Tang Bai Li

Volume 3 Chapter 94 Qi Long's Request

Qi Long stood expressionlessly before Xu Mu, a formation disk humming in his hand. Formation runes pulsed with light, as if about to erupt and engulf An Jin.

"You lunatic!"

After a moment of silence, An Jin seemed to realize that if he pressed further, Qi Long would kill him. With a mixture of shock and fury, he uttered this curse and fled.

"I will report this to the court. Just you wait!"

Qi Long retracted the formation disk, watching An Jin's retreating back. His voice was calm as he replied, "I await your report."

*Hum!*

The light of the mountain cave's great killing formation extinguished like a fleeting spark.

Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu stepped forward, took a deep breath, and bowed to Qi Long.

"Thank you for your timely intervention, Elder Qi."

Qi Long waved his hand, signaling them to dispense with formalities. He turned to Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu, and a hint of admiration replaced the sternness on his otherwise placid face. His voice was gentle as he said, "You two will stay in my Sword Pavilion for the next ten days. You may leave when the great formation is repaired."

Xu Mu blinked in surprise. Then, cupping his hands, he asked, "But An Jin mentioned reporting this to the court. I'm a little concerned."

Qi Long chuckled and waved it off. "Worry not. He won't dare trouble you again. He knows that if he returns, I will truly kill him."

Xu Mu shook his head, looking earnestly at Qi Long. "Senior, you misunderstand. I'm not worried about myself, but about you."

"After all, An Jin is someone from the court, and a personal guard of the Seventh Prince. If the court pursues accountability, Senior… aren't you afraid at all?"

Qi Long let out a hearty laugh. "You don't need to worry about that. I'll be fine. The Seventh Prince's influence, for now, cannot threaten me."

"Because he is but an unfavored concubine's son, and you are an influential elder of the Sword Pavilion, you act with impunity?" Zuo Mingqiu removed his tattered black straw hat, revealing half his face covered by dark cloth. He frowned slightly and asked, "Isn't that too risky?"

"Even if the Seventh Prince has limited resources, the fact that we killed his guards is undeniable. If the court investigates and finds you guilty, the Sword Pavilion might not protect you, will they?"

Qi Long's words only strengthened his prior suspicions. He believed Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu were from Great Xia and his laughter grew more unrestrained.

"Hahahaha."

"You overestimate the court of Great Zhou, or perhaps underestimate the martial forces here."

"My friends, this place is different from Great Xia. The court's restrictions on martial sects are minimal, especially for a major sect like the Sword Pavilion, which supports all under heaven. Any conflict that arises between the two sides, even with ironclad evidence, is incredibly troublesome to resolve."

"Since today's events involve the Sword Pavilion, and several third-stage guards were killed, even if the court wants to pursue this out of consideration for the Seventh Prince, the investigation process will take time. It certainly won't be completed within ten days."

"And after ten days, when the great formation is repaired, we will have long since departed. Even if the court eventually assigns blame, what use will it be then?"

Zuo Mingqiu was momentarily stunned, then asked with some surprise, "Senior is also leaving via the teleportation array?"

Qi Long nodded and chuckled, looking at Zuo Mingqiu with a knowing glint in his eyes. "Indeed."

*Perhaps we are going to the same place in the end,* Qi Long mused inwardly.

Zuo Mingqiu's eyebrows rose in further surprise. He opened his mouth to ask something more, but Xu Mu interrupted him.

"May I ask why Senior chose to help us?"

Xu Mu also removed his battered black straw hat, his face half-obscured, and squinted at Qi Long. They had merely helped Qi Long transport an item. Even if Qi Long felt indebted, he wouldn't risk offending a prince for such a small favor. Even an unfavored prince held considerable sway, enough to make many martial sects wary. Qi Long, as an official of the Sword Pavilion, possessed some authority, but he surely wouldn't disregard the Seventh Prince's power. So, what was his true motive?

Qi Long smiled faintly. "My actions, naturally, have my reasons. Besides, helping you was a simple gesture; you needn't dwell on it."

Xu Mu took a step back, his gaze calm yet wary. "We cannot accept favors without earning them. If Senior does not explain, we cannot be at ease, and must therefore leave the Sword Pavilion. We hope for Senior's understanding."

As Xu Mu spoke, he turned to leave with Zuo Mingqiu, not a hint of hesitation. His expression was placid, but Xu Mu knew deeply that there was no such thing as a free lunch. In this martial world, no one would be so altruistic as to offend a prince for a minor favor. Qi Long must have some hidden agenda or reason that he wasn't revealing.

Qi Long looked somewhat taken aback by their departing figures and chuckled. "Wait."

"It is merely that I value talent, and thus intervened. You two are the most gifted young individuals I have ever encountered. Even Li Chuan, the sect leader's disciple from the Immortal Wood Sect who came to retrieve the Long River Immortal Sword two years ago, was not as promising as you."

Xu Mu's steps faltered slightly. He didn't know who Li Chuan was, perhaps Zuo Mingqiu did, but it didn't matter. He wouldn't believe such a flimsy excuse as valuing talent. Qi Long was from Great Zhou, an official of the Sword Pavilion. He and Zuo Mingqiu were clearly from foreign lands, perhaps even Great Xia or the Golden Tent Court. Strangers meeting, what talent could Qi Long possibly value? Why would he value the talent of an enemy nation?

"If Senior does not speak the truth, we will truly leave," Xu Mu stopped at the mountain path, turned, and said with a cupped fist.

Qi Long appeared somewhat exasperated. He was the official, a fourth-stage lord, their savior, yet Xu Mu spoke as if he were the one who had been saved! But Qi Long didn't grow angry. He looked at Xu Mu, a wry smile on his face. "If you put it that way, then I must give you a reason of sufficient weight."

"You should know that every year, the Sword Pavilion opens its gates for half a month, allowing people to claim swords. During this period, every three days, any sword not claimed will be taken by an elder to the forging platform for secondary tempering and refinement, enhancing its quality."

"What I require of you is to, during the third tempering, which will be nine days from now, bring me the first immortal sword forged this time, the 'New Sun'."

Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu exchanged glances, then slowly approached Qi Long. Xu Mu asked earnestly, "Is Senior speaking the truth?"

Qi Long nodded. "Indeed."

Xu Mu and Zuo Mingqiu were silent for a moment, then Xu Mu continued, "Senior, your strength is immense, why don't you retrieve the sword yourself? Furthermore, what if the New Sun is already claimed by the tenth day?"

Zuo Mingqiu also chimed in, "Yes, I heard that the cultivators coming to the Sword Pavilion this time are all after the New Sun. It's likely it will have already found a master by the tenth day."

Qi Long smiled. "An immortal sword choosing its master is not dependent on cultivation level. Even if I were a Domain Lord, if the sword spirit doesn't accept me, I cannot claim it."

"As for the New Sun, I have seen that sword once. Its sword spirit compares itself to the sun hanging high in the sky, incredibly proud and unbound by anyone. Therefore, I am confident that the New Sun will not be claimed."

"After repeated forging and tempering, the New Sun's pride will only grow. It might, like the treasured swords of previous years, remain forever in the Sword Pavilion until a fated individual arrives years later to claim it."

Xu Mu asked calmly, "What does Senior intend to do with the sword?"

Qi Long smiled mysteriously. "You will know in ten days. Moreover, after I am done with it, I will give the sword to you, as payment for the task."

Xu Mu corrected him earnestly, "We are the ones who will retrieve the sword, so it should naturally belong to us."

Qi Long couldn't help but tease, "You little rascal, you're not being polite with me at all! You just pretended to let me make demands, and now you're haggling."

Xu Mu scratched his head and chuckled. "I was joking."

"Senior saved us, so how can we possibly accept anything from you? However, after ten days, with the New Sun having undergone three temperings, do you truly believe we can retrieve such an exceedingly proud immortal sword?"

Qi Long smiled and nodded. "Of course. I believe in my intuition."

"However, regarding retrieving the sword, you don't need to agree immediately. What I intend to do might implicate you, and could even cost you your lives."

"If you fear danger, then you are not obligated to repay this favor. I offered my help willingly, so you can simply use the spatial array to leave without any burden."

"But if you decide to stay and help me, then bring me the sword. After success, not only will the New Sun be yours, but I will also provide you with additional compensation."

Xu Mu pondered for a long time before looking up at Qi Long and saying earnestly, "Thank you for your frankness, Senior Qi Long. However, since our lives are at stake, we should clarify what Senior intends to do. We cannot proceed blindly."

Qi Long's smile vanished as he looked at Xu Mu with a meaningful gaze. "There are some things I cannot reveal, not because I don't want to, but because I truly cannot."

"At the very least, until I understand your true identities, I cannot tell you."

Xu Mu remained silent for a long time. If he couldn't reveal their identities, then Qi Long couldn't explain his intentions. Although Xu Mu desperately wanted to know what Qi Long was planning, his and Zuo Mingqiu's identities were absolutely top secret.

"Since that is the case, please forgive us, Senior. The matter of retrieving the New Sun sword requires careful consideration. We will give you our answer in ten days."

Xu Mu cupped his fists, his face etched with apology. There was no other choice. Since Qi Long had warned them that his actions could jeopardize their lives without them even knowing what those actions were, they couldn't agree outright. They would have to discuss it later.

Qi Long chuckled. "No matter. We are strangers who met by chance, and I helped you as a favor. I cannot demand that you risk your lives."

"I have already arranged accommodation for you in a guesthouse not far from here. Take this token and proceed there directly."

Xu Mu took the token, his eyes complex. Although they still didn't know what Qi Long planned to do, he could feel the sincerity of the man's goodwill. It was like the affection shown by elders of noble families towards their prodigies in the Hundred Tribes Land. But that was familial affection. Why was Qi Long acting this way? Xu Mu couldn't fathom it, but he didn't dwell on the question for too long. After Zuo Mingqiu bowed in thanks, Qi Long departed, leaving them standing alone.

Zuo Mingqiu looked at Xu Mu and asked, "So, what do you think? Should we help him?"

Xu Mu spread his hands and sighed. "I don't know. Let's go settle in first. We can stall for time. If the New Sun is claimed within these ten days, then we won't have to worry about it."

Zuo Mingqiu nodded. "That's a reasonable plan."

Xu Mu looked down at the jade token in his hand, which shimmered with faint light. He infused a strand of his divine soul into it, and a sharp energy surged forth, guiding him in the right direction.