C20 – Longevity Sword


    Ni Xianjian sat silently in his seat for an extended period, casting nces at Ni Huibo, who stood by his side. He attempted to speak several times but found himself at a loss for words.


    “I’m deeply remorseful about how I’ve treated your father, and I feel the same towards you. I never imagined that Ni Situo would harbor such resentment towards me,” Ni Xianjian said, looking into Ni Huibo’s clear eyes, his own sense of guilt intensifying. After a moment, he exined, “Ni Situo is my only son. His mother passed away when he was very young, and I was often absent from his life. Servants and guards were his onlypanions over the years, which led to his arrogant demeanor. I truly owe him a great deal. I stripped him of his title as junior family head in hopes of reshaping his character while he’s still young. So, Huibo, please don’t dwell on it.”


    Ni Huibo could sense the disappointment and guilt weighing on Ni Xianjian’s voice and quickly responded, “Uncle, you haven’t failed to honor my father’s trust in you. I’ve felt your care and concern for me. I once believed you disliked or even hated me, thinking perhaps my parents had wronged the family, which is why you avoided discussing them. I never realized there was such aplex story behind it all. You’ve considered my father’s and my welfare so thoroughly. You’ve lived up to my father’s trust.”


    Ni Huibo went on, “My brother’s misunderstanding stems from ourck of interaction; he simply doesn’t know me well. Given the chance, I hope to clear things up with him in the future.”


    At this juncture, Ni Huibo felt a tinge of envy towards Ni Situo. Regardless of a child’s misbehavior or the gravity of their mistakes, a father’s instinct is to first question his own shorings, believing he has failed in their upbringing and that the child is not to me. This mindset proved difficult to escape, even for his uncle, a man known for his logical and cool demeanor.


    Ni Xianjian nodded, then steered the conversation in a new direction. “Huibo, after our discussion about your father this morning, I remembered he left a sword for you when he entrusted you to my care. Come with me to my room; today, I will formally present the sword to you.”


    “The sword my father left behind?”


    Upon hearing Ni Xianjian’s words, Ni Huibo shuddered. “My father left a sword for me?” he pondered.


    Ni Xianjian led Ni Huibo to his room, where he retrieved a box, roughly three feet in length, from beneath the bed.


    Opening the box, Ni Xianjian gently caressed the cool de and said to Ni Huibo, “I had always thought this sword would remain hidden in this box until my dying day. I never anticipated that it would be brought out again on your sixteenth birthday.”


    “Your father was extremely fond of swordsmanship. However, the sword he wielded at twenty wasn’t this one. I’m not sure where he found this sword, but when he departed, the only thing he left you was this very sword. He must have held it in high regard.” Ni Xianjian’s voice wavered silently as he spoke of Ni Chunwen.


    After a brief pause, Ni Xianjian lifted the sword from the box and handed it to Ni Huibo.


    With hands quivering, Ni Huibo epted the sword. “Is this truly the sword my father bequeathed to me?” he wondered silently. He tenderly ran his fingers over every inch of the sword, which had once been his father’s constantpanion. Now, with the sword by his side, it felt as though his father was still with him.


    Ni Huibo drew the sword and examined it closely.


    The sword measured approximately two feet and six inches, forged from ck iron, both light and slender. It was adorned with diamond-shaped patterns that lent it an air of mystery. Unlike other swords, its de was not perfectly straight; the spine was sharply defined, with the widest part situated about half a foot from the tip, tapering into an inward curve before bulging out again towards the pointed end. The entire de glowed with a cyan hue, signaling its keen edge.


    Upon closer inspection, Ni Huibo noticed an inscription on the hilt. He moved the sword into the candlelight and discerned two characters: Longevity. “Were these words etched by my father, or by a previous owner of the sword?” he mused.


    Without dwelling on it, Ni Huibo decided not to ponder over a name for the sword. Given the inscription, he resolved to call it the Longevity Sword.


    The Longevity Sword was Ni Huibo’s first weapon, and he shared his father’s fondness for swordsmanship. Ni Xianjian wondered if this shared passion was the subtle bond between father and son.


    Ni Xianjian watched with joy as Ni Huibo lovingly caressed each part of the sword. His thoughts drifted, “Second brother, I’m entrusting your sword to Ni Huibo today. I hope it will guard him well and that together they will carve out a legacy as illustrious as yours once was in the Croburg Kingdom.”


    “Ni Huibo, I once forbade you from pursuing cultivation so you could live a peaceful life like any other person. But now that you’ve embarked on the path of cultivation through your own diligence, it’s time for a detailed discussion. Mightcairn City is home to three prominent families: the Lee family, the Xu family, and our own Ni family. These families host a martial arts contest every December.


    “In the Croburg Kingdom, strengthmands respect. Lesser families and powers align themselves with the mighty. Each family selects their strongest member topete. Thus, every September, the Ni family holds apetition for those under eighteen, and the top five are chosen.”


    “The five champions gain ess to the Martial Hall’s sacred grounds, where they can seek and train in the advanced cultivation methods left by our ancestors. I want you to im first ce in the martial arts contest. If youck even this basic skill, how will you ever seek vengeance?”


    Ni Xianjian observed Ni Huibo’s reactions closely as he spoke.


    He had two reasons for encouraging Ni Huibo to enter the three-familypetition.


    Firstly, Ni Huibo’s participation could inspire ambition in the Ni family’s youth. The Ni family’s standing in Mightcairn was perilously close to decline, and a loss now could lead to their downfall—a prospect Ni Xianjian dreaded.


    Secondly, the adversary of his second brother wielded overwhelming power, rendering the Ni family insignificant inparison. If Ni Huibo couldn’t make a significant impact in Mightcairn, Ni Xianjian would have to quash any hopes of avenging his brother. Under no circumstances could he allow Ni Huibo to rush headlong into certain death.


    “Uncle, I will definitely take first ce,” Ni Huibo dered, his fists clenched tightly with resolve.


    He couldn’t possibly give up this chance. Fear was not an option for him; his uncle was the only lead to discovering his enemy’s identity. He was aware that missing out on this opportunity would mean never learning his foe’s name for the rest of his life. Without that, he would lose all hope of finding his father.


    ?”I’ve informed the entire family that you’re permitted to practice the cultivation method,” Ni Xianjian advised. “Don’t rush for quick sess. It’s essential to build a solid foundation step by step. The Martial Hall is an excellent ce for honing your martial skills, as you currentlyck realbat experience. Spend time there observing and learning. If you have any questions about your training, feel free to ask me or your aunt. For the sake of our family’s safety, I’ve kept your father’s situation from your aunt, and I’d like you to do the same.”


    “Uncle, I went to the Martial Hall today hoping to deepen my understanding of cultivation, but instead, I realized the power of each martial skill,” Ni Huibo said earnestly. “I’mcking in both skills and experience. But rest assured, starting today, I’ll dedicate myself to training and won’t disappoint you.” He then thought of his aunt, who had always shown him silent support. “My aunt has been so kind to me. While I don’t like keeping secrets from her, I can’t risk putting her in danger. I’ll keep my father’s matters to myself.”


    Ni Xianjian nodded, his face showing a mix of pride and relief. “Alright, go on now,” he said with a dismissive wave.


    Ni Huibo nodded in acknowledgment, bid his uncle farewell, and departed.


    ?Back in his room, Ni Huiboy on his bed, his mind buzzing with an exhrating sense of purpose. Armed with some knowledge of his parents, iplete as it was, he knew that fulfilling his uncle’s request would unlock the remaining secrets.


    Now, with the ability to cultivate and master various martial skills, he was embarking on a journey he hadn’t dared to dream of in sixteen years. Ni Huibo caressed the Longevity Sword lying beside him and was lost in contemtion.


    ?The Longevity Sword by his side was the sole legacy his father had left behind. Holding it in his hands, he felt a profound sense of security.


    He was determined to take part in every event, be it the Ni family’s internal elections or the grandpetition among the three major ns.