Dusk had fallen. In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at the table, shelling and eating peanuts. The peanuts had been grown by Qingxiao Sect itself, and after being roasted, they filled the air with a rich fragrance.
Xu Ning sat across from him, looking gloomy.
Li Qingqiu chuckled to himself. The girl had said she could never surpass him, but now that she'd lost, she was a little downcast.
The human heart, ah, was impossible to fathom. Impossible to fathom.
Cheng Canghai came over and sat beside Li Qingqiu. In a low voice, he said, "Sect Master, you asked everyone to put their heads together and come up with ways to make money. How about I go rob the rich and powerful?"
Li Qingqiu shot him a look and said irritably, "What do you think? Wouldn't that just cause trouble? I meant an honest way—something we could create through our own efforts."
At that, Cheng Canghai looked rather dejected. "If creating things could make you rich, farmers would be the richest people in the world."
"Exactly. You're not even as good as a farmer."
Cheng Canghai was so annoyed that he got up and left.
Li Qingqiu didn't mind. Qingxiao Sect didn't necessarily have to be an orthodox sect in the worldly sense, but it couldn't stoop to underhanded, disreputable deeds either.
He hoped Qingxiao Sect would become a cultivation sect, free from the whims of the worldly order yet revered by all under heaven—one that upheld justice in daily life and could turn the tide when the world was in peril.
Of course, that goal was still far off. First, Qingxiao Sect had to survive.
An incense stick's time later, the disciples began bringing out the dishes. Just then, Qin Ye returned, bringing someone with him: Jiang Kuotian of White Emperor Mansion.
Li Qingqiu and Xu Ning had passed the two of them on their way up the mountain. He wasn't surprised to see Jiang Kuotian, but he put on a delighted expression anyway, rose to his feet, and said, "Martial Uncle Jiang, what brings you here? Come, come, sit down and have a chat."
Xu Ning and the disciples nearby turned to look, their eyes full of curiosity. This man was the Sect Master's martial uncle?
Jiang Kuotian's expression was a little peculiar. He wasn't as boisterous as he'd been on his last visit; if anything, he seemed a little awkward.
He followed Qin Ye to the table and managed to force out a smile. "Nephew Li, it's been two years, and Qingxiao Sect has changed beyond recognition. Could your grandmaster have returned?"
Before Li Qingqiu could answer, Xu Ning couldn't help speaking up. "What do you mean? Couldn't it be my master's doing?"
The other disciples also looked displeased with Jiang Kuotian. It wasn't that they had a problem with Qingxiao True Person; they were simply young, and outsiders often looked down on them. Li Qingqiu was their Sect Master, and he was young too. Jiang Kuotian's words were clearly belittling him. How could they stand for that?
Li Qingqiu might not personally teach the disciples martial arts, but he treated them kindly and was always good for a joke. They adored him. How could they let an outsider look down on the Sect Master they respected?
It wasn't just their Sect Master he was looking down on—it was all of them!
Xu Ning's retort left Jiang Kuotian a little red-faced, but he didn't take issue with a young girl. Instead, he asked in surprise, "Qingxiao True Person hasn't returned?"
"No. I've never seen our grandmaster since I was old enough to remember, and my master hasn't returned either. Qingxiao Sect has come this far through the efforts of everyone in the sect." Li Qingqiu answered without anger. In his eyes, Jiang Kuotian's attitude was proof that Qingxiao Sect's development had been a success. It gave him a sense of accomplishment.
He didn't embarrass Jiang Kuotian. He warmly invited him to sit and began making small talk.
Qin Ye didn't stay. He leaned his wooden staff against the wall, then began chopping firewood. He was always like that—quiet, doing his work without a word.
After chatting with Li Qingqiu for a while, Jiang Kuotian finally relaxed. A hearty man by nature, he didn't hide what had happened earlier. With a sigh, he said, "That young fellow Qin Ye is impressive! I was overconfident and sparred with him using only one hand, yet he beat me. I heard he's your disciple. How did you teach him?"
Jiang Kuotian came from White Emperor Mansion, but he wasn't a first-rate expert. Li Qingqiu wasn't too surprised that he'd lost to Qin Ye, who had painstakingly trained in the Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff, while using only one hand.
In a real fight to the death, Qin Ye wouldn't have been a match for Jiang Kuotian.
The Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff was a staff technique made for bloody combat. It also came with a unique inner cultivation method that let its user wield internal energy, giving it tremendous power.
Li Qingqiu shook his head. "I don't have that kind of ability. A peerless expert stayed on the mountain for a while and gave him some pointers."
"A peerless expert? Who?"
Jiang Kuotian's eyes widened. Peerless experts were astonishingly powerful; the gap between them and first-rate experts was like a chasm, never mind the gap between one and himself. He was instantly relieved.
There were plenty of such tales in the martial world: someone received instruction from a peerless expert and their martial arts advanced by leaps and bounds in a short time.
"That senior wouldn't tell us, and we didn't feel it was appropriate to ask," Li Qingqiu replied. He spoke naturally, without the slightest hint of a slip.
Jiang Kuotian clicked his tongue in wonder, marveling at Qin Ye's remarkable Fortune Inheritance. He was sure the young man would amount to great things one day.
He went on to ask about Jiang Zhaoxia. He was very curious about how Jiang Zhaoxia had made such a name for himself. Two years ago, when he'd visited Qingxiao Sect, Jiang Zhaoxia had struck him as arrogant. He hadn't expected him to be so capable.
"Third Junior Brother is in seclusion, training. I haven't seen him for several days. By the way, Martial Uncle Jiang, what made you think to come visit us?" Li Qingqiu explained, then changed the subject.
He had a good impression of Jiang Kuotian, after all. The man had even given him a magical artifact.
Even after reaching the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fourth Layer, Li Qingqiu still couldn't break through the restrictions on that artifact. It was clearly no ordinary treasure.
Jiang Kuotian replied, "There's been a mutiny in Guzhou recently. The provincial government and the armies of the various prefectures and counties haven't been able to suppress the rebels. Instead, they've lost city after city. White Emperor Mansion is based in the provincial capital, so of course we have to help the provincial government. I was sent to join the army in a nearby prefecture and teach the soldiers martial arts. Then I heard about Jiang Zhaoxia's exploits and stopped by on my way. Seeing that you're all doing well, I can finally rest easy."
Li Qingqiu was curious about the mutiny, so he asked a few more questions. Jiang Kuotian didn't hide anything.
In fact, it wasn't just Guzhou in turmoil; three other provinces were also caught up in the unrest. All four provinces had been struck by famine. Bandits were stirring up the people, taking in refugees to swell their ranks and laying siege to cities everywhere. Once inside, they ran wild—smashing, looting, killing, and committing every kind of atrocity. They even assaulted women in the streets. Two years had passed, and the disaster had only grown worse.
The Imperial Court had now issued bounty notices throughout the land, calling on the heroes of the martial world to join in suppressing the bandits. The rewards were generous.
"Eldest Senior Brother, why don't we go suppress the bandits too?" Zhang Yuchun suddenly leaned toward Li Qingqiu, looking excited.
Before Li Qingqiu could refuse, Jiang Kuotian slapped the table. "No! You're still young. Focus on your martial arts. The world isn't going to fall into chaos. The Sage already knows about this, and the unrest everywhere will be put down within six months at most!"
"Sage" was the respectful title officials and commoners used for the emperor.
Li Qingqiu didn't want the disciples getting mixed up in it either. They were still too young; taking part in the turmoil might not be good for their judgment, and they would have to deal with the authorities too.
One day, Qingxiao Sect might descend the mountain in troubled times to save the common people—but Qingxiao Sect wasn't ready for that yet.
"Six months? That soon?" Zhang Yuchun asked in surprise.
Jiang Kuotian snorted. "Naturally. Before, treacherous officials at court had clouded the Sage's judgment, but they've already been executed. Great Li has only been established for thirty years. The true age of peace and prosperity has yet to come. Just hold on for a few more years, and you'll enjoy the good life."
Li Qingqiu hadn't expected Jiang Kuotian to have such unwavering faith in the emperor.
Qin Ye, who was chopping wood, couldn't help turning to look at Jiang Kuotian, fury in his eyes. He regretted not hitting Jiang Kuotian harder earlier. Maybe that would have knocked some sense into him.
The dishes were served one after another. Li Qingqiu invited Jiang Kuotian to eat with them and asked him to tell them about the martial world. The disciples were more curious about the affairs of the martial world than the affairs of the court.
Jiang Kuotian began recounting one story after another, growing more animated as he went.
He even brought up the Martial Champion, Li Yang.
They said that when Li Yang challenged Heavenly Saber Sect, he'd spoken rudely and been badly beaten. Heavenly Saber Sect had thereby incurred the wrath of Linchuan Li Clan, and was now being obstructed at every turn. Its days were not going well.
"After losing to Jiang Zhaoxia and having his reputation swept into the dirt, Heavenly Saber Sect was then suppressed by Linchuan Li Clan. I'm afraid it'll struggle to hold on to its place among the seven great sects," Jiang Kuotian said gleefully.
The news excited the disciples, but because Li Qingqiu had warned them beforehand, they didn't reveal the grudge between Jiang Zhaoxia and Heavenly Saber Sect.
Jiang Kuotian's arrival brought life to Qingxiao Sect. The next day, when he met Yang Jueding, he was even more astonished. The two hit it off as if they'd found a kindred spirit, and Jiang Kuotian stayed for another two days.
Five days later, Jiang Kuotian descended the mountain.
After hearing the news Jiang Kuotian had brought, the disciples of Qingxiao Sect treasured their time training on the mountain even more.
Days turned like pages in a book.
Autumn passed and winter came. Snow began to fall.
One day, Jiang Zhaoxia broke through to the Nourishing Yuan Realm Fourth Layer. Far down the mountainside, Li Qingqiu sensed a Sword Qi and followed it to its source, where he found Jiang Zhaoxia.
Jiang Zhaoxia stood atop a lake. Ripples spread across the unfrozen water beneath his feet.
Sword intent was a mysterious thing, like an aura, yet also possessed a tangible force. With his Innate Sword Maniac Fate, Li Qingqiu had sensed sword intent for the first time and immediately recognized it.
Jiang Zhaoxia's sword intent was powerful. He made Li Qingqiu feel as though he were a treasured sword, its edge gleaming and exposed.
"I usually divide my attention by cultivating the Spring Return Ghost Immortal Needle. Even though Third Junior Brother and I have the same Fate, my attainments in the sword are still inferior to his."
Li Qingqiu watched Jiang Zhaoxia from the lakeshore, thinking this with a face full of satisfaction.
Jiang Zhaoxia had advanced in more than just cultivation; his swordsmanship had advanced too.
Without a master to guide him, he'd developed his own sword intent. His talent for understanding the sword was truly heaven-gifted.
Snowflakes drifted down like flowers. Before they could land on Jiang Zhaoxia, they melted into wisps of white smoke. At that moment, he seemed otherworldly, as if he might transform into an immortal and ascend at any instant.
Suddenly.
Jiang Zhaoxia raised his hand and pointed toward Li Qingqiu, using his finger as a sword. Sword Qi burst from his fingertip, swift as lightning.
Li Qingqiu reacted in a flash, hurling a silver needle with his right hand. It flew toward Jiang Zhaoxia, striking his Sword Qi in midair. The needle shattered into pieces, and the Sword Qi vanished as well.
Jiang Zhaoxia narrowed his eyes and said, "Senior Brother, I can't tell whether your power is greater or your needle technique is stronger than my Sword Qi."
Li Qingqiu said irritably, "If I'd been any slower, your Sword Qi would have killed me just now."
"Impossible. My Sword Qi has reached perfection and obeys my every command. Even if it reached you, I could make it stop at once." A hint of pride colored Jiang Zhaoxia's voice.
Li Qingqiu's lips curled into a smile. "So, do you still want revenge?"
Jiang Zhaoxia stared at him. After a long while, he finally said, "Among the Heavenly Saber Sect experts who surrounded me was a group of saber fighters. They were highly skilled and worked together seamlessly, giving me plenty of trouble. I'm going to choose thirteen disciples from the sect and personally teach them the sword. From now on, I'll lead them in wiping out every enemy who threatens Qingxiao Sect."
"I've already thought of a name: Qingxiao Thirteen Sword Arts."
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