Chapter 474 – Jade Water Sword

These words sounded quite ordinary, yet in Si Yakong’s ears, they were no less than celestial music.

He immediately turned his head, his voice trembling as he asked, “Young Hero Ren… you’re not… joking, are you…?”

His tone was one of complete disbelief.

Zhang Xiaohua replied with a half-smile: “Does Sect Master Si think I’m joking?”

“N-not at all, not at all,” Si Yakong said hurriedly, visibly moved. “This old man simply didn’t expect such generosity from my virtuous nephew… To think you would be willing to give something so important to our Weapon Forging Sect.”

“Give it away?” Zhang Xiaohua shook his head again. “Sect Master Si thinks too highly of our Big Dipper Sect. Let alone the fact that the Great Evolution Five Elements Formation was lost for thousands of years—we only came upon it through an extremely fortuitous coincidence. Even so, no cultivation method or formation from our sect can be casually handed over.”

He glanced at Valley Master Nie and smiled. “Besides, gifting it outright would only make others suspect it’s not genuine or worse, think the Big Dipper Sect is so wealthy and extravagant that we toss things around for free. That is absolutely not acceptable.”

“Even if I wanted to give it away, the elders of the sect would still punish me.”

“However, Uncle Si truly carries the demeanor of a senior. Unlike certain sects, who—when they desire something—claim it as originally theirs, dress up robbery as ‘retrieval’, and resort to all sorts of disgraceful tricks. Just for that alone, I’m willing to make a fair exchange with Sect Master Si.”

Valley Master Nie added: “Indeed. Nephew Ren, the Big Dipper Sect isn’t yours alone, and neither is this formation. It’s only proper to give your sect master a suitable explanation. Don’t you agree, Brother Si?”

Si Yakong came to his senses and quickly nodded. “Exactly, exactly. If the Big Dipper Sect is willing to transmit the formation to our Weapon Forging Sect, that is already a great kindness. How could we ever forcibly seize it? Besides, this Great Evolution Five Elements Formation was originally passed down to us by a senior expert thousands of years ago—perhaps that very expert was from your Big Dipper Sect.”

Zhang Xiaohua chuckled inwardly but kept a serious face. “Ah, if Uncle Si puts it that way, it seems our two sects were fated to be connected long ago.”

Ying Zhezhu immediately clapped his hands and said with delight: “That’s wonderful! If you’re connected to the Weapon Forging Sect, then naturally you’re connected to our Yuli Alliance as well! No wonder Nephew Ren looked so familiar to me!”

“…Good grief,” Zhang Xiaohua nearly spat blood. He muttered to himself, “Do I really look that ancient?”

Valley Master Nie, however, gave Si Yakong a glance before speaking in a steady voice: “Nephew Ren, do you know what sort of item your sect master and elders would accept in exchange for this formation?”

Si Yakong quickly echoed with urgency: “That’s right, Nephew Ren. When you left your sect, what instructions did your elders give you?”

“Well…” Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment before replying, “The Sect Master didn’t give any specific instructions. It’s just that our Big Dipper Sect has long remained secluded from worldly affairs and isn’t very familiar with the current state of the martial world. I was simply told to bring back something of value as an account. I believe, as an elder, Uncle Si wouldn’t let this junior suffer a loss, would he?”

“Of course not! How could I possibly let Nephew Ren return without anything to show?” Si Yakong immediately assured him.

As he spoke, he pulled out a short sword from his robe and handed it over, saying, “Nephew, take a look at this treasured sword first.”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned slightly, thinking to himself, “What use do I have for a sword like this? I’d be better off with a jade slip—it’d be more practical. At the very least, a weapon usable by those of the Immortal Dao would be acceptable… oh right, they’re called ‘spiritual artifacts’ in the [General Principles of Weapon Refinement].”

Not wanting to embarrass Si Yakong, Zhang Xiaohua accepted the sword absentmindedly.

Seeing his expression, Si Yakong could already tell that Zhang Xiaohua wasn’t very impressed. But he assumed Zhang Xiaohua didn’t recognize its value and smiled as he said: “Nephew, you should try drawing the sword before you judge.”

Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the slightly worn scabbard, frayed and tattered in places, and felt a bit of disdain in his heart. Still, hearing Si Yakong’s words, he casually drew the short sword.

With a soft shua sound, the blade left the sheath. Zhang Xiaohua focused his gaze—and couldn’t help but let out a soft “Hm?”

The blade was roughly the same length as the short dagger used by the old man with the bronze mask he’d encountered earlier. Under the clear lamplight, the blade’s edge shimmered with a deep blue luster. The sheen rippled faintly with the flickering of the light, flowing like water.

Seeing his reaction, Si Yakong’s face showed a trace of satisfaction, and he said with quiet confidence: “Among the martial world’s Four Famous Swords—Dragonbreaker, Windslayer, Goldcutter, Watersunder—each already has its master. They’re beyond even the reach of our Weapon Forging Sect. This Jadewater Sword may not be known to the martial world and can’t compare to those famed blades, but it holds its own unique qualities—things that even the greatest swords cannot match.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but sweep his divine sense over the blade, but was surprised to find no fluctuation of Yuan Qi coming from it. He shook his head lightly.

Seeing this, Si Yakong gave a soft chuckle and said: “Nephew Ren, try channeling your inner qi into the sword. Then you’ll understand its wonders.”

Zhang Xiaohua was momentarily stunned and let out a bitter smile. The energy within his body was not the inner force cultivated through martial arts; this “true qi” was not that “true qi”. Even if he were to channel it into the short sword, what use would it be?

Glancing at Si Yakong, Zhang Xiaohua still sent a wisp of true qi into the Jade Water Sword in his hand. That one infusion was nothing remarkable, but unexpectedly, the sword’s verdant, water-like glow suddenly shimmered with ripples. Startled, Zhang Xiaohua tried channeling just a bit more. At that moment, the tip of the short sword began to tremble, and to his surprise, faint wisps of sword light suddenly shot out from it.

“Sword light?” Ying Zhezhu cried out in astonishment.

Hearing the exclamation, Zhang Xiaohua hurriedly withdrew his true qi. The glow of the Jade Water Sword faded away, returning to its former serene, water-like state.

Si Yakong was also visibly surprised. He cupped his hands and said: “Nephew Ren, I did not expect your inner cultivation to be so profound. I had thought you could at most elicit a faint glow.”

Zhang Xiaohua turned his hand over and studied the short sword with interest. He asked: “Uncle Si, what’s going on here? Was this Jade Water Sword forged by your sect?”

Si Yakong glanced at the Jade Water Sword, a reluctant look flashing across his face. He said: “Nephew, you’re likely aware that both our Artifact Forging Sect and the Weapon Refining Sect are capable of crafting weapons that amplify inner force. These forging methods were developed by a senior thousands of years ago. As for who that senior was—pardon me, but I won’t be revealing that to you. What I can tell you is that this Jade Water Sword was one of that predecessor’s proudest creations. You could even call it a treasure of our Weapon Forging Sect.”

“I see…” Zhang Xiaohua murmured thoughtfully. The short sword was indeed impressive, but it didn’t seem like something he could make use of. The little sword he carried might not be suitable for public display, but its power was unquestionable. And although his heavy longsword lacked sharpness, it could crush a person just the same.

Having thought this through, Zhang Xiaohua handed the Jade Water Sword back to Si Yakong and said: “Sect Master Si, this sword is a treasure of your sect. How could I, a junior, take what belongs to someone else? Please take it back.”

Si Yakong, however, was unwilling to reclaim it. He waved his hands repeatedly and said: “As the ancients say: ‘A treasured sword is meant for a hero.’ A martial sect such as yours is better suited to wield this item. Besides, the Jade Water Sword is not widely known—if certain high-level experts were to catch wind of it, it might even bring calamity upon my Weapon Forging Sect.”

Zhang Xiaohua could tell this was merely an excuse. The Weapon Forging Sect made its name by crafting weapons—if they had nothing of value, who would believe in their reputation?

Seeing that Zhang Xiaohua still hadn’t accepted, Si Yakong began to grow anxious. He turned to Tong Ba and shouted: “Quick, bring me my personal brocade pouch!”

Tong Ba immediately stood up and rushed to the side, picking up a pouch that had been sitting nearby.

This pouch was unlike an ordinary bag. It was made of pitch-black fabric and shaped like a rectangle. Si Yakong took it from him and led Zhang Xiaohua to an empty table. With a flick of his hand, he emptied its contents across the surface and said: “Nephew, if you’re not satisfied, go ahead and pick anything from this table—whatever you like is yours!”

“This Sect Master Si is certainly generous. It seems he’s determined to obtain the Great Five Elements Formation.” Zhang Xiaohua mused inwardly, “If I don’t pick something now, it’ll look like I was just putting on airs earlier… Sigh, let’s see if there are any jade slips.”

Si Yakong’s pouch contained all sorts of odds and ends, now scattered across the entire table—but there wasn’t a single jade slip. Zhang Xiaohua swept over the items with his divine sense, and his brows involuntarily furrowed. He pointed to three pitch-black sticks and asked, “Sect Master Si, what are these?”

Si Yakong also looked at the three short, thin rods in puzzlement. After thinking for a moment, he said hesitantly: “Those… I believe I found them last year while rummaging through a secret chamber. They should be the handles of some flags, coated in dust, so I just grabbed them casually. But how did the handles end up in my brocade pouch? And where did the flags go?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and asked: “My Sect Master has a fondness for ancient jade artifacts—not the finely carved ones, mind you. Any old jade pendants or jade slips will do. The older, the better. If Sect Master Si could give me a few pieces, I could bring them back and count it as completing my task.”

“Jade pendants?” Si Yakong looked a bit troubled and said, “To be honest with you, Nephew, our Weapon Forging Sect doesn’t really have what you’re describing. As for ordinary jade artifacts, the sect does have a few, but they’re relatively new and most are quite elaborately carved.”

“I see.” Zhang Xiaohua nodded slightly and was just about to speak again—

When suddenly, Si Yakong slapped his forehead and said: “Ah! I just remembered—I actually do have something rather peculiar on me. Perhaps your Sect Master would be interested.”

With that, he reached a hand into his robes, about to retrieve the item, but then hesitated, a look of uncertainty on his face. He glanced at Valley Master Nie and gave him a meaningful look.

Valley Master Nie understood at once and promptly dismissed the few remaining disciples from the martial arena.

Once all unrelated parties had left, Si Yakong said apologetically, “I hope you won’t mind, Nephew. This item is somewhat unusual—if too many people knew about it, it might bring trouble to both our sects.”

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua’s interest was immediately piqued. He asked, “Then may I have a look now, Sect Master Si?”

With a mysterious air, Si Yakong pulled his hand from his robes, revealing a small booklet in his fingers.

“A martial arts manual?” Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled. What use would something like that be to him?

But Si Yakong shook his head and said, “No rush, Nephew Ren. Take a look first before making any assumptions.”

As he spoke, he opened the booklet and handed it over.

Zhang Xiaohua furrowed his brow as he accepted it and lowered his gaze. But when his eyes fell on the contents of the booklet, he couldn’t help but be greatly astonished.