Yan Zhengming can crush the dumbass in the carriage with only one finger. About the two elders at primordial spirit level who sacrifice their honour to accompany him, though they look powerful, there is no need to worry about them.
With a glance, it can be seen that those two elders are advanced in age. For cultivators, if their cultivation level progresses on par with their age, when they donât have any special taste, their appearance will stay in their twenties or forties, like Lord Gu and Lord Beiming. When a cultivator looks aged, that means their lifespan is about to end, while their cultivation cannot progress further, like Lord of the Western Palace Bai Ji. Accordingly, these elders have been stuck at one level for too long. When they canât overcome that threshold, their power is only that much.
Furthermore, even if they are cultivators who have formed their primordial spirits, thatâs just an indicator of cultivation level. There is a saying that the Great Way has thousands of paths, which are all different, but all share a destination. âCultivation levelâ can mean different things. Having a high cultivation level doesnât necessarily mean being good at combat. For example, against the cultivators who prefer to stick around the medicine brewer while having mediocre swordplay like Li Yun, even if they have formed three primordial spirits, Yan Zhengming can easily mop the floor with them.
This is also why people donât want to mess with sword cultivators. From the day they enter the Tao, they are made for fighting.
Fortunately, Yan Zhengming isnât like other sword cultivators. Before he became a cultivator, he had been a spoiled scion of a wealthy family. After he became a cultivator, he had to assume the great burden of being a sect leader. He doesnât like looking for pointless trouble. Besides, Cheng Qian is enough of a pain for him. He really doesnât want to drag out this mess with these clowns anymore.
Although the people in front of him are nothing special, the spoiled brat has a flying horse carriage. For such a useless asshole to have such an entourage, to the point that even cultivators with primordial spirits have to listen to him, he is likely from the main line of some important sect. One has to watch out whose dog one hits. It wonât do them any good if Fuyao Estate, whose position is shaky enough, gets into a feud because of this trivial matter.
Unfortunately, things donât go as Yan Zhengming wishes. Today they depart without checking the calendar1, and run into a dumb asshole.
As soon as the strange flag of that spoiled brat appears, it immediately gets out of the control of its owner, and charges like a storm, which suppresses the energy of everyone around. A heavy and ancient aura emanates from it.
Li Yun doesnât even bother to evade it. His eyes light up, as he says greedily, âWow, this- this is the legendary âTrue Dragon Flagâ?â
Although no one asks about it, Li Yun rambles on. âItâs an ancient artifact, even older than our Third Brotherâs Sword of Terrible Death. Itâs reputedly made from the hide of a true sea dragon, and the flagpole is a piece of dragon spine. It carries the power of the divine dragon of old, hence the name âtrue dragonâ! Even if youâre as powerful as the sea and your mind is bright as the sun and the moon, you still have to tremble in its presence. Legend says that at the wielderâs wish, the flag can cover the sky and move mountainsâŚâ
Hearing him ramble on, Yan Zhengming gets a headache. He yells with a chilly expression. âShut up!â
Then he throws Puddle the bird to Li Yun and turns to the two elders. âWe didnât start this.â
The two elders helplessly look at each other. One of them goes to hold the spoiled brat on the carriage back. The other acts as a mediator to soothe Yan Zhengming. âDaoyu, please be patient. Our young master is the only son. He is both young and used to getting his ways, so it canât be helped that he is a bit difficult. Well, if this bird is that precious, we can negotiate the price a bit moreâŚâ
The first part of the speech is still reasonable enough. The second part makes Sect Leader Yan lose his temper.
In his childhood, he too enjoyed an immense wealth such that he spent money like water. Afterwards, the Yan family fell, and the home base of his sect had to be avoided, he experienced a period of suffering due to critical lack of money. In the present, he assumes the persona of âMoney Hunting Young Masterâ, who is willing to risk his life for money in the black market. Having been through such highs and lows, Yan Zhengming has a complicated feeling about âwealthâ.
Long story short, he can show off, but he canât stand other people showing off. He especially hates it when other people use money to push him around.
He growls. âI told you! We wonât sell it! Which part of it you donât understand?â
Unable to hold it in anymore, he attacks the True Dragon Flag.
As long as the dragon soul exists in the True Dragon Flag, once it is released, the flag wielder can shake the world even if he is just a mortal. Itâs obvious how much this dumb bratâs family spoils him. At this moment, provoked by Yan Zhengmingâs sword will, the dragon flag releases more than ten rays of lightning. The lightning clashes with the sword will in the air, causing a great explosion that stuns everyone.
Yan Zhengmingâs face pales. He has to withdraw a few steps, as he feels that his spiritual energy is suppressed by the draconic aura.
At this moment, he heard the sound of a weapon being unsheathed from behind. As the cold aura that is becoming familiar fills the area, Cheng Qian says from that direction. âIâve been in seclusion for too long, so my knowledge is limited. Iâve lived until now without ever encountering a true dragon soul. Senior brother, let me have a look.â
Hearing that, Yan Zhengming is at a loss at first. Then his anger burns even hotter as he thinks. âIn the past this brat never bothered to talk to me, heâd just go ahead and fight. Where did he learn this nonsense? In his eyes, have I turned from âuseless most senior brotherâ to âuseless most senior brother who needs sweet talkingâ?â
He has been willing to fight the awareness of generations of powerful cultivators in the sect leader seal. Why should he be afraid of a snake with antlers that has been dead for eight thousand years?
Without saying anything, Yan Zhengming immediately turns into a sword image that shines like snow. Thousands of swords formed from his primordial mind unflinchingly charge at the lightning rays in the air. As the sword energy and the lightning collide, countless explosions break out, making all animals in the area run away out of fright. In the clouds, neither the divine sea dragon nor the sword cultivator who is going berserk is willing to concede first, causing dark clouds to gather as if a storm is forming.
The spoiled brat on the carriage is terrified. Usually, whenever he takes out the True Dragon Flag, the other side will kneel down and beg for mercy. Who could expect that, when facing a powerful opponent, that flag gets out of control and causes such a scene? At this moment, he completely depends on the protection of the two cultivators with primordial spirits. All he can do is shaking like a leaf, as he is completely soaked from the torrent caused by the True Dragon Flag.
Besides the two cultivators with primordial spirit, the unlucky sods around the carriage are all flattened on the ground and unable to stand up because of the sword will and the draconic aura.
Being forgotten on the sidelines, Cheng Qian stands firmly and watches the battle. Awkwardness shows on his face, as he doesnât know if he said anything wrong.
Seeing this situation, Puddle hastily hides in the sleeve of her Second Brother. She wisely decides to behave and resist arguing with her sect leader and senior brother.
Is her most senior brother undergoing the monthly uncomfortable days? He sure has a temper!
The dragon soul looks at the sky and howls. Heedless of the razor-sharp wind and frost around him, which tears his fluttering sleeves, Yan Zhengming pushes the protective spiritual energy around his body to the limit. The countless swords formed by the spiritual energy merge into one force. Soaking in the power of the thunder and wind, he tears apart the clouds like a god battling a god. His ferocity completely undiminished by the torrential rain, Yan Zhengmingâs sword image charges directly at the dragon soul.
His gaze fixed on the scene, Cheng Qian says in a low voice, ââForming the bladeâ... Our most senior brother has reached this level already?â
According to the lore, for a sword cultivator, âforming the bladeâ is the first stage of forging oneself into a sword, where they begin to truly reach the mystic knowledge of the sword, which canât be taught with words to another person.
A cultivator who can go this far deserves to be counted in the ranks of the most powerful cultivators.
âFrom what I know, he was still a step behind when he fought before,â Li Yun gives Cheng Qian a meaningful look. âHe is likely pressured by you.â
That line stuns Cheng Qian speechless. He instinctively wants to protest the idea, but he changes his mind, sensing that it is really the case.
With a heavy expression, he thinks a bit then asks, âThen⌠the mark of the demon of the heart on his forehead, is it because of me too?â
At that moment, there is an angry growl, as Yan Zhengmingâs sword pierces the dragon soul.
Li Yun hastily yells, âHey, most senior brother, itâs the True Dragon Flag. There is only one such flag around. Donât waste it! Shit, there is a fracture in the dragon spine. Have some mercy, please!â
Yan Zhengming turns a deaf ear to his plea, as if determined to send both the dragon flag and the dragon soul to the underworld.
Li Yun looks at Cheng Qian expectantly.
Cheng Qian doesnât move. Nor does he say anything. Having no other choice, Li Yun has to say, âXiao-Qian, dead people canât return to life, but youâre the exception. When the person of oneâs past returns, one will feel such fear and guilt that you may not be aware of. Those sentiments are so heavy, that one may lose sleep at night. They may change oneâs outlook in life too. One hundred years have passed, how can everything stay easy like the past? I canât tell how many years he has hated himself because of you. Donât add to that, will you?â
Although Cheng Qian has an exterior of ice, his mind is full of understanding. With his natural intelligence, how can he not get what is going on when Li Yun has spelled it out.
With the âforming the bladeâ power, the table has turned on the battle in the air. The dragon soul, which was so menacing before, has to gradually withdrawn, as if pressed by Yan Zhengming. Before long, it cannot hold up any more and turn to run back to the flag.
At this point, Cheng Qian turns into a shooting star and charges into the space covered by the Dragon Flag. Under the thunder and wind, all of the rain that falls on him becomes frost. The primordial spirit that was formed against all odds in the Spirit Collection Jade sweeps out and precisely reaches the dragon soul, which is about to hide in the True Dragon Flag.
The injured dragon soul is quickly suppressed by Cheng Qianâs primordial spirit, and becomes frozen mid-air.
The tip of Yan Zhengmingâs sword, which was about to touch the True Dragon Flag, immediately stops. The killing aura lingering on in his face, he stares fixedly at Cheng Qian in silence.
Appearing not to notice it, Cheng Qian smiles and says, âLook, Second Brother is drooling over the flag. He sends me here especially to plead to you. Most senior brother, please have some mercy.â
Iâm so pissed, Yan Zhengming thinks. However, he cannot stay angry for long when facing Cheng Qian, who rarely smiles. The chilly killing intent on his body and the demon of the heart that has been lurking on his forehead finally disperses, leaving the âforming the bladeâ aura on him. However, he doesnât appreciate at all the fact that he has set one foot into the realm of the mystic knowledge of the sword. On the contrary, he annoyedly curses himself, Looks like I let him trick me to let things slide again. How useless I am.
Yan Zhengming withdraws all sword aura around him, and glares at Cheng Qian. âLi Yun wants everything. He is only good at collecting junks.â
Cheng Qian rolls his sleeve and brings the dragon soul, which is frozen mid-air, back to the True Dragon Flag. As the flag flops, the thunder and wind that have been raging in the air immediately quiet, as if what happened earlier was just an illusion. Cheng Qian carefully rolls up the flag. As his fingers brush at the dragon spine fractured by Yan Zhengming, he can feel the dragon soul in it trembling slightly.
It is no less than a divine beast, yet it has fallen to this state. Is it because of the fickle heavenly will or what?
The Heaven and Earth are inhumane. They treat everything like dirt2.
Perhaps to the Path of Heaven, the so-called divine dragons and extraordinary talents are nothing more than ants, arenât they?
That thought makes him feel lost and sorrowful.
Throwing the True Dragon Flag to Li Yun, Cheng Qian glances at the flying horse carriage on the ground. The flying horses have escaped their reins and disappeared. He wonders how this spoiled brat will get back. Will his dogs carry him on their swords?
Yan Zhengming condescendingly says, âSeeing as you wish to make peace, we have no other choice but to receive this gift.â
Next to him, Li Yun smiles conciliatorily and follows that lead. âYes, yes, thank you, thank you.â
The two cultivators with primordial spirits on the other side can see it clearly. This sword cultivator has reached the âforming the bladeâ level. The other cultivator could suppress the dragon soul with his primordial spirit. Although the dragon soul was injured, and thus the act was rather opportunistic, it is still a true dragon from ancient times.
How can one recklessly provoke such people? Even if one is on the losing side, there is no other way but to accept it.
One of the elders clasps his hands and says, âDaoyu, may I ask which sect youâre from?â
Hearing that, Puddle, who has been hiding in Li Yunâs sleeve, peeks out and cuts in. âWhy should we tell you? For you to take revenge on us later?â
The elder is speechless, looking very embarrassed.
Normally, Puddle wouldnât dare talk like that to a cultivator who has formed his primordial spirit. However, her senior brothers are all here, so she takes the rare opportunity to show off. In high spirits, she flies out to perch on Cheng Qian. Itâs still safest to go with her Third Brother. In this respect, her most senior brother is only second place.
Suddenly, her leg is tied up by a string as fine as spider thread. Itâs Yan Zhengming, who shoots out that thread from his fingertip. âNoisy.â
Afterwards, pulling his little sister along like a kite, Sect Leader Yan arrogantly leads the group to leave the site.
Although he ran into trouble outside the town and became âthe Li vagabondâ, Li Yun is utterly happy like a beggar who comes across a great treasure, as he holds the True Dragon Flag with both hands. Caressing the torn part of the dragon skeleton, he cheerfully comments. âAs expected of our Xiao-QianâŚâ
Before Cheng Qian says anything, Yan Zhengming already growls. âWho is yours?â
As soon as these words are spoken, Li Yun, Puddle, and Cheng Qian all stare at him. Li Yun teases. âMost senior brother, are you trying to monopolise his favour?â
Yan Zhengming: ââŚâ
Terrified by the threatening aura of his sect leader and senior brother, Li Yun immediately runs off and keeps a good distance away.
Assuming a serious expression in an effort to save what is left of his appearance, Yan Zhengming tells Cheng Qian. âLetâs go to Vermillion Bird Tower right away. We shouldnât wait until the fifteenth of the eighth moon. Thereâll be many people around then, so we may run into troubles. What are you staring at? Donât do that!â
Cheng Qian obediently turns his gaze downward. If he werenât smiling, itâd look more convincing.
It is with great sorrow that Yan Zhengming discovers there is no way to save his honour, so he sulkily leaves Cheng Qian behind and walks ahead by himself without looking back.
After they have left, the spoiled brat on the flying horse carriage angrily stomps his feet. He wasnât just humiliated, but the True Dragon Flag was also taken from him.
This asshole is a champion in not learning his lessons. He quickly forgets how he shakily hid behind the two powerful elders, and pushes at those two seniors without any respect, yelling, âUseless! Youâre all useless! If my father knew about thisâŚâ
The two elders with primordial spirits both sigh. One of them says, âYoung master, please calm down. Weâre close to the Vermillion Bird Tower. Please watch your words and deeds. If someone knows about our identity, there can be trouble.â
âFuck off! You canât even deal with vagabond cultivators. Whatâs the use of my father keeping you?â The spoiled brat flops in the carriage. He glances and points at the cultivators who fell down earlier. âYou lost my horses, so you have to pull the carriage in place of the horses for me! I must have that talking bird. Donât let me see those vagabonds again!â
This spoiled brat is used to humiliating other people. Although he demands cultivators who have reached the level of âconcentrating the mindâ and above to act like horses for him, no one dares to say anything. The cultivator who is pointed at only stands up and respectfully tries to calm him down.
At this moment, an all-black snake the size of a finger, which blends into the surrounding dirt, slowly emerges from the forest behind them. It quietly crawls to the carriage. As the cultivators are all bossed around by the spoiled brat, none of them notices the snake.
The little snake opens its mouth, a pitch-black tongue peaking out. Then its body evaporates into the air and quickly enters the back of the spoiled brat on the carriage.
A cultivator standing close to the spoiled brat, who is trying with all his might to dissuade him from causing further trouble, sees that the spoiled brat suddenly falls silent in the middle of his tantrums, as if swayed by the words of the people around him.
That cultivator even thinks that he manages to move the spoiled brat, and hastily takes the opportunity to flatter him. âYoung Master, forget other things, just knowing who you are would make people in awe of you. Itâs no problem that we lost the horses. May we pull the carriage for you instead?â
The spoiled brat glances at the cultivator with a thoughtful expression. With an uncharacteristic quietness, he looks down and gets inside the carriage.
As long as this lordling doesnât insist on looking for death, his entourage lets out a relieved sigh. They donât think much about why he suddenly becomes so full of understanding.
The spoiled brat closes the curtains on the carriage and looks at his pampered hands. Dark energy swirling in his eyes, he lets out a twisted smile.
*******
1. Horoscope, basically. There're booklets sold at temples and such that let you look up if a day is good for you to go on a journey, start building your house, hold your wedding etc. given your birth year.
2. From Tao Te Ching, foundational philosophical text of Taoism.