Chapter 313: Rising Soaring

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"Swordsman", Author: Fenghuo Xizhu Hou

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When Xu Fengnian opened his eyes, he saw only Deng Tai'a squatting nearby. The demoness Luoyang was nowhere to be seen. Xu Fengnian was shocked to see Deng Tai'a's pale face, as thin and yellow as paper. Deng Tai'a, carrying an unnamed sword on his back, looked at the ruined city, crisscrossed with gullies and collapsed walls, and said calmly, "After fighting Tuoba Pusa, it was a draw. I traveled east all the way to the Wu family's Nine Swords ruins. During that time, the Master of Tibing Mountain, the Bronze Figure of Qijian Leyuan, {June 1st, 8 PM: Snow in the Sword Triennial Celebration for Million-Word Milestone, Fenghuo himself will attend on YY Channel: 1655} and several other demon-level masters appeared, and I fought each of them. As for Luoyang, who just defeated Hong Jingyan, I had already spotted her in the air with my sword. This series of battles, started by Tuoba Pusa and ended by Luoyang, was not in vain. You, young man, had bad luck. When she entered the city, she actually had no intention of killing, but after sensing my sword energy pouring out, she wanted to use you as bait to force me to appear."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "It seems Beiliang isn't acting very honorably this time."

The new Sword God, without his donkey or peach branch, stood before a chasm. "Splitting water upon seeing water, splitting mountains upon seeing mountains—this is the essence of the swordsmanship Li Chungang lent me. Even if all nine people on the Martial Arts Ranking are waiting ahead, there's absolutely no possibility of taking a detour. Such profound principles might be a bit disheartening to others, but since you've come to Beiliang alone, you'll probably understand some of it."

As if knowing what Xu Fengnian was about to ask, Deng Tai'a showed a warm smile and slowly said, "That strike by Senior Li opened both mountains and skies. I sought the Dao through swordsmanship, walking a winding path. {June 1st, 8 PM: Snow in the Sword Triennial Celebration for Million-Word Milestone, Fenghuo himself will attend on YY Channel: 1655} Senior lent me his sword from a thousand li away, not to make me walk his grand, direct path, but to show me the scenery and atmosphere along that road. He didn't want me to change my path, and that's what's valuable. I once gifted you a sword, deliberately hiding the secret of the Twelve Flying Swords. Besides wanting you to comprehend the Dao and cultivate on your own, it was also partly due to my less straightforward nature. If Senior Li were to do it, he probably wouldn't be so hesitant."

Xu Fengnian nodded.

Deng Tai'a turned his head and glanced at him, a smile in his eyes. "You're quite straightforward, not at all sentimental. No wonder Li Chungang thinks highly of you."

Xu Fengnian's smile was shy. Besides Deng Tai'a's transcendent martial arts status, it was, of course, also due to a convenient familial connection. Interacting with relatives who were also elders was a very unfamiliar situation for Xu Fengnian. In terms of appearance and demeanor alone, Deng Tai'a was not an extraordinary man. Middle-aged, with an ordinary smile, he resembled more a good-natured, approachable uncle next door, even less refined or imposing than Xu Pu, who had sold wine for many years. Especially when his sword was sheathed, he was so unassuming and kind-hearted, returning to simplicity that he truly didn't stand out. Of course, Xu Fengnian had also secretly imagined scenes of Deng Tai'a riding a donkey backward, swaying a peach branch, amidst green mountains and clear waters, or amidst a hail of spears and arrows. He surely would have exuded a highly distinguished demeanor, but unfortunately, Xu Fengnian had never witnessed it.

Deng Tai'a observed his aura for a moment, then asked, "How did you get injured?"

Xu Fengnian said softly, "I fought a few hundred armored cavalry. I was a bit outmatched."

Deng Tai'a teased, "Just like your father—neither of you could settle down when you were young. To be honest, for many years, I always felt that Xu Xiao wasn't worthy of my sister and that she deserved better. This trip to Beiliang, I was stopped at the border by Xu Xiao, who shamelessly latched onto me and forced me to drink a lot. My impression of him changed quite a bit. Although I still don't understand why my sister eloped with him back then, I feel that following Xu Xiao, that big brute, at least she lived happily and comfortably. Aside from everything else, it's rare that Xu Xiao only married her in his entire life, so there's no question of whether he was worthy or not. By the way, your Golden Thread Sword Embryo has largely taken shape; it's a case of using outside forces to refine oneself, which doesn't pique my curiosity. But how did you accidentally achieve the 'Morning Dew' sword technique? Tell me about that."

Xu Fengnian turned and pointed at the cluster of giant immortal palaces, chuckling, "I was thinking things over on the rooftop all night. As the sun rose, a line of morning light moved from east to west, landing on me, and I inexplicably understood it. It was then that I realized each flying sword, after becoming sentient, is a secret sword technique."

Deng Tai'a nodded and said softly, "Those without innate spiritual roots cannot discuss the Dao with one—that's precisely the principle. Your talent is excellent."

Xu Fengnian cautiously asked, "I'm not discerning enough to tell if there was a big disparity in skill between you and Luoyang."

Deng Tai'a chuckled, "No great disparity. Luoyang had just defeated her fellow sect senior, Hong Jingyan, from Qijian Leyuan, and came with great momentum, while I had fought a series of arduous battles. So, all eight hundred of her 'Rain Swords' solidly struck me. My internal organs aren't feeling great right now, but having reached the 'Land Immortal' realm in the eyes of the world, I can still endure it. As for her, she only took one of my sword strikes, which shattered the lustrous pearl in her heart. You could say one pearl for one life. Half of it was intentional on her part, and half was unavoidable fate. Perhaps her invitation to battle was originally intended to kill two birds with one stone, or even three. The intricacies of it, if you have the courage, you can investigate yourself."

Xu Fengnian flatly shook his head. "It would be a blessing if she doesn't come looking for me; I'd never dare go looking for trouble myself."

Deng Tai'a glanced at the sky and sighed softly, "That old man Wang Xianzhi has waited for sixty years, and none of us have been able to bring him down. Tuoba Pusa and Cao Changqing couldn't either. From now on, it's up to you, Luoyang, Nangong Pushe, and other young people."

Xu Fengnian looked surprised.

Deng Tai'a didn't keep him in suspense and gave the answer: "I intend to seek out extraordinary individuals on immortal mountains overseas to hone my swordsmanship."

Deng Tai'a smiled broadly and said, "Among the millions of swordsmen in the world, there should be a few who truly live for the sword and die for the sword. Perhaps if I can't return to the Central Plains later, I'll borrow a sword one last time before I die. Just so the martial world doesn't forget Deng Tai'a."

He immediately corrected himself, "It's fine if Deng Tai'a is forgotten, but Deng Tai'a's sword must not be forgotten."

Before Deng Tai'a departed, he pointed to the desolate scene before them. Seeing Xu Fengnian nod, he finally added, "In Beiliang's Pure and Blessed Land of the Daoist Sect, there's a Misty Heavenly Gate. If you have the chance, you must go and see it."

Deng Tai'a, with sword on his back, hummed softly and drifted away. "Dreams as ephemeral as a deer in a trance or a mayfly; a sword on my back, walking the cliff face."

For the next three days, along the south gate, a young scholar could be seen carefully examining every sword mark and every gully.

The entire city of Duhuang wasn't preoccupied with such minor matters. After learning that the demoness {June 1st, 8 PM: Snow in the Sword Triennial Celebration for Million-Word Milestone, Fenghuo himself will attend on YY Channel: 1655} Luoyang had entered the city and taken up residence in Yeting Palace, nearly ten thousand people fled overnight. Later, seeing that Luoyang did not indiscriminately slaughter the innocent, and with Yan Zhi, the Palace Master of Zijin Palace, posting notices to calm the populace, three to four thousand people gradually returned to the city. Besides Luoyang in white, who had recently become the fourth person on the Martial Arts Ranking, the most talked-about person was the astonishingly successful wine vendor Xu Pu, who had become the Deputy City Lord of Duhuang City, climbing to a high position second only to two others and above tens of thousands. Some said he was the former City Lord's male favorite, while others claimed he was a deeply hidden demon overlord. Some wine customers who had frequented his shop were secretly pleased, proclaiming that they had long ago recognized Xu Pu's capabilities with their discerning eyes. As for Boss Qiao, who received a personal visit from an old eunuch delivering a dozen sets of porcelain dishes and five or six spring couplets, after a brief period of trepidation, he felt immensely honored, his status soaring, making him an instant hot commodity among the city's merchants. Xu Fengnian, being an outsider, ignored worldly affairs and focused solely on searching for established sword forms among the countless traces, verifying them against his saber manual, and benefiting greatly.

When they left Duhuang City at noon, the southern part of the city was deserted. So, Xu Fengnian, Hong Shu, and Xu Pu drank farewell wine at a tavern outside the city's east gate. The tavern owner, though seemingly unsophisticated, was astute in business. He didn't recognize the three, assuming they were influential officials or nobles not to be trifled with, and didn't dare to overcharge for the wine. The three sat at a corner table. Xu Fengnian chose to leave the city at this time because Hong Shu's affairs were well-organized and orderly, leaving him with nothing to do if he stayed. Additionally, Luoyang had quietly departed after only two days of secluded stay in Yeting Palace, and with this formidable foe no longer lurking in the palace, Xu Fengnian felt much more at ease.

Xu Pu was in high spirits, tapping his porcelain bowl with chopsticks like a stone hammer. He softly hummed a Beiliang-style quarrying song, a simple tune with a slightly off-key, rustic feel. To Xu Fengnian's ears, it sounded especially familiar and heartfelt, a sort of farewell song.

Xu Pu wasn't an unsophisticated blockhead either. He was the first to rise and bid farewell. Not far on his way back to the city, he saw a carriage pass by. A corner of the curtain was lifted, and a man outside and a woman inside exchanged glances as they passed, their steps unceasing, the carriage unstopping.

The gentle woman inside the carriage bit her lip, her cheeks stained with tears.

Xu Fengnian asked in a low voice, "Is it her?"

Hong Shu chuckled, "Indeed, what a coincidence."

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "What coincidence? Someone with a purpose arranged this, though it's likely not something she deliberately did."

Hong Shu simply smiled, knowing full well the intricacies involved. However, once a secret is revealed, all the subtle charm is lost. "You find the green mountains enchanting; you expect the green mountains to feel the same about you." That's mutual affection. "You find the green mountains enchanting; the green mountains see you as a lump of shit." That's unrequited love.

"The green mountains find you charming, yet you defecate on them and still expect them to treat you as if it were your first meeting—that's human insatiability."

Hong Shu proactively changed the subject. "Why doesn't young master stay a few more days and try to win over Xu Pu?"

Xu Fengnian shook his head. "The thing I'm least skilled at in this life is winning people's hearts. On my second journey, I didn't even think about how to engage in polite small talk with a hundred Phoenix Battalion light cavalry. Besides, I can't stand those old-fashioned scenes where people immediately bow and pledge allegiance. Those who navigate officialdom, government, and the martial world aren't fools. If you're lucky, you might find kindred spirits, and those are suitable for friendship. When I was the Crown Prince, did I ever take on any followers or henchmen, apart from a few scoundrels I grew up with? Getting stabbed in the back is just so much fun, isn't it?"

Hong Shu gently rubbed Xu Fengnian's brow and softly said, "You need to change that."

Xu Fengnian nodded. "I'm earnestly trying to change. Xu Pu just said that Xu Xiao accumulated and created momentum, and that I should leverage and ride that momentum—that makes a lot of sense."

After drinking several bowls of wine, Xu Fengnian stood up, adjusted his new purple bamboo satchel on his back, and said, "No need to see me off."

Hong Shu obediently stood in place, merely gazing into the distance to see him off.

Xu Fengnian traveled north into Jinxizhou. Before reaching the ruins where the Wu family's Nine Swords broke a myriad of cavalry, he encountered a massive land tornado that appeared out of nowhere.

It was a magnificent sight.

Xu Fengnian tightened the straps of his satchel, laughed loudly, and charged forward. He recalled the wooden sword of the cow-riding figure on Mount Wudang slashing through a waterfall. His Spring and Autumn Sword then tore open a gap, allowing him to pass through the "wall" and enter the tornado.

Generally, land tornadoes are not as powerful as waterspouts, but they often contain swirling sand and large rocks, making them extremely dangerous. This particular land tornado, a "land dragon," was of immense scale, sucking up earth. After Xu Fengnian entered it, he endured a great deal of hardship, almost like constantly enduring the rhythmic beat of the blind female zither player's huqin. However, Xu Fengnian was well-prepared. He drew his Spring and Autumn Sword, swiftly striking with sword energy to cleave and shatter large rocks, while simultaneously erecting a mirage of the Great Huangting, climbing it as if ascending a tall building or scaling the Five Great Mountains. Amidst the swirling darkness, he closed his eyes and focused, striking again and again, rising higher and higher, unaware of how many hundreds of feet above the ground he was.

Suddenly, the wind ceased, and Xu Fengnian shot out, his body rising above the sea of clouds, as if entering the Celestial Court.

His entire body was bathed in golden sunlight, {June 1st, 8 PM: Snow in the Sword Triennial Celebration for Million-Word Milestone, Fenghuo himself will attend on YY Channel: 1655} like a golden Buddha statue.

Unfortunately, the world could not witness this scene.

Xu Fengnian was high above, amidst the nine heavens, seeing the boundless, magnificent golden sea of clouds. He burst into laughter and declared, "I have a sword called 'Fuyao'!"

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Sorry you're too saucy, i QiqiDamn, I'm anxious!⊙_⊙ Staring you to death...I have a sword called 'Fuyao'.Interrupt, interrupt, interrupt! I'm also in the front row!Squeeze in for better health!A string of them earlier.Soaring ninety thousand li straight up.8 more replies.

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