Chapter Forty-Six: Jin Bao'er Becomes a Disciple
Li Family Ancestral Residence—In the Small Shrine.
It was noon, the weather sweltering, and the little imp had hidden beneath the shade of the dragon-scale cypress tree, sprawled out in all directions, sleeping soundly and snoring sweetly.
Not far off, Jin Bao’er was brandishing a short wooden sword with all her might. Though her movements weren’t entirely correct, each posture was precise and measured, and she was unmistakably practicing the “Sword Technique of the Vast Sea.” She had seen Pei Min demonstrate it once atop Sword Heaven Peak and memorized every move. Upon returning home, she secretly practiced a few times and had already mastered its form—her insight was truly astonishing!
Li Zhao and Cui Zongzhi stood to the side, clapping and cheering while quietly discussing:
“Yulang, Bao’er’s talent for martial arts is exceptional. If she has a renowned master to guide her, her future achievements will certainly not fall short of Lady Hongfu.”
“Indeed, Bao’er is the perfect seedling for martial arts!”
“My Bao’er, my Bao’er, ha ha… If Bao’er truly becomes Lady Hongfu, then who will be Li Weigong?”
“That, well, heh heh…”
Lady Hongfu—her real name Zhang Chuchen—was a singer in the household of Yang Su, Duke of Yue under the former Sui dynasty. Not only was she renowned for her beauty, but she also possessed extraordinary martial skills, especially in swordsmanship.
Later, she met the young Li Jing, whose heroic air stirred deep admiration in her heart. After a heartfelt midnight meeting, they left the Duke’s mansion together and set out to roam the world—thus began the tale of “Hongfu’s Night Escape.”
Afterward, Li Jing joined the Tang dynasty, led armies in southern and northern campaigns, and achieved illustrious feats, becoming one of the twenty-four meritous officials honored in the Lingyan Pavilion, appointed as Right Chancellor, and bestowed the title Duke of Wei, henceforth known as “Li Weigong.”
Cui Zongzhi brought up this story first to praise Jin Bao’er’s martial talent, suggesting her future was limitless. Second, he was hinting to Li Zhao: seize the flower while it blooms; don’t let such an adorable girl slip away to someone else.
Li Zhao, clever as he was, naturally understood. Still, to act toward a seven- or eight-year-old little girl felt a bit embarrassing; besides, he himself wasn’t yet of age—matters of romance could wait for later!
“By the way, Yulang, today is the fifth day—your prediction seems off, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, the fifth day, why hasn’t the fish bitten yet?”
...
To learn consummate martial arts, talent alone is far from enough—a famous master’s guidance is essential. The preeminent sword master of the current era was undeniably Pei Min.
Li Zhao, after their chance meeting atop Sword Heaven Peak, had intended to invite the sword sage to his home and become his disciple. Unfortunately, Pei Min refused.
So, Li Zhao devised a little scheme, using a story from “The Divine Condor and Its Companion” as bait, hoping to lure the sword sage in. He originally predicted the big fish would bite within three days.
Yet five days had passed without a trace, leaving Li Zhao somewhat frustrated—was his plan a failure?
It shouldn’t be; someone so obsessed with the sword wouldn’t pass up the chance to pursue the pinnacle of swordsmanship. But why the delay?
“Aw!—Aw!”
As he pondered, the little imp sleeping under the tree suddenly woke, alert ears perked up, sniffed the air, and barked toward the roof of the western wing. Li Zhao breathed a sigh of relief—the big fish had finally taken the bait.
“Junior Li Zhao welcomes the esteemed senior’s arrival. Please, show yourself!”
“Hmph, you rascal, I’ve fallen for your cunning!”
A figure swooped down from the rooftop like an eagle—it was the sword sage, Pei Min!
Pei Min, able to create his own sword techniques and undefeated throughout the land, was certainly no fool; he had seen through Li Zhao’s little tricks long ago.
But seeing through them was one thing—resisting temptation was another.
What kind of sword lay in the fourth stone box? Had the predecessor Dugu Qiubai left anything else behind? Would Pei Min ever truly reach the pinnacle of the sword in his lifetime?
For five days, Pei Min had tossed and turned, unable to eat or sleep, his mind consumed by these questions. At last, unable to withstand the mental torment, he gloomily arrived to seek answers. Though this was only part of the reason!
“Rascal, five days have passed. Have you remembered the rest of the story?”
“Ha ha, thanks to your blessing, senior, I’ve recalled it. Ahem… When Yang Guo opened the fourth stone box, inside was a wooden sword, decayed and fragile with age. Beside it, a line was carved: ‘After forty, unbound by material things; grass, wood, bamboo, and stone can all serve as sword. From here, refine, and gradually reach the realm where the absence of a sword surpasses its presence!’”
...
“What? A wooden sword? The realm where swordlessness surpasses swordsmanship—how is that possible?
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Ha ha, I understand now. No sword in hand, but a sword in the heart—the sword is me, and I am the sword; man and sword are one, invincible in the world. This is the summit of swordsmanship!
That predecessor Dugu Qiubai was truly a master of fate, reaching such a realm. Remarkable, remarkable… I wonder if I, in my lifetime, might approach his accomplishments?
Hmph, I have never been inferior to others; whatever heights others reach, I shall attain, perhaps even surpass them… First, I must find a quiet place to meditate and comprehend.”
Once he learned the answer, Pei Min pondered for a long time, then suddenly burst out laughing and turned to leave.
The fish had finally bitten—how could Li Zhao let it escape?
Li Zhao stepped forward to block Pei Min: “Senior, please stay!”
“What is it?”
“Heh heh, the path of martial arts is vast and profound; reaching the peak is exceedingly difficult. However, I know many legendary heroes and their tales in the martial world. If you listen, perhaps you may glean insights that will multiply your results.”
“Oh? What heroes and martial arts?”
...
“Chief Qiao Feng of the Beggars’ Sect, master of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms, each palm strike carries immense power, capable of subduing dragons and tigers.
Prince Duan Yu, adept in the Six Meridian Divine Sword—called a sword, but not truly a sword, as he channels his inner energy into sword qi, harming foes invisibly.
Mistress Xu Zhu of Lingjiu Palace, learned the Tianshan Plum Blossom Hand, comprising three sets of palm techniques and three sets of grappling techniques—six martial arts in all.
Within the palm and grappling methods, there are techniques for sword, saber, whip, spear, claw, axe, and other weapons, with endless variations. Any move or martial art in the world can be incorporated into the six Plum Blossom Hands.
And so on, countless tales—I could recount them for years on end. Does senior find them intriguing?”
...
Pei Min had already walked a few steps away but now forcibly retraced his steps, realizing this rascal was digging another pit for him. Frustratingly, knowing it was a trap, he couldn’t help but fall in.
There was no helping it—the allure of those martial tales was stronger than any wealth or beauty!
“Boy, you win. I’ll stay, but I have three conditions.”
“Please state them, senior!”
“First, I like peace and quiet. Arrange for me a secluded place to live, and no one may disturb me or reveal my whereabouts.”
“No problem. This small shrine is both quiet and clean, warm in winter and cool in summer, very comfortable indeed. Please reside here, senior. I’ll instruct everyone: no one is to disturb you, nor disclose your presence.”
...
“Second, I am fond of Erguotou liquor—you must supply it daily.”
“Ha ha, that’s even easier. I own a large distillery that produces thousands of pounds of fine liquor daily. Drink as much as you like, and if you tire of Erguotou, I’ll brew new varieties for you, each one nectar and ambrosia.”
...
“Third, I will never accept you as my disciple, so do not entertain such thoughts!”
“Oh? Why is that?”
Li Zhao was dumbfounded. He had exerted tremendous effort to invite the sword sage to his home, all for the sake of becoming his apprentice. Now that the man was here, he refused to take him as a disciple—why?
Was it that his own talent was lacking, unworthy of the sword sage’s attention?
“Rascal, your talent is excellent—a rare martial prodigy, perhaps seen once in a century.
However, you are too clever, excessively so: full of schemes, adaptable, ruthless as a wolf, dark-hearted as ink… Such a temperament clashes utterly with my sword path!
My sword path is upright and bright, every move imbued with righteousness. Only a gentleman may learn it—like this young girl, innocent and pure, perfectly suited as my direct disciple.”
As he spoke, Pei Min’s gaze fell upon Jin Bao’er, like a master craftsman beholding a flawless piece of gold, brimming with joy!
He had already noticed this innocent girl atop Sword Heaven Peak—a rare genius in the art of swordsmanship, worthy of careful cultivation. This was another reason he had come to the Li ancestral residence.
“Senior, are you serious about taking Jin Bao’er as your disciple?”
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“What’s spoken cannot be taken back. But, the girl herself must be willing—never have I forced anyone.”
“Ha ha! To apprentice under you is a blessing earned over lifetimes. Bao’er is certainly willing. Please wait a moment, senior, and I’ll arrange a ceremony for you to accept her as your disciple… As for the third condition, I agree!”
Pei Min had not chosen him, but had chosen Jin Bao’er, leaving Li Zhao surprised.
Surprise soon turned to delight. He immediately summoned Cai Bo to prepare the ceremony, and himself bustled about, his face aglow with happiness…
This behavior somewhat changed Pei Min’s view: this rascal, though mischievous, is true-hearted toward his friends and family—a rare quality!
...
As the saying goes, “Once a teacher, always a father”—in ancient times, the bond between master and disciple was second only to that of father and son. Establishing such a solemn relationship required a grand ceremony.
Because Pei Min disliked crowds, the ceremony was scaled down, but every essential step remained.
The location was set in the small shrine, meticulously cleaned inside and out!
A person of status was needed as witness, so Cui Zongzhi acted as such—after all, he was hereditary Duke of Qi, a first-rank noble, not a loss of dignity!
Aunt Qing, Cai Bo, Bai Mo, Carpenter Yang… all attended as honored guests.
Especially Blacksmith Jin, who, upon learning that his daughter Bao’er was to apprentice under the world’s greatest sword sage, was so thrilled he fainted multiple times, nearly turning joy into tragedy.
Li Zhao wasn’t idle either, personally acting as master of ceremonies.
...
Preparations complete, the ceremony began!
“Master, please accept your disciple—Jin Bao’er’s respects… Dong dong dong!”
“Ha ha, excellent, excellent!”
Within the small shrine, Pei Min sat at the center, Jin Bao’er stepped forward, performed three kneelings and nine kowtows, first presenting a formal apprenticeship letter, then offering six gifts:
Celery: Symbolizes diligence and studiousness; excellence comes from effort.
Lotus seeds: The bitterness of lotus heart symbolizes painstaking teaching.
Red beans: Symbolize auspicious fortune.
Red dates: Symbolize early success.
Longan: Symbolizes complete achievement.
Dried strips of lean meat: Expresses the disciple’s sincerity.
Having offered gifts, it was the master’s turn. Pei Min produced a short sword, about two feet long, narrow and thin, sharp-edged, whistling as it cut through the air… On the hilt were engraved two seal characters: “Butterfly’s Desire.”
“This sword was forged by the female swordsmith Fei Ting of the Eastern Jin. It cuts gold and jade, incomparably sharp, and its short blade suits a woman perfectly. I acquired it by chance; now I bestow it upon you, Bao’er. Use it well and uphold its reputation!”
“Thank you, Master!”
Receiving the Butterfly’s Desire sword with both hands, Jin Bao’er jumped for joy, her large eyes curling into crescents!
Having accepted a gifted disciple, Pei Min, delighted, seemed to recall something: “Bao’er, over ten years ago I took another disciple, your senior brother. If you meet him in the future, be close and friendly.”
“Senior brother? What’s his name?”
“He’s surnamed Li, given name Bai, courtesy Taibai—a fellow obsessed with wine!”
What?
Li Bai!
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