Beneath the eaves of the blue-tiled courtyard, Qu Yong was copying Zhang Xu, the Sage of Cursive Calligraphy's "Desire to Return Calligraphy." The Cangwu Sword lay across his knees, green light seeping through the cracks in its rotting wooden sheath.
As he finished the copy and set down the final stroke, the ink in his inkstone suddenly boiled. Qu Yong raised his head and looked at the dazzling sword light hurtling through the air, involuntarily recalling his audience with Sect Master Dongfang a few days earlier.
Accompanied by several elders, this legendary supreme master of the Sword Dao met Qu Yong, merely nodded in approval, and told him, "You are very good," before handing him his own Cangwu Sword.
The gesture had stunned not only Qu Yong but also Xiao Buyi and the other elders. They exchanged looks, their faces full of disbelief, and when they looked at Qu Yong again, their expressions had become deeply intriguing.
As Qu Yong repeatedly tried to decline, not daring to accept it, Dongfang Shikai had said only, "When an elder gives you a gift, you must not refuse!"
Qu Yong had no answer. He could only steel himself and accept the Cangwu Sword, a gift that burned his hands.
Sect Master Dongfang seemed to have little interest in such mundane sect affairs and said very little throughout the meeting. Instead, the elders offered Qu Yong praise and encouragement.
Bewildered and overwhelmed by the honor, Qu Yong left the sword hut. As he walked down the rugged mountain path, Dongfang Shikai's voice reached his ears, quiet but exceptionally clear-"I hear Dongfang Jian keeps provoking you... teach him how to behave. If you dare not accept his challenge because of his status... that would be a desecration of the Sword Dao!"
At the recollection, the