Chapter 276: A Thousand Miles a Day

The scene unfolding was one of a long-awaited reunion between a young man and woman. The man, single-handedly battling three Vajra-realm masters and even slaying one, though ultimately overwhelmed, fought with a glory that would surely resound throughout Beimang. As for the stunning woman, she arrived, sword-riding through the air from the west. Such a pair, and such a dramatic encounter, would strike anyone, save the blind, as both magnificent and even a little heartwarming.

However, the woman's words seemed somewhat inscrutable. Qincha'er was aghast at her beauty and her ability to control the sword mid-air. Behind Xiti, over a hundred cavalrymen exchanged bewildered glances, wondering how they could possibly continue the fight. Without waiting for Tuoba Chunshun's command, Duan Bo'er Huihui, consumed by rage, unleashed his 'Thunder Spear' a second time. It soared through the sky, tracing a sharp, murderous arc, before plummeting towards Xu Fengnian's head.

The frost-haired scholar in green, poised and calm, landed lightly on his toes. He extended a hand and effortlessly caught the thunder spear, which had been vibrating the very air. With a gentle grip, he snapped the spear in two, as casually as a strong man flicking away a stone thrown by a child.

Tuoba Chunshun's face darkened. Duan Bo'er Huihui, his vital energy surging after two spear throws, felt a bitter pang at his young master's gaze. He took a deep breath, preparing to launch another spear to test the old scholar's true strength, despite the internal injuries it would cause. But just as the formidable warrior roused his energy, Tuoba Chunshun saw the middle-aged scholar, dressed in Southern Dynasty attire, flick his sleeve. The heavens and earth seemed to shift, his sleeve transforming into a dragon. Duan Bo'er Huihui's entire aura was shattered as if a thousand-jin boulder from a trebuchet had struck a city wall. He staggered backward several steps, spitting blood, his Sea of Qi utterly chaotic. True to his loyalty, Duan Bo'er Huihui desperately cried out, 'Young master, flee quickly! Don't mind me!'

Tuoba Chunshun stood rooted to the spot, his body utterly motionless. It wasn't that he didn't want to leave, but he seemed enveloped by an infinite web of spiritual energy, rendering him unable to move. After retracting his sleeve, the middle-aged scholar calmly stated, 'I am Cao Changqing of Western Chu. Many years ago, I took this disciple, Xu Qi, in the Southern Dynasty of Beimang. I wonder how he and Young Prince Tuoba have found themselves in such an irreconcilable situation?'

Qincha'er and his group nearly fell from their horses in fright. Grand Official Cao Changqing? This was the foremost expert of the Heavenly Phenomenon realm, renowned for entering the Liyang Imperial Palace three times as easily as strolling through a corridor!

Tuoba Chunshun sneered, 'Well, well, Cao Qingyi, ranked among the top five martial artists! If you have the guts, go boast to my father. Why bother with a junior like me, who hasn't even reached adulthood?!'

Cao Changqing smiled faintly, 'Young Prince, there's no need for verbal provocations. Given the opportunity, I will certainly engage Tuoba Pusa in battle. However, I believe Deng Tai'a has already passed Gushai Prefecture and is heading north towards the Imperial Court. If I were to proceed now, it might appear as if I'm taking advantage of the situation.'

Tuoba Chunshun's expression suddenly brightened into a wide, playful grin. 'Uncle Cao, you speak too seriously,' he said ingratiatingly. 'Among the top ten martial artists, my father holds you in the highest regard, second only to Wang Xianzhi of Wudi City. He personally declared Cao Qingyi the true Confucian Saint of this era, saying it would be an honor to fight you in this lifetime. This nephew was unaware that this gentleman was Uncle Cao's esteemed disciple. If there was any recklessness or disrespect, I pray Uncle Cao, with your saintly magnanimity, will not take it to heart. No wonder this man was able to kill my attendant – Xu Qi, wasn't it? A great master indeed produces a great disciple. Congratulations to the Southern Dynasty's aristocratic families for nurturing such a brilliant young talent, one who can stand alongside Yelü Dongchuang and Murong Longjiang.'

Cao Changqing merely stated, 'It just so happens that I have recently entered what the world calls the Land Immortal realm. Within six months, I will undoubtedly have a match with Tuoba Pusa.'

Tuoba Chunshun was so enraged and terrified he almost vomited blood, wishing he could slap himself. A 'Confucian Saint,' indeed! The other two great traditions had their saints – the Imperial Preceptor Qilin and the Buddha Nagarjuna – and he had always wondered why Confucianism, the most influential, lacked a Land Immortal. Now, here one was, and precisely the master of Xu Qi! Tuoba Chunshun quickly composed himself, shedding his previous cold-blooded temperament and arrogant air. He lowered his gaze and meekly asked, 'Uncle Cao, may this nephew return to Beichao?'

The woman, whose beauty seemed worthy of the top three, lightly dismounted from the Da Liang Dragon Sparrow sword. Facing Tuoba Chunshun, she said indifferently, 'If you intend to kill him, I will kill you.'

The Da Liang Dragon Sparrow, imbued with profound spiritual essence, circled the woman like a docile bird, slowly revolving around her. This sight made Duan Bo'er Huihui's heart pound. How old was this woman? Could she truly be a sword immortal? A sword immortal in her early twenties?

Tuoba Chunshun inwardly grumbled that this Southern Dynasty scholar, Xu, not only had an enviable master but also a stunning beauty that even he envied. He quickly forced a smile and said, 'Now that I know Brother Xu Qi is Uncle Cao's direct disciple, I naturally wouldn't dare be so foolish as to provoke him. Let us part ways here. When you visit Beichao in the future, my Tuoba clan will certainly treat Uncle Cao and your party of three with the utmost courtesy.'

Tuoba Chunshun bowed solemnly and took his leave.

Thus, the grand, yet ultimately farcical, encirclement and hunt came to an end.

Xu Fengnian's vision was still blurred, and he gasped for breath like a fish cast ashore. Enduring intense pain, he managed a laugh and said, 'Little Mud Man, talking like that will make people think I'm living off your generosity.'

Jiang Ni raised an eyebrow, about to give him a taste of her sword, but seeing his current state, she held back. She disdained stooping to kick a man when he was down. Xu Fengnian sank to the ground, his taut nerves finally relaxing. He continued to cough up blood, yet still managed to summon a flying sword to 'drink blood and nourish the fetus,' a technique for cultivation. Cao Changqing smiled and shook his head, then walked over and sat cross-legged in front of the young prince. He didn't interrupt Xu Fengnian as he used the secret art of the Wu Family Sword Tomb to cultivate his flying sword. Only when the sword had returned to Xu Fengnian's sleeve did Cao Changqing tap sixteen acupoints in succession, temporarily suppressing the surging, outward flow of Xu Fengnian's vital energy. With a gentle expression, he said, 'To think His Highness has just entered the Grand Vajra realm, cultivating both Buddhism and Taoism – this is both astonishing and delightful.'

A pale-faced Xu Fengnian frowned, then forced a bitter smile. 'The Grand Vajra realm? Similar to Li Dangxin of Liangchan Temple?'

Cao Changqing nodded with a smile. 'Though you've only just entered this realm, you're already not far behind a typical, mature Vajra master.'

Xu Fengnian glanced at Little Mud Man, who was deliberately turned away from him, and asked curiously, 'How did she manage to fly with a sword?'

Cao Changqing was about to reply, but Jiang Ni let out a cold snort, as if in warning. The Grand Official simply smiled and offered no explanation.

Xu Fengnian chuckled, 'If I had to guess, you found sword training too arduous and only picked the most fun and intimidating part – sword-riding – from Old Sword God Li, didn't you?'

Jiang Ni turned around, her face filled with indignation. 'What of it? Even if all I can do is ride a sword, I'm still better than you! You came to Beimang alone, showing off and pretending to be a master. Without your escorts and the Beiliang Iron Cavalry, didn't you still end up beaten so terribly!'

See? A casual remark was all it took to draw out the truth. Cao Changqing's smile was warm and mellow; no matter what, the Princess could never truly outwit the Young Prince of Beiliang.

Given a chance to catch his breath, Xu Fengnian's complexion slowly improved, and the mark on his brow returned from inky black to deep purple. Holding his chest, he carefully asked, 'How is Old Senior Li?'