Remould the Glory of Sword Art

"Is this the future head of the Jiang Family from Qing State, the Deputy Director of Imperial City?"

"Keep your voice down, how can you discuss such things openly?"

"Such an important figure, personally waiting outside the mountain gate...who is he waiting for?"

In front of the Da Sui Sword Palace mountain gate, there were murmurs of discussion.

The disciples from True Hidden Peak responsible for guiding the visitors felt helpless after hearing the whispers. This morning, this important young figure from Imperial City had arrived at Da Sui Sword Palace. However, he refused to enter, insisting on waiting at the mountain gate... Naturally, Jiang Qihu's actions caught the attention of many.

Everyone was curious.

Who was Jiang Qihu waiting for?

It wasn't until a flock of flying cranes swept across the sky that the man standing in front of the mountain gate looked up for the first time.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Dragon Horse Giant Carriage rolled forward, its canopy shining like the blazing sun!

In that instant, the overwhelming presence it carried descended from above, striking like a waterfall pounding the earth, instantly filling the entire Da Sui Sword Palace.

"Da Sui Sword Palace, Sealing Mountain for ten years."

"Today marks the reopening, the Jiangning Xie Family... comes to offer congratulations!"

This thunderous voice echoed throughout Da Sui Sword Palace, reaching every main peak, and everyone had a sudden realization.

In recent years, which noble family has grown the fastest?

It's naturally the Jiangning Xie Family.

Favored by imperial grace, the Xie Family's rise to power in Jiangning was already an established fact.

The person who would have such a prestigious individual like Jiang Qihu personally come to meet...

On second thought, apart from the royal family, it seems only the Xie Family would qualify.

The flying cranes swept by, the Dragon Horses neighed loudly.

The giant carriage slowly came to a halt in front of the mountain gate. Behind this carriage, followed dozens of maids and Sword Cultivators—such a scale was akin to a diplomatic mission.

A streak of light swooped in from the direction of True Hidden Peak, neatly coming to a halt.

Si Qi clasped his hands inside his sleeves, holding them in front of him, took quick steps to approach the carriage, and bowed politely, smiling as he greeted, "Prince Jiangning has finally arrived."

"There's no need for so many formalities, Brother Si."

Although the figure inside the carriage was under the canopy, the voice conversing was crystal clear.

The voice was very gentle, forceful, and carried a friendly tone.

Xie Sheng stood up, waved his hand to disperse the array patterns on the canopy.

He stepped down from the carriage, approached Si Qi, and with polite and courteous gestures, stopped the other's bowing, helping to lift him up.

The term "Brother Si" resonated throughout the entire mountain gate.

No one found the use of "Brother" inappropriate...

The news that Xie Sheng was to be inducted into the Sword Palace to take charge of the Xuanshui Cave Heaven on the day of Da Sui's reopening had spread far and wide, stirring all four territories.

In the hearts of all.

Xie Sheng was regarded as the reincarnation of Xie Xuanyi.

If he didn't qualify, then who would?

Si Qi slowly stood up and made a guiding gesture.

He stepped aside, opening the way to the interior of the mountain, and said gently, "Prince, you're too kind, please follow me to True Hidden Peak."

"Could you please wait a moment, Brother Si?"

Xie Sheng smiled slightly, shifting his gaze towards the other side of the mountain gate.

There, under the giant pillars of the mountain gate.

Another figure was standing... Even from a distance, he already caught sight of it.

Since the mission's departure from Jiangning, flying cranes were sent continually to bring messages to Da Sui Sword Palace, and in return, the cranes brought back news of which dignitaries had already reached the mountain gate and which noble families had sent their disciples to participate in the reopening event.

Among the most surprising news for Xie Sheng,

was that the young master of the Jiang Family from Qing State, after arriving at Da Sui, did not enter but had been waiting outside the mountain gate for quite some time.

The messages brought by the flying cranes also mentioned...

When Jiang Qihu talked to several important figures, he did not conceal his words; he was waiting for someone with the surname Xie.

There are many people in the world with the surname Xie.

But of a status, a position... to this extent...

Xie Sheng let out a light sigh.

He slowly made his way to the front of the mountain gate and gave a respectful bow.

"Mr. Jiang, sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

This bow was exceedingly earnest, many exclamations of surprise echoed around the mountain gate. However, these sounds of surprise were not about the seemingly instant bond between Jiang Qihu and Xie Sheng, but instead about the fact that what happened next did not unfold as expected.

"What does Prince Jiangning think he's doing?"

Jiang Qihu stood in front of the mountain gate, bewilderedly looking at Xie Sheng who was bowing to him.

He didn't return the bow.

Nor did he utter any pleasantries.

He just looked puzzled and confused at this young man, who had such a grand style, comparable to the royal family's Prince Jiangning.

This scene brought silence to the mountain gate area.

"Mr. Jiang?"

Xie Sheng's expression froze slightly on his face.

He looked at Jiang Qihu, then again towards Si Qi, the True Hidden Peak disciple responsible for receiving guests.

Jiangning Xie Family's flying cranes were sending messages.

The replies... were always from Si Qi.

Si Qi's face was the picture of vividness as he quietly coughed twice, then quickly walked over to the two men, smiling and said, "Didn't Mr. Jiang say earlier that you were waiting for someone?"

"That's right."

Jiang Qihu nodded.

"And Mr. Jiang also mentioned that the person you were waiting for... had the surname Xie?" Si Qi lifted an eyebrow, looking towards Xie Sheng, the implication couldn't be clearer.

"Ah, yes."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Qihu laughed as if realizing something, "I indeed received orders from my teacher to wait here at Da Sui's mountain gate for someone with the surname Xie."

With that,

Jiang Qihu stood on tiptoe, his spirits high, "Here they come, here they come."

He raised his hand high.

"Mr. Xie! Over here! Over here!"

The bustling mountain gate parted to make way.

The countless cultivators crammed at the mountain gate to watch the excitement all focused on the slowly approaching carriage.

The carriage was quite ordinary, nothing particularly distinguished about it, no carvings of dragons or phoenixes, no kirin insignias, and even the curtains were just mats of straw. On closer inspection, they were somewhat shabby...

To be precise, somewhat tattered.

Xie Xuanyi had always been indifferent to the ostentation of travel. Heading north from Lingqu City and making his way to Da Sui Sword Palace, he didn't wish to switch transport methods, hence he just hired a coachman and a carriage. Given the long journey, there were few who were willing to take the job, so finding this one was already considered extremely fortunate.

This shabby, low-quality carriage slowly came to a stop before the gates of the mountain.

In comparison to Prince Jiangning's Dragon Horse Giant Carriage, it was embarrassingly humble and hardly presentable.

And that's not even mentioning...

Following the Giant Carriage, there was the entire grand and orderly Jiangning delegation, equipped with all forms of entertainment, from musical instruments to performers.

On Xie Xuanyi's side, there was only the beat-up carriage, as well as a coachman who was flushed red with all the attention directed at him.

"Coachman... drive a little further inside, I'll add two more taels of broken silver at the end," Xie Xuanyi sighed lightly, offering reassurance before lifting the straw curtain and waving towards Jiang Qihu at the gate.

Was there even a need for Jiang Qihu's signaling?

There was only one path to take.

Previously, in the Ruyi Order, Chen Jingxuan had mentioned not to worry about going to Da Sui Sword Palace, as there would naturally be someone responsible for receiving him.

From a distance, he spotted the person tasked to receive him.

"Deputy Director Jiang," Xie Xuanyi transmitted his voice helplessly.

"You're being too formal."

Xie Xuanyi shifted his tone and said, "Brother Jiang... before departing, didn't the teacher instruct that there was no need to make a grand scene upon reception and to be as low-key as possible?"

Jiang Qihu earnestly transmitted back, "The teacher did say so, that's why I came alone."

"Alone? With all this commotion?"

After hearing this, Xie Xuanyi couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

This was indeed absurd.

Crowds of people, millions of eyes, all focused on one dilapidated carriage.

So much so that the magnificent Dragon Horse and the grand delegation... seemed somewhat dim in comparison.

"I really don't know..."

Jiang Qihu said aggrievedly, "That Xie surnamed princely heir suddenly came over and gave a salute, the teacher didn't tell me that this kind of situation could happen!"

...

...

What was destined to come would still arrive.

The carriage slowly made its way to the gate of the mountain.

Under the scrutiny of countless gazes, the contrast between the carriage and the Giant Carriage was especially comical.

Xie Sheng's expression was complex.

As he watched the rough and lowly carriage come to a halt, he took a breath, squeezed out a smile, and said, "It seems I misunderstood. The person with the surname Xie that Deputy Director Jiang was waiting for... is this gentleman."

"There are many people in the world with the surname Xie."

Si Qi quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Princely Heir, it seems this is indeed a misunderstanding."

"The opening of Da Sui is a joyous occasion."

"A misunderstanding is nothing... after all, to meet is to share a fate."

Xie Sheng quickly controlled his emotions, showing no sign of embarrassment.

He boldly approached the carriage, and in a cheerful voice, asked, "If I'm not mistaken, this Mr. Xie must be the 'Xie Zhen' who saved Baihua Valley during the upheaval in Qing State?"

The case files of Qing State had spread throughout Dachu.

The name Xie Zhen certainly could not be compared to Prince Jiangning.

But he had gained some renown nonetheless.

"An insignificant person, not worth mentioning."

Xie Xuanyi sat inside the carriage, not getting down to meet face to face, but gave a faint response.

"Xie Zhen, we truly have fate."

Prince Jiangning immediately revealed a kindred spirit's demeanor, earnestly saying, "After the situation in Qing State was stabilized, many distinguished figures inquired... they were curious if Mr. Xie was from Jiangning and related to the Xie Family, but, unfortunately, even after checking all the records of Jiangning, I couldn't trace Mr. Xie's origins."

With that statement...

The carriage fell into a brief silence.

"Just as Brother... Teacher Si said earlier."

Xie Xuanyi paused, then continued, "There are many people with the surname Xie in the world; not everyone is from Jiangning."

"Even so, Jiangning is a good place."

Prince Jiangning said with a smile, "In the Dachu Dynasty, the large clans and noble families often branch out far and wide; the descendants of great surnames are scattered north and south of the great river. Mr. Xie might as well trace his ancestry, perhaps there will be a pleasant surprise?"

This statement was an overt invitation and a gesture of goodwill.

"You're thinking too much, Prince."

Xie Xuanyi replied with regret, "I hail from Northern County and am unlikely to be related to the Jiangning Xie Family."

A direct refusal.

"..."

The Prince's smile remained unchanged, but he simply shook his head, "If that's the case, it's truly regrettable. But a hero's origins are of no concern; be it Northern County or Jiangning, it makes no difference."

With that, he turned and looked towards the gates.

"Gentlemen."

"Jiangning Xie Family, Xie Sheng, presents his respects here."

Xie Sheng stood at a high point of the gate, bowing to the countless cultivators below.

In a loud voice, he proclaimed, "In the coming days, as Da Sui Sword Palace opens, and after some time, the Sword Qi ceremony will take place to accept new disciples. Xie Sheng sincerely hopes that all aspiring talents may become disciples of the Sword Palace... After the Sword Qi ceremony, Xie Sheng will host a banquet at Lotus Peak, inviting all of you; no matter what, please grace us with your presence."

Having said this, he left to return to his magnificent Dragon Horse Carriage.

And with that...

This scene finally concluded.

"Deputy Director Jiang, I'm truly sorry for today," Si Qi said with some apology, bowing to Jiang Qihu.

"What's the harm?"

Jiang Qihu dismissed it nonchalantly with a wave of his hand.

Si Qi sighed lightly and, leading the carriage delegation, soared towards True Hidden Peak. Before leaving, he glanced curiously at the shabby straw curtain of the carriage, lifted by the wind.

For Prince Jiangning to humbly greet and modestly make contact...

Yet that Xie Zhen...

Not only did he not get down to return the greeting, but he didn't even give him a chance to lift the curtain.

Such behavior was indeed a bit too resolute.

...

...

(PS: This chapter counts as an additional chapter for the monthly tickets. I was a bit stuck over the past few days and am making it up today.)