The Man of Destiny, Part One (New Revision)
Wang Boyu and Pei Jiangxi sat in separate places under the pavilion, looking at the domains cut out by the sword intent of Li Zizhan and Pei Jiangxi.
Even though Pei Jiangxi kept fanning herself with a palm leaf fan, the rising temperature from the ground still made her feel as if she were in a steamer, and her coarse cloth clothes were soaked with sweat.
Not far from the pavilion, in the area carved out by the sword intent, snow was falling heavily, and only the figures of Li Zizhan and Bai Jie could be vaguely seen.
This was the first time Wang Boyu had ever encountered such a clash of sword intents that could trigger extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth. He tried his best to comprehend the chaotic sword intents within the domain.
Suddenly, someone patted Wang Boyu on the shoulder. He turned around in surprise and found that Pei Jiangxi had appeared beside him at some point.
Didn't you tell me to keep my distance from you?
“Old Li has already discovered you, there’s no point in pretending anymore.”
"Well, did you see his sword intent clearly?" Pei Jiangxi looked at the intertwined and clashing sword intents in the distance, her expression becoming somewhat serious. "Prove that you are a partner who can be entrusted with something, Boyu."
*
Within the domain, Bai Jie and Li Zizhan's sword intents were still locked in a struggle.
“They are just ordinary people in the town.” Bai Jie’s words carried a hint of reproach.
Li Zizhan glanced at Bai Jie, then lowered his hand, which was about to unleash the second sword intent, and said, "Silly boy, listen carefully to his breathing."
Bai Jie held his breath and focused his mind, eliminating all the noise around him.
A moment later, the deliberate restraint in Bai Jie's sword intent completely dissipated. The two sword intents intensified, but maintained a delicate balance, no longer tense and ready to clash within their domains.
“That’s not a breathing technique that a country farmer could use. Whoever leaked the news, it’s likely that people already knew about our meeting here long ago.”
"It was my oversight," Bai Jie said apologetically.
“We set up a noodle shop and disguised ourselves as farmers,” Li Zizhan said, not intending to blame Bai Jie. He looked at the two people under the awning and said, “I’m afraid we won’t be able to leave so easily today.”
Using his inner strength, Li Zizhan transmitted his voice, "Young friend, since you've come all this way, why not come out and meet me?"
Under the shade.
At first, Wang Boyu did not believe that he had been discovered, but the next moment Li Zizhan's call came through.
The two sword intents that were previously locked in a struggle have now merged into one, pressing down on Pei Jiangxi and the other like a dark cloud.
“Look carefully, Boyu.” Pei Jiangxi placed a hand on Wang Boyu’s back and said, “I will help you remove Bai Jie’s sword intent. All you need to do is break through Li Zizhan’s sword intent.”
*
A white streak sliced through the heatwave and disappeared into the blizzard-like sword intent in the blink of an eye.
“It’s here,” Li Zizhan shouted. “Be careful, this is the sword intent of Yijian Mountain.”
Wang Boyu felt as if he were in a raging torrent, with sword intent surging towards him from all directions. At this moment, he was like a river flowing into the sea, with all the water converging on him.
The entire domain was collapsing towards Wang Boyu, as he continuously dissolved the sword intent of Li Zizhan that was colliding with him. Even though he was using all his strength, there were still sword intents that broke through his sword intent like threads, cutting through his skin and muscles. Among them were Li Zizhan's sword intent, but even more so Bai Jie's sword intent.
"At this rate, I'm afraid I'll perish in the torrent," Wang Boyu thought to himself.
"I will help you break through Bai Jie's sword intent." Pei Jiangxi's words echoed in his ears once again.
Wang Boyu understood that at this moment, his only option was to trust Pei Jiangxi.
Pei Jiangxi also pointed out the only path for him.
The road leading to Li Zizhan.
"Just getting there is enough." Wang Boyu looked at Li Zizhan in the eye of the storm, and spat a mouthful of blood onto his longsword.
Thunder roared throughout the area.
Just then, Bai Jie felt a surge of stench rise in his chest, and he spat out a mouthful of black blood. He collapsed to his knees on the ice, powerless, and weakly stretched out his left hand to try to block the sword intent emanating from Yi Jian Mountain. But the lightning-fast sword intent ignored him, barely grazing past his shoulder.
Sunlight, bit by bit, reappeared in the area. The ice and snow began to melt.
All the storms changed direction and converged into Li Zizhan's sword sheath.
Li Zizhan drew his sword and thrust it upwards, clashing with Wang Boyu's blade.
Wang Boyu felt his right hand go numb and immediately lost consciousness, flying backward.
Li Zizhan held his sword horizontally, preparing to slash at Pei Jiangxi, who was closely following behind Wang Boyu.
*
Li Zizhan's sword intent dissipated in an instant.
Bai Jie only saw the woman throw her sword high into the air; he didn't understand what she had done.
The sword, which had been tossed high into the air, clattered to the remaining ice, but the woman made no attempt to pick it up.
The woman looked extremely tired, her clothes soaked through, whether from blood or snow, it was hard to tell. She dragged her heavy steps straight toward Bai Jie.
Behind her, Li Zizhan remained in his angry, slashing stance, not moving an inch.
"I promise you, I will take good care of Na-kyung." The woman said to Bai Jie as she removed the iron ring from her index finger.
Even so, you probably find it strange right now, since you haven't even met yet.
Bai Jie gritted his teeth, trying to stand up.
The woman deftly reached into Bai Jie's robes and took out a seal engraved with a dragon from his collar.
"Who exactly are you?" Bai Jie felt an unknown fear at this moment.
The woman looked up at the sky as if she were thinking, but in the end she said nothing.
*
Senluo Temple.
Another piece of red paint fell off the gate. If this were any other day, Xiang Wu would definitely have run back to the temple to get a broom and dustpan and swept the paint off along with the fallen leaves.
Xiang Wu seemed rather agitated today; he probably didn't even notice the small piece of paint had chipped off. But this was something easily overlooked, and no one would blame him for not seeing it.
Xiang Wu straddled the threshold on both sides, pacing back and forth with his head down, staring at the center line of the long crossbeam beneath him, muttering to himself, and occasionally glancing outside the temple.
Fine dust particles floated in the air, the sunlight veiled by a thin layer. The tiny particles reflected each other, as if they were originally the same bright and white. Whenever something seemed to pass by, the dust particles in the air would ripple outwards, only to soon return to their original state.
It is well-paced and rhythmic, much like breathing exercises.
"What are you doing here?" A familiar voice rang out beside Xiang Wu.
Xiang Yu, carrying a tightly wrapped paper bag, looked at his junior brother with a mischievous grin.
Xiang Wu suddenly looked up, leaped out of the door, and spun Xiang Yu around in place like a wooden dummy being manipulated.
"What's wrong?" Xiang Yu turned his head and asked, but he couldn't actually see Xiang Wu behind him.
Xiang Wu impatiently pushed Xiang Yu through the door. After closing the door, he quickly ripped off Xiang Yu's monk's robe without saying a word.
"Master is back today!" Xiang Wu stared at Xiang Yu and said fiercely, pointing out the oil stains on his monk's robe.
After glancing at the paper bag in Xiang Yu's hand, Xiang Wu reached out to snatch it again.
“I can’t give this to you,” Xiang Yu said, holding up the paper bag in his hand. The bottom of the bag was already soaked in oil. “This is for my senior brother.”
Xiang Wu paused for a second, then softened his tone considerably, saying, "Go wash off this meaty smell from your body, or you'll inevitably get another beating from your master."
"I'll wash your clothes for you," Xiang Wu said, turning and running towards the backyard.
"Thank you, junior brother," Xiang Yu called out to Xiang Wu's retreating figure, waving the paper bag in his hand.
*
The door was ajar. Han Yizhi pushed it open and saw a tall, thin monk standing in the open space in front of the temple, shirtless and holding a paper bag, grinning foolishly.
"Little Master," Han Yizhi called out.
Upon hearing the woman's voice, Xiang Yu reflexively shrank back. Realizing he could not escape, he could only cross his arms over his chest.
"Damn it, why are people coming to this usually deserted little temple today, and there's even a girl there?" Xiangyu muttered to himself.
Xiang Yu sized up the newcomers, a man and a woman.
The woman was a head taller than the man. Both were dressed simply but neatly. Swords were tucked into their waistbands, the hilts adorned with identical blue and white tassels. They seemed to be men of the martial world; no wonder the girl showed no shyness in his presence.
The man and woman were none other than Han Yizhi and her apprentice.
Xiang Yu forced a smile, clasped his hands together, and asked with feigned composure, "May I ask what brings you two benefactors here?"
"To tell you the truth, Master," Wang Boyu said, clasping his hands in greeting and stepping forward, "when we arrived at the town at the foot of the mountain, we heard that there was a Three Star Cave in the mountains where one could seek blessings, so we decided to go there to seek protection."
"It was also to find peace of mind." Wang Boyu added, "I never expected to get lost on the way up the mountain, but fortunately I came across Senluo Temple."
“I have never heard of this Three Star Cave before.” Xiang Yu’s eyes darted around and he said, “You two are here because of a connection with Buddhism. Why don’t you have some vegetarian food at the temple? Later, when my junior brother returns, we can ask him. Perhaps he can tell us where the Three Star Cave is.”
Wang Boyu looked at Han Yizhi.
“Very well,” Han Yizhi reached into his sleeve and took out two silver coins, saying, “Then we’ll have to trouble you, little master. Please also allow us to offer some incense money for the Buddha.”
Xiang Yu accepted the money and said with a smile, "Please rest in the hall for a while. I will bring you some incense and paper money to offer to the Buddha in a little while."
“As long as you do good deeds and accumulate merit in your daily life, I believe the Buddha will be able to bless you both.” Xiang Yu put his hands together, bowed slightly, and said, “This humble monk still needs to change his clothes, so it is inconvenient for me to lead you into the hall. You may go into the hall and rest for a while.”
"Thank you for your hard work." Han Yizhi and the other person bowed slightly to Xiang Yu.
As Xiang Yu walked away, Han Yizhi and the other person also walked into the hall where the Buddha statue was enshrined.
"How was Senior Zizhan in Longting Town that day?" Han Yizhi unconsciously swallowed, wanting to say something more, but ultimately didn't ask.
Wang Boyu touched her forehead, turned her head, and found that Han Yizhi wasn't looking at her. She maintained her previous pace and strolled towards the Buddha statue.
With a sigh, Wang Boyu quickened his pace and said, "All that Miss Pei gave me were the two of your swords."
Han Yizhi nodded and said, "You've become much more cheerful lately."
"I'm happy to be away from those people at Sword Manor, and to not have to watch you being bossed around by them all the time."
“Besides, Miss Pei is not like the rumors describe her,” Wang Boyu said. “Although she can be quite perplexing in her words and actions at times, she is definitely not a heinous person.”
Han Yizhi raised an eyebrow and said, "You two get along quite well."
“She’s about my age, so we get along quite naturally,” Wang Boyu replied.
Wang Boyu then added with some pride, "She is a very talented girl, far superior to those self-proclaimed scholars and swordsmen from the south."
Han Yizhi stopped and turned to look at Wang Boyu, earnestly asking, "Boyu, would you lie to me?"
From Wang Boyu's perspective, the Buddha's gaze was also looking at him over his master's shoulder.
“The Buddha is here too,” Wang Boyu said, covering his heart with his right hand. “My heart is free of any gloom.”
Han Yizhi looked intently at Wang Boyu and saw that his deep black pupils were still as clear as when he was a child, and she suddenly smiled.
"All right."
Han Yizhi turned around lightly, her left hand grasping her right wrist behind her back. This time she walked more briskly, saying, "If that's your wish."
After walking a short distance, Han Yizhi turned back to look at Wang Boyu, who was still standing in the same spot, and gently called out, "Boyu, let's go. Let's make a wish to Buddha together."
"Okay!" Wang Boyu smiled and jogged towards Han Yizhi.
*
Pei Jiangxi parted the draped green vines, revealing a hidden world behind the curtain.
The winding, clear stream gurgles and flows, crashing against the artificial rocks in the cave, gathering at the foot of the sturdy stones, and then dispersing.
The cave ceiling is extremely high, with several holes at the top for light to pass through. Sunlight streams into the cave through these holes, converging at one point.
However, these beams of light did not converge at the center. Following the guidance of the beams, Pei Jiangxi crossed the shimmering stream, skimmed over the rugged artificial mountains, and stepped deeper into the cave.
As she walked, Pei Jiangxi took out a silk scroll from her sleeve.
At the end of the road stands a black, wordless stone tablet, about two people tall.
Before the stone tablet, a golden scroll, identical to the one held by Pei Jiangxi, lay on a smooth stone platform, gleaming in the converging sunlight.
Pei Jiangxi sat on the ground in the sunlight, watching the light radiate outwards. She looked up at the tall, wordless stone tablet in front of her and couldn't help but sigh.
"No matter how noble one may be in life, after death one is nothing more than a larger stone tablet."
*
Xiang Yu had changed into a simple but neat monk's robe and slowly saw Wang Boyu and the other person off to the door.
"It's getting late, you two should go down the mountain and find a place to stay," Xiangyu advised. "It's not too late to come back for the Three Star Cave tomorrow."
"This small temple is dilapidated. If you two don't mind, you may rest here." Xiangyu looked apologetic.
“Master Xiangyu, there’s no need to worry. We Jianghu people have always been carefree,” Wang Boyu comforted him. “Even sleeping in the open is not a strange thing.”
“However, even my junior brother doesn’t know the location of this ‘Three Star Cave,’ so you two shouldn’t have too high expectations,” Xiangyu said. “In my opinion, there’s no need to rush to find this cave.”
Han Yizhi did not intend to join their conversation. She asked, "Boyu, what wish did you make before the Buddha just now?"
Wang Boyu withdrew from his pleasantries with Xiang Yu and replied to Han Yizhi, "If you say your wish out loud, it won't come true."
The two looked at Xiangyu as if seeking confirmation.
"Sincerity moves mountains." Feeling the intense gazes directed at him, Xiangyu clasped his hands together and smiled in response.
As if she had received some kind of promise, Han Yizhi strode forward happily, smiling as she spoke first: "I sincerely made a vow to Buddha, asking Buddha to protect you from the torment of poison."
Wang Boyu stood there stunned for two seconds, then said, "Too cunning, Master."
Seemingly not intending to press Wang Boyu for his wish any further, Han Yizhi stopped at the temple threshold. She turned around and said to Xiangyu, "Little monk, didn't you say that sincerity brings results? I felt it too, and it happened today."
Han Yizhi's gaze passed over Xiang Yu's shoulder and landed on the Buddha statue. Xiang Wu was also standing in front of the Buddha statue, leaning against the door frame and looking at the three people at the temple gate.
Han Yizhi clasped his hands together, as if kneeling before the Buddha in front of a temple, and said, "Farewell."
Xiang Yu clasped his hands together and bowed. At the other end of the temple, Xiang Wu in the Buddha hall also unconsciously clasped his hands together.
After saying goodbye to the two, Xiangyu strolled back to the Buddhist hall.
Xiang Wu knelt before the Buddha statue, closing his eyes and chanting scriptures. Xiang Yu bent his right index and middle fingers and suddenly landed them on the top of Xiang Wu's round head, the crisp sound instantly drowning out the chanting.
"What are you doing?" Xiangyu teased. "Master hasn't returned yet, why are you already putting on airs?"
They grabbed Xiang Wu by the armpits and lifted him off the futon.
Xiang Wu looked at Xiang Yu, somewhat absentmindedly, and said:
"I lied."
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