After the Immortal Venerable Failed to Attain Dao - Chapter 10

He looked at Xue Zhun. “This book of yours.”

“Hmm? This one?” Xue Zhun handed it over, the astonishment in his eyes still lingering. “I just saw someone selling it on the street. Not just this one he had sword manuals from the Profound Clear Sect and the Eight Sword Forge Schools! I know a little about the Free and Unfettered Sword, so I bought one to take a look. Even though it’s obviously a fake at first glance, still.”

Shi Che quickly flipped through the pages. The book was aged and worn, with countless ink-drawn figures floating across the pages, forming a fluid set of sword techniques.

He finished Xue Zhun’s thought. “But the moves are practical and smooth. Someone who hasn’t studied the Free and Unfettered Sword wouldn’t notice anything off. The person who wrote this manual has quite the skill in deconstructing and reassembling techniques.”

“Exactly! To be honest, Brother Che, I even think this modified version feels more fluid and logical. It’s just a shame no one has seen the Thousand Autumns Sword Art yet otherwise, I’d love to see how he’d revise it.”

The Thousand Autumns Sword Art was a new set of Free and Unfettered Sword techniques created by He Qianqiu during his recent seclusion. It would be taught first to his first disciple after the sect’s recruitment.

Shi Che glanced at her, asking casually, “You want to become a disciple of Sword Venerable Qianqiu?”

“Of course I do!”

Xue Zhun smiled sheepishly. “But I heard this is Sword Venerable Qianqiu’s first time taking a disciple. The requirements must be very high whether I can make it or not is still uncertain.”

Shi Che nodded, not pressing further, and asked instead, “Where is the person selling the sword manuals set up?”

“Right there, just ahead. Turn the corner and you’ll see.”

A man in plain robes sat cross-legged on the ground, a row of sword manuals spread out before him. From Thirty Days to Mastery to Seven Days to Proficiency, he had it all. Seeing someone approach, he looked up and noticed Xue Zhun had returned. He glared at her and said, “Payment’s been made, no refunds or exchanges, fellow cultivator.”

“Don’t worry, no refunds or exchanges,” Xue Zhun said, pointing to Shi Che. “My friend here wants to take a look.”

Shi Che scanned the small stall, his eyes landing on one book. The bold, stark characters on its cover nearly blinded him.

He pointed at it. “Could you hand me that one, please?”

Young Lord’s Secrets Deep Dive into the Moves and Techniques Behind the Heartless Sword

The book vendor clapped his hands and tossed it over, along with a copy of How to Master the Heartless Sword in Thirty Days.

“Sharp eye, fellow cultivator! Read these two together, and you’ll not only speed through the Heartless Sword but also master the Young Lord’s variations. Before long, you’ll be punching Shi Li, kicking Ling Yin, dominating the Profound Clear Sect, and becoming the next sect leader, fellow cultivator!”

Xue Zhun covered his mouth while listening, whispering, “Just sell the books don’t make us sound like fools!”

Shi Che had already skimmed through both books, his gaze probing as it swept over the vendor’s face. He nodded and said, “They’re not bad. I’ll take them.”

Ling Yin loved delving into new sword techniques and would have Shi Li learn them immediately. In the end, the master and disciple would discuss and refine the most suitable set of techniques to teach others.

As for Shi Li himself, he had mastered his master’s moves, integrating them into his own unique style.

This book meticulously deconstructed his sword techniques some parts omitted, others added. Though wrapped in a cover that screamed “scam,” the contents were genuine.

Shi Che suddenly found it amusing.

Ling Yin was obsessed with sword techniques, treating the most prominent Profound Clear Sect as a platform to showcase his ambitions, foolishly hoping to spread the Heartless Sword Dao through the people of the Island of Inquiry. Yet, he spent his life toiling without achieving his goals.

He never considered how vast the Seven Realms were, how the true masters lay not within the sect’s walls, but beyond them.

In the end, the dueling grounds of the immortal mountains and the book stalls of the bustling markets weren’t so different after all.

Seeing that he wanted to buy, the bookseller flashed a wide grin and said, “Then I’ll give you a one-time offer two books for two thousand Star Stones, no returns or exchanges.”

“What?!” Xue Zhun nearly smashed the man’s head with his sword. “When I was buying earlier, you only asked for two Star Stones per book. Now you, you…”

Shi Che directly handed over the money and asked, “Can I meet the author?”

The bookseller nodded, his expression unchanged. After collecting the payment, he began packing up his bookstall, not forgetting to explain to the glaring Xue Zhun beside him.

“Fellow cultivator, good books should be sold to those who recognize their worth. No price is too high. I saw earlier that you only wanted to buy them for fun, so I gave you a fun price. If you think it’s unfair, you’re welcome to make up the remaining nine hundred and ninety-eight Star Stones.”

Xue Zhun tried his best to calm himself and leaned closer to Shi Che. “Brother Che, why did you buy them? It makes us look…”

Passersby had already started whispering. He glanced around and lowered his voice. “Like fools.”

“Then don’t look at them,” Shi Che patted the two books in his hand. “Let me ask you, if there were an advanced edition of The Thousand Autumns Sword Art right now, and it cost you a thousand Star Stones, would you buy it?”

“Then I’d pretend I only wanted to buy it for fun.”

Shi Che fell silent, then nodded. “Makes sense. I acted rashly. We really are fools.”

Afraid that Shi Che might actually feel bad, Xue Zhun comforted him, “It’s fine, Brother Che. Aren’t you going to meet the author anyway? It’s not a loss. Just think of it as spending money to make a friend.”

The vendor finished packing and led the way ahead. Shi Che followed and asked Xue Zhun, “How do you make friends?”

“That’s a somewhat abstract question,” Xue Zhun thought for a moment and said, “When you meet them, you can lie and say you shared a steamed bun with them twenty years ago in Wheatstrip Village. If you also know their name, that’s even better.”

Shi Che: “…”

Shi Che: “Back then, I just wanted to ask for your help. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”

“I know,” Xue Zhun nodded sincerely. “That’s why we became friends. Your method works quite well. You should try it again.”

Shi Che shook his head. “I think it only works on you.”

He wanted to befriend the person who wrote this sword manual but didn’t know how. He thought of asking someone else but couldn’t find anyone.

Since arriving in the ninth year of the Star Era, not only had his money pouch been emptied, but his Spirit Communication Register had also been wiped clean. He couldn’t find a single friend.

If Shi Li himself didn’t count.

Shi Che: I need to go make a friend now. What should I do?

Shi Li: What book is she reading? You still haven’t told me.

Shi Che: How to Master the Carefree Sword in Thirty Days. How do I make friends? Think of a way, quickly.

Shi Li: She’s coming to spar with me after learning from that?

Shi Che: Not important. I’m going to make a friend now.

Shi Li, unusually doubting himself, replied: Am I really an idiot?

Shi Che: How do I make friends?

Shi Li: Then you’re an idiot too.

Shi Che: Get lost.

No help there.

The bookseller led them through twists and turns, past bustling markets, until they arrived at a residence.

The door was wide open, with several bookseller-like individuals coming and going, as if it were a wholesale location.

The book vendor told them, “The author of these sword manuals, our boss, has hired many people to travel around selling books, but they hardly ever sell. We’re often mistaken for frauds. These people are either here to return goods and quit, or they’re new hires by the boss. It makes his place seem lively every day, though.”

Xue Zhun asked curiously, “How do you usually price the books?”

“By intuition.”

“So you just set random prices.”

“Of course not!” The vendor glanced back at her. “I’ve recently learned to price based on the sword. Look, I’ve been spot-on sold three books this morning and earned a full two thousand and two star stones!”

Xue Zhun sighed, “We really do look like fools, Brother Che.”

The three of them walked to the door of the main house. Shi Che said, “It’s fine,” but paused as soon as he stepped inside and saw the boss.

The boss was a robust middle-aged man, upright in posture, with resolute features, dressed in luxurious brocade robes. He sat at the table, listening to the vendor’s report while glancing up at them.

Shi Che strode forward. “Brother Jin Sheng! It really is you!”

The boss looked slightly surprised, studying the face outside Shi Che’s mask but failing to recognize him. He finally spoke, “Esteemed immortal do we know each other?”

Shi Che’s expression was earnest. “You don’t remember me? I’m Shi Che. Twenty years ago, in Maitiao Village, we shared a steamed bun!”

Xue Zhun beside him: “?”

Luo Jinsheng was taken aback, frowning in thought.

Shi Che added, “Brother Yang Hong was there too. The three of us shared one steamed bun, and you gave me the biggest piece. I was on the verge of death back then that bite of bun saved my life.”

Hearing this, Luo Jinsheng seemed to recall something. He dismissed the vendor, stood up to close the door himself, then turned and firmly grasped Shi Che’s hand.

Suddenly enveloped by a large, warm palm, Shi Che shuddered all over. Luo Jinsheng, as if moved by the memory, gripped him even tighter.

“So it’s you! You survived that’s wonderful! I’m touched that you still remember us brothers…”

Luo Jinsheng’s eyes grew slightly moist as he led Shi Che to sit at the table. “To be honest, I haven’t seen Yang Hong since I came to the main city. Since you survived, have you run into him recently?”

Shi Che shook his head. “I’ve been in the main city for a long time too.”

Luo Jinsheng nodded, finally noticing Xue Zhun beside him and instinctively asking, “And this is…”

Suddenly, he paused, his eyes filling with an incredulous joy. “Could it be the young hero Er Hua?!”

Xue Zhun: “???”

“How do you know my maiden name too?!”

Luo Jinsheng walked up to her, clasped his hands, and said loudly, “I am Luo Jinsheng. I’ve long admired your reputation, young hero!”

“Luo Jinsheng.” Xue Zhun murmured, then exclaimed in surprise, “The Luo brothers from Tian Shu Village?”

“Exactly,” Luo Jinsheng nodded. “Young hero Er Hua, your deeds in Tian Quan Realm have spread even to our Tian Shu Village.” He shifted his gaze to Xue Zhun’s sword, his excitement barely contained. “This Demon-Slaying, Ghost-Dispelling Invincible Sword of yours is truly renowned, striking fear into countless foes below… By the way, what brings you to Tian Shu as well?”

A faint glimmer flashed in Xue Zhun’s eyes. She sidestepped the topic, saying only that she too had long admired the Luo brothers’ reputation and was impressed by their extraordinary bearing upon meeting them today. She then steered the conversation elsewhere, chatting with Luo Jinsheng about other matters.

Shi Che watched the two of them converse quietly.

Over the years, he had seen far too many people like this.

Though it was their first meeting, it felt like a reunion of old friends. In just a few words, they opened their hearts, expressed their intentions, united their efforts, and shared a common hatred.

In contrast, his own “acquaintance” status, stolen as it was, now seemed thin and laughable.

In his previous life, he had met the brothers Luo Jinsheng and Luo Yanghong when he was three hundred years old.

At that time, he had failed his first tribulation, bringing shame upon his sect. They confiscated Huajing, replaced him as the overseer of Wentian Island, and suspended all his authority as punishment.

With his lifebound sword taken away, he had no interest in using any other sword and was content to idle away his days, clinging to the Illusion Demon all day long.

The Illusion Demon grew tired of him staying on the mountain for too long, fearing mushrooms would sprout on his head. Every few days, it would drag him out, either to take on bounties or explore secret realms. Though they rested when they could, no one would complain about having too much merit or treasure.

He was actually too lazy to move but went along to humor the Illusion Demon, hanging any treasures they found on it. The Illusion Demon never removed them, and even when it transformed back into a radish, it sparkled brilliantly.

Later, even a simple embrace between them became painful, as the treasures dug into their bodies.

Just as he was about to drown in the gentle refuge created by his own soul, Luo Jinsheng and Luo Yanghong found him.

They came from a village under Tian Shu, unable to endure the oppression inflicted upon their village by some powerful families in the main city. They had gathered forces to resist in secret.

Later, Luo Yanghong continued his work in the village, while Luo Jinsheng, by a stroke of luck, saved the head of a wealthy family in the main city and became his adopted son, gaining the opportunity and funds to operate within the city.

Luo Jinsheng told Shi Li that they had been watching him for a long time and wanted to recruit him to join their cause.

He had no interest and, holding the radish transformed from the Illusion Demon, tried to leave, only to be blocked by another person.

Xue Zhun wasn’t wearing the robes of the Xuanqing Sect, just a simple black outfit and an unsheathed longsword.

“The Heartless Sword Dao has fallen out of favor. Even if you return now, Senior Brother, you’ll have nothing to do. Why not stay and listen to our stories?”

By then, Xue Zhun had already met Luo Jinsheng. The scene that day was likely just like today an instant connection and a pleasant conversation.

They told him this star realm was rotten to its core and asked Shi Li if he would cooperate with them.

They would help him revive the Heartless Sword Dao and seize control of the Xuanqing Sect.

He would step into the mortal world, visit the villages below, and save the desperate, suffering people.

“You are the savior,” they said.

“No one is more suitable or capable than you to sit in that position.”

They held his hands, blocked his path, spoke passionately and sincerely, and in just a few words, elevated him to the pinnacle of ten thousand people.

Unfortunately, Shi Li back then didn’t realize that, in their eyes, his sword was noble and priceless, and he himself was unattainably lofty. From the very beginning, they never saw him as one of their own.

Pohuang suddenly trembled.

Shi Che lowered his gaze and patted the broken sword at his waist as if to soothe it.

Whether it was the story of Maicao Village or the tale of three people sharing a steamed bun, he had heard them all from Luo Jinsheng back then.

The person they saved was covered in sores, disfigured beyond recognition, and already beyond saving.

Now, he was that person.

“Brother Jinsheng,” he spoke up, calling out to the two conversing men, “Brother Xue and I came to visit with the intention of befriending the author of the sword manual. Since we’re all familiar now, let’s skip the formalities. May I ask where you learned all these sword techniques from?”

Xue Zhun nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes, Brother Luo, if Brother Che hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. How do you know so many sword techniques from different schools?”

Luo Jinsheng laughed heartily, rose to his feet, and walked toward the inner chamber, gesturing for the two of them to follow.

Inside the inner chamber, one broad wall was divided by shimmering light into a series of circular illusions, each displaying the mirrored image of a specific individual.

Among them were Shi Li from the Heartless Sword Path, Feng Shuo from the Carefree Sword Path, as well as Ye Ping, Hua Min, Shan Lingge, and others from the eight major sects of the Sword Forge virtually every notable junior disciple from each sword sect was represented.

Luo Jinsheng led them past each one, chuckling as he explained, “If they were within their own sects, I’d have no way to observe these sword techniques. The beauty lies in the fact that these individuals frequently venture out to take on bounties or explore secret realms. They inevitably have to draw their swords to slay demons and ghosts, and in the wild mountains and forests, who’s to stop us from gathering and studying their moves?”

Shi Chen nodded in approval. “Brilliant.”

As he passed the illusion displaying Shi Li, he glanced casually, thinking how ostentatious that silver robe looked on him.

Shi Li possessed a refined and handsome appearance neither sharp nor overly enchanting, but carrying an air of clarity and brightness. Yet his sword techniques were anything but clear and straightforward.

When wielding his sword, Shi Li loved to show off. He knew exactly which postures were the most elegant and which strikes would look the most impressive. Rather than seeking a swift victory, he preferred to taunt his opponents, luring them into repeated attacks while executing a few dazzling sword flourishes, as if wishing even the demons and ghosts would stare in awe, standing still just to be slain by him.

Shi Chen shifted his gaze to another illusion.

Feng Shuo, a Carefree Sword cultivator and the eldest disciple of Sword Sovereign Cen Shu, was a man of strict discipline neither outstanding nor prone to mistakes.

His sword techniques were textbook examples of the foundational forms of the Carefree Sword Path. Having mastered the essence and refined his skills to perfection, he was considered a prominent figure among the junior disciples of his path.

In his previous life, Shi Chen had been no stranger to him and he despised the man.

To be precise, he despised the way Feng Shuo looked at him.

Feng Shuo had a cold, somber face, rarely smiling, and his gaze always carried a sinister chill. Only when looking at Shi Li would a faint, dark flame ignite in his pitch-black eyes.

Shi Chen understood that look from the very first glance it set off alarm bells in his mind, filling him with such revulsion that his entire body went numb.

He had once wanted to press his sword against Feng Shuo’s throat, forcing him to retract those filthy, lecherous glances. Anyone who dared look at a Heartless Sword cultivator that way deserved to die.

Later, he reconsidered that sounded too grandiose. In truth, he simply wanted to say: anyone who dared look at me that way deserved to die.

After further reflection, he calmed down.

It was true that he disliked Carefree Sword cultivators, but he couldn’t just go beating someone up for the reason of “how dare you look at me” that would be utterly foolish.