Chapter 38 The Thirteen Swords of Qingxiao

Dusk had fallen. In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at a table, peeling and eating peanuts. These peanuts were grown by the Qingxiao Sect themselves, and after being stir-fried, their fragrance wafted everywhere.

Xu Ning sat opposite him, looking dejected.

Li Qingqiu chuckled inwardly. This girl had declared that she couldn’t possibly surpass him, yet she was somewhat depressed after losing.

The human heart, ah, is unfathomable, unfathomable.

Cheng Canghai came and sat beside Li Qingqiu. He whispered, “Sect Leader, you asked everyone to brainstorm ways to make money. How about I steal from those wealthy officials and nobles?”

Li Qingqiu rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. “What do you think? Wouldn’t that just cause more trouble? I’m talking about the Righteous Path, about creating wealth through our own efforts.”

Hearing this, Cheng Canghai was very frustrated. He said, “If one could get rich just by creating, farmers would have been the wealthiest people long ago.”

“Yes, and you’re not even as good as a farmer.”

Cheng Canghai was so angry he got up and left.

Li Qingqiu didn’t mind. The Qingxiao Sect didn’t necessarily have to be a conventional Righteous Path School in the worldly sense, but it also couldn’t engage in disreputable acts.

He hoped the Qingxiao Sect would become a Daoist School of cultivation, free from worldly manipulation, yet revered by the common people, performing acts of chivalry in daily life, and capable of turning the tide in times of global crisis.

Of course, such a goal was still too distant. The Qingxiao Sect first needed to survive.

An incense stick’s worth of time later, the Disciples began serving dishes. Just then, Qin Ye returned, bringing someone with him: Jiang Kuotian of the White Emperor Manor.

Li Qingqiu and Xu Ning had passed by the two of them when ascending the mountain. Seeing Jiang Kuotian arrive, Li Qingqiu wasn’t surprised, but he still pretended to be pleasantly surprised, getting up and saying, “Senior Martial Uncle Jiang, why have you come? Please, come and join us.”

Xu Ning and the surrounding Disciples turned to look, their eyes full of curiosity. This person was actually the Sect Leader’s Senior Martial Uncle?

Jiang Kuotian’s expression was somewhat subtle, not as bold as his last visit, and even a little awkward.

He followed Qin Ye to the table, forcing a smile, and said, “Junior Martial Nephew Li, two years unseen, the Qingxiao Sect has completely changed. Has your Grandmaster returned?”

Before Li Qingqiu could answer, Xu Ning couldn’t help but interject, “What do you mean? Can’t it be my Master’s achievement?”

The other Disciples’ gazes towards Jiang Kuotian also turned displeased. It wasn’t that they had an issue with Immortal Master Qingxiao, but they were all too young and often underestimated by outsiders. Li Qingqiu, as the Sect Leader, was also young, and Jiang Kuotian’s words clearly showed contempt for Li Qingqiu. How could they tolerate that?

Although Li Qingqiu wouldn’t personally teach the Disciples martial arts, he was kind to them and spoke humorously, making him deeply loved by the Disciples. How could they allow outsiders to look down on their respected Sect Leader?

This was not only looking down on the Sect Leader, but also looking down on them!

The Sect Leader had said that every Disciple had contributed to the Qingxiao Sect’s current state!

Jiang Kuotian was choked by Xu Ning, feeling a bit embarrassed, but he didn’t bicker with the young girl. He asked in surprise, “Immortal Master Qingxiao hasn’t returned?”

“No, I haven’t seen this Grandmaster since I was old enough to remember, and my Master hasn’t returned either. The Qingxiao Sect’s current state is the result of the efforts of our entire School,” Li Qingqiu replied. He wasn’t angry; in his opinion, Jiang Kuotian’s attitude actually proved that the Qingxiao Sect’s development was very successful, and he felt a sense of accomplishment.

He didn’t make Jiang Kuotian uncomfortable, warmly invited him to sit down, and began to exchange pleasantries.

Qin Ye didn’t stay there. He placed the wooden staff against the wall and then began chopping firewood. He was always like this, silent and diligently working.

After chatting with Li Qingqiu for a few sentences, Jiang Kuotian finally felt less awkward. He had a straightforward personality and didn’t hide what had happened earlier. He sighed, “That young man named Qin Ye is truly formidable. I was overconfident, using only one hand to spar with him, and I actually lost. I heard he’s your Disciple. How did you teach him?”

Although Jiang Kuotian came from the White Emperor Manor, he wasn’t a first-rate Master. Li Qingqiu wasn’t too surprised that he lost to Qin Ye, who cultivated the Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff, with just one hand.

If it were a life-and-death duel, Qin Ye would certainly not be Jiang Kuotian’s opponent.

The Ten Thousand Army Demon Subduing Staff is a staff technique specifically for combat, and it comes with its own Mind-Cultivation Technique, allowing for the use of Qi energy, making it extremely lethal.

Li Qingqiu shook his head and said, “How could I have such ability? Previously, a Transcendent Master stayed on the mountain for a period and gave him some pointers.”

“Transcendent Master? Who was it?”

Jiang Kuotian’s eyes widened as he asked. How formidable a Transcendent Master was! The gap between them and a first-rate Master was like a chasm, let alone compared to him. He was immediately relieved.

Such legends of fortuitous encounters were common in the Jianghu: receiving martial arts instruction from a Transcendent Master and making rapid progress in a short time.

“That Senior didn’t want to say, and it wasn’t convenient for us to ask,” Li Qingqiu replied, speaking naturally, with no hint of a flaw on his face.

Jiang Kuotian clicked his tongue in wonder, lamenting Qin Ye’s profound fortune, believing he would surely achieve great things in the future.

He continued to inquire about Jiang Zhaoxia, very curious about how Jiang Zhaoxia had achieved such renown. Two years ago, when he came to the Qingxiao Sect, he already felt that Jiang Zhaoxia was very arrogant, but he didn’t expect him to actually have such capability.

“Third Junior Brother is currently in secluded cultivation. I haven’t seen him for several days. Oh, by the way, Senior Martial Uncle Jiang, what made you think of coming to see us?” Li Qingqiu explained, then asked.

He had a good impression of Jiang Kuotian, after all, he had given him a Magical Artifact.

Even at the Nourishing Origin Realm Fourth Layer, he still couldn’t break through the Restriction on that Magical Artifact, which showed its extraordinariness; it was definitely a treasure.

Jiang Kuotian replied, “Recently, there’s been a military rebellion in Guzhou Prefecture. The armies of the prefectural capital and various counties have been unable to suppress the rebels, and have instead continuously lost county seats. The White Emperor Manor, being in the prefectural capital, naturally has to contribute to the prefecture’s efforts. I was dispatched to a nearby county seat to join the army and teach them martial arts. So, hearing about Jiang Zhaoxia’s achievements, I came to visit. Seeing that you all are doing well, I am completely relieved.”

Li Qingqiu was quite curious about this military rebellion, so he asked a few more questions, and Jiang Kuotian did not hide anything.

In fact, it wasn’t just Guzhou Prefecture experiencing a military rebellion; three other prefectures were also in turmoil. All four prefectures were suffering from famine, and bandits incited the people, recruiting refugees into their ranks, attacking and seizing cities everywhere. After entering cities, they acted wantonly, smashing, looting, and killing, committing all manner of evil, even defiling women in the streets. Two years had passed, and this disaster had not only failed to be curbed but had intensified.

Now, the imperial court had issued bounty orders throughout the land, calling upon Jianghu heroes to jointly suppress the bandits, with generous rewards.

“Senior Brother, why don’t we go suppress the bandits too!” Zhang Yuchun suddenly leaned next to Li Qingqiu, excitedly.

Before Li Qingqiu could refuse, Jiang Kuotian slammed the table and said, “No! You are still young. Focus on cultivating your martial arts. This world won’t be in chaos for long. The Saint already knows about this, and the rebellions in various places will be quelled in at most half a year!”

Saint was the respectful title used by officials and common people for the Emperor.

Li Qingqiu also didn’t want his Disciples to get involved. The Disciples were still too young, and participating in this chaos might not be good for their minds, and they would also have to deal with the government.

In the future, the Qingxiao Sect could descend the mountain to save the common people in times of chaos, but not the current Qingxiao Sect.

“Half a year? That fast?” Zhang Yuchun asked in surprise.

Jiang Kuotian snorted, “Of course! Previously, there were only treacherous officials in the imperial court confusing the Saint’s vision, but they have already been executed. Our Da Li Dynasty has only been established for thirty years; the true era of peace and prosperity has not yet arrived. You just need to endure a few more years, and then you can enjoy the blessings.”

Li Qingqiu didn’t expect Jiang Kuotian to be so devoted to the current Emperor.

Qin Ye, who was chopping firewood, couldn’t help but turn to look at Jiang Kuotian, his eyes filled with anger. He somewhat regretted going easy on him earlier, failing to knock some sense into Jiang Kuotian.

The dishes were served one after another. Li Qingqiu invited Jiang Kuotian to eat with them and asked him to recount stories of the Jianghu. Compared to court affairs, the Disciples were more curious about the events of the Martial Forest.

Jiang Kuotian began to speak, one story after another, growing more excited as he spoke.

He even brought up Li Yang, the Top Scholar in Martial Arts.

It was said that when Li Yang challenged the Heavenly Saber Sect, he spoke disrespectfully and was severely injured by the Heavenly Saber Sect. As a result, the Heavenly Saber Sect incurred the wrath of the Linchuan Li Clan. Now, the Heavenly Saber Sect was facing various difficulties and was having a hard time.

“Defeated by Jiang Zhaoxia, their reputation ruined, and now suppressed by the Linchuan Li Clan, the Heavenly Saber Sect will likely find it difficult to retain its title as one of the Seven Great Schools,” Jiang Kuotian said gloatingly.

This news invigorated the Disciples, but because Li Qingqiu had given them a heads-up, they did not reveal the grudge between Jiang Zhaoxia and the Heavenly Saber Sect.

Jiang Kuotian’s arrival made the Qingxiao Sect lively. The next day, Jiang Kuotian was even more surprised to meet Yang Jueding, and the two had a feeling of having met too late, causing Jiang Kuotian to stay for two more days.

Five days later, Jiang Kuotian descended the mountain.

Because of the news Jiang Kuotian brought, the Disciples of the Qingxiao Sect cherished their time practicing martial arts on the mountain even more.

Days passed like turning pages in a book.

Autumn departed and winter arrived, and winter snow began to fall.

On this day, Jiang Zhaoxia broke through to the Nourishing Origin Realm Fourth Layer. Li Qingqiu, far away on the mountainside, felt a surge of Sword Intent. He followed this Sword Intent and saw Jiang Zhaoxia.

Jiang Zhaoxia was standing on a lake, the unfrozen surface beneath his feet constantly rippling.

Sword Intent is a very mysterious thing, like an Aura, yet possessing a tangible power. Li Qingqiu, who possessed the innate destiny of a Sword Maniac, could instantly identify it as Sword Intent the first time he felt it.

Jiang Zhaoxia’s Sword Intent was very strong; he made Li Qingqiu feel as if he was a precious sword, with a sharp edge fully exposed.

“I usually divide my attention to cultivate the Rejuvenating Ghost Immortal Needle, so even though Third Junior Brother and I share the same destiny, my attainments in the Dao of the Sword are inferior to his.”

Li Qingqiu stood by the lake, staring at Jiang Zhaoxia, thinking this, his face filled with relief.

Jiang Zhaoxia’s Breakthrough was not just in his cultivation, but also in his own Dao of the Sword.

Without a Master’s guidance, his Sword Intent was self-formed, truly demonstrating a heaven-sent Comprehension Ability in the Dao of the Sword.

Snowflakes fell like flowers, melting into wisps of white smoke before they even touched Jiang Zhaoxia. At this moment, Jiang Zhaoxia appeared ethereal, as if he could transform into a flying Immortal at any moment.

Suddenly.

Jiang Zhaoxia raised his hand, using his finger as a sword, and pointed it at Li Qingqiu. Sword Qi shot out from his fingertip, as fast as lightning.

Li Qingqiu reacted extremely quickly, swiftly throwing a silver needle with his right hand. The silver needle flew out and collided with Jiang Zhaoxia’s Sword Qi in mid-air. The silver needle shattered, and the Sword Qi also dissipated.

Jiang Zhaoxia narrowed his eyes and said, “Senior Brother, I can’t tell if your cultivation is stronger, or if your needle technique is stronger than my Sword Qi.”

Li Qingqiu retorted, annoyed, “If I had reacted slower, I would have died under your Sword Qi just now.”

“Impossible. My Sword Qi has reached the Transcendent state; it can be controlled perfectly. Even if it reached you, I could make it stop immediately,” Jiang Zhaoxia’s tone carried a hint of arrogance.

Li Qingqiu’s lips curved upwards, and he asked, “So, do you still want revenge now?”

Jiang Zhaoxia stared at him intently. After a long while, he finally said, “Among the Heavenly Saber Sect Masters who ambushed me, there was a group of saber wielders. Their martial arts were formidable, and their coordination was excellent, causing me a lot of trouble. I plan to select thirteen Disciples within the School and personally teach them the Dao of the Sword. In the future, I will lead them to eliminate all enemies that threaten the Qingxiao Sect.”

“I’ve already thought of a name: the Thirteen Sword厉 of Qingxiao.”