Chapter 76: What Disrespectful Thoughts Are You Entertaining?

Ji Huo stroked his chin, pondering, “Can a peerless weapon like that recognize two masters at the same time?”

The Sword Saint glanced at him, blinked, and replied innocently, “Why are you asking me? I don’t have a peerless weapon in my hands. How would I know?”

Uh… Ji Huo squinted and asked, “Isn’t your sword a peerless weapon?”

“You think those things grow on cabbages?” the Sword Saint snapped. “When I was younger and wandering the martial world, I used a sword forged from five taels of silver. Later on, I did get my hands on some fine swords, but I still felt the five-tael one suited me best.”

“Why is that? Weren’t you afraid your sword would snap in a duel?” Ji Huo asked curiously.

The Sword Saint answered offhandedly, “It was just five taels. If it broke, I’d just get another one. Didn’t hurt a bit! Back then, I used to carry two or three spare swords on my belt—the priciest was only ten taels.”

“If I’d used a sword worth over a hundred taels, I’d have been heartbroken for half a month if it shattered.”

Ji Huo continued, “But isn’t it said that swordsmen treat their swords as their lives? That if the sword breaks, so does their spirit?”

“Nonsense,” the Sword Saint retorted. “The sword is in the heart, not the form. If it breaks, just get another one. No need for so much fuss—as long as it’s cheap and works, that’s good enough.”

Ji Huo’s gaze fell on the wooden fishing rod in the Sword Saint’s hand. There was a small jar of bait at his side—earthworms probably dug up from somewhere. He glanced at the Sword Saint’s plain white robe, thought of the Sword Manor’s simple and unassuming style, and suddenly understood: so this Sword Saint was a frugal, home-loving type.

Ji Huo asked again, “So, Uncle, do you still use swords worth five taels?”

The Sword Saint replied offhandedly, “Not for a long time. I myself am the strongest sword now. Grass, wood, bamboo, stone—anything I see can be a sword to me. I don’t even have to spend silver anymore.”

“So, as for your question about whether a legendary weapon can acknowledge two masters, I truly don’t know.”

No-sword… The phrase flashed through Ji Huo’s mind. This mysterious realm had always been the stuff of martial legends, but to think the Sword Saint before him—who didn’t even seem that old—had reached this level.

Still, he couldn’t shake the feeling that the Sword Saint had achieved this realm mainly to save money… Ji Huo muttered inwardly.

Suddenly, the Sword Saint turned and asked suspiciously, “Are you thinking something disrespectful?”

Ji Huo’s heart skipped a beat, but he wore an obedient smile. “I wasn’t thinking of anything at all.”

Damn, are all grandmasters this perceptive? Why does my father always look so simple-minded? But when I was just now cursing him as a penny-pincher in my heart, why didn’t he react? Ji Huo mused.

The Sword God glanced over again, his tone faint, “You’re thinking again.”

Ji Huo hurriedly shook his head and forced a laugh. “Ha ha, the weather’s really nice today, isn’t it?”

Damn, he’s sharp… Quickly, Ji Huo changed the subject, “Uncle, was this what you wanted to talk to me about?”

The Sword Saint nodded. “Originally, I thought if Bai Xi could bring back the remnants of the demon weapon, that would be best. But since you say it flew away in the end, that is fate.”

“When the three pieces of the demon weapon reunite and return to the world, it’s the will of heaven—there’s no stopping it.”

“I guessed before that since it used to be the demon weapon that guarded the Dragon Kingdom, it would naturally return there in the end, and become a future enemy of Great Zhou. So I thought I’d have someone give Ji Xiao Xiong a heads-up.”

Ji Huo understood now. So that was it—just a warning.

From what he could tell, Xia Ningshang now held two of the fragments. Once she got the last one, the Demon Dragon Spear would be whole. Take that onto the battlefield—who could stand against it?

As for the man who challenged the Sword Saint, Ji Huo guessed it must be Xia Ningshang’s overprotective older brother.

Thinking of this gave him a headache. The Dragon Kingdom was far to the north, mostly nomadic, separated by Zhao in between. He had no idea what masters they had over there—how had such a formidable pair of siblings suddenly appeared?

That brother was at least first rank; Xia Ningshang had survived a direct blow from the Sword Saint even while fleeing, likely without time to defend herself—she was probably first rank as well.

If they ever wielded a complete Demon Dragon Spear… tsk.

He asked, “Uncle, is the complete Demon Dragon Spear truly that formidable?”

“I’ve never seen it,” the Sword Saint replied confidently.

Well, what did I expect? The Sword Saint couldn’t bring himself to use a sword worth a hundred taels, only one of five, so he likely never used any famous weapons, let alone compared them to a legendary demon weapon… Ji Huo thought.

The Sword Saint cast him another meaningful glance.

Ji Huo’s heart skipped, and he hurried to suppress his wandering thoughts.

“No matter who ends up with the Demon Dragon Spear, if it appears on the battlefield, who could stand in its way?”

The Sword Saint smiled and asked, “Are you afraid?”

Ji Huo smiled and shook his head. “Not at all. In fact, if I meet such a worthy opponent in the future, it will make things much more interesting.”

At this, the Sword Saint looked at him deeply, a trace of satisfaction flickering in his eyes. He nodded. “That’s the spirit a young man should have. If, in the days to come, there isn’t even a rival to match you, life would be rather dull.”

He motioned to the fishing rod in his hand. There was a sigh in his eyes, but the corners of his mouth lifted:

“For example, take me. Sitting by the river all day, devoted to the way of the sword, and yet there’s no one left to match me. It’s a lonely existence.”

You lost to my father in the game of love, didn’t you? Technically, that makes you a loser in romance, so you’re not all that lonely! Besides, you seem to enjoy fishing, even if you always go home empty-handed and won’t spare bait…

Are you trying to show off your invincibility in front of your old rival’s son? What’s that about?

The Sword Saint gave Ji Huo another long, complicated look. “I really want to know what you’re cursing me for inside. And so many times, too.”

Cold sweat broke out on Ji Huo’s forehead. “Uncle, I really haven’t been cursing you.”

The Sword Saint waved it off. “Don’t mind it. My disciples and servants curse me all the time—even that Bai Xi kid. I often come down to the river because it’s quiet here—at least when I see someone, I know they’re cursing me.”

“But someone who does it as often as you—now, that’s rare.”

If I were your disciple living in such a shabby place, I’d curse you too.

So you’re just used to being cursed? If you go a day without it, you feel unwell—is that it?

The Sword Saint gave him yet another long, meaningful look.

Ji Huo forced a laugh. “Ha ha ha ha! The weather’s really nice today, isn’t it?”

Boom!

Suddenly, thunder rumbled in the sky, dark clouds gathering.

Ji Huo: “…”

The Sword Saint looked up, stroked his chin. “Thunder? Could it be Ji Xiao Xiong’s cursing me again?”

Is that paranoia? And why do you think of my father every time it thunders? Is the grudge of a loser really that deep?

The Sword Saint gave him yet another lingering glance.

Ji Huo: “…I admit defeat.”