Chapter 493: Agreement Reached

Seeing this, Valley Master Nie lifted his gaze and glanced around, then said in a low voice: “This old man recalls that when Brother Yang came here ten years ago, you seemed to mention that you were especially fond of divine weapons and sharp blades, did you not?”

Steward Yang was momentarily stunned, then his eyes immediately lit up. “Brother Nie has an impressive memory. That was nothing more than drunken nonsense back then, yet you still remember it so clearly.”

Valley Master Nie chuckled. Reaching into his robes, he took out a short sword about three cun long. The ancient-looking scabbard was mottled with green patina. He held it out before Steward Yang and said: “Brother Yang, help me appraise this.”

From the moment the short sword appeared, Steward Yang’s eyes never left the scabbard. When Valley Master Nie offered it to him, he did not stand on ceremony and reached out to take it. First, he examined its exterior with great care. Then, gripping the scabbard with one hand and the hilt with the other, he applied a slight force with both hands.

With a soft qing sound, the gleaming short blade slid free of its sheath. It was as though a bolt of lightning had suddenly appeared out of thin air. Steward Yang’s eyes narrowed at first, then widened in astonishment. After studying it for quite some time, two words finally burst from his lips: “Fine sword!”

Reluctantly, he presented it back before Valley Master Nie and asked: “Brother Nie, where did this sword come from? Does it have a name?”

Valley Master Nie did not take the sword back. Smiling, he replied: “This blade was discovered by Old Si of the Artifact Forging Sect among the ruins of their sect, purely by chance. It never had a name.”

“Amazing. That such an incomparably sharp nameless short sword exists in this world—it’s practically on par with the four great famed swords of the Jianghu. It’s just a pity…”

“A pity?” Valley Master Nie asked. “A pity that you can’t keep it and admire it for long?”

“Tsk, tsk…” Steward Yang smacked his lips but did not deny it.

Valley Master Nie pushed the short sword forward, returning it to Steward Yang, and said: “Ever since you once mentioned your fondness for divine weapons, this old man has kept it in mind. Unfortunately, fate did not align until last year, when I learned that Old Si had obtained this nameless short sword. I immediately thought of you, Brother Yang, and especially went to the Artifact Forging Sect to ask for it. I intended to give it to you today, so there’s no need to be polite.”

“Well…” Steward Yang looked somewhat uncomfortable. He tried to hand the short sword back and said: “As the saying goes, ‘One should not accept rewards without merit.’ Although the bond between us brothers is deep, this item is far too precious for me to accept.”

Valley Master Nie’s expression hardened as he said: “Brother Yang, you’re being far too formal. Didn’t I just say that you’re already half a master of Spring Rebirth Valley? This short sword—setting aside the fact that it’s nameless—even if it were one of the four great famed swords, it still wouldn’t compare to the friendship between us. Go on and accept it without worry.”

Seeing that Valley Master Nie was visibly angered, Steward Yang went along with the situation and said: “Since Old Brother Nie has put it that way, then I, as your younger brother, won’t stand on ceremony. Still, Old Brother Nie, don’t treat me as an outsider. If there’s anything troubling you, just say it outright. If it’s something this brother can handle, I will certainly see it done for you.”

Valley Master Nie had presented that precious short sword precisely to obtain these words. Hearing them now, how could he not be pleased? He only said: “This matter is both difficult and not difficult—it all depends on whether Younger Brother Yang is willing to take it on. Of course, if Younger Brother Yang feels it’s inappropriate, just tell this old man. As your elder brother, I will absolutely not put you in a difficult position.”

After speaking, he walked to the entrance of Spring Rebirth Hall and gave a wave of his hand. Not long after, nine boys of eleven or twelve years of age filed in from outside the hall in a neat line. Each of them had red lips, white teeth, and handsome features.

The nine boys entered the hall, lined up in a row, and all bowed together.

Looking at the nine boys, Steward Yang wore a puzzled expression. He lowered his voice toward Valley Master Nie, who had just returned, and said: “What’s this? Old Brother Nie, are there fewer people this year? Only nine? Is this what’s troubling you?”

Valley Master Nie shook his head. “Brother Yang, take a closer look first. What do you think of these nine boys?”

“All right.”

Since this concerned official business of the Incense Spreading Sect, Steward Yang did not dare be careless. He first stepped forward and examined them one by one, carefully inspecting each, even reaching out to pinch and feel their bones, nodding repeatedly.

After that, he questioned them individually about medicinal herbs and pill refinement. All nine medicine boys answered smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.

Once the inspection was finished, Valley Master Nie waved his hand, and the nine medicine boys all withdrew.

Only then did Steward Yang smile and say: “Old Brother Nie, I truly envy your Spring Rebirth Valley. Every time, you manage to produce medicine boys with such excellent aptitude. No wonder our Incense Spreading Sect always comes specifically to you to recruit them.”

Valley Master Nie said: “Are you satisfied with these nine medicine boys?”

“Mmm, very satisfied indeed. Old Brother Nie, if your difficulty lies here, then I can answer you right now—this favor I can definitely help with.”

Valley Master Nie gave a bitter smile. “Boss Yang is kind-hearted. This old man thanks you here, but the matter is not so simple. Listen first as I explain.”

He then invited Steward Yang to take a sip of tea and said: “Just now, Brother Yang mentioned the difficulties my Spring Rebirth Valley encountered last year. I trust you already know the underlying reason.”

Steward Yang smiled and said: “Yes. Although our Incense Spreading Sect does not involve itself too deeply in worldly affairs, anything concerning Spring Rebirth Valley does not escape our notice. It’s just that the hand behind the scenes was truly well hidden—even the people of Mochou City were unable to uncover any clues. Of course, if Old Brother Nie is willing, once I return to the Incense Spreading Sect, I can report to the Hall Master. Perhaps his elder self has better methods to drag the enemy out from the shadows.”

Valley Master Nie shook his head. “Since they are enemies, they will eventually show themselves. There is no need to disturb the Hall Master’s seclusion over such a minor matter.”

Steward Yang nodded as well and praised him, saying: “Old Brother Nie truly has fine scheming. The martial match for marriage—one move, two gains. First, it drew the attention of all the forces in the martial world to Spring Rebirth Valley, making the enemy afraid to act openly. Second, it even found Little Yu a suitable husband. As your younger brother, I can only admire you.”

At this point, Steward Yang suddenly thought of something. “That’s right—why hasn’t Little Yu come over? After all, I watched that girl grow up. Every time I came before, she would call me ‘uncle’ and be full of enthusiasm. Why haven’t I seen her this time? I’ve already reached the inner hall, and yet she hasn’t come to pay her respects?”

“Ah…” Valley Master Nie let out a long sigh and said: “Little Yu knows you are coming, and she is happy about it as well. It’s just that this difficult matter I’m about to speak of is related to her. It would be better to let this old man explain everything clearly first, and then have her come to pay her respects.”

“Huh?” Steward Yang grew even more surprised. “The martial match for marriage ended several months ago. Our Little Yu has also… oh, no, that’s not right. According to our informants, Little Yu’s husband seems to be quite young, and they still haven’t consummated the marriage, correct? That must be it. I haven’t heard any news of Spring Rebirth Valley holding a wedding celebration.”

“But what exactly is it in all this that requires me to step forward?”

Steward Yang was becoming somewhat confused.

Valley Master Nie pondered for a moment, then recounted the words he had previously agreed upon with Yue Yan and Zhang Xiaohua.

After hearing Valley Master Nie’s explanation, Steward Yang’s expression remained unchanged, yet his gaze flickered constantly, as though he were weighing something in his mind. After a long while, he finally let out a sigh and said: “Old Brother Nie, we’ve been friends for decades. You have never asked me for anything. To be honest, with a request like this, how could I dare agree so easily? You also know why our Incense Spreading Sect has been taking people from you all these years. First, the medicine boys from Spring Rebirth Valley truly have excellent aptitude—hardworking, able to endure hardship, and easy to put to use. Compared to finding them ourselves, it saves both time and effort. Second, your Spring Rebirth Valley is well known to us; the people you send are all trustworthy. But this son-in-law of yours, no matter how one puts it, is still an outsider. Winning the arena by lasting through three sticks of incense only proves that his martial skill is decent—it does not prove that he is a steady and reliable person.”

Valley Master Nie’s expression likewise did not change, as if he had already anticipated this response. With a conciliatory smile, he said: “ Brother Yang, what you say is entirely correct. Reliability and trustworthiness are precisely the sole standards by which we select medicine boys. This old brother understands that very well. That is why, before thinking of recommending Xiaoyao to your esteemed sect, Spring Rebirth Valley had already thoroughly investigated his background. Xiaoyao hails from the Big Dipper Sect, far to the north…”

Hearing this, Steward Yang frowned. “The Big Dipper Sect? How is it that I’ve never even heard of it?”

But then he immediately laughed and said: “There are simply too many small sects and minor schools in the martial world. You kill me, I wipe you out—who knows how many sects rise and fall every single day.”

Valley Master Nie nodded and said: “Indeed, this Big Dipper Sect is something even this old man had never heard of. However, although Ren Xiaoyao is still young, he truly is a good child with a chivalrous heart and a righteous spirit.”

Steward Yang was taken aback once more. “And how is that shown?”

Thus, Valley Master Nie recounted in full how Zhang Xiaohua had escorted Nie Qianyu back safely, explaining the matter from beginning to end without omission.

After hearing this, Steward Yang’s face lit up with delight. He laughed and said: “So that’s why, Old Brother, you were able to feel so at ease letting an outsider so easily become your son-in-law. It turns out there was this connection behind it all. If things are truly as you say, Ren Xiaoyao escorting Little Yu back to the valley from thousands of miles away—such righteousness, such a debt of gratitude, is indeed no small matter.”

He then let out a cold chuckle. “Even if the Big Dipper Sect is nothing more than an obscure school, as long as our Incense Spreading Sect takes notice of it, that’s no problem at all. Once he leaves his name within our sect and then returns to the martial world, their Big Dipper Sect will likewise rise to sudden fame!”

Hearing this, Valley Master Nie felt a surge of joy in his heart. “I knew Younger Brother would understand my intentions. If he weren’t someone whose background I had fully verified, how would this old man dare casually bring him in as a live-in son-in-law? Or, for that matter, casually recommend him to your esteemed sect?”

Steward Yang did not rush to give his assent. Instead, he said: “Where is Little Yu? Let her come over. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this niece of mine.”

Valley Master Nie smiled and said: “Little Yu has been waiting at the door all along. Just wait a moment.”

With that, he walked to the entrance and ushered Nie Qianyu, who had been waiting there, into Spring Rebirth Hall.

Seeing the smile on her father’s face, Nie Qianyu knew that the matter had found some resolution. Her feelings were mixed—joy and worry entwined—but she forced a smile and hurried to the front of the hall, bowing deeply in a formal salute.

When Steward Yang saw Nie Qianyu enter the hall, he was clearly taken aback. Only after she had completed her bow did he snap out of it, quickly rising to help her up. He looked her over from top to bottom, then sighed and said: “Little Yu, your father told me about your situation several years ago. It’s also my fault, as your uncle, for not taking it to heart. I only felt your father was worrying too much, overly concerned about his child. Now that I look at you today, it really is so. This year you are already…”

Steward Yang frowned and began counting on his fingers. Nie Qianyu smiled and said: “Uncle Yang, this niece is already sixteen this year.”

Steward Yang slapped his forehead. “That’s right—already a sixteen-year-old young lady.”

Afterward, he looked at Nie Qianyu again, regret evident, his gaze lingering on her still-developing figure, and said: “But compared to a few years ago, there hasn’t been much change.”