The boy said, "He's blind!"
Shen Gurong: "No."
The little girl said, "The Immortal Lord is definitely not blind."
Shen Gurong smiled, shaking the sugar figurine like he was teasing a spirit pet: "No, that's not right either."
Even his actions of teasing children still exuded an ethereal charm, and the girls beside him secretly glanced at him, their cheeks slightly flushed.
The little boy immediately raised his hand high: "The Immortal Lord is half-blind, not completely blind."
Shen Gurong was overjoyed and didn't tease them any further, casually handing the sugar figurine to the little girl who had been praising his looks.
Receiving the little girl's earnest thanks and compliments, Shen Gurong was in high spirits and finally followed Mu Zhe to the Sword Pavilion.
He had been too close to the sugar figurine stall, and inevitably, he had picked up a faint scent of sugar. As Mu Zhe got closer, he could vaguely smell the sweet, honeyed aroma.
Mu Zhe thought, I want a sugar figurine too.
Shen Gurong walked side by side with Mu Zhe. He appeared calm and collected, but his mind was actually racing with all sorts of random thoughts, which Mu Zhe couldn't keep up with.
'Oh right, didn't I say I was going to buy Mu Zhe some sugar figurines? How come I just gave them away?'
Mu Zhe thought sullenly.
'But Mu Zhe's already so old, long past the age of eating sugar figurines.'
Mu Zhe, who always prided himself on his maturity and was completely different from that immature brat Yu Xinghe, thought: 'I'm still young, not yet of age, I can eat two sugar figurines.'
Shen Gurong then thought: 'Ah! I forgot to bring spirit stones! How am I going to buy swords at the Sword Pavilion?'
Mu Zhe: "..."
This was the first time Mu Zhe had realized his master could be so down-to-earth. Despite his ethereal, otherworldly appearance, his heart was preoccupied with materialistic matters.
This contrast was truly...
Incredibly endearing.
One thought to himself, the other spoke in his mind, and they quietly made their way to the Sword Pavilion.
Shen Gurong possessed extraordinary bearing. His icy robes seemed to possess an illusion; an ordinary person wouldn't even remember his face after a single glance. Furthermore, since he had arrived with a divided gaze, his cultivation level was impossible to discern, making him appear quite intimidating to others.
The Sword Pavilion's servants, seeing him, dared not neglect him and respectfully welcomed the two inside.
The Sword Pavilion was located at the southernmost tip of Fuxian City, backed by Nan Shan Mountain outside the city. The entire pavilion seemed embedded in the mountainside, with branches and blossoms extending outwards from the wooden structure, creating a unique and charming scene.
Upon entering the inner room, a cool, shady atmosphere filled with a delicate floral fragrance. The servant respectfully inquired, "May I ask what swords the two immortal masters desire?"
Shen Gurong thought: It wouldn't be right to directly say "cursed sword," so...
'Bring me all the best swords in your shop?'
Shen Gurong was a pampered young master. When going out to buy things or secretly purchasing novels, he was usually too lazy to choose, simply saying this and then looking at them one by one at home, keeping the good ones and casually throwing away the bad ones.
Because of this, his older brother always scolded him as a spendthrift.
Shen Gurong said, "Bring you..."
Mu Zhe: "..."
Mu Zhe hadn't expected him to actually dare to say that, but luckily he was quick-witted and grabbed Shen Gurong's sleeve, interrupting him.
Shen Gurong tilted his head, confused.
Mu Zhe coughed lightly, handed over the jade token from Liren Peak, and said to the servant, "Find your Pavilion Master; he knows what sword I want."
The servant took the token, examined it, and his expression became solemn and even more respectful.
"Yes, please wait a moment, you two Immortal Lords."
Having said that, he led the two to the small reception pavilion to wait, and then hurried off to find the Pavilion Master of the Sword Pavilion.
The small pavilion was serene and secluded. The wooden window, carved with a small sword, was wide open. Outside the window, a waterfall hung like a ribbon in the mountains. Perhaps due to a magic array, no sound of water could be heard even at such close range.
Shen Gurong rested his chin on his hand, tilted his head, and looked at the picturesque scenery outside the window. He casually asked Mu Zhe, "Are you very familiar with this shopkeeper?"
Mu Zhe's lips twitched.
Although the Sword Pavilion in Fuxian City appeared to be just a shop selling swords, its status in the Three Realms was extremely important. Many powerful cultivators' swords originated from here.
It's only because the Sword Pavilion sells a sword a handful of times every few years, and even a single sword can attract countless people, that the Pavilion Master's cultivation is highly regarded. Many people are willing to spend a fortune just to get a promise from him.
After all, sword cultivators are still the majority in the Three Realms.
This was the first time Mu Zhe had heard the Pavilion Master referred to as "Shopkeeper."
Mu Zhe said, "I had a brief encounter with the Pavilion Master a few years ago when I went on a training trip with the Sect Leader."
It was because of that trip that Xi Guxing remembered to promise him a sword; otherwise, given Xi Guxing's muddle-headed nature, he probably wouldn't have received his natal sword until Mu Zhe came of age.
Shen Gurong nodded, thinking: I've never even trained with my disciple.
Mu Zhe was startled, then suddenly lowered his head.
However, Shen Gurong quickly added, 'But if I were to train with Mu Zhe, he'd probably be the one taking care of me. Forget it, I'd better not trouble my disciple.'
Mu Zhe: "..."
His master was truly self-aware.
Although he possessed immense cultivation, he was blind, had no sense of direction, and never acted according to common sense. If he were to really train with Mu Zhe in the Three Realms, Mu Zhe would most likely be the one taking care of him.
As the two were talking, the sound of wooden wheels rolling on the ground suddenly came from outside, followed by a soft laugh.
"I thought you were arrogant and aloof, but I never expected to see this side of you?"
Mu Zhe stood up and nodded slightly towards the door: "Pavilion Master."
The person called "Pavilion Master," dressed in black, sat in a wooden wheelchair and was pushed in from the doorway by a servant. He was handsome, with smiles in his eyes.
The Pavilion Master smiled at Mu Zhe and said, "Mu Zhe, can you be this obedient?"
Mu Zhe remained silent.
The Pavilion Master held a folding fan in his hand, slightly unfolding it to fan himself.
At this time, the late spring chill had passed in Fuxian City. This man, wrapped in a fur coat, was fanning himself, and with just a slight movement, Shen Gurong clearly saw him shiver; he was probably cold.
Even so, he maintained his composure, forcing a smile, and subtly closed the fan.
The Pavilion Master knew Mu Zhe was a ruthless character; if he said too much, Mu Zhe would surely become enraged, and he feared he would suffer the consequences. He tapped the folding fan lightly in his palm, thoughtfully glancing at Shen Gurong, who sat upright to the side.
With his cultivation level, he couldn't see through Shen Gurong's illusion; he could only rely on his years of experience to tell that this man was no ordinary person.
He tentatively asked, "And who is this?"
Mu Zhe replied, "My master, Holy Lord Shen."
Upon hearing this, the Pavilion Master's expression changed. He quickly stood up from his wheelchair and walked enthusiastically to Shen Gurong, his face full of smiles.
He gave a casual bow and laughed, "This must be Holy Lord Feng Xue! I've heard so much about you. My name is Pavilion Master, you can just call me Little Pavilion Master."
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong: "???"
So Pavilion Master is your name, not some title?!
Or is it a double entendre?
And, most importantly, aren't you a cripple?!
Shen Gurong was so shocked by this medical miracle that he almost lost his composure. He pretended to calmly drink his tea, hiding his face, which was almost turning green.
He quickly suppressed his emotions, put down his teacup, and said calmly, "Let's get down to business."
The Pavilion Master didn't find Shen Gurong's reaction cold. Once one's cultivation reaches a level that others can only look up to, even their insults become considered golden rules.
The Pavilion Master didn't engage in his usual banter. He said, "The sword Mu Zhe desires is in the Sword Tomb. Your Majesty, you may accompany me there."
Shen Gurong nodded, stood up, and gestured for him to lead the way.
The Pavilion Master had his servant push away his wheelchair, which he used to project an air of profound mystery and superiority, and then strode ahead, leading the way with practiced ease.
Shen Gurong followed him, observing the man as they went.
The Pavilion Master's mind was probably too unpredictable. With the Holy Lord's status keeping him in check, he no longer spouted nonsense as before, and walked ahead calmly.
Perhaps it was habit, but he always instinctively unfolded his fan to fan himself, only to shiver each time he did so, then quickly slammed it shut.
But a moment later, he'd "whoosh," unfold the fan again…
This cycle repeated itself endlessly, prompting anyone who saw it to exclaim, "What an idiot!"
Shen Gurong was no slouch either. Perhaps out of sheer boredom, he began mentally counting the number of times the Pavilion Master had unfolded his fan.
Seven. Tsk, doesn't he ever learn his lesson?
Mu Zhe: "…"
You're pretty bored too.
The two, one fanning themselves while the other mentally counted, traversed a tunnel through a mountain cave, finally reaching the Sword Tomb within the Sword Pavilion.
The Sword Tomb seemed to offer a view of the heavens, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the mountain walls were inlaid with specks of sword light, converging into a massive beam that illuminated the entire tomb.
"The swords emerging from the Sword Tomb often become the natal swords of various cultivators, forming a bond with them and thus solidifying their sword spirits within the tomb," the Pavilion Master explained, pointing to the dense array of lights around them. "As long as the sword spirit remains, even if a cultivator's sword breaks or shatters, it can be reforged into an identical sword back at the Sword Pavilion."
Shen Gurong finally understood.
No wonder the Sword Pavilion was so sought after by so many cultivators; this was the reason.
Mu Zhe looked around, his gaze lingering on the hilts of several swords gleaming with blood-red light.
The Pavilion Master said, "Any sword with a blood-red glow is a cursed sword. The Fenglu City Weapon Ranking has a separate list for cursed weapons, and Lin Xia Chun is at the top."
He pointed to the swords on the mountain wall with their dazzling blood-red glow, saying, "Based on the intensity of the blood-red light, the third-ranked is 'He Yongji,' and the fourth is 'Bu Fengxian.' The others have already found their masters. And the last one remains unclaimed, unnamed, because no one can subdue it."
Shen Gurong was very curious: "Then what's the second one?"
The Pavilion Master's expression was strange. "The second one is 'Lian Gou' from Liren Peak..."
Shen Gurong was puzzled. Lian Gou? None of his fellow disciples seemed to have a sword named that? Could it be Nan Yangjun's?
He didn't ask any further questions, turning to Mu Zhe and asking, "Have you decided which one you want?"
Mu Zhe nodded, pointing to the nameless sword, and said, "That one."
Shen Gu Rong nodded, saying nothing more, only instructing him, "Do what you can."
Mu Zhe nodded in agreement, told the Pavilion Master, and leaped onto the mountainside, his eyes fixed on the hilt of the malevolent sword.
The moment his fingertips touched the hilt, a burst of crimson light erupted around him, nearly burning Shen Gurong's already fragile eyes.
When he opened his eyes, Mu Zhe had vanished, pulled into a sea of swords by the malevolent sword.
If Mu Zhe could successfully emerge from the sea of swords, it meant he had successfully subdued the malevolent sword; otherwise, he would perish in the sea of swords, his body never to be found.
This process usually only takes the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Shen Gurong had an inexplicable trust in Mu Zhe, never believing he would be worn down by a single sword.
The Pavilion Master, aware of Mu Zhe's abilities, wasn't worried much. He even smiled obsequiously, saying, "Mu Zhe's cultivation at such a young age is truly remarkable; the Holy Lord has done an excellent job teaching him."
Shen Gurong thought to himself: No, I didn't teach him anything. Before I went into seclusion, I even advised him not to take cultivation too seriously, but who knew he would be so diligent?
Seeing his disciple so diligent, Shen Gurong, as the master, blushed and resolved to work harder next time.
Not getting a reply, the Pavilion Master wasn't discouraged and continued to flatter Shen Gurong.
Finally, he revealed his true intentions, cautiously asking, "I wonder if the Holy Lord will be paying in writing or in cash this time?"
The Holy Lord could be feared, but money couldn't be ignored.
Shen Gurong: "..."
Shen Gurong was momentarily speechless, looking at him coldly, but inwardly panicking. He feigned composure and asked, "Can I keep an account?"
The Pavilion Master nodded hastily, "Indeed."
The Holy Lord was solely focused on cultivation and rarely carried any valuables. Shen Feng Xue had previously brought Wen Liubing and several of his disciples here to buy swords, and they had all kept track of their purchases, as always.
The Pavilion Master was young, having only been in charge of the Sword Pavilion for less than ten years. He had only heard of the Holy Lord Shen from his elders, and now, seeing him in person, he was incredibly excited—even collecting debts was done with great enthusiasm.
Shen Gurong thought for a long time before nodding and saying, "Yes, keep track of it."
The Pavilion Master hurriedly asked, "Where should I keep it?"
Shen Gurong retrieved his senior brother's name from his memory, a hint of revenge in his eyes. He said expressionlessly, "Keep it in Xianyun City..."
As he spoke, a chilling glint seemed to flash in his light-colored eyes.
"Lin Shuhe's clinic at the border of Xianyun City."
It was time for his sixth senior brother to repay the two scares he owed him. Upon hearing this, the Pavilion Master pulled out an account book from his waist and flipped through it.
“The usual place, right? Lin, Shu, and… haha, Liren Peak is truly as harmonious as the legends say. Over the past few decades, cultivator Lin has already paid for seven peerless swords for you, each priceless.”
The Pavilion Master said happily, “I’ve noted it down.”
Shen Gurong: “…”
He… seems to have been scared twice, so… he deserved it?
Sixth Senior Brother, I was wrong.
🤣🤣
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