Chapter 466: Horseback Fourteen Swords

Xu Fengnian wore a peculiar expression. Luoyang's appearance was unexpected, yet entirely reasonable. In the vast Liyang realm, who else would dare to contend with Liu Haoshi, that watchdog of Tai'an City? Even if someone dared, they wouldn't possess the ability. Luoyang said nothing upon seeing Xu Fengnian. She walked directly into a large restaurant and ascended to the second floor, ordering drunken shrimp, which was not a seasonal dish, along with a jar of medicated wine. The restaurant was opulent, and the shrimp were served in a glazed bowl, not of the finest quality, but certainly beyond what a common eatery would offer. Luoyang lifted the lid of the bowl; the drunken shrimp were still vigorously jumping. Xu Fengnian, full of doubt, could only watch her quietly as she slowly ate the shrimp and drank the wine. Luoyang, with no intention of ordering for Xu Fengnian, put the lid back on the bowl and got straight to the point: "Huang Longshi went to Zhulu Mountain some time ago. They had a pleasant discussion, each getting what they wanted. The Spider Web almost mobilized all its forces this time, not only to ensure you die in Tai'an City under the Zhao family emperor's nose, but also to profit from the selection of the martial arts alliance leader, so they can trap me on Zhulu Mountain. The Spider Web and Zhao Gou have both conflicts and a tacit understanding, and gauging their respective strategies, it's clear Li Mibi, being thousands of miles away, couldn't easily control it. Liyang doesn't want Zhulu Mountain involved in the Western Chu restoration, and is highly wary of Zhulu Mountain..."

Xu Fengnian couldn't help but interrupt Luoyang, asking, "What exactly is Huang Sanjia after? The Central Plains has seen 800 years of unification since the Great Qin Dynasty, thanks to his silver tongue. Why would he collude with Zhulu Mountain now, helping you connect with Cao Changqing and those old retainers and isolated officials of Western Chu? Isn't that self-sabotage of his achievements? My master once said that Huang Sanjia seems insane, but in reality, no strategist of his time could match his vision. During the chaotic wars of the Spring and Autumn period, the political maneuvering was grand and sweeping. Those who benefited became marquises and chancellors, entering the Zhao family one after another, while countless others who failed lost their nations and families. Yet, Huang Longshi alone remained aloof from worldly affairs. Minor schemes for a city, medium schemes for a state, grand schemes for the world—Huang Sanjia has already turned the world upside down. After much effort, the Central Plains finally achieved stability according to his will. Could it be that he's still not satisfied, and insists on orchestrating a short-lived unity followed by a new division after a long period of unification? Is toying with everyone in the world in the palm of his hand the only way he can feel no regrets?"

Perhaps annoyed by Xu Fengnian's interruption, Luoyang continued as if to herself, "True Men like Qi Xuanzhen achieving enlightenment, the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Western Regions Esoteric Buddhism—do you know where their root lies?"

Xu Fengnian had a unique advantage in this area, possessing a superficial understanding. He replied, "Daoist True Men who haven't ascended can achieve enlightenment after reincarnation. While accumulating blessings and merits, it also depends on serendipitous opportunities, which is why there's talk of inherent spiritual talent. Not every reincarnation can lead to enlightenment; as for the specific reasons, I dare not speak presumptuously. As for Western Regions Esoteric Buddhism, I saw concrete textual records in a text from the Listening Tide Pavilion. It mentions 'terma,' or 'hidden treasures,' during times of Buddhist dharma calamities. Terma are divided into three types: Scripture terma involves establishing sutra repositories and excavating caves to hide scriptures; Material terma refers to Buddhist ritual implements and relics of highly virtuous eminent monks. But the third type is the most wondrous, named 'Mind terma.' Many reincarnated living Buddhas, even if they are still young or illiterate, can recite scriptures aloud at a certain moment. I think it's a similar principle to Daoist True Men suddenly achieving enlightenment."

Luoyang nodded. "Why did the Useless Monk Liu Songtao leave the Western Regions and fall into madness, yet not a single monk from Lantuo Mountain came forward to clean up the mess? Why did Li Dangxin of Liangchan Temple retreat after only blocking him once?"

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "It seems this ninth sect leader of Zhulu Mountain, when he was of sound mind, already anticipated he would succumb to inner demons, and Lantuo Mountain also had this understanding. I used to think the saying 'If I don't go to hell, who will?' was just a grand vow that I hadn't deeply considered. Now I realize how fraught with danger it is, and not everyone can achieve it."

Luoyang gave Xu Fengnian a deep look but remained silent.

Xu Fengnian felt puzzled and didn't press for answers. This woman's arrival completely eliminated Xu Fengnian's escape route, as Liu Haoshi and the sect leader of the Dongyue Sword Pond had appeared, making it impossible for them to return empty-handed. Rather than being chased and beaten by them, he might as well fight with all his might proactively. Xu Fengnian didn't understand what Luoyang meant by Huang Sanjia and Zhulu Mountain each getting what they wanted, but his own agreement with this new Demon Sect leader was concrete: he wanted to turn the tables and ambush Liu Haoshi, who was said to have stayed in the Heavenly Phenomenon realm the longest, while she wanted to eliminate the Spider Web's informants and achieve a clean break with Beiliang.

Xu Fengnian leaned lazily back in his chair, feeling an untimely weariness and drowsiness. Ever since he started practicing the saber, he had lost the winter-long lethargy he once knew. He remembered Zhao Xituo teaching Huang Man'er cultivation methods, which apparently included a saying about "not seeking elixirs of immortality, but elixirs of sleep." It seemed he should definitely learn it if he got the chance. Luoyang lifted the lid of the bowl; the drunken shrimp were now completely still, and she had no thought of picking them up with chopsticks. Wine doesn't intoxicate, people intoxicate themselves. Officialdom and the martial world are the two biggest wine vats in the world. Officials are like those bent-over shrimp, and people of the martial world aren't much better. Aren't they all dead drunk until they die? Luoyang used two fingers to lift the lid and gently tapped the glazed bowl, then, for the first time, proactively asked a question directly related to Xu Fengnian: "Huang Longshi was decent to Xu Xiao, with no real grievances, but his past schemes over the years certainly held no good intentions for you. This time, he came to me to help you out of trouble; aren't you afraid he's digging a pit for you to fall into?"

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Huang Sanjia and I aren't cut from the same cloth. My master could somewhat guess this old man's intentions, but I can't. My principle is to deal with the immediate difficulties as they come. It's said, 'He who gives no thought to the distant future will find trouble near at hand.' Conversely, if one has distant worries, one has even more immediate worries. Since I can't figure out Huang Sanjia's tricks, I won't trouble myself with needless worries. I only believe in one principle: even if you are Huang Sanjia, if you dare to scheme against me, I won't care what you do outside Beiliang. The Liyang court and important figures like Yuan Benxi couldn't eliminate an old fox like you, and of course, I don't have that ability either. But if I find out you've entered Beiliang territory, then even if I have to go into battle bare-chested, I'll settle accounts with Huang Sanjia."

Luoyang sneered, "Why don't you make such threats to Huang Longshi's face?"

Xu Fengnian grinned impishly, "Just big talk, empty boasts. How could I dare say that to Huang Sanjia's face? This isn't Beiliang, after all."

Luoyang gave him a cold glance. "Have you forgotten that sword at the Yellow River Dragon Wall in Beiliang?"

It was then that Xu Fengnian remembered that despite Luoyang's unparalleled martial arts, she was still a woman, and women were particularly vengeful, especially when it came to a deadly feud involving a sword through the heart. His gaze unconsciously darted towards Luoyang's chest, and in an instant, he and his chair were sent crashing into the wall. The restaurant waiter was about to get angry, but Xu Fengnian quickly smiled and said, "I'll pay for the damages; the restaurant won't lose a single copper coin." This prevented the waiter, who had developed the typical arrogance of a waiter in a large establishment, from swearing aloud, though he grumbled and maintained a sour expression. Xu Fengnian wouldn't have been utterly defenseless, but facing Luoyang and being in the wrong first, he took the opportunity to play along and make a fool of himself. Xu Fengnian was thick-skinned and impervious to blades and spears in terms of his face, completely unafraid of such petty antics. What he feared was the day she truly decided to kill him; that would be truly troublesome. During their last "reunion" drinking at the Jianxue Teahouse, he was still sweating profusely in the dead of winter, demonstrating Xu Fengnian's profound apprehension of her.

Xu Fengnian hesitated, then chose another chair and sat down, asking, "Murong Longshui said that the Spider Web has assassins within Zhao Gou, and their status isn't low. Therefore, even if both sides clash, they will put aside their differences and prioritize eliminating us. The formidable figures on their side will be Liu Haoshi, Song Nianqing of the Dongyue Sword Pond, the Beiliang Princess, and the Spider Web's Moth Cocoon—all genuine first-rank martial artists. Liu Haoshi has been stagnating in the Heavenly Phenomenon realm for decades; God knows if he's reached the threshold of a terrestrial immortal. I think even if he's just crawling, he's almost there."

Luoyang said flatly, "Your ultimate hidden skill is summoning the True Martial Dharma Idol at Spring God Lake, and nothing else?"

Xu Fengnian smiled frankly. "That's truly all."

Luoyang sneered, "Of all times, your vital energy had to recover now. Since you knew this, why provoke the Spider Web proactively? Do you really think you're invincible? Alright then, Liu Haoshi is yours; I'll deal with the other three."

Xu Fengnian nodded seriously. "That's exactly what I was thinking."

Luoyang laughed loudly, "Just leave the martial world like this? Can you truly die without regrets?"

Xu Fengnian simply looked silently out the window.

The street was bustling with people, but in his eyes, only one person remained.

An old man in a green robe led a horse, its back laden with long swords. Passersby who didn't know his identity thought he was an old man selling swords, guessing each one was only worth a few taels of silver.

Legend has it there's a strange swordsman in the world who only uses one move per sword. After that one move, he never uses that move again, nor does he touch that sword again in his life.

Xu Fengnian, being sharp-eyed, counted. There were fourteen swords on the horse's back.

Those were the Fourteen Fingered Profound Swords.