Chapter 108: Today No Reading

Xu Fengnian walked a few steps, then turned to watch a man with a kettle and a wooden sword walk across the long causeway. Qing Niao stood gracefully. Lu Qiantang’s expression was solemn, yet he was full of suspicion; he simply couldn't guess the identity of that impoverished young man. Given Xu Fengnian’s vast family fortune, second only to the current emperor, everyone who interacted with him on the causeway was a noble. The swordmaster from East Yue had witnessed the bustling activity at the Northern Liang Prince’s manor during the first lunar month. The officials who sought patronage under the Northern Liang Prince were all powerful regional governors, and when they met the young lord, they would offer obsequious smiles, practically fawning over him with extreme caution. Lu Qiantang vaguely felt that the wooden-sword man was of humble origin, but he hardly dared to believe it, or perhaps he was unwilling to. For this Northern Liang retainer, it would be easier to serve Xu Fengnian if he were a simple-minded, incompetent master. One Grand Marshal Xu was already enough to make him cautious; if Xu Fengnian were also ambitious and strategically brilliant, serving him would be like serving a tiger. If he angered Prince Jing’an today, would it be Prince Guangling tomorrow? The day after tomorrow? How many more years could Lu Qiantang, who still had immense aspirations in swordsmanship, live to practice his sword?

Walking back to the inn with Qing Niao, Xu Fengnian mused aloud to himself, "Wen Hua refused to meet Li Chungang. But if I had mentioned the old Sword God's name, don't you think that kid would have regretted it immensely? I think, despite his regret, even if he wanted to roll on the ground, he would still leave just as he said he would. That's where I'm not as good as Wen Hua. He always does things even when he knows they are impossible. Back then, whenever there was a martial arts competition for a bride, he would excitedly go up to the arena. Other martial artists would leap onto the stage with incomparable flair, but he would have to dutifully walk up the stairs, pretending to be thick-skinned. In reality, he cared more than anyone about the scornful looks he received, but no matter how many times he was beaten off the stage, he would seize every opportunity to go up again and put on a brave face, just to spar with others. Yet, in the end, I never saw him learn anything useful. What's the point of all that trouble?"

While he was talking to himself, Jiang Ni and the old Sword God happened to be leaving to explore Thin Sheep Lake. Xu Fengnian kindly flashed a smile their way, but it went unnoticed. Back at the inn after breakfast, Xu Fengnian retreated to his room to select techniques from the martial arts treatises he had memorized. These were the essences of advanced secret manuals like "Green Water Pavilion's Sixty Years of Sword Practice" and "Whale-Slaying Sword." Ideally, this kind of technical work would be best guided by Li Chungang, as Xu Fengnian's limited insight was far from sufficient to direct such matters. However, it was obvious that the old Sword God, who dared to dismiss "Thousand Swords Compendium" as worthless, disdained to offer advice. "Sigh, if only White Fox Face were here," he thought. Nevertheless, Li Chungang's previous instruction on the boat, a profound yet simple explanation of sword moves and sword energy, had already greatly benefited Xu Fengnian. Previously, he was like a fool with a treasure mountain full of gold, overwhelmed by choices, but now he finally knew what to do. Yu Youwei knocked on the door, holding Wu Meiniang. After Qing Niao opened it, Yu Youwei said she wanted to go sightseeing. Xu Fengnian didn't stop her, instead assigning Shu Xiu and Lu Qiantang as escorts. Seeing that Xu Fengnian had no intention of going out, Yu Youwei's face fell, and her enthusiasm waned. Xu Fengnian noticed, but did not change his mind. Since Jiang Ni wasn't occupied with reading, Xu Fengnian had Qing Niao pick out a few secret manuals from the book chest. Among them was a specifically requested spear manual, "The Arm Scroll," which was widely believed to be written by Wu Shu, known as the "Horse-Urging Spear." Xu Fengnian paid particular attention to it because Li Chungang had occasionally mentioned it. The old Sword God had glanced at it and immediately declared it to be the Spear Immortal Wang Xiu's personal notes from his youth, which he later disavowed as crude after gaining fame, attributing it to his direct disciple, Wu Shu. As Xu Fengnian flipped through the book, he noticed Qing Niao's unusual expression and asked, "Do you know Wu Shu?"

Xu Fengnian had only asked casually, so he was surprised when Qing Niao nodded.

Wang Xiu, one of the Four Grandmasters on par with Li Chungang, was renowned for having the finest spear techniques of his era. His junior disciple now served as Xu Xiao's personal guard. Besides taking Wu Shu as a student, his most exceptional disciple, Chen Zhibao, surpassed him. Rumor had it that Wang Xiu died in his final battle by the spear of the Little Human Butcher, though it's unknown why Wang Xiu's weapon, the Instant Spear, never reappeared after the Grandmaster's death. Perhaps Chen Zhibao's method of killing his master and betraying his sect was too unpopular, or perhaps it was due to his perpetual white robes and sword, but no one seemed to take that minor rumor seriously. Chen Zhibao was only in his early twenties when he left his master's tutelage. Even if Wang Xiu hadn't been as formidable in his old age as Wang Xianzhi, who grew stronger and more ethereal with age, but rather was declining and losing his edge, claiming he killed Wang Xiu, one of the previous generation's martial arts grandmasters, was still too sensational. Nevertheless, Chen Zhibao truly lived up to his master Wang Xiu's lineage; like Wang Xiu's spear techniques, his were sharp and deadly, and in battle, he always charged forward without leaving any retreat for himself or his opponents. Yet, despite Xu Fengnian's status, he had never witnessed Chen Zhibao's spear techniques. In his memory, this "Little Human Butcher," who seemed to harbor affection for his second sister Xu Weixiong, only displayed himself on a white horse in white robes, was extremely easy to talk to, and usually appeared as gentle and kind as a Bodhisattva saving the suffering.

Xu Fengnian wondered, "Have you two fought?"

Qing Niao shook her head. Seeing her apparent unspoken difficulty, Xu Fengnian did not press further, suppressing his immense curiosity. From the first moment he saw her as a child, led by his mother's hand, he had only known her as Qing Niao. After that, he never investigated further; it became such a habit that he thoughtlessly forgot everyone has a surname and a given name. For example, the maid Hong She, whose real name was Song Xiaoyu, was known to Xu Fengnian. But whether Qing Niao was her true name or a nickname, Xu Fengnian genuinely didn't know. Upon returning from his travels, he learned that the Wutong Courtyard was far from the simple, transparent place it seemed, and the maids were not merely uncomplicated "vases" without any stories. Yet, when it came to Qing Niao, Xu Fengnian selfishly hoped she would remain just Qing Niao, the girl his mother had brought to grow up alongside him.

"The Arm Scroll" implied that a spear in hand was like a third arm. The book described exquisite and profound spear techniques. Xu Fengnian roughly selected three moves from it, bringing his total of painstakingly collected life-saving techniques from various secret manuals and martial arts texts to sixteen. Aunt Zhao, who was cultivating quietly at Qingyang Palace, had said that one should first master fifty moves to be unrivaled. Setting aside whether Xu Fengnian's chosen moves could be integrated into his saber techniques, in terms of quantity alone, he was still far from fifty moves. Ever since witnessing the old Sword God's "finger-flick sword" on the boat, Xu Fengnian had developed a unique habit of flicking his fingers in the air. He lightly tapped the cover of "The Arm Scroll," mentally compiling his sixteen existing life-saving moves. Before reaching Xiangfan City, his vast and inexhaustible "Great Yellow Court" cultivation had only reached the second floor, meaning one saber strike could roughly penetrate six layers of armor. The Red Sect Dharma King, resembling a white-robed Guanyin, had discerned that he had reached the "third floor" with a single glance. Xu Fengnian had pondered this and concluded that penetrating nine layers of armor with one strike would not be an issue. Although it seemed like only an increase of three layers of armor's worth of power, it was a significant improvement. Most importantly, when wielding the Spring Thunder saber again, there was no longer the initial stagnation. With the Embroidery Winter in his right hand for skill and the Spring Thunder in his left for heavy force, his dual-saber combat techniques were distinct. This was the foundation of Xu Fengnian's confidence in his "first fifty" moves, which aimed for the ultimate in technique and refinement. Coupled with Hong Xixiang's (who rode an ox) set of fist techniques and an ineffably profound "Cantong Qi," Xu Fengnian, at the very least, hadn't been so intimidated by the old Sword God's few sword demonstrations that he stopped practicing his saber. "You can be as great as you are; I'll still forge my own path upwards."

At lunchtime, the inn's downstairs dining area was filled with boisterous conversation and flying spittle. Jiang Ni listened with great relish, while the old Sword God, wrapped in a smelly sheepskin coat, frequently rolled his eyes, one leg propped on a bench, picking his ears while heartily chewing meat. The release of the Martial and Literary Rankings and the Rouge Ranking was always a sensational event among scholars and martial artists. Perhaps because literary achievements rarely had a clear "number one," historical literary rankings were never very popular; the most discussed topics in the markets were always the Martial and Rouge Rankings. This generation's Martial Ranking, as expected, listed eighteen first-rank masters, with the top ten most anticipated. As anticipated, Wang Xianzhi, the Lord of Martial Emperor City, continued to hold the top spot, maintaining his title as the "Second under Heaven." Next was Deng Tai'a, the Sword God, whom martial artists jokingly called the "Perennial Second." The third spot on the list still featured an old acquaintance, Cao Guanzhi, lauded as having "eight-tenths of the world's scholarly charm." Along with this came a huge piece of news: Wang Mao, ranked fourth, reportedly felt disgraced to be behind Cao Guanzhi, yet ashamed to be ahead of Hong Jingyan of Beiliang, who was ranked seventh. Hong Jingyan, who was on the list for the first time, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight, becoming the hottest topic alongside the re-emerged senior Sword God Li Chungang. Moreover, in the supplementary Martial Ranking, which considered not just martial prowess but also innate talent for the Great Dao, there was a very interesting saying, roughly summarized as "Guanyin of the West, Sword Paragon of the East, Patriarch Lü of the South, and True Martial of the North." Of these four, Xu Fengnian had already met three: the one who rode an ox, Wu Liuding of the Wu Family Sword Mound, and the White-Robed Guanyin (the female Dharma King). Only the Young Patriarch Lü of Longhu Mountain, Qi Xianxia, remained, though Qi Xianxia had actually seen Xu Fengnian much earlier, on the city tower's fishing platform.

Besides the main and supplementary Martial Rankings, the Rouge Ranking also generated immense buzz. Nangong Puye and Chen Yu took the first and second spots, respectively. Unlike other women who had long captivated the world, these two had always maintained a low profile, making them all the more intriguing. But what pleased Xu Fengnian most was that his second sister not only made it onto the Literary Ranking but also secured the top spot in the supplementary Rouge Ranking. Additionally, Wang Dongxiang, who had ferried him on the giant turtle, was also selected for both the Literary Ranking and the supplementary Rouge Ranking. While not ranked at the very top, for a girl from a relatively ordinary family background, this was a rare honor. Xu Fengnian now understood why the gloomy father and son in the city had ceased their activities. He glanced at the old Sword God opposite him, who was capable of attracting countless eye-rolls. The martial world knew that this immortal figure, once known for "two sleeves of green snakes and a sword to pacify the world," was by Xu Fengnian's side. Even if the aspiring heroes in Xiangfan City, itching to eliminate evil for the people, were given ten times the courage, who would dare to make a move?

Jiang Ni heard some people in the inn saying that the old Sword God, after finally emerging from seclusion, was now helping the Northern Liang Prince's manor act tyrannically. They unanimously declared that the old Sword God had become senile and had truly failed to maintain his integrity in his later years. With Old Sword God Li behaving this way, they presumed he would likely be unable to contend with Deng Tai'a for the title of "World's Foremost Swordsman." She was furious, especially when she saw the old man only focused on eating meat and drinking wine. Indignantly, she exclaimed, "Hey, didn't you hear them? They're all speaking ill of you!"

Old Li chuckled, "I heard them, this old man isn't deaf."

Jiang Ni, perhaps angered by his lack of concern, put down her chopsticks, extended a small hand, and petulantly demanded, "Give me back the divine talisman!"

The old Sword God feigned surprise, let out an "Ah?" and asked, "What?"

Jiang Ni repeated herself in a low voice, but the old man continued to feign ignorance, asking "What?" The little girl glared at him several times, finally giving up and completely ignoring the scruffy old man who could clearly cleave a river for two hundred zhang with a single sword yet allowed others to speak ill of him. Xu Fengnian was amused by her childish behavior and chuckled aloud. Jiang Ni found his laughter particularly grating and glared at him, saying, "What are you laughing at? No reading today!"

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Alright, no more laughing. Let me explain something to you. What kind of status does Old Sword God Li have? Is it worth his time to bother with these short-sighted people? You can't expect the dignified eighth-ranked master under heaven to go fighting with them, can you?"

Jiang Ni snorted, "Only eighth?"

Xu Fengnian raised his chopsticks as if to tap Jiang Ni, but ultimately did not.

Old Li rubbed his chin and said, "Indeed, only eighth. Which bastard made this list? I need to have a word with them. This old man was once the number one under heaven, so being ranked eighth is truly worse than being the eleventh-ranked master. I need to have a word."

Xu Fengnian regretfully added, "My Huang Man'er didn't even make it onto the supplementary martial ranking. This also needs to be discussed."

The old Sword God chuckled, "Although I haven't personally seen that simpleton's physique, from the whispers around your manor, I estimate that this kid, naturally born into the Vajra realm, will be an unbeatable prodigy below the Finger-Profound realm within a few years. As for Zhao Xichuan of Longhu Mountain, I've met that sloppy old Taoist a few times; his own abilities aren't high, but his discerning eye is good. In the next martial ranking, Xu Longxiang can, without a doubt, secure a spot in the top three. If no one like Wang Xianzhi emerges in the martial world in the next twenty years, he might even contend for the top spot. Of course, with figures like Hong Xixiang of Wudang, who cultivates the Heavenly Dao, it's hard to say who is 'number one under heaven.' When this old man called himself unrivaled back then, I actually felt a bit guilty, as I never crossed paths with Qi Xuanzhen. Hmm? That's strange. Xu Xiao sired four children: Xu Weixiong and Xu Longxiang are both extraordinarily gifted individuals. How is it that you, lad, are just so ordinary, practically unable to make a sound?"

Xu Fengnian shamelessly chuckled, "We can't hog all the good fortune in the world, can we? We have to leave some hope for others."

Just then, a group of young scholars entered from outside the inn, their faces indignant, loudly cursing some immoral fellow for defecating in front of the "Thin Sheep Lake Sluice Gate Record" stele. Xu Fengnian noticed Jiang Ni staring at him and asked, "Does it look like I did it?"

Jiang Ni sneered, "It must have been you."

Xu Fengnian gave a thumbs-up and said, "Clever."

Jiang Ni lost her appetite.

Xu Fengnian asked, "Are you really not going to read today?"

Jiang Ni kept a straight face.

Xu Fengnian pressed on, "You spent an ounce of silver at Mount Lao. Aren't you sad about that? Aren't you going to earn it back?"

Jiang Ni didn't say anything, but that afternoon, she stood outside Xu Fengnian's room, holding a book, for a long time without knocking.

Xu Fengnian didn't let her linger in discomfort. He walked out of the room and said with a smile, "Since you're not reading and I'm not listening today, let's go out and play."