Chasing after her husband? Is it even possible to win him back?

"Sister Xu, shh!" Before she could finish speaking, Xu Bailing was interrupted by Zuo Zhishuang, who turned to stare at Ning Qiuning, whose smile was gradually brightening. "She succeeded."

Succeeded?

Yao Jiangshu was taken aback and stared at Ning Qiuning.

Xu Bailing stared at Zuo Zhishuang's back with a serious expression. She remembered Chu Xunfeng's arrangements for her today... to protect Zuo Zhishuang.

Zuo Zhishuang's level is very low. After five years of cultivation, her strength is only at the second realm. But is her vision higher than mine and Senior Sister Yao's?

Ning Qiuning gripped the empty hilt of the sword, struggling to control the sword intent she released. The scattered fragments of the sword embryo, under Ning Qiuning's control, gradually trembled and floated up, eventually... reforming back into the sword embryo that seemed about to shatter.

Ning Qiu Ning opened her eyes, her eyes filled with joy. She couldn't help but look at the sword blank in her hand, which was completely pieced together from fragments. The joy in her expression faded, replaced by a complex and indescribable expression.

She sighed softly and looked at Zuo Zhishuang. "I succeeded, Sister Zhishuang. How much for this sword blank?"

"Tell me the sword talisman that Chu gave you, and then tell me your intentions." Zuo Zhishuang stared intently into Ning Qiuning's eyes.

“I do have the sword talisman…” Ning Qiu Ning ignored Xu Bai Ling’s gloomy expression and looked at Zuo Zhi Shuang with some difficulty, “But my intention… can I not say it?”

"I cannot give you that sword talisman." Zuo Zhishuang stated her position with unwavering firmness. "This sword talisman is a failed product. If we consider it a sword, it is a crippled weapon. Sister Ning, you are a weapon cultivator, you should understand that using and nurturing crippled weapons is an evil path!"

"..." Ning Qiu Ning held the unfinished sword blank with a handle that looked like a fire poker, and hesitated for a long time.

If the two from Baidi City hadn't been there, she wouldn't have minded revealing her intentions. After all... ever since Chu Xunfeng ascended to the Human Ranking, her affair with Chu Xunfeng had basically become the talk of the town among cultivators worldwide.

However, when she said it in front of the two people in Baidi City, she...sighed.

"My story is no secret. My mind pool was shattered and my realm regressed. It was all my own doing. Now that I have figured out a lot of things, my newly formed mind is called regret."

“A broken sword is a fitting gift for regret.” Ning Qiu Ning’s gaze was somewhat vacant. She looked down at the sword blank in her hand, which was shaped like Weng Ming’s sword. “This is perhaps the most suitable weapon for me in this sword appraisal competition.”

"The sword cannot be undone." Xu Bailing stared intently at Ning Qiuning. "The higher your cultivation level, the more dangerous it becomes for you. Aren't you afraid of going astray and negating your own life in the future?"

“I still have a glimmer of hope…” Ning Qiu gazed at Xu Bailing, then suddenly smiled. “I will try my best.”

Regret. If a broken mirror can be mended, Ning Qiu Ning's wishes can naturally be fulfilled.

“There’s always a way to repair a broken sword.” Ning Qiu Ning flipped her hand and took out a sword talisman, handing it to Zuo Zhi Shuang, who had a conflicted expression. “Sister Zhi Shuang knows more about forging than I do, right?”

If a relationship is beyond repair, then find a way to try and start over.

Ning Qiuning knew, of course, that this was difficult, but...

You have to try your best, right?

Chapter 44, The Smell of Gunpowder

A broken sword paired with a broken will; to think of it brings only regret.

The more one cultivates oneself, the stronger that intention within one's heart and mind will become.

The more refined one's remorse becomes, the stronger this feeling of regret will become. If it is cultivated to a high level, it is not impossible that Ning Qiu Ning might one day have a moment of despair and slit her own throat with a sword.

Inside the workshop, Ning Qiuning did not put down the sword blank she was holding, and Zuo Zhishuang did not give in either, but instead fell into deep thought.

Just as the atmosphere among the four women in the workshop gradually sombered, guests were already entering the Longquan Sword Manor.

Lord Gou, dressed in a python robe and wearing an official hat, exuded an air of composure and shrewdness that suggested he had navigated the complexities of officialdom. While his demeanor was extraordinary, it was worlds apart from the江湖气 (jianghu, a kind of chivalrous spirit) displayed by the cultivators around him. As he walked, Lord Gou naturally attracted a great deal of attention.

Even now, as the imperial envoy and his party of six or seven entered the Sword Manor, they were the most eye-catching among the crowd, not only because they represented the imperial court, but also because of the tall, imposing men in the group.

Zhan Chen Dao, Pan Ge.

With a dark bluish complexion and facial features that differ from those of ordinary people in the Xu Kingdom, Zhan Chendao Pan Ge is a person from the Yan Kingdom.

There are many versions and conflicting accounts of the story of the Zhan Chen Blade.

The different versions of the story are roughly the same in framework: Zhan Chen Dao walks from Yan Kingdom to Xu Kingdom, challenging masters from various sects and schools along the way, all to prove the sword's meaning.

After wandering in Xu Kingdom for three years, Zhan Chendao made few friends but made many enemies. It is unknown which of Zhan Chendao's enemies secretly tried to kill him. Although Zhan Chendao managed to escape by chance, he disappeared from the cultivation world for several years.

When he reappeared, Zhan Chen Dao, alone with his sword, charged into the capital of Xu Kingdom with all his might, aiming directly at the imperial palace, as if he had gone mad.

The fate of Zhan Chen Dao was nothing more than overestimating his own abilities. He was eventually captured by the deputy commander of the Bronze Fang Beasts and then disappeared without a trace.

Back then, many people in the cultivation world speculated about what Zhan Chen Dao was after, and what made him so foolish as to dare to storm the Xu Kingdom's palace and even point his blade at the emperor.

Now, after nearly ten years of disappearance, Zhan Chen Dao has reappeared with a bronze beast mask hanging from his waist. How can one not be curious about what kind of story happened to this Yan Kingdom man back then?

However, in front of Zhan Chendao, not many people gossiped about him. Most of these people from the cultivation world just watched coldly as the sword servants of Longquan Sword Manor led the imperial envoy and his entourage away before they started to communicate again.

A few people talked about the past of the Zhan Chen Blade, but most people were talking about the Longquan Sword Manor and the Bronze Fang Beast.

After all, after a whole day, the White Emperor City shuttle was attacked, and the Longquan Sword Manor rushed to rescue people... Anyone with information channels would know something about it. Besides, there's still the Seven Star Tower in Blue Cang City.

These sects that came to participate in the Sword Appraisal Tournament weren't ignorant; they weren't just there to join in the fun.

With border relations between Xu and Yan gradually becoming tense, the cultivation world is also paying close attention to the actions of the Xu emperor. Now, with the Sword Appraisal Tournament, they naturally want to come and see what the Xu emperor has done, and what Longquan Sword Manor, including Baidi City, plans to do.

Moreover, there's also Chu Xunfeng.

Chu Xunfeng's stance is actually quite complex, and his involvement in this matter allows those with a keen eye to discern several nuances.

First of all, he is famous among the demon race, having received the true teachings of the dragon race. It is also said that he has a close relationship with the only evil-repelling bloodline in this world. However, now, because of Dang Kang's matter, the relationship between the demon race and Yan Kingdom can be described as very bad. And the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The relationship between Xu Kingdom and the demon race is ambiguous.

At this very moment, Chu Xunfeng has become a worshipper at the Longquan Sword Manor's platform, seemingly preparing to fight against the bronze beast.

So, does Chu Xunfeng's behavior represent the attitude of the demon race? That's one point.

Secondly, Chu Xunfeng's origins are unclear, but the easiest to find out is that he is the disciple of Xu Jiujing, the Grand Elder of the Death Realm in Baidi City. When the Baidi City shuttle was attacked, Longquan Sword Manor rushed to the Misty Forest to provide assistance. Anyone with eyes can see that the relationship between Chu Xunfeng and Baidi City is not as bad as imagined.

Thirdly, there are the disciples of Baidi City who went missing in Yongzhou... Even though there is no concrete evidence yet, there are many clever people among the various sects who can follow the clues and guess that it may be related to the Bronze Fang Beast.

Fourth, the Ghost Clan seems to be on the same side as the Dragon Spring Sword Manor. The Ghost Clan in the Black Forest has always been a difficult group to approach, and now, it seems that the Ghost Clan has also had a conflict with the Bronze Fang Beast. After all, the Ghost Old Nine's battle with Zhan Chen Dao just happened last night.

"In general, I personally believe that... today's sword appraisal competition will likely not end well for Longquan Sword Manor and the Bronze Beast."

"You can't fight city hall; this is a difficult situation to resolve peacefully. Do you think Longquan Sword Manor can defeat the Bronze Fierce Beast?"

"It's hard to say. If the bronze beast really dares to go against the grain and attack the disciples of White Emperor City, White Emperor won't just sit idly by. The Xu Kingdom is probably about to undergo a major upheaval."

"Have you all heard about what happened during the autumn hunt last year between the cultivators of Baidi City and Bianzhou?"

"Oh? Brother Jiang is referring to... the incident where the young lady of Baidi City was surrounded and attacked by unknown assailants?"

"Indeed, in my opinion, some clues had already appeared at that time."

"If that was indeed done by the bronze beast, have you ever considered why the Emperor of Xu would do such a thing?"

"Be careful what you say, let's go to the venue and see what Longquan Sword Manor is going to do."

"Brother Jiang is right, shall we all go together?"

“Of course, let’s go together.”

The group of cultivators, who seemed to be acquaintances, greeted a sword servant from Longquan Sword Manor and were led to the venue of the Sword Appraisal Tournament.

Meanwhile, Lian Cai, who had been accompanying the imperial envoy, finally saw Chu Xunfeng, dressed in a black robe, outside the venue.

"Brother Chu, it's been a long time." Lian Cai smiled and bypassed the imperial envoy beside him, taking the initiative to approach Chu Xunfeng and exchange pleasantries with the young man.

"Oh?" Although Chu Xunfeng had already guessed Lian Cai's identity, he did not expect that after leaving Kamakura Castle, Lian Cai would reveal his identity directly in front of him without changing his appearance. "I didn't expect that Lord Lian would not bother to change his appearance for me. I am flattered."

Lian Cai paused, a knowing look appearing on his face. "Next time, next time I'll make sure Brother Chu doesn't recognize me. I'll change my appearance, my voice, and finally, my name. What do you think, Brother Chu?"

"Then I still hope that Lord Lian will not take me seriously and will refrain from being presumptuous today. I, Chu, will be extremely grateful." Chu Xunfeng said, cupping his hands in a welcoming gesture.

Lian Cai smiled, cupped his hands, bowed, and paid his respects.

The two stood up together, ignoring the surprised looks from the surrounding guests, and stared at each other for a long time.

The smell of gunpowder had gradually dissipated.

Chu Xunfeng stepped aside and gestured, "Lord Lian, Imperial Envoy... please."

"Of course, of course." Lian Cai turned around and exchanged a glance with the imperial envoy. "Lord Gou, let's go."

Chapter 45, The Sword Appraisal Tournament Begins

Dozens of people were already seated in the venue of the sword-tasting competition.

Fine wines and delicacies were plentiful, and elegantly dressed male and female sword attendants moved about the venue. When guests arrived, they were led to their seats and served hot tea, warm wine, tea snacks, or dishes to accompany the wine. They were also given an explanation of the procedures for holding the sword-tasting competition and the rules of the competition.

The imperial envoy and his entourage were led by two sword attendants to the front of the sword-tasting competition venue and seated at a round table closest to the main stage.

The sword attendant served him not only several jugs of wine, but also more exquisite and larger portions of snacks and dishes than those on the other tables.

At first, Lord Gou was quite satisfied with this special treatment, but seeing Lian Cai's brows furrow slightly after observing him from all sides, he composed himself and cautiously asked, "Lord Lian, is there something strange about this food and wine?"

After all, he remembered the tense atmosphere between Lian Cai and Chu Xunfeng off the field earlier.

When a soft rebate meets a hermaphrodite, the atmosphere becomes anything but ordinary.

"It seems like preferential treatment... but it's actually a distinction." Lian Cai's brows relaxed slightly, as if he didn't care much. "The cultivators are only given small wines and snacks because they are here to appreciate swords... The small wines and snacks are just embellishments. The swords that will be presented on stage later will be their main course. But for us, the wine and snacks will be the main course."

When Lord Gou's eyes swept over the table of fine wine and food again, he felt utterly disgusted.

The bronze beast was also a cultivator, and the table of food and wine was clearly prepared for him, the imperial envoy.

Preferential treatment, differentiation? This is clearly a special kind of isolation; my identity has been used by Longquan Sword Manor to make a fuss.

Asking them to remove these things? That would be a slap in the face, utterly pointless. We're not on the same page to begin with; forcing ourselves to be like everyone else will only make us more disliked...

"Pour a cup, just a small sip." Lord Gou snorted coldly. As soon as he spoke, Pan Ge, who was standing next to Lord Gou, took the initiative to pour a cup of wine for the Imperial Envoy, and then poured a cup of wine for himself, taking a small sip.