Chapter 1849: Hidden Bitterness

Time…What is time?

As the Disk of Time unfolded beneath him, Xu Xiaoshou felt a sense of detachment. It was as if his soul had left his body, allowing him to survey the entire first floor of the Ancient and Modern Worry-Free Pavilion from a god’s-eye view.

Mr. Si Ren sat at the tea table, pouring tea. Ba Zun’an leaned silently by the wooden door, and Kong Yuhen quietly descended the wooden ladder, lingering at its foot without approaching. They watched his body, while he observed them from above.

“I am time…”

A clear understanding dawned upon him, accompanied by the murmuring sound of flowing water in his ears. From far beyond the Ancient and Modern Worry-Free Pavilion, a winding, ethereal river materialized, effortlessly piercing through walls, flowing from beneath his feet and extending into the distant mist behind him, as indistinct as flowers seen through fog.

It wasn’t enough. Not yet. He just needed to keep pushing!

Xu Xiaoshou didn’t let the epiphany slip away. He continued to exchange for Dao Seed Essences, planting them in the Dao Cultivation Field, feeding the fruits to the Disk of Time, and maintaining his state.

“Disk of Time (12).”“Disk of Time (13).”“Disk of Time (14).”

Progress was minimal. It was as if time itself was ticking at a fixed, slow frequency. Xu Xiaoshou was startled to realize that pushing the Disk of Time cost far more than even major disks like the Sword Dao Disk or the Technique Dao Disk. Previously, a maximum of ten Dao Seed Essences, or a million Passive Points, would advance major disks like the Sword Dao Disk or Technique Dao Disk by one level. Each time the Disk of Time ascended, it required a hundred Dao Seed Essences, or ten million Passive Points.

So, from 11 to 90, that would be eight hundred million Passive Points? Eight hundred million?

“It doesn’t matter. I have exactly one billion Passive Points. What have I been saving them for if not for unexpected needs?”

He hoped that its high cost was justified. The Sword Dao Disk and Technique Dao Disk had never disappointed him. The Disk of Time was similar, seeming to embody a higher concept, with each ascension bringing incredibly clear enlightenment.

“Disk of Time (29).”“Disk of Time (30).”

When the progress reached 30, the mist obscuring the long River of Time faded, and Xu Xiaoshou stepped into it. Cool water flowed over his ankles.

This sound reached not only Xu Xiaoshou’s ears but also moved the three individuals in the Ancient and Modern Worry-Free Pavilion; they too saw the river.

“The long River of Time has appeared…”

Kong Yuhen gazed in a trance at the young man’s enlightenment. Ba Zun’an’s eyes subtly revealed an ‘as expected’ look, and Mr. Mei Si Ren’s hand on the tea table trembled, almost dropping the teacup. He was truly stunned. Just by sitting down, it appeared? If Gui Leihan weren’t still alive, he would have thought Xu Xiaoshou was Gui Leihan reincarnated, capable of achieving enlightenment at will.

“Time…”

The low murmur echoed softly through the quiet first floor of the Ancient and Modern Worry-Free Pavilion.

Xu Xiaoshou waded forward, stepping through the water, tracing the long River of Time back into the past. First to catch his eye were lush, vibrant flowers and green grass along the riverbank, exuding vitality. Stepping over large stones perpetually worn smooth by the current, he paused, a sense of realization dawning on him, seeing the old and new revealed on the riverbed stones, where the water rose and fell. Moss clung to the upper parts of the stones, while the lower parts were smooth and gleaming, a distinct boundary.

Another step forward, and the scene shifted. The flowers and grass withered, the stone moss vanished. Pavilions and towers arose, grand courtyards were constructed, yet the earthy yellow color of the stones before him remained unchanged, ancient and everlasting.

“Time…”“What is time?”

Xu Xiaoshou gained another insight. Time was both prosperity and decay, and also unchanging.

He did not linger in contemplation but quickly awoke, pulling himself away from the withered grass and riverbed stones. Looking ahead, he found himself, without realizing it, back in the Outer Courtyard of Tianxang Spirit Palace, gazing at the courtyard he had purchased at great expense before entering secluded cultivation.

“This is him…”“It’s also me…”

He saw his younger, naive self, tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard alone, bidding farewell to every named living thing and inanimate object, then nodding with satisfaction before resolutely activating the courtyard’s protective array and locking the door from inside. Succeed or die trying!

Xu Xiaoshou knew the outcome. He also knew that at this time, a mosquito should have been locked inside the room too. He deliberately passed through the body of his past self, who sat cross-legged in enlightenment, like a phantom. This ‘connection’ was established and then severed. Long after, the room grew dim, and his past self on the bed had still not achieved enlightenment.

He let go, stepping forward, ready to leave. Suddenly sensing something, he turned back and saw his past self slowly awakening.

“I was born…”

This thought flashed through his mind, leaving Xu Xiaoshou stunned by his own realization. His reborn self on the bed was thin, not as tall as he was now, and his face still had the freckles he’d thought weren’t bad at the time. He opened his eyes, furrowing his brow slightly. There was no pain from rebirth, only a muttered “Damn it” before he looked up, surveying the dim surroundings. This was an environment familiar to the current Xu Xiaoshou, but one that filled his past self, then a stranger to it, with trepidation.

He halted his forward movement, slightly intrigued, and followed his past self in re-examining this place of rebirth. What met his gaze was a ceiling draped with cobwebs, a small wooden table covered in dust, burnt-out candle stubs, and a spirited black sword…

“Ying…”

The Hidden Bitter beside the bed stirred, emitting a soft hum, as if greeting him and welcoming his return. Xu Xiaoshou smiled and walked over to touch Hidden Bitter. He couldn’t grasp the ethereal sword, but the scene around him shifted.

As the old blacksmith brought his final hammer blow down, the black sword on the forging table emitted a melodious hum. But soon, the spiritual light faded, and the sword’s blade dimmed. The burly old blacksmith, whose right arm was noticeably thicker, unsatisfactorily picked up the black sword—now tempered and having taken its first step in life, its ‘birth’—and muttered with a frown:

“A Ninth-Grade Spirit Sword, quite a few flaws, but it’ll still fetch a good price. Just wonder which unlucky fellow it’ll accompany and where it’ll fall in some trial ground, tsk.”

Creak—

The wooden door creaked open, and the old blacksmith turned his head. He saw a young boy, carrying a large bundle, rushing in eagerly and shouting, “Old Man Li, I need a Tenth-Grade Spirit Sword! I’ve saved enough spirit crystals!”

“Xu Xiaoshou?” Hearing his own name there, Xu Xiaoshou’s heart stirred slightly, and he couldn't help but smile.

This was Hidden Bitter’s past? The long River of Time was truly fascinating; he continued to watch.

“The Cloud and Wind Hegemony is approaching. All the good Tenth-Grade Spirit Swords have been snatched up. What’s left are old ones, re-forged ones, mostly third or fourth-hand goods, slightly chipped, but still usable. Do you want one?”

“I want a brand new one! No second-hand goods, I have plenty of spirit crystals!”

“Then how about this? A freshly forged Ninth-Grade Spirit Sword?”

“Old Man Li, you’re killing me! I can’t afford a Ninth-Grade one, stop messing around!”

“Tsk.” The old blacksmith sized up the boy, then quickly thought of something, changing the subject. “It’s been three years?”

The boy’s face darkened. “Old Man Li, what do you mean by that?!”

“Haha, kid, if you finish last in the Cloud and Wind Hegemony again this year, you’ll be kicked out of the Spirit Palace, won’t you? Why not think about going out early, getting a deacon position, and living a stable second half of your life?”

“Old Man Li, I think you’re insulting my Dao!”

Dao… Xu Xiaoshou stroked his chin. What a hot-headed youth said and proposed were all words that those who had lived half a lifetime would sigh over. The old blacksmith looked like he had many stories. Hearing this, he scoffed, but a hint of sadness flickered in his weathered eyes. He remained silent for a long time, then spoke up. “Fine, for your Dao. Add another five hundred spirit crystals, and I’ll sell it to you for two thousand five hundred.”

“You’re killing me! That’s so expensive, I don’t have that many spirit crystals!” The boy waved his hand.

“Just five hundred more! Tenth-Grade Spirit Sword money for a Ninth-Grade Spirit Sword, and a freshly forged, top-quality one at that! I’m selling you three years of our friendship!”

“Huh? Three years, five hundred spirit crystals?” The boy’s eyebrow quirked up. “Our friendship isn’t worth much, and these three years aren’t worth much either!”

Time…What is time?

Seeing this, Xu Xiaoshou gained another insight. For the common people in this world, time was money, it was spirit crystals. Time could be measured by price. Time reeked of money, yet this didn’t make it pejorative; it was imbued with practical ‘value’. Time could bring the aroma of food and the warmth of life; in the Spirit Refining World, it also represented the upward growth of new life, and even the beginning of Dao conflicts.

Clatter…

The impetuous boy quickly opened his bundle. Inside were numerous money pouches, which he promptly emptied onto the table, instantly covering it with spirit crystals: “Two thousand and one in total, all spirit crystals, plus some notes. Go ahead and count them.”

“This extra spirit crystal is for our three years of friendship. This is all I have. Take it or leave it!”

Old Man Li chuckled in exasperation. Without counting the money or notes, he casually picked up one spirit crystal from the table, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg: “My friendship, after all I’ve said, is worth five hundred spirit crystals in my eyes, and yours is only worth this one?” He slammed the spirit crystal heavily onto the table, his face full of indignation, as if deeply insulted.

After all, the boy had also spent three years in the Outer Courtyard, becoming the Outer Courtyard’s Senior Disciple, so he wasn’t intimidated. Pointing at the spirit crystal, he also said: “Is this ‘one spirit crystal’?” He clenched his fist and declared passionately, “To me, this is ‘everything,’ this is ‘all I have,’ this is ‘a desperate gamble’!”

A desperate gamble… The old blacksmith crossed his arms, tilted his head, as if he’d understood something, and squinted, peering askance at the boy, remaining silent for a long time.

“Are you selling or not?” The boy slammed his hands on the counter and leaned forward.

“Fine, I’ll sell it. You’ve gone on about it this much, even ‘given your all’,” the old blacksmith said sarcastically. “Tsk! How could I not sell it?”

The boy ignored his tone, grinning as he reached out and patted the old blacksmith’s shoulder in thanks, then took the black sword.

“What’s its name?”

“Just forged, no name yet. You’re the new owner, give it a name.”

“It’s so dark, how about ‘Black Dog’?”

“XU! XIAO! SHOU!” The old blacksmith flared up instantly. “Put that sword down!”

“Hey, no, just kidding, Uncle…”

The boy hugged his precious black sword, chuckling as he retreated to the doorway. His smile finally faded. His lips twitched a few times, and a hint of bitterness appeared on his face. He lowered his gaze to the black sword in his hand, whose spiritual energy was as low as his own, and murmured: “I’ll call you ‘Hidden Bitter’…”

“Hidden Bitter?” The old blacksmith, who had rolled up his trouser legs, sounded pleased by such a poetic name and lowered his iron boot. “What does it mean?”

“To conceal all hardships, and eventually welcome the morning sun…”

“Hmph, a scholar!”

The boy bid farewell and waved goodbye. He had arrived in a rush and departed swiftly, as if greased lightning, fearing Old Man Li might change his mind.

The blacksmith shop returned to silence. The old blacksmith didn't resume forging. He bent down to put his iron boots back on, then limped on his prosthetic leg to the doorway. The lingering sunset glow fell upon the sprinting youth in the distance. He knew that youth would eventually fade, just as the sun sets. Though tomorrow’s dawn might rise again, how was one to endure the long night?

Old Man Li pulled out the large tobacco pipe from his waist, stamped his left prosthetic leg to shake off the numbness and phantom pain, then lit the pipe and took a deep draw. He exhaled smoke rings, letting the evening breeze ripple them. In a daze, he seemed to see the boy, having achieved the Dao, returning in splendid attire on a spirited horse to share his good news.

“Good luck,” Old Man Li mumbled to himself, then chuckled, shaking off his melancholic thoughts, and turned to close the shop door.

Clatter, clatter, clatter… Rapid footsteps approached from afar.

“I’ll take your blessings!”

—It wasn’t a hallucination after all. This rascal was back. What did he want?

Old Man Li panicked, sensing trouble, and was about to lock the door from the inside, but the youthful footsteps were too quick. A hand jammed the door, and a grinning face peeked in.

“Uncle Li, did you just say Hidden Bitter was freshly forged?”

“Don’t call me Uncle Li, it makes me sick… Xu Xiaoshou, what do you want?! Just spit it out!”

“Why so distant, Old Man Li? I heard there’s a technique in forging called ‘Blood Refining.’ How about you fuse my blood with Hidden Bitter and temper it again? Its spiritual energy is lacking now, but what if, after blood refining, a sword spirit is directly born?”

“A sword spirit?!” The old blacksmith yelped. “Xu Xiaoshou, are you dreaming? A Ninth-Grade Spirit Sword, and you want a sword spirit to be born?!”

“What if!”

“What if my foot! This Hidden Bitter is a Li, not a Cao! Do you think I, Old Man Li, am some celestial immortal?”

“Uncle Li…”

“Don’t call me Uncle Li!”

“Mm-hm, Uncle Li, others might not know, but I know you, Uncle Li, a top expert from the Inner Courtyard, Uncle Li!”

“Ugh! I’m going to throw up my dinner from last night! Blood Refining is taxing; I don’t have the energy to play house with you!”

“Uncle Li, just one blood refinement, please, just one…”

“Don’t pull my leg! Don’t pull my pants… What are you doing?!” Old Man Li’s face suddenly showed horror.

“Huh? Uncle Li, why are you wearing pink undies? And with cute little sheep?”

“XU! XIAO! SHOU!”

“Hehe, if you won’t blood refine, then you won’t. I’ll just go find Elder Qiao now, hehe, little sheep…”

“XU! XIAO! SHOU! Get back here!”

“Oh.”

The boy stood at attention, respectfully handing over the black sword Hidden Bitter, his face filled with gratitude. “Did Uncle Li call me back for something important?”

The old blacksmith snatched the black sword, then poked the boy’s forehead until it swelled, pushing him straight to the ground, indignant as he said: “With your rotten demeanor, your ingrained unpleasantness, even if Hidden Bitter gained some spiritual energy after blood refining without a sword spirit being born, this sword would still be ruined.”

The boy chuckled as he stood up, dusting off his backside, and trotted happily back into the shop: “Thank you, Uncle Li! So grateful, Uncle Li!”

“And thank you, Uncle Li, for blood refining my Hidden Bitter for free!”

“Oh, I misspoke. It’s ‘our Hidden Bitter,’ it’s our shared treasure, hehe…”