Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
"Husband, are you really going to the Desert North?"
Li's Garden，Zhu Zhu were shocked to hear that Li Ziye was heading to the Desert North, anxiously asking, "Can't you avoid going? It's far too dangerous there now."
"I have no choice."
Li Ziye replied helplessly, "The Confucian Scholar said there's a fourth Potent Medicine in the Desert North. You know my unique constitution; without the Potent Medicine, I simply can't clear the blockages in my meridians."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhu bit her lip and said, "But husband, the Desert North is truly perilous."
"With Little Red Riding Hood by my side, there's nothing to worry about. Plus, the Confucian School's Temple Master will accompany us. If worse comes to worst, I'll just hide behind them and never show my face," Li Ziye said with a laugh.
"Is it really necessary to go?"
Beside him, Li Youwei's face also showed concern as she said, "Your Second Brother went to the Desert North at the beginning of the year and there's still no word from him. Now you're going too, I can't help but worry."
"Sister Youwei, don't worry, it'll be fine."
Li Ziye reassured her softly, "On my trip to the Desert North, I might even run into Second Brother. The Confucian Scholar said there won't be any danger, and since that old man can predict the affairs of the world, if he says it's safe, then it must be."
"Alright then."
Li Youwei sighed softly, no longer pressing the matter, and turned to return to her room.
"Husband, Elder Sister seems upset," Zhu Zhu whispered.
"Sister Youwei is worried I'll end up like Second Brother, disappearing without a trace."
Li Ziye said helplessly, "Truthfully, I don't want to go either, but I really have no choice."
With the situation in the Capital City so treacherous, if he couldn't enhance his strength quickly, he'd be left at the mercy of others.
He didn't want the Li Family to be at the cutting board, the fish meat under the knife.
"Eh, Zhu Zhu, where are Fairy Master and Slovenly Zhang?"
Just then, Li Ziye noticed that Old Qin and Old Zhang were missing and couldn't help but ask curiously.
"They went out early this morning and haven't returned yet," Zhu Zhu replied.
"Together?" Li Ziye asked, surprised.
"Mhm," Zhu Zhu responded softly.
"Something's fishy."
Li Ziye stroked his chin, his face full of suspicion.
Were the two Sword Immortals stepping out together to flatten the world?
***
Outside the Capital City.
The place where Li Ziye and Changsun Nanqiao once roamed the lake, now devoid of its usual bustle due to winter.
The lake was frozen over, and snow was everywhere, with few visitors.
Today, two Sword Immortals walked one after the other, leaving long footprints on the lake's surface.
"Who would've thought our second duel would be a farewell."
On the lake, Qin E'nuo stopped and turned to look at the old man behind her, sighing softly.
"Thank you, Plum Blossom Sword Immortal."
Slovenly Zhang looked at the woman ahead, a smile appearing on his aged face, "Before I leave, to have another bout with you is a life without regrets."
"Please."
Qin E'nuo gestured.
"Please."
Slovenly Zhang returned the gesture.
As the two Sword Immortals prepared to spar, swords still sheathed, the pressure of their swords was already palpable.
The surging sword energy lifted thousands of layers of snow, and amidst the snow waves, both swords were drawn simultaneously.
With a thunderous clash, the swords met, unleashing boundless sword pressure that stirred up the snow once more, obscuring the battle.
Within the snowstorm, the relentless sound of combat echoed as the figures intertwined, sword energy crisscrossing, carving deep, bottomless gashes into the ice.
Moments later, the entire frozen lake collapsed with a roar.
The might of the Sword Immortals, just beginning to show its edge, shocked and awed the world.
Even though it was not a fight to the death but a martial arts sparring session, with many restraints in their moves, the Sword Immortals had long surpassed ordinary martial artists. With every gesture, they possessed the power to wrestle with the heavens.
As the ice collapsed and water splashed, the two figures stood on the water surface, swords flashing, each move returning to simplicity and truth, showcasing the grandeur of true masters.
After a hundred exchanges, the outcome was still undecided. Slovenly Zhang took a step, steadied himself, and executed a divine move that shot sword energy three thousand zhang into the sky.
Even the most exhilarating of duels must come to an end. With the final move, Sword Enthusiast didn't want to leave any regrets.
Facing the pinnacle of swordsmanship, Qin E'nuo was equally cautious, channeling her sword intent with a flick of her fingers, equally tumultuous.
Frost resonated, filling the world, and in an instant, the entire lake was frozen once again.
The next moment.
The swords met with a clang.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a collision that shook the heavens erupted, and Xi Shui Lake, as if struck by an apocalyptic calamity, collapsed with a roar, waves churning, water falling like rain.
"Drip, drip."
In the falling rain, blood dripped from Slovenly Zhang's sword hand, staining the lake water red.
"Rip."
At that moment, the sound of fabric tearing was heard, and across the way, Qin E'nuo's right arm was splattered with fresh blood, also turning red.
In a battle that seemed evenly matched, in the end, no victor emerged.
"Congratulations."
Qin E'nuo sheathed her sword and spoke.
She knew that the Sword Enthusiast had now overcome his inner demons and advanced further, reaching the peak of his life.
Across from her, Slovenly Zhang sheathed his sword and bowed to the woman before him once more, saying, "Thank you."
"In the next few days, take your time to say your goodbyes," Qin E'nuo sighed softly.
"Mhm," Slovenly Zhang nodded.
The two returned to the city together, but Qin E'nuo did not go back to Li's Garden. Instead, she returned to the Imperial Academy.
The festival had passed, and the year's promise was not yet fulfilled; she still needed to honor her commitment to stay in the Imperial Academy.
At Li's Garden, when Slovenly Zhang returned, it was nearly dusk. Li Ziye, not seeing Fairy Master with him, asked curiously, "Where's Old Qin?"
"She went back to the Imperial Academy," Slovenly Zhang replied, sitting on the stone steps in front of the room, taking a sip of wine.
"So soon."
Li Ziye showed a look of reluctance, then turned to the Slovenly Old Man before him, puzzled, "Old Zhang, what did you and Old Qin do?"
"Just a little sparring," Slovenly Zhang replied truthfully.
"Sparring?"
Li Ziye sat down beside him, grinning mockingly, "Isn't that just asking for a beating? You said it yourself, Old Qin is stronger than you."
"Kid, do you know the saying, 'One should regard a person with new respect after three days' absence'?" Slovenly Zhang retorted unhappily.
"That's for a three-day absence, we see each other every day, not a day missed."
Li Ziye looked disdainful, "Come on, tell me, how badly did you lose? Were you thoroughly trounced?"
"Fuck you."
Slovenly Zhang couldn't help but curse, "It was a draw, a draw, you hear? And I wasn't even at my best, otherwise, I might have won."
"A draw?"
Li Ziye was surprised, "Really? Old Qin must have let you win, out of pity for an old man."
"Get lost!"
Slovenly Zhang wished he could smack the youngster before him. He had wanted to have a good talk with this guy before leaving, but now it seemed unnecessary.
"Old Zhang, I'm heading to the Desert North."
Li Ziye, supporting his chin with his hands, gazed at the snowflakes occasionally drifting through the courtyard, suddenly said.
"The Desert North? What for?" Slovenly Zhang asked, puzzled.
"The Confucian Scholar is preparing to send Confucian School disciples to the Desert North to help fend off the demon creatures."
Li Ziye mentioned briefly, then cracked a smile, "Of course, that's none of my business. Mainly, the Confucian Scholar said there's a fourth Potent Medicine in the Desert North, and the Extreme Night Frost I need for forging my sword."
"Think it through."
Slovenly Zhang warned, "The current Desert North is fraught with danger. Even with Confucian School disciples accompanying you, it's not guaranteed to be safe."
"I understand."
Li Ziye nodded, speaking softly, "A young bird must learn to fly on its own, it can't always live under the protection of its elders. Old Zhang, you've been protecting me these days. If I never face trials, how can I truly grow?"
Beside him, Slovenly Zhang was slightly taken aback by the words, turned to look at the young man, and after a while, a gratified smile appeared on his face.
He's grown up!
"Alright then, go."
Slovenly Zhang said with a smile, "When I was your age, I was already venturing far and wide. Going to the Desert North, you might even find your own opportunities and make great strides in strength."
"Here's hoping,"
Li Ziye also smiled, "Old Zhang, I'll leave Li's Garden in your care while I'm away."
Hearing this, Slovenly Zhang fell silent, then after a moment, said softly, "I'm leaving too."
"You're leaving too?"
Li Ziye was taken aback, not understanding what he meant, "Where to?"
"The Western Regions," Slovenly Zhang replied.
"What for?"
Li Ziye frowned, confused.
"To fight Fu Jinglun once more."
Slovenly Zhang took another sip of wine, "To challenge the Temple Master of Heavenly Edict."
"You're going to fight the Temple Master again?"
Li Ziye was shocked, "Didn't you lose to him once already?"
"That's exactly why I need to fight him again."
Slovenly Zhang said softly, "Otherwise, this knot will always be in my heart. You have to get back up where you fell."
"Have you made up your mind?"
Li Ziye asked, his expression turning serious.
"Mhm."
Slovenly Zhang nodded, "The reason I sparred with your master today was to get a feel for battle again. It's been too long since I've fought, and I'm a bit rusty."
Li Ziye fell silent. Truth be told, he didn't want Old Zhang to go.
He had never met that scholar, but he had heard too many people mention him. Whenever they spoke of that scholar, their tone would change, showing just how formidable the Temple Master of Heavenly Edict was.
Moreover, the Western Regions were the domain of the Heavenly Edict Temple. Old Zhang's journey there was likely to be fraught with danger.
"What, you'll miss me this old man?"
Slovenly Zhang saw the young man silent beside him and grinned.
"A little."
Li Ziye spoke softly, "Old Zhang, would you die?"
"Blades and swords are blind; it's hard to say."
Slovenly Zhang laughed, "But I might also kill him. Then, there would be no Heavenly Edict Temple in this world."
"That joke isn't funny at all."
Li Ziye's mood was low, "Old Zhang, you can't die. You haven't finished teaching me the Flying Immortal Technique. If you die, there will be no one to teach me."
"Isn't there still your master?"
Slovenly Zhang laughed, "Alright, I'll try my best to come back alive. If it doesn't work out, and I can't win, I'll run."
"A gentleman's word!"
Li Ziye raised his hand, earnestly.
"Honor my word!"
Slovenly Zhang also raised his hand, laughing.
"Clap!"
The cold wind blew, snowflakes danced in the garden, and with a clap of their hands, they made a pact.