Chapter 14: First Encounter with Open Source, Searching for Old Friends

Outside Jiangnan Town, the Green Python River was not always known by that name; it was once called the Green Reed River. According to legend, dozens of monstrous fish once dwelled within its waters—creatures of immense strength and cunning, notorious for capsizing fishing boats and devouring men.

A young couple once passed along this river. The wife was snatched away and torn apart by one of the monstrous fish after their small boat was overturned, while the husband was rescued by a passing official vessel. Days later, upon awakening, the husband wept bitterly and stood at the bow of the official ship, shouting, “May I become a giant serpent in my next life, to hunt down and destroy every last one of these murderous fish, even if I am doomed never to rise again.”

With that, he threw himself into the river and drowned. Strangely, not long after his death, an enormous green python appeared, tirelessly hunting the monstrous fish day and night. Once it had eradicated them all, it vanished without a trace. To commemorate the great serpent, the local waterfolk renamed the river the Green Python River.

Now, beside the surging, endlessly flowing Green Python River, An Yusheng sat despondently upon a riverside stone. Here, the channel was narrower, and the current far swifter than elsewhere, with the ceaseless roar of water and mist rising from the spray, drifting away on the wind.

Soon, the household retainers who had hurried after him gathered around, panting heavily. They could not help but admire their master’s astonishing speed; he had dashed ahead like a hunting leopard, vanishing from sight in an instant, leaving them all astounded.

“Old Zhao, take the men and prepare to return. We cannot keep up, and there’s no need to try,” An Yusheng said, feeling older and more defeated than ever as he waved at Zhao Kang, who had just arrived.

Earlier, upon reaching the riverbank, An Yusheng had witnessed three figures flying across the hundred-meter-wide Green Python River like birds in the sky. Those who had cultivated their spiritual energy to such a degree were far beyond someone like him, who did not even bear the title of “Son of Heaven.” The men he brought were no match for such powers; attempting to pursue would only lead to needless slaughter.

“Master, we can think of another way when we return. All that matters is knowing where they’ve gone,” Zhao Kang replied, offering comfort though he himself had no solution, hoping at least to keep his master calm and prevent chaos.

An Yusheng covered his face with his hands, his thoughts racing and then dismissing themselves, until at last he resolved himself. Abruptly, he stood and addressed Zhao Kang: “Once you return, dismiss the retainers and give Mu Ye a proper burial. Head to Yunqi Peak ahead of me and tell my senior sister that I admit to possessing a fragment of the Jade Dragon Transformation Manual. Ask her to rescue An Rui first—she knows where the Heavenly Pavilion’s Water Elegance Court lies. I will fetch something and follow soon after. Tell her I am willing to surrender it with both hands.”

Zhao Kang hastily grabbed An Yusheng’s hand, trembling. “Master, you mustn’t! Wouldn’t that mean the lady died in vain? All these years we’ve endured humiliation—what was it for?”

An Yusheng shook his head. “Don’t try to persuade me. My gravest mistake was concealing the Jade Dragon Transformation Manual for my own gain. When my junior brother was expelled from the sect and came to me for shelter, who could have guessed he’d secretly obtain that cursed manual from a forbidden place? My senior sister learned of it and spread the word, which led to wave after wave of villains coveting the manual and caused my wife’s death.”

Rising, An Yusheng gazed across the Green Python River, his eyes lost in thought as he stared at the far bank.

“I have only one daughter left; everyone else is gone. What use is hiding in this remote wasteland? What use is that broken manual, especially since it’s incomplete and impossible to cultivate? I might as well use it to save my daughter—and let it harm others in the future. What nonsense, the Five Great Essence Divine Manuals—I never want to see it again.”

The evening wind swept by, carrying a tear from the corner of An Yusheng’s eye into the Green Python River.

Night had deepened. Su Yan paced restlessly in his room, anxiously questioning anyone who entered whether they had found Su Mu, receiving only shakes of the head.

“That rascal! If he doesn’t return and explain himself, he’ll be punished with house arrest. It’s almost midnight, and there’s not a word from him. He’s such a worry and never gives me peace,” Su Yan muttered, cursing Su Mu.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside, with voices and servants shouting. Without hesitation, Su Yan hurried out, only to see several men carrying a bloodied, barely recognizable Su Mu. Su Yan nearly fainted at the sight.

The servants quickly supported him. Once he recovered, Su Yan’s tears flowed unchecked as he knelt beside Su Mu, sobbing and asking, “What happened? Who did this to my Su Mu? How could anyone harm such a sensible young man? Do they have no children of their own?”

A servant from the An family replied, “Master Su, young master Su was found on the road outside the city near Lu’an Manor. Our maid Xiao Lan was killed by the bandits, but young master Su was fortunate and still breathing. We’ve already summoned all the doctors in town. Please focus on treating young master Su first.”

Su Yan, lacking much medical knowledge, was at a loss faced with Su Mu’s terrifying injuries. He could only frantically order hot water and the best medicines.

Despite his ghastly wounds, Su Mu’s vital functions were intact, his body gradually recovering thanks to the sudden surge of spiritual energy within. The external injuries merely looked frightening.

Soon, several town doctors arrived in haste. After cleaning and examining Su Mu, they found his pulse steady and breathing regular, marveling at the results. The lead doctor, surnamed Zhong, reassured Su Yan that there was no danger, only that Su Mu needed rest. Although Su Yan was skeptical, with all the doctors saying the same, he could not argue.

After sending off the doctors and arranging for Su Mu’s recuperation, Su Yan found time to question the An family servant. “Do you know who was responsible? Was anyone else from the An family injured?”

The servant, who had not accompanied those to Lu’an Manor, was unaware that Mu Zhenshan was dead and An Rui had been abducted, so he shook his head.

Su Yan frowned, unable to make sense of it. He decided to report to the authorities at dawn and was relieved his child had survived.

Returning to Su Mu’s room, he found Su Mu’s mother crying beside him. Upon seeing Su Yan, she asked through tears, “Is there any news of the villains? They must not be let off. Su Mu has been bullied since childhood, and now—” her words dissolved into sobs.

Su Yan gently patted her shoulder. “Of course not. Let Su Mu rest. We’ll go back for now. The town’s divine doctor Zhong has thoroughly examined him. This rascal is fine—he won’t die.”

Su Mu’s mother, having already heard from the servants, felt somewhat reassured by her husband’s words. She took one last tearful look at Su Mu before returning to her room with Su Yan.

The next day, Zhao Kang gathered all the household staff, including the cooks and laundry workers, settled their wages, and ordered them home. Only a few strong men who had grown up with the An family remained. After collecting valuables and leaving two to await An Desheng, he led the others on a hurried journey to Yunqi Peak.

Mu Zhenshan and An Yusheng belonged to the same sect, known as Shang Hui Sect, which was divided into Martial and Daoist branches. Mu Zhenshan and An Desheng were both expelled disciples of the Martial Sect. This division between martial and daoist is common among the major sects and noble families, though the names may vary.

The Martial Sect’s duties were clear: defend the sect, repel enemies, vanquish demons, and establish laws. The Daoist Sect focused on teaching, spreading doctrine, enlightenment, and contemplation.

One’s energy is limited; members of the Martial Sect often devote themselves to pursuing power, leaving little time for scholarly or moral pursuits. Daoist Sect members, on the other hand, are barred from learning the martial techniques, for mastering the supreme arts requires opening the source. But what does “opening the source” mean?

It goes back to ancient times, when humanity was weak and insignificant, and the land of the Divine Continent was in chaos, dominated by demons and monstrous beasts. Legend tells of a great deity who, pitying mankind, plucked six stars and forged six seeds, planting them in the strongest human. These seeds became six clusters of starlight—three in the abdomen, two in the chest, one at the base of the skull.

This powerful human was named Sheng. With the seeds’ power, Sheng became capable of miracles: summoning wind and rain, moving mountains and filling seas, and gradually created a haven for humanity. But as their territory expanded, the monsters began to launch attacks from all sides. Sheng alone could not cope, and seeing the haven on the verge of collapse, prayed to the deity, offering to share the seeds’ power with other humans, so all might defend themselves. The deity agreed, retrieving Sheng’s seeds and casting them into the Wheel of Reincarnation, promising that each generation of humanity might inherit these powers.

Thus, among humans, there appeared inheritors of these powers. Some inherited the three sources in the abdomen, cultivating the essence, meaning the strengthening and exploration of the body’s limitless potential. Others inherited the two sources in the chest, cultivating the spirit, using divine power to connect with nature, channeling its force to unleash unimaginable might. Still others inherited the source in the skull, cultivating willpower, commanding and directing all things, tangible or intangible, wielding mental power as effortlessly as moving an arm.

Yet such inheritors are exceedingly rare, one in ten thousand. Even if one inherits these powers, without someone to open the source, they remain dormant, never manifesting—if disaster strikes, power dies with the person, or they live an unremarkable life.

For someone like Su Mu, self-opening the source is nearly impossible. Opening the source requires a powerful ability-holder to guide the corresponding energy within the inheritor. Su Mu had no guide; his self-opening was due to his astonishing resentment and extraordinary talent. Even with guidance, failure is possible, and weaker inheritors may only waste the energy of the opener. Success is rare.

Su Mu remained unconscious for three days. During this time, An Yusheng sent a potent elixir, said to sustain life for ten days if there is even a breath left; truly a generous gesture. Su Yan thanked him and learned that Miss An had been abducted, sighing at the troubled times and wondering why such powerful figures appeared in this tiny Jiangnan Town.

Another day passed. Before departing, An Yusheng sent a servant to inquire if Su Mu had woken. Upon hearing from Su Yan that he had not, An Yusheng asked that as soon as Su Mu awoke, he should be questioned about what happened that day. Su Yan agreed, promising to relay any news immediately.

On the evening of the fifth day, Su Mu slowly opened his eyes, feeling a sharp pain in his abdomen from hunger. He had only been given water to moisten his lips each day, not food, and now his empty stomach left him miserable.

Opening his eyes, he saw someone sitting by his bed. At first he thought it was a family member, but the figure seemed familiar yet unrecognizable. After pondering, he exclaimed in surprise, “Why is it you?”