Chapter 24

On the fifth day of the eighth month, the weather finally cleared up. The sunlight pierced through the clouds and haze into the small city, and the damp cold that had shrouded it for two days was soon melted away. After the rainstorm, the small county of Fenghuai was green and clear, the eaves were bright and the tiles were black, and the hazy distant mountains seemed much closer.

When Pei Ye opened his eyes, he was on the bed in the county office.

A familiar yet strange sense of relaxation came from his body. His limbs were full of strength, every breath could reach the bottom of his lungs freely and smoothly, and his chest and abdomen were so well-behaved and quiet.

Pei Ye looked at the ceiling blankly, and it took a long time for him to react that this state was called health.

He sat up straight, the houses outside the window were still collapsed, but the courtyard had been cleaned up.

At this time, the door was pushed open, and the monkey-like young man walked in with tea, his eyes still red. Looking up, he said "Ah" and said: "Brother, you're awake? I'll go call the County Magistrate right away."

Pei Ye's brain was still a little sluggish. Watching the young man put down the tea and walk out, he remembered that he should ask about the safety of the other young men who had fled in other directions.

Turning over and getting out of bed, his body was clean and refreshed. Lifting his undershirt, the skin on his lower abdomen was smooth, with no scars to be seen. The blood vessels in his right forearm were still filled with ghostly blue flames, and the abundant sense of power made Pei Ye clench his fists.

Lifting the lid of the tea, he looked down, and the fire talisman on his forehead had vanished without a trace.

The door was pushed open again, and Chang Zhiyuan's profound and calm face walked in. The old man's white hair was messy, his eyebrows were tired, and his left arm was fixed with a splint and hung around his neck, seemingly not yet carefully treated.

In one incident, three of the four Fenghuai officials were gone, leaving only Chang Zhiyuan to clean up the aftermath. One could imagine the heavy burden of affairs the old man had to bear this day.

"Are you rested? Is there anything uncomfortable?" The old man's voice was as low and gentle as ever.

"All better. Magistrate Chang, how is it now?"

"Thanks to your divine martial arts, the enemies were killed last night. Magistrate Zhang Xiu and Magistrate Zhao Yizhang also arrived this morning. We have finished counting the cellar in the west of the city and are now finishing up," Chang Zhiyuan said. "The other six victims also survived. Three of them had their limbs mutilated by the criminal, but fortunately, Magistrate Zhao Yizhang brought a few precious pills, and the treatment was timely, so there should be no major problems."

Pei Ye breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

"The state confirmed that this is an evil sect named 'Candle World,' which was almost completely wiped out fifty years ago. They haven't made any moves these years, so I didn't expect them to suddenly appear here," Chang Zhiyuan said, holding the armrest and sitting down slowly, picking up a cup of tea and drinking it in one gulp. "In the process of contacting them, did you hear their purpose?"

Pei Ye shook his head and put his right arm in front of Chang Zhiyuan: "Turning that criminal into someone like me seems to be their purpose."

Chang Zhiyuan said: "When you were unconscious, I had already asked the two magistrates to help you check it, but they had no clue—does it hurt?"

Pei Ye shook his head: "No feeling, even my strength is much greater."

Chang Zhiyuan frowned and sighed lightly: "Forget it, I don't know anything about this kind of thing, but this case must be transferred to the state government to see what they say when the time comes."

Pei Ye nodded.

"Do you have any plans for your future?"

"Plans? Haven't thought about it yet."

"The path of practicing martial arts is nothing more than sects, the army, and the imperial court. Your dantian seed seems to be a bit unusual now, so the path of sects is temporarily impassable, but the other two are fine. I have an official document in my hand to recommend local talents to participate in the Jin Qiu Wu Bi at the end of the month. You know, for next year's Divine Capital Martial Examination, Bowang Prefecture has three spots, and this Jin Qiu Wu Bi will determine the first one," Chang Zhiyuan said. "If you are interested, I will report you."

Pei Ye was startled, only then did he react that it was the season when countless martial artists in the world were eager to try.

The opportunity he had often dreamed of two years ago to compete with the strong players of the whole state suddenly appeared in front of him. Before his brain could think carefully, his body had already nodded: "Good."

"That's good, there's nothing else," Chang Zhiyuan smiled slightly, gently pounding his legs. "We will handle the miscellaneous affairs later. You go back and rest first. When the people from the State Office and the Immortal Platform come tonight, you will still have to show up."

"Good."

"Hmm, if you have any thoughts, you can come to the county office to find me at any time."

The two walked out of the county office side by side. Just as Pei Ye was about to leave, Chang Zhiyuan patted his forehead and said: "By the way, wait a moment."

Turning back to the county office, he came out with a sword and a basket, sighing: "I'm old, and I can't sleep, so my memory is getting worse—your sword. And the pear tree in the backyard broke last night, spilling pears all over the ground. You take a basket, otherwise it would be a pity if they rot."

Pei Ye took the clean sword and the pears that were washed moist and bright, and said thank you.

After walking three or five zhang away, a hoarse shout came from behind: "Little Pei!"

Pei Ye turned his head. Chang Zhiyuan's somewhat hunched figure was still standing on the steps. Seeing Pei Ye turn his head, the old man lifted his left hand with effort to hold his right thumb, bowed his head and waist, and performed a deep salute.

Pushing open the wooden door with faded peach charms, a thin and hard jujube tree stood in the courtyard. This jujube tree had never borne jujubes since Pei Ye could remember, and its withered and shriveled temperament was exactly the same as the old man in black under the tree.

Several life-and-death experiences seemed to have lengthened this day of parting.

"Grandpa Yue," Pei Ye called.

"Hmm?" The old man raised his head.

Pei Ye gripped the hilt and drew the sword.

The courtyard was quiet. The old man's body shivered. Pei Ye clearly felt that the body in front of the sword was reacting instinctively. It might have twenty ways to deal with this sword, but the broken tendons and bones pulled this impulse back. In the end, the old man just trembled a few times and coughed twice.

"Did you see it?" Pei Ye said.

"Ice Heaven Jade Night Flying White Snow, Old Goose Reflects Silver Mirror, White Horse Enters Reed Flowers," the old man smiled with his eyes closed. "Not bad, this is indeed the first style."

Pei Ye also laughed happily.

"You have aptitude. This sword style is difficult to enter. Since you have learned the first sword, the subsequent sword styles will be much easier," the old man narrated. "This sword has a total of five sword intents. You have already understood the 'Fear of Losing Feathers.' There are still the Cold of Winter, the Loneliness of Leaving the Flock, the Quiet of the Snowy Night, and the Struggle to Fly in the Predicament. Remember to settle your heart in the sword, only then can you make progress..."

Pei Ye watched the old man holding his head high, narrating this sword technique he created in his heart with effort and intoxication.

Pei Ye had always held a kind of awe for the old man's past that he dared not and could not bear to disturb, but after truly understanding the state of mind of this sword, he indeed had an impulse to ask.

Snow Night Flying Goose, Snow Night Flying Goose, wild geese migrate in autumn, why is there a lone goose in the sky on a snowy night?

Why did the old man create such a sword technique? With such sword talent, why did he fall into such a situation? Is he still in the predicament of extreme cold and extreme loneliness, struggling to fly? And where is the south in his heart?

Pei Ye finally swallowed these questions back into his stomach, quietly waited for the old man to finish talking about the sword, took two pears to the well to wash them clean, and shared one with the old man.

Returning to the room, Pei Ye picked up the little black ball curled up in the basket, looking at its clear green eyes: "Is it you?"

The kitten just looked at him quietly. After watching this quietness for a long time, it gradually revealed some dullness, as if it had no soul.

Pei Ye remembered the black Chi's sentence "Not entirely." Lacking corresponding knowledge, he didn't understand what state it was in for the time being.

Following the instructions to remove the bandage, the wound on its abdomen had actually completely healed. Pei Ye felt quite magical and reached out to touch it. It was as good as new, without any scars. But this soft abdomen made Pei Ye a little reluctant to part with it, and he couldn't help but hold it in his arms and rub it a few more times.