Chapter 73: Wind God Without Shadow

The clear light bathes the night, a thin mist lingers in the forest. The brook roars faster at night, its crashing sound like the clashing of broken jade.

Zhou Yisui stood in front of the lonely wooden house with the old man. Looking up, he saw the slanted eaves and the crescent moon seemed to be hanging above it.

"Uncle Xie, wait a minute."

"actually."

"I also have a connection with your ancestors."

Xie Jiyou had just opened the wooden door when he heard the sound and stopped to look back.

Zhou Yi still couldn't get over it and didn't want to deceive the old man:

"The heart of my ancestors' martial arts was broken because of the Heavenly Master Sun En, and my inheritance is closely related to Sun En."

“It’s true.”

Old Mr. Xie sighed and stared at Zhou Yi, his face full of surprise.

But the mountain breeze blowing through the forest swept away the strange look on his face, and he smiled again:

"No wonder this letter arrived in Nanyang via Master Yi Dao. You and my child have similar temperaments, both very honest."

"You also said 'Wang Xie of the old times'."

"Old grudges in the borderlands have long been forgotten with the passage of time. Besides, my ancestor's escape from the world thanks to Sun En was undoubtedly a blessing. Why dwell on whether we are friends or enemies now?"

"What do you think, Master Yi?"

It would be better if the old man didn't mind. Zhou Yi said happily: "Maybe it really is fate."

Old Man Xie nodded and pointed to the moon in the sky: "This moon once shone on my ancestors' battle with Sun En in the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Now it shines on you and me in the Sui Dynasty. The scene is completely different."

"In my twilight years, I have encountered such a wonderful coincidence, which truly adds color to my old age."

The old man's knowledge and conversation do not sound like those of a peasant.

By this time, he had already seen the clue, so he asked curiously: "The ancestor called his opponent Sun En the Heavenly Master."

"How can I address my friend Daoist Master Yi now?"

Zhou Yi looks at the moon: "The moon shines on the ancients and the present people. You can also call me the Heavenly Master."

After these words were spoken, Xie Jiyu, who was quite skilled in cultivating his Qi, also widened his eyes.

Looking at the young man standing in front of me under the moon, I suddenly felt an indescribable aura.

"Heavenly Master."

He muttered the two words, imagining how his ancestor's heart for martial arts had been shattered.

A fleeting smile appeared on his wrinkled face:

"You have given me a chance to surpass my ancestors. In this life, when I face the Heavenly Master, I will never be in danger of my Dao heart being shattered, because I have never practiced martial arts."

Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh.

Mr. Xie pushed open the wooden door and invited the guest into the room.

The dark wooden house was gradually filled with candlelight. In the swaying light and shadow, the old man took out a long and narrow wooden box from the secret compartment in the wall.

Shaped like a sword box.

It must have been a long time since it was taken out, as dust had accumulated on the surface of the wooden box. I dusted it off several times and wiped it clean with a wet cloth.

After everything was packed up, Fang handed it to Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi took it with both hands and opened the box according to the old man's instructions.

Xie Jiyou came forward with a candle and shone it towards the edge of the box.

An ancient long sword lies quietly inside.

He slowly moved the candlestick so that Zhou Yi could see every detail clearly by the light of the flame.

The ancient lines are as fresh and smooth as a mountain spring, and their clarity reveals a thousand-year-old depth.

"I lean against the wind, pouring muddy wine, and when I am drunk, I rinse my mouth with the flowing spring. Ou Ye has been gone for many years, and the sword of Zhanlu has also been lost. The heroes of Wu and Yue are now only in the grass, and the palace of Helu is an empty hill."

After Mr. Xie finished reciting the poem, Zhou Yi's eyes lit up:

"Could this be Zhanlu?"

"Exactly."

"From King Yunchang of Yue to King Goujian of Yue, he passed into the hands of King Fuchai of Wu, and finally to the King of Chu. He eventually ended up in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, where he was captured by Grand Tutor Xie."

Mr. Xie told the story slowly and Zhou Yi listened attentively.

"One year on a cold snowy day, Imperial Tutor Xie was discussing the meaning of an essay with his children. One of them asked what the falling snow looked like. Xie Daoyun then recited a poem about catkins, and the Imperial Tutor burst into laughter."

"The Grand Tutor was pleased, so he gave the Zhanlu to Xie Daoyun."

"I've told you before that my ancestor went with Song Beifeng to rescue Xie Daoyun. Xie Daoyun later gifted the sword to Song Beifeng. Seeing that my ancestor's heart for martial arts was broken, Song Beifeng wanted to inspire him with the Zhanlu, so he gave it to him instead."

Zhou Yi heard this anecdote.

He felt it was bizarre, yet also felt an indescribable artistic and romantic feeling.

Old Mr. Xie sighed and said, "During the Spring and Autumn Period, the famous swordsmith Ou Yezi forged five world-famous swords: Zhanlu, Juque, Shengxie, Yuchang, and Chunjun."

"Zhanlu is the leader among the five most famous swords in the world."

"At the bottom of this sword box, there is also the sword manual of the sword technique practiced by my ancestors. It was passed down from Xie Xuan, the commander of the Northern Army and the foremost swordsman in the south."

"How about it? My ancestral master Tianshi still likes it, right?"

This statement was obviously a joke.

Zhou Yi was more than just attracted by it, his eyes were already glued to the sword.

"Thank you, old man. This is too precious."

"Don't refuse," Xie Jiyou said, "this Zhanlu dog only drew his sword once, but he felt it was too much for his master, so he never touched it again."

"Master, please draw your sword and take a look."

Zhou Yi took out the Zhanlu, and at first he felt it was simple and ancient. He held the hilt, and the low hum of metal rubbing against each other slowly came from the scabbard.

Looking at the blade again, it seems no different from an ordinary sword.

It has been there for so many years, but I didn't expect it to be rust-free.

After pulling it one foot further, Zhou Yi tried to inject his true Qi.

In an instant, a deep and dark light flashed across the eyes, and the flowing patterns on the sword's spine clearly reflected the slightly contracted pupils of the sword holder.

This is exactly the work of Ou Yezi.

Anyone who can trigger this blade light will be dazzled by the cold light of the sword.

Zhou Yi exclaimed: "What a good sword."

Old Man Xie sighed, "This is the first time I've seen this sword gleam with such a faint light. The Heavenly Master is indeed its master."

Xie Jiyou took out a few more bamboo slips and handed them to him.

"Han Fu?"

"If you want to learn my ancestor's swordsmanship, you must study the 'Feng Fu' in the Han Dynasty."

"This is not something that can be accomplished overnight. Master Yi can take his time."

He changed the address from "Tianshi" to "Master Yi", which showed his intention to see the guest off.

How could Zhou Yi not notice?

"Thank you, old man, for resting up early. Tomorrow we'll have a farewell party for Brother Yadao and try some fine wine."

"good."

The old man sent Zhou Yi out of the wooden gate and turned back to the wooden house.

Zhou Yi looked at the moon in the sky, thought of Xie An, thought of Xie Daoyuan, and looked at the sword case in his hand again.

"Wild grass and flowers beside Zhuque Bridge, the setting sun at the entrance of Wuyi Lane. The swallows that once stood in front of the halls of the wealthy and the poor now fly into the homes of ordinary people."

When I returned to the Taoist temple, Taoist Crow had already vacated the guest room.

Zhou Yiben planned to talk to him again.

Unexpectedly, when Taoist Crow turned around, he heard a loud snoring sound.

That night, Zhou Yi studied the sword manual under the sword box again.

The name of this sword technique is: Wind God Shadowless.

He had never had any formal sword manual and had never practiced swordsmanship in a systematic way. In the past, he only used a short sword as a temporary weapon to avoid fighting with fists and palms.

This sword technique is not the most advanced sword technique in the world, but it is the most advanced one he has ever come across.

If you can learn it, it will be of great benefit.

In this terrifying and chaotic world, the more skills you have, the better.

The next day.

Zhou Yi and Mr. Xie slaughtered and scaled the fish, while Taoist Crow was responsible for washing the vegetables.

It was said to be a farewell banquet, but it was actually simple and plain.

Fish and wild vegetables are put into the pot, garnished with green onions, ginger, and slightly spicy local garlic, and cooked with millet rice as a meal.

The three of them gathered around the pot and drank some of Xie's aged wine.

Most of the time, Taoist Crow and Mr. Xie were reminiscing about the past. The two were old friends and were about to part ways, so they talked a lot.

Zhou Yi only felt that the fish meat was delicious, with a little bit of spicy taste that melted in his mouth, it was really delicious.

While the two old friends were toasting frequently, the children naturally feasted on their food.

However, Taoist Crow was sharp-eyed and would not allow him to "sneak around".

So he asked him to drink with him, and they didn't stop until they had finished all three jars of aged wine.

Unfortunately, Zhou Yi was always thinking about the fish and had no inspiration to write poetry.

Otherwise, I must write a poem called "Farewell to the Crow Taoist at Wuzhuang Temple".

Before leaving, Taoist Crow entrusted the fields at the foot of the mountain and the dilapidated property in the county town to him.

Zhou Yi responded with sincerity and gave him half of his money as travel expenses.

The emperor's coffin book, and another one is a reward for appeasing Old Master Ren.

The wider Taoist Crow's mouth was when he received the money, the more distressed Zhou Yi felt.

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Yi to be so generous."

This Taoist priest Crow seems to like money very much. His eyes light up when he sees gold.

So he said:

"I'm not rich, I just have some connections."

Taoist Wu Crow frowned: "What kind of method? Could it be ill-gotten gains?"

"How can this be!"

"oh?"

Thinking that Li Mi might go to Xingyang, Zhou Yi said:

"I have a way to make money in Xingyang. It's a bit risky, but the profit is very high."

"Wealth and honor are achieved through risk," Taoist Crow understood this very well.

He added, "I have a strong appetite and lack income, so I look down upon those illicit pursuits."

Zhou Yi touched his chin and said, "I'm in the debt collection business. Even Mu Daoren made a thousand taels of gold by following me."

"What!"

Taoist Wu Ya was anxious and angry: "My Lord, how did this fat guy Mu make so much money? His ability is not as good as mine!"

"Next time you need help with this legitimate business, come to me immediately."

Taoist Wu Ya put his arm around Zhou Yi's shoulders and said:

"I can beat two, no, three, Mu Daoists by myself. Five hundred gold is enough for you. As long as it doesn't go against morality, I will do it for your sake."

"No problem. I'll arrange for someone to go look for you in Wuyan Mountain."

"Haha. It's a deal."

"It's a deal."

Taoist Wu Crow said goodbye to the two men, and Zhou Yi and Old Man Xie accompanied him to the foot of Wolonggang.

Looking at the back of Taoist Crow, Zhou Yi kept pondering.

Do you have Pushan Public Enterprise?

Then I have a debt collection camp.

…

(End of this chapter)