Embers of Sword

Chapter 305 Change
The swordsmanship of Yuqingzhai is indeed very similar to that of Yupingfeng, but there are also many differences.

It is said that the founder of Yuqingzhai and the first headmaster of Dasui Sword Palace had a very good relationship and they often discussed and exchanged ideas with each other.

Therefore, the sword techniques of the two mountains are integrated with each other, and there are many similarities in their essence when they are performed.

But because of "sectarianism".

In the end, Yuqingzhai and Yuping Peak each went their separate ways.

"I'm not interested in Yuqingzhai swordsmanship."

Xie Xuanyi told the truth.

His master was actually Zhao Chunyang, who practiced the Lotus Peak Heart Method and could read the Dasui Sword Palace's Ten Thousand Sword Classics at will... If he was really just a young man who was practicing for the first time, it would be a great fortune for him to be able to learn the Yuqingzhai sword technique. But for Xie Xuanyi, who has now lived two lives, this fortune is dispensable.

His swordsmanship had already been formed long ago and would hardly change.

Although I have improved a lot by comprehending Yuqingzhai's swordsmanship, the benefit is not that great.

The chip thrown out by Junshan is not particularly tempting.

"Oh?"

The young boy in Taoist robes put his hands behind his back and asked with a smile, "You only said that you are not interested in Yuqingzhai swordsmanship, but you didn't say that you are not interested in Miaozhen."

Xie Xuanyi also smiled.

Yes...that's exactly what he meant.

He didn't mind arguing with Miao Zhen.

After re-cultivating in this life, he has become invincible in the Cave Heaven Realm, and Xie Xuanyi has long had no rivals!

The appearance of Miaozhen and Junshan made him happy.

If he could defeat these two reincarnated masters, it would be enough to prove that he had not taken the wrong path in his second life of cultivation!

"I do want to compete with Miaozhen."

Xie Xuanyi said calmly: "Even if you don't teach me the Yuqingzhai swordsmanship, I will find him to fight sooner or later. But for me, the duel with Miaozhen may not happen soon."

He had just comprehended the principles of life and had not yet condensed them into anything.

I am not in my strongest state right now.

“If the Western Envoys held a sermon at the Great Pudu Temple and no one came to meet them, the Great Chu Dynasty would surely be humiliated.”

Junshan frowned and said, "With Miaozhen's strength, do you think Wu Zong and the young men of the Qin family will be his opponents?"

Having said this.

Junshan observed Xie Xuanyi's reaction and after noticing that the latter's expression remained unchanged, he realized that his words were really unnecessary. This guy named Xie didn't care about the reputation of the Da Chu Dynasty at all. This guy seemed to be very disgusted with the Da Chu royal family. If he could embarrass the royal family, he might even add fuel to the fire and silently help the Fanyin Temple.

"hehe."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "It's embarrassing, don't blame others. Besides, don't we still have the seniors? If we take a step back, don't the seniors still have a 30% chance of winning?"

"..."

Junshan held his forehead in pain and said, "So you don't plan to take any action at all?"

After the brief fight at Tailing, Xie Xuanyi had a rough idea of what was going on.

Miao Zhen's strength should be on par with his.

If he goes all out and uses [Chronic Illness], then the Mingsha Staff that has awakened thirty-one mantras should not be able to do anything to him.

But the problem is, how could he possibly use [Chronic Illness] in front of so many people in the Great Pudu Temple?
“Basically not considered.”

Xie Xuanyi responded calmly, then slowly stretched out a finger and waved it in front of him: "Unless Senior agrees to one condition of mine."

"???"

Junshan, who liked to beat around the bush, felt for the first time the disgusting nature of beating around the bush.

He gritted his teeth and said, "...You speak first."

"The delegation will cross the river to the west to welcome the Buddha's bones, spread the Dharma, fight with the young heroes of Da Chu, and then return to the Dali Dynasty."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "As the saying goes, courtesy always comes back. Regardless of the outcome of the sermon at the Great Pudu Temple, this delegation will be escorted by the Great Chu Dynasty before returning to the country..."

Junshan was stunned.

Xie Zhen's words actually have profound meaning.

The news that Da Chu wanted to escort the Miao Zhen delegation back to Li State did not reach Jun Shan's ears... Currently no one knows that this delegation crossing the river to the west will encounter such an "arrangement" in Da Chu.

If anyone else said something like this, it would be questionable.

But Xie Zhen is a hidden man in the bookstore.

It seems that this move was a "return of favor" arranged by Chen Jingxuan.

"interesting."

Junshan Zhenren asked slowly, "You want to go to the Li Kingdom in the east under the pretext of 'returning the Buddha's bones' and get back the ground that the Imperial City lost?"

"The venue may not be lost."

Xie Xuanyi would certainly not tell Junshan Zhenren that this trip to the East was not only to return the Buddha's bones, but also to welcome the "Son of Heaven".

"Unless you and I take action, no one in Da Chu can be a match for Miao Zhen."

Master Junshan shook his head.

"If Senior Junshan is willing to go with me to leave the country, then I can guarantee that the teachings and discussions at the Great Pudu Temple will not end up like you are worried about."

It was not until this moment that Xie Xuanyi finally extended his olive branch.

Junshan wanted to use him.

He also wanted to use Junshan.

If I were to go to Li Country with Miaozhen's delegation, I would be alone and it would be difficult for me to lead the team.

If there is an invincible reincarnated immortal to help.

Two against one.

The situation is different.

"You kid..."

Junshan Zhenren couldn't help but laugh: "Are you treating yourself as bait, waiting for me to take the bait?"

"Senior. A straight hook without bait, take the bait if you are willing."

Xie Xuanyi smiled slightly and said respectfully: "I heard that the scenery of Li Country is beautiful. Senior has lived in the Taoist sect for a long time, why don't you go out and take a look?"

"Win first, then talk."

Junshan Zhenren waved his hands, sighing with emotion: "The world has really changed. Back then, my senior brother took me on a long journey, thousands of miles away, to plant the flag of the King of Da Chu on the top of the Snow Country. Back then, we fought with the great practitioners of the Li Country for ten days and ten nights, and no one was willing to take a step back. Now, the Fanyin Temple has planted a flag near the Da Chu Imperial City to challenge it, and no one is willing to take a step forward."

“The world has really changed now.”

Xie Xuanyi understood what Junshan meant, but remained indifferent.

He looked at the lanterns reflected in the Yingcheng Lake and said in an extremely calm tone: "If a dynasty wants its people to be willing to work hard for it, it needs to do more than just shout a few slogans... Whether the dynasty rises or falls depends not only on what the people do for the dynasty, but also on what the rulers of the dynasty do for the people."

There is a very simple truth circulating in the secular streets.

As a subordinate, you should treat yourself as a human being.

As a superior person, you should treat others as human beings.

If the Da Chu Dynasty imitated the Dayue Kingdom and treated the people of the country as grass, how could such a dynasty be worthy of the people's risking their lives for it?

"That's the truth..."

Junshan Zhenren's young face suddenly looked a little more mature for no reason.

There was regret in his eyes, and more of a pity.

In the current Da Chu Dynasty, the person who holds the highest power is the Holy Queen.

Compared with Chu Qing, the Holy Queen is not really a "wise ruler". She left the Northern Great Wall vacant and recalled the Northern County families. Such stupid moves have long been criticized and the people in all four borders are full of resentment, but it has not yet come to the time for a "rebound".

"Da Chu, is he still the same Da Chu?" Junshan looked at the ceiling, lost in confusion and lost in reminiscence.

……

……

Before dawn in Yingcheng, Junshan Zhenren said goodbye. This time when he left the Taoist sect, he brought many people with him.

In the battle at Tailing last night, he left with Xie Xuanyi in a cool and neat manner, but the Taoist disciples who stayed behind had to be "dealt with".

However, Junshan kept Deng Baiyi here.

He promised Deng Baiyi.

When he arrives at the imperial city and meets Xie Xuanyi, he will give the two of them enough time to be alone.

"Xie Zhen...how have you been recently?"

By the Yingcheng Lake, the lanterns gradually dimmed, the dark clouds dissipated, and the dawn began to appear. Wisps of glow fell on the two people, attracting many people's attention. Xie Xuanyi wore an ordinary mask with the "appearance of all living beings" and looked ordinary, but Deng Baiyi's appearance was undoubtedly superior in the mortal world.

They were dressed in black and white, walking together, and circled Ying Lake several times.

Although they were meeting old friends, they had nothing to say. After thinking for a long time, Deng Baiyi finally spoke.

After separation.

She heard a lot about Xie Zhen's deeds.

With one letter after another delivered by carrier pigeon and one jade slip after another transmitting voice, Deng Baiyi never missed any "news" from Xie Zhen.

Who would have thought that after just a brief meeting, this young man in black would become the most famous figure in the world of cultivation.

Not to mention just traveling outside the world, even if you retreat to the forest, you might still hear Xie Zhen's name -

Deng Baiyi is not stupid.

In fact, she already had a rough guess about Xie Zhen's background.

Since the Qingzhou case file mentioned that the two had traveled together, many Taoist disciples who were curious about Xie Zhen had asked her about Xie Zhen's story. These days, Deng Baiyi never said a word about Xie Xuanyi's past. She completely blocked the time before she stepped into Lichao City and did not let anyone touch it.

"not bad."

This question was a bit vague, but Xie Xuanyi did not answer it perfunctorily.

He thought for a moment, and said carefully and meticulously: "After leaving Qingzhou, I returned to Dasui Sword Palace and found a good place for Jiang Huang to live. In addition, I asked someone to arrange a mansion for your father in Anshan Street. I heard that he is living a very happy life recently. If you fly back to the imperial city on your sword now, you may be able to see him having breakfast with his servants... Can you fly your sword now?"

The second half of the sentence was spoken with a smile.

Deng Baiyi looked a little dazed.

This familiar voice reminded her of what Xie Xuanyi said to her when they parted at Lichao Lake.

[“Deng Baiyi, go to Tianxiazhai and practice well.”]

[“When we meet next time, you will be a sword immortal, the kind that can fly in the sky.”]

Deng Baiyi took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly, and mustered up the courage to ask: "Is controlling the sword with talismans considered controlling the sword?"

"..."

Xie Xuanyi slowly stopped and looked at Deng Baiyi in surprise.

If I remember correctly, it has been less than a year since we parted in Qingzhou.

Deng Baiyi's talent for sword energy is not very great, and if he wants to control the sword with talismans, he needs to expend a lot of energy and put in a lot of effort.

"If the talisman controls the sword, it doesn't count as controlling the sword... I probably can't do it yet..."

Deng Baiyi lowered her head feeling somewhat guilty.

"Of course it counts."

Unexpectedly, Xie Xuanyi's voice interrupted her.

Deng Baiyi was stunned for a moment.

She raised her head and saw the black-clothed boy's eyes as clear as the sea.

"The great principles of the world are not divided into left and right. There is no high or low in the world."

Xie Xuanyi said with a hint of satisfaction: "You have only practiced for a few months, and you are able to control the sword with talismans at the foundation-building stage... This is indeed a very impressive achievement. Although you cannot be considered a true sword immortal, it is only a matter of time before you can control the sword with qi. I was right about you."

After hearing these words, even Xie Xuanyi himself was a little surprised.

Is this really what you said?

Back then at Lotus Peak, Xie Xuanyi's attitude towards sword practice was extremely serious. When his master asked him to teach, he gave lectures at Lotus Peak and gave instructions one by one. Those young disciples who were originally excited, became as cold as if water had been poured on them after receiving his instructions, because Xie Xuanyi's "instructions" were too cold and cruel.

Even the extremely talented junior sister Huang Su was scolded by Xie Xuanyi when she became his disciple.

In the past, he almost never said words of praise or encouragement.

The reason is very simple. He himself is a monument to sword practice. All geniuses who want to practice sword must look up to Xie Xuanyi.

Xie Xuanyi looked down at the latecomers and all he saw were flaws.

How can he encourage these pursuers who have flaws all over their bodies and mediocre talents?
"……call."

Deng Baiyi's confidence increased greatly, and he often breathed a sigh of relief. His heart, which had been hanging in the air, finally settled down.

On the way from Yuzhu Town to Qingzhou, she was often insulted by Xie Zhen.

She knew that in terms of swordsmanship, she was not even one ten-thousandth as good as Xie Zhen.

No matter how hard you practice, you may not be able to compare to the casual comprehension of a genius.

So Deng Baiyi often worried that even if she tried her best, she would still not be strong enough when she met Xie Zhen next time. At that time... would he be very disappointed in her?
Now the biggest worry is gone.

"I don't know if it's my illusion..."

Deng Baiyi pursed her lips, carefully looked at the black-clad teenager beside her, and said cautiously: "I always feel that you seem to be... a little different."

"Have it?"

Xie Xuanyi smiled subconsciously, and then the smile froze for a moment.

He suddenly realized that perhaps Deng Baiyi was right.

When Xie Xuanyi accidentally lowered his head, he saw the reflection in the lake. The sun was rising at dawn, and the sparkling water was falling on the lake. A young face with a smile on the corners of his lips was revealed among the swaying ripples.

The face still revealed paleness.

But it exudes a faint vitality...

He has indeed changed.

In the past, he was serious most of the time.

Even when facing fellow disciples and sisters from Lotus Peak, he rarely smiles. It is precisely because of the influence of Xie Xuanyi that Qi Lie has this face now. Most of the time, Qi Lie will not smile, almost exactly like Xie Xuanyi back then... He is actually the person who admires Brother Xuanyi the most in Lotus Peak, and everything he says and does is learning from Xie Xuanyi.

Xie Xuanyi touched his cheek subconsciously.

Through the cold world of all living beings, he felt a faint warmth.

I don't know when it started, but he is no longer the same as he was back then.

Perhaps it was because he had lived a second life, perhaps it was because of the Fountain of Immortality, or perhaps it was because of the laws of life. Xie Xuanyi had no idea what exactly caused the change, but he was sure that in this life, his heart was no longer filled with haze, and there were no longer only cold and cruel words like "win or lose" and "life or death".

If he had seen this fluorescent lake back then, he would have looked away for just a moment.

But now.

He saw lanterns all over the lake, the shining light from the sky, and tourists coming and going... This was the complete, real world.

He could see more.

It also began to be able to accommodate more.

It turns out that practicing Kendo is not just a responsibility, nor is it just a burden.

It is something that happens naturally and in accordance with one's heart.

(End of this chapter)