"Jiangnan has been at war for a decade, with troops passing every year, and taxes due each year. We have to spend months transporting food for the border troops, and sometimes our own harvests are meager. Now that the fighting has finally stopped, perhaps life can be peaceful again?"
"War makes life tough for us common folks."
"But, boss, speaking of which, why are we heading to Central State this time? I’ve sort of forgotten." He looked towards the leader of the merchant convoy, who was really just a makeshift leader, a bunch of men getting together and the idea of a ’leader’ naturally emerged.
Seated right there, the head of the merchant group held a pancake in his hand, saying, "Why talk about that? I heard there’s some big event in the Martial World." He spread his homemade sauce on the pancake, and with a smile said to the three newcomers:
"Are you three also heading to Central State for the excitement?"
Murong Longtu said, "Yes."
The head of the merchant group, having seen much of the world from his travels in the Martial World and being able to run such a convoy, said, "Well, what’s going on isn’t exactly the kind of excitement you’d want to join in on lightly. I heard there’s some, that’s right, some top-tier martial artist, called Sword Madman or something, heading to Central State."
"And not just that, emperors from Chen and Ying countries are coming as well."
"So you see, it has those martial artists all up in arms, desperate to get here. It’s definitely dangerous, who knows when they’ll start fighting, but it’s also because of these martial artists that we can do business, right?"
Shi Wu commented, "Sword Madman, that’s a fearsome reputation."
Proudly, the convoy leader boasted, "Isn’t it though? Do you know how formidable Sword Madman is? That hill over there, Sword Madman could split it in half with a single strike!" He pointed at a nearby hill.
Then, turning to Murong Longtu and the other two with enthusiasm, he offered, "By the way, I have some pancakes here, they’re a bit dry, want some? A bit of sauce and a slice of green onion, oh, the flavor’s beyond words."
Shaking Light remained silent.
Shaking Light took a step back.
Shaking Light opted for a steamed bun!
Murong Longtu, however, thanked him and took a pancake.
Awkwardly holding the green onion, he chatted amiably with these civilians and merchants, who knew nothing of the real Sword Madman, only that he was rumored to be so powerful that he could cleave the hill they pointed at or send a carriage flying with a single sword strike.
A passing martial artist couldn’t help but retort, "What are you talking about? That’s Murong Longtu you’re speaking of, the top swordsman under the heavens. With his sword, wouldn’t he pierce the sky itself!"
Watching the traveling merchants delight in food, they too stopped to buy some provisions. Discovering wine for sale, they rejoiced, buying wine and dates to enjoy together. As they listened to the merchants discuss Central State, they joined the conversation:
"You’ve got it all wrong. Sword Madman Murong Longtu is challenging the world’s greatest. I heard he’s already defeated the number one Divine General at Ying Country’s Imperial Palace. Wouldn’t that make him a top-notch Great Grandmaster?"
"I heard this time it’s Sword Madman, the ten Grandmasters, the six Palace Masters, and the four legendary figures all heading to the Academy to discuss swordsmanship and strategies. Such a grand event in the Martial World might never happen again; we must go."
"And Emperor Chen, our Daying’s emperor, the Great Emperor of Central State, their imperial hunt—these are monumental events."
Murong Longtu’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back against Li Guan Yi.
Sitting cross-legged, he then took a bite of the strongly recommended treat from the convoy leader, a bit hard and chewy, but Murong Longtu felt an unusual sense of tranquility. These people likely had no idea they were praising Sword Madman to his face.
Once the martial artists finished their snacks and left, hurrying towards Central State, the merchants were in no rush. They lounged under the shade of trees, avoiding the heat. Li Guan Yi, on the other hand, spotted a young boy practicing swordsmanship with a wooden stick.
The boy placed a roughly made book held down by a stone.
He studied it intently before executing a forceful swing.
He looked like a swordsman.
Noticing Li Guan Yi’s gaze, Shi Wu smiled embarrassingly:
"That’s my son. I originally didn’t plan to let him come, but he insisted, saying he wanted to experience the world. I figured a boy shouldn’t always stay home, so we set out."
Li Guan Yi spoke to Murong Longtu, "Shall I go have a look?"
Murong Longtu nodded, and Li Guan Yi walked over to watch the boy practice.
The elder chatted idly with Shi Wu to aid digestion.
After a while, Shi Wu, still somewhat concerned for the old man, said, "Old-timer, it’s still a long way to the Academy, and with so many from the Martial World converging, there are too few of you. How about joining us?"
Murong Longtu replied with a smile, "Wouldn’t we be a bother?"
Shi Wu waved his hand dismissively, "What’s there to bother about?"
Concerned that Murong Longtu might be embarrassed, he explained:
"Meeting on the road is fate. I find favor with your grandson, this little lass, and even that little flower cat. It would be nice to have company along the way, someone to talk to and relieve the boredom, right?"
"Plus, my boy has come with me, but I don’t have time to keep an eye on him. He’s practising swordmanship alone with a wooden stick, and even the Sword Manual he’s using was bought for a mere three parts of a silver coin."
"Your grandson doesn’t seem much older than my boy. Could you keep an eye on them, just to make sure they don’t get into trouble?"