I Believe in Him

Chapter 96 I Believe in Him

As dusk brushed past the rooftops, the rain began to fall.

First, a gust of wind blew several cloth banners from the West Market onto the eaves.

As the dark clouds pressed down, large raindrops pounded on the bluestone road, and vendors packed up their stalls and ran home with their goods.

The back door of the fish shop.

Yan Xiaolou came out carrying a bamboo basket filled with slag and coal ash.

Her hair and shoes were covered in furnace ash, and her cuffs had two small holes burned by sparks. This was no longer the senior disciple of Zhefeng Pavilion. Even the servants in the pavilion who were responsible for boiling water might not recognize her.

"Being a stove boy wasn't enough, they also made me empty the ashes."

She complained, but her eyes were bright, and she even subconsciously moved her right wrist before leaving the house.

Zhaoyue squatted under the eaves, clutching the account book in her hands, and called out towards the street corner, "The road is slippery because of the rain, so please be careful."

"At least he has some conscience." Yan Xiaolou muttered to himself, but just as this thought popped into his head, Zhaoyue's voice came from the shop behind him again.

"Be careful not to break the bamboo basket!"

'

""

Yan Xiaolou really wanted to go back and beat that little demon to a pulp, but when he thought of that gray-clad figure, he picked up the bamboo basket and rushed into the rainy street.

It's not far from the place in Xishi where slag is dumped.

Yan Xiaolou walked through two alleys, poured the ashes from the basket into the stone pit, and the remaining ashes, wet by the rain, fell down in pieces, completely staining her clothes black.

Yan Xiaolou picked up the empty bamboo basket and was about to casually throw it by the pit.

As soon as she loosened her grip, she remembered Zhaoyue lying behind the counter, counting a copper coin over and over again.

"trouble."

She muttered something under her breath, it was unclear whether she was referring to the winnowing basket or the greedy little demon.

The rain is getting heavier.

Yan Xiaolou did not seek shelter from the rain, but carried a bamboo basket and walked quickly through the West Market.

She knew the streets of Mingyu City so well that she knew which street was the shortest, which bridge was prone to flooding after rain, and she could walk with her eyes closed without getting lost.

Before she was ten years old, she used to run around in the city in the rain like this. At that time, she was just an orphan living with her aunt.

After being diagnosed with a superior sword physique, she walked this path less and less often.

As the city gate approached, a crowd of people blocked the way. Even though the rain was pouring down, some people still squeezed in front of the notice board.

Looking into the distance, some people were holding umbrellas, some were wearing raincoats, and a few were carrying wooden basins on their heads.

"Excuse me, I haven't seen the list of participants yet."

"The list isn't out that early; this is the seating reservation procedure."

What's different about this year's bylaws?

"What's the difference? The Hundred Sects Seats are held every four years, and each session is pretty much the same. First, we look at the competition among the younger generation of each sect to see if there is a lack of successors and to see their future potential. Then we compare how much each sect has done in the past four years, how much property it has protected, and how many people it has supported."

A man selling steamed buns nearby chimed in, "To put it bluntly, it's about both family wealth and the descendants. No matter how rich a family is, if there's no one to support them, they'll be left out."

Someone asked, "So, who's the most promising candidate for Qiwu this year?"

"No need to ask, it must be Lu Kaichao from Chengjiang Sect. He has a natural water body."

"Is that impressive?"

"Have you heard of the Rising Star Ranking? It's a list that compiles all the geniuses in the world. The Rising Star Group, which has a hundred fixed seats in our country, is named based on this list. Lu Kaichao is ranked thirty-seventh on the Rising Star Ranking. He is the only one of our Qiwu's younger generation on the list."

"The only one? I've heard that Yan Xiaolou from Zhefeng Pavilion is also quite formidable."

"She is impressive, but four years ago she challenged Lu Kaichao to a match, and she didn't even last until the fourth move before she was knocked down."

A few voices of agreement rang out from the crowd.

Yan Xiaolou stood outside in the rain, her brows furrowing slightly.

She was annoyed by these discussions. Ever since that challenge, every time Lu Kaichao was mentioned, someone would bring her up, as if Lu Kaichao's prowess wouldn't be apparent without mentioning her, Yan Xiaolou.

Moreover, in that match, it wasn't that he couldn't withstand Lu Kaichao's fourth move.

The first three sword strikes of the Hunhe Sword Technique were used up too much, and the fourth sword strike could not be connected.

With these thoughts in mind, Yan Xiaolou shook her head again.

A loss is a loss. Rushing over to explain to these strangers will only make it sound like you're making excuses.

Yan Xiaolou tucked the bamboo basket into his arm and walked through the crowd out of the city.

The guards recognized her and called out "Fairy Yan," but Yan Xiaolou had already disappeared into the rain and onto the official road.

Nearly two hours later, the gate of Zhefeng Pavilion appeared at the end of the official road.

The rain lessened a bit, but it was already completely dark.

The gatekeeper saw someone carrying a bamboo basket up the mountain from afar. At first, he thought it was someone delivering coal, but when he got closer, he could see the face clearly.

"Senior Sister?"

"Where is my master?"

Yan Xiaolou asked.

The disciple replied, "Elder Wei is currently holding a meeting in the council hall, and the abbot and several other elders are also present."

"Perfect."

Yan Xiaolou carried the bamboo basket and walked inside.

The disciples she encountered along the way all stopped to pay their respects, but after she passed by, they couldn't help but turn back for a second look.

Yan Xiaolou didn't have time to worry about these things.

She hadn't fully figured out what she'd touched by the stove today, and the more she did, the more she wanted to find her master and explain it to him immediately.

The gatekeepers outside the council hall did not stop the person after recognizing him.

The eldest sister is highly sought after by the elders, who usually treat her with deference and respect. This isn't the first or second time she's barged in like this.

Yan Xiaolou pushed open the door and went in; the people in the hall looked over at the same time.

Wei Lianshan frowned first: "What happened to you? Why are you like this?"

Yan Xiaolou placed the bamboo basket by the door and was about to answer when Master Liu, who was sitting in the main seat, waved with a smile.

"It's good that you're back. Change your wet clothes first."

"It's nothing, I have something to say."

Seeing that she was in excellent spirits, Master Liu did not try to persuade her any further, and picked up the jade bottle on the table.

"Xiao Lou, you've come at just the right time. With the Grand Competition approaching, all the sects are sharpening their knives. We can't slack off either. I've asked someone to buy a bottle of Earth Marrow Elixir from Yan Kingdom, and I'm going to give it to you tonight."

Zhefeng Pavilion wasn't well-off; the fact that they could buy a bottle of Earth Marrow Liquid before booking a table meant they had already used up all the money they could.

"Thank you, Master, and thank you to the elders as well." Yan Xiaolou bowed solemnly.

Master Liu laughed and said, "No need for thanks. Whether Zhefeng Hall can protect the West Market's businesses is a heavy responsibility on your shoulders. In the coming days, don't run around. Stay in the hall to stabilize your energy and hone your physical strength."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xiaolou did not go to take the jade bottle: "Master, I have returned today because there is something more important."

Wei Lianshan sensed something was off about her tone.

"What trouble has arisen this time?"

"There might be a problem after the third move of the Hunhe Sword Technique."

The hall fell silent.

An elder put down the account book: "Explain yourself clearly, is the problem with your swordsmanship, or have you developed a problem with your training?"

Yan Xiaolou didn't try to be brave: "It's not certain yet. In the past, I used too much force in the third move, and all my remaining strength was dissipated, so the fourth move was always half a breath slower. Today, while forging iron, I realized that perhaps it's not that the fourth move isn't fast enough, but that the third move didn't leave any room for the next move."

The elders exchanged glances.

Most of the people present had practiced the Hunhe Sword Technique, so when they heard a young disciple say such a thing, their first reaction was naturally not to agree.

To agree would be to say that all the predecessors in the academy were idiots and that they needed a disciple at the Observation Realm to find problems with the sword technique.

Wei Lianshan guessed at something and asked, "Did you think of that at the blacksmith's shop?"

Yan Xiaolou nodded and briefly recounted how he had struck the iron today and explained the matter of Li Lu to Zhao Yue.

Finally, she added, "That Mr. Shen probably knows more than just a little about forging."

Master Liu asked, "Did you see him make a move?"

"no."

"Have you explored the realm?"

"No, not at all."

The Elder in charge of discipline interjected, "Then what makes you say he's a strong person?"

Yan Xiaolou had already prepared his words: "Sir, you can tell that the short sword is not broken even through the scabbard. You can teach a little demon for a few days and the little demon can explain the key points of the hammer strike, and it just so happens to be the part that I don't understand. I suspect that Mr. Shen may have already entered the City Destroyer Realm."

After the words "destroy the city" were uttered, no one in the hall spoke for a moment.

Even the strongest master of Zhefeng Hall, Master Liu, is only at the peak of Wangyue, and has been stuck at this bottleneck for more than ten years without being able to break through.

If a City Destroyer Realm expert is indeed sitting in the Yu Family Shop, then he is not someone the Zhefeng Pavilion can afford to underestimate.

Everyone began to ponder, and after a long while, the Elder in charge of discipline still shook his head: "Guessing cannot be taken seriously. Being able to accurately identify the sword material may just mean that one is skilled and can teach a little demon, but it does not mean that one understands the Hunhe Sword Technique."

"I know."

Yan Xiaolou unsheathed his short sword and took a few steps back. "So I'll show you all first."

She gripped the sword hilt, her breath sinking.

The first three moves were unleashed in quick succession, the sword light skimming across the empty space in the hall.

At the end of the third move, Yan Xiaolou did not press all the force down as usual. Instead, he loosened his shoulders and wrists slightly in advance, and the fourth move was delivered almost without pause, following the previous momentum.

The process was smooth and seamless.

Someone in the hall glanced at him; things had indeed gone more smoothly than before, but it still wasn't enough.

"It's less powerful." The Elder in charge of discipline hit the nail on the head.

Yan Xiaolou did not deny it.

An elder offered a compromise: "You've grasped a bit of the trick, but you haven't found the complete method yet. You're still far from being able to use it in the arena."

Yan Xiaolou sheathed his sword: "It is precisely because I haven't found them all that I must continue."

"Where to?" Master Liu frowned.

"Yu Family Iron Shop".

Yan Xiaolou then revealed that he had agreed to serve as a stove attendant for six hours every day.

No sooner had he finished speaking than chaos erupted in the hall.

"Nonsense!"

"You're the senior disciple of Zhefeng Pavilion, and you're serving as a furnace attendant for a mere little demon? What kind of talk will that make?"

"You've spent six hours by the hearth, are you even going to practice your swordsmanship?"

Some of the elders stood up, and this time even Wei Lianshan didn't help.

"Xiao Lou, why didn't you go back to the inn to discuss it before you agreed?"

"If I had come back first, I wouldn't have been able to get my hands on any of these things today."

"That's not a reason."

Wei Lianshan's face darkened. "The Earth Marrow Liquid cost a lot of money, and the joint training in the hall has already been arranged for you. The seating arrangement is not your responsibility alone. You can't change all the arrangements based on a momentary feeling."

Master Liu spoke up at this moment, raising his hand to silence the arguing: "Xiao Lou, if you think Manager Yu is extraordinary, the academy will send someone to investigate further. If he is indeed a reclusive expert, we will prepare gifts to befriend him. Right now, your most important task is to take the Earth Marrow Elixir and maintain your position in the top ten."

Yan Xiaolou shook her head.

"The Earth Marrow Liquid can stabilize Qi and strengthen the body, but I've already reached the peak of the Observation Realm. Unless I break through to the Peak Realm now, how much can I improve in a month?"

"Even a single point is a point before the hundred sects have their seats."

"If I connect with the fourth move, it will be more than just one point."

Yan Xiaolou argued his case forcefully.

The master said, "Mastering a sword technique isn't just about a few words. How the moves change, how the energy flows, and whether the meridians can withstand it all require gradual testing. You only mastered it once today, and its power is still insufficient, yet you dare to bet on the top ten?"

The elder in charge of law then asked, "Mr. Shen, can you guarantee you'll be in the top ten?"

He made no promises.

"I guarantee you'll break through your current level?"

"No, not at all."

"So what did he promise?"

"He only said that he would help me solve the sword problem and make it into the Hundred Sects' seat."

Yan Xiaolou looked at everyone.

"I see." The Elder in charge of law was silent for a moment, then said, "You can put your agreement with him on hold for now. The academy will send someone to verify his background. If he is indeed the Hermit of Destroying the City, I will personally visit him to apologize. If not, you don't need to waste your time."

Yan Xiaolou gripped the scabbard but did not answer immediately.

Rain dripped from the hem of her clothes, accumulating in a small patch at her feet.

After a moment, she looked up.

"I can't pretend I never said what I promised just because it's not worth it right now."

Just as the room was about to erupt in noise again, Wei Lianshan suddenly raised his hand and said, "That's enough."

He looked at Yan Xiaolou: "Do you really think... you'll be able to witness Mr. Shen's true abilities?"

"able."

"Think carefully before you answer."

'

""

Yan Xiaolou's mind flashed through what had happened at the blacksmith's shop, finally settling on the gray-clad figure beside the stone table in the backyard.

The other party never made a move, nor did they promise her a place in the top ten.

But when she thought of that person, she felt a sense of peace.

"Yes," Yan Xiaolou confirmed again.

Wei Lianshan stared at his disciple for a while, then turned to the master and said, "Please give her ten days."

Master Liu did not agree immediately.

"We are preparing for both scenarios."

Wei Lianshan continued, "The participating disciples will move into the Mingyu City Inn in advance to save travel time. Xiao Lou will go to the Yu family for six hours every day and will still practice with them when he returns at night. After ten days, three fellow disciples will work together to train him. If Xiao Lou really improves, he can continue to go to the shop. If there is no substantial change, we will stop the losses in time."

The Elder in charge of law asked, "Where is the Earth Marrow Fluid?"

"The earth's essence fluid cannot be left unused for her."

Wei Lianshan looked at Yan Xiaolou, "It's being shared with other participating disciples. She chose this path herself, and she can't have the safest option on both sides."

The hall quieted down. The other elders also had their own disciples, and naturally hoped that their disciples could make further progress, so they did not object anymore.

The owner tapped his fingers lightly on the table, then sighed.

"Xiao Lou, think it through. If it doesn't work in ten days, you'll lose not only ten days, but also this bottle of Earth Essence Liquid."

Yan Xiaolou looked at the jade bottle.

That was a path the sect had bought for her; it was safe, visible, and no one would say she had made the wrong choice.

"Boom—"

'

Suddenly, the outside of the window lit up, and thunder rumbled over the mountain gate.

Yan Xiaolou withdrew her gaze.

"I've thought it through."

She held the short sword horizontally in front of her, and everyone in the court bowed to her.

"We'll see in ten days."

The sound of rain outside suddenly intensified.

The mortal fluid was still on the table, just a few steps away from her.

Yan Xiaolou did not look again.