Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

The mountain path wound its way forward, and the cool breeze of the bamboo forest and the medicinal fragrance of the clinic gradually faded into the distance.

Xie Xiaoyi walked slowly, carrying a heavy bundle on his back containing travel expenses, medicine for his injuries, and the wooden sword that his senior brother had made overnight.

The sword was made of ordinary paulownia wood, and it felt warm in my hand, unlike the swords carried by those wandering swordsmen, which were cold and sharp, yet exuded a sense of reliability.

The eldest brother said that the quality of a sword reflects the quality of a person; whatever you hold in your heart, your sword will carry that quality.

You've studied medicine, so you know that saving lives requires compassion; the same applies to swordsmanship—you need a swordsman's heart.

Xie Xiaoyi thought it made sense and asked his senior brother if he understood the principles of swordsmanship.

Hua Lingshu shook his head at the time, saying that he could only talk about swords, but not practice them.

Xie Xiaoyi thought to himself: Sure enough, it sounds better when you talk than you sing.

Before long, the mountain road gradually became an official road, and more and more people came and went. Vendors began to set up stalls and sell their wares along the roadside.

After walking for another half day, they finally saw a tall city gate in the distance.

The city walls are bluish-gray, and above the city gate are three large characters: Qingjiang City.

The city gate was bustling with people: peddlers carrying loads, bodyguards on tall horses, and woodcutters leading donkeys. It was noisy and lively, full of the atmosphere of everyday life.

Xie Xiaoyi narrowed his eyes, tightened the bundle on his back, and walked towards the city gate.

The last time he went to the Kunlun Heavenly Sword Sect, he rode two tall horses and didn't have time to admire the scenery along the way.

This time was different. Xie Xiaoyi decided to take a walk to clear her head and explore all the places she could.

Upon entering Qingjiang City, Xie Xiaoyi found an inn to stay in. The room was inexpensive, and the view from the window was of a bustling street.

He put down his baggage and took out the wooden sword made by his senior brother, feeling a little uneasy.

He knows light-footed skills, understands internal energy cultivation, and even his knife skills, which he practiced while picking flowers, are quite skillful, but he has never actually touched a sword.

With nothing else to do, Xie Xiaoyi took the silver notes and strolled over to the street corner to browse the street vendors' stalls.

The stalls were packed tightly together, selling hidden weapons, demonstrating martial arts manuals, and hawking liniments for bruises and sprains.

There were also people shouting and bragging about their martial arts skills being the best in the world, making a racket that filled the entire street corner.

Along the way, Xie Xiaoyi has been taken advantage of by many "merchants" because of his young age.

"Sir/Madam!"

Would you like to buy a copy of the "Founding of the Mountain Boxing Manual"?

One punch and mountains crumble; the title of "Number One Punch in the World" is no exaggeration!

"Please wait, sir!"

Check out the "Five Tigers Severing the Gate" sword technique!

A single strike can sever a soul; no one within ten steps can rival him. This is the only copy of this secret martial arts manual!

"Take a look!"

"Ten Thousand Swords Return to One" Sword Manual!

Master this move, and you'll sweep across the martial arts world; even sword immortals will have to make way for you!

Don't miss it!

"The Cloud-Piercing Palm Technique! One palm strike can stir up three layers of waves, ten palm strikes can break the Heavenly Gate Formation. Miss it today, and you'll have to wait another ten years!"

Xie Xiaoyi dared not respond, because he knew that once he did, he would be entangled with them.

These businessmen have sharp eyes and sweet words; if you show even the slightest interest...

They immediately swarmed around, boasting and spitting until you were drowning in their spittle. You wouldn't be able to escape without pulling out some money from your pocket.

He walked on until he saw a booklet with a yellowed cover, and then he stopped.

The words on the cover are crooked and read "Sword Eight Styles".

The stall owner was a sprightly old man. Seeing his interest, he quickly called out his wares:

"You have excellent taste, sir!"

Don't be fooled by this booklet's simple appearance; it only contains eight basic sword techniques, each with its own explanation and no fancy moves. Only those with the right affinity can truly understand it!

He spoke with such seriousness that Xie Xiaoyi, if not for his extensive experience in the ways of the world, would almost have believed him.

He glanced at the booklet; it was indeed quite ordinary, unlike those gimmicky things that claimed to be "peerless sword techniques."

The old man noticed the hesitation in his eyes and immediately leaned closer, looking very serious:

"Sir/Madam!"

Don't be fooled by this tattered book; it's a peerless secret manual!

Thirty years ago, the East Sea region was invaded by barbaric demons. A sword immortal defeated the demon army with just these eight moves.

The final sword strike, "Laughing at the Mortal World," sliced ​​off the demon clan leader's beard!

If anyone else wants to buy it, I'll ask for a thousand taels of silver right off the bat, not a penny less!

Xie Xiaoyi raised an eyebrow, twirling a copper coin in his hand, a long-lost roguish smile playing on his lips:

"Oh? That's amazing? Why didn't that sword immortal make a name for himself in history?"

The old man glared, slapped his thigh, and shouted:

"Hi!

He is a reclusive master!

He finished his fight and left, going off to travel the world!

Besides, I'm the only one left of this manual!

"Since you're here today, five hundred taels! That's the lowest I can offer!"

Xie Xiaoyi chuckled and was about to get up and leave when he caught a glimpse of the old man's straight back out of the corner of his eye.

The wind ruffled his gray hair, and strangely, he exuded the aura of his master when he guarded the medicine hut.

He froze, and his cunning as a flower thief vanished instantly, leaving only a vague and inexplicable softness.

"Five hundred taels?"

Xie Xiaoyi squatted back down, took out the silver notes from his pocket, counted them, and said, "I only have one hundred taels on me, no more."

The old man was stunned, so shocked he almost fainted.

He never expected to encounter such a wealthy but naive young man who was so easily fooled.

Thank God!

I was hoping to scam thirty or fifty copper coins, but this kid just threw out a hundred taels!

Now we can renovate that dilapidated thatched hut and enjoy a few jars of fine wine.

We can also rub against the breasts of the young ladies at "Lichun Courtyard".

Glancing at the face value on the banknote, the old man, fearing that Xie Xiaoyi might change his mind, grabbed a corner of the banknote.

"One hundred taels? One hundred taels it is!"

His voice was a little anxious, as if he was afraid Xie Xiaoyi would pull his hand back. As he spoke, he stuffed the "Eight Sword Styles" into Xie Xiaoyi's arms.

"We're destined to meet today, you've hit the jackpot!"

You've snagged a peerless martial arts manual at a rock-bottom price! Grab it now, and don't let anyone else see it!

Xie Xiaoyi was amused by his eager appearance and then put the booklet into her pocket.

The old man turned around, clutching the silver note, examining it carefully. Fearing Xie Xiaoyi might change his mind, he turned back and urged him:

"Hurry up! Don't come looking for me if you don't become a sword immortal! Remember, you must be sincere when practicing swordsmanship..."

Xie Xiaoyi waved his hand without turning his head, but his mind was no longer on teasing her.

This old man speaks in a very worldly and江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) way, but he really does have a similar aura to my master.

Consider this hundred taels as... buying Master a cup of wine.

Back at the inn, Xie Xiaoyi opened the "Eight Sword Styles" manual, looked at the eight moves, and suddenly laughed.

As expected, it's simple and straightforward, with each move accompanied by an impressive-sounding name, without a trace of mystery.

Sword One: Gale

Sword 2: Broken Wood

JX3: Armor Penetration

Sword 4: Crack

Sword 5: Star Picking

Sword 6: Chasing the Moon

Sword Seven: Piercing Sun

Kenpachi: Laughing at the Mortal World.

Ha ha!

Interesting. Since I have nothing else to do, I might as well give it a try.