859 Unveiling His Ambition (2/2)
”Your skills are as massive as a roaring river, while mine is as weak as a murmuring creek. How could I match up to you? Still, just as water always flows downstream, some things have to be done.”
Chao Xiaoshu smiled and continued, ”I understand that I'm far from qualified to challenge you. But I am about to go on an assignment, which might cause me to lose something very important. I want to leave with no regret. Over the years, I have found friendship, brotherhood, a family, and aging but still healthy parents. I was able to rebuke the Abbot in the City of Chang'an and have not spent my years idling around. I did have some accomplishments throughout my life, not huge ones, but I was happy. I did have a few missed opportunities, but I do not regret it. I never lacked courage when encountering powerful enemies and I have never failed to stay calm. I've led a fruitful life for the past decades.
His calm and gentle voice resounded through the tranquil cave, and it became firmer when it echoed back from the rocky cliffs, as if it was metal clanging against each other.
Liu Bai's eyes lit up as he found this man to be increasingly interesting. He stated, ”Now I know why you are here.”
Chao Xiaoshu put on a slightly ashamed smile and confirmed, ”My life's greatest regret is being unable to take even one strike from you back then. Therefore, would you please grant me one more strike from your sword? But please do not kill me as I have something to fulfill, something that's even more important than my own life. I know it is an absurd request, but I wish you would honor it.”
Liu Bai laughed and said, ”How could I not satisfy such a ridiculous request!”
...
It was noon. The sunlight finally began to filter into the cave from the hole above, shining upon the cold pond. Fish hidden in the water plants came out to take advantage of a moment of warmth.
However, they quickly hid back among the plants not long later, startled. The fearsome sword strikes created a pressure that suppressed the light, and the fierce sword intent that emanated threatened to cut the water into countless pieces.
Four distinct, sharp sounds rang out, before the cave descended back into silence.
Liu Bai was sitting by the pond, as if he had never moved.
His ancient sword was back into the sheath, as though it had not been drawn out.
Chao Xiaoshu was holding only half of his sword, with four broken pieces scattered in front of him. He had attempted to transform his single sword into five, intending to use four to withstand the four strikes from Liu Bai. But he lost again.
As pale as he was, Chao Xiaoshu's eyes got brighter. Wearing the blood stained gown, he seemed very satisfied. After all, he was able to withstand four strikes from Liu Bai. He had no more regret.
Liu Bai stared at him and asked, ”Are people from the Tang Empire all so cruel to themselves?
Liu Bai was the world's most powerful man. Throughout the years, he had several chances to go beyond that threshold and reach a higher level than the Five States. But he had been suppressing his power by staying in the cave, until the fight in the Verdant Canyon where he was forced by Jun Mo to release his strongest sword strike. And thus, he had reached the superior state he had been reluctant to step into. At this stage, he was more sensitive to the subtle changes in earthly matters.
When his sword was getting close to Chao Xiaoshu, he immediately comprehended the minds of the Tang people.
Chao Xiaoshu replied with a gentle smile, ”There are lots of Tang people like me. If the South Jin Kingdom seeks an alliance with the Great Tang, and the Sword Garret fights alongside the Academy, we might even shake the heavens.”
Liu Bai remained silent.
Chao Xiaoshu rose and bowed, then stepped out of the Sword Garret. The autumn breeze lifted a piece of his broken gown, and revealed a bloodied sword wound, a gash that looked so long it might reach the sky.
His Ocean of Qi and Mountain of Snow was completely destroyed. He could no longer continue cultivating but only live as a commoner. However, he felt so refreshed and relieved as he stood in the mellow breeze.
...
Chao Xiaoshu left the South Jin Kingdom and came to a small town between the border of the Song and Yan Kingdoms. He leased a place in the market, built a small house, and set up his business of painting and calligraphy.
After a short while, two lads from afar arrived at the town. He hired them as helpers and his business picked up pretty quickly. It was not long before everyone found out about this businessman of fine taste, including those celebrities in town. People knew that he came from the City of Chang'an, and he was elegant but not arrogant. He was capable but did not show off and was courteous to everyone including the poor and low. Neither did he try to extort the poor. He was as refreshing as a mellow breeze.
He was always nice to the poor and low. When beggars came to him, Chao Xiaoshu gave them money and served them tea. However, as kindly as Chao Xiaoshu treated them, even the most desperate beggars would not bother him too much knowing that they were not the appropriate guests for such a business of fine arts. The Butcher, greasy as he was, showed no interest to these paintings and calligraphy. A butcher's business was, after all, about meat.
Paintings and calligraphy were always associated with tea and liquor. Not the game for the Butcher, but they were full of attractions to the Drunkard. When the Drunkard found about Chao Xiaoshu's talented tastes, he never left the store again with only exceptions of his daily meals.
...
When Chao Xiaoshu arrived at the little town, Liu Bai left the Sword Garret and went to Linkang City.
Liu Bai and his sword had always been the pride and honor of South Jin Kingdom. He should have been welcomed anywhere like a god. Yet when he entered Linkang City, no one paid him any attention.
After all, no one would have believed that most common-looking figure could be the Sage of Sword. They would be even more appalled if they knew that such a figure was walking through the mud-choked streets to the east of the city.
Liu Bai came to that worn-out cottage and turned to look at Ye Su who was teaching a class to children. When Ye Su raised his head and saw Liu Bai, he helplessly shook his head, saying to the children, ”Let's call it a day now.”
...