Chapter Thirty-Seven: Reunion

"Xiao Ye pays his respects to Master."

As soon as Ye Sansi awoke, Xiao Ye knelt by the bedside, bowing his head to offer his salutations.

Yi Nü had prepared a table full of dishes. When Ye Sansi finished washing up, she helped him fill his bowl.

Ye Sansi took his seat, picking up his chopsticks and began eating. Although yesterday’s roasted meat was plentiful, he knew that grain must be rationed. After finishing one bowl, Yi Nü tried to refill it, but Ye Sansi pressed the bowl down, smiling, "Miss Yi Nü, I can't eat any more. I still have a journey ahead; eating too much will be troublesome. Perhaps I overindulged last night—my stomach feels rather uneasy."

Xiao Ye, though not full, seeing Sansi stop eating, set aside his own utensils, rose, and helped Yi Nü clear the dishes.

After resting a while, Ye Sansi prepared to leave. As he stepped out, Yi Nü stopped him at the door, handing him a bundle. "Young hero Sansi, this is smoked roast meat I prepared. It keeps well; should you grow hungry on the road, it will sustain you."

Yi Nü looked to Xiao Ye and smiled, "Xiao Ye, don’t you have something to give your master?"

Xiao Ye grinned, hiding his hands behind his back, and approached with a mysterious air. Then, he drew out a book. "Master, look—this is my family’s Five Evil Palms manual. I have memorized it all; I give it to you."

"But how can I accept this? It’s your ancestral legacy. Ling Shuang always said that secret family arts mustn’t be taught to outsiders."

Yi Nü smiled. "Young hero Sansi, take it. Though it is ancestral, we do not know our forebears. We were abandoned in this village as children, nameless, raised by the village chief. Only a chest of secret manuals was left behind, inscribed: ‘Women learn medicine, men practice poison.’ My medical skills are useful here, earning us a living, but Xiao Ye’s poison arts have no place. This manual is the most formidable among them. I give it to you; it will surely serve you well in your future travels."

Hearing Yi Nü’s words, Ye Sansi could only accept it. After bidding farewell, he followed the map and set off.

The map was precise. After leaving the village and joining the main road, it took only a few thousand steps to reach the trade route.

It was still early; the gates of the major cities had just opened, and the trade road was silent and empty, with no caravans passing by. Ye Sansi used the Flaming Pursuit and Feather Capture steps to travel swiftly.

Examining the map, he saw that Sword Sage Village was not far from his memory. After less than half an hour, he stopped, carefully surveying his surroundings. He was sure this was the location of Sword Sage Village.

Yet, gazing ahead, he saw no settlement. Puzzled, Ye Sansi murmured, "I remember it being here. The landscape hasn’t changed since that day, but why are there no houses or signs of a village?"

He tapped his forehead, talking to himself. "Ah, right—they said ordinary people cannot see Sword Sage Village. I’d best move closer, perhaps there’s a barrier."

He walked a hundred steps, a thousand steps, but found no barrier. Further ahead lay a dense forest, sunlight filtering through, leaving only dappled spots. Birds and beasts occasionally darted past.

Suddenly, a dazzling light pierced his vision, so bright it stung his eyes. He quickly shielded them with his hand, then slowly lowered it.

He found himself in the midst of a village, and the elder from that day stood beside him.

Before Sansi could speak, the elder smiled and approached. "Young hero Sansi, you’ve arrived."

---

"You knew I was coming?"

"Not exactly, but your old friend is waiting for you."

"Old friend?"

"Come with me."

Ye Sansi closely followed the elder, winding through several streets before entering a house.

"Sansi!" It was Taiyi, who greeted Ye Sansi with joy, rushing forward to embrace him.

Ye Sansi was equally delighted, lifting Taiyi and spinning him around.

After being set down, Taiyi laughed, "Sansi, you’re alive! That’s wonderful. I’ve worried myself sick for days."

"Taiyi, what’s going on? Weren’t you leading those people away? How did you end up in Sword Sage Village?"

"Sansi, I was worried about you! Not seeing you these days, you must tell me how you escaped and found this place."

"Taiyi, do you recall this elder saying that in case of danger, we should seek the blacksmith at the city’s east gate?"

"Of course I remember. Sansi, you even said it loudly when leaving the inn. I thought you meant for us to retreat safely, having the blacksmith testify to our absence, so the authorities wouldn’t suspect us. Did you mean something else?"

"I knew our mission was perilous, unlikely to escape unscathed. If we were surrounded, we’d be doomed, so I sought help from the Sword Sage Sect, hoping they’d rescue us in crisis."

"Sansi, are you saying the Sword Sage Sect saved you? But how did the message reach them? You were with me the whole time, never leaving."

"Taiyi, did you notice how lax the soldiers were at the city gates? It didn’t make sense. Wei Xikun’s death is a serious matter in Jianzhou City; how could they gloss over it? I feared a trap, stayed alert, and noticed some people at the inn drinking tea and chatting, seemingly ordinary, but their eyes were always on us."

"You mean we were watched as soon as we entered the city? They knew we killed Wei Xikun?"

"Not exactly. They watched not just us, but all outsiders at the inn, investigating us quietly. When I said I’d visit the east gate’s blacksmith, they heard but didn’t follow immediately, instead waiting and then pretending to shop for weapons."

The elder smiled. "When they reached the blacksmith, our people recognized them as the Prince’s men. After they hurried away without seeing you, our people sensed something was wrong, remembering my instructions. They suspected you were in trouble and reported to me at once. I knew the Prince of Qingjianxi was mobilizing troops outside Jianzhou, not in the city. So I dispatched Sword Sage Sect members, dressed in black, to rescue you and eliminate the armored soldiers in the city. All thanks to young hero Sansi’s clever plan."

Ye Sansi scratched his head, smiling. "It wasn’t much of a plan—I just figured that with the prince absent, the Sword Sage Sect would know and want to attack. But the city gates are easy to defend and hard to breach; everything outside is visible. Once the gates close, you can’t enter. Then I remembered Taiyi wanted to break into the prison—that would be the perfect chance to stir chaos. When the soldiers left the gates, Jianzhou would fall easily."

Taiyi shook Sansi, exclaiming, "Sansi, how are you so sharp? My head can’t keep up with yours. I was part of such a grand scheme and never noticed a thing!"

---

Ye Sansi laughed, "Don’t praise me so—it's the Sword Sage Sect’s vigilance. I merely hinted, and they understood, trusting us completely and sending forces to rescue us. I am truly grateful."

The elder burst out laughing. "Young hero Sansi, no need for thanks. You did a great deed for the world. When we entered the city, we slew all the armored soldiers—only a few escaped by hiding. This time, the Prince of Qingjianxi suffered a heavy blow, ha ha ha!"

Ye Sansi’s worry returned. "By the way, where are Ling Shuang and Nian’er? Why haven’t I seen them? Taiyi, weren’t they with you?"

Taiyi puzzled, "I’ve only been in Sword Sage Village for less than a day. After sending those people far away, I worried about you and returned, but didn’t see you, Ling Shuang, or Nian’er in Jianzhou. So I came here to search—I thought they were with you."

The elder said, "Don’t worry, young heroes. I’ve sent people to search for the two ladies. This morning we learned the innkeeper was loyal—knowing you’d caused trouble, he hid them from the authorities and, amidst the chaos, helped them escape the city. Their whereabouts afterwards are unknown, but rest assured, they are safe. If our members see them, they’ll report at once."

Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi both bowed. "Thank you, elder."

Sansi’s greatest worry was for Ling Shuang and Nian’er. His plan was flawless, but he hadn’t considered their safety. Now, hearing the elder, the weight on his heart was finally lifted.

Next, Ye Sansi recounted to Li Taiyi all that happened after leaving the city—fighting thirty armored soldiers alone, falling unconscious as Tian Nu protected him, being rescued by the healer, and taking Xiao Ye as his disciple. Sansi told it all in detail, Taiyi listening intently, resting his chin on his hand, nodding at the exciting parts and exclaiming in admiration.

The elder went out to prepare the meal. Taiyi then shared his own experiences from the past days.

Taiyi led many people in their escape, often encountering soldiers. Some were easily fooled, others sharp, realizing the fugitives were all condemned prisoners and trying to arrest them. Taiyi fought when he could, and when he couldn’t, he delayed them, letting others escape first and finding his own way out. Once free, he used Flaming Pursuit and Feather Capture steps to quickly catch up.

The days of flight were fraught with hardship and danger. Worried for Sansi, Taiyi barely slept. After escorting everyone out of Jianzhou, he rushed back, and upon seeing Sansi’s wanted poster, finally felt relief, knowing Sansi was safe. He figured Sansi had nowhere else to go, so he came to Sword Sage Village to search, and at last, found him.

The meal was ready and served. Sansi and Taiyi toasted the elder with a bowl of wine. Taiyi said, "I’ve long heard Sword Sage Sect is the greatest in the realm, but I always thought it was legend. Who knew it was true? The black-clad warriors dispatched those armored soldiers with ease. Though I didn’t see it myself, the city is abuzz—wherever the black-clad appear, armored soldiers fall. But the people don’t know it was the Sword Sage Sect."

The elder smiled. "Ha ha, Sword Sage Sect acts without seeking fame. Our members are all devoted to the world, viewing evil as their enemy, each courageous and fearless. For centuries, we’ve slain many monsters and villains, but never sought renown. So, would you two like to join our Sword Sage Sect?"

Taiyi nudged Sansi. Ye Sansi swallowed his food with a sip of wine and asked, "If we join, will we have to obey the sect’s orders?"

"Of course. When the sect has tasks, you must answer the call. But when there are none, you may tend to your own affairs. We also provide silver, no less than the court’s stipend."

Ye Sansi pondered, scratching his head, "I’d better not. I have much to do yet, and after, I want to return to the mountain and keep Tree Elder company. I’m truly busy. If I joined the sect, I’d lose my freedom, and could do little for you. Eating your food and using your resources would make me feel guilty."

Li Taiyi bowed, echoing Sansi. "Elder, you know me—I’m like my father, craving freedom and disliking restraint. The Sword Sage Sect’s rules are surely strict; I couldn’t bear them. But rest assured, the sect has helped us greatly. If you ever need us, just ask—we’ll do our utmost to assist."

The elder nodded. "Since that’s so, I won’t insist. Enough talk—let’s eat and drink."