Sword Saint

Bian Ruxue had won.

With one stroke, she knocked Li Dongbai's sword into the air and thrust her own blade to within half an inch of his throat.

The boy froze in shock. When he came to his senses, he hastily retreated several steps before staring at the young girl in fear.

The outcome caught everyone by surprise. They stared at Bian Ruxue in disbelief. Li Dongbai had trained here for eight years, yet he had lost to a little girl with only one year of cultivation. Was this the gulf that talent created?

Bian Ruxue withdrew her sword, a brilliant smile spreading across her little face. She had won.

Then she tilted her head up at the boy before her and said earnestly, "I want you to apologize to Brother Hao."

Apologize? Apologize to that useless fool? Li Dongbai recovered his wits, his face flushing scarlet with humiliation. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I admit I lost to you, but there's no way I'm apologizing!"

"You..." Bian Ruxue knitted her little brows, unsure what to do.

After some thought, she said, "If you won't apologize, I'll fight you again."

"Childish!"

Furious, Li Dongbai turned and ran off the Arena Stage. Feeling everyone's gazes upon him, he said nothing and rushed straight out of the Martial Arts Arena.

The Military Elder did not stop the boy from leaving. After suffering a setback, there were some things he needed to figure out for himself.

The little girl, on the other hand, left him marveling. The finesse of that sword strike had already come very close to the Perfect Level.

This was a high-grade sword art, after all, and quite difficult to master.

A ninth grade battle body only granted faster cultivation, not faster mastery of techniques. It was clear that Bian Ruxue's talent for the Sword Dao was every bit as rare as her aptitude for cultivation!

Did that little defeat yesterday draw out her potential already? The Military Elder could not help chuckling inwardly.

In the arena, the branch family disciples watched the little girl with complicated expressions.

They had witnessed not only the defeat of Li Dongbai's pride, but also the gulf between themselves, children of branch families, and the children of those main courtyards.

"Xue'er, you're amazing."

Several little figures ran over to Bian Ruxue as she stepped down from the Arena Stage: the brother and sister from the fifth courtyard, and Li Yuanzhao from the sixth.

They were the same age as Bian Ruxue, with only a few months between them. The youngest was Li Yun's sister, Li Zhining. She had just turned six this year and had only recently begun coming to the Martial Arts Arena.

Their elder sister, Li Wushuang, had long since left the residence to cultivate under a renowned master.

Brother Hao is the amazing one... Bian Ruxue thought.

The three children crowded around Bian Ruxue, chattering excitedly about the match. The most animated of them was Li Yun, Li Wushuang's younger brother.

"Xue'er, would you like some milk crisps?"

Li Yun suddenly produced a small wooden lunchbox with an exquisitely decorated exterior. He gently opened it, releasing a rich, milky fragrance. Inside were soft, tender pastries as white as jade.

"They're for you."

Bian Ruxue sniffed. They smelled wonderful. Her eyes sparkled as she asked happily, "All of them?"

"If you like them, you can have them all." Li Yun grinned.

"Thank you."

Bian Ruxue did not forget to thank him before taking the whole box.

The day's training was over by then. She waved her little hand and left, carrying the lunchbox in one hand while cradling her sword against her chest with the other.

Li Yun watched her retreating figure, chuckling foolishly.

Beside him, his sister Li Zhining lifted her little face and asked in confusion, "Older Brother, didn't Mother make those for you? I haven't even tried any."

"If you want some, just ask Mother to make you more later. Xue'er hasn't had any before," Li Yun said with a foolish smile, unconcerned.

Li Zhining gave a little huff, puffed out her cheeks in jealousy, and turned away.

"Ningning, you can have mine." Li Yuanzhao's short, chubby figure hurried after her as he spoke with a grin.

"Who wants yours!" The little girl angrily swatted his offering away.

In the pavilion, Li Hao was only halfway through his game when he heard that Bian Ruxue had returned.

He cast her a casual glance. Seeing the smile she could not conceal, he already knew the answer and continued studying the board as he placed a stone.

"What's got you so happy? Tell me so I can share in it."

"I won."

Bian Ruxue trotted into the pavilion and announced it gleefully, her bright eyes fixed on Li Hao as though she were waiting to be praised for her achievement.

Li Hao smiled and placed another stone. "That's our Xue'er. Well done."

At his praise, the smile on the little girl's face blossomed even brighter. "Brother Hao, finish your game first. I'll give you something tasty afterward."

"Oh?"

Li Hao noticed the wooden box in her hand but asked no more questions. He continued battling Li Fu across the board and soon finished the game.

Li Fu's skill was only that of an ordinary amateur, not even ranked. As a result, Li Hao earned only one or two experience points per game against him, which often left him resentfully wishing that assassin had not struck so soon...

"What have you got?"

Li Hao turned casually to look at the wooden box beside him.

Bian Ruxue set her sword on a chair, brought the lunchbox to the table, and opened the lid. A milky fragrance drifted out. "Someone gave me these milk crisps. They look delicious. Try some, Brother Hao."

"Who gave them to you?" Li Hao did not reach for one right away, asking warily instead.

Bian Ruxue paused, thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I forgot to ask his name. But you should know him, Brother Hao. He's the one we often run into when we go to pay our morning respects to First Madam."

"One of those children?" Li Hao asked in surprise.

Li Fu rolled his eyes at him. Aren't you a child yourself?

Still, he had long since grown used to Li Hao's old-man manner of speaking.

"Yes." Bian Ruxue nodded.

Li Hao relaxed a little. "Honestly, you silly girl. You've been training with them in the Martial Arts Arena for a year. How can you not even remember their names?"

Bian Ruxue looked at him aggrievedly. "They never told me."

"They must have. Even if they didn't, their attendants would have mentioned them. You just weren't paying attention," Li Hao said in exasperation.

"Then I'll ask next time." Bian Ruxue's little face fell.

"You need to get along with others," Li Hao said. "Otherwise, people will bully you in the future."

"They won't." Bian Ruxue immediately lifted her head, a hint of pride on her little face. "Teacher said I'm very talented and will be very strong someday. Then I'll protect you too, Brother Hao, and never let anyone bully you again."

"Just look after yourself. Nobody's bullying me," Li Hao said. He spent every day playing board games and strolling around the courtyard. Life could hardly be more comfortable-he was practically enjoying an early retirement.

"You little brat, Xue'er means well. What kind of attitude is that?" Unable to watch any longer, Li Fu scolded him.

Li Hao gave him a helpless look. The man was not even that old, only in his forties. Why did he act like such an old stick-in-the-mud?

Not wanting to argue, Li Hao said, "Uncle Fu, try one first. Check for poison. Those children aren't bad people, but I'm afraid someone might use them."

Li Fu nodded slightly and gave Li Hao another look. The boy was always such a contradiction: sometimes remarkably meticulous, sometimes utterly unable to appreciate a kindness.

He picked up a milk crisp, ate it, and closed his eyes.

After a while, Li Hao grew impatient. "Well? It should be fine, right? Say something, Uncle Fu."

"It tastes good," Li Fu said, opening his eyes.

Li Hao rolled his eyes at him, then immediately told Bian Ruxue, "Hurry and eat before they get cold."

He picked up a piece himself and tasted it. It really was good. "This tastes a little like Fifth Madam's cooking. Was it Li Yun who gave these to you, or his sister Li Zhining?"

"It's Older Brother." Bian Ruxue could at least distinguish the older brother from the younger sister.

"Tell that boy to bring more next time. Who's going to get full on this little?" Li Hao swept through the pastries like a gale scattering clouds, though he left half for Bian Ruxue.

"All right." Bian Ruxue nodded, committing it to memory.

Li Fu shook his head inwardly. How could such a young boy have such a shameless streak? It was quite at odds with the Li Family's solemn, dignified manner.

Several days later, an honored guest suddenly arrived at the Divine General Residence.

The residence stirred with excitement. Upon receiving word, the ladies of every courtyard hurried to pay their respects. They had learned that this honored guest was none other than that figure from the Sword Hermitage.

If they could forge even a slight connection and have their children accepted as his disciples, their future accomplishments would surely be extraordinary.

The concubines were especially eager. Their children's cultivation resources could not compare with those of the principal line, so they had to fight for many of the finest opportunities themselves.

He Jianlan received the guest in the Evergreen Courtyard. Noticing the lovely figures flitting back and forth outside, she knew what those women were thinking. She did not blame them. It was only upon hearing the words of the legendary Sword Saint before her that surprise appeared on her face.

After their conversation, He Jianlan nodded slightly, rose, and accompanied him out.

Before long, the Mountains and Rivers Courtyard bustled with activity it had not seen in ages as a large group approached.

Playing a game in the pavilion, Li Hao heard the commotion and looked up in surprise. Then he saw First Madam leading the way, with an old man whose snow-white hair hung long beside her.

The old man had sharp brows and prominent cheekbones, giving him a lean, rugged appearance.

Beside this unfamiliar old man stood another elder—the Military Elder from the Martial Arts Arena. Li Hao had seen him several times and was reasonably familiar with him.

What's going on? Li Hao had no idea.

Across from him, Li Fu's pupils contracted at the sight of the white-haired old man, and he hurriedly rose in alarm.

Amid his shock, something suddenly occurred to him, and excitement began to stir within him.

Li Hao rarely saw Uncle Fu so excited. He immediately realized the unfamiliar old man was someone important, though few people could command such treatment from the Li Family.

Looking at the unfinished game, Li Hao felt a little helpless. He could only set it aside for now and turn to wait quietly.

"Li Fu."

Seeing Li Fu, He Jianlan gently beckoned him over, then called to Li Hao as well. "Hao'er, come here."

Li Hao had no choice but to get up and walk over.

"Where's Xue'er?" He Jianlan asked.

Li Hao pointed to another part of the courtyard. "Practicing her sword over there."

"Xue Jian, go fetch Xue'er," He Jianlan instructed the maid beside her.

(End of chapter)