Chaotic Sword God Chapter 5: Tian Yuan Continent

Chapter 5: Tian Yuan Continent

“Sister Hong Hua, sister Dong Mei, I appreciate your hard work.” Jian Chen spoke softly, offering his thanks to the two eighteen-year-old girls.

These two maids served the Changyang family and were assigned specifically to handle Jian Chen’s daily requirements. Because Jian Chen spent most of his time isolated in his quarters, his mother, Bi Yuntian, had secured two servants to attend to him.

Upon hearing his words, the two girls let out sweet laughs. “Fourth master, please, there is no need for such politeness. We are merely fulfilling our duties,” they replied.

“That is correct, fourth master. Please avoid being so formal with us in the future. If the Elders were to discover you were treating us this way, we might face severe punishment,” the other maid added.

Jian Chen offered a small smile. “Do not worry; I would not speak this way if others were present.” Having extraordinary intelligence, Jian Chen understood that the Changyang mansion maintained a rigid hierarchy. If the fourth master were overheard speaking such words to servants, the two girls would undoubtedly suffer the consequences.

After finishing his morning wash, Jian Chen exited his room and headed toward his mother’s quarters as was his custom. The walk was short, as her room was located only twenty meters from his own.

Entering the room shortly after, Jian Chen found his mother seated at her dressing table. She was applying her makeup with the assistance of two personal maids standing by her side.

“Xiang’er, you have arrived earlier than usual today.” Bi Yuntian glanced at him, her face lighting up with a gentle smile brimming with affection and adoration.

Seeing that look of pure love, Jian Chen felt his heart soften. In his previous life, he had been orphaned at a young age and had never experienced or understood the concept of maternal love. Since arriving in this world, however, he had felt the profound strength of a mother’s devotion. Over time, he had begun to deeply cherish this bond.

Jian Chen approached his mother’s side and rubbed his belly, letting out an embarrassed chuckle. “Your son is hungry!” Following his intense physical training from the night before, he was feeling the sharp stings of hunger.

Bi Yuntian rested a tender hand on Jian Chen’s head and laughed. “Then in just a moment, mother will escort you to the dining hall for a meal.”

“Yes!” Jian Chen nodded, a satisfied expression crossing his face. Internally, he quietly relished the warm care his mother provided. After a brief pause, he spoke up again. “Mother!”

Bi Yuntian looked at him warmly and encouraged, “Xiang’er, if there is something on your mind, please say it!”

Jian Chen hesitated for a brief moment to gather his thoughts. Looking back at her, he asked, “Mother, could you explain to your child what the world outside is like?”

Bi Yuntian was visibly startled by the question. She opened her mouth and asked, “Xiang’er, is it possible you have developed an interest in the world beyond these walls?”

“Your son is simply curious!” he replied.

Bi Yuntian chuckled. “Xiang’er, the world outside is incredibly vast and immensely complex. Such matters cannot be fully explained through speech alone. If you truly wish to understand it, your best option would be to visit the library and study the books there.” As she spoke, a look of helplessness touched her features. “But Xiang’er, you do not yet know how to read. Even if you went to the library, the words would be meaningless to you.”

“Mother, why don't we find someone to teach me how to read then?” Jian Chen asked, his voice tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction.

Giggling, Bi Yuntian remarked, “Xiang’er, you are only two years old. Your mother has never seen nor heard of a two-year-old child learning to read. In the entire Tian Yuan Continent, such a thing has never happened. Typically, children only begin their literacy studies when they reach four or five years of age.”

Jian Chen grasped the situation immediately. “Mother, your son truly wishes to learn. Could you please find someone to try and teach me anyway?”

Bi Yuntian was left speechless, though a joyful smile spread across her face. “Xiang’er, learning to read is a grueling and incredibly tedious process. You must realize that there are countless different characters used across the continent. It is not something that can be mastered quickly. Are you certain you wish to begin now?”

Jian Chen nodded firmly. “I am!”

Upon hearing his confirmation, Bi Yuntian’s smile grew even more radiant. With a delighted laugh, she said, “If this is what Xiang’er desires, mother will support you completely.” Turning her head, she commanded, “Xiao Liu! Go to Lore City immediately and hire the most renowned scholar. Bring him to the mansion so he may teach my Xiang’er how to read!”

“As you wish, my lady!” the maid combing Bi Yuntian’s hair replied with a respectful bow.

“Xiang’er, enough time has passed. Let us head to the dining hall before we both starve.”

The day passed swiftly. By the following morning, the teacher Bi Yuntian had commissioned arrived at the estate and began Jian Chen’s lessons.

From that day forward, Jian Chen dedicated his daylight hours to the earnest study of the written word. Because he possessed the mental discipline and knowledge from his past life, mastering the script of this new world was not particularly difficult. Supported by a teacher who was fully committed to his education and aided by his own incredible memory, his progress was remarkably fast. Within a mere three months, he had already gained a firm grasp of the continent’s most fundamental vocabulary.

The speed of Jian Chen’s learning left the teacher in a state of shock. When Bi Yuntian first heard that he had mastered the written language in only three months, she found it impossible to believe. She eventually had to test Jian Chen personally before she could accept the truth. To reach Jian Chen’s level of literacy usually required at least two years of study. For him to achieve this in three months was a feat that even the most famous geniuses could not claim.

News of this accomplishment soon reached the ears of Jian Chen’s father. Changyang Ba personally visited Jian Chen to discuss the matter.

“Xiang’er, you have worked very hard in such a short time; you should take a moment to rest. Let your father reward you. Since you have put so much effort into your studies these past months, I wonder what gift Xiang’er would like.” Changyang Ba smiled as he looked down at his son. Having such a brilliant child filled him with pride, and he naturally found himself caring for Jian Chen more than his other children.

Jian Chen’s eyes lit up. He thought for a few moments before answering, “Father, would you permit your son to enter the library? I wish to read the books there to gain experience and expand my knowledge.”

Changyang Ba’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. With a booming laugh, he said, “That is no problem at all, Xiang’er. You have a heart that seeks self-improvement, and your father is proud of that. I grant your request; the library is open to you whenever you wish.”

“Thank you, father!” Jian Chen’s face beamed with joy. Gaining entry to the library was a significant milestone for him. He was well aware that the library was not a place where anyone could wander freely. Usually, one had to be at least six years old and a direct descendant of the Changyang clan to enter. Only with the clan leader’s personal permission could these requirements be bypassed.

For a while longer, Changyang Ba doted on Jian Chen before finally leaving the room. Once he was gone, Jian Chen could no longer sit still. He immediately left his quarters and made his way toward the library. Three months of diligent study had all been for this moment—to finally access information regarding the world outside. Even if the books lacked specific details, they would surely be more comprehensive than the stories his mother told. Consequently, Jian Chen viewed the books as his primary resource.

Jian Chen had learned the library's location long ago; it was situated in a massive pagoda at the rear of the family courtyard. As he entered the back courts, he instantly sensed the presence of numerous hidden experts. They were concealed in every direction, their gazes fixed on him like the eyes of vipers.

Keeping his head high, Jian Chen acted as though he was oblivious to the experts and continued toward the tower. If he revealed that he could detect hidden sentries, it would spark a wave of difficult questions. After all, he was supposed to be a two-year-old child with zero knowledge of martial arts.

The Changyang Mansion had many direct descendants, yet few seemed to visit the library. Jian Chen encountered only the guards stationed in the area and almost no other clan members.

He soon reached the tower's entrance and paused to look up at the large sign hanging above the doors. The words “Book Pavilion” were inscribed in elegant calligraphy. Two guards stood beneath the sign, and Jian Chen could tell at a glance that these men possessed significant strength.

Waiting for the doors to open, Jian Chen walked straight inside without any interference. The guards remained as still as wooden statues, their backs perfectly straight. They did not even acknowledge Jian Chen as he passed.

Upon entering the tower, a long, narrow hallway stretched out before him. Outside, the daylight was brilliant, creating a beautiful scene. Along the corridor walls, glowing moon pearls were mounted, casting a soft light to guide the way.

The hallway was quite deep before it eventually branched into two separate paths. Jian Chen guessed that both routes curved around opposite sides of the tower before meeting again further in.

“Fourth master, the clan leader has stated you have permission to access the left side of the pavilion.” An aged voice echoed through the space. A tall figure slowly emerged from the darkness.

Jian Chen turned toward the sound. Though the light was faint in this section of the tower, he could clearly see the man stepping out of the shadows. He was an elderly man with white hair and a face marked by wrinkles. He wore a simple silver chang pao without any ornamentation. He looked quite ordinary; one would never guess he was anything more than a common old man.

No matter how closely Jian Chen observed him, the man appeared entirely average. However, he did not dare to underestimate him. His instincts whispered that this old man was an expert of incredible power. The most powerful person Jian Chen had met in this world was his father, Changyang Ba, yet his father’s presence did not compare to the feeling he got from this elder.