Chapter 1947: Forbidden Book

The Human World

"Senior Shi! You're here!"

Yu Lang's guard immediately dropped. He bowed, recalling the events of a month ago, and mused that the other party must be here to repay the cost of the medicine.

The young man named Shi said gently, "You saved me once. There's no need to be so formal from now on. I'll call you Yu Lang, and you can call me Brother Shi."

"Oh..."

Yu Lang scratched his head.

Although the young man named Shi always appeared disheveled, his cultivation was undoubtedly far superior to Yu Lang's.

Yu Lang wasn't adept at small talk, so he simply responded, "Brother Shi, are your injuries healed?"

"Your esteemed master is truly a master alchemist," the young man named Shi exclaimed with admiration. "A single dose of Jade Luo Powder immediately dispersed the harmful golden mercury energy. After a month of internal regulation, my injuries are completely under control. Now, I simply need a period of gentle recuperation to fully recover."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lang couldn't help but smile, happy for the other man and proud of his master's medical skills.

Sounds of training drifted from outside the bamboo grove.

The young man named Shi turned his head and looked towards the direction outside the bamboo grove, a peculiar glint in his eyes. "This is my first time seeing cultivators deliberately descend the mountain to study and practice martial arts in the mortal world. Is this your master's wish?"

Cultivation certainly requires reading and literacy. Once someone cultivates, their energy becomes abundant, their thoughts agile, and they gain an almost photographic memory. Studying with mortal classmates at the same pace would undoubtedly be a hindrance and a waste of time.

"I was the one who wanted to descend the mountain to study, and my master approved," Yu Lang said, waving the long spear in his hand. "Brother Shi, do you also understand spear techniques?"

"When I was young, I admired the unrestrained and chivalrous knights," the young man named Shi reminisced, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "However, there is divine surveillance in the mortal world, so I couldn't carelessly use magic. Thus, I secretly learned martial arts, sealed my own magical powers, and ventured out to act as a hero and uphold justice." He suddenly chuckled. "The sword is a gentleman's weapon; when traveling the martial world, it's clearly more dashing and elegant than a spear or staff. Still, I've seen some excellent spear practitioners. Your spear technique already surpasses most people's, but this style is inherently a powerful, deadly combat art. You lack the intimidating and decisive intent because you haven't experienced real combat."

Yu Lang was deeply envious of Brother Shi's experiences. "When I was little, I only learned some basic martial arts from my father. Now, I just practice haphazardly. The spear technique I'm learning was taught by the master, a military combat style, and I don't even know how to cultivate true qi for it. I wonder if I'll have the chance to travel down the mountain in the future and witness advanced martial arts in the human world."

"You really want to keep studying martial arts?" the young man named Shi asked, looking at Yu Lang in surprise. "Aren't you afraid your master will scold you for neglecting your proper duties?"

How could the methods of cultivators compare to those of mortal martial artists? Why would anyone abandon the fundamental for the trivial?

Seeing Yu Lang's stiff expression, the young man named Shi changed his tone. "Practicing martial arts isn't entirely useless. Back when I was in the Qi Condensation stage, I repeatedly found myself in dangerous situations. Several times, I relied on the agile skills I gained from martial arts to catch the enemy off guard and counter-attack. Otherwise, you wouldn't see me here today."

At this point, the young man named Shi paused again. This was all he could say; in a battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators, martial arts offered very little advantage.

Yu Lang took a breath. "Brother Shi, you don't need to say more. I understand. Practicing martial arts is just to fulfill a childhood wish. Cultivation is the top priority, and I won't let a small interest overshadow my main goal!"

The young man named Shi nodded gently, then suddenly smiled. "Years ago, I put a lot of effort into creating a sword technique, which I believe is no less exquisite than other martial arts. Later, I focused solely on cultivation and never had a successor. Since you're interested in martial arts and call me 'Brother,' how about I pass this sword technique on to you? It would be good to have someone carry on the legacy, wouldn't it?"

Yu Lang was initially delighted, then hesitated.

Was he about to take on a third teacher? Scholar Chen's academy was open to everyone, and he wasn't the only student there. But martial arts were different; they were all secretly transmitted. In the martial world, the relationship between master and disciple was like that of father and son. Furthermore, Brother Shi was not a mortal. Taking him as a master would involve more than just a lifelong connection; it could lead to unknown karmic entanglements in the future.

Would his master even agree?

The young man named Shi saw through Yu Lang's thoughts and said casually, "It's just a martial art. To us cultivators, it's a trivial thing. Even if I taught you ten or eight of them, what would it matter? Don't take it too seriously. I see you like it, so consider it a gift from me, nothing more."

"Then, little brother will respectfully accept! Thank you, Brother Shi!"

Yu Lang cast aside his worries and immediately bowed deeply.

The young man named Shi waved his hand, creating a barrier that separated the bamboo grove from the outside. A sword light leapt from his interspatial pouch, and he grasped it, brandishing it a few times.

"This martial art of mine is called the 'Gentleman's Killing Sword Art'!" he announced. "It comprises twenty-five sword forms and five core essentials. Every strike is meant to eliminate evildoers, but the sword forms are honorable and always used to face enemies head-on, embodying the spirit of a gentleman's killing sword. It earned me the title of 'Gentleman's Sword' in the martial world. I still remember, I originally envisioned integrating all the sword forms and essentials to make the sword art undergo a complete transformation. Unfortunately, I later encountered unforeseen circumstances and lost interest in this path, so it was left uncompleted. If you have the dedication, you can try; perhaps you can truly unravel something profound."

"The first form: 'White Clouds Emerge from the Peaks'!"

As the young man named Shi narrated, his entire being almost transformed into a blur of sword light. Gusts of wind rustled, and bamboo leaves drifted silently to the ground. He danced with his sword in the forest, each move exquisitely precise, far surpassing the spear techniques taught by Scholar Chen.

Yu Lang's eyes were wide, and his ears keenly listened to the young man named Shi's explanations, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

Soon after, the young man named Shi demonstrated the "Gentleman's Killing Sword Art" once, then stood still, sheathing his sword.

"Did you remember it?"

Yu Lang closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then nodded gently.

"Before learning this sword art, there are a few other martial arts you need to master first," the young man named Shi continued. "I deciphered this sword art based on those very martial arts. The first one is called 'River-Severing Divine Blade'!"

The young man named Shi used his sword as a saber and demonstrated another saber art. He demonstrated multiple martial arts consecutively, and Yu Lang could fully remember each one after just a single demonstration.

"Your aptitude is indeed good, but unfortunately, the martial path is not the True Dao after all," the young man named Shi sighed, shaking his head, and tossed the sword in his hand to Yu Lang.

"You don't have a suitable precious sword, so take this and use it for now. This sword might be considered a divine weapon in the mortal world, but in truth, it's just a low-grade magical artifact."

Sensing the precious sword in his hand, Yu Lang confirmed it was indeed as described and did not refuse.

Coming back to his senses, he realized it was already dusk, and almost time for school to dismiss without him noticing. Yu Lang cried out in alarm and rushed back to the academy.

The young man named Shi waited until Yu Lang and Little Five were dismissed from school, then returned to the Taoist temple with them. Along the way, the young man named Shi continued to recount various martial arts, interspersed with his experiences traveling the martial world. His stories were captivating, filling Yu Lang with immense longing, and even Little Five listened with great relish.

Back at the Taoist temple, the young man named Shi waited for the last patient to leave, then offered the spiritual stones he owed. Watching Qin Sang pick up a brush and erase entries from the ledger under the dim lamplight, just like a mortal Taoist priest, the young man named Shi couldn't help but sigh, "I've only visited Qingyang Temple twice, but for some reason, every time I enter, my mind feels an unprecedented tranquility. It truly lives up to its name as a pure land; I almost don't want to leave."

Despite his words, the young man named Shi soon bid farewell, and Yu Lang personally saw him out of the Taoist temple.

Unbeknownst to them, the master and his two disciples had already spent four years at Qingyang Temple. The temple remained unchanged. The daily number of people coming up the mountain for medicine had decreased, but their journeys were getting longer.

Qin Sang had previously discussed with Scholar Chen to have Little Five and Yu Lang spend three years alongside other students their age, completing their elementary studies together. According to regulations, students at this stage were expected to take the "Child Examination." If successful, they would become "Child Scholars" and be eligible to attend county schools or other academies.

However, Scholar Chen's academy was also considered an academy. Although he was merely a *Xiucai* (a scholar who passed the imperial examination at the county level), he was renowned for his talent. Many other *Xiucai* admired him greatly, staying at the academy year-round to discuss classics, compose poetry, and secretly treat him with the respect due to a master. Some Child Scholars would merely register at the county school and continue their studies at Scholar Chen's academy. Those who failed the Child Examination, or those like Yu Lang and Little Five who did not participate, would, after assessment by Scholar Chen, also be arranged to study deeper classics alongside the Child Scholars.

In fact, Little Five and Yu Lang had long since completed these studies. Scholar Chen often gave them special tutoring, even using his connections to specifically acquire books for them from prefectural and provincial cities, placing particularly high hopes on Yu Lang. He had lost count of how many times he tried to persuade Yu Lang, but Yu Lang always remained firm in his original intention. Scholar Chen gradually gave up hope but did not treat them poorly because of it.

These past few years, Yu Lang had led a very fulfilling life. Since imparting the "Gentleman's Killing Sword Art" to Yu Lang, the young man named Shi would visit Qingyang Temple every year or so. He didn't come for medicine. Each time he visited, he would bring some mortal martial arts texts as a gift for Yu Lang. He himself couldn't quite explain whether he wanted to repay his young friend or sought that precious tranquility. Unfortunately, he dared not stay too long, at most an hour each time, always arriving and departing in a hurry.

The first snow had just cleared. Yu Lang was sitting upright, listening to the lecture, when his expression subtly changed. He glanced at his senior sister beside him. The siblings exchanged a look, both with smiles in their eyes, and during the break, they happily ran to the bamboo grove.

"Brother Shi!"

Seeing the young man named Shi sitting cross-legged in the bamboo grove, Yu Lang was excited but also slightly reproachful. "Why did it take you so long to come this time?"

"I can't disturb you too often, little brother," the young man named Shi replied with a smile, offering no further explanation. He looked Yu Lang up and down, remarking with emotion, "You've already cultivated to the eleventh layer of the Qi Condensation stage so quickly. It's truly wonderful to have a master! When do you plan to attempt the Foundation Establishment stage? Didn't the Daoist priest give you a spiritual elixir for it?"

"Master hasn't said," Yu Lang replied, a hint of trouble in his voice. Since reaching the tenth layer of the Qi Condensation stage, his master had rarely guided him, and the medicinal baths had also stopped. He wasn't sure what he should be doing.

"With your master's capabilities, refining a few Foundation Establishment elixirs would be effortless. He probably wants you to temper yourself thoroughly; after all, you're still young and have plenty of time," the young man named Shi said, waving his hand to conjure a wooden table that instantly became filled with cups and dishes. Ever since he learned what Little Five liked to eat, he would bring local delicacies from various places each time he visited.

"What are you looking at? Hurry and eat!"

Seeing Little Five devouring the food, but Yu Lang staring at him unmoving, the young man named Shi shook his head with a smile, took out a stack of secret martial arts manuals, and tossed them over. "Here you go!"

"Thank you, Brother Shi!"

Yu Lang cheered, hugged the manuals, sat on the ground without a care for his image, and eagerly began to flip through them.

"Daoist Qingfeng lets this kid indulge in martial arts. I wonder what his deeper meaning is," the young man named Shi thought to himself. He knew that his every arrival would not escape the Daoist priest's discerning eyes. Since even the master didn't stop it, there was no need for him to say more. He then looked at Little Five, who was chewing slowly but eating at a surprisingly fast pace, and secretly thought that he was also a peculiar being. Years had passed, but he hadn't grown an inch. He only used illusions to deceive mortals and was probably not human. Yet, he couldn't discern Little Five's true origins at all.

Just then, all three stopped what they were doing and looked outside.

Seven Rows Village and Qinggui Town were connected by one road, which had a three-way intersection. The other path was the official road leading to the county town. Just now, a group of people on horseback came from the direction of the county town. Among this group, the leaders were several constables, followed by a team of armored soldiers, galloping like lightning. Battles were constant on the borders of Nanshu Prefecture, and troops were stationed there year-round, so this situation was not uncommon. Little Five and the young man named Shi had already sensed them but paid no mind.

Unexpectedly, this group of officers and soldiers did not take the main road to Qinggui Town but turned onto a small path towards Seven Rows Village.

"What are they here for?" Yu Lang was the last to notice, and he frowned. These officers and soldiers were radiating killing intent, clearly not here for good.

*Thud, thud, thud...*

The rapid hoofbeats shattered the tranquility of Seven Rows Village. The officers and soldiers rode through the bamboo grove, heading straight for the academy. The leading constable, who appeared to be around twenty, sharply reined in his horse, causing its front hooves to rear high, letting out a long whinny. The armored soldiers behind him halted in unison.

A commotion erupted inside the academy as students rushed out, gazing in terror at the fierce-looking constables. The timid younger students immediately burst into tears. Someone sprinted to the back hall to inform Scholar Chen.

The young constable smirked coldly and swung his hand. "Surround them! Don't let a single person escape, or you'll face the consequences!"

"Yes, sir!" the armored soldiers responded in unison, splitting into two teams and encircling the academy.

Just as they were about to storm inside, Scholar Chen finally strode quickly from the back hall. Upon seeing the young constable, Scholar Chen's face immediately darkened, and he roared, "Yue Duanshu, how dare you act so presumptuously! What do you want?"

Yue Duanshu's smile grew colder. He raised the token in his hand high. "The prefectural yamen received a secret report that Scholar Chen Zhenqing, under the guise of teaching, has been secretly spreading forbidden imperial books in his academy with malicious intent! I am here on the orders of Commissioner Tongzhi to investigate. Search the premises! Anyone who dares to obstruct will be executed without mercy!"

Yue Duanshu held the token, looking down with an air of righteous authority.

"What petty villain dares to slander me, Chen!" Scholar Chen's face turned as black as a pot.

A wave of indignation swept through the students.

No one noticed a young girl by the academy window, hidden behind a group of students, whose eyes suddenly widened in extreme terror. She nearly collapsed. She shrank back, her expression frantic, terrified of making a sound. Her hands trembled as she quietly pulled out a tattered old book from her satchel, her whole body shaking from fright. The book almost slipped from her grasp.

The armored soldiers' footsteps sounded like a death knell.

The girl was at a loss. Spotting a small, exquisite book box nearby, she hastily stuffed the book inside.