Chapter 596: Handshake with Nine Fingers

"Wine?"

Xu Xiaoshou stared in astonishment.

If he remembered correctly, the legendary Eighth Jian Xian was the first to propose the concept of "wine-drunk sword, sword-maddened person."

Before him, there were indeed sword cultivators who drank wine yet wielded their swords with steady grace, making names for themselves in the world.

But after the Eighth Jian Xian burst onto the scene, all of them were overshadowed.

The Eighth Jian Xian never drank wine.

Moreover, after he introduced this concept, later sword cultivators rarely had anything to do with alcohol.

Whether ancient sword cultivators or spirit sword cultivators...

Yet, in Xu Xiaoshou's estimation, the Sheng Nu Shou Zuo standing before him was most likely the Eighth Jian Xian, wasn't he?

So why was he picking up that wine gourd?

"Did I guess wrong?" Xu Xiaoshou's mind went blank, completely baffled.

"How about it? Made up your mind?"

The masked person, tilting his head back to gulp down the wine, seemed utterly unconcerned with his image. After draining the last drop from the gourd, he tossed it back to Cen Qiaofu, wiped his mouth, and pulled his mask down again.

Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts were pulled back, but for the moment, he still couldn't give an answer.

What the masked person said made a lot of sense.

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't find a single point to argue against.

After all, relative and absolute were concepts he acknowledged.

But could compromise really just be seen as a "choice"?

"You're having trouble deciding?" the masked person asked with a smile.

"Mm."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

He could see the goodwill this person had toward him.

Perhaps it was partly because he saw potential in him.

But even so, from a results perspective, this was still someone who showed extreme respect for others.

And as the Sheng Nu Shou Zuo.

It could be said that the level of respect the masked person gave to a junior like Xu Xiaoshou was unimaginably high.

Even now, he was still asking for Xu Xiaoshou's opinion instead of forcing him.

Xu Xiaoshou remained silent.

The masked person spoke again.

"I won't force you, but this time, I won't let you leave easily either."

"You have to understand, this is reality."

"If you keep going down this path, with your rate of growth, you'll keep running into things like this—countless situations, one after another."

"I might let you go once, twice, or three times, but others might force a choice on you the very first time they meet you."

"This is your inevitable road."

"I've given you all the goodwill and respect I can, but fate has brought us here..."

"For me personally, the opportunity has arrived."

The masked person looked up at the sky behind Xu Xiaoshou, where the extradimensional space lay.

"Instead of letting you get forced into joining some other force you don't like, it's better to choose right now to walk alongside me... damn, side by side."

"At least I can promise you..."

"What?" Xu Xiaoshou lifted his gaze.

The masked person said seriously, "I promise you that if, in the future, the direction you see doesn't match the choice you're making now, you can leave anytime."

"Not just leave me, and not just leave the Sheng Nu."

"Everything—you can put it down whenever you want."

"And even, if you have your own direction and think you can do better than me, I can join you, help you, and assist in achieving your goals."

"My goals..." Xu Xiaoshou's expression turned somewhat bewildered.

"You don't know your goals yet, but I do."

The masked person spoke, seemingly amused by his own words, his tone turning a bit humorous: "In you, I see the shadow of most people."

"They might not have figured out what they really want at your age either."

"But once they reach a certain point, their paths, no matter how different, will lead to the same destination!"

Xu Xiaoshou was puzzled.

He hadn't even figured out what he truly wanted.

Before this, he'd only vaguely sorted out a big concept.

And now, this guy, who'd only met him a few times, claimed to know his thoughts. Was that believable?

The masked person didn't answer directly.

He first glanced at Shuo Shu, then shifted his gaze back to Cen Qiaofu, asking, "Do you know if there are people more outstanding than you in this world?"

"I believe you do."

The masked person nodded and continued, "But you might not know that, looking across the entire world, there are countless people your age who are similar to you, or even surpass you."

"Most of these people might die young midway, because of arrogance, conceit, or aiming too high..."

"But you also need to understand that not every child of a great family or outstanding youth has those flaws."

"The world is relative."

"Alongside those with unhealthy mindsets, there are also people like you—confident, composed, and steadfast in their convictions."

Xu Xiaoshou's face flushed slightly.

This sudden praise came as quite a surprise.

The masked person, however, spoke as if stating an objective fact, unfazed, and went on: "There are countless such people."

"Then, with so many on the continent who have the potential to grow into peak powerhouses, how much do you really know about the current strong ones?"

"Or to put it another way..."

"How many of those who can stand at the very top of this world do you truly know?"

Xu Xiaoshou was stumped.

Based on what the masked person was saying, combined with his own experiences so far...

If a small place like Bai Ku could gather so many excellent young talents—even including figures like Bao Jian Ke Gu Qingyi, Lei Shuangxing, Gui Shou, and others...

Then, in those unseen places, in regions even more dangerous than Bai Ku, how many more practitioners were there?

And among them, how many outstanding ancient sword cultivators?

Could these people reach the level of the Seven Jian Xian?

Xu Xiaoshou wasn't sure.

But judging from their mindsets, strength, and aptitudes...

If he had to give an answer, Xu Xiaoshou's inclination was "yes."

With one condition: it was just a matter of time.

But...

The Seven Jian Xian, throughout history, seemed to number only seven.

There were so few that there had never even been a time when there was an extra one.

Even the unprecedented Eighth Jian Xian could only count as half, still unable to break that iron rule.

Why?

Xu Xiaoshou parted his lips slightly, his eyes burning with a strong desire for knowledge.

The masked person could roughly grasp what was in Xu Xiaoshou's mind and voiced the question for him, but he didn't answer.

Instead, he turned his gaze back to the two beside him.

"Going back to the earlier question, you seem surprised, doubtful, and even strongly opposed from the bottom of your heart about how I could know your future path?"

Xu Xiaoshou thought to himself, You've hit the nail on the head.

I'm just not saying it out loud.

"But I do know your future!"

The masked person declared firmly:

Xu Xiaoshou sensed something was off.

His eyes also fell on Shuo Shu and Cen Qiaofu nearby, hoping to find an answer from their reactions.

But to no avail.

The two of them still looked bored, their only interest not even in this young man, but rather in how unusually talkative the masked person was being.

Xu Xiaoshou couldn't hold back any longer and finally asked the question.

The masked person smiled and responded directly, without beating around the bush: "Because of freedom!"

"I can see your insistence on freedom in your eyes and thoughts—that's why I'm not forcing you."

The masked person paused, then said, "In this world, people like you, without exception, all crave freedom."

"But..."

He suddenly looked up at the sky.

The rain curtains still hung from the nine heavens, pattering incessantly.

In the silence between the two, it sounded especially piercing.

The masked person pointed to the sky and asked, "Do you think beyond Bai Ku is Sheng Shen Dalu?"

"Do you think beyond Sheng Shen Dalu, you can truly transcend?"

"Wrong!"

"Did you see the rain?"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

"That's not rain—that's a person!" the masked person said emphatically.

Xu Xiaoshou's mind went blank with a boom.

A segment of memory that didn't seem to belong to him suddenly appeared.

It was from after he escaped the siege of Shuo Shu and Shou Ye, his thoughts on that unknown status bar.

Xu Xiaoshou didn't have time to think more and looked inward.

"Under observation, passive value: 1."

"Observation?"

He finally paid attention to this issue again.

Who was observing?

"That's a person?" Xu Xiaoshou's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the rain curtains in the nine heavens.

"In a strict sense, no—it's just a kind of ability."

The masked person chuckled: "But you just need to know that, whether in Bai Ku or on Sheng Shen Dalu, there's always a pair of eyes watching you, every moment."

"Whether you're eating, sleeping, or even... you know..."

"He's always staring at you."

"Without a break!"

Xu Xiaoshou's hair stood on end, cold sweat instantly soaking his back. "Who is he?"

"Who is he?"

The masked person threw the question to the two behind him.

Shuo Shu paused, saying, "How would I know? That's how I got tricked into coming here."

Cen Qiaofu shrugged and spread his hands: "Who is he? How would an old man like me know? If not for you, I'd still be in the deep mountains of the southern domain, rising with the sun and resting at dusk—wouldn't that be blissful?"

The masked person rolled his eyes slightly.

He turned back.

"You see, a peak Zhan Dao expert and a Tai Xu practitioner, and neither of them can answer this question. Imagine how strong 'he' must be!"

At that moment, Xu Xiaoshou really wanted to respond to the masked person's evasion.

But deep down, he was truly shocked by the sudden mention of "Tai Xu."

With some difficulty, he turned to look at the old man, hardly believing it.

This guy, who had no image whatsoever, was a Tai Xu?

Shouldn't someone at the pinnacle of the world be ethereal, with an immortal aura, riding cranes through the clouds?

How could he be standing behind the masked person, picking up his wine gourd?

A thousand words reached Xu Xiaoshou's lips, but he didn't know how to say them.

"I can tell you clearly, when Shuo Shu was in the central domain, he really was just a storyteller."

The masked person pointed to the man in the red skirt: "He's like you—like-minded in his youth, yearning for freedom."

"But when he broke through to Zhan Dao, he suddenly settled for mediocrity, opened a storytelling hall, and became what people call an 'ordinary boss.'"

"Why?"

Then he pointed to Cen Qiaofu: "This one has probably lived for a few hundred years. As he said earlier, he's always been chopping wood in the deep mountains."

"When he was on his last legs, he suddenly got the idea to peek at the greater world, and then achieved Zhan Dao."

"But a year later, he returned to the southern domain mountains and picked up his old trade again."

"Why?"

Xu Xiaoshou was stunned.

What kind of divine beings were these?

"Because of 'him.'"

The masked person looked up at the rain curtains in the sky: "Because of this pair of eyes!"

Xu Xiaoshou still didn't quite get it and was about to speak, but the masked person pressed his hand down, signaling he wasn't finished.

"Like them, there are many geniuses who never shook the world."

"But they all got stuck somewhere, unable to lift their heads."

"As the saying goes, 'There are gods three feet above your head'—when you grow to a certain level, you might understand that phrase."

Xu Xiaoshou felt a chill in his heart.

That wasn't a god—that was a devil!

The masked person clicked his tongue, feeling a bit parched. He moved his hand, wanting to reach back.

Cen Qiaofu immediately said, "It's gone."

"Uh..."

The masked person realized he'd talked too much.

He hummed and finally spoke.

"I'm tired. Let's go back to the earlier question!"

"They."

The masked person gestured to the two beside him.

"And them."

Xu Xiaoshou understood—this referred to those who had also settled for mediocrity.

"For the question of 'who he is'..."

The masked person looked up at the rain curtains in the nine heavens: "They can't explain it, but I can give you an answer."

Xu Xiaoshou nodded.

He was ready to accept this final bombardment of his worldview.

"'Freedom' and 'cage'—that's the answer!" the masked person said passionately.

Xu Xiaoshou had a black line on his forehead as he tried to interpret: "'They' are 'freedom,' and 'he' is the 'cage'?"

"Exactly."

The masked person nodded.

"Just like the powerlessness you've encountered along your path, everyone who yearns for freedom must fight for it, so their experiences are similar to yours."

"Why?"

"Because from birth, we're all pawns in the games of those in high positions."

"When we think we've broken free from the cage, we just end up in a bigger game, hitting walls everywhere, repeating the cycle. In the end, the only outcome is despair."

"Don't tell me you can break the cage!"

The masked person saw through Xu Xiaoshou's inner thoughts and laughed: "If you really want to say that, say it to him."

Xu Xiaoshou followed his finger and saw Cen Qiaofu with a dark face, immediately swallowing his words.

This was a Tai Xu!

A supreme expert at the world's pinnacle, yet even he couldn't explain a single question and was still trapped in the game.

Could I do it...? Xu Xiaoshou fell into deep self-doubt.

"You can't."

The masked person said, "I once thought I could too, but I failed. Escaping like a trapped beast isn't as simple as you think."

Xu Xiaoshou was speechless.

He felt that the masked person's ideas aligned completely with Sang Lao's in some ways.

No wonder—they were from the same organization.

It was like a nested worldview...

"I have a question."

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated for a long time before saying, "Sang Lao, I mean, your Sheng Nu's second-in-command—is he the same?"

The masked person chuckled, seeing the wavering in Xu Xiaoshou's eyes: "Otherwise, what do you think he's running around for all day? Exercising?"

"Wrong."

"He's like you—someone with his own ideas. He thinks my path won't work, that it can't break the cage, so he's searching for his own way."

"Different paths for now, but they'll converge in the end. Understand?"

Do I understand?

He looked up at the sky, silent for a moment.

The scene grew quiet.

Rustle, rustle...

The masked person suddenly started patting himself down all over.

After a while, he frowned.

"Where's the token?"

Cen Qiaofu said from behind, with a look of disdain, "Probably lost in the spatial fragments."

"Uh..."

The masked person felt embarrassed and directly extended his hand to the old man. "The token."

"That's mine!" Cen Qiaofu was angry.

"Not yours," the masked person sighed. "Mine."

"What?" Shuo Shu was shocked. "Brother, you..."

"Stop."

The masked person immediately rubbed his forehead and stopped him. "It's just a token."

"But that's..."

Shuo Shu was dumbfounded, then had an idea: "I'll go get Luo girl's one for you!"

"Forget it."

The masked person waved his hand, took the purple token that Cen Qiaofu pulled from his ring, and handed it to Xu Xiaoshou. "Joining in?"

Xu Xiaoshou's heart was trembling.

This scene felt so familiar.

Tiansang Linggong, E Hu, Cao Li Old Man, and that line...

"Want some seeds?"

Damn!

How were all these people such terrifying existences?

God, who can save me?

Xu Xiaoshou broke down, his voice choking: "Can I refuse?"

"You can."

The masked person flipped his hand and slapped the token into Xu Xiaoshou's palm. "I never force anyone, but think it over yourself."

"Even if you refuse now, you'll face things like this many, many times later."

"But they might not be as easy to talk to as I am."

Xu Xiaoshou held the token, his hands shaking.

"Like I said before, if you ever feel your path is wrong, you can leave anytime. Right now, I'm just a 'tool'—nothing more."

The masked person's final words were like a powerful shot of reassurance for Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou lowered his gaze.

It was a purple token, glowing faintly, with an engraving of a graceful, naked woman bowing her head, hugging her knees, on the verge of tears, evoking pity.

On her hands and feet were heavy chains extending to the edges of the token, as if connecting to the heavens.

It was just like...

The Wolf Bei Sheng Ren!

Xu Xiaoshou felt like he understood something, yet nothing at all.

With trembling fingers, he flipped the token over.

The back was clean and simple, with just one character engraved:

"Ba!"

Clang—

Xu Xiaoshou's hand jerked, and the token dropped to the ground.

The three in front changed their expressions simultaneously.

Xu Xiaoshou was startled and quickly bent down to pick it up.

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to. I wasn't trying to refuse..."

"So, you agree?" The masked person's eyes lit up with joy.

Xu Xiaoshou froze on the spot.

He saw the other seemed a bit out of composure from excitement.

That alone set him apart from Sang Lao.

Respect...

Xu Xiaoshou pondered for a moment and asked, "Can I shake your hand? I feel a bit... overwhelmed."

The masked person's eyes narrowed. "Shake hands?"

"No, no, if it's not convenient, that's fine." Xu Xiaoshou waved his hands quickly and stepped back a few paces in fear.

"Of course it's convenient!"

The masked person suddenly smiled, using his left hand to grasp the black glove on his right.

"If you just want to shake hands, I'll respond with the utmost sincerity."

"But if you just want to look..."

He paused.

Under the mask, it seemed like his lips curved into a smile.

"It's fine too."

Whoosh—the masked person directly removed the glove from his right hand and extended it to Xu Xiaoshou.

Xu Xiaoshou tensed up completely.

One, two, three, four...

He closed his eyes tightly.

No thumb!

"What's wrong?"

The masked person laughed: "Never seen four fingers before?"

"No."

Xu Xiaoshou felt his voice trembling: "It's just that you remind me of a friend I've met."

"Oh, who?"

"A scruffy old uncle..."

Xu Xiaoshou's mind was a mess, and it took him a while to realize how rude that sounded.

The masked person furrowed his brow.

Suddenly, he raised his hand and sniffed his nose, his brows furrowing even more.

"Sorry, I haven't washed in years—it's a bit scruffy. You don't mind, right?"

Xu Xiaoshou watched as he extended his hand again, feeling both amused and helpless.

He subconsciously raised his hand, but then pulled back slightly, not wanting to be too obvious.

Smack!

The masked person stepped forward and grasped it firmly.

"It's a bit dirty, but we need the ceremony. You can wash up later. Welcome to the team, Xu Xiaoshou."

Xu Xiaoshou didn't know what to say anymore.

He felt that under this person's pressure, his mouth couldn't come up with a single clever response.

But...

It was so warm...

This guy's hand.

Callused, rough, covered in dense, thin scars...

But...

So warm...

Holding it felt like holding the whole world.

Xu Xiaoshou's heart surged.

He knew the masked person had convinced him.

Indeed, in this world like a chessboard, where pawns, rooks, and knights all move according to set rules...

In the end, the only way out was to be eliminated.

To break the board and become the player, relying on one person alone was too slim... not enough!

Xu Xiaoshou didn't know if this "choice" was right or wrong.

But unlike Hong Yi, Gui Shou, and Sang Lao...

At least with the masked person, he had felt respect multiple times, and his promise...

I can leave, right?

Is it a trick?

Or real?!

"If..."

Xu Xiaoshou gripped this whole world, his words coming out haltingly, "If I can't handle it, can I really choose to leave?"

"You can handle it."

The masked person said cheerfully: "Even if you can't, I'll be behind you. And even if that's not enough, leaving is still a choice—it's not shameful. Lots of people do it; they're just living differently."

So warm...

Xu Xiaoshou had never felt such warmth from any elder.

Even Shou Ye back then only gave material things.

On a spiritual level, he had tried to impose his ideas on him.

This was completely different!

"Thank you." Xu Xiaoshou's voice was as soft as a mosquito's.

"What?" The masked person didn't catch it.

"I said..."

Xu Xiaoshou paused, looking up at the rain curtains in the nine heavens.

That was actually a pair of eyes...

He looked inward again.

"Under observation, passive value: 1."

He let it go.

Gripping tightly, then releasing.

"What I mean is..."

"Sheng Nu—I, Xu Xiaoshou, choose to join!"