Chapter 561: Su He

In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.

These days, Ling Chen had been staying in the room, lying on the bed unable to move. The fisherman would come daily at a fixed time to administer traditional remedies to treat his injuries.

So many days had passed without a word from him, and he guessed that Nanrong Wanqing and the others were probably worried sick.

With no other choice, Ling Chen sighed, knowing he shouldn’t have given his cellphone to Su Mei; it would have been much better to keep it for his own use.

Lost in his thoughts, the door of the room was pushed open, and the old fisherman walked in carrying a fish basket. Seeing Ling Chen looking at him, the old man spoke, "Would you like to go outside and sit for a while?"

Ling Chen’s eyes brightened, and he nodded eagerly. Having been cooped up in bed all these days, the opportunity to breathe some fresh air was more than welcome.

Immediately, the old man helped Ling Chen up from the bed, then supported his arm and slowly moved him outside. It had been several days, and this was Ling Chen’s first time stepping out.

Outside the house, there were several bamboo poles used for drying fish and clothes, and next to them, there was a wicker chair.

Sitting on the wicker chair, the old man took a thick blanket from one of the bamboo poles and covered Ling Chen with it to prevent him from catching cold. By now, it was nearing evening, the sky gradually darkening, and the sea breeze was howling, bringing a slight chill.

"Thank you, Elder Su."

After spending a few days together, Ling Chen had learned the old man’s name was Su He, a fisherman who had lived in this place for many years, leading a life almost isolated from the world, self-sufficient, and seldom interacting with outsiders.

Ling Chen admired him; if he were asked to live alone in such a place for decades, he would rather die quickly.

"Elder Su, don’t you have children?"

"I do."

"Why don’t you reunite with them? It’s almost the New Year, and I believe your children would wish for the whole family to be together."

"I am not particular about that," Su He said indifferently. "They have their lives, I have mine, and we do not interfere with each other. The hearts of people in this world are too chaotic nowadays; it’s better to live quietly alone."

Hearing this, Ling Chen seemed to understand something. Su He, having lived in solitude for these many decades, must have experienced some kind of setback in his youth; otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen this way of life.

Looking around at the environment – lush greenery and facing the sea – it indeed was a great place to retire.

"How were you injured?"

At this moment, Su He suddenly popped the question.

"Well…" Ling Chen hesitated and then made up an excuse. "I accidentally fell into the sea when I was on a boat and got swept away by the waves." Saying this, he smiled and continued, gratefully, "I thought I was definitely going to die, but it seems that fate still takes care of me."

Su He looked at him and said flatly, "There’s no need to lie in front of me; I know how the injury on your back was caused."

"You know?" Ling Chen was taken aback, looking at Su He with a surprised face.

"You were severely injured by someone using Inner Strength, and the person who did it is very powerful, likely a high-ranked expert from the Heavenly List. You survived not because fate took care of you, but because you had once consumed a Heavenly Mechanism Pill. The effects of the Heavenly Mechanism Pill lingered in your body, which is why you were able to save your life." After speaking, Su He looked at Ling Chen with a profound expression. "Since you were able to obtain a high-quality Heavenly Mechanism Pill, it seems you have a deep connection with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."

Hearing Su He’s words, Ling Chen was immensely shocked; the old man could deduce so much just from his injuries.

Master!

The word spontaneously popped into Ling Chen’s mind.

"Elder sir, you…"

"You haven’t answered my question yet. What’s your relationship with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"

Ling Chen thought for a moment and said, "I suppose we could be considered friends. I know the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master and have helped the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion out a few times with minor matters."

"Was the Heavenly Mechanism Pill given to you by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"

"Not exactly; the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony was just held recently."

"The Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony?" Su He had an enlightened look and nodded, saying, "I almost forgot about the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony. Given your age, you must have participated in the Newcomer competition."

"Indeed."

"What place did you achieve?"

Ling Chen gave a slight smile. "I was fortunate enough to win first place."

Su He waved his hand and said, "Those who win first place don’t rely on luck. Well, to be young and already top of the Newcomer List shows you are a promising individual." He paused a moment, then suddenly changed the topic, asking, "You just mentioned that you know the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master?"

"Yes, I believe I could be considered a friend in her eyes."

"Friend?" Su He smirked and murmured to himself, "The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master’s age… she must be in her twenties by now, so that’s the case… Hmph! What a fateful connection."

Ling Chen, puzzled, asked, "Elder Su, what fate are you talking about?"

"It’s nothing." Su He changed the subject and asked, "Who injured you?"

"Ji Gang."

"Was it him?" Su He’s expression changed slightly, an expression of astonishment appearing in his cloudy old eyes.

"Elder Su, do you know Ji Gang?"

"I’ve heard of him." Su He seemed reluctant to say more, and before Ling Chen could speak again, he said, "Stay here and recover for the time being. Don’t rush back. Once you’ve healed, I have something to tell you."

After saying this, Su He turned and walked back inside the house, leaving Ling Chen alone, gazing out at the sea in a daze.

...

Two days later, Ling Chen’s injuries gradually healed. Though his back still ached a bit, it no longer affected his ability to walk.

That day, as the sun rose, the sea shimmered under the glow of the dawn sky, radiantly fiery red.

After finishing the breakfast prepared by Su He, Ling Chen followed him out of the house and onto a fishing boat by the seaside.

Once on the boat, Su He gestured for Ling Chen to sit at the bow. Then, he rowed the oars, steering the fishing boat towards the middle of the sea.

"Prajnaparamita Sutra is an extraordinary Internal Cultivation Method. Through the ages, besides Ling Gengqiu, you are the second person to practice this mental method. Since you are already familiar with the Prajnaparamita Sutra, I won’t waste words. Today, I will tell you how to effectively enhance your strength."

For the past two days, Ling Chen had disclosed nearly all his matters, except for his relationships with several women; Su He was almost fully aware of his past experiences.

"Elder Su, aren’t there only two ways to enhance the Prajnaparamita Sutra?" Ling Chen said.

The information given to him by Su Mei had mentioned that the most effective ways to enhance the Prajnaparamita Sutra were through slaughter and lust, so he was curious about the method Su He mentioned.

"That’s correct, unless you want to become a womanizing playboy like Ling Gengqiu, or a ruthless killer who does not blink an eye? Those two methods are unorthodox. If it were me, I would never use those harmful methods to increase my power."

"So, what should be done?"

"The method I am going to teach you today is generally used by martial artists. However, I have added my own understanding and innovations to make it more efficient."