Chapter 48: Is It a Blade, or a Sword?

Bamboo Grove Society Headquarters.

At the uppermost pavilion, the thousand-bamboo chamber, the leader Xiao Wanli sat at the seat of honor, flanked by the two vice leaders, Zhou Qun and Wei Junkun. Several protectors and elders were also present.

“So, according to your account, all the events at Phoenix Water Stream were caused by that ghost ship?” Xiao Wanli looked at Ning Xiu and asked.

“That is indeed the case.” Ning Xiu nodded, his expression calm. “Every night, countless dried corpses appear along the banks of Phoenix Water Stream—no matter how many you kill, they never cease. Moreover, there are also issues with the alluvial gold from the stream. I believe you are already aware of the details.”

Xiao Wanli inclined his head with a slight smile. “Well then, you’ve worked hard on this matter. Go and rest.”

It was clear Xiao Wanli was in high spirits. Ning Xiu’s involvement had disrupted Zhou Qun’s plans, leaving the elder’s seat vacant, which meant there would be opportunities to place his own people in the future.

Of course, Zhou Qun was not about to let Ning Xiu off so easily. If not for Ning Xiu, his nephew would already have secured the elder’s seat.

“Steward Ning was full of confidence before setting out, even vowing to avenge Elder Yan. If it had been me, I would have been too ashamed to return.” Zhou Qun, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up.

Ning Xiu raised his head and met Zhou Qun’s gaze, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “Personnel transfers are the leader’s decision, Vice Leader Zhou. I don’t believe it’s your place to interfere. As for the culprit, I’ve already found them for you. Shouldn’t a vice leader champion our brothers? Why don’t you give it a try?”

“Insolence!” Zhou Qun’s face darkened as he barked a reprimand.

“That’s enough. We’re all working for the good of the Bamboo Grove Society. Take a step back, both of you. Let’s leave the matter here.” Xiao Wanli interjected at just the right moment.

Ning Xiu cast Zhou Qun a glance, then turned and left.

“Since you are no longer an elder, you ought to return what does not belong to you. The cultivation manual from the third floor of the library—please return it by the end of today.” Zhou Qun’s voice suddenly sounded from behind.

Ning Xiu turned, focusing on him for a moment before replying, “Very well.”

“Vice Leader Zhou, aren’t you going too far? Steward Ning not only uncovered the origins of the ghostly happenings at Phoenix Water Stream, but also discovered the problem with the gold. That’s a great merit for our society. If you want to block him from the elder’s seat, I won’t argue, since that was agreed upon beforehand. But to fuss over a single cultivation manual? That will truly chill our brothers’ hearts,” Su Lie interjected coldly.

“Rules are the cornerstone of order. It’s not that I am unforgiving, but those are the regulations. I’m certain Leader Xiao agrees with me,” Zhou Qun replied with a faint laugh.

Xiao Wanli pondered for a moment before saying, “Vice Leader Zhou is correct, but Protector Su also has a point. The manual must be returned. As for the merit Steward Ning has earned, I will see that he is compensated in other ways.”

No one could find fault with Xiao Wanli’s decision, and in his view, this was also an opportunity to win Ning Xiu over—though that was only his assumption.

Ning Xiu had already mastered the “Blood Ignition Method,” so returning the manual meant nothing to him. Still, Zhou Qun’s pettiness did leave a trace of irritation in his heart.

Upon returning to his own courtyard, Ning Xiu began to take stock of his gains from the Phoenix Water Stream mission.

The number displayed on the blood-red crystal was an astonishing seventy thousand. However, with his previous experience, Ning Xiu remained calm.

He opened the system and chose a tenfold draw.

The familiar scene unfolded: rows of treasure chests of indeterminate quality were lined up, to be opened one by one from left to right.

“Congratulations, host, you have received three fragments of the Wudang Cloud-Stepping Technique.”

“Congratulations, host, you have obtained Butcher Zhang’s Cleaver.”

“Congratulations, host, you have obtained Lady Gongsun’s Embroidered Shoes.”

“Congratulations, host, you have received a bowl of beef soup personally cooked by Mistress Beef Soup.”

“Congratulations, host, you have received two fragments of the Quanzhen Heart Technique.”

“Congratulations, host, you have obtained one Lin Shiyin Wooden Carving.”

…

As the system notifications flashed by, Ning Xiu’s face remained utterly impassive.

So much disappointment had numbed him. He merely glanced, then continued his tenfold draws. The first four rounds yielded mostly useless junk; the occasional technique fragments were all one-star skills, of little use to him now.

It was not until the fiftieth draw that his luck finally changed—he obtained a complete cultivation technique!

“Item: Holy Spirit Sword Technique—Sword of Sentiment.”

“Type: Technique.”

“Grade: Two-star, mid-tier second-rate sword technique.”

“Notes: A swordplay co-created by Sword Sage Dugu and Miyamoto Yueling, comprising eighteen forms. The technique is extremely swift and ferocious.”

Although he didn’t draw any more complete high-grade techniques, he did obtain several other valuable items.

“Item: Golden Mara Flower Poison.”

“Type: Poison.”

“Grade: Three-star.”

“Notes: A toxin extracted from the Golden Mara Flower.”

“Additional Note: ‘Mara’ is a Sanskrit term meaning ‘demon;’ hence, the Golden Mara Flower is also called the ‘Demon Flower.’”

“Item: Sword of Reminiscence.”

“Type: Weapon.”

“Grade: Three-star, famed weapon.”

“Notes: Reminiscence of the world’s edge, of people and of time—what, in the end, is being retained? Is it a blade or a sword?”

According to the system, weapons in the world fell into five categories. The lowest was “common weaponry,” used by ordinary martial artists. Next was “refined steel weapons,” forged from hundred-refined steel, the typical choice of skilled fighters. Ning Xiu’s previous weapons belonged to this category.

Above this were the “famed weapons,” all crafted by master smiths with rare materials. Each famed weapon possessed unique traits beyond the mere sharpness of refined steel arms.

Ning Xiu examined the weapon in his hand. Named a sword, it resembled a blade—a truly peculiar design.

The hilt made up a third of the sword’s length; the guard was slightly rounded, and the scabbard bore an ancient elegance. The blade itself was hidden, but the hilt curved gently, ending in a blade-like tip that emitted a faint jade-green glow. At first glance, it appeared both sword and saber, fused together. In truth, the hilt was not a sword hilt but a small curved knife, as delicate as a woman’s finely arched brow.

The importance of a weapon to a martial artist was self-evident. With a famed weapon, dealing with corpse puppets would be far easier.

Beyond famed weapons were the “treasured arms.” At that level, weapons were no longer mundane—they possessed spirit, could affect the very forces of nature, and wielded all manner of supernatural power.

At the pinnacle were the “divine weapons,” which even contained the principles of law themselves. Of course, obtaining one was no easier than acquiring a five-star divine-level technique.

For now, such things remained only in Ning Xiu’s imagination.