At this time, both Ling Ding and Zhuo Lingzhao had been defeated, and Fang Zijing was unwilling to compete. The title of Martial Arts Alliance Leader was like a spring dream—in the end, it would retire along with Ning Bufan. All the guests in the hall thought, “Ning Bufan’s martial arts are so exceptional. After his retirement, the world’s martial arts will regress another step. What a pity.”
As the saying goes, “Talents emerge from generation to generation, new people replace the old.” The martial arts world should have endless vitality, but today’s jianghu had no one who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Ning Bufan, inevitably giving people the feeling that today was inferior to the past.
With Ning Bufan’s retirement imminent, the ceremony was about to end. Many guests, seeing the matter settled, rose to bid farewell. Several guests leaving the mountain passed by the Kunlun people and couldn’t help but mock them coldly. The Kunlun disciples, in their great anger, naturally responded with harsh words. Tu Lingxin even wanted to kill someone, and several Mount Hua disciples came to dissuade them, creating chaos.
Jin Lingshuang sighed, remembering their imposing manner when coming up the mountain, and felt especially embarrassed. He looked at the unconscious Zhuo Lingzhao and thought, “The sect leader has been strong and competitive all his life. For an empty title, he earned a reputation for committing all kinds of evil… was it worth it?”
As he was thinking, suddenly he saw Ning Bufan bend down and point at something on the ground, asking, “Is this yours?”
Jin Lingshuang’s heart jumped in alarm. He quickly looked and saw a white object on the ground right by Ning Bufan’s feet. The thing was thin as paper, about a foot square—it was precisely the sheepskin that had led Kunlun Mountain toward the abyss of evil and caused Zhuo Lingzhao to bear the reputation of committing all evils.
Jin Lingshuang understood clearly—their sect leader, severely injured, had no strength to tend to his belongings, so it had slipped from his chest. He stepped forward and said, “This is our property. Please return it to us, Master Ning.”
Just then, someone from the Liu faction stepped forward and declared loudly, “Wait! This thing is ours. Master Ning, please don’t listen to their nonsense!” The speaker had a handsome face—it was Yang Suguan.
Ning Bufan, hearing both sides speak, was puzzled. He straightened up and said blankly, “Whose thing is this exactly?”
Suddenly someone said, “This belongs to Lord Jiang—who dares take it!” A foreign monk quickly stepped forward—it was Luo Moshi. Though Shenji Cave had been destroyed, many ministers still viewed the sheepskin as evidence of Jiang Chong’s treason. Such things naturally needed to be seized and destroyed early to avoid trouble, so he spoke up to claim it.
Ning Bufan coughed and thought, “Seeing their murderous intent, I’ll collect this thing first to avoid unnecessary killing.” He bent down to pick it up. Jin Lingshuang, seeing this, was immediately alarmed. Remembering how much the sect leader valued this sheepskin, he flew forward to snatch it.
Yang Suguan shouted, “Let go!” He used his lightness skill to rush forward urgently, his long sword already unsheathed to block Jin Lingshuang. Luo Moshi, seeing three people fighting for it, wasn’t willing to fall behind. His figure flashed as he also moved to grab it.
Four people acted simultaneously. Ning Bufan stood closest but didn’t know the sheepskin’s importance—he just slowly bent down to pick it up. The other three were determined to get it. Seeing all four hands about to touch the sheepskin, Luo Moshi had practiced strange skills—his arm suddenly lengthened and he grasped one corner of the sheepskin. How could Yang Suguan let him succeed? His long sword unsheathed, cold stars urgently striking. Luo Moshi snorted and dodged sideways, but his fingers had already loosened. Yang Suguan was delighted and quickly crouched down, his left hand touching one corner of the sheepskin.
At this time, Jin Lingshuang had also caught up. He shouted loudly, “Let go!” His sword cold unsheathed, pressing down Yang Suguan’s long sword, then his left finger pointed out toward Yang Suguan’s brow. Luo Moshi was delighted, thinking, “Heaven helps me!” His left hand reached for the sheepskin while his right hand used “Nether Mysterious Finger” to point at Yang Suguan’s chest.
Yang Suguan was suddenly attacked by two great masters. His right hand’s blade was pressed down by Jin Lingshuang while his left hand gripped one corner of the sheepskin—he really couldn’t free a hand to defend against enemies. It seemed he could only let go and retreat.
Yan Ting in the distance, seeing Yang Suguan in danger, immediately screamed loudly. Lu Yun and others also called, “Vice Minister Yang! Let go!” Everyone shouted and rushed to help, but with several zhang between them, they might not make it in time.
Yang Suguan’s martial arts were excellent—how could he not know the danger? But he understood clearly that if he let go now, this sheepskin would fall into villains’ hands. Having already deeply blamed himself for Ling Ding’s injury, how could he lose the sheepskin again? He gritted his teeth and, seeing enemy techniques attacking, still gripped the sheepskin tightly without yielding.
Just at this moment of life and death, suddenly purple light flashed and a shadow flew into the arena. This shadow moved like a ghost, swift as a flying eagle. Amid everyone’s cries, that person had already landed among the four great masters. His right hand pushed Yang Suguan out of the circle, immediately freeing him from danger, then his palm wind forced Luo Moshi back a step. His hand snatched and seized the sheepskin on the spot.
Everyone seeing this person’s swift hands and precise movements, truly like a demon, immediately looked urgently at his face. They saw he was tall and broad-shouldered with a stern, square face—it was Wu Dingyuan!
Jin Lingshuang, in his shock, thrust his long sword in a circle toward Wu Dingyuan’s chest. This sword came extremely fast. Wu Dingyuan stood too close with no way to dodge. He suddenly flipped upside down, standing on one finger with his head down and feet up, and the sword stabbed empty air.
Luo Moshi, seeing the situation was bad, immediately attacked Wu Dingyuan. Wu Dingyuan was inverted on the ground when he roared like a tiger, used his single finger’s strength to do a somersault, his left foot kicking toward Jin Lingshuang’s face while his right foot struck at Luo Moshi’s chest. Using both legs together with swift momentum, he immediately forced back the two great masters, then steadily landed on the ground.
Yang Suguan, standing to one side, saw Wu Dingyuan could actually flip and jump using just one finger’s strength. His skills were both strong and strange—truly unprecedented. In his amazement, he said tremblingly, “Dingyuan… you… your martial arts…”
Wu Dingyuan knew this matter was too mysterious and strange. If he explained, it would take much talk. He smiled slightly and said, “We’ll discuss this later. Let’s put this thing away first.” He reached out to hand the sheepskin to Yang Suguan.
Just as Wu Dingyuan was about to hand over the sheepskin, he suddenly felt his hand tighten as if someone was pulling the other end of the sheepskin. Wu Dingyuan looked back and saw a person with wide-open eyes staring at him. This person held one corner of the sheepskin—it was the world’s number one master, Ning Bufan!
Wu Dingyuan’s heart jumped in alarm. He quickly coughed and said, “This thing is ours. Please let go, sir.”
Ning Bufan seemed not to hear and said tremblingly, “You are the Tianshan successor?”
Wu Dingyuan, suddenly hearing this title, couldn’t help but frown. He coughed again and said, “If senior has instruction, could we discuss it later? Please release this thing first.”
Wu Dingyuan saw Ning Bufan gripping the sheepskin, ignoring his words and looking him up and down as if he were some kind of monster. Now that Shenji Cave was destroyed and the martial arts within were in his hands, this sheepskin was like waste paper—no need to cause more disputes. With this thought, Wu Dingyuan loosened his grip to let Ning Bufan take the sheepskin.
Just then, suddenly a sword thrust directly at him—it was Ning Bufan’s “Brave Stone” attacking!
Wu Dingyuan didn’t know why Ning Bufan wanted to kill him. In great shock, Wu Dingyuan gave a sharp laugh and flipped backward, using one finger to touch the ground, then spun rapidly with that finger as support. A fierce wind swept past as he dodged the fatal strike. All the guests in the hall, seeing this technique, couldn’t help but look at each other speechlessly. The difficulty of this technique lay entirely in finger strength. Without finger power as strong as an arm, it would be absolutely impossible to support the body like this. Yang Suguan was covered in cold sweat: “Though our Shaolin has ‘One Finger Zen Divine Skill,’ it can only do single-finger handstands. What exactly has Dingyuan practiced? How is his finger strength so terrifying?”
The Liu faction people were about to stop him, but Ning Bufan’s long sword came so fast—in less than a blink of an eye, Ning Bufan’s blade turned and struck first, having already calculated Wu Dingyuan’s dodging route. The blade waited leisurely on the side. Wu Dingyuan’s flip was equivalent to delivering his throat vital point to the sword edge. This person anticipated enemy moves in everything, making Wu Dingyuan’s heart horrified. Earlier when he watched Zhuo Lingzhao fight Ning Bufan, he hadn’t known this person’s terrifying aspect. Only now, experiencing it personally, did he understand why even Zhuo Lingzhao’s exceptional power couldn’t resist this person’s casual strike.
The blade thrust toward his throat. Though Wu Dingyuan wanted to beg for mercy, the situation was urgent and his body was in an inverted position—he really had no time to speak. Seeing his body inverted and unable to dodge left or right, facing this throat-piercing disaster, he suddenly shouted, his right hand muscles tightened, exploding with inexplicable power. Instantly his form froze and he retreated straight backward in an inverted position, dodging the fatal strike.
Wu Dingyuan’s evasion was mysteriously strange, turning at right angles. Everyone in the hall cried out in shock, not knowing how he did it. Even Wu Dingyuan himself felt bewildered. Actually, all these miraculous changes were due to the “Cold Elixir Treasure Pool.” After Wu Dingyuan soaked in the treasure pool, his constitution and meridians had greatly differed from ordinary people. Seeing his throat controlled, new power immediately arose in his hands, allowing him to leap backward urgently and dodge this crucial sword to the throat.
This “Wisdom Sword Pacifies Eight Directions” specifically attacked the flaws of all great techniques in the world, but Wu Dingyuan’s martial arts were so strange that each time he reached extremity, strange techniques would emerge. This way, flaws were no longer flaws. Though the two had exchanged only one move, it was enough to shock the world’s number one master.
Indeed, Ning Bufan was covered in cold sweat. Seeing Wu Dingyuan flee backward, his sword tip immediately pursued, pointing at Wu Dingyuan’s throat. This sword not only aimed at vital points on the body, but under internal power’s drive, the sword edge scattered into an arc form, making it impossible to see the exact landing point. This sword’s cold light trembled, scattered like the firmament. If Wu Dingyuan didn’t release his grip and surrender, throat-piercing disaster awaited him.
Yang Suguan and others, seeing the situation was truly bad, all roared and shouted together, “Stop!” Four people attacked together—Qin Zhonghai on the left, Lu Yun on the right, Yang Suguan leaping up, Wei Zizhuang rolling on the ground. The four great masters each used techniques to fully block Ning Bufan’s attacking momentum.
With a strange hissing sound, the two in the arena had slowed their hands. Yang Suguan, Qin Zhonghai and others, seeing this, also each retreated a step to see the situation clearly before proceeding.
Wu Dingyuan’s face was iron-blue, his right hand protecting vital points, but the bandages on his hand had been cut, revealing his naked purple right arm. It seemed Ning Bufan had intentionally spared him—otherwise, if Brave Stone had pushed forward one more inch, Wu Dingyuan’s right hand would certainly have been severed.
The Liu faction people, seeing the situation slightly relaxed, all rushed into the arena. Lu Yun blocked in front of Wu Dingyuan while Qin Zhonghai and Yang Suguan each drew weapons. Everyone had surrounded Ning Bufan.
Yang Suguan held his long sword and declared loudly, “Senior, are you intentionally seeking trouble with Shaolin? If you truly wish to challenge our sect, I should report to my master and receive your instruction another day.” Wei Zizhuang also stepped forward, “Why must Sect Leader Ning make things difficult for a junior? If you want to find someone to compete with, I’ll accompany you right now.”
Lu Yun turned to ask Wu Dingyuan, “How is it? Is your arm injured?”
Wu Dingyuan shook his head and then unwrapped the bandages, exposing his naked right arm. He suddenly gathered true qi, and instantly his right hand flashed with purple light like lightning, pervading his whole body. In moments, the purple light withdrew and returned to his dantian. The Liu faction people, seeing this strange phenomenon, couldn’t help but gasp, not knowing what had happened to Wu Dingyuan.
Ning Bufan, seeing Wu Dingyuan’s purple arm, suddenly sighed and then sheathed his sword. He slowly walked down to the arena and cupped his hands to all the guests, “Thank you, friends, for witnessing this. Bufan retires from jianghu from now on and won’t concern himself with worldly affairs. Please help spread the word that there is no longer a person called Ning Bufan in the martial arts world. I only hope that when we meet in jianghu in the future, you’ll show mercy and not bully me.”
Amid everyone’s bewilderment, Ning Bufan had already walked toward Wu Dingyuan and cupped his hands, “Thank you, sir. Before retirement, I was able to exchange moves with Tianshan martial arts—this greatly comforts my life and I have no regrets.” He handed the sheepskin to Wu Dingyuan.
Wu Dingyuan had nearly been killed by someone, and now hearing him come to thank him, could only laugh dryly and didn’t know what to say.
Ning Bufan stared at Wu Dingyuan, patted his shoulder, smiled slightly, then turned toward the temple gate and walked out. Everyone, seeing him leave so hurriedly, were all astonished. Su Ying quickly chased forward urgently, “Master! Where are you going?”
Ning Bufan stopped and smiled, “I’m going home.”
Su Ying called out, “Master, this is your home!”
Ning Bufan shook his head, “My earthly bonds are finished. Take care of yourselves. Farewell.” His figure flashed and he had already walked out the temple gate.
Su Ying rushed over crying loudly, “Master! Don’t leave! Don’t leave!” As he was crying, suddenly something fell from mid-air into his hands—it was a mud pill.
Su Ying felt curious, not knowing what use this mud pill had. Ning Bufan’s voice came from far away, “If you encounter any trouble in the future, crush the mud pill and you’ll naturally find a solution.”
Su Ying knew his master must have left a method for future contact. He was immediately overjoyed and knelt to bow, “Thank you, master. This disciple will certainly do his utmost to defend Mount Hua.”
The guests, seeing Ning Bufan had already gone far and thinking that the world’s number one master would henceforth be nowhere to be found, all felt melancholy.
Su Ying was kneeling and crying when suddenly someone came and helped him up. That person had no beard and was about seventy years old—it was Liu Jing. He said, “Your master’s retirement this time—I bear some responsibility. Considering the friendship between our two families, if you encounter any great trouble in the future, send someone to find me in the capital. I will certainly help you.”
Su Ying knelt to thank him, sobbing, “Thanks to Lord Liu’s care, this young man is infinitely grateful.”
Liu Jing smiled slightly and stopped him, “You are now Mount Hua’s sect leader. Unless you encounter the Son of Heaven, you ordinarily cannot kneel to others.” He had just touched him and already sensed Su Ying’s internal power foundation was excellent. He said, “Your martial arts foundation is very good, and your comprehension seems not bad either. If you practice diligently in the future, you can certainly restore Mount Hua’s reputation. Understand?”
Su Ying held back tears, “Thank you, Lord Liu.”
As the two were talking, Qiong Wuchuan came over. Su Ying quickly cupped his hands, “Are you also leaving, old sir?”
Qiong Wuchuan glanced at Liu Jing and laughed heartily, “Can I leave? How can a small child like you handle so many great matters? I’ll stay on the mountain for a while.”
All Mount Hua people hearing this were delighted—with the Minister here, they need not worry about anything.
Once Wu Dingyuan had a moment’s freedom, the Liu faction people surrounded him. Everyone was asking about his experiences during separation. But Wu Dingyuan was preoccupied—not only did he speak hesitantly, his eyes kept looking toward a corner, appearing quite worried.
Everyone followed his gaze and saw the Azure Robe scholar with two disciples exchanging pleasantries with several other sect leaders, but didn’t know what was unusual. Qin Zhonghai slapped Wu Dingyuan and laughed, “Damn! You keep staring at people—are you wanting to buy wound medicine from the Azure Robe scholar? Or get a human skin mask to wear?” Jiuhua Mountain’s wound medicine was effective, as everyone had just witnessed. Qin Zhonghai’s words were naturally teasing about this.
Wu Dingyuan came to his senses and smiled apologetically at everyone. At this time, Yan Ting was about to leave the mountain with her master, and Wu Dingyuan was also to return to the capital with everyone. With their parting imminent and unable to find a chance for private conversation, he was naturally somewhat absent-minded.
Lu Yun looked him up and down strangely, “What’s wrong with Brother Wu? Are you injured somewhere? Should I take your pulse?”
Wu Dingyuan smiled awkwardly. His illness was purely heartache—if they took his pulse, they’d have to get him drunk to discover the cause. He waved his hand and smiled bitterly without speaking.
Yang Suguan, seeing Wu Dingyuan had suddenly mastered divine skills and Ning Bufan had called him a Tianshan successor, had long been suspicious. He coughed, “Commissioner Wu, what exactly happened during those days you were missing? Could you explain?”
Wu Dingyuan, thinking of the records in “Purple Qi Wrapping,” knew these secrets couldn’t be freely shared. His heart jumped in alarm, not knowing how to respond.
Just then, suddenly a sinister voice said, “Commissioner Wu, keeping your mouth shut ensures safety, but speaking carelessly brings disaster. Remember this.”
The Liu faction people heard this voice seemed like Jiang Chong’s and were all startled. They quickly turned around and indeed saw Jiang Chong standing not far away, staring at Wu Dingyuan with quite a sinister expression.
Wu Dingyuan’s face turned iron-blue as he turned his head away, avoiding Jiang Chong’s gaze. Jiang Chong smiled coldly, looked at the Liu faction people, and said, “Young friends, we’ll meet again in the capital.” He then walked out.
An’dao Jing waved his hand and shouted, “Everyone, let’s go!” A large group of experts responded, “Yes!” They immediately formed a protective escort for Jiang Chong leaving the mountain.
Qin Zhonghai spat a gob of phlegm on the ground and cursed, “This dog thief is so arrogant. Our two families will have more to settle later.”
Wu Dingyuan sighed and was about to speak when suddenly a voice behind him said, “What duty demands, one resolutely does—this is the duty of loyal ministers and filial sons. Do you understand this, Commissioner Wu?”
Everyone turned around and saw the speaker was all smiles—it was Eastern Depot Director Liu Jing. Everyone’s hearts jumped: “How has Commissioner Wu become so popular? Both Jiang Chong and Liu Jing seem to be looking for him?”
Wu Dingyuan didn’t pay attention to Liu Jing and just lowered his head. Liu Jing patted his shoulder and then left smiling. Amid everyone’s shock and suspicion, they urgently gathered to question Wu Dingyuan. Thinking this matter was of great importance, how could he answer? He just shook his head and sighed, “Everyone please don’t ask for now. After I return to the capital, I’ll naturally report to the Marquis and ask for his decision then.”
Everyone, not understanding the reason and seeing him so troubled, figured they couldn’t force answers out of him and could only nod in agreement.
Yang Suguan had always been meticulous—how could he willingly let this go? He was just considering how to broach the subject when he suddenly heard a soul-stirring voice behind him saying sweetly, “Vice Minister Yang, you chat slowly. This slave will go first.”
Yang Suguan looked back—it was Hu Mei’er. He most feared this woman’s entanglement and quickly cupped his hands, “Farewell, fairy maiden.”
Hu Mei’er smiled and then waved her hand. Instantly a piece of paper flew over. Yang Suguan didn’t suspect anything and caught it casually. Suddenly remembering Hu Mei’er was completely poisonous, he was so shocked his face turned pale and cold sweat poured out. Hu Mei’er smiled, “You’ve already been poisoned by my lovesickness gu—no need for other poisons!” She covered her mouth and laughed lightly as she gracefully departed.
Yang Suguan frowned and unfolded the paper, seeing a short line written on it: “On the eighth day of the third month, this slave awaits your honored presence at Yihua Tower in the capital. We must meet.”
Qin Zhonghai mischievously leaned over and immediately took a deep breath, laughing, “So fragrant!”
Yang Suguan, seeing his crooked mouth and improper expression, quickly folded the paper and said dismissively, “Zhonghai, you’re too frivolous.”
Lu Yun was an honest man. Seeing Hu Mei’er send the love note, he quickly grasped Yang Suguan’s arm and advised, “There are many good women in the world. I loyally advise you, Lord Yang—your precious body must not be deceived by that demon woman.”
Yang Suguan, hearing this advice, became angry instead, his face turning pale as he said loudly, “What do you take me for? A capital playboy?”
Suddenly a female voice said, “That’s right! You are a capital playboy!”
Yang Suguan quickly turned around and saw a girl looking at him with tears, her expression pitiful—it was Yan Ting. Yang Suguan’s heart jumped in alarm and he quickly waved his hands, “Miss, don’t misunderstand…”
Qin Zhonghai grinned and winked at Lu Yun, saying quietly, “Another messy account!”
Yang Suguan, seeing Yan Ting’s tearful eyes full of resentment, felt overwhelmed and didn’t know how to console her.
Yan Ting’s pretty face was tearful as she turned away and walked directly to Wu Dingyuan, curtsying, “Lord Wu, thank you for taking care of me these days. If you have time in the future, you must come visit Jiuhua Mountain.”
Wu Dingyuan nodded and wanted to say something, but his throat seemed choked and he couldn’t make a sound. Yan Ting wiped away her tears, smiled at him, and left with her master and junior sister.
Qin Zhonghai, watching this group’s romantic entanglements, was laughing heartily when he suddenly saw an elderly man leaving the hall gracefully—it was Fang Zijing. Qin Zhonghai, seeing his master about to leave the mountain, hurriedly chased after him.
Yang Suguan grabbed him and frowned, “Where are you going, Zhonghai?” Qin Zhonghai carried command tokens for two thousand troops—if he disappeared, the army would have no one to command, which would be extremely troublesome.
How could Qin Zhonghai have time to deal with this? He kicked back, forcing Yang Suguan back a step, and shouted, “Damn! I’m going out to take a piss—I’ll be back soon!” He rushed out of the temple gate and looked around, but saw the mountain gate was completely quiet with cold wind blowing gently—his master was already nowhere to be seen.
Qin Zhonghai had been raised by his master since childhood and they were like father and son. They hadn’t seen each other for five or six years. This time, finally coming to the mountain, he had wanted to chat with him properly, but again it was such a hurried meeting. Despite his rough nature, looking at the empty mountain and cold shadows, he still felt emotional: “After this parting, who knows when we’ll meet again… Sigh…”
The evening glow was brilliant and magnificent. Ning Bufan stood on the mountain peak gazing at the colorful floating clouds, his heart full of emotion.
Since entering the mountain at age twelve, thirty years had passed. Thinking that after retirement he would wander alone in jianghu, he momentarily felt at a loss about where to go.
He saw guests leaving continuously on the mountain path, with constant noise. Ning Bufan sighed slightly in his heart: “In the future, when I see these jianghu figures, I can no longer show my true face.” After sealing his sword, he could no longer carry blade or discuss swordwork. Thinking how his life had been extraordinary because of the sword, now without his long sword he was like a cripple, and couldn’t help but sigh again.
Seeing the sun setting in the west, he felt somewhat hungry. Ning Bufan smiled bitterly—for the past thirty years, people had served him meals and helped him dress. Now that he was retired, these privileges and glory were naturally gone. He felt his money pouch—fortunately there was still a thick stack of banknotes. It seemed that for the next few years, as long as he didn’t visit prostitutes or gamble, his days should be manageable.
Just as he was thinking of finding food, suddenly sweet, rich fragrance drifted from the woods, as if someone was roasting food there. Ning Bufan swallowed his saliva and was about to turn to look when suddenly laughter came from the woods, followed by a sweet potato flying over. Ning Bufan caught it and was immediately burned, his palm stinging with pain. However, with his supreme internal power, he circulated qi in his palm and the pain immediately disappeared.
A voice from the woods laughed, “How is it? Is the hot potato good to eat?”
Ning Bufan felt very lonely at this time. Hearing an old friend’s arrival, he was immediately delighted and called out, “Senior Fang!”
Before he finished speaking, someone laughed heartily and emerged from the woods. He held a tree branch with a sweet potato skewered on it—it was Fang Zijing.
Fang Zijing found a large rock and sat down directly, laughing, “Sighing on your first day as a free cloud and wild crane? If you really can’t bear to part with it, then don’t retire!”
Ning Bufan laughed heartily, “Senior Fang, don’t tease me. After being a sect leader for decades, suddenly regaining freedom is bound to feel strange.” He peeled the sweet potato and took a bite—it was full of sweet flavor and quite good.
Fang Zijing looked at him and said, “Honestly, was your hasty retirement just now because you were pressured by that Tianshan boy?”
Ning Bufan was startled hearing this, then smiled bitterly, “Worthy of being the Sword King—can’t hide anything from your eyes.” He shook his head and removed “Brave Stone,” handing it over.
Fang Zijing drew the long sword and looked—he saw the blade of Brave Stone had a gap, corroded by Wu Dingyuan’s palm poison into a hole the size of a small finger. Fang Zijing nodded, “If you hadn’t been quick-eyed and fast-handed, not letting that boy grip the sword body, this sword would have been ruined.”
When the two fought earlier, all the guests thought Ning Bufan had intentionally spared him, and even Wu Dingyuan thought so, not realizing there was such a mystery within.
Ning Bufan nodded, “This sword has accompanied me for decades. Though it’s not some precious blade, I have some feelings for it. I really couldn’t bear to see it destroyed like this.” He looked up at the evening glow and said quietly, “The Yangtze River’s later waves push the earlier waves forward. The world is vast with endless wonders—today I’ve truly seen something… sigh…”
Fang Zijing returned the weapon and patted his shoulder, laughing, “You didn’t use your full power either—why fear this boy? If he really practices to Qin Baxian’s level of martial arts, he still has much to learn!”
Ning Bufan shook his head slightly and sighed, “Though this person’s fists and feet are crude now, if he practices in the future, I fear he won’t be inferior to Qin Baxian. Sigh… only then will my ‘Brave Sword Cuts the Celestial’ be useful…” Having achieved the reputation of world’s number one with just “Wisdom Sword” and “Benevolent Sword” techniques, his words naturally carried the loneliness of being at the top.
Fang Zijing laughed heartily, “Why still think about these things? The battles that should be fought are finished. Now you’re about to retire to the mountains and forests to live that carefree and happy life—why still think about these external matters?”
Ning Bufan immediately awakened and smiled, “Senior Fang is right. For the past few decades, I’ve heard enough of court disputes to be frightened. Finally being able to be carefree, I really should plan for myself.”
Hearing “court disputes,” Fang Zijing immediately frowned, “Court rights and wrongs are the great taboo for us free clouds and wild cranes. I advise you not to meddle in these matters—don’t even think about them. That’s the proper way.”
Ning Bufan looked at Yuqing Temple in the twilight and suddenly smiled slightly, turning to ask, “Senior Fang is so carefree—don’t you have anyone you care about?”
Fang Zijing chuckled but was unwilling to answer. He picked up the sweet potato in his hand and was about to lower his head to eat when suddenly a rough roar came from the distance: “Damn! Master, stop hiding! I can already smell you roasting sweet potatoes! Come out quickly to see your disciple!”
This roaring voice came very fast—in no time it had reached within ten zhang. Fang Zijing smiled awkwardly and cupped his hands, “My worldly affairs have come—I must leave first.” His feet touched the ground and he fled like light smoke.
Ning Bufan, seeing Fang Zijing flee hurriedly, couldn’t help but laugh heartily. He looked down at Brave Stone in his hands and smiled, “Friend, oh friend, this meeting was most fortunate. When I’ll see you again, who knows what year or month it will be.”
He roared toward the sky and threw Brave Stone down into the deep valley, then put the sweet potato in his chest, smiled slightly, and quietly departed.