Chapter 584: Spring and Autumn Annals

Cheng Yuan had already learned Flower God’s Fury and the Dragon Spear. What’s more, he had afflicted Yang Qiuyu with the incredibly vicious Life-seeking Yin Ghost!

Of course Cheng Yuan was satisfied. In fact, he was extremely satisfied!

But Cheng Yuan couldn’t let it show. He could only force a very reluctant smile.

“Second Grandmaster Yang and Grand Elder Hua have shown great sincerity, allowing me to witness the might of an Ultimate expert. As long as Yang Qiuyu promises before all the heroes gathered here today that she will never again plot against me or my family behind my back, I will consider the grudge between us settled!”

Cheng Yuan stared intently at Yang Qiuyu, whose gaze flickered uncertainly. ‘Give up her hatred for the man who killed her son and husband?’

‘Absolutely impossible!’

‘But if she didn’t agree to Cheng Yuan’s terms, how could she possibly survive this deadly crisis?’

The Old Dragon King felt a pang of guilt toward Cheng Yuan. ‘This disciple of mine is far too considerate,’ he thought. ‘He’s choosing to hold back just to save me from a difficult position.’

Seeing Yang Qiuyu dragging her feet, the Old Dragon King grew displeased and let out a heavy snort. “Yang Qiuyu, what are you waiting for? Are you telling me you’re unwilling to resolve this grudge with Xiaoyuan?”

Yang Qiuyu’s face paled, and she quickly bowed her head. “I wouldn’t dare! I swear that from this day forward, I will never plot against Cheng Yuan behind his back! I will never plot against his family! If I break this vow, may the heavens strike me down and the earth swallow me whole! May I never find peace in the afterlife!!”

The Old Dragon King stared coldly at Yang Qiuyu. “You won’t need to wait for the heavens to act. If I find out you’re up to any of your little tricks, I will personally destroy you!”

“I would never dare!”

Yang Qiuyu bowed her head, grinding her teeth so hard they nearly shattered.

‘However, she would not give up on revenge!’

‘She couldn’t make any moves against Cheng Yuan behind his back now, but once she was powerful enough, there would be no shortage of people lining up to help her get her revenge!’

The Old Dragon King couldn’t be bothered with Yang Qiuyu any longer. He turned to Cheng Yuan, his voice softening. “Xiaoyuan, come and meet Old Kong.”

Cheng Yuan strode over to Kong Rong and gave him a very solemn, formal bow with his hands clasped.

“Thank you, Elder Kong, for being willing to become my Guardian! From this day forward, the Kong Family’s affairs are my affairs!”

Kong Rong was ecstatic!

‘His bet had paid off!’

Not only had he earned the Old Dragon King’s friendship, but Cheng Yuan’s potential and talent had also left him utterly astounded!

Moments ago, all the Half-Step Martial Saints had been blown off the platform by an overwhelming wave of energy, yet Cheng Yuan alone had managed to stand his ground!

‘What incredible talent!’

‘No wonder the Old Dragon King is so determined to protect him!’

“You’re too kind, Xiaoyuan. From this moment on, the Kong Family will support you unconditionally! We will be your staunchest backers!”

Cheng Yuan took out two Small Jade Bottles and handed them to Kong Rong. “Elder Kong, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it.”

Kong Rong rubbed his hands together, looking a bit embarrassed. “How can I possibly accept this? By all rights, as your senior, I should be the one giving you a gift.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kong Rong clenched his jaw. “So be it! Since I am Xiaoyuan’s Guardian, I cannot hold anything back from him! This is our Kong Family’s core legacy, the *Spring and Autumn Annals*. Take it, Xiaoyuan!”

Cheng Yuan’s expression turned pained, and he spoke with some embarrassment, “Elder Kong, I appreciate the sentiment, but back in school, classical texts were my biggest headache. Perhaps it’s best if…”

THWACK.

Before Cheng Yuan could finish, the Old Dragon King rapped him on the head.

The Old Dragon King shot Cheng Yuan a look of profound disappointment. “The Kong Family’s *Spring and Autumn Annals* was personally written by Confucius! It contains the very essence of the Saint’s Dao! It’s a priceless treasure in the Ancient Martial Realm! Others couldn’t obtain it even if they begged, and you, you little fool, dare to refuse? Now, thank Old Kong, and be quick about it!”

‘Written by Confucius himself?’

‘Containing the essence of his Dao?’

Cheng Yuan’s pupils constricted. His expression grew solemn as he extended both hands and accepted the *Spring and Autumn Annals* with great reverence.

“Thank you, Elder Kong, for bestowing the *Spring and Autumn Annals* upon me. I will be sure to study it diligently.”

Kong Rong nodded in satisfaction. “The Kong Family also possesses the *Poetry*, the *Book*, the *Li*, the *Yi*, and the *Music*, all personally written by our great ancestor. After you finish studying the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, Xiaoyuan, you can come to the Kong Family estate to study the other five.”

“I am honored, Elder Kong.”

As he said this, Cheng Yuan opened the *Spring and Autumn Annals*, and his pupils suddenly constricted!

‘This script… it’s so familiar!’

‘Isn’t this the script from the Wordless Celestial Book?’

After obtaining the Wordless Celestial Book, Cheng Yuan had consulted Zhang Zhigang and many other experts on ancient scripts, but none had been able to decipher it.

‘To think that he would see the exact same script in the *Spring and Autumn Annals*!’

Cheng Yuan suppressed his excitement and asked, “Elder Kong, what is this script? I’ve never seen anything like it.”

A faint smile played on Kong Rong’s lips. “This is a script our ancestor discovered in an Ancient Secret Realm. After many years of research, he deciphered it. We, his descendants, call it the ‘Kong Body.’ Only core members of the Kong Family are qualified to learn it. When you have time, Xiaoyuan, come to the Kong Family estate, and I will teach the Kong Body to you.”

Cheng Yuan’s expression turned grave. He bowed deeply to Kong Rong. “Thank you, Elder Kong, for imparting your wisdom!”

Kong Rong quickly helped Cheng Yuan to his feet, his gaze benevolent. His mind, however, was already churning. ‘Does the Kong Family have any girls around Cheng Yuan’s age?’

‘If he could make Cheng Yuan a son-in-law of the Kong Family, that would be simply perfect!’

Cheng Yuan turned to his followers. “Thank you, everyone, for trusting me, for standing by me in a time of crisis, and for becoming my followers! I will not forget this debt. Tonight, we will hold a victory banquet at the Dragon Flame Inn. I hope to see all of you there.”

Cheng Yuan’s followers all broke into smiles.

“How could we possibly miss Cheng Wangzhen’s victory banquet?”

“Cheng Wangzhen, you’d better be ready to drink with your brothers tonight!”

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go, brothers! To the Dragon Flame Inn! No one’s going home sober tonight!”

…

Watching the crowd, their joy plain on their faces, Elder Jiang and Elder Zhou couldn’t begin to describe their own feelings.

Originally, they were Liu Deshui’s Guardians.

They could have used that status to get into Cheng Yuan’s inner circle!

They could have ridden the Old Dragon King’s coattails!

But they had thrown it all away!

Now, their top priority was to find a way to repair their relationship with their young master.

Perhaps then they could still get some scraps from his table in the future.

Plastering sycophantic smiles on their faces, the two shamelessly approached Liu Deshui.

“Young Master, you truly have a keen eye! Cheng Wangzhen is every bit the young hero!”

“Young Master, your judgment is impeccable. We are truly not your equals!”

Liu Deshui was someone who despised evil. He gave the two men a cold, indifferent look.

“Wipe those disgusting looks off your faces! You are no longer my Guardians! From this moment on, stay out of my sight!”

The other followers shot the two men looks of utter contempt.

“Didn’t you hear Marshal De? You two treacherous old dogs, selling out your master for your own gain! Scram!”

“I can’t stand the sight of bootlicking traitors like you! Get the hell out of here before we kill you!”