arts be severed!"
Seeing Liu Sheng's reaction, Zhang Tianxing's face showed a faint smile of relief:
"Good child, I can entrust this matter to you, so naturally you don't need to make any oaths... Just do your best, and if things don't go well, there's no need to force yourself."
"Disciple understands!"
Liu Sheng bowed and carefully hid the visualization diagram close to his body, looking as if he was afraid of damaging it.
Liu Sheng was only slightly relieved when Zhang Tianxing told him that the painting was impervious to water and fire and could not be damaged by ordinary weapons.
Only after they finished talking did he bow again, then turn around and leave the cave with slightly heavy steps.
Inside the cave, only Zhang Tianxing remained.
Alone, facing a solitary lamp and murals.
Zhang Tianxing sat quietly, the weariness and desolation he had felt earlier gradually fading away.
However, he did not regain the authority he had during meetings.
He sat silently, as if he had transformed into another mural. His full head of silver hair seemed to have lost its last luster in the shadow of the oil lamp, and his tall figure appeared somewhat lonely.
Time seemed to be passing faster, and with each moment of silence, the lines between his brows deepened.
The very energy and spirit that sustained him was slowly fading and aging at a rate imperceptible to the naked eye.
He sat there blankly for an unknown amount of time until, at a certain moment, his eyes suddenly regained their sparkle, like a piece of embers about to go out being rekindled by a sudden gust of wind.
Zhang Tianxing took a deep breath, straightened his back, and the weariness and age on his face were instantly suppressed. His majestic and unshakable aura, like a mountain, returned to him once more.
"Go and invite the envoy from the Bone Bird Khanate."
"yes!"
Before long, Gao Huang led an envoy into the cave.
The messenger was tall and thin, wearing a peach-shaped gold crown and a brocade robe with a beaded pattern, beneath which lay a layer of dark brown feathers. His fingers had prominent knuckles and sharp, curved nails. Although his face had a human-like outline, his nose was hooked like an eagle's, his eyes were deep-set, and his pupils were the sharp, golden color characteristic of birds of prey.
He moved silently, revealing himself to be a powerful eagle demon who had already partially taken human form.
The eagle demon envoy stopped, bowed to Zhang Tianxing with his hand on his chest, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.
Golden eyes.
The human supreme commander looked directly upwards.
Zhang Tianxing sat steadily on the stone platform, not saying a word, but simply returning the gaze with a calm look.
Silence spread through the cave, with only the sound of burning lamp oil remaining.
The Buddha in the mural has lowered his eyes, while the bandits glare angrily, watching this meeting that could determine the future.
In the end, it was the envoy who lost his composure first, and spoke in the somewhat awkward language of the Great Qian Dynasty:
"General Zhang, our Great Khan greatly admires your talent. If you are willing to lead your people to submit, the Great Khan promises that you may establish a state within a state in the Hexi region, with autonomous governance for your people. You only need to nominally acknowledge our country as your suzerain state and pay tribute annually. This is an unprecedented show of sincerity from our country, and we hope that you will consider it carefully, General."
Zhang Tianxing's face remained expressionless upon hearing this.
He replied slowly:
"I appreciate your country's kind intentions. However, my human race values benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. In life, loyalty and righteousness come first. Furthermore, we must not forget the distinction between humans and demons. I cannot lead my people to submit to a foreign race."
The eagle demon's eyes were filled with displeasure and mockery:
"Oh? Since General Zhang is talking about loyalty and righteousness, then what about your current private negotiations with our country and your occupation of Shazhou, attempting to resist the Great Fan Dynasty? Does that count as loyalty and righteousness?"