Chapter 9: Achieving Nothing, Time Passing Like Water

There are many things in the world. What seems like coincidence often has its “causes” planted long ago if you think about it carefully. (Gu Long)
……
At Liu Fu’s door stood a young man, about twenty years old, with a handsome face filled with deep sorrow. His thin frame was tightly wrapped in a large gray robe. Behind him was another strong young man, whose thick arms seemed comparable to the first man’s thighs. With his chest exposed, he seemed to say, “None are as strong as me.”
Indeed, these two young men were Liu Yi and Shi Jie Yi. Unfortunately, the emperor had issued a secret order to find the Ninth Princess within three months; otherwise, thousands of lives in Liu Fu’s domain would be at risk. For the sake of those lives, Liu Yi had no choice but to set out on a search with Shi Jie Yi, though initially without a clear goal.
Of course, Liu Mu Xi was also worried about his youngest son. With only this one son by his side, now he had to leave too. Of course he was worried, but he couldn’t stop Liu Yi from going. He prepared enough money for them and repeatedly told Shi Jie Yi to protect Liu Yi. Fearing the money might not be enough, he gave Shi Jie Yi fifty thousand taels of silver as extra precaution.
Liu Yi looked at Liu Mu Xi, feeling as though his father had aged greatly overnight. Usually, he was scolded by his father for being playful, but now those scolds seemed so comforting and nostalgic.
With a thud, Liu Yi knelt down and said, “Father, it’s all because of my recklessness that such a great disaster has befallen Liu Fu. If I can ever find the Ninth Princess, I will change completely and focus on achieving success through official exams.”
Liu Mu Xi stepped forward and helped Liu Yi up, saying, “Yi, don’t overthink it. If it’s destined, why look for unnecessary reasons? Since it’s already happened, just do it.”
Liu Yi pondered his father’s words. Perhaps it really was fate… Otherwise, how could an useless scholar like him get involved in such matters?
Liu Yi stood up and said, “Father, I won’t be able to take care of you while I’m away. Please take good care of yourself.”
Liu Mu Xi laughed and said, “Haha, you brat! When did you become so filial? I’ve never seen you lack spirit before.”
Liu Yi made a face and said, “Anyway, father, take care. I’ll be extra careful on this journey. Don’t worry about me.” With that, he mounted his horse.
Shi Jie Yi also mounted his horse, ready to set off at any moment.
Liu Mu Xi looked at his youngest son and said, “Brat, don’t cause trouble on the road. Make sure to bring back the princess.”
Liu Yi replied, “Father, don’t worry.” Then he spurred his horse westward, with Shi Jie Yi closely following behind.
Watching them go, Liu Mu Xi’s eyes moistened. Although this mission seemed simple—just to find the princess—who knew where she was, who had captured her, or what had happened? Facing his son’s departure, Liu Mu Xi’s heart ached as if cut by a knife. It might even come to the point of a parent burying their child… The world of martial arts is indeed dangerous!

“All the heroes in the world come from our generation; once we enter the martial world, time presses on. Great ambitions are discussed in laughter, yet life is best enjoyed in drunkenness.” Liu Yi let out a deep sigh. “What a saying—once you enter the martial world, time presses on. I really need to see what kind of place this martial world is.”

The Ten Heroes and One Rider were on their horses, standing to Liu Yi’s left, laughing foolishly. “Boss, I’ve long wanted to experience this passionate martial world. It’s a pity I never had the chance. Hehe, now I can finally use my fists and feet.”

Liu Yi glanced at the Ten Heroes and One Rider and shook his head. “First, we need to find that damned Ninth Princess. Then you can use your fists and feet. Otherwise, none of us will be able to keep our heads.”

The Ten Heroes and One Rider nodded. “But… if we keep walking aimlessly, where will we go? We don’t have any clue about A’Jiu at all.”

Liu Yi reached into his backpack, took out a scroll, unrolled it, and handed it to them. “Take a look. What do you think?”

The Ten Heroes and One Rider took it and looked. “Wow, who is this?”

Liu Yi asked in surprise, “Is this A’Jiu?”

The Ten Heroes and One Rider shook their head. “This painting is much prettier than A’Jiu herself.”

Liu Yi looked at the painting. “It’s probably something like this. We’ll keep walking and asking around to see if anyone has seen A’Jiu.”

The Ten Heroes and One Rider nodded. “Right now, this is the only option.”

It seemed as if fate was deliberately against Liu Yi and the Ten Heroes and One Rider. Over half a month, they had asked tens of thousands of people, but still received no news about A’Jiu. It seemed she had truly disappeared from this world.

After wandering for half a month, they approached Jianmen Pass. Heading west, they would enter Kunlun and reach the Heavenly Realm; heading south, they would enter the domain of the demons. If they continued straight ahead, they would reach the Shu Road. Listening to the Ten Heroes and One Rider’s explanation, Liu Yi’s head swam—none of these three places seemed suitable for him.

Liu Yi stopped his horse and asked the Ten Heroes and One Rider, “Are you very familiar with these three realms?”

The Ten Heroes and One Rider shook their head. “I’ve only heard my master mention them and remembered them. I’m not familiar at all.”

Liu Yi fell into deep thought again. The world was so vast. If A’Jiu was in the Heavenly Realm, did he still need to go to Kunlun? If she was in the human realm, did he really have to go to the demons’ domain?

Just then, a burly man rushed out from the roadside. He seemed even stronger than the Ten Heroes and One Rider, with muscles like iron blocks, seemingly carved into his body. His skin was tanned, and a scar ran diagonally across his dark face. He was wearing only pants, with nothing on top, and held a large sword, blocking Liu Yi and the Ten Heroes and One Rider’s path.

Seeing this, Liu Yi quickly said, “Sir, it’s almost winter. If you stay like this without clothes, you’ll catch a cold easily.”

The burly man snapped, “Damn it, kid, stop talking nonsense to a man. I planted this tree, I opened this road. If you want to pass… pass?” He seemed to forget what to say next.

Liu Yi quickly filled in, “If you want to pass this road, leave some money as toll.”

Hearing this, the burly man shouted, “Oh, right, leave some money as toll… Now you know what kind of man I am. Be sensible and pay quickly, or don’t blame me if my sword becomes merciless.”

Liu Yi nodded and said, “I see. You must be the legendary hero of the green forests. Well… I’ve finally met you. But you’re quite disappointing—nothing like the heroic figure described in the books.”

Shi Jie Yi could no longer hold back. With a somersault, he jumped off his horse and said in a thunderous voice, “Are you the only one?”

The burly man was stunned. He didn’t expect the scholar’s companion to be a skilled fighter. He quickly replied, “Wait, my brothers haven’t arrived yet. There are still over a dozen of them coming.”

Shi Jie Yi looked in the direction he indicated. Sure enough, a group of people was slowly approaching. There were about a dozen of them.

Shi Jie Yi didn’t care whether more people were coming or not. He crouched in a fighting stance and threw a punch out of thin air at the burly man.

A golden fist streaked toward the burly man. Unprepared for such strength, the man quickly raised his sword to block the punch. With a clang, he was sent flying three or four steps back. Shouting loudly, he said, “You brat! Why not follow the rules? Introduce yourself first!”

Shi Jie Yi stood up again and said, “I am Shi Jie Yi.”

The burly man shook his head. “I’ve never heard of you. My brothers call me the Great Sword King.” He flicked his hand, and his sword landed on the ground. “This sword is named ‘Iron Slayer.’ It weighs 76 jin and is 3 feet 2 inches long. It can slash multiple people without its edge dulling.”

Liu Yi glanced at it and thought to himself, “Wow, even before robbing, he tries to promote himself.”

Shi Jie Yi tilted his head and said, “I have no weapon—just my fists. Try to see how strong they are.” With that, he leaped two zhang high into the air and swung his fist at the Great Sword King.

Seeing this, the Great Sword King didn’t back down either. He swung Iron Slayer at Shi Jie Yi’s fist. Liu Yi thought, “Damn, this isn’t just a game! Fights with fists against a sword—Shi Jie Yi can’t be that stupid…” But then something unexpected happened. With a bang, the Great Sword King was sent flying two zhang back, landing under a dead tree. He managed to stand up, but he was unsteady.

As for Shi Jie Yi’s fist, aside from emitting a faint yellow glow, it showed no signs of being cut by the sword. This guy was getting stronger by the minute.

In fact, Shi Jie Yi’s martial skills were quite rare. It was all thanks to his master’s teachings. Only the two of them, including Shi Jie Yi himself, didn’t know how skilled they really were, which was why they were so surprised. Moreover, Liu Yi was just a scholar who had never left home and had no idea what extraordinary martial artists looked like in the martial world.

The Great Sword King struggled to walk over, looked at Shi Jie Yi, nodded, and said, “A master.” Then with a thud, he collapsed on the ground and never got up again.

At that moment, the dozen or so brothers behind the Great Sword King arrived. Seeing their leader unconscious on the ground, they immediately surrounded Liu Yi and Shi Jie Yi.

A thin, tall, and ugly middle-aged man, around thirty years old, held the same Iron Slayer. His expression was complex but unpleasant to look at. He shouted loudly, “Damn it! Daring to hurt my brother, the Great Sword King? You want to die!”

Although his words were forceful, Liu Yi felt that this man could be blown away by a gust of wind at any moment. The reason he hadn’t been blown away yet was probably because the iron-cutting sword in his hand was too heavy.
Just as Shi Jieyi was about to speak and give this skeleton-like man a lesson, suddenly a gentle breeze blew, and through the wind came a delicate, soft, and extremely pleasant voice: “Who doesn’t want to live?”
This voice seemed to come from all directions, making it impossible to determine its source. As a result, everyone looked around in search of this beautiful voice.
Liu Yi also scanned the surroundings; he had never heard such a beautiful voice before… Just by hearing it, he could tell that this woman must be someone whose first smile could captivate a city, her second smile could captivate a nation, and her third smile could kill a man.
With a “whoosh,” a white light fell on Shi Jieyi’s horse. Liu Yi was the first to notice it—of course, that was because he was closest to Shi Jieyi’s horse. When the light disappeared, a stunningly beautiful woman in white appeared before Liu Yi’s eyes…