Sword Aura to the Heavens
Chapter 112 - 108: Walking Alone

Chapter 112: Chapter 108: Walking Alone

The storm had passed, but Chuzhou City remained unsettled.

The prefecture had been razed, and the entire city was abuzz with discussions about the great battle and curiosity about Li Fan’s identity.

In the courtyard of the inn, everything seemed quite calm.

Li Fan and his companions sat in the courtyard drinking, with Liu Ji attending to them and pouring wine for everyone.

She had long become obedient and her resentment towards Li Mountain had dissipated.

The demeanor of these Li Mountain Great Sword Cultivators made her admire them.

"Thank you, uncles and brothers, for making the trip. It’s been hard on you," Li Fan raised his cup to express his gratitude.

"Brother Xiao Fan, there’s no need to be so polite, we came back this time just to see you," Ji Hua replied with a smile.

"What, you don’t plan on staying?" Mo Yang looked at Ji Hua, "I intended to keep the position of the peak master open for you."

"Brother Mo, I can’t take on such a burdensome task. I’ve been on the run for over ten years. Now that I’m back, you want to tie me down on that boring mountain?" Ji Hua turned to Wen Ruyu and asked, "Why don’t you ask Junior Wen if he would be willing?"

"I wouldn’t want to," Wen Ruyu replied bluntly.

"See..." Ji Hua chuckled, "In my opinion, Li Mountain needs change. Spending every day in arduous cultivation and descending the mountain only to slay demons is dull. Sword cultivators should roam between heaven and earth, indulging in their passions, or how else can they sharpen their sword?"

"The Da Li Dynasty’s court is corrupt, but isn’t Li Mountain another form of decay? Among the most renowned powers in Da Li today, who else is like us at Li Mountain?"

"After pacifying the world, the Sword Ancestor did not covet worldly power and thus retreated to Li Mountain to establish a sect," Wu Tong continued Ji Hua’s line of thought, "However, there is some truth to your words—the times have changed, and so must Li Mountain."

"Then let it begin with this generation. From now on, Li Mountain should engage with the world. If Li Mountain had recruited talent from around the world back then, considering its influence, Li Mountain disciples would have been spread throughout Da Li, ready to respond to any call, avoiding such calamities as this." Ji Hua continued, "Like those academies in Da Li, while they may lack the depth of Li Mountain, their influence in today’s world is no less than that of Li Mountain."

"It seems you are still suited to return to Li Mountain," Wu Tong remarked, looking at him.

"Uncle, you jest. I’d rather take Brother Xiao Fan with me on a journey to see the world," Ji Hua responded, "Junior Wen can come along too."

"I’m planning to go take a look at Chi Xiao City," Wen Ruyu said.

He definitely wanted to visit that city of sword cultivators.

"No problem," Ji Hua said, "Brother Xiao Fan, what about you, any thoughts?"

Li Fan deliberated for a moment and then addressed everyone, "Uncles, brothers, I want to venture out on my own."

"Xiao Fan, you mean, you don’t want us to follow?" Wu Tong asked.

"Yes," Li Fan nodded, "Although it’s reassuring with uncles and brothers around, it doesn’t quite feel like an adventure."

Wu Tong paused, understanding that Li Fan’s safety was crucial for Li Mountain.

"I support the junior brother’s idea," Wen Ruyu was the first to express, "Without experiencing the trial of life and death, how can one forge a true sword dao will? The master passed the way of the sword to the junior brother not hoping he would grow under shelter."

"I agree as well," Ji Hua smiled and said, "This is more like the way of a Li Mountain Sword Cultivator."

Back in the day, he too ventured alone, traversing the world.

"As for Da Li..." Though Wu Tong understood, he still felt uneasy.

"I will use an alias. The world is vast, and few in Da Li have seen me in person. The prominent figures who ascended Li Mountain likely won’t run around the world," Li Fan said. "Besides, uncle shouldn’t be overly worried about my safety; I still have Sword Intent on me."

Additionally, within him, he bore a Divine Sword.

"Alright," Wu Tong added, "but we need to escort you a part of the way, leaving no trails, and you must depart from Chuzhou."

The vast realm of Da Li meant that if they left Chuzhou, not many would know Li Fan.

"The Jingang Temple in Chuzhou, along with some other forces, was involved in the battle of Li Mountain," Li Fan said.

"We’ll take care of them along the way," Wu Tong replied.

"Good," Li Fan nodded. Although he couldn’t personally take revenge, Li Mountain taking action sufficed.

"Brother Xiao Fan, I have something for you, consider it a welcoming gift," Ji Hua took out a Jade Scroll and handed it to Li Fan, "This is the Da Li Map, which I obtained during my travels. It details the thirty-six states of Da Li’s territory and the locations of some representative powers. I’ve left marks on some special places."

"Thank you, brother," Li Fan accepted without hesitation.

With the Da Li Map, he’d be better equipped to travel the world.

"Come, let’s drink," Ji Hua laughed as the group continued to drink, feeling utterly at ease.

A large crowd had gathered around the inn, eager to catch a glimpse of the top cultivators from Li Mountain.

Anyone stepping out from that small courtyard were top figures in the Da Li world.

"The Cui Family has arrived." At this moment, several figures entered the inn, led by Cui Lengzhou who brought Li Hongyi and her daughter.

They knocked on the courtyard door and saw the group from Li Mountain drinking.

"I apologize for disturbing your enjoyment," Cui Lengzhou said apologetically.

"It’s no trouble, we’re about done," Li Fan laughed and asked, "Senior, what brings you here?"

"Now that the Chuzhou affair is over, Hongyi guessed you might be leaving Chuzhou City, so we came to see you off," Cui Lengzhou explained.

"Indeed," Li Fan nodded.

"When are you setting off?" Cui Lengzhou asked.

Li Fan looked around at everyone and said, "Uncles, brothers, we’ve had our drink; it’s time for me to go."

"Yes," they all rose.

"Liu Ji, prepare the horses," Li Fan instructed Liu Ji.

"Junior Brother Xiao Fan, we will also set off. If during this journey you need anything, you can find us," Ji Hua stated.

"Alright," Li Fan responded.

"Junior brother, take care," Wen Ruyu urged.

"The same to you, Brother," Li Fan replied.

"I’ll be waiting for you," Wen Ruyu patted Li Fan on the shoulder, and then he and Ji Hua mounted their swords and departed.

"Take care, both of you," Mo Yang advised.

"It seems I’m getting old and more verbose," Ji Hua laughed, "We’re off."

With that, the swords whistled into the sky, disappearing in an instant.

Mo Yang and others withdrew their gaze, not overly concerned about Ji Hua and Wen Ruyu, as both were Great Sword Cultivators.

Especially Ji Hua; there were few in the Da Li world who could kill him.

"Brother Ji is truly free-spirited," Li Fan remarked with a smile as he watched the two disappear into the distance, pleased that his junior brother was traveling with Brother Ji.

Li Fan had another reason to journey alone; he did not want his junior brother to always follow him.

His junior brother needed to pursue his own Sword Dao.

"How could he not be free-spirited? Your Master Gu rarely sees him once in a decade," Mo Yang laughed and shook his head, and Li Fan dared not answer.

Nonetheless, Master Gu should be glad to have such an outstanding disciple.

Liu Ji had prepared the horses, and the group left the inn.

Li Fan and Liu Ji mounted their horses, while the Cui Family also mounted to accompany them.

"We will see you off," Cui Lengzhou said.

"Okay," Li Fan did not refuse. He turned back to Wu Tong and said, "Uncle, please convey my words to the Old Blind Man; ask him to take care of his health and live many more years to see his little apprentice become a Great Sword Cultivator."

"I will convey your message," Wu Tong nodded with a smile, having already let go after the battle of Li Mountain.

Since the master forgave him and passed the way of the sword to Xiao Fan, what more was there for him to brood over?

Having resolved his mental knots, Wu Tong often visited the Old Blind Man for chats.

After all, back in the day, their bond was just like that between Li Fan and Wen Ruyu—closest of brothers.

"Take care, Uncle," Li Fan said.

"I will," Wu Tong nodded.

"Uncle Xing, Brother Mo, take care," Li Fan bade farewell one by one, then turned and rode off.

Watching Li Fan’s retreating back, Wu Tong said, "Let’s escort him a little further, leaving no trails."

"That’s only proper," Mo Yang nodded.

The figures flashed and disappeared from their spots.

The crowd gathered around the inn watched Li Fan’s disappearing silhouette in the distance.

Wondering whether they would hear of him again.

Outside Chuzhou City.

Liu Ji rode ahead alone, while Cui Lengzhou and Cui Yushang lagged behind, as Li Hongyi rode beside Li Fan.

"Where are you planning to go?" Li Hongyi asked.

"Not sure, I’ll take it as it comes," Li Fan replied, as he hadn’t yet had a chance to study the Da Li Map gifted by Brother Ji Hua.

Li Hongyi fell silent again, unsure what to say.

This was their second parting.

But last time, when she left, it was just her alone.

This time, it was Li Fan leaving, while she now had her mother and grandfather.

"Will we meet again?" Li Hongyi asked with a smile.

"We should," Li Fan replied, "Miss Li, I intend to become a Great Sword Cultivator. Someday in Chuzhou City, you’ll hear my name."

Li Hongyi’s smile was radiant, her beautiful eyes gazing at Li Fan with deep affection, "I believe you."

She never doubted.

Li Fan, indeed would become a Great Sword Cultivator.

The most top-tier Great Sword Cultivator.

"Then I will wait to hear your name in Chuzhou City," Li Hongyi laughed.

"Alright," Li Fan nodded, "Miss Li, farewell."

"Yes," Li Hongyi nodded.

Turning his horse around, Li Fan kicked its belly, and the steed galloped swiftly, heading far away.

Watching Li Fan’s retreating back, Li Hongyi’s eyes still held a smile, yet tears flowed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

This goodbye, who knows when they’ll meet again.

"Thank you," Li Hongyi whispered.

"Miss Li, people of the martial world should live freely," Li Fan waved and called out.

"Of course," Li Hongyi responded loudly, yet her tears still couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to cry, but she couldn’t control it.

"Brother Xiao Fan, if you ever need, just send a message, and I will come," Cui Lengzhou shouted.

"Thank you, senior," Li Fan responded heartily. Cui Lengzhou watched his back, then glanced at his granddaughter, thinking it was a bit of a pity.

If Li Fan were just an ordinary Li Mountain disciple, it would be fine to keep him in the Cui Family.

But Li Fan was too exceptional, and the Cui Family was too small.

His aspirations lay with the world.

Cui Yushang approached, quietly accompanying her daughter. She also glanced at Li Fan’s retreating back; of course, she also liked such a young man.

Li Fan caught up with Liu Ji, who was smilingly looking at him, "Why not take her along too? I’m sure Miss Li would agree."

Li Fan couldn’t be bothered with her.

"Your senior sister said the lords and nobles beneath the mountain all have multiple wives. If you like her, take her as a concubine; your senior sister would likely agree. If you want to marry Ye Xianzi, just keep the main position open," Liu Ji teased the world.

"My senior sister also said I should take you," Li Fan glared at her.

"Did she?" Liu Ji puffed out her chest, alluringly smiled, "If the young master likes, how could I disagree?"

"Ha."

"I don’t like demons."

Liu Ji stopped teasing him, riding alongside, thinking traveling the martial world with this young man, would surely be exciting.

Once, having been trapped in Lin’an County with her master Yu Qing, she gradually grew to like this feeling.

"Ya!" Liu Ji shouted with a laugh, the road to the horizon was long, and the world was her home.