Volume One: Tian Nan ? Xuan Qing Chapter 9: Unaware of the Tides Waiting for Whom

  "...But I also encountered a strange thing. In the third year of my solo journey to Zhongyuan to find my senior brother, during the summer season, I was visiting the Lingnan Sword Sect, inquiring about my senior brother's whereabouts."

  The Lingnan Sword Sect and our Nanhai Sword Sect have been friends for generations, and the leader of the Lingnan Sword Sect, "Luofu Quick Sword" Li Shiwan, is also a close friend of mine. So I was treated as an honored guest. That night, I stayed in the "Lixiang Chan Temple", which was specially arranged by the Lingnan Sword Sect for distinguished guests to stay overnight. Due to my exhaustion during the day, I fell asleep quickly.

  At midnight, I suddenly felt a gust of cool breeze on my face and woke up with a start.

  That night, there was some moonlight, and I saw that there was an extra person inside the house. Although the light inside the house wasn't very bright, I could only see the faint outline of this person. But I knew she must be a woman, because her body had a strange fragrance, the kind that once you smelled it, you would never forget it for the rest of your life, a unique and unforgettable scent that you'd never smelled before.

  I was shocked and thought that the Lingnan Sword Sect's guards were so strict, "Luofu Quick Sword" Li Shiwan and his fellow disciples were all top-notch masters in Jianghu, and the guard of "Lizixuan Temple" was even more stringent. How could this woman have come to my room without being detected? It seems that she didn't intend to harm me either. If she wanted to harm me, I would have been dead by now when I wasn't awake earlier.

  Lu Zhihan was also worried, only to hear Zhao Yinfeng continue: "I didn't dare move at all, and the cold sweat on my body flowed down from my back, soaking my clothes completely.

  The woman gazed at me for the time it took to burn an incense stick, then let out a soft sigh and suddenly flew out of the window from beside me. I only felt a chill on my face and a soft object in my hand, without even seeing how she had flown out of the window. Her movement was so swift that it surpassed even ghosts and demons, and even my senior brother's skills would be inferior to hers. What method did she use to put the thing in my hand? I didn't even see it clearly. This woman's movements were at least ten times faster than mine, her martial arts skills had reached an unimaginable level, shocking and astonishing.

  I woke up with a start and immediately lit the lamp in the room. Upon closer inspection, I found that it was a sheepskin map in my hand, which depicted a mountain peak and its surroundings. At first, I didn't understand its meaning, but what shocked me most was that on the right side of the map were written nine large characters "Fen Guang Cheng Ying She Zhi Jian In This" and some other small words. Only then did I realize that this woman had no malicious intentions.

  I just don't know, with her extraordinary skills and martial arts, it would be easy for her to take the Shenguang Chengying Snake Sword or return it to me, but why did she only give me a map and let me find it myself? And she only said that the Shenguang Chengying Snake Sword was there, what about my senior brother, is he dead or not? The next day, the people of the Lingnan Sword Sect were completely unaware of anything unusual, I also bid farewell and left.

  "For over twenty years, I have traveled from south to north, across the vast desert and from east to west, covering all corners of the land, following this map in search of the mountain peaks depicted on it... yet until now, I have found nothing..." Zhao Yin Feng fell silent, two lines of tears streaming down his face. The bitterness of over twenty years, all for naught...

  "...For the past twenty years, the Southern Ocean Sword Sect has been in decline due to infighting among brothers. As a result, our sect's eldest uncle temporarily took over as the acting leader. However, last month I received news that he had passed away, and my brothers are now fighting for control of the sect again. Originally, I planned to return to the Southern Ocean after paying respects at Mount Emei tomorrow, but unexpectedly today is the anniversary of Zhao's death...". Zhao Yin Feng's life force was now dwindling, his breathing growing weaker by the minute.

  Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan were both heartbroken, and could only cry as they listened to their master slowly recount the story.

  Zhao Yunfeng turned his head and looked at the two apprentices with tears in their eyes: "Xin'er, Han'er,... hurry up and kowtow to Master Gu..."

  He then turned to Gu Baiyun: "Brother Gu... Zhao has only one request... Please help me take care of these two disciples... They are both poor and orphaned... From a young age, they have followed me through the Jianghu... Please... you must..."

  Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan immediately knelt down, respectfully kowtowing three times to Gu Baiyun, before getting up to support their master again. Gu Baiyun's throat constricted with emotion, struggling to speak, he nodded forcefully and said: "Brother Zhao, if you have any instructions, I will carry them out without hesitation, even if it means jumping into boiling water or walking through fire!"

  Zhao Yunfeng saw Gu Baiyun nodding, and after hearing his words, he knew that he was a great hero of the current generation. His two apprentices had him to take care of them, and his heart felt a little wider, feeling much more at ease.

  He turned back to look at his two disciples, raised his right hand and gently stroked Luo Zhihan's face and Chen Xin's head: "Xin'er, you are straightforward by nature. In the future when Master is not around, you must be extremely careful, the Jianghu world is treacherous... Han'er, among our sect, your talent is the highest, and your temperament has always been steady. However, as a man, one must be strong, and not shed tears in the face of adversity..."

  Zhao Yunfeng's speech suddenly became fluent, and Luo Zhihan and Chen Xin cried out: "Master, you must be fine, you must be fine..."

  Gu Baiyun knew that Zhao Yangfeng was just a fleeting memory, and her tears finally fell.

  "From today on, the storms of Jianghu will be shouldered by you alone. The radiant sun over the vast southern sea, none other than you can master it. Even in the underworld, our Master will smile...smile...with pride." Zhao Yinfeng's words were cut off, his smile still on his face, but his right hand fell limp.

  A generation of famous swordsman in the South China Sea, never to see again his Shifu who had been searching for thirty years and the treasure of the South China Sea, passed away in this small town at the end of the sky, leaving behind only two disciples crying out loud.

  Lu Shaoxing and Lu Lun were also very sorrowful, but Lu Lun knew that it was not suitable to be so sad at this time and place. After a while, he began to persuade Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan to stop mourning.

  In the wilderness, the black night was pitch dark, and the moonlight was also blocked by a large patch of dark clouds. Gu Baiyun, Lu Shaohang, and Lu Lun were sitting around a large fire, with Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan kneeling beside them. The two disciples silently watched as their master's body slowly turned to ashes in the flames. In the Nanhai Sect, water burial was revered, and it was customary to believe that people come empty-handed and should leave empty-handed. Why be bound by external things?

  Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan recalled their master's appearance and teachings, feeling as if a knife was cutting through their hearts. Luo Zhihan made a vow to heaven that even if he had to search the entire world, he would definitely find the murderer and tear them into pieces to avenge his master. Meanwhile, Lu Lun and Lu Zihang dug a big hole and hastily buried the "Liangzhou Five Wolves".

  After collecting Zhao Yunfeng's ashes, the crowd returned to the Cloud Come Inn and went back to Luo Zhihan's room. Due to the effect of the "Confusion Scatter" medicine, the inn was still quiet. After mourning and sighing, everyone sat around the tea table, but no one spoke a word.

  "Master, those two men in black clothes with swords have exceptional swordsmanship and swift movements. It seems they don't appear to be from the Central Plains martial arts school. Their swordsmanship is extremely fierce. In the Jianghu, they are definitely not unknown individuals. Who could they be?" Rulun saw that Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan were spiritless, so he wanted to stir them up. He knew that at this point, only pursuing the murderer could boost their morale, so he asked Master.

  As expected, Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan both looked up at Gu Baiyun. "Master, in the past few years, I and my senior brother have followed Master to cultivate our behavior, and Master has always been strict with us. On this journey, we haven't made any enemies, so why would such an enemy come after us? Who are these bandits, please enlighten us, Master."

  After finishing speaking, the two of them had already bid each other farewell and parted ways again.

  "Their swordsmanship was ferocious and cruel, and when they struck, it seemed as if they intentionally didn't reveal their true martial arts skills. When fighting your master, they surprisingly switched between three major schools of thought and four types of swordplay, with profound inner strength."

  However, when I fought with him later, the several moves of swordsmanship seemed familiar, but since it was a serious matter, although I had doubts, I didn't dare to speak out. But the move they used when they escaped, "left and right, left palm and right sword, both sides working together, assisting each other" was quite impressive, after returning to the mountain, my junior brother and I discussed and inferred that we would make a conclusion later.

  "Now you take good care of this murderous long sword they left behind, tomorrow we'll go to your senior brother's house and we can find out the origin of the sword. Maybe, we can make some inferences." Gu Baiyun seemed to have some concerns, only responding like that, he said "your senior brother" while slightly tilting his head towards Lu Lun.

  Then he continued, "So, a little later we'll take a short nap first, rest for a while, conserve our physical and mental strength, and go to your Shixiong's house early tomorrow morning. New Er, Han Er, you want to avenge your master, I understand your feelings, but first and foremost, you must take care of your own body and energy."

  Gu Baiyun knew that everyone was very tired, so she said this way. After finishing speaking, she got up and went back to her room to rest.

  Lian Shixiong was my master's second most beloved disciple, named Lian Tian. My master's eldest disciple was Shen Que, known in the Jianghu as "Yangfeng Sword Guest", because my elder brother was recognized for his exceptional skills in the "Three Yang Sword Method" and "Lanfeng Sword Method" among the nineteen sword methods of our school.

  My eldest martial brother and my master's wife's younger brother, Lu Shi-xiong, are the top disciples of our Diancang Sect. Although Lu Shi-xiong is actually very kind-hearted, his exterior is as cold as ice. He has been in our sect for the longest time, learned the most sword techniques, and mastered them all. In Tiannan, he already has a certain reputation. People in the martial arts world don't know what to call him, so they just call him "The Cold Sword of Diancang Mountain". Actually, it's because nobody really understands him.

  Lu Lun said "My senior brother Lu" with a slight bow, showing respect. He paused for a moment, took a sip of tea, and continued speaking. Lu Lun's gentle nature was completely different from Lu Shao Xing's, but they got along surprisingly well. Therefore, he didn't think his previous words were unusual, and Lu Shao Xing also nodded slightly without saying anything, letting Lu Lun continue speaking.

  "Lian Shibo is the most famous sword casting master in Tiannan, and also the owner of 'Shenmang Manor', the most famous sword casting manor in Tiannan." Rulun said with a great mood, continuing.

  "Shen Mang Mountain Villa" is located in the south of Dali City. This time we came down from the mountain, originally to go to "Shen Mang Mountain Villa" to pick up the long sword specially made for our generation's disciples, to participate in the upcoming sect's memorial ceremony and the seventh generation of grand disciple's sword-granting ceremony.

  Lian Shixiong returned home two days ago, and we need to prepare first. We have to rush out tomorrow. Lian Shibo has spent his whole life forging swords and is skilled in the way of the sword, so he can naturally see the origin of this sword, which will be a great help to us in tracking down the murderer." After explaining, Lu Lun comforted Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan for a few words, then stood up with Shixiong Lu Shaohang, bid farewell, and returned to their room to rest.

  After all, the mourning ceremony of Dian Cang Sect and the sword-giving ceremony of the Seventh Generation Grand Disciple are grand events for the entire Tian Nan Martial Arts World. Gu Baiyun, Lu Shaoxing, and Lu Lun were all very cautious, and being able to rest for a moment was a good thing.

  "Shen Mang Mountain Villa" and the number one swordsmith in the south, Lian Ri Feng's great name Chen Xin and Luo Zhi Han had of course heard of it. In the past, when his master mentioned this person, he also highly praised him, saying that he was dedicated to forging swords and didn't care about fame, but unexpectedly, his reputation on the Jianghu had become even higher!

  The two thought that as soon as it dawned, they would definitely gain something, but thinking of their master, how could they sleep? The two brothers discussed in a low voice what to plan for the next day.

  It was only a few hours later that the sky brightened up, and Gu Baiyun got up first. Before long, Lu Shaoxing and Lu Lun also got up one after another, and people in the inn gradually woke up too.

  Everyone saw that Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan's room was quiet, and just as they were wondering, Chen Xin and Luo Zhihan had already come in from outside the inn. Chen Xin was now all dressed in white, from head to toe.

  Luozhi Han only had a strip of white cloth wrapped around his head and another one on his right shoulder, which was for convenience when traveling the world, slightly reducing some.

  As soon as they saw Gu Baiyun, the two of them knelt down on the ground. Gu Baiyun turned sideways to help them up, but they insisted on not getting up.

  Chen Xin just kowtowed and said: "Master Gu, my fellow disciples should have followed Master's orders to avenge him. However, thinking of Master drifting outside for many years, as his disciple, I couldn't bear the thought that he couldn't rest in peace. So, I discussed with my fellow disciple, I'll bring Master's ashes and sword back to Nanhai first, let him rest; my fellow disciple will follow you to investigate the murderer, please forgive us."

  Gu Baiyun thought for a moment, and her heart was also filled with a wave of sourness. She nodded and said: "Well, it's alright. Your filial piety will surely bring joy to Zhao Xian's spirit in the afterlife."

  Chen Xin bowed his head again and continued: "My junior brother, also please ask Master Gu and all the brothers to take care of him..."

  Gu Baiyun nodded hastily and said, "From now on, you will be like my own disciples. I will definitely treat Han'er well!" He then supported them with both hands, and Luo Zhihan and Chen Xincan stood up.

  "It's just that this journey to the South Sea is far yet not far, near yet not near. Brother Chen returning alone with a heavy heart, I'm really not at ease." Lu Lun saw that Chen Xin was already on the verge of collapse, his spirit worn out, and the southern region had many mountains and wolves, also not peaceful, so he worriedly said.

  "It doesn't matter, I have a way!" Gu Baiyun stroked his beard and said, then casually pulled out a small silk flag from his waist. The golden silk had a blue background, and Luo Zhihan vaguely saw the words "White Cloud Wandering Guest, Pointing to the Vast Expanse of Chivalrous Justice" written on it.

  Gu Baiyun handed it over to Chen Xin: "This has a pattern of green and the name of Gu Mou, you take it and protect it on top of the altar. In the south and in this area, everyone recognizes Gu Mou's few thin faces, and can guarantee your safe arrival at Nanhai."

  Chen Xin hastily and respectfully accepted it, kowtowed again to thank him, and after bidding farewell to his fellow disciple with a hug, he didn't say another word. With a heavy heart, he mounted the horse led over by Lu Lun.

  Ma was tall and robust, originally, Gu Baiyun saw Chen Xin's horse running around all year round, very tired, so he ordered Lu Lun to take the original mount of Lu Shaoxing and give it to Chen Xin, which was the good horse that Chen Xin saw last night.

  That horse had long legs and big hooves. Lu Shaoxing, although he was cold as frost on the outside and didn't like to talk, actually had a heart like raging fire inside. He naturally didn't have any opinions, walked up front, patted the horse's neck, combed its mane, and the horse turned its head around, licked his palm, raised its front hooves high into the air, let out a long whinny, and galloped far away into the clouds. Although it wasn't as good as "Black Cloud Colt", it was indeed a fine horse.

  For a moment, everyone waited for Chen Xin to leave, disappearing at the edge of the street. Gu Baiyun sighed and said, "Let's go too!"

  Everyone turned back and continued on their journey.