Chapter 68: The Two Great Clans of Swordsmanship

Jiang Yao held the golden lamb shank in her hands but hesitated to take a bite. She simply stared at it, as if the shimmering leg itself had captured her attention. Only after a long while did Jiang Yao finally lift her head to gaze at the old man named Jiang, who sat nearby, one hand gripping a lamb shank and the other holding a wine jug, clearly enjoying both with great satisfaction. In a serious tone, she said, “Senior, there’s no need for this. Though I am displeased with your actions today, I will not dwell on it.”

The withered old man, his face nearly distorted by the mouthfuls of lamb, mumbled through the meat, “It’s nothing, really. It’s just that you’re the only girl here—so I thought you should have the first bite.”

Jiang Yao said nothing more, quietly beginning to eat, chewing slowly and delicately, utterly unlike the others, who tore into their portions in great, hearty bites. She only nibbled at the edges, and soon, after leaving just a few small bite marks on the golden lamb shank, she handed it over to Qin Yi, looking at him as if giving him no choice but to accept.

No matter how delicious the lamb was, Jiang Yao’s appetite was small, and she was never fond of oily food.

Qin Yi accepted the golden shank with a smile and began to eat heartily. He had to admit, perhaps due to the old man’s years wandering and having to fend for himself, the roasted lamb tasted extraordinary. Now Qin Yi no longer doubted that the old man had only been teasing them earlier. As he gulped down purple rice wine and tore into the crispy, tender shank, he mumbled, “This lamb is incredible, Old Jiang!”

Rather than being pleased, Old Jiang shook his head and sighed, “Ruined, utterly ruined.”

Qin Yi rolled his eyes. “If it’s ruined, it’s because we were happy to do it.”

Their banter drew hearty laughter from the group.

Then Old Jiang turned to Jiang Fengnian and asked, “Why have you been following us all this way? Don’t just say it’s on your route—I don’t buy it.”

Jiang Fengnian replied with a smile, “There’s another friend of mine at Fish-Dragon Fort. I was hoping to accompany him back to the Dao Palace.”

“Would that be Brother Yunfei?” Zhang Chen asked curiously. He could only think of Yunfei, who, like Lord Nan Shen, was a disciple of the Dao Palace, as a possible acquaintance.

Jiang Fengnian nodded with a smile. “Indeed, it’s Brother Yunfei.”

Qin Yi was surprised. He hadn’t expected Brother Yunfei to befriend someone like Lord Nan Shen. Jiang Fengnian was known for his good temperament; it was unremarkable to meet him, but for him to consider you a friend, to visit and travel together, was no small feat.

Jiang Fengnian continued, “Brother Yunfei is, after all, a well-known figure in the Dao Palace, and highly esteemed by the High Priest. We’ve known each other for years.”

That gave Qin Yi pause. To be awarded a title in the Dao Palace required significant reputation and the approval of its highest ranks. To have the favor of the High Priest—the current Sage of the Human Race—was even more astonishing. There was only ever one Sage at a time, always a direct descendant of the Sage Master, the very foundation of their people and the Dao Palace.

Jiang Fengnian then asked, “Senior, where do you hail from?”

Old Jiang, uncharacteristically subdued, gazed at the waning moon above and replied, “Central Continent.”

Jiang Fengnian pressed on, “Might you be of the Jiang family?”

Old Jiang shook his head, his tone tinged with sorrow. “I have had no kin for many years. I live alone in this world.”

His words brought silence to the group, especially to Jiang Yao and Qin Yi, both orphans themselves; they felt the desolation in his voice.

After a lengthy silence, Jiang Fengnian finally said apologetically, “Forgive me, I spoke out of turn.”

Old Jiang regained his usual composure, looking at Jiang Fengnian with interest. “Do you think only Qishan Sword Pool and the Jiang family can produce swordsmen like me?”

Jiang Fengnian smiled wryly. “It’s just that the Sword Pool’s enduring legacy even our Dao Palace cannot rival, and the Jiang family’s patriarch is truly remarkable.”

“Bah!” Old Jiang spat, sending bits of lamb spraying, and scoffed, “Enduring, perhaps, but I’ve never seen it so glorious! Even if all nine swordsmen of Qishan fought together, they wouldn’t best me alone. What use is such endurance?”

Jiang Fengnian could only smile helplessly. No matter how skilled this senior was, there was no need to belittle the nine elders of Qishan so thoroughly.

Qin Yi set down his jug and couldn’t help himself. “Old Jiang, don’t boast too much! Everyone knows the nine swordsmen of Qishan are paragons of the sword. You’re powerful, yes, but to say all nine together aren’t your match—that’s too much!”

Old Jiang didn’t even glance at Qin Yi, but pointed to Jiang Yao beside him. “What do you know, you brat? If this girl would study the sword with me for a few years, when she enters the Dao Realm one day, the nine swordsmen of Qishan would have to call her ‘Grandmaster’!”

Qin Yi was at a complete loss for words.

Jiang Yao, however, was not pleased by the old man’s praise. Instead, she bristled, “Who are you calling Grandmaster?”

Old Jiang realized he’d let something slip and promptly shut his mouth, eyeing Jiang Yao for a long time. Seeing she wasn’t truly angry, he changed the subject with a scoff. “As for the Jiang family, I look down on them even more. So what if they have an illustrious ancestor? The family now doesn’t even have a single promising sword prodigy. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here looking for this girl; I’d simply pick a disciple from there, and those people would be overjoyed.”

Qin Yi’s eyes lit up at this. He looked to Old Jiang expectantly, “Then, senior, you must know Jiang Yao is gravely poisoned.”

Old Jiang’s face flushed under Qin Yi’s gaze. “Of course I know, but I’m just a swordsman—I can’t cure such poison. However…” He paused, his eyes flickering toward the little white creature sleeping soundly in Jiang Yao’s arms, but said no more.

Jiang Fengnian narrowed his eyes at this.

Qin Yi exchanged a glance with Jiang Yao, both understanding.

Zhang Chen and He An also understood.

Only the old coachman continued eating roasted lamb, oblivious.

After some time, Jiang Yao finally smiled and said, “Senior, don’t worry about me. I can still suppress the poison within me, and even during its attacks, it’s nothing I can’t withstand.” She looked at Old Jiang, her gaze complicated. Could it be that the strange creature in Little White’s belly was connected to Old Jiang? Was it possible that Old Jiang and that rainbow-clad woman had been chasing Little White for the treasure it carried? And if so, was it all for her sake?