A barely perceptible trace of pride showed in Xu You's eyes as he said:
"When you and I traveled the Five Heavens, I stored swords in rivers and great waterways, nurturing them with the passage of time."
"And when I ventured deep into the mortal dust, I stored swords amid the lights of countless homes, nurturing them with the sufferings of the Mortal Realm."
"When the day comes for Xu Taiping to draw his sword, this sword of the mortal world will sever karma that time cannot sever, and cut down karmic obstacles that the Heavenly Dao cannot cut down!"
"When that time comes, Xu Taiping will possess the mightiest sword strike in all the mortal world."
"Even if that strike cannot cut away all the suffering in the Mortal Realm, it will let the countless mortals mired in misery glimpse a sliver of daylight."
"Then I, Xu You, will have been of some use in this world."
Dongfang Yuejian gazed steadily at Xu You for a long time before letting out a long sigh and shaking her head.
"I had wanted to believe you were different from Xu Taiping."
Xu You smiled.
"Fairy Yuejian, I can be myself, but I will always be Xu Taiping."
At those words, Dongfang Yuejian rose and bowed deeply to Xu You.
Xu You rose to return her bow, then slowly straightened and limped toward the door, taking the firewood cleaver leaning against it into his hand.
Then, stepping over the threshold with his back to Dongfang Yuejian, he said:
"Thank you, Fairy Yuejian, for not intervening when you arrived and killing all these evil ghosts outside the courtyard for me."
"These children of mine were all orphans I took in, but every one of them treated me as their own flesh and blood."