Embers of Sword

Chapter 670 Master and Disciple

"Teacher...master?"

Duan Zhao was stunned.

He looked up and stared blankly at the handsome young face before him.

These two words have always seemed very distant to him.

He traveled a long way from Forget-Worry Island to the Great Sui Sword Palace, all for the sake of becoming a disciple... However, he didn't want to become a disciple of anyone else, only Xie Xuanyi. His father told him that Xie Xuanyi was dead, but he didn't believe it. Perhaps his deep obsession moved the heavens, and Duan Zhaozhen encountered "Xie Xuanyi" at the Great Sui Sword Palace.

At that time, Xie Xuanyi was still just Xie Zhen.

But not important.

In Duan Zhao's eyes, this guy was "Xie Xuanyi".

No evidence.

No evidence is needed.

Since he was born on Forget-Worry Island, he was a martial artist in the true sense of the word. Martial artists always act on intuition, and Duan Zhao felt that Xie Zhen was not so simple. If he really wanted to find a master, it would definitely be Xie Zhen... even if he was very young and even if his cultivation level was not very high.

As it turned out, his intuition was indeed sharp.

Unfortunately.

These past two years.

Xie Xuanyi never allowed Duan Zhao to call him master. Although the two had the reality of being "master and disciple", they did not have the official title.

The words fell.

The bamboo grove fell silent for a moment.

The wind blew, and the leaves rustled.

"Silly boy..."

Xie Xuanyi was not in a hurry. He continued to look directly into the young man's eyes and said with a smile, "If you nod, I will be your master from now on."

"!!"

Duan Zhao was at a loss for words and nodded frantically like a chicken pecking at rice.

He suddenly thought of something.

As if afraid that Xie Xuanyi would change his mind, the little guy quickly lifted his clothes and was about to kneel down to perform the kowtow.

"Don't--"

Xie Xuanyi reached out and gently supported him, saying softly, "There's no need for three kowtows and nine bows. Since I've accepted you as my disciple, there's no reason for me to go back on my word. You've stayed in Zhongzhou for some time now. After a while, it'll be time for you to return to Wangyou Island, right? When that time comes, tell your parents this news, and then this matter will be considered settled."

"Mountain Lord... Master Mountain Lord, what island did you just mention?"

Duan Zhao blinked, trying to play dumb.

He remembered his parents' instructions before he left: to try not to reveal his identity while traveling.

"Stop pretending, your acting is terrible..."

Huang Su stood with his sword in his arms and said calmly, "The matter of Forget-Worry Island is no secret to us."

"what?!"

Duan Zhao looked surprised and extremely embarrassed, unsure whether to stand or sit.

He scratched his head, thought for a long time, and then asked awkwardly, "Master, Uncle-Master... when did you find out?"

"..."

Huang Su was silent for a moment, then said irritably, "Not long after the Sword Qi Ceremony, your old man came by."

Duan Zhao's eyes widened.

"After all, he is the only one from Forget-Worry Island, so he should be given special care."

Huang Su sneered, "If I remember correctly, your father came to the Sword Palace to ask someone not to teach you swordsmanship properly..."

In the eyes of the Lord of Forget-Worry Island, his son was a once-in-a-century martial arts prodigy, and that it was a waste of his talent to cultivate the way of the sword.

This kid, however, developed a stubborn obsession: he was determined to visit the Great Jade Sword Palace and stay there for a few years.

As a father, all he could do was let him be.

but.

If the Great Eagle Sword Palace doesn't provide proper guidance, in another two years, their own son will still want to return to the island to inherit the family business.

This was the idea of ​​the Lord of Forget-Worry Island, a beautiful idea, but unfortunately, reality was far from ideal. The Lord of Forget-Worry Island chose Xie Xuanyi because Xie Xuanyi's cultivation level was low, only at the Cave Heaven Realm. In the Lord's eyes, his exceptionally talented son could easily crush him after a few years of cultivation…

did not expect!
I didn’t expect it! I didn’t expect it!
Over the past two years, Xiao Duan has made rapid progress and learned a lot of real skills, but he has fallen further and further behind his "master".

"Is there really such a thing?"

Duan Zhao looked at Xie Xuanyi with some skepticism.

"It's true."

Xie Xuanyi smiled and said, "Your father wants me to teach you a couple of moves..."

"That old Deng... he's gone too far! He said he wouldn't interfere with what happened after I left the island, but he still set me up and arranged things!"

Duan Zhao opened his mouth angrily, and subconsciously took out the Wind and Thunder Bracelet to complain.

This move was suppressed by Xie Xuanyi.

"A harmonious family brings prosperity."

Xie Xuanyi quickly said in a broad voice, "Things from the past are trivial matters, nothing more than fleeting clouds."

The future Lord of Forget-Worry Island, was tricked by himself into serving under the Great Jade Sword Palace...

He received all the benefits that the island owner had given him back then.

Xie Xuanyi had no intention of returning this cheap disciple.

If this gets out, I'll be in the wrong.

He certainly didn't want the island lord and his wife to come and interrogate him after the Wind and Thunder Bracelet sent a message.

"Okay... I'll listen to Master."

Duan Zhao took a deep breath to calm himself down.

Although his father had set the trap, what happened afterward deviated from the expected trajectory.

It was a strange coincidence.

He truly became Xie Xuanyi's disciple.

What could be better than a wish coming true?

Xie Xuanyi smiled and pulled Duan Zhao up, brushing the dust off his clothes. This little guy was good at everything. He looked clumsy, but he was actually very wise. If he really had to choose a disciple to inherit his mantle, Xie Xuanyi would actually prefer someone like Duan Zhao.

When selecting disciples, talent is secondary.

Character should be the most important factor.

The Great Way is a long and endless river. No matter how talented one is, it can only mean that one can walk faster and farther on the path of seeking the Great Way.

If a person is morally corrupt and has low moral character.

So no matter how talented you are, it's useless. In this situation, exceptional talent can become a huge disaster.

Xie Xuanyi summoned Chen Ke, stepped onto his flying sword, and signaled Duan Zhao to follow. The master and disciple, one in front and one behind, rode their swords and left Lotus Peak, heading out of the mountain.

……

……

"Master, where are we going?"

Duan Zhao sat on the broad blade of the sword, his hands resting on his knees, his clothes fluttering in the wind.

He had already cultivated to the eighth level of the Cave Heaven Realm, and the heavy sword he carried on his daily life was almost in harmony with his will.

This sword is the complete opposite of the one used for treating chronic illnesses; it is extremely wide and large, with enough room for two people to stand on it.

"Let's go to True Hidden Peak first."

Xie Xuanyi spoke softly, and in almost a few dozen breaths, he arrived at Zhenyin from Lotus Peak.

This is the residence of the guest retainer of the Ōsui Sword Palace.

If visitors come on weekdays, Zhenyin Peak will be responsible for receiving them, and they also handle many other trivial matters such as weapon crafting and pill refining.

These days.

The formation was damaged.

The disciples of Zhenyin Peak and Xiaochun Mountain were busy repairing the great formation, leaving the mountain deserted.

“Master, True Hidden Peak…I’ve been here before.”

Duan Zhao scratched his head, not understanding what his master was going to do. He had been cultivating in the Sword Palace for almost two years. Where hadn't he been? Who hadn't he seen?

"Different."

Xie Xuanyi shook his head, offering no further explanation.

Two flying swords, one large and one small, landed on the mountaintop, and a deep, resonant sound immediately echoed from within the clouds.

"Thank you, Lord Mountain Master."

"Greetings, Lord Xie."

The two guest elders in charge of guarding True Hidden Peak, one fat and one thin, came out to greet them almost immediately.

They saw Xie Xuanyi, but their expressions didn't change. However, when they saw the young man behind Xie Xuanyi, they exchanged glances, which held a deeper meaning.

"I want a 'Lotus Token'."

Xie Xuanyi said gently, "The kind of 'Lotus Token' that can take you to the Thirty-Three Heavens." Upon hearing this...

The two guest elders immediately bowed their heads and said cautiously, "Thank you, Mountain Master... this token is..."

"Of course it's for my disciple."

Xie Xuanyi laughed and said, "Why would I need a token to enter and exit the Thirty-Three Heavens?"

The moment the word "disciple" was uttered...

Duan Zhao vaguely understood Xie Xuanyi's intention.

He did indeed train at the Sword Palace for two years.

I have indeed been to many places.

However... there are some areas of the Great Eagle Sword Palace that are not open to disciples.

Only the successive mountain lords and their personally taught disciples are qualified to enter the Thirty-Three Grotto-Heavens.

Xie Xuanyi brought me to Zhenyin Peak not only for this Lotus Token.

It's also to tell everyone.

Duan Zhao was his disciple.

"Thank you, Master. Please wait a moment."

The thin guest turned and went into the clouds.

The other fat retainer secretly transmitted his voice to Duan Zhao: "You lad, you're really lucky."

Only a very few important figures in the Great Sui Sword Palace knew that Duan Zhao came from Forget-Worry Island, such as Huang Su, a 15th-level expert... Most of the guest elders just regarded him as a rogue cultivator from the mountains and wilderness. Although his aptitude was good and he could be ranked on the list of geniuses, his achievements were far from enough to become Xie Xuanyi's disciple.

After the recent major battle ended.

Throughout the entire Great Sui Sword Palace, everyone knows that Xie Xuanyi is the future leader of the Sword Palace!

To be accepted as a personal disciple by the future sect leader...

Shouldn't we call him the future headmaster?

"hey-hey……"

Duan Zhao scratched his head, chuckled foolishly, and replied telepathically, "Indeed, I had some luck."

soon.

The lean guest elder emerged from the clouds, holding the token in both hands. He approached the young man and said gently, "Nephew Duan, please keep this safe. In principle, only the mountain lord is qualified to wear the golden lotus token for entering and exiting the Thirty-Three Heavens..."

This is a decree worn by the mountain lord, and only those in charge of law and religion are qualified to give it to others.

Xie Xuanyi has now become someone of this level.

Zhao Chunyang is not here.

In a sense, he was acting as the sect leader.

"Okay. I've got it."

Duan Zhao looked solemn and gently rubbed it.

The token, made of an unknown material and weighing less than an ounce, felt surprisingly heavy in the hand.

The flying sword left Zhenyin Peak and sped towards Jin'ao Peak.

"Master, where do we go next?"

Duan Zhao held the golden lotus token with great joy and spoke cautiously.

"Visit all the main peaks."

Xie Xuanyi said, "Go and say a few words."

After the great battle, Xie Xuanyi should have taken over the overall situation of the Sword Palace... but he went to the imperial city first, and only returned to the Sword Palace after the rebellion was completely quelled and the "Sending the Phoenix" plan was completed. Now it's time for him to have a good chat with the elders and guest ministers in charge of internal affairs on the main peak.

Next, half an incense stick's time.

The two flying swords traveled from Zhenyin Peak to Xiaochun Mountain, then to Jin'ao Peak, and finally landed on Yuping Peak.

During Xie Xuanyi's absence, the Sword Palace remained orderly.

These dialogues were mainly to allow Duan Zhao to "show his face".

Xie Xuanyi's true destination on this trip was actually Jade Screen Peak.

Precisely.

It is the Thirty-Three Grotto-Heavens.

The sword-qi mountain steps of Jade Screen Peak, which should have been filled with an invisible pressure, are now much weaker.

Since Jiang Miaoyin went into seclusion, Qi Lie has been in charge of guarding this place.

After the great battle ended and Zhang Lu was injured, Qi Lie resigned from his post guarding Yu Ping Peak and went to Jin Ao Peak Cave Heaven to take care of his master.

As a result, Yuping Peak was temporarily "unclaimed".

Xie Xuanyi had a perfect candidate in mind. Jade Screen Peak was full of female cultivators, and his junior sister Huang Su liked to meditate, so she was perfect for the job. Guarding the Thirty-Three Cave Heavens was no small matter. He needed to consult his junior sister and also confirm Jiang Miaoyin's seclusion status.

The flying sword slowly descended.

"You should know what the 'Thirty-Three Grotto Heavens' are like."

Xie Xuanyi said, "This is a blessed land of the Sword Palace, second only to the 'Lotus Forbidden Land'. The sages of the Sword Palace have erected Dao steles here. If a talented cultivator in the Cave Heaven Realm can go into seclusion here, he can quickly condense his own 'Dao Intent'."

Duan Zhao has now cultivated to the eighth level of the Heavenly Realm.

This is already the stage where one can condense the Dao intent... He obtained the Golden Lotus Token for Duan Zhao with the intention of letting him enter the Thirty-Three Grotto Heavens.

This kid.

If one can cultivate a second sword path and reach the Yin God Realm with the "Martial Arts Divine Embryo," then that would truly be a rare and valuable asset.

The list of prodigies in Fangyuanfang will be updated next time.

Duan Zhao is at least in the top ten... and might even have a chance to be in the top three!

"Master... he really did come after all..."

Before the sword-qi stone steps of Jade Screen Peak.

Duan Zhao spoke heavily, his voice trembling slightly.

You could tell he was very nervous.

"what happened to you?"

Xie Xuanyi glanced at the little guy, not quite understanding why Duan Zhao was so nervous.

My own previous instructions.

This kid doesn't seem to be listening very carefully.

"I knew it, Master was coming here..."

Duan Zhao sighed and said with a complicated expression, "Actually, I wanted to apologize back at Lotus Peak."

"……Apologize?"

Xie Xuanyi paused for a moment, then frowned.

"Regarding the matter of me previously calling Sister Deng Baiyi 'Little Master's Wife'."

Duan Zhao took a deep breath, his expression extremely serious: "This is my fault. I shouldn't have called Sister Bai Yi 'Little Master's Wife'."

"???"

Xie Xuanyi was completely dumbfounded.

"Actually, it's not entirely my fault."

Duan Zhao lowered his voice, somewhat guilty: "After all, back then, nobody knew that Master was Xie Xuanyi... I just wanted to get along well with Junior Master's wife first..."

"All right!"

Xie Xuanyi's expression turned ashen, and he quickly interrupted, "You brat, what are you talking about?"

"Is Master going to take me to see Master Miaoyin next?"

Duan Zhao patted his chest, held his head high, and said in a serious tone, "Master, you can rest assured that I will not say a word about you and Sister Baiyi."

……

……

(PS: This volume is almost finished. At the end of this chapter, please allow me to use a poem I wrote for the Imperial Preceptor and the Taoist nun to pad the word count a little.)

The Taoist robe was still stained with thunder patterns and wrinkles.

Now, even the golden thread cannot bind us; fate is like a curse.

He once promised the world a fortune in his palm, but tragically failed to bring happiness to his beloved.

Can you bear to ask, "Can I regret it?"

A meeting in the library is like an insurmountable chasm; even if we were to meet again, I would not dare to hold your hand.

The screen is cracked, and the tea has gone cold.

The celestial globe is cold and the mountains and rivers are old.

Laugh at those days when we dared to steal the secrets of heaven and change the course of history.

Who would have thought that love would burn so deeply, even consuming the armor of the heavenly watchman?

Even the Imperial Preceptor cannot escape the ravages of life. If I could trade my blue robe for a hand in hand, I would rather shatter this body to become a vessel for surviving this tribulation.

Humanity's greatest calamity.
(End of this chapter)