A young youth sat at a tavern sipping tea. On the table was his translucent violet sword. His aura made him seem like he was a immortal amongst the mortals.
"This tea..."
He drank all of it.
"is so terrible, Bleh."
Jin Zhen didn't know what he was expecting coming to a random tavern to drink tea. He didn't even love tea in the first place and just wanted to try acting like one of those eloquent heroes. Although it was terrible, he didn't want to waste resources for no reason.
"Hey have you heard?! Wei Xian broke through after having a fight with 'The immortal swordsman'!"
"The immortal swordsman? I've never of such a title before? Who is it?"
"Its no wonder, he isn't on the rankings after all!"
"Impossible! Wei Xian is the 3rd greatest swordsman who even the 1st, "Swift blade" acknowledged!"
"But what about this result? Can you explain why Wei Xian has gone to seclusion?"
"You mean..."
"That's right! Look, how strong is Wei Xian, hm? If someone was able to give him pointers, how stronger would The Immortal Swordsman be? Right now, we might get a new number 1 swordsman!"
Jin Zhen looked on with no interest. He was listening, but it was only because he was bored.
"Sigh, what should I do now?"
He took out a notebook from underneath his clothes.
"Lets see....How about...." He started scribbling things down.
[1. travel Jianghu and save innocent people?
2. Challenge all the strongest? - No, I'm not interested. Plus that sounds annoying
3. Become a Neet??? - What...would I even do then....There isn't any video games or entertainment....
4. Become a emperor - Hell no
5. Teach 100 disciples and make a harem - Ugh, sounds like a pain....
6. Get married and live a mortal life? - If it was in modern times with modern convenience
7. ....]
There's nothing I really want to do? I just wanted to be a cultivator and live a long life until modern times, but this is the wuxia world. Sure there might be medicine that could help live around 100-200 years old, but who would even be able to live for 2,000 years long?
"Sigh~ Traveling Jianghu and saving innocent people it is. Because it's the right thing to do–This is my only reason."
He threw a coin to the table. "Waiter, I'm checking out."
....
....
....
A middle aged man sitting on a golden throne looked at the reports from his spies.
"Hm...An immortal swordsman who helped Wei Xian reach enlightenment..."
He rubbed his chin thinking about the pros and cons. A Eunuch stood by his side and whispered to him.
"I see, let Yan Ping in."
A old man holding a taoist brush kneeled and bowed to the Emperor.
"Long live the emperor."
"Rise."
"Thank you, your majesty."
"Yan Ping, tell me. What did you see?"
"...I saw nothing."
The emperor put down his report and stared at Yan Ping.
"Nothing?"
"Really nothing."
"You mean to tell me, that even you, can't see through the immortal swordsman?"
"As soon as I tried to peek into this mans fate, I felt a sensation of death. I fear that if I were to even glimpse at him for a second, my old life will come to an end then and there."
He knelt down.
"I ask your forgiveness for being unable to fulfill my duty."
"...."
The emperor tapped his index finger in silence.
"Alright, you're not to be blamed. What about Wei Xian?"
"...I can't see him."
This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Hm...is the immortal swordsman from the Lianhaiman then? If so...they would have 2 Grandmaster...."
The emperor waved his hands.
"You are dismissed now."
Yan Ping stepped back slowly and then turned to leave. But before that he turned to the emperor again.
"Your majesty, may I give my thoughts about the immortal swordsman."
"....speak then."
"Though I am unable to see him, I can feel him. He is like a raging storm yet also as tranquil as the sea. The earth shake along with his might as if to the beat of a war drum!"
The emperor scoffs, "You talk as if he's truly a immortal."
"I have a feeling...that he is the closest thing that we know a immortal to be."
"So? Do you want me to leave him be?"
"Yes-"
"But I, am the emperor!"
A dragon image appeared behind him roaring out.
"If a immortal stands in my way, then I will cut him down!"
"But your majesty! He is not a man, but a passing storm! A being that might even be–"
"Shut your mouth this instant!" He glared at Yan Ping.
Realizing what he was just about to say, he lowered his head.
"Leave, I understand your concerns, but I have plans for them already."
"...Yes."
Yan Ping finally leaves.
The emperor who seemed angry returned to his calm demeanor as if he was acting.
"Hm, the immortal swordsman. If I could enlist him to my army..."
He looks at the Eunuch.
"Tell my shadows to investigate. I want to know every details no matter how small. Remember, don't provoke the immortal swordsman. If they find him by chance, don't follow. With his level of skills, he would be able to tell instantly."
"Yes."
....
....
....
Walking on the street Jian Zhen looked at the map of the country along with a history book.
"Lets see, martial arts reaching enlightenment highest rank is Grandmaster, the country is completely different from earth."
He put his map down and saw a old granny carrying a basket the size of a small child. Jin Zhen walked up to her.
"Would you like some help?"
"No, no. I'm fine, thank you for asking."
She looked surprised as she looked up and down. Jin Zhen was dressed incredible well and could be on par with a high rank noble.
"Actually, I'm new around here. How about this, I help you carry that basket and you can tell me about this place?"
"This..." She looked at Jin Zhens earnest eyes and smiled. "Alright."
Jin Zhen took the basket effortlessly in one hand and supported the granny with his other.
"Even though I look like this, I'm actually quite powerful~" Jin Zhen bragged a little while also laughing care-freely.
When the granny walked one step, he would be in sync and copy her pace. Not too slow nor too fast.
"I feel bad letting you do this, how about-"
"Eh! Are you going back on your deal? Granny, at your age, you should let your sons and daughters do the work."
"Sigh~ My son went to war and..." Her tone fell off.
Realizing he misspoke he apologized, "My condolences."
"Ah, you misunderstood. He's not dead, its just that he's in a coma."
She continued speaking.
"16 years ago, my daughter in law died due to childbirth and now my granddaughter is all I have. I'm trying to gain money in order to pay for my sons medicine."
"I see. Can I ask why your granddaughter isn't helping you here?"
"I told her to stay at home! I hope that she doesn't go through so much while growing up."
"I see..."
It was hard to relate. Jin Zhen never had anyone he could truly say he loved. Even his parents.
"aiyah~ I was so busy speaking that we took the wrong road!"
"No problem, take your time."
While they were turning to go back to where they came from a shout was heard.
"Fang Mei, give up! Come and be my concubine, I won't be disrespectful to you, Hehehe."
The granny's face lost its color instantly. She turned to the voice.
"Mei'er?!"
Jin Zhen noticed the change in atmosphere.
"Is she..."
"She's my granddaughter!"
Her eyes started tearing up and she wanted to rush out, but controlled herself.
"Young sir, this doesn't concern your noble presence. Please leave."
"...I'll come with you."
"But sir-"
"Think about your granddaughters sake. Just let me accompany you."
"...I'm sorry to have implicated you into this."
"No worries. I'm actually really nosy."
He smiles care freely and gently.
"Well then, lets go see whats happening."
In a instant, they vanished into thin air and appeared right in front of a group of men surrounding a woman.
"So?"
He turns to face them.
"I'm guessing you guys are the cliche villains here?"
.....
.....
.....
10 minutes ago.
A girl in a beautiful forest green dress posed in front of a painter. Behind him was a young man with clean clothes chuckled to himself while looking at her physique.
"Sir, should we force her down for you to..."
SMACK!
"Do you think I'm a barbarian?! Do you think that I can't make her mine!? Me? Xu Jiayi?! The empress's cousin?"
"Y-yes, sir is correct! I was muddleheaded!" He began smacking his own face.
"Aih! Scram! You're ruining my view!"
"Y-yes!" The servant crawled as fast as he could away.
"Sir.." The girl stood up.
"Fang Mei don't move! The painter needs to draw you still!"
"It's just that my grandmother is about to return home soon. Could it be possible to finish this sooner?"
"If you want the money, you listen to me. Stay still and you will get the money. Easy job right? Think about where you would find another job where you can support both your grandmother and your father. Can you think about it? You can't right?"
She bit her lips. In fact, she didn't want to do this.
But this is the only way for us to survive...For people like us....we can only rely on ourselves.
She smiled gently at Xu Jiayi and said, "Then lets continue."
Xu Jiayi reached out to grab her hand, but she hastily backed away before he got close.
He scoffs, "Hah! Still playing hard to get hm?"
He laughs even louder, finding this situation to be almost ridiculous.
"Fang Mei, give up! Come and be my concubine, I won't be disrespectful to you, Hehehe."
"Sir, I have to refuse! Fang Mei isn't good enough to be your concubine! I'm afraid that if you marry me, you'll regret it in the future."
"...Then." he smiles. "You can stay here until I regret it, how about that?"
"Sir-"
"Servants! Until I give the order, Fang Mei isn't allowed a step out of this place. If you fail at this, then go die in a ditch somewhere I can't see!"
"Yes!"
They began to surround her.
"If she agrees to marry me, then she can go. If she doesn't, then we'll just have to wait. Sigh~ by that time, who knows how your fragile grandmother and father will be doing!"
"Sir, please let me go!"
"sip~ Hmm... This tea is real good. Want a taste?"
"Sir!"
"Servants ask the chef to cook the fish I caught earlier. Serve it to Miss Fang Mei. She must be hungry after all this time."
Looks like....he won't let me go until I really agree.
She crumpled her dress with her hands. Her mind wandering in search for a solution.
If only....
She remembers the stories that her father used to tell her. How Young heroes had change the dynasties. How the swordsman created a path with their blade.
If only I was strong enough....but I'm not. I can't defy him nor can I say no. This is my fate. This is....is this really the reason for me being born? To be trampled all over by this man?
"Sir...I..."
However, in the end...the truth remains that he has power....and I don't.
"Hm? What is it dear Fang Mei?"
"I agre–"
Swoosh~
Suddenly Fang Mei saw a back of a person standing in front of her and his hair flowed slowly down as his steps were soft and light.
It was almost instantaneous and caught everyone off guard. His presence was so big that no one noticed the granny besides him or that he was carrying a basket the size of a small child.
The strange man then woke everyone up with his voice.
"I'm guessing you guys are the cliche villains here?"