Unsheathed

Chapter 420 (4): Unchanged

Ruan Qiong finally appeared in front of his disciples again today, and he only raised two matters in a short and sharp manner before leaving again to forge swords.

Firstly, he would personally forge a sword for whoever became an in-house disciple of his.

One had to realize that Sect Leader Ruan Qiong was undisputedly the best sword blacksmith in the entire Eastern Treasured Vial Continent. Thus, to say nothing of the twelve unofficial disciples, even their Second Senior Brother as well as their Third Senior Sister who had especially hurried over to listen to the teachings of her master were showing signs of irrepressible excitement. Of course, their Fourth Senior Brother appeared as indifferent as always.

Secondly, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had purchased some new mountains. After giving some brief advice and encouragement, Ruan Qiong stated that they would have the right to host a mountain-opening ceremony for the Dragon Spring Sword Sect if they advanced to the Nascent Tier in the future. At the same time, they would also be able to occupy the mountain by themself.

As the first disciple to become an earth immortal in the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, only Dong Gu, their second senior brother, was an exception according to the agreement made earlier. He was allowed to perform a mountain-opening ceremony and also choose a mountain to use as his cultivation abode. Moreover, the Dragon Spring Sword Sect would announce these matters to the world.

However, Dong Gu turned down this offer, asking his master to give him the opportunity to rightfully perform a mountain-opening ceremony when he advanced to the Nascent Tier.

Ruan Qiong agreed to his request.

Xu Xiaoqiao, who was commonly referred to as Third Senior Sister by her juniors, once again descended the mountain, visiting the shop located on the bank of the Dragon Whisker River. This place was the origin of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, and Ruan Xiu surprisingly accompanied Xu Xiaoqiao this time, causing her to feel incredibly flattered.

Fourth Senior Brother Xie Ling wanted to go with them as well, yet Ruan Xiu simply looked at him without saying anything. Seeing this, Xie Ling decided to back down and obediently stay in the mountain.

When walking down the mountain, Ruan Xiu asked, "In reality, it's actually you who's my father's opening disciple. However, they all call you Third Senior Sister simply because Dong Gu advanced to the Golden Core Tier first. Does this make you feel troubled?"

Xu Xiaoqiao, an abandoned disciple who had been kicked out of the Wind Snow Temple back then, replied honestly, "It does make me feel bad on the inside. However, I have no complaints about Dong Gu being the second senior brother."

Ruan Xiu didn't offer a response to this.

Xu Xiaoqiao had also severed the thumb of her sword-wielding hand back then, and she remained silent for a moment before asking, "Senior Sister, can I truly advance to the Nascent Tier one day?"

Ruan Xiu was very truthful as she replied, "That will be quite difficult. Compared to Dong Gu who will definitely advance to the Nascent Tier within one hundred years, there are many more unknowns surrounding you. It will be slightly easier for you to advance to the Golden Core Tier compared to him, and my father will also offer you assistance at that time. He won't favor Dong Gu and ignore you. However, it will be far more difficult for you to advance to the Nascent Tier compared to Dong Gu."

There was a downcast expression on Xu Xiaoqiao's face.

When it came to ordinary cultivators, being able to become a Golden Core Tier was already an incredible feat. After offering incense and gratitude to their ancestors, they could hide under their blankets and laugh in delight about their great fortune.

In the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, however, becoming a Golden Core Tier cultivator was far from enough. This was especially the case for Xu Xiaoqiao who had already witnessed the scenery atop the mountains at the Wind Snow Temple.

However, Ruan Xiu unexpectedly poured even more salt on her wounds, adding, "As for your junior brother, Xie Ling, he'll be the first disciple to advance to the Unpolished Jade Tier in the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. If you already feel jealous of Xie Ling right now, then I'm sure that you'll feel increasingly jealous of him for the rest of your life."

Xu Xiaoqiao pursed her lips, with her footsteps also becoming extremely heavy.

Of Master Ruan Qiong's three opening disciples, Dong Gu had come from the lowliest background. He was a creature in the mountain forests that had become a spirit. Now, however, he had undergone a huge transformation and become the well-respected Second Senior Brother and Golden Core Tier earth immortal of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect.

Xie Ling was a local of the small town, and he was also the youngest of the three opening disciples. Moreover, he had never faced any hardship in his life. Even so, he was the one who enjoyed the greatest fortune. Not only was his clan ancestor a Daoist Heavenly Lord, but a transcendent Daoist Branch Master had personally given his clan ancestor a miniature treasure pagoda that rivaled a celestial tool.

On the other hand, Xu Xiaoqiao had faced the most difficulties to get here, she was cultivating the hardest out of everyone, yet her Great Dao was filled with the most challenges and bumps!

Ruan Xiu snapped off a branch from beside the mountain path and casually held it in her hand, asking slowly, "Comparing yourself to other people is quite infuriating, isn't it?"

The rims of Xu Xiaoqiao's eyes became bright red.

Ruan Xiu suddenly smiled and said in a quiet voice, "Even though you might remain far inferior to Xie Ling and Dong Gu until the day your golden body decays and you eventually die, I still like you a bit more than them. However, this seems completely useless to your cultivation."

Xu Xiaoqiao turned her head and used the back of her hand to wipe the corners of her eyes, after which she smiled at Ruan Xiu and said, "Thank you, Senior Sister."

Ruan Xiu stopped and nodded, saying, "You want to thank me? Then the next time you leave the mountains, remember to buy me some desserts. You should already know about the pastry shop located in Dragon Riding Alley."

Xu Xiaoqiao faltered for a moment before smiling widely and exclaiming, "Oh, good one, Senior Sister!"

Ruan Xiu also started to chuckle with her.

Ruan Xiu only accompanied Xu Xiaoqiao to the foot of the mountain where the archway with the characters "Dragon Spring Sword Sect" bestowed by the emperor — or the previous emperor, to be more exact— was located. After saying goodbye to Ruan Xiu, Xu Xiaoqiao channeled her Qi and stepped on her flying sword to soar away on the wind.

In the Dragon Spring Prefecture, only disciples of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect had the privilege of flying through the city.

If any other earth immortal dared to take flight, then Ruan Qiong wouldn't care about any sagely principles or whatnot.

Several groups of cultivators from the Great Li Empire had tried their luck in the very beginning, as had Sword Cultivator Cao Jun. In the end, they had all received punishment from Ruan Qiong, with some being killed and some being wounded.

Ruan Xiu stood at the foot of the mountain and looked up at the plaque on the archway. Her father didn't like the prefix of "Dragon Spring" for the Dragon Spring Sword Sect, and this was a feeling that his three opening disciples were well aware of. Ruan Qiong hoped that of his three opening disciples, one of them would be able to remove the prefix of "Dragon Spring" in the future. That way, they could be known as the Sword Sect and stand atop the peak of the mountains in the Eastern Treasured Vial Continent. At that time, the disciple who achieved the feat would also be recognized as the sect leader in waiting.

Ruan Xiu believed that she understood the knot in her father's heart fairly well, but each time he asked her to cultivate more earnestly during their private conversations, her mind would be filled with the thought of desserts, braised pork, and other delicacies even though she nodded and replied yes.

This caused Ruan Xiu to feel slightly guilty.

Thus, she pushed these thoughts out of her mind and decided against asking her father to improve the meals prepared for her junior brothers and junior sisters and adding some more meat.

It was a great pity that her junior brothers and junior sisters missed out on this opportunity.

Ruan Xiu was unwilling to view herself as their senior sister, and it was indeed the case that she wasn't looking after them enough.

Just as Ruan Xiu was riddled with guilt and about to return up the mountain...

Ruan Qiong silently left Divine Elegance Mountain and arrived at the Dragon Spring Prefecture's prefectural office.

Prefectural Overseer Wu Yuan had already been waiting for a long time, and he didn't make any small talk with Sage Ruan Qiong as he directly explained an official matter.

In the territory of the Great Li Empire, some immortal forces that were very likely supported by foreign nations were itching to make a move.

This had been extremely pronounced since spring, with a total of three major conflicts taking place. One conflict had resulted in the death of seven sticky rod officials, causing the imperial court to become enraged.

After learning about the details of the conflicts and understanding the intention of the imperial court, Ruan Qiong thought for a moment before replying, "I'll ask Xiuxiu, Dong Gu, and Xu Xiaoqiao to represent me and listen to the instructions of the imperial court."

Wu Yuan was clearly surprised and slightly uncomfortable with this, and he asked, "Miss Xiuxiu is also going to leave the Dragon Spring Prefecture?"

In reality, Ruan Qiong had formed a secret alliance with the Great Li Empire's Imperial Song Clan a long time ago, with many agreements and clauses pertaining to their responsibilities and recompense already discussed clearly and recorded on paper.

Over the past few years, however, it had always been the imperial court of the Great Li Empire giving without taking anything in return. Even though the imperial court was now asking for the Dragon Spring Sword Sect's help according to their contract, the Ministry of Rites had already made clear their position on a secret letter delivered via a flying sword. They would regard Sage Ruan Qiong as being sincere enough as long as he was willing to send a single person, that being Golden Core Tier Earth Immortal Dong Gu. They definitely couldn't make excessive demands of the Dragon Spring Sword Sect. Thus, Wu Yuan naturally didn't dare to wantonly make his own decisions.

As a result, Wu Yuan naturally felt uncomfortable when he learned that Ruan Xiu was also going to leave the mountains.

Most likely understanding the reason for the discomfort expressed by Wu Yuan and the imperial court of the Great Li Empire, Ruan Qiong smiled and said, "Rest assured, I'll remind Xiuxiu to try her best to remain uninvolved when they leave to deal with this matter. Moreover, I won't take my anger out on the Great Li Empire even if an accident does occur."

Wu Yuan still didn't dare to agree. Ruan Qiong was saying this now, but how could Wu Yuan dare to believe this? Worldly matters were complicated, so if a slightly significant accident were to occur, would that not damage the relationship between the Great Li Empire and the Dragon Spring Sword Sect? If the huge effort of the Imperial Song Clan ended up for naught, then the entire Great Li Empire would most likely have no option but to rely on his master, Cui Chan.

Thus, Wu Yuan didn't beat around the bush either, saying that he had to report this matter to the Ministry of Rites first.

Ruan Qiong nodded and said, "I'm fine with that. However, please endeavor to give me a reply as soon as possible, Prefectural Overseer Wu."

After pausing for a moment, Ruan Qiong asked, "I want to pick a few people from the Lu Clan refugees and prisoners to become unofficial disciples of my sword sect. You can report this to the imperial court at the same time and see if they agree. That way, you'll also be mentally prepared if there arise any conflicts with the sticky rod officials."

Wu Yuan smiled bitterly and replied, "Sure thing."

After discussing the proper matters, Ruan Qiong left just as quickly as he had come, not dilly-dallying at all.

He left behind a troubled Wu Yuan who was contemplating what to say and how to communicate these two matters to the imperial court.

Under Imperial Preceptor Cui Chan's leadership, the imperial court of the Great Li Empire had created a secret organization where all related members were known as sticky rod officials. Each time they received an order to leave the capital, they would do so in groups of three, with one person from the Ministry of Astronomy, one physiognomy reader, and one Naturalist cultivator. These sticky rod officials were responsible for identifying and recruiting cultivation talents for the Great Li Empire.[1]

If a person were chosen by a sticky rod official, then they would have to leave with them even if they were already scouted by other immortal forces but had yet to enter the mountains. Indeed, other cultivators all had to give way to these sticky rod officials.

This was most likely the reason for their title of sticky rod officials as well.

After Cui Chan became the imperial preceptor and the Great Li Empire started to flourish, many conflicts had occurred due to the actions of these sticky rod officials. However, Embroidered Tiger Cui Chan always supported the sticky rod officials without exception, so the official immortals and vagrant cultivators of the Great Li Empire eventually gave up after being hard done by several times.

In some immortal force led by a Nascent Tier cultivator, a Golden Core Tier cultivator had already tested a young man for a whopping six years, working meticulously to polish this piece of cultivation jade. Just when he was about to take the young man as a direct disciple who inherited his lineage, however, a group of sticky rod officials who were coincidentally passing by also discovered the young talent. The old Golden Core Tier cultivator was enraged by the unreasonable sticky rod officials, but he was still willing to offer a huge sum of immortal coins for the young man. Even so, the sticky rod officials still insisted on taking the young man away.

The two sides had argued incessantly, and this had eventually triggered a bloody battle and led to the deaths of two sticky rod officials, with only one managing to escape.

Theoretically speaking, the actions of the elderly Golden Core Tier cultivator were completely reasonable, and he had already given the imperial court of the Great Li Empire enough face. Not only that, but the immortal force that he belonged to was also a top-notch force in the Great Li Empire.

In the end, however, his immortal force was still surrounded by an army of six thousand heavy cavalry and almost one hundred martial secretaries. In addition, there were also hundreds of incredibly precious Mohist mechanisms as well as one hundred or so Qi refiners and pure martial artists recruited by the Ministry of Justice.

The imperial court euphemistically called this a military exercise!

The battle was bloody, and the Great Li Empire went as far as to summon the formal god of the Northern Mountain.

In the end, the immortal force that was once the largest in the northern region of the Great Immortal had half of its sect destroyed, suffering grave damage and being relegated to the weakest of the second-rate forces. The Nascent Tier ancestor was killed in battle, and the elderly Golden Core Tier cultivator was also beheaded by a general of the Great Li Empire. Afterward, a sword cultivator traveled around with the shriveled and indignant head of the Golden Core Tier cultivator, displaying it to several mountains along the border region.

Afterward, the immortals residing in the Great Li Empire had toned down significantly, with even the domineering forces that had allied with the imperial court very early on starting to educate and warn their direct disciples.

It was said that following the conclusion of the battle, Imperial Preceptor Cui Chan who rarely ever left the capital had appeared atop the severely weakened mountain. He hadn't massacred the "traitors" on the mountain in a brutal display, and he had instead simply instructed someone to erect a stone tablet on the mountain, saying that it would be useful in the future.

However, the stone tablet atop the mountain remained blank even until today, and it was unknown whether the imperial preceptor had forgotten about the ancient matter or whether the time was not yet ripe.

————

Atop a towering mountain in the northern region of the Great Li Empire that had been occupied by an immortal force for many years, an elder in Confucian robes who had just ascended the mountain not long ago stood in front of a blank stone tablet that had no characters inscribed on it. He placed his hand on the stone tablet and turned around to gaze toward the south.

The old man was the only person atop the mountain, and there was not a single person accompanying him.

All of the senior cultivators of the immortal force who had experienced the bloody massacre many years ago trembled in fear as they gathered in an area not too far away from the peak of the mountain.

As for the young disciples who had joined the immortal force afterward, they were strictly instructed to remain in their own residences. If anyone dared to disobey, then they would be tossed out of the mountain after their bridge of immortality was severed!

The senior cultivators of the sect that had once been extremely lofty in the northern region of the Great Li Empire exchanged confused glances with each other, with the anxiety, fear, and helplessness in their eyes extremely evident. They were afraid that the imperial preceptor would suddenly issue a command to exact revenge on them, completely annihilating their immortal force that had just started to recover some vitality.

The solemn expression suddenly disappeared from Embroidered Tiger Cui Chan's face as he smiled in amusement and remarked, "Chen Ping'an, aren't you very fond of speaking reason? Then let me see if you can still speak reason this time."

1. Sticky rod officials references the Qing Dynasty's Sticky Rod Department (粘杆处), where officials were initially responsible for catching cicadas in summer and autumn. ☜