Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road, Part 1
Han Yizhi has been back at Yijian Mountain for some time now. There was no questioning or punishment as she had imagined; apart from being separated from Wang Boyu, things were almost no different from before.
Whether it was plotting against the Li family's young master, joining the Liuli Palace, or causing chaos in the Beggars' Sect, it all seemed as if nothing had ever happened. Her food, clothing, and daily necessities remained unchanged, and the elders of the sect still assigned her the task of teaching as usual. She rose at cockcrow every morning and taught swordsmanship to the sect's disciples in the morning. The scent of the mountain breeze in the morning, along with the spirited shouts of the sect's disciples, invigorated everyone.
In the afternoon, Han Yizhi, as required, went to the ancestral hall to repent for half an hour. This amount of time was merely a formality and far from being considered a punishment. After repenting, she was required to assist in forging swords at the forge for an hour.
After that, it was entirely Han Yizhi's personal time, where she could do whatever she wanted. Of course, except for seeing Wang Boyu.
Wang Boyu's situation was somewhat different. Because he had learned some unorthodox techniques from Pei Jiangxi, he was severely criticized by the elders of the sect on his first day back. From that moment on, a highly targeted training program began. In the mornings, the focus was on honing his physique and endurance. In the afternoons, the focus was on correcting his form and posture, practicing and refining each move repeatedly until no trace of personal style or fancy tricks remained.
His daytime schedule was packed. Wang Boyu didn't even have to go to the ancestral hall to be punished; he only needed to go to offer incense and pray once a day. This week's schedule also avoided the time when Han Yizhi was to repent, thus dashing Wang Boyu's hopes.
Yijian Mountain is vast. If the two hadn't shared the same destination or made a prior arrangement, and were simply engaged in normal martial arts practice, sword forging, and daily life, it wouldn't be unusual for them to go a year or two without ever meeting. It's common for disciples to live to old age before even meeting for the first time. From this perspective, Wang Boyu considered himself incredibly lucky to be able to see Han Yizhi every day and even become her disciple.
After dinner and a quick shower, Wang Boyu returned to his profession at Yijian Mountain, heading to the sweltering forge to forge swords. His skill in sword forging alone earned him high praise from the elders of the mountain sect. It wasn't that he could forge any extraordinary swords, but rather that he brought some new ideas—ideas from the Sword Forging City.
It's a bit shameful to admit, but he secretly learned it while spending time with Li Letian in Sword Forging City. The techniques of Yijian Mountain and Sword Forging City each had their own strengths, and the craftsmen were often jealous of each other. Neither side was willing to lower themselves to ask the other for advice, so they just kept competing. Once they fell into the trap of comparison, they easily reached a dead end, and the clearly obvious path to transformation became blurred.
Even if someone points out a flaw, they will feel resistance and avoid that path. The same thing, however, has a completely different effect when said by Wang Boyu, a disciple of Yijian Mountain. The concepts and understanding he brought back from Sword Forging City have likely illuminated the path for some to explore in the future.
Such a regular and peaceful day-night cycle brings peace of mind and diminishes the concept of time.
After repeating this countless times, Han Yizhi had just emerged from the sword furnace that day, her sweat still damp, when she spotted a familiar face. It was her former disciple, from the same batch as Wang Boyu.
"Master!" The young woman had just emerged from the sword furnace, her face still damp with sweat and lingering gray grime. Her deep, bright eyes, like black pearls, widened, and a radiant smile bloomed on her face: "You're back?"
"Hmm, it's been a while." Han Yizhi subconsciously reached out to wipe the girl's face clean, but forgot that he hadn't washed his hands yet, and ended up making the girl's smeared face even darker.
"You never come to see me." The girl gently grasped Han Yizhi's hand, pouting and acting coquettishly. Both of them then caught a glimpse of Han Yizhi's dark palm. "Ah!" the girl exclaimed playfully, and the long-separated master and apprentice burst into laughter simultaneously.
The girl clung to Han Yizhi's hand, reluctant to leave. "Master, are you not leaving this time?"
“Silly girl,” Han Yizhi said, squeezing her hand back. “Didn’t I tell you in the letter not to treat me as your master anymore? If you want to go down the mountain in the future, my affairs with Liuli Palace will cause you trouble.”
"I don't care," the girl said willfully. "Whether she's plowing the field with an ox or pulling a cart with a horse, you're still my master."
This former disciple displayed unwavering resolve, leaving Han Yizhi with no choice but to look at her with indulgent affection. Just as she was about to say something, Han Yizhi caught sight of an unexpected figure, and she instinctively tried to hide.
Wang Boyu walked straight toward Han Yizhi, and before Han Yizhi could make a move, Wang Boyu called out, "Master!"
Han Yizhi exuded embarrassment, while Wang Boyu's face showed eagerness and joy. Only the girl maintained her initial relaxed demeanor.
"Senior sister, you're here too!" Wang Boyu was overjoyed.
The girl deliberately pinched Wang Boyu's cheek with the hand she had just held Han Yizhi's, adding color to half of his face. "You brat! Not bad, you still know to call me senior sister. You've caused Master a lot of trouble these past six months, haven't you?"
"I wouldn't dare," Wang Boyu quickly retorted, "I've already tried my best."
"You're being too reckless," Han Yizhi scolded softly, hiding behind the girl like a disciple. "Didn't they tell you we can't meet? You'd better leave before anyone sees you!"
"No need!" Wang Boyu said excitedly, "The sect leader and several elders summoned us, and I came here specifically to inform you of this news."
Han Yizhi straightened up abruptly. "Really?"
"really!"
"Are we going to the Sword Tomb?"
"To the Sword Tomb!"
Han Yizhi looked into Wang Boyu's eyes, then at the girl. She took the girl's hand and said, "I have to go now. Take care."
The girl pursed her lips and simply responded with an "Mm".
Han Yizhi and Wang Boyu ran together towards the sword tomb on the back mountain. A lonely figure remained before the sword furnace.
*
The deeper you go into the Sword Tomb, the lower the temperature becomes.
"Be careful, Master." Wang Boyu stepped on the ice crystals and immediately warned him. Perhaps influenced by the solemn atmosphere in the Sword Tomb, Wang Boyu's voice was several octaves lower.
The two slowed their pace, their footsteps crunching as they continued deeper into the cave. The scattered ice crystals gradually solidified into solid blocks of ice. Not only the ground, but even the top of the Sword Tomb was covered with countless icicles, making it seem as if they had entered a southern cave.
At the source of this chill, atop a square stone pier, stands a long, pure white sword. It's hard to tell whether this is the sword's true form or simply the result of being covered in frost.
Beside the sword stood twelve people. They were the sect leader of Yijian Mountain, along with eleven elders. This was the first time Wang Boyu had ever seen them all gathered together.
"Disciple Wang Boyu greets all the grandmasters." Wang Boyu bowed respectfully.
"Uncle, uncles, aunts," Han Yizhi said apologetically, "I'm sorry to have troubled you."
“We have received the proclamation from Montenegro. And the note you gave us confirms the facts.” One of them said, “For the sake of the late emperor, we are willing to hand over this treacherous sword.”
"You've thought it through. Take this sword, and if you fail, you die trying." The booming voice made the icicles above tremble.
"Yizhi understands, and I will never let my family be implicated." A sense of innate awe rose in Han Yizhi's heart, and she lowered her eyes slightly.
“You have another option: stay at Yijian Mountain.” A soft, gentle voice.
"As long as you never see this kid again, we don't care what you did before." An authoritative male voice spoke with unwavering authority.
"As long as you remain at Yijian Mountain, this world belongs to you. Once you leave Yijian Mountain, it will belong to someone else." A wise and shrewd female voice spoke.
These elders, who had watched her grow up, chatted amongst themselves. Even though Han Yizhi's shoulders were covered in frost, a warm feeling swirled within her heart. It was a warmth she could never find anywhere else.
Han Yizhi raised her eyes and met everyone's gaze. She grasped Wang Boyu's hand and said, "It is Yizhi who has let down the expectations of her uncles and aunts, but Yizhi has already found her own place in the world."
Wang Boyu gripped Han Yizhi's hand tightly, making her even more determined.
"Now that you've made your decision, take 'Avalanche' with you."
Han Yizhi walked past the twelve elders and, under their watchful eyes, drew the treacherous sword. Instantly, the ice and snow in the sword mound melted, and the icicles at the top turned into water droplets that fell, splashing water on everyone's shoulders and the ground.
No one spoke again; everyone silently accepted her choice. Han Yizhi returned to where Wang Boyu had been standing, pulled him down to kneel, and kowtowed three times to the crowd.
Apart from the sound of dripping water, there was only silence.
After standing up and exchanging glances once more, Han Yizhi resolutely turned and left. Wang Boyu initially walked a little behind her, but later he jogged a few steps to catch up with her.
Wang Boyu gradually increased his pace, took Han Yizhi's hand, and led her forward.
"Yi Zhi," the voice calling was somewhat old and weary, "Yi Jian Mountain has always been here."
*
Groups of travelers gathered at the town at the foot of the mountain. The town's Xihe Tower and Changfeng Pavilion were in no way inferior to those of Wenqu City, and some even had branches in the east and west of the city. Yijian Mountain and Zhujian City were never short of visitors, especially now that Zhujian City was deserted; people flocked to Yijian Mountain to forge and refine swords. This was the most suitable stopover for wandering swordsmen.
The clear, melodious sound of chopsticks tapping on bowls and plates at Xihelou Restaurant is melodious and pleasant. Guests from different regions and backgrounds joyfully wave their long chopsticks, spontaneously participating and spreading the word. This has almost become a staple of Xihelou Restaurant; the more exciting the storytelling, the longer the music lingers.
When Pei Jiangxi entered, atop the stacked wooden tables in the center of Xihe Building, a storyteller was climbing down. He folded his fan and tucked it into the back of his collar, then began to move his body. His thin frame displayed unexpected strength and agility. In just a few moments, he landed on the ground.
As they climbed the stairs to the upper floors of Xihe Building, the knocking finally subsided. Pei Jiangxi walked towards the private room she had reserved, where Liu Langxian was already seated.
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