Chapter 201: Gifting a Sword

"We are all swordsmen; we deeply know the importance of a sword to a swordsman. Although we haven't exaggerated to the point of 'sword dies, person dies,' we still cannot be careless. This Proper Honored Sword, you can make do with it for now; if it really doesn't work, when we reach Sword-Leaning Pavilion, you can exchange it with the Sword Master for a more suitable one." Duan Sheng said generously.

"Then I thank you!" Ximo Jianmo didn't say more polite words, he drew the Supreme Sword, leapt out, and performed a sword set in midair; for a moment, fallen leaves scattered, branches trembled. Sword qi surged in the mountains.

"Good sword, good sword!" Ximo Jianmo praised, the Proper Honored Sword's blade is similar to the Blood-Thirsty Sword's, weight also close, it's a normal longsword, and Ximo Jianmo, being a renowned swordsman, gripping the sword feels like meeting an old friend, they click instantly.

To Ximo Jianmo, a new love is far more worthy of affection than an old love: "Hahaha! No longer do I need to think every day about sucking human blood to maintain sword intent!"

Duan Sheng stroked his own greatsword, laughing as he asked it, "Brother, are you not jealous this time?"

Ximo Jianmo lightly floated onto his horse, the sword returned to its sheath, then he also wrapped up the Blood-Thirsty Sword; he didn't know whether the Sword Master or Shangguan Yunyi could save it, but at this moment, he loves the Proper Honored Sword.

"Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!" At the same time, a sound of horse hooves rose behind Duan Sheng and Ximo Jianmo.

They were wondering who could be coming and going in this deep mountain old forest, when they saw a fiery red figure flash past beside them.

"What a familiar feeling..." Ximo Jianmo sighed. A surge stirred in his heart; he very much wanted to try the Proper Honored Sword he had just picked up.

But soon, he no longer had that thought.

"Hahaha! It's the Young Palace Master, the Young Palace Master who escaped from the Five Absolutes Palace!" Duan Sheng laughed loudly.

That laugh caused that fiery red figure to come to a halt.

The Young Palace Master reined in her horse, angrily turned her head, with a scarlet face, glared at Duan Sheng.

A red mark on her brow, clear and beautiful, like a tempting rose, attracting the two men.

"Hahaha! That little beauty!" Ximo Jianmo swallowed a mouthful of saliva; the joy the Proper Honored Sword brought him paled in comparison to the Young Palace Master's impact on his spirit.

The Young Palace Master didn't speak, but gave the two men before her a cold look.

"Hahaha, but don't talk nonsense; we can't afford to provoke the Five Absolutes Palace." Duan Sheng laughed as he advised Ximo Jianmo, yet his tone showed no trace of fear.

The Young Palace Master's stunning face showed no expression; then she spurred her horse to leave.

But Ximo Jianmo is someone who isn't afraid of big trouble: "A little girl walking in the wilds, unafraid of encountering strange men, will also meet wolves, tigers, leopards—what if she gets devoured?"

The Young Palace Master's face still showed no expression, but her hand shot out a palm strike.

"Bang!"

Ximo Jianmo blocked in time, but still retreated three or four steps; his horse beneath him was directly blown to death.

The tremendous destructive power left Duan Sheng and Ximo Jianmo speechless.

"'Five Absolutes'?" Duan Sheng asked.

"Don't underestimate any woman." Having said that, the Young Palace Master spurred her horse away.

"Damn it, I've suffered this kind of anger!" Ximo Jianmo wanted to chase after her, but Duan Sheng stopped him. "Don't block me, old man!"

Duan Sheng laughed loudly, "Hahaha! You're really going to laugh me to death. We'd better not stir up trouble; let's head early to Sword-Leaning Pavilion. According to my feeling, she'll soon meet us."

"What do you mean?"

"Looking at this direction, she's also heading to Sword-Leaning Pavilion." Duan Sheng replied.

"Come on, let's follow and see." Ximo Jianmo suppressed his anger and said.

Now without horses, Ximo Jianmo could only sit behind Duan Sheng, sharing one horse.

……

Sword-Leaning Pavilion

It feels that in a moment, light drizzle will start outside the pavilion.

Although it's autumn, the scenery around Sword-Leaning Pavilion shows no sign of autumn. The most obvious is that there are no withered yellow leaves.

However, those fiery red maple trees, as if ablaze, with flocks of geese flying in lines toward the warm south in the sky; their honks are their farewell calls.

The sun sets westward, cool autumn wind blows, reed flowers flutter, lake water is azure.

Sure enough, the rain came. Raindrops fell into the lake, creating ripples on the surface.

"Listening to wind and rain while leaning on the tower, gazing lightly at the path of the martial world." Shangguan Yunyi stood on the upper-story pavilion of the second floor, gazing into the distance, his eyes full of rain. To him, this scenery is the best; he sighed, "Ah, having lived more than half a lifetime, I've seen everything good and bad, yet none compares to this small pavilion's lake view."

"You say, you've walked halfway, how did you suddenly come back? Is it because you're reluctant to leave my Sword-Leaning Pavilion? Since you're reluctant, why would you still save me?" hehe... The Sword Master said this, his tone full of hostility, but from the vigor of his speech, his injury has greatly improved.

"It's not that I wanted to come back; someone wants me to wait." Shangguan Yunyi stroked his white beard and said.

"I think, that person will arrive soon."

"Don't look at me like I'm a joke; someone is also coming to find you." Shangguan Yunyi turned to face the Sword Master, then said, "Haven't you prepared the best tea yet? The time for a once-in-a-lifetime encounter has arrived."

Sure enough, within less than half an hour, the person who was supposed to arrive did.

The Young Palace Master dismounted and headed straight for Sword-Leaning Pavilion; since she could remember, she had never been this furious: "Sword Master! Sword Master! Come out!"

The Sword Master had already brewed the tea, the finest Iron Guanyin, and was now seated at the table, quietly waiting; he need not reply, an unexpected guest would stand before him.

Shangguan Yunyi sat opposite the Sword Master.

A square four-corner table was placed in the deepest part of the second-story pavilion; Shangguan Yunyi and the Sword Master faced each other, each occupying one side.

"Brewing a good cup of Iron Guanyin tea, the key is shaking the green..." the Sword Master muttered while pouring tea, "and the water flow is the main purpose of shaking the green."

"Only by controlling each step—three defenses, one offense, one supplement—can we brew the finest Iron Guanyin!" Shangguan Yunyi, whose nature is usually placid, rare showed some emotional fluctuation; this was also for the tea.

Sure enough, the Young Palace Master followed the rich aroma of Iron Guanyin tea to the table.

"Young Palace Master, there's no need to be so impatient; sit down and have a cup of tea first." Shangguan Yunyi said, then he extended his hand, inviting her to sit.

The Young Palace Master had never seen such an ethereal, daoist-boned person; she was stunned for a moment, then a strong sense of fear flooded her heart! She found her hands and feet beyond her control! Moreover, her wavering heart actually calmed down involuntarily!

Her body, her heart, were no longer under her own control!