World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 10: Winter’s First Snow

The longer Wang Sheng spent on the mountains, the more he learned about Daoist Master Bu Yan and Fairy Bu Yu, and the more he felt like a humble woodsman who had unwittingly wandered into the company of immortals...

He couldn’t comprehend how his master had managed to teach someone like his senior sister. Mu Wanxuan was pure-hearted and unburdened by worldly concerns, yet she was far from naive. Her understanding of the Dao seemed innate, as if it had been etched into her very soul.

Wang Sheng often felt like an ordinary mortal, tirelessly chasing after the Dao through relentless cultivation. In contrast, his senior sister walked with the Dao as a natural part of her life. She was unlike anyone he had ever known.

Though Mu Wanxuan understood the ways of the world, she could never grasp why there had to be distinctions between men and women. Such concerns simply didn’t exist in her mind.

Her days were simple: daydreaming, practicing martial arts, watching TV, and reading. What might seem uneventful or dull to others brought her immense satisfaction each day.

Even more extraordinary was his master Qing Yanzi.

Debating the scriptures and discussing the Dao? That was Qing Yanzi’s professional skill.

Reading fortune by assessing one's appearance, performing divination, and conducting rituals? Simply his ways of making a living.

In truth, his mastery of Daoist arts was equal to that of a hundred-year-old grandmaster!

From unarmed combat to sword arts, from Dual Polarity and Four Symbols to the Seven Stars and Eight Trigrams—Qing Yanzi's expertise spanned across countless disciplines. His knowledge extended to talisman crafting, alchemy, exorcism, blessings, and consecrations. Moreover, he was equally skilled in Daoist healing methods, health preservation, and even Wudang massage techniques.

To top it all off, he can also forge iron, farm, fix televisions, and collect seeds to sell to the young Daoists on the mountain... but let’s not get too sidetracked.

How could anyone master so many skills in just over forty years?

Wang Sheng had spent six months practicing the Seven-Star Sword Formation, yet he could barely use a flicker of its true power.

Wang Sheng estimated that even with constant guidance, it would take him years of relentless, sleepless practice to reach the level that his master had demonstrated. Who knew how many other profound Daoist arts Qing Yanzi had yet to reveal?

Despite his seemingly boundless power, though, even Qing Yanzi hadn’t lived a life free of hardship. There was one obstacle that he had never been able to overcome.

On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, during the Double Ninth Festival, Qing Yanzi invited Wang Sheng to drink with him. After a few cups, he began referring to himself and Wang Sheng as “us guys” and gradually opened his heart to his disciples.

Qing Yanzi was burdened with a lifelong regret—one that still weighed heavily on his heart.

More than twenty years ago, before he came to the Wudang Mountains, Qing Yanzi had traveled the world alongside his master. During their time in the capital, while performing rituals, the young and spirited Qing Yanzi met and fell deeply in love with a beautiful, gentle woman.

For three years, he secretly courted her behind the back of Wang Sheng’s grandmaster. They met in hidden corners of mountains and fields, shared quiet moments in small inns, and stole away together wherever they could.

Eventually, the young lady became pregnant. Qing Yanzi wanted to marry her, but his master firmly forbade it.

Qing Yanzi's master demanded that he honor the oath that he had sworn upon joining the sect—to relinquish all worldly ties, retreat to the mountains, and devote his life to safeguarding their millennia-old Daoist legacy—just as Qing Yanzi's master, his master's master, and the generations before them had done.

On one side was the master who had raised and taught him and whose health was rapidly deteriorating. On the other was the woman he loved, carrying their unborn child.

Qing Yanzi found himself trapped in an impossible dilemma. He even considered stalling for time—caring for his master in his final days while secretly arranging for someone to help raise his child after it was born.

In his heart, Qing Yanzi held onto hope. Once his master passed, he envisioned reuniting with his beloved and raising their child together as a family.

However, his beloved was strong-willed. Disappointed by his indecision, she severed all ties with him overnight and disappeared into the vast sea of people without a trace. She remained out of his reach for over a decade.

Qing Yanzi let out a long, weary sigh. His eyes reddened as he reached into his robes and took out two photographs. He gazed at them in silence for a long while before finally handing them to Wang Sheng.

"My only regret in this life is not being able to care for her when she needed me the most and not being there for our child. Even now, I don’t dare face her. The guilt and shame weigh so heavily on me that I know I’ll never find peace. At the very least, though, she gave birth safely and seems to have lived a good life over the years. She sent this to me two years ago through a friend. My child is a girl about the same age as you and Little Xuan."

The slightly yellowed photo was of a beautiful woman with short, ear-length hair, her gentle smile warm and serene. She and Wang Sheng's master truly seemed like a perfect match.

In the more recent photo, a girl with a bright, thin smile beamed at the camera. Her beauty was undeniable, and her resemblance to Qing Yanzi was unmistakable, especially around the eyes.

“Master, it'll be okay.” Wang Sheng struggled to find the right words. After a moment of contemplation, he quietly added, “When women are pregnant, their hormones can make them emotional. You had your reasons, Master, and so did she. Neither of you was at fault—those outdated traditions passed down from the older generations are to blame.”

"Yes! It’s exactly those old customs that caused me so much grief!"

Growing emotional, Qing Yanzi placed a hand on Wang Sheng’s shoulder while hiccuping from the alcohol. “Little Sheng, don’t worry! Your master is open-minded! If you want to marry, then marry. If you want kids, have them! I’ll even help you raise them if it comes to that! As long as you stay loyal to your wife and don’t fool around, there won’t be any problems!

"Once you advance in your cultivation, I’ll make sure you get into a Daoist academy. Once you graduate and earn your Daoist certification, you can collect a stipend from the association every month. Do rituals, read fortunes—you’ll have no trouble supporting a family."

Though Wang Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle wryly, warmth filled his heart. His master had clearly given serious thought to his future.

Unfortunately, there were things that Wang Sheng couldn’t tell him.

In only a few months, primal qi will return, and these Daoist legacies passed down for millennia will shine brilliantly once again...

Once that time came, the fate of cultivators and their opportunities would undergo a radical transformation.

With a few more sighs, Qing Yanzi leaned back in his wicker chair and drifted off to sleep. Wang Sheng glanced at the half-finished glass of liquor in front of his master, half-laughing, half-helpless.

I guess it's better not to let Master drink anymore in the future. I hope he gets the chance to make up for these regrets someday.

"Mm." His senior sister reached out her hand, and Wang Sheng handed her the photos.

With sadness in her eyes, Mu Wanxuan stared at the picture of Qing Yanzi’s daughter for a long while.

She's probably a bit jealous. After all, our master is like a father to her.

"Senior Sister," Wang Sheng mumbled quietly. "As disciples, we should help ease Master’s burdens. We have to persuade him to visit his wife and daughter when the chance comes. We can’t let him carry these regrets forever."

Mu Wanxuan nodded thoughtfully as she placed the photos back in their master’s lap.

Suddenly, Qing Yanzi opened his eyes, pointed at the night sky with his left hand, and shouted, "Outdated! Traditions! Must! Go!"

His eyes drifted shut once more, and he resumed snoring loudly in the chair.

Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan exchanged glances—this was the first time that they had ever seen their master act so out of character. Without missing a beat, they both pulled out their phones and started snapping pictures.

Wang Sheng glanced at his senior sister’s phone. Its design was so outdated that he couldn't even tell which generation it belonged to.

That’s got to be a hidden weapon! If she used that with her internal qi, it would be as powerful as a rubber bullet!

***

Summer slipped away, autumn faded, and winter quietly settled in.

As the year drew to a close, the Wudang Mountains welcomed their first snowfall. The peaks, temples, pines, and bare branches were blanketed in white, transforming the landscape into something out of an immortal’s painting.

In the snowy courtyard, Wang Sheng moved swiftly, practicing the Seven-Star Sword Formation with a wooden sword. Despite the simplicity of his weapon, the brilliance of the technique shone clearly.

The seamless harmony between his swordplay and footwork stood out even more brilliantly. His steps—deliberate and connected—left a trail of footprints in the snow, forming a pattern as intricate as the stars in the sky.

Anyone carefully observing the scene would see exactly forty-nine footprints. He weaved through them in a continuous flow, never straying from the formation.

Though his sword was made of wood, it still whistled sharply whenever he cut through the air.

Due to the cold, his senior sister stayed inside by the fire, roasting corn, while Wang Sheng continued to practice the sword formation—as he had done for at least eight hours every day.

Aside from his daily meditation, studying Daoist scriptures, and listening to his master’s teachings—not to mention eating and sleeping—Wang Sheng dedicated his time and energy to practicing the Seven-Star Sword Formation. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

After a few months, the courtyard had been trampled to the point where not a single blade of grass remained. Left with no choice, Wang Sheng moved his training to a larger open space beyond the courtyard.

Wang Sheng’s rapid progress with the Seven-Star Sword Formation was partly thanks to his previous life. He also dabbled in swordsmanship back then.

Every boy has dreamed of becoming a sword immortal.

Before setting foot on the Wudang Mountains, Wang Sheng had already laid a modest foundation in sword cultivation. With Qing Yanzi’s steady guidance and his own unwavering persistence—practicing daily, even through holidays—he fully immersed himself in the Dao of the Sword, refining his techniques with each passing day.

Achieving such remarkable progress in just six months seemed perfectly reasonable.

With Fairy Bu Yu as his benchmark, Wang Sheng knew that he had no right to feel proud. Two months ago, his senior sister had already grown bored with the Seven-Star Sword Formation and had moved on to refining her Dual-Polarity Tai Chi and Eight-Trigram techniques.

Driven by his competitiveness, Wang Sheng found it hard to relax. He could only press forward, pushing himself harder each day. As long as he got enough rest each night, it didn’t affect him the next day.

When his practice session ended, Wang Sheng stood with his sword in hand, drenched in sweat. Wisps of steam curled up from his forehead in the frigid air.

He held his breath in his chest, gripping the wooden sword in reverse and pressing it down with both hands. He felt warm and comfortable thanks to the meridians that his master had helped him open.

From the base of the mountain, Qing Yanzi casually ascended with two thick quilts slung under his arms. Wang Sheng, who had already swept the snow from the path, smiled and greeted him.

As they entered the courtyard, Qing Yanzi suddenly stopped and calmly said, "Falling snow isn’t as cold as melting snow. Starting tonight, you’ll also sleep on the earthen bed[1] in the north room."

"Got it..." Wang Sheng hesitated, then quickly said, "Master, let my senior sister sleep there alone. I’m fine."

"The bed’s big enough. You can each take a side." Qing Yanzi then eyed his second disciple. With a mischievous smile, he teasingly asked, "What’s the matter? Don’t tell me you’ve got thoughts about your senior sister?"

"Of course not, Master. I’m not that kind of person..." Wang Sheng replied, though his tone lacked conviction.

Half a year ago, when Wang Sheng first came to the mountains, his senior sister had already been strong and healthy. Over the past six months, she had changed even more. She had matured from a child into a teenager, her features becoming more delicate and refined.

"This is also a test of your character," Qing Yanzi said with a chuckle, patting Wang Sheng’s shoulder. "Keep your thoughts pure, Boy. Take these quilts and swap them out for your senior sister’s. She’s been using the same one for seven or eight years—it can’t keep her warm anymore."

Wang Sheng’s knees nearly gave out in disbelief.

What does Master mean by this? Is he trying to set us up? No, probably not. My senior sister is as pure as a blank sheet of paper. No, she’s more like plastic wrap! She's completely transparent and doesn’t even think about this kind of thing!

Wang Sheng slapped his forehead, reminding himself to stay focused on cultivation and the path to enlightenment. There was no room for distractions.

When Mu Wanxuan heard that Wang Sheng would be sharing the bed with her that night, she was overjoyed. She made sure to stoke the fire under the bed until it was toasty and warm. She even tried to give both of the new quilts to Wang Sheng.

Blushing furiously, Wang Sheng refused her offer and wrapped himself in the thin blanket that he’d been using since summer. He didn’t even dare take off his clothes. Moreover, he squeezed himself into the far corner, almost pressing himself against the wall.

Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, he felt a finger gently poke him. Turning his head, he was met with the pitiful expression of his senior sister, who was now right next to him. Her emotional eyes seemed to be asking him why he was staying so far away from her.

Wang Sheng sighed inwardly and turned to face his senior sister. "I’m just... a little embarrassed."

Mu Wanxuan finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her small hand fumbled under her pillow and pulled out a small box of Go pieces.

Wang Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle. All the unnecessary thoughts in his mind vanished.

"We can only play for half an hour. Otherwise, we’ll be yawning through meditation tomorrow, and Master will scold us again."

"Mm!"

1. The bed here refers to "Kang," an earthen heated bed that is often large enough to accommodate more than two people. ☜