"Sacred Weapons?"
This was the first time Yang Shifei had heard this term, and his curiosity grew. "Is it some kind of famous armament in the pugilistic world?"
Luo Xian'er shook her head. "It's more important than you imagine. These are treasures that define sects, sacred artifacts that guard ley lines. There are only thirty-seven Sacred Weapons in the entire world, and their wielders are all supreme existences renowned throughout the lands."
Yang Shifei formed a concept in his mind and nodded in understanding.
Basically, the most powerful batch of weapons.
"If Sacred Weapons are so valuable, what connection do they have with East City?" Yang Shifei was slightly puzzled. "Could it be that a Sacred Weapon is being created in East City?"
"Sacred Weapons are not naturally formed."
Luo Xian'er explained unhurriedly, "To forge a Sacred Weapon, one first needs a peculiar mineral called 'Taiwu Haoshi.' This ore is extremely rare, distributed throughout the world, and once discovered, it is immediately controlled by the local imperial dynasty."
"Once the materials are gathered, they are transported to a special place called Thousand Blade Soldier Pool, where the sect members there begin the forging process. And the birth of every Sacred Weapon will stir up a bloody storm, often quite tragic."
Yang Shifei couldn't help but click his tongue.
He wondered what kind of power these so-called Sacred Weapons possessed to make so many people risk their lives.
"The Taiwu Haoshi this time was discovered within the borders of the Liang Kingdom."
Luo Xian'er said softly, "It has currently been completely mined, and a group of imperial court experts has been assembled to escort it to Thousand Blade Soldier Pool. The journey will pass through four provinces and twenty-nine county cities. Our East City is a key stop among them, requiring a handover of personnel to prevent errors during the long journey due to haste."
Yang Shifei looked again at the boats on the river. "But why are the martial artists from the pugilistic world here? Just to join in the excitement?"
"Some people might want to watch the spectacle, but many righteous individuals are here to protect this treasure."
"Because… someone wants to seize it?"
"It has been so for hundreds of years."
Luo Xian'er's gaze was distant. "The nations of the world are in constant conflict, and every Sacred Weapon is key to influencing the situation. Even though this piece of Taiwu Haoshi originated from within the Liang Kingdom, secret agents from other nations will still come to steal or destroy it, and vice versa."
"And among the martial artists of the pugilistic world, some may be dissatisfied with the imperial family, but others are loyal to the Liang Emperor, or perhaps they don't want the land that nurtured them to be consumed by the flames of war. They gather and act spontaneously, helping with the escort along the way."
As she spoke, Luo Xian'er reminded him, "The escort team will arrive in East City in just over ten days. During this period, martial artists from all over the pugilistic world will come. It might get a bit chaotic then."
"…Can the government manage it?"
Yang Shifei's mouth twitched slightly. "They won't actually start a massive brawl in the city, will they?"
"It's hard to say… hmm?"
Luo Xian'er's gaze suddenly shifted, looking towards the far end of the river.
The man in white on the Lingering Wind Sect's boat seemed to be looking in their direction and let out a loud laugh.
Yang Shifei was somewhat puzzled. He then saw the man take a bamboo pole from the boat and casually toss it out onto the river's surface.
"Is he going to…"
In the next moment, the man in white actually stepped off the pleasure boat, his figure as light as the wind, landing steadily on the floating bamboo pole. He glided towards the riverbank as if treading on water.
Yang Shifei watched with even greater amazement. "What an excellent movement skill."
The man in white's robes fluttered, his braided hair swayed in the wind. With his hands behind his back, he laughed heartily, "The young lady over there, may I ask—"
But his ethereal and dashing swordsman's poise didn't last for even three seconds. The man's expression suddenly changed, and he let out a "What the fuck!", his figure swaying precariously. In the blink of an eye, with a splash, he fell into the river.
Yang Shifei: "?"
Is this guy here for comic relief?
Luo Xian'er wiped the grease from her fingertips with a handkerchief and said faintly, "Young Master, in the future, don't learn from such idlers. It's easy to make a fool of oneself."
Yang Shifei felt a wave of embarrassment. "I have no interest in diving into rivers."
He looked again at the distant river surface, vaguely seeing the white-robed swordsman thrashing about in the water, even his boots having been swept away by the current.
"Should we save him?"
"No need." Luo Xian'er handed him the handkerchief. "A disciple of the Lingering Wind Sect drowning? No one in the world would believe such a thing."
Yang Shifei also wiped his hands and said with understanding, "Shall we continue walking then?"
"Mm, it will also help with digestion."
Luo Xian'er packed the bamboo basket. Just as she was about to smooth her skirt and stand up, Yang Shifei proactively helped her up.
The young woman looked at his cheerful smile and couldn't help but blink. "Is Young Master very happy?"
Yang Shifei smiled, somewhat abashed. "To have someone to chat with is naturally quite pleasant."
"That's good."
Luo Xian'er brushed off the stray grass from her skirt and turned to walk away, her expression cool.
Yang Shifei had just caught up with her steps when he heard the young woman's crisp voice drift over with the spring breeze:
"I… am also quite happy today."
Her delicate voice couldn't help but warm one's heart.
Half an hour later, by the riverbank.
The white-robed swordsman lay sprawled on the bank, his hair disheveled, panting heavily and occasionally spitting out mouthfuls of river water, his face deathly pale.
He 'rolled' onto the shore in an extremely sorry state, soaked to the bone, one boot missing, and even the sword on his back was nowhere to be found. He knelt on the ground, gasping for breath for a long time before slowly calming down.
"What the fuck… What kind of rotten luck is this…"
The white-robed swordsman wiped his face, his eyes still filled with a lingering fear.
Not far away, the Lingering Wind Sect's pleasure boat was approaching, with two sect disciples standing at the prow, shouting towards him:
"Senior Brother! Are you alright?!"
"I… I'm fine."
The white-robed swordsman waved his hand, trying to struggle to his feet, but found his legs were incredibly weak.
In silence, the scene he had just witnessed flashed through his mind—
It was a pair of soul-stirring eyes.
The moment their gazes met, he had felt a pressure like a mountain crashing down on him. His limbs went stiff, and his entire body felt as if plunged into an icy cavern. Just recalling it briefly made him break out in a cold sweat again.
"Senior Brother!" Several sect disciples rushed down from the boat and hurriedly helped him up. "How did you suddenly fall into the water?"
"Could it be, Senior Brother, that your lightness skill went awry?"
"Impossible! It's just… Ai!"
The white-robed swordsman was extremely embarrassed, but even more so, his heart palpitated with fear. "This trip… we must absolutely keep a low profile!"
The disciples exchanged puzzled glances. "Senior Brother, just two days ago you were saying you wanted to restore the glory of the Lingering Wind Sect and fight with flair. Now why—"
"That's different!" The white-robed swordsman looked like he wanted to cry but had no tears. "If there's fighting to be done, let's call our Master over to do it! What are we doing joining in this mess!"
Yang Shifei and Luo Xian'er strolled leisurely along the riverbank, enjoying the scenery.
Only when they reached an inner river tributary did the two stop before a stone bridge, where an old peach tree stood by the bridge, its pink blossoms in full bloom.
Under the tree, there were also many small stalls, and pedestrians bustled about.
"Across the bridge is another district."
Luo Xian'er gazed at the peach blossoms swaying in the wind. "It's rumored that this peach tree is already a hundred years old and quite famous."
Yang Shifei's gaze swept over the street stalls by the roadside, noticing they were selling jewelry and handkerchiefs.
He then looked at the men and women sporadically walking near the peach tree not far away, subconsciously touched his trouser pocket, and clicked his tongue inwardly.
He was currently penniless and couldn't afford to buy a small gift. It seemed he would have to wait until next month to consider it…
"Young Master, please wait a moment."
But Luo Xian'er suddenly murmured, gestured with a wave of her sleeve, "I'll be right back."
Yang Shifei was taken aback, somewhat puzzled.
But he soon saw the young woman walk to a stall and, after a moment, turn and return.
"—Young Master, please accept this."
Looking at the jade pendant the young woman offered, Yang Shifei was instantly stunned. "For me?"
Luo Xian'er tilted her head. "Who else?"
Yang Shifei took a breath, hesitating slightly. "Won't this item be too valuable? Besides, I've already received so much care from you; it should be me giving you a gift—"
"When men in this world pursue women, they are mostly attentive and fawning, and must spend a great deal of money to win a woman's heart. It's normal for Young Master to think this way."
Luo Xian'er quietly stepped closer, gently tying the jade pendant's cord to his belt. "But I don't care about these worldly customs, nor do I like unreasonable fuss. Since Young Master is currently short of funds, it is, of course, my place to look after you more."
She lifted her jade-like face and said softly, "When Young Master receives your wages in the future, it won't be too late to return the gift."
Gazing at the young woman's candid eyes, Yang Shifei held his breath, speechless, deeply moved in his heart.
The little rich lady has a lot of money, but her heart is even more beautiful.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly felt a drop of water splash on his face.
Luo Xian'er also quickly noticed. "It's starting to spring rain."
Yang Shifei looked up and couldn't help but give a sheepish smile. "I almost thought I was so moved by Miss Luo's words that I was about to burst into tears."
Although Luo Xian'er's expression remained cool, a hint of a smile appeared in her eyes.
"If Young Master were moved to tears, I wouldn't mind."
"No, no, that would be too embarrassing."
The spring rain came suddenly.
They had only exchanged a few sentences when dark clouds gathered abruptly, and the rain began to pour down.
Yang Shifei quickly looked around. Seeing no stalls selling umbrellas nearby, he simply took off his outer robe and held it over both their heads.
"Miss Luo, can you still walk?"
"Mm, let's go."
Luo Xian'er gently held onto his sleeve, and they walked with hurried, lotus-like steps across the long street by the bridge, their figures gradually disappearing into the rain and mist.
Though the spring rain was heavy, it was also warm today.