The Reticent Blade-Chapter 133 - The Blade That Blocks the Path

Ye Beizhi looked up to see a small mountain before him, with a stone path winding its way upward. The stone path was laid through a lush and dense forest. Not a soul was in sight.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, he could faintly make out the roof and eaves of a building among the dense forest at the summit, which must be the Heavenly Divination Shrine.

Weeds grew rampantly between the moss-covered stone steps, showing that few people came here. Turning back, Ye Beizhi could see the busy street not far behind him, which was a stark contrast with the calm overgrown path. There was a clear division between the two sides as if they belonged to two different worlds.

It was now high noon, and the sun shone fiercely overhead.

Shielded from the sunlight, Ye Beizhi's entire face was hidden in the shadow of his conical hat. His right hand gently brushed over the Tang blade at his waist as he stepped onto the first stone step.

As he went deeper along the path, the ground beneath his feet became somewhat slippery from the dew that had yet to evaporate in the absence of sunlight.

Ye Beizhi walked in silence. If not for the blade at his waist, he would have appeared no different from any other visitor.

The path wasn't particularly long. Ye Beizhi walked for less than half an hour before reaching the mountainside. Looking back through gaps in the trees, he could still see the bustling street below.

Ye Beizhi adjusted his conical hat and was about to continue upward. He was about to take another step but suddenly decided to remain in place.

"I knew you would come..."

A voice came from not far ahead, and a figure emerged from the forest, revealing themselves.

Ye Beizhi lowered his gaze, and his right hand reached back to slowly grip his blade hilt.

Lin Jiulao strolled out of the woods.

Lin Jiulao still carried that huge zhanmadao on his back as he stepped onto the stone path, blocking Ye Beizhi's way. A burning fervor blazed in his eyes.

"I knew you would come... Stormqueller." Lin Jiulao tugged the enormous blade from his back and held it out in one hand. "Today, we can finally settle this. It's just you and me here, no one will interfere."

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"Move aside." Ye Beizhi's voice was deep.

The blade of the zhanmadao struck the stone steps, sending sparks flying. Lin Jiulao grinned. "Hey, you want to kill Qi Zongbi, that's fine... but you need to kill me before you can pass."

"Stormqueller, do you know how much I've wanted to kill you?"

Lin Jiulao twisted his neck about which released a series of cracks, then said, "Years ago, when I mastered my blade technique, I believed it was unmatched in the world.

"I heard that the master of Xuanfeng Valley, Shi Wufeng, had mastered techniques from countless schools and was a great master of the blade...

"Seeking to improve further, I went to Xuanfeng Valley alone with my blade, hoping Shi Wufeng might show me something new... His technique was indeed exquisite.

"We fought three times. Each time he used different techniques, but unfortunately, he lost all three times. In the end, I asked him if my blade techniques were the greatest in the world. And guess what?!"

Lin Jiulao narrowed his eyes as he stared at Ye Beizhi. His light tone had shifted into something harsher. "Shi Wufeng's blades were already shattered, yet he said, 'Lin Jiulao, you're nothing but a frog in a well, underestimating the masters of the world. When it comes to blade techniques, you're not even one-tenth of Stormqueller's equal.'

"I asked him who Stormquellerwas, and he told me that Stormqueller wielded the sharpest Tang blade in the world and used the most mysterious blade technique under the heavens."

Lin Jiulao grinned derisively.

"At the time, I thought that Shi Wufeng was just a sore loser and made up someone to fool me. Such behavior was unworthy of a blade master's title, so in my anger, I cut off both his arms, ensuring he could never wield a blade again... And I continued to think that way until that night when I saw you!"

Ye Beizhi nodded slightly, his expression hidden beneath his conical hat, but his hand was now firmly gripping the hilt of his blade. His body emanated a terrifying killing intent.

Lin Jiulao seemed not to notice or care, still staring at Ye Beizhi as he continued feverishly, "Until I saw you and that Tang blade, that sharp blade technique... I recognized you at once! You are the Stormqueller that Shi Wufeng spoke of, the one with the supreme blade technique!"

Clang!

The sound of a blade being drawn was like a dragon's roar in the wilderness.

Lin Jiulao's pupils contracted as he saw Ye Beizhi take a step forward, his entire person instantly vanishing from sight!

Here it comes! Where is he?!

Lin Jiulao's eyes were wide with intensity, but showed no trace of fear or panic, only a fierce fighting spirit that seemed ready to burn down the forest in flames!

An intense killing intent, so thick it seemed almost tangible, came from above!

He's up there!

"Hahaha!"

The fervor in Lin Jiulao's eyes grew even more intense as he swung his blade with both hands, veins bulging in his arms as he struck upward with all his might!

"Come at me! Stormqueller!"

In the air, Ye Beizhi held his Tang Blade high, falling straight toward Lin Jiulao. The wind had blown off his conical hat, revealing eyes as sharp as a blade's edge. His eyes were fixed on Lin Jiulao's neck, aiming to slash down and make blood spray forth!

Bang!

The collision of the two weapons produced a thunderous sound that startled the birds, causing flocks to take flight and flee far away. The entire mountain seemed to tremble from the sound.

The massive air pressure bowed the trees on both sides of the path, and many young trees were snapped in half.

On the top floor of the Heavenly Divination Shrine, a disheveled man sitting in the shadows heard this tremendous sound and turned to look out the window.

By the window, Ah San, carrying a black umbrella on his back, also looked down.

"Heh, that direction... is it Frozen Daybreak Lin Jiulao?"

The disheveled man turned back, looking at the scroll in hand, nodding casually.

"Mm... He should be fighting that person who tried to assassinate Qi Zongbi the other day, Stormqueller Ye Beizhi."

"Stormqueller, eh?" Ah San shook his head with an amused smile. "Aren't you afraid he'll really make his way up here and kill Qi Zongbi?"

The disheveled man glanced at Ah San.

"Qi Zongbi can't die yet... At least in the Suantian Shrine, Stormqueller doesn't have the ability to kill him."

"Just by relying on Tranquil Stream Yi Anzhi by Qi Zongbi's side?" Ah San smiled strangely, and his voice carried a note of derision. "Frozen Daybreak Dawn Lin Jiulao, Tranquil Stream Yi Anzhi... these are the only two you've placed to protect Qi Zongbi, right? If Stormqueller Ye Beizhi can kill Lin Jiulao, what's to stop him from killing Yi Anzhi too?"

The disheveled man casually tossed aside the scroll he was reading. He stood up by supporting himself on the low table and walked to Ah San's side. He looked toward where the sound came from, and spoke softly, "That's true... but, don't we still have you? Ephemeral Requiem, Black Umbrella Ah San."

Ah San shrugged. "What obligation do I have to help you stop Stormqueller Ye Beizhi? His blade is quite sharp, you know..."

"Because Qi Zongbi can't die yet..." The disheveled man stood by the window, seemingly uncomfortable with the bright sunlight. He took a step back into the shadows and laughed softly, looking at Ah San. "Hehehe... if Qi Zongbi dies, you won't be able to avenge your master."

At the mention of his master, Ah San's hand gripping the windowsill suddenly tightened. After a long moment, he only slowly released his grip and shrugged.

"Fine, I suppose that's reason enough."

"Hahahahaha." The disheveled man suddenly burst into laughter, laughing until tears came out, "Ah San, oh Ah San... you really are, really are..."

"Hmm?" Ah San raised an eyebrow.

The disheveled man gradually calmed down, but still wore a smile.

"I really like you more and more... Even though you cut off your master's head with your own hands, you still insist on avenging her... tsk tsk." Seeing Ah San's expression change, the person spread their hands and said, "Alright, alright, I'll shut up."

Ah San gave a cold snort and turned back to look out the window. His distant eyes showed that he was clearly distracted.

"I didn't kill Master." Ah San suddenly said, his voice very soft, as if talking to himself, but his voice was particularly clear in the small room. "If—if I hadn't killed her... not only would Master have died, but my junior sister and I would have died too.

"She didn't die by my hand... The Ruen Dynasty sealed her demise."

"Alright, alright, I get it." The disheveled man seemed somewhat impatient. "Of course I know all this, why else would I have brought you here? At least our goals are the same now, aren't they?"

Ah San fell silent, and the disheveled man continued, "I won't actually make you deal with Stormqueller. After all, you might not be able to handle him."

"Oh?" Ah San glanced over sideways. "Then... you're that confident in Lin Jiulao?"

The disheveled man laughed hoarsely: "It's not him I'm confident in, it's Uncle Fu I trust."

"Who?" Ah San was confused. He had never heard this person mention Uncle Fu before.

"Hehe..." The disheveled man gestured toward the stairs. Ah San looked over to see someone standing there, who appeared without him noticing!

Looking closer, Ah San was even more astonished! Wasn't that white-haired, slightly hunched old man the elderly servant who brought over meals?!

"Let me introduce him to you." The disheveled man tapped the table. "He is Sand Scourer Fu Yiran, a Heaven-ranker."