Chapter 37 Wandering in the Painting (Part 1) Stop being foolish, I've laid it all out now, so don't doubt it...
"Miss, I heard that a chivalrous knight has come outside and wants to ask you for a sword. Will you not see him?" Yu Xijun asked, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at Mei Zhiying, who was writing and drawing on a piece of paper.
"So annoying! I don't want it!" Mei Zhiying tore the paper to shreds and angrily swept it all over the ground. Including the ones that had just been torn, there were already more than a dozen pieces of paper on the ground.
Yu Xijun felt a little sorry for her: "I think you wrote it quite well, why did you tear it up again?"
Mei Zhiying shook her head: "I always feel like something's missing."
Just then, a commotion arose outside the door, and a voice shouted, "I'm willing to pay a deposit of one hundred taels!"
Mei Zhiying's eyes lit up instantly. She rushed out of the room and opened the door. That was a deposit of one hundred taels of silver! She never imagined that her first business deal after becoming famous would be so big!
However, the moment Mei Zhiying opened the door and saw the person who made the sound, it was as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water—
The person in front of me had clothes that were washed until they were white, and the cuffs were badly worn and had been sewn up several times with needle and thread, making them look crooked and twisted like a centipede. It was impossible to tell that he was rich at all.
This person was Huo Yunfeng.
When Huo Yunfeng saw that Mei Zhiying was willing to come out and see him, he thought there was hope for buying the sword. Before he could utter a single word, the gate of Plum Blossom Manor was slammed shut in front of him.
"..."
"Mei Zhiying! You're absolutely blind to people!"
However, Huo Yunfeng still sat in the lobby of Plum Blossom Villa and enjoyed a cup of hot tea.
On the table in the lobby was a box, and Mei Zhiying was counting the silver inside, smiling as she said, "Oh dear, boss, you've come at just the right time! I was just thinking of forging a new sword recently, and you've come at the perfect moment!"
Huo Yunfeng sneered: "When will Miss Mei deliver the goods?"
Mei Zhiying slammed the box shut: "Mr. Huo, the deposit is a deposit..."
Huo Yunfeng interrupted: "A total of one thousand taels of silver."
Mei Zhiying's smile had just appeared on her face when she remembered her inability to find inspiration. Feeling a little guilty, she stammered, "Two months... three months later, I will definitely deliver the goods!"
Huo Yunfeng: "Hehe."
Two weeks later, Mei Zhiying looked at the two people on her left and right, and the thought of having to bring these two big shots with her when she went out to play made her feel a bit of a headache.
—Let's rewind to two days ago.
"You're going out to play?" Huo Yunfeng, the owner of the guesthouse at Plum Blossom Manor, narrowed his eyes and said with considerable distrust, "You're not going to take my deposit and run away, are you?"
"This is Plum Blossom Manor! My home! Why am I running away?!"
"I don't care, I'm your big client and boss. Even if you go out to have fun, you have to take me with you."
Mei Zhiying felt a wave of dizziness. Her mother already found it troublesome enough to want her to bring Zhuo Xian and Xi Ling along, and now she wanted to bring Huo Yunfeng too. The thought made her feel hopeless, so she decisively refused.
"No, I'm going out on business, I can't take you with me."
Huo Yunfeng took out a silver ingot.
"...But then again, having one more person wouldn't be a bad thing."
And so Mei Zhiying gave in.
"You're so rich, why don't you change your clothes? This outfit is so undignified," Mei Zhiying asked curiously as she accepted the money.
Huo Yunfeng held up one finger, and Mei Zhiying thought he was about to give some kind of speech, so she quickly put on a serious listening posture. But Huo Yunfeng slowly shook his finger and said inscrutably, "Wealth should not be flaunted."
"..."
Mei Zhiying was still lost in her memories when Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling beside her were practically about to fight. Huo Yunfeng pointed at Xi Ling and yelled, "You don't want to take me out to play, just to be with this pretty boy?!"
Xi Ling unfolded her folding fan to cover half of her face, revealing only a pair of tearful eyes staring at Mei Zhiying, as if accusing Huo Yunfeng of rudeness.
Mei Zhiying shielded Xi Ling and glared at Huo Yunfeng, saying, "How dare you speak like that!"
"No, you..."
Ignoring Huo Yunfeng's sullen mood, Mei Zhiying turned to Xi Ling and said irritably, "Stop pretending, you're really putting on an act."
Xi Ling smiled, her eyes crinkling: "I heard that a rich but foolish person came to the manor. Today I've finally met him."
Huo Yunfeng, who was foolish and rich, was speechless. Seeing Xi Ling and Mei Zhiying sticking together, he could only mutter under his breath, "Show some respect to your boss!"
Mei Zhiying was too lazy to pay attention to him. She wanted to talk to Xi Ling, but seeing Xi Ling's dramatic performance, she immediately didn't want to talk to him anymore. She was so angry that her forehead throbbed.
"Stop arguing! Let's go to Jiangnan to have some fun. I really can't stand you guys anymore."
"Why go to Jiangnan?" Huo Yunfeng asked, puzzled.
"Zhiying has her reasons for wanting to go. We just need to play along with her."
"Xi Ling, I've put up with you for too long!"
"Brother Huo, don't be angry. We'll just follow Zhiying's arrangements."
Mei Zhiying was so angry that her face turned pale. She left the two who were arguing and walked away quickly, determined to rent two carriages and get some peace and quiet.
However, things didn't go as planned. Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling surprisingly reached an agreement on renting a carriage. One said it was too expensive and unnecessary, while the other refused, using the excuse of wanting to cultivate a relationship with Mei Zhiying.
In the end, the three of them squeezed into a carriage. Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling sat on one side, while Mei Zhiying sat on the other side like an angry pufferfish.
Perhaps because they finally reached a consensus, Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling quieted down for a while. When Mei Zhiying saw that they had finally calmed down, she quickly lifted the carriage curtain to breathe in some fresh air, which made her feel much better.
The carriage had already left Qi'an. It was Mei Zhiying's first time traveling so far, and she was extremely excited, finding everything new and exciting.
"Huo Yunfeng, where are you from?" Mei Zhiying asked curiously when she saw travelers walking along the official road and suddenly realized that she didn't know Huo Yunfeng's background.
“Oh, I’m from Liyang,” Huo Yunfeng said. “I also came to Qi’an by carriage along the official road. My master said that Plum Blossom Manor is very good at forging weapons, so I wanted to come and see for myself.”
Hearing others praise Plum Blossom Manor, Mei Zhiying felt somewhat proud: "Then you've come to the right person. The swords I forge are absolutely unparalleled in the world."
However, when it came to swords, Huo Yunfeng's emotions were somewhat conflicted, as if he both longed for them and loathed them. His thoughts drifted away and he fell silent.
Mei Zhiying didn't notice his unusual behavior, but Xi Ling did. She assumed Huo Yunfeng didn't like swords, so she changed the subject:
"I'm currently writing a book on swordsmanship. Would Zhiying be willing to forge a weapon for the swordsmanship I'm creating?"
Mei Zhiying pouted: "No, I don't want to do things that add luster to other people's achievements."
Xi Ling smiled brightly, growing increasingly fond of Mei Zhiying's cheerful and outgoing personality. He coughed lightly, feigning sadness, and said:
"Without Zhiying's weapon, I suppose my swordsmanship wouldn't be considered a great achievement. I was hoping that Zhiying would forge the sword, I would create the swordsmanship, and Brother Huo would use it, so that the three of us could work together seamlessly."
Huo Yunfeng shuddered at Xi Ling's witty remarks and quickly shook his head, saying, "I don't use a knife, I only use a sword."
A probing glint flashed in Xi Ling's eyes, but in the end she feigned sadness and sighed, then stared at Mei Zhiying with accusing, teary eyes.
Helpless, Mei Zhiying glared at Huo Yunfeng and scolded, "Why did you say such hurtful things!"
"Xi Lingmei and Zhiying, I've really put up with you for too long!!"
Mei Zhiying's desire to go to Jiangnan was not a whim. In her vision, the sword she wanted to forge must be all-encompassing, adaptable, and capable of catching the wind.
After much thought, I realized that the gentle and tranquil water towns of Jiangnan are the perfect place to go for a field trip.
The closer you get to Jiangnan, the more you can feel the change in climate. It is late March and early spring. Jiangnan has just shed its cold coat and put on the gentleness of early spring. The breeze is both chilly and soft.
Mei Zhiying's gaze lingered on the willow tree beside the post station. The emerald green branches swayed in the breeze, like the waving hands of a traveler.
From ancient times to the present, willows have always symbolized parting. A slight sadness welled up in her heart, and Mei Zhiying suddenly shed a tear.
She gazed at the willow tree with a mixture of clarity and confusion, clearly seeing the figures beneath it, yet confused by the tears that streamed down her face.
However, she quickly wiped away her tears, just as they had only stayed at the post station for a very short time.
The carriage continued its swaying journey, and Xi Ling and Huo Yunfeng continued their argument as always. A gentle breeze lifted the curtain and kissed Mei Zhiying; it was a wind full of anticipation and hope.
The journey ends at Bian, where the Bian Pine Stone, a wonder of the world, is located. Legend has it that those who pray under the Bian Pine Stone will be blessed with peace and prosperity for their homes and future.
Mei Zhiying wasn't interested in this Bian pine stone; what made her decide to stop was a grand wedding.
Before even reaching Bianjing, I heard the locals talking about this "heavenly match," vividly describing the marriage of Xu Jianchun, the young master of the Xu family.
Xu Jianchun had sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and Chen Shengsheng had a gentle and intelligent heart; they were a perfect match in terms of appearance.
Xu Jianchun comes from a prominent family. Although the Xu family has declined in the martial arts world in recent years, it still has a rich heritage. Chen Shengsheng comes from a scholarly family, making him the second best match in terms of family background.
Xu Jianchun and Chen Shengsheng are childhood sweethearts with a deep and lasting relationship. They have gone through many hardships before finally getting together, making them the third couple in terms of love...
Mei Zhiying was immediately intrigued by the exaggerated stories told by the people, as if the young master of the Xu family was getting married to some extraordinary event. She insisted on watching the wedding before leaving.
Huo Yunfeng couldn't persuade Mei Zhiying, and Xi Ling always listened to Mei Zhiying, so the three of them stopped to rest in Bian.
Perhaps it was the festive atmosphere in the city that made even the wind feel warmer. Mei Zhiying leaned against the window, smiling as she watched the bustling crowds on the street.
"What's the background of the Xu family? They're making such a grand entrance." Huo Yunfeng muttered with a yawn.
"Many years ago, they were a family that inherited the Mo Blade, but unfortunately, the lineage of Mo Blade inheritors dwindled and the Mo Blade was damaged. In recent years, they have become virtually unknown in the martial arts world."
Huo Yunfeng frowned: "So, those so-called weapon families, insisting on this kind of family inheritance system, will ultimately bring about their own destruction."
Mei Zhiying could not deny it.
To put it bluntly, her family was just blacksmiths with no weapon inheritance, and Xi Ling had even less to do with weapons. Xi Bao was just a theorist, so the two of them nodded in agreement.
Although the Xu family mansion is in decline, its prestige remains. Back then, Xu Zeng, the Desert Blade, single-handedly defended Bianjing with his sword, repelling the invasion of foreign tribes, and his blood was spilled on the pine stones of Bianjing.
It was because of this heroic deed that the Xu family had a very high reputation in Biancheng, which is why the wedding of the young master of the Xu family was so lively.
Xu Jianchun's wedding will take place at noon tomorrow. After dawn, Xu Jianchun will lead the wedding procession through the streets to Chen Shengsheng's house to pick up Xiaojun.
The entire process was dignified and precious, and Mei Zhiying naturally found the perfect angle well in advance, wanting to witness the whole wedding process with her own eyes.
She really wanted to see what the "celestial match" that the people talked about was really like, so she couldn't wait to go and join the fun without even sleeping. Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling had no choice but to use force and persuasion, and it took a lot of effort to get Mei Zhiying to sleep peacefully.
Finally, the next day arrived, and Mei Zhiying dragged the two of them to the perfect spot.
As the sun rose, bathed in its brilliant light, Xu Jianchun, dressed in red, sat upright on his horse. The sunlight etched his handsome features, prompting Mei Zhiying to exclaim, "Truly a striking appearance!"
Xi Ling unfolded her folding fan to shield Mei Zhiying's excited gaze, and said sourly, "That's someone else's husband."
Mei Zhiying glared at him: "What are you thinking about!"
The wedding procession, in a grand and imposing manner, passed through the streets of Bianjing, resembling a flock of fiery red geese, spreading festive sweets and pastries with its wings.
Mei Zhiying took the scattered trinkets and couldn't help but marvel at how wealthy and powerful the Xu family was.
It wasn't until noon, when the wedding procession entered Chen Shengsheng's home, that the onlookers finally left.
Mei Zhiying stood on the treetop with her arms crossed. Huo Yunfeng looked listless below. Xi Ling looked at Mei Zhiying with concern. Only Mei Zhiying herself looked towards the Xu residence, and a bold idea suddenly came to her mind.
She leaped from the treetop, and to Xi Ling's astonishment, she floated down like a feather, landing right in front of him, or like a dazzling butterfly that briefly lingered for him, stirring up a gust of wind.
Xi Ling looked into Mei Zhiying's bright eyes, and the next second he heard Mei Zhiying excitedly say, "Xi Ling, do you think they would agree if I asked to stay at the Xu family's residence under the pretext of helping them repair the Mo Dao?"
Bewitched by her beauty, Xi Ling's mind went blank for a moment, but Huo Yunfeng immediately screamed, "Mei Zhiying! My sword hasn't even been secured yet and you're already thinking about developing the next business deal!!"
However, Huo Yunfeng should have realized long ago that Mei Zhiying was the one who truly had a say during this journey. Whatever Mei Zhiying wanted to do, she would do everything in her power to accomplish it.
So Mei Zhiying and the other two rested for another day at the Guo Bian Inn.
You ask why we didn't go to the Xu residence immediately? Well, Mei Zhiying decided to let Xu Jianchun have a wonderful wedding night; she wanted to be magnanimous.
Huo Yunfeng was filled with resentment, but Xi Ling was completely obedient to Mei Zhiying, and he was powerless to do anything alone. He could only watch with resentment as Mei Zhiying tried to push his sword back.
The trip to the Xu residence the next day went even more smoothly than expected.
Perhaps because of the recent constant stream of wedding guests and countless people coming to offer their blessings, the butler mistook Mei Zhiying and her two companions for ordinary people who had come to offer their blessings. It wasn't until Mei Zhiying explained her purpose that the butler realized something was amiss and hurriedly went to invite Xu Jianchun over.
When Xu Jianchun arrived, he was still dressed in formal attire, with sweat on his forehead, presumably still on important business. Upon hearing that it was related to Mo Dao, he rushed over immediately.
Behind him, Chen Shengsheng followed. She had her hair styled in a married woman's bun and wore clothes that matched Xu Jianchun's. Her gentle gaze made people feel warm and friendly.
"Gentlemen, I've heard you can repair the Desert Blade?" Xu Jianchun asked eagerly, cupping his hands in greeting and glancing at the three men.
Mei Zhiying coughed lightly: "It's just a possibility, but we'll have to wait until I see Mo Dao before we can draw a conclusion."
"May I ask where you come from, young lady?"
Mei Zhiying said somewhat arrogantly, "Plum Blossom Manor."
Upon hearing that it was Plum Blossom Manor, Xu Jianchun's eyes lit up, and he asked cautiously with an even more solemn attitude, "What kind of reward do you gentlemen require?"
"We only need to stay at your Xu residence for a few days."
Xu Jianchun was perhaps surprised that the conditions came so easily, and was momentarily taken aback.
However, he still agreed and personally led the three of them on a tour of the Xu residence. He also instructed the steward to prepare guest rooms and take good care of the distinguished guests. His etiquette was impeccable and there was no fault to be found.
Xi Ling followed behind Xu Jianchun and suddenly became curious: "I heard the people in the city talking about the Xu family. They said you are the young master of the Xu family. So where is your father? Why didn't I see him on such an important day as your child's wedding?"
Xu Jianchun smiled bitterly: "My father traveled around for Mo Dao in his early years, which caused him to fall ill and become mentally unstable. Now he only wants to stay by Mo Dao's side, and he goes crazy if he leaves."
Mei Zhiying's eyes widened: "If I have to take the Mo Blade to repair it, wouldn't your father be..."
Xu Jianchun sighed: "This is also a difficult situation for me. I wonder if you could have my father by your side at that time... Of course! I will arrange for servants to keep an eye on my father and make sure he doesn't disturb you."
Mei Zhiying didn't say anything, but Xi Ling could tell from her slowed pace that Mei Zhiying had actually decided to give up.
Just as he was about to refuse, he saw Mei Zhiying catch up with Xu Jianchun again and heard her say, "Let me see the Mo Dao first before we talk about anything else."
Xu Jianchun led the three forward and explained, "Because my father cannot do without the Mo Dao, it has always been kept in my father's room."
He pushed open the door to the inner room and turned to the side, allowing Mei Zhiying to see Mo Dao's true appearance.
This is an exceptionally weathered knife, with numerous nicks and chips on its blade, and even a crack at the tip. The only part that can be considered intact is the hilt. It's not hard to imagine what kind of legend it holds in the martial arts world.
The Mo Dao was hanging on the wall, and on the bed directly opposite it, an old man was staring at the Mo Dao intently. No matter how Xu Jianchun called out to him, he ignored him and just kept looking at the Mo Dao, as if he were looking at a beautiful dream that had passed away.
Mei Zhiying succinctly stated: "Repairing the Mo Blade is as difficult as climbing to the heavens. Even if it were repaired, it would no longer be the Mo Blade."
Xu Jianchun was not surprised. He smiled wryly and said, "To be honest, if you had said so confidently that you could repair it, I would have been skeptical. My father devoted his whole life to the Mo Dao, and I know how difficult it is."
Even though Mei Zhiying had subtly expressed that she was powerless to help, Xu Jianchun did not ask the three of them to leave. Instead, he arranged guest rooms for them, saying that it was a joyous occasion and he would like to make some friends.
Back in her guest room, Mei Zhiying had just poured herself a cup of tea and hadn't even sat down properly when Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling sneaked into her room one after the other like thieves.
"What are you two doing!" Mei Zhiying whispered.
"I'm just curious, why didn't you help Xu Jianchun repair the Desert Blade? You seemed quite confident." Huo Yunfeng also lowered his voice, and the two of them talked like thieves.
"Are you stupid! He wants his father to watch, but how can I let him watch?"
"Then why didn't you refuse in the first place, but insisted on taking a look at Mo Dao?"
Mei Zhiying frowned in distress: "I always feel that I can find that missing bit of inspiration at the Xu residence, so I have to find a way to stay there."
Xi Ling, however, was thinking about something else: "You just said that even if it's repaired, it won't be the Mo Dao anymore. What do you mean by that?"
Mei Zhiying blinked: "It's very simple. Stop being bound by the form and spirit of the Mo Dao, melt it down and reforge it, and it will be repaired."
Xi Ling never expected Mei Zhiying to have such a rebellious idea, and quickly lowered her voice, "What kind of repair is this!"
"Giving new life, how can it not be repair? Being trapped in the glory of the past, taking scars as the arc of heroism, that is the real reason why the Mo Blade is damaged."
The two's discussion about the Desert Blade ended quickly, because Huo Yunfeng reminded them fiercely: "Forget about that Desert Blade, you still remember I'm your boss!"
Mei Zhiying guiltily looked away and poured a cup of tea for Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling. "The three of us have a long journey ahead, but we will never abandon each other. The journey has been arduous, but we have been tolerant of each other. I think we should become sworn brothers and support each other!"
"..."
Huo Yunfeng and Xi Ling were both speechless at this divine move.
In the end, Xi Ling chuckled and raised her teacup. Seeing this, Huo Yunfeng also awkwardly picked up his teacup. The three of them smiled at each other, and the teacups clinked in the air, making a crisp sound, like the ringing of a bell of fate.
It was getting late. After the three of them finished their extremely simple "sworn brotherhood tea," Xi Ling left first. Not long after, Huo Yunfeng threatened Mei Zhiying to hurry up and find inspiration before he also left.
Mei Zhiying breathed a sigh of relief, washed up quickly, and drifted off to sleep.
After Xi Ling left, she did not return to her room.
He casually beckoned to a servant and said he wanted to see Xu Jianchun.
The servant knew that this was an important guest and dared not neglect him. So, before long, he was led to Xu Jianchun's study.
"My esteemed friend, what brings you here so late at night?" Xu Jianchun was still dealing with some matters and was quite surprised by Xi Ling's sudden arrival. However, before he could process what was happening, even more surprising words came from Xi Ling's mouth—
"I can also repair the Desert Blade, but there are conditions."
Ignoring Xu Jianchun's surprise, Xi Ling continued, "First, the Desert Blade will be renamed the Broken Goose Blade—"
Before Xi Ling could finish speaking, Xu Jianchun hurriedly interrupted, "How can changing the name mean you're still considered Mo Dao!"
Xi Ling glanced at him and said coldly, "Secondly, you must use the Broken Goose Saber Technique that I wrote."
"I'll give you one night to consider whether you'll be reborn and transformed, or perish and be forgotten." With that, Xi Ling turned and left without looking back.
Xu Jianchun's face turned pale, and he struggled internally.
He recalled his father's admiration for the Mo Dao when he was young, his father's obsession with repairing the Mo Dao throughout his life, and the increasingly dilapidated Xu family mansion... In the end, he looked at the huge character "静" (quiet) on the Xuan paper on his desk, his mind in turmoil.
After a long while, Chen Shengsheng emerged from behind the screen. She didn't speak, but instead gripped Xu Jianchun's trembling hand tightly.
Xu Jianchun still held a calligraphy brush in his hand, the ink already soaked into a blob. The two of them held hands and supported each other as they wrote the character "变" (change) stroke by stroke with great effort.
"Actually, you already have the answer." Chen Shengsheng wiped away Xu Jianchun's tears, her eyes filled with tenderness, heartache, and ambition. "Whether it's the Desert Blade or the Broken Goose Blade, it will be the legacy of our Xu family, won't it?"
"I don't know..." Xu Jianchun said, somewhat bewildered.
He knew what the Desert Blade meant to his father, and he couldn't even imagine what his father would become if the Desert Blade turned into the Broken Goose Blade.
However, setting aside his identity as Xu's father and child, he was clear-headed.
All he wanted was to revive the Xu family, to make it as enormous as it once was. He wanted the Xu family to become a true behemoth in the martial arts world, not just a regrettable figure living in a story.
As the last stroke of the character "change" was completed, Xu Jianchun hugged Chen Shengsheng, wiped away his tears, and murmured, "You will always be by my side, right?"
Chen Shengsheng blinked, holding back the tears welling up in her eyes, "Yes, I will, and our children will too."
A sudden gust of wind rose at midnight, the spring chill still lingering. As Xi Ling departed, she wrapped her clothes tightly around herself in the wind, her silhouette completely obscured by the wind.
Mei Zhiying had just woken up the next day when she learned that Xu Jianchun was going to reforge the Mo Blade.
She was somewhat surprised, and also felt a little lost and wistful. Although she said that "Mo Dao" needed a new life, she knew all too well that such a new life was just for the pursuit of fame and fortune.
The Desert Blade, stripped of its form and spirit, will carry its final glory and vanish into history.
Mei Zhiying stood by the railing, gazing at the sky, staring blankly at the clouds as they rolled by, letting the cold wind blow. Faint cries and screams reached her ears, but upon closer listening, they vanished like a dream.
It turns out that the spring breeze is not only a source of hope and warmth, but also a source of chilling cold, which can turn people's hair white and chill their hearts.
Mei Zhiying suddenly understood what kind of sword she wanted to forge.
She looked away and saw Xi Ling staring intently at her, so Mei Zhiying smiled and said, "We should go back now."
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