Unsheathed

Chapter 474 (1): The Cultivation World Still Has Chen Ping’an

Wei Wei traveled away on the wind, seemingly shrinking the mountains and rivers to a stride’s length as she did so. As such, she naturally arrived at the Sword Water Villa quicker than the convoy of carriages.

Wei Wei returned to the Sword Water Villa soon after leaving, but Song Yushao still didn’t come out to greet her, and it was again Song Fengshan and Liu Qian who welcomed her.

Song Yushao had spared Wei Wei’s life in the old temple back then, but this didn’t imply that the old sword saint of the Water Combing Nation was fond of her. Indeed, had he not suffered a huge knot in his heart when dealing with Liu Qian, his granddaughter-in-law and one of the four evil spirits of the Water Combing Nation? However, when an experienced and rule-abiding member of the cultivation world grew old and returned home, performing some self-reflection at the same time, things were likely to change.

This was especially the case after Song Yushao was forced to give away his bamboo sword scabbard, and it was only after that moment that he had fully acknowledged and accepted Liu Qian, allowing her to deal with family affairs. In fact, Song Yushao was even willing to run around for her, actively making contact with Han Yuanshan for the sake of her plan to become a deity in the future. Otherwise, Song Yushao had already caught the eye of a Confucian academy, and it should have been a certainty for him to advance to the next cultivation tier. However, this was nothing more than a dream now.

Song Yushao was incredibly happy to meet Chen Ping’an this time, not only because he was able to personally witness Chen Ping’an becoming a sword immortal from the mountains, but also because Chen Ping’an’s journey through the cultivation world was similar to his own.

There were few people walking the same paths, and when one encountered another in the wind and rain by chance, then it was only right that they should walk side-by-side and enjoy some fine wine.

During their first encounter, it could be said that Song Yushao had only regarded the young boy traveling around with a bamboo bookcase on his back as a junior who was very worth keeping an eye on. During their second encounter, Chen Ping’an was already a young man dressed in azure, wearing a bamboo hat, and carrying a sword on his back. When they drank tea and wine and enjoyed hotpot together, it was as if they were two like-minded people with a sense of tacit understanding between them. Both of them appreciated and cherished this friendship.

Of course, this was from the perspective of Song Yushao. Just like he always had, Chen Ping’an still treated Song Yushao as a respectable senior both in his heart and on the surface. Song Yushao didn’t try to forcefully change this, and in any case, which person in the cultivation world didn’t like to have face?

Upon learning that Song Fengshan and Liu Qian were discussing matters with Wei Wei again, Song Yushao went to the waterside pavilion near the waterfall to sit by himself.

Many years had already passed since Song Yushao had last carried a sword with him, and he rested his old companion, Immovable, across his knees today. It was from the mechanisms of the pillar rock in the deep pool in front of him that he had inadvertently obtained this sword and the bamboo sword scabbard. However, Song Yushao had felt slightly puzzled at the time, since the sword and its scabbard had seemingly been thrown together by their previous owner who had dropped them here. They weren’t originally a pair.

Immovable was naturally a top-notch sword that martial artists in the cultivation world dreamed of obtaining. Song Yushao had loved traveling in his youth, and he had visited many famous mountains and come across many spirits, fiends, and ghosts when traversing across the cultivation world. During this time, Immovable had played a huge role in allowing him to strike down his foes.

As for the bamboo sword scabbard made from very unique bamboo, Song Yushao had only found a single damaged page making mention of it after poring through the scripture libraries of officials and private citizens. Only then did he discover that the bamboo sword scabbard had been personally crafted by a martial god from another continent. It was only after some immortal traveled through continents and lost his sword at the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent that the damaged page of the ancient scripture read: “Blinding light splitting the Five Mountains, Sword qi severing the large waterway.” This painted a grand picture.

Song Yushao had once asked countless immortal forces from the mountains about the origin of the bamboo sword scabbard, but he had still failed to obtain any concrete answer. Some immortals speculated that the scabbard was a spiritual matter from the Bamboo Sea Small World’s Azure Divine Mountain. However, the lack of engravings on the scabbard meant that there were no clues to follow. In addition to this, there was seemingly nothing special about the scabbard apart from its extreme toughness and lack of wear inside after becoming Immovable’s sheath. Song Yushao had initially thought that the scabbard was the previous owner’s backup choice for Immovable, but it turned out that Immovable was actually an inferior blade for the bamboo sword scabbard?

Song Yushao looked down at the ancient sword, still as razor-sharp as always. It glowed brilliantly under the sun, and the mist lingering in the waterside pavilion was completely unable to conceal the radiance of the sword light.

Song Yushao reached down and lightly patted the blade of the sword, and when he looked up again at the magnificent waterfall that was like the long white hair of an immortal draping down from the skies, he murmured to himself, “Old friend, both of us have grown old now…”

Over at the meeting hall, Wei Wei recounted the stand-off between the convoy of carriages and the gallant individuals from the cultivation world, also mentioning Chen Ping’an’s involvement as well as the message that he had asked her to deliver. There was a solemn expression on Song Fengshan’s face.

Liu Qian appeared extremely composed, not revealing any signs of delight or anger, and this was as a result of her dual identity. After hearing Chen Ping’an’s message and understanding the weight behind his words, however, she also sighed with emotion and remarked, “Grandpa wasn’t wrong to trust him.”

“These matters are more complicated than they appear,” Song Fengshan said quietly.

Liu Qian nodded in agreement. She was a sacrificial pawn placed in the Water Combing Nation by the Great Li Empire, after all, so her experience and knowledge were even above that of ordinary martial arts grandmasters and immortals from the mountains.

As such, she had an even better understanding than Song Fengshan and Song Yushao regarding just how powerful that pure martial artist from the Middle Earth Divine Continent was.

In the cultivation world of nations such as the Water Combing Nation and the Pine Stream Nation, seventh tier martial artists were already viewed as paramount martial gods. In reality, the Vajra Body Tier was only the first tier of the Three Spirit Refining Tiers. Beyond that, the Far Roaming Tier and the Mountain Summit Tier were even more terrifying. As for the tenth tier that followed, the End Tier, this was something so terrifying that even martial artists at the Mountain Summit Tier would feel completely petrified.

Liu Qian could roughly gauge just how powerful the Far Roaming Tier martial artist from the Middle Earth Divine Continent was, and this was thanks to her previous official relationships with those in the Great Li Empire’s Green Ripple Pavilion. The pavilion had investigated the matter for the Sword Water Villa, and they had discovered that the martial artist wasn’t simply a pure martial artist at the eighth tier, the Far Roaming Tier. Rather, it was very likely that he was one of the most powerful Far Roaming Tier martial artists in the world, similar to a Go player being a ninth-rank grandmaster who was also honored as a nation’s Go official.

The reason behind this revelation was very simple. Top-ranking officials of the Green Ripple Pavilion had come to look for Liu Qian and the local mountain god to ask for a more detailed explanation of the events, and this was because the matter had caught the attention of the Great Li Empire’s temporary ruler, Song Changjing!

If it weren’t for the outsider who had forcefully obtained the bamboo sword scabbard leaving so early, perhaps Song Changjing would have personally traveled over to face him. At that time, things would have been very easy to resolve. The god-like general of the Great Li Empire was an End Tier martial artist, after all, and Liu Qian believed that Song Changjing wouldn’t fear anything if he were willing to take action, even if the martial artist from the Middle Earth Divine Continent had a very powerful backer.

That would no longer be a case of which martial artist had the stronger fist, and it would instead be elevated to the level of a battle between great trends.

The Great Li Empire had already conquered half of the continent, and it was in line with the great trend that they would obtain the entire fortune of the continent in the future. This was the Great Li Empire’s biggest source of confidence.

In the future, perhaps they could easily rise to become one of the top five empires of the Majestic World?

Wei Wei was someone who relished chaos and commotion, and she swayed her embroidered shoes back and forth as she sat in the meeting hall and said, “Lady Chu is planning to visit the Sword Water Villa soon, so should we directly throw her out at that time, or should we smile and welcome her as a guest? Apart from that venomous Lady Chu, there’s also Wang Shanhu from the Unruly Saber Villa as well as Han Yuanxue, Han Yuanshan’s younger sister. It seems like quite a lively group with these three women gathered together.”

Liu Qian smiled faintly and said, “I can deal with the smaller matters, but Fengshan will, of course, have the final say on the major matters.”

Song Fengshan appeared slightly helpless as he said, “We’ll see what Grandpa has to say about these matters. I’ve never been comfortable dealing with these kinds of business matters.”

Wei Wei looked at Liu Qian and chuckled, “I heard that Wang Shanhu was secretly in love with your husband back then?”

Song Fengshan remained quiet and unmoving, understanding that he couldn’t entertain these kinds of conversations at all. Moreover, the reason that he didn’t like to deal with business affairs was because he didn’t want to get distracted as he strove to walk further along the path of the Sword Dao. Song Fengshan’s dislike for dealing with business affairs didn’t imply that he was truly aloof to these matters.

Liu Qian smiled and replied, “Is it strange for a good man to be adored and secretly loved by a few women?”

“That young man with the surname Chen is truly an impressive individual,” Wei Wei suddenly said for no apparent reason. “Your grandpa has very sharp judgment, noticing something in him back then when I didn’t detect anything at all. However, both he and your grandpa are quite boring. Their sword skills are so profound, yet they’re so hesitant and indecisive when they do things, mulling over things again and again before they decide to kill someone. Even when they’re clearly in the right, they still hold back their power when battling against their opponents.

“On the other hand, look at Su Lang. After breaking through, he directly strode over to challenge your mountain villa, announcing to the world that he wanted to challenge the swordsmanship of your grandpa. As an outsider, and even as your friend, I still feel in the depths of my heart that Green Bamboo Sword Immortal Su Lang is a carefree and dashing individual. This is what cultivators in the cultivation world should be like.”

“And? What was the result?” Song Fengshan asked with a cold chuckle.

The small and petite female ghost lazily leaned back in her chair and replied, “Su Lang was simply lacking some luck. I dare say that even though this sword immortal from the Pine Stream Nation faced a significant setback here, he’ll no doubt become the number one cultivator in the cultivation world of the surrounding dozen or so nations in the next few decades. Things will become quite miserable for you at that time, Song Fengshan, and you’ll only be able to eat dust behind Su Lang both in terms of fame and swordsmanship. You’ll be inferior to that domineering and selfish Su Lang.”

Song Fengshan dismissed this with a smile. Each person had their own fate, and the final height that a swordsman reached could only be reflected by the sword in their hand. This was just like the past when the Sword Water Villa had been at the height of its fame and reputation.

Everyone had claimed that Sword Saint Song Yushao from the Water Combing Nation had already surpassed the Colorful Garment Nation’s aging sword god, and it was because the latter was afraid of being challenged by Song Yushao that he had entered seclusion and sealed his sword.

People had said that the sword god was voluntarily retreating and showing weakness because he was afraid that he wouldn’t dare to accept the challenge when Song Yushao challenged his swordsmanship one day.

In reality, though? Even after the elderly sword god faced an unexpected challenge and died in an extremely disgraceful manner, he was still the swordsman whom Song Yushao respected the most.

There was a hint of anger on Liu Qian’s face.

Wei Wei hurriedly put her hands together in a prayer, pretending to look pitiful as she pleaded, “Alright, alright, alright, it’s my fault for being stupid and speaking without thinking. Big Sister Liu Qian is a magnanimous person, so please don’t get angry about this.”

Song Fengshan was unwilling to interact with this female ghost too much, so he left first and made his way to the waterfall, delivering Chen Ping’an’s message to his grandpa.

Wei Wei had taken over a mountain for herself, and even though she couldn’t be regarded as full of evil, Song Fengshan couldn’t bring himself to like her no matter what. It was only because his wife was friends with Wei Wei and because Wei Wei was an ally that he was willing to sit down and drink tea with her.

For example, Song Fengshan detested the past relationship that Wei Wei had with Han Yuanshan, and he had privately encouraged Liu Qian to view their alliance with Wei Wei as nothing more than a mutually beneficial transaction.

Meanwhile, Liu Qian shouldn’t grow too close to Wei Wei on a personal level. This was one of the very few times that Song Fengshan had relied on his position as the family head to speak reason with his wife. Moreover, it was because Song Fengshan seldom tried to speak reason regarding trivial matters that his reasons regarding this matter had appeared so significant.

And thus, Liu Qian had listened to him and followed his advice.

In other words, her remark about Song Fengshan having the final say on major matters wasn’t a lie.

This reflected Liu Qian’s smarts as well as the strengths of the Song Clan’s teachings. Otherwise, Liu Qian could only have the empty title of young mistress but never receive Song Yushao’s true acknowledgement and acceptance. At that time, things would be the most difficult for Song Fengshan.

If Song Fengshan allowed Liu Qian to do whatever she wanted, then he would be asking for trouble and have no one to blame if his grandpa was merciless in the future. He wouldn’t be able to blame Liu Qian either. It was said that even upright officials would have difficulty attributing right and wrong in family affairs, and this wasn’t because speaking reason was a difficult task. Rather, it was extremely difficult to speak reason in the right way. This was especially so in family settings where one needed to navigate seniority and hierarchical issues.

When Song Fengshan walked past the Mountain and Water Pavilion, the large and impressive convoy had already made its way through the small town and arrived outside the Sword Water Villa.

Liu Qian hesitated for a moment, but she eventually decided against sending someone over to notify Song Yushao and Song Fengshan.

Firstly, the visitors — Lady Chu, Wang Shanhu, and Han Yuanshan — were all women, so it would appear too grand a welcome by the Sword Water Villa if Song Yushao personally greeted the three of them. Liu Qian couldn’t bring herself to make such a request either. In reality, it would be just right for Song Fengshan and her to greet them together, but she was unwilling to disturb Song Fengshan’s conversation with his grandpa.

Secondly, why were they visiting immediately after Su Lang attempted to challenge the Sword Water Villa? Their intentions were very clear. However, the villa’s apparent decline was nothing more than a facade, so there was no need for any of them to personally welcome their guests. What did it matter even if Great General “Chu Hao” personally visited? Liu Qian was the head spy of the Great Li Empire’s Green Ripple Pavilion stationed in the Water Combing Nation, so was she not high-ranking enough to welcome them? Was this not enough respect and etiquette for them?

Wei Wei was hiding from the visitors, casually wandering around the villa by herself.

In the end, she sat in the Mountain and Water Pavilion near the waterfall, thinking about matters in her boredom. No matter how she thought about it, she found it unfathomable that the unremarkable country bumpkin from back then had suddenly shot to such great heights. Most importantly, how had he suddenly transformed from a pure martial artist at a low cultivation base to a lofty sword immortal from the mountains? Had he taken the wrong medicine? If such a mysterious medicine truly existed, then she wanted a big handful of them! She wouldn’t regret it no matter how stuffed she became!

Over at the waterside pavilion, Song Yushao had already returned the ancient sword, Immovable, to the pillar rock in the deep pool, closing the mechanism that someone in the past had created. He stood on the small pillar rock with his hands clasped behind his back, and he allowed the mist to moisten his clothes as he looked up at the waterfall. Only when Song Fengshan approached the waterside pavilion did the old man in black finally come to his senses, leaping back into the pavilion and asking with a smile, “Is something the matter?”

Song Fengshan repeated the message that Wei Wei had come to deliver.

There was a satisfied look on Song Yushao’s face.

“Grandpa doesn’t find this strange at all?” Song Fengshan asked in puzzlement.

There was a wide smile on Song Yushao’s face as he replied in a self-satisfied voice, “I know what that young boy is going to shit once he raises his bum. What is there to be surprised about? Let me put this another way. I would have been surprised if he didn’t do this.”

Song Fengshan had already mended his relationship with Song Yushao, so there was no sense of hesitation as he couldn’t help but say in amusement, “Grandpa, just look at how smug you are about befriending a young sword immortal.”

Song Yushao smiled faintly and replied, “Are you jealous? If so, then why don’t you wander around the mountains to find one for your grandpa to see? I’ll concede defeat if their ability and character are even half that of Chen Ping’an’s. What do you say?”

Song Fengshan sighed in grief and asked, “Grandpa, which of us was your true grandson again?”

“My grandson is naturally the one with fewer accomplishments,” Song Yushao replied with a smile.

Song Fengshan was rendered speechless.

Song Fengshan laughed heartily and patted Song Fengshan’s shoulder, saying, “You’re still my grandson even if you’re not the most capable. In any case, your character isn’t any worse than that young boy.”

Song Yushao paused for a moment before continuing, “In any case, you’ve already found yourself a good wife, while Chen Ping’an is still single. Has he not lost to you in this sense? If you hurry up and allow your grandpa to hold a great-grandson soon, then Chen Ping’an would have still lost to you even if he gets married in the future.”

Song Fengshan was absolutely lost for words.

It sounded like his grandpa was praising him, but he couldn’t bring himself to feel happy no matter what.

Even so, Song Fengshan still breathed a sigh of relief in his mind. His grandpa had already been in a very good mood after seeing Chen Ping’an, he had further untied the knot in his heart after hearing Chen Ping’an’s words. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have made such a joke to his grandson.

Song Yushao pondered for a moment before rubbing his chin and saying, “Giving birth to a great-granddaughter would be quite good. Cultivators all seek longevity, so perhaps you’ll have a chance to become Chen Ping’an’s father-in-law.”

“Grandpa! You’re taking things too far now!” Song Fengshan couldn’t help but exclaim.

Song Yushao retracted his smile, but his expression remained peaceful and at ease as if he no longer had any worries. “Alright, it was Grandpa’s fault for being too stubborn that I made you and Liu Qian worry for the past few years,” he said softly. “It was also Grandpa’s fault for underestimating Chen Ping’an. However, after abiding by the rules of the cultivation world my entire life, I truly felt like there was no rule or reason left after I was suppressed by an outsider who didn’t even need to throw a single punch.

“Of course, this isn’t actually the case, and the principles of the cultivation world have always remained the same. Things only turned out this way because I’m too weak and my sword skills are too lowly. However, this doesn’t matter. The cultivation world still has Chen Ping’an, so he’ll speak the reasons that I’m not able to speak.”

“But will this delay Chen Ping’an’s own cultivation?” Song Fengshan asked in a quiet voice. “For cultivators in the mountains, becoming involved in external events and mortal affairs is a huge taboo.”

Song Yushao felt very content and happy at this moment, and his eyes hadn’t been this bright for several years already. “Good, very good! The fact that you think like this makes you no inferior to Chen Ping’an! This is the true spirit of our Sword Water Villa!”

Song Yushao then paused for a moment before lowering his voice and saying, “There are some things that I can’t say as a senior, so I’ll leave you to say these good things to Liu Qian. The Sword Water Villa owes her far too much, and as her husband, it’s naturally a good thing for you to focus on practicing the sword. However, this isn’t a reason for you to ignore and disregard those around you. After a woman gets married, it’s not a given that she should work hard and endure hardships in all areas.”

Song Fengshan was just about to say something.

However, Song Yushao immediately shot a glare at him and scolded, “Are grandpa’s principles any worse than yours? Just keep quiet and listen to me. Look at Chen Ping’an’s demeanor when he spoke with me — he wanted to remember every single word that I said. You should learn from him!”

Song Fengshan smiled and replied, “I don’t dare to talk back to Grandpa, so I’ll count this as Chen Ping’an’s fault. The next time he visits, one of me can drink him unconscious twice with his inability to hold his liquor.”

“I won’t stop you from doing this,” Song Yushao said with a nod.

“Get ready to meet Han Yuanshan. I won’t entertain him, however, as there’s nothing for us to discuss,” Song Yushao suddenly said.

“Is Grandpa saying that he’s hiding in the convoy?” Song Fengshan asked.

Song Yushao nodded and replied, “We can make a bet if you don’t believe me.”

Song Fengshan shook his head and replied, “It will be a certain loss for me, so what’s the point of making such a bet? I’ll join Liu Qian right away.”