Chapter Thirteen: Transformations of Vitality and Restraint

Shen Lian had cultivated the "Supreme Purity Spiritual Treasure’s Natural Heart-Locking and Mind-Calming True Explanation," which had greatly strengthened his spirit, nearly to the point where his soul could leave his body. It was said that once one's spirit could leave the body, one could practice a myriad of mystical arts; many infamous and world-shaking figures in history possessed just this ability.

The living soul, also known as the "living spirit," was bound to the flesh. While this gave it the protection to exist in peace, it also limited the possibilities for supernatural transformations. Shen Lian had never attempted to send his spirit out of his body, but he knew well enough that his soul was far stronger than most. Beyond his sharp memory, enhanced mental fortitude, and minute control over his body, there seemed to be little practical use for this strength. Still, these advantages were not insignificant—they allowed him, for example, to train his body without suffering hidden injuries—but when it came to ensuring his survival, he was still lacking.

Even though he could use throwing knives with unerring accuracy, if confronted by several or dozens of enemies at close quarters, he could not hope to bring them all down at once. Moreover, he had little desire to kill; his heart was not inclined to take life lightly, and the throwing knives, if unleashed, would almost certainly be lethal—something he did not wish.

If only he possessed the ability to attack with spiritual power like the man in the green robe, Shen Lian could have used his own strengths to greater advantage, gaining another layer of protection. The spiritual power the green-robed man had just wielded was, to Shen Lian, nothing much. Though he had never tested himself in direct comparison, he did not think poorly of his own abilities and was sure that the green-robed man’s spirit could not compare to his own.

Otherwise, with the green-robed man’s prowess, he would surely have been able to send his spirit out of his body, without fear of exhaustion, and unleash all manner of formidable arts—approaching the domain of immortals, not mere mortals.

Though the green-robed man was formidable, he had yet to make the Golden Blade King despair. The so-called "Soul-Extinguishing Sword" he had wielded earlier had not been performed with ease; Shen Lian could clearly sense that the green-robed man’s spirit had weakened somewhat.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves thundered, calls and responses rang out in all directions. The green-robed man's expression turned cold; he struck toward the leader of the Green Bamboo Gang, saying, "I underestimated you." He had not expected the Green Bamboo Gang's leader to be able to call upon the elite soldiers of Qingzhou. Ordinary rabble would not have made him flinch, but though he did not know the number of the soldiers outside, his soul, sharpened by practicing the Soul-Extinguishing Sword, could sense the blood energy gathering outside. It was not quite a raging inferno, but it was no small force.

In this situation, it would be nearly impossible to unleash his greatest trump card, the "Soul-Extinguishing Sword." For though blood energy can strengthen the soul, it also restrains it—a profound balance of yin and yang, of creation and destruction. Should hundreds or thousands of elite soldiers unite their vitality, it would blaze like a great fire.

And if the green-robed man were to send his soul from his body, it would be like pouring oil on the flames—not only useless, but damaging to his own spirit.

Facing the green-robed man’s powerful palm, the Green Bamboo Gang leader dodged with all his might, rolling away in a clumsy but effective maneuver, narrowly escaping disaster. The green-robed man had only meant to force him aside; he could not afford to become entangled, or else, with the soldiers closing in, even wings would not help him escape.

The Golden Blade King let out a clear laugh, "You won’t get away today." A grandmaster in martial arts, he could see the green-robed man no longer wished to fight, but he could not allow him to escape; once he left Qingzhou Prefecture and hid in the deep mountains, the world was vast—how could they ever find him again?

In an instant, the blade’s light blossomed, swirling like willow catkins caught in the wind, filling the sky and threatening to fall upon both the green-robed man and the beggar boy.

The green-robed man cursed himself for his arrogance—why had he bothered testing the boy’s character at such a risky moment? Though he looked young, he was past the age of destiny, and knew that from here there was no turning back. Even if he obtained the item from the Green Bamboo Gang, he might never gain the fate of immortality, never step through the gate of eternal life. He had already resolved to take on a disciple.

The beggar boy was quite talented and bore a resemblance to the green-robed man’s younger self, which was why he had considered passing on his legacy. Still, he had doubts about the boy’s character, so he had given him money to buy his service as a servant, then given him the chance to handle his father’s affairs, just to see if he would return.

Though the green-robed man was no paragon of virtue, he held fast to the chivalrous code: his word was his bond, his actions decisive, his promises sincere. If the beggar boy did not return today, he would have hunted him down and slain him, then fled far away.

Meeting Shen Lian today was sheer coincidence. In truth, Shen Lian’s composure and presence reminded him of his senior brother, Ling Chongxiao. If Shen Lian were to practice martial arts, his future would be limitless. Though the green-robed man had always resented being overshadowed by Ling Chongxiao, he had to admit that his senior was the stronger man. Had he not already decided to take the beggar boy as his disciple, he might well have chosen Shen Lian instead.

His thoughts turning swiftly, the green-robed man’s body responded with equal speed. His forward-leaning form spun like a gyroscope, raising a whirlwind of dust as he seemed to rise from the ground, his toes tapping the very tip of the blade.

A sly, venomous force traveled along the blade, numbing the Golden Blade King’s grip. He had not struck with full force, merely seeking to detain his opponent. Yet the man's skill was so profound that he saw through the ruse, discerned truth from feint, and seized victory from peril, breaking through the swordplay.

With a tap of his toes, the green-robed man landed on the rooftop, bringing the beggar boy with him—ready to escape into the boundless world.

But from every direction, archers appeared on the rooftops, loosing a volley of arrows. The green-robed man gave a cold snort; his inner energy solidified into a shield, deflecting the arrows as they whistled past.

Still, he was forced to descend from the rooftop, darting beneath the eaves across the street, plunging into the midst of the soldiers, encircled on all sides.

The Golden Blade King dared not charge in. Firstly, he had no connection to the government troops; secondly, his family was large and influential—if he fought his way in and the soldiers could not tell friend from foe, should he fight or not? Killing officials had never brought anyone good fortune; he had no desire to become an outlaw, or to wander the world alone like the green-robed man.

The soldiers surrounded and attacked the green-robed man—that tale aside—a squad rushed into the "Delightful Inn," led by Shen Qingshan.

At a glance, he spotted Shen Lian and hurried over. "What are you doing here, child? Do you realize how dangerous it is?"

The Shen family had many informants; as soon as Shen Qingshan learned Shen Lian was at the same inn as the green-robed man, he was both shocked and angry. Though he had assigned guards to protect Shen Lian in secret, he had never expected the boy to come here. By the time he found out, it was too late to intervene.

Only after the green-robed man left the "Delightful Inn" and was surrounded did Shen Qingshan dare to bring his men in to protect Shen Lian, risking danger.

Shen Lian thought to himself, "My second uncle truly does care for me."

He asked, "Second Uncle, why are you here?"

Shen Qingshan did not wish to hide anything. "That green-robed man is the one who killed your two cousins. Our family will not let him go."

At this moment, the leader of the Green Bamboo Gang arrived, smiling. "Second Master Shen, who is this with you?"

Shen Qingshan replied, "This is my nephew, Shen Lian." He then said to Shen Lian, "This is Chief An of the Green Bamboo Gang."

The Green Bamboo Gang and the Shen family—one black, one white—were both powerful and wealthy, but the Shen family held the greater influence. Chief An regarded Shen Lian—so this was the rumored illegitimate child of the Shen family. The boy was indeed handsome, and despite the chaos, he showed none of the panic typical of one so young, earning An’s respect.

P.S. Thanks to Han Hanhan for the generous reward of 588, as well as to Kong Ji for reading in solitude, Sword Resounds Through the Nine Heavens, and Yue Luo for their support. The next chapter will be released during the day.