Chapter Twenty-Three: The Medley Swordplay

Pei Min had not launched an investigation into the matter of the traitor, not because he did not care, but rather because he had no clues and found it inconvenient to act rashly. The names Xue Ne had provided were all of considerable significance. Jiang Bo, a black market merchant, traversed the four war-torn regions of the northeast; his caravans were never robbed, a testament to his formidable background. Gongsun You claimed that the figure supporting Jiang Bo was someone few in the Tang Empire dared provoke, which proved the point and simultaneously suggested Jiang Bo was most likely not the person Pei Min sought, allowing him to be tentatively eliminated from suspicion.

After all, the Tang Empire of today, though no longer as invincible as during the reign of Emperor Taizong or as awe-inspiring as under Emperor Gaozong, still held unrivaled comprehensive strength among its neighbors. In this world, only the distant country of Da Shi could stand as an equal to Tang. The Tibetan Empire, the Khitan, and other tribes might win some local skirmishes, but if a true war were to break out, Tang would still have the upper hand.

Since Jiang Bo was backed by the elite of Tang, there was no reason for him to collude with the Khitan against Tang—though one could never fully rule out the occasional unexpected twist.

As for the others, they were either wealthy, powerful, or navigated both the underworld and officialdom, all possessing outstanding reputations.

Such people had not reached their positions easily.

Pei Min disagreed with Xue Ne’s approach of waiting passively for the enemy to reveal themselves, nor was he overly aggressive for fear of alerting the traitor. Instead, he chose a balanced approach, seeking an entry point for his investigation. Without such a point, he would refrain from acting.

The arrival of Gongsun Xi signaled that entry point.

Gongsun Xi’s circumstances mirrored those of Gongsun You; both had come to Ji City to protect someone carrying the treasured “Treatise of Yue Yi” from the world of calligraphy. Before this, neither had ever set foot in Youzhou, and thus knew nothing of its affairs. Gongsun Xi challenged martial artists based on their reputations, tracking them down only by asking around.

Pei Min was not a man of the martial world. Before the incident in Huairou County, no one knew of his extraordinary talent or mastery in swordsmanship. Even after Pei Min’s victory in Huairou, which brought him instant fame, few accepted his prowess as genuine. Most of those spreading stories of his swordsmanship were common folk, whose words lacked authority and were prone to exaggeration, turning him into a legendary hero who single-handedly cut down a thousand elite Khitan warriors.

Rumors are stopped by the wise; clear-eyed observers recognized the exaggeration, which led to his true abilities being underestimated.

Thus, only Xue Ne, who had personally tested him, truly knew the level of Pei Min’s swordsmanship.

Gongsun Xi had no reason to know of his existence—most critical of all, since Pei Min arrived in Ji City, aside from visiting the academy, the Grand Governor’s office, the martial hall, tavern, and inn on his first day, he spent the following days secluded at the Yuan residence, meditating on the sword, never stepping outside like a sheltered maiden. How could Gongsun Xi possibly know he was staying at the Yuan residence?

No one would pay attention to an unknown nobody, unless they had a special purpose for doing so, showing particular interest in this “small figure.”

In Ji City, aside from the Khitan traitor who bore deep enmity against him, who else would pay him such attention? As for strangers, the more unrelated they seemed, the more suspicious their motives appeared.

Seeing the battle-ready Gongsun Xi, Pei Min realized he had to fight her for real, win her respect, or she would never help him—despite being twins, the two sisters differed greatly in temperament.

Of course, Pei Min also wished to personally experience the famed Sword of the Yue Maiden from the Spring and Autumn period.

He drew his long sword.

Pei Min walked leisurely, putting more than ten feet between them, then faced her squarely and spoke a single word, “Please.”

Gongsun Xi’s expression grew solemn. Ever since Pei Min unsheathed his sword, the atmosphere had shifted; in an instant, he seemed to have transformed into a drawn blade, radiating a cold, steely aura. Though he walked casually to create distance, every step was identical, revealing a solid foundation, as though his feet were rooted like a towering tree. Pei Min’s posture was upright, relaxed yet composed, but in her eyes, even when his back was turned, he was ready for battle.

Comparing him to the opponents she had faced these past days, only Ren Le gave her a similar sense of difficulty—indeed, that was her toughest fight.

“A worthy opponent—no wonder my sister holds him in such high regard!”

This thought flashed through Gongsun Xi’s mind, and excitement shone in her eyes. Two days ago, after her battle with Ren Le, she had realized something: defeating an opponent was gratifying, but facing a rival who was truly equal, or even slightly stronger, was a rare and invigorating experience.

Unable to suppress her mood, Gongsun Xi thrust her wooden sword swiftly at Pei Min.

Fast!

Pei Min had never seen such speed. The same Sword of the Yue Maiden, when wielded by Gongsun Xi, felt entirely different from that of Gongsun You.

The elder sister, Gongsun You, practiced the Sword of the Yue Maiden with restraint and subtlety, her myriad lethal moves hidden in the shadows, almost impossible to defend against. The younger sister’s style, however, was passionate and unrestrained, like the Yangtze or the sea, with exquisite techniques pouring forth in an unending torrent.

No wonder the famed fast sword wielder Yuan Lian had no chance to retaliate; facing Gongsun Xi’s swift blade, Yuan Hao’s speed was utterly outclassed.

Pei Min considered his own sword quick, faster even than Yuan Hao, but when compared to Gongsun Xi, he was still a shade slower.

Fortunately, their contest was of swords, not speed.

Facing Gongsun Xi’s lightning assault, Pei Min showed no fear, responding in kind with his own thrust.

The two exchanged more than thirty moves in quick succession. Gongsun Xi’s Sword of the Yue Maiden crackled like thunder and lightning, powerful and fierce. In contrast, Pei Min’s every stroke appeared ordinary, relying only on basic, commonplace techniques. Occasionally, he would employ a clever move, but it was these fundamental sword skills that, in his hands, became extraordinary, enabling him to counter every move of the superior Sword of the Yue Maiden without ever appearing disadvantaged.

The more Gongsun Xi fought, the more astonished she became. She discovered Pei Min’s swordplay followed no set pattern—each move was simple and direct, and the sporadic clever techniques were those she had used to defeat her challengers over the past days. Yet, when Pei Min executed these same moves, their timing and effect were completely different, several times leaving her with cold sweat.

Could it be that all the renowned swordsmen of Ji City were his disciples?

She could not have known that Pei Min’s swordsmanship was entirely self-taught; if he had any teachers, those defeated by her were the most qualified, for he had learned most of his moves by observing the multitude of sword masters in Ji City.

Pei Min himself had named his style “Patchwork Swordsmanship.”

On this day, he used his Patchwork Swordsmanship to confront one of the finest sword arts of the present age: the Sword of the Yue Maiden.