Ten Thousand Sword Masters

Zhong Yang recognized the three medicinal herbs: Shan Zhuo, Hu Dun, and Yao Yu. His teacher at Peixian College, Li Qing, also owned a pharmacy, which was managed by Li Qing's wife.

Li Qing's wife is a doctor, and Zhong Yang and Ma Gaitian would help her when they had free time, such as getting medicine for patients, so they recognized a few herbs.

However, the three herbs, Shan Zhuo, Hu Dun, and Yao Yu, are not commonly seen. Even if Zhong Yang had seen them before and knew them, so much time had passed, he could not guarantee that he could select them immediately.

Sweat beaded on his forehead, but Zhong Yang didn't wipe it away, instead smelling each herb one by one.

"The incense is almost finished burning," the centaur reminded him.

Taking a deep breath, Zhong Yang took out three herbs.

"This is Shanzhuo, this is Hutun, this is Yaoyu," Zhong Yang said in one breath, reciting the medicinal herbs in his hand before observing the centaur's expression.

The centaur looked calmly at Zhong Yang. "It's quite unexpected. I really didn't expect you to recognize these three herbs."

The centaur was indeed surprised. In the first two levels, Zhong Yang could play chess and weave straw sandals. It was normal for him to be able to play chess, and to weave straw sandals so quickly, he must have worked in that industry before, but how could he also identify medicinal herbs? This was something the centaur could hardly imagine.

Zhong Yang breathed a sigh of relief. "Can I go now?"

The centaur naturally parted to make way, and Zhong Yang passed by him.

"etc."

Zhong Yang took a few steps, but suddenly heard the centaur's shouts. He turned around nervously, wondering if they had changed their minds.

"Here's a piece of advice: when you meet that person, don't believe anything he says."

Zhong Yang knew that "that person" referred to the demonic cultivator.

If the centaur said that, it seems that the demonic cultivator is quite cunning.

Nodding his thanks to the centaur, Zhong Yang strode forward.

As you walk further in, you'll see carvings and pictures appearing on the surrounding walls.

They sculpted either mythical beasts or human figures.

Humans and demons dance together, while demons fight each other. The scenes are sometimes joyful, sometimes ferocious.

Ahead appeared a cave entrance, formed from the head of a beast, its opening resembling the gaping maw of a monster. On either side of the entrance stood two rows of imposing stone statues of monsters.

As he cautiously entered the cave, the sight before him made Zhong Yang feel momentarily disoriented.

Ahead, there was a stone table with a copper lamp lit on it. The dim light, combined with the glow emanating from the walls, illuminated the cave.

A scholar carrying a book box on his back, wearing a square scarf on his head and dressed in white, was hunched over a stone table, writing furiously.

Papers were scattered on the ground, some covered with writing, others filled with drawings.

The scholar seemed completely oblivious to Zhong Yang's arrival, engrossed in writing.

This was completely different from what Zhong Yang had imagined. He thought that demonic cultivators should have a ferocious appearance, not the handsome scholar he was seeing now.

Or perhaps this scholar is also controlled by the demonic cultivator, who isn't here.

Finally, the scholar put down his pen, stretched his head and back, and looked at what he had written, appearing quite satisfied.

Suddenly, the scholar saw Zhong Yang, hurriedly stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "I didn't know a guest had arrived. My apologies."

Seeing the scholar's polite manner, Zhong Yang also respectfully bowed in return.

The scholar warmly invited Zhong Yang to sit down, took out a teacup, and personally brewed tea, filling the entire cave with its aroma.

Zhong Yang hesitated to drink the tea. He cautiously asked, "Is the owner of this place no longer here?"

Upon hearing Zhong Yang's words, the scholar smiled and said, "If this place has no other owner, then it shall be mine."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yang sprang to his feet, exclaiming in surprise, "You're that demonic cultivator?"

The scholar still wore a warm smile. "A demonic cultivator? If you think I am, then I am. If you think I'm not, then I'm not. Right and wrong are just narrow definitions. In this world, where are there absolutely good people or absolutely bad people?"

Zhong Yang remained silent. He knew the demonic cultivator was right; even righteous people had their moments of despicable behavior. And demonic cultivators, too, had moments when they valued loyalty and righteousness.

In this world, only the strong have the final say.

"May I ask your honorable name, sir? I am ashamed to ask why I am here," the scholar said.

"My name is Zhong Yang."

The scholar, seeing that Zhong Yang had praised him a few times, began to introduce the tea he had brewed to Zhong Yang.

Zhong Yang interrupted, saying, "I came here to take Lin Weizhen's body, not to be your enemy. I hope you will do me a favor and we can let this go."

Ugly Jianyou shook his head. "You think you've saved Lin Weizhen, but you don't know you've harmed her."

Zhong Yang was puzzled. Where did this come from?

Seeing Zhong Yang's appearance, Chou Jianyou smiled and said, "Mortals live no more than a hundred years and travel no more than ten thousand miles, spending their days toiling over trivial matters. I'm letting Lin Weizhen and the Heavenly Mirror Fox merge into one, giving her a long lifespan and endless supernatural powers, so she can truly experience the beauty of this world. If you take her back, wouldn't you be ruining this opportunity for her?"

Zhong Yang was speechless, unable to find the words to refute the scholar.

Suddenly, Zhong Yang had a flash of inspiration. "Wait a minute, you kidnapped her against her will. You're forcibly imposing your will on her, causing great harm to her family."

Ushimi Yu remained nonchalant, saying, "I forcibly brought her here without consulting her, because I knew she wouldn't agree to it."

Zhong Yang was furious. "Since you knew, why did you still do such a thing?"

"Mortals cannot understand my realm. Lin Weizhen has long been locked away by the mortal world. Even if I explain all the wonders to her, she will not believe it. You cannot talk about ice to a summer insect. Without truly seeing it, how can you know what this world is really like?"

Zhong Yang coldly looked at Chou Jianyou, "Perhaps living to a hundred and possessing great supernatural powers is what many people dream of. But there are always some who see their loved ones in the morning and embrace their lovers in the evening. Even if life is but a fleeting moment, it is a time of happiness. Everyone's path is different, why do you have to force your way through?"

Chou Jianyou fell silent, his expression grave. Finally, he sighed, "Fine, perhaps I was wrong. Lin Weizhen is just a mortal, and her father has sacrificed so much for her. Letting her go back and have a happy family is only right."

Hearing this, Zhong Yang was secretly pleased, but then Chou Jianyou changed the subject.

"Lin Weizhen is a mortal and cannot understand my feelings. But you are different. You are a cultivator, and you should know that cultivation is not easy. Seeking longevity and supernatural powers is what we cultivators seek throughout our lives. Come, come with me, and I will give you everything you want."

As Ugly Jianyou spoke solemnly, the dim light, combined with the glow of the walls, made him appear incredibly sacred, like a savior.

Zhong Yang finally understood why the centaur had warned him not to believe what Chou Jianyou said. Chou Jianyou's words were too inflammatory; perhaps even the powerful demonic beasts like the Nine-Horned Golden Sheep had been manipulated and controlled by him.

"There is a mountain-piercing beast in Dianyun Mountain that possesses the supernatural power to pierce through mountains and enter the earth. If you merge with it, you will not only obtain this supernatural power, but also live for a thousand years," Chou Jianyou continued.

Clang!

The response to Chou Jianyou was a sudden thrust of his sword from Zhong Yang.

"Enough talk, let's see what we've got."

I like the Ten Thousand Swords Master.