Chapter 438: South Sea Grandmaster

Chapter 438: South Sea Grandmaster

Shi Cheng turned red with embarrassment for a moment.

He had thought that after revealing his father’s name, he’d at least get some amazed reactions.

Even if there were no exclamations like "So you’re actually the son of the South Sea Grandmaster!" there should have been some reaction.

But to his shock...

His father’s prestigious name had completely failed to impress Su Mo and the others.

They simply had no idea who Shi Shengtian was.

This was next-level awkward.

As for why he had decided to bring up his father’s prestigious name, Shi Cheng had given it careful thought.

Being rescued by Su Mo and his group naturally meant he owed them a debt of gratitude.

At the very least, he owed them his life, plain and simple.

However, it was clear that Su Mo and the others weren’t entirely well-intentioned either.

Otherwise, they wouldn’t have hit his pressure points.

The good news was that he was still alive, but the bad news was that he had no idea how long he had left.

If Su Mo had bad intentions, having his father’s reputation as leverage might just provide some wiggle room—especially since things hadn’t gone too far yet.

Before Shi Cheng had started his journey in the martial world, Shi Shengtian had advised him:

Learning to endure was a good thing. Keeping a low profile and concealing one’s identity often led to bigger rewards.

But... if he ever found himself in real trouble, he shouldn’t wait until all chances to talk were gone before revealing his backing.

In such cases, the concern wasn’t that people wouldn’t fear the name "Shi Shengtian"—it was that they might fear it too much.

If someone was terrified of the South Sea Grandmaster, yet had already offended his son and formed a deadly grudge, what then?

If they let him go, only for him to later bring the South Sea Grandmaster down on them for revenge, what could be done?

To prevent such a scenario, the only option would be to cover their tracks completely—kill the witness, sink the body into the sea. No matter how unbeatable the South Sea Grandmaster was, he’d have no way to find who did it.

However, if the backing was revealed before things got too far out of hand, the other party might be more inclined to cut him some slack.

Hell, maybe they might even end up as friends.

But now... Shi Cheng had never expected that after name-dropping his father, they’d react like *this*.

Seeing that Su Mo was really about to summon someone who knows, Shi Cheng couldn't help but flush with embarrassment and said:

"Um... Brother Su, please don't trouble yourself. Actually, my father isn’t that famous."

"Brother Shi, your words are clearly deceiving me," Su Mo said with a smile. "Just from the look on your face earlier, I can tell your father is no ordinary man."

"Well... there’s no need to send for others," Shi Cheng had no choice but to admit. "My father does have a small reputation in the martial world. Out of respect, fellow martial artists call him... the legendary South Sea Grandmaster."

The South Sea Grandmaster!

These four words hit Su Mo's group like a thunderbolt, and they locked eyes in silent shock once more.

This title was no laughing matter.

Among martial artists, who would dare claim the title "Grandmaster"?

From Shi Cheng’s tone, it seemed this title was widely acknowledged in the martial world. Could he truly be the top fighter in the South Sea?

Ye Youchen let out a sigh here and said:

"Brother Su, there’s no need to be surprised.

"Shi Shengtian is indeed the South Sea Grandmaster.

"It is said that in his early years, he once entered the South Sea Martial Temple.

"There, he obtained divine providence and inherited several unmatched martial arts.

"Over the next decade, he perfected them completely and created the Nine Forms of Heavenly Severance.

"Since emerging in the martial world, he has never tasted defeat for thirty years.

"The title 'South Sea Grandmaster' was earned through the might of his iron fists alone.

"However, ten years ago, he challenged the three greatest martial arts masters of the South Sea at Fengmo Cliff, the peak of the South Sea.

"That battle split heaven and cracked earth, yet ended in a draw.

"Unexpectedly, after that fight, Shi Shengtian disappeared from the world.

"Gradually withdrew from the martial world.

"Then, this oaf resurfaced...

"Our relationship was forged by fate's whim.

"I recognized his Nine Forms of Heavenly Severance and knew his background was extraordinary, so I lowered myself to make friends with him..."

"I was the one who humbled myself!"

Shi Cheng interrupted, clearly displeased.

He felt Ye Youchen was always grabbing credit, even making up chances where none existed.

Ye Youchen sneered dismissively, putting on airs as if he couldn't be bothered arguing with a junior.

He just said softly:

"I've always drifted through the martial world, living freely.

"At first, I had no good intentions toward this fool.

"I only wanted to trick him out of his Celestial Nine Ultimates.

"But later, I realized this kid was good-natured, simple-minded and guileless.

"That made me somewhat reluctant to deceive him. After several encounters, we actually got along well.

"In the end, I don’t even know how, but we ended up sticking together, lazing around every day.

"My trip to Dragon Tree Island was for that Celestial Stele.

"Truthfully, the stele doesn't do me much good.

"It’s just... when I set my mind on something, I’ll find a way to get it.

"As luck would have it, I saved a former herb-gathering slave who had escaped from Dragon Tree Island.

"That’s how I learned all the details.

"And this herb-gathering slave had even learned the Arcane Ice Seven Ultimates of the Dragon King Hall—how could I pass that up?

"I conned him into giving up his martial arts, and then wheedled every last secret he knew from him.

"Only then did I decide to come here to make my move for the Celestial Stele.

"But who would’ve thought...

"Perhaps it was fate, but in the end, I came to this sorry end.

"I brought this upon myself—no one else is to blame.

"But Shi Cheng truly has little to do with this.

"Brother Su, if you have any grievances, direct them all at me.

"I'm not long for this world anyway, and I won’t last much longer. I'm at your mercy.

"But... please go easy on this dummy and spare him."

His words were heartfelt, clearly no longer intending to hide anything.

Shi Cheng listened with conflicted feelings.

On one hand, Ye Youchen’s words were infuriating, yet they also showed concern for his life.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to be moved or angry.

In the end, loyalty surged in his heart, and he couldn’t help but set his jaw and say:

"Deadface," he spat, "is this your deathbed kindness?

"How could I let you suffer alone while getting off scot-free myself?

"Brother Su... I don’t know what Deadface told you, but no matter what, the two of us were in this together. Whatever wrong he did to you, put that on me too."

"Kill or cut me up, do as you please—Shi Cheng won’t even blink an eye."

Ye Youchen couldn’t help but fly into a rage upon hearing this:

"Dumbass, what’s the point of playing the hero in front of me now?

"At my age, how could I possibly be on equal footing with you? Even your father would call me ‘grandfather’! What's it to you?"

"Bullshit!"

Shi Cheng shook with rage on the bed, unable to hold back his curses.

Su Mo and the others just watched silently as these two, who could hardly move, traded insults.

Too bad they weren’t facing each other—otherwise, their spit might have landed on each other’s faces. Instead, they ended up spitting all over themselves.

For a moment, Su Mo didn't know what to say. Just listening to their exchange of insults, one would think they harbored some blood feud.

Yet in reality, they were ready to die for each other.

What kind of nonsense was this?

However, Ye Youchen’s earlier words had given Su Mo some answers.

For instance, how Ye Youchen had managed to pass himself off as the Grand Physician’s disciple, and how he had deciphered the contents of the medical texts.

Clearly, all of this had been learned from that escaped medical slave.

Su Mo had once heard Meng Feifan speak of the medical slaves—indeed, Meng Feifan himself had been a beneficiary of this system. Thus, Su Mo knew that the Grand Physician had actually taught his knowledge of medicine, and even martial arts, to some obedient slaves.

It seemed Ye Youchen had encountered one such slave, one who had practiced the Arcane Ice Seven Ultimates.

But now, these matters were not important anymore.

Longmu Island was already gone—what was the point of dwelling on them?

What really interested Su Mo was the fact that the South Sea Grandmaster had once gained knowledge within the South Sea Martial Temple.

The Lord of Longmu Island had mentioned that the Celestial Stele originated from the South Sea Martial Temple.

As for how it had fallen into the hands of the Great Xuan Dynasty—that wasn’t hard to imagine.

The Xuan Emperor had conquered the martial world—what rare treasure could he not obtain?

Evidently, even the South Sea Martial Temple had not been spared.

As the saying goes, a thief never leaves empty-handed. The Xuan Emperor was no thief, but he was far more formidable.

If he could seize the Celestial Stele from the South Sea Martial Temple… then surely he could have taken other things as well.

Earlier, Su Mo had assumed that the South Sea Martial Temple must have been completely ransacked long ago.

But now, it seemed… that might not be the case.

Otherwise, how could the South Sea Grandmaster have gotten training from it?

As his thoughts swirled, he gave a light tap on the chairback to hush the two arguers.

After all, Shi Cheng was growing increasingly furious, while Ye Youchen's voice was growing fainter with each retort.

If this continued, Ye Youchen might keel over without Su Mo even lifting a finger.

Hearing the noise, Shi Cheng and Ye Youchen indeed fell silent.

Only then did Su Mo speak:

"Though Brother Ye has not been entirely truthful with Su Mo, it’s hardly some deep-seated grudge.

"Moreover, given your current state, if I were to lay another finger on you, it would only make me look petty.

"This matter… let's drop it for now."

Hearing this, Ye Youchen remained impassive, but Shi Cheng visibly relaxed.

Yet, to his surprise, Su Mo continued:

"However…"

"…However what?"

Shi Cheng quickly asked, "Brother Su, if you have any request, name it. You've got it."

"It’s quite simple."

Su Mo smiled. "I've been a big admirer of the South Sea Grandmaster and have been dying to meet him.

"Yet, the vastness of the martial world makes that tough to arrange.

"Now that Young Master Shi is staying on my boat, I hope you might put in a good word for me with the South Sea Grandmaster."

"…"

For a moment, Shi Cheng wondered whether he had lost his memory or if Su Mo had no shame.

Just moments ago, Su Mo hadn’t even known his father’s name, let alone the title "South Sea Grandmaster."

Yet now, he spoke of "long admiration" without missing a beat?

When it came to this, he was truly no different from Ye Youchen.

Moreover, why would Su Mo want to meet his father all of a sudden?

Was this some scheme, or… something else up his sleeve?

And what would happen if he said no?

Recalling Ye Youchen’s earlier take on this guy, Shi Cheng found himself at a loss.

"You wish to meet the South Sea Grandmaster?"

Just as Shi Cheng was on the fence, Ye Youchen piped up:

"Mind if I ask… for what purpose?" he added.

"We've long been kindred spirits and wished to meet in person."

Su Mo smiled.

"...Brother Su, I am a dying man. Why lie to me too?"

"Oh... right!"

At this point, Ye Youchen suddenly remembered: "It's about the Celestial Stele!?"

But the moment he said it, he couldn't help but feel regret.

He shouldn't have brought up the South Sea Martial Temple.

Back on Longmu Island, when Su Mo fought the Lord of Longmu Island, the latter had spoken of the Celestial Stele's origins.

But at that time, he was fighting for his life, with no time to think deeper.

When speaking just now, he hadn't considered the full context.

Now realizing this, he regretted it deeply.

However, that the South Sea Grandmaster might've inherited the Martial Temple's legacy wasn't known only to him in the South Sea.

Even if he didn't reveal it, Su Mo would inevitably hear it from others.

Thinking this, he felt slightly more at ease.

"Brother Ye is indeed clever."

Su Mo sighed. "What a shame. One wrong step led you astray. If you hadn't coveted the Stele that day and simply left, you might not be in this state."

"No point debating right and wrong."

Ye Youchen took a deep breath. "But I don't understand... Brother Su, why your obsession with the Celestial Stele? Wasn't your purpose in going to Longmu Island just for that girl's legs? I saw you take the internal energy of the Heaven-Mending Art to heal her legs. Clearly you succeeded. Why continue this pursuit?"

Su Mo did not answer.

These were private matters.

From what was currently known, the Da Xuan Dynasty's fall in the past seemed to stem from their attempt to refine an immortality elixir, ultimately leading to the 'Celestial Calamity' recorded by the Hidden Sage on the Celestial Stele.

Thus, the once-unrivaled dynasty met its ruin.

Now, the heartland of Da Xuan is shrouded in toxic miasma, surrounded by treacherous mountains and rivers—a living hell.

This all likely stemmed from that.

Yet no one knows exactly why.

What happened to the Su family over the past three generations has all been tied to the Da Xuan Dynasty.

Now, with the Shadow Dragon Society ahead and the Imperial Office behind,

two powerful groups operating in shadows,

yet both tied to the Ziyang Sect and Su Tianyang.

That's why Su Mo must consider and prepare thoroughly for these matters.

Su Mo could choose not to visit the South Sea Martial God Temple, but he couldn't afford to remain completely ignorant of it.

This was precisely why Su Mo wished to meet the South Sea Grandmaster in person.

However, such words were hardly appropriate to bring up now, so he simply smiled and said:

"Brother Shi [Young Master Shi], does this request trouble you?"

"Ah..."

Shi Cheng forced a dry laugh. "My father has remained in seclusion for many years and truly dislikes receiving unfamiliar guests... This matter..."

He hesitated, unsure how to respond.

Su Mo, however, said with a casual wave, "It's of no consequence. Let us set this aside for now. Whenever Brother Shi comes to a decision, we can discuss it further."

"On Dragonwood Island, Brother Ye played me for a fool.

"Since Brother Shi declares to share responsibility,

"Su Mo has no wish to offend the South Sea Grandmaster too deeply... After all, we’ve long admired each other from afar.

"Instead, why not remain as my guest aboard the ship for a few more days?

"I plan to journey westward this time around.

"With Brother Shi’s company, the trip should prove interesting."

Shi Cheng’s eyes widened in shock—it was the first time in his life he had seen someone describe "house arrest" in such a high-minded way.

After agonizing over it for a long while, he eventually nodded:

"Fine, then. My father always said it’s better to journey far than to sit at home reading ten thousand books.

"If I can accompany Brother Su on this trip to the Western Province, that would be a chance I can’t refuse."

Su Mo gave a faint eyebrow raise:

"Since that's the case, then it's settled."

After speaking, he turned his gaze to Ye Youchen and sighed softly:

"Brother Ye, get some rest."

With that, he led the others out of the room without another word.

For a moment, the room was left with only these two hapless companions.

Ye Youchen sighed:

"This matter was never your problem to begin with."

"And now it’s even less your concern."

Shi Cheng pursed his lips: "You were there—he wants to see my father."

“Same difference—I’m your godfather, after all.”

“…When are you going to die?”

“How would I know?”

“Hurry up already—I can’t wait to toss you into the sea.”

“…”

…

…

Several days had passed since Shi Cheng and Ye Youchen woke up.

This stretch of time was fairly quiet.

Little Situ’s legs got better each day, and now she could hobble unaided.

When she took that first step on her own, she was so overcome that tears sprang to her eyes.

The white tiger, meanwhile, had taken up a new hobby.

It would patrol the sea daily to hunt sharks and bring them back.

Even though shark meat wasn’t exactly delicious, the tiger kept at it relentlessly.

Unfortunately, its haul was meager.

Then again, not many sharks were foolish enough to cross its path.

Su Mo, meanwhile, passed the days chatting with Shi Cheng and Ye Youchen.

Ye Youchen, called the Wandering Dust Laughing Guest, wasn’t about to kick the bucket anytime soon.

When not walking, Little Situ would give him the occasional acupuncture treatment to keep him alive.

Ye Youchen’s stories regaled Su Mo with fascinating tales about the South Sea, all dutifully recorded in his journal.

Back when he first crossed into this world, those very journals had schooled him on the dangers of the martial world.

Now, after years on the road, he’d begun documenting his own exploits and observations for future generations.

Carried by the currents across countless miles, one day, a sizable island loomed on the horizon.

Duan Renjie said the island was called ‘Twin Heroes Island,’ boasting the famed Twin Heroes City!

Rumor had it the city housed two mighty clans—the Shangguan Family and the Ximen Family.

Twin Heroes Island was named after the ancestors of these two families.

Their legacies persisted to this day, their descendants carving reputations in the martial world.

As the ship docked, Su Mo came ashore trailed by Yang Xiaoyun, Wei Ziyi, Zhen Xiaoxiao, Duan Renjie, and Cheng Suying.

They’d barely gone any distance before noticing people rushing past.

They jabbered excitedly as they ran:

“It’s starting, it’s starting!”

“If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the excitement!”