togophonebook Chapter 36: Dawn
Chapter 36: Dawn
When Xue Bufeng returned to the Divine Blade Hall, it was just before dawn.
A pale dawn broke in the eastern sky, stalemate with the still-deep darkness in the west.
The Divine Blade Hall was brightly lit.
The air was thick with the stench of blood, sweat, and the exhilaration of a great battle.
The battles in various places seemed to be nearing their end, with the occasional short scream or clash of weapons still heard, but they quickly fell silent.
In the square in front of the main hall, disciples in black robes continued to return.
They were all covered in blood, some from their own wounds, but most of it was the blood of the enemy!
Everyone's face radiated a tired yet spirited glow.
Everyone knew they had won.
Everyone knew that from this day forward, the border town belonged to the Divine Blade Hall.
The brothers Bai Tianyu and Bai Tianyong stood on the high steps in front of the hall, their cloaks fluttering in the morning breeze.
Bai Tianyu was splattered with blood, but he didn't care. His gaze was full of heroic spirit.
Although Bai Tianyong looked a little tired, his eyes still gleamed with a sharp light.
Seeing Xue Bufeng slowly walking back from the southeast alone, Bai Tianyu, who had already received the news, had an unprecedented gleam in his eyes!
He immediately descended the steps to greet him, his voice booming:
"Brother Xue!"
Bai Tianyong also stepped forward and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting:
"Brother Xue's divine might, with just one sword, utterly annihilated the Wanmatang sect. I'm afraid such an astonishing event has never been seen before in the martial world."
Xue Bufeng waved his hand casually and said:
"I'm too lazy to bring up Ma Kongqun's head."
Bai Tianyu laughed loudly!
At this time, reports came from various places.
The enemy forces attacking from three directions either suffered a crushing defeat in an ambush, were routed in a direct confrontation, or surrendered early upon realizing the unfavorable situation.
Those who led the powerful families were either killed or captured.
After this night, almost all forces in the border town that openly or covertly opposed the Divine Blade Hall were eradicated, and even those that remained dared not provoke them again.
The firelight illuminated the gradually brightening sky, reflecting the tired yet excited faces in the square, and the sword flag of the Divine Sword Hall fluttering proudly in the morning breeze.
The blood shed that night was not in vain.
From that moment on, the sky over the border town truly changed color.
Bai Tianyu was filled with pride and high spirits.
He surveyed his surroundings, his voice resounding throughout the square: "From this day forward! There will only be one voice in Border Town! That voice belongs to the Divine Blade Hall!"
"The Divine Sword Hall! The Divine Sword Hall! The Divine Sword Hall!"
Hundreds of disciples raised their swords to the sky and roared in unison, the sound waves shattering the last wisps of night on the horizon.
The firelight mingled with the rising sun, turning the Divine Blade Hall a golden-red hue.
However, this light was not the gentle dawn that dispelled the darkness, but rather the fierce, scorching light of war, tempered with blood.
Xue Bufeng stood amidst the bustling crowd, quietly observing everything.
The firelight danced on his face, flickering intermittently.
He looked up at the rising sun in the east, bursting forth from the horizon.
A new dawn has arrived.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The warm sunshine of early spring shone into the Divine Blade Hall, subtly concealing some of the traces of last night's bloody battle.
After a hearty breakfast, everyone gathered outside the Divine Blade Hall.
The brothers Bai Tianyu and Bai Tianyong, along with Madam Bai, personally escorted Xue Bufu and his party to the door.
Xue Bufeng was accompanied by Hua Baifeng, Qian Shou Luosha, and Yuanyuan and Bingbing, who stood with their heads bowed. Behind Hua Baifeng stood a tall, elegant girl with jet-black hair, who was only fourteen or fifteen years old but already had a very charming appearance.
This girl is Hua Baifeng's personal maid, named Xiao Shen. Hua Baifeng didn't forget to take her with him when he secretly left the Demonic Sect.
Ding Baiyun was also standing to the side, still dressed in white, silently.
"Even after seeing you off for a thousand miles, we must eventually part ways."
Xue Bufeng waved his hand casually:
"Master Bai, Madam Bai, let's leave here. It's time for us to continue our journey."
Bai Tianyu patted Xue Bufu's shoulder heavily, his tiger-like eyes filled with reluctance and heroic spirit:
"Brother Xue, take care! Don't forget that we'll meet again at the summit of Tianshan a year from now!"
"I can't forget it."
The two exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.
Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats approached from afar, breaking the silence of parting.
A fast horse galloped in.
Immediately following was a man dressed in a gray cloth jacket and shorts, unremarkable in appearance, with a dark complexion, but his eyes were exceptionally calm.
Arriving at the gates of the renowned Divine Blade Hall, they showed no fear despite the presence of numerous experts.
He nimbly dismounted, glanced around, and walked straight to Xue Bufeng. He knelt on one knee and presented a long, narrow, black sword box that he had been carrying on his back with both hands.
"Young Master Xue."
The man's voice was deep yet clear: "My master ordered me to deliver this item, saying that you, sir, will recognize it at a glance."
Xue Bufeng's eyes flashed, and he understood what was going on. He reached out and took the heavy sword box, which was icy cold to the touch.
"Go back and tell your master that I accepted the gifts."
"Yes."
The man responded, said nothing more, turned around, mounted his horse, flicked the reins, and disappeared at the end of the road as swiftly as he had come.
It came abruptly and left just as quickly.
This commotion drew everyone's attention.
Hua Baifeng, unable to contain her curiosity, leaned closer, blinking her big eyes:
"Senior brother, what treasure is in this dark box?"
Xue Bufeng casually handed her the sword box and smiled:
"Open it and see for yourself."
Hua Baifeng excitedly accepted it, carefully pried open the copper clasp, and lifted the box lid.
In an instant, the cool sunlight of early spring poured down and fell on the sword.
A short sword, less than two feet long, lay quietly in the box, its design simple and unadorned.
But the moment the sunlight touched the sword, the originally dull spine suddenly burst forth with a clear, cold light, like autumn water and flowing moonlight! It carried a sharp chill that penetrated to the bone, as if looking at it for too long would cut one's soul with its fierce sword intent.
"What a fine sword!"
Bai Tianyu exclaimed in praise.
Although he uses a knife, he has a keen eye for powerful weapons.
Bai Tianyong examined it carefully, and a look of surprise gradually appeared on his face:
"This sword's design...this cold gleam...could it be the legendary Fish Intestine Sword?"
"Fish Intestine Sword?"
Everyone was slightly moved.
Bai Tianyong nodded and said:
"The Fish Intestine Sword is an ancient famous sword. Zhuan Zhu used this divine weapon to assassinate King Liao."
"It was later acquired by the Hidden Sword Manor and regarded as a family heirloom. It is also one of the most precious treasures in the martial arts world, and its value is much higher than the most eye-catching golden silk armor in the martial arts world today."
"In the past, the master of Cangjian Manor, Elder Canglong, was a sworn brother of the leaders of Shaolin, Wudang and Kunlun sects. In order to protect this sword, Cangjian Manor went through dozens of battles, large and small, and blood was shed in the manor before it was saved."
"This sword is unparalleled in its sharpness and can even break through internal energy, making it a true saint among swords... I never expected to find it here..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
Such a divine weapon, which can be called the treasure of a sect, must be involved in a complex web of forces and grudges.
Who delivered the sword? And what is their relationship with Xue Bufu?
How could they send such a precious treasure here so casually?
All eyes turned to Xue Bufu once again.
Xue Bufeng simply smiled slightly, seemingly oblivious to the astonishment around him.
He reached into the sword box held by Hua Baifeng and took out the gleaming Fish Intestine Sword, casually weighing it in his hand and feeling its chilling sharpness.
Then, with a flick of his wrist, he handed the short sword, still in its sheath, to Ding Baiyun, who was standing quietly to the side.