Jiang Che's words, along with his respectful treatment of worthy men, truly moved Deng Yan. Deng Yan quickly declared:
"My lord treats me so well. From this day forth, I, Deng Yan, will repay you even with my life. This subordinate asks for no position as deputy commander; I only wish to serve at your side in the future."
As he spoke, he too picked up a small knife and slit his palm, letting blood drip into the bowl of wine. Then he cupped his hands in salute and was about to drain it in one gulp, only for Jiang Che to raise a hand and stop him.
What a joke. He had gone through such trouble to swindle the palm blood of a blade-wielding martial artist. How could he let Deng Yan drink it away?
"My lord?"
Deng Yan was puzzled and looked at Jiang Che with furrowed brows.
"Since you and I call each other brothers, how can I drink alone? Let us swear by blood, sharing honor and disgrace from this day onward." Jiang Che looked at him sincerely, then took Deng Yan's bowl and appeared to drain it in one gulp.
But while shielding his face, he swiftly stored the bowl of wine in the Heavenly Stele Space.
"Sharing honor and disgrace!"
Deng Yan nodded heavily, lifted Jiang Che's bowl of wine, and drained it in a single swallow.
With things having reached this point, the relationship between them had become harmonious to the extreme. The four men traded cups, and before long, they had emptied the jar of wine they had brought. Jiang Che then had Huzi go buy more wine and meat nearby.
"Since my lord has entered my home, I should be the one buying it."
Deng Yan looked somewhat ashamed.
"You and I are brothers. No need to fuss over such things."
Jiang Che waved a hand, signaling that he need not care.
This trip had truly brought Jiang Che a bargain.
Granted, with Jiang Che's current status, obtaining the palm blood of an Inner Breath Realm blade-wielding martial artist would not have been especially difficult. Still, it would have taken some effort and wasted time.
But now, with only a few words, he had obtained it. At the same time, he had brought a formidable fighter like Deng Yan under his command. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
That day, the four drank until dusk before finally calling it a night.
"Old Deng, I see so many broken blades in your room. Have you collected them over the years?"
Jiang Che looked at the things in the room with a slightly flushed face.
"Yes. This wooden blade was mine."
"And this one was once..."
Deng Yan introduced Jiang Che to some of his experiences from when he had practiced martial arts. He was very happy today. Not only had he resolved their grudges with Jiang Che, but the two had also hit it off remarkably well.
"Actually, I'm a lover of blades as well, especially these battered weapons. They are proof of a martial artist's cultivation. It's just that after my family fell into decline, I could no longer spare attention for such things. They have all been lost by now."
Jiang Che was preparing to fleece Deng Yan for another handful of wool.
"My lord uses a blade in daily life as well? Could I ask my lord to offer me some guidance?"
A trace of delight appeared in Deng Yan's eyes. He was usually a blade fanatic who loved seeking people out to spar. Jiang Che was stronger than him, so he naturally assumed that Jiang Che's attainments in blade techniques were greater as well.
He was practically itching to give it a try.
Jiang Che coughed twice and casually waved a hand.
"I only know a little about blade techniques."
"My lord's stance work is the most solid I have ever seen. I imagine your blade techniques are the same. This subordinate truly hopes my lord can make a move and point out this subordinate's shortcomings."
Deng Yan hurriedly said.
He did not believe Jiang Che's excuse that he only knew a little about blade techniques.
He only thought Jiang Che found his blade skills too weak.
"A spar would naturally be fine, but your arm is injured, so it would not be suitable to fight. How about this? Once you have recovered, you and I can have a match. What do you say?" Jiang Che understood that after the sacrifice, his blade techniques would improve greatly.
He might as well lay the groundwork now.
That would also keep people from being too shocked.
Geniuses were valued, but becoming a monster was another matter entirely.
His talent was truly ordinary. His ability to speed through all kinds of martial arts relied entirely on sacrifice.
At least until he possessed the strength to protect himself, he ought to conceal such terrifying "talent" for martial arts to some extent.
Otherwise, if people discovered that he had never practiced martial arts, yet could comprehend all kinds of techniques without a teacher, it would inevitably draw the attention of certain people.
"Fine. Then once this subordinate has recovered, we shall spar."
There was a slight hint of disappointment in Deng Yan's eyes.
Jiang Che was considering how to get Deng Yan to offer him a few broken blades when the other man unexpectedly spoke first.
"If my lord likes them, please take them. This subordinate cannot use these blades anymore anyway."
It was not that Deng Yan did not understand worldly ways; his heart was simply not in such matters. He could naturally see that Jiang Che seemed quite interested in the long blades on the rack.
"Then Jiang will accept without further ceremony."
Jiang Che nodded and immediately agreed.
After leaving Deng Yan's home, the sky had already gone completely dark. Jiang Che had Geng Dabiao return to rest, while he followed Xu Chenghu back to a courtyard Xu San'er had rented in the western part of the city.
The two sacrificial offerings were complete. Now, he only needed to obtain the last one: Swift Wind Grass.
The courtyard Xu San'er rented was not large, with only three rooms. One was for him and his first wife, one was occupied by Xu Chenghu and his younger brother, and the last served as the kitchen.
Jiang Che also saw Xu San'er's wife for the first time.
She was not yet forty, but her face was incomparably aged, covered in wrinkles. Her gaze was somewhat timid, and she did not dare look at him, only keeping her head lowered as she poured water.
"Commander, you... why have you come?"
Xu San'er rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat nervous.
"Nothing. I simply came along with Huzi to have a look."
Jiang Che smiled.
"Huzi hasn't caused you any trouble, has he?"
Xu San'er looked somewhat anxious.
"He hasn't caused any trouble. By the way, did you handle the matter I told you about today?" Jiang Che swiftly changed the subject.
"I did, I did. Please wait."
Xu San'er immediately rose and went into the room, bringing out a black cloth bundle containing just over a dozen stalks of Swift Wind Grass.
"I had planned to deliver them to you early tomorrow morning. If I had known you were in such a hurry, I would have..." Xu San'er was a shrewd man and quickly guessed that Jiang Che had come to deliver Huzi for this reason.
He then handed the remaining silver back to Jiang Che.
But Jiang Che did not accept it, only taking the Swift Wind Grass.
Swift Wind Grass was not precious, but it was difficult to find. He could guess that Xu San'er had likely spent the entire day searching for it. The remaining silver was less than two taels, so Jiang Che treated it as compensation for his labor.
But he could not put it that way.
"Keep this silver as settling-in money for you and Huzi. Usually, buy Huzi more meat to nourish himself. For one who practices martial arts, if one's blood and qi are insufficient, the more one trains, the more one loses."
"I'll remember that."
"By the way, how is the house search I had you handle going?"
"I found one, but the asking price is a little high. I thought I'd leave him hanging for a few days and press the price down before reporting back to you."
"I'm at ease when you handle things."
Jiang Che nodded slightly. After staying at the Xu household for a while longer, he finally took his leave.
He returned to the inn.
Jiang Che sat cross-legged on the bed and closed his eyes.
His consciousness sank into the Heavenly Stele Space.
Sacrifice target: Cool Wind Blade Momentum, minor mastery. Sacrifice cost: ten drops of palm blood from an Inner Breath Realm blade-wielding martial artist, three rusted broken blades, ten stalks of Swift Wind Grass, and half a year of lifespan. Proceed with sacrifice?
The Swift Wind Grass, the palm blood of an Inner Breath Realm blade-wielding martial artist, and three rust-covered broken blades were all laid out neatly, one by one.
Then, with a thought from Jiang Che—
Sacrifice!