Chapter 286: The Minghong Saber

Duan Rong returned to Liu Lu, and without even taking off his clothes, he lay down wearily on the bed.

He had not slept at all yesterday, and tonight he had tossed and turned until the second half of the night; not only was his body heavy, but his mind was also exhausted.

As soon as his back touched the bed, he fell into a deep, drowsy sleep.

This sleep was very sound for Duan Rong.

But once he was fast asleep, all sorts of dreams incessantly harassed him.

Deep in the memories of the original body, his father, mother, playmates, the neighbor girl, and even a little lamb he had fed in his childhood all came to talk to Duan Rong.

They all said things Duan Rong could not quite understand, but everyone had a kind expression, and even that little lamb circled him, bleating incessantly...

In his dream, Duan Rong felt a kind of warmth that enveloped him...

After the rooster crowed several times, Duan Rong woke up abruptly.

Duan Rong opened his bleary eyes; the lingering dreams of last night seemed to still leave a faint warmth in his body...

Duan Rong was not sure what this warmth was; perhaps it was just a dream...

The window was still pitch black, and outside the house was still completely silent; it was far from being fully bright.

Since his soul had transmigrated, Duan Rong had long lost the habit of oversleeping; he threw off the blanket, rolled out of bed, washed up in the courtyard, and then left Liu Lu.

At this time, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and there was only a very faint line of fish-belly white on the eastern horizon.

Inside the Yuanshun Escort Agency, it was also peaceful; this was the time when people were sleeping most soundly.

Duan Rong walked past the empty Zhong Yuan Yan Wu Chang and turned his steps toward the front courtyard of the Escort Agency.

Since becoming an Apprentice Escort, he had not been to this front courtyard for a long time.

Duan Rong walked past the courtyard where he lived in the dormitory as a Miscellaneous Disciple, and from behind the door curtain, heavy and mixed snoring sounds could be faintly heard...

Duan Rong's gaze swept over the bricks and tiles in the courtyard, and he could not help but sigh...

Duan Rong was just passing by; his footsteps did not pause, and he walked through the courtyard and headed straight along the small alley.

After a few breaths, Duan Rong walked into a corner gate and stepped into a courtyard that was somewhat spacious.

Yet this courtyard, though spacious, had nothing else in it and was desolate.

This courtyard was the place inside the Escort Agency where firewood and charcoal were piled.

Every autumn, the courtyard would be piled full of dry firewood and various grades of charcoal. However, after the usage throughout the winter, by this early spring weather when it was warming up, it was basically cleared out.

In the corner of the courtyard, there was a weapon rack, and inside the rack were many broken blades, used for the Miscellaneous Disciples to practice their skills.

Looking at this courtyard, some familiar past events welled up in Duan Rong's heart.

Of their batch of Miscellaneous Disciples, only he and Kong Bin were selected as Apprentice Escorts. The others either remained Miscellaneous Servants in the Escort Agency forever, just like Sun Laotou at the horse stable, or they left the Escort Agency to seek other paths.

Revisiting the old place, a trace of inexplicable sadness welled up in Duan Rong's heart.

In fact, he had specifically run here not to reminisce about the past; he did not have that leisure time!

Duan Rong's Ox-Tail Saber had chipped in two or three places because of killing Xie Daohan, and it was basically ruined.

He had used this Ox-Tail Saber for a year, and he came here to find a final resting place for his blade.

Duan Rong drew the Ox-Tail Saber from his waist; in the dim, cold night, the blade's light still shimmered like water, but the cold light clearly had two notches.

Duan Rong stood there and threw it casually; the chipped Ox-Tail Saber in his hand clattered and inserted itself into the weapon rack.

Duan Rong glanced at the weapon rack, and in the dim light, he left the courtyard without looking back.

Duan Rong followed the small path in the front courtyard and circled around to the main gate of the Escort Agency.

After leaving the Escort Agency, Duan Rong went straight to the beef soup shop on West Street. He ordered a large bowl of beef soup and two flatbreads, then sat down at a seat by the street.

Although the sky was just beginning to brighten, there were already scattered pedestrians on West Street.

Duan Rong slurped the scalding beef soup, looking at the familiar market street.

He had transmigrated for over a year, and he was already familiar with the local customs of Xiangu County; he did not know if he would ever return after this long journey to the Sect.

He was different from others; others still had relatives here, while he actually had no attachments.

Duan Rong took a bite of the flatbread, then used his chopsticks to scoop up several large slices of beef and stuffed them into his mouth.

Duan Rong chewed with his cheeks bulging.

After going to the Taiyi Sect, he wondered if he would still be able to eat such a satisfying breakfast?

Duan Rong finished the large bowl of beef soup and the flatbread unhurriedly; he wiped his mouth and stood up to leave with some reluctance.

At this time, the sky was already bright.

On the market street, it suddenly became noisy, and many shops began to clamor in front of their doors.

Duan Rong strolled leisurely while walking along West Street toward the direction of the Weapon Shop.

Since his Ox-Tail Saber was already ruined, he prepared to go to the Weapon Shop to choose a handy weapon.

To be honest, after Duan Rong broke through to the Great Perfection realm, the Ox-Tail Saber was already somewhat unhandy, but he had not had time to change it; as soon as he entered the city, he encountered the tracking of Xie Daohan.

At this time, the Weapon Shop had just opened, and the clerk soliciting customers at the door was still yawning, looking as if he had not woken up.

Just then, Duan Rong walked over slowly.

As soon as the clerk saw Duan Rong's Escort attire, he smiled obsequiously: "Guest, you've come early! What would you like to see?"

Duan Rong said: "I'm looking for a saber for myself!"

The clerk immediately said: "Then go inside. The sabers are on the east side, in the most conspicuous position!"

Duan Rong nodded and stepped into the Weapon Shop.

This was his second time coming to the Weapon Shop; last time, he bought a Willow Leaf Flying Dagger!

The saber was the most common weapon in this world, so naturally, it was placed in the most conspicuous place, which Duan Rong saw as soon as he stepped into the Weapon Shop.

Inside the Weapon Shop, an old man was sitting behind the counter drinking tea; seeing Duan Rong enter, he rose slightly, nodded to acknowledge him, and then sat back down to savor his clear tea.

Duan Rong walked to the saber stall and began to pick carefully.

What Duan Rong practiced was the Five Tigers Flock of Sheep Saber improved by Xiao Zongting, and its most prominent feature was balance.

Martial arts are like this, and in fact, weapons are the same.

Being too heavy won't do, and being too light and agile isn't right either; one must likewise pay attention to a kind of balance.

After reaching the Great Perfection realm, Duan Rong felt that his ox-tail saber was a bit too thin.

The sabers inside the Weapon Shop were complete in variety; every shape and style of saber was available.

Duan Rong tried many, but felt they all lacked something.

Just at this moment, a figure suddenly appeared at the shop entrance and shouted, "Old Hai, I've brought a batch of weapons from the workshop; come out and check them."

As soon as Duan Rong heard that voice, he found it somewhat familiar, so he turned his head to look and saw that the person standing at the entrance was none other than Tao Rong.

The moment Duan Rong turned his head, Tao Rong immediately saw him as well.

At this time, the old man who had been tasting tea behind the counter immediately jumped out with agile movements and said, "My young master! Why did you come to deliver the weapons yourself? This is no work for you to do!?"

The old man immediately ran toward Tao Rong, kept asking how he was, and used various ways to offer flattering pleasantries.

Tao Rong waved his hand, handed a list to the old man, and said, "Old Hai, hurry up and count them, then sign it so I can go back and report! My father is waiting for me at the workshop."

The old man couldn't help but click his tongue upon hearing this. "The master is at the workshop?"

"Do you think I want to do this work? My father said that since I'm leaving tomorrow, he wants to deepen my memory so I don't forget my roots!"

"Yes, yes... The master is right..." The old man nodded and bowed as he took the list and went outside to count the weapons.

Once the old man went out, Tao Rong strode in and walked up to Duan Rong.

Tao Rong cupped his hands and smiled, "Brother Duan, I hope you have been well! It has only been a few days, but Brother Duan's temperament seems even more restrained."

Duan Rong also cupped his hands and smiled, "Brother Tao is even more easygoing."

Tao Rong laughed and said, "What? Brother Duan, are you here to look at weapons?"

Duan Rong said, "I'm leaving tomorrow, so I came to find a more suitable weapon for myself."

"Oh." Tao Rong nodded with an expression of understanding.

He glanced at the saber Duan Rong was testing and said decisively, "This saber is not suitable for Brother Duan!"

As Tao Rong spoke, he stood by the stall and scanned left and right with his eyes. Suddenly, his gaze fixed, and he walked slowly to one side, reached out, and grabbed a sheathed blade that had been placed on a high shelf.

Tao Rong smiled, walked back to Duan Rong's side, handed the sheathed blade in his hand to Duan Rong, and said in a clear voice, "Brother Duan, try this one."

Duan Rong glanced at the saber in Tao Rong's hand and saw that the scabbard was covered in dust. His gaze hesitated slightly, but he still took it into his hand. With a crisp *shing* sound, he drew the blade out.

The style and feel of this saber immediately made Duan Rong's eyes light up.

This saber was not bright and shiny like ordinary weapons, but rather had a dark, dull luster.

The blade was sharpened on one side, the spine was slightly thick, and the tip had almost no curve!

Tao Rong naturally noticed Duan Rong's expression and then said, "This is a replica of a Minghong Saber from the Western Regions! The Western craftsmen's formula is kept secret and not passed on, so we only learned the style."

Duan Rong looked at the blade in his hand, liking it very much, and muttered, "Minghong Saber?"

Tao Rong said, "Correct! When the Minghong Sabers forged by Western craftsmen are plucked with a finger, they make a sound like the mournful cry of a wild goose, hence they are called Minghong Sabers! But since we are replicating them, it still lacks something. However, in my view, the heavy style of this saber is quite suitable for Brother Duan's saber technique!"

Duan Rong looked at Tao Rong and praised, "Brother Tao has a good eye! I like this saber very much!"

Tao Rong smiled, "As long as Duan Rong likes it! I'll treat this as my gift; I'll give this saber to Brother Duan!"

Duan Rong said, "Sigh... You are running a business, how could I take it for nothing?"

Tao Rong said, "Brother Duan, there is no need to be polite. It is said that we only get to know each other through conflict. If it weren't for the bitter battle with Brother Duan on the stage, I wouldn't have had a breakthrough. It's just a weapon, it's nothing!"

Duan Rong's heart skipped a beat. Tao Rong had actually broken through!

Just at this moment, the old man from outside walked in, holding the list, and said, "Young Master, it has all been counted. Not a single piece is missing. Here is the receipt!"

Tao Rong took the list, looked at the old man, and said, "Old Hai, put the saber in this gentleman's hand on my tab."

The old man's eyelids twitched. He looked at the unremarkable Duan Rong and said in shock, "Gentleman...!?"

This person was so unfamiliar, yet the young master called him "gentleman"?

What kind of background did this person have?

Tao Rong turned back and said to Duan Rong, "Brother Duan, I must take my leave!"

Duan Rong cupped his hands and replied, "Safe travels, Brother Tao!"

Tao Rong smiled and strode out.

The old man reacted as if waking from a dream, nodding and bowing to Duan Rong, "This gentleman, let our shop pack this weapon for you in a wooden box."

Duan Rong said, "No need, I'll just carry it." After saying this, Duan Rong walked straight out of the shop.

The old man looked at Duan Rong's back with a sense of annoyance. He usually prided himself on having a sharp eye; how could he have failed to recognize someone of status for a moment?

The old man's eyes suddenly lit up as he recalled recent rumors, as if he had suddenly thought of something...

Having found a suitable weapon, Duan Rong felt very encouraged.

He left the Weapon Shop and walked straight into a clothing store to pick out a set of clothes for himself.

It is said that clothes make the man. He didn't know what kind of situation he would encounter upon entering the Taiyi Sect this time, so picking out a decent set of clothes for himself was certainly not a bad thing.

In the clothing store, Duan Rong looked at himself in the Copper Mirror; in his embroidered finery, he actually had quite the temperament of a young nobleman.

Duan Rong nodded with satisfaction, pointed to the clothes he had taken off to the side, and said, "Boss, please help me dispose of these old clothes."

Duan Rong paid the silver, walked out the door with a graceful gait, dressed in fine clothes and carrying a Minghong Saber—he truly had the air of a young master!

After finishing these tasks, Duan Rong returned to Liu Lu and began to test the saber in the courtyard.

Just as Duan Rong was trying on clothes in the clothing store, the time for the morning roll call at the Ya Men had already passed.

The Coroner Liu Kui walked into the Constable's room and placed the autopsy report he had finished writing overnight onto Zhu Guibao's desk.

Zhu Guibao was sitting with his legs crossed, drinking tea. He glanced at the rather thick autopsy report and smiled, "Kui is truly impressive! You finished it in one night!"

Liu Kui glared at Zhu Guibao and said, "Xie Daohan died in your district, such a big case? And you're acting like nothing happened, drinking idle tea here every day?!"

Zhu Guibao's face stiffened, and he said, "I want to investigate, but I need clues! It's like looking for a needle in a haystack; I can't just seal the city gates, can I? Besides, the old magistrate has been promoted and the new one hasn't arrived yet. Even if I wanted to seal the city, I don't have the authority, do I?"

Liu Kui curled his lip and said, "If you sit in the Constable's room drinking tea every day, will clues fall from the sky?"

Zhu Guibao said, "Kui, you haven't noticed that there isn't even a person in charge at the Ya Men. Head Xie is dead, the old magistrate has left, and everyone's hearts are scattered. Me sitting here every day is already considered good. Look, the time for the morning roll call has already passed, and Yang Zhen still hasn't arrived. This kid used to be so proactive; what day was he not on time to the Ya Men? You see, it was all just for show. Now, at this hour, you can't even see a shadow of a person."

Liu Kui glanced at Yang Zhen's seat; it was indeed past the time for the morning roll call, and Yang Zhen actually hadn't arrived yet—this was not his style at all!

Duan Rong returned to the courtyard of Liu Lu, immediately drew the Minghong Saber, and began to practice the Five Tigers Flock of Sheep Saber.

The realm of Great Perfection, combined with a very handy weapon!

Duan Rong felt that fighting at this moment was truly a kind of enjoyment!

The warm spring sun shone on Duan Rong, and suddenly, Duan Rong entered a state of Great Void Clarity once again.

When Duan Rong broke through to the Great Perfection realm, he had entered this state before, but he had never been able to discern exactly what kind of state this Great Void Clarity was!

Because Duan Rong discovered that as soon as he gave rise to a conscious thought, he would immediately exit this state of Great Void Clarity.

In other words, in this state of Great Void Clarity, he was unable to fight with others, because once a thought arose, the state of Great Void Clarity would dissipate.

However, after this period of exploration, Duan Rong had already understood that once he was in the state of Great Void Clarity, his martial arts would immediately leap into the next realm.

For example, right now, Duan Rong had stepped directly into the True Qi Realm!

The Spirit Tool of the barrier saber of Xie Daohan that he had swallowed and digested, and the method of circulating True Qi of the Ku Rong Ban Ruo Dao, instantly began to operate within his body.

A thread of dense True Qi, amidst the surging Internal Breath, instantly condensed!

"So True Qi is refined from within the Internal Breath!"

Duan Rong's gaze flickered, but as this thought jumped out, his state of Great Void Clarity collapsed along with it, and that thread of True Qi that had originally condensed also dissipated within his dantian.

Just at this moment, a knocking sound came from the courtyard gate!

(End of this chapter)