Dusk had fallen. In the courtyard, Li Qingqiu sat at a table peeling peanuts—the kind grown by Qingxiao Sect itself. After a round of stir-frying, the rich aroma filled the air.
Across from him sat Xu Ning, sulking quietly.
Li Qingqiu couldn't help but chuckle to himself. The girl had just said she could never surpass him, yet one little loss in their race back to the sect had already dampened her mood.
'The human heart… unpredictable, truly unpredictable,' he thought.
Cheng Canghai dropped into a seat beside him and whispered, "Sect Master, since you asked everyone to brainstorm ways to earn money, how about this—I could rob some rich nobles? Quick and easy."
Li Qingqiu gave him a sharp look and said flatly, "What do you think? That's just asking for trouble. I said legitimate methods—ways we create ourselves through honest effort."
Cheng Canghai sighed dramatically. "If honest effort could make people rich, farmers would be the wealthiest men alive."
Li Qingqiu grinned. "And yet, you're not even as good as a farmer."
Cheng Canghai's face turned red, and he stormed off without another word.
Li Qingqiu didn't mind. Though Qingxiao Sect wasn't bound to follow the rigid rules of so-called "orthodox sects," it would never stoop to petty or shameful acts.
He wanted Qingxiao Sect to become a true Daoist sect of cultivation—free from worldly power and influence, yet respected by all. A sect that upheld justice in peace and could stand against heaven and earth in times of crisis.
Of course, that dream was still far away. For now, the sect simply needed to survive.
After the time it took for one stick of incense to burn, the disciples began serving dishes. Just then, Qin Ye returned—with a guest beside him. It was none other than Jiang Kuatian of the White Emperor Mansion.
Li Qingqiu and Xu Ning had already passed by them on their way up the mountain, so he wasn't truly surprised. Still, he rose with an expression of polite astonishment.
"Uncle Jiang! What a surprise. Please, come in and sit—let's catch up properly."
Xu Ning and the surrounding disciples turned to look, their eyes full of curiosity. So this man was the Sect Master's senior uncle?
Jiang Kuatian's expression was complicated—he didn't seem as carefree as before. In fact, there was even a hint of awkwardness.
Following Qin Ye to the table, he forced a smile. "Nephew Li, it's been two years, and Qingxiao Sect has changed completely! Don't tell me your grandmaster has returned?"
Before Li Qingqiu could reply, Xu Ning blurted out, "What's that supposed to mean? Couldn't all this be my master's achievement?"
The disciples' eyes hardened as they looked at Jiang Kuatian. It wasn't that they disrespected True Person Qingxiao, but they were young—and tired of being underestimated by outsiders.
Their Sect Master, Li Qingqiu, was still young himself. For Jiang Kuatian to speak as though Qingxiao Sect's success couldn't possibly be his doing—it was an insult.
To belittle Li Qingqiu was to belittle them all.
Hadn't their Sect Master said it himself? "Every disciple has played a part in Qingxiao Sect's rise."
Jiang Kuatian's smile stiffened under Xu Ning's blunt retort, though he didn't argue with the girl. Instead, he asked in surprise, "So… True Person Qingxiao hasn't returned?"
Li Qingqiu nodded calmly. "No. I've never met my grandmaster since I was young, and my master hasn't returned either. Qingxiao Sect stands where it does today because of the efforts of everyone in the sect."
He wasn't offended. On the contrary, Jiang Kuatian's disbelief only confirmed how much the sect had grown—enough to make such a seasoned wanderer doubt his eyes. That thought filled him with quiet satisfaction.
He gestured warmly for Jiang Kuatian to sit, chatting with ease.
Meanwhile, Qin Ye placed his wooden staff by the wall and began chopping firewood quietly in the corner, as he always did—silent and diligent.
After a few casual exchanges, Jiang Kuatian finally relaxed a bit. His straightforward nature soon surfaced, and he recounted what had happened earlier that day.
"That boy, Qin Ye, is something else," Jiang Kuatian said with a laugh. "I was careless and used only one hand in our spar, but he still defeated me! I heard he's your disciple—how on earth did you train him?"
Though Jiang Kuatian hailed from the White Emperor Mansion, he wasn't a top-tier master. Losing to someone like Qin Ye, who had trained relentlessly in the Ten Thousand Armies Demon-Subduing Staff, didn't surprise Li Qingqiu at all.
In a true life-or-death battle, Qin Ye would still be outmatched—but his progress was undeniable. The staff technique's unique internal energy method made it especially lethal.
Li Qingqiu smiled. "I can't take the credit. A supreme expert once stayed at our sect for a short while and gave him some guidance."
Jiang Kuatian's eyes widened. "A supreme expert? Who was it?"
Li Qingqiu's tone was natural and composed. "The elder never revealed his name, and we didn't dare ask."
That satisfied Jiang Kuatian immediately. The martial world was full of such tales—chance encounters with reclusive masters leading to miraculous leaps in strength.
He clicked his tongue in admiration. "That Qin Ye's fortune runs deep. He's bound to achieve greatness one day."
Then his expression turned curious again. "And what about Jiang Zhaoxia? I've heard the whole martial world talking about him lately. Two years ago, when I met him here, I thought he was just an arrogant boy. Never imagined he had the skill to back it up."
Li Qingqiu chuckled. "Third Junior Brother's been in closed-door cultivation for several days now, so you won't see him for a while. By the way, Uncle Jiang—what brings you to visit us this time?"
He had always held a good impression of Jiang Kuatian—after all, the man had once gifted him a magic artifact.
Even now, at the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm, Li Qingqiu still couldn't break the artifact's seal. That alone proved its extraordinary nature.
It was, without a doubt, a true treasure.
Jiang Kuatian replied, "Recently, a rebellion broke out in Guzhou. The provincial army and local militias failed to suppress it—county after county has fallen. Since the White Emperor Mansion is based within the provincial capital, we must assist the authorities. I was dispatched to a nearby city to serve as a military instructor. When I heard of Jiang Zhaoxia's exploits, I decided to visit. Now that I see you all living well, I can finally rest easy."
Li Qingqiu grew curious about the rebellion and asked for more details. Jiang Kuatian didn't hold anything back.
It wasn't just Guzhou—three other provinces were in turmoil as well. All four regions were suffering famine, and cunning bandits had stirred the people's resentment. They gathered refugees into makeshift armies, seizing cities and plundering freely. Wherever they went, they looted, killed, and committed every imaginable evil—some even assaulted women in broad daylight.
Two years had passed, yet the chaos hadn't subsided. It had only worsened.
The imperial court had now issued bounty orders across the land, calling upon martial experts to join in the campaign against the rebels—with handsome rewards offered.
"Senior Brother, why don't we go help suppress the rebels too?" Zhang Yuchun suddenly suggested, his eyes shining with excitement.
Before Li Qingqiu could respond, Jiang Kuatian slapped the table. "Absolutely not! You're all still young. Focus on your martial training. The empire won't fall into ruin. The Sage already knows of this situation—within half a year, peace will be restored!"
The Sage—that was how officials and commoners alike referred to the Emperor.
Li Qingqiu agreed with him. He had no intention of letting his disciples get involved in such chaos. They were still too young, and joining a conflict like that could scar their minds—and dealing with the government would only complicate things further.
Perhaps in the future, when Qingxiao Sect grew stronger, they could descend the mountain to save the people during an age of chaos. But that time was not now.
"Half a year? That fast?" Zhang Yuchun asked in surprise.
"Of course," Jiang Kuatian said proudly. "There were corrupt ministers misleading the Emperor before, but they've already been executed. Our Great Li Dynasty has only stood for thirty years—the true golden age of peace is still ahead. Just endure a few more years, and you'll live to see prosperity."
Li Qingqiu hadn't expected Jiang Kuatian to speak of the current Emperor with such faith.
Meanwhile, Qin Ye, who was still chopping firewood, couldn't help but turn his head. His gaze burned with anger. He regretted not hitting Jiang Kuatian harder earlier—perhaps that would've knocked some sense into him.
When the dishes were finally served, Li Qingqiu invited Jiang Kuatian to join them. To keep the atmosphere light, he asked their guest to talk about the martial world instead of politics.
Jiang Kuatian was only too happy to oblige. Once he started, he couldn't stop—his enthusiasm only grew as he spoke.
He even mentioned the Martial Champion, Li Yang.
Apparently, Li Yang had gone to challenge the Heavenly Saber Sect but offended them with his arrogance. He was beaten badly, and his defeat provoked the wrath of the Li clan of Linchuan. Because of that, the Heavenly Saber Sect was now facing pressure from all sides, struggling to survive.
"After losing to Jiang Zhaoxia, their reputation was ruined. Now they're being suppressed by the Linchuan Li clan too. I doubt the Heavenly Saber Sect can even keep its title as one of Guzhou's Seven Great Sects." Jiang Kuatian laughed gleefully.
The disciples were thrilled to hear this, though they didn't mention Jiang Zhaoxia's personal grudge against the sect—Li Qingqiu had warned them beforehand to keep silent about that.
Jiang Kuatian's visit made Qingxiao Sect unusually lively.
The next day, when he met Yang Jueding, the two immediately clicked—as if they had known each other for years. Li Qingqiu was so amused he invited Jiang Kuatian to stay another two days.
On the fifth day, Jiang Kuatian finally descended the mountain.
His visit and news of the outside world left a strong impression. The disciples became even more diligent in their cultivation, cherishing the peace they still had.
Days turned like pages in a book.
Autumn passed, winter arrived, and snow began to fall.
That day, Jiang Zhaoxia finally broke through to the fourth layer of the Nurturing Essence Realm.
From halfway up the mountain, Li Qingqiu suddenly sensed a surge of sharp sword intent. Following its trail, he arrived at a frozen lake—where Jiang Zhaoxia stood poised on the surface, the water beneath his feet rippling though no ice had formed.
Sword intent was a strange thing—like aura or presence, yet tangible, like an unseen blade in the air. As someone born with the Born Sword Maniac fate, Li Qingqiu recognized it instantly.
Jiang Zhaoxia's sword intent was powerful—so sharp it felt as though he himself had become a sword, its edge exposed for all to see.
'I've spent so much time divided between sword cultivation and the Rejuvenation Ghost-Immortal Needles. Even with the same fate as Third Junior Brother, my mastery of sword dao can't compare to his,' Li Qingqiu thought, watching with genuine pride.
Jiang Zhaoxia had not only advanced in cultivation but in understanding of the sword itself.
Without a master to guide him, he had comprehended sword intent on his own. Such comprehension was nothing short of heaven-defying.
Snowflakes drifted through the air, but before they could touch him, they melted into wisps of white mist. Jiang Zhaoxia stood radiant and ethereal, like a sword spirit ready to ascend to the heavens.
Suddenly—
He raised his hand, using his fingers as a sword, and thrust toward Li Qingqiu. A streak of sword qi shot forth, blindingly fast, sharp as lightning.
Li Qingqiu reacted instantly, flicking a silver needle from his fingers. The needle streaked through the air, colliding with the sword qi mid-flight. Both forces shattered—the needle in fragments, the sword qi dissolving into mist.
Jiang Zhaoxia narrowed his eyes. "Senior Brother, I can't tell if it's your strength that's greater, or your needle technique that outshines my sword qi."
Li Qingqiu snorted. "If I'd been a heartbeat slower, I'd be dead from that sword of yours."
"Impossible," Jiang Zhaoxia replied with quiet confidence. "My sword qi has reached the state of perfect control. Even if it were an inch from your throat, I could stop it in an instant."
His tone carried unmistakable pride.
Li Qingqiu smiled faintly. "So, tell me—do you still plan to seek revenge?"
Jiang Zhaoxia stared at him for a long while before answering, "Among those who ambushed me from the Heavenly Saber Sect was a team of blade masters—their coordination was flawless. I suffered greatly at their hands. I've decided to choose thirteen disciples from the sect and personally train them in sword dao. From now on, we'll be known as the blades that cut down Qingxiao's enemies."
He paused, eyes gleaming with fierce intent.
"I've already thought of the name," he said, voice steady. "We'll be called—the Thirteen Swords of Qingxiao's Might."