Volume One: Autumn Festival Chapter Thirty-Eight: Drawing the Sword, the Natural God
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At the first quarter of the Mao hour, the eastern sky was beginning to pale.
Inside the woodshed, Su Lingyi asked Du Yanruo about everything that had happened outside over the past few days. She answered each question in turn, and before long the conversation returned to Xie Wuxing.
“I vaguely recall the libationer mentioning the Sword Pavilion’s true heir. The disciples of the Sword Pavilion descend the mountain every year, and their exploits in subduing demons and exorcising evil even outnumber those of the Azure Profound Office. As a result, several Sword Pavilion disciples perish every year.”
Lying amid the firewood with his junior sister for company, Su Lingyi found himself surprisingly comfortable.
Drawing upon his experience, he arranged himself in the most comfortable position and said softly, “Xie Wuxing is the most gifted disciple the Sword Pavilion has produced in decades. According to what you told me, he traveled dozens of miles and returned within half an hour, slaughtering over a hundred Winged Demons without even pausing for breath. His cultivation must be deeper than Instructor Cai’s.”
He glanced sideways at Du Yanruo and continued, “How could Jiang Wang possibly defeat Xie Wuxing?”
Du Yanruo hesitated. “I did suspect that Xie Wuxing might not be weak, but I thought he would not be overwhelmingly powerful either. If he is truly as formidable as you say, then wouldn’t that make Jiang Wang even more terrifying?”
She honestly recounted what had happened with Old Six Tan.
Su Lingyi was somewhat surprised that his junior sister had been able to devise such a vicious scheme, but since it had been directed at Jiang Wang, he found it immensely satisfying. It was only a pity that the final outcome had failed to live up to expectations.
He pondered. “I’ve heard of Old Six Tan as well. Whenever the Kutan Azure Profound Office went out to subdue demons and exorcise evil, he always hid at the very back. Yet somehow, he ended up having the highest kill count in the entire office. That is why he is not well-liked. His true cultivation may be somewhat greater than Instructor Cai’s, but not by much. I imagine he is still weaker than Xie Wuxing.”
Su Lingyi thought back to every encounter he had had with Jiang Wang, from the moment he arrived in Vast City until now. Even if that fellow named Jiang truly was powerful, he was still unwilling to admit that Jiang Wang could surpass Xie Wuxing.
Forget Fish Abyss Academy—even in the Kutan Azure Profound Office, once the older generation refrained from acting, who could possibly stand against Xie Wuxing?
He had originally thought that his junior sister merely knew a disciple of the Sword Pavilion. But if that person was Xie Wuxing, a glimmer of hope rose within him once more.
“We are in such a miserable state now that it will only make Xie Wuxing believe us more. Once Jiang Wang’s reputation as a tyrant is established, he will be placed on the Sword Pavilion’s list of people to kill. And even taking a step back, suppose Xie Wuxing were defeated—what ability would Jiang Wang have to contend with the entire Sword Pavilion?”
In Kutan, offending the Sword Pavilion was far more terrifying than offending either the Azure Profound Office or Fish Abyss Academy.
The gloom weighing upon Su Lingyi and Du Yanruo vanished at once.
They now had only to wait for Xie Wuxing to storm the Xunyang Marquis’s Residence.
What they did not know was that Xie Wuxing was already standing outside the woodshed.
Every word they spoke had reached his ears with perfect clarity.
Looking at Xie Wuxing’s dark expression, the old steward said quietly, “You understand what sort of person that Miss Du is now, don’t you?”
He had expected Su Lingyi and Du Yanruo to say something during their reunion after so long apart, but even he had been taken aback by the depth of their conversation.
Xie Wuxing said nothing.
This was his first time descending the mountain.
He had not fallen into the hands of demons. Instead, he had fallen into the hands of a woman.
He was furious—and ashamed.
After a long silence, his spirits sank.
As expected, the truth was that with no woman in one’s heart, one could draw a sword with divine speed. Only then did one understand the true principle of the sword.
Women could only slow the speed of his blade.
They could destroy his sword-heart.
Xie Wuxing looked at the old steward and said softly, “I feel ashamed for having misunderstood Jiang Wang. It makes sense when I think about it. For him to fight me to a standstill, and even gain the upper hand, he must have devoted himself to cultivation. How could he possibly be some kind of tyrant?”
He continued, “I want to apologize to Jiang Wang in person. This encounter has allowed us to become acquainted through conflict, and I am determined to make him my friend.”
Although the old steward did not particularly wish to let Xie Wuxing disturb his young master’s rest, becoming friends with the true heir of the Sword God might be a tremendous opportunity for the young master. Thus, he led the way and brought Xie Wuxing to Jiang Wang’s courtyard.
The azure-robed and white-robed cultivators tensed at once. The moment they saw Xie Wuxing, they both drew their swords.
The old steward raised a hand and gave them a brief explanation, then stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.
“Young Master, are you asleep?”
There was no response from within.
The old steward turned around and said, “Young Master Xie, perhaps you should return tomorrow. I imagine your battle with our young master has left you both somewhat depleted.”
Xie Wuxing replied, “Without Jiang Wang’s forgiveness, I doubt I could sleep. Dawn is already breaking, so I will wait here.”
He sat directly on the steps outside Jiang Wang’s room.
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The old steward seemed about to say something, but in the end could only smile helplessly. “Then please make yourself comfortable, Young Master Xie.”
After watching the old steward leave, the azure-robed and white-robed cultivators continued to regard Xie Wuxing with utmost vigilance.
Jiang Wang slept soundly inside.
Xie Wuxing sat upright outside the door.
The two men in azure and white watched him intently until the sky grew fully bright.
...
The sound of a door opening rang out.
Xie Wuxing turned his head.
Little Fish had stepped out of the room next door.
She stared at Xie Wuxing in surprise, then turned to look at the azure-robed and white-robed cultivators, whose eyes were wide and whose bodies stood rigid as two stone pillars.
The azure-robed cultivator slowly turned his stiff neck. Blood vessels reddened his eyes. After he rasped out an explanation of why Xie Wuxing was there, Little Fish joined the ranks.
All three of them stared at Xie Wuxing in unison.
Clearly, Little Fish was on guard as well, taking precautions against any attempt by Xie Wuxing to harm their young master.
Not long afterward, Jiang Wang pushed open the door and stepped outside, stretching lazily.
His gaze was quickly drawn to the three of them standing in a neat line to one side. He asked in confusion, “What are you doing?”
The three exchanged a tacit glance and pointed at Xie Wuxing.
Following their fingers, Jiang Wang met Xie Wuxing’s eyes.
Xie Wuxing rose and said, “I kept watch here all night. Hearing your snores, I assume you slept quite well.”
Jiang Wang was utterly stunned.
You spent the whole night guarding the door to my room?!
Wasn’t this the sort of thing handsome young masters in storytellers’ tales did only for the person they loved?
Jiang Wang’s face turned deathly pale. In a trembling voice, he said, “I never imagined your feelings for me had grown so deep. But I am terribly sorry. I fear I must disappoint you, Young Master.”
Xie Wuxing: [○･｀Д´･○]
He forcibly swallowed his anger and said in deep annoyance, “I really do not want to explain this again...”
He sincerely apologized to Jiang Wang and explained how Du Yanruo had deceived him. Then he said once more, “I will help Brother Jiang deal with Cai Tangu and the trouble from the Azure Profound Office. Besides, this was all a misunderstanding. For the sake of the Sword Pavilion, we should certainly be able to turn hostility into friendship.”
Jiang Wang’s complexion flushed—not because he was moved by Xie Wuxing keeping watch outside his door all night, nor because Xie Wuxing was so devoted to helping him solve his problems.
He said furiously, “How can your heart be so cruel? Even if you cannot have me, you cannot go so far as to ruin me!”
This was simply outrageous!
Losing such a powerful enemy to a sudden change of allegiance had already left him grief-stricken.
And now Xie Wuxing intended to eliminate all his other enemies as well?
Xie Wuxing was clearly a stumbling block on his path toward invincibility!
Furious, he turned and went back inside. The door slammed shut behind him.
Xie Wuxing was utterly bewildered. He looked at Little Fish and the others. “What did I say wrong?”
Little Fish shook her head. She did not really understand either.
Perhaps the young master was simply irritable after waking up?
But she had never noticed that before.
The azure-robed cultivator, however, wore an expression of sudden realization. He immediately sneered. “Why would Mr. Jiang need you to help him deal with his troubles? Who do you think you are looking down on?”
Xie Wuxing’s mouth fell slightly open. He understood.
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For Jiang Wang to have gained the upper hand against him, he must possess his own pride, just as Xie Wuxing did. Besides, with such a high level of cultivation at so young an age, how could he possibly lack a powerful background?
Xie Wuxing had clearly presumed too much and stolen the other man’s thunder.
Putting himself in Jiang Wang’s place, he realized that if he encountered trouble, he too would prefer to resolve it with his own abilities rather than rely on someone else.
He felt deeply ashamed.
“Brother Jiang, rest assured. I will not help you again!”
After calling that out, Xie Wuxing took his leave.
Jiang Wang pushed open the door again, his expression filled with grievance.
Seeing this, the white-robed cultivator’s mind turned rapidly, and he arrived at a horrifying conclusion.
Could it be that Mr. Jiang had also taken a liking to Xie Wuxing?
He had been furious at first, yet the moment Xie Wuxing left, he looked like a neglected wife secluded in her chambers.
This had to be the truth!
He quickly concealed the change in his expression. Even if Mr. Jiang did have a penchant for men, it would be wrong to discriminate against him. He should continue to show him the same respect as always.
...
Jiang Wang continued slumping in his rattan chair. Although he had lost an enemy as powerful as Xie Wuxing, at least the trouble with Cai Tangu had not disappeared. The thought made him anxious.
Why had Cai Tangu still not come to take revenge?
Could he have accidentally fallen into a pit and died on the way back?
He hurriedly pressed his palms together and prayed for Cai Tangu’s safety.
The old steward watched Jiang Wang’s performance from the side and could not help worrying. “Young Master, perhaps we should call for a physician?”
Jiang Wang asked blankly, “Why would we call for a physician?”
He waved his hand and continued, “Leave Du Yanruo locked in the woodshed for now. She can keep Su Lingyi company. I only hope Cai Tangu returns soon.”
The old steward nodded. “The Sword Pavilion looks down upon all of Kutan, and Xie Wuxing is the Sword God’s true heir. If you can establish a good relationship with him, it will be of immense benefit to you, Young Master.”
Thinking of the crisis the marquis had faced in the past, and of what the young master would have to accomplish in the future, the assistance of the Sword Pavilion would clearly make everything twice as easy.
Jiang Wang said coldly, “Do not mention his name in front of me. It disgusts me.”
The old steward had no idea what had happened that morning. He was just about to offer the young master a few more words of counsel when the azure-robed cultivator suddenly came running over.
“Mr. Jiang, a guest has arrived. He says he was an old acquaintance of the marquis.”
Jiang Wang’s expression shifted slightly.
The old steward swallowed the words he had been about to speak, and his expression grew solemn as well.
He glanced at Jiang Wang, then walked straight outside.
Standing beyond the gates of the marquis’s residence was a young man dressed in a long goose-yellow robe.
He looked around and muttered, “Who would have thought the dignified marquis would be living on the decrepit Rosy Cloud Street? More than half of these walls have collapsed. He must be having a miserable time.”
The old steward’s voice arrived before he did.
“The marquis is a man who cherishes old ties. Ever since he came to Vast City, he has lived on Rosy Cloud Street. How dare a mere fourth-realm martial artist like you slander the marquis’s residence!”
The young man in the goose-yellow robe looked at the one-legged old man who had appeared before him and said indifferently, “I will say whatever I please. Do you have a problem with that?”
The old steward’s eyes narrowed slightly. In an instant, an inexplicable aura emerged around him.
“Tong Ji, why quarrel with a junior?”
Venerable Luo approached with his hands clasped behind his back.
The old steward’s entire body went rigid.
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