Chapter 4

In the middle of the night, the main hall of the dilapidated temple was brightly lit by a bonfire. The mummies had been buried, and the thirty-six young soldiers were guarding in shifts, with strong bows and crossbows surrounding the area. The hunting dogs were crouched around the main hall, alert and vigilant.

"Are you awake?"

Zhao Shu looked at the middle-aged scholar who was slowly waking up and asked indifferently. Long Bo stood up, staring intently at the middle-aged scholar, ready to act if anything went wrong. The young soldiers around them also secretly aimed their bows and arrows at the middle-aged scholar's vital points, ready to shoot him if he made any threatening moves toward Zhao Shu.

"You saved me? Who are you? Why did you save me?"

The middle-aged scholar's face darkened as he looked around, then relaxed slightly.

Hearing the middle-aged scholar's words, a young guard's face darkened, preparing to stop the middle-aged scholar's actions. However, Zhao Shu waved his hand, signaling the young soldier to step back.

"This is the old Taoist's red sword. Their bodies have already been buried. What happened? From your attire, you seem to be a Confucian scholar, so why were you with a group of Taoists?"

Zhao Shu handed the red long sword to the middle-aged scholar. The red sword, made of unknown material, could cut through iron like butter, but it was covered with strange patterns, making it unique.

"Treasure sword! Treasure sword, this is the greatest treasure of my school, but it is also the greatest disaster for my school!"

The middle-aged scholar stared at the short sword for a long time, then sighed deeply, put it away, and bowed to Zhao Shu, saying, "I am Jiang Baishi, I pay my respects to Your Highness. May I ask which prince saved me?"

"Why do you think I am of the imperial family?"

Zhao Shu smiled, neither denying nor confirming, but asked curiously.

"Your Highness has full and powerful limbs, with strong muscles, but no true energy flowing through the meridians, indicating you are at the peak of the physical realm. The old man beside you is a great warrior at the peak of the true energy realm, yet he acts as a servant. The young soldiers around you have rare martial arts talent, showing respect and awe, and wear expensive sabers. Outside, there are horses neighing. Such a grand appearance can only belong to a noble or a member of the imperial family. And when Your Highness arrived, the evil spirits retreated, which only a member of the imperial family with purple aura can achieve."

"You may call me the Fifth Prince. What is this purple aura you mentioned?"

Zhao Shu did not continue to ask, but was curious about the so-called purple aura and spoke.

"Fifth Prince!"

Jiang Baishi's face was shocked, his eyes shining brightly as he stared at Zhao Shu. After a moment, he scanned the young soldiers around him, then laughed loudly, "The world often says the Fifth Prince is timid and weak, lacking intelligence and talent, and has been abandoned by the emperor. But I never expected such a great talent."

Jiang Baishi, after his exclamation and laughter, struggled to stand up, saying, "Your Highness must be using the snowstorm to train the troops. These young soldiers have excellent talent, with a solid foundation, and the morale and discipline are excellent, showing the potential of elite troops. This demonstrates Your Highness's great talent and strategy. However, since Your Highness has been in Bianliang, the holy land, and has been competing with thousands of people, there must be some shortcomings in strategy and military tactics. Your Highness is a dragon among men, acting with integrity, and must not be adept at the world's cunning and deceit. Although my cultivation is lost, I have studied Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Mohism, and military strategy. I have traveled through the world for decades and am willing to assist Your Highness with my humble abilities, helping Your Highness to rise to power."

"Hmph, you wear Confucian attire but claim to be a hermit, and your words are rash. I fear you have ulterior motives. What is your background? Why are you here?"

Long Bo coldly scanned Jiang Bai, indirectly advising Zhao Shu, as they were in the wilderness and had to be cautious.

"I am from Poyang, Raozhou, Guangxi. I joined the Yin-Yang School from a young age. Due to the suppression by Longhu Mountain, our school has been weak. A few years ago, I traveled to the southern regions, offending the witchcraft sects of the south, and had to flee to Bianliang, hoping to use the power of the Song Dynasty to intimidate the foreign witches. However, I never expected to be pursued and killed by these evil spirits, wiping out my entire school. This is a blood feud. I only hope that when Your Highness rises to power, you can help me destroy the witchcraft sects of the south."

Zhao Shu closely observed Jiang Bai, his eyes flickering. Jiang Bai was blinded by hatred, and Zhao Shu needed to secretly accumulate strength, not to make a grand gesture that would attract many enemies.

He then said indifferently, "Sir, you will be disappointed. I am weak and powerless, unable to influence politics, and unwilling to do so. Leading troops to the south is not something I can decide."

"I understand Your Highness's concerns. I was too rash. But if Your Highness is training troops under the guise of hunting, are you not afraid that I will leak this information, causing the Crown Prince and other princes to be wary?"

When Jiang Baishi said this, Zhao Shu's eyes narrowed slightly, showing a cold expression, and Long Bo was furious, drawing his saber. The young soldiers around them also moved forward with their weapons.

However, Zhao Shu raised his hand to stop them, wanting to see what else Jiang Baishi would say. Jiang Baishi then drew a blood-patterned sword across his chest, blood dripping from the tip, and declared firmly, "My cultivation is lost, and my soul cannot leave my body. I swear by my blood to be eternally loyal to Your Highness. If I break this oath, the Yin-Yang School will never rise again."

"Blood oath!"

Zhao Shu and Long Bo were both shocked. In this world, the importance of oaths was not just a matter of words but a real and tangible existence, especially for cultivators. They could not speak lightly, or it would create a mental burden, hindering their cultivation. Although Jiang Baishi's cultivation was lost, swearing by his school was a serious matter.

"Your Highness, this is the 'Yin-Yang Taiji Bell Scroll,' a precious cultivation manual of my school. I am willing to offer it to Your Highness. As a member of the Song imperial family, you naturally do not lack cultivation manuals, but I observe that Your Highness is at the peak of the physical realm. If you study our school's manual, you may advance to the true energy realm."

"Besides this treasure, I am skilled in forging and can create divine weapons and armor for Your Highness, serving you."

Zhao Shu looked at Jiang Baishi, greatly impressed. Jiang Baishi was straightforward and very intelligent, revealing everything he had, making him very trustworthy and willing to trust.

As he said, Zhao Shu was at the peak of the physical realm, just one step away from the true energy realm. However, this step could not be achieved by cultivation techniques alone; it required a broad understanding and a deep insight into the mind.

Originally, Zhao Shu could have entered the imperial library to obtain all the cultivation manuals and study them, but to hide his cultivation, he could only rely on the 'Comprehensive Essentials of Martial Arts.' If he obtained this immortal technique manual, it might help him advance to the true energy realm.

However, Zhao Shu still had many reservations about the person in front of him. His plans were grand, and he could not rashly accept someone whose background was unknown, as it could lead to misunderstandings about his intentions for the throne, complicating his future plans to resist the Jin.

Moreover, although he knew the gravity of the blood oath, he still had doubts.

He remained silent, deep in thought.

Jiang Baishi, seeing Zhao Shu's silence, sighed deeply and suddenly drew the sword from his knee.

"What are you doing?"

Long Bo was shocked, shouting and reaching for the sword on Jiang Baishi's knee. The young soldiers around them were also furious, raising their weapons to strike.

"Stop!"

Zhao Shu waved his hand, and the young soldiers immediately lowered their weapons. Long Bo stopped but still stood protectively in front of Zhao Shu.

Jiang Baishi, without a word, drew the sword, revealing its red blade. He ran his hand over the blade, and a red light flashed, revealing two large ancient characters, "Chi Xiao!"

After removing the seal, the red sword began to tremble, and Jiang Baishi sighed deeply, "Treasure indeed goes to those who deserve it. This sword resonates with Your Highness, perhaps it is all predestined."

With a deep sigh, Jiang Baishi knelt and raised the sword over his head, offering it to Zhao Shu.

"Your Highness, this is the Chi Xiao Sword, an imperial sword from ancient times. I am willing to offer it to Your Highness. This is also the reason why my school was suppressed by the Celestial Master School and pursued by the southern witchcraft sects."

"This sword, being an imperial sword, is just a powerful weapon in the hands of cultivators, but in the hands of the imperial family, it can unleash great power, helping Your Highness to achieve the status of an eternal emperor."

"Chi Xiao Sword! The divine Chi Xiao Sword that Han Gaozu used to slay the white snake!"

Zhao Shu was greatly shocked, his body trembling as he stood up, staring at the sword in Jiang Baishi's hand, almost unable to believe it, but he had to, as he felt a connection with the sword, as if it was meant for him.

"One of the ancient divine swords, the Chi Xiao Sword, an imperial sword. Your Highness is destined by heaven! Destined by heaven!"

Long Bo suddenly shouted, bowing down, his body trembling with excitement.

"Good!"

Zhao Shu composed himself and grabbed the Chi Xiao Sword.