Chapter Five: I Urge You to Drain One More Cup. "What good does knowing my name do you?" With the bandits wiped out, Bai Qiuran sheathed his sword. The noble young man frowned, but did not answer Bai Qiuran's question. Instead, he asked, "They've all run away. Why did you have to slaughter them to the last? When you can spare someone, spare them." "Those Cultivators collect tribute from every country in Guzhou each year. They claim they do it to protect all under heaven and uphold the righteous path of the human world, but now the common people of the Shangxuan Kingdom are living in dire straits. Where are those Cultivators?" "And they say they don't interfere in worldly affairs?" "That doesn't sound like something a man who insisted on dragging someone into a drink would say." "Brother, look at them. Do they seem like the sort who understand the principle of sparing someone when they can?" "You're going to Mang Mountain?" Whether a Qingming disciple had fallen into villainy or someone was using the Qingming Sword Sect's name to throw their weight around, he had to deal with this. He could not let the sect founded by his master be disgraced. He had not wanted to interfere in the internal affairs of the Shangxuan Kingdom, but if the Qingming Sword Sect was truly involved, then as the Martial Ancestor Uncle, he could not simply turn a blind eye. "I have somewhere to be, too." Bai Qiuran clasped his hands and went to retrieve his horse, which had bolted off to one side in fright. Tang Wei raised his cup helplessly and clinked it against Bai Qiuran's, then took a small sip. "Seems like you have quite a grudge against the Qingming Sword Sect, Brother Tang." "But the Qingming Sword Sect's principle is not to interfere in the internal affairs of secular kingdoms. As I traveled, I heard a few things. The current state of the Shangxuan Kingdom was caused by its rulers' inaction, wasn't it? Then it's only natural that the Qingming Sword Sect wouldn't get involved." Tang Wei sneered. "You know the Imperial Advisor of the Shangxuan Kingdom was sent by the Qingming Sword Sect? He's made the Shangxuan Emperor and the princes heed slanderous advice and rule foolishly. They're single-mindedly pursuing immortality, with no interest in governing, leaving the common people in misery." Bai Qiuran insisted, "After I've said all that, you still won't tell me your name, Brother? That's a real mood-killer." Bai Qiuran said with a cheerful smile, "You came to my aid, so I ought to buy you a drink." Bai Qiuran picked up a piece of cooked beef with his chopsticks and answered, "As for the location, I remember it was somewhere in the mountains of Mang Mountain, in central Shangxuan. Well, I don't know if that place is still called that." "With your strength, you didn't need me to step in at all. I was the one meddling where I wasn't wanted." "No, no. Your strength doesn't matter to me. What matters is that when you saw injustice, you had the courage and chivalry to stand up for what was right. I think that's precious." Bai Qiuran said, "But if someone went up the mountain and asked the Qingming Sword Sect's disciples to come down and protect the people, I'm sure they'd agree." "Sorry, that's just how I am. Mostly, I really want to be friends with you, Brother Tang." On the table sat a jug of Burning Knife Liquor, two pounds of sliced cooked beef, and two plates of stir-fried vegetables, all mouthwatering. Seeing that he was silent, Bai Qiuran continued, "Brother, I haven't yet had the honor of learning your name." Tang Wei muttered, "You said your situation was urgent. Where are you going? Tell me." "What's so urgent? You seem pretty relaxed to me," Bai Qiuran said with a frown. Tang Wei paused, then added, "Actually, that's where I'm going, too." "This is your first time traveling far from home, Brother Tang, isn't it?" "Is that so?" "Ha..." The noble young man hesitated. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and replied, "My name is Tang Wei." "That depends on the time and place." Bai Qiuran chuckled. "Don't you think meeting someone who shares your outlook and having a drink together is a wonderful thing?" "Brother." Bai Qiuran lifted his cup and addressed Tang Wei warmly. "I came out mainly to gather some medicinal herbs. I need to take them myself." The noble young man sheathed his sword and said flatly, "We met by chance. I only drew my sword when I saw injustice. Goodbye." The Soul Reaping Emissary can't beat me anyway. The noble young man bit his lip and said nothing. Hearing Bai Qiuran's words, Tang Wei looked at him in surprise. "Yes. Is there something wrong with that?" "Come, Brother Tang, let me offer you a cup." "Ah, meeting at all means we're fated." Bai Qiuran sighed wistfully. He clasped his hands to the noble young man. "Thank you for coming to my aid, Brother. I haven't yet had the honor of learning your name." The noble young man declined. "You're inviting me to drink. I'd feel undeserving." "What a coincidence." Tang Wei sighed and set down his cup. Bai Qiuran asked. Then he added silently to himself. Bai Qiuran smiled. "Still, I heard that Guzhou is home to the great cultivation sect, the Qingming Sword Sect. If monsters are running amok, why not ask the Qingming Sword Sect for help? They should be glad to act and rid the world of this scourge." "No, it's just that monsters have recently appeared in those mountains, devouring people alive. I heard quite a few locals have already fallen victim to them, and even many martial arts experts have been killed or injured." Bai Qiuran said, "But a thousand... mm, some time ago, I figured something out. There's no need to rush along life's road. Paying attention to the things along the roadside and enjoying the beautiful things in life—that's what life is about. In the past, I focused too much on one thing and overlooked a great many others. So even if something is terribly urgent now, I'm not worried at all." Two hours later, at a roadside tavern along the official road in the Shangxuan Kingdom, Bai Qiuran and Tang Wei sat facing each other. Having decided to gather the herbs and then take a detour to see the capital of the Shangxuan Kingdom, Bai Qiuran dropped the unpleasant topic and changed the subject. "Brother Tang, since Mang Mountain is your destination, I have a suggestion. Why don't we travel together for this stretch? We can look out for each other. What do you say?" "So you're Brother Tang." Tang Wei sighed. "I have important business to attend to on the road." Bai Qiuran shook his head and replied with a smile, "If we let them go after their defeat today, then by tomorrow or the day after, they'll have forgotten their fear and will pick up their weapons and go out to harm people again. The next people they meet might not be like us two, with the strength to protect themselves. To wipe out evil completely is to save more innocent lives." The liquor burned like fire as it went down his throat. Keeping his face stiff, Tang Wei turned away and, out of Bai Qiuran's sight, secretly stuck out his tongue... "Hmph, the Qingming Sword Sect." Seeing Tang Wei's unnatural reaction, Bai Qiuran smiled and said, "You don't have to drink too much. The most important thing about drinking is enjoying yourself. Getting drunk will only cause trouble, and it's bad for your health, too." "Brother Tang, do you know if there's a tavern nearby? I'm in a very good mood today, so I must buy you a drink." Tang Wei said angrily. At the mention of this, Tang Wei's expression suddenly darkened. He snorted. "They only help because they covet the merit of doing righteous deeds. Cultivators are all rotten to the core!"
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