The bandits have been wiped out, and Bai Qiuran sheathed his sword. “Ha...”
“Are you going to Mang Mountain?” The wine slid down his throat like a raging fire, making Tang Wei grimace as he turned his head, then quietly stuck out his tongue in the corner where Bai Qiuran couldn't see.
The nobleman refused, saying, “You want to treat me to a drink? I feel undeserving of such kindness.”
“Ah, it’s you, Brother Tang,” Bai Qiuran said. “But if someone goes up the mountain to ask the disciples of the Qinming Sword Sect to come down and ensure the safety of the common folk, I believe they would agree.”
“Brother,” Bai Qiuran said softly, “but that all depends on the timing and occasion.”
“Is there such a thing?”
“I have my own reasons too.”
“No, it's just that recently there have been demons haunting that mountainous area, devouring the living. I've heard that many nearby villagers have fallen victim to its cruel clutches, and even skilled martial artists have suffered grievous losses.”
Bai Qiuran clasped his hands and reached for his startled horse, which had trotted away to the side.
“Brother,” hearing Bai Qiuran's words, Tang Wei looked at him in surprise. He brought his hands together as he spoke, saying, “Thank you for your assistance, but may I ask for your honorable name?”
“It seems Brother Tang has quite an opinion on the Qinming Sword Sect,” Bai Qiuran said, his brow furrowed.
Tang Wei scoffed. “Do you know? The National Master of the Shangxuan Kingdom is someone sent by the Qinming Sword Sect. He has misled the Emperor and the princes with vile slanders, causing the common people to suffer dreadfully in their everyday lives.”
“Hmph, the Qinming Sword Sect,” Bai Qiuran shook his head and replied with a smile. “Today they failed, and though we spared them, by tomorrow or the day after, they will have forgotten today’s fear and will pick up their weapons to continue harming others. Those who encounter them may not have the ability to protect themselves like you and I. To eradicate evil completely is to save more innocent lives.”
Tang Wei helplessly raised his wine cup, clinking it against Bai Qiuran’s, then taking a gentle sip. “Knowing my name, what good does it do you?”
The nobleman frowned, not responding to Bai Qiuran’s question, but instead asked, “They have already fled, so why must you ensure their complete destruction? Where mercy can be shown, we should show mercy.”
“That’s quite the coincidence,” Bai Qiuran pressed on as he noticed Tang Wei’s silence. “Brother, may I still inquire about your honorable name?” He clasped his hands again, thanking the nobleman for his assistance and inquiring about his true name.
Initially, Bai Qiuran didn’t want to meddle in the internal affairs of the Shangxuan Kingdom. However, if it truly involved the Qinming Sword Sect, as a direct disciple, he could not simply turn a blind eye.
The nobleman hesitated, after a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, “My name is Tang Wei.”
Resolved to gather herbs, then visit the capital of the Shangxuan Kingdom afterwards, Bai Qiuran decided to skip the unpleasant topic and suggested, “Brother Tang, since your destination is also Mang Mountain, how about we travel together on this journey as mutual support? What do you think?”
“Then, Brother, do you think they would understand the principle of ‘showing mercy when one can’?” Bai Qiuran asked.
“Ah, I have my own reasons,” he replied.
“I have realized a principle recently. In the journey of life, there is no need to rush so much. Focusing on the things along the roadside and enjoying the beautiful aspects of life is truly the essence of one’s existence. Previously, I was too focused on one matter and neglected many others. So even if it is urgent now, I am not concerned at all.”
Tang Wei sighed, placing down his cup. “Brother, I actually have the same destination.”
“Come now, Brother Tang, I toast to you!”
“But the principle of the Qinming Sword Sect is non-interference with the internal affairs of worldly kingdoms. On my journey, I have heard many things, and the current situation of Shangxuan is the result of inaction from its higher-ups. Thus, it is reasonable for the Qinming Sword Sect to refrain from interference.”
Bai Qiuran shook his head and laughed. “Today they failed, and we spared them. By tomorrow or the day after, they will forget their fear and resume hurting people. When they encounter someone, those folks may not have the ability to protect themselves like you and I. To completely eradicate evil is to save more innocent lives.”
“Not interfering with worldly affairs?”
“Yes, is there something wrong with that?” Bai Qiuran answered, “I have heard that Gu Province is where the Qinming Sword Sect resides. If demons are disrupting the world, why not seek help from the Qinming Sword Sect? They should be more than willing to act for the sake of the common people.”
“Knowing my name does not aid you,” Tang Wei replied bitterly.
“Ha…” Seeing that he did not speak, Bai Qiuran continued, “Brother, may I inquire about your name again?”
“They are the very ones you ought to be wary of,” he argued as he sipped his drink.
Two hours later, at an inn along the official road of the Shangxuan Kingdom, Bai Qiuran sat across from Tang Wei. The nobleman bit his lip, silent.
Bai Qiuran lifted his cup and said warmly, “Ah, it seems like we are bound by fate.”
“Are there any inns nearby? Today I feel quite good and would like to treat you to a drink,” Bai Qiuran asked.
“So you are going to Mang Mountain?”
“Yes,” Bai Qiuran nodded. “I mainly ventured out to gather medicinal herbs; I need them for myself.”
“Uh, in that case, I think today is quite fortunate,” Bai Qiuran chuckled.
“Well, I must be on my way; I still have important matters to attend to,” Tang Wei insisted.
“Surely not too much wine is sufficient; after all, the essence is in enjoying it,” Bai Qiuran added.
The nobleman sighed, accepting the drink. “As long as you do not force it, I would like to become friends with Brother Tang.”
Finally, Bai Qiuran clasped his hands once more and then took his startled horse back.
In the case of any failures among the disciples of the Qinming Sword Sect or if anyone was misusing its name for authority, he would have to address it to maintain his sect’s reputation which his teacher had worked for.