Chapter 53: The Swordsman Xu Ning
For the next five years, Xu Ning relentlessly challenged various martial arts figures across the land.
Because Xu Ning never killed or seriously injured his opponents, many were actually quite willing to accept the challenge. They wanted to experience his legendary skills firsthand.
Gradually, Xu Ning beca famous throughout the martial arts world. Sotis, when he arrived at the location of a challenge target, the opponent would even invite him to a al first, treating him as a respected guest.
Interestingly, everyone challenged by Xu Ning spread rumors that he was a frail scholar who wielded a soft sword. They claid he was an easy target.
However, upon accepting the challenge, they were imdiately stunned by Xu Ning's devastating three-hit combo. The "frail scholar" hit like a mountain.
In those five years, Xu Ning challenged almost every slightly renowned acquired-stage master in the entire Da Xuan region. He acquired a large number of cultivation techniques from them.
However, studying all these techniques still failed to push his own techniques to the mortal-level divine grade. Sothing was still missing.
Therefore, Xu Ning couldn't stop. He began challenging innate-level masters, seeking greater challenges and better techniques.
One day, Xu Ning had just defeated an innate-level master and was on his way to his next destination when a child suddenly blocked his path on the road.
Xu Ning had no choice but to stop and ask, "What do you want, stopping like this? Are you looking for trouble?"
The boy didn't answer. Instead, he knelt down directly. "Senior, please take as your disciple! I beg you."
Xu Ning was speechless and waved his hand dismissively. "I don't take disciples. Find soone else. There are plenty of other masters."
The boy didn't speak, his face stubborn and determined. He remained kneeling.
Xu Ning was too lazy to bother with him. He patted his donkey and walked around him.
The boy imdiately got up and followed silently.
Even as night fell, the boy still didn't leave. He continued to follow behind Xu Ning, shivering in the cold.
Seeing that the boy's face was pale and his body was weak from hunger, Xu Ning relented. He tossed him a piece of bread and then ate his own.
The boy looked at the bread Xu Ning had tossed him, swallowed hard, and then cautiously said, "Senior, my family was wiped out by enemies. I have nowhere to go, and I want revenge."
Xu Ning said vaguely, "Eat your fill first. We'll talk after."
After hearing this, the boy didn't hesitate any longer. He picked up the bread and wolfed it down hungrily.
After the boy finished eating, Xu Ning, though knowing he wasn't full, didn't give him any more. He asked, "What's your na?"
"Senior, my na is Gu Mu," the boy quickly replied, his eyes bright.
Xu Ning nodded slowly. "You can lead my donkey for now. When I think you're ready, I'll teach you so things. Prove yourself."
Gu Mu's face imdiately lit up with joy. He quickly knelt before Xu Ning again. "Thank you, Master! I won't disappoint you!"
Xu Ning waved his hand. "Don't rush to call Master. I haven't decided to take you as my disciple yet. You haven't passed my test. Leading a donkey doesn't make you a disciple."
Although Gu Mu was disappointed, he didn't dare say anything more. He just nodded.
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The next morning, Gu Mu led the donkey carrying Xu Ning in the direction Xu Ning had indicated.
From then on, Xu Ning had a boy leading a donkey, a classic image.
"Why did you decide to beco my disciple?" Xu Ning couldn't help but ask on the way, curious.
Gu Mu answered honestly. "I saw you defeat that master of the Innate Realm with just three moves. I know that only by becoming your disciple can I learn enough to take revenge on those who killed my family."
Xu Ning nodded. "Good. You know how to seize opportunities. That's an important skill."
Along the way, Xu Ning would teach Gu Mu so unconventional things, such as stealing a chicken to roast for dinner, or picking corn from soone's yard when they weren't looking.
As the saying goes, if you walk by the river long enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. One day, Gu Mu was discovered picking soone's fruit, and the owner chased after him with a stick.
Seeing the host's aggressive deanor, Xu Ning pointed at Gu Mu without hesitation. "He stole it! If you have a problem with him, go find him! I had nothing to do with it."
Gu Mu was dumbfounded and opened his mouth. "Senior, it wasn't you who told to..."
"What? Don't make excuses. Take responsibility for your actions!" Xu Ning interrupted him directly.
Gu Mu's eyes widened, feeling completely betrayed and terrified.
The hoowner didn't waste any words. He glared fiercely at Gu Mu. "Boy, you stole my fruit! How are you going to compensate ? That's not cheap."
Gu Mu panicked imdiately, turning to Xu Ning for help. "Senior, please!"
Xu Ning, however, looked up at the sky, seemingly indifferent to the situation.
Finally, Gu Mu closed his eyes in resignation. "I have no money. Hit then. I can't pay."
The hoowner was speechless. He turned to Xu Ning. "You're his senior. What do you say we do about this? I don't want to beat a child."
Xu Ning suggested, "How about this? Let him work for you for a few days to settle the debt. He'll earn his keep. How about that?"
The hoowner considered, then finally nodded. "Alright, let's have a simple al at my house first, then he can work. You're both welco."
Gu Mu was dumbfounded upon hearing this. How could this person be so kind, actually inviting them to dinner after being stolen from?
On the way there, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, my junior stole your fruit. Aren't you angry with us? Most people would be furious."
The owner smiled warmly and replied, "The fruit has ripened recently, and I've been quite busy with the harvest. I need help. Of course, you need to eat while you're working. It's only fair."
Xu Ning quickly interjected, "Uncle, I didn't steal your fruit. I don't need to work, do I? I'm innocent."
The owner said, "It's alright. Just have a simple al with us. No work for you."
Xu Ning asked, "Aren't you afraid we're bad people? We could be dangerous."
The owner waved his hand. "Everyone's life is better now. Not many people want to be bad people anymore. And I believe you won't be either. You have honest faces."
"Speaking of which, the world has beco what it is all thanks to the late Emperor and Pri Minister Xu. We live in peace because of them."
Xu Ning exclaid in surprise, feigning ignorance. "The late Emperor and Pri Minister Xu? What pri minister could be compared to the late Emperor? I've heard tales, but tell more."
The host's eyes lit up as he spoke, eager to share. "Pri Minister Xu is a legend in our Da Xuan. He assisted the late Emperor in ascending the throne and proposed various reform policies. That's why Da Xuan is what it is today—unified, prosperous, at peace. He was a true genius."
Xu Ning listened, feeling exceptionally pleased. It was good to hear his legacy spoken of so highly.
At that mont, Gu Mu, who was leading the donkey, glanced back unintentionally and saw the donkey suddenly roll its eyes at the host's words.
Gu Mu was imdiately startled. For a mont, he felt that the donkey his senior was riding was very human-like in its expressions.
And at this mont, the resemblance was particularly striking, almost unbelievable.
This donkey is no ordinary creature! Gu Mu thought to himself, storing the observation away.
Besides the donkey, Gu Mu also noticed a small bird hidden inside his senior's clothes. It wasn't an ordinary bird, but a small bird resembling a sparrow, which often looked at him with a knowing gaze.
Gu Mu felt as if soone was always watching him.
The more ti Gu Mu spent with his senior, the more he felt that his senior was not as simple as he had initially imagined. There were many secrets.
Soon, Xu Ning and his group arrived at the host's house and had a simple but hearty al.
Gu Mu had initially thought that his senior would coldly observe him working while relaxing.
However, the senior was even more enthusiastic than him about working, helping with the harvest and carrying heavy loads.
At this mont, the senior didn't seem like the renowned martial arts master he had always been. He seed like a normal farmhand.
The host also had a daughter who was very fond of Gu Mu, bringing him snacks and talking to him.
Seeing this, the host realized sothing was amiss. He quickly sent Xu Ning and his group away on the third day, before any romance could bloom.
After leaving, Xu Ning shook his head with a smile.
Gu Mu was speechless. "Senior, why do you seem a little disappointed? We were almost caught."
Xu Ning replied, "I was thinking of helping the master for a few more days so you could get to know that little girl better. She liked you."
Gu Mu's mouth dropped open, unable to process what he was hearing. Stealing fruit was one thing, but to think about romance while working off a debt? Was that sothing a normal person could think of?
In the following days, Xu Ning continued to have Gu Mu "acquire" things from ti to ti. If he was caught, he would have Gu Mu do chores for the master to pay off the debt.
As these incidents increased, Gu Mu gradually began to realize Xu Ning's true motives.
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