Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Target

Ye Pei was now in Longjiang City, located in the eastern part of the Yan Land, under the domain of the Zi Clan.

For the past few days, Ye Pei had been attempting to treat his internal injuries. Yet, whenever he sat in meditation to channel his energy, he discovered that not only was his inner power nearly depleted, but his meridians were in disarray, leaving him at a loss. Moreover, the environment of Yan Land gave Ye Pei a sense of barrenness; while observing the pulse or practicing his arts, he could faintly feel the connection between himself and his surroundings—in Yan Land, that feeling was exceedingly weak. He could hardly draw strength from the outside and had no idea how to rely solely on himself for recovery. He found himself out of options.

“Sigh…” Ye Pei, helpless, let out a long sigh and rose from his seat in the courtyard.

“Yezi, come have breakfast!” Behind him, Zi Qingrong came carrying breakfast for two, arriving at the house where Ye Pei was temporarily staying.

As they ate, Zi Qingrong asked, “Hey Yezi, what were you sighing about just now?”

Ye Pei forced a smile, “I got injured during the battle, and I don’t know how to recover.”

Zi Qingrong laughed, “That’s simple! I’ll find a doctor for you. You look lively enough; your injuries can’t be that bad. You’ll be fine in no time.”

For some reason, Ye Pei always felt his mood lighten around this girl. He replied, “You don’t understand. Mine is an internal injury—a doctor can’t heal it.”

“What’s an internal injury… Did you eat something bad?”

Ye Pei burst out laughing. “You really are… How should I say… too adorable.”

Zi Qingrong blushed, about to speak, when Ye Pei’s expression suddenly shifted. He stood, waved his hand, and struck down an arrow that had crashed through the window. Instantly, his hand swept to his waist, and a sword appeared. He leaped out the window.

“Who’s there!”

Ye Pei carefully searched the surroundings but found no one. He quickly returned to the room.

“Did it frighten you?” Zi Qingrong’s face had turned pale.

She patted her chest. “I’m okay… Look, there’s a booklet attached to the arrow.”

Ye Pei examined it. Indeed, a booklet was tied to the arrow shaft. The cover was plain, bearing only the words, “Yes, this is for you.” Opening it, a slip of paper fell out.

“You seem to be doing well. Take a careful look at this book—it will help with your injury. Afterwards, come find me at Sacred Sacrifice Mountain.”

Ye Pei was thoroughly perplexed. “Who in Yan Land could possibly know me?” he wondered.

While pondering, Ye Pei’s gaze fell upon the book. The first page held a diagram of the meridians, with certain parts colored differently. Upon closer inspection, Ye Pei realized he didn’t feel those particular veins within himself.

The booklet contained only three or four pages; after the diagram, the rest was text. When he turned to the last page, he saw a single line:

“Remember to treat the girl before you well.”

Ye Pei was baffled again. He glanced at Zi Qingrong, who was watching him put down the slip. Looking back at the page, the line was gone.

Even with confidence in his eyesight since childhood, Ye Pei couldn’t help but wonder if he’d imagined it.

“Yezi, who shot the arrow? Is it for healing you… and wants you to go to Sacred Sacrifice Mountain?”

Ye Pei shook his head. “I’ve never been to Yan Land; besides you, no one should know me here. I didn’t see anyone outside either.”

Zi Qingrong blinked in surprise. “Then who could it be… What’s written in the book?”

Ye Pei handed the book to her; she flipped through it. “I can’t understand a word…”

Ye Pei said, “I couldn’t make much sense of it either. But it seems it may help my injury—I’ll give it a try.”

The book, though brief, described a method for channeling inner power.

That afternoon, Zi Qingrong pestered Ye Pei to teach her martial arts.

“Well then, what do you want to learn?” Ye Pei agreed readily.

Zi Qingrong tilted her head and thought. “Swordsmanship! Oh, right—where do you keep your sword? How did you produce it this morning?”

Ye Pei smiled, “Swordsmanship is perfect for girls. As for my sword, I’ll tell you another time.”

Regarding the Frosted Demon Iron, Ye Pei himself didn’t understand how it could change at will. Since Zi Qingrong asked, he feared a clumsy explanation might make her feel he didn’t trust her, so he simply left it unsaid.

From this girl’s eyes, Ye Pei saw nothing but sincerity. When she learned his true identity yet showed no fear, Ye Pei felt he could trust her. If she could fake such genuine eyes, secretly inform the clans to capture him, her acting would be unparalleled…

Shaking his head, Ye Pei cleared his thoughts. “Alright. Weapons are extensions of the body. To learn the sword, start with the fist. Before formally wielding a sword, you must master basic hand and foot techniques. Also, remember: one hundred days for the saber, one thousand for the spear, ten thousand for the sword. Patience is essential—swordsmanship is not something achieved overnight. Even I am not especially accomplished in sword arts, far less than my father.”

Zi Qingrong exclaimed, “But you’re so skilled! Is your swordsmanship really not that good?”

Ye Pei shook his head. “Don’t overestimate the martial arts of Lin Yufei and the others. They may be famous in Yan Land, but that’s superficial. The world is vast—no one knows how many masters are hidden among us. Perhaps in spear arts I could be called a master, but for the sword, talent matters, yet unwavering dedication is the only path to the summit.”

“Since childhood, people marveled at my talent in martial arts. Once I mastered the basics, I quickly learned all sorts of weapons. But only I knew—the more I learned at once, before integrating their techniques, the variety became an obstacle to my progress.”

“In short, even if a young man looks formidable with a sword, he stands little chance against a true master. The sword isn’t just about combat; it’s about the way.”

Zi Qingrong listened, stunned. She slowly said, “Is it really… that complicated?”

Ye Pei laughed, “Perhaps it’s a bit early for this. Come, let’s start with the basics. In swordsmanship, there are several fundamental footwork techniques…”

Ye Pei stayed in Longjiang City for several days, following the book’s instructions. He found his internal injury gradually healing, but the troublesome thing was, the book clearly had more content than just these few pages—the rest had been cut off.

“The cover must be homemade! What is this wondrous method actually called? Did you eat the rest of the book?” Ye Pei grumbled inwardly.

He was debating whether to set out for Sacred Sacrifice Mountain, but Zi Qingrong dissuaded him.

“Don’t rush! If you leave, who’ll teach me martial arts? Anyway, I’m planning to go home. Let’s return to the main city of the Zi Clan together, tell my father, then I’ll go with you to Sacred Sacrifice Mountain. That way you can keep teaching me on the road.”

Ye Pei considered and saw no harm, so he agreed.

On the road, Zi Qingrong gained a more direct understanding of Ye Pei’s skills.

There was a stretch bordering the Exile Region, notorious for bandits. On the way to Longjiang, Zi Qingrong hadn’t encountered them—her three proud escorts were disappointed. On the way back, however, they met trouble.

Zi Qingrong’s carriage was driven by Ye Pei. The three escorts were displeased by how close their rescued patient was to their young lady.

When a dozen bandits appeared, Ye Pei stopped the carriage and was about to act, but the three escorts had already drawn their swords and charged ahead, shouting.

“What’s happening?” Zi Qingrong poked her head out.

Ye Pei turned back, “It’s fine, go back inside.”

In the time it took for them to speak, the three escorts were already beaten down by the bandits.

“Boss! That girl over there is beautiful!”

At those words, the bandits drew closer, frightening Zi Qingrong.

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing. But honestly, are your escorts here for comic relief?”

“Don’t touch our lady!” The three on the ground struggled and shouted, but before they could finish, Ye Pei, unarmed, strode forward.

The three, moved by his courage yet cursing his recklessness, watched as Ye Pei charged into the group of armed bandits like a tiger among sheep, dispatching them one by one. In less than the time it takes to brew tea, all the bandits lay sprawled on the ground.

Ye Pei dusted off his hands, breathing easy. “You’re far from proficient with blades.”

Thinking of Yue Zhe, Ye Pei shook his head with a smile. These were mere riffraff, unworthy of comparison.

After this incident, the three escorts’ attitude toward Ye Pei changed dramatically, though Ye Pei cared little for it.

Arriving at the main city of the Zi Clan, Ye Pei observed that Yan Land’s architectural style differed greatly from Wangmai. Wangmai’s buildings were grand, with dominant reds and blacks. In Yan Land, ordinary brick houses were much the same, but wealthier families clearly favored high-ridged, low-eaved roofs with blue tiles and white walls.

Meeting Zi Qingrong’s father, Zi Qiong, Ye Pei found him much as he’d imagined—a refined scholar.

After mutual introductions, Ye Pei greeted Zi Qiong and Zi Qingrong’s mother, Hong Yu.

Upon learning Ye Pei’s identity, Zi Qiong had no intention of handing him over; he even praised Ye Pei’s resolve to avenge his father, regardless of the risks in Yan Land. An afternoon of conversation further deepened Zi Qiong’s appreciation, for Ye Pei was learned and cultured. At this point, Zi Qiong was unaware that Ye Pei was teaching Zi Qingrong martial arts.

Zi Qingrong requested permission from her father to accompany Ye Pei to Sacred Sacrifice Mountain and learn martial arts, but Zi Qiong firmly refused.

Thus, Ye Pei spent several days explaining what it meant to be a martial artist and the virtues of martial conduct. Eventually, Zi Qiong allowed Zi Qingrong to learn martial arts, but still forbade her from traveling with Ye Pei to Sacred Sacrifice Mountain.

When Zi Qingrong asked how she could learn if she didn’t go, Zi Qiong replied, “You can wait until he returns. It’s too dangerous outside.”

“But he’ll be with me, Father—he’s really skilled.”

“That’s not enough!”

Helpless, Ye Pei decided to go to Sacred Sacrifice Mountain alone. He figured he could return later to teach Zi Qingrong. After all, he had no way to return to Wangmai for now; who knew when the Demon Gate Valley and Tengyue Pass might reconnect?

But Ye Pei hadn’t expected—

“Yezi, let’s sneak away together without telling my father!”