Chapter Nine, Fragmented Veil

Zhou Fei said: "That person is an old monk. He asked you, 'With a sharp blade to slay the demons and monsters, when the victory is at hand, and the demons bow their heads, and the divine weapons are sheathed, what offering should be made to quell the grievances and calamities in the hearts of those who have bowed down?'"

Zhou Fei saw him go out, lowered her head and smiled for a moment, then her smile gradually faded as she touched the broken long knife behind her.

Zhou Fei hurriedly stepped forward to take it and placed it on the small table beside her

A person's life is so short, so full of regrets, so powerless, and so manipulated by fate

The last time he saw Zhou Fei was at the inn in Hengshan that was so neglected, and it had only been a year since then, yet he surprisingly could not recognize her at a glance. It was not that this girl had grown into her seventeen or eighteen years, capable of undergoing a transformation; if one looked closely, her brows and eyes were still the same, and her figure had not changed much. However, she seemed to have undergone a complete metamorphosis.

He asked me to inquire about the whereabouts of Liang Shao's burial site. When Zhou Fei mentioned this, she seemed worried that Zhou Yitang might misunderstand and think that the old monk intended to disturb the grave, so she hurriedly explained, "It is for a... friend. He has been afflicted by a rare poison, and we are at our wit's end. Liang... that gentleman once had some connections with the Great Medicine Valley, and it is said that many relics from the valley are in his possession, so..."

Later, the foolish monarch, suffering from a headache, summoned Lu Run into the palace for treatment. While he was in the imperial city, General Zhao was lured and killed by treacherous ministers in the southwestern wilderness. Upon learning this, Elder Lu was filled with grief and indignation. He initially intended to draw his sword and enter the palace to slay the treacherous officials who brought calamity to the nation. However, he received a letter from General Zhao Yi, urging him to consider the welfare of the countless common people and not to disregard the larger situation by committing acts of treason that would plunge the innocent into chaos. He also entrusted his family to Lu's care. Elder Lu had no choice but to set aside his aloof demeanor and work for the Zhao family, feigning compliance with the foolish monarch to protect the Zhao family's lives. Afterward, exhausted in body and spirit, he retreated to the Valley of Great Medicine, no longer concerning himself with worldly affairs. Little did he know that eight years later, the southern barbarians would invade the Central Plains again, and the former emperor would have no choice but to once again employ the Zhao family army. The Zhao brothers, whom Elder Lu had painstakingly protected, would reclaim military power, but their swords would be aimed at the imperial capital.

The third is to seek a master of internal martial arts who is proficient in the dual energies of Yin and Yang

"I have asked many people to search for ancient famous swords, but few are suitable for you. Many are merely for show and not practical, while those that are well-preserved mostly possess mediocre qualities. The exceptional ones often come with ominous legends," Zhou Yitang said, "until I saw this one last year—this sword, Shattered Veil, did not originate from a renowned master, as its forger left behind only this one blade."

Wen Yu: "... ..."

Zhou Fei lowered her head to look at the two characters "Sui Zhe" engraved on the blade, and suddenly it felt as if she had touched a trace of the heavy and despairing spirit of the ancient sages on this sword

Zhou Yitang asked in confusion: "What happened?"

Zhou Yitang walked briskly, entirely unlike "Mr. Gantang," and approached his simple military tent. He retrieved a box over three feet long from the neatly arranged bedside. He rolled up his sleeves and, with some effort, carried out the heavy long box: "Take a look quickly."

Zhou Yitang: "... ..."

Wen Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Who is so audacious?"

The weight of the long sword was quite manageable. Zhou Fei carefully drew the blade from its sheath, and with a soft sound, the noise of the blade separating from the sheath was remarkably clear, revealing a meticulously crafted steel edge and the inscription at the base.

After a long separation, when meeting again, memories are often left behind by the soul, and both parties inevitably feel estranged. It takes time for those long-held memories to catch up, allowing the old feelings to resurface. However, after more than four years and over a thousand days and nights, Zhou Fei feels as if Zhou Yitang has merely come down the mountain to visit a market, casually bringing back a few trinkets for her amusement. The gray at his temples seems merely a result of encountering wind and snow along the way, easily brushed off.

The canopy is like a veil, only my single blade can shatter the vast expanse, traversing the four seas without obstruction, Zhou Yitang said with a smile, "I think you would like it"

Zhou Fei vaguely felt that she had heard this story somewhere before

General Feiqing heard that General Yu had draped a thick cloak over Zhou Yitang, who was reading a memorial and did not lift his head, saying: "Thank you."

Even if heaven intends to cut off a person's path, how can one confine oneself to a valley and draw a prison for oneself?

The canopy is like a veil, only my single blade can shatter a thousand miles of splendor, traversing the four seas without obstruction, Zhou Yitang said with a smile, "I think you would like this."

It is said that Zhou Cun once studied under Liang Shao, and perhaps even Master Ming did not expect that her father would be so pleased to hear that someone wanted to dig up his teacher's grave

Zhou Yitang stood up, picked up the broken knife, and examined it closely. He saw that it was a new knife that had never been sharpened, the blade still dull, indicating that it had been broken into several pieces by external force. Suddenly, he laughed and cursed, "This damn debt collector, tell her to come in."

After all, it is once again the time of year when spring brings warmth and flowers bloom

Zhou Fei pondered for a moment and then asked, "Father, if you were that Senior Lv, would you hide in the Great Medicine Valley to refine things like 'Return to Yin Pill' and 'Return to Yang Pill'?"

"Why isn't there any? At that time, you weren't even as tall as my shoulder." Zhou Yitang arched his eyes and waved at her, saying, "Come here, see what your father has brought for you."

"TOEFL." Wen Yu responded hurriedly, feeling inexplicably superfluous. He touched his nose and said, "I didn't see you at the Forty-Eighth Village earlier. Mr. Zhou has been thinking about you for quite some time. It's good to have you back... Well, you all continue your conversation; I will step out to take care of some matters"

Zhou Fei cupped his hands in salute and said: "General Wen, I hope you have been well since we last met"

Zhou Yitang opened the cloth bag and examined the ripples on its surface. After pondering for a moment, it seemed as if he suddenly thought of something, and he murmured, "Could it be..."

In the third month of spring, the front lines are in a standoff, and the first batch of citizens who fled in fear have already settled in the south, while the flames of war have surprisingly not yet ignited amidst the ongoing disputes among various parties

Now, upon seeing her again, I truly feel that she has grown up, just like the slender machete behind her, exuding a subtle yet fierce presence that no one would dare to underestimate.

This child, apart from his appearance, truly does not resemble his biological parents in any other aspect

The second is to gather various precious artifacts that ward off the cold

He spoke, and naturally reached out to gather it, suddenly paused, carefully felt it, and asked: "Is this sent by Li Dazhang?"

This senior, named Lu Run, was a highly renowned figure from the previous dynasty, possessing three exceptional talents in his lifetime: literary prowess, martial skills, and medical knowledge. He mastered all that an ordinary person could not learn in a lifetime. In his early twenties, he achieved the second highest rank in the imperial examination before the emperor, and his martial arts were astonishing in the martial world. He was also the designated leader of the Great Medicine Valley at that time. Zhou Yitang spoke slowly, saying, "However, during that period, the court was filled with tyrants and sycophants, creating a chaotic environment. The southern and northern tribes frequently coveted the Central Plains, and years of disasters left the people in dire straits. This senior then made a solemn vow to save the masses from calamity. He declined the position at the Hanlin Academy and chose to wander the world with only a medicine box. He often accompanied the army, ventured into epidemic areas, and devoted himself tirelessly, saving countless lives. He was a close friend of General Zhao Yi, a prominent general of that time."

Zhou Fei pinched the edge of the Shen Du seal in a circle, yet did not answer directly. Instead, she spoke evasively, saying: "Uh... that Li Sheng and Li Yan are waiting for you up ahead, and they sent me to invite you home... Uh... it has been some years since father has returned home, it has been many years since we last met..."

At this moment, a bodyguard suddenly rushed in and said: "General! Lord Zhou, there is someone outside requesting an audience, bringing this."

Zhou Yitang looked up and saw that the bodyguard was holding a broken sword.

Zhou Fei was taken aback: "How did you know?"

After speaking, Wen Yu hurriedly made space to leave. Zhou Yitang stood aside, observing Zhou Fei. He remained reserved, and after years in the court, he had become even more composed. The daughter, who had not been seen for over four years, suddenly appeared as if falling from the sky, yet he seemed neither surprised nor excited at all, not even asking her where she had been. He merely wore a slight smile on his face, then extended his pale, slender hand, fingers spread apart, indicating a height of about three inches above, and said to Zhou Fei: "You have grown so tall."

I used to not understand why you left back then, but now I do. I used to blame you, but I no longer do. " Zhou Fei paused for a moment and then said, "I... encountered a senior on the road, and after he learned my surname is Zhou, he asked me to inquire about a question on his behalf.

Zhou Fei suppressed the slight itch in her heart and said, "Oh, I was just going to ask you to help me with directions."

Inside the box lies a long knife, its blade slender and elegant, comparable in length to Wangchun Mountain, slightly shorter than the somewhat cumbersome Miao knife. The scabbard was likely added later, made of brand new hardwood, with iron and leather fittings at both ends. It is entirely pitch black, yet retains a sheen, appearing neither gaudy nor shabby.

A figure entered against the light, with long hair tied back, dressed in fitted attire, and carrying an ancient Miao knife slung diagonally across their back. Upon entering, they naturally cast a glance at Wen Yu. Wen Yu, also a practitioner of martial arts, was extremely sensitive to the presence of others. As the figure entered, before he could assess their appearance, he felt a sudden chill and instinctively shifted his body slightly, placing his weight on his left foot. He then saw the person casually extend a hand towards Zhou Yitang, saying, "Father, where is my knife?"

Zhou Fei lowered her head to examine the tip of her shoe and nodded, saying: "Hmm."

The old monk Ming entrusted her with three tasks, the first of which was to find the ancient texts of the Great Medicine Valley that were said to have fallen into the hands of Liang Shao—the "Classic of One Hundred Poisons" written by Lü Run in those years.

Zhou Yitang's smile gradually faded. Zhou Fei took out a cloth bag from the package behind her and handed it to him, saying: "The old monk said that if you cannot answer, I should hand this over to you"

Zhou Yitang took it over, and without opening it, said: "Is it the seal of Shen Du?"

Zhou Fei felt a pang in her nose and forced a smile, saying: "I haven't been fattened up, so how could I have grown so much?"

Bullying someone else's wife is best kept at a distance

Friend?" Zhou Yitang glanced at her

Wen Yu was taken aback. Zhou Yitang was a person whose emotions were not easily discernible; he maintained a demeanor of humility towards those above him and a sense of dignity towards those below. He embodied the conduct of a refined gentleman. Even if Cao Zhongkun were to personally arrive, Zhou Yitang would certainly say "please" rather than "call." While he was in doubt, his personal guard had already exited, and after a moment, they brought in a girl of about seventeen or eighteen years old.

And what of those who have come before and those who will follow, for those who diligently seek and cannot be absolved, they would die a hundred deaths without regret

These historical anecdotes were once told to her by Zhou Yitang, but when Zhou Fei was young, she regarded them merely as stories and soon forgot them. Now, hearing him tirelessly bring them up again, she has a vague impression of them and suddenly begins to savor three distinct flavors within. Unable to help herself, she asks, "And then?"

But she always wants to give it a try

Zhou Fei has always been unlearned and incompetent, but she is aware of the person known as "Zhao Yi." She is not very clear about his specific achievements, only knowing that he was a great hero of the previous dynasty, who later fell victim to a foolish emperor's self-destructive actions. There is much lamentation among the people, leading to the creation of numerous myths and legends surrounding this great hero, much like the worship of Guan Yu with clay statues. After General Zhao Yi's death, his sons and nephews declared themselves kings, ultimately forcing the emperor to abdicate the throne, thus initiating a change of dynasties and giving rise to the current Zhao dynasty.

Upon hearing "Li Yan," Zhou Yitang immediately understood: "It is you few who are afraid to go home, isn't it"

Lu Runtian was a remarkable talent, well-versed in various disciplines. To this day, the swordsmiths of the Donghai lineage have included his compiled notes on casting in their collections. He lived for fifty years, reportedly succumbing to poisoning from elixirs. Throughout his life, he never witnessed peace across the four seas. After his death, the disciples of the Great Medicine Valley sorted through his belongings and found that most of what he left behind were harmful formulas for poisons, which they had no choice but to destroy one by one, except for this one item... Zhou Yitang's gaze fell upon the silent long knife. "No one knows when he forged it; by then, the scabbard was already covered in dust, having been abandoned for an unknown length of time. Yet the blade gleamed like frost, evoking a chill in those who beheld it."

Zhou Yitang raised her eyebrows slightly

Wen Yuqi asked: "How can this be figured out?"

The "Classic of Poison" may hold some clues, but what exactly constitutes the sacred object for dispelling cold is something even the old monk cannot specify in detail. As for the term "Yin and Yang energies," it is merely a fragment from the texts collected in Penglai, and its true meaning remains unclear to anyone. Master Ming has advised her to be prepared, for even if she traverses the world, it is still possible that she may ultimately find nothing, resulting in a futile endeavor.

If one were to say that the spring mountain is as reserved as a gentleman in a thatched cottage, then this knife is as splendid as a noble on horseback. It is flawless from head to toe; even if it were thrown into a mountain of knives, it would still be noticeable at a glance. From its long handle to the slightly curved tip, it exudes an unparalleled and lofty uniqueness. After gazing at it for a while, one cannot help but feel a sense of reverence, unable to bring oneself to draw it.

Zhou Fei let out a sound of "oh" and took it without moving.

I will draw the map for you shortly. Zhou Yitang casually handed the Shen Du seal to Zhou Fei and added, Take this home and give it to your mother, and tell her that this is my "life and fortune," and ask her to keep it safe for me for a few years

Zhou Yitang carefully wrapped the seal again and did not continue speaking. He asked, "What else did he say?"

Zhou Fei fell silent for a moment, pushed the broken scabbard up, replaced the makeshift Miao knife, and smiled at Zhou Yitang: "Father, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There is no need for you to be so verbose with me, going around in circles, using metaphors to express your aspirations and drawing lessons from history. To be honest, since you left, I haven't turned over more than two pages of a book, and I can't always understand what you are saying."

Zhou Yitang brushed his fingers across and noticed that the area filled with cotton was not sewn tightly, and he surprisingly pulled out a few strands of cotton. Zhou Yitang lowered his head and smiled, saying: "I beg your pardon."

Zhou Yitang inquired: "Hmm?"

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

When Zhou Yitang left the Forty-Eight Villages, she fixed her gaze on the closed mountain gate, once believing that he would never return. Yet now, is he not also feeling a sense of trepidation as he nears his hometown, lingering for a long time near Mount Shu, waiting for us younger generations to provide him with a way to descend gracefully, so that he can return and have a proper conversation with his old friends?

Zhou Yitang's smile flickered briefly across her face, but she did not pursue the matter further. She simply said: "Master Tongming is being too rigid. Since you have come to ask, why send a gift? Do you think I would not tell you?"

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Zhou Yitang was taken aback for a moment, then smiled

Then the national surname was changed to "Zhao." In the early years of the Dazhao period, wars were incessant, and turmoil spread in all directions. The Emperor Taizu repeatedly went to the Great Medicine Valley to invite Lu Run to come out of seclusion, but he found that Lu Run's temperament had inexplicably changed. He became obsessed with seeking immortality and the Dao, spending his days accompanied by the cinnabar medicine cauldron, concocting useless elixirs, and engaging in many absurd and nonsensical actions. Thus, he could only leave in disappointment, bestowing a plaque to the Great Medicine Valley and conferring the title of National Master upon Lu Run—though he never accepted the imperial decree.

The Seal of Shendu was on the deceased Chu Tianquan at that time, yet the individuals present near the body of that great demon—from Ying He to Zhou Fei—were all in a daze, and surprisingly, they collectively forgot about such a crucial object that everyone was vying for. Fortunately, the old monk Tongming, who was searching for Xie Yun's whereabouts, passed by, ensuring that the Seal of Shendu did not end up in the wilderness, inexplicably taken away by some wild beast to make a nest.

Wen Yu remembered that the young girl at the Hengshan Sanchun Inn was exceptional among her peers, yet she still carried a hint of childish naivety. She was both innocent and inexperienced, filled with curiosity about everything due to her ignorance, eager to try whatever she encountered. However, it seemed she had no clear idea of where to go next or what to do.

Zhou Yitang helplessly said: "It would be one thing if ordinary people in the martial world were causing a ruckus, but to think that Chu Tianquan and King Kang would openly appear in Yongzhou is quite another. Following that, His Highness King Kang has been exceedingly secretive, and the death of Beidou Wenchang remains shrouded in mystery. If I had not heard of such a significant matter, there would be no need for me to hold this empty position and eat without purpose—has the monk told you that his Dharma name is 'Tongming'? What is that master giving me this for?" What is that master giving me this for?

Zhou Fei opened her eyes wide

Zhou Fei secretly stretched her ears

Wen Yu was taken aback upon hearing this statement. After a closer look, he finally recognized that the visitor was actually Zhou Fei.

Fragmented cover

"If you don't have the courage to go home, how can you have the courage to run away?" Zhou Yitang glared at her and said, "Wait here, I will have a few words with them."