Chapter Seventeen: I Saw a Sword (Combined Edition)

To encourage more interaction between Chen Yi and Lin Xueru, Xia Wanwan and Madam Zhu Yu of the Xing Guogong household arranged for the two children to ride together alone in a carriage. The two ladies, being relatives by marriage and resembling sisters with their graceful appearances, shared a warm moment.

From the carriage behind, Zhu Yu heard voices and smiled, her slightly chubby face radiant. “Yi’er is so clever at such a young age; no wonder His Majesty favors him.”

“That day was just luck,” Xia Wanwan recalled the scene atop the city tower with lingering unease. “Afterwards, my husband specifically sent a letter instructing that Yi’er must stay at home.”

Zhu Yu pondered and understood. “Chen Hou is right. This time, His Majesty’s grace extends far and wide, and Yi’er happened to shine as well. Keeping a low profile is only natural.”

“But as relatives, you needn’t worry. Yi’er is Chen Hou’s son and also my son-in-law. Naturally, we won’t let him suffer any injustice.”

Pausing, Zhu Yu asked, “I heard there was an accident during Yi’er’s foundation establishment evaluation recently?”

Xia Wanwan hesitated briefly, then nodded. “There was a mishap, but he’s unharmed.”

The news of Chen Yuan and Chen Yi being sabotaged during the foundation establishment assessment had already spread throughout the capital. Furthermore, the family matriarch had sent Uncle Chen Lixin to report the incident to the authorities.

There was no need to hide this from Zhu Yu, their relative.

“Do you know who did it?”

“No.”

Zhu Yu nodded knowingly and mused, “Where there’s one, there’s usually two. Wanwan, you should be careful.”

“If you need anything, just say the word. My husband and I will stand by Yi’er’s side.”

Xia Wanwan felt a stir in her heart and smiled. “I’ve taken note.”

Married into the marquis’s household for many years, she was well aware of the treacherous waters in noble estates. Over the years, she had been cautious and never overstepped boundaries. Aside from wanting a better life for her son and herself, it was also a manifestation of her insecurity.

Even though Chen Taiping treated her and Chen Yi well, after the foundation establishment incident, she became doubly vigilant.

Yet, the marquis’s estate had its own rules. With the matriarch, Zhou Wanyi, and several uncles and elders present, she was but a minor voice.

Thus, she did not refuse when Zhu Yu spoke. Not for herself, but to ensure Chen Yi’s safe growth.

***

Since the birth of the Buddha Child, the incense at Da Kong Temple flourished beyond past times. With nobles igniting a wave of worship, wealthy merchants in the capital seemed to have found a way to ingratiate themselves with the dignitaries.

From Buddha altars and statues to prayer beads and meditation cushions, everything sold within Da Kong Temple to earn incense money was bought in full by them.

It was said that a meditation cushion once used by Abbot Master Kongjing was purchased for a fortune. Though later proven to be counterfeit, it did not dampen the merchants’ enthusiasm.

Locals jokingly said they were all sincere Buddhist devotees.

“Yi’er, watch over Xueru.”

“Understood, mother.”

Xia Wanwan and Zhu Yu went inside to burn incense and pray. Chen Yi stayed outside with Lin Xueru and others, occasionally glancing toward the Buddha pagoda atop another hill.

The last time he visited Da Kong Temple, the miraculous lotus light illuminating the Buddha Child’s birth on that pagoda had left a deep impression, compelling him to look again.

“Brother Yi, why are you still wearing the ‘grabbing ceremony’ token?” Lin Xueru noticed the small jade sword on his wrist.

Chen Yi replied, “One token has already been placed on the ancestral altar, no room for extras, so I kept this one.”

In truth, after the foundation establishment assessment, the ancestral spirit’s blessing in the jade sword had been depleted.

Chen Yi had intended to return the token to the ancestral altar but discovered that after establishing his foundation, his body could wield sword techniques, sword energy, and even sword intent.

Though limited by internal true qi to only the strength of three sword strikes and unable to sustain it long, it brought him immense joy.

It was a considerable improvement over the single sword strike powered by the token’s energy earlier.

Thus, Chen Yi decided to keep the jade sword for emergencies.

Lin Xueru pouted, “I want to keep one too, but Father won’t allow it.”

“Is the Duke of Xing very strict?” Chen Yi asked casually.

“Hmm, Father is very strict.”

The little girl seemed to have opened up, babbling about her father’s deeds in a childish voice.

Her expression was part complaint, part search for safety in him.

From her stories, Chen Yi painted a portrait of Lin Hansong, Duke of Xing.

At home, Lin Hansong was usually stern and unsmiling, maintaining the duke’s dignity toward his wife, daughters, and elders alike.

He was very different from Marquis Wu’an Chen Taiping.

Lin Hansong seldom socialized, and visitors were rare, only arriving during Mid-Autumn and Lantern Festivals each year.

Besides Lin Hansong, Lin Xueru spoke of her family members, especially her second brother Lin Jixin, who had been deeply immersed in poetry and books since childhood and entered the capital’s academy at ten.

What pleased her most was that every time Lin Jixin returned home from the academy, he brought pastries.

Chen Yi thought that might be the key.

With several guards from the Duke of Xing and Marquis Wu’an’s households present, the two children waited and chatted amicably.

After a while, as dusk fell and fewer visitors remained to burn incense and make vows, Chen Yi decided to enter and look for them.

***

“Shall we go in?” Lin Xueru asked, excitement and anticipation in her eyes.

“Let’s.”

Chen Yi signaled the guards to follow and led Lin Xueru into a side courtyard.

Upon entering, he immediately sensed the difference.

This monastery was not bustling like outside; rather, it was quiet and serene, cutting off the noise beyond the gate.

Glancing back, Chen Yi speculated that some formation similar to the Chen family’s martial arena might be set up here.

He scanned the area but saw no monks—strangely too quiet.

“Mr. Ding, why is this monastery so quiet?” Chen Yi inquired.

Ding Sansi shook his head. “Young Master Yi, I don’t know either.”

“Then let’s go inside and see.”

The paved stone path was spotless. Two lush mulberry trees stood within the courtyard, and through the partially open door, a corner of a white jade Buddha statue was visible.

Stepping over the half-body-high threshold, Chen Yi saw a small figure sweeping nearby.

Surprisingly, it was a bald child in monk’s robes.

“Little monk, have you seen the two ladies who came to make vows?”

The child paused, turned, hesitated slightly, and muttered, “Little monk just arrived, haven’t seen them.”

Chen Yi found it amusing; it was one thing to call someone “little monk,” but for one to call himself that was rare.

“Do you know where they go after entering here?”

The little monk thought for a moment and pointed behind the statue. “To the quiet chamber.”

“Thanks.”

Chen Yi and the others bypassed the statue into a side room. Lin Xueru whispered that the little monk looked pitiful, too young to be sweeping.

Once they left, the child continued sweeping, wiped sweat from his forehead, and gazed blankly at the Buddha statue.

His eyes were crystal clear and deep, as if penetrating the statue, envisioning the little benefactor and two female bodhisattvas embracing inside.

At that moment, a tall figure appeared beside him, looking at the cleaned statue.

“What are you looking at, Fuchen?”

“Master, I… I saw a sword.”

“A sword?”

The tall figure was clad in a red-embroidered kasaya, handsome but bearing a white beard that contrasted with his youthful appearance.

He scanned around, closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again.

Within his wide-open pupils, a faint lotus flower appeared, reflecting a small yet towering longsword.

He murmured in admiration, “Fuchen’s vision is correct—it really is a sword.”

“Master, will he go to Mount Tai Zhou?”

“Whether he goes depends on his fate.”

“Oh.”

The little monk nodded, half understanding. “When can I go to Mount Tai Zhou to cultivate merit?”

“When I pass away, then it will be your time to leave the mountain.”

The great monk chuckled, rubbing the little monk’s head, eyes flickering with weariness.

That time would also mark a great Buddhist conflict.

***

Before long, Chen Yi and his group left Da Kong Temple and, under the approaching night, arrived at the bustling Baohua Street outside the city.

Unlike the tranquil Da Kong Temple, Baohua Street buzzed with voices.

Though night had fallen, shops lined the street, and various food stalls called out, attracting people enjoying the lantern festival.

Though Chen Yi had seen skyscrapers and neon lights in his previous life, he found this prosperous capital district equally impressive.

Especially the street-facing pavilions with open windows, where songstresses chanted poetry and musicians played, the pipa melodies praising the flourishing Wei dynasty.

“The Lantern Festival is truly lively.”

Zhu Yu and Xia Wanwan walked ahead, occasionally stopping to admire novelties at the stalls—jewelry, dazzling gems, or delicate hairpins women used.

Chen Yi noticed Lin Xueru merely watching and not approaching and asked, “Don’t you like it?”

She shook her head, her expression mature beyond her years. “There are many at home, and mother probably wouldn’t like it.”

Chen Yi looked thoughtfully at his betrothed; she truly seemed different from other children.

He had noticed this earlier during home lessons.

When Wang Yongnian refused to attend class, Lin Xueru frowned.

When Du Yan threw a princess’s tantrum, Lin Xueru disapproved.

Chen Yi thought she was a very disciplined, diligent girl.

He wondered if she would become the kind of person she disliked once grown.

The group wandered Baohua Street, buying food and goods, laughing and chatting happily.

At least Chen Yi was content.

Since arriving in this world, limited by age, he had only been allowed to leave the estate three times.

Almost once a year.

He figured after this Lantern Festival, the next time he left home would likely be for the Taixu Sect’s entry examination during Mid-Autumn Festival.

“Taixu Sect!”

Chen Yi looked toward a nine-story pagoda nearby, knowing it was the Taixu Sect’s base in the capital.

To be honest, he had never planned to apprentice there.

But he knew the Wu’an Marquis couple hoped he would participate.

Whether he was selected didn’t matter, but he had to try.

Of course, his eldest brother Chen Yuan would join too.

“Brother Yi, what are you thinking about?”

Lin Xueru tugged his sleeve, asking.

“Me? I’m wondering how those lanterns fly up into the sky.”

Chen Yi said casually.

Though this world had Kongming lanterns, they were called “Flying Immortals.”

Legend said the wishes attached beneath them would come true once they reached the celestial realm.

“I know! It’s the power of immortals!” Lin Xueru said firmly.

Chen Yi chuckled and teased, “Have you ever seen an immortal to be so sure?”

“I was going to say it’s because the flames heat the air, causing expansion and contraction, creating lift that overcomes gravity to fly.”

Lin Xueru’s face froze, clearly stunned by these strange terms.

Chen Yi laughed at her expression, feeling much better.

The Taixu Sect, the marquis’s household—all were just stops along life’s journey for him.

Get off at the station, get on the carriage when it comes; nothing more.

Soon, Zhu Yu and Xia Wanwan bought several “Flying Immortals” and invited the two children to write wishes and hang them on the hooks beneath.

“Don’t peek! If you peek, it won’t work.”

Lin Xueru carefully protected her note, writing two lines.

Chen Yi thought the little girl had learned to keep secrets.

He would not let anyone see his own wish: “White Jade Capital in the sky, sword longevity on earth.”

He crossed that out and rewrote: “White Jade Capital in the sky, sword path seeks longevity.”

He nodded in satisfaction; it was probably the deepest desire his heart unconsciously expressed.

The wishes hung on the Flying Immortals, lit and released, soaring into the night sky filled with moonlight and stars.

“Brother Yi, do you think it can reach the celestial realm?”

Lin Xueru’s big eyes fixed on her lantern.

“I think so,” Chen Yi smiled, not wanting to shatter her innocence. “Maybe they’ll see your wish and descend to help you fulfill it.”

“Descend?”

Lin Xueru blinked, then shyly glanced at him and lowered her head.

Chen Yi was stunned by her rich expressions.

Hey, how did she learn to be so endearing at such a young age?

“Sugar water! Come get your sugar water…”

A vendor’s call attracted Lin Xueru’s attention.

“Brother Yi, do you want some?”

“If you want it, buy it.”

Chen Yi saw Xia Wanwan and the others still releasing Flying Immortals, so he took her to buy sugar water.

“How much?”

“One copper coin per cup,” said the toothless, smiling old man vendor.

“Two cups.”

Chen Yi let Ding Sansi pay, then he and Lin Xueru each drank a cup.

“Ah, so sweet.”

“Indeed… hmm?”

[At thirty-two, your swordsmanship advanced greatly, but you were secretly drugged with a narcotic-laced sugar water.]

[Poison weak; absorbed. Counterattack point +1.]

Narcotic, sugar water?!

Before Chen Yi could react, the vendor suddenly pulled out a black hood from somewhere and covered both him and Lin Xueru’s heads.

“A bountiful harvest, a bountiful harvest…”

Ding Sansi, witnessing all, turned pale.

“Scoundrels!”

“Put them down at once!”