Chapter Thirteen: Grasping the Sword

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Chu Muye seemed to have caught the subtle jab hidden in Si Hougui’s words. He smiled slightly and pointed at Chen Zhian, saying, “Speaking of which, my friend’s son actually has some talent. He’s been stuck in a small place, never traveled to famous mountains or rivers, never met any strong or accomplished masters, nor received instruction from any prestigious sect. Perhaps if he had been born in Xuantian Capital, into a noble family with inheritance and guidance, he might have achieved something remarkable.”

Chen Zhian’s expression shifted slightly.

He turned to look at Chu Muye, who had already returned to the stone table, his demeanor calm. Facing Wang Xixia, who sat opposite him, Chu Muye said, “I invited my friend’s son here to serve tea with a private intention. The Jingcang Sword Pavilion has the sword talisman technique; by grasping a sword, one can discern swordsmanship talent. But I do not know whether this young man can truly learn the sword.”

Si Hougui’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Just a few days ago, he had noticed in the courtyard that Chen Zhian had manifested blood energy but did not know how to circulate it. At seventeen or eighteen years old, with such dullness, how could he possibly have swordsmanship talent?

Yet Wang Xixia heard Chu Muye’s words without hesitation. He drew the long sword at his waist, formed a sword finger with two fingers of his left hand, and pointed at the sword’s gleaming white blade. Instantly, a deep and robust aura flowed out, swiftly merging into the sword until it vanished. Then Wang Xixia lightly snapped his fingers, and the sword flew up, hovering three feet above the stone table, shining brilliantly.

“This sword is named ‘Boxlight’,” Wang Xixia explained. “It is a renowned sword forged through myriad temperings. The sword itself possesses spirit, and combined with the sword talisman technique, if one can grasp this sword without being hindered by its sword aura, there is hope to glimpse the path of the sword and even comprehend the meaning of swordsmanship.”

“To glimpse the meaning of swordsmanship…” How many sword cultivators throughout the world dream of achieving that?

“Chen Zhian, give it a try,” Chu Muye said.

Si Hougui finally looked at Chen Zhian, thinking, “A sword forged through myriad temperings is naturally sharp. Chen Zhian’s blood energy is weak; if he grips the sword, he will surely be injured by the Boxlight sword. Chu Muye is a formidable cultivator—how could he be so careless?”

He inwardly hoped for success, especially recalling his own renowned second uncle, who had regretted all his life due to Chen Zhian’s father, Chen Shuijun, and his unfulfilled obsession. The thought made him uneasy.

Chen Shuijun, born humble and scholarly, had the audacity to approach the Li family’s doorstep and fathered a bastard like Chen Zhian, preventing his uncle’s spiritual cultivation from reaching completion. It was truly… despicable. Yet his uncle was magnanimous and did not hold grudges against Chen Shuijun.

Si Hougui thought, “If Chen Zhian dares to grasp the sword, he will surely be harmed…”

Before his thoughts settled, Chen Zhian had already stood, casually placed his hand on the sword, and gripped the Boxlight sword!

“Is it just about holding the sword?” Chen Zhian asked.

Chu Muye, Wang Xixia, and Zhao Qingzhang had yet to react, and even Si Hougui furrowed his brow.

Wang Xixia clicked his tongue in admiration, about to speak, when Chen Zhian suddenly tightened his grip on Boxlight and lightly moved his arm.

Immediately!

An astonishing scene unfolded.

It was as if he plucked a star from the heavens.

The sword talisman at the center of Boxlight flickered faintly.

Standing before these extraordinary men, Chen Zhian plucked the sword forged through countless temperings from thin air.

Boxlight showed no resistance.

Chen Zhian felt a sharpness in his blood energy the moment he grasped the sword, a slight sting of pain.

But beyond that, no discomfort.

Boxlight remained still; the sword talisman showed no abnormality.

“The sword and talisman remain unmoved. Lord Chu, what is the background of this youth? He truly is a promising sword disciple!”

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The way of the sword possesses spirit; learning swordsmanship requires not only diligence but also innate talent.

Wang Xixia’s black robe fluttered slightly, surprise brightening his usually expressionless face.

Chu Muye clapped his hands and laughed heartily. “Indeed! My friend was also a swordsman, but his sword path was long abandoned after he resigned from office. So I guessed that his son might have some sword talent—I never expected to be right.”

Chen Zhian, observing Chu Muye’s evident joy, suddenly felt that this friend of his father’s genuinely rejoiced in his sword talent.

He put down the Boxlight sword and poured more tea for Chu Muye.

Si Hougui’s expression turned sour.

He could not understand how just days ago, Chen Zhian could not withstand the aura he had released. Yet now, Chen Zhian not only gripped the sword pavilion’s treasured sword and sword talisman but had even plucked Boxlight from empty air without injury.

“How could one who does not know how to circulate qi and blood pluck a sword forged through myriad temperings so easily?” Si Hougui took a deep breath. “Was Chen Zhian mocking me that day? He must have cultivated qi and refined his body with blood energy!”

Si Hougui had only pretended to be angry back then to tease Chen Shuijun’s son while his father was away. But now, it seemed he was the one who had been played, fueling his anger. Had he not spent so long mingling in Xuantian Capital, he might not have been able to suppress it.

Wang Xixia remained excited. He lowered his head in thought, took a jade pendant from his waist, and placed it on the stone table. “After meeting Lord Chu here, I must hurry to Wei State and will not return for a year or more. If you are willing, take this jade pendant to Jingcang Sword Pavilion by the Helou River in Nanshan Prefecture. The sword path there is sharp as the summit of Pokuyun Peak; the sword aura can pierce the clouds and cut through the sky’s ten-mile veil! Your ability to hold my Boxlight sword proves your affinity with the Sword Pavilion’s path.”

He looked Chen Zhian over for several breaths. “It’s a pity your cultivation is somewhat weak; you likely have yet to manifest true essence. However… since you have sword talent, you can catch up with cultivation.”

“Thank you, senior.” Chen Zhian considered briefly and picked up the jade pendant.

Suddenly, the Heavenly Jade Capital map in his mind flickered, and Kunlun Marsh’s mist rose.

Looking closely, he saw a faint light yellow aura within the jade pendant.

“The aura of Chi Zhongjiang is red, the fish and rabbit meat my father brought back are vermilion-orange, but this jade pendant has a faint light yellow aura. I wonder what its origin is.”

“Or perhaps, with my current cultivation, I cannot yet perceive more of the light yellow aura within.”

As he pondered, something astonishing happened.

The Heavenly Jade Capital map in his mind ceased flickering and suddenly unfolded!

The mysterious aura from the jade pendant seemed attracted by the map, slowly drifting from the pendant into Chen Zhian’s forehead.

Chen Zhian cleared his throat and looked at the assembled guests.

None of these extraordinary figures appeared to notice the aura emanating from the pendant.

Meanwhile, the Heavenly Jade Capital map in his mind was undergoing subtle changes.

“A section of the map… has been illuminated,” he murmured to himself.

At this moment, Zhao Qingzhang and Wang Xixia rose and departed separately, never exchanging a word.

Si Hougui’s visit to Chu Muye’s courtyard was clearly more than a mere courtesy.

Yet with Chen Zhian present, Si Hougui could only take his leave, casting a cold glance at Chen Zhian that made him chuckle.

It was late at night; only Chu Muye and Chen Zhian remained in the courtyard.

Chu Muye looked at Chen Zhian with some emotion. “I’ve only been in Sunan Prefecture for half a year and already feel the southern dampness seeping into my bones. I can’t imagine how your father lived here for eighteen years.”

Chen Zhian vaguely understood that the dampness was not merely in the air.

“It seems your father must have gone through many trials before coming to Sunan Prefecture,” he thought.

Chu Muye looked into Chen Zhian’s eyes and suddenly said, “Your eyes resemble your mother’s closely… She was once famed across the world for her beauty and was a remarkable woman. Unfortunately, fate is cruel; that incident destroyed both your father and your mother.”

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At this, Chu Muye gestured for Chen Zhian to drink tea.

Since guests had been present, Chen Zhian’s tea had cooled. He drank it down. As the tea’s fragrance blossomed within his mouth, it seemed to permeate his viscera, invigorating his qi and blood.

For a moment, the circulation of qi and blood in Chen Zhian’s body quickened noticeably.

“This tea… is indeed exceptional,” Chen Zhian thought.

When Chu Muye mentioned Chen Zhian’s mother, his expression remained unchanged but showed some surprise.

“Your father told me he did not reveal your origins to you,” Chu Muye said.

Chen Zhian smiled wryly. “Indeed, my father never spoke much about it. But recently, General Li Bodu of the Xuanzi Army and the third young master Si came to Qihuang Street… observing their behavior and words, and piecing things together, it is not hard to guess. It’s just the story of a poor scholar and a wealthy lady. I’ve heard many such tales. I suppose General Li Bodu is probably my mother’s family.”

“He is your maternal uncle,” Chu Muye asked with curiosity. “In today’s Dayu, familial ranks surpass even mountains and mud; unless one is a peerless genius, breaking their rules is impossible. It’s rare for a noblewoman to marry a poor scholar. Where did you hear such a thing?”

Chen Zhian was momentarily at a loss. After a few moments, a strong yearning welled up in his mind. He knew this desire was the obsession left by his body’s original owner, yet he could not help but ask, “Lord Chu… what is my mother’s name?”

“She was Li Yinxī, once the most extraordinary woman in Xuantian Capital,” Chu Muye said, narrowing his eyes as if recalling distant memories.

Chen Zhian wanted to ask more, but Chu Muye suddenly shook his head. “Since your father has not told you, if I reveal it, he might blame me. Besides… there are many brewing troubles in Xuantian Capital, far from here. Knowing too much might not be good for you. Since you are already cultivating, focus on your practice. I will stay in Sunan Prefecture for a while. If you encounter anything, you can come find me in this small courtyard.”

“Also, take good care of the jade pendant Wang Xixia gave you. The Jingcang Sword Pavilion is extraordinary, ranked ninth among the mysterious sects of Dayu. If you have the chance, visit the Pavilion. If your talent impresses one of the sword masters there, it will be beneficial for you,” Chu Muye carefully advised.

Chen Zhian sensed his concern and asked, “Lord Chu, are you friends with my father?”

“Just call me Uncle Chu,” Chu Muye looked up at the lush ginkgo trees. “Yes, I remember when your father was very young, he once got drunk with me for three days. In his drunken haze, he said this was just a temporary drunken stupor, and once his heart’s wish was fulfilled, he would come back to find me and share countless drunken laughs with me. Eighteen years have passed, and he has never drunk with me again.”

“What was my father’s wish?” Chen Zhian asked vaguely.

Chu Muye turned to look at him.

Chen Zhian realized the answer: it was his mother.

—

That night, Chen Zhian returned home.

Along the way, his thoughts swirled. For two years, he had often dreamed of the woman in white, seeing the tears in her eyes.

“Lineage, gentry… matches of status…” Chen Zhian murmured these words as he entered his home.

Chen Shuijun was likely asleep. Chen Zhian went to his room, shaking off the turmoil in his mind.

With a thought, the Heavenly Jade Capital map slowly unfolded in his mind.

As his thought settled, he saw a new palace appear in the southern flow of the eastern city suspended in the map.

“The light yellow aura from the jade pendant must be connected to this palace.”

“What lies inside?”