Jiang Wuming, standing at the entrance of the East Sea Martial Academy, heard the old man mention the statue and inquire about his relationship with his father. He realized then that the statue might be connected to his father.
However, he was still shocked when he actually saw his father’s statue.
On one hand, he had never seen a photograph of his father in such attire.
On the other hand, this was the East Sea Martial Academy, the martial arts holy land in the hearts of warriors worldwide.
His father’s statue stood tall in the training grounds of this martial arts holy land!
Furthermore, there was no introduction on the stone base beneath the statue, only the words “Jiang Zhan and the Dragon Country War God.”
It seemed these six words represented everything!
“This must be Father’s appearance on the battlefield, right?”
Under the scorching sun, Jiang Wuming gazed at his father’s lifelike statue, feeling as though he could sense his father’s heroic spirit from his life. He couldn’t help but ask himself this question in his heart.
Yes.
Immediately, an answer surged in his heart.
Because, even for warriors, such attire was not common in modern society. Only on special battlefields would one wear armor and wield a spear.
Hmm?
Suddenly, Jiang Wuming’s heart stirred.
He sensed a terrifying aura rapidly approaching him.
The aura of a four-star War God!
Swish!
Jiang Wuming immediately turned his gaze towards the source of the aura!
Because the opponent was too fast, even with Jiang Wuming’s current strength, he could barely see the other person. He could only see a shadow moving in the sunlight as if teleporting.
“Wuming?”
After two breaths, an elder with white hair arrived in front of Jiang Wuming, asking with a look of suspicion.
“Yes, Master Ren.”
Jiang Wuming nodded and revealed the identity of the approaching person – Ren Xiaoyao, the院长 of the East Sea Martial Academy!
Although Jiang Wuming had never met Ren Xiaoyao, he had reviewed the academy’s information and knew that Ren Xiaoyao was the only four-star War God in the entire academy!
“You can actually conceal your aura?”
Just like Qin Yuanzheng and Qin Linhai the first time they saw Jiang Wuming, Ren Xiaoyao was very shocked by this.
“Master Ren, why is there a statue of my father here?”
Jiang Wuming did not answer Ren Xiaoyao, instead pointing to his father’s statue and asking.
“Because your father was the most outstanding student, teacher, the pride of the East Sea Martial Academy, the pride of the Dragon Country martial arts community, and a hero of the global martial arts community!”
Ren Xiaoyao cast his gaze at Jiang Zhan’s statue and spoke slowly, his tone filled with pride, but more so with regret.
“Why do you say that?”
Jiang Wuming had originally planned to follow Tianlong Daoist’s instructions and find the person named Xia Xueqin to inquire about everything concerning his father. But upon hearing Ren Xiaoyao’s words, he couldn’t help but ask.
“You don’t know about your father’s deeds during his lifetime?”
Ren Xiaoyao was stunned for a moment, then sighed, “Indeed, certain corrupt people and forces have erased everything about your father. But they cannot erase the memory of your father that remains in the hearts of warriors worldwide.”
This time, Jiang Wuming remained silent, waiting for Ren Xiaoyao’s next words.
“Regarding your father, go ask Xia Xueqin. She knows better than I do.”
Ren Xiaoyao had intended to tell Jiang Wuming about Jiang Zhan’s feats, but on second thought, he knew his knowledge was not complete, so he decided against it.
“Alright, Master Ren.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Wuming could only suppress his curiosity for the moment.
“Wuming, when I learned you were still alive, I originally intended to have you join the East Sea Martial Academy. However, I heard from Qin Yuanzheng that you refused the invitation to join the Martial Department. So, I had to settle for inviting you to be a visiting professor at the academy.”
Ren Xiaoyao looked at Jiang Wuming with a kindly expression and changed the topic.
“Thank you, Master Ren.”
Jiang Wuming’s heart stirred, and he bowed in thanks.
Because, through Ren Xiaoyao’s words, he realized something: the reasons Yan Jun, the head of the Jiangnan Martial Department, gave for Ren Xiaoyao inviting him to be a visiting professor at the East Sea Martial Academy were merely superficial. Ren Xiaoyao’s true intention was to give him an identity, thereby protecting him!
“Wuming, there’s no need to be so formal with me, and don’t call me Master Ren, it’s too distant. If you don’t mind, just call me Grandpa Ren.”
Ren Xiaoyao waved his hand and asked with some curiosity, “By the way, do you know nothing about your father’s matters?”
“Grandpa Ren, I know some things,” Jiang Wuming replied.
“Then you should know that once your identity is exposed, it will be very dangerous. Why did you refuse the Martial Department’s invitation? If you were a member of the Martial Department, that identity could offer you significant protection,” Ren Xiaoyao asked, puzzled.
“Grandpa Ren, someone has already warned me about this. But as you said, my father is a hero of the Dragon Country and even the global martial arts world.”
Jiang Wuming gazed at Jiang Zhan’s statue again and said softly, “A hero’s son needs no protection!”
“Alas…”
Hearing Jiang Wuming’s words, Ren Xiaoyao felt a mix of emotions. He wanted to say more but stopped himself, his words turning into a sigh.
“Grandpa Ren, do you know where Teacher Xia Xueqin lives?” Jiang Wuming asked.
“In Sword Valley at the Immortal Abode.”
Ren Xiaoyao said, adding, “The Immortal Abode is the name of the East Sea Martial Academy’s family compound, given by the people below. I found it interesting and adopted it. Xia Xueqin practices swordsmanship, and her residence is located in a valley behind the academy, hence Sword Valley.”
“I understand.”
Jiang Wuming nodded. Ever since he entered the East Sea Martial Academy, he felt as if he had stepped into another era. Everything here was out of sync with modern society. It was a holy land for warriors, imbued with a strong martial arts atmosphere.
“Wuming, although the academy has hired you as a visiting professor, you can arrange your time freely, and you don’t even need to actually teach classes.
However, I hope that after the freshman ceremony tomorrow, you can give the first lecture to this batch of freshmen.
You are Jiang Zhan’s son, and at only twenty years old, you have become an eight-star warrior. This is the inheritance of the martial path, which aligns perfectly with the academy’s original intention and will serve as an inspiration to all freshmen!”
Ren Xiaoyao’s words validated Jiang Wuming’s previous judgment and also expressed a small request.
“Alright, Grandpa Ren. I don’t have experience teaching martial arts, but whenever you and the East Sea Martial Academy need me, I can do something.”
Jiang Wuming readily agreed to Ren Xiaoyao’s request and made a promise.
Because he could feel Ren Xiaoyao’s concern and care for him, and he could sense that Ren Xiaoyao had wanted to say more several times but held back.
Afterward, he parted ways with Ren Xiaoyao and went alone to the East Sea Martial Academy’s family compound – the Immortal Valley.
The Immortal Valley was located in the back mountain of the East Sea Martial Academy. It was an area where dozens of houses were built in a staggered manner, each with its own courtyard and spaced relatively far apart.
Sword Valley, where Xia Xueqin resided, was located southeast of the Immortal Valley. It was a valley covering an area about the size of a football field. Inside the valley stood a wooden house with a courtyard outside. The courtyard was planted with various flowers and vegetables.
When Jiang Wuming arrived at Sword Valley, he saw a girl with a ponytail practicing swordplay in the courtyard.
In the sunlight, the girl’s movements were as fluid as a snake’s, her footwork graceful. The sword in her hand moved with her body, as if integrated with her very being.
Unity of Man and Sword!
The girl, though young, had reached the state of unity of man and sword, a dream for swordsmen!
This surprised Jiang Wuming—the girl possessed astonishing martial arts talent!
After his initial surprise, Jiang Wuming did not disturb the girl. He waited until she finished her sword practice before approaching the courtyard entrance.
“Little brother, are you sure you want to come in?”
The girl wiped the sweat from her forehead, her large, dark eyes full of curiosity as she looked at Jiang Wuming.
“I’m looking for Teacher Xia Xueqin.”
Hearing this, Jiang Wuming felt it would be too presumptuous to walk in directly, so he stopped and stated his purpose.
“Little brother, I’ll go tell my mother. You absolutely must not come in, or you’ll lose your life.”
The girl blinked her large eyes, sizing Jiang Wuming up, and then warned him.
Huh?
Jiang Wuming was startled by this. Then, his gaze landed on a sign at the entrance, bearing a chilling message.
“Men are strictly forbidden from entering Sword Valley. Violators will be executed!”
…