The galaxy was romantic, the evening breeze blew gently, the girl’s voice echoed softly, and the young man leaned against the railing, listening quietly.
First, a story of the past, then the present.
The relationship between the Wendao Sword Sect and the entire Northern Borders was like two merchants doing business—complementing each other, achieving mutual success and profit.
Across ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers, there were one hundred and eight cities in total.
Each city had a city master.
Additionally, the Supervision Hall was established.
The Wendao Sword Sect did not directly interfere in the affairs of the mortal world, but in the name of the common people, they held a sword over the heads of the city masters to maintain balance.
The tyrannical were cut down.
Those who harmed the people were killed.
Those who exploited the people were executed.
Similar to a disciplinary commission, they held the Imperial Sword, specializing in striking down powerful regional officials.
And the city masters...
They used their authority to balance the four directions, establish rules, maintain order, drive the economy, and care for the masses.
In the one hundred and eight cities, there were one hundred and eight city masters. They were like regional princes, their titles hereditary. The wise were chosen as leaders, and they were all held in check by the Wendao Sword Sect to prevent war.
Even if conflicts occasionally arose, the Wendao Sword Sect would step in to mediate.
Within the ten thousand miles of territory, any mortal was under the protection of the Wendao Sword Sect. Disasters were met with relief, difficulties with aid, and any harassment from demons or beasts was met with swift execution.
And in return...
Throughout the vast territory and its hundred cities, any descendants with exceptional talent would go to the Wendao Sword Sect to participate in the examinations. Those who passed became disciples of the sect.
They would cultivate and attain the Dao within the Wendao Sword Sect, then give back to the mortal world, forming a virtuous cycle...
Thus, the Wendao Sword Sect had stood tall for ten thousand years, and the Northern Borders had developed from the desolate land of the past to a place where humans now numbered in the hundreds of millions.
Nangong Ning said that the pressure on the Wendao Sword Sect had always been immense.
After the Sword Ancestor vanished, as time passed, alien races—demons, beasts, spirits, and ghosts—became restless, frequently causing chaos and provocation in the human world...
And the Southern Borders, also inhabited by humans, had never been peaceful.
Whether it was the Three Sects or the Hundred Schools, or even the secular empires bordering the south, all cast greedy eyes upon the land of the Northern Borders.
They had long ago begun their secret machinations.
Openly and covertly, they intended to encroach upon and dismantle the north.
Although the Wendao Sword Sect did not yield an inch of land, relying on the strength of a single sect was ultimately exhausting.
Furthermore, the Wendao Sword Sect had always loathed conspiracies and schemes, so they naturally suffered losses.
Speaking to this point, Nangong Ning’s tone became exceptionally excited, and within the eyes of this nascent soul expert, a breath of anger brewed.
She said that if the sect’s high-level officials did not want to cause worldwide chaos for the sake of temporary gains and losses—which would bring suffering to the common people and trap the sect in a quagmire while ignoring the alien races—they probably would have started a war with the Central Plains long ago.
But repeated forbearance only invited the other side to intensify their actions.
Especially in recent years, the Cangwu Empire on the border, under the secret instigation and support of the Three Sects and Hundred Schools, had frequently tested and provoked them.
They had illegally occupied more than a hundred miles of Northern Borders territory.
Bloody incidents occurred often.
It was only because both sides tacitly chose not to announce the deaths that things remained quiet.
She also said that her last mission was to expel a Black Armor Cavalry camp of the Cangwu Empire from the border.
As she spoke, Nangong Ning slammed her jade-like hand against the railing, saying indignantly, "The matter in Yecheng might be related to the Cangwu Empire as well. It’s quite possible they’ve colluded with demonic cultivators to harm our Northern Borders people. If I were the one in charge, I would definitely ring the war bell, send a hundred thousand sword cultivators south to the Central Plains, crush the Cangwu Imperial City, and kill the chicken to warn the monkeys. I’d tell that world out there who the master of the Northern Borders is. The swords of my Wendao Sword Sect are far from dull..."
Xu Xian remained silent, his brows furrowed in thought.
One couldn't just look at the surface of things. He could understand Nangong Ning’s anger, but he also knew that since the other side was so blatantly provoking the Wendao Sword Sect, what they wanted was for the sect to enter the fray in anger.
There were surely many twists and turns involved.
Just hearing it, the whole thing reeked of a conspiracy.
If they really fought, they might just fall right into the enemy's trap.
Of course...
This was just his own conjecture.
Right now, he was merely at the foundation establishment stage. Although he was a Martial Grand-Uncle, he was ultimately just an idle person. These major affairs were not yet his concern.
He comforted Nangong Ning with a few words and even adopted the posture of a rustic shrew, cursing the world outside until it was covered in dog blood.
Nangong Ning smiled very sweetly; the best way to communicate was through emotional resonance.
She cursed that world.
Xu Xian also cursed that world.
She felt that Xu Xian was quite good. If he truly took over as Sect Master in the future, he would surely achieve great things.
Invisibly, their relationship grew much closer.
The two talked and laughed until the latter half of the night...
Song Qingshu and Ruan Zhong in the cabin witnessed the entire process.
Ruan Zhong was completely dazed. This was the first time he had seen Nangong Ning talk so much and laugh so much. It was vastly different from the image of the Senior Sister in his memory.
"Brother Song, am I seeing things? Is this still our Senior Sister?"
Song Qingshu squinted his eyes and said warmly, "It seems our Little Grand-Uncle is very good at communicating with people."
Ruan Zhong clicked his tongue. "Hard to say. She might just be attracted to his looks."
Song Qingshu smiled. "As far as I know, Little Grand-Uncle isn't that kind of person."
Ruan Zhong said seriously, "I wasn't talking about Little Grand-Uncle."
Song Qingshu was stunned for a moment, then realized. Covering his forehead, he denied, "Senior Sister Nangong isn't that kind of person either."
"How can you tell?"
Song Qingshu said as if it were obvious, "If Senior Sister were really someone who lusted after beauty, wouldn't she have made a move on me long ago?"
Ruan Zhong didn't speak, he only kept shaking his head and clicking his tongue.
"What do you mean? Am I not handsome?"
"You are good-looking, but you're too effeminate. You don't have a shred of masculinity. What woman would like that..."
Song Qingshu lowered his eyes and didn't get angry, merely saying faintly, "This conversation is over."
Their dialogue naturally fell into Nangong Ning’s ears without missing a single word. Her phoenix-like brows twitched with anger, and her pale cheeks spasmed.
Xu Xian captured this keenly. "What’s wrong?"
Nangong Ning smoothed a strand of long hair and smiled slightly. "Nothing. I just feel like I haven't hit anyone in a long time, and my hands are getting a bit itchy."
Xu Xian felt it was inexplicable and thought the girl’s smile was terrifying, not knowing how to respond.
"Uh."
Nangong Ning said, "It’s getting late. Little Grand-Uncle, you should rest. We’ll be in Yecheng territory in a few hours. We’ll be busy then."
Xu Xian readily agreed.
"Alright!"
Early morning.
As the Cloud Boat passed Yecheng, they heard a disciple from the Merchant Hall strike a copper gong and shout as usual, "Passing Yecheng! Those who need to disembark, hurry up!"
Besides Xu Xian’s group of four, several other disciples walked out of the cabins, thanked the Senior Brother from the Merchant Hall, and flew off on their swords. They likely had come to Yecheng to perform missions just like Xu Xian and the others.
Nangong Ning also exchanged a few pleasantries with the ship's captain from that day. Just as the four were about to leave, the Merchant Hall disciple they had encountered during the day ran over and gave Xu Xian a rolled-up scroll.
"Little brother, this is for you."
Looking at the large man in front of him, Xu Xian was slightly startled.
"This is?"
The big man smiled. "This is a map I drew. There's a village on it called Houdao Village. It’s to the east of the sect. I had to ask a lot of people to find out about it for you. I have to say, your village is really remote. Joining the Wendao Sword Sect must be the pride of your village."
Xu Xian was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked him. "Thank you!"
He then asked for the man's name.
The big man waved his hand and said humorously, "Ai, it's just a small effort, not worth mentioning. A name is just a label. Just call me a Good Man."
Xu Xian didn't insist. He bowed again in thanks and left with the other three.
The big man watched them go, squinting and clicking his tongue. "That lad is quite talented. Back then, I was also the only person in our village to cultivate immortality. That was so impressive."
The captain suddenly stood behind him and asked in a cold, dark tone, "Do you know who that youth is? You're actually calling him brother?"
"I don't know, but everyone in the sect is a brother. It's not easy for those of us out here cultivating. If I can help, I help."
The captain nodded slightly, hesitated, but finally said, "His name is Xu Xian."
"Xu Xian... why does that sound familiar?" The big man was dazed for a moment, then it dawned on him. He said in disbelief, "Xu Xian... Little Grand-Uncle!"
The captain gave him a deep look, said nothing, and walked away.
The man stood frozen on the spot. Thinking about how he had called the Martial Grand-Uncle 'little brother,' punched him in the chest, and even tried to act cool, he felt utterly mortified and slapped his thigh.
"Now I've really embarrassed myself."
The Wendao Sword Sect prioritized seniority, and the hierarchy between elders and juniors was never a joking matter...
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