The Affairs of the Martial World - Vol 3: Chapter 2

In the spring rain of Jiangnan, in Jianghu, one cannot see arrogance and tyranny.

Even a top swordsman, with a sword hanging at his waist and a conical hat on his head, slowly walked between the white walls and black tiles along the bluestone path.

A solitary swordsman and an aloof scholar seemed to have no discernible differences.

But the swords of the Jiangnan swordsmen were just as cold, no different from the thick, curved sabers in the northern country’s wind and sand.

The sword’s edge swept across the opponent’s throat, spraying hot blood.

The cultivation of the Jiangnan swordsman was very high, transcending trivial disputes; they would not easily draw their sword unless absolutely necessary.

However, once the sword was drawn from its sheath, it would not rest until one side fell.

More than twenty swordsmen of Jiangnan stood in front of the Villa of Ten Thousand Swords. In the slanting wind and light rain, no one spoke.

They stood silently, their clothes completely soaked.

Murong Hanshan sat in the Sword Polishing Hall, drinking tea made from freshly picked Longjing, brewed with water from the Baotu Spring.

The aroma of tea filled the room, the steaming tea flowed down the throat, and both the host and the guest squinted their eyes, savoring the flavors within the tea.

Zen Master Wugon was the only guest here, and Murong Hanshan was the only host here.

The guest finished a cup of tea, sighed, and said, “The tea is good tea, but my heart and mind can’t find peace; I’m afraid I will ruin this tea.”

The host asked, “How can one find peace in their heart and mind?”

Zen Master Wugou said, “Outside the door stands the warriors from Jiangnan, all hoping you will take action……”

Murong Hanshan interrupted his words, which was quite impolite, but Murong Hanshan’s aloofness did not come off as disrespectful.

Murong Hanshan asked, “What about you? Do you also hope that I will take action?”

Zen Master Wugou replied, “I hope you can follow your own heart; I do not wish to make judgments for you.”

Murong Hanshan said lightly, “If that’s the case, why can’t your heart and mind find peace?”

Zen Master Wugou said, “I’m not concerned about this matter, but among those people outside, there is a disciple of the Tianshan Sword Sect. His arrival may have a different purpose than the others.”

Murong Hanshan glanced outside the gate and saw that the warriors of Jiangnan all wore conical hats except for one person who held an oiled paper umbrella. The umbrella holder was dressed in white, but the collar was embroidered with blue snowflakes, which was the emblem of the Tianshan Sword Sect. He then said, “Indeed, there are people from the Tianshan Sword Sect here. It seems that something significant must have happened in the Tianshan Sword Sect.”

Zen Master Wugou said, “He has come but does not enter, which indicates that he just wants to see what kind of person you are. Perhaps he also has something to ask.”

Murong Hanshan said, “I actually hope he has come to inquire about sword techniques. I’ve heard that the Tianshan Sword Technique is unparalleled; I wonder what makes it so exceptional.”

Zen Master Wugou smiled and said, “If he came to ask about your swordsmanship, he wouldn’t come as just one disciple. But since he has come, the day you get to see his swordplay is not far off.”

Murong Hanshan said, “I’ve heard that monks possess the ability to foresee the future. I hope your words will serve as a prophecy, allowing me to experience Ji Wuyou’s sword.”

Zen Master Wugou shook his head and said, “I hope there will never be such a day.”

The duel between the two greatest swordsmen in the world will inevitably result in only one person surviving, and no matter who it is, Zen Master Wugou does not wish to see it.

Zen Master Wugou originally thought that Murong Hanshan would not pay attention to the people standing outside the door, but to his surprise, he stood up and walked out.

The host arrived at the door, and the guest had no choice but to put down the teacup in hand and follow him out.

Murong Hanshan faced the warriors of Jiangnan and said, “You all go back now; I already know everything about your matters.”

The group of swordsmen said nothing, bowed together to Murong Hanshan, and then turned to leave. Only the disciple of the Tianshan Sword Sect remained standing there.

Murong Hanshan looked at him; there was a look of hatred in the man’s eyes as he said, “I have only one question to ask you.”

Murong Hanshan said, “Please speak.”

The person said, “I am Lu Congfeng from the Tianshan Sword Sect. Under the orders of my master, I would like to ask if my Master Uncle Yin Wuxing was killed by you?”

Murong Hanshan asked, “Are you talking about the Shadowless Sword, Yin Wuxing?”

Lu Congfeng nodded.

Murong Hanshan said, “No. Yin Wuxing is dead; I only found out today. What a pity, what a pity. I had hoped to have time to spar with him, but I never expected there would be no opportunity. How did he die?”

Lu Congfeng said, “Died under the sword.”

Murong Hanshan’s heart trembled as he said, “Died by the sword? In the entire martial world, there aren’t many who could kill him with a sword. No wonder you came to find me first.”

Lu Congfeng said, “Since that’s the case, I won’t disturb you any further.”

Having said that, he turned around and was about to leave.

“Wait a minute,” Wugou suddenly said, “I want to ask if your master’s fatal wound is in the throat area?”

Lu Congfeng showed a look of surprise and said, “How does the master know? It is indeed so.”

Wugou said, “Besides your master uncle, there are also Chang Qingzi from the Taishan Sword Sect and Ying Hua from the Wudang Sect, all of whom died under this move.

Murong Hanshan asked in confusion, “These two are not unknown figures; their deaths should be known throughout the world. Why have I not heard anything about it?”

Wugou said, “Both factions have kept a low profile in their quest for the truth, and I only know about it because I have some connections with them. Now it seems that there should be more than just these three people.”

Murong Hanshan said, “Since this person also uses a sword, he should come to find me as well.”

Wugou said, “Perhaps he doesn’t have the confidence to win against you, or there may be other reasons; it’s hard to say for now.”

Murong Hanshan said to Lu Congfeng, “Go back and tell your master that I will do my best to investigate the matter of Yin Wuxing’s murder. I’ve heard that the swordsmanship of the Tianshan Sword Sect has some unique secrets, and I hope to have the honor of meeting your master.”

Lu Congfeng replied, “I will obey your orders.”

After the wind had passed, Murong Hanshan and Wugou returned to the room, but the tea had already cooled.

Murong Hanshan wanted to boil another teapot, but Wugou said, “The tea has cooled, and it’s time for people to leave. Let’s save the next pot of tea for our next meeting.”

Murong Hanshan did not try to keep him, saying, “You are a person from outside the world, leaving gracefully while I am here entangled in worries.”

Wugou said, “This way, your sword won’t be lonely. Isn’t that delightful?”

Murong Hanshan could only smile bitterly.

Zen Master Wugou left.