SFS Chapter 31 The Sword of the Yue Maiden of yesteryear, A Divine Immortal of today!
Chapter 31 The Sword of the Yue Maiden of yesteryear, A Divine Immortal of today!
The bright moon still shines over Dongting Lake.
The moonlight, as white as frost, spilled across the vast lake, creating shimmering waves and a boundless expanse of shattered silver.
In the distance, Yueyang Tower is shrouded in the night, only a blurry outline remaining, gazing at Junshan Mountain from afar. A night breeze carries the damp scent of the lake and the low cries of waterbirds from the distant reeds.
At the summit of Junshan Mountain, below Xuanyuan Terrace, a pavilion stands quietly.
On the stone table in the pavilion were several plates of local specialty hairy crabs, a pot of warmed Shaoxing wine, three wine cups, and a few side dishes. Moonlight streamed through the eaves, casting dappled shadows on the table.
Ouyang Ke, Guo Jing, and Huang Rong sat around in the pavilion.
Since their first encounter in Dadu, these individuals have been locked in a constant struggle, their grudges and affections intertwined. Tonight, however, is the first time they've sat together so harmoniously, drinking wine, admiring the moon, and contemplating the world of martial arts.
Ouyang Ke picked up his wine cup, took a sip of the warm yellow wine, and gazed at the shimmering lake in the distance, his expression calm.
Guo Jing sat opposite him, pouring him wine from time to time. Although his movements were clumsy, they revealed his sincerity.
Huang Rong rested her chin on her hand, her bright eyes darting back and forth between the two of them, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"Come, come, Brother Bird, we can't forget you."
Guo Jing had just poured Ouyang Ke a full cup when he heard a low hoot from the side. He turned his head and saw a firebird perched on the corner of the table, tilting its head and looking at him, its expression clearly saying: Where's mine?
Guo Jing couldn't help but chuckle. He quickly took another wine cup, poured a shallow cup of yellow wine, and pushed it in front of the firebird.
The firebird nodded in satisfaction, flew down to the rim of the cup, and began to gently peck at it. Its elegant and composed posture even had the air of a refined scholar appreciating wine.
Huang Rong found it amusing and laughed, "Brother Jing, your bird brother knows how to enjoy life much better than you do."
Guo Jing scratched his head and chuckled, "Rong'er, how can I compare to it? It's a naturally born spirit, unique in the world!"
Looking at the firebird's leisurely appearance, Ouyang Ke smiled and shook his head, saying, "Brother Guo is wrong. There are many strange and wondrous things in this world. Although my firebird is spiritual, it may not be unique."
"Oh?" Guo Jing's interest was piqued. "Brother Ouyang, have you met anyone else?"
Ouyang Ke's gaze sharpened slightly, and he slowly said, "I once saw a divine eagle, whose divine might and spiritual intelligence surpassed even my firebird."
Upon hearing this, both Guo Jing and Huang Rong were deeply moved.
Huang Rong's eyes darted around, and she pressed on, "What kind of divine eagle? More powerful than my pair of white eagles?"
Ouyang Ke said, "That eagle is different from the white eagle that Brother Guo raised from a young age. It is huge, with a wingspan of more than ten feet. Although it can no longer fly high due to its heavy body, it can run on the ground like the wind and as fast as a horse. Among the so-called famous masters in the martial arts world, very few can compare to it in terms of martial arts."
"So miraculous?" Guo Jing's eyes were filled with longing.
Huang Rong pursed her lips, a half-smile playing on her lips: "Brother Ouyang, your story is quite elaborate. What kind of creature in this world possesses such supernatural abilities? Perhaps you've had too much to drink and are taking your dreams seriously?"
Ouyang Ke didn't take it to heart and said calmly, "If Miss Huang doesn't believe me, she will see it for herself in the future if fate allows."
Huang Rong snorted and was about to argue again when Guo Jing said seriously, "Rong'er, if there is such a spiritual creature as the Firebird in this world, how can there not be another one? Since Brother Ouyang says so, he must have really seen it."
Huang Rong glanced at the firebird on the table, which was pecking at wine with its head down. A look of affection flashed in her eyes, but she refused to admit defeat: "Brother Jing, you're just too honest. You believe whatever others say."
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but chuckle. His gaze lingered on Huang Rong's face for a moment before he guessed that the girl was using reverse psychology.
But he didn't mind at all, because Dugu Qiubai was a legendary figure in the martial arts world, and he didn't want his story to remain unknown to future generations.
He put down his wine cup and said slowly, "This eagle wouldn't have gone into seclusion without a reason. It's just that there was once a martial arts master in that valley who kept it company for many years."
"A martial arts prodigy?" Huang Rong's eyes lit up, her curiosity piqued.
Ouyang Ke gazed into the distance, his voice becoming distant: "This martial arts prodigy's real name is unknown; all that is known is that he was nicknamed 'Sword Demon' and called himself 'Invincible Swordsman'."
"Dugu Qiubai?"
Upon hearing these four words, both Guo Jing and Huang Rong were startled.
Who among those who practice martial arts doesn't understand the weight of these four words? Seeking defeat, yet unable to find it. What arrogance, and what profound loneliness!
Huang Rong couldn't help but say, "What a big mouth this person has! Even my father and master, who are so powerful, wouldn't dare to use such a name."
Ouyang Ke was not angry upon hearing this, but simply smiled faintly: "If you knew about the life of this Senior Dugu, you would understand that not only Island Master Huang and Gang Leader Hong, but even my uncle is far inferior."
Hearing his serious tone, Huang Rong couldn't help but suppress her smile.
Guo Jing said solemnly, "Brother Ouyang, please speak."
Ouyang Ke slowly said, "Before this Senior Dugu reached adulthood, he wielded a sharp sword and fought against the heroes of Hebei, never suffering a defeat. At the age of thirty, he switched to the Purple Star Soft Sword, but due to accidentally injuring a righteous man, he deeply regretted it and abandoned the sword in a deep valley. Before the age of forty, he wielded a heavy black iron sword, roaming the world and being invincible. The heavy sword has no edge, and great skill is without artifice; this is the principle."
He paused slightly at this point.
Guo Jing and Huang Rong were completely engrossed in listening, and even the firebird raised its head, tilting it as if it were also listening.
Ouyang Ke continued, "After the age of forty, Senior Dugu was no longer bound by material things; grass, trees, bamboo, and stones could all be used as swords. In his later years, he had reached the state of 'no sword is better than having a sword,' and there was no one in the world who could rival him."
"Grass, trees, bamboo, and rocks can all be swords... No sword is better than having a sword..."
Guo Jing murmured these two sentences, his eyes flashing as if he had gained some understanding.
Although his master had constantly reprimanded him for his dullness, he was the most diligent and possessed an almost instinctive sensitivity to the ways of martial arts. Hearing about such a level of skill now, he was overwhelmed with indescribable shock.
Huang Rong was also filled with awe. Although she was intelligent and quick-witted, she understood what such a level of understanding meant. Her father, Huang Yaoshi, was a master of martial arts, but he had never expressed such a realization as that grass, trees, bamboo, and stones could all be used as swords.
Ouyang Ke sighed softly and continued, "Senior Dugu wandered the martial world for over thirty years, seeking only a defeat but finding none. Though the world was vast, not a single person could withstand three moves from him. Disheartened, he could only retreat to a desolate valley, befriending eagles, and thus end his remaining years."
The pavilion fell silent for a moment.
A strange, inexplicable sadness welled up in Guo Jing's heart.
He recalled his days practicing martial arts in the desert, the teachings of his masters, and the scene when Hong Qigong taught him the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.
Although he had no intention of reaching the summit, he could imagine the feelings that Senior Dugu had back then.
Imagine a person standing atop a mountain, looking around in bewilderment, with no one to talk to. How lonely that must be.
Huang Rong suddenly asked, "That divine eagle, is it the one that Senior Dugu raised back then?"
Ouyang Ke nodded: "That's right. That eagle is a rare species, and it has followed Senior Dugu since it was young. After Senior Dugu passed away in the desolate valley, it stayed by his grave and refused to leave. I spent several months in the valley and met it a few times. When I was about to leave, I invited it to come with me, but it politely declined."
Guo Jing sighed, "Such loyalty to one's master is rare even among humans. If fate allows, I will definitely go to that desolate valley to pay my respects and also to see this eagle brother."
Ouyang Ke smiled slightly: "There will naturally be opportunities."
Huang Rong's eyes darted around, and suddenly she put on a smiling face, saying sweetly, "Brother Ouyang, did you learn your martial arts from that valley?"
The way he addressed him as "Brother Ouyang" came out so naturally that it startled Ouyang Ke slightly. He then shook his head and said, "There are some unique skills left behind in the valley, but they are not for me. The martial arts I learned were created by another extraordinary person. However, this unique skill is of great importance at the moment, so I cannot reveal it. I hope you will understand."
Huang Rong wanted to ask more, but seeing his solemn expression, she wisely refrained from saying anything more.
Guo Jing would not force anyone to do something against their will, and simply said, "No wonder Brother Ouyang's internal strength is so profound, it turns out he has had another extraordinary encounter."
He paused, then asked a question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time: "Brother Ouyang, your martial arts are already extremely high, and you have learned the unique skills left behind by the extraordinary predecessors. Why do you still insist on cultivating the martial arts in the Nine Yin Manual?"
He had indeed thought about this problem for a long time.
Although he and Huang Rong obtained the Nine Yin Manual, they rarely practiced it voluntarily. Firstly, they already possessed the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms and the martial arts of Peach Blossom Island, so there was no need for them to be greedy for more; secondly, their minds were not on fighting for supremacy in the martial arts world.
But Ouyang Ke was different; he seemed to have an almost obsessive pursuit of martial arts.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ke tilted his head back and finished his drink. He then gazed at the bright moon on the horizon and slowly said, "Life is but a few short decades. I only wish to travel further and see where the limits of martial arts truly lie."
Guo Jing and Huang Rong were speechless upon hearing this.
They never imagined that someone could have such a pure reason for practicing martial arts.
Ouyang Ke was completely oblivious to the expressions on their faces, gazing at the bright moon as if talking to himself: "Brother Guo, Miss Huang, do you believe in immortals and Buddhas?"
Guo Jing shook his head and said, "The stories of immortals and Buddhas are mostly fabrications by people and should not be taken seriously. Otherwise, why did emperors throughout history send people out to sea to search for immortals, only to find nothing?"
Ouyang Ke laughed, a laugh tinged with an inscrutable meaning: "In the eyes of the world, if one's martial arts reach the level of Master Qi, Island Master Huang, or my uncle, wouldn't they be regarded as living immortals or Buddhas?"
Guo Jing was taken aback and began to think carefully.
Huang Rong laughed and said, "Brother Ouyang, do you mean that those so-called immortals and Buddhas are actually reclusive masters in the martial arts world?"
Ouyang Ke nodded solemnly: "That's one way to understand it."
Huang Rong wanted to tease him a bit more, but seeing his serious expression, she swallowed back the words she was about to say.
Ouyang Ke sighed and turned his gaze to Guo Jing: "Brother Guo, do you still remember the Yue Maiden Sword Technique that Lady Han taught you?"
Guo Jing was taken aback, then nodded and said, "Of course I remember."
Ouyang Ke gazed at the lake surface, which was shimmering with silver light, and slowly said, "Brother Guo, you have lived in the desert for a long time. Have you ever heard the story of 'sleeping on firewood and tasting gall'?"
Guo Jing said, "I heard several of my masters mention it when I was a child."
Ouyang Ke said, "The Yue Maiden Sword Technique that you have learned is actually related to the Yue Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods."
He paused for a moment, then began to recount the story that had been passed down for thousands of years.
At that time, the State of Wu was powerful, while the State of Yue was weak. King Goujian of Yue endured hardship and humiliation, plotting revenge. His minister Fan Li was searching for talented people for the King of Yue when he met a shepherdess on the street. The woman defeated eight Wu swordsmen in an instant with a bamboo stick. Fan Li was amazed by her talent and asked her to train the Yue swordsmen.
"The woman's name was Aqing. She was originally an ordinary shepherdess. One day, while herding sheep, she encountered a white ape that could wield a bamboo stick. After that, she often sparred with the white ape using the bamboo stick, and day after day, she eventually mastered a set of unparalleled sword techniques. By nature, she did not know how to teach others; her so-called training was nothing more than sparring with swordsmen from the Yue Kingdom. Even so, those swordsmen, having only glimpsed a few shadows of her sword techniques, were already invincible in the world."
Guo Jing listened intently, but Huang Rong suddenly clapped her hands and exclaimed, "This is the origin of the saying, 'Three thousand Yue soldiers could conquer Wu!'"
Ouyang Ke nodded: "Miss Huang is right. It's just that few people know the ending of this story."
He continued, "Aqing spent a long time with Fan Li and gradually fell in love with him. But Fan Li's heart belonged only to Xi Shi, who was far away in the Wu King's palace. He was completely unaware of Aqing's affections. Heartbroken, Aqing harbored murderous intentions towards Xi Shi. On the day Fan Li and Xi Shi reunited, she finally made her move."
"Holding only a bamboo stick, she stormed into the Wu King's harem alone. Along the way, there was a constant clanging sound as she knocked down the weapons of a thousand armored soldiers and a thousand swordsmen. Alone with her sword, she fought her way into the harem."
"One person is worth a thousand?"
Guo Jing and Huang Rong exclaimed in surprise at the same time, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Ouyang Ke said calmly, "Not bad. He can take on a thousand men single-handedly, as if he were in an empty field."
Huang Rong blinked, but asked a completely different question: "Then... what about Xi Shi?"
Her mind was not on martial arts at all; instead, she was more concerned about the fate of that peerless beauty.
Ouyang Ke said, "Aqing's bamboo stick was brought to Xi Shi's heart, but he was stunned by her unparalleled beauty and finally withdrew and broke the window to leave."
Although she didn't actually thrust her sword out, the force of the blow had already damaged Xi Shi's heart meridian. From then on, Xi Shi often experienced chest pain, which gave rise to the idiom "Xi Shi clutching her heart."
Huang Rong clapped her hands and laughed, "Wonderful! Brother Ouyang told this story so vividly, I almost believed it all!"
Ouyang Ke shook his head and chuckled: "Whether a story is true or false depends on people's hearts. If Miss Huang thinks it's fake, then it's fake. But I think it's real."
Guo Jing, unusually earnest, said, "So that's the origin of Seventh Master's Yue Maiden Sword Technique. It's a pity I'm too stupid to master its subtleties."
Ouyang Ke shook his head and said, "Brother Guo, there's no need to blame yourself. This Yue Maiden Sword Technique was passed down from the swordsmen of the Yue Kingdom over a thousand years ago, and countless exquisite moves have been lost. This has nothing to do with you and Lady Han."
Huang Rong's eyes darted around, and she suddenly stood up, bowing gracefully to Ouyang Ke, and said with a smile, "Then this little sister wishes Brother Ouyang a speedy ascension to the immortal throne in the future!"
Ouyang Ke knew she was teasing him, but he wasn't angry. He just shook his head and smiled, then picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.
The moonlight, as clear as water, bathed the three of them.
Ouyang Ke suddenly asked, "Brother Guo, what are your plans for the future?"
Guo Jing, slightly puzzled, asked, "Plans?"
Ouyang Ke remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "The Jin Kingdom is currently losing in the north and trying to make up for it in the south, making enemies on both sides, and is doomed to destruction. Its own demise is a foregone conclusion, but after the fall of the Jin Kingdom, Brother Guo will probably have to make a decision."
Huang Rong asked curiously, "What choice?"
Ouyang Ke's gaze was calm as he spoke, each word deliberate: "Throughout history, once northern nomadic tribes rise to power, they inevitably migrate south to graze their horses. After the fall of the Jin Dynasty, a war between the Mongols and the Song Dynasty is inevitable. At that time, which side will Brother Guo choose?"
Upon hearing this, both Guo Jing and Huang Rong changed color.
The pavilion was quiet for a moment, except for the lake breeze that blew the wind chimes on the eaves, making them ring out.
Guo Jing's expression was solemn, and he remained silent for a long time. Huang Rong also frowned, staring at Ouyang Ke, and the atmosphere in the pavilion suddenly became heavy.
In the distance, the bright moon hangs high, and the waters of Dongting Lake shimmer.