The Blade-Wielding Legend

Dead?

As Li Yan heard the news, he was momentarily stupefied.

"Of course he is dead."

Li Gui grumbled, "Yuan Xizhong, that bastard, was older than me and was left wounded all over his body after pacifying the rebellion at the Northern Border."

"Ten years ago, I heard he was bedridden, suffered for three solid years before he died, looking nothing but skin and bones by the end. His children were good for nothing, committed grave crimes, and were executed along with his entire family; he deserved such a fate!"

So that's how it is…

After listening, Li Yan scratched his head, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

The sensation was like setting out to hack someone, only to find they had already been crushed to death by a cart.

Unable to contain himself, Li Yan asked again, "What exactly happened at that time?"

His grandfather, Li Gui, smoked silently for a long time before finally opening his mouth, "Well, it's been so long, and I've no wish to keep it to myself and meet King Yan with it."

"Back then, we had reached between the white mountains and dark waters, defeating the rebellious Commander Guo Mao at the Northern Border who incited the rebellion, along with several invading foreign tribes."

"Because of the confrontational stances between the previous dynasty and the Jin Tent Khanate to the north and south of the Northern Border, there were many Han villages, Yuan Xizhong, for some insane reason, burned down every village along the way, not sparing even the sick and elderly of the Han people…"

"A few old comrades and I merely voiced our objections, and we were publicly whipped ten times by him and ridiculed verbally…"

"If it had only been that, it would have been one thing. The horrors of war claimed the lives of countless innocent victims, but when a group of royal Jurchen was fleeing, he acted blind and turned a blind eye…"

"After the event, we tried to inform General Zhang about this matter but were barred from the camp. Yuan Xizhong obstructed us once again, ascending steadily through the ranks while we could only return to our fields."

"Ah, the court is treacherous, the pugilistic world is perilous, but what's wrong with living out my days peacefully as an ordinary man…"

So, that's how it is.

Li Yan was thoughtful, feeling something was amiss.

According to his grandfather, Yuan Xizhong was only a subordinate commander during the pacification of the Northern Border, and his rise to power and wealth came later.

The court granted plaques, magicians meddled, and the precious Three Talents Demon Suppression Coin…

These were certainly not within Yuan Xizhong's abilities.

The culprit of the curse must be someone else.

What feud would cause someone to go to such great lengths?

"Grandfather, what about your old comrades?"

"In the first few years after I returned to our hometown, we occasionally exchanged letters, but later we lost contact; I fear the old are gone, and the dead are dead, likely not many left…"

As he said this, the old man couldn't help but sigh wistfully.

Looking toward the distance, puffing on his pipe, he seemed to fall into reminiscence.

Li Yan didn't ask any further.

He was already certain that there was more to the story.

Of course, he wasn't planning on telling his grandfather.

The old man was already advanced in age and frail. He had just managed to rid himself of a curse and let go of the past. If he learned that his son's death was manipulated by someone, possibly related to himself, it could cause issues.

To put it plainly, with demons and ghosts in this world, if the old man died with resentment, he would not rest in peace, and that would be Li Yan's burden.

Such vendettas were for the younger generation to resolve!

After skillfully changing the subject, Li Yan returned to his room, casually whipped up a couple of dishes, and enjoyed a few drinks with his grandfather.

He appeared nonchalant, but he had already made a resolute decision.

The perpetrator of the curse would eventually appear, and when they did, he would repay them twofold.

But right now, the most pressing matter was to enter the Mystical Sect.

According to Du Daya, Sha Lifei knew these people.

Yet, he wasn't rushing to find Sha Lifei.

The reason was simple, with the summer harvest approaching, the man would surely show up…

…

Speaking of which, the Li family and Sha Lifei had some connections.

Sha Lifei's real name was Sha Guangsheng.

An old saying goes, those who roam the pugilistic world seek either profit or fame.

That is, to make a name for oneself.

But reputation, more often than not, is accorded by others. For example, Li Yan's father, Li Hu, received the nickname "Sick Tiger," implying he was unassuming normally but ferocious and tyrannical once provoked.

As for the name "Sha Lifei," he chose it himself.

It sounded imposing, but those who knew the ropes took him as a joke.

However, the man was quite crafty, adept at sailing with the wind and catering to the powerful, well-acquainted with the rules of the pugilistic world, hence he never suffered much.

Gradually, "Sha Lifei" became his recognized name, to the extent that many forgot his real name…

Being a bladesman was not all about hacking at people daily.

In the pugilistic world, gaining a good reputation, making connections, and being resourceful were all important.

Even though the business of risking one's neck for money was lucrative, there wasn't always an opportunity to make such money, after all, it wasn't a time of chaos.

Moreover, a renowned bladesman always found patrons.

But those novice youngsters just starting out or old bladesmen who couldn't make a name had to find other ways to survive; they couldn't just starve to death.

There were generally three paths for them.

One was to follow famous bladesmen, escorting valuables, guarding gang territories, or trafficking in private salt.

Two was to become a bandit. Some of the famous brigands on the Guanzhong roads had once been bladesmen, either unwilling to work hard for their money or loathe to live under others, preferring to rob with their blades.

Three was to be a lone ranger, taking on whatever they could before making a name.

Like his father, when young, had organized wheat-cutters from nearby villages during the wheat harvest season.

It was an old custom.

Nearly every group of wheat-cutters was led by a bladesman, not only to land profitable jobs but also to deter landlords from reneging on their deals.

Of course, there was also a cut for themselves.

Plainly speaking, it was somewhat like being a contractor.

After Li Hu became well-known, he continued with these jobs.

According to him, he wasn't interested in those meager profits; he mainly wanted to protect his fellow villagers and maintain a good reputation, avoiding idle gossip.

Even later on, he only helped secure work and never took money for himself.

After his father died, the wheat buyers from several villages lost their leader.

It was at this time that Sha Lifei came knocking.

Aside from the martial arts passed down in his family, his father had also learned to wield blades from a renowned old bladesman. Sha Lifei had been one of the disciples as well, making them fellows in the same sect.

But later on, they took different paths.

His father made quite a name for himself.

Sha Lifei, however, continued to wander about the villages in Guanzhong, making money from the common people based on a certain reputation, not daring to get close to Chang'an City.

Leading the wheat buyers was indeed a chunky piece of meat that he naturally didn't want to miss.

As for the annual visits, they were a rule in the pugilistic world.

At each place, he had to pay homage, showing that he was freeload on someone else's territory and then also taking advantage of being from the same sect, he was supposed to offer something each year.

Considering Sha Lifei's slippery nature, he wouldn't give anyone something to hold against him.

Of course, each time he just carelessly brought along some pastries to brush it off.

Calculating the time, he should be arriving soon…

…

The next day, a rider came flying down the official road.

The horse was a chestnut with an old but wise look.

A man sat on it, dressed in grey cloth and black trousers, large in stature, with dual swords at his waist, his face full of scars, sporting a full beard, which made him appear very valiant.

What attracted the most attention was his bald head.

Shiny and gleaming, it even reflected the sun.

"It's Sha Lifei!"

"It's Sha Lifei!"

A few naughty children at the entrance of Li Family Castle shouted upon seeing him.

Not to mention anything else, Sha Lifei certainly had an appealing presence.

At least to these children, he appeared to be a heroic figure in the pugilistic world, causing them all to cheer with faces bright red.

In their eyes, he was truly a gallant man of the pugilistic world.

The village's Li Yan was also a bladesman but looked more delicate and handsome than those artistic aristocrats and pretty boys in the dramas, and was even trickier and scrappier, nothing like a gallant man.

"Ha ha ha..."

Upon hearing the children cheering, Sha Lifei felt delighted and laughed heartily.

He pulled the reins, causing the chestnut horse to neigh and stand up, then charged into the village with a whoosh, as the children clapped continuously.

The horse trotted past the yellow dirt, and two copper coins clinked as they fell.

An exuberant voice lingered in the air:

"Kids, take this and buy some candy."

After Sha Lifei entered the village, he first rode the horse around while ringing a copper gong, "Listen, everyone, if you want to make some money, bring your tools and follow me tomorrow morning!"

A wheat buyer's essential set included a sickle, a whetstone, and a bedroll.

This year there was a shortage of hands, and the employers were willing to pay well.

This news was already well-known, so those who wanted to earn some money had their tools and dried food ready.

They were heading towards Xianyang and Xingping areas.

If they moved quickly, after finishing the work there, they could return just in time for their own wheat harvest.

When they heard Sha Lifei's voice, many people came out to ask:

"Big Hero Sha, how much will you pay this year?"

"Big Hero Sha, are any jobs already secured?"

Although the name "Big Hero" pleased Sha Lifei, he still kept a stern face and touching his bald head, he scolded:

"What's the use of asking so much, follow me, Sha Lifei, and you won't lack meat to eat!"

After saying that, he jumped off the horse and casually threw the reins aside.

"Tie it to the post, and make sure to feed the horse well."

After this order, he took a package of snacks wrapped in oil paper from the saddle, humming a tune and walked towards Li Yan's house.

Just as he reached the entrance, he met Old Master Li Gui who was about to go out to play chess.

Sha Lifei laughed heartily and said with a bow, "Old Master Li is in good health, I've come to visit you, this is Osmanthus cake from the Xiangyuan Building in Chang'an, a fine delicacy indeed."

"It's fine, just don't come next year!"

Li Gui huffed, leaning on his cane and walked away.

The old man didn't have a high opinion of Sha Lifei, finding him too slick and full of nonsense.

Osmanthus cakes from Xiangyuan Building…

Such a fine item would first be eaten by Sha Lifei himself until he was full; he wouldn't care to give it away. It was clearly some random purchase from Lantian County, just to bluff.

Most importantly, this person only visited as a formality.

Only to amplify his own fame, causing a big stir each time.

Sha Lifei, thick-skinned as he was, didn't mind at all seeing the old man's reaction. He laughed heartily and entered the house with his package.

Li Yan was practicing martial arts, performing a fierce "Tiger Climbing the Wall" followed by a twist of the body, lifting his left elbow in a move "Leaf Hiding the Flower."

"Great!"

Sha Lifei applauded, a trace of admiration flitting across his eyes.

He too practiced Red Fist and had spent many years in the pugilistic world with a discerning eye.

Even though the adage of Red Fist stated, "Hands are like doors, legs do the beating," and "Hands contribute three parts, legs seven parts," the technique of the hands was critical.

Thus, the propping and clouding hands could defeat anyone in the world.

Li Binghu's son, so young yet deeply skilled, moving with roaring fists and exploding sinews, had reached the peak of clear strength.

In the future, he might be even fiercer than his father!

Sha Lifei was already regretting a bit inside, planning to bring some decent pastries next year when visiting.

Continuing to bluff might turn into a problem later.

With this thought, he patted his bald head and laughed, "Brother Yan, you're busy, I have other matters to attend, so I won't disturb you further."

After saying this, he put down the things and was about to leave.

Li Yan finally spoke with a smile:

"Uncle Sha, no need to rush off, I wanted to ask you something."