Chapter 36

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

Before going to the top of the pavilion to see his master Li Yishan, Xu Fengnian first went to the second floor to find Bai Huerlian. He was standing on a ladder, flipping through the secret manuals on the upper shelves of the bookcase. The Spring Thunder saber was slung at his waist, with a red cord tied to the hilt. The books Xu Fengnian had moved from the armory to Wudang were all selected by Bai Huerlian. Though both practiced saber techniques, Bai Huerlian's skill and understanding of saber arts far exceeded Xu Fengnian's. Their cultivation levels were like one at the bottom of the ladder and the other at the top. Bai Huerlian was extremely focused and meticulous in everything he did, striving for thoroughness. Xu Fengnian waited for him to finish reading the manual.

Bai Huerlian climbed down the ladder and sized up Xu Fengnian, whom he hadn't seen for a year. His gaze finally settled on the prince's brow. Xu Fengnian's appearance was undoubtedly outstanding, with typical phoenix eyes and silkworm eyebrows. When he smiled mischievously, he exuded a charming and debonair air. However, during their travels, when they met, Xu Fengnian was at his lowest point. Occasionally, when he washed off the mud from his face by a stream, even Bai Huerlian was surprised by his good looks, though his demeanor didn't quite match. Now, with his relentless practice of the saber, he seemed different. What exactly was different, Bai Huerlian didn't ask, but directly slashed with the Spring Thunder saber, exuding a domineering aura.

The Xiu Dong saber followed suit, slicing down.

Bai Huerlian, seeing that the slash had no effect, exclaimed, "Did you learn high-level sword techniques at Wudang?"

Xu Fengnian's right hand, which held the saber, was numb. He slowly sheathed the Xiu Dong and chuckled, "No, but the old Taoist priest gave me a copy of the 'Lushuiting Jiazi Sword Practice Record.' I had nothing to do, so I tried to apply the sword techniques to my saber skills. Interested? It's a secret manual of Wudang's sword techniques, which can't be taken off the mountain, but I've memorized the content. I can make a copy for you?"

Bai Huerlian didn't hesitate and nodded. He walked to the corridor outside the second floor, and Xu Fengnian followed. Bai Huerlian whispered, "The world of the old nine states of Central Plains is almost entirely controlled by the aristocratic families. The scholar-gentry are numerous, like the Langya Wang, Jiayang Xie, Wukang Yao, Boling Cui, and Lujiang He, all of whom are as rich as nations. If the Grand Pillar only destroyed cities and killed tens of thousands of surrendered soldiers, or assassinated the enemy emperors, it wouldn't matter much to some people. But Xu Xiao did something akin to moving Mount Tai to cross the Northern Sea, destroying nearly half of the ten major families. The entire Nan Tang Wukang Yao clan, regardless of age, was wiped out, and the Dong Yue Lujiang He clan was left with only a few orphans and widows. This is precisely what the Liyang Dynasty most wants to see."

Xu Fengnian was puzzled as to why Bai Huerlian was saying this and said, "I know all this; my master mentioned it."

Bai Huerlian smiled, "Don't worry, I come from the Southern Palace family of Beimang, and I have no grudge against you. I'm telling you this to talk about the Great Zheng Nine Grades system, which has been maintained by the aristocratic families for two hundred years."

Xu Fengnian nodded, "Indeed, today's top martial artists seem to follow this ranking system, which saves a lot of effort."

Bai Huerlian whispered, "Like the vacant position of the world's number one, the Great Zheng Nine Grades system generally does not evaluate the highest grade, known as the Holy Grade, which only a sage can qualify for."

Xu Fengnian smiled, "Right, but I heard that a few decades ago, there was a Xie family scholar with extraordinary talent and martial arts skills that reached the level of a sage. He and my master once evaluated the world, with Li Yishan making political and literary evaluations, while the Xie family's pillar made a more significant martial evaluation. The literary evaluation was only half completed before he died. My second sister seems to have the intention to continue it, but she admits that she is far from the Xie family's genius."

The fame of the Northern Xie and Southern Li was once the focus of the world.

Bai Huerlian said calmly, "That person was my father. He died, and those who made the martial list wanted to kill him, and those who didn't make it also wanted to kill him. There was no reason for him to live."

Xu Fengnian was shocked and smiled bitterly, "No wonder you want to be the world's number one."

Bai Huerlian glanced at Xu Fengnian and said slowly, "Your techniques are of medium to low grade, your saber momentum is of medium to high grade, and your internal strength is of medium to low grade. It's not impossible to catch up with me."

Xu Fengnian was taken aback, "Really?"

Bai Huerlian's lips curled slightly, "If I don't advance after forty, you might have a chance."

Xu Fengnian leaned on the railing and said softly, "You're still as honest as Old Huang."

Bai Huerlian glanced at the Xiu Dong saber, which was not dusty, and the last trace of regret in his heart disappeared. He said lightly, "How long can you fool the world?"

Xu Fengnian sighed, "At least until I take over the 300,000 iron cavalry of Beiliang. If I weren't a wasteful playboy, how could the emperor in the capital sleep soundly? If he doesn't sleep well, how could my family sleep comfortably? After all, the whole world is under his control. Xu Xiao has built this family, but he is against the scholar-gentry and the martial world, and there are few reliable allies in the imperial court. In recent years, Beiliang has been continuously divided. My father's friend, Yan Chijun, who rushed to the capital, is not the first and certainly not the last. Li Yishan said that if I were too smart, I wouldn't live long, at least not comfortably. The best outcome would be to go to the capital as a hostage. But if I were too stupid and overacted, the Beiliang iron cavalry would scatter even before Xu Xiao's death. To put it simply, even my 800 elite cavalry in the Phoenix Camp only know Chen Zhileo, not the prince."

Bai Huerlian smiled, "Every family has its own troubles, and it seems that noble families are even more so."

Xu Fengnian subconsciously rubbed the hilt of the Xiu Dong saber, "It's fine. I still have two years to wander. I might soon go on a journey through the martial world. Once I'm done playing, I'll take what should be mine."

Bai Huerlian frowned.

Xu Fengnian noticed this detail and asked, "What's wrong?"

Bai Huerlian returned to the pavilion with a cold face.

Xu Fengnian looked at Bai Huerlian's graceful back and then at the Xiu Dong, seemingly understanding. He laughed, "This Xiu Dong is a killing weapon, not a woman's item. Can't I touch it more? Besides, you gave it to me, so it's reasonable for me to sleep with it and carry it to the toilet."

A cold snort came from inside the pavilion, and a bookshelf was split by the Spring Thunder saber.

Xu Fengnian quickly went upstairs and saw Li Yishan, who was increasingly emaciated and pale, which made Xu Fengnian's heart race.

The national scholar, who was hidden in the Beiliang mansion, smiled lightly, "I should have kept Wei Beishan in Beiliang to help you practice your saber."

Xu Fengnian asked, "I heard that Old Kui defeated Wei Beishan?"

Li Yishan coughed a few times, took a sip of strong liquor from a green gourd, and his breathing steadied, "Wei Beishan is only a middle-grade martial artist. It's not surprising that he was defeated by Chu Kuangnu, who is just one step away from the highest grade."

Xu Fengnian curiously asked, "Are there really only ten people in the world who are of the highest grade?"

Li Yishan didn't answer directly but said with a hint of sarcasm, "The so-called highest grade in martial arts can't compare to the highest grade among scholars in the past. It's not worth much."

Xu Fengnian hesitated and said softly, "Nangong Pushe said he was the Xie family's genius, who was as famous as my master..."

Li Yishan laughed, "Did he need to say that? I only needed one look to know the answer. The boy you call Bai Huerlian not only looks like Xie Guanying but also resembles him in spirit. If I couldn't recognize him, I'd be blind. I'm curious whether this child is a boy or a girl. According to the predictions, Xie Shuyang should have a son, but Bai Huerlian doesn't look like a boy."

Li Yishan was quite in agreement with the term "Bai Huerlian" and used it casually, not finding it absurd.

Xu Fengnian nodded in agreement, "Exactly, I didn't believe it either. If he's a man, it would be a pity!"

Li Yishan nodded, shook his head, and a smile appeared on his face, which had regained some vitality.

This master and disciple were indeed a match.

Xu Fengnian straightened his posture and said solemnly, "Today, I met a monk from Lantao Mountain in the city, who said he wanted to take me to the Western Regions."

Li Yishan took a sip of wine and said, "This Longshou monk is quite famous in the Western Regions. He studied the 'Vajra Peak Yoga Sutra' under a Vajrayana master and translated over sixty Vajrayana texts, totaling 110 volumes. His lineage from Lantao Mountain is extremely powerful, and the previous generation included a great practitioner who achieved the Rainbow Body."

Xu Fengnian said helplessly, "No matter how powerful he is, what does it have to do with me? He can't just show off his mountain's name and force me to become a monk, can he?"

Li Yishan smiled, "Whether it has anything to do with you, you'll only know if you go."

Xu Fengnian smiled bitterly, "Master, don't mock me. The Vajrayana practice is as rigorous as the Wu family's sword tomb. They go to the hall four times a day, with the earliest session starting in the middle of the night. They are not allowed to wear shoes, regardless of the weather, and they must go barefoot. They sleep less than four hours a day. Sometimes they practice in the Dharma garden, sitting on a stone floor, regardless of the season. If you say I should go there to practice my saber for a year or two, I can accept the hardship. But if I have to spend my days reciting scriptures, just kill me."

Li Yishan smiled, "Do you know who Longshou's master is?"

Xu Fengnian was confused.

Li Yishan laughed, "She is the only female Vajrayana master on Lantao Mountain. She is not only a master of Buddhism but also extremely beautiful, known as the Bodhisattva of the World. If you practice with her, you can achieve enlightenment."

Xu Fengnian was shocked and then smiled mischievously, "So, it's best if it has something to do with me."

Li Yishan's smile was peculiar.

Xu Fengnian asked cautiously, "What's wrong? Is this Bodhisattva of Lantao Mountain a killer?"

Li Yishan shook his head, "She has a compassionate heart."

Xu Fengnian was even more curious.

Li Yishan laughed and coughed, "This Bodhisattva is already forty-two years old, exactly twice your age. What a coincidence."

Xu Fengnian suddenly stood up, ready to draw his saber and fight the Lantao Mountain monk to the death.

{Piaotian Literature}