Thrush

He Heng walked out of the great desert and traveled east, arriving in an ancient city. It was a bustling place, with streets crowded with all sorts of people – men, women, old, and young, some supporting the elderly, others holding infants…

Most people seemed happy. After a day of hard work, they were now wearing clean clothes and comfortable shoes, with a little money saved from their frugal lives in their pockets. They could now fully enjoy their leisure time.

He Heng didn't care where this place was or what the city was called; none of that mattered. At this moment, the most important thing to him was to find a restaurant and have a good meal.

Because he was undergoing "detoxification," he hadn't eaten anything for the ten days he had been back from the great desert. Naturally, he had to eat well now.

Thus, in a certain restaurant in this city, a peculiar scene unfolded: a young man with a rather refined appearance sat alone, yet he had ordered an entire table full of dozens of dishes and was devouring them ravenously, as if he hadn't eaten in hundreds of years.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the entire large table of dishes was cleared out by him like a whirlwind. Then, under the astonished gazes of many in the restaurant, he licked his lips and shouted, "Waiter, another table!"

Another… table?!

Was this young man a manifestation of the gluttonous beast Taotie?

This was the thought in everyone's mind in the restaurant. They simply couldn't imagine that someone who looked so refined could eat more than an elephant.

He Heng was pointed at by countless people, yet his expression remained unchanged. He continued to devour table after table of food, as if no one else were present.

A joke! Why would he care about the opinions of these common folk? Just as an elephant never cared about the existence of ants, how could a true dragon care about a python?

As He Heng continued his gluttonous feast, a young man in green suddenly walked towards him.

This young man had originally been sitting at a table next to him. He was not only handsome but also appeared refined and delicate. Although his attire was not particularly luxurious, it was tailored to fit him perfectly, and the material was of high quality, clearly indicating he was a well-bred young master from a prominent family.

Such a person would naturally attract attention wherever he went.

Now, this young man was abruptly walking over. He Heng didn't know why, nor did he want to know. The young man in blue, however, had already reached him, cupped his fists, and smiled, saying, "I, your humble servant, would not dare to disturb your dining pleasure, but seeing your excellent appetite, I couldn't help but come over to meet you."

"Oh, have you seen enough?" He Heng didn't even look up, chewing on a large piece of ham and muttering, "If you've seen enough, hurry up and leave. Don't disturb my meal."

If it were anyone else, being so obviously told to leave by He Heng would have made them furious, either cursing him or walking away.

However, this young man in blue was different. Not only was he not angered, but he smiled and said, "My friend is truly genuine, unlike those hypocrites. I must get to know you better."

He Heng still ignored him, burying his head in his food. At this moment, his wife also came over and offered He Heng a toast, drinking half a jar in one go.

His wife was a dignified and graceful woman, with a captivating presence and the beauty to make fish sink and geese fall from the sky. Her delicate eyebrows were lightly drawn, and she wore no makeup, yet her beauty was devoid of any worldly charm.

However, there was always a hint of melancholy in her eyes, and her complexion was unnaturally pale, as if she were ill, and quite seriously so. Yet, this sickly beauty was the most captivating.

Of the ten people in the restaurant, nine pairs of eyes were fixed on her.

As soon as her gaze shifted, the eyes of all the men in the room would become dazed. If anyone didn't look at her, they must have been so drunk that they were completely insensible.

However, perhaps no one expected that such a seemingly delicate woman would have such a high tolerance for alcohol.

He Heng also glanced at her. It was dusk, and the lights in the restaurant illuminated the space, dispelling the darkness.

The light shone obliquely, falling directly on her face.

He Heng's gaze, along with the light, fell upon her face simultaneously.

It was a face almost flawless, with contours and lines so perfect they seemed like a meticulously carved sculpture.

But this beautiful face was missing something.

From He Heng's perspective, he could clearly see her eyebrows, but she had no eyebrows at all. Her eyebrows were entirely drawn on.

"Interesting. I think I know who they are." He Heng suddenly looked up, glanced at the two of them, and feigned indignation, saying, "What is your intention in coming to me? What do you want? Don't try to deceive me with talk of friendship."

The young man exchanged a glance with his wife, then cupped his fists and smiled, saying, "I am Li Yuhan. This is my humble wife, Liu Wumei."

He Heng let out a sudden laugh, looking at the two of them and saying, "Wumei, isn't that 'no eyebrows'?"

"My friend jokes," Li Yuhan's expression faltered for a moment, then returned to normal as she maintained her smile.

Liu Wumei, however, smiled charmingly and said, "Actually, my original name wasn't Wumei. It's just that when I was young, I had a serious illness. Although I didn't die, my eyebrows fell out completely... My current eyebrows are drawn on. Can't Your Excellency see that?"

Normally, if someone had such a condition, they would hide it and try to conceal it. If others mentioned it, they would only become angry. But she was different; she brought it up herself, which was truly surprising.

At this point, Li Yuhan stepped forward and said, "Is my friend perhaps Bai Yu Jing, the 'Longevity Sword'?"

"You recognize me?" He Heng said "surprised."

"Naturally," Li Yuhan said, seemingly excited. "When my father commented on the famous swordsmen of the world, he once said that Brother Bai's 'Longevity Sword' style is unique, with its sword moves, intent, and momentum perfectly blended into one, reaching the realm of miraculous creation. It is similar to the 'Flying Immortal Beyond the Heavens' of the White Cloud City Lord, but it lacks a bit of his loneliness and desolation, possessing more harmony with all things, transcendence, and detachment. He is truly a top swordsman of this era. I never expected that today, Yuhan would have the opportunity to meet Brother Bai. It is truly a blessing of three lifetimes."

He Heng hesitated for a moment and said, "May I ask who your esteemed father is?"

"My father is Li Guanyu of Yongcui Mountain Villa," Li Yuhan's eyes showed a rare hint of pride.

"So it's the 'Number One Under Heaven' sword, Senior Li Guanyu. My apologies, my apologies," He Heng said, seemingly also becoming solemn.

Unexpectedly, Li Yuhan repeatedly waved her hands and said, "Alas, my friend is too kind. Although my father was indeed known as the 'Number One Under Heaven' swordsman in the past, that title was taken by Young Master Xie San twenty years ago. The sword dao is flourishing in the jianghu now, with Xue Yiren, Ye Gucheng, Ximen Chuixue, and Brother Bai, all peerless swordsmen who appear once in several hundred years. My father is long no longer the 'Number One Under Heaven' sword."

He Heng shook his head and said, "Brother Li, please don't be modest. Who doesn't know that Senior Li, back then, invited thirty-one of the most famous swordsmen in the world to the Sword Pool, by the trial sword stone, to brew tea and test their swords? Yet, Senior Li, with a single ancient 'fish intestine' sword and his eighty-one 'Lingfeng' sword techniques, made all thirty-one famous swordsmen wholeheartedly convinced, proclaiming him the 'Number One Under Heaven' swordsman. How dare we juniors compare ourselves to Senior Li."

Unexpectedly, Li Yuhan said with some sadness, "Brother Bai, you don't know, but my father unfortunately contracted an incurable disease many years ago and has been bedridden ever since. It has been ten years since he last wielded a sword. Therefore, he believes that in today's world, the foremost in sword techniques is Young Master Xie San. He has been famous for decades, once defeated the Demon Cult Leader on the peak of the Qilian Mountains, and fought the peerless swordsman Yan Shisan. He has now sealed himself in the Hidden Sword Hut for over a decade, returning from brilliance to simplicity. His sword techniques have long since advanced further, achieving a realm akin to that of gods and immortals. He himself believes he has not touched this realm. The title of 'Number One Under Heaven' is truly well-deserved."

"And below Young Master Xie San, whether it be Xue Yiren, Ye Gucheng, Ximen Chuixue, or Brother Bai, their sword techniques are not inferior to his. One day, they will surely be able to challenge Young Master Xie San." Li Yuhan seemed to look deeply at He Heng.

He Heng smiled and said, "Senior Li is too generous. How could my humble sword skills compare to his."

"Brother Bai, don't be modest. Although my father can no longer wield a sword, his eyesight is still sharp, and his sword dao realm progresses daily. If he says you are not inferior to him, it must be true," Li Yuhan smiled slightly and then said, "Brother Bai, I would like to invite you to my Yongcui Mountain Villa. If my father sees such an outstanding swordsman as you, he will surely be very happy."

"Mmm, this concubine also hopes Young Master Bai will grant this wish," Liu Wumei also smiled charmingly at this moment, her eyes flowing with light, and requested of He Heng.

He Heng "pondered" for a moment, then said, "Bai naturally wishes to meet Senior Li as well. Moreover, you two are so hospitable, Bai naturally cannot refuse."

Upon hearing He Heng's words, Li Yuhan laughed heartily and said, "Haha, Brother Bai is indeed heroic and straightforward, worthy of being a famous swordsman of his generation. Come, tonight we shall drink heartily, and tomorrow we will set off for Yongcui Mountain Villa."

Saying this, he directly took He Heng's hand and led him to the third floor, to a room. He called for the waiter to bring several large jars of fine wine and another table of dishes. Sitting with Liu Wumei on one side, he drank heartily with He Heng. He Heng also had his own intentions, and with each harboring their own schemes, they drank with great pleasure, appearing to be enjoying themselves as host and guest.