Chapter 131: A Farewell

The sun was brilliant, the breeze was warm, and the peach blossoms in April were in full bloom.

On this day of blooming blossoms, the melancholy of parting seemed to be diluted by the warm and beautiful scenery. Today’s farewell was devoid of sorrow, filled only with laughter and lighthearted playfulness. Today’s departure was merely to ensure a better reunion another day.

Yan Jiu and the Fourth Lady led the way, holding the reins of a large white Dawan horse. Thanks to Zhang He’s strong recommendation, the Hidden Sword Manor had taken them in; Yan Jiu remained the steward, and the Fourth Lady remained a guardian. Therefore, when Zhang He prepared to leave today, the two siblings had vied for the chance to see him off.

Qi Shiqi and Zhang He walked side by side behind them. In the distance, the Nanjiang River of Yuezhuo was already visible. Moored on the river was a painted pleasure boat hired by the manor at great expense, its sails already hoisted, ready to depart at any moment.

"Young Master, please stop here," Zhang He said, cupping his hands in a salute. "You’ve come quite far; there is no need to see us off any further."

Qi Shiqi returned the salute and said, "Even if one accompanies another for a thousand miles, a parting is inevitable. Brother Wu, please take care along the way. If you ever find yourself in trouble, you must return to the manor. Thousands of our disciples stand ready to follow your command."

Zhang He replied, "You are too kind, Young Master. You are truly a master of managing a sect. In just these few days, you have stabilized the morale and secured your position. After I leave, you must also be careful. Jin Mailang and his Famous Sword Manor will not let this rest."

"Rest assured, Brother Wu!" Qi Shiqi nodded. "The boat ahead will carry you down the Nanjiang River directly to the ferry at Fengling in Chenzhou. I have already had people make inquiries; once you disembark at Fengling, travel three hundred miles north to reach your destination, Zhouzhuang. Zhouzhuang has always been a place of turmoil, where various forces are intricately intertwined. It is not like the Three Manors of Yuezhuo. You and your companions must be extremely cautious."

He then nodded to Yan Jiu, who understood and immediately presented an exquisite, luxurious gift chest.

Qi Shiqi bowed. "Brother Wu, Brother Feng, Miss Zhong, Miss Hua, Miss Qian, Miss Lan—thank you all for your hard work on behalf of my manor. I have nothing else to offer, so please do not refuse these humble gifts. The road ahead is perilous, and you may find these useful. Take care of yourselves."

Zhang He did not decline, knowing that doing so would only embarrass his friend. However, after he accepted the large chest, Qi Shiqi brought out two narrow, elongated brocade boxes. Judging by their shape and length, it was clear these were weapon cases. Weapons that required such cases were undoubtedly precious.

When the first, shorter box was opened, a flash of purple light shimmered; it was clearly a Rare-grade weapon. Inside lay a pair of strangely shaped, compact blades. Qi Shiqi explained, "Miss Zhong’s sword style is fast, light, and agile. Please accept these Moon-Gazing Swords as a token of my appreciation."

The Moon-Gazing Swords operated on a principle similar to hidden red needles—short, sharp, and compact, perfect for close-quarters combat for women in the martial arts world. They looked like crescents, but the hilt was in the center of the arc, making it feel as if the user were holding two curved blades. The tips of the crescents extended into dense, sharp thorns, designed to draw blood upon contact. Such weapons were lethal in close combat; once an enemy was ensnared, it was difficult to escape. By the same token, such obscure weapons were difficult to master without extraordinary skill.

When the second long box was opened, another Rare-grade weapon with a purple glow was revealed, equally strange in design. The sword curved and twisted, resembling two overlapping "S" shapes. It was clear that anyone using such a weapon would favor an unconventional, devious style of combat.

Qi Shiqi continued, "Brother Wu, your character level is relatively low, yet I have noticed that your sword and blade techniques are unique, seeming to ignore conventional rules. Therefore, I present this sword to show my admiration. I hope you will not refuse."

Zhang He nodded. Not only did he recognize this sword, but he knew it was exceptionally valuable. It was clear that during his time at the manor, Qi Shiqi had not only spent a fortune to acquire it but had also demonstrated a deep understanding of Zhang He’s style.

Gold Snake Sword (Rare-grade). Requirements: Level 45. Strength: Moisturizing Realm. Internal Energy: Moisturizing Realm. Attack: 140. Bonus: 20% chance to trigger a critical hit, dealing 10 damage/second for 5 seconds.

This Gold Snake Sword had no scabbard, but Zhang He had the advantage of being able to store his Qing-Frost Sword, Flowing Cloud Blade, Wind-Thunder Staff, and Gold Snake Sword all in the basket on his back, allowing him to draw any of them instantly. One of the perks of *Sword of the Dynasty* was that it saved him the time of retrieving weapons. With five weapons on his person, he had no fear of being disarmed by a powerful opponent—he might lack in other areas, but he certainly wasn't short on blades. As for the peach-wood staff he had received earlier, he had already gifted it back to the Fourth Lady, who was endlessly grateful and swore that if Zhang He ever needed help, she would be there in a heartbeat.

After more final instructions, the three from the manor mounted their horses and saluted. "We shall meet again. Farewell!"

Zhang He and his group returned the gesture. "Take care, Young Master!"

The three rode off, galloping deep into the peach blossom forest. No sooner had they left than three more fine horses emerged from the depths of the grove. The person on the lead white horse was dressed casually, yet his demeanor and authority were impossible to overlook.

Zhong Shuman and the others grew tense. None of them expected Jin Mailang to appear at this moment. Zhang He, however, walked forward with a smile and cupped his hands. "Manor Head Jin, you are quite free today."

Jin Mailang pulled on his reins and looked at him coldly. "You are leaving?"

Zhong Shuman said frostily, "Perhaps the Manor Head wishes to invite us to your Famous Sword Manor again? My apologies, but the last time we were guests, we slept by the stables. Would you have us sleep in the outhouse this time?"

Hearing her contemptuous sarcasm, Jin Mailang did not retort; instead, a trace of a smile appeared on his face.

The other two riders approached. The Third Lady said sweetly, "Everyone, do not misunderstand. Our Manor Head is here to see you off."

Teacher Guangxi laughed, "That’s right. Regardless of everything, I consider Brother Wu a friend with whom I have shared life and death on this journey. It is only right that I come to see you off."

Zhang He smiled. "Manor Head, you are as capable as ever. You even found out exactly when we were leaving."

Jin Mailang said faintly, "That was not difficult."

Zhang He laughed. "If I guess correctly, the Famous Sword Manor has been peaceful these past few days. You are still the Manor Head, and the manor remains as it was." His implication was clear: Jin Mailang had likely dealt with Baili Feng and his cohorts and reclaimed the manor.

Jin Mailang nodded. "Baili Feng received what he deserved." He did not say he received what he wanted, but what he *deserved*. What did he deserve? Everyone could imagine—likely a fist or a blade.

Zhang He admired, "Manor Head, you have great ability."

Jin Mailang said, "I must thank you. If you hadn't come to be with Elder Chen, I might still have been kept in the dark. But now everything is in the past. Fortunately, you are not a member of the Hidden Sword Manor."

Zhang He stared at him. "And if I were?"

Jin Mailang said, "Then I would not be here to see you off today."

Zhang He sighed. "Fortunately, I am not."

Jin Mailang said, "Even if you were not, we could never be friends."

Zhang He couldn't help but ask, "Why?"

Jin Mailang replied coldly, "Because you were helping Qi Shiqi to deal with me. However, I settle my accounts clearly. You helped me once, so..."

He suddenly flicked his hand, and an object appeared in Zhong Shuman's hand. Jin Mailang said faintly, "This is a passage token for the Nanjiang waterway. It will help you pass through the seventy-two water routes smoothly. Some of the people there are my friends; just show them the token and you will be allowed through."

Others might not have understood, but Zhong Shuman did. The Seventy-Two Water Route Alliance held sway over the middle and lower reaches of the Nanjiang River; its scale was even larger than the Yangtze Thirty-Six Route Alliance of Xiliang. Without an introduction or a token, no one could guarantee Zhang He wouldn't run into trouble, just as they had at the Peony Pavilion.

With that, Jin Mailang turned his horse and galloped back into the forest.

Chen Guangxi also handed over an object. "Brother Wu, take this. If you are ever in trouble, open it, and I will know."

Zhang He took it and asked curiously, "What is this? A firecracker? A thunder-clap or a double-bang?"

It was no wonder this country bumpkin didn't recognize it, as he belonged to no sect. Hua Feihong explained faintly, "This is a Thousand-Illusion Message."

Zhang He understood immediately. The Thousand-Illusion Message was indeed a firework, but its purpose was not for display; it was for transmitting information. Since one could not send carrier pigeons across different provinces, this was used instead. Generally, only large sects possessed such items, and only those with high status could use them. It was a one-time consumable; once used in an emergency, every player in the sect, regardless of which province of the Central Plains they were in, would see it, and the sect channel would alert them to your specific location. The sect leader would then arrange for a rescue. It was the ultimate life-saving tool.

Chen Guangxi said proudly, "I have detailed what happened to our sect’s regional leader. Our Beggar Sect has avoided being drawn into this conflict. The leader told me to give this to you, saying that if you ever have trouble, you can call upon our Beggar Sect for help. As for those bastards like Fat Mantis, Baili Feng, and Shao Gong, don't you worry about them—leave them to our Beggar Sect to handle."

Zhang He was overjoyed. "Thank you, Teacher Guangxi."

After Jin Mailang, Chen Guangxi, and the Third Lady had left, the Fatty could no longer contain his impatience. "Quick, open the gift chest! Let me see what Boss Qi gave us!" In his mind, every gift given to Zhang He was better than the last, and given Boss Qi’s wealth, the gifts for his helpers would surely be extraordinary.