45: Chapter 45 Purple Cloud Divine Sword 45: Chapter 45 Purple Cloud Divine Sword Noon was high, the sun blazed overhead, the sky was clear, and not a whisper of breeze stirred.
The air itself seemed to have stalled.
The number 8 bus Zhang Xiaoman was on came to a halt at a station in the old city with a grunt, dropped off a few passengers as if shaking off fleas, and then trundled slowly away.
Standing at the curb, Zhang Xiaoman awkwardly felt the pocket-sized fold of his cloak in his pocket and gave a wry smile, shaking his head.
Throughout his journey, the rich smell of alcohol emanating from this little cloak drew the eyes of everyone in the bus.
Even with Zhang Xiaoman’s thick skin, he couldn’t help feeling his face heat up as a few old ladies on the bus whispered and pointed at him, giving him the kind of look reserved for social misfits.
Fortunately, although the bus was old, it was also quite empty, so it didn’t take long for him to shake off that awkward situation.
After buying some cooked food nearby, Zhang Xiaoman headed towards Pei Laoliu’s house, his hands laden with a heap of things.
Come out and welcome your guest!”
Zhang Xiaoman struggled to push open the door and squeezed into the deserted courtyard.
In the shadow, the resting big black dog, Xiao Tian, got startled and, tucking its tail, started barking at him.
Zhang Xiaoman heard this and his forehead creased.
Had anyone ever brought a table full of dishes to intrude?
“Big black, how come you never recognize me each time I visit?”
“That’s because its old now, its eyes aren’t so good.
Just call it a couple of times and it’ll recognize you,”
Master Liu came pushing the door open, clad in a simple elderly outfit, fanning himself with a broken fan, nowhere looking like the once commanding Half-immortal Pei.
Even big black seemed to hear Zhang Xiaoman’s voice, whined a little uncertainly, then lay back down.
“Master Liu, leaving the underworld life isn’t without its benefits.
Look at Big Black, it has gotten plumper these past few days without your meddling.”
Pei Laoliu rolled his eyes and said gruffly, “What are you talking about?
I only take a little blood from it once a month and then feed it well with meat and fish.
How come in your mouth, it sounds like I abuse it?”
Zhang Xiaoman chuckled, handed over the stuff he was carrying to Pei Laoliu, and squeezed his way into the house.
Pei Laoliu followed him in and watched Zhang Xiaoman expertly turning on the lights, the TV, and the air conditioner, and could not help but curse:
“You little pest, you’re here to mess up again, aren’t you?
You’re paying the electricity bill next month!”
Zhang Xiaoman pointed to the bag in his hand and said with a smile, “Master Liu, check out what’s inside first.”
Mystified, Pei Laoliu opened the bag and his face immediately showed a ghost-seeing expression.
Beef…” he said, his face full of disbelief as he turned to Zhang Xiaoman, “Did the sun rise from the west today?
You didn’t take the wrong medicine, did you?
Bringing me so much stuff.”
Zhang Xiaoman chuckled, “Master Liu, when have I ever short-changed you?
I respect you the most!
See, the moment I got my salary, I came straight here to pay my respects.”
He said this, but inwardly he added, “Sorry, Master Liu, but there will be more burdens for you in the future, consider this an appetizer.”
Unaware of any of this, Pei Laoliu’s face broke into a satisfied grin.
“You’ve got a conscience, kid.
Master Liu hasn’t doted on you for nothing.”
With that, he continued rummaging through the bag, turning it upside down in his search until he finally stopped, puzzled.
“Where’s the liquor you bought?” he asked.
“What liquor?” Zhang Xiaoman was taken aback.
“The moment you walked in here, there was a strong smell of alcohol.
Don’t tell me you didn’t bring any liquor.”
Zhang Xiaoman paused, then silently took out the cloak from his pocket.
Master Liu wiped the greasy corners of his mouth and took another sip of his drink, sitting upright with a serious expression, and said, “Tell me, what brings you here this time?”
Zhang Xiaoman gave him a thumbs up, “I can’t escape the scrutiny of your keen eyes, Master Liu.
Indeed, I’ve come to ask for your help with something…”
“Spit it out already!”
“I’d like to borrow your Purple Cloud Divine Sword!”
Pei Laoliu shuddered, his eyes widened, and he immediately refused, “No way!
The Purple Cloud Divine Sword is our clan’s Treasured protector, how can I lend it to you?”
Zhang Xiaoman squinted his eyes slightly, “Master Liu, won’t you reconsider?”
Pei Laoliu spoke righteously, “No need to think it over, absolutely not!”
Zhang Xiaoman tapped his fingers on the table, “I’ll buy you another goose.”
“Don’t even think about it!”
“You, what are you trying to do?
Do you think I, Pei Laoliu, would betray my clan for a bit of benefit?
Don’t even dream about it…”
“Gulp…” the sound of Pei Laoliu swallowing his saliva.
since you are so sincere and persistent, it wouldn’t be right of me to ignore your heartfelt request.
You do have a certain fate with the Divine Sword, so today I will gift it to you as to complete a wonderful tale.”
After finishing, Pei Laoliu immediately got up and ran to the inner room, returning shortly with a sword wrapped in a yellow cloth in his hand.
“I’ve had this sword for decades.
It might look ordinary, but it actually is an Innate Treasure once used by our Daoist Ancestor Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad…”
Zhang Xiaoman took the sword and unwrapped the yellow cloth.
As he examined it, he didn’t forget to undermine Pei Laoliu.
“I say, Master Liu, we know each other, why even say those things?
Your lines are too exaggerated.
Anyone who believes you could just be robbed directly, no need to sweet-talk them.
Moreover, I dare say he must be blind, not even seeing the big ‘deceit’ written on your face.”
Pei Laoliu, his old face flushed with embarrassment, grumbled, “Kid, how do you speak to your Master Liu…
This thing is sharp, don’t cut your hand.”
Zhang Xiaoman ran his fingers along the body of the sword, sizing it up.
It was entirely black, crudely made, and the handle was even crudely engraved with the words “Purple Cloud”.
Though it was sharpened, it was blunt and rusty because Pei Laoliu was too lazy to maintain it properly, often using it to cut weeds, making it look like a fire poker.
Zhang Xiaoman shook his head secretly.
No matter how much Master Liu had boasted earlier, giving it such a grand name.
In reality, it was just an ordinary iron sword.
The reason he wanted it was because the delivery was too slow, and he couldn’t wait to gather some points with a new weapon.
Seeing his disdainful look, Pei Laoliu quickly said, “The sword is yours now, no returns!
Make sure to deliver those ten geese soon!”
After speaking, he seemed to remember something else, adding, “Remember, buy them all from that shop on Meihua Road!
Theirs are the tastiest, most savory.”
PS: I heard there’s a Legendary item called a Recommendation Ticket~ I wonder if I could have one~