It was early summer, and many flowers were in full bloom. The Jiang Residence’s position was superior, and their land was rich. Even in the Big Ruins, they seemed to be flourishing.
There was a faint fragrance of flowers in the air. Ou Yangming opened his eyes and blew out a breath of green air. The courtyard fell silent, then a strong wind blew. It rose up from the ground, stirring up gravel. His eyes lit up, then he chuckled and said, “After going against Dong Chenyu, my spiritual Qi became mellower and clearer without any impurities. This kind of life-and-death experience under high pressure is the rarest.”
It was the truth. The probability of a breakthrough was much higher when one’s potential burst out on the verge of death than when one cultivated step by step.
At this moment, an old man slowly walked along the sandalwood path. He curbed his aura, and he carried an old sword case on his back. Upon careful observation, one could faintly sense a pure sword intent that was contained but not revealed.
“Senior He.” Ou Yangming thought for a moment and took the initiative to welcome the elder and chuckled.
“I heard that Lil’ Man doesn’t want to go with you?” He Jian’s gaze focused as he looked deeply at Ou Yangming. He was a straightforward person and would ask whatever he had in mind. He did not have to beat around the bush.
Ou Yangming nodded and gently touched his nose. He laughed bitterly and answered, “Lil’ Man said that his grandfather’s aura is in the Big Ruins, so he doesn’t want to go. Besides, he also wants to take back what belongs to him.”
He Jian’s face was engraved with the marks of time, and he gently exhaled a mouthful of turbid air. He said in a deep voice, “Lil’ Man’s extremely talented. He has seen the fickleness of human nature, and that the world is a cold place. For cultivators, it’s a good thing. His heart will be trained, and the path will be in sight for him. The bad thing is that he’s too stubborn. He doesn’t lack schemes, and his conviction, as well as his ability to carry out things, are the best. Even so, if he can’t control the evil in his heart, the Big Ruins will face a calamity. Moreover…” He paused, and a strange look appeared in his eyes as he looked at Ou Yangming with a burning gaze.
Ou Yangming’s expression was calm as he used his gaze to signal for the elder to continue.
“If you’re not here, no one would be able to control him,” He Jian continued.
“That won’t happen. It’s true that he’s stubborn, but he still listens to you,” Ou Yangming retorted.
He Jian sighed heavily and did not speak.
The courtyard suddenly fell silent. Both of them frowned and had their own thoughts.
After a while, Ou Yangming bowed to He Jian and said seriously, “Senior He, after I leave, I’ll leave Lil’ Man to you.”
He had been in the Big Ruins for a long time. It was time for him to leave. He did not know how the Big Ruins was formed, but he had his guesses despite being unsure. He had obtained many benefits from this trip. If the young fellow stayed any longer, he would appear greedy. Of course, the most important thing was that he missed Ni Yinghong, Bai Shixue, Wu Hanning, and Old Craftsman.
The world in the Big Ruins made him worried, but the things that truly worried him and the people that he would never be able to let go of were the past and these people.
After settling Lil’ Man down and returning favors, he would leave.
He Jian looked troubled when he heard this.
He took off the sword case on his back and gently brushed it with his fingers. He let out a long sigh and said, “Brother Yu, as you know, there were 6 swords in this case, but now there are only 3 left. I want to take the other 3 swords back. They’ve been with An Jingyun for more than a century. As time goes by, people will laugh at me. As I get older, I’m afraid that others will poke at my spine.”
Ou Yangming nodded to show his understanding. He smiled and remarked, “An Jingyun may be an experienced Venerable One, but he can’t block your sword.”
He Jian did not know how to respond. After being stunned for a while, he shook his head and responded, “Nothing in this world is certain. The way of heaven is unpredictable.”
Ou Yangming could tell that it was not that He Jian did not want to take care of Lil’ Man, but he was afraid that he would not be able to return.
He Jian was very responsible in everything he did. He could not put something objectionable out of one’s mind. He was afraid that he would not be able to do it after he made the promise. It would be irresponsibility toward Lil’ Man.
Ou Yangming was also a little helpless. He could only settle for the second-best. He said solemnly, “Senior He, after you retrieve the swords in the case, then…”
Before he could finish, He Jian carried the sword case on his back and nodded heavily to make the promise.
Ou Yangming was relieved, and the topic of their conversation became a little more relaxed.
“You previously said that you’d treat me to a drink. Isn’t it time?” He Jian blinked and asked softly.
“Let’s go in and drink.” Ou Yangming slapped his head and pulled He Jian into the room.
After rummaging through his interspatial bag, he finally found a few pots of good liquor. He waved his hand and placed them on the table.
He Jian smiled and picked one up. He downed the entire bottle in one gulp.
Ou Yangming was well-behaved, but each of his movements gave off a different kind of beauty as if he had blended into this world.
After 3 rounds of drinks, He Jian exhaled a mouthful of liquor smell. He did not stay for long. He walked along the sandalwood path, passed through the heavily guarded area, and arrived in front of Jiang Xiaoxu’s study.
This time, as compared to the previous time, both his state of mind and cultivation were different. Unknowingly, his life trajectory had undergone a huge change. This was all because of Ou Yangming.
“You’re here?” The words that were spoken were the same as the previous time, but there was a trace of unnoticeable emotion in the person’s voice this time. The voice shook the air and came out from the study.
“I’m here,” He Jian responded.
“Then let’s have a drink. You know, I have a lot of good liquor hidden here. If someone else had come, I wouldn’t be willing to take them out,” Jiang Xiaoxu said. As he spoke, the door of the study opened with a creak. Indeed, it was the truth. Not to mention coming here to drink, less than 10 people from the entire Jiang family could come to the door of the study.
“I just had a drink so let’s forget about it this time,” He Jian replied to him and walked in slowly.
There was not much change in the study. When the dim light reflected on one’s face, it would give one a mysterious and ancient charm. There was a picture of a lady hanging on the wall. Her posture was graceful. She looked up at the sky, but her eyebrows were deeply furrowed. She was thinking hard about something.
Jiang Xiaoxu and He Jian sat opposite each other. The wick of the lamp made a sizzling sound, and the flames swayed. Their figures were stretched out by the flames and reflected on the door. As the flames swayed, Jiang Xiaoxu asked again, “Are you sure you don’t want to drink?”
He Jian lifted his shoulder strap. The sword case swayed a little, and he shook his head gently. He spoke at a steady pace, “No, it’s fine. Drinking too much can easily ruin things.”
Jiang Xiaoxu nodded and asked casually, “Are you here to say goodbye this time?”
“That’s only one of the reasons,” He Jian looked at the candle on the table and replied.
“I understand. There’s another reason. You want me to help you look after Lil’ Man, right?” Jiang Xiaoxu was a shrewd old man. He was as wise as a demon and took the initiative to say it. He knew He Jian’s character, so he could guess it.
“Yes, after all, my opponent’s also a Venerable One, so I still have to be prepared for failure. Besides, this time, instead of a winner and a loser, there’s only life and death.” Even though He Jian said that, his expression was still calm like an old piece of bark.
Jiang Xiaoxu did not think about it. He got up and added a little oil to the oil lamp. He nodded and agreed to it.
After receiving this promise, the smile on He Jian’s face grew even more. He had a faint premonition that his trip would not go too smoothly, which was why he was so cautious.
Having cultivated to become a Venerable One, the premonitions in his mind were like Heaven’s gift. They were very accurate.
Jiang Xiaoxu hesitated for a moment before asking, “Is Master Yu leaving?”
“Yes, people in trials are just passersby in the Big Ruins.” As He Jian said this, he also felt a bit sad.
Jiang Xiaoxu also sighed. He had long expected this but when he really heard this news, he could not help but feel a little disappointed.
During this period of time, he had been hearing rumors about Yu Tianrui.
Of course, what he paid attention to was not Ou Yangming’s cultivation, but the matter of He Jian breaking through to become a Venerable One. Presumably, it had something to do with the young fellow. Jiang Xiaoxu did not know what could make people survive the Heavenly Disaster, but it did not matter.
As long as the Jiang family could gain Ou Yangming’s friendship, how many more Venerable Ones could they gain? If they were lucky, they might be able to unify the human forces in the Big Ruins.
“I’ve said what I needed to say. I have to go now.” He Jian shook his case.
Jiang Xiaoxu sat there without moving. He did not say anything, nor did he send He Jian off.
He Jian did not mind. He was limping as he walked. Each step made the sandalwood on the ground clatter. He carried the case on his back and left leisurely.
Jiang Xiaoxu smiled as he watched He Jian leave. He sighed softly and said, “Such a small matter is worth you making a trip personally. You’re a Venerable One now.” As he said this, a solemn expression appeared in his eyes. He muttered to himself, “Since Yu Tianrui can’t stay… It won’t be bad to form a good relationship with Lil’ Man. As long as we’re still connected in a way, I won’t turn down any requests in the future.”
Furthermore, judging from He Jian’s appearance, he was also planning to take Lil’ Man as a successor. No matter what, there would be no loss from this.
In the evening, He Jian left without a sound.
Ou Yangming walked with He Jian for about 5 kilometers before the elder stopped and turned his head. He Jian grinned and said, “Alright, let’s stop here. It’ll be too far if you continue to send me off.”
“Be careful on the road.” Ou Yangming raised his chin.
He Jian laughed and scolded, “I didn’t expect you to have such a pretentious side. I’m just going to retrieve my swords, but you make it seem as if we’re parting forever.”
Ou Yangming was not angry. He patted He Jian’s shoulder and sighed, “I’m not being pretentious. I just think that I don’t know when we’ll meet again in the future. I’m a little reluctant to part with you.”
“Isn’t that pretentious?” He Jian asked.
Ou Yangming. “…”
He Jian’s eyes focused, then he said, “Don’t worry. I’ve just become a Venerable One a few days ago, so I won’t die so easily.”
“Take care.” Ou Yangming’s voice was low.
“Okay, I’ll be leaving.” He Jian waved his hand.
He was dressed in linen clothes, with a carving knife hidden in his sleeve. He carried an old sword case on his back, and his hair was messy. He walked slowly under the setting sun.
His back was not bleak, nor was it old. His steps were very light, but every step he took gave people a powerful feeling.
Under the twilight of the morning sun, He Jian gradually disappeared into the distance.
On this day, the god of swords left with the case on his back.
It was not until he completely disappeared that Ou Yangming withdrew his gaze.
He shook his head and sighed, “All good things come to an end…” After sighing, he seemed carefree as he walked toward the Jiang Residence. He still had to pave the way for Lil’ Man so that the child would at least have an easier path.
