On the fifth of August, the weather finally cleared. The sun pierced through the smog and shone into the town, quickly evaporating the damp chill that had engulfed it for two days. After the downpour, Fenghuai County looked lush and fresh, its eaves bright and its tiles black, and the hazy distant mountains seemed much closer.
When Pei Ye opened his eyes, he was in the bed of the county office.
A feeling of relaxation that was both familiar and strange seeped from his body. His limbs felt like they were brimming with strength, each breath could pass freely and reach the bottom of his lungs, and his chest and stomach were so docile and quiet.
Pei Ye looked blankly at the ceiling for a long time before realizing that this state was called health.
He sat up and saw that the houses outside the window were still collapsed, but the yard had been cleaned.
The door was pushed open, and the mischievous teenager walked in with his head down, carrying tea. His eyes were still red. When he looked up and saw Pei Ye awake, he exclaimed, "Brother, you're awake? I'll go and call Mr. County right now."
Pei Ye's brain was still a bit sluggish. Watching the teenager put down the tea and leave, he remembered that he should ask about the safety of the other teenagers who had escaped.
He got out of bed, and his body felt clean and refreshed. He lifted his shirt to reveal his smooth, scar-less abdomen. His right lower arm still seemed to be filled with a thick blue flame, the abundant sense of power unavoidably caused Pei Ye to clench his fist.
He lifted the lid of the teapot, bowed his head to look, and the fire mark on his forehead had vanished.
The door was pushed open again, and Chang Zhiyuan's deep and calm face walked in. The old man's white hair was messy, his brows and eyes were tired, his left arm was fixed with a wooden splint, hung around his neck, it appeared it hadn't been treated carefully yet.
After the upheaval, three out of four officials in Fenghuai were gone, leaving only Chang Zhiyuan able to handle the aftermath. One can imagine how heavy the day's chores had been for the old man.
"Are you feeling better? Is there any discomfort?" The old man's voice was as low and gentle as ever.
"I'm fine. Mr. Chang, how is the situation now?"
"Thanks to your martial prowess, the enemies were exterminated last night. Officials Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yizhang arrived this morning. We have already checked the cellar in the west of the city, and now we are finishing up." Chang Zhiyuan said, "The other six victims all survived. Three of them had limbs damaged by the murderer, fortunately, Zhao Yizhang had brought along a few precious healing pills. They were treated in time and should be fine."
Pei Ye sighed with relief: "That's good."
"The state has confirmed this is a heretical cult called 'Zhushi'. It was almost eradicated fifty years ago, and there has been no movement for years. We didn't expect it to suddenly appear here." Chang Zhiyuan slowly sat down on a chair, holding onto the handrail, picked up a cup of tea, and drained it, "During your encounter with them, did you hear anything about their purpose?"
Pei Ye shook his head and stretched out his right arm in front of Chang Zhiyuan: "Turning the murderer into something like me seems to be their purpose."
Chang Zhiyuan said, "While you were unconscious, I had the two officials examine you, but they were also clueless – does it hurt?"
Pei Ye shook his head: "No feeling, in fact, I feel stronger."
Chang Zhiyuan frowned and sighed lightly, "Never mind, I don't understand this either. However, this case will undoubtedly be transferred to the prefecture, we'll see what they say then."
Pei Ye nodded.
"Have you thought about your future?"
"My future? I haven't thought about it yet."
"The path of martial arts leads to either joining a sect, joining the military, or working for the court. It seems something unusual has happened to your Dantian, so the sect path is temporarily blocked for you. However, the other two paths would not be affected. I have a document here recommending local talents to participate in the 'Golden Autumn Martial Arts Competition.' As you know, next year's Shengjing martial arts recruitment, Bo Wangzhou has three places, and this competition will determine the first one." Chang Zhiyuan said, "If you are interested, I will nominate you."
Pei Ye was startled, only then did he react that it was again that season when numerous martial artists were eager to show their skills.
The opportunity he had been dreaming of two years ago to compete with the best fighters in the state was suddenly before him. His body nodded before his brain had time to think carefully: "Ok."
"Well then, there's nothing else." Chang Zhiyuan smiled slightly, lightly tapping his leg, "We will handle the rest of the miscellaneous affairs, you can go back and rest first. When people from the prefecture office and the Immortal Platform come tonight, they will need you to come out."
"Okay."
"Hmm, if you have any ideas, feel free to look for me at the county government office."
The two walked shoulder to shoulder out of the county government office. Just as Pei Ye was about to leave, Chang Zhiyuan clapped his forehead and said, "Wait a moment."
He walked back into the office, coming out with a sword and a basket in his hands, and said sentimentally, "I've grown old and I can't sleep well. My memory is getting worse––this is your sword. And the pear tree in the backyard broke some branches last night, scattering pears everywhere. Take a basketful with you so they won't go to waste."
Pei Ye accepted the clean, polished sword and the washed, bright pears, and expressed his thanks.
Three to five steps later, an elderly voice called out from behind him: "Little Pei!"
Pei Ye turned around to see Chang Zhiyuan, whose hunched figure was still standing on the steps. When Chang saw Pei Ye turn around, he struggled to lift his left hand to his right thumb, bowed his head and bent his waist, and bowed deeply.
...
After opening the faded wooden door with a peach talisman, there stood a thin and tough jujube tree in the courtyard. This tree, as far as Pei Ye could remember, had never borne any jujube fruit, and its shriveled and withered temperament was exactly like the old man in black under the tree.
Several brushes with death made this day of parting feel longer.
"Grandfather Yue." Pei Ye called out.
"Hmm?" The old man looked up.
Pei Ye gripped the handle and unsheathed his sword.
The courtyard fell silent. The old man's body shivered. Pei Ye could clearly feel the body in front of the sword instinctively reacting. It might have had twenty ways to deal with this sword, but the old man's disability pulled back this impulse, and in the end, he only shivered a little and coughed twice.
"Did you see it?" Pei Ye asked.
"Ice sky jade night flies white snow, wild goose in mirror, white horse in reed." The old man closed his eyes and smiled gently, "Good, this is indeed the first move."
Pei Ye also laughed out happily.
"You are insightful. The trick to this sword form is the basics. Now that you've mastered the first move, the rest would come much more easily. This sword technique has five meanings. You have already realized the 'Fear of Losing Feathers'. There are still Cold Winter, Solitude, Silent Snow Night, and Last Resort. Remember, steady your heart in the sword and you can make progress..."
Pei Ye was watching the old man raise his head, struggling yet ecstatic to talk about the swordsmanship he had created in his heart.
Pei Ye had always held a respectful awe for the old man's past, not daring to disturb it. But after truly understanding this sword mentality, he indeed had an urge to ask questions.
Snow Night Wild Goose, Snow Night Wild Goose. The wild goose migrates in autumn, so why is there still a lone goose in the night sky when the snow is flying?
Why did the old man create such a set of swordsmanship? With such talent in sword dao, why was he in such a predicament? Is he still struggling to fly high in harsh, lonely conditions? Where is his south in his heart?
In the end, Pei Ye swallowed these questions back down, silently waiting for the old man to finish speaking of the sword, took two pears to the well and washed them, and gave one to the old man.
Back in the room, Pei Ye picked up the small black bundle in the basket, and looked into its clear green eyes: "Is that you?"
The kitten just quietly looked at him. This silence went on for a while, gradually becoming somewhat sluggish, as if it was soulless.
Pei Ye remembered what the Black Chi had said, "Not completely," but without the corresponding knowledge, he didn't understand what the cat's condition was for now.
Following the order, he unwrapped the bandages, and the wound on the kitten's abdomen had completely healed. Pei Ye felt confused as he touched it. It was intact and there wasn't a scar. But the soft abdomen made Pei Ye reluctant to let go, and he couldn't help but hold it in his arms and rub it a few more times.