Walking alone with a sword, slaying ghosts and gods

Chapter 42: No Regrets for the Sword, the Founding of Wenjianzhai (Thanks to reader jkiani for becoming the first deacon)
The seventh day of the sword fighting competition, the finals.

He Guo is facing Xie Yan, the young genius and the eldest son of the Xie family in the city that never sleeps.

"Xie family, Xie Yan." On the stage, a young genius dressed in white, who looked like a wealthy young man but had a fierce temperament and sword-like aura, saluted He Guo in front of him.

"I learned from my teacher Lin Lie, what have I done wrong?"

He responded wearing old clothes and holding a sword.

"start."

Because it was the first time that He Guo revealed his master in public, it caused spectators from all directions to whisper. At the same time, the swordsman on the ring announced the start of the sword fight.

In the sword-fighting competition in the City That Never Sleeps, the use of talismans, magical instruments, the taking of drugs that stimulate potential, and other such secret techniques are prohibited.

Starting from the top 64, swordsmen will conduct relevant inspections.

However, considering the inheritance of the Taoist tradition in Southern Xinjiang, one can use secret methods closely related to one's own cultivation, such as poisonous insects and ghosts.

Therefore, cultivators like the Gu Dao sword cultivators and the Ghost Dao sword cultivators have always had an advantage in sword fighting competitions.

However, the two young swordsmen who came here today are both pure sword practitioners, sharp and pure, without any worries.

"Actually, I don't care about the outcome of this battle, because you are no match for me."

The young master of the Xie family, dressed in white as white as snow and holding a sword at his side, spoke like this.

"Your swordsmanship has entered the devil's way. Although you have made rapid progress at the moment, you have fallen into narrow-mindedness. What you will face every day in the future may be a chasm that you will never be able to overcome in this lifetime."

"So no matter whether I win or lose today, I don't care. My swordsmanship will improve every day in the future, and you, for the sake of temporary success, abandon your foundation. Such a swordsmanship is not worthy of being compared with mine."

Xie Yan did not draw his sword but spoke slowly, but his eyes were cold but sincere, and it was obvious that these words were what was in his heart.

But because of this, words are like swords, finding gaps to penetrate and attack the opponent's vital points.

However, after a long while, the opponent did not respond. After a cup of tea, just as Xie Yan frowned slightly and prepared to draw his sword.

On the other side, He Guo's words came:

"...You are able to seek the Sword of Righteousness because you are the legitimate son of the Patriarch of the Xie Family and have been the young master of the Xie Family since childhood. You have been enlightened by a famous teacher and accompanied by a famous sword since childhood, exchanging spirituality. What you just said is not wrong. Your sword heart is indeed better than mine, and more perfect."

"But, is that really yours? Did you realize it on your own? Or was it taught to you by a group of skilled swordsmen who taught you by example?"

"You gave up today for tomorrow, but for me, giving up today means there will be no tomorrow. I don't understand or know the right way or the evil way. But my teacher taught me four words."

The boy's eyes were downcast, as if he was lost in memories.

"What four words?"

Xie Yan had practiced swordplay for many years, and he had some sense in his heart. While holding the sword in one hand, he had already put his fingers together to form a seal with the other hand.

"No regrets in sword strikes!"

Running, he drew his sword out of its sheath with a clang.

The righteous path has abandoned me, I have entered the evil path and will never look back.

"Meteor from the sky!"

"The first sword is a meteor from the sky!"

Many people present had seen this cold sword light more than the second or third time, but they still found it beautiful and thrilling.

It was clearly just an ordinary sword, but for some reason, when He Guo swung it, there was a kind of awe-inspiring charm, the sword was cold and dazzling.

Even though he had been prepared and had studied the variations of this move in his mind countless times.

However, when He Guo made this move, Xie Yan's thinking was still delayed for a moment under the frightening sword intent. When he came to his senses, He Guo had already swung his sword in front of him, and the tip of the sword was pointing directly at the vital point, as if teleporting.

Clang.

when.

Thanks to more than ten years of hard training, Xie Yan was able to draw his sword in time and successfully block the sword.

But when the two swords collided, the sword that was swept away by the rainbow-like sword light was actually Xie Yan's sword!
Xie Yan is now eighteen years old. He has been cultivated by the Xie family with all his resources since he was young. Now he is at the peak of the sixth level of Qi training. Of course, he cannot be compared with the top talents in the top sects, who have established their foundation at the age of twenty. However, he has proven his ability in practicing both sword and Qi step by step. He is a young genius in the entire Southern Xinjiang and even in the entire Tang Dynasty. There is a great chance that he will become a genuine cultivator with foundation building in the future.

The flying sword he was wearing was a second-grade, top-grade flying sword. He had held it in his hands when he was a hundred days old. It had accompanied him since he was a child, and they were both proficient in both spiritual power and sword.

Moreover, the sword embryo is solid. When he is promoted to the foundation-building stage in the future, he can immediately refine it into a third-order flying sword. Of course, it will be more advantageous and powerful than using a third-order flying sword purchased by an ordinary foundation-building cultivator.

But at this moment Xie Yan retreated. He had no choice but to retreat. He had to retreat.

If you don't retreat, you will be defeated immediately.

"With this kind of sword power, he ignored his own meridians and used all his magic power? With this kind of sword light, can he slash out ten times?"

Because of one wrong step, all steps are wrong.

Xie Yan just didn't expect that He Guo would come and challenge him to a life-threatening situation.

Then he was frightened for a moment by the sword intent of Meteor from the Sky. It was not his fault, because a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm would also be frightened by the sword here, but his consciousness had already been condensed and recovered faster, making it more difficult for others to catch his flaws.

But at this moment, in the next ten swords, even with Xie Yan's skills, he could not make up for the disadvantage created by the first sword.

He could only barely control the sword light to protect himself, retreat, control the sword, defend, retreat, control the sword, defend.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang... The two sword lights crisscrossed and the sword fires intertwined. Many times, the two swords just brushed past Xie Yan's body.

Inside the swordplay hall, the audience around also held their breath for a moment.

Sitting in the front row outside the ring, Bai Feier from the Jinhong Sword Hall looked up nervously, with her brother and father beside her.

Those who can sit here nearby can certainly understand it.

The outcome of the battle was decided by just ten swords.

Is Xie Yan's sword of righteousness stronger, or is He Guo's sword of evil sharper?

Snap, snap, snap...

When the two sides fought hard until the seventh sword, even though they took the initiative in the offensive, the first-grade inferior flying sword that He Guo was controlling finally could not withstand such an intense sword fight, and began to crack, shatter, and break. Along with sword fire, the flying sword fragments began to fall in the air.

"The flying sword is broken? The difference between the flying swords of the two sides is too great..."

"The victory has been decided."

The monks around noticed it, and Xie Yan noticed it too, but the young swordsman who was wielding the sword seemed to have no sense of it at all.

Time and again, he controlled the relic left to him by his mother, pouring all his magical power into slashing with the sword that he had forgotten everything.

锵

The eighth sword.

锵

The ninth sword.

At this moment, the first-grade inferior flying sword was already broken into pieces.

Only the front half of the sword head remains relatively intact, and one can even see the flying sword pattern inside flashing with flickering light.

The tenth sword, cut down.

Clang.

Xie Yan defended himself with his sword, the two swords collided, strangled, and then both fell off the stage.

However, Xie Yan's flying sword was still intact, while He Guo's flying sword was completely shattered and could never be controlled again.

"Ten strikes have already passed... We must be prepared for his counterattack before his death!"

Xie Yan forced himself to muster up his exhausted spirits, and sure enough, he saw He Guo's right hand formed into a sword and rushed towards him.

There was a cruel look in his eyes, but also a more terrifying clarity.

After these ten sword fights, Xie Yan, who was older and had more powerful magic than him, was exhausted. Of course, He Guo was even weaker and more tired.

But he still pounced on her, giving her all and squeezing out all his potential.

"Defend against his sword, as long as I recall the flying sword, it will be mine"

Before he could even think of winning, the two sides had already crossed paths and flashed past each other.

Bang! He Guo's sword palm, which he used all his strength to strike, only hit Xie Yan's right arm, causing his right arm to lose control temporarily. However, Xie Yan had been practicing sword with both hands since he was young. His left-hand sword was not as sharp as his right-hand sword, but it was definitely not weak.

Therefore, you can still recall the sword Qingdie and return quickly.

But at this moment, He Guo struck a sword that no one had expected - his left arm, which had been severely injured by Bai Feier from Jinhong Sword Hall, swung out and attacked Xie Yan's left eye.

At this time, Xie Yan's Qingdie flying sword had already flown back and was less than ten feet away from the sword master, but He Guo's left palm sword had already slashed in front of Xie Yan.

This change was beyond the expectations of everyone present.

Faced with this, the old swordsman on the ring couldn't help but sigh softly, swung the bamboo sword in his hand, and hit He Guo's left arm at the elbow.

After all, he couldn't just stand here and watch the young master of the Xie family have one of his eyes gouged out.

boom.

He Guo rolled over and fell heavily to the ground, looking in a miserable state.

Xie Yan stood on the stage in a daze, gasping for breath, holding his Qingdie sword in his hand, but he was at a loss for a moment.

But at this time, huge cheers and roars were heard from the ring below.

The first one to jump up was Bai Feier from the Jinhong Sword Hall. The little girl screamed loudly, yelling "Ahhh" and pulling her reluctant brother, pointing at the ring:

"He lied to me, he lied to all of us!"

Then more people cheered and cursed, and all the noises mixed into one.

Many gamblers put their fortunes on the line, and many people will probably die after tonight. It will take a while before things settle down.

Since the sword judge took the initiative to protect Xie Yan, the sword contest was definitely decided:
The young master of the Xie family, who had been known as a swordsmanship genius since childhood, was defeated.

The winner of this year's sword-fighting competition was a commoner who used a low-grade first-level flying sword and had never even joined a sword hall. What fault was that for a cultivator?

The young man endured the severe pain in his left arm. He lay on the ground with tears on his face:
"Dad, Mom, did you see that? Your son has become successful!"

"Did you...see it? Son, I missed you so much."

"You actually laid the groundwork during the top 64. Don't tell me that Bai Fei'er's sword that hit you was also intentional on your part?"

At this time, a shadow enveloped He Guo.

Then, a broken sword was handed to him.

"This sword must be very important to you. It is a first-grade, low-grade magical weapon that has been maintained so well. I can see seventeen maintenance techniques on it. Do you plan to use it for the rest of your life?"

He Guo raised his head and looked at Xie Yan who was standing in front of him and blocking the light. He asked in surprise, "You don't hate me?"

This is not what the storytelling says. Mr. Ren in the teahouse once said: Most of the children of noble families are narrow-minded and vindictive...

"Hmph, do you know what an aristocratic family is? Compared to a poor guy like you, we can lose countless times, but we only need to win once. But you can only win countless times, and if you lose once, you will never be able to recover in your life."

“Besides, how did you become so skilled in swordsmanship today? Do you think you can hide it from us? After today, every immortal cultivation family in the city that never sleeps will have one disciple worshipping under Master Lin. Don’t lie there any more, take me to meet Master Lin. I want to learn not only the Meteor from the Sky, but all of Master Lin’s unique swordsmanship!”

"..."

Even though he was facing away from the light, He Guo could see the light in the boy's eyes when he said these words.

Just listening to his words, He Guo suddenly felt that he was not as happy as before.

These kids from aristocratic families are so damn mean.

At the same time, in Yuelai Inn, Lu Cheng was writing, organizing his experience in cultivation during this period.

The immortal cultivator's memory is undoubtedly very good, but he still summarizes and recaps things every once in a while, using notes to organize his thoughts.

"The fight over there should have been over by now, right? I don't know what the result is."

Although he said so, after Lu Cheng sorted out his experience in cultivation, he returned to his bed to meditate and purify his magic power.

It would be great to get first place, and second place is not bad either. However, I had blocked my meridians a few days ago, and I opened them today. This ambush should increase my chances of winning.

But when a swordsman fights to the end, he is ultimately fighting against himself.

After a night of meditation, nothing happened.

The next day, when Lu Cheng opened the door and was about to go in to listen to storytelling, he saw two young men kneeling at the door of his room.

One of them was naturally He Guo. He held high the wooden plate in his hand, on which there was a land deed document.

The other man was dressed in white clothes as white as snow, with the aura of a noble man. At this moment, he was kneeling there, offering a thousand spirit stones with both hands.

"I have done nothing wrong. I am willing to learn the way of swordsmanship from Master."

"Disciple Xie Yan, I am willing to learn the way of swordsmanship under the master."

"Please help me, Master."

"well!!"

All around were the cheers of people who were looking for fun.

He Guo, a boy from the common people, was so poor that he could hardly have food to eat. However, he was noticed by the immortal master Lin Lie who was traveling here. After three days of teaching him a sword technique called "Meteor from the Sky", the boy was able to soar into the sky and then won the sword-fighting competition in the City That Never Sleeps, taking first place.

After the sword-fighting competition last night, this story will be circulated in Lingnan City that Never Sleeps for at least hundreds or even thousands of years. Everyone loves such stories.

Because there are so many children from poor backgrounds who work hard, are motivated, persistent, and talented, but they just lack that chance to be an immortal.

Now, the Immortal Master Lin Lie, whom Lu Cheng used to be, has become the embodiment of this immortal fate, so even Xie Yan knelt in front of him.

There is probably not a single young man in the city who practices swordsmanship who would not want to kneel before him today.

"Collecting spirit stones and teaching swordsmanship is a common thing. What's wrong? I've said that after those three days, the fate between you and me will end."

"Master Lin, the fate between you and me has not yet ended." Without waiting for He Guo beside him to speak, Xie Yan said this anxiously.

What's the point of not teaching? If you teach me, I will definitely be able to inherit your unique skills.

Lu Cheng doesn't look much older than He Guo and Xie Yannian, but the age of a cultivator in the world of immortal cultivation cannot be judged by appearance.

The real ages of many bright and beautiful female fairies are probably hundreds of years older than the grandmother of He Guo and Xie Yan’s grandmother.

Although the Master Lin in front of him was not as bad as he used to be, he was obviously a true practitioner who had mastered the art of maintaining his youthful appearance.

In fact, if the predecessor Lu Cheng had mastered the dual cultivation technique, he could really stay young forever, have white hair and a childlike face, and not age even at the age of a hundred.

"Master, I have used the spirit stones I won first in the competition to buy the sword hall in Xiefeng Building. I heard that it is haunted. If you don't go and take charge of the sword hall, I will be in trouble."

If Xie Yan, who came from a noble family, could be so shameless, He Guo felt even less pressure. He simply put down the wooden plate in his hand, pounced on the Taoist in front of him, hugged his thighs and refused to let go.

"Master, Master, you can't just ignore me."

"Ah, alas! You dare to buy a haunted house, alas, you really make me suffer."

Lu Cheng had a helpless look on his face, but he seemed unable to really kick to death his disciple, whom he had already taught. So he reluctantly went with He Guo and Xie Yan to the original sword hall of Xiefeng Tower.

All the furnishings inside were in good condition, except that the sign of Xiefeng Building had been taken down. In this mansion, Lu Cheng could set up a new sword hall by just hanging a sign.

"Master, please write."

Xie Yan was more capable than He Guo, who came from a commoner family. He vaguely saw that Master Lin intended to open a sword school and teach kendo.

Although he felt some regrets that he could not keep everything to himself, he immediately became more alert and quickly instructed the servants of the Xie family to make arrangements.

In a sword gym, there are only a few people who can truly receive the true teachings, say a dozen or so at most, and the rest just learn the basics and superficial skills of the sword gym.

Xie Yan is the one who is determined to obtain the true teachings of Master Lin.

A blank plaque made of fine wood was presented to the young Taoist priest. Everything was ready.

The young Taoist seemed helpless, but he still stretched out his hand and gently pressed the blank plaque in front of him.

hiss.

The sound of sword energy breaking through the air.

Immediately afterwards, three large characters written with sword energy and full of sharpness fell on the plaque: Wenjianzhai. Just by seeing this plaque, one can feel a sense of sharpness.

Opening a sword hall in the city that never sleeps is the best choice for Lu Cheng at this time:

Through teaching, you can not only learn the local Qigong methods and hone your swordsmanship, but also earn a lot of spirit stones to supplement your practice resources.

As for what to teach?
The local Wendao Tower, Jinhong Sword Hall, Chiri Sword Hall, and Xiefeng Tower can all become top sword halls.

According to their teaching model, what Lu Cheng has learned is enough to teach for ten thousand years. Well, it is a bit too conceited to say that. To be more humble, it is enough to teach for nine thousand nine hundred and ninety years.

In his previous life, a professional chess player could teach his apprentice for a lifetime. Lu Cheng was a great swordsman among hundreds of millions of players. Moreover, he was extremely talented and was good at learning. Ordinary apprentices would not progress as fast as his teacher.

"It's not good for such a big sword hall to have only three or four people. Let's put it this way. The tuition fee will still be the same as before, but the tuition for ordinary apprentices will be only ten spirit stones a month, giving the children from poor families a chance to make progress." Lu Cheng said.

He Guo, who was standing by, wanted to say, "Master Lin, no poor family can afford to pay 10 spirit stones a month for tuition."

But Xie Han on the side had already spoken first: "Master is compassionate and has opened up a path for future generations to learn swordsmanship. He is truly broad-minded and has done immeasurable good deeds. He is highly respected and is highly regarded by everyone..."

He Guo stared in amazement at Xie Han who was talking nonstop. For a moment, he truly understood the gap between the children of poor families and those of wealthy families in all aspects.

They really lick and they really know how to lick.

"If I were in Master Lin's position, it would be fine for one or two days, but after one, two, ten or twenty years, wouldn't I be more fond of Xie Yan? Then what would I have to do with the true teachings in the future?"

Not only that, Xie Yan also instructed the servant who followed him to call all the young men of the Xie family who were of appropriate age and willing and suitable to learn swordsmanship to join the Wenjianzhai Sword Hall. In this way, the situation could be set up in a very short time.

"Tell them that all the fees paid by Xie family members who come to Jianzhai to learn swordsmanship should be paid from the family's public account. Other sword halls and Taoist halls will not be reimbursed."

It was obvious that the head of the Xie family really doted on his legitimate son. He gave his son thousands of spirit stones as a stipend, and Xie Yan had such great power. Of course, this was also earned by Xie Yan's self-control and talent shown through his years of hard work in swordsmanship.

In this world, one who has the cultivation level of the Foundation Establishment Realm can support a family. One who has a more powerful cultivation level, even if he has no talents in other aspects, can become the mainstay of a family and the source of power.

What's more, over the years, Xie Yan's performance in other aspects of dealing with people has not been bad either.

At this moment, there was a sudden burst of noise outside the door.

Lu Cheng looked over and saw many people holding spirit stones and pushing their way into the sword hall. There were so many people that the originally spacious door was about to burst.

It turned out that the news that He Guo bought the Xiefenglou Sword Hall with 2,000 spirit stones for the first place in the competition had somehow spread.

It was heard that Master Lin Lie, who was famous in the south for his "Meteor from the Sky", was going to open a school in the City That Never Sleeps to teach disciples. The news spread like wildfire.

More and more people want to bring their children to become disciples of Master Lin Lie.

I will have to teach you a few tricks in the future. If I can be as good as He Guo, even if I am a little worse, I will still be able to stand out and be the best.

No matter how poor you are, you can still join the City Patrol, marry some beautiful wives and concubines among mortals, and live a majestic life.

Parents love their children and plan for them in the long run. This sentiment has remained the same since ancient times, which is why scenes like this are happening.

"Master, please go to the back hall first. I will take care of you here."

As soon as Xie Yan finished speaking, he turned around and found that Lu Cheng had already walked to the corner of the back hall. As expected of someone who practiced swordsmanship, his hands and feet were nimble, which was his basic skill.

"Thank you, Junior Brother. You and your servants are enough here. I will go and serve the Master."

"You stay here. You are the first in the sword competition. Your master is not here, and you are not here either. Is this sword hall owned by my Xie family?"

Xie Yan took a quick step with his sword and grabbed He Guo who was trying to leave.

Then the two brothers cooperated with the servants of Xie family to greet everyone, collect spirit stones, make rosters, and handle various chores. As the saying goes, if the master has something to do, the disciples should do the work; these were what they should have done.

Collecting spirit stones, establishing a roster, handling various chores, and opening a sword hall is not easy. Starting early in the morning, Xie Yan and He Guo, two very smart young men, were the leaders, and together with the servants of the Xie family, they were busy all day long, and only gradually finished their work at dusk in the afternoon.

"Wow, this is the first time I know there are so many rich people in the Never-Sleeping City. There are actually so many people who can afford to pay ten spirit stones a month for tuition. Some people even asked Master Lin to teach them in person, and it cost five hundred and twelve spirit stones for three days of instruction. Even I had to think twice before asking him."

At dusk, the sun was setting in the west, and the sky was filled with magnificent red clouds. The two young men, Xie Yan and He Guo, had been busy all day and were so tired that they sat in the deserted sword hall, leaning on each other.

As for the servants of the Xie family, they did not dare to be too rude in front of the young master, but they all hid at the door to rest, and at the same time greeted the students who were still coming in scattered.

At this moment, when the two young men, Xie Yan and He Guo, were leaning against each other to catch their breath, a faint sound of quarreling could be heard outside the Wenjianzhai sword hall, followed by cries of pain.

Although the two young men were tired, they stood up immediately. But before they could go out to see what was going on, a group of young men with swords on their backs rushed in. The first one to come in was a servant from the Xie family.

"Thank you, San!"

Xie Yan stamped his feet and flew up to take the servant Xie San, but he was also pushed back by a powerful force. If he took it head-on, he would be fine, but Xie San, the servant who had served him since childhood, would die.

"Humph, Xie Yan from the Xie family is just so-so, overrated."

"To open a sword gym in the City That Never Sleeps, the Great Sword Master must go to the Sword Art Hall to be tested. People with unknown identities, poor sword skills, and bad morals are not allowed to open a sword gym in the City That Never Sleeps. Don't you know that?"

The man who walked in first was tall and carried two swords on his back. He had long eyebrows, an aquiline nose, and a stern face. When he faced He Guo and Xie Yan, he looked down at them, as if he didn't take them seriously at all.

"Hey, you're not the young master of the Xie family, why does he totally ignore you?" He came to Xie Yan, who had put Xie San down, and asked in a low voice.

"Chen Tengjiao is the adopted son of the Grand Elder of the Sword Art Hall. His father is a late foundation building cultivator, his master is a middle foundation building cultivator, and he himself won first place in the last sword competition. Why would they take me seriously?"

After replying quietly, Xie Yan took two steps forward, clasped his fists and saluted:

"...Brother Chen Shi, today is the first day that our master will hang up the plaque of the sword hall. Tomorrow we will go to the main sword hall to complete the formalities."

"Reissue means it hasn't been done yet. So you can't hang up your plaque today. I'm going to take it down now. You can go to the Sword Art Hall to get it tomorrow."

　Thanks to reader jkiani for becoming the first deacon of this book, and thanks to all the readers who support this book.

　　In addition, please ask Pei Tugou to promote this chapter. In order to prevent being criticized by peers, a fan comment setting has been enabled. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)