Chapter 122: Mortal

The special state of focus granted by the Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart lets him study anything without distraction.

Several techniques he had already mastered now seem to yield gains each time he contemplates them.

The techniques run as if aided by a deity, allowing him to devise many fresh variations.

Such minor tricks often catch opponents off guard in duels.

Beside them, at this moment Red Flower Lady and Bai Xianyin also stood to the side, serving as spectators for this sparring session.

Red Flower Lady's beautiful eyes showed a hint of contemplation; she felt that if she were to encounter existences like the Dragon Maiden and Zhang Jian, relying solely on her divine power might not be enough to protect herself.

Although she is a goddess, the divine Dao techniques she has inherited are limited—only a few kinds she has comprehended over the past few centuries!

Even before true cultivators, such minor deities find themselves strained.

However, if she could obtain the inheritance of the Orthodox State Gods Divine Dao, that would be different.

Every orthodox god possesses an orthodox inheritance and divine Dao techniques.

The difference between gods who bear the Orthodox Divine Dao inheritance and beings like her—mountain wilderness spirits, or even those barely worthy of being called gods—is enormous.

Bai Xianyin also stood nearby, nodding frequently.

She had thought that without sect instruction and guidance, Zhang Jian would surely have serious shortcomings in dueling, but she never expected his application of various techniques to be miraculous.

Among the proper disciples of the Tong Mountain Lineage, only a few possess such spell‑control methods.

"Self‑taught—truly astonishing!"

"It's a pity the master is too busy to give proper guidance; otherwise, if you were to apprentice under a few other uncles‑master, young master——"

Bai Xianyin quickly dismissed that dangerous thought; she holds her master in utmost reverence and would never speak ill of him.

Yet she suggested aloud,

"Young master, your sword‑control technique is superb; if you choose another technique next time, you should definitely exchange for a higher‑level sword‑control art—our Slay Demon Lineage's sword‑cultivation technique is also outstanding!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian nodded.

This was also his thought.

He himself is fond of the long‑sword attack school, and it is rare to possess a spirit sword like the Dragon Chant Sword; if he cannot select a high‑level sword‑control method, it would be a terrible waste.

Bai Liying beside him fell into thought for a moment, then said: "Actually, Brother Zhang, if you wish to learn a high‑level sword‑control method, you need not necessarily go to the Dao Tradition Sect; my White Water Dragon Palace also hides a precious sword‑control art—if you are interested, you can certainly give it a try!"

"Oh?"

Zhang Jian's expression showed some surprise.

Seeing Zhang Jian's expression, Bai Liying couldn't help but laugh.

"Brother Zhang may not know that deep in the White Water lie numerous relics; some of these ancient remains are related to cultivators, but they have been buried by the vicissitudes of time in the depths of the water veins—others cannot find them, yet they cannot escape the gaze of us aquatic beings."

Zhang Jian sighed upon hearing this: "Strange, outside they say the gods of mountains, rivers, lakes are the most prosperous, and among them the water realm gods are the wealthiest!"

Bai Liying heard this and smiled faintly; though she was naturally cold‑hearted, her jade‑like face now lit with a smile, instantly like the earth returning to spring—beyond beautiful.

Bai Xianyin and Red Flower Lady also couldn't help but turn their gazes over.

Bai Xianyin also wore an envious expression.

"Indeed, the vast heavens and earth hold many gods among mountains and rivers, but when it comes to wealth, the water realm gods rank first—mainly because the great rivers are an indispensable part of this splendid land, and many ancient immortal relics, or even immortal cave dwellings, often arise from the water veins."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian immediately said,

"Then I must go observe it!"

He also had no reservations; his relationship with the White Water Dragon Palace had long been extraordinary—they were allies, and staunch allies at that.

Bai Nu had a request of him, and he gained some benefits from it, which is beyond doubt.

Bai Liying gave a slight nod; then and there she agreed with Zhang Jian on a time to help him open the relics so he could study the sword art.

After the sparring, the Dragon Maiden gained some insight, hastily departed, returned to the Water Well Dragon Palace, and agreed to face Zhang Jian again next time.

Zhang Jian also felt he had gained something.

Their sparring, though not a life‑and‑death clash, was still far better than solitary cultivation.

In this state, Zhang Jian reaped even more.

Shortly afterward, Zhang Jian again asked Bai Xianyin for pointers on artifact forging.

For artifact forging, Zhang Jian already had several candidate locations—one being the White Water Dragon Palace, where deep inside it is rumored to possess an Earth Fire Spring, very suitable for forging.

The second is the Red Flower Temple.

The Red Flower Temple is the divine domain of Red Flower Lady, who is a fire god; moreover, she is Zhang Jian's natal spirit god. Borrowing her fire‑god power to forge his natal artifact yields twice the result with half the effort.

The only problem now is a few minor details in the forging process.

Bai Xianyin had anticipated this; she chuckled and produced from her bosom a manual of artifact forging personally written by Tie Xin Dao Ren.

"Young master, Master Tie Xin had long expected you'd inevitably come to me with questions, though he never imagined you could hold out this long……"

Hearing this, Zhang Jian could only give an embarrassed laugh; he had indeed been held up by worldly affairs during this period.

But he didn't mind.

Everyone says the mortal world is bitter and exhausting, yet even sages must temper themselves in the mortal realm to attain the Dao.

All he can do now is allocate his time wisely and meet challenges head‑on.

After the Dragon Maiden left, the Zhang family chatted a few more words with Bai Xianyin and Red Flower Lady, then prepared to find a quiet place to study the artifact‑forging secret in hand, so as to soon complete his natal artifact.

Just then, Zhang Jian's steps paused; not far off, Zhang Lu and Hu Shan were having a small drink—Zhang Lu was fine, but at this moment Hu Shan's face relaxed and a bold, heroic aura gradually appeared on him.

Under his influence, he gradually became able to hold his own independently.

Hu Shan, however, gradually showed signs of aging.

Since Xiao Xie died in the tiger demon's jaws, this guard captain's former vigor seems to be dissipating, his smile fading, touched with a hint of twilight and decline.

He spends his days gradually accompanied by wine, fondly recalling the scenes when he and his comrades used to train together; each time he mentions it, he feels deeply sorrowful.

Upon seeing Zhang Jian arrive, the two quickly rose to salute him.

"Young master!"

Zhang Jian looked at the remaining half‑gourd of wine and said, "You two are living quite well!"

Zhang Lu, thick‑skinned, merely gave a hehe laugh.

"Young master, would you like to give it a try?"

Zhang Jian gently shook his head: "Your wine is lacking; it cannot compare to the monkey wine of the Mountain God's Mansion, let alone the fine wine and delicacies of the Dragon Palace."

Zhang Lu nodded: "That's naturally the case!"

Beside him, Hu Shan, seeing this, looked somewhat hesitant, then after a moment seemed to have made up his mind completely.

He spoke out:

"Young master, I fear I can no longer serve as your guard commander!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian immediately shifted his gaze, and Zhang Lu also startled, about to persuade, but was stopped by Hu Shan shaking his head.

As soon as these words were spoken, he seemed to completely let go, merely smiling and clasping his hands toward Zhang Jian.

"Young master, thanks to the great clan chief and your favor, appointing me, this fifty‑year‑old old soldier, as your guard captain, I, Hu Shan, am deeply grateful."

"But now I am approaching sixty, and lately I truly feel my energy is not what it used to be; I also don't understand the arcane arts. After weighing my own abilities, if I continue to stay by your side, the help I can offer is limited. You cannot keep granting me privileges just because I am an old soldier of the Zhang family, or the younger ones will say that this old foggy has no sense, relying on seniority to enjoy benefits for free!"

"If you trust me, young master, I am willing to stay with the Zhang family and continue to help train your retainers."

"Perhaps this is what I am best at!"

At this moment, his weathered, aged face was full of sincerity.

Obviously, these words from his mouth were spoken from the heart!

Zhang Jian felt somewhat moved!

Hu Shan, over fifty, is indeed considered a longevity among the common folk of Great Qian.

And he is indeed merely a mortal, nothing more than a mortal!