A Man in the Snow: Starting with a Sword Challenge to the Northern Liang Prince's Palace

I regained consciousness the next day.

Ye Yun remained seated under the old locust tree in Lizhu Cave.

The fortune within, seemingly faint, all entered Ye Yun's body.

Only Ye Yun knew that he was secretly using the system to devour the fortune of each family in the Lizhu Cave Heaven, but he wouldn't let them find out.

The luck value is slowly increasing.

The afternoon sun shone lazily on the bluestone slabs, warming him as he leaned against a tree trunk, holding a small wine pot in his hands, his eyes half-closed as if he were taking a nap.

But he did not doze off.

His divine sense had been covering the entire Mud Bottle Alley, keeping an eye on the boy's movements. Chen Ping'an hadn't gone to the Dragon Kiln today, so the boy was enjoying a rare moment of leisure, but he wasn't idle either. He was chopping wood in the yard, chopping away with each axe stroke until he was covered in sweat.

As Ye Yun watched, he suddenly felt something.

He didn't open his eyes, but simply said, "Since you're here, why not sit down and have a drink?"

The footsteps stopped three zhang behind him.

A moment later, a scholar in a blue robe walked up to him and sat down on the blue stone opposite him.

The man looked to be in his thirties, with a thin face, gentle features, and a faded blue robe. He was holding a scroll in his hand.

He sat there like a piece of warm, ancient jade, unassuming yet impossible to ignore.

Qi Jingchun.

The sage of Lizhu Cave Heaven.

Ye Yun opened her eyes and looked at him.

Qi Jingchun also looked at Ye Yun.

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Qi Jingchun smiled slightly and said, "Your perception is quite keen."

Ye Yun handed over the wine jug: "Would you like a drink?"

Qi Jingchun took the wine, sipped it, and her eyes lit up slightly as she said, "Good wine. It has the essence of swordsmanship."

Ye Yun nodded and said, "It was brewed by myself."

Qi Jingchun returned the wine pot to him and suddenly said, "You didn't come in through the main gate, did you?"

Ye Yun did not deny it, saying, "Yes."

"The Lizhu Cave Heaven opens only once every sixty years, and it's not time yet." Qi Jingchun's tone was very calm, as if he were talking about something ordinary.

"Is Mr. Qi here to kick me out?"

Qi Jingchun shook her head: "If I wanted to get rid of you, I wouldn't have sat down to drink."

Ye Yun looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

I don't know why Qi Jingchun took the initiative to see him.

This Confucian sage, whose three birth characters represent his destiny, has schemed against the entire world.

Qi Jingchun gazed at the distant Mud Bottle Alley and said softly, "I just want to know, what brings you to Lizhu Cave Heaven?"

Ye Yun thought for a moment and then said truthfully, "I seek the origin of the sword path, and I also seek an answer."

"The Way of the Sword? Your Way of the Sword is already complete; why come here to seek it?"

Ye Yun felt a chill run down his spine. Qi Jingchun was indeed no ordinary person; she had seen through his swordsmanship at a glance.

"The swordsmanship I practice is self-created and needs to be verified."

Ye Yun would definitely not tell him that he came here to seek opportunities and good fortune.

"Do you know Ah Liang?"

Qi Jingchun sensed a familiar sword intent emanating from Ye Yun.

"know."

Ye Yun knew that this must have been Ah Liang's doing.

Qi Jingchun smiled, a hint of relief in her smile: "No wonder, Senior Brother Liang's friends can't be too bad."

Ye Yun hadn't expected Ah Liang's name to be so useful.

Qi Jingchun took out a small wine pot from her sleeve and handed it to Ye Yun: "Try this."

Ye Yun took the wine, took a sip, and raised an eyebrow slightly. It was good wine, and not just any wine. It contained a gentle Confucian spirit.

"Mr. Qi also knows about winemaking?"

Qi Jingchun shook his head and said, "My little hobby in my spare time from reading cannot compare to your sword intent infused into your wine."

Ye Yun returned the wine pot to him, and the two of them took turns drinking, one sip at a time.

As the sun sets, it casts a long shadow on the old locust tree.

Qi Jingchun suddenly spoke up: "The cycle of life and death is truly not simple."

If Ye Yun's cultivation level weren't so low, Qi Jingchun would probably have thought he was a Dao Integration expert.

"Don't be nervous, I just sensed a special aura in your sword intent."

Ye Yun was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's right, that's what I've realized."

Qi Jingchun looked at him, her eyes showing no surprise.

"Your swordsmanship talent is no less than that of my two senior brothers." Qi Jingchun already regarded Ye Yun as an equal.

Ye Yun smiled and said, "Thank you."

Qi Jingchun looked at him, remaining silent for a long time.

As the sun gradually sank behind the mountains, darkness fell. A few lights lit up in Mud Bottle Alley, their dim yellow light filtering through the dilapidated doors and windows, adding a touch of warmth to this impoverished alley.

"I once practiced the methods of the sages of the three religions."

Ye Yun also directly pointed out Qi Jingchun's cultivation method.

"What do you see as the differences between the three schools of thought?"

Qi Jingchun was not surprised; instead, she asked a question.

"Buddhism talks about the afterlife, Taoism talks about this life, and Confucianism talks about responsibility. I wonder what Mr. Qi thinks about this?"

"Then, in your opinion, which is superior?"

Qi Jingchun did not answer, but continued to ask.

"Each has its own strengths, and there is no inherent superiority or inferiority among them."

Qi Jingchun smiled and said, "You are indeed impartial."

"What does Mr. Qi think?"

"Confucianism emphasizes responsibility because someone in this world always has to take responsibility. Buddhism talks about the afterlife because some people need the thought of the next life. Taoism emphasizes this life because this life is the most real."

"The teachings of the three religions are actually about how to live, how to live in a way that is worthy of oneself, worthy of others, and worthy of heaven and earth."

Qi Jingchun's words did not deviate in any way.

Ye Yun seemed to be deep in thought.

Qi Jingchun turned to look at him: "The Reincarnation Sword Path is indeed a completely new sword path."

Ye Yun was startled and looked at the scholar in the blue robe.

Under the moonlight, Qi Jingchun's face was calm as water, but her eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"Mr. Qi!" Ye Yun began, but didn't know what to say.

Qi Jingchun waved his hand, then suddenly asked, "Does Your Excellency know what a 'natal character' is?"

Ye Yun nodded: "I've heard that when Confucian cultivators reach a very high level, they will comprehend a natal character and use it to establish themselves."

Qi Jingchun nodded, extended her right index finger, and gently drew a line in the air.

A character for "spring" appeared, suspended in the air, radiating a warm glow.

Looking at that word, Ye Yun felt a surge of righteous energy wash over him, inspiring awe and respect.

Qi Jingchun said, "This is my birth character. I live by this character, I act by this character, and I face heaven and earth by this character."

He withdrew his finger, and the character "Spring" slowly disappeared.

"In your swordsmanship, you also have a natal character," Qi Jingchun said, looking at Ye Yun.

Ye Yun's heart trembled violently.

"There is affection in your sword intent."

Ye Yun lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

Qi Jingchun stood up and dusted herself off.

"You may stay in the town; you can live there without worry, as long as you cause trouble."

Ye Yun also stood up, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Mr. Qi."

Qi Jingchun took a few steps, then suddenly turned back.

"Sir, you possess the righteous sword energy of my Confucian school. If you wish to comprehend the Confucian way, your achievements will be considerable."

Ye Yun was startled, as he could actually see the righteous sword energy emanating from him.

This was obtained in the Snow Cave.

What did Ye Yun want to say?

Qi Jingchun waved her hand and turned to leave.

Under the moonlight, the figure in the green robe walked further and further away, eventually disappearing into the night.

Ye Yun failed to fulfill A Liang's request.