Chapter 220 Your Reward: The Sword Must Never Be Sheathed

Neifang

Too many things happened in the first few days of the first lunar month. Wushuang originally thought that the delivery of a thousand swords would be delayed, but Lou Cangyu sent back a message that the weapons were delivered on schedule. When Lou Cangyu spoke, there was a hint of pride in his eyes. He said that he had begged the emperor to let the inner workshop deliver the swords on time, and his persistence moved the emperor.

Wushuang glanced sideways. "If I fail to complete it on time, how will I deliver it? Do you want me to cut off my own arm?"

Lou Cangyu revealed a knowing smile. He raised his arm and pointed to the smoke rising from the foundry. "I have seen the thousand weapons you have forged. Peerless, you have done it."

Wushuang instructed the blacksmiths and sword slaves to pack the forged weapons into boxes. Turning away from Lou Cangyu, she said, "Your excitement isn't because I succeeded, but because you can finally make decisions for me and even persuade the Emperor. Lou Cangyu, you consider yourself extraordinary. This small pond in the inner workshop is probably no longer enough for you."

"Wushuang," Lou Cangyu couldn't help but say, "Aren't you happy? The little swordsman you helped is finally able to help you this time."

"Help?" Wushuang laughed out loud. "Are you stupid? I did harm you on Lingbo Platform, I understand." Wushuang pretended to have an epiphany. "You want to get revenge on me."

Lou Cangyu turned pale with fright. "I didn't. You are the best blacksmith. I just didn't want to delay your performance in front of the emperor because of what happened these past few days. Xingguo Workshop has exhausted all avenues. Only you can forge the best weapons for the Jin Kingdom. You will also become a truly unparalleled blacksmith."

"Unparalleled in the world?" A fierce glint appeared in Wushuang's eyes. "You really believe there are such people as unparalleled in the world?"

Lou Cangyu couldn't understand the meaning behind her words for a moment, and was stunned, not knowing what answer Wushuang wanted to hear. "You...you are."

Wushuang watched as swords were packed into boxes. She had already chosen the best one: its blade was clearly defined, its aura sharp and fierce, capable of cutting through a hair with a breath and drawing blood with a touch. She would present this sword to the Emperor herself. Yesterday, Wanqixi visited late at night and saw the sword she had chosen. Wanqixi looked around the forging workshop and asked Wushuang: "On the day the sword is presented, may I be with you?"

Yes. Wushuang recalled that last time she presented the sword, she was with Guan Ye, but this time... she was all alone. Seeing that she was silent, Wanqi Xi said in a tone that left no room for refusal: "Two days later, I will come to the inner palace to accompany you to meet the emperor and present the sword. Have you forgotten that last time, I was of use? The Grand Preceptor and the emperor both praised my swordsmanship."

"But this time only the inner workshop is presenting the swords, so there probably won't be any more sword tests."

"Oh?" Wan Qixi stretched his limbs. "How would we know until that day comes? If we don't test the sword, perhaps we can try my horizontal saber." Wan Qixi laughed as he spoke, reaching out to touch his niece's cheek, but hesitated halfway before lowering his hand. Wushuang had a face that was unforgettable at first sight, but it was by no means a face that could remain indifferent. Wan Qixi had once so wanted Wushuang to live a peaceful life, but she stepped into Rongdu without hesitation. She was a descendant of the Lu family of Tianhufang, the only person in the world to have received Lu Chaoge's true teachings. She could burn white flames, continuing the glory of Tianhufang, life after life.

"Why... I feel..." Wushuang hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.

"What do you think?" Wan Qixi stared intently at her captivating face with his narrow eyes.

“I think… you’re using the pretext of presenting the sword to do something else.”

As expected of her sister's child, she was just as intelligent as her sister. Wan Qixi was pleased, but said aloud, "Don't worry about it. Nothing is your concern. With Xingguo gone, you are the best blacksmith in the world. Mu You and the court will still value you."

"Will Guan Ye die?" Wu Shuang asked again.

“That girl,” Wan Qixi glanced down at the horizontal sword, “she chose her own path. She’s not afraid to die, so let her go.”

Wushuang stepped forward, "I'm not afraid of death either. What my uncle wants to do, I can do with you..."

Wanqi Xi concealed his sword, glancing sideways at Wushuang, "Do you know what I'm going to do? Come with me?"

Wushuang shook her head silently. She vaguely sensed something, but didn't want to speak rashly. She knew that her uncle was hiding a secret, a secret related to her family and mother. Wushuang knew the reason for the destruction of Tianhu Workshop—the Blood Crossbow Case. She had also secretly reviewed the case. The three thousand crossbows were also made by the workshop's blacksmiths, and each one was inspected by hand. Even if someone was involved in the scheme, Tianhu Workshop could not escape responsibility. Tianhu Workshop was framed and suffered misfortune. This matter was frustrating, but the blame for dereliction of duty was not unjust.

Wushuang knew that her uncle had been trapped in this case for twenty years, suffering greatly and working tirelessly for it. Her uncle's desire to enter the palace must also be related to this matter. It was time for everything to come to a close. Wushuang kept many things to herself. Her uncle had endured until today with his burning hatred. Beneath his dissolute exterior lay a heart riddled with wounds. If one day his great revenge was achieved and his obsession was resolved, perhaps... he would even lose his sense of purpose in life.

But this day will come sooner or later.

Wanqixi finally touched Wushuang's cheek. Every year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, she would wait for her daughter by the sea. From being held by her older sister to being able to walk on the waves and collect seashells by herself, she saw the fishing boats that were faintly visible in the morning mist. She touched her lips with her index finger and pointed to her heart with her other finger.

—If even hurricanes can't kill us, what is there to fear?

“I don’t know what my uncle is going to do, but I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will stand with you through thick and thin. I am not afraid of death.”

Wan Qixi laughed heartily. Heaven was still kind to the Lu family. It gave him a difficult first half of his life, but also left the Lu family with a precious bloodline that could be passed down. As long as someone could carry on the Lu family's skills, he would not care if he suffered a thousand cuts.

"You won't die." Wan Qixi turned around and left Wushuang with a mysterious smile. "Everyone can die, but you won't. You must live well, for your mother, for everyone in the Lu family, and live well."

—Everyone may die, but you won't. You must live well, for your mother, for everyone in the Lu family, and live well.

The words Wan Qixi had left her echoed in her ears… Wushuang suddenly gasped for breath. These words… someone else had said to her too—Live on, live well…

"Wushuang?" Seeing Wushuang's expression change drastically, Lou Cangyu thought he had said something wrong and tried to stroke her heaving back. "I was wrong, I was wrong... Wushuang, from now on I will never act on my own again. I will ask you first about everything, okay..."

Wushuang stopped panting, raised her pale face to look at Lou Cangyu, and her broken eyes aroused Lou Cangyu’s pity. Lou Cangyu hugged her tightly, and his dry lips only dared to gently brush against her cheek.

"Will you be by my side tomorrow too?" Wushuang did not push Lou Cangyu away.

Lou Cangyu felt greatly satisfied when she developed a dependence on him, saying, "Of course, wherever you are, I will be there."

Wushuang continued, "You are my swordsman. You just said that you would ask for my opinion on everything from now on. Tomorrow... if I don't let you draw your sword, your sword must never be drawn. Can you do that?"

Wushuang felt Lou Cangyu's lips pause on her cheek. She gently raised her forehead to touch Lou Cangyu, her red lips exhaling warm breath that made people lower their guard. "Cangyu...you just said that, have you already forgotten?"

Cang Yu… Only this word remained in Lou Cang Yu's mind. She called him… Cang Yu. “I can do it.” Cang Yu sheathed his sword and tightly embraced his beloved woman. “Unless you speak, the sword will not leave its sheath. If I break this vow, may the heavens punish me…”

“No need for divine retribution.” Wushuang pressed her lips to Lou Cangyu’s, kissing him as he froze in shock. “I will kill you for God’s sake.”

This was a reward Lou Cangyu never dared to dream of; he would gladly die at this moment.

Chengen Hall

Ever since he learned that the Meteor Sword was forged using living people as sacrifices, Mu You has not been able to sleep peacefully for many days. To be precise, since he obtained the Meteor Sword, Mu You has not had a single day of peace. He originally thought it was the excitement of obtaining his beloved treasure, but now he realizes that it is the blood spirit in the sword that is tormenting him day after day.

Cui Jin said, "I forged Xuanyuan with my flesh and blood, yet I cannot die within the spirit lock."

Within the spirit lock, Blood Sacrifice to Xuanyuan… Mu You restrained himself from looking at the Meteor Sword, but something seemed to be drawing him in, making him reluctant to part with it. Just like now, he couldn't help but pick up the Meteor Sword again. The blood shadow trailed behind it, and Mu You followed it with his finger. The sword energy sliced ​​across his fingertip, dripping blood droplets. Following the blood shadow from before, it seemed to seep into the blade in the blink of an eye and could no longer be found.

"Who are you..." Mu You murmured, leaning over the blade of his sword. "Who exactly are you? Why... why is it you?"

The sword rang out faintly, as if someone was responding. Mu You leaned closer, so close that his wrinkled skin touched the blade. He could feel the pulsating pulse beneath the blade, the biting coldness making him feel as if he could sense it.

"Who are you?" Mu You asked again and again in a trembling voice, "Tell me, who exactly are you?"

Who exactly are you?

Zetian Hall

The Mei family's carriage stopped at the end of the palace road; this was the only way they could go. Guan Ye lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. On the white marble steps, A-Jiu had been waiting for a long time. Guan Ye remembered that last time, after a snowfall, she and A-Jiu stepped down from the carriage and looked up to see Crown Prince Chenbi standing proudly on the jade steps of the main hall, his phoenix-feathered eyelashes lowered as he looked down at the people below. This time, standing on the jade steps was not Mu Chenbi, but... the swordsman A-Jiu.

"Ah Jiu..." Guan Ye whispered his name. Mu Chenbi looked in the direction he was looking. Ah Jiu stood outside the main hall, dressed in the white satin robes embroidered with dragons of the crown prince. His hair covered the scar on his brow bone, and a double-dimpled sword hung at his waist. His brows were furrowed, and his expression was stern. When he saw someone looking at him from the steps, a fierce fire ignited in Ah Jiu's eyes that only Guan Ye could see. Guan Ye saw that fire. Mu Chenbi glanced at Guan Ye and watched as the corners of her lips gradually curved into a smile. This was a smile blooming for Ah Jiu. Mu Chenbi saw it too.

"Brother, have you heard of the 'Beauty's Return Spell'?" Mu Lexiu appeared behind Ajiu without her noticing. "Where the beauty walks, her steps falter. I will now strike with my sword, and she will turn back." Mu Lexiu raised two fingers to demonstrate the sword's stance and continued, "The Imperial Preceptor and you have had many dealings, Brother. I wonder if he has ever mentioned the secret arts of the Daoist Canon to you. Among them is this 'Beauty's Return Spell.' If you cast this spell, your beloved will turn around and fall in love with you."

Mu Lexiu looked at Guan Ye, who was waiting for His Highness, and then at the undisguised flame in his elder brother's eyes. "Your Highness no longer hides your feelings for Guan Ye. How could the Imperial Preceptor not have taught you this spell?"

"Did you ask him to pass on this spell to you?" Ajiu's voice was as cold as ice. Wherever the beauty walked, her steps slowed. "I will now strike with my sword, and you will turn back..." It was her... Cui Jin hated the Mu family to the bone because of... her.

Mu Lexiu scoffed, "What's the use of him brazenly tattooing the Reversal Spell on his face and reciting it thousands of times a day? It's nothing but a deceptive scheme." Seeing Mu Chenbi's indifference, Mu Lexiu said resentfully, "If you like it, take a few more glances. After today, you probably won't see it again. Speaking of which, I'm also curious, my brother, you pride yourself on your deep affection, how much are you actually willing to sacrifice for the woman you love?"

—"Summon Guan Ye, A Jiu, Mei Shiyu, and Feng Jian to the Zetian Hall."