There was no doubt that the Zhang family was second to none in the old Chu state. Its power and status were almost equal to that of the Grand Secretary Zhang when he was in power. Of course, this was due to the longevity of the Old Master Zhang. However, only the members of the Zhang family knew that the Old Master was a difficult master to serve because of his many eccentricities.
Not only did he talk to the sky, but he also had a hobby of digging wells. After moving back to the old capital from the south, the first thing he did was to dig several wells in his house. As the Zhang family expanded, more and more wells were dug in the courtyard. Walking through the cloister, around the screen wall, in front of the flowers and under the trees, there were dark wells everywhere. Naturally, it was not safe. Moreover, the Old Master, who liked to look at wells, was getting weaker and weaker. What if he slipped? Therefore, in the past two years, the Zhang family had sealed most of the wells with iron bars.
"It's all sealed. What's the point of looking at it? Get up!"
The Old Master Zhang waved his walking stick and shouted with a red face.
Holding his arm, the granddaughter looked at her grandfather's gray hair and felt sad. She winked at her father.
The head of the Zhang family sighed helplessly. He waved his hand to ask the steward to open the iron bars of the wells. Then he stepped forward and held his father's other arm.
Surrounded by dozens of respected masters, madams, young masters, and young ladies of the Zhang family, the Old Master Zhang began to look at the wells.
When he came to the well named Gushing Spring, he held the wall and looked at the bottom of the well in silence for a long time.
His family members looked at him worriedly, afraid that something might happen.
"This well is most similar to the well in the south …" the Old Master Zhang murmured.
In fact, the Zhang family had never understood why this well was called Gushing Spring. It should be noted that the water in the capital was not abundant. They had to dig very deep to find water. How could there be a gushing spring?
"You don't know how talkative that guy was … more talkative than me. He kept spitting water. Tut-tut."
A smile appeared on the wrinkled face of the Old Master Zhang as he thought of some interesting memories.
Suddenly, the smile disappeared from his face. His body trembled and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The blood fell on the wall of the well and slowly dripped down.
Cries of alarm rang out in the courtyard. Everyone rushed forward, wanting to help him leave.
But the Grandmaster Zhang's hands were as hard as iron. He grabbed the edge of the well and stared at the gloomy bottom of the well, his pale face full of sadness and anger, yelling, "Your Majesty, kill her!"
Hearing this, everyone's expression changed. Could it be that the Old Master had reached his final moments? Otherwise, why would he be so muddle-headed?
Everyone knew that he was referring to the last emperor of the Chu Kingdom.
That emperor had perished together with the brutal Qin Emperor many years ago.
What did you call him for?
…
…
Flutter, flutter.
A Blue Bird ignored the hostility of those iron eagles, landed on the top of Yunxing Peak, and transformed into a human being.
Qing 'er looked at Jing Jiu and Ping Yong-Ka, who were staring at each other speechlessly. She said uneasily, "Something must have happened, though I don't know how he found out."
A blood-red sword light illuminated the thick clouds and fog. Zhao Layue had come from the Shenmo Peak. It was obvious that she was worried about Jing Jiu's situation.
Ping Yong-Ka was still shocked by Jing Jiu's request, as he asked, "Master, what on earth do you want me to do?"
Hearing this, Qing 'er and Zhao Layue had vaguely guessed what Jing Jiu was going to do.
Qing 'er guessed it because she and Ping Yong-Ka were the same kind, and Zhao Layue guessed it because she knew too many of Jing Jiu's secrets.
It was evident that Jing Jiu's request to Ping Yong-Ka was the same as Liu Ci's request to Jing Jiu during the battle of the West Ocean.
Now that the scabbard of the Inherited Heaven Sword had been destroyed, only Ping Yong-Ka could command the swords of Aoyama.
If Jing Jiu wanted to use the Sword Formation of Aoyama to kill Bai Zhenren, he had to have Ping Yong-Ka in his hands.
The problem was that if he did that, Ping Yong-Ka's life would be in Jing Jiu's hands, and Ping Yong-Ka would no longer be able to go against his will.
Clouds and mist lingered around the mountain peak, naturally bringing along sword intent. It gave off an awe-inspiring feeling, making people feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Zhao Layue glanced at Jing Jiu and said to Ping Yong-Ka, "The Sect Master wants to borrow a sword."
"Borrow a sword? I don't have a sword … "Ping Yong-Ka said in confusion.
Suddenly, he understood everything.
He was like the Fire Carp, but he was naive, not really stupid.
So many things had happened in the past were still vivid in his mind, but he had never thought about it until Zhao Layue asked him to borrow a sword.
It was true that he didn't have a sword. He had learned the shapeless sword body after sleeping on the Sword Peak for a few years.
When he was in Zhaoge City, the rain of swords didn't hurt him at all.
For instance, Jing Jiu had asked him if he knew why Jing Jiu wanted him to be the peak master of the Sword Peak.
"So … I'm also a sword?"
Ping Yong-Ka said this while pointing at himself. He felt quite happy after the initial shock and uneasiness had disappeared.
If he had known that he was a sword instead of a human being when he first entered Aoyama, he would have cried every night and felt so much pain that he didn't want to live. He might have even reported it to his masters and asked if he would be locked up in the Sword Jail to be with those demons and devils. But now … his Master was a sword, so what if he was a sword?
His Master wanted to borrow his sword … He had already sensed that the sheath of the Inherited Heaven Sword had been destroyed, and he knew that it was something his Master was afraid of the most. That was why his Master said it so solemnly.
The expression in Ping Yong-Ka's eyes grew determined. He forced out all the sword wills in his body, just like what he had done in Zhaoge City, and then reached out his hand to Jing Jiu.
The formidable sword wills left his clothes and body and turned into sword lights, illuminating the gloomy cliff.
Seeing this, the expression in Qing 'er's eyes was a bit different, and Zhao Layue admired him a bit. She would agree to Jing Jiu's request if she were Jing Jiu, but it was different.
Looking at the sword lights coming out from Ping Yong-Ka's body, Jing Jiu suddenly laughed out.
It was a rare thing for him to do.
Zhao Layue suddenly felt uneasy.
Jing Jiu said, "I don't want to borrow your sword. I just want to ask you a favor."
"Ah?" Ping Yong-Ka asked in surprise. "What is it?"
"Don't kill me," said Jing Jiu while looking at Jing Jiu.
It grew quieter on the peak of the mountain, even a bit deathly still.
The dreadful cries of the iron eagles could be heard outside the clouds and fog.
Jing Jiu continued, "Even if I want to kill you, don't kill me."
Ping Yong-Ka opened his mouth wide, not knowing what his Master was talking about.
"If I become someone like my Big Brother in the future and want to destroy this world, or destroy your lover, whom you value more than the world, don't kill me."
Jing Jiu said in the end, "All in all, no matter what happens, you can't kill me, and you can't restrict my freedom."
Qing 'er and Zhao Layue understood what he meant, their expressions changing slightly.
Ping Yong-Ka had finally understood what Jing Jiu meant. With an incredulous expression on his face, he waved his hands like a crazy person, yelling, "How can I do this? It's a rebellion! "
"One can't lift himself up …" said Jing Jiu.
Zhao Layue suddenly interrupted him, saying, "You can."
Jing Jiu shot a glance at her and said, "That's flying; it's two different things."
Then he continued, "I can be a sword, but I can't be the one wielding the sword at the same time."
It was true that he could be a sword.
A most powerful sword since the beginning of heaven and earth.
That sword had killed the Great Grandmaster of the Foggy Island, Nan Qü, in the sky over the West Ocean, split the Scorching Sun Gorge and destroyed the mountain gate of the Mysterious Dark Sect, illuminated the Muddy River one night, and killed countless demons.
Who was qualified to use this sword?
Liu Ci was dead, and so was Taiping Zhenren. The Queen of the Snowy Kingdom had learned the Inherited Heaven Sword style, but Jing Jiu had predicted that she would be sent to the outside world.
More importantly, the Inherited Heaven Sword was destroyed. Nobody in this world could use this sword anymore.
As such, Jing Jiu came to the Sword Peak and stood in front of Ping Yong-Ka.
"No," said Zhao Layue.
"Since you have guessed his origin, you should know that he should be able to do it."
Jing Jiu went on, "Everybody thinks that I have destroyed the Sword Formation of Aoyama; but in fact, the Sword Formation of Aoyama can be rebuilt as long as he is here."
Zhao Layue demanded while staring into his eyes, "If so, why don't you join hands with him to rebuild the Sword Formation of Aoyama and then go to kill Bai Zhenren?"
Jing Jiu said, "It's too slow to rebuild the Sword Formation of Aoyama, and so is the sword formation itself."
If it was too slow, it would be too late, just like what he had said before.
Zhao Layue called out the Thoughtless Sword and said, "You can use it to build another Sword Formation of Slaying Fairies with the Lone Sword and the Sword of the Universe."
The Thoughtless Sword was the fastest among the swords in Aoyama, and even among the swords in the world.
"You know that this sword isn't as fast as me," said Jing Jiu calmly.
Looking at the sky beyond the clouds, Zhao Layue showed a stubborn expression on her face, her short hair ruffled by the mountain wind.
"I still don't agree."
"He can be trusted."
"No. I don't even trust myself on this matter, not even Liu Shisui, not even anybody!"
Zhao Layue pulled back her gaze and said to Jing Jiu seriously, "Your life must be in your own hands."
"You shouldn't be such a person," said Qing 'er, who had been silent all this while.
"What kind of person should I be?" asked Jing Jiu.
Qing 'er said without hesitation, "You are a person who is afraid of death."
It was well known in the world that both the Immortal Jingyang and the current Jing Jiu were very lazy and afraid of trouble, and their biggest characteristic was their fear of death.
All he wanted to do was to stay behind closed doors in Aoyama and ignore the affairs of the mortal world. He had never risked his life for Lian Sanyue in this life. Even though the Cultivation circle had experienced an unprecedented event in a thousand years yesterday, the return of Taiping Zhenren and the arrival of the Fairy Lady from the sky, he still didn't want to step into a dangerous place.
Back when Liu Ci wanted to use his sword, he had never agreed to it. It wasn't until he was severely wounded by Nan Qü in the temple that he finally agreed to Liu Ci's request. In order to eliminate the hidden danger, he had destroyed the Inherited Heaven Sword at all costs. As a result … he voluntarily handed over the control of his own life to Ping Yong-Ka.
Was it because Bai Zhenren wanted to destroy the world?
Zhao Layue couldn't figure it out, and neither could Qing 'er.
Jing Jiu said, "I'll tell Bai Yuan the reason when I see her."
"What do you want to do?" demanded Zhao Layue angrily.
"I'll do whatever I want to do," said Jing Jiu.
This was a brilliant answer.
After a moment of silence, Zhao Layue asked, "What do you want to do now?"
Jing Jiu said with a smile, "I want to summon the wind and rain and travel ten thousand miles."
By now, Zhao Layue realized that Jing Jiu had overheard the conversation between her and Taiping Zhenren a few days ago.
Qing 'er murmured, "He is neither Taiping nor Liu Ci. You won't be able to hold on for too long."
Like Jing Jiu, she was a true spirit of the heavenly state that was born to contain the world, so her judgment was the most accurate.
Zhao Layue asked while staring into Jing Jiu's eyes, "Are you sure you'll be alright?"
This was the third time she asked.
Jing Jiu said while rubbing her head, "Don't worry. I won't die."
Having said that, Jing Jiu reached out his hand to Qing 'er, saying, "Give me the Green Sky Mirror."
Qing 'er didn't mock and ridicule him like she had done in the past. She reached out her small hand and patted on his palm, making a faint "pah" sound.
Ping Yong-Ka had finally come back to his senses from the initial shock. "Master, it's too dangerous," he said in a sobbing tone. "What if I become a villain in the future?"
Jing Jiu had talked so much with Jing Jiu that day, so he had run out of patience. He furrowed his eyebrows slightly.
After all, he was not Zhao Layue.
Ping Yong-Ka didn't dare delay any longer, though his face was pale. He reached out his trembling hand and pointed at Jing Jiu.
The soles of Jing Jiu's feet left the ground and drifted in the air. He looked very light, like a gust of gentle wind.
Back in the Fiend Prison, he had drifted in front of the King Of The Underworld once after he had mastered the Underworld Fairy Sword.
Later, he had drifted in front of Nan Qü on the ruins of the small temple in the deep mountain.
The sword lights were drifting among the cliffs, hovering around Jing Jiu.
The sword wills were interlinked, and their minds were interlinked.
Ping Yong-Ka suddenly found that he could know all the thoughts of his Master. He couldn't help but feel excited, his fingers trembling even more violently.
In the next moment, he pointed his right hand toward the distant East Ocean.
…
…
Boom!!!
Jing Jiu disappeared from the original spot.
A strong wind whipped up among the cliffs.
Zhao Layue and the other two looked toward the east.
Liangwang Peak was located to the east of the Sword Peak.
A band of smoke and dust rose up on Liangwang Peak, looking like a blooming flower.
As the smoke and dust dispersed, a hole could be vaguely seen in the cliff. The morning sunlight shone through the hole, looking as straight as a sword.
A flash of sword light could be vaguely seen in the distant sky, heading toward the east at an unimaginable speed. Soon, it disappeared in the morning sunlight.
How could there be such a fast sword in the world?
…
…
The flash of sword light illuminated the peaks of Aoyama, startling many people.
Nan Wang sat on the black rock on the top of Qingrong Peak, his bare feet stepping on the flowering trees. He held an alcohol jar in his hand, a nonchalant expression on his face; it was unclear what was on his mind.
Guangyuan Zhenren was sweeping the fallen leaves on the stone beam between Shiyue Peak and Xilai Peak. Sensing the change of energy on the Sword Peak, he lifted his head to look at the sky and exclaimed in admiration.
The Dead Dog stood up slowly and looked at the flash of sword light on the horizon with a warm expression in his eyes. It seemed that he was quite satisfied.
The disciples of the peaks walked out of their manor caves in tandem, seeing the sword light off in the morning sunlight.
Ada walked to the edge of the cliff and squatted down. The blood stains on his body glowed faintly in the morning sunlight, giving off a sacred feeling.
The ocean of clouds at the foot of the cliff on Shenmo Peak was a bit chaotic, just like Ada's mood at the moment. What's wrong with you?
Looking at the distant sword light, Yuan Qu murmured, "If the Sect Master doesn't come back …"
"Then …" Liu Shisui said calmly.
"Pooh! Pooh!"
Zhuo Rusui spat on the ground a few times.
…
…
(I made a mistake about the number of chapters yesterday, but it's not important.)
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