"So that's the Caiwei sword," Xiaoyaozi said, scratching his head awkwardly. No wonder a treasure wouldn't pass our gates unnoticed.
"What's all the fuss about?" Li Haimo strolled by the side hall, curiosity piqued by the lively scene. Spotting the Mohists' distinctive hemp robes—simple, with stark black-and-white patterns—he recognized them instantly. "Isn't that Lingxu?" he gasped, genuinely stunned. As a devoted Qin Moon fan, he knew Zhang Liang's elegant, gem-encrusted sword was a masterpiece, more art than weapon, studded with over a dozen glittering jewels.
Clang! The blade sang as he drew it, twirling it in a flourish. "Perfect for the Carefree Wander technique," he said, sheathing it and returning it to its box. The others stared, surprised by his familiarity.
"This is our next Sect Leader, my Junior Brother Wuchenzi," Xiaoyaozi introduced. To Li Haimo, he added, "These are the Mohist Giant, Master Xu the swordsmith, and Master Ban, master of Mohist mechanisms."
They exchanged courteous bows. Master Xu spoke up. "A sword chooses its master. Wuchenzi didn't just pass by—Lingxu's call drew him here. That's why he picked it up the moment he entered."
Li Haimo nearly bought it. You think I'm that gullible? Those massive rubies are impossible to miss. If he didn't know Lingxu belonged to Zhang Liang, he might've fallen for the flattery. "I don't want it. I don't use swords," he said, shaking his head. Sell me to afford Lingxu? No chance.
"It's a gift from the Mohists," Xiaoyaozi clarified. "Specifically for you, since you're the one who took the blame."
"Oh, in that case, thanks!" Li Haimo grabbed Lingxu and sauntered off. Zhang Liang? If you've got the skill, come to Taiyi Mountain and take it. It's mine now.
"You sure Lingxu chose him?" Six-Fingered Black Hero asked Master Xu skeptically. That kid and Jade Heart? They don't match. Though his aura does suit the sword.
"I… don't know," Master Xu admitted, doubting his sword-appraising skills for the first time.
A while later, Li Haimo returned with Lingxu, addressing Master Xu. "Have you seen a sword like this? Its hilt is carved with constellations, glowing with deep light. The blade blends with sunlight, flowing like water over a pond, serene and unhurried. Its edge is sharp as a towering cliff, lofty and majestic."
Master Xu's eyes lit up, seizing Li Haimo's hand. "You've seen this sword? Where?"
"At the source of the hot spring where I bathe," Li Haimo said. "It looked nice, so I pulled it out and gave it to Junior Sister Xiaomeng." No way I'm saying I saw it in a peach tree's heart while braiding her hair by her bathing pool. That's a death sentence.
"Can you bring it? Just one look, and I'd die without regrets," Master Xu pleaded, trembling with excitement.
"I'll ask Xiaomeng," Li Haimo said, yanking his hand free. I'm not into guys.
"I'm coming with you!" Master Xu insisted.
Li Haimo shot him a look. Following me to my Junior Sister's room? You old creep. Sensing his misstep, Master Xu backtracked. "Just hurry back."
_
"Junior Sister Xiaomeng," Li Haimo said, barging into her room without knocking. Thankfully, she was only meditating on her bed. "Master Xu from the Mohists is here. He seems to know the sword's origin. I'm taking it to show him."
"Why's Master Xu at Taiyi Mountain?" Xiaomeng asked, ending her meditation and stepping to his side.
"No idea. He gave me this, though." Li Haimo waved Lingxu proudly.
"Isn't that Lingxu, tenth on the Sword Registry?" Xiaomeng asked, surprised. "Why give it to you?" Still, my Qiuli ranks higher.
"Let's go show him the sword. We found it together," Li Haimo said, grabbing the blade from her rack.
Xiaomeng, not one for crowds, hesitated but followed, swayed by his words. Together.
"It's a bit far to walk," Li Haimo said sheepishly. "Can you take me?" I still can't control my power. That fight with Beimingzi? No clue how I pulled it off—it just felt right.
"Alright," Xiaomeng said softly, wrapping an arm around his waist and using Harmonizing with the Light to glide toward the Human Sect's gate.
"What sword's got you so excited?" Six-Fingered Black Hero asked Master Xu. "Even Tianwen, the top sword, didn't rile you up like this."
"If he described it accurately, it's Chunjun," Master Xu said. "Master Ou Yezi's ultimate creation."
"Chunjun? The peerless blade, equal to Zhanlu and Yuchang?" Six-Fingered Black Hero asked. Some swords, unlisted, outshone the Registry: Zhanlu, the sword of benevolence; Yuchang, the blade of courage; Chengying, the sword of elegance; and Chunjun, unmatched in nobility.
"To different people, swords hold different meanings," Master Xu explained. "Tianwen is the emperor's sword, wielded by the Qin King. Tai'a is the sword of authority, held by Confucian leaders. Your Momei, our Xueji and Qiuli—we impose meanings on them. But Chunjun? It embodies pure nobility." His voice brimmed with anticipation.
Xiaoyaozi, however, was unimpressed. Nobility? What's that to Daoists? I'd rather have two Daoist swords.
Two figures appeared at the door—a dashing young man with starry eyes and a graceful air, and a woman with skin like snow, exuding frosty elegance. They were a perfect pair. Master Xu's gaze locked on their swords: Li Haimo held Lingxu and a blade sheathed in peach wood, its hilt adorned with twinkling constellations. Xiaomeng carried Qiuli, ranked above Xueji.
His focus narrowed to the peach-wood sword. Taking it reverently, he felt its noble aura even sheathed, the star-patterned hilt radiating grandeur.
The others were awestruck. They'd seen many famed swords, but never one so extraordinary before being drawn.
Master Xu gestured to unsheathe it. As he did, a radiant glow bloomed, like a lotus rising from water, graceful yet piercing. "*Its brilliance shines like a lotus emerging, its patterns gleam like stars in motion, its light flows like water over a pond, its edge stands like a towering cliff, its spirit sparkles like melting ice. This is Chunjun," he murmured, fingers tracing the blade as if caressing a lover.
"How did you find it?" he asked. After the fall of Yue and its king, Chunjun had vanished, while the Eight Swords of Yue changed hands repeatedly.
"Picked it up," Li Haimo said quickly, cutting off Xiaomeng. If she says it was in the peach tree by her bathing pool, I'm done for.
"This is Chunjun, the sword of unmatched nobility," Master Xu said. "It could buy several cities."
"Fleeting clouds, passing dogs—what's that to us?" Xiaomeng retorted, determined to keep the sword.
Master Xu was speechless, rebuffed.
"Sect Leader Xiaoyaozi," Six-Fingered Black Hero said, "looks like you don't need to search for that second sword." Are we here to be humbled? They casually find a peerless blade like Chunjun? Is the Human Sect this rich?
_
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