The Reticent Blade

Thus, the wandering trio settled down in Xuanfeng Valley. Chi Nanwei had come to ask Ye Beizhi how long he planned to stay, feeling that living with other people would invite gossip. Ye Beizhi couldn't answer her question for he didn't know how long they had to stay either—it all depended on how long the war would last.

Having struggled on battlefields for many years, he knew war all too well. He had a hunch that this invasion wasn't just another yearly skirmish—it could very well lead to the fall of an entire nation. If his hunch proved true, then this would be the safest place in all of the Central Plains. Any farther, and they would have to take to the sea.

If possible, Ye Beizhi didn't want to keep dragging Chi Nanwei along in such an unstable life. He had even, on occasion, thought about finding a place far from the jianghu and its chaos, to settle down with her to live a life with simple wine, coarse tea, and a few acres of good farmland.

Even though Chi Nanwei didn't receive a clear answer, her home was wherever Ye Beizhi was.

Compared to Ye Beizhi's longing and Chi Nanwei's acceptance of fate, Fang Dingwu's days had been far more fulfilling of late.

Ever since Fang Dingwu arrived at Xuanfeng Valley, he didn't waste a single day. To those in the jianghu, Xuanfeng Valley was a prestigious sect; to those who practiced the blade, it was sacred ground.

Fang Dingwu had trained with dual blades since childhood. In the first few days, he would rise early and rush to the training ground of Xuanfeng Valley to watch the disciples practice. There were no fixed forms to their blade training—some used short blades, others curved sabers, some wielded broad-backed knives, and some even used throwing knives.

In Xuanfeng Valley, as long as it was a blade, they knew how to wield it. To Fang Dingwu, this place was basically a holy site. Unable to resist the itch, he would often step forward to spar with the disciples. The disciples, knowing he was a guest of the Valley Master, gladly agreed. They exchanged blows with restraint, having wins and losses on both sides.

All in all, Fang Dingwu still had more wins than losses among the disciples—not because his techniques were particularly refined, but because he had practiced the blade for many years and roamed the jianghu for just as long. His experience gave him an edge. If it came down purely to skill with the blade, he still fell short of those disciples. It was only his seasoned instincts that carried him through.

Fang Dingwu was well aware of this himself, so he shamelessly went to find Ye Beizhi one day.

Ye Beizhi was sitting in the courtyard oiling his blade when he noticed Fang Dingwu staring intently at him without looking away for quite some time. Feeling uneasy under the gaze, he hesitantly asked, "Need something?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Fang Dingwu nodded eagerly.

Ye Beizhi nodded back slightly. "Speak."

"Well..." Fang Dingwu rubbed his hands together. "Brother, could you... help me ask Master Shi..."

Ye Beizhi raised an eyebrow. "Ask about what?"

Fang Dingwu grinned sheepishly. "I want to get into the Pavilion of Blade Tenets."

"Pavilion of Blade Tenets?" Ye Beizhi looked puzzled. "Where is that?"

"It's the place in Xuanfeng Valley where they keep all the blade technique manuals," Fang Dingwu said with a chuckle. "I've been getting chummy with the disciples these past few days and asked around. It's on the valley's eastern side, and they say it holds eight thousand and eight hundred volumes, including some peerless blade techniques."

Ye Beizhi frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and said, "I'll ask for you."

As it turned out, Shi Wufeng was indeed willing to help Ye Beizhi out and agreed to Fang Dingwu's request on the spot. Upon hearing that Fang used dual blades, he happily mentioned that he wielded Mandarin Duck Blades, which had similarities to Fang's style. He even told Fang that he could come seek guidance anytime if he encountered difficulties, which delighted Fang to no end.

In Ye Beizhi's mind, they'd be staying at Xuanfeng Valley for at least a year—perhaps even longer. Unfortunately, man proposes and heaven disposes. Trouble arrived in just the third month of their stay.

It was a day near the end of August. Although it was technically already autumn, Xuanfeng Valley, located in the far south of the Central Plains, was still quite hot.

At the time, Ye Beizhi was in the kitchen helping Chi Nanwei with the cooking. She wasn't used to the local flavors, so she usually prepared the meals herself.

Shi Wufeng stepped into the courtyard.

Ye Beizhi looked up at him and nodded as a greeting. Chi Nanwei smiled and invited Shi Wufeng to stay for a meal.

Shi Wufeng had mostly recovered from his injuries and had been up and walking since the previous month. He smiled at Chi Nanwei, then turned to Ye Beizhi and said, "Someone's come looking for you."

Ye Beizhi froze and looked up at Shi Wufeng. Seeing the serious expression on his face, he knew this wasn't something simple. He set down the vegetables he had been washing and walked into the courtyard.

"Who?" Ye Beizhi asked.

Shi Wufeng glanced at Chi Nanwei, then turned and walked out.

Ye Beizhi understood and followed, his brows furrowing deeper.

Once outside, Ye Beizhi looked at Shi Wufeng, waiting for him to speak.

Shi Wufeng took a deep breath and said, "Someone from the imperial court is here—for you."

Ye Beizhi was stunned.

Shi Wufeng continued, "I've heard about what you did at the Yingtian Prefecture branch. Are you still being hunted for that?"

Ye Beizhi shook his head. "Probably not."

"Strange, really," Shi Wufeng said, rubbing his chin, a look of utter confusion on his face. "Do you know who came looking for you? It's Qi Zongbi! The current External Prime Minister, Qi Zongbi! He only brought two attendants and showed up outside the valley saying he wanted to see you!"

A flash of murderous light passed through Ye Beizhi's eyes before quickly fading again. Neither of them were fools. Qi Zongbi knew full well that Ye Beizhi wanted him dead. If there weren't something hidden behind this, it was impossible he'd come knocking like this.

"Take me to him," Ye Beizhi said coolly.

Qi Zongbi was waiting in the reception hall. No matter what, a man of such high rank deserved formal courtesy, even from Xuanfeng Valley.

Ye Beizhi and Shi Wufeng stepped out from behind the screen and saw Qi Zongbi seated upright at the head of the hall, with two people standing behind him to his left and right. The moment Ye Beizhi saw them, he let out a cold snort. He was all too familiar with those faces.

The one on the left was a woman with a charming and alluring face, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, a steel whip coiled at her waist. The one on the right was short but densely muscled, and most striking was that his left arm was severed at the elbow, while his right hand held a massive iron hammer nearly as tall as himself.

These two had left a deep impression on Ye Beizhi; they were two of the Imperial Guardian captains he had seen back at the Changfeng Escort Agency. As for the third one from the ambush? Ye Beizhi thought for a moment—the third man had taken a direct slash from him and would be lucky to survive. His martial arts were surely crippled.

Seeing these two, Ye Beizhi suddenly recalled Wu Changfeng lying lifeless in the glow of the setting sun. A fire ignited within him.

Walking beside Ye Beizhi, Shi Wufeng suddenly felt a chill at his back. He quickly turned his head and saw Ye Beizhi reach for= his blade!

The atmosphere in the hall abruptly froze. In the next moment, killing intent exploded!

"Your life"—Ye Beizhi's voice seemed to echo from the depths of the underworld—"is mine!"