Chapter 10: Central Plains Sword Assembly 01

“Cough cough…”

Within the Xiqiang Inn, in the Heavenly Number One room, someone was coughing softly, qi blocked in the chest, extremely weak and exhausted.

One person leaned against the doorway, gazing at the sky without speaking. Another person carried a kettle of hot water, about to enter the room, when he saw this scene and said indifferently, “What are you doing?” The person leaning against the door replied coolly, “Worrying!” The other person said, “Hehe, the envoy from the Central Plains Sword Assembly is about to arrive, just waiting to escort him to take charge of the overall situation, to confront the poison disaster spreading like wildfire from the Romantic Shop. In such circumstances, your worrying is useless.” The person leaning against the door said coldly, “Everyone in the martial world is counting on him to take charge of the overall situation, but as a result he was both burned by fire and poisoned, and now has lost all his martial arts and his mind is unclear – how can the people of the world expect him to take charge? I think when that envoy from the Central Plains Sword Assembly arrives, even if he were hanged to death, he wouldn’t believe that the person inside is truly Tang Lici.”

Speaking of Tang Lici, this person leaning against the door was naturally “Sky Cloud” Chi Yun, while the other person was naturally Shen Langhun, who had been bought by Tang Lici with a large sum of money.

Just as they were speaking, the innkeeper led someone hurriedly upstairs, smiling obsequiously at Chi Yun, “Master Chi, there’s a guest who insists on coming up, saying he’s your friend.”

Chi Yun waved his hand, and the innkeeper withdrew. The person he had brought stood in place and cupped his hands toward Chi Yun and Shen Langhun. Chi Yun looked the newcomer up and down, seeing that this person wore azure clothing and carried a sword. His garments weren’t luxurious but were well-tailored, his features handsome and his temperament steady – he could be called a graceful and elegant swordsman gentleman. “How should I address you?”

The azure-clad man smiled slightly, “This humble one is surnamed Yu, ‘Azure Crown Literary Sword’ Yu Furen.” Chi Yun frowned – what “Azure Crown Literary Sword”? He had never heard of such a title. Was this a new figure in the martial world? “Are you the envoy from the Central Plains Sword Assembly, come to escort the one surnamed Tang to Haoyun Mountain?” The azure-clad man nodded, his gaze flowing between the two men’s faces, “Forgive this one’s presumption, but may I ask where Young Master Tang is?”

This Azure Crown Literary Sword Yu Furen had keen eyesight, seeing at a glance that these two were not Tang Lici. Shen Langhun lifted the water kettle and said indifferently, “Follow me.” Chi Yun interrupted, “Wait!” He reached out to block Yu Furen, saying coldly, “Based on just one sentence from you, with a boastful title spoken casually, you can prove you’re from the Central Plains Sword Assembly? Where is your proof?”

Yu Furen’s sleeves fluttered lightly, “I wonder what kind of proof Hero Chi requires?” Chi Yun, hearing him address him as “Hero Chi,” was slightly startled, “Demonstrate the traditional sword technique of the Central Plains Sword Assembly’s Ninth Flow – One Phoenix Nine Heavens – and I’ll believe you’re an assembly envoy.”

“If you two are so cautious, could it be that Young Master Tang has met with some accident and is inconvenient to see guests, or is injured and cannot easily allow strangers to approach?” Yu Furen said with a smile.

Chi Yun was startled again, “You…” Shen Langhun said indifferently, “There’s no need. The sword on this person’s back is the Central Plains Sword Assembly’s Eleventh Sword ‘Azure Jade,’ and besides, there are at least eight hundred if not a thousand people in the martial world who can use One Phoenix Nine Heavens – it would be meaningless.” He pushed open the door, “Yu Furen, come in.”

The Heavenly Number One room of the Xiqiang Inn was exquisitely decorated, with tables and chairs all of red wood, tea tables and horizontal qin, beds with hanging curtains, all lavishly appointed. Yu Furen stepped inside and sighed softly in his heart – wealthy people lived in such wealth wherever they went, while the poor remained poor wherever they went. The poor could never imagine how the wealthy lived their days, much less understand why many people who sat atop mountains of gold and silver, wanting for nothing in food and clothing, always lived unsatisfied lives, shrouded in gloom and misery.

On the bed with purple hanging curtains sat a person, silver hair cascading over his shoulders, eyes closed and motionless.

On the bed was also a child not yet a full year old, struggling to crawl on the bed, sometimes falling and rolling, then striving to crawl again with great effort.

The silver-haired person’s cheeks were smooth and not pale, only with a faint hint of sallow yellow, as if his complexion should have been better but now lacked sufficient color in his blood. Otherwise, his features were as beautiful as a painting – truly an elegant and refined gentleman as described in legends.

“This humble one is Yu Furen, from the Central Plains Sword Assembly. Some days ago, Young Master Tang used Bi Lianyi of Biluo Palace as a proxy, sending an external incarnation to infiltrate the former site of the Romantic Shop to investigate the situation. I wonder what the results were?” Yu Furen cupped his hands in salute, “Am I disturbing Young Master Tang’s peace?”

Chi Yun followed behind him, and seeing this situation, his lips moved as he was about to say that Tang Lici had suffered severe shock, lost all his martial arts and his mind was unclear – how could he still speak? But before he could voice this, he saw Tang Lici open his eyes, “Young Hero Yu, you’ve traveled far and worked hard. How is the current situation in the martial world?”

At these words, Chi Yun and Shen Langhun looked at each other in amazement. Ever since Tang Lici emerged from Bodhi Valley, he had been either dazed and confused or speaking nonsense, or else refusing to speak, abstaining from food and water, completely unreasonable. Who could have known that when Yu Furen came with an invitation from the Central Plains Sword Assembly, he would suddenly become normal?

“The Romantic Shop has again launched night attacks on two sects, with sixty-eight deaths and one hundred forty-four injuries,” Yu Furen said. “Yesterday they engaged in close combat with the Central Plains Sword Assembly, with casualties on both sides. The Assembly captured three masked people from the Romantic Shop, and when their masks were removed, they were all disciples of various major sects – very troubling indeed. If the poison of the Crimson Ghost Nine Heart Pills is not resolved, the martial world will never have peace. But seeing their wretched state when the poison takes effect, the Assembly feels compassion, yet considering their crimes, they are all difficult to forgive.” He bowed again, “Young Master Tang’s intelligence is exceptional, his martial arts superb, and he excels in sonic killing techniques – he is truly a great enemy of the Romantic Shop. The Assembly’s elders have deliberated and wish to invite Young Master Tang to take charge of the overall situation, joining hands with the Assembly and Biluo Palace to rid the martial world of this great menace.”

Tang Lici’s eyes moved slightly, his face showing no particular expression, “Then… Chi Yun, prepare the carriage and horses, we can depart immediately.”

Depart? Chi Yun stared at him in shock. With his current condition, he could still travel? “You—”

“Prepare the carriage.” Tang Lici closed his eyes and said no more.

Yu Furen glanced at Shen Langhun, “May I ask about Young Master Tang…”

Shen Langhun said indifferently, “He has injuries and has not yet recovered.”

“I see.” Though Yu Furen said “I see,” he was clearly not at ease in his heart. Tang Lici’s martial arts were superb – the person who could defeat the master of the Romantic Shop at Maoya Peak, how could he be severely injured in just a few days? He hadn’t heard of him encountering any powerful enemy, and judging by his speaking voice, his inner qi was weak – he was very seriously injured.

“It doesn’t matter.” Tang Lici slowly sat up from the bed, “Have you recently heard any news of the whereabouts of the master of the Romantic Shop… Liu Yan?”

“Liu Yan?” Yu Furen said, “People in the martial world don’t yet know that the master of the Romantic Shop is called Liu Yan. Young Master Tang’s trip to the former site of the Romantic Shop seems to have yielded considerable gains.”

“Cough cough…” Tang Lici opened his eyes again, “The Romantic Shop conceals many secrets – they cannot be understood in a moment. Until the situation is clear, let’s not mention it for now. How are things at Biluo Palace?” He closed his eyes for a moment, and already there was slightly more spirit in his eyes, unlike the previous desolate lifelessness.

“Palace Master Wanyu is busy with matters of relocating the palace and probably cannot spare attention to deal with the Romantic Shop for the time being.” Yu Furen said, “Currently everyone in the martial world is in danger, with all major sects strictly ordering their disciples to return to the mountains, each maintaining a defensive and self-protective strategy. The Romantic Shop relies on the power of poison and has become a scourge in today’s martial world – no one knows when or where they will attack which sect or school.”

“Is Master Puzhu one of the Central Plains Sword… Assembly… cough cough, Assembly members?” Tang Lici said softly, “Is there any recent news of Master Puzhu?”

“Master Puzhu?” Yu Furen was quite surprised, “Master Puzhu is indeed one of the Assembly. Recently Master Puzhu went to rescue people due to the Pingtan Mountain fire and was heard to have just returned to Shaolin Temple.”

“After I go to Haoyun Mountain, the Assembly should first borrow Master Puzhu from Shaolin Temple for a while. This great master’s martial arts are very high, and he abhors evil like an enemy – he would certainly be a great help in dealing with the Romantic Shop.” Tang Lici smiled slightly. Because he was seriously injured, his smile was somewhat weak, showing a gentle and frail appearance.

Specifically requesting Master Puzhu – was the reason truly so simple? Chi Yun glanced at Tang Lici. Had this white-haired fox been pretending to be crazy and deranged these past few days? With this glance, he noticed Tang Lici’s right hand was clenched into a fist, trembling slightly under the covers, clearly gripped with extreme force. Slightly startled, he—

“Chi Yun should go prepare the carriage then,” Shen Langhun said indifferently. “Young Master Yu, let me pack our luggage and we’ll depart immediately.”

Yu Furen smiled, “I have already prepared a carriage. The driver is one of our Assembly members, much more discreet than hiring outsiders. Please pack your belongings, gentlemen, and let’s depart.” He took the lead in leaving the room, going downstairs to summon the carriage.

“This person has an extraordinary bearing and is probably not an ordinary figure in the Assembly. That Shao Yanping sent him to extend the invitation shows his regard for him.” Shen Langhun said indifferently, “But why is his name unknown in the martial world? The reason for this truly raises suspicions.” His gaze turned to Tang Lici, “You…”

Tang Lici took a long breath, and instantly his whole body began trembling. His body leaned forward, almost collapsing onto the bedding. Chi Yun and Shen Langhun both reached out to support him – his body was ice-cold, covered in cold sweat, both hands clenched into fists pressed against his temples, his whole body shaking uncontrollably.

“As expected… your mind is confused. Forcing yourself to maintain composure will only make your mental state more chaotic,” Shen Langhun said coldly. “Why put on an act of being fine in front of outsiders? At this moment you clearly have no power to deal with the Romantic Shop affair. Even if you won’t admit it, it must be said that your good friend’s poisonous schemes against you have indeed succeeded at every step – there’s not one place where you haven’t fallen into his trap. Since you’ve been completely defeated, you should admit defeat. A real man can afford to lose and let go – why insist on showing off, taking on heavy responsibilities at this time?” He glared at Tang Lici, “Can you really do it?”

“Why can’t I do it?” Tang Lici said in a low voice. “If I can’t do it, I’ll definitely go mad… Haha haha…” He laughed softly, “If I go mad, I’ll definitely kill more people than him… Anyway, everyone in the world is dead, I don’t care who dies. Dead people dancing everywhere, dead people can dance, haha haha…” Chi Yun and Shen Langhun looked at each other. With a light “pa” sound, Shen Langhun struck Tang Lici’s head with his palm, channeling a small amount of true force. Tang Lici shuddered slightly and suddenly quieted down. Chi Yun said coldly, “Calm down!”

“I… I…” Tang Lici took another long breath, and the hands pressed against his temples finally slowly lowered, his right hand pressing against his chest, “I…”

“If you can’t stabilize your mind, no one can be saved,” Shen Langhun said, “and no one can be brought back.”

Tang Lici’s hand slowly fell to the bedding. Fengfeng on the side crawled over with effort, her small hand pressing onto his palm. He stared intently at Fengfeng’s hand, and after a long while, he smiled gently, “What did I just say?”

“White-haired fox, with your current crazy and deranged state, will there really be no problems going to Haoyun Mountain?” Chi Yun’s frown was very deep, “Don’t go mad in front of those old turtles from the Assembly. Those people already don’t trust you – if you make any mistakes, they’ll swallow you alive.”

“I…” Tang Lici smiled gently, “I think I’m a bit better than before. At least when thinking about something, my thoughts can still be coherent… If I unknowingly do something wrong, you must remember to remind me… I’ll smooth things over.”

“You—” Chi Yun’s anger was rising, but when the curse reached his lips, he sighed instead, “So you absolutely must go, even if you’re half-mad and putting on an act, barely managing through sheer stubbornness?”

“Mm.” Tang Lici closed his eyes, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his lips, though his expression was quite weary, “Cough cough… My head hurts terribly. For now… don’t speak to me.” He slowly rose from the bed, picked up a garment from the chair and draped it over his shoulders, picked up Fengfeng, and slowly walked outside.

Chi Yun hurriedly took luggage from the cabinet and followed. Shen Langhun sighed softly and followed as well.

Two carriages were stopped outside the inn. Yu Furen was already beside them. Tang Lici went directly to one carriage, with Chi Yun hurriedly following. Shen Langhun and Yu Furen boarded the other carriage. The white horses raised their hooves and headed eastward.

“Forgive my directness, but Young Master Tang’s injuries seem quite unusual.” Yu Furen sat in the carriage, holding the Azure Jade from his back in his hands. His movements were steady and his expression composed – though sharing a carriage with Shen Langhun, he revealed no flaws whatsoever. Shen Langhun sat quietly to one side. Hearing Yu Furen’s words, he was silent for a while, then suddenly asked, “Have you ever been an assassin?”

Yu Furen smiled slightly, “Shen Langhun’s eyesight is indeed extraordinary.” Saying this was tantamount to admitting it. After a slight pause, he said, “An assassin’s eyes can never tolerate even a grain of sand.”

“Tang Lici is indeed seriously injured, but it’s not life-threatening.” Shen Langhun said indifferently, “In this world, as long as it’s not a fatal wound, it’s not a wound.” Yu Furen said, “Agreed. However, I’m very curious – who exactly could injure the incomparable Young Master Tang?” Shen Langhun said indifferently, “Haha, isn’t that question sarcastic?” Yu Furen smiled, “I wouldn’t dare… I speak from the heart. If you don’t tell me today, I definitely won’t be able to sleep.”

“Hehe, the Romantic Shop’s stronghold, Piaolin Mei Garden, is filled with traps everywhere. He was injured by those mechanisms.” Shen Langhun closed his eyes, “But he also investigated all locations within, and the inside story of the Romantic Shop can be said to be unfathomably deep, with talented people in abundance, greatly exceeding expectations.” Yu Furen’s gaze moved, “What kind of mechanisms could actually injure him?” Shen Langhun said, “Iron-armored million soldiers, flame bridge, flame snake, retention gate, and… friends.” Yu Furen said, “Friends? What kind of hidden weapon is that?” Shen Langhun said indifferently, “The most hurtful hidden weapon, isn’t it?” Yu Furen sighed softly, “So Tang Lici is someone who cherishes his friends…” He said, “To be honest, based on previous rumors about Young Master Tang in the martial world, he shouldn’t be so soft-hearted.” Shen Langhun said, “According to martial world rumors, what kind of person is Tang Lici?”

“Naturally the wealthiest man in the world outside the imperial palace, and moreover, a young, handsome, refined and elegant man.” Yu Furen smiled slightly, “And his martial arts are superb, his insight sharp, his schemes transcendent. He could act to eliminate Yu Qifeng before the martial world masses saw through his true nature, could unite with Biluo Palace to greatly defeat the Romantic Shop at Qingshan Cliff, and even struck the master of the Romantic Shop down the precipice. His operational efficiency is extremely high, his martial arts extraordinarily transcendent. Though his methods are perhaps slightly excessive, he is still a rare hero in the martial world in a hundred years.”

“Since he’s a hero, why do you think he wouldn’t cherish friends?” Shen Langhun asked indifferently. Yu Furen sighed, “I don’t know why, but in my heart I always felt Tang Lici should be a master whose schemes exceed the rumors. Cherishing friends and bringing disaster upon oneself, dragging down operational efficiency, disrupting predetermined calculations – these are not the actions of a wise man.” Shen Langhun chuckled, “Haha, I once thought the same way, but unfortunately… he’s not that kind of person.”

“How can he not be that kind of person? If he’s not that kind of person, how will he conduct himself in the current martial world situation?” Yu Furen said indifferently, his gaze slowly falling on the Azure Jade in his hands. The Azure Jade sword was made of fine steel with an azure gleam, but when held in hand it was just a crudely patterned three-foot long sword, showing nothing special. Shen Langhun also said indifferently, “If he really were that kind of person, perhaps you and I would only be more disappointed, wouldn’t we?” Yu Furen laughed, “Haha, perhaps – but once serving as the leader of the Central Plains orthodox path, one cannot have weaknesses. The reason the Central Plains Sword Assembly chose Tang Lici was precisely because they valued that he had no burdens, unlike Wanyu Yuedan who after all bears responsibility for the lives of hundreds in the entire palace.”

“Haha, I can’t say whether the Assembly’s choice is right or wrong, but perhaps… Wanyu Yuedan would be more like the person the Assembly expects.” Shen Langhun smiled indifferently, “Or perhaps… Tang Lici will exceed the Assembly’s expectations, which is also unknowable.”

The carriage proceeded methodically at a trot, the driver cracking his whip to urge the horses forward, soon disappearing into the green shadows of the mountains.