activa-t Chapter 30 First-Class Guard
Chapter 30 First-Class Guard
Spring is almost over.
When Song Shen arrived at the entrance of the courtyard, he suddenly remembered that when he came here last autumn, he had just arrived in this world. Now, half a year has passed, and he has adapted very well.
I haven't seen Old Li in a long time. I wonder what he's doing. He probably doesn't even remember that he has an apprentice like me.
After knocking, a cold, quiet voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Song Shen pushed open the door and entered.
The third young lady, Cao Yu, was dressed in a spotless white robe and sat on a futon in the center of the temple.
"Should I call her Miss Cao or Senior Sister Yu now?"
Cao Yu silently bit her red lips and whispered, "It was just..."
"Was it originally just a game?" Song Shen chuckled.
"That's not the case." Cao Yu shook her head. "Personally, since Elder Li values you and has taken you as his disciple, and I also studied swordsmanship under Elder Li when I was young, then you are my junior brother. Officially, you are indeed a servant of my Cao family. In that case, I am willing to appear as your senior sister. Do you understand?"
"I understand." Song Shen nodded. "Senior Sister, you don't need to explain, because you are indeed the Third Miss."
Cao Yu laughed and said, "Let's put aside this contradiction. At least Old Li's vision is indeed extremely sharp. I never imagined that your potential was so terrifying."
Song Shen never expected this...
Old Deng probably realized something; he had indeed been putting in a lot of effort to showcase himself back then.
"Speaking of which, I only saw my master once. Where is he now?"
Old Li was just a worshipper; Song Shen now even suspected that he might no longer be in the Li family and had run away with the bucket.
After all, Old Li is different from Song Shen. Song Shen sold himself into the workforce back then, while Old Li's martial arts skills have reached such a level that they have probably long since transcended this kind of employment relationship.
Cao Yu said in a deep voice, "Old Li has his own matters to resolve. He left the Cao family last year."
Is that really the case?
Song Shen was utterly shocked.
"It's not what you think. He only said he would come back," Cao Yu added, noticing Song Shen's expression.
"Besides, he was originally a retainer, serving in my Cao household, and could leave at any time."
"I see." Song Shen nodded.
Cao Yu said, "Before he left, he instructed me to take good care of you, because he believed you were destined for great things."
Song Shen felt ashamed. Did Old Li really value him that much? Just because of his stance training and swordsmanship?
"In that case, I shall take a good look at your training progress. Now, let's continue to test your swordsmanship."
She stood up and drew her sword.
Song Shen also stood up and drew his sword to confront him.
After a moment, Cao Yu sheathed his sword, looking surprised and uncertain, and said, "Your swordsmanship... could it be that you have already entered the realm of unity? No wonder you were able to kill them. I thought you had only reached the perfection of penetration."
"The Realm of Unity?"
Song Shen pretended not to know.
Cao Yu explained in detail: "The so-called state of unity is when the strength of the whole body is perfectly unified, all the strength is circulated perfectly, and all unnecessary strength loss is eliminated. If you can practice your swordsmanship to the level of unity, then you are a true master. More than 90% of people's upper limit in their lifetime is this, which means that you do have a lot of talent in the cultivation of the sword, but you are not a genius yet."
Song Shen countered with, "Then what defines a true genius?"
Cao Yu said, "A true genius is one who masters swordsmanship before the age of eighteen."
"Sword stance?"
Cao Yu nodded and said, "The vast power is integrated into my blade. When you reach the pinnacle of your unity and comprehend the true secrets of the blade technique, that will be the time when you comprehend the power of the blade."
"Secret technique..." Song Shen looked at Cao Yu and asked, "Senior Sister, have you grasped the essence of the sword technique?"
Cao Yu smiled faintly and said, "Of course, watch this move!"
After speaking, he suddenly leaped up diagonally, his long sword drawing arcs in the air.
A golden wind swept through the room, and every vortex stirred up by the gale cut into the body with pain. In that instant, Song Shen even felt that Cao Yu's blade was imbued with the spirit of heaven and earth, carrying an ancient and magnificent charm that transcended the power that ordinary moves could possess.
"This is the secret technique of our school's swordsmanship—Flying Blade's Wrath. You will naturally comprehend it when you achieve complete unity between man and sword."
"The power is completely perfected and unified!"
Now Song Shen began to feel a sense of anticipation. This secret technique was indeed quite powerful, making him eager for it.
"And beyond the sword's power?" Song Shen asked again.
Cao Yu said in a deep voice, "Beyond the sword momentum lies the ethereal realm of intent, the sword intent! Only experts in the realm of sword prodigies can comprehend it. I have only just begun to comprehend the sword momentum, and I have never experienced such an ethereal realm, so please forgive me for not being able to explain it clearly."
"Understood."
The third young lady, Cao Yu, then added, "I have already reported your promotion to the head of the family. The head of the family wants to see you. All promotions of first-class guards require the head of the family's approval, but you are the most special one in my Cao family because you are only sixteen years old."
Song Shen said, "Thank you, Senior Sister. May I ask when the Clan Head will see me?"
Cao Yu nodded and said, "Today."
*
*
*
Cao Yu led Song Shen through the gate and into the courtyard.
Having lived in the Cao family mansion for many years, this was Song Shen's first time visiting such places. Only now did he realize what a wealthy and powerful family it was, with its pavilions, waterside terraces, carved beams, and painted rafters, possessing everything imaginable.
It was a sight that Song Shen had only ever seen in historical buildings in his previous life.
Upon arriving at the outer residence, Song Shen and Cao Yu stopped in a courtyard.
This is where Cao Shenghai met with Song Shen.
A man with a mustache bowed to Cao Yu and said, "Greetings, Third Miss. Is this Song Shen, the young man who became a first-class bodyguard at the age of sixteen?"
At first glance, Song Shen noticed that the man was tall and thin, wearing a dark blue overcoat, and had bright, piercing eyes.
Cao Yu, fearing that Song Shen might not recognize the man, whispered to him, "This is Mr. Hu Yong, the steward of the manor."
Song Shen bowed and said, "Greetings, Steward Hu."
Butler Hu smiled and said, "No need for formalities. You are already a first-class guard, so we are all equals."
Song Shen responded with a smile as well: "Butler Hu is very generous."
Butler Hu nodded and said, "Please come in."
Cao Yu led Song Shenju inside. This was the first time Song Shenju had met the head of the Cao family, whom he served, since arriving in this world.
Cao Shenghai is only forty-nine years old this year, but he looks only in his early thirties. He wears a purple robe, a jade crown, and has a neatly trimmed short beard. He must have been incredibly handsome when he was young.
His bright eyes shone on you. "Xiao Yu, you did a great job. Your grandfather likes the water dragon you caught very much. Although it is not a real dragon, it has the bloodline of an ancient beast after all, and it is very useful."
Cao Yu said, "I'm glad Grandpa is happy."
Song Shen felt that the conversation between father and daughter seemed to lack some warmth and was more like a work-related exchange.
The head of the Cao family looked at Song Shen and asked, "Is this the guard you recommended this time?"
Song Shen hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Patriarch."
Cao Shenghai's eyes quietly scrutinized Song Shen for a long while before he said with satisfaction, "Not bad, a handsome young man. I've heard about your deeds, and I never imagined that my Cao family would have such a talented person. Fortunately, we conducted a selection process for our servants this time, otherwise we would have almost lost a valuable talent!"
Song Shen clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I am deeply grateful for the family's nurturing!"
Cao Shenghai nodded, affirming what Song Shen had said.
"During this turmoil at the fishing grounds, you remained calm and composed, not only defeating the invading enemies but also upholding your duty. Your martial arts skills are certainly impressive, but your character is truly rare! The most important thing for a person is to stay focused on their responsibilities. As long as you do what you're supposed to do, the family will never treat you unfairly! As the head of the family, I naturally want to reward you handsomely and have specially promoted you to First-Class Guardian. Keep up the good work!"
"Thank you for your praise, Patriarch." Song Shen said the right thing at the right time.
However, Old Cao only promoted Cao Yu in accordance with his request, without giving him any other rewards, so Song Shen naturally did not remember his kindness.
Cao Shenghai nodded again. Song Shen felt that although this family head was stingy, he was still quite straightforward.
"From now on, you will be serving the Third Miss diligently."
Song Shen was immediately filled with gratitude.
When he left the courtyard where Cao Shenghai had received him, the butler had already brought the new uniform.
On this day, Song Shen experienced firsthand the coldness of human relationships and the rigid hierarchy.