Chapter 134: A Generation's Grandmaster

The spring breeze brushes the willows, and the apricot rain dampens the clothes. The spring scenery remains as bright as ever, but the mood of the person viewing it has changed.

Jiang Shenyi rides his horse at a leisurely pace, reaching out to grab a willow bud drifting past, and says, "Homesickness, homesickness... how did I not think of that..."

Tang Zhao glances sideways; Jiang Shenyi has been like this all morning. He has been dwelling on the matter of homesickness.

It is only natural that Jiang Shixiong does not understand the feeling of homesickness; he came to Zhuoyu Villa too early, ascending the mountain before he was even ten years old, just as he was beginning to understand the world. To him, Zhuoyu Villa is home. Although he occasionally descends the mountain, he never stays for more than ten days or half a month before returning. He has never even left home, so what is there to speak of regarding a hometown?

By comparison, Tang Zhao was somewhat moved the moment Yantai rose. He had already been away from home for twelve years, was already sensible, and still remembered the courtyard at home, the apricot tree and cucumber vines in the yard, the chair in the courtyard... and the boundless fields outside, the lush green wheat seedlings in spring.

He also knows that homesickness is a shared emotion in everyone's hearts, often chanted in poetry. He still remembers the first poem Chen Zong used to introduce him to poetry: "Before my bed, the moonlight shines, suspected to be frost upon the ground. Raising my head, I gaze at the bright moon; lowering my head, I think of my old home." That, too, is a feeling of homesickness that is fresh and simple, yet long-lasting in its charm.

It is just that such a touch is like scratching an itch through a boot; Tang Zhao does not actually feel much. He is still too young, his studies are busy, and there are too many things he must do. He has always been desperately looking forward, rarely looking back.

The feeling of homesickness is, by nature, an emotion one can only truly feel as one grows older.

In truth, Jiang Shenyi is not really dwelling on any feeling of homesickness; he is merely frustrated that he was so adamant, yet completely and utterly wrong. He is a very proud person; his study of martial arts and runes has always been smooth sailing. Having suffered a slight blow the moment he descended the mountain—though it was only slight—he was still affected by it.

"Junior Brother." Jiang Shenyi twists the willow bud in his hand and finally voices his thoughts: "It seems there is still much for me to learn. In the future, when encountering the affairs of others, I must not be too confident."

Tang Zhao deeply agrees. In fact, having little experience is nothing; whether it be swords or people, everything is all-encompassing and unpredictable. Who can truly say they know and understand everything? The key is the blindness of one's thinking.

Last night, he and Jiang Shenyi guessed on their own that the scholar's lingering attachment might be a woman. Somehow, they became convinced this was the truth, and even when reading the poems later, they recited love poems according to their own guesses, nearly ruining the scholar's opportunity to attain enlightenment in swordsmanship. This was all because of his excessive confidence and the cognitive blind spot caused by preconceived notions.

Humility, prudence, and thoroughness—these must never be forgotten.

"What is gained from books is always shallow. That is why Master told us to set out a month early, traveling slowly to observe the local customs. A Sword Smith must be well-informed and have a deep accumulation of knowledge to forge a good sword."

Jiang Shenyi nods and says, "Since it is about traveling more and experiencing more, why don't we change our route? Let's just follow the river all the way down, take a big turn, and then head west? The route we planned now is too straight; it's practically the shortest path, and we can't see anything."

Tang Zhao ponders and says, "When Senior Sister gave me the map, she said it was best not to change the route. She said that although this route is straight, it passes through the most prefectures: starting from Yunzhou, passing through Lingzhou, Yan Prefecture, and Yongzhou, and finally taking the Silk Road into Kungang. Once you enter Kungang, it's the Snow Mountain, and there's nothing left to see. Senior Sister also warned me that while it might be fine within Yunzhou, I must be mentally prepared when passing through other prefectures."

Just as Jiang Shenyi is about to ask something, he hears a long sigh from beneath the willow tree.

The two turn their heads at the same time and see a scholar standing under the tree, leading a green donkey. Who could it be if not an old acquaintance?

Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi dismount and bow together, saying, "Senior."

Yesterday, there was still an element of politeness in how they addressed this senior, but today, it is well-deserved. A Sword Guest is a great senior in the pugilistic world; only a Sword Smith can be mentioned in the same breath. Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi can only consider themselves juniors.

After Yantai dissipated last night, the scholar had disappeared without a trace, and they did not meet again this morning. Both sides were merely passing acquaintances; it is common for fate to bring people together and pull them apart, so Tang Zhao and the others did not find it strange. They did not expect this person to be waiting for them on the road ahead.

The scholar speaks first: "Where are the two young friends heading on this journey?"

Tang Zhao replies truthfully, "We are going to Jianzhou in Kungang."

The Mid-Spring Gathering in Jianzhou is not a secret meeting, but a grand event for young Talisman Sword Masters held every five years. Beyond the small circle of Talisman Sword Masters, it also has a reputation in the martial arts world. Many martial arts experts even attend the gathering together, looking for Talisman Sword Masters to cooperate with in the future.

The middle-aged scholar naturally knows this and says, "The Spring Talisman Assembly?" After receiving confirmation from the two, he says, "So the two young friends are Talisman Sword Masters..."

He had waited on the road for the two because he wanted to repay the kindness of helping him attain the Dao last night. No matter where they were going, he had intended to use the excuse of being on the same path to travel with them for a while and offer some guidance along the way. He had not expected them to be Talisman Sword Masters; different professions are like mountains apart, and he had nothing he could teach them.

However, since they were going to Kungang, they were indeed on the same path.

The middle-aged scholar says, "So that's how it is. Jianzhou is to the southwest... I am going to Xun City. Since we are on the same path, why don't we travel together?"

Xun City is also in the southwest, on the edge of Yunzhou. Once you leave Xun City, you are in the territory of Lingzhou. They are indeed on the same path, though it is only a journey of two or three days.

Since the senior took the initiative to speak, the two naturally agree. What is called "honing" means experiencing all kinds of things, and traveling with an elder is also a form of honing.

But after walking just a few steps, they realize the scholar's donkey is too short, while they are riding tall horses; the disparity in height is inevitably awkward. As the two dismount to walk, the scholar laughs and says, "If you don't ride, I feel embarrassed to ride either. We all have mounts, yet they are all empty, and we are walking on our own two legs—wouldn't that make us look like three big fools?"

Tang Zhao thinks for a moment and says, "Why don't we go ahead, sell our horses, buy a donkey each, and the three of us can ride donkeys together?"

Jiang Shenyi exclaims, "That's a good idea. I've never ridden a donkey before."

The scholar smiles slightly and says, "You two go ahead and change your donkeys. I will follow on my donkey."

The two agree, mount their horses, and leave first. The scholar smiles behind them, riding his little donkey as it sways along.

Thirty miles ahead is a town. The two enter the town, find a mule and horse market, sell their horses, exchange them for two donkeys, and wait by the roadside at the town entrance.

After a long wait, the scholar finally arrives, swaying on his donkey. Seeing the two from afar, he reveals a smile and says, "The two young friends are truly men of your word!"

Tang Zhao replies, "And did you not also keep your word and come, sir?"

The scholar says, "I am traveling with you two, so of course I had to come." Arriving in front of them, he bows solemnly and says, "I am Zhang Rong. May I ask how the two young friends are called?"

Jiang Shenyi and Tang Zhao return the bow and exchange names. The name Zhang Rong is plain and unremarkable; Jiang Shenyi has no impression of it and finds nothing strange about it, but he hears Tang Zhao ask, "Are you Master Zhaoming?"

Zhang Rong is slightly surprised and says, "Is there actually someone who still remembers my courtesy name?"

Tang Zhao's expression is serious, even a bit nervous, as he says, "This student cannot forget. Sixteen years ago, the year I was born, you placed first in the imperial examinations."

Jiang Shenyi is surprised. Although there are signs of troubled times in the world now and the title of top scholar seems less valuable, it is still awarded every three years to the leader of all scholars in the world. Especially since Zhang Rong looks to be only forty, he would have been in his twenties sixteen years ago. A top scholar at that age is truly a young genius.

Tang Zhao says with emotion, "You were the youngest top scholar of the Great Jin. People in the common world said you were the Literary Star descended to earth. My father heard your great name and named me Zhao, hoping I would be like you—placing high on the golden list and bringing honor to my ancestors."

Zhang Rong cannot help but sigh, "So the young friend and I have such a connection. Then, is the young friend currently studying?"

Tang Zhao says shamefacedly, "I am ashamed. This student was not successful in his studies and changed professions early on."

Zhang Rong praises him instead: "A good change! In this world today, reading books is of no use. Changing late is not as good as changing early. I am the one who changed too late, wasting the best of my time."

The three travel together, riding their donkeys out of the town and gradually into the countryside, where there is no one on the road. Zhang Rong opens his heart and says, "I achieved success in my youth and entered the imperial court. I thought that if I advanced, I could fulfill my grand ambitions and benefit the world, and if I retreated, I could be a parent to the people and bring prosperity to a region. Who would have thought I would be thrown into the Hanlin Academy to compile books, and for several years at that."

Tang Zhao asks, "Are you compiling the Wei History of the previous dynasty?"

Zhang Rong says, "I compiled a part of it. There is also a miscellaneous book, Records of the Outer Realms."

Tang Zhao says "Ah," and adds, "I saw one of them at my master's place. My teacher calls it the first marvelous book in three hundred years."

Zhang Rong says, "It is nothing more than organizing various notes and miscellaneous essays into a volume. When I was compiling the book, I knew that the Demon Cave was rampant and the war on the front lines was unfavorable, but I still firmly believed that we would have a day to turn from defense to offense. At that time, I hoped that the Human Realm Swordsmen would use this book as a guide to counterattack into the Demon Cave's lair, expand our territory beyond the realm, and achieve an unparalleled legacy. Alas, although the officials in the court were living in a drunken stupor, indulging in pleasure and ignoring martial affairs, the Jingji region was still relatively peaceful, and one could still dream while hiding in the study. Ever since the late emperor passed away in his prime, leaving behind a young child emperor, the situation has collapsed beyond repair."

"Since the current emperor ascended the throne, we have experienced powerful ministers deceiving their lord, empresses ruling from behind the curtain, eunuchs causing chaos, border armies entering the capital, and the Rebellion of the Six Kings. One after another, they have taken the stage, and now the court is in ruins. If it weren't for the State Preceptor protecting the young lord, I fear we wouldn't even be able to stay in Jingcheng."

Tang Zhao does not know the specific situation in the court, but comparing this to the history of various dynasties that Chen Zong had told him, he thinks: Good heavens, are all the elements really that complete?

Zhang Rong says, "Later, I could no longer stay, so I fled Jingcheng. Along the way, I saw the hardships of the people and the harm caused by the Yin Calamity. As a mere scholar, I was powerless, so eight years ago, I abandoned the pen for the sword..."

Jiang Shenyi suddenly asks, "Could you be the Zhaohua Martial Saint?"

Zhang Rong is startled and says, "I dare not accept such a title."

Jiang Shenyi widens his eyes and says, "It really is you! As a Loose Practitioner in the pugilistic world, you created the 'Free Gang' above the Pure Gang and Heavenly Gang, pushing Gang Qi to a level unprecedented in history. You are the Zhaohua Martial Saint, hailed as the next founding Grandmaster in a hundred years!"

Tang Zhao does not know what to say, murmuring, "You abandoned the pen to practice martial arts for eight years... a Martial Saint..."

Zhang Rong waves his hands repeatedly and says, "You flatter me, it is all excessive praise. I did not start practicing from scratch. I had insights while reading classics when I was compiling books, and later, it was just a natural progression."

Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi looked at him, feeling they had nothing to say.

Zhang Rong shook his head and said, "Later I realized that Loose Practitioners and Martial Saints both have limits; only a Sword Guest can achieve greatness. I turned to cultivate the sword instead. A year ago, I finally became a Sword Student..."

Tang Zhao was listening until he felt numb, but then he saw Zhang Rong's expression turn sorrowful as he said, "I was riding high, feeling that I could come and go as I pleased between heaven and earth, yet I never expected a Yin Calamity to sweep my hometown of Yantai into it, causing hundreds of thousands to perish and a grand city to be reduced to a wasteland."

Tang Zhao's heart jolted, his previously relaxed mood instantly plummeting to the bottom.

Yin Calamity...

For three years, he had been on the mountain, his ears not Listen-ing to affairs outside the window, and he had forgotten about this tragedy in the Human World.

Zhang Rong said, "At that time, standing before the broken walls and ruined remains, I felt as if the sky were collapsing and the earth sinking; the sword I had half-comprehended instantly returned to its sheath. I felt then that I could never comprehend it again in this life, and that being a Sword Guest had lost its meaning. It was not until yesterday, by a stroke of luck, that I reopened my golden stone. This is all thanks to you two young friends."

"Since there is nothing to do on this journey, I shall discuss a few things with you young friends. Though I am untalented, I have a little research in classics and history, poetry and books, divination, Mysterious Technique, sword moves, Qi cultivation, and so on; we can chat about whatever we like."

Tang Zhao and Jiang Shenyi exchanged a glance and bowed together, saying, "Please instruct us, sir."