Jianghu (un mundo de artes marciales) - No te cortes

Capítulo 23

When Jing Shan heard her own voice, she never expected it to be tinged with such reverence and timidity: "Sect Master?"

"Um?"

For some reason, Jing Shan seemed to want to see through her as he asked such a question: "Why have you returned to the martial world?"

Shuang Jing paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "To... finish what we didn't finish five years ago?"

"Huh?" Jing Shan asked, puzzled. "Then... then why did you enter the martial world five years ago?"

The Seven Stones Sect Master remained silent. She felt a cool breeze gently envelop her. The air flowed through her fingertips, her neck, and her robes, like the refreshing breeze she and her master had felt sitting cross-legged on a rock in the bamboo forest. The images overlapped, and she opened her eyes, as if seeing a stream of sunlight streaming down her face. Her younger self looked up, asking innocently, "Master, why did you venture into the martial world?"

Jing Shan waited for a long time but did not hear Shuang Jing's answer. Just as she thought that the other party did not want to talk about the past and was about to turn away, she heard a clear voice in the depths of the darkness. Even though the metaphor was ridiculous, when she thought about it, she always felt that what she heard was the sound of a ray of dawn falling, illuminating the library that had never seen the sun all year round with a bright and splendid light.

"Entering the martial world is naturally about conquering it."

She turned her head and looked at Ye Shuangjing.

The woman stood in the darkness, a faint smile playing on her lips, her eyes shining brightly like stars as she looked back at her.

A roc rises with the wind, soaring ninety thousand miles high.

Even a roc with broken wings is still a bird that reigns supreme in the sky.

How can a swan have the ambition of a sparrow?

Is Ye Shuangjing really no longer the same person she was five years ago?

In an instant, she suddenly remembered that several years ago, when she was a child, she had also witnessed the brilliance of the young master of the Seven Stones Sect.

On the Tianya Altar of Fengdai Pavilion, the girl in green defeated Du Cheshui with a wooden sword. Then, amidst the deafening cheers, she slowly turned around and smiled calmly.

That smile sealed the fate of the martial arts world for the next five years.

"Does the sect leader intend to dominate the martial world once again?" she asked hesitantly. "What will you do? Can you restore your martial arts skills?"

But Ye Shuangjing simply smiled calmly: "Miss Jing Shan, I don't believe that anyone in the martial world today has surpassed the abilities of the four of us back then. So, how can we possibly 're-dominate' the martial world?" She took the lamp from Jing Shan and slowly walked forward. Her slender figure was so delicate that it was hard to imagine her glorious demeanor five years ago. Jing Shan was stunned and hurriedly followed, but she heard Ye Shuangjing's soft, breathless voice clearly coming from behind the dim lamplight:

"I just want back some things that I used to have..."

Behind them, the excited voice of the Plum Blossom Hall Master echoed through the spacious, empty walls: "This is it! I found it!!"

Flying Eagle Fortress - The Wind Rises and the Clouds Fly (Part 1)

The library of Jianrou Manor contains a total of 24,653 volumes, covering 578 years of records and culture from the two previous dynasties to the present. Therefore, searching for information about the two objects within such a vast sea of books is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, the disciples of Tianxia Inn have received training in finding and connecting information from a young age, so the four of them felt no pressure whatsoever in the library.

Xuan Sheng was engrossed in reading something in the corner, Shuang Jing and Cai Ren were discussing something in hushed tones, and Che Shui was sprawled on the bookshelf staring at the ceiling. In the end, only Mei Hua was seriously conducting her investigation.

Bold speculation, careful reading, fearless assembly, and unrestricted investigation of relevant materials, and even, if necessary, personal exploration to uncover hidden truths—these are the guiding principles of Tianxia Zhan.

It was this belief that made the World's Number One Inn the place with the best intelligence in the martial arts world, and even the imperial court sometimes had to seek information from them.

Lin Meihua, the youngest of the eight halls of Tianxia Inn, lacked the unique skills or agility of her seven older siblings. However, she cultivated the lightest physique and the boldest personality. Therefore, the information she unearthed was always the most shocking and unexpected, yet undeniably true. Thus, news from Meihua Hall, just as its leader had hoped, was the most expensive and priceless.

Such a formidable gang naturally had an even more formidable leader. Therefore, searching for information about the Locked Heart Bronze Mirror and the Half-Moon Silk Tassel among a pile of dusty, musty scrolls in a dark room devoid of daylight was a piece of cake for Lin Meihua. She quickly found the book she needed.

Che Shui, who was sitting on the bookshelf playing with a cat that had appeared out of nowhere, looked at her and swung her legs with utter boredom: "When are we finally going to find it...?"

"It'll be over soon. We should have the answer before dawn." Plum Blossom didn't even look up, quickly flipping through a book. "Light a few more candles for me. How can we see in such dim light?"

"Are you blind? I've already lit this whole row for you!" Che Shui said, pointing to the two rows of candles neatly arranged on the bookshelf.

"The light here is not good enough, could you move them over here?"

"Hmph, why should I? Don't you have hands yourself?"

*Snap!* She slammed the book shut, and Mei Hua raised an eyebrow: "Are you going to come find it yourself?"

Che Shui pouted, but still got up, holding the cat in one arm and moving the candle next to her with the other. Then she sat back down in her previous spot, holding the cat's two front paws and making it dance, teasing it while casually asking, "What's the progress? Have you found the answer yet?"

“There are still some things that need to be confirmed… I feel… it’s unlikely, but…” Plum Blossom sat down at a desk with a candle in her hand, opened a book but didn’t look at the pages. Instead, she carefully examined the scribbles and comments next to the words: “There are quite a few legends related to these two things. What I’m looking for is the real final reason.”

"Ah...how boring...at most it's some kind of treasure or peerless secret technique or something, but I'd rather know about Half Moon City." The Lord of Chongchonglou said, stroking the cat's chubby belly.

"Half-Moon City?" Plum Blossom looked up from her book, puzzled. "This doesn't seem to have anything to do with Half-Moon City, does it? Xuan Sheng's misfortune is all because he's with us. But..." She pondered, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have remembered. That follower who impersonated Xuan Sheng in the Tower of Trials... I wonder who sent him?"

"That's not what I meant..." Che Shui lay down directly on the bookshelf. Seeing that he wasn't massaging it anymore, the cat slowly walked to his stomach, found a comfortable spot, and lay down. "Is Xuan Sheng's amnesia related to the serious injury he suffered five years ago, or was it deliberately orchestrated? And who exactly is using his amnesia to force him to return to the martial world?"

"Or perhaps, no one set a trap for him to lose his memory?" Plum Blossom said, still with her head down. "Or perhaps he did it himself?"

"Huh?" Che Shui sat up. The cat meowed in complaint and climbed onto his shoulder again. He asked in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Mei Hua rolled her eyes at him but didn't speak. She remained silent for a moment, as if considering how to say it, before slowly replying, "Don't you think he's a lot like you?"

Che Shui was stunned. The cat he was holding felt pain and let out a soft meow. He came to his senses and said apologetically. He looked down at the fluffy fat cat in his arms, but his heart ached without him realizing it. His eyes were covered by his long hair, so the sad expression on his face could not be seen.

Indeed, they do look very similar.

Could it be that five years ago, Xuan Sheng thought he had lost that person just like me, and that's why he subconsciously shut himself off? After losing Tian Sha, I started to party every night, living a life of debauchery and playing different roles in different lives.

I can be anyone in this world, just not Du Cheshui. It's too heartbreaking.

He slightly raised his eyes and looked at Lin Meihua, who was still rapidly turning the pages of her book. The woman's silhouette, illuminated by the soft lamplight, revealed gentle lines. She lacked Shuang Jing's delicate beauty, Jin Guan's charming naiveté, and Jing Shan's aloof elegance, yet possessed a serene and peaceful air. For some reason, he felt a sense of peace. Perhaps it was because, in this darkness, looking up, he saw a weak, flickering flame radiating a warm glow, and in this space, in his moment of sorrow, he was not alone.

And so, without realizing it, her voice softened: "Plum blossom..."

"Ahhh! I found it! I found it! This is it!" Completely ignoring his affectionate and tender calls, the other person held up an ancient, tattered scroll that looked as if it might turn to dust and be scattered by the wind at any moment, raising their arms and cheering, "This is it! Ahhhhhh, let me see... um..."

She lowered her head and continued reading, her earnest face appearing unusually focused in the flickering candlelight, just like Shuangjing's face every day when she looked at Qishimen.

She should be called a gossip, but for some reason, Che Shui felt a warmth in her heart. It was as if the bone-chilling cold of the past 365 days had slightly receded.

"Che Shui..." Mei Hua called softly after a while, and when she looked up, she had a rare serious expression on her face: "Call them over, I know what happened."

Che Shui shuddered. Before the echo of Mei Hua's voice could fade away within the four walls, he had already rushed off to find Shuang Jing and Xuan Sheng. In a short while, several people, including the three from Jian Rou Manor, surrounded them.

Mei Hua cleared her throat: "As expected, these two items are indeed related to Qianxia Tower and Wanying Fortress." She glanced at the crowd listening intently, then gathered her thoughts and said, "The story begins with Qianxia Tower..."

The martial arts world during the time when Qianxia Tower and Wanying Fort existed was truly a mythical era. Compared to the great heroes who roamed the world at that time, the two virtuous heroes, Shui Tiansha and Xuan Sheng, were simply insignificant. Back then, generation after generation of young heroes traveled far and wide, traversing the ends of the earth, upholding justice with their swords, laughing at the mortal world, their voices echoing through the mountains and rivers, leaving behind countless legendary tales that inspired admiration and fascination.

"When it comes to the Thousand Heroes Pavilion, most people will think of one word: 'skill'," Mei Hua said, flipping through the book in her hand.

"Technique?"

"Hmm. Alchemy, magic, Yin-Yang arts, medicine. Thousand Heroes Pavilion primarily researches these, creating unparalleled weapons and armor. They also have intricate connections with the imperial court. There's a saying in the martial world that the previous dynasty's ability to reclaim the Western Desert, pacify the Eastern Coast, and defeat the foreign tribes, reaching its zenith, was all due to the secret support of Thousand Heroes Pavilion. But..."

“Prosperity inevitably leads to decline,” Shuangjing said.

"Yes. Whatever the reason, the previous dynasty destroyed Qianxialou. Moreover, it was done in a single night. Most people suspect that it was the work of a villain within Qianxialou that led to its destruction. In any case, the court dispatched 50,000 elite troops and wiped out all 123 members of the gang. In the blink of an eye, the leading gang in Jiangnan fell." Plum Blossom said slowly, her voice somewhat heavy.

The crowd remained silent, as if they could all see the once magnificent and splendid Thousand Heroes Tower gradually dying and dying amidst the flames.

There's a sense of shared sorrow, like the rabbit mourning the fox's death.

In the world of martial arts, one is often not in control of one's own destiny. It's already quite an achievement to survive in such a dangerous environment, let alone maintain a balanced stance.

No matter how strong or powerful they are, they can't change the laws and regulations of the world or the direction of the empire's politics.

Ultimately, they were all just martial arts practitioners who had escaped an environment of strict discipline and propriety.

"And then?" Che Shui broke the silence by asking.

"Later... Qianxia Tower and Wanying Fort became old friends. It is said that the former young master of the former vaguely foresaw a bloody storm to come, so he hid all the essence and secret techniques of the gang, made two keys, and handed them over to Wanying Fort." Mei Hua paused and looked at Shuang Jing and Xuan Sheng.

"The Heart-Locking Bronze Mirror..."

"And Half-Moon Luo Ying?" the two asked without thinking.

“Hmm.” Plum Blossom nodded: “Later, Wan Ying Fort was also framed by villains. The fort lord was killed decades later, and the gang also fell into corruption and disappeared. The former royal family, without the covert support of Qianxia Tower, soon became corrupt and declined and was replaced.” She lowered her head and flipped through the scroll in her hand: “These two ‘keys’ were stolen by Jianrou Manor and kept there until five years ago when they saw the light of day again.”

"So, these two items are the treasure that locks up the Thousand Heroes Pavilion?" Che Shui asked, raising his hand after hearing the question. Seeing Mei Hua nod, he curled his lip and said, "That's so cheesy and boring..."

"Didn't Wanying Fortress find those things?" Jing Shan frowned and said, "Probably not, otherwise they wouldn't have fallen. Perhaps the fortress lord was killed because of this?"

“I don’t know either. In fact, most of these are just speculations.” Mei Hua shook her head: “The records in these books are very vague. Either the pages have been torn out or the ink has long since faded. There are no actual and clear records at all.”

"So now Flying Eagle Fortress wants these two items just to unlock those secret treasures and then revitalize the gang?" Che Shui thought for a moment, then yawned. "They really have nothing better to do. Instead of chasing after this, they should practice martial arts properly."

“As far as I know, those treasures are indeed very attractive.” Plum Blossom said, counting on her fingers: “The elixir of immortality, the art of turning soil into gold, the skill of walking on water, the feathers of flight, and many incredible weapons… Martial arts practitioners will always be more or less attracted to these.”

"Tch!" Che Shui continued to scoff, "That's all a lie, isn't it? If the Thousand Heroes Pavilion was really that powerful back then, how could it have been destroyed by the previous dynasty? It's utter nonsense! Don't you agree, Xiao Jing?"

"Huh?" The woman sitting there holding Cai Ren looked up, and it took her a while to come to her senses: "Ah... um! Yes, yes, nonsense, nonsense!"

"Are you even listening?" Che Shui raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but flick her forehead. "You're the one who said you wanted to come to Jianrou Manor to inquire about this matter, right? What are you reading now?"

"I'm doing research..." Shuangjing pouted, swatting his hand away in dissatisfaction. "There's a lot of detailed information here..."

"Oh dear, you really..." Che Shui was about to complain, but was silenced by a gesture from Xuan Sheng and Mei Hua.

"What's wrong?" Jing Shan, standing nearby, asked alertly, placing one hand on her weapon. She noticed Mei Hua's fingertips tremble, her expression change slightly, and she looked up at her.

"We are surrounded."

Flying Eagle Fortress: The Wind Rises and the Clouds Fly (Part 2)

Raise your bow and shoot at the heavenly wolf; the arrow is like a shooting star, the arrowhead like a flash of light.

There are three inescapable weapons in the world: the Night Sky Sword of Xuan Sheng, the second young master of Half Moon City; the Soul Flower Incense of the Lake Fairy of Flower Robe Hall; and the arrows of Flying Eagle Fortress. However, Xuan Sheng returned to the city and went into hiding five years ago, and Flower Robe Hall and Lake Fairy were eliminated by Shuang Jing and others. So, the only ones left who can stand shoulder to shoulder with these three are the archers of Flying Eagle Fortress.

But those people have already escaped their grasp multiple times.

The leader of the more than 150 people from Flying Shadow Fortress sat on horseback, observing the situation before him.

She was a graceful and elegant woman, probably a few years older than Shuang Jingche and the others. Her expression was serious and unhurried. She had a round face, a straight nose, eyebrows like light ink, and somewhat pale skin. Her long hair was tied up in a bun and loosely held in place by a jade hairpin. However, her clothes were quite strange. She was wearing a set of men's clothing, with a round-necked, narrow-sleeved robe, wide trousers, and riding boots. Although the style was men's clothing, the material was soft gauze and satin commonly used by women.

This person is none other than Xi Quan, the second lord of Flying Eagle Fortress.

There are many rumors about her in the martial arts world, and she is surrounded by a legendary aura.

Legend has it that this woman was obsessed with martial arts. Despite being frail in her childhood, she persisted in practicing. The former leader of the Frost Condensation Sect was moved by her plight and personally descended the mountain to heal her, ultimately leading to her becoming the foremost female warrior of Flying Eagle Fortress. After her marriage, her husband, also a highly skilled fighter from the same sect, repeatedly advised her to uphold traditional wifely virtues. This led to numerous disagreements between them, culminating in a fierce fight one day. In a fit of rage, Xi Quan severely injured her husband. The gentle and refined man, after recovering from his injuries, finally left in a huff, wandering the world freely, never to be heard from again. From that day forward, Liu Xi Quan preferred to wear men's clothing and devoted herself to studying the martial arts and archery of Flying Eagle Fortress, determined to restore the sect to its former glory. Everyone admired her and called her 'Lady Defender'.

“Madam, this time… they won’t be able to escape.” One of Xi Quan’s attendants said. Last time, he led the group to chase them to Ligu, but they still managed to escape.

Xi Quan remained silent, a cold smile playing on his lips as he watched Jianrou Manor being gradually surrounded.

Rows of archers with their bows drawn formed an impenetrable human wall. Torches blazed like a sea, and arrows rained down like a forest. Behind her stood the four guards of Flying Eagle Fortress, three men and one woman, each leading their handpicked disciples. They stood like a dense net guarding the manor's gate. Even the fastest of them all, Xuan Sheng, the second young master of Half Moon City, and the agile Lin Meihua, would find it difficult to escape the overwhelming barrage of arrows, not to mention the Ye Shuangjing, whose martial arts had been completely destroyed, whom they also had to protect.

“This time, they won’t escape.” After a moment, she said calmly.

"?" The attendant looked at her, puzzled. "Why?"