The Steward Demonic Emperor

Chapter 1120: Way of the Sword

Proofreader: Papatonks

Zhuo Fan pointed at the skinny guy, “And who are you supposed to be? Another one from the seven houses?”

“Uh, I am Xie Nianyang, son of Xie Tianshang, Great Venerable of Sword God Sect from western lands. Grandfather is one of the seven founding elders of the Luo Alliance, Xie Xiaofeng.” He replied with instant respect, feeling the mysterious air around Zhuo Fan.

Zhuo Fan gave a nod, “So I see, descendant of Sword Marquise Abode. Nianyang… missing Yang. Tell me, how’s your uncle Xie Tianyang doing? Does he have any kids?”

“Senior, father told me that uncle chose isolation in the mountains a hundred years ago. We have heard nothing about him ever since. Grandfather is missing him greatly, which is why he gave me this name.”

“The guy hasn’t gone home in a century? He must be quite at ease then, ha-ha-ha…” Zhuo Fan shook his head, a smile of sadness and admiration playing on his lips.

It felt so ironic how others managed to retire with their beloved while fate played cruel jokes on him, robbing him of such peace.

The trio were confused, looking lost and probing, “Senior, do you know our elders?”

“Yeah, we have some history. Why else do you think I allowed brats like you to see me?” Zhuo Fan nodded, “Now, what do you want from me?”

“Uh, blind uncle, well…”

“Blind uncle?”

“I don’t know how to call you, and with the villagers saying you’re a blind swordsmith while close to our fathers, I took the liberty of calling you uncle. Please don’t mind it.”

Luo Sifan looked around, playing the family card, “If you do not like it, how may I call you?”

Qiao’er giggled, “Dad, she’s quite friendly, except for the botched addressing.”

Taking it by rank, with Luo Yunhai seeing Zhuo Fan as a big brother, his daughter calling him uncle was right, though not entirely. It should be great uncle, or some such title instead.

(StarReader: in Chinese, there are terms for every kind of ‘uncle’, coming from a younger brother, elder brother, from the mother’s side. etc)

Zhuo Fan didn’t mind the details, waving her off, “Girl, I saw you as someone from a noble family, but with you trying to cling so hard to me, it’s like seeing the old me in you, ha-ha-ha. You sure take after your father.”

“It’s not from dad, but mother.” Luo Sifan blushed, “Mom said I have to be so blunt and shameless to get in someone’s good graces. It’s how our clan rose.”

“Ha-ha-ha, right you are. Your clan rose on the shoulders of others, and that rotten and shameless… ha-ha-ha.”

Zhuo Fan laughed, thinking of the good old days, feeling so carefree after all these years, “Miss, just say what you want. I’ll help how I can.”

Senior perked up and bowed, “Thank you, uncle. To be honest, blind uncle, my dad’s grand birthday is coming up in two months. I hoped to offer a gift to him, but I came to see he has everything in the world. When I had been passing by this area, I came to know of senior’s extraordinary skills in refining spiritual swords. I have thus come to see uncle with this purpose in mind.”

“My, you’re quite a devoted daughter, going to such lengths for a mere gift.” Zhuo Fan admired her. But then Zhuo Fan whined, “That brat is already enjoying old age? What about mine?”

Dong!

The trio’s jaws hit the floor.

[What the hell? Brat? You’re calling the Luo Alliance Leader a brat? Who is he to be so rude to the strongest power in western lands? Not even Exalted Double Dragons dare slight him…]

Of everyone in the world, the one and only to call Luo Yunhai like that was Zhuo Fan. He’d call him like that even in his old age and the ‘brat’ would have no objection.

Luo Alliance’s elders knew that when it came to right and pulling rank, Zhuo Fan had tons to spare.

As for the trio here, they were oblivious to the true history of their Luo Alliance. They looked up to the Alliance Leader and never saw anyone talk about him like that.

Qiao’er chuckled at their dumb look, “Dad, jealous much? Want me and brother to hold your grand-birthday party?” 

“Whatever, I’m not old just yet. Stop joking about it.”

Zhuo Fan rolled his eyes and shook his head, “But to think that Yunhai brat is getting his grand-birthday party. Thinking back to the first time we met, he was still in diapers, ha-ha-ha…”

The trio’s faces twitched.

[Since he saw Alliance Leader in his childhood, does this make him some core elder? No way, all bigshots in the alliance had status and power in the western lands. As for this coot, he’s but a 5th layer Profound Heaven hermit with a daughter and a son. He’s nothing like an alliance elder should be.]

[Back up! In the Profound Heaven Stage and still in his twenties after a century?] 

The only testament they had to his seniority was the villagers’ word, that he’d been here for decades.

Filled with questions, they just stared at Zhuo Fan with dumb looks.

Zhuo Fan smiled, shouting, “Miss, you want a sword? Take your pick!”

“Thank you, blind uncle.”

Luo Sifan started, then nodded in joy, pulling Xie Nianyang, “Isn’t your clan the best at swordsmanship? Help me look for a great gift for my father.”

“Leave it to me, sister Sifan.”

“Tch!”

Xie Nianyang perked up and nodded, going with her towards the many swords dangling about. Long Jianshan soured and huffed behind them. 

Upon a much closer look at the spiritual swords, Xie Nianyang’s heart jumped in amazement, his eyes gleaming.

“Have you had enough gawking? Just pick one and leave, humph!” Long Jianshan grumbled, with Luo Sifan staring hopefully, “How is it, Xie Nianyang, have you found any good one?”

“Amazing, simply incredible! All, without exceptions, are exquisite swords. What’s really strange is the feeling I get from them. Like this 1st grade spiritual sword looks far more precious than even a 9th grade spiritual sword. I just don’t know which to pick, a 1st grade or a 9th grade…”

“The 9th, of course. You can’t go gifting a mere 1st grade to Clan Head!”

Long Jianshan condescended, “What sword clan are you even to not make such basic judgment? If you ask me, just take the highest grade and be done with. That’s the 9th grade, right? Pick whatever and let’s be off!” 

“B-but I feel the 1st grade is better…”

“Rubbish, what 1st grade out there is better than a 9th grade? Are you touched in the head?”

Xie Nianyang couldn’t make up his mind, while Long Jianshan snapped back in annoyance, “Sister Sifan, see that? This guy only knows how to brag about his clan’s swordsmanship, but he can’t even tell the difference between 1st grade and 9th. Why did you go ask him for help? Ha-ha-ha, how utterly absurd. Want me to help you instead?” 

“No choosing is necessary, not when any one of my swords are perfect. Xie Nianyang is confused precisely because he knows swords very well.”

Zhuo Fan smiled and walked among the dangling swords, tracing their blades, “Swords are like people, unique and having character; be it 1st or 9th grade. Each sword has its own way. Not using the right way or skills with the sword, the wielder and the weapon grow apart, unable to grow or cooperate. The opposite applies just as well.

“Xie Nianyang is hesitating between 1st and 9th grade spiritual swords since he is a true descendant of the Sword Marquise Abode, ha-ha-ha. I’ve forged that particular spiritual sword three years back. This 1st grade spiritual sword took me three months to shape it. Whenever I gain newfound understanding into the way of the sword, I forge from the 1st grade to the 12th. I repeat the process with every discovery to understand the sword’s essence. This 9th grade only has a high grade while the sword way within leaves much to be desired. While the 1st grade one is far more suited for cultivation and enlightenment.”

“Please, spiritual swords are nothing but weapons, tools. First time I’m hearing that weapons can help your cultivation.” Long Jianshan dismissed the lecture with a snide remark.

Zhuo Fan smirked, “I was the same once. The ignorant will never get to see the truth. The sword won’t ever open up to you, you who isn’t going to see it as your friend. The sword is the king of weapons, it has its own pride. By not responding with sincerity, you will never see its heart. For this reason, many swordsmen have a shallow understanding of it. To go further on this path, one needs not just perception and talent, but also sincerity.”