The Smiling, Proud Wanderer: From the Moment He Picked Up Qu Feiyan

As the premier city south of Dongting Lake, Changsha has been a prosperous commercial and cultural hub since ancient times.

Due to convenient water transportation and a high level of commerce, a martial spirit prevails in this area. The largest weapons shop in the city, "Zhenyuantang," is bustling with activity.

"Manager Zhang, don't try to fool me!" A richly dressed young man in a brocade robe slammed a finely crafted longsword onto the counter with a loud "bang," his face full of impatience. "My father's birthday is approaching, and I came here specifically for that 'Light Sound' sword that everyone in the martial arts world is talking about! Who are you trying to fool with this piece of junk?"

The man called Manager Zhang was a shrewd middle-aged man. Far from being annoyed by the words, he smiled broadly, carefully picked up the sword, wiped it clean, and said apologetically, "Oh dear, my young master Zhou, you're really misunderstanding me! This 'Hibiscus Sword' was forged by our shop's best craftsman from top-grade refined steel. Even in the past, it would have been a first-rate sword!"

"Those are those days!" Young Master Zhou waved his hand impatiently. "I'm asking you, what kind of sword is most fashionable in the martial arts world right now?"

"Yes, yes, it's the 'Light Sound' sword." Manager Zhang bowed even lower, but a troubled look appeared on his face. "But Young Master Zhou, you know perfectly well that the Light Sound sword is a unique craft of the Hengyang Hundred Refinements Workshop of the Songshan Sect. It's said that they accidentally found the remains of the 'Light Sound Fairy's' sword and were able to restore the forging method. Now it's priceless! Not to mention my small Zhenyuan Hall, you won't be able to find a single one in the entire Changsha Prefecture!"

"I don't care!" Young Master Zhou waved his hand arrogantly. "You have connections, go get me one! Price is no problem!"

Shopkeeper Zhang said with a bitter face, "Young master, it's really not about the money. You know, the Hundred Refinements Shop in Hengyang has announced that to showcase the extraordinary nature of the 'Light Sound Sword,' they'll be holding a 'Sword Testing Tournament' in Hengyang City in three days. They'll be inviting heroes from all over the Huguang region to come and appreciate it, and only one hundred swords will be available for pre-sale! Even the boat tickets to Hengyang have tripled in price!"

"What? Such a thing exists?" Young Master Zhou was taken aback, then his eyes lit up. "Excellent! Excellent Songshan Sect, excellent Hundred Refinements Workshop! They know how to do business! Let's go, prepare the horses! I'll personally go to Hengyang! I want to see just how extraordinary this sword that 'Fairy Qingyin' uses is!"

Watching Young Master Zhou leave in a flurry with his servants, Manager Zhang straightened up, let out a long sigh, and his face, devoid of any flattery, was filled with envy and感慨.

"Sigh, the Songshan Sect is truly capable..."

In the restaurant next to Zhenyuantang, on the second floor by the window, a long-faced, pointed-chinned, sallow-faced man carrying a knife was drinking alone. His gaze kept sweeping over the passersby outside the window, a faint, sinister smile playing on his lips, and his eyes filled with undisguised aggression.

This man was none other than Tian Boguang, the notorious womanizer known as "Wanli Duxing" (Lone Wanderer).

He possessed extremely high martial arts skills, and his lightness skill was unparalleled. Relying on these, he had abused countless innocent women, yet he always managed to escape unscathed, making everyone in the righteous martial arts world grit their teeth in hatred, but they were helpless against him.

He came to Changsha today because he heard that Prince Ji had taken a new concubine who was said to be exceptionally beautiful and charming. He decided to try his luck and see if he could get close to her.

Just as he was figuring out how to make his move, a storyteller in the center of the lobby downstairs struck his ruler and began to speak in a loud voice:

"Last time, we talked about how the Condor Heroes comprehended the profound principle of 'a heavy sword has no edge, great skill is without artifice' in the Sword Tomb. But the way of the sword is not limited to this one path! Today, we will talk about another peerless divine weapon abandoned by the Sword Tomb's master, Dugu Qiubai—the Purple Star Soft Sword!"

Upon hearing this, Tian Boguang scoffed. He had never heard of these rumors before coming to Changsha and thought they were just the fabrications of some country bumpkins. He picked up his wine cup, ready to drink it all in one gulp.

"...It is said that this Purple Rose Soft Sword came into the possession of a woman of unparalleled talent, whose name is now lost to history. The people of the martial world, captivated by her elegance, revered her as the 'Fairy of Light Music'! This fairy was not only a master swordsman, but also a proficient in music and dance. She incorporated dance into her swordsmanship, creating a set of 'Light Music Sword Dance,' her sword strikes like a dragon, graceful as a cloud, her movements ethereal, like a fairy treading on water, dazzling and mesmerizing, captivating all who beheld her..."

The storyteller spoke eloquently, describing the "Light-Sound Fairy" as if she were a celestial maiden descended to earth, every smile and gesture exuding charm, every move a peerless beauty.

Tian Boguang's hand, which was holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air.

Hey, this is interesting.

He had been stirred up by these desires and was about to casually enter a house to vent his frustrations, but the storyteller's next words made his eyes narrow slightly.

"...This Soft Sound Sword Technique, seemingly gentle, actually contains profound truths! Its key lies in seven words: 'Attack what the enemy cannot defend against!' It emphasizes the word 'speed'! In all martial arts, speed is the only way to break through defenses! Before the enemy's moves have reached their limit, use an even faster sword move to strike their vital points and openings, forcing them to retreat and defend themselves. In this way, you will always gain the upper hand!"

"Is the enemy so powerful that they have no choice but to come to the rescue?"

Tian Boguang chewed on those seven words repeatedly, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

His own swordsmanship followed a path of extreme speed, and he had a far greater understanding of the word "fast" than ordinary people. These eight words were like a lightning bolt, cleaving through a layer of fog in his martial arts, allowing him to gain a new understanding of his own swordsmanship.

This story... might not be entirely false!

But when his thoughts drifted away from his martial arts insights and returned to the "Light-Music Fairy," the evil fire in his heart suddenly ignited.

Such a stunningly beautiful fairy, if I cannot have her by my side, it would be the greatest regret of my life!

Unfortunately, she has passed away, leaving only a legend.

Tian Boguang licked his lips, a twisted fanaticism and greed flashing in his eyes.

Since I cannot possess the fairy herself, then I will obtain her personal possession! That sword, "Light Sound," which accompanied her day and night, dancing with her under the moon, if I, Tian Boguang, could hold it in my hands, wouldn't that be equivalent to...

"...Ladies and gentlemen! The remains of this Light Sound Sword were acquired by the Hundred Refinements Workshop in Hengyang, and the restored version is currently there! In three days, there will be a sword-testing competition! At that time..."

Before the storyteller could finish speaking, Tian Boguang had already downed the wine in his cup in one gulp, a wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Hundred Refinements Workshop? Sword Testing Tournament?

I have no choice but to go now.