Chapter 103: Repeating the Old Trick

“Alright…” Yun Yun only uttered one word before it was covered by Ji Chuixue’s palm.
“Fourth junior sister, whenever I have free time I will take Yun Yun to visit your place. Now, I will escort Yun Yun back to rest first.”
“Very well, Senior Sister. It is settled, then.”
……
When the two large figures and one small one finally vanished from sight beyond the thatched hut, two deep sighs echoed inside the room.
“Ah……”
“Ah……”
One came from Jiang Yan, the other from Little Short Dragon.
“Little Dragon, why are you sighing? Come tell Brother.”
“Hmph, it is none other than you, this pig, who spirited away the cabbage I had painstakingly tended all this time!”
“Who called you a pig? Is Brother as handsome as a pig? Besides, apart from whether the cabbage was taken by me, this cabbage does not appear to belong to you in the first place.”
The human and the dragon immediately began bickering with one another…
Black Flower asked with curiosity, “What is cabbage? Is it delicious?”
“Not delicious……”
“Not edible……”
Two voices spoke at once.
Jiang Yan and Little Short Dragon exchanged a glance and burst into laughter.
“Little Dragon, I plan to set out at dawn for the Cave of Ten Thousand Swords.”
“Oh, ah? So quickly? Then I will accompany you.”
“No need. Brother can handle it alone. Senior Sister returned safely even when she ventured there by herself back then. Have faith in Brother! To become a true strong one, there are still some paths that must be walked oneself. Little Dragon, you and Rong Li need only keep a watchful eye on the wooden dummy while it works.”
“I, the Dragon Lord, can manage it. Rest assured! Go quickly and return quickly!”
……
Early morning, white mist curling gently around the peaks.
The birds were chirping away as usual.
Chirp-chirp-chirp……
Jiang Yan had set out early this morning. This time he wished to travel leisurely, savoring the breathtaking scenery unfolding along the route.
Thus, he retrieved the long-lost black motorcycle from his spatial ring.
Just as he had done before, Jiang Yan affixed a suppressor to the motorcycle, ensuring it would not provoke unnecessary trouble or danger.
Riding the motorcycle, he felt an indescribable thrill of freedom—the pure joy of being unrestrained!
Yet this serenity was shattered all too soon.
“Brother Yan, where are you heading?”
Jiang Yan thought he had imagined it; this was no longer the mountain of the Qilin Sect, so how could he hear that little girl’s voice?
It seemed he must increase his speed……
He layered three acceleration talismans onto the motorcycle and shot forward.
“Brother Yan, why aren’t you ignoring Yun Yun? Where exactly are you going?”
This time the little girl shouted with special volume.
Jiang Yan’s heart skipped a beat; he steadied the motorcycle to a halt.
He scanned left, right, front, and back, yet found no trace of anyone.
Jiang Yan slowly raised his gaze and saw Yun Yun clad in a pink skirt, hovering gracefully in mid-air.
Two playful buns adorned her hair, each tied with a delicate pink fairy ribbon.
“Yun Yun, why have you come? I am heading to the Cave of Ten Thousand Swords. Return to the sect; I will be back shortly.”
“Brother Yan, Yun Yun wishes to go as well.”
“……”
Jiang Yan silently wondered if this little girl had somehow attached a tracking talisman to him.
Otherwise, how could she have appeared so swiftly?
He had originally planned to venture to the Cave of Ten Thousand Swords alone, yet now it appeared he would be burdened with a small companion.
Jiang Yan resolved to repeat the same ruse he had used against Little Short Dragon.
He pointed mysteriously behind her and whispered enticingly, “Yun Yun, quick—look over there. What is that?”
However, Yun Yun did not fall for the trick.
She leaned forward and swiftly took a seat on the rear of Jiang Yan’s motorcycle.
“Hahaha, Brother Yan, your deception is truly pitiful. Who would be foolish enough to fall for it!”
The little Short Dragon who had once been deceived could not help but sneeze repeatedly, muttering to himself, *Who is thinking of me…?*
Jiang Yan found Yun Yun utterly unmanageable and could only sigh helplessly, “Very well, then we shall travel together. Remember, however, that outside you must not casually reveal your true identity……”
“Brother Yan, Yun Yun remembers. Let us hurry and set off!”
Yun Yun’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Going out to play with Brother Yan was truly wonderful!
Without further delay, Jiang Yan swiftly attached flight talismans and acceleration talismans to the motorcycle.
The next instant, the motorcycle shot forward like a falling star, streaking through the sky at great speed.
“Hahaha, this is truly too delightful!”
Yun Yun laughed freely on the back seat; her laughter rang clear and bright as a silver bell, echoing among the clouds.
Jiang Yan’s lips curved upward in a faint, satisfied smile. His mood was clearly excellent.
Not long after, Jiang Yan and Yun Yun reached the Cave of Ten Thousand Swords.
Jiang Yan landed steadily at the entrance and stored the motorcycle away in his spatial ring.
Before the cave mouth stood a colossal stone gate, etched with ancient sword scars that seemed to narrate its long history.
Flanking the gate were two majestic statues of sword immortals, gripping long blades, their gazes firm and profound, as though they guarded this sacred realm of blades.
“Brother Yan, shall we enter?”
Yun Yun gazed up at Jiang Yan, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
Jiang Yan gently ruffled the little girl’s hair. “Let’s go inside and take a look.”
With that, he approached the ancient stone gate and was surprised to find it yielded easily to a push.
Jiang Yan and Yun Yun stepped through together.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the gate sealed itself shut.
Immediately, a deep, resonant voice filled the vast stone cavern: “This is the Cave of Ten Thousand Swords. Those who seek a sword here must not rely on others for assistance; only by wielding their own strength will the sword recognize its true master. Violate this rule and this place shall become your final resting place.”
Jiang Yan scanned the surroundings, finding no one, and silently concluded that the voice must belong to either the cave’s guardian or its creator, issuing a solemn warning.
“Junior understands!” Jiang Yan cupped his fists, bowing respectfully, showing deference to the unseen senior.
Then they followed the mysterious passage deeper into the heart of the cavern.
What lay before Jiang Yan’s eyes were swords of varying lengths and forms—some thrust into the dust, others lying in shadowed corners—as if silently calling to their destined master, the one who could awaken their fate.
The farther they advanced, his foot tripped over an unseen obstacle. He looked down and discovered countless white bones and skulls scattered across the ground.
These, he presumed, belonged to the seniors who had perished within the Cave of Ten Thousand Swords.
Jiang Yan clasped his hands and murmured over the bones.
You think he is offering a rite for the departed?
No, in truth he was saying, “No offense intended. May you all find peace.”
Simultaneously, Jiang Yan added in his heart: The strongest sword, I shall claim it for myself!