The Heavenly Wandering Sword

Chapter 6

The news had spread around that an Elder of the Golden Temple Sect had been crippled along with four of their top disciples. Noone knew exactly what happened, it seemed as if everyone had forgotten. When the three disciples woke up, they were ushered quickly back to the Spiritblade Sect. Once they had recovered they were ushered in to see the Sect Master.

“Greetings Sect Master.” Ling Feng said as all three of them kneeled in front of the Spiritblade Sect Master Tang Bo. “It seems you have all broken through, juniors have been working quite hard then.” Ling Feng shook his head. “It was not from our own efforts Sect Master. Please let me tell you of what happened.” A few moments later after he had described all that had happened, Sect Master Tang sat back in his chair and sighed deeply. “Just who is he that he dares to provoke the Golden Temple?” One of the Inner Elders asked. Sect Master Tang shook his head. “Not only he dares to provoke them, he has the ability to provoke them. He crippled Elder Deng with a tree branch.

He healed all three of them, with damaged meridians to perfect health and they broke through in the process.” There were always a wonder of what kind of person was in the world for Master Tang. He could only lean back. “We owe this man a great deal. Standing up to a Grade 2 sect and defending our disciples. Perhaps we can bring him to our side?” Another Elder chimed in. Master Tang nodded, deep in thought. “Yes. We must try and find out who this man is, and see if we can ally him to us.”

At the same time inside the Golden Temple Sect, the Sect Master Cai Wu frowned as he sat beside the bed of Elder Deng. “Elder Deng, just who was this man?” Elder Deng laid there, looking up at the ceiling and sighed. His 200 years of cultivation had been wasted just like that, and it was too late for regrets. The only thing that he felt was vengeance. “I do not know from where he came from. Perhaps the Spiritblade Sect has found a new backer but he did not feel like he came from Spiritblade. I think he has a powerful ancient treasure on him that allows him to control Sword Spirits. Lu Xia’s Sword Spirit could only kneel and do nothing else. It must be a powerful artifact that would benefit the Sect greatly.” Cai Wu nodded. “We will take revenge for you, Elder Deng. I swear it to you.”

For Li Jian, after leaving the Skytower he had found a small room to stay at in one of the hotels in the city. He rested in his bed, contemplating various things. He had overplayed his hand, it was far too high profile to cripple a Sect Elder just like that. But perhaps his hand was also forced. There will always be arrogance in power. Reaching into his storage ring, he drew his own personal sword, forged from the essence of the void itself. The blade itself had nothing remarkable bout it, it was in an onyx sheath, the handle simple. The only thing on it was the etching in the handle that said “Void Bringer.”

He summoned his ancient sword spirit, the sword spirit standing in front of him fluttering his swings a few times. “Master, it has been at least a few hundred years since you have summoned me. Have you become more lonely?” The Sword Spirit said playfully. The appearance was of his sword spirit was that of a handsome young man in his early 20s who fluttered a pair of black feathered wings as if stretching. “You have become more disrespectful of your Master.” Li Jian responded, the sword spirit shrugged casually. “Master, respectful or disrespectful, Kon Kon will always obey.” The Sword Spirit named Kon Wang, looked around and frowned slightly. “This is not Sword Mountain. Are we on an adventure Master?”

Li Jian thought about how to explain it to him and just nodded. “We are in the mortal realm now.” Kon Wang looked around and nodded before sitting down on the bed before stretching his arms out. “Is Master finally going to look for a wife?” Li Jian smacked him across the back of the head, sending him across the room with his casual slap. The Sword Spirit sat down on the floor. “Master is so abusive, if only there was a law against abusing Sword Spirits…” Li Jian sighed. “Kon Kon, I’m sending you out. Keep an eye out for Golden Temple or Thousand Sword sect members coming towards me.” Kon Wang nodded. “Please rest Master, Kon Kon will ensure your nights sleep.”

In the morning, Li Jian woke up in the bed. He could sense that his sword spirit was up in the sky somewhere, enjoying a bit of flight. He sighed and got up, getting dressed at a slow pace. With the massive events of yesterday, he knew that he had to find a place to lay low. He also had quite a bit of money left in his storage ring. His sword, he decided to finally set it at his side. With what had happened, he figured his sword spirit would be able to keep an eye on what was going on. He whistled lightly, Kon Wang coming down into the room. “Master, are we ready to go?” Li Jian nodded. “Stay invisible. I need breakfast first.”

Kon Wang obliged before mentally sending a signal of “Meat buns”. Li Jian snorted as he left a few coins for the Inn keeper to pay for his room before wandering out onto the streets. There were many street vendors, and so he simply let himself follow his nose until he came to a vendor who was quite popular in selling meat buns. “Big brother, four of the big ones please.” He called out. A few moments later, two steaming hot meat buns were handed over wrapped in large green leaves. He would take them with him and stepped into an alley way, holding out two of the meat buns. The invisible Kon Wang plucked them from him and retreated with them back into the Void Bringer sword.

He enjoyed walking along the street, looking at various places as he ate the buns with relish. He was always fond of the way common citizens made their food. Free of pomp and aristocratic decorations. He sighed and spoke to a few people along the way, asking of how he could find a house to buy. He realized finally that he had to go to a government office. Walking in, he was quickly shown to a map of the city and what was available. Finally, he found a place that he liked and agreed on the price. The previous owners had left Baiyang for the Capitol. The manor house was not massive, but it was big enough. It was no where near the size of his previous guest manor in Sword Mountain but he preferred it this way. Handing over 25 thousand spirit stones, he was given the deed and the magical stone that doubled as the key. He knew that he had some work to do before he could live in it. He thought about it and decided that he would go to the Purple Pavilion to seek some assistance.

The Purple Pavilion’s fighting ring was where he had gone last time but this time, he knew that he had to find the Purple Pavilion’s main building. After asking around, he was directed towards a large building with “Purple Pavilion” written in golden letters at the gate. Showing his VIP token, he was allowed in. Inside, two hostesses greeted him and asked him to have a seat. Taking the offered cup of tea, he sipped at it and smiled lightly at the flavour of jasmine. How very thoughtful, a purple plant tea for the Purple Pavilion. He had barely had time to enjoy a second sip before the man from the other day came down and bowed. “Greetings honoured Master. My humblest apologies for keeping you waiting. Lady Bai has asked me to bring you to her.” Li Jian set down the tea mug and smiled a bit sadly to himself. The treatment is always different when you show a bit of power. That was also a truth of the Jiang Hu.

“Please lead the way senior, I am honoured and humbled that Lady Bai is willing to make time for me.” He was shown upstairs quickly where Lady Bai sat waiting with hot tea and various biscuits placed in a pleasant array around the tea pot. She stood up and bowed towards him as he walked in. “Master Li, please have a seat. I am honoured to have you here.” Li Jian sat down and was about to pour himself a cup of tea when Lady Bai stepped in and poured it for him. “I’m sorry for being rude, I cannot have a distinguished guest such as yourself pouring your own tea.” Li Jian just looked at him and smiled softly. “Sister Bai, please do not treat me differently because of the other day. If you do, I’m afraid I cannot consider us friends.”

Lady Bai smiled, although her smile was a bit strained. “Older brother Li, I do not know how to treat you. From what I saw the other day, your abilities and qualifications are beyond this small Purple Pavilion.” Li Jian sipped at his tea and shook his head slightly. “The sweetness of your Purple Pavilion’s tea has been bittered by your words. Please, do not over think what happened. I am here today to ask a favour of yourself.” Lady Bai sat down and considered the words carefully. “If Brother Li wishes for me to treat you the way I treat a friend, then I gladly shall. I will consider you a personal friend, and I will be glad to assist.” He handed over the key to his new property. “I made a presumptuous purchase this morning but I am afraid I am unskilled in how to manage a house. If I can ask, can your Purple Pavilion provide furnishings and the like? I will compensate you for the trouble of course.” He reached into his storage ring and retrieved the Snow Jade amulet, placing it in front of her.

“Brother Li! I cannot accept such a high value item for mere furniture. Do you know how much this is worth? An item like this, an item that can help someone break through an entire realm upto Nascent Soul. How can you just.. use this as payment?” Li Jian shrugged sightly. In truth, Snow Jades were used as trinkets and jewelry in the Heavenly Palace. “It matters little to me, it is a gesture of sincerity. As well, I understand that the Purple Pavilion is the largest merchant house in Baiyang City?” Lady Bai nodded, lifting up the tea pot to refill his cup. “Of course. Is there something that you wish to sell?” She looked at him curiously.

He nodded and reached into his storage ring again, this time retrieving different items. One was a second grade martial art, and the others were a mix of high grade herbs that were rarely found in Huaxia. “Brother Li, you never cease to make me wonder. I will set this up to be sold at the auction house.” Her eyes twinkled in a smile as she sat back. He looked at her and was reminded of Shen Huli when she was younger, when she had just become a deity and challenged the heavens to prove that she was more than just looks. It was most likely why she wore her veil as well.

It was at that moment that there was an urgent knock on the door. “Who dares disturb me?” She said, sitting up rather crossly. “Lady, a thousand apologies but.. well. Your uncle is downstairs.”