Chapter Seventeen: The Nine Swords of Solitude

After lunch, everyone in Hundred Flowers Valley gathered at the valley entrance to respectfully see off the three valley masters.

“All right, Old Mo, you all should head back now. Use the next couple of days to pack up and sell off everything quickly. Come to join us as soon as possible!” Chu Linfeng waved goodbye to Steward Mo and the others.

“Valley Master, rest assured, I will handle everything promptly. Yesterday, I already informed various auction houses, pawnshops, second-hand markets, and even the funeral parlor in the metropolitan area. I also notified the upper sect, Mysterious Peak, to come and inspect the property. They should be arriving gradually throughout the day,” Steward Mo said, clasping his fists.

“Wait, what? You told the funeral parlor?” Chu Linfeng was startled. Why would the funeral parlor need to be informed? Moving house shouldn’t involve death.

“Husband, you don’t know—our funeral parlor and cemeteries have always relied on Hundred Flowers Valley for fresh flowers. Since we can’t move these flowers, we decided to notify the funeral parlor to take them all away at a low price,” Tang Cai quickly explained.

Chu Linfeng nodded slightly, thinking that once they arrived in Deep City, they must not let the villagers’ exquisite flower arranging skills go to waste. They would open a flower shop and build a nationwide chain brand.

Just as the three were about to leave, three men approached, all dressed in pale green robes with white silk belts, each wearing a waist badge. They had a certain aura reminiscent of ancient immortal heroes.

“Valley Master, the people from Mysterious Peak have arrived. If you have a flight to catch, you should leave first. I will receive them,” Steward Mo bowed respectfully.

“No rush. Since they are guests, it would be rude not to greet them properly,” Chu Linfeng said.

Tang Cai smiled softly and said, “Since you took on the role of valley master, husband, you’ve matured a lot. You no longer sound like the naive and straightforward boy you were when we first met.”

Hearing this, Chu Linfeng revealed his true colors, pinching Tang Cai’s arm and grinning lewdly, “Of course, now I’m a real man. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you when we get to the inn in Deep City!”

Nearby, Tang Xie frowned unhappily and pouted, “Sister, your arm hasn’t fully healed yet. Don’t torment her. If you have the guts, come at me instead…”

Amid their laughter, the three men had already reached them.

“Hahaha, you Hundred Flowers Valley folks are quite sensible, knowing that the three of us from Mysterious Peak have come to demand an apology. All of you should come here to apologize!” The leader, a man with a goat beard, shook his feather fan and laughed loudly.

His words were full of hostility, instantly freezing the atmosphere around them.

Chu Linfeng’s face darkened. It seemed the visitors from Mysterious Peak were unfriendly and looking for trouble today.

“It’s late autumn already, yet someone is still pretending to be grand with a feather duster. Aren’t you afraid the wind will blow your tongue out?” Chu Linfeng retorted without holding back.

“I swear, who’s this underdeveloped brat daring to speak to our Second Young Master like that? Want to die?” Another man next to the goat-bearded one raised his fist to strike Chu Linfeng but was blocked by the fan-wielding leader. “Hey, my father said first courtesy then force. Don’t be impulsive!”

He then sized Chu Linfeng up and down, sneering, “Not bad-looking. I didn’t expect Hundred Flowers Valley to keep such a pretty boy!”

Chu Linfeng clenched his fists so tightly they creaked. Tang Cai and Tang Xie each stepped forward and shielded him behind their backs.

“Oh my, if I’m not mistaken, you two must be the daughters of Hundred Flowers Valley. Truly beauties capable of toppling a nation, a pair of twin Qiaos! Mysterious Peak’s Ye Chen greets you, fairies,” the goat-bearded man said, unable to hide his attempt to win favor upon seeing the two stunning women.

“It’s you? What do you want?” Tang Cai frowned, sensing ill intent.

Ye Chen was notorious in Mysterious Peak as a lecher who had ruined many pure girls in the surrounding hundred-mile area. Last year, when Hundred Flowers Valley was behind on rent, this lascivious man set his sights on Tang Cai, saying he would marry her to waive the rent. Frightened, the valley hurriedly pawned gold and silver jewelry to pay off the rent and narrowly escaped disaster.

Ye Chen stared unblinkingly at the two sisters, his fan waving like a dog wagging its tail. He licked his lips and said, “Last night I heard your valley’s announcement. You’re unable to pay next year’s rent and plan to withdraw from the sect. After hearing this, my heart ached and I couldn’t sleep all night. So, I came early to see if there’s anything I can help with.”

“No need. Since you’re here, hurry up and count everything. If there’s nothing wrong, just proceed with the handover,” Tang Xie said in a childish voice.

“Oh, this little Qiao talks tough. Haha, but I like it, Ye Chen. My suggestion is, don’t withdraw from the sect. I’m here to solve your difficulties. If the second miss marries me, Mysterious Peak and Hundred Flowers Valley will be one family. No more rent to pay, ha!” The goat-bearded man winked and waved his fan lecherously.

“Are you deaf? My wife said no!” Chu Linfeng pulled the two women’s arms apart and peered at Ye Chen, emphasizing the word “wife.”

“Wife?” Ye Chen’s heart trembled. He was too late. The little Qiao had already been taken, but it didn’t matter — there was still the elder. He then turned and smiled at the elder sister, “Miss Tang, you’re an option too. Compared to the younger one, a gentler one is better!”

Chu Linfeng scoffed, wrapping an arm around each sister and planting a mocking kiss on both cheeks. “Sorry, Ye Chen, this is my big wife!”

Ye Chen felt as if struck by lightning, utterly hopeless. The two Qiao sisters he had coveted for two years had been taken as a pair by this brat. Last night, he was still hesitating over which sister to choose, only now realizing he was too naive to think he couldn’t have both. He had just been thoroughly schooled.

“Who exactly are you?” Ye Chen ground his teeth and released spiritual energy to probe Chu Linfeng’s cultivation level, thinking: To have both sisters at once can’t be just because of looks.

But he was slapped in the face by reality. This brat had no cultivation at all — a mortal? Like an electric racket trying to zap a bee — useless! In this era of cultivation, it seemed there really were people relying solely on their looks!

Nearby, Steward Mo’s face turned red with anger as he watched the goat-bearded man. Fearing things would escalate, he hurried forward, clasped his hands, and bowed, “Please calm down, sir. I am Mo Youqian, steward of this valley. I have communicated with your sect many times and hope you can show some leniency for convenience’s sake…”

Before he finished, Ye Chen kicked him hard in the abdomen, sending him flying two or three meters. “You old mutt, who do you think you are? You think I’ll show you any face?”

Poor Steward Mo thought that after dealing with Mysterious Peak for decades, he had at least earned some recognition as a major client representative. He never expected this lecher to be so ruthless as to kick an old man with no cultivation.

“Old Mo! Uncle Mo! Steward Mo!” Chu Linfeng, Tang Cai, Tang Xie, and the others panicked and rushed to help. Seeing Steward Mo clutching his belly in pain, unable to speak, their eyes reddened with fury.

The goat-bearded man, having just lost his temper, now felt a pang of guilt. Still, as a privileged playboy, even admitting his mistake, he had to stand firm.

“Hmph, Hundred Flowers Valley has rented land from Mysterious Peak for over fifty years. Now you want to quit just like that. Where am I supposed to find tenants on such short notice? Who will bear the loss?” the goat-bearded man said, blushing with anger.

“Ouch! Ouch!” Steward Mo rolled on the ground, clutching his belly, pale and sweating profusely.

Bloodshot eyes blazing, Chu Linfeng gritted his teeth, one hand supporting Steward Mo’s head to prevent stones from scratching his face when he turned, the other hand gently massaging his chest to help him breathe.

The two sisters, eyes brimming with tears, quickly performed hand seals to channel true energy into Steward Mo. Since he was a mortal without an energy sea, the true energy couldn’t heal but could soothe his meridians like a fast-acting ibuprofen.

Tang Cai wept as she administered the energy, “Chu Linfeng, Uncle Mo is nearly seventy, with no cultivation. How can he withstand such a kick?”

Steward Mo heard her and grabbed Chu Linfeng’s hand, struggling to respond, “Young miss… your old servant… it hurts terribly…”

Chu Linfeng tightly held his hand to give him some comfort. At that moment, he wished he had cultivation himself so he could ease Steward Mo’s pain.

After about fifteen minutes, perhaps from exhaustion or the true energy’s relief, Steward Mo recovered somewhat, his face regaining some color. Li Gan quickly handed him water; Steward Mo drank it, panting, too weak to speak with vacant eyes.

“Enough! Stop acting pitiful. Fine, I’m unlucky today. I won’t waste more time with you,” the goat-bearded man said as he scribbled on a piece of paper, then tossed it on the ground. “Consider this my inspection report. Hurry up and get lost!” The three then turned to leave.

“Stop!” Chu Linfeng shouted hysterically, startling them. He gestured to Li Gan to help Steward Mo up, and slowly stood. Tang Cai and Tang Xie rose as well.

The three men turned to see the young man’s murderous glare and felt a chill. The goat-bearded man smirked, “What? I already signed the papers. Do you want me to inspect personally?”

Chu Linfeng clenched his fists and took a step forward, teeth clenched, “You asked who I am? I’ll tell you now! I am Chu Linfeng, the fifth-generation valley master of Hundred Flowers Valley!”

“Hahaha!” The three laughed. The goat-bearded man mocked, “You? Valley master? I never thought such a reputable cultivation sect would end up so crazy from growing flowers that even picking a valley master is based on looks, not cultivation. This is hilarious!”

“Which foot kicked me just now? Which one?” Chu Linfeng’s eyes reddened, ignoring the mockery.

“No way. You worthless whelp without cultivation want to fight me? It was my right foot. What, you want to cut it off? Oh, I get it. You want to lick it because it’s so fierce?” The goat-bearded man laughed, and his two lackeys laughed harder.

Tang Cai pulled Chu Linfeng back and reminded him, “Ye Chen is roughly at the fourth level of the Mountain-Shaking Realm, and the other two at the first level.”

“I promised your mother that everyone in the valley is my family, and the valley’s matters are mine. As the sect leader, I vowed to shoulder the sect’s burdens alone. If I can tolerate this humiliation, what right do I have to call myself human? Even if the enemy is a god or immortal, I, Chu Linfeng, would stake my life to slash them down!” Chu Linfeng’s voice was hoarse with passion.

Tang Cai and Tang Xie looked up at the young man before them—still the graceful youth who had danced beneath the peach blossoms three years ago, unchanged. Only now did the two sisters truly understand why their mother had entrusted the sect to him without hesitation.

“Husband! Do what you must!” Tang Cai said firmly and resolutely.

“Yes, Sister and I will face life and death with you!” Tang Xie added.

“What? You two Zhou Tian Realm shrimp want to challenge the three of us at the Mountain-Shaking Realm? Turns out the valley master of Hundred Flowers Valley is just a scapegoat!” The goat-bearded man sneered.

Chu Linfeng ignored their ridicule and stepped forward. The sisters followed closely.

“One more step, and you’re dead!” The goat-bearded man warned darkly. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’re like a stone smashing an egg—only humiliating yourself.”

“Enough talk. Cai and Xie! Channel energy!” Chu Linfeng shouted. The two sisters nodded and each pressed a palm against his lower back.

The scene stunned the three men—what kind of combination was this? Two Zhou Tian Realm cultivators channeling true energy to a mortal. How much could that possibly help?

“Interesting, very interesting! Kid, don’t say we’re bullying you. If you win, I’ll personally take off your legs—no need to move a finger!” The goat-bearded man laughed, then his eyes darkened. His energy sea surged, the surrounding air roared like a storm. His two companions also summoned their energy seas, forming twin tornadoes that echoed the giant whirlpool around him.

“Raise the sword!” Chu Linfeng shouted. The two sisters tossed their twin swords into the air. Chu Linfeng leapt off the ground, eyes tightly shut.

A breeze stirred, and flowers from Hundred Flowers Valley floated out, swaying and drifting down from the sky.

…

I am Chu Linfeng. Orphaned early, I grew up with my brother, witnessing the world’s harshness.

I never sought immortality; I only wished to survive in this world. At three, I found two long swords and a book called the “Nine Solitary Swords,” which contained only techniques, no words. From then on, I awakened and began cultivation.

At six, I comprehended the Zhou Tian Realm. At ten, I accidentally destroyed the mountain peak. At fifteen, I felt my feet lighten and soared into the sky.

Everyone envies my astonishing cultivation but forgets the destitute mortal I once was.

On countless dark nights, I held my crying brother and asked the heavens: What is a sword? What is immortality?

Under the peach blossom trees, I dreamt of a peerless sword immortal who told me I had a sword to clear injustice in the world, to cut down heartless immortals.

From then on, I, Chu Linfeng, no longer believed in endless darkness but in mankind’s triumph over fate.

Now, at last, I have comprehended the final sword—Setting Sun!

Darkness ends! Chu Linfeng opened his eyes, fingers pointed skyward, the two swords above humming.

At this moment, David Ge, an elderly man walking with a youth in the metropolis, suddenly stopped. Feeling the two swords trembling in his pack, he sighed, “Fine, if you want to go, go,” as two sword souls flashed, soaring upward.

The two cold rays fell directly into the airborne swords.

Almost simultaneously, Chu Linfeng chanted the sword incantation:

“Defying fate, the sword glows, blood stains the rainbow, tears fill my chest!”

First Sword! Flying Rainbow!

(Chu Linfeng pointed his sword, sword qi rushing forward without hesitation. Then he changed his finger again.)

“The sword dances elegantly among flowers; sword qi roams the night-blooming jasmine!”

Second Sword! Elegance!

(No hesitation, followed by unleashing all remaining sword moves.)

“The sword is like the Milky Way flowing before the river, qi rising to the clouds, shaking mountains and rivers!”

Third Sword! Mountains and Rivers!

“The sword’s cry pierces the sky, frost and snow blow; thousands of Buddha lamps extinguish!”

Fourth Sword! Silence!

“Without attachments, without reliance; unparalleled sword cold spans eight thousand miles!”

Fifth Sword! Unmatched!

“My fate belongs to me, not heaven; sword points to the sky, sworn to break the heavens!”

Sixth Sword! Questioning Heaven!

“How can immortal swords fear the impermanence? Destroy the ten courts of King Yama!”

Seventh Sword! Demon Slayer!

“Twin swords together embrace the bright moon; dare to ascend the heavens and slay all immortals!”

Eighth Sword! Immortal Execution!

“Don’t mock the setting sun with nowhere to rely; Hundred Flowers are cherished by mortals!”

Ninth Sword! Setting Sun!