Sunshine

Two dust-covered guests arrived at the Supervising Official's yamen. Both were around twenty years old, handsome and distinguished, like fragrant wood or sturdy pine, possessing top-tier beauty. Upon hearing they were there to visit Mr. Qi, the doorman didn't even ask for their identities and quickly led them into the official residence. They were escorted to the separate courtyard where Mr. Qi was temporarily staying, and the doorman then respectfully knocked on the door before taking his leave.

The person who opened the door was none other than the gentleman representing the Confucian school, who had come to demand the Suppression Charm. In his youth, he had earned the reputation of He Bi Lang and was always considered the prime candidate to be the next head of Guanhu Academy. Seeing the two young men, he felt both surprise and joy. He looked at one of the young men leaning against the doorframe and asked with a smile, "Baqiao, who is this friend by your side?"

The young man called Baqiao grinned and said, "This guy? He's a disciple of the Chen Clan from Longwei County in the Great Yong Dynasty. Brother Cui, you can just call him Songfeng. This guy doesn't care for beauty or wine; his only hobby is stone inkstones. He heard there are some old pits by the stream here and wanted to try his luck. He also has a distant relative traveling with us this time. If it weren't for her, Feng and I wouldn't have been delayed until now to enter the small town. We should have arrived two days earlier. She doesn't like interacting with people, so she went to explore the small town by herself. Ah, what a pity, what a pity! On the way here, I heard a prince from the Sui Dynasty obtained an incredible opportunity and acquired a golden dragon carp. He has great hope of emerging from the river as a dragon. It made me so envious my eyes turned red. Brother Cui, look, they're bloodshot, aren't they?"

The young man thrust his head towards the Confucian gentleman. The latter smiled and pushed the head away with his finger, reminding him, "Liu Baqiao, since the journey is already delayed, hurry up and get to business. Why are you wasting time here with me? When did the Wind Thunder Garden's style of doing things become so sluggish?"

The disciple of the Chen Clan from Longwei County wore an apologetic expression and said with a wry smile, "On the way here, there was an unexpected conflict. Brother Baqiao injured his visceral acupoints, which serve as his sword nurturing chamber. He had no choice but to risk moving his natal sword to the Ming Tang acupoint. If my cultivation weren't insufficient and I wasn't a burden, Brother Baqiao wouldn't have gotten injured."

Liu Baqiao laughed heartily, "They were just some sneaky rogue cultivators, relying on some heretical path to barely injure this young master. Anyway, they're already dead by my sword, not worth mentioning! If I weren't in a hurry to travel, I would have made a few cenotaphs for them, erected tombstones, and written that they died by Liu Baqiao's sword on such and such a date. In the future, when I become the number one in Sword Dao, it might even become a scenic spot, right?"

The Confucian gentleman and this genius sword cultivator from the Wind Thunder Garden had known each other for a long time. Knowing his naturally unreliable personality, he led them into the courtyard.

Liu Baqiao suddenly lowered his voice, "Brother Cui, give me a straight answer, is this world about to collapse? Is Mr. Qi, who was exiled here from Cliff Academy, really determined to act against heaven?"

The scholar surnamed Cui turned a deaf ear.

Liu Baqiao chuckled and pointed at Mr. Cui, "I understand now."

The Confucian gentleman said casually, "Songfeng, I visited Mr. Qi at the schoolhouse earlier. When discussing self-cultivation, he expressed a sentiment of 'time waits for no one'."

Self-cultivation, regulating the family, governing the state, bringing peace to the world. This seed of a sage, who came from the Cui Clan, only mentioned self-cultivation and then stopped.

Chen Songfeng initially thought it was just polite small talk between scholars. But when he saw the look in the other's eyes, a spark of understanding ignited. Chen Songfeng immediately grasped the meaning and cupped his fists, saying, "Mr. Cui, I'll go find that distant cousin of mine. After I return, I'll ask you for advice on governing the state."

In his words, Chen Songfeng intentionally or unintentionally skipped the "regulating the family" part, only mentioning governing the state.

Chen Songfeng left in a hurry.

The scholar surnamed Cui sighed and sat down with Liu Baqiao at the stone table in the small courtyard.

Liu Baqiao crossed his legs and spoke frankly, "Chen Songfeng is smart, he gets it right away. But his manners are too crude. It wouldn't have hurt to sit down and chat nonsense with you for a bit before leaving. Is he that eager to seek the ancestral shade locust leaf? I don't see the need. Nowadays, in East Treasure Bottle Continent, besides the Chen Clan of Longwei County, how many other surnames and noble clans are worth mentioning? Won't those Sophora Leaves obediently fall into Chen Songfeng's pocket? Are they going to fall into the hands of the commoners born and raised in this small town?"

Among the Chen Clans of East Treasure Bottle Continent, the Chen Clan of Longwei County was the most respected. Although they had been dormant for a long time, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though their influence had waned, they were still an ancient noble clan whose ancestors had produced a string of formidable figures. Therefore, even prosperous sects like the Wind Thunder Garden, where Liu Baqiao belonged, dared not underestimate them. Thus, even someone like Liu Baqiao was willing to associate with them, considering them half a friend.

The scholar asked curiously, "Are you here to find Master Ruan and ask him to forge a sword for you?"

Liu Baqiao stammered, speaking vaguely.

The gist was that he was helping his sect with a task. If he succeeded, the Wind Thunder Garden would intercede with Master Ruan on his behalf to forge the sword. As for what that task was, Liu Baqiao seemed somewhat reluctant to speak about it.

The scholar then said, "Do you know that someone from Zhengyang Mountain has also arrived, and they are a master and servant?"

Liu Baqiao was stunned and shocked, "I haven't heard anything at all. Who from Zhengyang Mountain has come?"

Then, this young sword cultivator, known for his arrogance in the Wind Thunder Garden, closed his eyes, clasped his hands together, and muttered a prayer, "Please don't let it be the devastatingly beautiful Fairy Su. I beg you, let it not be Fairy Su's esteemed presence. Otherwise, should I draw my sword or not? If Fairy Su glances at me, I'll melt. How could I bear to unleash my flying sword..."

The scholar said with some helplessness, "Don't worry, it's not the Fairy Su you admire. It's the mountain guardian White Ape. He's escorting the precious granddaughter of Pure Yang Sword Ancestor Tao Kui of Zhengyang Mountain."

"Old Cui, you're truly my lucky star! If it's not Fairy Su, then everything is fine!" Liu Baqiao immediately became energetic, laughing heartily, "Who am I afraid of?! Am I afraid of an old beast?! We in the Wind Thunder Garden can be afraid of anyone, but we won't back down from Zhengyang Mountain!"

The scholar hesitated for a moment, "The Wind Thunder Garden and Zhengyang Mountain, both orthodox Sword Dao sects with the same origin, why can't this dead knot be untied?"

Liu Baqiao's playful expression vanished, and he said in a deep voice, "Cui Minghuang, if you ever go to the Wind Thunder Garden, please, please don't utter a single word of this to anyone."

The scholar sighed deeply.

Wind Thunder Garden, Zhengyang Mountain.

From their patriarch Sword Immortals down to their newly initiated disciples, they often didn't need any reason to fall out. As soon as they met, they would directly draw their swords against each other.

The yamen doorman and the elderly steward suddenly rushed to the courtyard gate. Cui Minghuang and Liu Baqiao both stood up.

The steward entered the courtyard, bowed, and said, "Mr. Cui, we just received news that Zhengyang Mountain has taken action against a young man named Liu Xianyang."

Liu Baqiao suddenly became furious, "Which Liu Xianyang?!"

The steward, showing great respect to Mr. Cui, replied calmly to the unnamed young master before him, "Replying to this young master, there is only one person in our small town named Liu Xianyang."

Liu Baqiao's face changed drastically, and he sneered, "Well done, Zhengyang Mountain, bullying others too much!"

Cui Minghuang's expression remained composed as he asked, "Has Mr. Qi intervened?"

The steward shook his head, "Not yet. I heard that the young man was taken to Master Ruan's sword shop. It's estimated that even if he's not dead, he's barely clinging to life. Someone personally saw the young man's chest caved in by a punch. How could he possibly survive?"

Cui Minghuang smiled and said, "Thank you, old sir, for informing us of this matter."

The elderly steward quickly waved his hands, "You're too kind, too kind. It's my duty. I apologize for disturbing Mr. Cui."

After the steward led the doorman away, Cui Minghuang saw Liu Baqiao slump back onto the stone bench and asked doubtfully, "Were you perhaps here specifically for that young man?"

Liu Baqiao's face was grim and uncertain, "You could say half of it. This is going to be very troublesome from now on, big trouble."

Cui Minghuang asked, "It's not just about the feud between the Wind Thunder Garden and Zhengyang Mountain?"

Liu Baqiao nodded, "Far from it."

The scholar stood with his hands behind his back and said softly, "The tree desires stillness, but the wind does not cease. It seems I should set out to retrieve that Town Jade Tablet. Even if Mr. Qi misunderstands and thinks our Guanhu Academy is kicking him while he's down, there's nothing I can do."

Cui Minghuang stood up, "I'll go to the schoolhouse. I'll be back soon."

After leaving the official residence on Fulu Street, he passed the Twelve-Pillar Archway Building and stopped, looking up at the plaque with the four characters "Do not yield in benevolence."

In the sunlight, the scholar shielded his eyes with his hand.

After a moment of hesitation, he turned around and returned to the yamen.

On Fulu Street, a robust old man with white hair led a little girl with a delicate face like a porcelain doll. They didn't enter the Lu family mansion but instead went to the Li family. Someone was already waiting at the entrance and welcomed them inside. In the main hall, which bore a plaque reading "Sweet Dew Hall," a dignified elder stood up and came to the entrance to greet them. He clasped his fists and said, "Li Hong greets Elder Yuan."

The Mountain-Moving Old Ape from Zhengyang Mountain casually nodded at the Li family patriarch. He released the little girl's hand and said softly, "Miss, your old servant will wait for you at the mountaintop."

The little girl sat on the threshold of the main hall, pouting and silent.

The Li family patriarch said softly, "Senior, rest assured, we, the Li clan, will ensure Miss Tao is sent out of the small town safely."

The old ape grunted, "Thank you for taking the trouble to look after Miss this time; consider it a favor owed by Zhengyang Mountain. Let me speak with Miss."

The elder immediately left the main hall and ordered that no one in the family should approach Sweet Dew Hall within a hundred paces.

The elder also sat on the threshold and thought for a moment, "Miss, some things I shouldn't tell you, but since it has come to this, there's no point in hiding them. I'll tell you everything. This trip to the small town is likely a carefully orchestrated trap. That woman from the Xu family of Qingfeng City cannot escape responsibility, but she might not be the most important person involved. The cleverness of this trap lies in the fact that even if I sensed it, I couldn't avoid falling into it. Miss, you may not know this, but the owner of that Sword Scripture was once a rebellious disciple who betrayed Zhengyang Mountain. He created it himself. According to your grandfather, the most valuable aspect of this Sword Scripture is that although the creator's ultimate achievement in the Sword Dao only reached the threshold of a Sword Immortal, the content of the scripture directly points to the Great Dao. Miss, think about it, Elder Xie, who is friendly with our Zhengyang Mountain, has such insight, yet he still gave this Sword Scripture a review of 'extremely high'."

The elder's tone turned colder, "And this genius sword cultivator, who betrayed his master and ancestors, sought refuge with our sworn enemy, Wind Thunder Garden, when he had nowhere else to turn. Wind Thunder Garden did indeed shelter him for most of his life. He was a coward for most of his days. Later, to verify the Sword Scripture, he quietly left Wind Thunder Garden and sought out several Great Sword Immortals who had attained the Dao, such as Elder Xie. Although they all disdained his character, they were indeed impressed by what was written in the Sword Scripture. Elder Xie privately said that the Sword Scripture fused the sword dao spirits of both Zhengyang Mountain and Wind Thunder Garden. Once someone from either side cultivates it, the dispute between the arts of both families will be settled, and the victor will be decided."

The elder said gravely, "Therefore, if I can obtain this Sword Scripture and give it to you, Miss, to cultivate, that would be the best outcome. Even if Zhengyang Mountain doesn't get it, and it falls into the hands of those youngsters from places like Old Dragon City or Cloud Mist Mountain, Zhengyang Mountain could tolerate it. However, there is one thing we absolutely cannot yield on: letting those mongrels from Wind Thunder Garden get their hands on the Sword Scripture!"

The elder's face contorted with rage, "Miss, don't forget, in the deepest part of Wind Thunder Garden, on that sword testing ground, our Zhengyang Mountain's Old Ancestor, the ancestor of your lineage, challenged the then-master of Wind Thunder Garden during Zhengyang Mountain's weakest period. After fighting honorably and dying, her body was not respectfully returned to Zhengyang Mountain for burial by Wind Thunder Garden. Instead, her corpse was left exposed to the elements, and a long sword from a Wind Thunder Garden swordsman was even stuck in her skull, deliberately displayed for all to mock!"

"Three hundred years, a full three hundred years, even though Zhengyang Mountain is renowned for its succession of talents, they still haven't been able to draw a single sword from Wind Thunder Garden! Generation after generation of Zhengyang Mountain sword cultivators have endured this profound humiliation. Until Zhengyang Mountain destroys Wind Thunder Garden, it will remain a joke throughout the entire East Treasure Bottle Continent."

"Why is it that every time one of our Zhengyang Mountain Old Ancestors achieves the status of Sword Immortal, they never hold a celebration to announce it to the world?!"

The little girl had long been intimately familiar with these old tales; her ears were practically calloused from hearing them.

However, when her elders spoke of this old grievance, they always did so in a calm and detached manner, far from the indignant and forthright way the Mountain-Moving Ape was speaking now.

The little girl asked in her childish voice, "Grandpa White Ape, then why didn't you just punch that stubborn boy to death? Although his meridians are now severed and his breath is shattered and chaotic, the Sword Scripture would naturally be destroyed along with it, beyond even an Immortal's ability to restore it. But it's better to be safe than sorry. What if someone saves him? What if someone obtains the Sword Scripture? What will Zhengyang Mountain do then?"

The inheritance method of that Sword Scripture was extremely special and mysterious. It could not be passed down by word of mouth. It was as if the ancestor of the Liu clan had inscribed it on a wall, or perhaps that traitor from Zhengyang Mountain had left a fluctuating sword intent within his descendants, passed down through generations, waiting for a descendant with extraordinary talent to appear and control this sword intent that contained the Sword Scripture's content.

So, if the boy died, his porcelain buyer and Wind Thunder Garden would be completely out of luck. The Sword Scripture, which had never truly appeared in the world, would vanish into nothingness.

The elder laughed heartily, "If I had killed that boy on the spot, I would have been instantly expelled from this small world. What would have happened to you, Miss? Would you have had to face the people from Wind Thunder Garden alone? Furthermore, all sorcery is forbidden here. Master Ruan can forge swords and kill people, but his ability to save lives... is truly not great. Besides that, should Qi Jingchun intervene? Absolutely not. He's like a mud bodhisattva crossing the river right now, barely able to save himself. Moreover, if I truly angered myself, I would simply reveal my true form. I'd like to see if this world can withstand my thousand-zhang true form!"

The old servant stood up, his aura immense, and said, "Miss, the matter of the Covered Bridge youth no longer needs your concern. Allow your old servant to kill the people from Wind Thunder Garden and wait for you outside the mountain gate. If Qi Jingchun is wise, he will watch from the other side of the river. If he dares to interfere, I will shatter him to pieces. Even if Master Ruan makes a move, I will fight him to the end, and it will have been a worthwhile trip!"

The little girl thought for a moment and smiled brightly, "Grandpa White Ape, go ahead. Don't worry about me."

The elder smiled nonchalantly, "Miss, you need not worry about your old servant either."

In a room at the streamside sword shop, a heavy smell of blood permeated the air. Basins of bloody water were carried out and replaced with basins of clean water.

An old man, almost carried in like a chicken by the green-clothed girl, the shopkeeper of Yang Family Pharmacy, sat on a small stool by the window. He wiped the blood from his hands, sweat beading on his forehead, and looked up with a helpless shake of his head, "Master Ruan, the injuries this young man sustained are too severe. If it were outside the small town..."

Master Ruan, with his arms crossed, had a stern face. "Stop talking nonsense."

The old man could only give a wry smile.

He had indeed spoken nonsense. If it were outside the small town, he wouldn't have needed to intervene at all.

The green-clothed girl, Ruan Xiu, stared intently at the Sophora Leaf placed on the young man's forehead. It had lost its luster. Though still green, it held no vitality. She suddenly turned her head and asked angrily, "Didn't we agree that if Chen Ping'an produced his Sophora Leaf, Liu Xianyang would have a fifty percent chance of survival?"

The old shopkeeper of Yang Family Shop sighed, "If the owner of the Sophora Leaf had suffered such a severe injury themselves and then received the ancestral blessing of the Sophora Leaf, then of course there would be a fifty percent chance of survival. But to use it to bestow blessings upon someone else is another matter entirely."

Ruan Xiu shouted angrily, "You surnamed Yang! Then why did you spout such nonsense earlier, saying there was a fifty percent chance?! Why didn't you say so sooner!"

The old man's face was full of misery, and he looked incredibly wronged. "If I hadn't said that at the time, I fear I would have been beaten to death by you before the young man even died."

Ruan Xiu's face turned pale with anger, and she was about to curse.

The man said in a deep voice, "Xiuxiu, do not be disrespectful to Shopkeeper Yang."

Ruan Xiu gritted her teeth and remained silent.

After a moment of silence, the man glanced at the stunned old shopkeeper, who had remained motionless for a long time. For no apparent reason, like a clap of spring thunder, he began to curse, "Shopkeeper Yang, you are standing there like a block of wood, are you trying to die?!"

Dealing with such a father and daughter, the old man felt like crying without tears. The crucial point was that he dared not show the slightest dissatisfaction and could only brace himself and try his best.

From beginning to end, the straw-sandaled youth never cried out in pain or wailed. He only repeatedly carried water out and brought it back in, replacing basins of bloody water with basins of clean water.

Another fifteen minutes later, the pharmacy shopkeeper was extremely agitated. He looked down at the basin of clean water, suddenly slapped it, splashing water everywhere, and then looked up at Master Ruan with profound grief and indignation, "Master Ruan! Just stab me to death with your sword! I'm just a medicine seller, not a miracle doctor who can bring the dead back to life!"

The blacksmith frowned deeply.

The old man immediately shrank his neck.

The young man finally spoke, "Shopkeeper Yang, try again."

As the old man turned to look at the young man, the youth's eyes were clear. He slightly emphasized his words, "Try again!"

The old man exhaled a breath of turbid air, unable to bear it, "Child, I am truly powerless."

The young man managed to force out a faint smile, "Shopkeeper Yang, please."

The old man's face was full of exhaustion, but he still shook his head.

The last glimmer of hope in the straw-sandaled youth's eyes vanished.

He squatted down, put down the basin, and sat by the bed. He held the tall youth's already slightly cool hand and forced a smile that was more bitter than sad, saying softly, "I will be back."

The young man stood up and left the room. He walked to the threshold and suddenly turned around. He bowed gratefully to Master Ruan's family and the old shopkeeper, thanking the three who had been busy until now.

The young man stepped over the threshold.

The sunlight was a little dazzling. The young man paused briefly, then strode forward.

If Heaven doesn't give justice, it's fine. I'll go get it myself. I'll get as much as I can.