Deng Yan's family circumstances could only be considered average. It was no grand residence, merely a somewhat dilapidated little courtyard. There was scarcely any sign of life within; from outside, only a few traces of martial training could be seen on the ground.
Jiang Che stood outside the courtyard and examined it for a moment before signaling Xu Chenghu to knock.
Very soon.
Deng Yan emerged from the inner room with a longsword at his waist and opened the gate. When he saw that the visitors were Jiang Che and his group, a flicker of surprise crossed his gloomy face.
"How are your injuries?"
Jiang Che's attitude now stood in stark contrast to how he had acted at the training ground. Back then, he had been domineering and had looked down on the former West City Martial Camp men. Now, he seemed like an old friend.
"Th-they're fine."
Deng Yan subconsciously glanced at his left arm.
Jiang Che's punch had landed solidly on his forearm. Had he not reacted quickly and concentrated his remaining inner breath there, his arm would have been snapped on the spot. Even so,
his bones and tendons had still been injured, and he needed time to recuperate.
Fortunately, it was his left arm that had been hurt. Had it been his right, more than half his strength would have been rendered useless.
"Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?"
Jiang Che asked with a smile.
Whether from his earlier investigation or from his own interactions with him, Jiang Che could now more or less judge what kind of temperament Deng Yan had.
Solitary, gloomy, taciturn, and obsessed with the saber as though it were his life.
He was a genuine martial fanatic, one who barely understood ordinary human affairs.
Otherwise, with Deng Yan's strength, if he had only known how to maneuver a little, the West City Martial Camp would have gained another deputy commander.
"Please."
Deng Yan stepped aside and bowed slightly, showing his respect for Jiang Che.
He might not understand social customs, but he revered Jiang Che's strength.
Jiang Che was younger than him, yet far stronger. Such a man deserved his reverence. As for the county officials who knew only how to scrape the people's flesh and blood, stuffing themselves until their bellies bulged with grease, he despised them from the bottom of his heart.
The room Deng Yan lived in was even more spartan. Other than a table and a bed, the only thing inside was a weapon rack, upon which rested more than a dozen long sabers.
The sabers were all identical in style. The sole difference was that some were wooden sabers, some rusty sabers, some broken sabers, and some intact long sabers.
The moment Jiang Che entered, the weapon rack drew his attention, and he could not help studying it.
"This subordinate began practicing saber techniques at twelve, starting with a wooden saber. Ten years have passed since then. These are the witnesses of my years of training," Deng Yan said in a deep voice.
"You have perseverance."
Jiang Che could not help nodding.
Only then did he understand why Deng Yan's foundation was so solid.
When he had sparred with Deng Yan, he had relied entirely on his cultivation and the perfected Mighty Ox Stance Technique. At the beginning, Deng Yan had shown no signs of defeat. He had merely exhausted himself too severely and had been forced to take a desperate gamble.
If Deng Yan had possessed enough stamina, it was still uncertain who would have won.
"This subordinate merely has perseverance without talent." Deng Yan laughed self-mockingly.
"That is only because you have put the cart before the horse."
"What does my lord mean?"
"Your foundation in saber techniques is indeed incomparably solid. But in my view, one's cultivation is the root of the body. If your cultivation advanced another step and reached the Bone Forging Realm, how formidable would every move and stance become then?"
That was Jiang Che's view.
"This..."
Deng Yan wanted to refute him, but facing Jiang Che, who had defeated him, he found himself speechless.
"Of course, I am not saying it is wrong to focus on saber techniques. It is merely that the two should at least advance side by side. Using the body to wield the art is the proper path of martial cultivation. Still, everyone has their own views.
Who is right and who is wrong will require time to prove."
"I shall remember my lord's teachings."
Deng Yan nodded.
In the courtyard.
Deng Yan brewed a pot of wild tea, poured several cups, and served them to the group.
"The conditions are simple. I hope my lord will not take offense."
"Hahaha, you think too highly of Jiang here. Just a few months ago, I was merely a fisherman on the Qinglin River. It was only through a fortunate coincidence that I came this far.
This wild tea... suits my taste perfectly."
Jiang Che lifted the teacup and took a sip.
It was not as good as Liu Zhi's pot of Calming Tea, but this ordinary wild tea had its own unique flavor.
"This subordinate had long heard of my lord's past and deeply admires you."
A mere fisherman turning his life around within a matter of days.
It could be called a model of rising against the odds.
At the very least, he could not accomplish such a thing.
His family had once been considered wealthy as well, but it had fallen into its present state because of his martial training. Yet Deng Yan had always believed that as long as he could advance another step, such worldly possessions would be within easy reach.
"I had heard of you long ago as well."
Jiang Che said with a faint smile.
"Even if this subordinate has some reputation, it is probably only for being stubbornly hidebound and treating the saber as life itself, yes?"
"What is wrong with that? Only perseverance can lead to success. If you can become invincible in Yanggu, if the saber in your hand defeats every expert within a hundred miles, then all they will feel is reverence."
"My lord thinks so too?"
Deng Yan raised his head, and a spark of fire flashed in his eyes.
"Otherwise, why would I have come here?"
"My lord... has great insight."
Deng Yan clasped his fists sincerely.
"Ah, this is not the yamen. Why keep calling me by my official title? You are a man of temperament as well. We may address each other as brothers." Jiang Che waved a hand, appearing utterly unconcerned.
"I... I..."
A warm current surged through Deng Yan's heart.
If Jiang Che had not been his superior in strength, treating him as an equal would have been nothing more than recruitment and appeasement. Yet his own little strength was not even enough to withstand a single exchange with Jiang Che, and still Jiang Che afforded him such respect.
It left Deng Yan overcome with shame.
"I will not hide it from you. I came this time for two reasons. First, to visit you. Second, to tell you something."
Jiang Che struck while the iron was hot and continued.
"Please speak, my lord."
Deng Yan hurriedly said.
"I recognize both your strength and character. By all rights, you had a great chance at becoming deputy commander, but I took that chance from you. This matter..."
"My lord need not say so. This subordinate understands. Even without my lord, it would have been difficult for me to take the deputy commander's seat. That day, I was only unwilling to accept it."
Deng Yan shook his head. Of course he knew that unless he had someone powerful backing him, he had no hope at all of climbing to a high position.
"It is good that you can see it that way. In truth, your current shortcoming is that you lack someone to back you. And I can give you that."
"Give it to me?"
"The world knows that Commander Liu and I are both Captain Zhu's trusted men. I will not sit in the deputy commander's position for long. Afterward, I will recommend you to Captain Zhu."
Jiang Che began painting a grand promise to fool this honest man.
Yet the effect was surprisingly good.
Hearing Jiang Che's promise, Deng Yan immediately rose and bowed low.
"Since my lord does not disdain me, from this day onward, this subordinate shall die for my lord if need be, repaying your kindness."
"Huzi, bring the wine."
With a solemn expression, Jiang Che raised a wine bowl. He then immediately took out the prepared small knife, cut open his palm, and let several drops of blood fall into it. Raising it high toward Heaven, he said,
"Brother Deng is indeed a man of true temperament, and I, Jiang Che, have always kept my word. Today, I mix blood into this wine as my promise to you. Within half a year, I will surely raise you to the position of deputy commander!"