Chapter 298: 307 Playing Music

Hmm?

The old woman's tone was very gentle, as if she were making the most ordinary of requests.

In fact, it was a normal request; simply viewing a sword, not snatching away someone's beloved possession, though most people hadn't thought of it that way.

Once she reminded them, the crowd suddenly realized, and then began to look forward to it.

Since the apprentice's sword could be displayed for the public to see, why couldn't the master's sword?

Let us see that sword too!

As the crowd thought this, not only did their gazes become fervent, but some even began to clamor, heckle, and even threaten.

For ordinary people, seeing an extra sword for the spectacle was fine. But for those martial artists with ulterior motives: if there were one more sword, did that not mean one more chance?

The Sword Smith had been very generous in letting everyone have a chance to handle the dark gold new sword on the table just now. Although clever people had guessed the trick behind it—because this sword was tailor-made for the boy himself, its direction was extremely pure and narrow, and the Sword Guest had been decided long ago, so others couldn't even touch it, which was why he acted so generously—but what if the master had the same generous temperament?

It couldn't be that the other sword already had an owner too, could it?

If it were a raw sword, whether they were allowed to touch it or not, one could sneak a touch after getting close; what if, just what if—they were a match for it? Wouldn't that be like a pie falling from the sky?

Harboring such wishful thinking, the noise from below grew louder and louder, gradually reaching a boiling point.

Seeing this momentum, Tang Zhao frowned slightly, but he didn't care—after the screening over the past few days, those who truly had the ability and the guts to cause trouble had already been filtered out; the rest were just making noise with their mouths, and leaving them alone posed no threat. The person he was truly watching was Xing Ji.

Xing Ji looked at him and shook his head lightly.

Tang Zhao was startled, and Xue Xianyun had already spoken up: "Want to see my sword? Haha—no."

The crowd's heckling stopped, and then dissatisfied voices called out: "Why? The sword has been cast successfully, why not let people see it?"

"Exactly, if you won't let people see it, is it fake?"

"Maybe it is fake; he didn't cast the sword successfully at all, he was just afraid of losing to his apprentice and deliberately bragged that he had cast a sword."

"Heh, I knew that old thing Xue Xianyun was no good..."

"Heh heh," Xue Xianyun sneered first, calling out: "No good is no good. Why? Because I don't feel like it. My sword, I don't feel like letting people see it, so I won't let people see it. If you doubt me, then go ahead and doubt. Anyway, you will never be Sword Smiths. If anyone feels that by doubting me, they can convince themselves that Xue Xianyun is not a Sword Smith and feel better about themselves, then let yourselves doubt. In any case, you aren't the only ones deceiving yourselves. You can go ahead and convince each other, convince yourselves that everything you saw today is fake, and that I, Xue Xianyun, am also fake. As long as you feel better inside, who can stop you?"

"As for my sword, it will have a Sword Guest sooner or later, but it won't be any of you. Didn't you hear Azhao? My sword's Sword Intent was also chosen long ago!" Xue Xianyun sneered incessantly, "What is yours will be yours sooner or later; if it isn't yours, don't harbor foolish delusions."

Not to mention that some people's faces turned red and then white, the old woman beside them still maintained her smile and said: "Oh, so the Manor Master has already chosen a Sword Guest for the sword?"

Xue Xianyun glared at this stranger of an old woman and snorted.

The old woman said with a smile: "Amazing. Sword Master Tang did indeed say just now that his method of formulating Sword Intent was learned from the Manor Master, so it is clear that his words were not false. Only by fully mastering Sword Intent can one accurately choose a Sword Guest. Can you reveal who this destined lucky person is?"

Xue Xianyun looked displeased, but seeing that she was a few years older than him, he did not lash out on the spot and said stiffly: "No."

The old woman was not offended in the slightest and continued: "Can you talk a little about the direction of that sword?"

Xue Xianyun wanted to throw the two words "No" at her again, but meeting those eyes as calm as a deep lake, he was momentarily dazed and finally said: "There is nothing to say. It involves an ambition of mine from twenty years ago; it has been twenty years, and it has never changed. Those who understand, understand; those who don't, I won't say it out loud. Even if you ask, I won't tell you."

There seemed to be slight ripples in the old woman's eyes, and not knowing what she was thinking of, she smiled: "So that's how it is."

Xue Xianyun sneered; his understanding or lack thereof had nothing to do with others. Even if the old woman had some realization, she couldn't understand; it was nothing more than putting on an act. He had had his fill of fun, and it had even gone too far, becoming a bit of a letdown, so he immediately flicked his sleeves and left. Tang Zhao, in front of the stage, stared at Xing Ji again, his eyes full of questions.

This person... was she really not arranged by you?

Why did she say all your lines and steal all your scenes?

Then you have no lines left, do you?

Xing Ji shook his head with a wry smile—it really wasn't arranged by me; if there are no lines, then there are no lines. As long as the goal is achieved, that's enough.

Then they heard Xue Xianyun say loudly: "Let's end the sword appreciation here; I see no one is questioning anymore. What else has Yeyu prepared? Is it singing and dancing? Quick, play the music! Dance!"

Xue Yeyu waved his hand, and the sound of music rose; it turned out that Zhuoyu Villa had indeed prepared music.

Among all the Zhuoyu Villa Disciples, only the fifth disciple, Fu Qinghuan, was an idler. Her knowledge of Rune Formulas was only average, and she didn't delve into serious studies, but she was a genius of miscellaneous arts, specifically putting her heart into boring, idle matters, to the point that she was proficient in everything from zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, to blowing, pulling, plucking, and singing, writing lyrics and composing music, cockfighting and dog racing, ancient football and polo, and eating, drinking, and having fun. In music alone, she knew everything from elegant music like the zither and flute to vulgar music like the double-reed woodwind. She also had a group of younger disciples following her who, instead of learning good things, specialized in learning how to be idle; each learned one instrument and practiced diligently, actually managing to form a band.

Although Xue Xianyun usually got angry at the sight of her leading the disciples to amuse themselves, the Sword Casting Conference really couldn't do without her. Many of the games at the white-jade-shining amusement fair outside the Reception Hall were her designs and were very popular. When it came to coming up with tricks to attract customers to the shop, besides Tang Zhao, she was the best at thinking of them. And in a situation like this, it was even more of a place for Fu Qinghuan to put her skills to use.

At this moment, Fu Qinghuan did not choose the disciples from her "Music Gate" that she was most proud of, but instead chose young, tall, and strong disciples who also had decent martial arts and the ability to protect themselves. Their instrumental skills were a bit lacking, but under her specialized training, playing the newly written piece "Sword Casting Celebration" together, it was also very melodious and pleasant to the ear. And whether it was because these disciples with martial arts had plenty of strength or because Fu Qinghuan intended it, the music was very loud, drowning out all other sounds at the scene. Even the whispering at the banquet tables required one to truly "join ears" to hear clearly.

Besides the band, there were dances and acrobatics, dazzling to the eyes; these were all troupes hired at great expense, each possessing unique skills, and for a time, the scene became greatly lively. Xue Yeyu had people set up the banquet and serve wine, and regardless of anything else, he pushed the conference to the climax of the banquet.

Here, Tang Zhao seized the opportunity to bow and pay his respects to the crowd, and under countless lingering gazes, he picked up his sword, withdrew from the stage, and returned to his seat.

With this, the most important and most likely to go wrong step of the Sword Casting Conference was over. Tang Zhao had successfully cast the sword and received the confirmation of those present; this recognition now only existed among a hundred or so people, but as the conference ended and these people of great status went down the mountain one by one, this recognition would spread throughout the world, and the reputation of Tang Zhao of Zhuoyu Villa would also spread throughout the world!

This was not the kind of recognition that would last for three months like a talisman fair, but a true stabilization of footing, a planting of the banner, a recognition akin to founding a sect—from this day on, there was a Sword Smith in Zhuoyu Villa, and there was a Sword Smith in Yunzhou!

In fact, the most dangerous moment of the Sword Casting Conference had already passed down the mountain; after the banquet began, there were only a few small hidden dangers left. For example, someone might deliberately make things difficult while viewing the sword, someone might shout about old matters to make Xue Xianyun lose face, or the deepest lurking enemies might suddenly strike...

Now, with the banquet at this stage, most of the dangers had passed safely without any major chaos, and the remaining small disturbances, such as some people wanting to jump around at the banquet, make a scene, or ruin the atmosphere, were also rendered insignificant by the deafening music; everything was developing in a good direction.

Now, only a few hidden worries remained in Tang Zhao's heart.

Tang Zhao carried the sword back to his seat. He had a seat at the banquet, and it wasn't a separate area, but rather near his young companions, only the position was further forward, showing his status as the protagonist of the banquet.

As soon as he sat down, he was about to put the sword on the table, when Yun Xiyan, who was next to him, hurriedly leaned over, half-excited and half-reproachful, saying: "Why are you still putting the sword outside? Carry it on your back."

Tang Zhao was startled and said: "Carry it now?"

Yun Xiyan said: "Of course. This is your sword, right? After casting the sword, you tried holding it, right? And then you got its response, right?"

Tang Zhao nodded.

Yun Xiyan said: "That's it. From that moment on, you are already a Sword Student. Don't look at what sects have what 'Sword-Carrying Ceremony' and have to go through cumbersome rituals before they can carry the sword on their backs. Those are all empty formalities. You can do them if you want, but you can carry the sword early in private. The sooner you carry the sword, the sooner you will comprehend the sword; maybe one day sooner you will comprehend the Sword Heart to the level of 'Gold and Stone Open', draw the long sword from its sheath, and become a Sword Guest! We only strive for the day and the night."

Seeing that Tang Zhao was still a bit dazed, Yun Xiyan said: "That's right, you haven't prepared a sword strap for carrying the sword. I remember I still have mine on me; I'll give it to you first." After saying this, she rummaged through her bag, pulled out a strap that looked like the tendon of some creature, with a silk lining attached to it, and said, "It should fit. Although you are still growing, I am taller than you, so just tighten it a little."

Tang Zhao found it funny, yet felt a bit grateful, and hurriedly said: "Sister, no need to trouble yourself, I..."

Just then, Xue Yeyu ran over from the side, grabbed him without explanation, and said with a smile: "You're still sitting here idly; there are things to do. Come, follow me to see the Second Senior Brother."