Chapter 73: Passing On Skills
“Clang.”
Amidst the sky-filling blade light, the crisp sound of a drawn saber was faintly heard.
A brilliant flash of saber light suddenly tore through the void.
The sky-filling blade light seemed to be easily ripped open by this brilliant saber light, creating a gap.
The three men’s bodies trembled, and disbelief appeared on their faces.
“How is this possible?”
“Such a fast saber… you are the ‘Astonishing Swan Saber’ Ji…”
Before they could finish speaking, the three fell into a pool of blood.
“Snap.”
Ji Qing sheathed his saber, his gaze coldly fixed on the corpses of the three men.
These three were definitely not refugees, nor were they bandits.
They were Jianghu people, and their identities were certainly not simple.
Jianghu people instigating a refugee riot…
Clearly, the waters in Boyang City run deep!
But what did this have to do with him?
He was only doing one thing tonight.
The gratitude for a single cake, protecting Old Liu’s family.
Although Ji Qing was a “Demon” on the Villain Ranking, he was also righteous and trustworthy, his promises worth a thousand gold!
“Hmm?”
Suddenly, Ji Qing raised his head sharply.
Faintly, he seemed to sense a hint of killing intent.
It was already nighttime, and fires blazed everywhere in the city.
Ji Qing could vaguely see a figure standing on a nearby roof.
The person was in black and masked, their appearance obscured.
Yet, they gave Ji Qing a faint sense of danger.
“Swish.”
The other party’s gaze also fell upon Ji Qing.
Their eyes met in the void.
Ji Qing felt a sense of familiarity.
Sword Momentum!
The man in black must have mastered Sword Momentum!
However, his Sword Momentum was different from Ye Chunsheng’s.
It should be much stronger than Ye Chunsheng’s Sword Momentum.
No wonder it gave Ji Qing a faint sense of danger.
But how could such an expert be in such a small place as Boyang City?
The two faced each other from a distance, neither speaking, in a silent standoff.
“‘Astonishing Swan Saber’ Ji Qing… you ruined the Black Demon Sect’s major plans!”
The man in black ultimately did not dare to approach.
After all, “Astonishing Swan Saber” Ji Qing was famous throughout Jianghu.
A person’s reputation precedes them.
Who would dare claim victory over Ji Qing without being a First-rate Expert?
Although the man in black had mastered Sword Momentum, he was not a First-rate Expert.
He lacked the confidence to deal with Ji Qing.
Therefore, the man in black leaped from the rooftop and disappeared into the night with a few agile movements.
The man in black was gone.
“Black Demon Sect… so it was them who hid among the refugees, fanning the flames and causing this riot in Boyang City…”
Ji Qing mused.
The first time he heard the name Black Demon Sect was at the Hanging Temple.
Kong Wen, whom he had killed, was a member of the Black Demon Sect.
Later, Ji Qing inquired about the Black Demon Sect from Listen to the Wind Tower and gained some understanding of them.
The Black Demon Sect was a very mysterious force in Jianghu.
It was a truly evil sect!
Many notorious martial artists in Jianghu had defected to the Black Demon Sect.
The Black Demon Sect truly deserved the title of “Demon Sect,” acting with utter disregard for consequences; its members frequently caused slaughter on a whim, and village extermination and family annihilation were commonplace.
Yet, neither the government nor some righteous sects and chivalrous individuals in Jianghu could do anything about the Black Demon Sect.
It was rumored that the Black Demon Sect even had a Grandmaster behind them!
However, this time the Black Demon Sect’s involvement in the Boyang City refugee riot likely signified no small ambition.
“Xiao Ta, go search these corpses.”
Ji Qing glanced at Xiao Ta, who was peeking out from the side.
“Alright!”
Xiao Ta was not afraid at all; in fact, he was somewhat excited.
Looting corpses was something Xiao Ta was very familiar with.
Xiao Ta had seen countless dead people while fleeing famine, so he had naturally done his fair share of corpse looting.
Soon, Xiao Ta had thoroughly searched all three corpses.
He found a pile of Silver Shards, Banknotes, and some bottles and jars.
Ji Qing glanced over them.
He discovered that all three had a Token on them.
He picked one up and looked at it.
“Black Demon Token?”
Ji Qing understood.
It seemed these three were indeed from the Black Demon Sect.
Now that he had killed members of the Black Demon Sect, he was likely being targeted by them.
But, so what?
Ji Qing didn’t care.
Ever since he was wanted by the Yamen and ranked high on the Villain Ranking, countless people had been targeting him.
One more Black Demon Sect wouldn’t make much difference.
It’s just that his Saber Momentum was shattered and hadn’t reformed yet, which was a disadvantage.
But the Black Demon Sect didn’t know his Saber Momentum was shattered.
They certainly wouldn’t dare to come after him lightly.
To kill him, they would have to send a First-rate Expert.
But every First-rate Expert in the entire Jianghu was a formidable figure whose slightest move could cause widespread repercussions.
Time passed slowly.
Soon, dawn arrived.
Throughout the rest of the night, there were no further encounters with danger in the courtyard.
As dawn broke, waves of soldiers began clearing the area.
The refugees were all beheaded or captured.
Only a portion managed to escape Boyang City.
Although it was only one night, for Boyang City, this night felt like descending into a living hell.
White sashes hung on almost every household.
The government posted notices announcing the end of the riot in Boyang City.
Many women and children emerged from the houses.
These people came before Ji Qing and all knelt down, kowtowing.
“Thank you, benefactor, for saving our lives!”
They knew how perilous last night had been.
If not for the “benefactor” before them, their fate would have been unimaginable.
Ji Qing accepted the bow with grace.
As the women left, only Xiao Ta, Old Liu, and his granddaughter Xiao Hong remained in the courtyard.
Old Liu said gratefully, “Thank you, Great Hero, for saving us. Otherwise, my grandson and I would have been in mortal danger.”
“The debt of one cake is now settled!”
Ji Qing put on his Conical Hat again and got up to leave.
“Benefactor, wait.”
At this moment, Xiao Ta ran up to Ji Qing.
“What is it?”
“Benefactor, may I take you as my Master? I want to Practice Martial Arts…”
Xiao Ta had harbored this thought for a long time.
Ji Qing had killed those refugees with a single saber strike to save him.
And now he had saved Grandpa Liu, Xiao Hong, and dozens of women and children.
Xiao Ta had witnessed the battle last night.
It filled Xiao Ta with longing and admiration.
If he also possessed such martial arts, who would dare bully him?
Ji Qing saw the hopeful look in Xiao Ta’s eyes and naturally understood what Xiao Ta was thinking.
However, once one practiced martial arts and stepped into Jianghu, whether it was a blessing or a curse for Xiao Ta was uncertain.
“I do not take disciples.”
Ji Qing said.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ta’s face showed a hint of disappointment.
“However, I have a Saber Technique here that I can pass on to you.”
He paused, then turned to look at Xiao Hong.
“Xiao Hong, you can come and practice together too.”
Xiao Hong’s eyes widened, and she looked at her grandfather.
Old Liu was overjoyed and immediately patted his granddaughter.
Xiao Hong understood immediately and came before Ji Qing, kneeling respectfully.
“I will demonstrate it three times. How much you remember depends on your skill.”
Ji Qing immediately began demonstrating the Saber Technique.
The Saber Technique he demonstrated was the Thirteen Fast Blades.
This Saber Technique was simple and straightforward.
It focused on speed.
Even beginners could achieve a certain Combat Power with this Saber Technique, making it most suitable for Xiao Ta and Xiao Hong.
Ji Qing demonstrated it slowly.
He demonstrated it three times.
“Do you remember it?”
Xiao Ta and Xiao Hong both nodded.
“This Saber Technique is called Thirteen Fast Blades. It doesn’t have many moves; the core is ‘speed.’ The faster the saber technique, the better!”
“Can you read?”
“I can read some words.”
Xiao Ta replied.
“Here is a basic Internal Energy Method. It will increase the power of the Thirteen Fast Blades.”
Ji Qing then took out an Internal Energy Manual and threw it to Xiao Ta.
After speaking, Ji Qing no longer lingered and strode out of the courtyard.
“Bang bang bang.”
Xiao Ta immediately knelt down and kowtowed several times towards Ji Qing’s retreating back.
Xiao Hong followed suit.
Although Ji Qing did not accept Xiao Ta as a disciple, in Xiao Ta’s heart, Ji Qing was his Master!
“Xiao Ta, do you know the benefactor’s name? If you achieve success, you can repay him in the future.”
Old Liu asked.
Xiao Ta thought for a moment and said softly, “Last night, I heard someone call Master ‘Astonishing Swan Saber’ Ji Qing. That must be Master’s name.”
“I will definitely train hard in Saber Technique and Internal Energy, and one day repay Master’s great kindness!”
Xiao Ta’s eyes were filled with excitement.
He looked forward to his future path in Jianghu with longing and anticipation.
