Chapter 149

Zhang Dingyun went out angrily. Chang Yue didn't stop him, and when he went out, he said to Seeing Pei Ye in a low voice: "Brother Pei, you can move in and take my spot."

Seeing Pei Ye was surprised: "You're not finishing this shift?"

"No need," this man with an honest and sincere appearance shook his head, "My difference isn't in not knowing the enemy, but in not being tough enough myself. I'd better go back and practice the blade."

"Hmm, as long as you know where to strive, you're not far from reaching it," Seeing Pei Ye gripped the arm of this broad-built man, "Brother Chang, you're not old either. At the latest in two or three years, you'll get this spot sooner or later."

"... That's really not certain," Chang Yue smiled and said, "Everyone walking on the path of cultivation has a ceiling waiting ahead. This ceiling actually represents a person's talent better than the speed of cultivation. When I was young, I was far ahead in the martial arts hall, thinking I was also destined to go to the Divine Capital to stir up waves... However, after practicing in recent years, I feel more and more inadequate, and I may be about to touch that wall."

He sighed and said: "I hope I don't touch it before I take the Bowang Martial Champion title."

"... Everyone says you're a top-eight candidate, which is actually already the most top-tier talent of this generation in Bowang Prefecture."

"Yes, but taking a top-four spot and opening a hall to protect escorts and serve in Bowang Prefecture, becoming a martial artist with heavy authority, and winning the championship to go to Chang'an to participate in the Imperial Capital's martial examination are, after all, two completely different worlds," Chang Yue sighed lightly with his head raised, and cupped his hands, "I'll stop here, goodbye Brother Pei. Your ceiling is far higher than mine; you are a true dragon among men. I hope you make a name for yourself in the Divine Capital soon!"

The two gripped wrists and parted again, and Chang Yue left carrying his bedding.

Arriving at the martial field, it was still the morning class of the Cuiyu Sword Sect.

Li Piaoqing was again on the field accepting questions from the students.

According to the instructor's instructions, this class would continue for a few more days, and then it would be the Seven Serpents Cave's curriculum.

It is said that this year the martial arts hall and the Seven Serpents Cave have also established a good relationship, and they have actually invited their elders, who are willing to provide some guidance in the last two days, just like Li Piaoqing did for the Cuiyu Sword Sect.

Regardless of the current reputation of the Seven Serpents Cave, this kind of generosity is indeed on par with the Cuiyu Sword Sect, and even a step better—the swords of the Seven Serpents Cave don't have the quality of the "Jade Collection."

Even if Seeing Pei Ye doesn't have much experience, he knows the principle that "great wealth requires buying a reputation."

If the Seven Serpents Cave really has the courage to abandon those unspeakable incomes, keep only the clean parts that are supported, and then spare no effort to spend time and energy to wash their reputation, they will change from a villain to an overlord, truly completing their transcendence over the Cuiyu Sword Sect.

By then, the crimes and hatred will be suppressed forever, and regardless of name or reality, "revenge" will become an unreachable thing.

And now, this process seems to have already begun.

Li Piaoqing must have noticed it long ago; she certainly wouldn't sit by and watch such a thing happen, and the Cuiyu Sword Sect certainly wouldn't sit by and watch such a thing happen.

But—Seeing Pei Ye looked at the young girl chatting and laughing on the stage—how are you going to make the "Cuiyu Sword Sect exist forever"?

By starting with winning the martial competition?

The young man suppressed his emotions, sat down on the stone under the tree, and picked up Head Escort Zhao's notebook.

A rough flip showed that most of it were sentences jotted down casually. Some were neat sections written from top-right to left, obviously the writer had plenty of leisure time, but more were just scribbled diagonally in the center of the page, obviously intended to remind himself and record his thoughts rather than for others to view.

Seeing Pei Ye flipped through the pages in order. According to the widow, this notebook spanned about half a year, from autumn last year to spring this year, but the notes were only twenty or thirty pages, with varying lengths of time between almost every page.

"Practiced for seven years, thought I had already mastered it by heart, but today I suddenly felt the possibility of the last move going further. Sure enough, the sword path values talent first; without reaching that realm, I didn't know I was at the bottom of a well."

"Still haven't found the way."

"It's not one move, it's the last two moves."

"This sword might indeed have some problems; the method to go further is not recorded in the book."

"Sure enough, I can only deduce it myself."

"..."

"Obsessed for a month, only woke up and mocked myself today—how do I have this ability?"

"Sigh, still can't do it, really giving up this time."

"Following this line of thought, go back and reconsider those two 'useless moves.' Is there another world there? My previous evaluation might have been that of a frog at the bottom of a well again."

"Damn it, they are just useless moves."

"..."

"Today I met the Cuiyu direct descendant Bai Yuliang. He was the first in the winter competition last year. We talked about swords on the ground and sparred under the pine trees. Sure enough, his reputation is well-deserved!"

"Talked about swords for three days, gained a lot. What we talked about tomorrow is listed as follows:... (Buy some fabric for Xiaobao to make a new spring shirt when I come back tomorrow, don't forget, don't forget!)"

"'Useless moves' actually need to reach the Clumsy Realm to be used? Good conjecture, good insight! However, I am nearly forty this life, whether I can step into the Clumsy Realm to take a look is still unknown. (Spring shirt, don't forget!)"

"Today's gains:"

"Today's gains:"

"Today's gains:"

"Yuliang still has thoughts, but I can't understand them anymore."

"Yes! The problem is in the last two moves."

"Yuliang is absolutely right: this half volume isn't complementary, it's similar. But why?"

"..."

"So that's it! It's actually like this! Yuliang is truly the only genius I've ever met in my life! Congratulations to Yuliang! Congratulations to the Cuiyu Sword Sect! When I'm free in a few days, I must examine this matter carefully and then record it in detail!"

"Yuliang said he needs to go back to the mountain to study for a month. I must remember to transcribe the sword manual in the next two days and give it to Yuliang to take back—also remember to buy him some other gifts."

"Must make him perform that sword move of his a few more times before he leaves."

"Yuliang said he felt like someone was spying, tomorrow I'll go to the Changdao Martial Arts Hall to ask if they saw any suspicious people."

"No results. Actually, it's not uncommon for people to peek while practicing martial arts, but firstly, even if they peek, they can't learn it; secondly, even if they learn it, it's actually nothing."

"Yuliang said he's leaving tomorrow, this is too urgent, nothing is prepared yet. I can look at the escort list tomorrow morning; I remember there was someone going the same way on the right date."

Seeing Pei Ye flipped the page again, it was already the last one.

Naturally, there wouldn't be any more after that; its owner never returned after going out that day.

Seeing Pei Ye looked at the sky in a daze. This notebook is by no means as worthless as Li Piaoqing said; it is basically the skeleton of the friendship between this head escort and Bai Yuliang from beginning to end.

It revealed too much effective information, but it currently lacks a foundation to stand on.

Head Escort Zhao was obviously also a swordsman with average talent. The two met because of swords, became friends by talking about swords, and finally died in the same place.

And most importantly, this notebook showed the traces of the murderer for the first time—who was spying?

Seeing Pei Ye tried hard to connect the clues, but something was always missing. At this moment, a gentle and clear voice sounded beside him: "Finished reading? What are you thinking about?"

Seeing Pei Ye turned his head, his gaze falling on the young girl's face, somewhat vacant: "I'm asking you where the Weiyuan Escort Agency is?"

"It's right behind," Li Piaoqing turned her head and pointed, "Right behind that building."

(End of chapter)