Chapter Four: The Swordlight in the Night

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The sun had fully set, dusk had fallen, and a few sparse stars twinkled in the dark sky, embellishing the night with faint light.

At the West Gate of Fuzhou Prefecture, along the bluestone-paved West Gate Street, just a hundred feet ahead stood a grandly constructed mansion. On either side of the mansion fluttered a banner, each emblazoned with four bold black characters: Fu Wei Escort Agency.

Along the way, Lin Pingzhi spoke incessantly, his admiration for Ren Yi almost bordering on reverence—as if ready to kneel, offer tea, and formally become a disciple. The other four companions also replied affirmatively, and the way Ren Yi looked at the boy suggested that if Lin Pingzhi were to speak, he might indeed perform the ritual of apprenticeship on the spot.

However, even if Lin Pingzhi wished to kneel, Ren Yi would not accept disciples—due to his premature aging condition, it was uncertain if he would live past thirty, leaving no room for teaching or taking on protégés.

The group entered through the escort agency’s gates; the other four had already gone off to tend to their wounds. Lin Pingzhi led the way—apart from looking slightly disheveled, he was largely unscathed. The two proceeded straight to the main hall.

Upon entering, they saw Lin Zhennan sitting in the grand chair, eyes closed in quiet repose.

Lin Pingzhi called out, “Father! Your son has returned—look who has come!”

Lin Zhennan opened his eyes and, seeing the silver-haired, youthful, and handsome man before him, rose promptly and clasped his fists in greeting. “So it is Young Master Ren visiting. My escort agency has been remiss. Please, have a seat.”

Ren Yi smiled in reply, “Chief Escort, you are too courteous.”

As he took his seat, servants promptly brought tea. Lin Zhennan, after giving a few instructions to the servants outside the hall, returned and chose not to sit back in the grand chair but rather beside the lower seat.

Before either man spoke, Lin Pingzhi recounted the recent events in full.

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhennan chided his son lightly before expressing gratitude: “My son is inexperienced in the martial world and lacks discernment. We owe Young Master Ren a debt of thanks for his timely assistance.”

Ren Yi replied calmly, “Over the past three years, Chief Escort has helped me acquire many medicinal herbs. What happened just now with your son was but a small matter—I merely acted on impulse. There’s no need for such formal thanks.”

Lin Zhennan responded with a warm smile, but before he could say more, Ren Yi continued, “Though my connections with your escort agency are not particularly deep, there are some matters I must share with you.”

Both Lin Zhennan and Lin Pingzhi were momentarily taken aback. Lin Zhennan said, “Young Master Ren, please speak freely.”

Ren Yi sipped his tea thoughtfully and said slowly, “The man I wounded earlier is named Yu—you already know his surname. But you do not know that his full name is Yu Renyan, son of Yu Canghai, leader of the Qingcheng Sect and head of Pine Wind Temple.”

Lin Zhennan was surprised. “Is that so? Then Young Master Ren, are you saying…”

Ren Yi waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need for you to worry. What I want to tell you is this: the Qingcheng Sect has set their sights on your Lin family—specifically, on your Lin family’s Secret Exorcist Sword Manual.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhennan chuckled somewhat incredulously. “Young Master Ren, are you perhaps imagining things? I, Lin, have a reputation in the martial world—two parts from skill, two parts from connections with both lawful and underworld friends, which is why the Fu Wei Escort Agency thrives. The Lin family’s Secret Exorcist Sword Technique is not as miraculous as the rumors suggest; it’s merely some ancestral reputation left by our forebear, Yuan Tu Gong. Yu Canghai is the leader of the Qingcheng Sect and naturally a formidable martial artist, one of the few top masters in the current martial world. Why would he care about our Lin family’s sword technique?”

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Ren Yi replied, “It is the Secret Exorcist Sword Manual they want, not the technique you practice.”

Lin Zhennan frowned. “Is there a difference?”

Ren Yi explained, “Your ancestor, Yuan Tu Gong, was invincible across the martial world with the seventy-two moves of the Secret Exorcist Sword Technique. Among those defeated by his sword was the former Qingcheng Sect leader, Chang Qingzi. However, subsequent generations of the Lin family have only practiced a mediocre version of the technique. Outsiders see this as your family’s failure to master the art, never truly grasping its power. That is why they want the manual itself. If your family cannot master it, others might.”

He paused briefly, then smiled. “After all, it is a fact that Yuan Tu Gong once swept through the martial arts circles of seven provinces. Chief Escort, do you think they would doubt the existence of the Secret Exorcist Sword Manual?”

At these words, Lin Zhennan’s expression changed noticeably.

Ren Yi continued, “I can also tell you, besides the two Qingcheng Sect men at the tavern, there were also members of the Mount Hua Sect present. Their goal is also your Lin family’s Secret Exorcist Sword Manual.”

At this point, Lin Pingzhi, looking puzzled, said, “Brother Ren, there was no one else in the tavern…”

Ren Yi interrupted, “The old man in the tavern had a stiff expression and an unchanging demeanor—that was a disguised face, as was the young girl.”

Lin Zhennan’s face showed concern, though he forced a smile. “Thank you, Young Master Ren, for informing me. I will handle this matter carefully.”

Ren Yi said no more. Just then, a servant entered, carrying a small embroidered box.

Lin Zhennan said, “This is the ‘Queen Bee Honey’ that Young Master Ren asked my escort agency to purchase from the southern border.”

Ren Yi opened the box and took out a porcelain bottle. Upon removing its floral stopper, a rich floral fragrance wafted forth—subtle yet invigorating.

“This is indeed ‘Queen Bee Honey.’ Well, I must be going.”

Lin Zhennan rose. “It’s late, Young Master Ren. Why not rest at the mansion for a day?”

Lin Pingzhi added, “Brother Ren, won’t you stay in Fuzhou a few more days?”

Ren Yi shook his head slowly. “No, I hope Chief Escort takes my words to heart. Frankly speaking, from Heng’s perspective, your Lin family is already facing great calamity.”

With that, he departed.

After Ren Yi left, Lin Zhennan stood in the hall, his face dark with thought. Even after Lin Pingzhi returned from seeing Ren Yi off, he could not gauge the severity of the situation.

But these matters were no longer Ren Yi’s concern—he had said all that needed to be said. Whether the Lin family heeded his warning was up to them.

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Night had deepened as Ren Yi left the Fu Wei Escort Agency and walked along the bluestone West Gate Street.

In this era of peace and prosperity, there was no curfew, so the city gates remained wide open, with many merchants and travelers coming and going.

Ren Yi had long since perused the Lin family’s Secret Exorcist Sword Manual from their old residence in Xiangyang Alley. However, he had no intention of cultivation from it; his interest was purely curiosity.

After all, the Lin family’s Secret Exorcist Sword Technique lacked the method of Qi cultivation, preventing it from restoring the former glory of the art.

Exiting the city gate of Fuzhou Prefecture, the night grew even darker. Yet a waxing moon hung high in the treetops, its silver light casting a gentle glow upon the path, making the darkness less oppressive, and visibility extended some ten yards in the hazy moonlight.

Suddenly, a gleam flashed before his eyes.

The moon was bright and pure, its light soft and flowing like water, but this gleam was sharp and sudden—it was sword light.

Ren Yi flicked his finger casually. A crisp “ding” rang out.

The sword light was deflected by his finger. From his right rear, another sword light shot forth, aimed straight at his back, at the heart.

His footing shifted unexpectedly; it was unclear how his steps moved, but his feet seemed to dance like a specter, swiftly shifting leftward. The sword behind him naturally swept past his side.

Ren Yi drew a saber and slashed downwards, cutting at the wrist of the man who had just thrust the sword forward. A cracking sound followed, accompanied by a scream.

“Ah!”

The man collapsed to the ground, and the sword he wielded fell into Ren Yi’s hand. The man turned around awkwardly, his wrist bone shattered, clutching his right hand with his left. He had been prone on the ground, but now looked at Ren Yi with eyes full of deep fear.

Someone shouted from ahead, “Stop at once!”

But before the shout, the sword had already been thrust out; after the words, it was drawn from the man’s throat, blood spurting forth.

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