Chapter 9: The Disciple’s Wager and the Three Holy Swordsmen

As we dined at noon the next day, I informed Shangguan Yun of my wager with Ye Xuehui (though, naturally, I omitted the more embarrassing details).

Shangguan Yun, however, declared her neutrality in our dispute, offering only a heartfelt “Good luck” with a profound look.

‘Ah, that one! Still, it was fine.’

Speaking of which, it had been a long time since I last saw my master; I wondered if the old man had been busy lately.

****

In the Demonic Beast Forest—

“Old Jian,” Lijian quipped, “we’ve had quite a haul this time, and we’ve already secured everything you needed.

But seriously, what are all these materials for?

Are you crafting something?

That’s hardly your style.

What could you possibly be missing?

Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to some young lady! Spill the beans!”

“No way? Old Jian, after that incident, I truly thought your heart had turned to ashes.

All these years, we brothers have been busy with our own endeavors, and the moment we reunite, before we’ve even had a chance for a long talk, you drag us along as laborers.

Tonight, you absolutely have to treat us, let us brothers truly relax!” Jian Yi exclaimed, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

“Alright, stop with your wild guesses,” Jian Laifeng said, shaking his head helplessly, his expression somewhat distant.

“Ever since Li’er left, my heart has gone with her.

By the way, I’ve taken on a disciple; I’ll introduce you to him another day.

These items are all for him.”

He remembered that night ten years ago when his beloved had died for him.

In that moment, he had yearned to follow her, but she had urged him to live on, to be strong.

To honor her memory, Jian Laifeng had drifted aimlessly for two years.

Yet, he knew he had to pull himself together, for there was still everything he needed to protect.

“Oh? You’ve taken a disciple? I never thought that after all these years, you’d have one too.

How time flies!” Lijian remarked with a smile.

“A disciple? Interesting.

What are you making for this disciple of yours?

The drop rate for materials from Ghost Spiders is incredibly low.

While they’re easy enough to deal with, we’ve been here for two days and only just managed to gather enough today.

Ghost Spiders are individually weak, but their sheer numbers, swarming like ants, are truly annoying.” Jian Yi kicked away a blood-soaked giant spider, rubbing his brow.

“Indeed, find some time to introduce us to your precious disciple,” Lijian added.

Lijian and Jian Yi were my sworn brothers, comrades through life and death; we had known each other for over two decades.

Recalling those carefree years spent roaming the jianghu (TL Note: A term referring to a world of martial artists, adventurers, and wanderers, often associated with traditional Chinese martial arts fiction.), I couldn’t help but lament that time had passed us by.

I suppose everyone has noticed the similarity in our names—all bearing the character “Jian” (sword); we were the ones known across the continent as the “Three Holy Swordsmen.”

At this moment, Jian Laifeng was lost in his memories, his heart filled with a myriad of thoughts.

Around them, the scene was a chaotic mess, the air thick with the pungent scent of blood, and spider carcasses lay strewn haphazardly across the ground.

Despite the eerie and terrifying environment, with faint roars of demonic beasts echoing from the dark depths, the three old men remained unperturbed, still chatting and laughing freely.

Just then, a phone rang.

Jian Laifeng pulled out his mobile, the caller ID displaying “Xi’er.”

“Old Jian, that name sounds like a girl’s!

Pick it up quickly, put it on speaker, let us listen.

If you don’t, there’s definitely something fishy going on!” Lijian said with a mischievous grin.

Jian Laifeng shook his head helplessly, thinking, ‘After all these years, these brothers have only grown more gossipy.’

To avoid their suspicions, he reluctantly complied.

Jian Laifeng took a deep breath, answered the call, and put it on speaker.

Immediately, a sweet and melodious voice emanated from the phone:

– “Master, how have you been lately? Xiyue is calling to report on the completion of my tasks.

I followed your instructions and challenged the main clubs of Saint Ocean, and I’ve won against all of them except for the Student Council.

Hehe, I even broke the academy record, surpassing my predecessors!

I’ve agreed to a best-of-three challenge with the Student Council President; though he’s ranked first in the grade for both academics and combat, I won’t give up easily.

Master, I’m doing perfectly fine, you needn’t worry.

Actually, I just… missed you…”

Upon hearing his disciple’s voice, a faint smile bloomed on Jian Laifeng’s face, a smile that didn’t escape the notice of the two men beside him.

– “Master, that Ye Xuehui is the eldest young master of the Ye family on Blazing Moon Continent, and also their heir…”

– “Xiyue, your master is incredibly pleased to see your growth.

No matter what trials you face, you must confront them with fortitude.

Even if the sky were to fall, you must stand firm and never speak of surrender.” Jian Laifeng had initially intended to say, ‘A true man,’ but considering Xiyue’s identity, he swallowed the words.

However, the two men beside him were already smirking mischievously.

With a swift movement, Lijian snatched the phone from Jian Laifeng’s hand.

After exchanging a knowing glance with Jian Yi, one of them flew off on his sword while the other blocked Jian Laifeng.

Given their practiced movements, they were clearly repeat offenders.

On the other end of the line, Ouyang Xiyue wondered why his master had suddenly fallen silent, then heard strange noises coming from the phone.

– “Master? Are you still there?” Ouyang Xiyue asked softly.

– “Hello, little girl.

I’m not your master; I’m his brother, through thick and thin.

Your master just stepped away to relieve himself and asked me to hold his phone for a moment.

He’ll be right back.”

Ouyang Xiyue remained half-skeptical, thinking that with his master’s strength, there would surely be no real danger.

Yet, the old man calling him a “little girl” left him rather embarrassed.

If it weren’t to conceal his identity, why would he use a falsetto to imitate a girl’s voice?

– “I see.

Hello, my name is Ouyang Xiyue.

May I ask who you are?”

– “My name is Lijian; you can just call me Uncle Li.

Hearing your name, are you perhaps from the Ouyang family?” Lijian’s words plunged Ouyang Xiyue into silence.

A few seconds later…

– “No, I have no connection to the Ouyang family.

If anything, they are my enemies!

The Ouyang family and I are irreconcilable; one day, I will personally bring about their destruction!”

– “Cough, cough,” Lijian quickly interjected, sensing the drastic shift in tone and realizing he had misspoken.

“Ouyang Xiyue, do not let hatred blind your eyes, or you will eventually fall into depravity.

Let’s not talk about this anymore; your master will be back soon, so let him speak with you.”

– “Uncle Li, I apologize; I became overly emotional just now.

There’s no need to inform Master about this.

Please tell him to take care of himself and not overwork.” Having said this, Ouyang Xiyue prepared to hang up the phone, for in his momentary agitation, he had revealed words long buried in his heart.

Listening to the dial tone emanating from the phone, Lijian scratched his head, secretly regretting his loose tongue.