Chapter 356 - 168: May I Know Master’s Name? I Am Your Master... Xu Longxiang

Chapter 356: Chapter 168: May I Know Master’s Name? I Am Your Master... Xu Longxiang

His body seethed with Dragon and Tiger Qi, a force so potent it nearly burst from the crown of his head and whistled into the air. A Prefecture Student in the crowd recognized the newcomer, his pupils constricting as he spoke:

"It’s... the Jiangyin Institute Chief!"

"Greetings to the Institute Chief!"

"The Institute Chief... even he was drawn out by these two new Prefecture Students!"

’The Jiangyin Institute Chief?’

Hearing this title, Ji Xiu’s gaze swept toward the plainly dressed, old-fashioned man. The elder carried an air of unconstrained authority, and Ji Xiu became thoughtful.

’So this is one of the ’Three Heads’ at the apex of power in the prefecture, a man on par with the Garrison Commander from the Garrison Camp, the one known for his ten-foot red tassel?’

Pei Daoran entered, surveyed the room, and turned his gaze to Gao Ye.

"Gao Ye, now that you’ve entered the Jiangyin Institute, you are a Prefecture Student. You are not the Young Lord of the Dan Mountain Gao Clan."

"All you talk about is being the ’Leader of the Five Gates’ and attaining ’Prefecture Official Merit.’ Do you take the true prodigies—those who have cultivated here for three years, a den of hidden talents preparing for the Prefecture Examination—for nothing?"

"Talk like that after you’ve actually won something. Otherwise, you’re just bringing shame upon your clan’s Ancestor!"

With a heavy snort, Pei Daoran flicked his sleeves.

Now that the Jiangyin Institute Chief had made an appearance, even someone with Gao Ye’s temperament didn’t dare act out of line. He bowed his head in acquiescence, and after the tirade was over, shot a subtle, cutting glare at Ji Xiu.

"As for you..."

Having finished scolding Gao Ye, Pei Daoran turned to Ji Xiu, his expression complicated.

"You, come with me."

’Me?’

Ji Xiu was taken aback. He had never met the Jiangyin Institute Chief before and had no idea why the man wanted to see him alone.

At his side, Ye Luan frowned.

"Institute Chief..."

Pei Daoran looked at Ye Luan, who had taken half a step forward, a hint of exasperation in his tone.

"I know he’s the descendant of an old acquaintance of yours, but do I look like the kind of person who would give a mere Prefecture Student a hard time?"

"I’m just going to have a word with the boy, that’s all."

With that, the Institute Chief walked off with hurried strides, gesturing for Ji Xiu to follow. He wore a preoccupied expression, as if something weighed heavily on his mind.

After a moment’s thought, Ji Xiu thanked Ye Luan and quickly followed.

He followed the Jiangyin Institute Chief, Pei Daoran, into a quiet room.

Only then did the highly respected senior turn around. His gaze was an unusually complex mixture of emotions as he finally spoke:

"Boy, let me ask you. That Fist and Foot Secret Martial Art you just used... what is its name?"

"Don’t even think about hiding it. I’ve been the Jiangyin Institute Chief for many years. I’ve lived a long life; there’s nothing I haven’t seen."

"I won’t make things difficult for you, and there are no ’outsiders’ here. Just tell me."

’Fist and Foot Secret Martial Art?’

At these words, Ji Xiu recalled the Corpse Bone Secret Martial Art he had seen in the Cold Pool by the Jade Marrow Cold Lotus. A chill ran down his spine.

’Ye Longxiang’s Head... it was passed down from the Grandmaster, Ye Wenjiang. I heard he was a famous True Sect Disciple in his day, but...’

’That was a story from sixty years ago.’

’For such an old matter to be dredged up now... could there be some unsettled history between Ye Wenjiang and the Institute Chief?’

’But judging by his expression, he obviously knows its origins. It would be useless to try and hide anything.’

Therefore, after some deliberation, Ji Xiu spoke hesitantly.

"I learned it from a senior."

"It is called..."

"Ye Longxiang’s Head."

In that instant, Jiangyin Institute Chief Pei Daoran’s pupils constricted. He was about to speak, when suddenly—

HUMMM!

An inexplicable tremor ran through his Divine Soul, and a voice like a clap of thunder boomed beside Ji Xiu’s ears. His eardrums throbbed and his eyes widened. For a moment, his Divine Soul and his mind went completely blank!

"That senior of yours, where is he now?"

A towering figure, like a mountain and easily two meters tall, appeared from nowhere. With a single stride, he closed the distance and laid a hand on Ji Xiu’s arm.

By the time Ji Xiu came to his senses, he discovered that despite his Dragon Tendon Jade Bone physique, and despite instinctively using every ounce of his strength, he couldn’t budge an inch!

Staring at the white-bearded, white-haired old monster before him—a man who seemed to possess the strength to move mountains—Ji Xiu felt an immense pressure bearing down. He swallowed hard.

"That senior... passed away long ago. I learned this art by deciphering the legacy he left behind, in writings on a stone wall."

"And you are...?"

Hardly had Ji Xiu spoken when—

THUD, THUD!

The immense, ocean-deep power in Xu Longxiang’s arm vanished. He stumbled back several steps, the bright light in his eyes dimming instantly.

"Of course."

"His Life Lamp shattered all those years ago. This one... I should have accepted the truth then."

The habitual form of self-address made Xu Longxiang pause. Noticing the youth before him, he subtly corrected himself. He looked the boy up and down a few times, then stroked his beard.

"To have fully mastered ’Ye Longxiang’s Head’ at your age..."

"Your natural talent and comprehension are truly extraordinary."

"I was... an old acquaintance of Ye Wenjiang, the master whose legacy you’ve inherited."

"I’m also a Mansion Official Instructor here at the Jiangyin Institute, from the same generation as your Institute Chief."

"That young woman who was backing you up just now—I’ve seen her. She has some ability, but she has nothing to teach you."

At this, Xu Longxiang looked up slightly at Ji Xiu, his gaze turning serious.

"If you are willing, I can become your Master and teach you the original Martial Art from which ’Ye Longxiang’s Head’ was derived."

"How about it?"

He extended a broad palm.

Ji Xiu was stunned. He glanced at Pei Daoran, then back at Xu Longxiang. For a moment, his heart pounded in his chest.

’I can’t tell the depths of this tall elder who just appeared out of nowhere, but if he can speak with the Jiangyin Institute Chief as an equal... doesn’t that make him one of the ancient, fossil-like Prefecture Officials of this Institute?’

’He’s not even intimidated by the pressure from the Noble Clans. He must be, at the very least, a master whose Qi has manifested as Dragon and Tiger!’

Ji Xiu saw the Jiangyin Institute Chief’s eye twitch. His pupils seemed to quake, but he forcibly suppressed his reaction, plastered on a strained smile, and nodded as if everything were normal, tacitly endorsing Xu Longxiang’s words.

Ji Xiu deliberated for a long while. The relationship between Ye Luan and his Master, Duan Chenzhou, was genuine, which meant he already had her as a solid ally.

But to gain another ’old fossil’ as a patron here in the Institute, using ’Ye Longxiang’s Head’ as the connection... the advantages clearly outweighed the disadvantages.

Having thought it through, Ji Xiu spoke.

"This student, Ji Xiu, pays his respects to his Master!"

Xu Longxiang was immensely gratified.

"Good, good!"

"As your master... I came out in a hurry and have nothing for you. Next time, I’ll take you somewhere and make your status official!"

Hearing this, Ji Xiu didn’t think much of it. He assumed it was just a formality, like the tea ceremony to affirm the relationship between a Master and his student, completely unaware of what this ’status’ truly implied.

"May I ask for Master’s esteemed name?"

"I... am Xu Longxiang!"