17 Who’s Faster Than Whom

On the way back, Tian Yu recalled Guo Songyang’s broken sword and asked him what he planned to do about it. He thought for a moment and said, “Once I return to Songyang, I’ll find someone to recast it.” Perhaps worried she might feel bad about it, he quickly added, “Coincidentally, Master Xu Luzhi’s successor has been a guest in my Guo family for many years. He once personally promised to forge a blade for the Guo family.”

Tian Yu was completely unprepared to hear such a familiar name from him when she asked casually.

“Master Xu Luzhi?” she exclaimed in surprise. “Is he the one who forged the Deer-Slaying Knife?”

Guo Songyang nodded and told her that not long after Master Xu Luzhi devoted his life to forging the Deer-Slaying Knife, he passed away. He had specialized in iron smelting all his life but left no descendants. Only one apprentice, who had once assisted him, inherited his legacy before he died.

“The Deer-Slaying Knife once stirred up bloodshed throughout the Central Plains martial world. Countless heroes lost their lives because of it,” Guo Songyang sighed. “Master Xu’s successor, not wanting to bring trouble upon himself, went into hiding and returned to his hometown.”

“That hometown is Songyang.”

Later, when the bloodshed triggered by the Deer-Slaying Knife temporarily subsided, by chance he became a guest of the Guo family and finally revealed his identity to them.

Tian Yu was silent for a moment, growing curious about how many people in today’s Central Plains martial world still remembered the Deer-Slaying Knife.

“Does he know where the Deer-Slaying Knife is now?” she asked seemingly casually.

Guo Songyang didn’t think much before shaking his head. “He doesn’t know. After inheriting Master Xu’s legacy, he never saw the knife again.”

Tian Yu sat relaxedly on her horse, continuing in a casual tone, “I’ve heard the Deer-Slaying Knife can cut through iron like mud—it’s said to be the sharpest blade in the world.”

“That’s what they say,” Guo Songyang smiled. “But those who have actually seen it are said to have all died. Its whereabouts remain a mystery.”

Tian Yu felt slightly relieved and asked, “Hasn’t anyone tried to find it?”

“Of course,” Guo Songyang replied. “But over the more than twenty years since, all reports about the Deer-Slaying Knife have been proven false. Gradually, fewer and fewer people mention that treasured blade.”

He didn’t suspect Tian Yu’s intentions in asking. After all, she was a swordswoman; it was only natural she would be interested in such a legendary blade once hailed as the world’s finest.

As he spoke, a thought quietly grew in his heart.

“Master Xu’s successor, like Master Xu himself, loves knives even more than the swords favored by the so-called ‘Gentlemen of Arms,’” he told Tian Yu. “He once said that if he ever met a swordsman who truly impressed him, he would spare no effort to forge a blade for them.”

He left the rest unsaid, but Tian Yu understood.

“So, you want to invite me to Songyang to meet him?” she asked directly.

Guo Songyang was momentarily stunned. Then he thought, indeed, being so straightforward and direct was just like Miss Bai’s nature.

“...Yes,” he nodded. “Would you be willing?”

Tian Yu smiled but did not answer directly, instead asking back, “How does his iron-smelting skill compare to Master Xu Luzhi’s?”

Guo Songyang paused and hesitated before replying, “It’s certainly not as good.”

“Then forget it,” she declined flatly. “Unless he can forge a famous blade like the Deer-Slaying Knife, I have no reason to abandon my own sword and appeal to him.”

Her refusal was so firm and her reasoning so sound that Guo Songyang had no comeback and had to let it go.

Yet, when they reached the horse ranch and were about to part ways, he couldn’t help but speak again.

“If it’s not about visiting Master Xu’s successor, but simply to visit Songyang as a guest, would you be willing, Miss Bai?” he asked.

Initially, Tian Yu didn’t want to agree. After all, it was only the sixth year, and her master had said she shouldn’t enter the Central Plains until she was ready.

But then she remembered her master hadn’t anticipated that she would gain another legacy from Wuyazi.

Having learned the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, she now had the confidence to travel the jianghu ahead of schedule.

Also, leaving Guandong for a while and then returning quietly would help conceal her movements.

“Brother Guo has sincerely invited me, so of course I’m willing,” she replied. “But I promised Ma Kongqun’s son that I would finish instructing him before I leave. If you’re in a hurry, you can go ahead first.”

Guo Songyang was delighted and said he was in no hurry at all.

Tian Yu was a bit surprised. “Don’t you want to recast the broken sword as soon as possible?”

“How could I not?” he admitted. “But if I can’t personally guide Miss Bai, how can I say I’m sincerely inviting you?”

He threw her words right back at her.

Tian Yu smiled wryly. “Alright then, please wait for me a few more days.”

...

During the days she stayed, Guo Songyang remained withdrawn, rarely interacting with anyone at the ranch.

During the day, she instructed Ma Kongqun in her courtyard while he quietly practiced swordsmanship next door, never disturbing her.

At night, however, he often came over to chat.

Knowing she didn’t like to drink, he never smelled of alcohol when he came.

At first, they only talked about martial arts. But as they spent more time together, their topics expanded—though mostly things he was willing to share.

Tian Yu didn’t mind. There wasn’t much entertainment in this era, and since he was well-traveled and willing to talk, she listened.

Before long, she learned all about his past.

He began sword training at five. By thirteen, his swordsmanship had surpassed all elders in the Guo family. Later, he left Songyang to roam the jianghu, challenging others to duels.

He had been to the Western Regions and ventured into Jiangnan.

“Unfortunately, I arrived in Jiangnan too late,” he told Tian Yu. “I missed the chance to seek instruction from the master of Wujiu Manor before he passed.”

Tian Yu had traversed for over a decade, living in Guandong, and knew little of the Central Plains martial world.

But she remembered Ma Kongqun mentioning that manor master.

“Was this manor master’s swordsmanship formidable?” she asked.

“Extremely so,” Guo Songyang answered solemnly. “He came from Jiangnan’s top noble family. At six, he was renowned as a prodigy; by ten, his swordsmanship had reached profound levels. At eleven, he dueled with the head of Japan’s ‘Ittoryu’ style, Taigen Shinki, and went undefeated through three hundred moves. For many years after, he was undoubtedly the top swordsman in the jianghu.”

“Unfortunately, he retired from the martial world twenty-five years ago.”

“Six years ago, when I arrived in Gusu, I intended to visit Wujiu Manor to seek his guidance.”

“But I learned he had passed away the night before I arrived.”

Tian Yu asked, “Did he have any disciples?”

Guo Songyang shook his head. “No disciples, no children.”

“But he must have had someone dear in Guandong. His few remaining followers buried him and took his belongings to Guandong to find that person.”

Tian Yu was silent for a moment.

Wait—six years ago, sending his belongings from Gusu to Guandong—

Could that close person of the manor master be her own master?

And as for those belongings... they were probably the Deer-Slaying Knife now hanging at her waist.

“I see,” she murmured. “Besides this manor master, is there anyone else you wanted to challenge but never did?”

He thought for a moment. “Actually, there is one.”

“Oh?” Tian Yu glanced at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Miss Bai, have you heard of Little Li the Flower Seeker?” he asked. “Rumor has it his throwing knives never miss. I’ve always wanted to duel him to see whether his flying knives or my iron sword are faster.”

Tian Yu was silent again.

He sighed with regret. “Unfortunately, I tried to find him beyond the borders but couldn’t.”

He was sincerely upset about this.

But Tian Yu found it amusing.

“If you want to know who’s faster, I can tell you,” she said with a smile.

Guo Songyang blinked, nearly caught off guard.

After a while, he tentatively asked, “Could it be that you know Little Li the Flower Seeker?”

Tian Yu nodded. “He is the friend I mentioned who is addicted to drinking.”

Guo Songyang was stunned, both surprised and delighted. “What a coincidence!”

Tian Yu also thought it was quite a coincidence. She pursed her lips and said, “So, do you still want to know the answer?”

He was silent.

After a long moment, he quietly confirmed, “He is faster, isn’t he?”

Tian Yu sighed softly but nodded.

Indeed, Li Xunhuan’s flying knives were faster than his sword.

Surprisingly, Guo Songyang accepted this calmly and said, “Even so, if I have the chance, I’d still like to duel him someday.”

Unfazed by praise or disgrace, yet still ambitious.

Tian Yu admired this very much.

She no longer held back her smile, her eyes curved in amusement. “If that day really comes, I’d like to see it with my own eyes.”

She often smiled, but most of the time it was a faint, emotionless smile, like a habit of greeting others.

Of course, it was charming.

But compared to a genuine smile from the heart, it lacked a certain liveliness.

At this moment, as she looked at him, the curve of her lips was slight, but the expectation in her eyes was unmistakably sincere.

Guo Songyang saw it and felt his heart race, as if falling through clouds.

Without hesitation, he blurted out, “Then, Miss Bai, do you think I have a chance to beat him?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized it was inappropriate.

Li Xunhuan was her friend, and his flying knives were faster than his sword. Asking such a thing was hardly proper.

But since he had asked, he couldn’t take it back.

Fortunately, Tian Yu didn’t seem to mind.

She glanced at him casually and said, “If you had no chance at all, I’d only advise you to give up that thought.”

As a spectator, what she wanted to see was a closely matched contest, a duel with give and take.

He laughed heartily, understanding her meaning.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me,” he said seriously. “When I challenge Little Li the Flower Seeker in the future, I’ll be sure to invite you to watch. I won’t let you down.”