Chapter 53: Supreme Grandmaster of the Sword Dao?

Upon hearing these words, the old man replied with a gentle smile, “You do not understand! This is what it means to steal a moment’s leisure from this fleeting life. Besides, since the Scarlet Pine Dao Palace is the sect of Master Pine-Crane, it does me no harm to pay my respects while passing by, does it?”

The man frowned slightly and asked, “But there are rumors outside that Master Pine-Crane has already passed away. I wonder whether this news is true or not?”

Though he spoke with a questioning tone, he knew well in his heart that this matter was most likely true.

After all, the news had spread from Listening Wind Pavilion, the most mysterious intelligence organization in Yu Kingdom.

The passing of a Grandmaster was no trivial matter; without solid evidence, Listening Wind Pavilion would never dare to spread such a rumor!

The old man beside him understood this as well and gave a soft sigh.

“So it seems that even a Grandmaster cannot escape the fate of birth, aging, sickness, and death. To perish now upon the road in pursuit of immortality is truly a cause for lamentation.”

The middle-aged man was somewhat unconvinced and said, “Lord Guo! In my humble opinion, the so-called immortality of the Dao is but an empty fantasy. Those so-called eccentrics claim to be cultivators, but aside from their strange abilities, I have yet to see any of them achieve eternal life!”

The old man only smiled at this and did not reply.

Unwilling to debate further, he shifted the topic, asking, “Yuan Yi, how are preparations for the Jin Province Medical Conference proceeding?”

The man straightened and answered, “All the medical sects and renowned wandering physicians have gathered in Jinhua Prefecture. As usual, in two days the four great medical sects of Jin Province will preside over the contest by Lake Jici.”

The old man nodded. “If so, then let tradition be your guide! It will spare me the trouble.”

At that moment, the sword-bearing man seemed to recall something.

He urged his horse forward to ride alongside the old man, saying, “Lord Guo, in these past few days while arranging the conference, I heard an amusing tale.”

“Oh? Let us hear it,” the old man replied, his interest piqued.

“It’s said that the three major medical sects recently suffered quite the humiliation at Scarlet Pine Dao Palace. Not only did they return in disgrace, but even the greatest treasure of the Hundred Flowers Sect was seized by a mysterious stranger on the road! So now they are clamoring to expel Scarlet Pine Dao Palace from the ranks of the Four Great Medical Sects,” the man said with a laugh.

“Is that so? If memory serves, hasn’t Scarlet Pine Dao Palace always been the leader among the four?” the old man questioned in surprise.

Though he held a lofty position, his knowledge of the martial world was limited and incomplete.

But the middle-aged man, having long roamed the world of rivers and lakes, was well-versed in current affairs and answered offhandedly, “That’s all old news. Master Pine-Crane has been wandering the world, and the medical grandmasters of Scarlet Pine Dao Palace have passed away—so for years now, they have ranked last! The other three kicking them while they’re down is only to be expected.”

The old man known as Lord Guo fell silent, sighing, “Indeed, the rise and fall of all things in this world seems fated. No sect prospers forever, just as no dynasty endures eternally.”

“Lord Guo!” the middle-aged man exclaimed in alarm, quickly reminding him to be cautious.

Lord Guo waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned. In the land of Jin Province, there was no need for such caution.

As they spoke, their fine horses carried them beneath a stretch of rolling mountains.

But as they passed through a forested area, both chestnut steeds suddenly faltered, their legs buckling so that the two riders nearly toppled.

The sword-bearing man reacted swiftly, leaping up and swiftly grabbing the reins to steady the horses, preventing the old man from falling.

The old man frowned. “What’s wrong with Da Qing and Er Qing? They’ve never behaved like this before.”

These two prized steeds were said to have a trace of exotic blood and were extremely intelligent, with a keen sense for danger. More than once, they had saved his life!

Now the horses refused to go forward, snorting nervously, as if in fear.

It was only after some soothing that they gradually calmed.

The old man grew thoughtful and instructed, “Yuan Yi, go check that grove ahead. There seems to be something within that’s made Da Qing and Er Qing wary. If it’s a tiger, do away with it—lest it harm others.”

“At once!” the man replied, then used his lightness skill to leap toward the distant woods.

Within the grove, all was hushed and still.

The moment Zhang Yuan Yi set foot inside, he felt the ancient sword on his back begin to hum softly.

It seemed at once excited, and yet awed.

His curiosity grew ever keener, and he gazed in the direction the sword seemed to indicate.

Not far ahead lay a vast chasm, cleaving through the heart of the forest.

Though mostly filled with yellow earth by now, he could still sense a mighty sword intent soaring up to the heavens.

It was as if he beheld a peerless swordsman, whose single stroke here had slain invading foes!

The ancient sword on his back thrummed and trembled, radiating a sense of reverent devotion, as though in worship.

With such upright sword spirit that even a sentient blade was moved to veneration, the man could scarcely imagine the level of mastery possessed by the one who had struck here.

Could it be a grandmaster of the sword?

Zhang Yuan Yi entertained the thought, but quickly dismissed it.

He had seen sword grandmasters before—at such times, the ancient sword’s response was always eager for battle, aching to test itself, not like this, filled with a pilgrim’s awe.

What manner of person could command such swordcraft? Other than the legendary Sword Immortal, he could think of no other answer.

Amazed, he at once recognized the lurking danger.

If such a figure truly resided here, for him and Lord Guo to intrude so rashly could be perilous indeed.

With this in mind, he hurried back to report all he had seen.

He concluded, “Lord Guo! With such a person here, it’s unwise for us to linger. I recommend we return to the city at once!”

The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully and asked, “Ahead lies Scarlet Pine Mountain. Could this person be from Scarlet Pine Dao Palace?”

“Absolutely impossible! Even Master Pine-Crane could not achieve such a feat. This can only be an unparalleled sword grandmaster of legend!” Zhang Yuan Yi replied resolutely.

“To think such a person exists! How I regret not being able to witness their splendor,” the old man sighed.

He knew Zhang Yuan Yi stood but half a step from the grandmaster realm; his words were not to be doubted.

That he treated this matter so gravely proved the one who had wielded the sword here was a figure beyond imagining.

While he marveled, he looked up at the mountain range ahead.

Suddenly, the old man started, then rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Lord Guo? What is it?” asked the man, puzzled.

The old man extended his trembling right hand, pointing skyward, and asked in disbelief,

“Yuan Yi, look at Scarlet Pine Mountain—is that someone flying?”

Someone flying over the mountain?

Zhang Yuan Yi felt a surge of incredulity, but followed the direction of the old man’s gesture.

Before them, peaks rose one after another, with the main summit of Scarlet Pine towering into the clouds.

And atop the peak, above the clouds, there were indeed several figures, drifting freely upon the wind! It was as if they strolled atop a celestial mountain, gliding amid the swirling mist.