Chapter 45: Sunshine

Two travelers, dusted by the road, arrived at the magistrate's office. Both were young men, barely past their coming-of-age ceremonies, possessing the grace of jade trees and the uprightness of pines – men of exceptional quality. The gatekeeper, upon hearing they were there to see Master Cui, didn't even bother asking for their identities before ushering them into the official residence. He led them to the separate courtyard where Master Cui was staying, helped them knock on the door, and then respectfully took his leave.

The one who opened the door was none other than the Confucian scholar sent to retrieve the suppressive artifacts, a man who had earned the moniker "Ink-Cherisher" in his youth and was widely considered the heir apparent to the Guanhai Academy's leadership. Seeing the two young men, he showed both surprise and delight. He looked at the younger man leaning against the door and asked with a smile, "Ba Qiao, who is this friend of yours?"

The young man called Ba Qiao grinned playfully. "This fellow? He's a member of the Chen family from Dragon Tail Prefecture in the Great Yong Dynasty. You can call him Songfeng, Brother Cui. This guy isn't interested in beauties or fine wine. His only obsession is stone inkstones. He heard there were some old pits with good luck here, so he wanted to try his fortune. He also has a distant relative traveling with us. If it weren't for her, Songfeng and I would have arrived in town two days ago. She doesn't like socializing, so she went to explore the town on her own. Alas, what a pity, what a pity! On the way here, I heard that a Sui Dynasty prince had a great stroke of luck and caught a golden dragon carp. He's very likely to become a dragon in the future, making my eyes green with envy. Look, Brother Cui, they're bloodshot, aren't they?"

The young man thrust his head toward the Confucian scholar, who laughed and pushed it away with his finger, reminding him, "Liu Ba Qiao, since you've already delayed your journey, hurry up and take care of your business. What are you wasting time here for? When did the style of the Wind and Thunder Garden become so dragging?"

The Chen family scion from Dragon Tail Prefecture looked apologetic and said with a wry smile, "On the way here, there was an unexpected clash. Brother Ba Qiao injured the organ apertures that serve as his sword-nurturing chamber. He had to risk moving his life-bound sword to the Bright Hall Aperture. If my cultivation wasn't so lacking and I wasn't such a burden, Brother Ba Qiao wouldn't have been injured."

Liu Ba Qiao laughed heartily. "Just a few sneaky rogue cultivators, relying on some unorthodox methods to injure me by luck. Anyway, they're already dead under my sword, not worth mentioning! If I wasn't in a hurry to get here, I would have made them some burial mounds, erected tombstones, and written that they died under Liu Ba Qiao's sword on such and such a date. Maybe one day, when I become the number one swordsman, it will become a scenic spot, right?"

The Confucian gentleman had known this genius swordsman of the Wind and Thunder Garden for a long time and was familiar with his eccentric personality. He led the two into the courtyard.

Liu Ba Qiao suddenly lowered his voice. "Brother Cui, give me the inside scoop. Is this world about to collapse? Is that Master Qi from Cliff Academy, who was exiled here, really going to defy the heavens?"

The Cui-named scholar ignored him.

Liu Ba Qiao chuckled and pointed at Master Cui. "I get it."

The Confucian gentleman said seemingly casually, "Songfeng, I visited Master Qi at the academy earlier. He mentioned cultivation and lamented that 'time waits for no man.'"

Cultivating oneself, ordering the family, governing the state, and bringing peace to all under heaven. This holy seed from the Cui family, however, only mentioned self-cultivation and then stopped.

Chen Songfeng initially thought it was just polite conversation between scholars, but when he saw the other party's eyes, a thought flashed through his mind. Chen Songfeng immediately understood and cupped his fist. "Master Cui, I'll go find that distant cousin of mine and then come back to ask you about the art of governing the state."

In his words, Chen Songfeng intentionally skipped the "ordering the family" step and only mentioned governing the state.

Chen Songfeng left in a hurry.

The Cui-named scholar sighed and sat with Liu Ba Qiao at the stone table in the small courtyard.

Liu Ba Qiao crossed his legs and said bluntly, "This Chen Songfeng is smart, he gets it right away, but his table manners are too rude. He could have at least sat down and chatted with you for a bit before leaving. Why is he in such a hurry to ask for the ancestral Yin Acacia leaves? I don't see the need. Besides the Chen family of Dragon Tail Prefecture, how many other decent surnames and families are left in our East Treasure Bottle Continent? Those Acacia leaves will obediently fall into Chen Songfeng's pocket. Are they going to fall into the hands of a local commoner from the town?"

The Chen family of East Treasure Bottle Continent, headed by the Chen family of Dragon Tail Prefecture, although it has been silent for a long time, is still a lean camel is bigger than a horse. Although its power is not great, it is after all a thousand-year-old family that has produced a large number of heroes and talents in the past. Therefore, even the Wind and Thunder Garden, a flourishing sect like Liu Ba Qiao's, does not dare to underestimate it, so even someone like Liu Ba Qiao is willing to be with them, considering them as half a friend.

The scholar asked curiously, "Are you here to find that Master Ruan and ask him to forge a sword for you?"

Liu Ba Qiao hesitated and spoke ambiguously.

The general idea was that he was helping the sect with something. If he succeeded, the Wind and Thunder Garden would intercede with Master Ruan to forge a sword for him. As for what that thing was, Liu Ba Qiao seemed reluctant to say.

The scholar added, "Did you know that people from Zhengyang Mountain have also arrived? And it's a master and servant pair."

Liu Ba Qiao was stunned and shocked. "I haven't heard anything about it. Who came from Zhengyang Mountain?"

Then this young swordsman from the Wind and Thunder Garden, known for his arrogance, closed his eyes, put his hands together, and muttered in prayer, "Please, let it not be the devastatingly beautiful Fairy Su. This humble one begs that Fairy Su doesn't come. Otherwise, should I draw my sword or not? If Fairy Su looks at me once, I'll melt. How could I bear to offer my flying sword..."

The scholar was a little helpless. "Don't worry, it's not your beloved Fairy Su. It's the mountain-guarding white ape, escorting the precious granddaughter of Zhengyang Mountain's Pure Yang Sword Ancestor, Tao Kui."

"Old Cui, you're really my lucky star! If it's not Fairy Su, then everything is fine!" Liu Ba Qiao immediately jumped up and down and laughed loudly. "Am I afraid of him? I'm not afraid of an old beast! We can be afraid of anyone in the Wind and Thunder Garden, but we won't be intimidated by Zhengyang Mountain!"

The scholar hesitated. "The Wind and Thunder Garden and Zhengyang Mountain are both orthodox sword sects with the same origin. Why can't they untie the knot?"

Liu Ba Qiao restrained his joking expression and said in a deep voice, "Cui Minghuang, never, ever say a single word of this to anyone when you get to the Wind and Thunder Garden."

The scholar sighed deeply.

Wind and Thunder Garden, Zhengyang Mountain.

From the ancestral sword immortals to the newly initiated disciples, the two sides often didn't need a disagreement. As long as they met, they would draw their swords at each other directly.The gatekeeper and aged steward of the official residence rushed to the courtyard entrance, prompting Cui Minghuang and Liu Baqiao to rise simultaneously.

The steward entered the courtyard, bowed, and said, "Master Cui, I've just received news that Zheng Yang Mountain has made a move against a youth named Liu Xianyang."

Liu Baqiao erupted in anger. "Which Liu Xianyang?!"

The steward held great respect for Master Cui, but he wasn't intimidated by the unknown young master before him. He calmly replied, "Replying to this young master, there is only one Liu Xianyang in our small town."

Liu Baqiao's expression shifted dramatically. He sneered, "Zheng Yang Mountain, how utterly shameless!"

Cui Minghuang remained composed and inquired, "Has Mr. Qi intervened?"

The steward shook his head. "Not yet. It's said that the boy was taken to Craftsman Ruan's sword shop. Even if he's not dead, he's probably only clinging to life. Someone witnessed his chest being crushed by a single punch. How could he possibly survive?"

Cui Minghuang smiled faintly. "Thank you for informing me, Elder."

The aged steward quickly waved his hand. "You are too kind, not worthy of your respect, it is part of my job. I have disturbed Master Cui."

After the steward left with the gatekeeper, Cui Minghuang noticed Liu Baqiao slump back onto the stone bench. He asked, "Are you here for that youth?"

Liu Baqiao's face was clouded with uncertainty. "Halfway, perhaps. Things are about to get complicated. Very complicated."

Cui Minghuang questioned, "Is it more than just the feud between the Wind and Thunder Garden and Zheng Yang Mountain?"

Liu Baqiao nodded. "Far more."

The scholar sat with his hands in his sleeves, whispering, "The tree desires tranquility, but the wind will not cease. It seems I must go and retrieve the Quadrant Suppressing Jade, even if Mr. Qi misinterprets it as our Lakeview Academy kicking someone when they're down."

Cui Minghuang stood up. "I'll go to the academy and return shortly."

Leaving the official residence on Fortune Street, he paused before the Twelve-Foot Archway, gazing up at the plaque emblazoned with the words "Standing Upright Without Hesitation."

Bathed in sunlight, the scholar shielded his brow with his hand.

After a moment of hesitation, he turned back towards the official residence.

On Fortune Street, a white-haired, robust old man led a porcelain-doll-like girl, not into the Lu family's grand mansion, but towards the Song family. Someone was already waiting at the entrance, ushering them inside. In the main hall adorned with a plaque reading "Sweet Dew Hall," a dignified elder stood to greet them, clasping his hands in a bow. "Li Hong greets Senior Ape."

The Mountain-Moving Ape of Zheng Yang Mountain casually nodded to the Li family patriarch. He released the little girl's hand, looking down at her tenderly. "Miss, this old servant will wait for you on the mountain peak."

The little girl sat on the threshold of the main hall, pouting in silence.

The Li family patriarch softly said, "Senior, rest assured. Our Li family will ensure that Miss Tao is safely escorted out of town."

The old ape grunted in acknowledgement. "Your assistance in caring for the Miss is a favor that Zheng Yang Mountain will remember. Allow me to speak with the Miss for a moment."

The elder immediately left the main hall, ordering all family members to stay at least a hundred paces away from Sweet Dew Hall.

The old ape also sat on the threshold, pondering for a moment. "Miss, there are things that I shouldn't be telling you, but as things stand, there's no point in keeping it a secret. I'll tell you everything. This trip to the town is likely part of a carefully planned scheme. That Xu family woman from Clearwind City can't escape, but she's probably not the most important player. What makes this trap so dangerous is that even if I sense it, I can't avoid it. The Masterpiece of the Sword, the owner of that sword scripture, was a heretic who defected from Zheng Yang Mountain. He created it himself, and according to your grandfather, its most valuable aspect is that, although the author's swordplay only touched the edge of Sword Immortal, the scripture points directly towards the Great Dao. Think about it, Miss, the Xie family patriarch, who is close to us at Zheng Yang Mountain, what kind of vision does he have, and he still gave the sword scripture a "extremely high" review."

The old ape's tone turned colder. "And that treacherous sword genius, when he had nowhere else to turn, sought refuge with our enemy, the Wind and Thunder Garden. They did protect him for most of his life, but later, to verify his scripture, he quietly left the Garden, seeking out several Sword Immortals who had proven the Dao, like the Xie family patriarch. Even though they all scorned his character, they praised his scripture. The Xie family patriarch said in private that the scripture merged the swordplay essence of Zheng Yang Mountain and the Wind and Thunder Garden. If someone from either side were to cultivate it, the battle between the two factions would finally come to an end."

The old ape said gravely, "So, if I could obtain this scripture and give it to you to cultivate, Miss, it would be the best outcome. If we fail and it falls into the hands of Cloudglow Mountain, or other youngesters gets the opportunity, Zheng Yang Mountain can tolerate it, but there is one thing that we absolutely cannot concede: the scripture cannot fall into the hands of the Wind and Thunder Garden's bastards!"

The old ape's face was grim and ferocious. "Miss, don't forget, deep within the Wind and Thunder Garden, on the Sword Testing Ground, our ancestor from Zheng Yang Mountain, also your ancestor, when Zheng Yang Mountain was at its weakest, challenged the Garden Master of that generation. She fought honorably and died. But her corpse was not returned to Zheng Yang Mountain for burial. Instead, it was left to be exposed to the elements. And, a Wind and Thunder Garden swordsman's long sword was thrust through her head, for all to mock and laugh at!"

"Three hundred years! Three hundred years, Zheng Yang Mountain has produced so many talented people, yet we can't even pull out a single sword from the Wind and Thunder Garden! Generation after generation of Zheng Yang Mountain sword cultivators have endured this humiliation. Zheng Yang Mountain will forever be a joke to the Eastern Treasure Bottle Continent as long as it doesn't destroy the Wind and Thunder Garden."

"Why is it that when any of our ancestors become Sword Immortals, they never hold celebrations or inform the world?!"

The little girl was familiar with these old stories. She had heard them so many times that she was tired of them.

But, the relatives and elders tried to keep the tone as calm as possible when they talked about these feuds and grievances, which was different from the Mountain-Moving Ape who was full of anger and full of heart and soul.The little girl asked in a childish voice, "Grandpa White Ape, then why didn't you just punch that stubborn young man to death? Even though his meridians are now shattered, and his breath is collapsing into chaos, the Sword Sutra would naturally be destroyed along with him, and even the gods wouldn't be able to restore it. But it's better to be safe than sorry, what if someone saves him? What if someone obtains the Sword Sutra? What will happen to our Righteous Sun Mountain then?"

The way the Sword Sutra is passed down is extremely special and mysterious, impossible to convey in words. It's like the Liu family ancestor inscribed it on the wall, or perhaps like the traitor from Righteous Sun Mountain back then, leaving a flowing, unstable sword intent in the bodies of his descendants, passed down through generations, waiting for a descendant with extraordinary talent to appear and be able to control this sword intent containing the Sword Sutra.

So, if the young man dies, his Porcelain Merchant and Wind and Thunder Garden will be completely out of luck. That Sword Sutra, which has never truly appeared in the world, will disappear like smoke.

The old man laughed heartily, "If this old servant kills that young man on the spot, I will be instantly expelled from this small world. What will happen to the young lady then? Would she have to face the people from Wind and Thunder Garden alone? Besides, all forms of spellcasting are forbidden here. Master Ruan can forge swords and kill people, but his healing skills are really not that great. Apart from him, do you expect Qi Jingchun to take action? Absolutely not. He's already like a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river, barely able to save himself. Furthermore, if you really anger this old servant, I can just reveal my true form. I'd like to see if this world can withstand this old servant's thousand-zhang true form!"

The old servant stood up, his aura vast and imposing, and said, "Young lady, the matter of the young man on the covered bridge is no longer worth bothering with. Allow this old servant to kill the people from Wind and Thunder Garden and wait for you outside the mountain gate. If Qi Jingchun knows what's good for him, he will stand by and watch. If he dares to interfere, this old servant will shatter him to pieces. Even if Master Ruan intervenes, this old servant will fight to the end. Only then will this trip be worthwhile!"

The little girl thought for a moment, then smiled brightly, "Grandpa White Ape, go ahead, don't worry about me."

The old man laughed freely, "The young lady has even less reason to worry about this old servant."

Inside a room in the Sword Shop by the stream, a thick, bloody stench permeated the air. Basins of bloody water were carried out, and then basins of clean water were brought back in.

An old man, almost dragged here like a chick by the green-robed girl, the shopkeeper of the Yang Family Pharmacy, sat on a small stool by the window, washing the blood from his hands, sweat beading on his forehead. After looking up, he shook his head helplessly and said, "Master Ruan, this young man's injuries are too severe. If it were outside the town..."

Master Ruan, with her arms crossed, said with a stern face, "Spare me the nonsense."

The old man could only smile bitterly.

He had indeed spoken nonsense. If it were outside the town, he wouldn't even need to take action.

The green-robed girl, Ruan Xiu, stared intently at the locust leaf placed on the young man's forehead on the sickbed. It had already dimmed, the green color still green, but without a trace of vitality. She suddenly turned her head and asked angrily, "Didn't you say that if Chen Ping'an took out his locust leaf, Liu Xianyang would have half a chance of survival?"

The old shopkeeper of the Yang Family Pharmacy sighed, "If the owner of the locust leaf suffers such severe injuries and then receives the ancestral blessing of the locust leaf, of course, there's a fifty percent chance of survival. But using it to benefit someone else is a different matter."

Ruan Xiu roared, "You surnamed Yang! Then why did you spout nonsense before, saying there was a fifty percent chance?! Why didn't you say so earlier!"

The old man looked miserable, utterly aggrieved, "If this old man hadn't said that at the time, I fear the young man wouldn't have died, and I would have been beaten to death by you!"

Ruan Xiu's face turned pale with anger, and she was about to curse.

The man said in a deep voice, "Xiu'er, do not be rude to Shopkeeper Yang."

Ruan Xiu gritted her teeth and remained silent.

After a moment of silence, the man glanced at the old shopkeeper, who was stunned and unresponsive, and without warning, he began to shout abuses like spring thunder, "Shopkeeper Yang, are you trying to die by standing there like a wooden stake?!"

Meeting such a father and daughter, the old man truly wanted to cry but had no tears. The key was that he didn't dare to show the slightest dissatisfaction, so he had to bite the bullet and continue to try everything possible.

From beginning to end, the straw sandal boy did not yell or scream, nor did he wail and cry. He only repeatedly carried water out and back in, replacing basin after basin of bloody water with basins of clean water.

After another quarter of an hour, the pharmacy shopkeeper was also extremely frustrated. He looked down at the basin of clean water, suddenly slapped the water with his palm, splashing countless droplets, and then raised his head and said to Master Ruan with incomparable grief, "Master Ruan! You might as well just kill me with a sword! I'm just a medicine seller, not a miracle-working doctor who can bring the dead back to life!"

The blacksmith slowly frowned.

The old man immediately shrank his neck.

The young man finally spoke, "Shopkeeper Yang, try again."

When the old man turned to look at the young man, the young man's eyes were clean and clear, and he slightly emphasized his tone, "Try again!"

The old man exhaled a mouthful of turbid air and said with reluctance, "Child, this old man is truly powerless."

The young man forced a smile, "Shopkeeper Yang, I beg you."

The old man shook his head wearily.

The last bit of hopeful light in the straw sandal boy's eyes also disappeared.

He squatted down, put down the basin, sat by the bed, took the tall young man's already slightly cold hand, squeezed out a smile that was more bitter than bitter, and said softly, "I will be back."

The young man got up, left the room, walked to the threshold, suddenly turned around, and bowed to the Ruan family father and daughter and the old shopkeeper, thanking the three who had been busy until now.

The young man stepped over the threshold.

The sunlight was a bit dazzling. After a slight pause, the young man strode forward.

If the heavens do not give me justice, it doesn't matter, I will go and demand it myself, as much as I can get.