Chapter 139: Chapter 136: Riding the Sword and Soaring up Shushan with the Wind Chapter 139: Chapter 136: Riding the Sword and Soaring up Shushan with the Wind Talking about Xu Qing, who was carrying the Seven Stars Sword on his back and headed to Shushan with two disciples of the Shushan Sword Sect, he encountered Venerable Ape cutting through the path halfway.

In later generations, a book said:

In Yue there was a Lady, emerging from the southern woods, whom the King of Yue sent emissaries to court for her proficiency in sword and spear. As the Lady went north to see the King, she met an old man along the way, who introduced himself as Plain Yuan Gong and asked the Lady, “I’ve heard that you excel in swordsmanship and would like to witness it.” The Lady responded, “I dare not conceal anything; please feel free to test me.” Thus, Yuan Gong leapt amongst the bamboo, snapping and crumbling to the ground, and the Lady picked up a piece, with which Yuan Gong grasped and attacked her. The Lady, in harmony with the rhythm, parried thrice, then raised the bamboo stick and struck back, whereupon Yuan Gong flew up into the trees, transformed into a White Ape, and led her away.

Venerable Ape fancied the sword, had heard of Lady Yue heading north to meet Goujian, and thus intercepted her halfway to spar with her. Venerable Ape, himself known for his sharp swordsmanship—rare were those in the martial world who could match him — nonetheless was defeated by the Lady in just three moves. Hereafter, he retreated to the mountains to dedicate himself in seclusion to the Sword Dao, and ultimately he did become an immortal.

Within the martial world of the mortal realm, there’s also the “Old Ape Swordsmanship,” which was left behind by Venerable Ape. However, this sword art is but a mundane one, not of the immortal swordsmanship.

Then Xu Qing asked, “Does Venerable Ape, by any chance, also intend to go to Mount Shu?”

Venerable Ape nodded and said, “I’ve received a letter from the most honorable Green Duckweed Daoist, head of Mount Shu, and have come rushing. Just now, I saw you carrying a divine sword and couldn’t refrain from giving it a try with my hands.”

In the world, there are always those obsessed in their ways, such as book maniacs who would trade their entire fortune for a roomful of books, martial fanatics who would let their families fall to ruin for the sake of martial arts, flower chasers who wander streets and alleys in pursuit of pleasures. All these mortals who become obsessed invariably meet no good end. Only those of the Immortal Path aren’t confined by the secular world; focused on their Dao, obsession not only brings no harm, but can even cause their cultivation to soar. Whatever you do, you’re supposed to get lost in it, for being engrossed quickens the progress. Naturally, if you become obsessed, you’re likely to progress even faster.

In Venerable Ape’s eyes, there existed only the sword, otherwise he wouldn’t have secluded himself in the forest after his defeat by Lady Yue, and he wouldn’t have emerged as an immortal until he perfected his skill.

Xu Qing laughed heartily and said, “No bother, no bother! Since Venerable Ape is also heading to Mount Shu, why don’t we travel together?”

Venerable Ape said, “Excellent, that was my very intention!”

Venerable Ape, who cherished the sword as life itself, had made a wide circle of connections among sword cultivators all across the world. He had become well-known far and wide, yet his innate talent was only average. However, attaining such a state of cultivation is quite remarkable. Haven’t you seen the Demon Kings of Flower-Fruit Mountain, most of whom are born with extraordinary gifts, and thus they’re able to become immortals? Venerable Ape was just an old ape from the mountains, who had eaten a Transformation Fruit. It was only after becoming human and studying the ways of the sword that he could become an immortal and even advance to the Second Heaven of Da Luo Golden Immortal, which was quite a feat, showing that the obsessed are indeed blessed by heaven.

It is said that the Heavenly Dao rewards the diligent. Venerable Ape, obsessed with the Sword Dao, practiced his swordsmanship hundreds of times daily, perhaps favoring him in the eyes of Heavenly Dao, allowing his cultivation to reach such a level.

Xu Hai and Xu Qing then considered themselves juniors, apologized for their earlier way of addressing him as a comrade, and Xu Qing didn’t say much. Whether comrade or senior, it was all the same, but he did not want anyone to hold a seniority over him, so he naturally accepted the address.

“Comrade Xu Qing, although your Seven Stars Sword is a replica, it seems to be crafted by Laojun himself. I wonder, from whom did you receive your instruction?” asked Venerable Ape.

“Have you, Old Venerable Ape, ever heard of Patriarch Subhuti?” Xu Qing rolled his eyes mischievously and deliberately asked.

“I haven’t heard of this name. But, judging by the appellation, it sounds like a figure from the Buddhist sect. Yet, I see you’re dressed in the style of the Taoist Sect, and you seem to wield powers akin to those of Ancient Rain Master Chi Songzi,” replied Venerable Ape.

Xu Qing was just inquiring whether these people knew of Subhuti. Seeing that even old figures like Venerable Ape were unaware, he deduced that Subhuti was likely using another name and said, “I am a disciple of Chi Songzi, learning his ‘Gui Water True Scripture’.”

Venerable Ape nodded, recalling how impressive Xu Qing’s display of Walking Clouds and Falling Rain had been, clearly indicating mastery of Chi Songzi’s divine skills. He couldn’t help but marvel, “Then who is this Patriarch Subhuti you spoke of?”

Xu Qing chuckled and replied, “He’s just a True Man of Dao and Virtue who has offered me some guidance. This Seven Stars Sword was given to me by him; it seems he has some connection to Laojun. However, he’s so enigmatic that I don’t know his origin. That’s why I came to ask you, Old Venerable Ape.”

Venerable Ape said, “It seems I was presumptuous just now. You’re actually a high disciple of the Ancient Rain Master Chi Songzi, which is quite a significant background. It seems unlikely that Chi Songzi was skilled in swordsmanship, but your sword strike was more powerful than many sword Dao experts. Where did you learn that?”

It was indeed impertinent to ask such a question, yet Venerable Ape, as an outright sword fanatic, was keen to know where Xu Qing had learned the sword strike that had defeated him. Xu Qing, knowing of the man’s obsession with swords, was not annoyed by his probing and simply answered. Meanwhile, Xu Hai and Xu Qing felt somewhat embarrassed and were secretly shocked, thinking, “Who would have guessed that this Taoist was a disciple of Chi Songzi? That’s a significant connection. No wonder he can wield a Seven Stars Sword crafted by the Morality God himself.”

Indeed, Xu Qing could be considered a disciple of Chi Songzi, as he practiced Chi Songzi’s divine Taoist arts.

“The sword strike I used is derived from the Xia Dynasty Dragon Seal. Inside the Dragon Seal of the Xia Dynasty is the character for ‘sword.’ When I unleashed that strike just now, I wrote that character, which I believe Venerable Ape also observed clearly,” Xu Qing replied with a smile.

Venerable Ape was startled and exclaimed, “Ah! So it was the Xia Dynasty Dragon Seal. I’ve also seen a few of those, but they are written as if they were celestial script, incomprehensible to most. I’m amazed that you have such an ability, to grasp the mysteries of the Xia Dynasty Dragon Seal. It’s just a single character, yet capable of wielding such terrifying power?”

Enlightenment Dao laughed and said, “Venerable Ape, nothing is too difficult in this world, as long as one is willing to delve into it! Though you were originally but a white ape, you took a liking to swordsmanship and through your incessant research, you have tread the Path of Becoming an Immortal. These characters are indeed very hard to comprehend; even you spent a hundred years before you could glimpse their profound mysteries.”

Unable to help himself, Venerable Ape chuckled sheepishly and said, “I wonder if my friend would be willing to teach me? I am willing to exchange it for the ‘Old Ape Swordsmanship’.”

The ‘Old Ape Swordsmanship’ that circulated in the mortal world was nothing more than ordinary sword techniques. The real ‘Old Ape Swordsmanship’, however, was a very powerful divine sword technique, which Enlightenment Dao had already experienced.

There were already numerous Xia Dynasty Dragon Seals spread throughout the world. Using one of these characters to exchange sword techniques with Venerable Ape, and thereby earning a favor seemed like a no-loss trade. Naturally, Enlightenment Dao agreed.

“Venerable Ape is truly obsessed with swords. Seeing you so earnest, it does not feel right to withhold teachings from you! I will then explain the principles to you, and if Venerable Ape can comprehend them, that would be best. But if you can’t, please do not blame me,” Enlightenment Dao nodded and said.

Venerable Ape applauded with a laugh, “Good, good, thank you, my friend!”

Enlightenment Dao laughed, “Let’s exchange our knowledge when we get to Shushan; our destination is not far now.”

Venerable Ape replied, “It should be so.”

Enlightenment Dao continued to journey on clouds, while the other three rode their swords on the wind. The four of them traveled quickly, and in a moment, they could see the towering peaks of Mount Shu in the distance.

Mount Shu soared like a divine sword piercing the heavens, with most of it hidden among the clouds, inspiring fear at a glance. On one side stood several subsidiary peaks, and one of those peaks exuded a sharp aura; this was the most famous Sword Mountain of the Shushan Sword Sect.

Xu Hai said, “Senior, the highest peak ahead is the main peak of our sword sect. Most of the disciples cultivate there, and the other subsidiary peaks handle various affairs. That one over there is Sword Mountain. Every disciple, after paying respects to the Patriarchs, enters Sword Mountain to find a sword artifact that is destined for them. With this sword, they then cultivate the Great Dao.”

Enlightenment Dao nodded, “I have long heard the great name of the Shu Mountain Sect, but never visited before. Now that I see it, it’s truly extraordinary and spectacular, a sight that broadens one’s horizon!”

From a distance, they occasionally saw bright flashes of sword light streak across the mountain, like shooting stars, indicating sword cultivators descending or returning to the mountain.

Venerable Ape asked, “In this generation, your thirty-sixth batch of disciples descended the mountain. Did you manage to invite any formidable characters?”

Since ancient times, the Shushan Sect had gone through more than thirty generations. Currently, disciples from the thirty-sixth, thirty-seventh, and thirty-eighth generations were present in the sect. Xu Hai and Xu Qing were from the thirty-sixth generation, holding a relatively high status in the order, and with their strong mana, they were quite reputable within the Shu Mountain Sect.

Xu Hai replied, “We do not know of the others, but the two of us brothers have only invited Senior Enlightenment Dao.”

Venerable Ape commented, “You have good judgment. Friend Enlightenment Dao’s mana is strong, and his swordsmanship is extremely remarkable. With his Seven Stars Sword, he might even command all the swords.”

Xu Hai and Xu Qing said, “Indeed, indeed!”

Enlightenment Dao humbly said, “Venerable Ape, do not overpraise me like this; you flatter me too much.”

But Venerable Ape insisted, “My friend, there’s no need for humility. Your swordsmanship alone is enough to make you the envy of many. Even if the Head of Mount Shu, Green Duckweed Daoist, were to come, he would be greatly surprised by your sword bout.”

Venerable Ape, similar in his open-hearted nature to the demon race’s Demon Kings, held great admiration for masters with superb sword skills. Even after being defeated by Enlightenment Dao’s sword, he harbored no jealousy but instead grew more appreciative of him.

As the four flew closer, they finally reached Mount Shu. Enlightenment Dao looked down and saw a huge Jade Platform by the mountain with the words “Welcoming Immortals’ Platform” inscribed on it, presumably the place where disciples returning by sword would descend.

Enlightenment Dao dismissed his clouds and mists and slowly descended, while the other three sheathed their swords and landed on the Welcoming Immortals’ Platform.

To find out what happens next, please tune in for the following episode.