A broad heart, a boundless world

Only then did Jinghong recover from her shock. She hurriedly bowed. "Congratulations, sir, on being acknowledged as the master of a divine weapon!"

Within her heart, towering waves were already crashing.

The [Wind-Raising Sword], Marquis Wu's personal blade, had awakened and chosen a master today, after nearly five hundred years!

Once this news spread, it would do far more than shake the court and the country. The entire Jianghu would surely turn its gaze toward him!

Who was Marquis Wu?

A peerless genius for the ages, his wisdom bordering on the uncanny, his talents capable of ordering heaven and earth!

His sword had concealed its radiance for centuries. At the root of it, wasn't that precisely because its proud spirit had yet to encounter a worthy master? Yet now, it had willingly chosen Lu Changfeng... Could this seemingly detached Mr. Lu possess a destiny and fortune that rivaled Marquis Wu's? Or did he bear some mission unknown to others?

The thought sent Jinghong's heart surging. I must report every detail to Her Highness at once!

Lu Changfeng, on the other hand, felt little about it.

He was already growing somewhat numb.

How many days had it been since he crossed into this world? He already had a basketful of enemies.

He had treated patients and saved lives, obtained the "Shennong Glazed Glass Art," and made an enemy of Medicine King Valley in the process; offered alcohol and perfume to win favor, only to offend Gao Jian; cured Su Bonian, gained clues to the Two Zhang Treasures, disrupted the plans of the Prince of Liang's Residence, and offended Wu Sansi; made an appearance at the elegant gathering, sent Anle swooning, and stirred envy, jealousy, and hatred in a whole crowd...

Now he could add being chosen by Marquis Wu's sword to the list...

If he went out carrying it, who knew how many people would seethe with resentment?

"Whatever. Let them do what they want."

A poem flashed through Lu Changfeng's mind: The world has no troubles of its own; fools trouble themselves. With a broad heart, heaven and earth stretch wide; surely ambitions that soar to the clouds shall be fulfilled.

"Let's set those cloud-soaring ambitions aside for now. But when it comes to having a broad heart, I'm no worse than anyone. Come at me if you've got what it takes!"

Lu Changfeng drew a deep breath, and his entire bearing changed. He began to take the attitude of smashing an already cracked pot. If acting cautiously and simply being myself still drags me into a whirlpool and leaves me with a pile of enemies, why should I keep swallowing my grievances? I'll live if I can, and if I can't, there's no point hiding and covering things up! I haven't done anything wrong, so why the hell should I bend to anyone else?!

Hum!

As though sensing its master's will, the [Wind-Raising Sword] trembled lightly in his hand, giving off a pleasing, windlike chime.

"..."

The corner of Lu Changfeng's mouth twitched. This sword really might have something wrong with it. Then he chuckled, sheathed it, and laid it horizontally across the back of his waist.

Jinghong vaguely sensed another change in Mr. Lu's bearing.

Lu Changfeng looked at her and casually asked, "Since these are the Eight Swords of the Shu Lords, where are the other seven now? Are they also here in the Pivot of Heaven Pavilion?"

At his question, Jinghong gathered her thoughts and answered respectfully, "Sir, the eight swords have been scattered for centuries, and their traces are difficult to find. According to the intelligence we have, Emperor Zhaolie's 'Heaven-Covering Sword' was buried with him in the Huiling Mausoleum and lies deep underground; Crown Prince Liu Shan's 'Earth-Bearing Sword' reportedly passed into the Wei-Jin court when Shu Han fell, and its whereabouts afterward are unknown; there were once rumors of Prince of Lu Liu Yong's 'Serpent-Coiling Sword' appearing near Nanzhao; and Prince of Liang Liu Li's 'Bird-Soaring Sword' is believed to be within the Sword Mound of the Swordplay Pavilion, a major sect in Jiangnan."

She paused, then continued, "As for Guan Yu's 'Cloud-Draping Sword,' it seems to have vanished into seclusion along with the Guan descendants; Zhang Fei's 'Tiger-Wing Sword' passed into the Northern Lands and is most likely in the hands of the Ten-Thousand Horses Gang, the largest gang in Jianghu; and Zhao Yun's 'Dragon-Soaring Sword'... Secret reports suggest it may be in the hands of Yang Kaitian, the Great Vehicle Sect's Welcoming Left Envoy!"

Jinghong's expression grew solemn. "When we surrounded and attacked the Great Vehicle Sect a few days ago, Yang Kaitian fought his way out with a fifth-tier spirit sword. An inscription could faintly be seen on its blade: 'The dragon roars in the depths; a crimson heart, steadfast in solitary loyalty.' It should be the long-lost [Dragon-Soaring Sword]."

Lu Changfeng nodded.

Since the [Wind-Raising Sword] could awaken, the other seven swords of the same caliber naturally could as well.

If those seven swords had changed hands repeatedly over the centuries, nourished by their masters' qi, their power might well surpass that of the Wind-Raising Sword in its current state!

Spiritual energy was reviving, and the curtain was rising.

He needed to hurry with his own cultivation, too.

Lu Changfeng now had five-hundred-year-old [fleeceflower root] and the fourth-tier spiritual herb [seven-colored purple vine], so he was not short of heavenly materials and earthly treasures for the moment. His immediate priority was still to complete Taiping's assignment and study the arts of gu poison, both to treat patients and save lives in the future and for the treasure left behind by the Two Zhangs-the Blood Tai Sui!

That thing was practically a perpetual-motion machine!

It could regrow after being cut, and drinking it could also make one's internal energy surge, advancing a thousand miles in a day.

If not for its flaw, possessing this treasure alone would allow one to produce experts in batches!

And that was only a single Blood Tai Sui. The "Record of Strange Tales from Mountains and Seas" contained so many other bizarre and powerful things. If they all emerged and he encountered them someday, even Taiping might not be able to protect him.

To forge iron, one must first be strong oneself. He needed to hurry and study these things, then put them to use!

He would start with this Blood Tai Sui!

Having made up his mind, Lu Changfeng said, "Sorry for the trouble, but please take me to the second floor. I'd like to consult the Gu Department's texts... While I'm asking, how does Her Highness intend to deal with that Gu Formation?" He added, "I'm only curious. If you can't answer, just pretend I never asked."

Taiping surely had a backup plan. She could not possibly be relying entirely on a beginner like him.

Jinghong led the way, taking Lu Changfeng down to the second floor as she said, "Her Highness has already instructed us that there is no need to conceal this matter from you. The gu poison of the Miao Borderlands is immensely powerful, and Chi Ming's Gu Formation is the greatest of its kind there. To break it, we must fight poison with poison! Her Highness has sent people to the Miao Borderlands to seek help. The Nanzhao Kingdom received her kindness in years past, and their experts will arrive within days!"

Lu Changfeng nodded, thinking this must have happened during Wu Zetian's reign.

Princess Taiping's connections truly were breathtaking!

Lu Changfeng entered the Gu Department's secret chamber, pulled out a "Gu Canon" explaining gu arts at random, and began reading on his own.

Jinghong bowed slightly. "Please read here at your leisure, sir. This servant will return and report to Her Highness."

Without even raising his head, Lu Changfeng said, "Thanks for your efforts," already absorbed in the Gu Canon in his hands.

Jinghong quietly withdrew from the chamber, closed the door, and swiftly left the Pivot of Heaven Pavilion.

She first went to the Snow Listening Tower and told Qing Dai to go attend Lu Changfeng-Qing Dai had not been eligible to attend the gathering, and upon hearing that Lu Changfeng had returned to the residence, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and immediately hurried to the Pivot of Heaven Pavilion to find him. Then, without further delay, Jinghong returned to the Nine-Shao Music Bureau and reported the [Wind-Raising Sword]'s awakening and acknowledgment of its master to Taiping.

At that very moment, inside the main hall of the Nine-Shao Music Bureau.

The refined music and exquisite dancing had ended, and the gathering had entered its next stage: informal socializing.

The atmosphere in the hall had grown much more relaxed. Guests were no longer constrained by seating arrangements and etiquette, and could leave their seats to offer toasts and converse.

This was also the true time for transactions. Countless exchanges of power and wealth were linked together now, countless pieces of intelligence traded. Princess Taiping could also use the occasion to speak openly with the assembled court officials, exert her influence, and strengthen her network of power. Their topics ranged from canal transport in Lianghuai and arms supplies for the Shuofang Army to horse administration in Longyou, and disturbances in Jianghu caused by heretical sects and rebels.

This was the true centerpiece of the elegant gathering-a silent battlefield concerning shifts in court politics, exchanges of interests, and the forging of connections, with refinement as its backdrop and strings and flutes as its cover.

As the saying went, small matters called for large meetings, while great matters called for small ones. Such was precisely the case.

Today, however, was somewhat different.

The shock Lu Changfeng had caused was simply too great. Even after he had left, its ripples still kept everyone's hearts unsettled. Before they knew it, every conversation had shifted its focus to him!