Chapter 0: 9. Silent Sword Scripture
The questions presented by the jade box afterward were considerably simpler.
For instance, the ‘Ban Qin Saber’ was personally forged by Qin Gou, who, through extensive practice with his greatly adored White Tiger junior sister, Jing Liyu, had achieved an exceptionally high level of artifact refinement. It was also revealed that the relationship between the Nine Saint Monarch and her father, Luo Cangming, was not the irreconcilable animosity the world perceived, but rather a form of disguised protection.
Qin Gou answered all these questions with ease.
Finally, Qin Gou personally opened the tightly shut jade box.
Inside, there were not many items: only a round, clear, and luminous pearl and a letter, exceptionally well-protected by spiritual power and appearing brand new.
Qin Gou was the first to notice that the jade bead contained a rich aura of the Dragon Race, strikingly similar to the dragon pearls given to him by Banwei and Qingyu. This was highly likely to be the dragon pearl that rightfully belonged to the Nine Saint Monarch herself.
The unharmed dragon pearl also signified that she was safe.
Turning to the letter, it was adorned with a somewhat unconventional artistic style, utilizing numerous small circles to form a pattern resembling a pyramid. The closing stroke consisted of only two elegant, small characters:
‘Wait for me’
A look of bewilderment crossed Qin Gou’s eyes. He took a deep breath, beginning to feel that Luo Wei Ban’s instruction—’This item can only be opened once memory is restored’—held profound truth.
At this moment, Qin Gou felt akin to someone who had accidentally pressed the spacebar during a game’s cutscene, thus skipping a crucial plot explanation. He found it difficult to grasp the true meaning behind Luo Wei Ban’s words within a short span of time.
“Master, the Saint Monarch also said that after the jade box is opened, she hopes you will take good care of its contents,” Zhao Xinting said.
“Your master understands,” Qin Gou replied with a solemn nod, his gaze returning to the two small characters.
He did not know where the Nine Saint Monarch of this world had gone. However, he soon realized she must be striving relentlessly for something that concerned them both. Simultaneously, the pure and innocent smile of Little Banwei flashed in his mind. He also recalled what Old Pal had said about the approaching optimal time for the Saint Monarch’s revival.
At that time, he could naturally inquire about these matters directly from the Saint Monarch. And this time, he would remain by her side, personally welcoming her awakening.
…
At the banquet commemorating the reunion of master and disciples.
Qin Gou clinked glasses with Xinting, Qishuang, and the others. Debt Girl opted for tea instead of alcohol. It was unclear whether this was due to a sudden burst of conscience and a return to the strict rules of Fusheng Nunnery, or if she was acutely aware of her unruly behavior when drunk, especially with Xinting and Qishuang present. These two, who never indulged her, were formidable opponents, and she knew she couldn’t afford to provoke their combined might in a two-on-one situation.
The topic everyone discussed with the most enthusiasm was Qin Yuan’s childhood anecdotes.
From being a tomboy who would play until she was covered in dirt every day from the age of three or four, to a silly little girl at eight or nine who would lift her skirt and use the hem to fan herself.
And after starting cultivation, she became fond of challenging Zhao Xinting to sparring matches. The first time she saw the ferocious spider spears behind the ‘Mother of Cursed Gods’ Dharma Image of Qishuang, she was so scared she rolled around. When racing Debt Girl, she was dumbfounded. Then there were her later-developing voluptuous curves and her proud yet self-deprecating Aunt Yi…
The astute and capable A’Yuan of today had such adorable, mischievous childhood moments. Old Qin listened with immense enjoyment.
At the same time, he also began to share some of his own experiences.
As the conversation flowed, Qin Gou asked, “By the way, Xinting, do you know a female cultivator named ‘Li Yuanzhen’?”
“Li Yuanzhen?”
Zhao Xinting nodded slightly. “Master, the current leader of the blood alliance between the three sects—Sword Questioning Sect, Linjiang Immortal Nunnery, and Dark Holy Land. I’m afraid there isn’t a cultivator in the cultivation world today who hasn’t heard her name.”
“Indeed, let alone the cultivation world. Even some ordinary pilgrims who visit our Fusheng Nunnery know of her deeds. The saying, ‘If you ask who Li Yuanzhen is, I am not familiar. But what is the Righteous Path? Li Yuanzhen is.’ is widely spread.”
Debt Girl also chimed in with admiration, “This Fellow Daoist Li is truly an extraordinary woman.”
Hearing this, Qin Gou’s expression was quite fascinating. He gave a dry laugh. “A’Yuan has mentioned this matter to me to some extent. However, what I’m curious about is how Li Yuanzhen managed to reach this point today? How can she simultaneously command three major sects of the cultivation world! As far as I know, the Sword Questioning Sect and Linjiang Immortal Nunnery were never on good terms.”
“Xinting also doesn’t know how she transformed decay into divinity, but perhaps this is Fellow Daoist Li’s unique ability, to achieve what ordinary people cannot.”
Zhao Xinting thought for a moment and then added, “Many years ago, due to some conflicts and disputes with the Sword Questioning Sect, I personally took action to temporarily immobilize Fellow Daoist Li. My intention was to increase my bargaining chips in negotiations with the Sword Questioning Sect. However, to my surprise, Fellow Daoist Li, with just her Dao Comprehension Realm cultivation at the time, miraculously escaped my sect.”
“Her experiences are indeed peculiar. And after thinking it over, among the cultivators from these renowned major sects, it seems only this Fellow Daoist Li, with her naturally enlightened Sword Heart and upright character, is qualified to achieve such a status today?” Debt Girl analyzed alongside.
Upon hearing this, Qin Gou’s reaction became increasingly one of not knowing whether to laugh or cry. “Ahem, Xinting, Qian Yue, you don’t need to say more. Master understands everything now.”
The case was completely solved.
At this very moment, in this room, the only one who truly understood Li Xiaogou was Qin Gou. Furthermore, they were unaware that Black Robe had also had a secret acquaintance with this world’s Li Yuanzhen long ago.
Even in the illusionary realm Qin Gou experienced during his Eternal Seal Ice imprisonment, akin to a dream imparted by Black Robe, he had seen that before Black Robe was about to complete his goal of breaking all barriers and becoming a protective entity similar to a Dharma Image for A’Yuan, he and Li Yuanzhen had met and bid farewell alone.
A fairy who had repeatedly severed her past but always pursued the traces of the Demon Master, and the fiend who had never harmed her.
At this point, Xiao Shuang’er suddenly remembered something and said with a chuckle, “By the way, speaking of this Li Yuanzhen, I recently heard an interesting anecdote about her. It is said that this Fellow Daoist Li has become the first cultivator in nearly a thousand years for the Sword Questioning Sect to successfully comprehend the ‘Silent Sword Scripture’.”
“Silent Sword Scripture?”
“Yes. This profound technique was created by the founding ancestor of the Sword Questioning Sect. However, for many years, none of the myriad disciples of the Sword Questioning Sect have been able to decipher it. Only the current Fellow Daoist Li seems to have made some progress. If she truly succeeds, her cultivation will undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds.”
Ye Qishuang immediately explained, “As for how this matter gradually spread and came to my knowledge, it’s because the ‘Silent Sword Scripture,’ as its name suggests, once one truly begins to cultivate it, until the profound technique is fully integrated, Fellow Daoist Li will be unable to speak or communicate with others through sound transmission during this period. Such an abnormal state is something no one can conceal.”
“Meaning, for a period of time, Yuan Zhen cannot open her mouth to speak to anyone?”
“Precisely.”
“Unbelievable…”
A Li Yuanzhen who couldn’t open her mouth to cause trouble – would she still be Old Qin’s dog?
For a moment, Qin Gou was utterly shocked. “In that case, won’t that wench truly become some kind of pure and chaste celestial maiden saintess?”
