Chapter 936: Sword Qi Fills Northern Liang

Jiang Ni's journey, flying back and forth on her sword, undoubtedly provided a graceful exit for Feng Zongxi and his group. After truly witnessing the immense power of the young exiled immortal's sword intent, they no longer harbored any desire to spar. Feng Zongxi admitted that in a one-on-one fight, he would surely lose to Chen Tianyuan, a rising star whose reputation in the jianghu was currently at its peak. If he were to team up with Lu Jie-jun against Chen, it would only become a joke. Together, they were over ninety years old; conspiring to bully a young junior who hadn't even reached thirty would be scandalous. Losing would ruin their reputations, and winning would bring no glory, making it not worth the effort.

Even Li Houzhong, the Saint of the Snow Hut Spear, who had earlier announced the name of his Great Snow Cone spear, hesitated. After glancing at Xu Fengnian, he put away his renowned spear, which was as famous as Wang Xiu's "Moment" and Chen Zhibao's "Plum Wine."

This grandmaster, known for his formidable combat prowess but questionable martial ethics in the Central Plains martial arts world, was originally famous for his violent temper. However, Li Houzhong possessed an indescribable intuition that surpassed his "friends" Feng Zongxi and Lu Jie-jun, who grew more timid with age in the jianghu. He wasn't truly wary of the unstoppable Chen Tianyuan; instead, he paid more attention to the young man with the saber whose presence seemed unremarkable.

Reaching the Finger Mystic realm brings telepathy, precognition, and the ability to infer the whole from a small part.

As a pure martial artist with a Vajra physique, Li Houzhong's Finger Mystic realm was grounded, built step by step, much like that of Mi Fengjie, the low-profile swordsman grandmaster of Beiliang. This made him far more capable of anticipating an enemy's moves—and thus, more lethal—than even the 'True Men' among Taoist practitioners.

Seeing that the Snow Hut Spear Immortal had abandoned the idea of a life-or-death battle, Chen Tianyuan naturally returned to his seat, his thoughts now more focused on the sword-riding woman. He wondered, "When did Mount Wudang gain a reclusive female sword immortal?" Xu Fengnian, of course, would not answer that question. There was no need to reveal too much to a casual acquaintance. Admiring the young exiled immortal was one thing; knowing how to deal with him was another. Putting away his money pouch, he picked up a pot of Green Ant wine with one hand, then subtly gestured to Fan Xiaochai. The latter silently placed a silver coin on the table, preparing to ascend the mountain with Xu Fengnian. The two walked towards their two mounts. Being excellent Beiliang warhorses from the Qianli pasture, they didn't need to be tied, wouldn't wander off, and couldn't be ridden by strangers. Chen Tianyuan hesitated, about to suggest they travel together, but Fan Xiaochai turned and gave him a cold glance. The young swordsman, confident enough to take on three jianghu veterans by himself, immediately felt a little disheartened. He sat back down and took a tasteless sip of calming soup.

Suddenly, someone on a donkey slowly approached along the post road. The clip-clop of its hooves was a soft, somewhat comical patter, quite unlike the robust, dense sound of horses' hooves.

Xu Fengnian paused, his expression complex as he looked at the middle-aged man on the donkey, observing the landscape.

Fan Xiaochai didn't recognize the middle-aged man, but from the subtle clues in the young prince's expression, she guessed the swordsman's identity.

Riding a donkey, a sword at his waist, and someone who could make Xu Fengnian stop and wait—there was only one such swordsman in the world.

Unexpectedly, upon seeing the middle-aged swordsman, Chen Tianyuan's usually expressionless face lit up with joyful surprise. He abruptly stood up, strode forward, getting ahead of Xu Fengnian and Fan Xiaochai, and excitedly exclaimed with a trembling voice, "Master!"

The middle-aged man dismounted his donkey and said helplessly, "How many times have I told you? I'm not your master, and I only have one disciple."

Chen Tianyuan grinned brightly, "Whether you acknowledge me as a disciple is your business, Master. Whether I acknowledge you as my Master is my business, Chen Tianyuan's."

The middle-aged man retorted irritably, "It's a good thing your swordplay is at least somewhat accomplished. Otherwise, with that unlikable, stubborn temper of yours, you'd have been beaten so badly your own parents wouldn't recognize you by now."

Leading his donkey, he walked up to Xu Fengnian, looked him over, and asked curiously, "Isn't that just Hong Jingyan? Why are you in such a state?"

Xu Fengnian said softly, "I took a full-force punch from Tuoba Pusa; not dying was already a bonus. Later, Chen Zhibao found me at Huaiyang Pass, and we had a fight that stopped just short of serious injury, which slightly delayed my internal energy recovery."

The middle-aged man nodded in understanding, saying "Oh."

This time, it was the proud Chen Tianyuan's turn to be dumbfounded: Hong Jingyan, plus Tuoba Pusa, and then Chen Zhibao?

Xu Fengnian pondered for a moment and decided not to ascend the mountain yet. He led the middle-aged man with the donkey back to the tea stall, glanced at the sword at his waist, and asked with a smile, "The first time outside Wudi City in the East Sea, the second time in Dunhuang City in Beiliang, and last time in Taian City—I never saw you wear a sword during our three meetings. Why now?"

Deng Taia replied solemnly, "It's late autumn; where am I supposed to find peach branches? Is it possible that peaches are still blooming in Beiliang right now?"

Xu Fengnian sighed. Whether it was the Peach Blossom Sword God or the exiled immortal Chen Tianyuan, why did these swordsmen always like to tell unfunny jokes?

Deng Taia patted the sword at his waist and smiled, "This is a filial gift from my disciple to his master. What do you think?"

Xu Fengnian glanced at the unremarkable sword and could only say, "The thought is what counts."

Deng Taia shook his head, "Twenty taels of silver? That's not light at all."

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "Actually, Listening Tide Pavilion still has a few good swords. If you want a newly forged one, I have some connections with Youyan Villa. Their Dragon Rock Sword Furnace and Water Dragon Roar Furnace are both forging swords now..."

Deng Taia waved his hand, interrupting Xu Fengnian's kind offer, "What would I do with those swords?"

Xu Fengnian said with a smirk, "I knew you wouldn't want them, but I still had to offer."

Deng Taia sneered, "Truly Xu Xiao's son. What a shame about your looks, which resemble Wu Su."

Xu Fengnian felt a bit disgruntled. After sitting down, he asked, "Wine or tea?"

Deng Taia could drink wine but wasn't particularly fond of it, and found tea even more boring. Since he was in Beiliang, he did as the locals did and ordered a pot of Green Ant wine.

As Deng Taia uncorked the bottle, he squinted at Chen Tianyuan and casually asked, "What's with that getup?"

Chen Tianyuan smiled, extended two fingers, and gently peeled off the perfectly seamless skin mask, revealing an extraordinarily handsome face, no less striking than Western Chu's Song Yushu or Beiliang's Yu Luandao.

Xu Fengnian finally understood why this fellow felt such mutual admiration upon seeing him. It truly wasn't just because of his thick skin.

Xu Fengnian asked, "Rumor has it in the jianghu that you taught him swordsmanship. I didn't believe it initially."

Deng Taia said indifferently, "It's hardly 'teaching swordsmanship.' After Li Chungang borrowed his sword from thousands of miles away, I returned from Beiliang and happened to see this person comprehending swordplay on a mountaintop in Nanzhao. I offered a few pointers. Later, after my visit to the immortals in the East Sea, I landed from the Nanhai Guanyin Sect and coincidentally saw him again."

Xu Fengnian looked deeply at Chen Tianyuan and sighed, "No wonder." No wonder Chen Tianyuan's progress in swordsmanship was so rapid. Li Chungang did not wish to ascend to immortality; after his death, the sword dao's destiny, which he carried, naturally dispersed among mortals. As for Little Ni Ren, because she possessed the destiny of the Western Chu Dynasty at the time, it was impossible for her to inherit the old man in sheepskin's martial arts fortune. It seemed the lucky recipient was Chen Tianyuan, whom Deng Taia found.

So Xu Fengnian blurted out, "Chen Tianyuan, do you want to learn 'Two Sleeves Green Snake' and 'Sword Opens the Heavenly Gate'?"

Chen Tianyuan frowned, shaking his head, "Why should I learn them?"

Xu Fengnian asked in a deep voice, "Do you dare not learn them?!"

Chen Tianyuan retorted defiantly, "Why wouldn't I dare? What if they are Li Chungang's famous techniques? What if you are Xu Fengnian?"

Fan Xiaochai found this somewhat strange. In her impression, while the young prince was cunning and strategic, he wasn't someone who behaved so recklessly or arrogantly.

As for the exiled immortal of the Taibai Sword Sect, Fan Xiaochai would not be surprised by any of his actions.

Even after seeing Chen Tianyuan's "true appearance," Fan Xiaochai still disliked him deep down, and could even be said to detest him more profoundly.

You like me, no reason needed. I don't like you, a thousand reasons exist. Love in this world has always been bitter.

The tension between Xu Fengnian and Chen Tianyuan was palpable; Chen's sword intent surged like the rising sun, making everyone at the other tables, who had expected peace, feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Chen Tianyuan said gravely, "I came to Beiliang specifically to challenge you to a fight."

Deng Taia, who had always kept out of jianghu affairs, spoke for the first time, "For a battle to the death that cannot be avoided, draw your sword. But for a pointless, unwinnable battle, why draw it?"

Chen Tianyuan gripped his sword hilt, his face cold, "He was the one being aggressive first!"

Xu Fengnian exhaled softly, scoffing, "Don't learn if you don't want to. Besides, someone like you probably couldn't learn the old man in sheepskin's 'Two Sleeves Green Snake' anyway."

Chen Tianyuan sneered, "There's no sword move in this world that Chen Tianyuan can't learn!"

Xu Fengnian turned to Fan Xiaochai, "Don't you think this guy has a face that just begs to be punched?"

Fan Xiaochai nodded.

But she added, with a hint of disrespect, "Just like a certain someone."

Chen Tianyuan felt greatly pleased; a woman's loyalty indeed leaned towards her own.

Xu Fengnian ignored Fan Xiaochai's double-edged, rebellious remark and glanced at Chen Tianyuan, "You're so ugly, far worse than Li Chungang."

Chen Tianyuan sneered, "Same to you."

Xu Fengnian took a sip of wine and declared triumphantly, "Who's 'same to you'? Do *you*, Chen Tianyuan, have a legitimate wife?"

Chen Tianyuan looked at Fan Xiaochai, who was close by yet seemed distant, and then at the smug young prince. He felt a pang of melancholy, and for the first time in his life, he felt like drinking to drown his sorrows.

Deng Taia poured some Green Ant wine into his palm, then turned around. The old donkey immediately trotted closer and licked up all the wine.

Xu Fengnian asked, "Why did you come to Beiliang?"

Xu Fengnian didn't believe that a mere martial arts discussion at Wudang would be enough to draw the transcendent Peach Blossom Sword God there.

Deng Taia said calmly, "I don't care how Liyang and Beiliang fight, nor am I concerned about how Beiliang and the North Mang go to war."

Xu Fengnian waited for a long time, but Deng Taia consistently spoke in riddles, never giving a direct answer.

Deng Taia finally realized the young prince was waiting for him to speak. He then tutted, "This Green Ant wine... it's really strong. Let me take a moment."

Then Xu Fengnian and Deng Taia simultaneously looked up, though their gazes were in completely opposite directions.

Towards Taoshu Town were Chai Qingshan of Dongyue Sword Pond and Qi Xianxia of Longhu Mountain. These two sword dao grandmasters had previously traveled together to Beiliang, quietly ascended the mountain, and temporarily resided at Qing Shan Temple, the newest peak opened on Wudang Mountain, without attracting the widespread attention of many other jianghu bigwigs.

To the east of the post road was a carriage, with an elderly coachman carrying a long sword on his back instead of at his waist.

Chai Qingshan and Qi Xianxia arrived together and were quickly recognized by Feng Zongxi and Lu Jie-jun. Feng Zongxi, in particular, had visited Dongyue Sword Pond many times and was quite familiar with the former sect leader, Song Nianqing. At that time, Feng Zongxi, who was now only in his forties, naturally considered himself a junior in front of Song Nianqing. After Chai Qingshan became the head of Dongyue Sword Pond, having been the chief guest elder of Chunxue Tower, Feng Zongxi was among the very first visitors, always addressing him as 'Mister' and showing immense respect and admiration for Chai Qingshan, who was once the top master in Liyang's southeast. Lu Jie-jun recognized Chai Qingshan because of the deep ties between Misty Peak and the Ministry of Justice. The last time Cao Changqing besieged Taian City, Lu Jie-jun should have fought alongside Chai Qingshan, but missed that momentous event because he was in secluded cultivation. However, Lu Jie-jun had always publicly declared in the jianghu that Dongyue Sword Pond, both in its scholarly foundation and sword dao principles, surpassed the Wu Family Sword Mound, making him a well-known anti-Wu faction member.

So, when Chai Qingshan appeared, Feng Zongxi and Lu Jie-jun both quickly stood up, their expressions respectful. Dou Changfeng and the Misty Peak disciples dared not remain seated, behaving like local government clerks in the presence of high-ranking central officials.

Chai Qingshan was not the kind of martial arts grandmaster who kept people at a distance. He politely and amiably exchanged greetings with Feng and Lu, who were effusive in their welcome, and then introduced Qi Xianxia, his close friend despite their age difference, who was by his side.

Qi Xianxia's expression was gentle and amiable, like a noble gentleman of jade.

He had originally been waiting in Taoshu Town at the foot of the mountain for Mr. Bai Lian, who also hailed from Longhu Mountain. After inadvertently sensing the dense sword qi here, he then rushed over with Chai Qingshan.

At this moment, among the four grandmasters of the martial arts rankings, two were present: Xu Fengnian and Deng Taia. Among the new four young grandmasters, two were also present: Chen Tianyuan and Qi Xianxia. At the same time, the heads of Dongyue Sword Pond and the Wu Family Sword Mound had also arrived.

Chai Qingshan, Wu Jian.

The carriage stopped by the post road, and Wu Jian slowly descended.

Deng Taia, his back to the old man, let out a cold snort.

This Peach Blossom Sword God, who had emerged out of nowhere, had never held any fondness for that sword mound.

In the jianghu over the past century, only a mere three individuals had managed to leave the Wu Family Sword Mound: first, Li Chungang swaggered out with the Mu Man Niu sword; then, the previous Sword Master Wu Su completely broke ties with her family; and finally, Deng Taia departed with an unmatched and unconstrained demeanor.

The old man unceremoniously sat down on the long bench beside Xu Fengnian and chuckled, "Little Taia, how many years has it been since we last met?"

Deng Taia's face remained stern as he lowered his head to drink, unwilling to speak.

Xu Fengnian, facing this elder from his mother's side of the family, felt a strange reluctance to speak, hesitating with his words.

The old man extended his withered hand and gently patted Xu Fengnian's hand, then smiled kindly at Deng Taia, "Indeed, not being born into the ancestral hall was our Wu family's fault initially. When you left home, you swore you'd never share a grave mountain with us. Do you truly mean to keep that promise?"

Deng Taia sneered, "What, does the grand Wu Family Sword Mound really need an outsider like me, surnamed Deng, to uphold its reputation?"

The old man chuckled, "If you're willing to acknowledge your ancestors and return to the family, that's fine too."

Deng Taia probably almost cursed out loud, but thankfully he swallowed it back down, taking a hefty gulp of wine instead.

The old man's gaze seemed a little unfocused, "At the peak of my Wu Family's Sword Mountain, there once stood four swords: Mu Man Niu, Tai'a, Daliang Dragon Sparrow, and Xiongyi."

The old man took the wine bowl offered by Xu Fengnian, took a shallow sip, and then looked towards Mount Wudang. "The Mu Man Niu was taken by Li Chungang and broken. Fortunately, the Daliang Dragon Sparrow that Su Ya-tou took is still mostly intact and has found an inheritor. The Su Wang sword was originally my personal sword; later, I used Liu Ding as an intermediary to give it to that child Cuihua. Only the ancient sword Xiongyi has never acknowledged a master and remains solitarily stuck at the peak of Sword Mountain to this day."

Not only Xu Fengnian, Deng Taia, and the sword dao grandmaster Chai Qingshan, but even Lu Jie-jun and Feng Zongxi heard the faint hum of a sword from within its scabbard in the distance.

This clearly indicated that a peerless famous sword was undoubtedly hidden in its scabbard nearby, subtly trembling.

Deng Taia's face remained cold and unconcerned.

The old man sighed deeply but did not continue to persuade Deng Taia.

Deng Taia put down the wine pot. "Wu Su's kindness in saving me on Sword Mountain back then, I repaid by saving Xu Fengnian's life in Wudi City by the East Sea; that debt is settled. Wu Su's kindness in teaching me the Wu family swordsmanship, I also repaid by giving Xu Fengnian the Twelve Flying Swords; that too is settled."

The old man seemed a bit weary, "Whatever you say. I just feel regret for the Tai'a sword. Isn't it also an abandoned child?"

Deng Taia finally looked up and met the old man's gaze for the first time.

When he was a child, he survived alone on that Sword Mountain, as silent as the underworld. He only descended to forage for food when hungry; otherwise, he stayed among the forest of ten thousand swords, allowing the pervasive sword qi to invade his body, causing him to faint repeatedly and wake repeatedly. That kind of pain was deep to the bone marrow.

In those years, only two people climbed Sword Mountain: Xu Fengnian's mother, Wu Su, who taught him the most basic swordsmanship in various ways.

The other person was the old man before him.

He had once carried the unconscious boy to the summit of Sword Mountain, overlooking the Sword Mound.

It wasn't until the day he left the Sword Mound that Deng Taia learned the identity of that peculiar old man.

The sword hummed powerfully.

Like a woman weeping ceaselessly with her hand over her mouth, full of plaintive sorrow and deep resentment.

It almost pierced the eardrums.

Apart from the old man, Xu Fengnian, Deng Taia, and Chai Qingshan, even Chen Tianyuan, Qi Xianxia, and Li Houzhong frowned. Feng Zongxi and Lu Jie-jun circulated their internal energy continuously to resist the soul-stirring, invisible sword qi, while Dou Changfeng and his ilk desperately clutched their ears.

The tea stall owner, being an ordinary person, only found the sound a bit noisy and suffered no harm whatsoever.

The old man didn't turn his head; he simply pointed towards the carriage. "For over thirty years, that sword has flown from Sword Mountain three times on its own. The first time was when you left the Wu family, and it was forcibly left behind by you. The second time was when you ascended Wudi City in the East Sea to challenge Wang Xianzhi. The third time was when you fought Tuoba Pusa to the death in Beiliang. In Taian City, during your battle with Xu Fengnian and Cao Changqing, it did not leave the Sword Mound, only whimpered in place. Perhaps it felt its master would never wield it again in this lifetime. Ancient treasured artifacts passed down through generations all possess spirits, and I believe the Tai'a sword's plight is truly among the most pitiful."

Xu Fengnian suddenly scoffed at himself, "As one of the four grandmasters of the martial arts rankings, after Cao Changqing's death and once I return to my peak, among the three of us, it's hard for Tuoba Pusa to advance further. I consider myself the closest to being the foremost expert in the world."

The old man looked at Xu Fengnian and Deng Taia, then laughed heartily, "It's all the same anyway."

Deng Taia let out a heavy sigh.

Xu Fengnian couldn't help but tease, "Old Deng, aren't you being a bit sentimental?"

The old man nodded in agreement, "Exactly!"

Deng Taia's expression was desolate.

The old man dropped his playful tone and said gravely, "Don't forget, your ancestor, Deng Taia, was one of the Wu family's nine who utterly defeated Beiliang's ten thousand cavalry! He was also the one who led the sword formation!"

Deng Taia took a deep breath, gazing at Xu Fengnian, "North of Jubei City, outside the pass, entrust me with ten thousand Beiliang iron cavalry!"

Xu Fengnian narrowed his eyes and chuckled, "Ten thousand might be a bit few, don't complain if it's twenty thousand."

The old man twitched his lips, muttering to himself, "Just like Xu Xiao, indeed."

Deng Taia suddenly raised his arm.

A white rainbow streaked across and arrived.

Deng Taia held the Tai'a sword in his hand.

Sword qi filled the world!