Chapter Twenty-Two: Wrath of Heaven

Putting down his wine bowl, Qi Fei refilled it, pointing to the wine and said, “As Qi Fei lives in this world, I punish the wicked, slay demons, honor the virtuous, aid the poor. I take no money, only fine wine. Helping you rid Qingyang of monsters is a good deed; if I were to accept payment, I would not be worthy of the title ‘Sword Hero.’ Leave this matter to me.”

Lin Youzhi made a respectful gesture. “Sword Hero Qi, I’ll send men to find the finest wine for your return—so we may celebrate. What do you think?”

Qi Fei laughed heartily. “Excellent! Excellent! Hahaha! Ling Shuang, make sure Brother Ye gets his fill when the time comes.” Liu Ling Shuang wiped her brow and nodded.

Qi Fei and Ye Sansi ate in remarkably similar fashion—some might call it carefree, others would say ravenous, like starved souls reborn. Half the dishes disappeared into their stomachs. Qi Fei, satisfied, patted his swollen belly and burped loudly, then put down his chopsticks.

Ye Sansi, seeing this, said, “Big brother, why stop eating? There’s so much left. This meatball is the tastiest; I’ll save one for you.”

Qi Fei waved his hand. “Brother, I truly can’t eat another bite. You enjoy it.” Ye Sansi nodded and popped the last meatball into his mouth. The others had long finished and stared wide-eyed at Ye Sansi, amazed by his appetite.

Liu Ling Shuang asked, “Sanshi, have you never eaten your fill before?”

Ye Sansi, embarrassed by the attention, put down his chopsticks and replied, “I usually remember to mind my manners, so I only eat half my fill. Today I indulged and forgot myself. Hahaha.”

Ling Shuang said, “I never thought you’d care so much about these things. If you’re still hungry, just eat more—just don’t rush and be mindful of your manners. In the future, always eat your fill; otherwise, you’ll lack strength for anything. As compensation for your days of hunger, I’ll serve you rice from now on.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and grinned. “Haha, Ling Shuang, you’re always so good to me.”

He picked up a few greens, ate some rice, and declared himself full.

The group rested in the front hall.

Qi Fei said to Lin Youzhi, “Governor Lin, I’ve had much wine today. That monster seems formidable. I’ll rest and sober up, and tomorrow I’ll deal with it. What do you say?”

Lin Youzhi bowed. “Sword Hero Qi, whenever you decide is best. The bandit scourge has plagued us for years—a few days delay is nothing. Please stay longer at my residence, enjoy fine food and wine, so I may repay your great service.”

Qi Fei shook his head. “No need. Once the monster is gone tomorrow, I’ll leave. I can’t stay put—I feel uneasy staying in one place too long.”

Ye Sansi stood, stretching. “Big brother, shall I demonstrate the Thirteen Blazing Swords for you?”

Qi Fei pulled him back. “Brother, no rush. You’ve just eaten—it’s not good for swordplay.”

Ye Sansi patted his stomach. “I’ve digested most of it. I feel full of energy now.” Ling Shuang shook her head helplessly, thinking: Is Sanshi truly a starved soul reborn? Eating so much, yet already digesting it. I worry for my purse and Taiyi’s in the days to come.

Ye Sansi stepped outside to an open space. Lin Youzhi instructed the servants to keep their distance. Sanshi drew his sword, Sky Fury, and began. As he initiated his stance, the wind stirred the grass; with the first strike, leaves shook branches; the second, sword energy cracked the flagstones; the third, sword energy pressed toward the spectators. Sanshi restrained his power, but the Thirteen Blazing Swords still exuded dominance. When he finished, the surrounding grass and trees lay severed; he withdrew his energy, and fragments of leaves gathered around him before scattering.

Qi Fei applauded in amazement. “Brother, your Thirteen Blazing Swords are ferociously powerful—each move a killing blow. Ordinary folk could never master them, but I might try.”

He drew his broad blade and, imitating the sword forms, performed the Thirteen Blazing Swords. Though not precise, he managed to execute them. Ye Sansi laughed. “Big brother, you can learn these moves! Wonderful!”

Qi Fei sheathed his blade, laughing. “Brother, your swordplay is ingenious and swift. Teach me well today.”

“Alright.”

Lin Youzhi said, “Let’s move to the training hall; it’s spacious and better suited for martial practice.” (If they keep practicing here, my courtyard will be ruined.)

Ye Sansi, Qi Fei, Ling Shuang, Li Taiyi, and Lin Nian’er went to the training hall. Lin Youzhi returned to the government office. The hall was grand indeed. Lin Nian’er remarked, “Brother Yuan built this hall. Father spared no effort.”

Li Taiyi said, “This training hall is surely one of the finest.”

Qi Fei said to Ye Sansi, “Brother, teach me the Thirteen Blazing Swords first, then I’ll pass on my secret arts to you. I promise, my teaching beats that boy’s.”

Li Taiyi snorted. “Old man, you’re so boastful.”

Sanshi and Qi Fei practiced sword techniques. Ling Shuang and Nian’er chatted nearby, and Taiyi joined them.

Ling Shuang asked Taiyi, “Your father is a Sword Hero, so why does he use a broad blade?”

Taiyi chuckled. “He lost a bet years ago and vowed never to use a sword again—so he wields the broad blade.”

Ling Shuang nodded and turned to Lin Nian’er. “Nian’er, have you learned any immortal arts?”

Lin Nian’er replied, surprised, “No, Ling Shuang, why do you ask? I’ve been raised in the mansion, studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Not only do I know no immortal arts, I don’t even practice martial arts.”

Ling Shuang stroked her chin, frowning. “That’s odd. When I first arrived at Lin Mansion, I was eavesdropping in the front hall; you should have been there too, yet I didn’t notice you at all.”

Taiyi interjected, “Maybe you were too focused on eavesdropping and nervous, making you less observant. Nian’er’s been with us for days; she doesn’t know martial arts—we both know that. Do you suspect she’s a demon?”

Ling Shuang quickly waved her hands. “Of course not! Taiyi, saying that will make Nian’er misunderstand. I just wondered if she knows any immortal arts she hasn’t taught me. How could I think she’s a demon? Nian’er, don’t listen to Taiyi’s nonsense.”

Lin Nian’er covered her mouth, laughing. “It’s fine. We’re friends; speak freely. No need to be so cautious.” Taiyi scratched his head, embarrassed. “I spoke too lightly. Forgive me.”

As they chatted, Sanshi and Qi Fei coached each other.

Qi Fei’s skills were eclectic—drawn from many schools, often transformed in practice. He mastered the Blazing Feather Step, Nirvana Flame Hand, Sword Rain Technique, Qi Style Three Moves, Eight Treasures Formula, and Sovereign of All.

Having learned the Thirteen Blazing Swords, Qi Fei said to Sanshi, “Brother, my best martial arts are mostly family secrets. Your Thirteen Blazing Swords are more dominant than my Qi Style Three Moves. You already know the Blazing Feather Step; I’ll teach you advanced Nirvana Flame Hand, Sword Rain Technique, Eight Treasures Formula, and Sovereign of All.”

He demonstrated and explained:

“Sword Rain Technique was created by our ancestor—one sword splits into many, like a rain of blades. Its power lies in unlimited splitting; the stronger your cultivation, the more swords you can create. I can split thirty-two; Taiyi can split fifteen. I once saw someone split eight hundred and fifty-seven—truly terrifying.”

Taiyi shook his head. “Father has always said someone can split eight hundred and fifty-seven swords—how is that possible? And who would actually count?”

Qi Fei passed the incantation and mental technique to Ye Sanshi, who grasped it in less than half an hour. He drew Sky Fury, held it before his chest, and, chanting, split it—one, two…

Qi Fei was eager to see if Sanshi’s first attempt would surpass Taiyi’s childhood feat. Taiyi, at ten, could split seven swords—his talent even higher than Qi Fei’s. As the sword split, Qi Fei was dumbfounded: Sky Fury split into thirty-six, orbiting Sanshi. Taiyi stood, astonished.

Ling Shuang asked Taiyi, “What’s happening? Is it very powerful?”

Taiyi regained composure. “It’s not just powerful—it’s legendary! Aside from the tales, our ancestors’ highest was fifty-six swords. Brother Sanshi is a once-in-a-millennium prodigy—amazing!”

Qi Fei exclaimed, “Brother, this is unbelievable! Thirty-six swords your first time! Haha! My Qi family has another legend, haha!”

Sanshi replied, “Big brother, I think I can split more.” Thirty-six swords each split again, becoming seventy-two. Before Qi Fei could react, Sanshi strained, beginning to float, seemingly losing control.

“This is bad—Brother Sanshi might be possessed!”

“Everyone, leave the training hall!” Qi Fei shouted. The others withdrew to a safe distance. Sanshi smashed through the hall's roof, rising above it.

Ye Sanshi raised his hand, seventy-two Sky Fury swords converged into one, then fused into a giant Sky Fury. Sanshi shouted, “Wicked creature, how dare you run rampant in the human world!”

He gathered his power. “Sky~~Fury~~!”

Qi Fei stood in the hall, looking up through the hole at Sanshi. He knew that Sky Fury was about to strike him. He thought: If I take this blow, I’ll be destroyed; if I don’t, I’ll be gravely wounded—but Qingyang City will be ruined. No matter, I’ll face Sky Fury head-on.

“Disperse~~!”

From above came a voice; Sky Fury dimmed, Sanshi fell, caught by Qi Fei, and lost consciousness.

After settling Sanshi in a room to rest, the group gathered outside. Qi Fei sighed, “Sky Fury is truly fearsome—if you’re not careful, it controls you.”

Ling Shuang said, “But Uncle Qi, whenever Sanshi is in danger, Sky Fury helps him. Last time in the arena, it only possessed him because he had murderous intent. Today, I don’t know what happened.”

“Today, we were fortunate a celestial intervened,” Qi Fei said, gazing meaningfully at the sky.

Li Taiyi asked, “Who was it?” Qi Fei slapped Taiyi’s head. “Boy, if I could know who the immortal was, I’d be a Sword Immortal, not just a Sword Hero.”

Li Taiyi rubbed his head. “Sky Fury is hard to control. If it loses control again someday, that would be terrible.”

Qi Fei sighed, “What can be done? Even I can’t seal Sky Fury. It remains as it is. Whoever left it for him must have had their reasons.”

“Who was it?”

A familiar slap landed in the familiar spot.

“All you do is ask questions. What good does knowing bring you?”

“Then don’t say anything.”

“Ah, you brat, learning to talk back now. Remember: you must protect Uncle Ye, never let him come to harm.”

Li Taiyi nodded. Ling Shuang added, “Uncle Qi, don’t worry. Sanshi is our friend. I’ll protect him; you can rest easy.”

Lin Nian’er bowed. “Sword Hero Qi, though I don’t know martial arts, I will risk my life to keep Young Master Ye safe.”

“What are you saying? It sounds like a final farewell.” Qi Fei waved his hand, laughing. “I was just saying it offhand; you youngsters take it so seriously. Haha! Enough—I’ll go practice Brother Ye’s Thirteen Blazing Swords and Seventy-Two Steps. I’ll skip supper tonight. You enjoy yourselves.”

Ling Shuang remained uneasy about Sanshi, glancing repeatedly toward his room. Li Taiyi tugged her sleeve. “Father said Brother Sanshi is just exhausted and will recover after a night’s rest. Ling Shuang, don’t worry so much.”

By then, the sun had set. The steward came to announce supper was ready. The group went to the dining hall, greeted Lin Youzhi, and sat down.

Lin Youzhi asked, “I heard Young Hero Ye was injured. Is he alright?”

Lin Nian’er replied, “Father, Young Master Ye is fine—he’ll recover after a night’s rest. Set aside a meal for him, in case he wakes hungry during the night; he can reheat it.”

Lin Youzhi ordered the steward to bring a meal box. Ling Shuang saw this and said, “How can Sanshi eat so little? Bring a basin!”

The steward brought a clean wooden basin; Ling Shuang snatched it, piling in food. “Sanshi should like this dish, and those meatballs—he mentioned them last time. Give them all to him, since you don’t like them. And this meat—half the plate was his. That dish, Taiyi, pass it over.”

A third of the table’s food ended up in the basin, heaped high. Ling Shuang shouted, “Oh, almost forgot—where’s the rice? Sanshi can eat several bowls!”

Rice was slow to arrive. Ling Shuang’s nerves snapped; she slammed the basin down, crouched, and burst into tears. “I said I’d take care of Sanshi, but he keeps getting hurt, keeps facing danger. Isn’t Sanshi too pitiful—so lonely, no father, no mother in this world—I…”

Before she finished, her sobs drowned her words. Lin Nian’er approached, comforted her, and helped her back to her room. When Ling Shuang had settled, Nian’er left.

The rest ate a simple meal and retired to their rooms.