From the end of the world

Chapter 131: Navy Xuanwu 1
According to common sense, it is inconceivable that a collective force would rely on an individual, especially when the former is a wealthy family with huge wealth, while the latter is just a "young man just starting out".

However, as Zhu Shi once told me, in Luoshan, in the world of demon hunters, a powerful person with extraordinary strength is a one-man army, and even a single person is equivalent to a force. Therefore, if the current situation is not interpreted as a "rich family" wanting to rely on a "fresh young man", but a "weak force" hoping to merge with a "powerful force", then it is much more reasonable.

In the past, I just accepted and digested Zhu Shi’s speech as fresh knowledge. Although I could understand that it was information that was closely related to me, it lacked a sense of reality. After all, I had lived as an ordinary person for nearly 20 years. When someone suddenly told me how high my “social status” was, it was difficult for me to immediately relate to it emotionally.

And now, seeing Mr. Zhu making this application to me so solemnly, the sense of reality broke into my heart like a solid reef suddenly emerging from the water.

I couldn't help but look at Zhu Shi beside me. She was also at a loss. Obviously, Mr. Zhu had not informed her of the topic in advance. She was not mentally prepared for this and fell into confusion, not knowing what was going on. She even looked at me for help.

Seeing this, I made a decision in my heart.

"Zhu Shi and Chang'an and I are friends," I said to Mr. Zhu.

The latter nodded slightly: "So?"

“So if you need help, I’ll do my best to help you. And when I’m in trouble, I’ll ask you for help,” I said. “But it’s not about who’s leaning on who, or who’s being who’s hands and feet, or who’s above or below who… It has nothing to do with those things.”

"I understand what you mean." Mr. Zhu nodded, "But the reality is that your power is overwhelmingly stronger than the Zhu family as a whole. You don't even need to accept the Zhu family's support. You just need to express to the outside world that my granddaughter and Chang'an have a good relationship with you, and the Zhu family will be able to get your protection in the future.

"This is real benefit, and everyone can see the inequality at a glance. Even if you can claim to be above my Zhu family, no one will object.

"You can solve the enemies that the Zhu family cannot solve, and the enemies that you cannot solve, the Zhu family cannot solve. What we can help you with in the future are, in the final analysis, rear support work that is too complicated for you. And as you continue to become stronger in the future, this gap will only grow larger.

"If this isn't us taking refuge with you, then what is it?"

I asked directly, "Are you trying to say that the change from an equal relationship to a superior-subordinate relationship between my friend and I is a natural and inevitable outcome?"

"That's right." He nodded.

"Since it's destined and natural, it doesn't matter if we continue to be friends first." I said, "Maybe the result will be different from what you said?"

"You're not going to refute me?" he asked.

"To be honest, I don't really care. No matter how the relationship between me and my friends changes in the eyes of others, that is their business. I just need to do my best. As for whether my friends have the same idea as me -" I looked at Zhu Shi while speaking, "I can only leave it to my friends to decide, and I will trust my friends."

"Yeah, yeah!" Zhu Shi nodded vigorously.

Mr. Zhu looked at his granddaughter seemingly speechlessly.

"Then let's end this topic here for now, and we can discuss it again when we have the chance." He said, "Next, let's talk about healing."

This is probably about Ma Zao's soul trauma.

When she heard the topic was coming to her, Ma Zao seemed to react after a second or two, and she belatedly pulled her attention away from the tea stems in the teacup. She was just like a child who was dragged to a conversation with adults but couldn't understand the conversation and could only stare blankly to kill time. She seemed to raise her head naturally, as if pretending to listen carefully. I suddenly wanted to test her to see where we were talking about just now.

"We in the Zhu family have stored some special medicines that are specifically used to heal soul burns. You can take them out of the warehouse at will. Just follow the instructions to use them for this little girl." Mr. Zhu said, "But according to my granddaughter, the soul damage this little girl suffered is similar to the legendary Xuanming Fire, so the medicine provided by our Zhu family must only have a palliative effect. If you want to completely cure it, you must find another way."

"Old sir, what is this method?" I asked humbly.

He stroked his goatee, thought for a moment and said, "...Although the Zhu family has no solution, I can introduce you to someone who may have a solution. It's just that..."

"Just?" I asked.

"This person is extremely dangerous," he said. "Dangerous...Is it dangerous for Zhuang Cheng?" Zhu Shi asked curiously, "But with Zhuang Cheng's strength, there should be very few strong people who can pose a threat to him, right?"

Mr. Zhu said in a deep voice: "Unfortunately, this person is a strong man who can pose a threat to him."

Hearing this, I became very interested. Zhu Shi had a full understanding of my strength, and Mr. Zhu had heard about me from Zhu Shi, and had also estimated my level based on my previous performance. Even Mr. Zhu said that he would pose a threat to me, and his ability must be far superior to that of the monster maker.

Maybe this time I can finally meet someone who is capable of competing with me?
"Who's that?" I asked.

"He used to be called 'Water Master'." Mr. Zhu said, "Perhaps you have not heard of this name, but he was once a well-known figure in the world of demon hunters."

Hearing this, I looked at Zhu Shi. This was the first time I heard this name, but Zhu Shi probably knew it. As expected, she reacted immediately, but this reaction could be described as horrified.

"Water Master? Isn't he dead?"

She blurted out, and immediately seeing my confusion, she explained: "This water master used to be a demon hunter who wandered outside Luoshan, and like you, he was an 'outsider'. It is said that he has mastered the art of alchemy to perfection, and the elixir he made is enough to bring the dead back to life and turn bones into flesh. Many people have received his help and owed him a favor."

"He sounds like a kind-hearted person," I said. "Why is he considered extremely dangerous?"

"It's not dangerous for ordinary demon hunters..." she said, "It is said that the water master has lived for more than 300 years, and has left many legends among the people. When you were collecting folk tales, you must have heard of legends like 'A passing immortal was kind enough to give elixir and cure the villagers' incurable diseases', right? He is the prototype of some of them.

"Even in the eyes of many demon hunters, the image of the water master is no different from the 'passing gods' in such legends. Some demon hunters even regard encountering a water master as a blessing from God. Not to mention the danger, there are many demon hunters who have made a special trip to visit a place after hearing that the water master is passing by.

"However, there is a legend about Shui Shi that is not sure whether it is true or not. It is that his entire family was slaughtered by a person with fire ability in the past. From then on, whenever he encounters a person with fire ability, he will go crazy and lose his mind, transforming into an evil ghost to kill him..."

"That's fake news." Mr. Zhu seemed to have some real information, "But he does have a hostile attitude towards people with fire abilities that is not surprising enough to attract such suspicion."

"Then why does he have problems with people with fire abilities? And..." I was curious, "How powerful is he exactly?"

"Regarding your previous question, I don't know much. I only know that he seemed to be looking for a specific flame-powered user, and thought he had to kill him at all costs. However, apart from the fact that 'the target has the ability to manipulate flames', he didn't know any other characteristics of the target, so he chose to kill every flame-powered user he found." Mr. Zhu said, "As for his power level..."

"Three years ago, when Xuan Ming was still Luoshan Da Wuchang, the navy sneaked into Luoshan headquarters and assassinated Xuan Ming." Zhu Shi said, "As far as I know, he caused harm to Xuan Ming in that battle, and was finally burned to ashes by Xuan Ming himself..."

At the end, Zhu Shi looked at his grandfather, who shook his head and said, "He didn't die, but escaped with serious injuries and hid in secret. In order to prevent being assassinated by Xuan Ming's followers, he spread the news of his death to the outside world."

Xuan Ming actually has believers? That's right, he is said to be the god of fire who has survived from the mythological era. Since he is a god, it is normal for him to have some believers.

I analyzed the information given by Mr. Zhu: "Being able to cause harm to a Great Impermanence like Xuan Ming and escape from the crisis of death... Could it be that the water master is also a Great Impermanence?"

"Losing to Xuan Ming and running away" is not shameful. When Xuan Ming rebelled against Luo Shan, there was also a Great Wuchang who was seriously injured by him, and there was even another Great Wuchang who was killed by him.

"He is not the Great Impermanence. Although many people believe that he may become the Great Impermanence in the future, at least he was not one when he assassinated Xuan Ming. It's just that it is said that he has a way to use a trick at the level of the Great Impermanence. So he thinks he may be able to kill Xuan Ming." Mr. Zhu said, "Also, he is not called Shuishi now. Maybe in order to avoid being tracked by divination spells, he even gave up his previous name. As for his current name, I remember it is..."

After recalling for a moment, he said a name.

A name that caught me off guard.

"——'Xuanwu'." He said, "He is 'Xuanwu' now."

(End of this chapter)