Chapter 5: The Terrifying Sword Character

“What a polite young lady—she must have been raised well.” Watching the departing figure of Mu Wanqing, Chen Changsheng smiled faintly.

Yet the little girl beside him blinked her lively eyes, her thoughts wandering elsewhere. “Daddy, Sister Mu is so beautiful, and you’re so handsome. I think you two would make a perfect couple.”

“Die’er, she’s a celestial being who moves among the clouds, while your father is just an ordinary man. We walk different paths. I’ve told you before, haven’t I? We’ll live out our days here in seclusion, father and daughter, not envying those immortals. Have you forgotten?”

Though those were the words that left Chen Changsheng’s lips, inwardly he was cursing that wretched system. If only it had taught him how to cultivate, he too would be among the illustrious by now.

“I haven’t forgotten, Daddy!” the little girl said hastily, straightening her back and puffing out her small chest.

“Very good.” Satisfied with her response, Chen Changsheng took her hand and began walking down the mountain. “Come, Die’er, let’s go to Qingshui Town to buy some saplings. Planting trees will help calm the heart.”

…

Mu Wanqing made her way back toward the Heavenly Cloud Sect.

The events of the day had shaken her to her core.

To break through while drinking water, to break through again by eating fish, and to casually write a single character that radiated sword intent as vast as the ocean—today, she had truly glimpsed what it meant to be a master.

She thought again of the character for “sword” she had received. Unwilling to admit defeat, she took it out once more. This was a treasure bestowed by a hidden master—if she could glean nothing from it, it could only mean she was too dull-witted.

Eagerly, she unfolded the paper and composed herself, focusing intently on the character.

Almost at once, she felt it come alive, as though a peerless swordsman were performing before her. The movements of the sword melded perfectly with the ways of nature, becoming one with heaven and earth—utterly flawless.

A torrent of sword intent surged from the character, crashing against her very soul.

Her spirit trembled, wracked with pain.

“I must endure!” she gritted her teeth. She believed that if she could just withstand the onslaught, she would glimpse the truth hidden within the character.

But—

“Ah!” she cried out as the sword intent blasted her away. She crashed to the ground amid swirling dust, the paper slipping from her grasp.

“I refuse to believe this!”

Mu Wanqing, stubborn as ever, picked herself up, snatched up the character, and channeled her spiritual power, gazing at it once more.

“I will hold on. I must uncover its true meaning!”

Yet she lasted less than half a minute before the sword intent sent her flying again, this time tumbling over ten meters away.

Her white dress was in tatters, her fair skin exposed, and she looked utterly wretched.

“I still don’t believe it!” she insisted, dragging herself up yet again. She seized the character, pouring all her spiritual strength into resisting the sword intent.

It barely took a moment—

“Ah…!” Blood spurted from her lips as the sword intent struck once more. Now blood was seeping from her eyes as well, her appearance nothing short of tragic.

“I…” Mu Wanqing stared through bloodied eyes, her body trembling, her face as pale as death. She gazed at the character lying in the dust, a thousand regrets surging in her heart.

A single character, casually written by a master, had left her battered and broken. Such power was terrifying.

In the end, she could only sigh, accepting that this was not a gift meant for someone as insignificant as herself.

She put away the character and, shoulders slumped, hurried back to the Heavenly Cloud Sect.

To possess such a treasure and yet be unable to comprehend its meaning—how foolish she felt!

…

Qingshui Town was the nearest settlement to Chen Changsheng’s home.

“Master Chen, it’s been a while since you and your daughter came down from the mountain. My, Die’er has grown so much—she’s getting prettier by the day,” an old farmer selling grain greeted them with a smile.

“Uncle Lin, have I not grown more handsome as well?” Chen Changsheng asked, stroking his chin, his expression serious.

“Haha, of course you have!” the farmer laughed heartily.

“That’s more like it, Uncle Lin. If you’re going to compliment someone, you should do it for both,” Chen Changsheng said, his mood instantly lifting.

Chen Die’er clung tightly to her father’s hand, glancing up at him. Hearing Uncle Lin’s words, she suddenly thought her father really did look a little more handsome.

“Master Chen, it’s been a while! The waterwheel you made for my family is still working perfectly—never once has the water stopped. Let me give you two catties of meat, free of charge, as thanks for making it for us!” called out Hu, the butcher.

“Brother Hu, you’re too kind. It was just a waterwheel—hardly any trouble at all.”

“Master Chen, the couplet you wrote for my house has remained spotless ever since. It’s truly magical! Here, take a couple of bunches of greens—no charge,” said Granny Li.

“Really, Granny Li, there’s no need. I know how hard you work to make a living,” Chen Changsheng replied.

Life on the mountain could be dull, so Chen Changsheng often visited the town. He would help out with little things here and there, which made the townsfolk warm toward him and eager to show their appreciation with small gifts.

But he never accepted them.

Before long—

“Master Chen, buying saplings again?” He and his daughter soon reached a stall where an old man sold saplings. The old man greeted them enthusiastically.

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Uncle Jiang, this time I’d like some fruit trees—orange, pear, grape, whatever you have, I’ll take a bit of each.”

“No problem at all.”

The old man picked out a selection of fruit saplings for him, enough to fill both arms.

After buying the saplings, Chen Changsheng wandered through the town with Die’er. He had little interest in shopping—he hadn’t liked crowds even in his former life in the bustling city, much less here in this ancient town.

Really, he only went shopping to buy Die’er some treats.

After piling her arms with snacks, he was ready to go home.

But as they neared the town gate, a group of officials rode in—each one armed and mounted, their uniforms immediately marking them as government officers.

At their head was a woman whose complexion was noticeably lighter than her rugged companions. Chen Changsheng looked more closely and saw she was, indeed, a woman. Her willow-leaf brows, starry eyes, straight nose, and rosy lips made her exceptionally handsome.

Even beneath her loose official robes, her ample chest was impossible to hide.

“A female official…” Chen Changsheng murmured in surprise. Even in his previous life, such a thing was rare.

With their arrival, a commotion broke out in Qingshui Town.

Worried that Die’er might be separated from him in the confusion, Chen Changsheng gripped her little hand tightly.