Chapter 756: Forging Swords into Plows (2)

"Let me guess, you're a… person who doesn't follow conventions, likes to improvise, and can stay calm even against real strong opponents. Did I get that wrong?"

"Xing was startled: "Did you install a camera behind me?""

"\"Right? I guess you usually spout weird sayings like 'rules are made to be broken.'\" Yunli lifted her chin proudly, a slight smile at the corner of her mouth, \"I've seen many pretentious sword masters whose lies come as naturally as eating and drinking. But swords are always honest— a sword will tell me that its owner is merely a petty scoundrel 'subservient to a divine weapon.'\""

"\"So far, every one of the hundreds of swords I've captured has been like that. These swords will be melted and broken one by one, without exception! \""

"\"You steal other people's swords and melt them? \""

"\"Well, I only challenge those who are disqualified, and melting is my way of protecting those swords. \" Yunli shifted tone, \"Besides, merely watching a sword isn't enough—grandfather said words can deceive, expressions can deceive, but in life‑or‑death combat a sword technique never deceives… The Martial Performance Ceremony is right before us; you'll step onto the stage, right? Right? \""

"Yunli looked at Xing with eager anticipation."

"\"Miss Yunli, for those who excel in battle, the Martial Performance Ceremony is indeed a good chance to showcase skill and gain fame. \""

"A familiar voice came from behind, and Xikui arrived with a dark‑skinned man in a suit."

"\"But an old friend like Xing, who has already made great contributions to the Celestial Vessel, probably doesn't need to show off at the Martial Performance Ceremony. \""

"\"Long time no see, Miss Wumingke. \""

"Yunli blinked, looking at her in confusion: \"…who are you? \""

"\"This is the Lord of Sky‑riding's secretary. \""

"Xikui bowed respectfully and said, \"Thanks for Miss Wumingke's introduction. I, Xikui, serve as the secretary of the Steering Office at Sichen Palace. \""

——

Mortal Cultivation Chronicle.

"\"No way—she can actually understand weapons talking? She even recited Xing's catchphrase when he used the bat! \""

"Yinyue was a little stunned; at first she thought the girl was just making things up, after all, how could an inanimate object have a mind? But the part about Xing… was clearly something only understandable after conversing with the bat!"

"\"Could it be because the bat is a strange artifact, containing a spirit? \""

"\"No. \" Han Li shook his head, tapping his finger lightly on the stone table, \"…different. A spirit‑possessing object must first develop sentient intelligence to communicate with people. I think those Celestial Vessel folk don't have magical power; they use the power of 'Fate.' This is probably… a cultivation method that harnesses Fate's power. \""

"\"A cultivation method? \" Yinyue was taken aback."

"\"It is said that the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel has a technique that coexists with Suiyang; Suiyang is formless and intangible, yet can peer into hearts and even possess people. I suspect the people of the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel have mastered a method that merges with Suiyang's nature. Since Yunli is a once‑in‑a‑century genius of the Zhu Ming Celestial Vessel, she must be a master of that method, having cultivated to the point where she can glimpse the 'inner mind' of inanimate objects. \""

"\"If this method entered the cultivation world, cultivators could instantly discern a treasure's forging technique, material ratios, and array layout. In battle, they could instantly see a foe's treasure weaknesses. If one obtained an ancient relic, it might be possible to read the former owner's combat habits from the bat, even learn their techniques and hidden treasures… not impossible. \""

——

"\"I'm sorry for the abrupt interruption. I just happened to hear you two talking about the Martial Performance Ceremony, and Xing is an old acquaintance, so I came over to say hello. \""

"Xing sized up the unfamiliar man beside her: \"Is Miss Xikui entertaining guests? \""

"\"With the Martial Performance Ceremony convened, many foreign guests have arrived from Luofu. This gentleman beside me is a guest from the distant star‑lit Kalewala, Mr. Pavol, \" Xikui introduced, \"Mr. Pavol's homeland was only recently invited to join the pan‑galactic trade network; this time he brings a delegation to the Celestial Vessel as a guest, not only for business but also to return something that belongs to the Celestial Vessel. \""

"Pavol corrected, \"Miss Xikui, saying 'return' is less accurate than 'send back.' Though it belongs to the Celestial Vessel, we traveled thousands of miles and went through many hurdles to deliver the gift. \""

"\"My apologies, my wording was improper. Mr. Pavol's delegation has sent back a Celestial Vessel treasure sword that has been lost abroad for many years. General Huaiyan plans to personally thank them at Sichen Palace and will award the sword as a prize for the Luofu Martial Performance Ceremony winner. Pavol and I are heading there. \""

"\"I hear you two are enthusiastically discussing the Martial Performance Ceremony; would you be interested in tagging along to Sichen Palace to see the excitement? \""

"\"Of course, but I'm curious—what does that sword look like? \" Xing asked."

"\"Oh, you mean 'Mika·Kiwasha'! That's an extraordinary sword. In my homeland it holds a lofty status and once helped mythic heroes slay demons. \""

"Talking about that legendary sword, Pavol immediately opened the floodgates of conversation."

"\"It is also the sword of selecting a monarch; legend says the ancient Kalewala kings each received a response from this treasure sword, granting them the right to rule. Traditionally, each king would embed the sword into a stone monument, and only a hero recognized by the sword could draw it out and inherit the throne. \""

"\"But that's all ancient legend; no one has seen it now. \""

——

fate/Weigong Family's Meal.

"\"Heh… another Sword‑in‑the‑Stone legend. \""

Archer curled his lip and gave Saber, who sat at the table, a meaning‑filled glance.

"\"Why say 'again'? \""

"\"A rhetorical question, \" Saber said, holding a bowl of miso soup. Upon hearing that the Sword‑in‑the‑Stone legend appears in another world of the universe, her expression remained unchanged, as if she were accustomed to such tales."

"\"When I just went to Pinokangni, Xing told me that in the universe there's another world called 'Kameluo', which even has Lancelot and Guinevere… and even its doomed fate is the same. \""

"\"What I mean is, the universe contains countless diverse worlds, each with completely different possibilities; if Kameluo exists, it's not surprising that some world would have a legend similar to the 'Sword‑in‑the‑Stone.'\""

Yuansaka Lin recalled, "\"That Guinevere… is actually Guinaifen, isn't she? The difference from the image you have of her, Saber, is quite large, right? \""

Although Guinaifen is an internet celebrity, she was once a proper royal. Though her noble status as a princess is gone, she now has a lot of common‑folk vibe, making her more vivid.

"\"Hmm, it's a pity I didn't get to meet her in person when I was in Pinokangni. If the Holy Grail War ever appears on the Celestial Vessel and I'm summoned again… perhaps I could talk with her and become friends. \""

——

"\"Why not keep the treasure sword? \""

Pavol smiled slightly, "First, times have changed; the council was established, and the 'draw‑the‑sword‑to‑be‑king' myth is already a joke. Second, the one who drew this sword and identified its Celestial Vessel origin wasn't a Kalewala native, but a visitor from beyond the heavens."

"\"Although to Kalewala it is a historically valuable treasure, it ultimately doesn't belong to this world. Regarding whether to send the sword back, the council's elders argued, but finally reached a consensus: let 'Mika·Kiwasha' return to where it belongs. \""

"\"There's no better arrangement! \""

After Pavol's words, Yunli instantly became excited, pulling Xing aside, "Xing, shall we go to Sichen Palace together?"

"\"I also want to see that sword."

"\"Right, right, we really have to thank March Seventh for skipping class; otherwise we wouldn't have this chance to join the excitement, \" Yunli said, excited yet a bit puzzled, \"Grandfather usually invites me to appreciate swords together. He didn't mention a single word about it today; how strange. \"