Chapter 77. It's Time to Rest

Nangong Chien suffered various large and small wounds on his shoulders and both arms from his sparring match with Yan Jieha.

Seeing him unconscious, Nangong Jin, who wielded the Crimson Cloud Sword, stomped his feet and said, "Since I took on the responsibility of protecting the caravan in the name of the Cangtian Hall, I must see it through to Luoyang," and left alone.

Of course, he trusted Nangong Chien to the Wufeng Mountain Manor because he could sense their sincerity in treating Nangong Chien.

Nangong Chien did not regain consciousness until evening.

The village doctor explained that he had exhausted his vital energy and lost a lot of blood.

After finishing dinner, Yan Jieha squatted in front of the room where Nangong Chien was sleeping.

He pulled at his hair in self-reproach for injuring Nangong Chien.

Passing by, Sim Yangge quietly approached him.

"Master, don't blame yourself too much. It happened while both of you were in a state of no-mind."

"I must be crazy. No-mind in the middle of a fight?"

"Although it's unfortunate that Master Nangong was injured, it's a blessing for everyone."

"Ah, if I receive a blessing twice, I might die right away."

"Hehe, how many people dream of entering a state of no-mind? I don't know, but both of you must have achieved significant progress."

"Progress? Ha! I still can't use the sword technique."

"Still, isn't it remarkable to transcend the boundary between form and formlessness? Isn't the goal of all swordsmen to transcend form?"

"Transcend the boundary? Me?"

"Yes, Master, your sword technique has changed a lot. Even when you swing it lightly, the essence of the form is contained. Didn't you feel anything at all?"

"Hmm. If I must say, the pressure to 'execute the form' seems to have disappeared."

"Hehe, did you usually feel pressured?"

"It's something I learned, so I should use it well. But in the end, swordplay is simple. It's just thrusting and cutting, right? It's like all rivers returning to the sea. Once I realized that sword forms ultimately involve thrusting and cutting, the sense of duty disappeared."

"Indeed. Try your sword skills tomorrow. They will be very different from before. Only those who have tasted the essence of form can transcend it. I didn't know you had already reached such a realm."

"Ha! Essence? Old Sim, were you close to Shushu before? What essence did you taste? Anyway, it's funny."

"I helped in the kitchen when I was young."

"You've done all sorts of things?"

"Hehe, I had to do whatever it took to survive."

Yan Jieha's gaze softened as he looked at Sim Yangge.

Hearing his past, the demon seemed a bit more human.

"So, you mean I'm fluctuating between form and formlessness?"

"Yes. I can't believe your realm. To transcend form at your age is truly impossible. Even if you learned sword techniques in your mother's womb, it wouldn't be possible. Did you learn from Jiutian Xiannü?"

"Maybe."

"Then what about that immense internal energy? Even if you cultivated all nine levels, it's not something you can achieve with just qi absorption, right?"

"I got a lot of food from Jiutian Xiannü."

"Her elixirs?"

"No, dried fruit and water."

"Did they taste sweet?"

"Yes."

Sim Yangge's brows furrowed.

Though unsure how much to believe, Yan Jieha's expression was serious.

"Master."

"Yes?"

"I think it's better not to tell others about this."

"Why?"

"They might think you're lying or that you're crazy."

"Of course, they would."

"Wow! You knew that and still said it?"

"Then do you think I'm a fool?"

"I understand. Where did you meet Jiutian Xiannü?"

"In the mirror."

"Ha ha ha ha. Hehehe."

What was so funny that Sim Yangge laughed, his shoulders shaking for a long time.

Nangong Chien finally regained consciousness late at night.

He wasn't particularly surprised to hear from Yan Jieha that Nangong Jin had left first.

After hesitating for a while, Nangong Chien cautiously spoke.

"Yan Xiaoxia, can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Your martial arts are very familiar. Could it be the Jiutian Sword of the Walong Hall?"

Nangong Chien thought Yan Xiaoxia had a connection with the Walong Hall.

He had spent ten years with Lian Wubai.

Though he didn't know the essence of the Jiutian Sword, he could mimic it.

The reason he could spar with the supreme expert Yan Jieha for a long time was because of this.

After ten years of sparring with Lian Wubai, the movements of the Jiutian Sword became familiar to him. This allowed him to immerse himself more deeply, eventually entering a state of no-mind.

"Yes."

Yan Jieha did not deny it.

He was the son of the True Moon Swordsman and the rightful successor of the Jiutian Sword Technique!

"May I ask, what is your relationship with the Walong Hall? Ah, I don't mean anything by it. I spent ten years with Lian Wubai, the young master of the Walong Hall, but you seem even more proficient in the Jiutian Sword."

Nangong Chien couldn't connect the young man in front of him with Yan Jieha. His martial prowess was too outstanding. It was impossible for a child locked in a warehouse to reach a realm that the entire family struggled to achieve.

"Do you remember me? About thirteen years ago, at the Walong Hall. I'm Yan Jieha."

"Eh?"

Nangong Chien looked at Yan Jieha in surprise.

This person was the child who escaped from the warehouse?

"Is it really you, Yan Xiaoxia, the youngest son of Uncle Lian? The quiet little boy?"

"Yes."

Nangong Chien stared, and Yan Jieha smiled shyly.

"The youngest son who was locked in the warehouse?"

"Huh? How did you know that?"

"Wow..."

Nangong Chien told him about searching for him at the Walong Hall with his brother three years ago.

"How did you end up at Wufeng Mountain?"

After learning that he was Uncle Lian's son, Nangong Chien spoke more casually.

Yan Jieha told him about escaping from the warehouse and settling at Wufeng Mountain.

"Back then, I was almost dead from illness, but the manor lord saved me. After that, I just stayed."

"Tsk! I see. Your parents and Lian Yi were very worried about you. Especially your father, who wanted to find you even late in life..."

Nangong Chien trailed off.

The tragedy at the main house suddenly came to mind.

"I've heard about the Nangong family. Has Uncle Lian contacted you yet?"

"Yes. But I'm sure he's still alive. It was noisy for a while because the Mingjiao was looking for my father. He must be receiving treatment somewhere. He's not the type to just disappear."

"I hope he returns soon."

"Thank you. By the way, where did you learn the Jiutian Sword? It's far superior to Wubai's."

"While in the warehouse... I discovered something left by the ancestors of the Yan family."

Yan Jieha didn't mention the Jiutian Xiannüjing, as he would surely be treated like a madman, as Sim Yangge had said.

"Ah! What a blessing. Discovering a secret technique in the warehouse. When Aunt finds out, she'll be quite upset."

Nangong Chien subtly observed Yan Jieha's expression.

It was widely known that Wufeng Mountain Manor harbored hostility towards the Walong Hall. There were many speculations about the reasons, but no one could guess the details.

"If Lian Yi hears about you, he'll be happy. Will you meet him sometime?"

"Yes."

"It's better not to contact the Walong Hall, right?"

"I've severed ties with them."

From Yan Jieha's calm voice, Nangong Chien sensed that reconciliation was impossible.

"Alright. I respect your decision. I won't associate you with the Walong Hall. If I had found you in the warehouse three years ago, the Nangong family would have severed ties with the Walong Hall. Lian Yi is decisive in forming and severing relationships..."

"Is my sister... doing well?"

"Lian Yi is the same as before. Unlike me, he's quiet. Ha ha. Ouch, it hurts."

Nangong Chien, who had been laughing while moving his upper body, gently massaged his arm.

He had inadvertently moved and stimulated his wound.

"I'm sorry, Brother. I didn't mean to hurt you. I told you to be careful, but I lost control for a moment."

"No, it's fine. Thanks to you, I've gained a rare opportunity. I've achieved the same effect as ten years of seclusion. This minor injury is nothing. Now I feel a bit more confident."

In fact, after the Nangong family's downfall, Nangong Chien had been disheartened. The thought of revenge was overwhelming, leading to even more frustration. But now, things are different. As his martial prowess has improved, his lost self-respect has been somewhat restored.

"By the way, do you plan to continue living in the mountain manor?"

"I'm not sure. Seven of the Wufeng Ten have already left the mountain. I don't have a specific place to go..."

Nangong Chien looked at Yan Jieha with sympathy.

If the Nangong family were still intact, he would have invited him to come along.

But now, he was staying with the Shangzhaofang, so he had nothing to say.

"You know, petty thieves get beaten and branded, but great thieves are called heroes. Just look at Fatian Majun. No one will dare call you a thief, no matter what you do in the future."

"Really?"

"Of course. Who would dare call you a thief to your face? Maybe behind your back, but... Hehe!"

Nangong Chien chuckled.

With Yan Jieha's martial prowess, the Justice Alliance would surely be cautious.

Facing a strong enemy like the Mingjiao, it wouldn't be wise to provoke a high-level expert from the Green Forest.

"Actually, I don't really care. Life in the Green Forest isn't bad. If they treat me like a thief, I'll act like one. If they treat me like a hero, I'll be one."

"Wise thinking. The sages said, 'Treat others as you wish to be treated.' If you plant beans, you get beans; if you plant red beans, you get red beans."

Yan Jieha nodded.

It seemed a bit strange, but he could feel Nangong Chien's warm heart.

***

The next day, Nangong Chien went down the mountain.

He left quickly, worried that Nangong Yan, waiting in Luoyang, might be concerned.

After bidding farewell to Nangong Chien, Yan Jieha couldn't settle his mind.

He spent more time sitting in a daze.

One day, unable to bear it, Sim Yangge climbed to the highest peak of Wufeng Mountain.

Yan Jieha, sitting on a rock with a listless face, muttered.

"Old Sim, why are you always lurking around? Did you bury a honeycomb here?"

"Hehe, of course not. By the way, it seems you've stopped practicing the sword technique recently?"

"It's not something you can achieve in a day or two. And if a nineteen-year-old uses sword techniques, people will call him arrogant."

"Ouch! No way. They wouldn't even dare to look you in the eye."

"Not even look me in the eye? Then that's not right. I don't want to be someone without compassion."

"Hehe. So, you're taking a break now?"

"I've been training hard without distraction. It's time to rest."

"If you're going to rest, why not make it worthwhile?"

"What's the point of resting?"

"I know I told you about the sword technique, but I was wrong. How about taking a trip now?"

"A trip?"

"Yes, go to Wudang Mountain and meet Tianjishang. He can teach you the essence of the sword technique. Then, while you're at it, go to Luoyang and see the famous Three Wonders of Luoyang."

"Three Wonders of Luoyang?"

"The Three Wonders of Luoyang are the Water Banquet soup, peonies, and the Longmen Grottoes. If you're going to rest, why not do it properly?"

Yan Jieha's eyes lit up.

If he went to Luoyang, he could naturally meet the Nangong family, making it a pretty good proposal.