Qingxiao Thirteen Swords are sharp

The evening had arrived. In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at a table, peeling and eating peanuts. These peanuts were grown by the Qingxiao Sect themselves, and after being stir-fried, their aroma filled the air.

Xu Ning sat opposite him, looking dejected.

Li Qingqiu chuckled inwardly. This girl had claimed she couldn't possibly surpass him, yet she was sulking after just one loss.

People's hearts are unpredictable, truly unpredictable.

Cheng Canghai came and sat beside Li Qingqiu, speaking in a low voice, "Sect Master, didn't you ask everyone to brainstorm ways to make money? How about I go and steal from those wealthy officials?"

Li Qingqiu shot him a look and said irritably, "What do you think? Wouldn't that just cause trouble? I'm talking about righteous paths, about creating wealth through our own efforts."

Hearing this, Cheng Canghai was quite dejected. "If wealth could be created just like that, farmers would be the richest people already."

"Yes, and you're not even as good as a farmer."

Cheng Canghai was so angered he stood up and left.

Li Qingqiu didn't mind. The Qingxiao Sect didn't necessarily have to be a righteous sect in the worldly sense, but they couldn't engage in underhanded dealings that couldn't see the light of day.

He hoped the Qingxiao Sect would become a Daoist sect for cultivation, not swayed by the secular world, yet respected by all living beings. They should act righteously in ordinary times and be able to turn the tide when the world faced peril.

Of course, such a goal was still too distant. The Qingxiao Sect first needed to survive.

After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the disciples began serving dishes. Just then, Qin Ye returned, bringing someone with him – Jiang Kuotian of the White Emperor Mansion.

Li Qingqiu and Xu Ning had passed them on the way up the mountain. Seeing Jiang Kuotian arrive, Li Qingqiu wasn't surprised, but he still feigned surprise and stood up, saying, "Uncle-Master Jiang, why have you come? Please, come and sit with us."

Xu Ning and the surrounding disciples turned to look, their eyes filled with curiosity. This person was actually the Sect Master's Uncle-Master?

Jiang Kuotian's expression was somewhat subtle, not as bold as the last time he visited. He even seemed a little flustered.

He followed Qin Ye to the table, forcing a smile. "Martial Nephew Li, it's been two years. Qingxiao Sect has changed so much. Has your Ancestral Master returned?"

Before Li Qingqiu could answer, Xu Ning couldn't help but interject, "What do you mean? Couldn't it be my Master's accomplishment?"

The other disciples looked at Jiang Kuotian with dissatisfaction. It wasn't that they had any issues with True Person Qingxiao, but they were all very young and often looked down upon by outsiders. Li Qingqiu, as Sect Master, was also young. Jiang Kuotian's words clearly belittled Li Qingqiu, and how could they tolerate that?

Although Li Qingqiu didn't personally teach the disciples martial arts, he treated them kindly and spoke humorously, earning their deep affection. How could they allow an outsider to look down on the Sect Master they respected?

This was not just looking down on the Sect Master, but also on them!

The Sect Master had said that the Qingxiao Sect's current state was thanks to the efforts of every single disciple!

Jiang Kuotian felt his face flush after being challenged by Xu Ning, but he didn't argue with the young girl. He asked in surprise, "True Person Qingxiao hasn't returned?"

"No, I haven't seen this Ancestral Master since I was old enough to remember. My Master hasn't returned either. The Qingxiao Sect's current state is the result of the efforts of everyone in the sect," Li Qingqiu replied. He wasn't angry. In his opinion, Jiang Kuotian's attitude actually proved that the Qingxiao Sect's development was very successful, which gave him a sense of accomplishment.

He didn't embarrass Jiang Kuotian, warmly inviting him to sit down and begin making pleasantries.

Qin Ye didn't stay. He placed the wooden staff by the wall and began chopping firewood. He was always like this – taciturn and quietly doing his work.

After chatting with Li Qingqiu for a few moments, Jiang Kuotian finally felt less awkward. He was straightforward and didn't hide what had happened earlier. He sighed with emotion, "That young man named Qin Ye is truly formidable. I, in my arrogance, only used one hand to spar with him, and I was defeated by him. I heard he's your disciple; how did you teach him?"

Although Jiang Kuotian came from the White Emperor Mansion, he wasn't a top-tier expert. To be defeated by Qin Ye, who cultivated the Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff, with just one hand, Li Qingqiu wasn't too surprised.

In a real life-or-death duel, Qin Ye would certainly not be Jiang Kuotian's opponent.

The Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff was a staff technique specifically for combat, complete with a unique mental cultivation method that could utilize qi force, making it extremely lethal.

Li Qingqiu shook his head, "I don't have that kind of skill. A while ago, a top-tier expert stayed with us on the mountain for a period and gave him some pointers."

"A top-tier expert? Who was it?"

Jiang Kuotian asked with wide eyes. How formidable were top-tier experts? The gap between them and first-rate experts was like a chasm, let alone compared to him. He immediately understood.

The martial world was full of such legendary encounters – receiving martial arts training from a top-tier expert and making rapid progress in a short time.

"That elder did not wish to reveal his name, so it wouldn't be appropriate for us to ask," Li Qingqiu replied, speaking naturally without any hint of deception.

Jiang Kuotian clicked his tongue in wonder, marveling at Qin Ye's good fortune and believing he would achieve great things in the future.

He continued to inquire about Jiang Zhaoxia, curious about how he had gained such a fearsome reputation. When he visited the Qingxiao Sect two years ago, he had already felt that Jiang Zhaoxia was arrogant, but he hadn't expected him to be truly capable.

"Third Junior Brother is currently in seclusion practicing his martial arts. I haven't seen him for several days. By the way, Uncle-Master Jiang, what brings you to visit us?" Li Qingqiu explained and then asked.

He had a good impression of Jiang Kuotian, as he had even gifted him a magical artifact.

Even after reaching the fourth level of the Yangyuan Realm, he still couldn't break through the restrictions of that magical artifact, which showed its extraordinary nature. It was definitely a treasure.

Jiang Kuotian replied, "Recently, there's been a rebellion in Guzhou. The armies of the provincial capital and all the counties have been unable to suppress the rebels. Instead, they've lost one county city after another. The White Emperor Mansion is located in the provincial capital, so we must contribute to the provincial government. I was assigned to a nearby county to join the army and teach them martial arts. Upon hearing of Jiang Zhaoxia's achievements, I decided to come up and see you all. Seeing that you are all doing well, I am completely at ease."

Li Qingqiu was quite curious about this rebellion and asked a few more questions. Jiang Kuotian didn't hold back.

In fact, it wasn't just Guzhou that was in rebellion; three other prefectures were also in turmoil. These four prefectures were all suffering from famine. Bandits were inciting people, recruiting only refugees into their ranks, and attacking cities and territories everywhere. After entering cities, they acted with impunity, smashing, looting, and killing. They even defiled women in the streets. Two years later, this disaster has not only not been curbed but has instead intensified.

The imperial court had now issued bounty orders in various regions, calling upon martial arts heroes to join in suppressing the bandits, with generous rewards.

"Eldest Senior Brother, why don't we go and suppress the bandits too!" Zhang Yuchun suddenly sidled up to Li Qingqiu, his eyes shining with excitement.

Before Li Qingqiu could refuse, Jiang Kuotian slammed the table and said, "No, you are still young. Focus on practicing martial arts. This world won't fall into chaos. The Sage already knows about this matter and will quell the unrest in all regions within half a year at most!"

Sage was the respectful title given by officials and commoners to the Emperor.

Li Qingqiu also didn't want his disciples to get involved. They were still too young, and participating in this chaos might not be good for their minds. Moreover, they would have to deal with the government.

The Qingxiao Sect of the future could descend the mountain in times of chaos to save the common people, but not the Qingxiao Sect of today.

"Half a year? That fast?" Zhang Yuchun asked in surprise.

"Naturally," Jiang Kuotian scoffed. "Before, there were just treacherous officials in the imperial court confusing the Emperor's vision. They've been executed. My Da Li has only been established for thirty years; a true era of peace has yet to arrive. You'll all enjoy blessings if you just hold on for a few more years."

Li Qingqiu hadn't expected Jiang Kuotian to be so devoted to the current Emperor.

Qin Ye, who was splitting firewood, couldn't help but turn his head to look at Jiang Kuotian, his eyes filled with anger. He regretted not having hit Jiang Kuotian harder earlier, failing to knock some sense into him.

The dishes were served one after another. Li Qingqiu invited Jiang Kuotian to eat with them and asked him to recount tales of the martial world. Compared to court affairs, the disciples were more curious about the happenings in the martial arts community.

Jiang Kuotian began to tell his stories one by one, becoming more excited as he spoke.

He even mentioned the Martial Champion, Li Yang.

It was said that when Li Yang challenged the Heavenly Saber Sect, he spoke disrespectfully and was severely injured by them. The Heavenly Saber Sect thus incurred the wrath of the Linchuan Li Clan, and now they were facing difficulties from all sides, making their lives hard.

"Defeated by Jiang Zhaoxia, his reputation in ruins, and now suppressed by the Linchuan Li Clan, the Heavenly Saber Sect will likely struggle to retain its status as one of the Seven Great Sects," Jiang Kuotian said with schadenfreude.

This news excited the disciples, but because Li Qingqiu had given them prior instructions, they did not reveal the animosity between Jiang Zhaoxia and the Heavenly Saber Sect.

Jiang Kuotian's arrival made the Qingxiao Sect lively. The next day, Jiang Kuotian met Yang Jueding and was even more astonished. The two felt as if they had known each other for a long time, which led Jiang Kuotian to stay for two more days.

Five days later, Jiang Kuotian descended the mountain.

Because of the news Jiang Kuotian brought, the Qingxiao Sect disciples cherished their time practicing martial arts on the mountain even more.

The days turned like pages in a book.

Autumn gave way to winter, and snow began to fall.

On this day, Jiang Zhaoxia broke through to the fourth level of the Yangyuan Realm. Li Qingqiu, far away on the mountainside, sensed a sword intent. He followed this sword intent and found Jiang Zhaoxia.

Jiang Zhaoxia was standing on a lake, ripples spreading across the unfrozen surface beneath his feet.

Sword intent was a peculiar thing, much like aura but possessing a tangible power. Li Qingqiu, with his Innate Sword Maniac Destiny, could identify it as sword intent the first time he felt it.

Jiang Zhaoxia's sword intent was powerful, making Li Qingqiu feel as if he himself were a precious sword, sharp and imposing.

I've been distracted by practicing the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle, and even though I share the same Destiny as Third Junior Brother, my attainments in the Way of the Sword are inferior to his.

Li Qingqiu stood by the lake, staring at Jiang Zhaoxia, thinking this with a face full of relief.

Jiang Zhaoxia had not only broken through in cultivation but also in his own Way of the Sword.

Without a master's guidance, his sword intent could form on its own; his comprehension of the Way of the Sword was truly that of a gifted genius.

Flying snow fell like flowers, melting into wisps of white smoke before it could touch Jiang Zhaoxia. At this moment, Jiang Zhaoxia appeared ethereal, as if he were about to transform into a flying immortal at any moment.

Suddenly.

Jiang Zhaoxia raised his hand, using his finger as a sword, and pointed at Li Qingqiu. Sword energy shot out from his fingertip, fast as lightning.

Li Qingqiu reacted with lightning speed, his right hand swiftly throwing a silver needle. The needle flew out and clashed with Jiang Zhaoxia's sword energy in mid-air. The needle shattered, and the sword energy dissipated along with it.

Jiang Zhaoxia narrowed his eyes and said, "Senior Brother, I can't tell if your power is stronger or if your needle technique is stronger than my sword energy."

"If I had been slow to react, I would have died under your sword energy just now," Li Qingqiu said irritably.

"Impossible. My sword energy has reached a state of perfection, and I can control it freely. Even if it reached you, I could stop it immediately," Jiang Zhaoxia said with a hint of arrogance in his tone.

Li Qingqiu's lips curved upwards as he asked, "So, do you still want revenge now?"

Jiang Zhaoxia stared at him. After a long moment, he finally said, "Among the Heavenly Saber Sect experts who attacked me, there was a unit called the 'Blade Force.' Their martial arts were formidable, and their coordination was impeccable, causing me considerable hardship. I plan to select thirteen disciples from within the sect and personally teach them the Way of the Sword. From now on, I will lead them to annihilate any enemy that threatens the Qingxiao Sect."

"I've already decided on a name for them: the Qingxiao Thirteen Swords."

Requesting monthly and recommendation tickets on Monday.