Volume One: Tempests in a Small Town Chapter 20: The Sword Saint Composes a Poem

Slay a man every ten steps, travel a thousand miles without pause.
When the deed is done, brush off your robe and go, hiding your merit and fame deep within.
As Zhang Heng strode along, he recited these lines aloud.
From Yan Xueqing's earlier words, Zhang Heng surmised that this Sword Saint senior was something of a cultured man; this "Song of the Swordsman" was an exceptionally elegant and unrestrained poem, most fitting to praise these swordmasters.

No reaction. Had he guessed wrong? That solitary Du Gu Bai still leaned with eyes closed against the tree, unmoved.

Oh, I see now, thought Zhang Heng. The poem is about ancient swordsmen, but Du Gu Bai is on an entirely different level from them. "Slay a man every ten steps"? Du Gu Bai could probably circle the entire Immortal Continent in ten steps.

Looks like I'll have to change the poem.

Collecting his thoughts, Zhang Heng began again:

Have you not seen, the waters of the Yellow River come from the sky,
Rushing to the sea, never to return?
Have you not seen, in high halls the bright mirror grieves for white hair,
At dawn like black silk, by evening turned to snow?
Life must be seized at its height—let not the golden goblet face the moon empty.
Heaven gave me talent for a reason; though I squander a thousand in gold, it will return to me.

This "Have You Not Seen" is Li Bai's most wild and exuberant poem; even if Du Gu Bai couldn't understand every word, surely he could feel its spirit.

Sure enough, the always-closed-eyed Du Gu Bai opened his eyes and glanced Zhang Heng's way.

Zhang Heng, who had been watching intently, felt a flicker of hope—maybe this would work after all.

Roast lamb and slaughter oxen for joy—let us drink three hundred cups at once!
Master Cen, Lord Danqiu, bring on the wine and keep the cups coming!

Zhang Heng continued to recite.

After listening, Du Gu Bai's face lit up and he praised, "I did not expect one so young to possess such poetic ability, equal to mine if not superior. Truly remarkable."

"Oh!" Zhang Heng feigned surprise. "I did not imagine Senior was also a lover of poetry. Might I have the honor of hearing a verse from you, so I may admire your talent?" Zhang Heng bowed respectfully towards Du Gu Bai.

Outwardly, Zhang Heng showed deference, but inwardly he was thinking: Du Gu Bai, I have received twelve years of compulsory education—no way your poems can outnumber mine.

"In a good mood today, I'll recite one for you," Du Gu Bai stood and announced.

"Upholding justice between heaven and earth,
Never taking a penny from the weak.
Sword energy stretches three hundred million miles,
Even the Sage bows his head in awe."

Finishing, he looked at Zhang Heng with satisfaction. "Well, boy, what do you think of this poem?"

Zhang Heng was speechless. He had thought this Sword Saint, for all his several hundred years, would have more culture than most in this uncivilized world. But this was clearly elementary school level—any line Zhang Heng could recite offhand would be better than this.

Suppressing his laughter, Zhang Heng replied, "Senior’s poem is grand and magnificent; I can only gaze up at such greatness. Ahem, ahem."

"What’s with that expression?" Du Gu Bai asked, noticing Zhang Heng’s odd look.

"Ah, I was simply shocked by the power of your verse, Senior—deeply shocked." Zhang Heng was at a loss; should he really tell the truth, that the poem was so terrible it made him want to laugh? And he claimed to be on par with me? I could vomit.

"So young, and yet you already grasp the deeper meaning of poetry—excellent, excellent," Du Gu Bai said with the air of a teacher pleased with his pupil.

Zhang Heng was about to retort when, just as Du Gu Bai finished his poem, the lake behind them began to bubble wildly, as if agitated, and columns of water shot ten fathoms high.

Zhang Heng was struck dumb, railing at the lake in his mind: I just recited a poem by the Sage of Poetry, and you didn't stir; but for that trash, you get all excited? Clearly, I am unworthy.

Off to the side, the two girls watched Zhang Heng and Du Gu Bai trade verses. Little Hong could only think how amazing her young master was, her eyes shining with admiration.

Yan Xueqing, on the other hand, could only sigh helplessly, "Here we go again."

Seeing Du Gu Bai fall silent once more, Zhang Heng had no choice but to speak again.

"I did not expect that, in addition to your profound cultivation, Senior Du Gu’s poetic talent so far surpasses my own. Truly you are both a man of letters and a master of arms—rare indeed in this world." Zhang Heng spoke these words with a straight face and steady breath. Whatever—best to pile on the flattery.

But Du Gu Bai ignored him, returning to his former state.

"Senior, would you care for some fish?" Zhang Heng offered the grilled fish.

Seeing that Du Gu Bai seemed displeased, Zhang Heng hurried back to the fire.

After all, everything must proceed step by step; as long as you have a weakness, I can find a way to handle you.

When Yan Xueqing finished her fish, Zhang Heng tentatively asked, "Miss Yan, it’s getting late—where do you and your respected master usually rest?" Though they were still in the mountains, Zhang Heng knew there was something called void traversal; perhaps in the next instant, master and disciple would be thousands of miles away.

Yan Xueqing, unconcerned with appearances, simply flopped onto her back and coquettishly said to Du Gu Bai, "Master, I’m tired. Let’s rest here tonight."

Du Gu Bai said nothing, merely leaping lightly onto a tree branch.

What? You know how to act cute? That’s totally out of character! Zhang Heng was dumbfounded.

Little Hong was about to suggest Zhang Heng return to the cave where they’d been staying nearby, but Zhang Heng wanted to spend more time with these powerful figures, so he lay down where he was.

"Little Hong, the scenery here is quite nice—let’s rest here tonight."

Nice scenery? It was pitch black—you couldn’t see a thing.

Two groups of strangers meeting for the first time, resting together without a hint of caution—that was the way of the martial world.

For Du Gu Bai and his disciple, there was no need for vigilance.

For Zhang Heng and Little Hong, likewise there was no need.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Yan Xueqing and Du Gu Bai prepared to leave.

"Zhang Heng, was it? Thank you for the grilled fish. The road is long in the martial world—if fate allows, we’ll meet again," Yan Xueqing called back to Zhang Heng from a distance.

Zhang Heng pondered, then decided he should say something; after all, with their parting, he might never see Du Gu Bai again, and how then could he complete his mission? There was a reward for this task—failing would be a great loss.

"Miss Yan, wait! You and Senior Du Gu have come a long way, most likely for the opening of the Dragon Burial Abyss. I may not have great abilities, but I grew up here and know the area well. Why not take us along? Perhaps we can be of help."

Take it one step at a time. Although Zhang Heng had just arrived and knew nothing of the Dragon Burial Abyss, he had the system—wasn’t this system supposed to know everything? Hopefully, it would be reliable when the time came.

Hearing this, the two stopped. Yan Xueqing replied, "Since you know of the Dragon Burial Abyss, you must be aware of its dangers. Though the spatial turbulence is about to fade, inside there are many high-level spirit beasts and all manner of toxic spirit plants. More than that… In short, you two have no cultivation; if you enter, you’ll surely die. Best not to go," she said, turning to leave.